Countdown to Christmas and Thank God for the Internet,
Fr. Tony Update and new FDA Warning,
The New Digs in Raleigh,
Lucky Number Seven,
Animal Friends: Our Local NO KILL Shelter,
and New Year's Resolutions

Countdown to Christmas and Thank God for the Internet,
I guess I don't need to tell anyone that Christmas is just around the corner. The traffic and more crowded stores are proof of it, and ohhhh, do I loathe traffic, masses of shoppers, long check-out lines, sore feet, impatient and unfriendly staff, and such.

THANK GOD FOR THE INTERNET! Most of the online retailers are sending out legions of sale coupons, and it's well worth using them! Shopping on line is not only convenient, but it helps you avoid the germ laiden folk browsing aimlessly through all the stores. You almost have to feel sorry for the state the retailers have put most folks in. Most Americans so tied to investing vast sums of money on gifts at this time of year... gifts for a lot of folks who don't even understand or celebrate the real reason the day exists.

If you think about it.... how much "shopping" would there be if we subtract the people who were a) not churched, or b) did not celebrate Christ's birth, or c) didn't honor the kind giving heart of ole Saint Nicholas (whose "day" is not the 25th of December)? The REALLY sad thing is how American children have been so very tainted by it all. They learn more about greed and materialism, instead of giving, caring, sharing, and God's love.

While visiting France for Tony's interview, Megan came up from Italy to join us in Brussels. It was St. Nicholas day and the shops were all decked out for folks purchasing gifts for their loved ones, in HONOR of Jolly Ole St. Nick. If you don't know what day is St. Nick's Day, it's December 6th (not December 25th- grin). Most of the cities in Western Europe have their Christmas Markets during early December, and it's a grande affair. One can roam the narrow streets, taking in the smells of mulled cider, sausages, nuts roasting, and festive parades. It's an awesome thing to experience. THE BEST Christmas Market is held in Strasbourg, and it's so well attended, folks book their hotels a year in advance. Yes, it's that spectacular!

As a rector's wife, I find this time of year a bit challenge. There's something in the air when Christmas is near, that brings out the scrooge in some folks, who find it necessary to be difficult about the slightest little thing, and IN the church of all places! Then, there's the build up to the increasingly exhausting day of multiple Christmas services. By the time Christmas morning arrives, one finds themselves nursing an exhausted priest. Clergy families throughout all denominations experience this. There are schedules to keep, parishioners to tend to, seasons to reinforce, and no chance of ever going to visit family. And, if family does come to visit the clergy, they're thrown into the fray, poor dears. Geee, then throw in a few anniversaries, and birthdays, and you have a fine kettle of fish on your hands!

So, this Christmas, I ask that you pray for ALL clergy families, bidding them a peace-filled 12 Days of Christmas.

Fr. Tony Update and new FDA Warning

First thing this morning, like a splash of ice cold water thrown in the face, CNN announced:

Biogen issues alert after 2 Rituxan deaths
By Stephen Heuser, Globe Staff December 19, 2006

Biogen Idec Inc. said yesterday that two patients using its drug Rituxan have died of a rare brain infection, the same one that shadows its multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri.

Breaking News Alerts In a letter sent to doctors, Biogen and Genentech Inc., which co-markets Rituxan with the Cambridge drug maker, warned that the two patients had contracted fatal progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML.

Both patients were being treated for lupus, a disease in which Rituxan use is still considered experimental...... (read more)

As most of you may now know, Rituxan is the chemo drug added to "the mix" this past round of chemo, and will be included in the round of chemo on the 26th. You may now better understand the fear that looms within our dear Tony. This past month has been rough, with odd symptoms coming and going, with no rational explanation. But, he continues to fight the good fight, and THAT along with YOUR prayers, will see us through!

And, while you're on your knees, please, PLEASE include Blain and his wife Cathy in your prayers. This couple is up in Canada, and Blain has been fighting Waldenstrom's for quite some time. He's presently in the transplant ward of their local hospital, and going through a VERY VERY difficult time, following a donor stem cell transplant. His wife Cathy is by his side, day and night, watching her husband suffer terribly.

New Digs in Raleigh

Abbey and Lee are now in their new apartment in downtown Raleigh, and are they ever Happy Campers! Check it out!

Check out those floors! The above image is of the new living room. So many possibilities!

Lee and Abbey's Kitchen! HA! Yes, they will be living with a Pub on the ground floor! How convenient is THAT? We hope they have good fish and chips!!!

Congratulations, Abbey and Lee!!!

Lucky Number Seven

Just when I thought I'd captured the whole of the meecy mousy family, I had THREE new cutie pies in the humane trap! I was now looking at a total of SEVEN! Living quarters in the little cage were getting tight, so it was time to take a ride to the freedom trail. So, me and my little furry immigrants took a ride to the WVU trail, off West Run Rd., and took a hike back into the woods. I found a suitable place to let them go, stacked some hay in an opening under a fallen tree branch, and when the cage was opened, they scattered in 7 different directions. SO cute! I shall miss my little roommates, but am happy that they may have a happy little life out in the wild.

NEWS FROM: Animal Friends: Our Local NO KILL Shelter

Our new Shelter is Open and located on Brewer Road off Route 119 in Monongalia County.

We're realizing a dream come true to have our shelter recently open. We want to thank all the volunteers and those who've donated - for all their hard work and generosity. We are making a difference in the lives of the pets who'd otherwise be euthanized due to overcrowding. Our shelter is open for adoptions and volunteering starting in December, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am-4pm.

Please remember all the abandoned and abused pets that find their way into shelters, especially during the more cold time of year. Help support those who give so much of their love, time and care to these little furry individuals. Donate your time. Make blankies for the cold days and nights in kennels.

New Year's Resolutions

I'm not one who ever puts much energy in making a New Year's Resolution, but I've been doing some serious contemplation of the matter. Some ideas of mine, that might also be interesting for you to consider.

1. Volunteer More (So many organizations need our time, and not just our money)

2. Recycle More (It's good for us all)

3. Shop Walmart Less (they really do have some deplorable ethics.....)

4. Exercise More

5. Walk the Dogs More

6. Get out and enjoy the beauty surrounding us, here in WV

7. Daily Prayer

8. Visit the Elderly and Home Bound

9. Be More Organized

10. Produce More Art

11. Support Outreach Abroad

I'm sure you all could add greatly to this list.

Must get back to work on Christmas gifts... Hope you all have a peaceful week. PitterPat