Lake Arrowhead Lifestyles Blog: November 2009

Yes, that's right!  The first snow fall of the season came to us this weekend and what a great sight.  Thanksgiving was just finishing and the wind started to howl and the storm moved in.  We woke up yesterday to a nice blanket of snow.  What a great way to decorate for Christmas than the first snow.

This weeks weather forecast should be a nice one.  A few scattered showers today, getting windy and sunny this afternoon. 

The average temp for the week will be around 50 degrees durning the day and down in the 30's in the nights.  Look for another storm to move in by Friday.

I'm on a mission and I'm in full throttle now. My little red car has turned into a Christmas billboard with written across the back window. Yes, I've decided to trek off to work everyday on the public highways with a message that seems to offend people.

At stop lights, I even turn my music up a little louder, and to top it off, I sing along with it. Don't I know that stopping at a red light to roll my windows down only to share the joy of Christmas carols on public streets is a No-No? Don't I fear the Christmas Gestapo and those who would have me remove the written message from my car?

I'm sorry folks, but the only person I'm concerned about "offending" during this Christmas season is the Lord himself.
LEAVE THAT MANGER ALONE!

We've allowed the Baby Jesus to be kicked out of His lowly manger, and those offended by Christmas are still not happy.

I refuse to let this happen. I'm going to do my part to make sure doesn't become extinct. Because like it or not, if the believers in Christmas don't take a stand now, it's gone forever.

Listen folks, the Christian community has been underestimated before; we will have to show ourselves again.

I walked into a Wendy's Restaurant the other day and was rather exuberant with my greeting to the manager. He didn't have much of a response and I said, "Where's your Christmas spirit?" He said, "We're not allowed to use the words
when greeting customers. We can only say "Happy Holiday."

This morning I grabbed a quick breakfast at a Whataburger Restaurant. I noticed there wasn't a single decoration in the store. I asked the manager why they weren't decorated for Christmas. He told me the corporate headquarters decided not to send any decorations to any of their stores, and he didn't know why.

After I heard about all the Macy's and Federated Stores taking down their signs, the Target stores not allowing the Salvation Army to "Ring the Christmas bells," and the many incidents of children, choirs, and bands not allowed to play or sing Christmas carols, I realized it was happening right here in my own little Texas town.

How can this be? Not Texas!

We do, however, have a store, Hobby Lobby, that plays nothing but Christmas carols during the season. On Christmas Day they run a full page ad in our local newspaper. That ad is not to promote the store, but uses the entire page to tell the story of Jesus' birth. Now that's taking a stand. We need to thank them.

When I saw a news report the other evening of children being taught new words to a song we've sung for years -
"We Wish You a "
- I was saddened to hear "We Wish You a Splendid Holiday."

I know now that it's just a matter of time till the greetings will be gone. Look around your town. Notice the "Holiday" greetings and not "Christmas." It's happening right before our very eyes.

Start singing the songs; go down the streets of America singing to your heart's content. Get some of those wash-off markers that these kids use to write on their car windows when they're rooting for their hometown football team. It's easy to do, and if a torrential rain washes it off, write it on there again.

We've got to get this message out.
" Go Tell It On the Mountain . . .
That Jesus ."
Sing it, speak it, be a billboard for our Lord.

The story of this "Baby Jesus" alone has brought about more goodwill at this time of year than any other day we celebrate. How can we sit back and allow Him to be snuffed out of our lives?

Is it Jesus, or is it His followers that the "offended" don't like? What kind of revulsion galvanizes one to campaign so vehemently against the mere mention of His name, the mere singing of a carol, or the mere visual of a sign that says

I can listen to my own boss at work use some of the vilest words and follow up with, "Excuse my French." I may cringe inside at his damning of God's name, but I tolerate it. So if you don't like me wishing you a

I'll say, "Excuse my joy." You may cringe that I celebrate the birth of Jesus, but just tolerate it.

I cannot be concerned that offends you. If I'm not careful, the day will come when saying I'm a Christian will offend you.

I'm offended that you're offended. How about that?

When we get to a point that we can no longer take part in a tradition we hold dear, we have no choice; we either defend that tradition or we give it up to those who say NO. That's it . . . period. So, which will it be?

I'm not giving up my joy to anyone. If I know of someone that celebrates another holiday during this time of year, I will be glad to wish them whatever holiday they want. Just tell me what it is and I'll shout it to the world and wish you a grand celebration.

Just give me Christmas. To you merchants: Stop being so hypocritical and "filling your tills" on the back of Jesus! Who do you think is the symbol of giving at this time of year? It was the wise men bringing gifts to the newborn Christ-child.

You want your coffers full, but have ordered your employees to take down all the signs. If that's the case, I'll buy gifts at a place that understands my joy.

If you're worried about offending someone, you just did. The most recent Newsweek survey shows that 82% of Americans believe that Jesus is the Son of God. So, in trying not to offend a few, you've offended many.

It's okay to jump into the spirit when it fills your cash register, but let's call it something else . . . and don't stop giving . and don't stop buying. . . we'll just change the name and you'll never know the difference.

I know the difference and I'm feeling it greatly. It's hard not to be aware that townships across our country have actually banned the singing of Christmas carols because it might offend someone. And it's not just the religious songs; it's the secular ones too. No more "Jingle Bells" or "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" because they're associated with Christmas. Boy, aren't we getting sensitive?

If we're not celebrating Christmas for the hope it gives with the birth of our Savior . . . there is no hope!

My freedom to celebrate Christmas in the tradition of the Christian religion is as much my right as it is your right to be offended by it. So what are we going to do? Did anyone hear me . . what are we going to do?

Do we defend a person's right to go forward with a time tested tradition (how about 2000 years?), or do we defend a person's right to end it all because they're offended? As long as we live in this great land and have the freedom to express ourselves and what we believe in, we will always offend someone.

If we try to make everything right for everyone, we won't have anything for anyone.

May you always have in your heart!

This coming Saturday will be the 30th annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade.  They have named it "Home for the Holidays".

The parade will begin at 2PM ~ The roads will be closed going through Blue Jay starting at 1PM on Saturday. 

Take a moment and stop by the Coldwell Banker office and get a chance to say your wishes to Santa.

For more information please call or email me.

POLK   COUNTY   FLORIDA SHERIFF GRADY JUDD

An  illegal alien in Polk County Florida who got pulled  over in a routine
traffic stop ended up 'executing'  the deputy who stopped him.
The deputy was shot  eight times, including once behind his right ear  at
close range. Another deputy was wounded and a  police dog killed.
A state wide manhunt  ensued.

The  murderer was found hiding in a wooded area and as soon as he
took a shot at the SWAT team, officers opened fire on him.    

They hit the guy 68 times.

Naturally,  the liberal media went nuts and asked why they had to shoot the
poor undocumented immigrant 68  times.

Sheriff  Grady Judd told the Orlando Sentinel: "Because that's all the  ammunition we  had."

Now, is that just about the all-time greatest answer or what !

This Sunday will be a great evening out.  UCLA Mountain Bruins will host the annual Fall Art Dinner at the UCLA conference center.

The evening will begin at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner at 7PM.  Besides getting to enjoy great food and having the opprotunity to purchase great holdiday gifts and art work, the proceeds of the evening will go toward the scholarship program that supports the local Rim of the World School District.  The UCLA Mountain Bruins Club is currently supporting nine scholarships to local kids.

Cost ~ $70 for members of the UCLA Mountain Bruins or $80 for non members

For reservations call 909-337-8200

Come out and support our local students and make a college education a reality.

Rebuilding Together foundation in our mountain communities is known for our Rebuilding Day in April of every year, where qualified home owners get help in repairs on their homes.  Elderly, disabled or having children get much needed repairs done on their home.

Rebuilding Together has found a way to have funds available year round for needed minor repairs, whether heating, plumbing, etc.  For information to determine eligibility, call 909-336-3910 or go to www.rebuildingtogether_ciamc@netscape.com.

The Fighting Scots are going at it again tonight at home.

Tonight at 7:30 at Rim High School will be the first round of CIF for the Scots.  They will go at it against San Jacinto High School.  This should be a tough fight, but our Scots are a tough team.

Come early and dress warm as I am sure it will be a lot of excitement tonight.

This weeks tour once again proves to be yet another great week of deals in Lake Arrowhead.

Here is my top 5 of the week

• 944 Mecham ~ $349,000 ~ Listed by CBSRR Kim K ~3 bedrooms, 4 baths, large great room, family room, views, extra lot included, great deals.
• 230 Maple ~ $369,000 ~ Listed by CBSRR, George C.~ 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, DOCK included in this package deal. Great charmer.
• 26539 Spyglass ~ $218,000 ~ Listed by Prudential CA Realty, Vicki M. ~This is an awesome deal in lake rights, short sale and approved. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths.
• 26963 Tunnel ~ $239,000~ Listed by CBSRR, Fred W. ~3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, great buy for lake rights, close to the Lake Arrowhead Country Club
• 684 Grass Valley ~ $179,000 ~ Listed by CBSRR, Wanda B. ~ 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths, no lake rights on this one, but extremely clean and cute home for the money.

Thats it, that's the whole story for broker tour this week.  For a listed of all available homes please contact our team, we are ready to start bringing your dreams of the Lake Arrowhead Lifestyle to life.

Barbara Walters, of 20/20, did a story on gender roles in Kabul,
Afghanistan, several years before the Afghan conflict.
~
She noted that women customarily walked five paces behind their husbands.
~
She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women STILL walk behind
their husbands!
~
Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem
to (and are happy to!) maintain the old custom.
~
Ms Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, I don't understand
- Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so
desperately to change?'
~
The woman looked Ms Walters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation
said, "Land Mines."
~
Moral of the story: No matter what language you speak or where you go .
.
BEHIND EVERY MAN, THERE'S A SMART WOMAN!

We have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years. It's time to take a reflective look at the core?beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God. If I had to stand before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd choose a half dozen or so rednecks friends to back me up. Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are made of. I hope I am one of those. If you feel the same, pass this on to your redneck friends. Ya'll know who ya'll are.

You might be a redneck if:  It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, 'One nation, under God.'


You might be a redneck if:  You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.

You might be a redneck if:  You still say ' Christmas' or Hannukah instead of 'Winter Festival.'

You might be a redneck if:  You bow your head when someone prays.

You might be a redneck if:  You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.

You might be a redneck if:  You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have..

You might be a redneck if:  You've never burned an American flag, nor intend to.

You might be a redneck if:  You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a redneck if:  You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same.

You might be a redneck if:  You'd give your last dollar to a friend.