The Best Christmas Ever

This was the best Christmas ever for MaryAnn and I. Let's see if I can explain:

1. We went to Ohio to attend the wedding of the last of MaryAnn's sisters to get married. When we returned we found out that the man I work for had lied to us and the company was in impending financial ruin. So, we cancelled our trip to Texas for Christmas to stay and work.
2. We made the payroll on December 15th but it left the company out of cash. Everything we were trying was postponed or did not work out. So, on December 23rd the owner gave everyone a letter saying we would all be without jobs if an investor did not step in by December 29th.
3. We got presents for all the grandchildren and got them sent off but told the children we could not give them anything this year.
4. One of our children had an unexpected windfall and MaryAnn ask for some help but not a word back so far.
5. We did not receive any gifts from others nor did we feel we could give ourselves anything this year.

Bottom line: saw no family, children or grandchildren for the first time in our lives; were unable to give gifts and received none for the first time in our lives; were alone all Christmas except for dinner at a church friends house on Christmas evening; and are very likely to be unemployed, lose one car, lose our house and no telling what all after that.

So, how could this be the best Christmas ever? Let me see if I can explain:

1. When you boil family down to its essence, it is you and your spouse. MaryAnn and I have had an extended time alone to enjoy one other, to argue, to agree, to play games, to read and to see sappy movies and go to church.
2. When you take the money out of Christmas it enables you to sacrifice in buying a gift for your grandchildren which gives you a pleasure you normally do not have - like we really did something worth while.
3. When you take the glitz and glitter out of Christmas it leaves you with the real essence of Christmas - Jesus, the Messiah.

God is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations.

Thank you Lord for the best Christmas ever!

Big Bake, a.k.a. Poppa Joel

And Winter Keeps Coming

Well, it just keeps on coming down - - here are some additional pics of our white, wicked winter. There should be lights shining in the distance in the first picture. That is a tanker/barage on the other side of Bellingham Bay. We were on Lummi Shore Dr on the Lummi Indian reservation.

Buckeyebb

From the frozen Nooksack River in downtown Ferndale to the violent winter storm on Bellingham Bay - - we are having a Christmas morning like I remember as a child. The sledding down the hill in our backyard - - skating on our next door neighbors pond - - playing card and board games in front of the fire place. May each of your families create those memories for your children. They do last a lifetime.

Love

Buckeyebb

From 6816 La Bello Dr., Lynden and the surrounding dairy farms - - We wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.

Buckeyebb and Scooter

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas

If I ever wanted a white Christmas, I got one this year. MaryAnn will post some snow pictures in due time. But let me share some facts so far:

1. We have gotten over 36 inches of snow the last week. It is drifted to 4 ' in our yard, a glass table on the back porch is 12 inches deep and perfectly shaped.
2. A young lady got her car stuck in the street this morning and really had to work to get it out - no I did not help her, my bone density is just fine thank you.
3. The Nooksack River is frozen over with snow on top of it - I have never seen that before in my life time.
4. It is so quiet - snow seems to bring silence to the world.

So, we are here by the fire, watching it snow, MaryAnn is baking a pie to take to Christmas dinner tonight at a friends house - assuming we can go anywhere. If not, then I will eat the pecan pie myself.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

I'm Not Suppose To Know

I'm from Texas, it doesn't snow much around Dallas so I'm not suppose to know how to drive in snow. So how come I'm the only one at the office this morning.

Henry is feeling bad, Mike is feeling like staying home, Angela is waiting on the heating company for repairs, Evan and Dave have not reported at all, Paula is working from home (I've heard she has a great view from her house), nobody knows about Joe until he surfaces so that leaves Guy and I on days like today. I talked to Guy at 7:30 AM and he was sitting at his kitchen table at home trying to compose himself - his truck would not start, he could not get the hood to open and he had the Honda stuck in snow.

I went and picked up the computer repair man at his apartment and brought him in to work on my computer, then I took off to go get Guy - about the time I got there he got the Honda unstuck so I turned around, then I picked up toys for Breged Collins House, returned to the office and here I sit.

If I'm not suppose to know how to get around in snow then why am I the only one to get here?

That just proves old age teaches you something.

Are You Crazy

Tonight was very interesting because I thought MaryAnn and I might be stranded in the aftermath of the December 2008 snow storm of NW Washington. We were trying to find our way to a Christmas party for CTK youth workers at the home of one of the leaders and the home was on a very small cul de sac at the end of a fairly steep street. The snow was over two feet deep and our Honda CRV was struggling mightily to get us in and then out again. We worked for 10 minutes or so to avoid getting stuck. I had to turn the heater down because I got so warm in the car - probably from the frustration and worry about getting stuck.

But our prayers were answered and we got out and survived.

Did we have a good time at the party? No, we didn't get out of the car, we drove home and cooked and ate potato pancakes. It was a great worker Christmas party.

For the Nolanmeister

This is what Nolan used to call "Papa Joel's Mountain - Mountain Baker". . . it is the best snowboarding in the world - - snowboarding originated there, so I am told.

Will post more later

Buckeyebb

Two Snow Days - - and we had to get out

Much like a former political candidate - - if we drive about 5 miles or look out our top bedroom window we can also see a foreign country. Most of these pictures were taken from Boundry Rd E. The only thing separating us from Canada is a bar ditch. So why do we have the border crossings in Lynden and Sumas? ? Those are part of the Canadian Cascades.

Buckeyebb

Where's The Snow, Sleet & Wind

I'm the type that sits on the sofa eating fried chicken while a tornado wipes out part of the city - but that was Texas. Here in NW Washington all you can hope for is snow, sleet and wind - it was forecast for last night but we had very little of it. I am disappointed because I was really hungry for fried chicken. What am I thinking - fried chicken in NW Washington - this is salmon country and lots of other healthy things. Well, anyway I was disappointed in the tame weather.

Maybe we will have a white Christmas though - I'm not sure I have ever had a white Christmas - unless you count living on the north side of Marlin.

That's enough for starters.

Big Baker

The wanderings and postings from the Pacific Northwest

To my friends and family - -

I never thought that I would be setting up a blog. That idea was about as crazy as my dad setting up the internet in West Jeff. I have been asked to post pics that I have taken since I came here and my daughter's have been wanting to see pics that I have taken when I have visted them. You see, even with a digital camera, I still have a hard time sending photos as I did when I had to take them to be developed. I am hoping this will be a funner place to post and talk than sending a snapfish. . .

My biggest news to report today, I received an early Christmas present. I have told dad, even though the present will not be here until August, I think. I am excited that Grace Belle, Georgia, Garrett, and MeeMaw and Papa Joel will get to welcome Erin and Jason's newest baby.