Second Week of Advent 2011

In the Second Week of Advent, 2011, wonderful events have occurred! Watched the clip on NBC  the homecoming of many of our troops from Iraq, their final homecoming and reunion with their families at Ft. Hood and Ft. Bragg.  It was so heartwarming causing tears of joy. All California National Guard troops are now home! Thank you God! I am hoping all troops will be evacuated before Christmas! My special peacekeeper soldier/advisor will be home too! Saying my prayers.

Environmentally, much is happening still. Whale hunting will continue, horses will be slaughtered, polar bears and other bears are struggling for their homes, - it's heartbreaking. I watched an amazing program on History Channel last week though that was somewhat encouraging on the survival rate and reclamation of the earth in the next 100 years. It was a very scientific program based on projections and theories of current environmental facts. But it was full hope of survival and actually thriving in the future because, in the end fossil fuels do run out and renewables take over. It isn't like we as the human race sat on our hands or turned away from the tragedies in nature that are unfolding. Much can be said for our advance in thinking in techonologies and willingness to change even if it is something simple like a meatless Monday or a bike ride. Of course the worst isn't over. I am not escaping into my faith as I grow sadder at the destruction but rather renewing and refreshing my soul and entire being, when I post about my religion. I believe all people must pray/meditate for their own goodness and safety. And that act of prayer actually helps me to see more hopeful signs of life for our planet and the human soul. Event though I believe that the worst is yet to come, the light is ever vigilant and shining as we make our way through our mess.

On the home front, this week I am still decorating and sending out snail mail Christmas cards as well as Christmas ecards.My cards come from Veteran's groups and are beautiful! I get address labels and stickers from them as well. DAV and  the VFW both offer these products.

 Last year, I invested in LED lights and gave away all my old lights. Also gave away most of the plastic greenery I had accumulated over the last 10 years since it is a green light for fresh greenery at Christmas on the environmental front. So this week, I am going to get a fresh tree and decorate it with my LED lights! Also my windows will sparkle a little brighter with those new lights. There are all kinds of new Christmas lighting coming out through fiber optics and LEDs like flameless candles and tiny ultra thin wire lights that can be threaded through decorations, exciting for designers and homemakers that delight in decorating.