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I love Christmas. Family gatherings, children's Christmas programs, shopping, Christmas parties, remembering Christmas' past and those loved ones who are no longer with us. Christmas memories take me back to an uncomplicated, happy time, before so much life happened. One of my favorite memories is singing Christmas hymns at church. If I had to pick an all time favorite hymn as a child, I would have to say "Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," an old time hymn from the 1940s (and of course, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer")! There are so many incredible hymns that may seem "old-fashioned" or "outdated," but as I sing those same hymns as an adult, with a greater understanding of the words that are strung together and the One they are so powerfully written about, I am humbled and amazed. When I sing those hymns today, I'm reminded of Who Christmas is about and the simplicity of a season that can so easily be overcrowded by busy holiday to-do lists. Today, I encourage you to think back on some "old" Christmas hymns, maybe one you can remember your grandmother always singing or one you remember singing as a child; search it on YouTube, and see the words with fresh eyes and then sing along, because you know you want to. J Oh, today's favorite is "Emmanuel." Translation "God is with us." Can you even imagine? GOD with US. God, the creator and sustainer of all things, the KING of Kings, the Great I AM humbled Himself and came to earth to dwell among us -- His people! Crazy! I can hardly wrap my mind around such a profound truth. And everyone knows "O Holy Night." Hillsong has a great version on YouTube, too. The line "Long lay the world in sin and error pining 'til He appeared and the soul felt its worth, the thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices." Wow. That's what I want to consume my heart and mind, not only on Christmas, but year round! Are any of you weary? Well, because of what happened on that very first Christmas over 2,000 years ago, we have an invitation to rejoice and have hope again. What are your favorite hymns??   I love Christmas. Family gatherings, children's Christmas programs, shopping, Christmas parties, remembering Christmas' past and those loved ones who are no longer with us. Christmas memories take me back to an uncomplicated, happy time, before so much life happened. One of my favorite memories is singing Christmas hymns at church. If I had to pick an all time favorite hymn as a child, I would have to say "Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," an old time hymn from the 1940s (and of course, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer")!

When I was a child growing up in the 50s my family always got a real tree at Christmas time. Usually about three or four days before Christmas, all of us, dad, mom, my brother, Sam, and my two sisters, Annie and Jean and I would climb into the car and my dad would drive us out to the Dairy Queen in Elm Grove, which at the time was located on Route 40 East where the Rite Aid parking lot is now. The Dairy Queen, of course, was closed for the winter, but we weren't there for ice cream. We were there to buy a live cut tree to take home and decorate it for Christmas. For a little kid, that was really exciting and the memory of it warms my heart to this day. There were a couple of times I remember actually going out in the woods to get our tree. My parents, Clifford and Anna Swallow, were born and raised in Washington County in eastern Ohio near the town of New Matamoras. The landscape there is rolling hills and farmland. Sometime in the early 1940s, as a young married couple eager to find a new way of life instead of farming, they traveled north up the river to the "big city" called Wheeling, West Virginia, where there was an abundance of employment opportunities. Most of my mom and dad's older siblings had already moved to Wheeling. My dad obtained a job at Blaw Knox iron foundry and except for a few years he spent in the U.S. Navy serving our country during World War II, he continued to work there until he retired in the mid-1970s. But no matter how many years they lived in Wheeling, my mom and dad would still refer to the place that they grew up in Washington County, Ohio as "down home." My dad's mother, Clara Swallow, together with my Uncle Gene and Aunt Vera, remained living at the homestead farm where my father grew up. Many of my most cherished childhood memories were of spending time at grandma's farm on the weekends and entire weeks during the summer months. Grandma didn't have electric or in-door plumbing. So needless to say, she got her water from a well and, of course, the bathroom facilities were the old proverbial "out house." But the land was rich in natural gas, so she was able to cook and heat her home with gas and she even had a few gaslights that I always found quite fascinating. That and a few oil lanterns were the only light that we used during the evening hours as we sat in the living room with the adults quietly talking, kids munching on cinnamon toast made with homemade bread and real butter while grandma played some gospel music on the old player piano that was a prominent fixture in that home. The farm's 250 acres was spread out over a hillside and the only way to get to it was up a dirt road. As you can imagine, when it would rain or snow, sometimes that dirt road was impassable by vehicle and we would have to park the car at the bottom of the hill and walk up an often time muddy and slippery or snow covered two mile hike to grandma's house. My mom's brother, Sam Ring, lived in a hollow at the bottom of that hill and a couple of times we left our car at his house and walked to Grandma's up through the woods behind his house. We would do this usually around Christmas time so mom and dad could scout for a tree. Dad would chop it down, drag it up to the farm, and later in the weekend load it up in the car to take home. Once we got it home we would always have to listen to the inevitable bickering that occurred while mom and dad tried to get the tree straight in the stand before we could start decorating it. This is a frustration that people who have only used artificial trees will never experience! When I got older, artificial trees became more and more popular and my mom and dad finally decided that an artificial tree was more economical and convenient than going out to get a real one so we stopped making our yearly "find a tree" outings. Grandma, Mom and Dad are all gone now and the homestead farm and property have long since been sold. Even now when I let these memories wash over me it reminds me of a much warmer, simpler and easier time. I realize that is probably because I was little and my life was simpler and easier. Some, like my sister, Jean, still do go out and buy a real tree every year. Though I appreciate her "must have a real tree" spirit, it just isn't enough to make me want to go to the trouble of doing it. I will continue to take the easy way out; drag my pre-lit artificial tree out of storage every year, stick it in a corner and celebrate the birth of Christ and let the memories of yesteryear warm my heart.   When I was a child growing up in the 50s my family always got a real tree at Christmas time. Usually about three or four days before Christmas, all of us, dad, mom, my brother, Sam, and my two sisters, Annie and Jean and I would climb into the car and my dad would drive us out to the Dairy Queen in Elm Grove, which at the time was located on Route 40 East where the Rite Aid parking lot is now. The Dairy Queen, of course, was closed for the winter, but we weren't there for ice cream. We were there to buy a live cut tree to take home and decorate it for Christmas. For a little kid, that was really exciting and the memory of it warms my heart to this day.

When you think of Holiday meals, you often think of a big turkey or ham dinner. But what about breakfast? My family has started a tradition of having a big Christmas breakfast on Christmas morning. It started when my son and twin nephews were very young. My parents would wait, not so patiently, for my brother and myself to pack up the kids and come up there to see them. Breakfast was always the last thing on the kid's minds, so it started out simple with my mom making cinnamon rolls. As the boys got a little older and could wait a little longer to start opening up gifts, a more traditional breakfast was made. As my son Zach grew older, I found myself up pacing in the morning waiting for him to wake up. There were no more surprises so he didn't really have a reason for waking at the crack of dawn. I decided a few years ago while I was up early watching A Christmas Story for the millionth time to make a big batch of sausage gravy and biscuits to take up to my parents for our annual Christmas breakfast. It was a huge hit on our breakfast menu and a tradition that my dad, brother and husband now look forward to every year. A very simple recipe turned into a great Christmas tradition for our family. Brown 1 roll of Jimmy Dean (or your preference) sausage in a large pot. After it is all brown and crumbly, set the cooked sausage aside leaving all the fat in the pot. Add about 4 tablespoons of butter and let it melt. Sprinkle 5 tablespoons of flour over the melted butter and stir until there aren't any lumps. Let that cook for a few minutes and then add 5 cups of milk, while whisking the whole time. Let that come to a slow boil and thicken, about 5 minutes or so. Add your cooked sausage and a ton of black pepper (the more black pepper the better). You can also add some crushed red pepper flakes if you like it a little on the spicy side. As always, add salt to taste and continue to let it simmer. I found that the longer this simmers, the better and better it will get. When it is breakfast time, simply make some frozen buttermilk biscuits (we love the Pillsbury frozen biscuits) and enjoy. Happy Holidays!!!!

Bordas & Bordas is happy to call the friendly city of Wheeling, West Virginia home. The attorneys and staff of the firm are committed to giving back to the community that has given and continues to give so much to us. Below are just a few of the many recent philanthropic sponsorships that Bordas & Bordas is honored to be part of. The Cancer Research Classic exploits the thrill of basketball and its participants to promote the importance of men's health. The seventh installment of the annual Cancer Research Classic is slated for January 2-4 at Wheeling Jesuit University. Proceeds raised by the event remain in our area and assist in funding undergraduate scholarships for ongoing prostate cancer and men's health research at the Urological Research Institute. Bordas & Bordas happily contributed to the cause again this year.   Bordas & Bordas is happy to call the friendly city of Wheeling, West Virginia home. The attorneys and staff of the firm are committed to giving back to the community that has given and continues to give so much to us. Below are just a few of the many recent philanthropic sponsorships that Bordas & Bordas is honored to be part of.

It's that time of year again. The time to put up the Christmas tree, and decorate inside and out. The time to shop until you just don't want to shop anymore. . . and then go home and wrap. More importantly, it's time to bake CHRISTMAS COOKIES! I absolutely love to bake. For me, baking is a form of relaxation. I don't bake as often as I would like because the finished product has to go somewhere and I don't eat sweets often. As a result, I usually only bake at Christmas, for friends' birthdays and if I am hosting or going to a party. Creating an excuse to bake, I started making the dessert of choice for some of my co-workers' birthdays. Jay Stoneking and Jason Causey consistently request cheesecake. Jeremy McGraw is more of a chocolate-chocolate chip cake kind of guy. Zak Zatezalo appreciates whatever I choose to make, but also has a preference for cheesecake. I am a little behind on our birthday celebrations this year - even though Jason put his request in at least a month before the big day. Maybe a plate of Christmas cookies will make up for the delays??? The variety and quantity of cookies I make varies each year based upon the amount of time I have to bake. I always set aside one full day devoted solely to baking, but prefer to have at least two. If everything falls into place this year, I will have the entire weekend before Christmas to bake so I'm looking for some new cookies to try. Each year I have my "must-dos": snowballs, snickerdoodles, chocolate crinkles, peanut blossoms, chocolate chip, lemon bars, congo bars and seven layer cookies. I have my timing down to a point where I can get all of these done in a single day. I have it down to such a science that even the year I was on crutches until just days before Christmas, the must-dos were still made by Christmas Eve. There are a number of other cookies and candies I will make if I have the time including, maple cookies, almond crunchies, thumbprints, cheesecake bars, candy cane cookies, caramel corn and white chocolate candy to name a few. While I love decorated sugar cookies and am told by many that they are some of the easiest cookies to make, they aren't on my list. For some reason, however, mine never seem to turn out to my liking so I have stopped even trying. I like to try at least one "new" recipe each year. I'm excited that this year it looks like I may have at least the entire weekend before Christmas to bake if I can get my shopping done. The last time I had that much time, I think I ended up with 15 different kinds of cookies and candies. That means I need some ideas and new recipes to try. What are your family favorites? Are there any cookies that are simply a must each year in your house? There are several cookies I've enjoyed over the years that I wish I knew the names of or had the recipes for. Any recipes you want to share? If all goes well, I am going to have lots of cookies to give to family and friends this year, including having my baking done in time to bring a plate or to the office for some pre-holiday cheer. I know many people don't bake, but if you are looking for a quick, easy recipe or treat to give as gifts or serve when guests come over or just want to try something new, I thought I would share my white chocolate candy recipe. This treat, known as "Lois's Candy Recipe" in my house after the family friend who first shared it with us. It's always a big hit with family and friends. Lois's Candy 1 - One pound white chocolate (I use the white chocolate baking chips) 2 cups Captain Crunch Peanut Butter cereal 2 cups Rice Krispies 1 cup dry roasted peanuts Mix the cereal and nuts together well in a large mixing bowl. Melt the white chocolate until smooth, stirring regularly so it does not burn or scorch. Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal/nut mixture and mix well. Spread evenly over wax paper until completely cool. Break about and enjoy. The finished candy should be stored in a cool-dry place. I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy the holiday season.

The Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons are among us. This is a wonderful time to reflect on everything we are thankful for and to remember those who are not as fortunate. As I think about all of my blessings, such as my family and friends, food and shelter, I realize that many people in our community don't have these things that I often take for granted. This reminded me of all the wonderful community services that are available to those who may need help. I have the privilege of serving on the board of the Marshall County Meals on Wheels, one of the many fantastic programs our community offers to our citizens, so I thought I would share a little about the program and what it provides. The program offers one hot and one cold meal five days a week for a minimal cost. However, cost should not be a deterrent for those needing assistance. There is help available. Currently, the meals are delivered within the city limits of Moundsville, Glen Dale, McMechen and Benwood, and there has been discussion of expanding the area served in the future. The Meals on Wheels in Marshall County started about 60 years ago. First it began operating out of the St. Francis Church and then later at the First Christian Church, where it resides today. Originally the program was associated with Lutheran Services, but last year we were forced to search for alternatives. Through the hard work of a lot of volunteers, Meals on Wheels continued and became its own organization. It is now known as the Marshall County Meals on Wheels. It is a 501(c)(3), receives no government funding and relies heavily on donations and volunteering from our community. We have two great employees, Karen Gast and Gloris Vanscyoc, who love what they do and work really hard to make Meals on Wheels a success. We also have approximately 17 volunteers in addition to our board members, who donate their time, effort and talents. Without them, none of this would be possible. As important as a good, healthy meal is to our clients, the gift of time is just as important. While so many of our clients tell us how thankful they are for the good meals they receive, they are even more thankful for the time our volunteers spend just visiting and talking. Sometimes a good conversation is just what they need. So during this time of year, please remember that there are so many great organizations in our community that provide services for those in need and I would encourage everyone to reach out to any of them and help by volunteering or by making a donation. For more information about Marshall County Meals on Wheels, contact Karen Gast at 304-845-1750. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This festive time of the year brings to mind wonderful memories of Christmas' past - memories of holiday traditions, cherished moments with loved ones and friends, and then you have those memories of events that just make you look back with laughter, those memories that make you realize that no matter how hard we try to make everything perfect in preparation for the holidays, sometimes life just throws us a curve. And, at the time it might not have been funny, but it sure is when you start to remember it. Just writing this put a smile on my face and let me relive some pretty funny moments. It was always a tradition in our home when the kids were young to set aside that one, special day for putting up the Christmas tree, decorating and baking. The Christmas carols would ring loudly through the house and the kids and I would sing along. Well, we decided to buy a live tree that year as we had always had an artificial one. So, with anticipation and excitement, we went and picked the perfect tree, brought it home and began to set it up. Unfortunately, the tree trunk did not want to cooperate with the tree stand and so my husband worked diligently for quite some time, cutting and sawing. All the while the kids and I waited in anticipation to start placing the lights and pretty bulbs on the tree. The sounds of BE Taylor Christmas were blasting in the background and then, the next thing I know, my husband takes the tree through the living room and throws it off the deck! He had had it...it just wouldn't go in the stand. He was completely frustrated, I started crying and the kids were laughing hysterically. What happened to my perfect day? What about the tradition? After the adults calmed down, we retrieved the tree from the backyard and calmly went back to the task and finally, that tree went in the stand and it was upright! Another year, we had the bright idea to tie string to our ceiling fan and have a Christmas bow dangling from the end thinking that it would be a neat play toy for our kitty. Cats like to have fun during the holidays too, right? We flip the power switch to the ceiling fan and next thing we know, the string tightly winds around the motor and burns it out. So much for that idea... the kitty lost his toy, but Momma got a new ceiling fan for Christmas. Last year, I was attempting a new recipe, Oreo balls, and the recipe called for the addition of baking wax to some other ingredients to make the icing. Well, I didn't have any wax and really dreaded the idea of going to the grocery store, so I figured I would compromise and use vegetable oil in lieu of baking wax. I proceeded to microwave the concoction thinking I was pretty smart and saving time and the next thing I know, the microwave starts throwing off sparks. I reached inside the microwave to retrieve the bowl and the kitchen started to fill with gray smoke. Not sure what to do, I put the bowl outside on the deck and watched it smolder. The kids were laughing hysterically and, of course, I wasn't a happy camper. That wasn't supposed to happen; everything's supposed to be perfect, right?! Next thing, I hear my son say, "Moms baking again," and that brought me to laughter. So, me being the persistent, never give up type of person that I am, I went to the grocery store and started over. And yes, the Oreo Balls were delicious! Lesson learned. The morale of the story, although we want everything to be just so-so, is that we need to remember to relax and take the good with the "unexpected" during this very busy season. Treasure all the memories and enjoy the "bloopers," as those are the ones that bring laughter and will put a smile on your face for years to come. Merry Christmas, All!   This festive time of the year brings to mind wonderful memories of Christmas' past - memories of holiday traditions, cherished moments with loved ones and friends, and then you have those memories of events that just make you look back with laughter, those memories that make you realize that no matter how hard we try to make everything perfect in preparation for the holidays, sometimes life just throws us a curve. And, at the time it might not have been funny, but it sure is when you start to remember it. Just writing this put a smile on my face and let me relive some pretty funny moments.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things Sometimes you come across things or products that change your life. Things you become passionate about because they either work so well or add something extra to your daily activities that you can't imagine life without them. When I realized that I hadn't written a blog in a while, I thought that perhaps I should share some of my favorite things...tis the season to appreciate them after all. Dog Portraits by Jess I'm consistently in awe of individuals who have artistic talent. While my creative talents lie more in the conceptual arena, those who can actually bring ideas to life have my ultimate respect and admiration. Dog Portraits by Jess provides the ability for you to get a custom canvas portrait of your pet done by local artist Jessie Wheaton. She's brilliant. She's affordable. And for individuals who have pets that are part of their families, she provides the ability to create a beautiful piece of art that they will adore. I had a portrait painted for a friend, and it remains one of the best gifts I've ever given. She's amazing. And her art is too. ThinkGeek I'm a geek. I've embraced it. And because of that I like the quirky, geek centric products that websites like ThinkGeek offer. Whether it is a Star Wars themed AT-AT lawn ornament or a Back to the Future Flux Capacitor car charger, ThinkGeek has everything you can imagine. I could spend way too long sifting through this website and if I purchased everything that captured my eye as being awesome, I may get more than my share of strange looks. Just doing "research" for this blog I spent waaaaaaay too long looking at Big Bang Theory Bazinga pajamas. From Dr. Who to Marvel Comics to retro items, they have every geekified thing you can imagine. Seriously. Check it out. You know you want to. Yu*be A friend that works in a salon introduced me to this moisturizing skin cream. According to its simple orange and white packaging, it says it is highly concentrated glycerin moisturizer enriched with Vitamins B2, C & E. It's made in Japan and is designed to hydrate, smooth and sooth rough, scaly and dry skin. I'm convinced it's infused with the tears and sweat of Samurai warriors because I've never found anything that works to heal distressed skin like this product. It's magical. And, it is the number one selling skincare cream in Japan. It does so without sulfates and a bunch of synthetic dyes, fragrances and chemicals. You can find it in some Sephora stores (mostly the ones in Pittsburgh) but it's just as easy to just order it online. You can thank me later. Ann's Fabulous Finds I suppose you would say that buried deep down inside me is a closet fashionista. Big Bang Theory jammies aside, I love designer clothes and shoes and bags as much as the next girl. That being said, I often struggle with the "do I need that or do I want that" conundrum that is often fueled by the amount of cash (or lack thereof) in my wallet. Ann's Fabulous Finds solves this problem by offering pre-loved, high quality, authentic designer accessories with the ability to lay them away and pay as you go. They will also sell your items for you on consignment. I've used Ann's way more than once as a buyer and a seller and have never been disappointed. Just wait until you see what I've got on layaway. Giant Eagle Market District It's like a mall of food. If you haven't stopped into one, make it a point to do so. I'll drive to Robinson just to shop here. Designed like a European outdoor market, you have access to nearly everything you could ever want in your fridge or pantry. Add to it that they have the biggest olive bar I've ever seen, fresh cut meats and seafood and a whole section dedicated to cheese and I'm in heaven. I'm not ashamed to admit that I've driven almost an hour just for their fresh squeezed orange juice. They even have curbside take out for their bistro. So. Worth. The. Drive. Conundrum I'm not a wine snob. Not even close. But, with that being said, I know enough to know when I come across something makes me ask, "What was that?" and "can I have another glass?" The first time I experienced Conundrum white was as a drug rep and a physician ordered a bottle for the table. I expected the bill to be outrageous...the wine was amazing and everyone was commenting on how good it was. Instead of the pricey vintages that were often the favorites at physician dinners, what I found was an affordable and delicious option that now is a staple for gift giving and special events in my home. True wine aficionados may turn their nose up to the fact that the whole concept of these wines focuses on being a blend, but for those tuned in to taste and affordability, you can absolutely go wrong with the flavor of this wine. And, at a ridiculously low price of less than $30 a bottle, you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to at least give it a chance. I buy mine at Good Mansion wines. Spotify I've been on the spotify bandwagon for a couple of years. For those of you happy with Pandora, I urge you to take the plunge and try this application for your smartphone or your desktop computer. Like Pandora, you can listen free to millions of songs. But spotify takes listening to a different level. You can choose artists, albums or playlists that you create or choose one already made for you. Spotify also has a discover feature where it will suggest new music and artists based upon your preferences. The feature I like is that you can make your music a social experience. Share your songs and playlists on Facebook, Twitter and Blogs and subscribe to friends and artists that you want to follow. If you're brave enough, find me on Spotify. You might just like Carrie's Mac Daddy Playlist. Carrie Scanlon's Spotify Rent the Runway Rent the Runway takes the headache and hassle out of finding that perfect dress for special events, weddings and galas. It is as easy as hopping on their website, searching for the look and formality of the gown and selecting the dates you need it. They will send it to you in two sizes, just in case. You can rent gowns that on the rack would be thousands of dollars for less than one hundred. It's amazing and a way to look like a million bucks without breaking the bank. Plus, you don't have to spend a ton on something you may wear only once. It's brilliant and New Years Eve is coming up. SeatStir SeatStir, formally FilASeat, Pittsburgh, gives you the opportunity to get extraordinarily low cost tickets to live theatre, comedy and musical events around Pittsburgh. When shows don't sell out, you get the chance to fill these seats at a fraction of the cost. You can search by date and the site will tell you what's available. It's great for when you want something to do on the weekend but don't want to shell out a bunch of cash and still get high quality entertainment. You'll love it. These are the things that stood out as I prepared to write this blog. Things that I'll go the extra mile to have in my life. Things that make life easier or more enjoyable. As I sit here, I feel guilty that I didn't include a couple others. Two very honorable mentions go out to my Babybliss professional hair dryer which has been worth every penny of its expensive price tag and cut my drying time from more than an hour to about 20 minutes and the ridiculously awesome Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix which is the secret ingredient in more than a handful of recipes beyond just the obvious (try it in your chili). What are some of YOUR favorite things? Comments about this blog can be addressed to carrie@bordaslaw.com or simply comment below. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things

Every year at Christmas time, churches and other organizations host giving trees and ask us to select someone from the tree and buy them a Christmas gift. Everyone wants the children, but the reality is, if you can't get help for your children at Christmas, you're not really looking. A multitude of organizations gather donations for toys. Nearly every time you make a purchase you're asked to make a donation or purchase a toy for children in need. God bless them each and every one. Isn't Christmas for kids? This year however, I vowed I would select an adult in addition to a child. Yes, like most people I wanted to feel the joy of making a child's Christmas brighter. But I didn't want to forget the forgotten. The man I selected had been hosted by someone from a homeless shelter. He asked for two things: a pillow and two towels. I knew nothing about him except that he wanted a pillow, maybe for the times he wouldn't be in the shelter and he wanted to be clean. I couldn't bear the thought that he had nothing and would only receive the meager gifts he had requested. Off I went. My list included a battery-operated radio, toiletries and tasty, healthy (and some not so healthy) snacks. It didn't seem like enough. It didn't seem meaningful. So I decided to write him a letter. I told him that I hoped he always found a safe and warm place to stay if there was no room in the shelter. I told him I hoped when he was hungry, that there would always be someone willing to feed him. I told him that my Christmas wish for him was the gift of hope. Hope that things would improve in his life, hope that he would find love, hope that he would be reunited with whatever family he had. I told him that I was praying for him and asked him to pray for my family. The homeless, especially the men, are often forgotten at Christmas. Some believe them all to be alcoholics and drug addicts. But sometimes, behind an alcoholic is a man, who as a child, had such unimaginable things done to him that he can never forget. Sometimes behind a drug addict is a man, who in service to his country, had to do things that haunt his every waking moment. Sometimes behind a homeless man is someone who lost his job and never found another one. How do you get hired when you have no address or phone number to put on an application? How do you get to Target or Wal-Mart when you don't have a bike, much less a car? No one chooses to be homeless. But sometimes the cycle is endless and it's hard to find the road home. This year, consider the homeless. It won't be the gift that counts. It will be knowing that someone, just one single person, cares. During the Christmas season, the best gift you can give yourself is the joy of knowing you have helped someone else. The gift doesn't have to be grand. Even those who have little to spare can always find something to share. To some, a gift of so little is a lot. To some, it's all they've got. Let this video remind us of the impact the smallest gift can make. Every year at Christmas time, churches and other organizations host giving trees and ask us to select someone from the tree and buy them a Christmas gift. Everyone wants the children, but the reality is, if you can't get help for your children at Christmas, you're not really looking. A multitude of organizations gather donations for toys. Nearly every time you make a purchase you're asked to make a donation or purchase a toy for children in need. God bless them each and every one. Isn't Christmas for kids? This year however, I vowed I would select an adult in addition to a child. Yes, like most people I wanted to feel the joy of making a child's Christmas brighter. But I didn't want to forget the forgotten.

When purchasing or building a home, many people try to choose a neighborhood that they find desirable. Ever hear the term-location, location, location? But what does that mean? Does that mean a particular amount of acreage between homes? Does that mean a quicker commute to work and more access to shopping areas? I suppose that could mean many different things. Some people move forward with the purchase of a home strictly on the home itself as long as they believe it is an "acceptable" neighborhood fit for their family's needs. Consider this-what if you found what you felt was your dream home in a suitable neighborhood and then you were all moved in to come to find out, the neighbors are not so desirable? This could have a devastating effect on your life. Homes are our personal space. Memories are made and children are raised. For these reasons be aware of just what you're getting into and who you will be facing every day when you pull into that driveway. I've lived in some neighborhoods that I would consider desirable and "acceptable" and then less than a year ago, I moved. My eyes have been opened to what a great neighborhood I live in. Yes, I love the house. Yes, I love the location. But most of all, I found I have great neighbors and this sure does make life sweeter than I ever imagined. To me, this kind of unity among neighbors is irreplaceable. Children from ages five to young adults and they all get along. The kids have stayed overnight with each other and get involved in community activities together, even though several of them attend different schools. Recently, they all even pitched in and built a tree house together in one neighbor's backyard. Everyone watches out for each other. We have had neighborhood gatherings and everyone joins in the fun. You can be sure to have a friendly chat or welcomed wave from any neighbor on that street on any given day. We even have alaugh, poking fun at each other from time to time. For instance, there's my good neighbor, Scott Blass, who yells across his lawn for me to "pick up the pace" when I'm out for a job or imitates my run. One thing I know is if my car ever breaks down, I've got a ride to work. There's my friend, Audrey, across the street that is not only one of the kindest women I have ever met, but she brings my Avon right to my doorstep. The list goes on and on. I recognized almost immediately what good people I surrounded my family with and for that I am particularly grateful. So, if you find yourself making a decision of this magnitude, do your homework. Find a realtor that knows you and your family and the people around the homes they show you. After all, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS or where it should be.

I would like to congratulate our friends at Wheeling Jesuit University on a successful rugby season. The team, the coaches and the administration all deserve a great deal of praise for working hard all season long and contributing greatly to showcasing all of the positive things WJU has to offer. I became acquainted with WJU rugby this season because my alma mater, West Point, came into town on Veteran's Day. I always look forward to seeing the Army Team play, no matter the sport, but little did I know in advance what a first class event WJU was ready to put on. My friend, and WJU alum, John Reasbeck, first made me aware that WJU planned to honor the Army team and all area veterans at the game, so I contacted Army's Head Coach and the West Point Alumni Association to see what I could do to help. They informed me that Father Fleming, WJU's President, had already been in touch with them to make plans for the event. The day of the game, Father Fleming and the WJU family hosted an amazing reception that drew West Point graduates from around the area. It was an incredible opportunity for WJU to display all of the great things going on at the school. The reception was followed by a moving ceremony at the newly dedicated Bishop Schmitt Field that highlighted the commitment to selfless service shared by the two schools. From there, it was on to a highly competitive game that saw Army jump out to a big lead only to hold off a late charge by the Cardinals in the second half. We can all be proud of the role WJU and Father Fleming are playing in promoting all of the good things Wheeling has to offer. Although I was rooting for Army that afternoon, WJU made a fan of me. Go Cardinals.   I would like to congratulate our friends at Wheeling Jesuit University on a successful rugby season. The team, the coaches and the administration all deserve a great deal of praise for working hard all season long and contributing greatly to showcasing all of the positive things WJU has to offer.

Since I moved to Moundsville, I have had the pleasure of attending, becoming a member of and now serving on the Trustees Committee of Simpson United Methodist Church. I also had the bigger pleasure of getting married to my lovely wife, Amanda, at Simpson in 2007. Simpson is located at the corner of Seventh Street and Morton Avenue in Moundsville and has community outreach programs and events that we are all proud of. The beautiful stone building is located only a few blocks up the street from the new Bordas & Bordas office in Moundsville. The last few years Simpson has started a new tradition which has quickly become popular in our community. Each December, Simpson sponsors and holds a "Breakfast with Santa Claus." This year's event will be held on December 13, 2014 from 9:00 am to noon at Simpson United Methodist Church. The event is always a lot of fun and draws a substantial crowd of children and parents alike. The event is free of charge and includes a pancake breakfast, Christmas carols and music, a craft for the kids and an opportunity to sit on Santa's lap and get a picture taken. There will also be drawings for Toys R Us Gift cards. While the event is free, there will be a Christmas shop which will be open during the event with a variety of vendors and crafters that will have items for sale. The Simpson Church community very much enjoys having the opportunity to bring kids and families into our church for this event. It is such a joy and pleasure to see so many children and parents having fun and enjoying their time together. While Santa Claus has become the symbol of the season for many people, the real "Reason for the Season" is celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This event gives the Church an opportunity to bring people into our doors that might not otherwise come in. It is our hope to show all those who enter that Simpson is a loving, caring and giving community that welcomes everyone. If anyone is looking for a fun family oriented event to attend, please come down and visit us on Saturday, December 13 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Be sure to thank the many volunteers who make this such a memorable and fun event. Church services are held at Simpson each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. with Sunday school classes available at 9:00 a.m. for ages three to Adult. Nursery services are available for younger children during worship service. There are also various Bible study and group meetings available throughout the week. Simpson is also the home of the Feeding Body & Soul Community Kitchen. This wonderful program provides warm lunch to hundreds of individuals in our community each Monday through Saturday. Simpson is proud of its community outreach and I would personally like to take the opportunity to invite anyone who would like to attend our services at any time. The holiday season is a most joyous occasion and we often get caught up in the Christmas decorations and presents. Make sure to enjoy the time with your family and remember why we celebrate Christmas.   Since I moved to Moundsville, I have had the pleasure of attending, becoming a member of and now serving on the Trustees Committee of Simpson United Methodist Church. I also had the bigger pleasure of getting married to my lovely wife, Amanda, at Simpson in 2007. Simpson is located at the corner of Seventh Street and Morton Avenue in Moundsville and has community outreach programs and events that we are all proud of. The beautiful stone building is located only a few blocks up the street from the new Bordas & Bordas office in Moundsville.