And it came to pass in those days......

Not alot to say here tonight except Merry Christmas to all my friends. I love each and every one of you!
Its been a great month getting ready for the big day.....From shopping with friends, to church parties, to dinner with close buddies and then watching The West Wing (greatest show ever)!!
And now ...its here ! I hope each and everyone of you has a wonderful day doing whatever it is you do ....I will close this post with a few of my favorite Christmas quotes and sayings ...
Peace Love and Joy to You!

Dear George: Remember-No man is a failure who has friends.
Clarence The Angel-Its A Wonderful Life.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The Gospel of Luke

"But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!'"
Fred,Scrooges Nephew in A CHRISTMAS CAROL

49th.......

ALASKA: A PRIMER

Outsiders first discovered Alaska in 1741 when Danish explorer Vitus Jonassen Bering sighted it on a voyage from Siberia.

On October 18, 1867 Alaska officially became the property of the United States. Many Americans called the purchase "Seward's Folly."
Joe Juneau's 1880 discovery of gold ushered in the gold rush era.
In 1943 Japan invaded the Aleutian Islands, which started the One Thousand Mile War, the first battle fought on American soil since the Civil War
Alaska officially became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.
Alaska's most important revenue source is the oil and natural gas industry.
Alaska accounts for 25% of the oil produced in the United States.
The state of Rhode Island could fit into Alaska 425 times.
The fishing and seafood industry is the state's largest private industry employer.
Most of America's salmon, crab, halibut, and herring come from Alaska.
Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle.
Alaska is a geographical marvel. When a scale map of Alaska is superimposed on a map of the 48 lower states, Alaska extends from coast to coast.
The state's coastline extends over 6,600 miles.
At 20,320 feet above sea level, Mt. McKinley, located in Alaska's interior, is the highest point in North America.
Juneau is the only capital city in the United States accessible only by boat or plane

So whats all this damn Alaska talk you might ask ....well, it just so happens that I am going to Alaska next August. I have been invited by a couple of guys from the church to go Hallibut and Salmon fishing and after a few days or working out the costs I am on board. It will take me all year to get the money together but it will be something great to work for and I think in the long run the trip will mean more to me because its something I am gonna work hard for....My money tree out back died years ago !!
I am so excited....Alaska for me is one of those top 5 places to visit in my lifetime.
Highlands of Scotland,London,Vietnam and Anzio,Italy. They round out the top 5.
Anyway enjoy the Alaska tidbits....More info later
Peace and Love

Happy Christmas !!

Nick recently posted about his favorite Christmas/Holiday Movies and it got me to thinking about my favorite Christmas memories......This is basically for me but yall enjoy also !!

In no order .....

Trying to figure out how Santa brought horses to my grandparents house one year in the late 1970s.

Not being able to sleep as a kid because you know KNOW KNOW that you can hear Santa every time you shut your eyes.

Leaving Mamas homemade carrot cake out for Santa instead of cookies. We never once left him cookies.

Going to Nana and Ga's house on Christmas eve for dinner and presents. That was the Gregg side of our family . We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve.

The year I got Daddy Dog from my Ga. I still have that stuffed dog.

Going to Granny and Grandaddy's after leaving Nana and Ga's house. We then watched old Miller family movies. The old 8mm stuff with the loud projector clickclickclickclick.....

The year I got so many smurfs and then most were scooped up in wadded wrapping paper and tossed away.....blech.

Watching favorite holiday movies with GREAT FRIENDS.

Grandaddy always wearing a red sweater on Christmas morning ....I wear one every year now.

The last Christmas in the house I grew up in out in Macon County .

The last Christmas with my Dad.......The first Christmas without my Dad. Sad

Getting Connie his first real TONKA Dump truck this year. Big, Yellow, Metal ! I had one ....His Dad had one ....my Dad had one. Little boys need dump trucks !!!

Hunter Still believing.

Egg Nog.

Reading A Christmas Carol every year before Christmas

Listening to old Christmas records on my Grandaddys RCA Sterophonic Hi-Fi while we decorated the tree at their house.

Will Ferrel in ELF saying Son-of-a-Nutcracker

Heres to years and years of more memories yet to be made.

Peace and Love

Jason