Ginny was worried. Not about just one thing, like the fact that her paycheck would not be enough to pay all the bills this month. She was not worried about just two things, like the rumor that her ex was in town.
No, Ginny was worried about more than a dozen things as she rode the bus from her gray non-descript apartment building in the center of the city toward the more glamorous, clean, shiny suburb 40 minutes away.
As she tried to release her concerns about the electricity bill and the rent, she turned her thoughts to her boss, an arrogant, no-nonsense woman who expected Ginny to not only organize the household, make meals, get her boss’ teenagers on the shuttle that whisked them off to their private school (ironically located in the city Ginny wished she could escape from), but also to clean the six bedroom, seven bathroom mansion from top to bottom.
What was it like to expect someone else to clean your toilets and your refrigerator, Ginny mused as the gritty city streets faded into tree-lined avenues. As the bus zoomed along, the city’s threatening gloomy clouds dissipated and the sun shone on the expansive lawns.
How’d this neighborhood manage that? Ginny wondered, noting how everything around her glowed.
Wait. Where was this bus taking her? Ginny didn’t recognize the neighborhood. She raced up the aisle to the bus driver. “Where’s my stop?” she asked, her voice shrill.
“What stop?” the grizzled driver asked, unconcerned.
“Lamont Street!”
He scoffed. “We passed Lamont 40 minutes ago.”
Ginny’s head spun and she struggled to stand up. “Let me off!” she demanded, adding in a whisper. “What now?”
The bus door opened as the unhelpful driver suggested, “Find what you’re looking for. I’ll be back here in seven hours if you’re still searching.”
Ginny stood alone at the bus stop. Acres of azure sky stretched in front of her. A long low stone wall seemed to go on for miles. Where was she? What should she do?
Ginny began to walk, her purse pressed tightly to her stomach.
But then she heard a single chime, as clear as a fairy bell. Another chime dinged louder, more insistent, and Ginny realized it came from a bicycle-built-for-two that glided down the street toward her. A white-haired, white-bearded elderly man pedaled the bike from the front seat; the back seat was empty.
“Hop on,” the rotund gentleman said.
Ginny’s eyes widened. The man wore red velvet pants, jacket and fur-lined hat. His eyes crinkled, and he beamed at Ginny as if she was the most special, incredible person on Earth.
“Yes,” the bicyclist continued, “I’ve been waiting for you. Your day – your life – is about to change in the most marvelous ways –
Ho Ho HO!”
Ginny hopped on.
A christmas story for adults…. it’s lovely and perfect. And may your holidays be filled with everything you wish for, and more, and a wonderous new year as well.
Always a pleasure to read you…
Peta
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I’m grateful that we are blogging friends. I love visiting your side of the world(s) with you and Ben, Peta. You open MY world by doing so. xo
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That’s great Christmas story, you made our day in house and family,,,,Always enjoyable to read over your creative stories..
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To the magical part of every day! Best wishes to you and your family. ❤
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Maybe there is some magic left in Christmas after all.
Have a good one, Pam.
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Oh, yes, Anneli. Lots of magic left. I mean, just a bite of a homemade Christmas cookie is proof of that! 🙂
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Yes! Especially those Christmas cookies.
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I look forward to Friday morning so I can read your blog. Santa Claus comes in many ways though out the year! But he only wears his red velvet suit at Christmas. You have a gift for writing Pam! Merry Christmas!
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And you, my dear Karen, have a gift for friendship. ❤
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What.a charming story! Eager for Part 2! Merry Christmas!
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Part 2 of Ginny’s story is wherever our imaginations take her. One reader has her going to Venice, Italy (the reader’s favorite place in the world). I wonder where YOU would like Ginny to land! 🙂 xo
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Oooh Venice sounds great to me!! Loved it there and always tell my hubby that I want to go back. 🙂
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I grin till it hurts. Nice one.
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Oh, I LOVE those kinds of grins. May your holiday be happy. xo
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I thank you. You too.
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A magical Christmas tale, Pam.
Wishing you and yours a wondrous holiday season. I’m certain yours will be filled with magic.
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To the holiday spirit, no matter how we celebrate it, and when. May we all feel the magic of love in and around us – always. ❤
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❤
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Such a wonderful story, Pam. Merry Christmas to you and your family!❤️🎄❤️🎄
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This was another story that I had NO IDEA how it was going to end, Jill. When Santa arrived, I was thrilled. 🙂 To the magic in every day. xo Merry Christmas!
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I have a feeling you are the reason Christmas in your house is probably so magical. I loved the story–I wish you and yours a blessed and joyous Christmas and a happy, healthy, and surprise-filled (good surprises!) new year.
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Welll, I certainly do enjoy finding the magic in the little corners of life, like the first taste of a Christmas cookie, the first kiss of the day, the first sip of hot green tea, the first hug from a grandchild, the first brisk walk in the morning. You get my gist. I wish you delightful firsts in everything you do in 2019, Amy. ❤
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A Cinderella story dressed up for Christmas. Like many others, I always look forward to your posts, suffused with energy, never a drain. Ho ho ho!
Have a wonderful Christmas season with your fam, Pam!
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Thank you for your words of delight, Marian. Life can drag us down if we forget that wonder exists around every corner – we just need to keep our eyes and heart open to it! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours, my friend.
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Lovely story, Pam. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2019.
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Thanks so much for sharing this “Virginia Santa” story on FB. We all need magic in our lives. ❤
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I should have you ghost write my story……
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🙂 Merry Christmas to you. ❤
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Loved this sweet story!!! My dear friend, Ginny-Gin (Virginia) died 7 years ago.
Oh she loved Christmas and would have loved this wonderfully, imaginative story!
Thanks, Pam, for reminding me of my lovely friend! Hmmm…wonder how they spend Christmas in heaven??? ❤️🎄☃️
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Actually, Pat, when the story began with Ginny’s name, I immediately thought of YOUR Ginny. Her spirit lives on in all of our hearts, and brings love. xoxo
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Ohh Pamela, what a perfect story. Merry Christmas for you and yours and here’s to a sparkly 2019 for you all. Hugs xXx ❤
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What a great idea – TO A SPARKLY 2019. Y.E.S.! ❤
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♥♥♥
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❤ ❤ ❤ to you my Warrior friend, Billy Ray.
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I laughed out loud and still have a smile on my ace! I love happy endings!
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And I LOVE bringing smiles and surprise to my readers. Merry Christmas to beautiful you, Jeanette. ❤
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Thanks for the fun story and Christmas cheer Pam. I hope you and Ginnie have a wonderful Christmas! Ho, ho, ho. 🎅
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To plenty of HO HO HO in your HOliday, Brad. 🙂
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Ha, Ha, Ho, Ho! 🎅
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A charming story, told in your usual fascinating style! Have a marvelous Christmas, Pam—see you in the New Year!
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Many thanks for enjoying my Virginia story, in which she discovers there really is …. magic in every corner. May your new year be a magical one. ❤
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What a treat to read your story this morning, Pam. I love a happy ending. Merry Christmas and make sure you don’t overdo it – you need to keep your brain rested for all those marvelous stories it creates. ❤️
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How’d you know that this week has been a tough one for the head/brain, Molly? Oh, you know because you’re going through it too. Here’s to both of us learning to Let Go and RELAX and rest during the rest of the holiday. Ho Ho HO! xo
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Yes, I do know and my brain tells me when I’ve done too much. Those pesky dizzy spells come back. Guess I have a built in meter that tells me to slow down or fall down. Haha! Here’s to relaxation, Pam!
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Enjoy the magic and wonder of the season, Pam!
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Magic occurred when I actually finished wrapping gifts yesterday without cutting myself with the scissors or taping my finger to the ribbons, Nancy. Ho Ho HO! Hope your holiday is warm and delicious.
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Go you! Wrapping presents is a minefield of potential issues ~> cutting the paper 1/2″ too short, leaving the price tag attached, smearing the ink on the gift tags, putting the right name tag on the wrong package.
Glad you survived intact!
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Ack- you revealed all of my wrapping mishaps right here!!! :-0 🙂 xo
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I want to read the sequel where her life does, in fact, change. In interesting ways, and hopefully good ways. I’ll be sitting right here at my computer waiting for that post.
Merry Christmas, Pam!
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I’m allowing everyone to use their own magical imagination to place Ginny just where she wants to be. One reader suggests that Ginny ends up in Venice, Italy. (Which happens to be that reader’s favorite place in the world.) I wonder where YOU’D like Ginny to enjoy the rest of her life with love and joy?
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Well, I’m of a somewhat offbeat mindset (remember Not CM, my alter-ego?). I’d probably have Ginny go through many unexpected struggles before finally finding contentment – most likely right where she started off (there’s no place like home).
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A lovely story, Pam. Wishing you all the very best of everything for Christmas and for 2019.
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May your holiday be magical, Mary! ❤
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What a beautiful tale. Brought tears to my eyes. Wishing you a Happy Holiday season and 2019.
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When a writer’s words touches the heart of her reader, she feels complete. Thanks, Patricia, for “feeling” this story of Ginny and how she finds magic within her life. To the secret Santas around every corner! ❤
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Sharing your wonderful Christmas story and wishing you the Merriest Christmas Ever! ❤ xo
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Hi Bette – thanks for sharing Ginny’s discovery that yes… there IS wonder and magic around every corner (or bus stop). Merry Christmas to you! xo
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Lovely story. Merry Christmas Pam and cheers to the New Year.
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To wonder and joy in 2019, Balroop. ❤
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I want to hop on, too! Great story, Pam!
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We can make it a bicycle built for three – or 33, because I thing there’s a bunch of us who want a ride with Santa, too. 🙂
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Soooooo many!
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A sweet, tender story, Pam. Your Christmas tree is beautiful! Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones. XXX
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Thanks for enjoying the story of Ginny’s new magical year! Hope and joy around every corner. The best to you and yours in 2019. ❤
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Hello, and Happy Holidays. Dale reminded me about you on her Advent Calendar! I’m a haphazard blogger, but I’ll be back! ❦🎁🎄
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Well, thanks to Dale for bringing you here – here’s to our continued blogging friendship in 2019!
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Cheers! 🥂
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I smiled at the end, wondering what adventures she would find..:) great story, Pam.
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I have a feeling that Ginny’s life is going to be quite exciting in the most wonderful ways now, George. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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Lovely story with an inspirational message. But my goodness the wealthy woman was all but working her into the ground. I hope Ginny found her savior and she was able to leave the evil employer.
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I know of several women (and men) who work incredibly hard with extremely difficult employers like this woman. I wish them magical ways to be surrounded by love and happiness.<3
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Oh dear me. I feel for those dear people who strain and endure such unpleasant working conditions- so unfortunate and dreadful.
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I love the photo of the tree with the lights looking so whimsical and quite magical. Maybe Ginny is about to have a transformational moment on the back of Santa’s bicycle built for two. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Pam and my the magic stay the year through.
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It wasn’t until I took this photo of our Christmas tree when I realized that the reflection from the glass window doubled the light, and the joy. May our own reflections do the same to all around us throughout the year. MERRY CHRISTMAS! ❤
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What a wonderful Christmas story, Pam.
Here’s wishing you and your family the most wonderful of Christmases!!
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May we all find the magic in Christmas, much as Ginny does here. Joy to you and yours, Dale. ❤
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💖
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You gave us the gift of another heart warming story. Thank you and may your holidays be filled with laughter and good tidings.
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Happy Holidays with the aroma of your magnificent baking spread throughout your home, Gerlinde. ❤
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I loved reading this, Pam. A magical, mystery, Christmas tale for adults. I can’t decide if Ginny is dead (and has passed over to the next world) or still alive. What a thought-proking ending you have left us with.
Merry Christmas 🎄
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I love the way different readers interpret my endings (beginnings?) in different ways. You ask a good question here, Hugh. And only you know the answer…. Merry Christmas!
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I can only imagine what delights are waiting for her. Lovely, magical Christmas story Pam.
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I was pleasantly surprised when I hopped over to your blog and found another visitation from Santa, written in such a beautiful way. Christmas brings out the joyful magic in our all-too-real lives, doesn’t it? MERRY CHRISTMAS.
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Merry Christmas to you Pam ❤
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A bit of Christmas magic. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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To magic, joy, surprises, and love in the New Year. ❤
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Great story, Pam. There’s always a little magic when you’re not looking!
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That’s it! Magic is always around the corner, if we allow it to reveal itself. To a magical New Year, Barbara.
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Thanks for the Christmas magic, Pam. May you get as much magic as you give to all of us…
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What a beautiful Christmas wish, Kathy. I’m hugging it in, and then sending out the same wish to you. xo ❤
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What a wonderful Christmas present for Her. Do you think she’ll end up in Venice Italy? After all, it is Santa she’s riding with!
Merry Christmas and happy new year Pam
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I think Ginny will end up wherever each reader’s hearts send her. Venice, Italy sounds perfect to me. ❤
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A magical Christmas story, Pam. I’m happy that Ginny is about to have a positive change in her circumstances. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you. xx
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To the BEST kind of changes in the New Year. xo
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Aw…that is so wonderful!! I want to read more!!!! Merry Christmas Pam!
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May our story continue bright and joyful in the New Year, Denise. 🙂 ❤
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Tease. Happy Christmas Pam.
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I’m a tease of a writer; my characters make me do it! 🙂
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Love that! Sweet story with an ending we can fill in however we like. I hope you had a merry Christmas!
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Christmas was merry and bright, and now I’m loving the In Between. Ahhhh. May we fill in our own story in the coming year, Kate. ❤
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That that man presented her with…
…a teacup pig.
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Ohhhh, Mike, Mike, Mike. Hmmm, perhaps Santa brought YOU a teacup pig last Wednesday! 🙂 Happy New Year, my friend.
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As is often the case here I sit in the edge of my seat wondering what will happen next! A beautifully told tale with the promise of Christmas wishes coming true. Here’s hoping there is a. Including chapter!
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Really like how you wrote this story, Pam. Ginny sounds like the everyday person working hard for a living, an everyday person with dreams for a better job and better life. Love the little bit of make-belief at the end there and Ginny got home in a jiffy in the end 😀 Hope you are enjoying this time of the year and best wishes for the year ahead 🙂
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Happy New Year – may we all find some magic in 2019.
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Happy New Year to you too, Pam. Hope we will all find magic as well, all day, every day 🙂
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I hope Santa was kind to you, but most of all I wish you good health and happiness in 2019 🙂 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Santa brought me a lot of writing pads and pens – perfect for the new year and my determination to finish my next book! Happy New Year to You!
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What a lovely Christmas story… sorry I didn’t read it before today. Life and the holidays have almost taken their toll. But today my hubby decided to take an impromptu trip into the city (Dallas) to see his sister and our niece with her 2 babies. He will spend the night and some much needed time with his sis. They used to do that all the time and it has been a while. I am home with the fur babies for some much needed alone time, catching up on emails, eating bad popcorn and drinking pop . All the things I can’t do after Tuesday! LOL! I loath New Year’s resolutions but hubby and I will go on a much needed diet. I lost over 40# last year on an awesome program which I will do again to lose the 10# or so I have found again because I have been bad. HE will lose the additional 30 or so he still needs to drop on the same program which he did not do with me before. His goal is to be at ideal weight before 60th birthday in March. He can do it with my help….. Happy New Year Pamela! I hope Santa treated you well! ❤
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Several years ago I resolved to make no New Year’s resolutions. So far, I’ve been successful in following through. 🙂 Happy New Year, Kim!
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Me too!! This isn’t really a resolution just a decision to get healthier and stay that way. We have both been really good w diet and exercise for the last couple of years but need to buckle down.
We have an event Sat night and then will start diet on Monday. I will start Wed probably.
Resolutions make no sense. Why wait until Jan to do something to be better. Start now! Today! Right?? (Diet not withstanding) lol! 😉
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To our healthy, happy selves. Cheers!
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There are always wonders about us … so long as we’re willing to see. Happy Christmas and New Year!
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To a wondrous 2019! xo
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Santa to the rescue! Will there be more to Ginny’s story? Beautiful tree, Pam. I hope your holidays were amazing and wish you a most magical new year. ❤
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Holidays were sparkly and fast, and now I’m enjoying the fact that they’re over. 😉 Hope you had a relaxing, delightful time and here’s to MORE creativity from you in 2019.
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I’m always so thankful when January rolls around, Pam. I’m doing a mini nano this month with all my newfound free time! Ha ha.
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I like the sound of a mini nano. I’m going to try the same thing. Here in January we’re usually holed in, anyway, with subfreezing temps and snow. (That said, I just returned from a 90-minute walk in 40 degree sunshine – haha.)
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Oh good. I give myself a goal of 1000 words a day and then try to beat it. It’s a nice easy push. And holed up for a month? Works for me!
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Pam, I’m a bit late for your post but still in Christmas spirit and your story is lovely and magical. I want to cheer for Ginny and the adventures awaiting her!
Your tree is astonishing, Pam … beautifully decorated and so sparkly.
Hope you had a wondrous Christmas, Pam and wishing you peace,light, joy and laughter in the new year. Hugs, my friend! Xx ❤️
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“Peace, light, joy, and laughter” for 2019 – a beautiful blessing, and one I accept and send to you also. xo
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Lovely story, beautiful tree. I hope you had a most magical Christmas, Pam, and that 2019 is your best year yet.
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Holidays are magical. Putting everything away and resuming the normal course of life is even more magical. 🙂 Here’s to a creative magical wonderful 2019, Norah.
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I’ll toast that! Best wishes, Pam. Let the year sparkle. 🙂
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