McNeil High School Choir
from Round Rock, Texas
What a treat the residents and their families had recently at the assisted living center my friend Jane's mother lives in here in Burnet. A wonderful buffet dinner was served to 150 of us, and we were pleasantly surprised by such a professional presentation of Christmas carols given by these talented high school students. I was taken by surprise, but quickly put my camera on video and got a couple of short versions of their performance that you can go to YouTube and view if you wish:
Back to the Christmas party. Santa traded in his sleigh for a wheelchair to get around in when he
dropped by for a visit. The seniors enjoyed his visit as much as their grandchildren and great-grandchildren did! My friend Jane and her husband Joe, her sister Sharon, and niece Gail helped to make a happy celebration for Jane's mother Evelyn, who turned 96 earlier this month.
She and Jane were really enjoying the cupcakes, and the memory lingered on for Jane! Her tongue and teeth were green the rest of the day! This was an especially happy occasion, as Evelyn had been ill the week before, and thanks to Jane's wonderful nursing care at her home, the doctor gave a thumbs up on her health. Jane even learned to give injections so she could give them to her mother twice a day. We all should be blessed with such loving care by one of our children in our "old age".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UlT_d9YqQ8
My grandson Cameron, who is an opera student at LSU, came through Burnet the following Tuesday on his way home to Dallas for Christmas. He had picked up his girlfriend Sarah from school in San Marcos, and delighted this grandmother by stopping by for dinner and a visit. He had seen the videos on YouTube, and informed me that two of his biggest baritone rivals for singing roles at college were formerly from the McNeil High School Choir! He said they must have a very good choir program there.
Back to the Christmas party. Santa traded in his sleigh for a wheelchair to get around in when he
dropped by for a visit. The seniors enjoyed his visit as much as their grandchildren and great-grandchildren did! My friend Jane and her husband Joe, her sister Sharon, and niece Gail helped to make a happy celebration for Jane's mother Evelyn, who turned 96 earlier this month.
She and Jane were really enjoying the cupcakes, and the memory lingered on for Jane! Her tongue and teeth were green the rest of the day! This was an especially happy occasion, as Evelyn had been ill the week before, and thanks to Jane's wonderful nursing care at her home, the doctor gave a thumbs up on her health. Jane even learned to give injections so she could give them to her mother twice a day. We all should be blessed with such loving care by one of our children in our "old age".
I cannot leave the image of Jane with a green tongue without letting everyone see what a normal looking, very pretty woman she is! She and her hubby Joe have blessed my life so much this year -- and I am grateful. At right is her mother and sister Sharon.
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If you have noticed the new slideshow at the left of the blog, you can see photos of the glorious event we attended the following night. Main Street Bethlehem is "a Christmas gift from the members and friends of First Baptist Church of Burnet. Begun in 1993, it is an annual event" the first two weekends in December. There is no charge because of the generosity of visitors and others of the community who donate time and money.
The line of people waiting to go through this recreation of a street in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus stretched for blocks, and it was crowded inside as well. It was the last night of the production, and the weather was great. It was well worth the wait.
This was like stepping back in time. The actors were not only in period costumes, but they stayed "in character" if one tried to talk to them. We mingled with Roman soldiers, shepherds, merchants, shopkeepers and the like, witnessing people being brought before the tax collector, and some even being thrown into "jail"! The innkeeper informed us quickly that there were "no rooms in the inn", but pointed out the strange bright star in the sky and the area on which it shone. We followed the "star", and a hush came over the crowd as we approached a "cave" with the manger scene of Mary, Joseph, and the babe, Jesus. I cannot explain what an experience it was... If you are ever in the hill country at this time of year, you must make an effort to walk the Main Street of Bethlehem.
The line of people waiting to go through this recreation of a street in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus stretched for blocks, and it was crowded inside as well. It was the last night of the production, and the weather was great. It was well worth the wait.
This was like stepping back in time. The actors were not only in period costumes, but they stayed "in character" if one tried to talk to them. We mingled with Roman soldiers, shepherds, merchants, shopkeepers and the like, witnessing people being brought before the tax collector, and some even being thrown into "jail"! The innkeeper informed us quickly that there were "no rooms in the inn", but pointed out the strange bright star in the sky and the area on which it shone. We followed the "star", and a hush came over the crowd as we approached a "cave" with the manger scene of Mary, Joseph, and the babe, Jesus. I cannot explain what an experience it was... If you are ever in the hill country at this time of year, you must make an effort to walk the Main Street of Bethlehem.
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This happy, friendly face is another one of my dear, long-term friends who lives in Denton. Her 
name is Pam Livingston, known by her grandchildren as "GoMo" (God Only Made One). She truly is one of a kind, and an inspiration to so many. I met Pam in the early nineties when she began going to the Unity Church of Denton. Newly divorced, Pam was determined to improve her life. She was on an exercise regimen the military would be proud of! A mother of three beautiful daughters, one still at home at that time, she returned to college and worked nights as a manager of a large hotel. During this time, Pam took up drumming. She not only became a regular around Denton at various drumming circles, but she eventually played the conga drums in a band called "Baloney Moon" (I never did find out where the name came from!) at venues in the Denton and Dallas areas. She also began to play drums at church in the late nineties.
Pam got her degree and went to work for the Denton Small Business Center, where she has remained for over ten years, helping women and men start businesses of their own. Pam is such a positive, supportive personality, she must really be admired by those she assists.
Not satisfied with her many accomplishments, Pam has now branched out into writing children's books! She has started a series of books about a wonderful little character named "Frendoval". Like his creator, Frendoval is truly a friend of all, and the first book published is about his travels around the world and how he discovers all the ways we as humans are "all alike". This is such a beautiful little upbeat book for children of all ages, but especially the little ones. Pam says another one is ready to be published, and I think she told me she has three more in the works.
She tells me a Frendoval website is also in the works.
Circumstances in my life led me and my little dog Fancy to share Pam's home with her and her daughter Chrissy for about six months in 2000-2001. We had such a good time. Every evening we would take turns choosing a CD to do our exercises to. We danced all over her living room and dining room... each making up our steps as we did. I wish I was in that good a shape now! While I was there, we had a wonderful New Year's Eve party for our Unity friends. Memories I will carry with me always. Thank you again, my dear friend, Pam. (GoMo!)
name is Pam Livingston, known by her grandchildren as "GoMo" (God Only Made One). She truly is one of a kind, and an inspiration to so many. I met Pam in the early nineties when she began going to the Unity Church of Denton. Newly divorced, Pam was determined to improve her life. She was on an exercise regimen the military would be proud of! A mother of three beautiful daughters, one still at home at that time, she returned to college and worked nights as a manager of a large hotel. During this time, Pam took up drumming. She not only became a regular around Denton at various drumming circles, but she eventually played the conga drums in a band called "Baloney Moon" (I never did find out where the name came from!) at venues in the Denton and Dallas areas. She also began to play drums at church in the late nineties.Pam got her degree and went to work for the Denton Small Business Center, where she has remained for over ten years, helping women and men start businesses of their own. Pam is such a positive, supportive personality, she must really be admired by those she assists.
Not satisfied with her many accomplishments, Pam has now branched out into writing children's books! She has started a series of books about a wonderful little character named "Frendoval". Like his creator, Frendoval is truly a friend of all, and the first book published is about his travels around the world and how he discovers all the ways we as humans are "all alike". This is such a beautiful little upbeat book for children of all ages, but especially the little ones. Pam says another one is ready to be published, and I think she told me she has three more in the works.She tells me a Frendoval website is also in the works.
Circumstances in my life led me and my little dog Fancy to share Pam's home with her and her daughter Chrissy for about six months in 2000-2001. We had such a good time. Every evening we would take turns choosing a CD to do our exercises to. We danced all over her living room and dining room... each making up our steps as we did. I wish I was in that good a shape now! While I was there, we had a wonderful New Year's Eve party for our Unity friends. Memories I will carry with me always. Thank you again, my dear friend, Pam. (GoMo!)
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Peace and love to y'all,
Marilyn
I am looking forward to sharing an early Christmas celebration this Wednesday with my son Matthew, his wife Amy, and Travis and Kelly. We are sending up prayers for little Kelly, as she began coughing and running fever yesterday. We are surrounding her with light, and know that she will be well in time to perform in her church Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve.
I haven't heard from daughter Carajean and family since they left for their adventure in Mexico. I hope they have someplace (besides the top of a volcano) to spend some quiet time on Christmas Day. And Ashlyn -- Happy Birthday!
Son Craig is in his element with his son Cameron home for the holidays. To have him and Hannah both home for Christmas is one of the best gifts possible.
I haven't heard from daughter Carajean and family since they left for their adventure in Mexico. I hope they have someplace (besides the top of a volcano) to spend some quiet time on Christmas Day. And Ashlyn -- Happy Birthday!
Son Craig is in his element with his son Cameron home for the holidays. To have him and Hannah both home for Christmas is one of the best gifts possible.
Dear loved ones.... family and friends, may your Christmas be blessed with more love, peace, and good food than ever! And may your New Year be filled with abundance in all things. I'm signing off for now. I have some gingerbread men to make!
Peace and love to y'all,
Marilyn
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