INNOVATION

Innovate in my dictionary says....to introduce new methods, devices, etc.
...change in the way of doing things...something newly introduced....

Having just been through one of the most beautiful and ’awesome’ Family Christmas’s, I am asking....”Who could ask for anything more?”
I can!
Continued enjoyment of this quality of life, every day of the year, requires new and innovative ways of living fully in this land of plenty....called America.

Our family had more than it’s share of ’things’ for Christmas...my new digital camera which seems like a toy to me...food galore, Charlie, Lynn and I made 100 pastelillos before Christmas but most of all we had the true meaning of Love.....given by the “Babe” at Christmas.
In addition, we were given the “Gift of Joy” in our hearts this Christmas....It seemed like the funniest things happened everywhere we turned...we were always laughing at ourselves or each other.
The day began with the lighting of the Christ candle, prayers and ‘Joy To The World’ singing. After the wonderful meal, sharing of gifts etc. we had a gift game called....”Dirty Santa Clause”...
Everyone had brought small under $5. gifts for this game and we each choose a number to pick a gift.
#1 opened gift of choice....#2 could take #1 gift and give #1 a wrapped gift....or open one so all could see. The true winner was the last number who could see all open gifts but the last one....then they...in this case Lynn, could choose from everything.....
Yet in our family....things are not always as they seem....several gifts had been rigged....by whom I’m not telling.....
A least desired gift...warm rainbow colored flannel socks....had a $25.00 gift certificate inside....an unwanted book that had not been opened contained a $1.00 bill in each page. The name of the book....”The Lord’s Prayer in 40 different cultures and languages...”
The game was a riot....the trading of unwanted gifts became another game.
Talking LeNails...versus a ’barrel of monkeys’.
After all was done.....the treasures came forth!
We had such fun with that silly nonsense and yes, .....we truly had a “Birthday” party celebration. Eighteen months old Joshua thought we were all crazy. He was clapping his hands in glee at the party atmosphere.
Of course, there were “Happy Birthday Jesus” decoration everywhere in addition to the sights and sounds of Christmas red and green.
We, also, read the President’s message, which gave us a time of rejoicing in the fact that we live in freedom as Americans and Christians.
We were and are blessed.
You may say....”She’s bonkers. All the ’needy’ around and they play ’games’.”
Guilty.....
365 days of the year.....All our family is blessed.....and we use those blessings to help others.....and each other as needed.
I could tell you tales in our family that would curl your hair.....but the bottom line is that we do enjoy life to the fullest....the good, the bad, and the ugly is a normal part of the reality of our lives as well as others.....
YET our true life is internal!
It is for this that we celebrate, have fun, enjoy those we love and give, give,
give. We are a generous hearted people....
We believe that we are blessed in order to be a blessing!
It is a responsibility that we take seriously all year.
Christmas is a time of recognizing this fact that we are all in HIS plan called “Life” together and we have earned the right to enjoy it to our hearts content. This is what makes It A Good Life for myself and my family and friends.

In the year 2003 I hope to discover innovative ways of living life fully and sharing the blessings of God with others on a daily basis.
This is my “New Year’s Resolution.”
Enjoy Life.....Today!