Leia's Christmas in Oregon 2020

Looks like Leia really liked her Christmas gift! Got the picture from Shana (I think). Still don't hear much from her. Very hard for me.

I may not have heard from Leia this Christmas, but she DID send Daddy a traditional picture of Christmas "Carnage" in Oregon!

White Christmas Morning 2020

As always, in honor of Karin who always made the picture at the top of the stairs in pajamas a Christmas morning tradition, here is Annie sitting with her Kitty, Miku. The only sad thing is that Leia is not here this year (she is in Oregon) and we don't hear from her much. BUT it is a PERFECT White Christmas, and by that, I mean a dusting. It was a nice morning of just the three of us full of Annie's spectacular Christmas Crafts for me! I said I wanted her to incorporate Marlene's Amish rug (which had gotten a bit to worn to use outright) into the crafts, and she did not disappoint! An finally, my beautiful ornament Shana made for me from the quartz crystals she found at the Diamond Hill Mine!

Christmas Dinner with Oma & Papa 2020

The Cloer Christmas Nativity in Pickens SC , Complete with New Jesus 2020

It was a sad day when Jesus was stolen out of the Cloer nativity. They spent a couple of years without a Jesus at all, and I decided to give Tom a Christmas present this year with a crafted Jesus that I made of recycled items.  He really liked it and used it for years to come!

Another Sign of Hope : Leia's Personal Symbol Created Her Freshman Year of HS

The Great Conjunction of Jupiter & Saturn : The Anticipation Modern Star of Bethlehem 2020

I have been waiting for this astronomical event for DECADES!  I remember being in college and looking up the next time the planets would align just like when Jesus was born, and learned that it would be in 2020. It seemed so far away! But I knew that I would be around and could see it! Since then I have been waiting. Further, every time I watch the movie or read the book The Dark Crystal, the great conjunction in that movie is spoken of in high regard. It makes me think of this as well. It just so happens that I am on this earth for the great conjunction that is the closest to the one in 1 AD of Jupiter, Saturn & Mars. And "the last time that the two planets were easily observable when separated by less than 0.1 degrees was almost 800 years ago, during the great conjunction of 1226." Yes, Mars is not part of our conjunction this time, BUT Jupiter and Saturn won't do this again until 2080, which is an anomaly in itself (because the next one won't be until 2874), ... and I will be long gone. What a blessing to observe this event and share it with my two children! Here are some pictures of the event. My photos (the bad ones at the end), don't do the event justice, but I am glad I took them! The modern Star of Bethlehem :  a sign of hope in these dark times of Covid.

My Job at Amazon Complete with Thermal Camera (Taking Temperatures for Covid)

Because of my medical accommodations at Amazon, my job the second half of the day is to go outside and take the thermal temperatures of each of our drivers. This involves using a mobile, thermal camera. Amazing technology! On most days, I am dressed in a ski bib and down jacket, but today was one of those unusually warm days. Beautiful!

And earlier in the day, I am helping packages along the belt like in Laverne & Shirley.

Annie & Miku : A Picture Worthy of the Christmas Card 2020

Our Christmas Tree 2020

Leia's Christmas Tree in Portland Oregon 2020

And It melts my heart to see the wrapped Advent Calendar Shana and I worked on under the tree, ... & Annie's Christmas craft on the left as another decoration.

Bunnies & Christmas Earrings 2020

Annie still loves her bunnies, ... enough to tie up their ears with Christmas ribbon. 

Annie is VERY into earrings right now! I love how it has become part of her style. 

Mamma is silly in her "Elf" Christmas shirt.

Christmas Card 2020

Only pictures this year, as Leia being off at Portland State University & incommunicado .... well, it made this the most difficult time in my life.  But on the upside, Annie wrote the sweetest Christmas List EVER!