I HAVE A DREAM



My dream is not a Martin Luther King, Jr. kind of a dream. 

 

My dream is more like a Bing Crosby kind of a dream.

 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

 

This dream was triggered this morning when I opened the garage door at 6:00 a.m. to go to work.  I was surprised to see the driveway and the street covered with lots of white fluffy stuff.  It was a beautiful sight!  My only concern was how safely I could drive to work.

 

I drove 15 mph from our house to the freeway.  No other cars were on the road.  Then I merged onto the freeway behind an 18-wheeler that was moving along at 40 mph.  I stayed behind him for about 10 miles, allowing him to escort me to the freeway exit which takes me to work.

 

Despite the snowy and icy roads, I arrived at work safely at 6:30 a.m.

 

 



 

Standing in the garage at 6:00 a.m. and looking outside at the driveway and street.

Standing at the garage door looking to my right.

Standing at the garage door looking to my left.

From across the street looking toward our house.  Notice that I achieved a short term goal a couple of days ago by making room in our garage for both vehicles.

Arriving at work at about 6:30 a.m., walking from the parking structure to the hospital building.

At 7:30 a.m. I opened the door to our patients.  This is the view looking outside from the door entering our department.

I arrived home from work at about 4:00 p.m.  Most of the snow was gone.

If my dream of a white Christmas is fulfilled, it will include this wreath that came to us as a gift from our realtor.

Our Christmas will also include a short little fake tree topped with an angel who was created to fly to the top of a bigger tree.

SUNDAY EVENING CHRISTMAS CONCERT

 

 

Tonight Debra and I got to finish our weekend by attending a Christmas concert at Community Bible Church in Central Point. Two of our granddaughters, Baylee and Rylie, were on stage while their youngest sister, Alexia, stayed in the nursery and their second-to-the-youngest sister, Makiah, sat in the audience with us.

 

Baylee was credited as one of the speakers.

Although Rylie wasn't mentioned by name, she was part of "Our Awesome Choir".

In addition to singing in the choir, Rylie also handed out programs to guests as they entered the auditorium.

Debra, Makiah and Gordon wait for the program to begin.

Rylie (top row, far right) takes her place in the choir while Baylee (front and center) takes her place behind a microphone.



Baylee delivers her lines.

After delivering her lines, Baylee returns to the front row, far left.  Rylie remains in the top row, far right.



Rylie looks on as the wise men take their place on stage.



Glo---------------oria!  In excelsis Deo!

The pastor ends with closing remarks while Baylee looks toward the audience.

Josie and Makiah enjoyed the entire program.  Well, maybe that's only half right.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DATE WITH PAPA AND AUNT ASHLEY

Instead of purchasing and wrapping Christmas gifts for the Weathersby kids this year, we decided to take them on a Christmas shopping date with Papa and Aunt Ashley.  This choice was made for the same reason we gave Tim and Bethany a truckload of used garden tools: Lack of shopping time due to moving a week ago.

 

Yesterday I arrived from Southern Oregon and Ashley arrived from the coast.  We told the kids what our plans were for Saturday.  Debra and Ashley and I all contributed to the amount each child could spend.  We asked the kids what store they would like to go to, and they decided on Target.  

 

After shopping, we ate at the restaurant of Naomi's choosing.  Since her only requirement was curly fries, we ate at Jack In The Box.  

 

 

Ashley and I arrived to a chalkboard greeting from Silas.

After breakfast this morning, the gang was ready to go.

Naomi assumed cart pushing duties.

While browsing through Beaver gear, a coat hanger found Devon's left eyeball. 

Silas and Devon scrutinize the stocking stuffers.

Silas was the last one to finalize his purchasing decision, vacillating between one big item and two smaller items of similar cost.

Naomi particularly pondered pretty pink products.

With shopping completed, the next stop was the nearest restaurant serving curly fries.

Jack In The Box provided not only curly fries, but also a variety of milkshakes.  When lunch was finished, we returned home and the incredibly fun and eagerly anticipated shopping date with Papa and Aunt Ashley came to an end.

SANTA'S SLEIGH

Well, it's not exactly a sleigh.  It's a pickup truck. 

 

And it's not really Santa's.  It's mine. 

 

This Christmas we're doing things differently.  Debra and I moved a week ago and time constraints have not allowed us any time to shop.  Also, we've downsized our living space and no longer need our gardening tools nor do we have room to store them.  So, our Christmas gift to Tim and Bethany this year is a truckload of used gardening tools. 

 

The sleigh left The House on Oak Valley before dark this morning, sat for a few hours in a parking lot where I work, then continued its journey to its final destination. 

 

The sleigh traveled through rain, snow, hail and sunshine for about five hours before landing.

 

 

The sleigh departed at six o'clock this morning. 

Snow fell against the windshield just north of Grants Pass.  The trip included taking pictures while simultaneously driving through snow along a steep, winding downgrade on I-5.

Snow dusted the treetops along the freeway.

The sleigh left snow to be greeted by rain.

The loaded sleigh reached a happy recipient who got a used lawnmower, rototiller, edger, wheelbarrow, spreader and a bunch of other landscaping goodies.

OUR FIRST NEW HOUSE VISITOR

Having lived in our new home for about 24 hours, we opened the front door this evening to our very first visitor. 

 

Debra and I realized with the purchase of this smaller house, that some things were going to have to change.  For example, the dining room table which we have owned for several years is just a bit too big for our new dining room.  This rectangular table plus the six chairs just don't fit. 

 

So, we asked Gordon and Josie, the parents of four of our twelve grandchildren, if they would like to have it.  They did.  So, Gordon came and got it.

 

This table is simply too big for our new dining room.

Gordon, the very first guest to ever step into our new home, and I carry the chairs out to his truck.

The table also goes.

Tailgate down and ready to load.

Gordon leaves with their new dining room set.

Our dining room is now quite spacious.  We've ordered a new, round dining table that will seat four and will fit nicely into this space.  But due to the Christmas holiday, we won't see it until the middle of January.

MOVING DAY

Today our new adventure began. 

 

After more than twelve years since I moved into The House on Hybiscus, Debra and I left our 1600-square-foot house with a swimming pool this morning and happily squeezed into our new 1200-square-foot house with no pool to maintain.  Our next move will likely be into a convalescent hospital or, as they call them these days, assisted living.

 

 

 

The House on Oak Valley sits across from an open field, which is a hiking area for residents in our neighborhood.  This open area will never be developed into housing, as mandated in this planned community.  To the left of our new home is a walkway which allows neighbors living on the streets behind us to access the field across from our house.  To the right of our home is a moving van.  This is the first time I have ever hired a professional to do our moving.  It was worth it.

Entering our home through the front door places you in our living room.  A gas fireplace, which actually is an energy-efficient means of heating the house, adorns the corner.  Hardwood floors grace the entry, the dining room and the kitchen.

The view of the living room from the kitchen and dining room.  Fortunately, we were able to have new carpeting installed yesterday before covering it with furniture and boxes today.

The dining room and kitchen as seen from the living room.  Interestingly, the laundry room is off the living room, through the door on the right.  I've never seen this arrangement before.

The master bedroom as seen from the hall.

The hall as seen from the master bedroom.

This is what we see when we open our front door.  I am already very happy here.