LIFE'S A BEACH!

My stitches are out!

I feel so much better knowing that is over.

I'm tired tonight too, so I will just leave a big hug for all.

I wonder what the dog is digging for, maybe a long lost bone.

Here is a winter angel as a tribute to our angel who started this thread. Bless you angel

thought this was so precious

Oh beachie bunnies our babeez are in a hard-way tonight. Bronchitis and now fevers.

We've got freezing rain, so I decided not to attempt to venture over tonight. They've got each other.

They've given him two breathing treatments so far. I guess we're gonna take him back in tomorrow morning for another.

fa la la la la la......... la la la la!!

peace and tranquility to all, and to all a good night:

To all the Wonderful People here at the beach, Thank you for the wonderful Christmas.

Faith give those little ones a special hug from me.

MaryLou I pray all comes out well and you finish heal good!

LC Thanks for the extra support, You are so kind to others

Spar Thank for your support, I will get a ramp up, Maybe in heaven?

Nana, Welcome to a very caring group of people, God bless you.

Julz,  You are so helpful to everyone thanks!

Lisa, I love you pictures and caring notes, Thankyou

Sharon, Thanks for the nice posts, You are a good game player.

To all the other wondeful people, Thanks and hang on to your dreams, Hugs Debbie

It's a new day beachie friends. What a blessing to have one another, to have this place, and to have the capability to travel the world together, seeing sites and tasting treats in the comfort of one's bathrobe. We are indeed living in a fortunate time in fortunate circumstances to be able to connect with one another. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the creators and maintainers of this site. I for one send up a HUGE holiday thank you to those behind our site and it's maintenance.

Next I think of our Angel who had the wisdom and insight to create this special place and was so incredibly warm and welcoming to me when I first posted. This thread was literally the first for me to stick my toes into the water here on the Boards. It was because of Charlene's warm welcome that I traded my Chat-addiction for a Boards-addiction. (LOL. The pace of the boards suits me much better.) Thank you. We're grateful for your legacy here..... and so glad that you can continue to read along with us.I know there must be many days when you sigh and nod your head in affirmation. We know that. Thank you always, for your supportive posts.

Then I think of all the beachie babes who've come and splashed here in cycles, some for long stretches and others for short seasons and quick diversions. I've now been around the boards long enough to realize that there are such cycles. I guess I won't attempt to name any names, because I know that I'd inadvertantly leave out some, quite by accident, and due to this early hour..... and I don't want to run that risk on this eve of Holiness. But if you're reading along still, you know who you are. You've held me together when I was falling apart. You've given me inspiration by your example, your creativity and your desire. Thank you.

What we have here is a little ragtag group of appreciators. We have artists, and poets, writers, and cooks, photographers and sages, prayer warriors and painters and we are better for the association. I know that I am and I think that I can speak for others here, too. We have crafted a little oasis in the midst of the heat of the desert. We've errected a cabana in the scorching sands and planted a palm tree! We've put up a tiki bar in defiance of our situations and diagnosis'. We've roasted s'mores together while we've awaited the outcomes of tests and consultations, scans and surgeries, unknown aches and doctor's appointments, insurance company issues and family discord. We've walked calmly here together in the sand and the surf.

We've had our fair share of human interactions and less than stellar moments, but those have been on rare occaisions. I think by and large, we've all come here with good intentions, an open and caring heart, the will to be better women and a desire to support one another in the midst of whatever's unfolding on any given day of the week. We are from diverse enough locations and climates that we have the good fortune of having literal-sunshine in someone's backyard on nearly every occaision. AND we carry big enough purses to be of encouragement thru the toughest of situations!

In another era I would have turned to my front porch for such support. Today I have the great-good fortune of waking at any nonsensical hour and "KNOWING" that you're all just a click away..... concerned about my babeez or eager to celebrate a baby-step in my professional life. It's not exactly something that you can tie a ribbon around or stick a bow atop, but it's the very best present that I could be offered...... and I say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you collectively for offering your acts of kindness, your support, your encouragement, your giggles and your nonsense and your tears and your hugs. I've had the very best fortune to meet a couple of you beachie babes in real life and I rejoice in those opportunities and pray for more. We are a tough sorrority for sure.

I pray that the new year finds us all sleeping soundly, with scars that continue to heal. I pray that we always remember to hand out the flip-flops of welcome to the new beach-comber in our midst, that they might be made to feel the strength of our collective sisterhood. I pray that new treatments unfold daily and that this new year at hand bring miracles into our midst. I pray that incredible progress happens in the Race toward a cure and that we are here together to celebrate that arrival. I pray that we stretch beyond our present capabilities and grow in our muscle and voices to shine a light on our stories, that we might advocate for ourselves and our daughters, that we might impact how the next generation of women's lives unfold -- because of our efforts, their lives might be spared the situations we've known firsthand. I pray that together we can ease the anxieties and uncertainties that are a part of our walking on Planet Earth.

I will conclude my long-winded epistle with this picture. As I was shopping I found this preschool Manger scene and decided that it was important for my WB to have it ahead of Christmas Day, so that he could attempt to grasp the marvel of this Holy-time. What a joy to see him 'playing' with these characters and to hear him say, "Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus." That's still quite a mouthful for him.... his words are still labored and his sentences rather abrupt, but hearing those words from his mouth-to-my-ears is my other, most profound gift of this season.

Edited to add picture and to encourage you to look closely at these characters in THE profound story. You'll notice that despite all of my attempts to tell the story "correctly" in the photo -- and probably in real-life, too, there's always one camel doing a cartwheel when you least expect it!

Oh Faith!! Your words moved me to tears also. I feel everything you just said, but I could have never said it as eloquently as you. Thank you--thank you---thank you! These boards have been my lifeline for the past few months. It makes such a difference when you can connect with someone who "really really" knows what you're going through. And even though I've never met any of you ladies, I feel like I've know you for years. And I worry about your and your families and pray for you all each day. It is usually the first thing on my mind when I wake up, and the last thing on my mind when I go to sleep. GOD BLESS ALL MY BC SISTERS. HELP THERE BE A CURE FOR THIS DISEASE!!

OK enough rambling on this one. Faith, the picture you posted above is beautiful! Oh! the innocence of children!!!

I hope all you ladies have a wonderful day on the beach on this Christmas Eve 2008.

(((((Faith))))) such a special post. Thank you. I must just pass through, but wanted to leave you all with blessings for a wonderful Christmas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyCOTI3b_V4

Hey beachies....I've always loved this song at Christmas time. I hope I did it right so you all could

listen to it. "Mary, did you know"?

Hope you all have a blessed Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to my Beach Babe friends.  I do have a piece from my last writing class.... but I cant remember if I shared with you yet.

The meditation was about stepping stones of different colours.

I see the first stone gleaming in the darkness.  The red stone pulsed with light.  I was curious.  Why would someone chip away this amazing staircase.  I step on the first one easily.  I am wearing a pure white tunic.  The read of the stone picks up in the weave reflecting back.  Each step up I feel lighter and more grateful for being there among the harmonious friendship and love.  I step up through the darkness unafraid.  That was a healing walk.  My fears fell away and I wanted to skip like a little girl.  At the top of it all I found my halo and wings,

Merry Christmas from DreamWriter

Thank you dream

Quick update: Merry and Blessed Christmas, one and all.

What a joy to find so many greetings posted beach-side. Margo a Christmas fly-by is a present indeed.

Just want all of you dear beachie friends to know that we were able to get into the Pediatrician this morning -- for her to examine each of the babes. T-man is headed out of the woods and little Mc-girlie is unfortunately headed in. The good news is that she sent us out the door with a breathing-treatment machine & prescription for use at home.

So there's lots of good news. I think Sarah feels better equipped to deal with the frightening reality, with the machine at her side & Scott's watchful presence.

After the ped-expidition, I spent the afternoon @ the recording studio, inserting sound effects (the absolutely traditional Norman Rockwell Christmas afternoon, right?) and then we went back to their home for this evening. Nothing Rockwellian about the day, but we were able to pitch in and shore up their weary efforts. So that's a good contribution.

Now settled into our easy chairs and "worshiping" with PBS traditional St. Olaf Choir Concert. Back before my children were even born I was able to attend this event in person. Absolutely THE most amazing experience. Second only to worshiping in Westminster Abby and hearing the boys choir amidst that incredibly historic setting.

Just wanted you to have the update on the babeez. They are both "hearty" and so while it's no fun, I'm not overly overwrought. Just adjusting expectations. DD2 to arrive LATE Fri night w/loving boyfriend and then the weekend will be one BIG, festive swirling extrava-ganza of fun!!

Thank you to all for your kind response to my early morning, ramble.

Much love.

Blessings.

A peaceful and Merry Christmas to you all.  I'm so glad I found the "Beach".  It's wonderful to use imagination (albeit with someone else's pics) and to simply be silly.  I love it here.  Hope Santa brings me new flip flops for Christmas although there is nothing like digging one's feet in to the warm sand.

Thanks to you all for a warm welcome.  Happy Day to everyone today........and always if that were possible.

This supposedly is a sunrise Christmas morning.

Edit to say that didn't come up, lol.

Now Santa Gets to Have a Nice Rest on the BEACH for All his hard work....

Merry Christmas All...

Sharon Sometime the Pics Play Tricks on you! LOL! Both are Very Nice!!!