Al and Peggy's Corner: December 2009

The hours of 2009 are ticking away.  What else can happen before we usher in 2010?

There is going to be a full moon on New Year's Eve.  Here is what it looks like tonight.

This full moon is not just any old full moon, this full moon is a Blue Moon.  What is a blue moon, is it really blue?

If you were to check "Wikipedia" it would tell you this:

"A blue moon is a full moon that is not timed to the regular monthly pattern. Most years have twelve full moons which occur approximately monthly, but in addition to those twelve full lunar cycles, each solar calendar year contains an excess of roughly eleven days compared to the lunar year. The extra days accumulate, so that every two or three years (on average about every 2.7154 years^[1]), there is an extra full moon. The extra moon is called a "blue moon." Different definitions place the "extra" moon at different times."

Look up and check out that blue moon on your way to your New Year's celebrations.  Have fun, drive safe and best of all have a great 2010.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE and we truly hope it is for each and everyone of you. 

But as we scurried around yesterday, doing our last minute shopping and planning for today's event, we noticed a few tired, sad, worried looking people. It gave us pause when we realized not everyone is as fortunate to be able to enjoy a day of rest with their loved ones as we were. A day we took for granted.

There are people who had to get up today, leave their families and go to work like any other day. Police, firefighters, hospital staff, restaurant servers and as we found out in tourist land, some souvenier shop & grocery store clerks.  

So we raise a toast and give a prayer of thanks to those that gave up their time with THEIR family and loved ones today, just for all of us.

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you with our heartfelt thanks.  We hope you know how much you are appreciated.  

From our house to your house, from our family to your family, we wish you the merriest of Christmases, the happiest of days and the blessed of times.

From our hearts to your heart Merry, Merry Christmas; may you be wrapped in the peace that surrounds you and may love fill your hearts.

WELL IT'S 'PANIC TIME'!

Time for those of us that are procrastinators to get out there and finish off the Christmas shopping!

Stumped for last minute gifts or stocking stuffer ideas?

Well here are a few that may help you:

How about some dark chocolate, green tea samplers, veggie steamer, sun protective clothing, the Wii Fit or a gym membership?

Maybe a suspender type life jacket, the newer 'fit' running shoes like Sketchers are advertising.
Gift cards are becoming more and more popular especially at this late date, but please be careful and read the rules of the cards, know the expiration dates and such.

One of the best gifts you can give, is that of your time.  Quality time, given from your heart to your loved one or friend. How about a special calendar. Not just any old calendar, a calendar with a date circled on each month. Attach an envelope to each month that can only be opened on the 1st of that month. The envelope has a letter inside outlining the activities that special day will hold.  Example: the calendar could be a gift to your Mom, January 15th could be the date chosen, the letter would state that on January 15th at 10:30 am you will be picking her up for a picnic in the park, a day of shopping or a spa day or whatever you have chosen. The activity should be something you know the recipient will enjoy. The whole day is theirs to enjoy your company. Each month would hold a different activity. 

Believe us, this will be the gift they will cherish most.  It's a gift that will last all year long.  Just remember to mark your own calendar! This is one appointment you can not cancel!

Do you have any last minute gift ideas you can share?  This late, we all need help! 

It's that time of the year again when we all get together wwith family, friends and colleagues to celebrate the festivities.  While we all enjoy the merriment please be careful......Jim Frimmer posted this excellent reminder, have a look and stay safe! http://activerain.com/blogsview/1394469/as-we-head-into-christmas-week-and-new-year-s-week-don-t-drink-and-drive-

Hi Everyone!  We rolling down the last few days before the huge celebrations begin and Michael Thornton thoughtfully posted how to get better Holiday Pictures.  Here it is in case you missed it earlier!

Take lots of shots this season and make them special!  Here"s the link for you:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1392569/3-tips-for-better-holiday-pictures-

We turned off the comments here so you can tell Michael how much this helped you!

Just like Willie Nelson, we can't wait to get on the road again.  Conditions on the I-77 south from Bluefield were good then bad, on and off all day.  Every time a new guest came into the hotel the story changed.

Hitting the sack early tonight with big hopes of getting on the road again, early in the morning and hitting the beaches early on Monday.  Guess Florida needed a day or two to warm up, even there, it was a littler cooler today.

We just had a number of hydro crews in their trucks arrive at the hotel, they left Kentucky Friday at 3:00 pm and just arrived to help over 95,000 West Virginians that have been without power since Friday.  The problem is getting to these people.

Hope all of AR Friends in the northeast are prepared for a big one, it's on it's way there.  Stock up on food, water and batteries and be safe. 

Thinking about you...

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

On Friday morning at 4:00 am we jumped into the car and programmed the GPS to Maderia Beach, Florida.  Snow, go ahead and snow, we will be on the beach.

Well just about half way light snow started to fall.  With just about less than 1/4  tank of gas it was time to pull over and fill up just in case things slowed down ahead.

We ended up in a little place called Bluefield, West Virgina.  It took us about an hour and a half to get to the gas station.  Problem now was that there were cars everywhere, only way out is via a hill and traction was not to be seen anywhere.  Getting around was almost impossible as the snow fell, and fell and fell.

Five hours later, after sitting parked most of the time, with the GPS telling us a hotel was 3 minutes away, we found a Quality Inn, $89 for the night.  After passing car after car that were in the ditch, tractor trailers just stopped in the driving lanes not being able to get up even the smallest grades, we thanked our lucky blessings and would have paid $200 and more for the room.

In the morning there was about a foot of snow on the ground and a good six inches on the car. Cleared the car off but couldn't get a straight answer if I-77 was okay southbound.  First we heard the road was closed, then open then closed again.

The nice thing around here is they keep you informed, go figure...

So, here we sit, a thirteen hour drive ahead of us to the sunny beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.

This was a great post written by Ed Silva about the people and local newspaper in his town  It sounds like a great place to live and Ed sounds proud!  Go on over to Ed's site http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389509/our-prospect-pages-the-home-town-paper-we-all-enjoy-

Thank you ED!

How are you feeling today Rainers...

Wasn't that a great Active Rain party.  Who was that gal Bob was with, didn't look like his wife?  Oh well, Brad was looking a little suspicious too.

And Carole, hope those pictures don't make it to FaceBook.

If you missed it, click right here.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!