Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 9:57 PM
Subject: Fw: Christmas Greetings From Fr. Corapi
A Christmas Greeting
The blessed and joyous time of Christmas is here again. So, I’ll just take the opportunity to thank all of our viewing and listening family for allowing us into your homes. I don’t take that for granted. I am honestly grateful to you for allowing us to serve you in that way.
As I look out the windows of my home in Montana it sure is “beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” We have about a foot of snow and it’s been below zero for about ten days. Two of my dogs are under my desk with their heads resting on my feet--looking like those big fuzzy slippers that little kids sometimes wear.
Christmas is, of course, the best time to recall that Jesus, the Son of God, in fact was born in a poor stable or cave on a cold night—“for us men, and for our salvation.” Amidst the escalating uncertainty and chaos of the modern world we must sit still for a moment and remember what really matters.
In recent years major corporations have been vaporized in the twinkling of an eye. It’s a sign of the times, but recall that what really matters is that it was the twinkling of a star that led shepherds and wise men to the One who is the Light of the world.
In recent years the biggest accounting firm in the world ceased to be over night. They don’t account for anything today, but it honestly doesn’t matter. What really matters is that on a cold night two millennia ago the God who loves us was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger by the Mother who loves Him.
In recent years the unthinkable has happened--major banks and financial institutions have ceased to be. That doesn’t matter either because the truly unthinkable happened on the first Christmas Eve long ago when the God who always was and will never cease to be came to show us the depth and breadth of His love.
In recent years I have been accused of being a “prophet of doom, and a pessimist.” I can understand this criticism, but it really isn’t true. I am a realist, and as a priest and Catholic/Christian of necessity must share in the prophetic dimension of Christ. The United States, and the entire world for the most part, is in many ways precipitating its own demise. That matters, and we must do all we can to “fight the good fight,” but what truly matters is the state of your soul and mine because in the end that will determine how we live forever, and compared to that nothing else really matters.
Things may go from bad to worse. It may well go from uncomfortable to dangerous to live your Catholic/Christian faith in a world unraveling rapidly due to one bad moral choice after the other. Remember that it will not be the first time if Christians are persecuted, even imprisoned and executed. “The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.” The Western world is too fat and lazy, in the secular order and even in the religious. Perhaps a jolly good persecution may be what it takes for people to decide to live their faith, rather than go along with what they know to be a sick society.
In any event, don’t let it get you down. Whatever happens, stay close to Jesus and Mary. Remember that our God is not against you. He is for you, and He will be with you through all of the ups and downs of life. He will be with you in sickness and in health; in good times and in bad; and when death comes knocking at your door He will be there to comfort you and lead you safely home. Having fought the good fight and run the race to the finish line, you will surely hear those beautiful words:
“WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT! NOW AT LAST ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR MASTER’S HOUSE.”
A most blessed and merry Christmas and a holy, happy, and healthy New Year to each and all of you!
Fr. John Corapi
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Blessing the Babies
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 2:55 PM
Subject: Whispers in the Loggia
At this morning's Angelus, turnout was even heavier than usual as the Pope continued the longstanding, beloved Roman tradition of blessing the Bambinelli -- the likenesses of the Christkindl brought by the city's children to St Peter's Square every Gaudete Sunday in advance of their arrival in the family creche come Christmas.
For the first time, as opposed to including the figures in the general blessing at the noontime prayer's end, B16 employed a special prayer for the rite. Lest anyone find it useful in coming days, here's a translation:
God our Father,
you loved man so much
to send us your only Son Jesus,
born of the Virgin Mary,
to save us and lead us back to you.
We pray that, with your blessing
these images of Jesus, soon to come among us,
might be, in our homes,
a sign of your presence and love.
Good Father,
give your blessing to us, too,
to our parents, our families and friends.
Open our hearts,
that we might know to receive Jesus in joy,
always do what he asks of us
and see him in all those
who need our love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
your beloved Son, who came to give peace to the world.
You who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
...and as a bonus, an especially-beloved Italian carol...
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/
Subject: Whispers in the Loggia
At this morning's Angelus, turnout was even heavier than usual as the Pope continued the longstanding, beloved Roman tradition of blessing the Bambinelli -- the likenesses of the Christkindl brought by the city's children to St Peter's Square every Gaudete Sunday in advance of their arrival in the family creche come Christmas.
For the first time, as opposed to including the figures in the general blessing at the noontime prayer's end, B16 employed a special prayer for the rite. Lest anyone find it useful in coming days, here's a translation:
God our Father,
you loved man so much
to send us your only Son Jesus,
born of the Virgin Mary,
to save us and lead us back to you.
We pray that, with your blessing
these images of Jesus, soon to come among us,
might be, in our homes,
a sign of your presence and love.
Good Father,
give your blessing to us, too,
to our parents, our families and friends.
Open our hearts,
that we might know to receive Jesus in joy,
always do what he asks of us
and see him in all those
who need our love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
your beloved Son, who came to give peace to the world.
You who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
...and as a bonus, an especially-beloved Italian carol...
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Keep Christ in Christmas
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 8:31 PM
Subject: Re: Re:
> as far as I knew I thought we were Catholics celebrating the Lord's birthday
>
> Why a need to combine/ destroy CHRISTmas? People are trying to secularize
> Christmas and everything else sacred. They want culture of death not life.
>
> People can celebrate what they want--I am all for that but dont blur
> Christmas in with the other holidays which takes place now. Send Christmas
> cards to those celebrating Christmas and send Ramadan to those celebrating
> Ramadan--I have no idea who is celebrating Kwanza and ill end that there.
>
> Do people celebrating Ramadan, whatever else is being celebrated this month
> want polar bears, snowflakes, snowmen, or whatever that is supposed to
> represent a secular Christmas on there Ramadan card?
>
> It seems we dont want to offend the 10% of Americans not celebrating
> Christmas--so that is 90% of people here are celebrating Christmas in some
> fashion. Who are these with a war on Christmas? They dont want to be
> offended and thus want us to celebrate happy holiday or season greetings???
> I am insulted as a Catholic by people trying to remove Christ from
> Christmas.
>
> Keep Christ in Christmas
> Gerry
Subject: Re: Re:
> as far as I knew I thought we were Catholics celebrating the Lord's birthday
>
> Why a need to combine/ destroy CHRISTmas? People are trying to secularize
> Christmas and everything else sacred. They want culture of death not life.
>
> People can celebrate what they want--I am all for that but dont blur
> Christmas in with the other holidays which takes place now. Send Christmas
> cards to those celebrating Christmas and send Ramadan to those celebrating
> Ramadan--I have no idea who is celebrating Kwanza and ill end that there.
>
> Do people celebrating Ramadan, whatever else is being celebrated this month
> want polar bears, snowflakes, snowmen, or whatever that is supposed to
> represent a secular Christmas on there Ramadan card?
>
> It seems we dont want to offend the 10% of Americans not celebrating
> Christmas--so that is 90% of people here are celebrating Christmas in some
> fashion. Who are these with a war on Christmas? They dont want to be
> offended and thus want us to celebrate happy holiday or season greetings???
> I am insulted as a Catholic by people trying to remove Christ from
> Christmas.
>
> Keep Christ in Christmas
> Gerry
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A Santa Poll
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 1:08 PM
Subject: Santa poll?
Kevin caught us off guard last night when he said "Santa is the parent's" We aren't prepared for this as we thought the comfort zone was around 9 or 10.
Now we may speak with him so he doesn't blow it for Katie?
Are Ryan, Jack and Christopher believers?
Criss-b?
What is the normal age when kids' figure it out?
Irv
Subject: Santa poll?
Kevin caught us off guard last night when he said "Santa is the parent's" We aren't prepared for this as we thought the comfort zone was around 9 or 10.
Now we may speak with him so he doesn't blow it for Katie?
Are Ryan, Jack and Christopher believers?
Criss-b?
What is the normal age when kids' figure it out?
Irv
Friday, December 15, 2006
When was Jesus Born?
When was Jesus Born?
by Fr. William P. Saunders
Was Christ really born on December 25?
One would think that if anyone's date of birth were remembered exactly, it would that of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the Gospels do not pinpoint the date of Christ's birth. The reason is probably that the focus of the Gospels is on the kerygma or mystery of redemption — the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This focus is also probably why St. Mark's Gospel does not even include the Christmas story, but instead begins with the baptism of the Lord at the River Jordan. Easter, on the other hand, can be better dated because of its concurrence with Passover.
Prior to the legalization of Christianity by the Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., no universal date or even formal celebration of Christmas is found. For instance, Origen (d. 255), St. Irenaeus (d. 202) and Tertullian (d. 220) do not include Christmas or its date on their lists of feasts and celebrations. Again, the spiritual focus was on Easter.
After legalization, the Church was better able to establish universal dates for feasts and to organize their public celebration. Moreover, the Church had to address emerging controversies concerning Jesus as true God and true man, and how He entered this world. Such concern would focus more attention on the importance of celebrating Christmas, the birth of our Lord.
On the more "practical" side of this issue, Roman pagans used to gather at the hill where the Vatican is presently located to commemorate the "Birth of the Unconquered Sun." This pagan feast was celebrated throughout the Empire either on Dec. 25 (according to the Julian Calendar) or on Jan. 6 (according to the Egyptian calendar). Although not proven with certainty, some historians credit Constantine, who declared Sunday as a day of rest in the Empire, with replacing the pagan festival with that of Christmas.
However, we must not impetuously conclude that Constantine simply wanted to replace one imperial pagan religious festival with another imperial Christian religious festival. There is a deeper theological reason why Dec. 25 was chosen as the date to celebrate the birth of our Lord. St. Paul indicates in his Letters to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians a cosmic relationship with Christ. Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, true God and consubstantial with the Father for all eternity. He is the Word of God, through Whom the Father spoke and creation unfolded: A In Him everything in Heaven and on earth was created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, principalities, or powers; all were created through Him, and for Him@ (Col 1:16). By the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus entered this world, true God become true man, A the image of the invisible God@ (Col 1:15). Only Christ, true God who became also true man, could take unto Himself the burden of all sin: A It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in Him, and by means of Him, to reconcile everything in His person, both on earth and the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross@ (Col 1:20). Moreover, on Easter Sunday, Christ rose from the dead; He conquered not just sin, but death itself. Through His passion, death and resurrection, Christ has created a new world order, A so that at Jesus= name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord@ (Phil 2:10-11). Therefore, A God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan He was pleased to decree in Christ, to be carried out in the fullness of time: namely to bring all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ= s headship@ (Eph 1:9-10).
With this teaching in mind, the birth of Christ marks the beginning of a new world order, a restoration of the cosmos and a reconciliation of mankind with God — all of which will be fulfilled in the passion, death and resurrection. Interestingly, since the 200s, Jesus was honored with the title, "Sun of Justice." So rightly, the Church utilized a Roman pagan feast, A The Birth of the Unconquered Sun,@ and positively transformed it into a commemoration of the Birth of Christ, the Lord of creation and the light that came into the world to dispel sin and darkness.
Later Christmas sermons reflected this understanding: St. Jerome preached, A Even creation approves our preaching. The universe itself bears witness to the truth of our words. Up to this day [Christmas], the dark days increase, but from this day the darkness decreases … The light advances, while the night retreats.@ St. Augustine preached, A Brethren, let us rejoice. The heathen, too, may still be merry, for this day consecrates for us, not the visible sun, but the sun= s invisible Creator.@
In practice, Christmas was celebrated in Rome by Pope Liberius (352-66) on Dec. 25. On Dec. 25, 379, St. Gregory Nazianzus preached a Christmas sermon in Constantinople. In the Cathedral of Milan, St. Ambrose (d. 397) celebrated Christmas. Therefore, by the year 400, generally, the birth of Christ was set on Dec. 25 with the exception of Palestine, where it was celebrated on Jan. 6 until the mid-600s when it was then transferred to Dec. 25.
As an aside, the feast of the Epiphany also emerged in Gaul (the Roman province of present day France) about the year 361. This feast was moved to Jan. 6, which remains the official date.
While the concern for exact dating may preoccupy us at times, the most important point is celebrating the birth of our Lord. Remember that the title Christmas is derived from the Old English title Cristes Maesse which means "The Mass of Christ." This Christmas, may we lift up our hearts at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive our Lord, born again into our souls through the grace of the holy Eucharist.
by Fr. William P. Saunders
Was Christ really born on December 25?
One would think that if anyone's date of birth were remembered exactly, it would that of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the Gospels do not pinpoint the date of Christ's birth. The reason is probably that the focus of the Gospels is on the kerygma or mystery of redemption — the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. This focus is also probably why St. Mark's Gospel does not even include the Christmas story, but instead begins with the baptism of the Lord at the River Jordan. Easter, on the other hand, can be better dated because of its concurrence with Passover.
Prior to the legalization of Christianity by the Emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., no universal date or even formal celebration of Christmas is found. For instance, Origen (d. 255), St. Irenaeus (d. 202) and Tertullian (d. 220) do not include Christmas or its date on their lists of feasts and celebrations. Again, the spiritual focus was on Easter.
After legalization, the Church was better able to establish universal dates for feasts and to organize their public celebration. Moreover, the Church had to address emerging controversies concerning Jesus as true God and true man, and how He entered this world. Such concern would focus more attention on the importance of celebrating Christmas, the birth of our Lord.
On the more "practical" side of this issue, Roman pagans used to gather at the hill where the Vatican is presently located to commemorate the "Birth of the Unconquered Sun." This pagan feast was celebrated throughout the Empire either on Dec. 25 (according to the Julian Calendar) or on Jan. 6 (according to the Egyptian calendar). Although not proven with certainty, some historians credit Constantine, who declared Sunday as a day of rest in the Empire, with replacing the pagan festival with that of Christmas.
However, we must not impetuously conclude that Constantine simply wanted to replace one imperial pagan religious festival with another imperial Christian religious festival. There is a deeper theological reason why Dec. 25 was chosen as the date to celebrate the birth of our Lord. St. Paul indicates in his Letters to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians a cosmic relationship with Christ. Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, true God and consubstantial with the Father for all eternity. He is the Word of God, through Whom the Father spoke and creation unfolded: A In Him everything in Heaven and on earth was created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, principalities, or powers; all were created through Him, and for Him@ (Col 1:16). By the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus entered this world, true God become true man, A the image of the invisible God@ (Col 1:15). Only Christ, true God who became also true man, could take unto Himself the burden of all sin: A It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in Him, and by means of Him, to reconcile everything in His person, both on earth and the heavens, making peace through the blood of His cross@ (Col 1:20). Moreover, on Easter Sunday, Christ rose from the dead; He conquered not just sin, but death itself. Through His passion, death and resurrection, Christ has created a new world order, A so that at Jesus= name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord@ (Phil 2:10-11). Therefore, A God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan He was pleased to decree in Christ, to be carried out in the fullness of time: namely to bring all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ= s headship@ (Eph 1:9-10).
With this teaching in mind, the birth of Christ marks the beginning of a new world order, a restoration of the cosmos and a reconciliation of mankind with God — all of which will be fulfilled in the passion, death and resurrection. Interestingly, since the 200s, Jesus was honored with the title, "Sun of Justice." So rightly, the Church utilized a Roman pagan feast, A The Birth of the Unconquered Sun,@ and positively transformed it into a commemoration of the Birth of Christ, the Lord of creation and the light that came into the world to dispel sin and darkness.
Later Christmas sermons reflected this understanding: St. Jerome preached, A Even creation approves our preaching. The universe itself bears witness to the truth of our words. Up to this day [Christmas], the dark days increase, but from this day the darkness decreases … The light advances, while the night retreats.@ St. Augustine preached, A Brethren, let us rejoice. The heathen, too, may still be merry, for this day consecrates for us, not the visible sun, but the sun= s invisible Creator.@
In practice, Christmas was celebrated in Rome by Pope Liberius (352-66) on Dec. 25. On Dec. 25, 379, St. Gregory Nazianzus preached a Christmas sermon in Constantinople. In the Cathedral of Milan, St. Ambrose (d. 397) celebrated Christmas. Therefore, by the year 400, generally, the birth of Christ was set on Dec. 25 with the exception of Palestine, where it was celebrated on Jan. 6 until the mid-600s when it was then transferred to Dec. 25.
As an aside, the feast of the Epiphany also emerged in Gaul (the Roman province of present day France) about the year 361. This feast was moved to Jan. 6, which remains the official date.
While the concern for exact dating may preoccupy us at times, the most important point is celebrating the birth of our Lord. Remember that the title Christmas is derived from the Old English title Cristes Maesse which means "The Mass of Christ." This Christmas, may we lift up our hearts at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive our Lord, born again into our souls through the grace of the holy Eucharist.
Monday, December 4, 2006
Keep Christ in Christmas
One of my main mantras is to keep Christ in Christmas, as well as keep Christ in Easter, even keep Satan out of Halloween.
I see Anthony B here on Catholic Pages goes a step further with Keep Christ in Christmas, and keep Christmas out of Advent.
Anthony B
Newbie/Lurker
USA
12 Posts
Keep Christ in Christmas, and Keep Christmas out of ADVENT.
For the great majority of the population we are in the 'Christmas Season' although some of the population seems to prefer the 'Holiday Season,' since I guess some of these are spending their hard earned cash on items from the other holidays this season? Anyway, commerical Christmas has been going on since at least Halloween.
On Sunday, we began our new church year with the first Sunday of Advent. What does that mean other than some four weeks to Christmas? Are we to prepare in anyway to get ready for the celebration of Jesus' birth on the 25th? We do for his death and resurrection during Lent. I thought at one time Advent, like Lent was also a time of fasting to help us prepare for Jesus's birth?
So, we are now in the Advent season which ends with the Christmas vigil Mass. The official Christmas season begins with the vigil Mass of Christmas and runs through the Epiphany--thus the 12 days of Christmas or Christmastide.
It is a nice thought to try to keep Christmas out of the Advent season--same as to keep Easter out of Lent. I guess commercial Christmas has got a giant hand in this matter and dont see it happening. Although, some are trying hard to turn Christmas secular or mix all the other holidays this month all into one???? Dont get me started with chrismukkah.
Religiously, we can be doing better to celebrate Advent and perhaps the twelve days of Christmas could be celebrated even more joyously.
Anyway--Great Thought!!!
Keep Christ in Christmas
Have a Great Advent
and Have a Joyous Christmastide
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
I see Anthony B here on Catholic Pages goes a step further with Keep Christ in Christmas, and keep Christmas out of Advent.
Anthony B
Newbie/Lurker
USA
12 Posts
Keep Christ in Christmas, and Keep Christmas out of ADVENT.
For the great majority of the population we are in the 'Christmas Season' although some of the population seems to prefer the 'Holiday Season,' since I guess some of these are spending their hard earned cash on items from the other holidays this season? Anyway, commerical Christmas has been going on since at least Halloween.
On Sunday, we began our new church year with the first Sunday of Advent. What does that mean other than some four weeks to Christmas? Are we to prepare in anyway to get ready for the celebration of Jesus' birth on the 25th? We do for his death and resurrection during Lent. I thought at one time Advent, like Lent was also a time of fasting to help us prepare for Jesus's birth?
So, we are now in the Advent season which ends with the Christmas vigil Mass. The official Christmas season begins with the vigil Mass of Christmas and runs through the Epiphany--thus the 12 days of Christmas or Christmastide.
It is a nice thought to try to keep Christmas out of the Advent season--same as to keep Easter out of Lent. I guess commercial Christmas has got a giant hand in this matter and dont see it happening. Although, some are trying hard to turn Christmas secular or mix all the other holidays this month all into one???? Dont get me started with chrismukkah.
Religiously, we can be doing better to celebrate Advent and perhaps the twelve days of Christmas could be celebrated even more joyously.
Anyway--Great Thought!!!
Keep Christ in Christmas
Have a Great Advent
and Have a Joyous Christmastide
KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS STORY
Fan restores 'Christmas Story' house By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer
Thu Nov 23, 4:29 PM ET
CLEVELAND - Ralphie Parker and Brian Jones know what it's like to want something.
ADVERTISEMENT
For Ralphie, the object of desire was an official Red Ryder, carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle. (Go ahead, say it, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid.") For Jones, the gotta-have-it item was Ralphie's house — the one in "A Christmas Story," the quirky film that's found a niche alongside holiday classics like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street."
Jones has restored the three-story, wood-frame house to its appearance in the movie and will open it for tours beginning Saturday. His hope is that it will become a tourist stop alongside the city's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other destinations.
He's unsure whether he'll make enough money to cover his $500,000 investment, but as sure as a kid's tongue will stick to a frozen flag pole, he's committed to the project.
"I just want people to come and enjoy it as I have," said Jones, a 30-year-old former Navy lieutenant.
"A Christmas Story" wasn't a big hit when released in 1983 but repeat TV airings and, in recent years, a 24-hour run on TBS starting Christmas Eve have made its story of boy's quest to get a BB gun for Christmas as infectious as the bespectacled Ralphie's eager grin.
"It just kind of sets the mood. In the Jones household, it's on all day once the marathon comes on," said Jones, who's married with an 8-month-old daughter.
Jones first saw the movie in the late 1980s and he and his parents became fans.
When the San Diego resident's dream of a becoming a Navy pilot like his father was denied because of his eyesight, his parents sent him a package to lift his spirits. Marked "FRAGILE" on the outside, it contained a leg lamp his parents built to look just like the one received by Ralphie's father, who proudly displayed it in the living room window, boasting, "It's a major award!"
Jones' mom noted that he could probably make a business out of selling them. In 2003, he started doing just that.
"I tooled together 500 lamps in my 1,000-square-foot condo in San Diego and sold them all in the first year," Jones said.
And he's still making and selling them — $129.99 for the 45-inch model, $159.99 for the 53-inch "deluxe full size" leg lamp.
When the house from the film was put up for sale on eBay in December 2004, it seemed like destiny to Jones.
"I said, `Ooh, I gotta have that.'"
The auction price got up to $115,000. Jones, who shares Ralphie's unflinching enthusiasm, less than 20/20 eyesight and ability to speak at a breakneck pace, said he'd pay $150,000 if the owner stopped the bidding.
"It was mine. I sent him a deposit and flew out two days after Christmas just to make sure it wasn't a falling-down shack," Jones said.
He put in new windows and replaced the 111-year-old house's gray aluminum siding with mustard yellow painted wood and green trim that perfectly matches Ralphie's house.
Although only a couple interior shots were filmed there, Jones has recreated the '40s feel of Ralphie's home with a brown-and-white tile kitchen floor, a wide cast-iron sink in the kitchen, a claw-foot bathtub and, of course, a leg lamp in the window.
He also bought the house across the street — Ralphie runs past it in the film's opening scene — to serve as a museum and gift shop. Several original items from the film are on display, including the infamous snowsuit ("I can't put my arms down!") worn by Ralphie's brother, Randy.
The house is located in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood, just a few minutes from downtown where the exterior department store shots were filmed at the former Higbee's.
The cooperation of the department store is what brought the filmmakers to Cleveland for the film based on author Jean Shepherd's stories of his upbringing in Hammond, Ind.
The house is well known in the neighborhood and neighbors like Marlene Childers have watched the house change owners and go through ups and downs over the years. She's excited about Jones' tribute — even if it means more cars and traffic.
"I love that story," she said.
Jones knows the feeling. And he says stepping onto Ralphie's old street makes him feel like he's in the movie.
Standing in front of the house holding a replica Red Ryder rifle, he discusses his future plans — which could include a nearby bed and breakfast — when, seemingly on a director's cue, a motorist passes, stops his car, rolls down the window and shouts, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"
___
On the Net:
http://www.redriderleglamps.com/
Thu Nov 23, 4:29 PM ET
CLEVELAND - Ralphie Parker and Brian Jones know what it's like to want something.
ADVERTISEMENT
For Ralphie, the object of desire was an official Red Ryder, carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle. (Go ahead, say it, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid.") For Jones, the gotta-have-it item was Ralphie's house — the one in "A Christmas Story," the quirky film that's found a niche alongside holiday classics like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street."
Jones has restored the three-story, wood-frame house to its appearance in the movie and will open it for tours beginning Saturday. His hope is that it will become a tourist stop alongside the city's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other destinations.
He's unsure whether he'll make enough money to cover his $500,000 investment, but as sure as a kid's tongue will stick to a frozen flag pole, he's committed to the project.
"I just want people to come and enjoy it as I have," said Jones, a 30-year-old former Navy lieutenant.
"A Christmas Story" wasn't a big hit when released in 1983 but repeat TV airings and, in recent years, a 24-hour run on TBS starting Christmas Eve have made its story of boy's quest to get a BB gun for Christmas as infectious as the bespectacled Ralphie's eager grin.
"It just kind of sets the mood. In the Jones household, it's on all day once the marathon comes on," said Jones, who's married with an 8-month-old daughter.
Jones first saw the movie in the late 1980s and he and his parents became fans.
When the San Diego resident's dream of a becoming a Navy pilot like his father was denied because of his eyesight, his parents sent him a package to lift his spirits. Marked "FRAGILE" on the outside, it contained a leg lamp his parents built to look just like the one received by Ralphie's father, who proudly displayed it in the living room window, boasting, "It's a major award!"
Jones' mom noted that he could probably make a business out of selling them. In 2003, he started doing just that.
"I tooled together 500 lamps in my 1,000-square-foot condo in San Diego and sold them all in the first year," Jones said.
And he's still making and selling them — $129.99 for the 45-inch model, $159.99 for the 53-inch "deluxe full size" leg lamp.
When the house from the film was put up for sale on eBay in December 2004, it seemed like destiny to Jones.
"I said, `Ooh, I gotta have that.'"
The auction price got up to $115,000. Jones, who shares Ralphie's unflinching enthusiasm, less than 20/20 eyesight and ability to speak at a breakneck pace, said he'd pay $150,000 if the owner stopped the bidding.
"It was mine. I sent him a deposit and flew out two days after Christmas just to make sure it wasn't a falling-down shack," Jones said.
He put in new windows and replaced the 111-year-old house's gray aluminum siding with mustard yellow painted wood and green trim that perfectly matches Ralphie's house.
Although only a couple interior shots were filmed there, Jones has recreated the '40s feel of Ralphie's home with a brown-and-white tile kitchen floor, a wide cast-iron sink in the kitchen, a claw-foot bathtub and, of course, a leg lamp in the window.
He also bought the house across the street — Ralphie runs past it in the film's opening scene — to serve as a museum and gift shop. Several original items from the film are on display, including the infamous snowsuit ("I can't put my arms down!") worn by Ralphie's brother, Randy.
The house is located in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood, just a few minutes from downtown where the exterior department store shots were filmed at the former Higbee's.
The cooperation of the department store is what brought the filmmakers to Cleveland for the film based on author Jean Shepherd's stories of his upbringing in Hammond, Ind.
The house is well known in the neighborhood and neighbors like Marlene Childers have watched the house change owners and go through ups and downs over the years. She's excited about Jones' tribute — even if it means more cars and traffic.
"I love that story," she said.
Jones knows the feeling. And he says stepping onto Ralphie's old street makes him feel like he's in the movie.
Standing in front of the house holding a replica Red Ryder rifle, he discusses his future plans — which could include a nearby bed and breakfast — when, seemingly on a director's cue, a motorist passes, stops his car, rolls down the window and shouts, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"
___
On the Net:
http://www.redriderleglamps.com/
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Christmas CASSEROLE Dinner
Christmas Banquet for the Homeless
December 22, 2006, at Saint Vincent DePaul’s Baltimore, Md
Goal is to feed 200 homeless men on this evening and give each a bag with clothing, toiletries, and snacks to take with them. We need your help with either a monetary donation to put together their bags or with baking a casserole or dessert to feed them.
Menu:
Casseroles: prefer hearty meat dishes such as chicken and broccoli, spaghetti and meatballs, tuna noodle, but they also love mashed potatoes
Everybody loves dessert so cakes/ cookies/ etc are needed as well
Cans of soda/ bottles of water/ juice boxes
Swag / party-favors/ care-package:
Thermals Gloves
Hats
Socks
Scarves
Sweatshirts
Gum Candy
Granola Chocolate
Cookies
Toiletries
Combs Razors
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Casseroles need to be delivered to Our Lady of the Fields kitchen refrigerator by 2p on the 22nd of December. If frozen and delivered before then—let me know so we can defrost them in time. All other non-perishable items should be dropped at my house in Crofton. Questions/ comments please notify: Gerry at 4104516809/ Scheidhauer@Comcast.Net or Kelly at 4104516465. THANKS!!
December 22, 2006, at Saint Vincent DePaul’s Baltimore, Md
Goal is to feed 200 homeless men on this evening and give each a bag with clothing, toiletries, and snacks to take with them. We need your help with either a monetary donation to put together their bags or with baking a casserole or dessert to feed them.
Menu:
Casseroles: prefer hearty meat dishes such as chicken and broccoli, spaghetti and meatballs, tuna noodle, but they also love mashed potatoes
Everybody loves dessert so cakes/ cookies/ etc are needed as well
Cans of soda/ bottles of water/ juice boxes
Swag / party-favors/ care-package:
Thermals Gloves
Hats
Socks
Scarves
Sweatshirts
Gum Candy
Granola Chocolate
Cookies
Toiletries
Combs Razors
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Casseroles need to be delivered to Our Lady of the Fields kitchen refrigerator by 2p on the 22nd of December. If frozen and delivered before then—let me know so we can defrost them in time. All other non-perishable items should be dropped at my house in Crofton. Questions/ comments please notify: Gerry at 4104516809/ Scheidhauer@Comcast.Net or Kelly at 4104516465. THANKS!!
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Charlie Brown Christmas
Luke 2:8 - 14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
ADVENT
Advent Vigilance
Recent Articles:
Touched By Grace
Bouquets of Love
Rejoice and Be Glad
Reflections on the End of the Church Year
The Nativity Story: A Well-Timed Gift
Feast of Christ the King
>>See more Touched By Grace articles
December 2, 2006
The secularization of Christmas by contemporary society, and its overemphasis on the material aspects of what began as a religious celebration, challenges Catholics and other Christians to utilize the season of Advent for its true purpose: preparation for Christmas.
The secularized version of Christmas begins on the Friday after Thanksgiving and ends on the evening of December 25. This presents a very difficult obstacle for Catholics who want to use Advent as a preparatory season for Christmas, since most Christmas office parties occur well before Christmas Day and the rush for gifts and the seasonal music heard on the airwaves lead to Advent being anything but preparatory.
The Gospel passage for this First Sunday of Advent presents another contrast: Advent invites us to meditate upon the coming of the infant Jesus, nurtured in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the humility and poverty of His coming in the "fullness of time." And yet the Gospel passage presents the triumphal return of the Lord Jesus in all His glory, power and might. In either scenario, the counsel imparted to us would be the same: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise...."
In other words, whether we consider the return of Christ at the end of the world or meditate upon the events involving His first coming, preparedness ought to be our proper disposition.
Later in the Gospel passage, our blessed Lord warns us to "be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent...." How often do we find ourselves overwhelmed by the material preparations for Christmas with no strength to prepare spiritually? We find ourselves "fitting prayer in" during Advent, instead of "fitting shopping in" and scheduling that less sublime activity around our prayer. While the material and spiritual preparations need not remain mutually exclusive, the latter should always take precedence over the former, if we intend to use Advent well.
Some years ago, I began the practice of keeping a container in my office known to my parishioners as "the bin." "The bin" is a plastic five-gallon container that I fill up during the year with future Christmas gifts. By Thanksgiving, "the bin" is full and my material preparations are complete before December 1. While it may be too late to embark on such a project this year, I offer it as a simple but highly effective way of avoiding the madness that all too often accompanies what should be a prayerful, peaceful and meditative season.
While there is still time to make a fruitful spiritual preparation for Christmas, be encouraged by the Lord's words in the Gospel passage, referring to those who will be ready to meet Him at the end of time (and this Christmas as well): "But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."
Father Roger J. Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, ordained in 1999. After receiving a biology degree from Harvard College, Fr. Landry studied for the priesthood in Maryland, Toronto, and for several years in Rome. He speaks widely on the thought of Pope John Paul II and on apologetics, and is presently parochial administrator of St. Anthony of Padua in New Bedford, MA and Executive Editor of The Anchor, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. An archive of his homilies and articles can be found at catholicpreaching.com.
This article is adapted from one of Father Landry’s recent homilies.
Recent Articles:
Touched By Grace
Bouquets of Love
Rejoice and Be Glad
Reflections on the End of the Church Year
The Nativity Story: A Well-Timed Gift
Feast of Christ the King
>>See more Touched By Grace articles
December 2, 2006
The secularization of Christmas by contemporary society, and its overemphasis on the material aspects of what began as a religious celebration, challenges Catholics and other Christians to utilize the season of Advent for its true purpose: preparation for Christmas.
The secularized version of Christmas begins on the Friday after Thanksgiving and ends on the evening of December 25. This presents a very difficult obstacle for Catholics who want to use Advent as a preparatory season for Christmas, since most Christmas office parties occur well before Christmas Day and the rush for gifts and the seasonal music heard on the airwaves lead to Advent being anything but preparatory.
The Gospel passage for this First Sunday of Advent presents another contrast: Advent invites us to meditate upon the coming of the infant Jesus, nurtured in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the humility and poverty of His coming in the "fullness of time." And yet the Gospel passage presents the triumphal return of the Lord Jesus in all His glory, power and might. In either scenario, the counsel imparted to us would be the same: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise...."
In other words, whether we consider the return of Christ at the end of the world or meditate upon the events involving His first coming, preparedness ought to be our proper disposition.
Later in the Gospel passage, our blessed Lord warns us to "be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent...." How often do we find ourselves overwhelmed by the material preparations for Christmas with no strength to prepare spiritually? We find ourselves "fitting prayer in" during Advent, instead of "fitting shopping in" and scheduling that less sublime activity around our prayer. While the material and spiritual preparations need not remain mutually exclusive, the latter should always take precedence over the former, if we intend to use Advent well.
Some years ago, I began the practice of keeping a container in my office known to my parishioners as "the bin." "The bin" is a plastic five-gallon container that I fill up during the year with future Christmas gifts. By Thanksgiving, "the bin" is full and my material preparations are complete before December 1. While it may be too late to embark on such a project this year, I offer it as a simple but highly effective way of avoiding the madness that all too often accompanies what should be a prayerful, peaceful and meditative season.
While there is still time to make a fruitful spiritual preparation for Christmas, be encouraged by the Lord's words in the Gospel passage, referring to those who will be ready to meet Him at the end of time (and this Christmas as well): "But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."
Father Roger J. Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts, ordained in 1999. After receiving a biology degree from Harvard College, Fr. Landry studied for the priesthood in Maryland, Toronto, and for several years in Rome. He speaks widely on the thought of Pope John Paul II and on apologetics, and is presently parochial administrator of St. Anthony of Padua in New Bedford, MA and Executive Editor of The Anchor, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. An archive of his homilies and articles can be found at catholicpreaching.com.
This article is adapted from one of Father Landry’s recent homilies.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
CHRISTMAS PASTS
CHRISTMAS PASTS
2006
2005 1112 Christmas Tree Ryans party Beefs// Andrews Martini// DEA Gerry// Cloyds// DC ZOO/ CA Tortilla
2004 Choco Party// White Flint// PG CHANG// Christmas Eve Party
2003 reDo Kitchen Bowie// Eriks party// Wizards and Acela Club
2002 1129 Christmas Tree Four Seasons Wedding// 1130 7-12 Christmas Party for 50 Ginger//St Michaels
2001 1128 Christmas Tree PHL visit Uncle Rob//Nancys 1222//1225 visit Mimi &dinner here
2000 1125 Christmas Tree KenCen Holiday Show// Christmas Party 7-11// Mimis Christmas eve-eve/ Chinese Christ
1999 1129 Christmas Tree Miss Dung wedding// Rage vs Machine// Annie// Rainforest// Annual christmas Party
1998 Balt Zoo// Walters Art// Dowds PHL// 911 on Pop// Titanic Christmas
1997 1207 Christmas Dec. Pageant of Peace// DAR//Diane and Martin Party// Dowd's PHL// Christmas Dinner// Armands
1996 1130 Christmas dec Wine Party Craig&Jen// Dowd PHL// Scheidhauer open House// Old Town
1995 1124 Christmas Tree Made cranberry wreath// Hood College// Dowd PHL// Dinner for 23
1994 1125 Christmas tree NYC // Greg & Andreas// Max's Baptism// Dowd's PHL//
1993 1127 Christmas Tree dads house Thanksgiving? // Mom & snowbuttons// DAR// Dowds PHL// Mom eve
1992 Hood// Nancy Party// We:Christmas Party// Dowd PHL// We: Christmas Eve
1991 1123 Christmas Tree MC// 1214 Christmas Party// Dowd-PHL//
1990 1120 Christmas Tree DAR// 1222 Christmas Party// MC
1989 1125 bought tree// family feud try-out//Mervis ordered ring// Foleys wedding//1216 Party// KenCen Annie II
1988 Mormon Temple//Skins&Cowboys RFK//Nutcracker Lisner/Old Europe// Poconos Skiing
1987 Oklahoma dinner theatre//Nutcracker GWU// USNA midnight Mass/ Tanglewood Skiiing
1986 CCFSB Christmas Ball// Nutcracker// Old Europe// Germany
GS 112606
2006
2005 1112 Christmas Tree Ryans party Beefs// Andrews Martini// DEA Gerry// Cloyds// DC ZOO/ CA Tortilla
2004 Choco Party// White Flint// PG CHANG// Christmas Eve Party
2003 reDo Kitchen Bowie// Eriks party// Wizards and Acela Club
2002 1129 Christmas Tree Four Seasons Wedding// 1130 7-12 Christmas Party for 50 Ginger//St Michaels
2001 1128 Christmas Tree PHL visit Uncle Rob//Nancys 1222//1225 visit Mimi &dinner here
2000 1125 Christmas Tree KenCen Holiday Show// Christmas Party 7-11// Mimis Christmas eve-eve/ Chinese Christ
1999 1129 Christmas Tree Miss Dung wedding// Rage vs Machine// Annie// Rainforest// Annual christmas Party
1998 Balt Zoo// Walters Art// Dowds PHL// 911 on Pop// Titanic Christmas
1997 1207 Christmas Dec. Pageant of Peace// DAR//Diane and Martin Party// Dowd's PHL// Christmas Dinner// Armands
1996 1130 Christmas dec Wine Party Craig&Jen// Dowd PHL// Scheidhauer open House// Old Town
1995 1124 Christmas Tree Made cranberry wreath// Hood College// Dowd PHL// Dinner for 23
1994 1125 Christmas tree NYC // Greg & Andreas// Max's Baptism// Dowd's PHL//
1993 1127 Christmas Tree dads house Thanksgiving? // Mom & snowbuttons// DAR// Dowds PHL// Mom eve
1992 Hood// Nancy Party// We:Christmas Party// Dowd PHL// We: Christmas Eve
1991 1123 Christmas Tree MC// 1214 Christmas Party// Dowd-PHL//
1990 1120 Christmas Tree DAR// 1222 Christmas Party// MC
1989 1125 bought tree// family feud try-out//Mervis ordered ring// Foleys wedding//1216 Party// KenCen Annie II
1988 Mormon Temple//Skins&Cowboys RFK//Nutcracker Lisner/Old Europe// Poconos Skiing
1987 Oklahoma dinner theatre//Nutcracker GWU// USNA midnight Mass/ Tanglewood Skiiing
1986 CCFSB Christmas Ball// Nutcracker// Old Europe// Germany
GS 112606
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Aunts and Uncle's WDW DEC 2006 trip Plans
Hi All,
This message comes to you from your friendly travel agent in Hilton Head! Some updates on our upcoming trip.
Firstly, We have cracked the waitlist on one of the two bedroom villas at Old Key West from December 3-6. this means that we all will stay at Caribbean Beach the night of Dec 2 and some of us will move over to Old Key West on Sunday after church. The two bedrroms sleep eight actually, but I know you all would like your own rooms. They have a king sized bedroom and a secondbedroom with two queen sized beds. My thinking right now would be that Jack and I (as king and queen!) would take the king room, and Aileen and Bill take the queens room. Jerry, you perhaps could take the queen sofa bed. As you know, Old Key West villas are huge and very accomodating. The reason I think it would be better for Aileen and Bill to be there is because they have such a late flight out on Tuesday, they could hang around, either at a park, or at the villa till they have to leave for the airport. You would get magical express to the Caribbean, and back from Old Key West. Ginny and Tom, sorry to leave you at the Caribbean, but we will compensate you for your extra expenses somehow!!! Really!
Of course, this will be changed if the other two bedroom clears and we can all be at Old Key West. We;ll keep our fingers crossed. My friend at Disney Member Services says this has turned out to be one of the busiest weeks at Disney! All the hotels are sold out!
If you all want to change the above around let me know. We would have to cancel any rooms at Caribbean Beach at least one week earlier or so. I havent changed those reservations as yet.
Secondly, I confirmed a dinner package on Sunday night, Dec. 3 at Germany in Epcot and this includes seats at the Christmas Candlelight show. We have reservations for the 6:45 show which means our dinner reservations are at 3:30 to give us time to eat and walk over to America. I am holding it on my credit card, but we dont pay until that evening at the restaurant. I am so excited about this - should be fun. We have never actually eaten at Germany so it will be a first for us. We will have time to walk around Epcot both before dinner and before the Illuminations show at 9:00. Hope you all like this.
Thirdly, other schedules - I think Monday will be total park day and I'm sure you all have different directions you would like to go. There is so much to see and do of course. There is a new ride in Animal Kingdom - Mt Everest - if you are a roller-coaster fanatic! Karen and family did it and loved it. Also Animal Kingdom has the Lion King show, and also a new show on Nemo should be open by then.
We love MGM as the shows are always good. Anybody for Tower of Terror, or Rock and Rollercoaster? Not us. But the Muppets, Indiana Jones, Great Movie Ride, and several good restaurants.
And of course, Magic Kingdom. - Must see Main Street decorated for Christmas. And Its a Small World! etc.
I guess, Saturday, our first day, might be spent at a park, or if the weather is nice, hanging around the pool at Caribbean Beach. Maybe Downtown Disney. Bill and Aileen are in late and we could meet up with them later.
As you remember, we'll go in on my passes together at one of the parks we pick and then everyone can spread out and do their own thing. We may meet for dinner Monday night and we can decide that later. Depends on where we all are ending up.
One more thing - Christmas shopping! I could spend the whole time doing that!! We can use my 40 percent discount as long as I make the purchase for you and you pay me back. Not too many exclusions on this discount, but some, like new DVD's etc. I also found out that we can take guests this year to our Product Control area, which is a huge Disney flea market where everything is marked way down - its like the land of misfit toys! But they have clothes, toys, decorations etc. We may have to squeeze that in somehow if you want.
I know I'll think of something else, and will get back to you as things come up.
Any questions, please let me know.
Jerry - I know you mentioned driving here first and going down with us. Not sure if that will work and I will let you know our plans. We want to see Selena and John and Katie while we are in Florida and may head down there before Disney or after Disney. They may even come up, so I will let you know. You still could use our house as an overnight - we usually leave one door open for Karen to check on things! dont tell anyone!
Love to all. Later ......Carole and Jack
This message comes to you from your friendly travel agent in Hilton Head! Some updates on our upcoming trip.
Firstly, We have cracked the waitlist on one of the two bedroom villas at Old Key West from December 3-6. this means that we all will stay at Caribbean Beach the night of Dec 2 and some of us will move over to Old Key West on Sunday after church. The two bedrroms sleep eight actually, but I know you all would like your own rooms. They have a king sized bedroom and a secondbedroom with two queen sized beds. My thinking right now would be that Jack and I (as king and queen!) would take the king room, and Aileen and Bill take the queens room. Jerry, you perhaps could take the queen sofa bed. As you know, Old Key West villas are huge and very accomodating. The reason I think it would be better for Aileen and Bill to be there is because they have such a late flight out on Tuesday, they could hang around, either at a park, or at the villa till they have to leave for the airport. You would get magical express to the Caribbean, and back from Old Key West. Ginny and Tom, sorry to leave you at the Caribbean, but we will compensate you for your extra expenses somehow!!! Really!
Of course, this will be changed if the other two bedroom clears and we can all be at Old Key West. We;ll keep our fingers crossed. My friend at Disney Member Services says this has turned out to be one of the busiest weeks at Disney! All the hotels are sold out!
If you all want to change the above around let me know. We would have to cancel any rooms at Caribbean Beach at least one week earlier or so. I havent changed those reservations as yet.
Secondly, I confirmed a dinner package on Sunday night, Dec. 3 at Germany in Epcot and this includes seats at the Christmas Candlelight show. We have reservations for the 6:45 show which means our dinner reservations are at 3:30 to give us time to eat and walk over to America. I am holding it on my credit card, but we dont pay until that evening at the restaurant. I am so excited about this - should be fun. We have never actually eaten at Germany so it will be a first for us. We will have time to walk around Epcot both before dinner and before the Illuminations show at 9:00. Hope you all like this.
Thirdly, other schedules - I think Monday will be total park day and I'm sure you all have different directions you would like to go. There is so much to see and do of course. There is a new ride in Animal Kingdom - Mt Everest - if you are a roller-coaster fanatic! Karen and family did it and loved it. Also Animal Kingdom has the Lion King show, and also a new show on Nemo should be open by then.
We love MGM as the shows are always good. Anybody for Tower of Terror, or Rock and Rollercoaster? Not us. But the Muppets, Indiana Jones, Great Movie Ride, and several good restaurants.
And of course, Magic Kingdom. - Must see Main Street decorated for Christmas. And Its a Small World! etc.
I guess, Saturday, our first day, might be spent at a park, or if the weather is nice, hanging around the pool at Caribbean Beach. Maybe Downtown Disney. Bill and Aileen are in late and we could meet up with them later.
As you remember, we'll go in on my passes together at one of the parks we pick and then everyone can spread out and do their own thing. We may meet for dinner Monday night and we can decide that later. Depends on where we all are ending up.
One more thing - Christmas shopping! I could spend the whole time doing that!! We can use my 40 percent discount as long as I make the purchase for you and you pay me back. Not too many exclusions on this discount, but some, like new DVD's etc. I also found out that we can take guests this year to our Product Control area, which is a huge Disney flea market where everything is marked way down - its like the land of misfit toys! But they have clothes, toys, decorations etc. We may have to squeeze that in somehow if you want.
I know I'll think of something else, and will get back to you as things come up.
Any questions, please let me know.
Jerry - I know you mentioned driving here first and going down with us. Not sure if that will work and I will let you know our plans. We want to see Selena and John and Katie while we are in Florida and may head down there before Disney or after Disney. They may even come up, so I will let you know. You still could use our house as an overnight - we usually leave one door open for Karen to check on things! dont tell anyone!
Love to all. Later ......Carole and Jack
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