Face-plant

As 2013 approached us, my sister posted the following as her Facebook status, "Yep. Its my favorite time of year. New years Facebook statuses!!!!! "New year, new me."...and my personal favorite....."It's my time to shine for me and mines." Give me your best Facebook! I need a good laugh for 2013."  

I couldn't help but 'like' and laugh at her status, as I too enjoy the ridiculous cheerleaders that can't wait for the new year to "Bring it!" to them.  

When I read her status, naturally, I began getting lost in my thoughts and thinking to myself, it's not what the new year brings to you, but what you bring to the new year.  Maybe its to be debt free, quit smoking, or the classic resolution lose weight and stay in shape. Maybe its to start smoking to lose that weight. Maybe its to eat more fruit...snacks. Maybe you vowed not to drink orange juice after brushing your teeth worst, or to stop ignoring the auto correct on your cellphone or to talk in a robot voice at all times.  Whatever your goal or resolution is, it's really about what you put into it.  

The scripture 1 Corinthians 9:24 comes to mind "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." 

I finally began running again last week for the first time this year since October of 2012 and sweet baby Jesus could I tell that it'd been awhile since I'd hit the pavement. For the first mile and a half I was praying for the pain in my sides which what felt like two midgets poking me with knives to stop, gasping for more air in my lungs, all the while not wearing the best sports bra which was causing me to get slapped in the jugular with well, you know the jugs.  I wondered why I have in the past and any human being would suffer and put themselves through such torment  Any long distance runner will tell you, they have all had the same thoughts and have had bad runs, and if they tell you they haven't... NEWSFLASH!: They're lying. 

My runner peeps- you know what I mean by 'bad runs'. The ones where it's so hot outside you feel as if your smothering yourself and the term 'hot breath' just found a new meaning, or its freezing outside and your nose decides it wants to run with you and by the end of your run snot is frozen to your upper lip, you can't feel your face, and you swear your eyeballs are frozen. Or you forgot to put your Body Glide on and you're practically about to start a fire between your thighs and chaffing in ungodly places.  How about the runs where you run into every spiderweb, eat every flying bug coming at your face, chased by every vicious dog in the neighborhood, picked a route with every bit of uneven pavement causing your ankle to role out and you do the " Omg! I almost fell!" zigzag move and then keep trucking like nothing happened. Or my personal favorite, and have experienced numerous times - a flat out face-plant into the ground and maybe eat a little gravel while you're down there. 

During my runs over the past 2 weeks, I started reflecting back on those lovely hellacious runs.  I realized that those runs I wanted to give up and quit, those runs that were an absolute nightmare, or comedy show for some spectators, I chose to push through them. Sure I may have had encouraging words along the way, but it was me who chose to push through, to take on those obstacles, to run through the pain, to put the hard work in, to just... keep.. ru-nning. Forrest Gump. I couldn't help myself.  Those were the very runs that got me across the finish line, that gave me the sense of achievement, sense of accomplishment, the medal, 'the prize' I'd been running for.  I have realized that it is the same with the race I'm running in life, good or bad runs, I run with perseverance  and with each run, I peel away another layer of slowness and weakness.  Another layer of fearfulness and doubt. And I become a better version of myself.  I feel more secure, more grounded, stronger, and free. I learn more to live in the now and to trust and walk run in the presence of God.

Romans 5 3:5

3 "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His Love into our hearts..."

2012 was an uphill run full of bumps, scrapes and bruises along the way, feelings of going backwards and then suddenly springing forward. Running on rough terrain hoping to catch my breath only to have it stolen again by several beautiful moments standing at the top of many mountains in my life. A run full of surprises, truly an adrenaline rush full of all emotions -fearful but hopeful, nervous but courageous, troubled but tranquil, anxious but peaceful, weary but strong, lonely but loved.  A run full of life. 

I am ready to tighten up my laces, turn my music up, find the beat, and hit the ground running into 2013. And not with my face.

   

The Color Run Philadelphia

This weekend I went to Philadelphia and participated in 'the happiest 5k on the planet'.  The Color Run.  It was by far the most fun race I've done thus far.  It was the 3rd largest 5k in America this year with a total of 23,633 runners.

  On Saturday I picked up my registration packet and it came with an awesome t-shirt, an awesome 1980's sweatband, a packet of colored powder and your bib number.  The paint or colored powder is basically dyed cornstarch.

 I wanted to start the day off right and post a picture to let the social media world know I was pumped for the race. I decided to go with an excited face and an awkward thumbs because it's funny.  However it was early and it took a few tries to get the right photo.  Here's a behind the scenes look at my 'gotta get the right picture for fb' photo shoot.   You know you've all done it.  

I finally got one and went with this gem.

The Color Run consists of everyone wearing as much white as possible and at every kilometer in the race you run thru a 'Color Zone'.  The first color was orange, then blue, yellow and green.  Here are a couple pictures I snapped at the yellow and blue color zones. 

At the end when you cross the finish line, there is a huge color festival.  The packet that was given to you at registration you keep with you during your run. Then every fifteen minutes the new runners coming in attend the color festival where there is a DJ and a huge mosh pit full of crazy kooky dancing and at the same time everyone throws their opened color packet in the air! 

This was the aftermath of the color festival...

I have several friends running The Color Run in Nashville come October.  Here are a few tips on things you will be glad I mentioned to you. 1. If you are the type of person who runs with their phone or wants to take pictures along the way.  I would recommend you put your phone in a ziplock bag.  I brought one for mine and it worked just fine.  2. Wear sunglasses! You'll be so glad you did when you go through the color zones.   Plus how awesome will you look with some super cool crazy colored stunna shades during the run. 3. Bring a towel to sit on for your drive home. 4. You should totally get some awesome crazy cool running knee high running socks.  You can order them off of this website. Knee high sport socks I loved mine and bought 3 other pair! 5. Supposedly if you spray vinegar on your shirt, socks, etc. and then iron it before washing.  The color will stay.  I have yet to try that to my shirt so I can't give a full report if it will work or not.  

6. When you are going through color zone blue.  I recommend you fight the urge to raise yo' hands in the air and cut a rug. Please see the picture below.  As you can tell, I got 'colored' good under the arms and needless to say I had stained smurf armpits for 3 days.  

7. HAVE FUN! It is by far one of the coolest runs and experiences you'll ever have. 

Before and After

P.S.  I apologize for some of the tiny photographs. I have no idea why, but every time I tried to make my pictures bigger they became blurry.  =/  

NYC Family Vacation

My brothers & sisters have come and gone and I miss them already. The night they arrived we had dinner together and even though they were tired and it was late, we decided to head into the city. After all, this is the city that never sleeps. Below is a video of Tara finally getting her 15 minutes of fame in Times Square.

We walked nearly every inch of the city from Time Square, Central Park, Greenwich Village, SoHo,  Chinatown and Little Italy.  BJ didn't want to leave the Theater District and Chelsea was thrilled when she finally got to see the Statue of Liberty.  She's a weird kid.  We spent a day at the beach grilling out and frolicking in the sand.  That was Heath's first time to see the beach.  He didn't want to leave. 

That evening after the beach, we all went to see The Hunger Games.   What an adventure that turned out to be. Before the movie began and even before the previews, Chelsea needed to use the restroom and on her way down our row she bumped into a woman's chair infront of us.  The woman turned around and started going off like a crazy woman yelling at Chelsea in her New Yorker accent, "Hey! There are people sittin' heaya!"   My thoughts were Ummm hello? It's...The Hunger Games. It's a packed house lady.  We are fully aware you're sitting there and it is a strong possibility someone may bump into your chair and I know you're not yelling at my little sister!  Instantly, before Chelsea could even get an 'I'm sorry' out of her mouth, I wasted no time to tell this lady my exact thoughts!   As mad as I was, I couldn't even get all that I had to say out. Apparently, Tara had the same thoughts and started in on the lady at the same time I did except everything Tara was yelling at her it was all in an attempted New York accent. I couldn't even finish my sentence for laughing at her!  Needless to say I let Tara handle that one. 

That is just one of the many adventures we had throughout the week.  Just to name a few: Tara found love in Little Italy, things got a little sketchy shopping in Chinatown, we had a good old fashion family argument in Central Park, I was pranked by a Zombie in Times Square, Chelsea had her hair cut by Edward Sissorhands, BJ got his first tattoo, we met some very interesting characters on the train, along with a delay on our train ride home one night due to an and I quote "blood bath"  a few carts ahead of us.  All in all we had a blast and my time with them went by too fast.

Brothers & Sisters

If you don't understand how one could both love their siblings so dearly and want to wring their neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child.

This was taken on Easter of 2010. From left to right. Sophia(my niece), Jessica, Me, Tara, BJ, Heath, Chelsea.

I remember one time at the age of 13 sitting in the floor of my bedroom, my back against the foot of my bed while my two sisters Jessica 14 and Tara 11 sat on top at the edge of the bed with their socked feet dangling on each side of me.  Tara and I were battling it out on Super Mario Kart. She popped my last balloon with a turtle shell and I lost the game.  I was infuriated I had lost to her and before I knew it, I reached over and grabbed the first foot I saw dangling next to me and I bit it with every ounce of strength I had in me! Except....I bit the wrong foot.  It was Jessica's.  Tara laughed hysterically and Jessica screamed in agony.  I still feel horrible about the mix-up.

My mom and dad divorced when I was 10 years old.  They both eventually remarried, my mom did within the next year and dad much later in my life.  She married Huff & Puff who had three kids of his own -Jessica, Heath, and BJ.  That year Tara and I gained 1 sister and 2 brothers.   A few years later Mom and Huff & Puff  found out they had a surprise on the way- a baby girl named Chelsea. Growing up with eight people in a house was complete chaos.   The six of us children were constantly "calling" things.  "I call shotgun! I call first shower! I call tables & counters for chores after dinner!"  We locked each other out of our rooms, dumped  countless pitchers of ice water on whoever was in the shower.  We still do, given the opportunity.

Being that the first 3 eldest children were all girls, we would gang up on my two younger brothers all the time. We made fun of them, were mean to them, and would never let them play with us, but they had their own retaliation on us.  We had to babysit them quite often in the afternoons until our parents came home and they acted as little devil children! My sisters and I would setup the 1980's video recorder and hide it to catch their behavior on camera to show to our parents.  We also used the same 1980's video camera to make movies, talkshows and dance videos together that are currently on VHS tapes which we now use as blackmail.

We were all 2 to a room.  Jessica and I shared a room. I would keep her up late frequently rearranging our bedroom and  "refurbishing" some of our furniture.  One day while our parents were gone, we took our dresser out in the backyard and spray painted the drawers with chalkboard spray paint and took the knobs off and painted them with silver glittery nail polish.  It was the coolest dresser ever! Until mom came home....

Tara and I have had countless throwdown fights since the time she could start walking. One time at the age of 13, I was making a sandwich in the kitchen and Tara 11 reached in the drawer and pulled out a meat poker from the grill and jabbed it into my left butt cheek and yelled, "Pork's done!"  and ran off laughing hysterically with the porker in hand to the other side of  house. I in turn pulled a butcher knife out on her and told her if she ever did that again I swore I'd kill her.  Once, I kicked her in the hand and jammed her finger, which resulted in her going to the emergency room. I've slung her by her shirt collar so hard into the refridgerator, it left a dent.  I've even put her head through a wall.  Okay, that was an accident.  We turned the stairs in the house into a slide with couch cushions. I was anxious for my turn so I gave her a little shove on hers.  Her head went straight the the drywall. I know what you're thinking right now, and you shouldn't feel sorry for her.  She has punched me right square in the face before. My arms and hands are filled with little battle scars to this day because of her constant scratching and clawing.  She was always a wonderful actress Drama Queen when we would get in trouble. She played the victim well. I could be bleeding from my shoulders down but yet mom would still  give me the tongue lashing and beating.  While my mom's back was turned, Tara would stick her tongue out at me and snicker and laugh under her breath.

When my mom told me she was pregnant with Chelsea, I remember I cried like a baby.  I told my mom we just learned how to deal with seven people in the house and we didn't have room for anyone else. I told her I just couldn't handle one more person.  Little did I  know I would fall in love with this little baby sister.  She was so sweet and adorable. She was so much fun to play with and she loved her "Toya". That's me.  Most of all that is still very true.  She is more beautiful every time I see her and she still loves her "Toya" but the sweet part - that's in question being that she is now in full blown teenage girl mode. Hormones like a roller coaster, cellphone pics everyday for Facebook taken in the bathroom mirror, always worried about how she looks or her swag level as she would say, and of course she's up on the "hippest" slang.  She called me 'Cray. Cray' the other day. Apparently it means the samething as crazy? I don't know...

None of my siblings are known for their fantastic driving skills.  Anyone who has had the pleasure of riding with any of us, knows this is true. Jessica, Tara, and I have all been in wrecks together.  One summer night I was driving down Manchester Hwy about to turn on to Dilton Mankin which is a road up a small hill.  Tara was with me.  She was yelling and hanging out the passenger window acting like her usual nutty self.  I looked over and told her to get back in the window not realizing I had passed the road I was supposed to turn on by 5 feet.  I went to turn on what I thought was the road but saw my headlights shining bright a big yellow house! Instead of hitting the breaks, I hit the gas flooring it up the hill in the front yard and somehow managed to find my way back onto the road.  I still to this day have no idea how I did that without hitting the house or the cars in the driveway. Once we were back on the road,we were both scared silent for a few seconds. Then, we looked at each other and laughed so hard until we both peed in our pants! Yeah, we did. The next day when I drove past the scene, I saw all the tire marks in the front yard up the hill along with all the yardsale signs that were mowed down.

Another time Jessica and I were on our way to school already running late. She was driving. I was in the backseat and another friend of ours was asleep in the front. I asked Jessica to change the radio station and not seeing that the car infront of her had stopped, she rearended a Buick.  Not only was it a Buick, but it was an undercover cop car.  She rearended a State Trooper.  Oops!

My youngest brother Heath who is now 16 just started driving less than 2 months ago and he has already ran his car in a ditch twice.  It makes me sick to think about him or Chelsea driving.

I haven't seen my brothers and sisters since I surprised them this past Christmas.  In ten days they are taking a trip together and will all be here in New York with me! I cannot wait to see them, to hug them, to laugh with them, to fight with them.

We know how to push each others' buttons like no one else can. We've beat each other up to a bloody pulp, but the first to defend when outsiders attack. We've borrowed without asking, broken and ruined things.  We interfere, criticize, and are always ready to deliver a snide remark to one another. We know each others strengths and weaknesses. We share our family inside jokes, our family fueds and secrets.  Our family griefs and joys.  We are brothers & sisters and I love them dearly.

Me, Jessica, Tara



Heath & Tara



Me, Tara, BJ

Jessica & Chelsea



 And one for awkward family photos taken 11 years ago....

We all hate this picture.  My mom loves it....



Scarface

No matter how many times I pass by these sights, I still find myself staring in awe of their bold presence.

Huff & Puff and I spend a lot of time working in Brooklyn.   One day last week we were on any inspection and of course as always the architectural detail of the connected homes there were breathtakingly beautiful.  Many of the once massive homes had been turned into crackerjack box apartments  which I can only imagine what beautiful hidden gems they are, and would kill to have one. I watched as all the hipsters came barreling out of these places in their skinny jeans, oversized beanies, and hand knitted scarves, only to hop on their 1950's bicycles and head off to start their day. 

The person who owned of one of the homes, that had not been separated into apartments, told us the houses on that street were built in 1901 and at some point of their exsistence Al Capone, one of the most notorious Mafia leaders of all time, used to own every house on the street.  He, his gang members, security guards, and posse lived in them all at one time.  There was one part on the street where the connecting homes had a gap inbetween them filled with grass and a locked fence to get to the empty space.  He told us that was the entry way for them to park their vehicles behind the connecting homes, and to my knowledge  it is unheard of in NY.  You park on the street. It is such a pain. He said there used to be a tunnel than ran under all the connected houses on the street. Incase there was ever a raid from the police they could escape out of the tunnel and to their cars that were parked behind the homes on a secret street. I couldn't believe it!  I was looking at a piece of history and then I became even more envious of those hipstas wondering if they even had any of idea of  this information and how lucky they were to be living there while I'm stuck out on Long Island in a 1970's nik-nak filled house with a redneck. Ugh.  I told myself they had no clue about this piece of information, but that I knew about and it and they didnt. It made me feel better. =)

Before we can actually get to some of these beautiful places we have to drive thru basically...the ghetto.  We've passed a Chinese resturant called 'Da Real Ting'  yes ting, t-i-n-g.  One time we passed a drop off bin where you donate toys, clothes and such and the sign on the bin was supposed to read  'Drop Off Toys, Clothes, & Shoes' but someone had removed the 's' from 'shoes' and the bin then read -  'Drop off Toys, Clothes, & Hoes'.  I found them both to be hilarious signs, but dare not stop and take a pic of either.  Those places in Brooklyn are scary even at 8 o' clock in the morning. 

Christmas 2011

Finally- I've finished unpacking my suitcase from my surprise trip home.  Yes, you read that correct.  I made it home for Christmas. 

I talked it over with Huff & Puff about two and a half weeks before Christmas.  He gave me the green light to go. Originally I was going to drive 18 hours spend Christmas Eve with my family and drive back Christmas day.    I wanted to surprise my family and friends.  I ended up telling my dad because I wanted someone to know I was going to be traveling in my poor little beat up Sentra from  New York to Tennessee.  When I told him I was coming home for Christmas he was so excited, but insisted that I fly.  He said it would allow me to have more time with everyone and that I nor my poor little o' Sentra wouldn't be as worn out and tired when we got back.  He then proceeded to make fun of my car by wheezing and coughing in exhaustion.  I wasn't amused.  He offered to pay for my plane ticket and naturally I gladly accepted! 

Once the ticket was bought my scheming began to surprise my family and  friends!  It was the hardest secret I've ever had to keep.   Endless phone calls to my family and friends of how sad I was because I wouldn't be home for Christmas. Talks of how depressed I was that I had to work on Christmas Eve. I even sent a picture of made up scheduled appointments on a calendar for that day to my family and friends with the caption of "Everytime I flip to this date and see these appointments, it makes me sad."  Lies, lies, they were all lies!   I listened to my family and friends complain to me how it just wasn't going to be Christmas without me.  I would then have to cover the phone as I let out a giggle and an "Eeeeeeeek!" to myself.

After a long two and a half weeks December 22nd finally came around!  Time to get Operation:Tennessee Christmas Surprise in action!   I flew out that evening.  It was the longest 2 hours of my life!  I had one of my best friends, Ashley and her husband come and pick me up from the airport.  I couldn't wait to see her face and squeeze her to pieces.  She was in on the surprise. I needed someone to pick me up from the airport and shuffle me around the next day for last minute errands.  Besides, that's what best friends are for right?  We all had dinner together, exchanged gifts, laughed and wrapped presents until the early morning hours.  The next day she shuffled me around to deliever presents to a few friends and shop for a couple last minute gifts.   It took all day so we had a late lunch and she swears I nearly starved her. You would think I did by the way she jumped a curb with her car on the way to Panera.  After we scarfed down lunch we went back to her house just in time to have my friend Julia come and pick me up and on to the next surprise!



My other best friend Jamie had know idea I was coming home.  She and Julia had plans to have dinner together a local resturant in town.  Last year we all had dinner together at the same place. I had been scheming with Julia about surprising Jamie and  I had been telling Jamie how bummed I was that I wasn't going to be there.  They had plans to Skype me while they were at the resturant.   When Julia and I got to the resturant, Jamie was already inside waiting. Julia went on in and I waited outside for her to Skype me on our phones.  I had my finger over the camera so they couldn't see where I was.   They were complaining about how they couldn't see me and I finally walked in the resturant to where they were sitting and said loudly, "Can you see me now?"  Jamie's jaw dropped to the floor.  She then proceeded to call me names and slap me silly, which only meant ... 'Omg! I'm so happy to see you!'  After my beating from her, we hugged it out and both cried.  We all talked and laughed hysterically the rest of the evening.  We the the best time ever.

Jamie & Julia

Julia & I



Later that night we all three headed out to my mom's house for the next surprise - my family.  I knew all my brothers and sisters would be there that evening.    I pulled the same Skype stunt on them as I did to Jamie.  I could tell you about it but I think this video speaks for itself...

Needless to say it was priceless.  We stayed up til the wee hours of the morning having the best time.  We got up the next morning on Christmas Eve and exchanged gifts.  We all got ready and headed to Manchester, TN for the next surprise.  My grandmother was livid everyone was so late. I walked in the house after everyone else to surprise her.  When she saw me she was overwhelmed with emotion and didn't care we were late anymore. Our Christmas Traditions at her house were carried on that day.  Food, laughter, and endless ridiculous games.

We had another surprise up our sleeve for my grandmother. As mentioned in a previous blog, every year my cousins and sisters are begged to death by our moms and grandmother to put together an on the fly skit and perform it for the the fam.  This year we did something a little different.   This past fall I lost an aunt.  My mom lost a sister, and my grandmother lost a child.  It was been a tough year for my grandmother and really my whole family.  Don't worry I'll spare you the details.   So for weeks on end my cousins, my sister and I stayed up late nearly every night for weeks working on a song we wrote together for my grandmother and video editing it.   All the people mentioned in the song are real and the events are true with the exception of the last verse about Culleoka News.  That was about the skit we performed a couple years ago.   Here is the final version of the video.    Be sure to watch The Bloopers Reel at the end they are the best part. I'm already embarrassed for myself and yes I misspelled 'chess pie'.



After my grandmother's there was the mad dash for Tara and I to my dad's house.   When we got there my dad popped in 'Christmas Vacation' and I fell asleep on my dad's shoulder.  I was out like a light!   On Christmas Day morning he cooked a fabulous breakfast and then we exchanged gifts.  Little did he know he was going to be surprised this Christmas too.  Tara and I got my him an ipad2. I knew it was a success when he started laughing uncontrollably almost a little pyscho like followed by a few tears. Yes! 

I savored the last couple of hours I had in Tennessee but the time came for me to head to the airport.  My dad took me and we swung by my mom's to tell her bye one more time.  I even snapped a picture of the "original" Totty crew all together. I love this picture.

When my dad and I reached the airport the tears started flowing.  I couldn't stop it.  I cried the whole way through the airport.  I struggled to speak to the people working in the airport.  I couldn't find what I did with my drivers license from the boarding pass station to the security check point because I was so distraught.  I could not pull it together.  During all the airport chaos, I was so thankful for big sunglasses.  My time in Tennessee seemed like just a vapor.   It was gone in an instant and I was back in New York. When I got home there was a package waiting on me.  A package from my mom.  She had sent my Christmas presents to New York not knowing I was going to be home, but she also sent me something else. 

You see, apparently a mass facebook message went out to many of my friends and family from all over the U.S. about this blog post I wrote One Light Goes Out, They All Go Out! I was completely unaware of this.  One day I came home only to find my friend Julia had sent me this ornament in the mail. At this point, I had no idea I would be home for Christmas. I loved it and of course it made me cry.

Little did I know this was going to be just the beginning of something so wonderful!   The next day I received another and another, and then another.  Finally, I started started asking questions and found about the facebook message and it was none other than my sneaky sweet little angel friend Julia. 

The ornaments continued for weeks and 'mail time' became my favorite time of the day.  I would sing the Blues Clues 'mail time' song everyday and yes- I would wag my tail too.  I think my 'mail time' was a lot of other peoples favorite time of the day too. I would receive text messages everyday from different friends, "Has the mail ran yet?"  "Who's did you get today?" all anxiously checking Facebook in the afternoons to see what I received, but it didn't stop there.  I received ornaments from people who never even got a FB message but just heard about this 'Operation:Tosha's Tree'.  Even Mrs. Linda Aunt Jemima got me one!  Not only did I receive ornaments, I received little notes, Christmas cards, gifts, care packages, and I even received the book 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' story that had a recording  of familiar voices of people I used to work with and that are dear to my heart reading each page.  Every ornament that came represented the person that sent it or something that reminded them of me.  It was so great.

When I opened my mom's package on Christmas Day night I found a little note that read, "This was the most affordable way I could get us and some of your friends to you this Christmas season.  We all love and miss you tons."  There were ornaments for days with different family members and friends pictures in every ornament.

After having a hellacious time in the airport and missing everyone at home, it was the perfect thing to come home to and find these little gems awaiting me. They were the perfect addition to the rest of the ornaments on my tree. She also sent me this ornament in it's own wrapping with another little note that read, "Winna Winna Chicken Dinna!" Very funny mom.

Receiving little pieces of home in the mail everyday through this holiday season was by far one of the sweetest and most thoughtful gestures someone has ever done for me.   To all of you who contributed, thank you, thank you, thank you for making my 2011 Christmas one I will never forget.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

We've upgraded from the 1960's t.v.  Thanks 'Santa Puff'.