Allyn Evans, Writer, Speaker and Columnist contacted me and asked if I'd like to share my story on her Happily Ever After Today blog.  I was so pleased!  While you are at her blog be sure and check out her new book to be released in 2009.  Living Happily Ever After with your Daughter sounds like a book that will be extremely beneficial to all Mom's with tweens!  

When I went to the mailbox Saturday there was a brown, bulging envelope with a typed address label and no return label.   I wondered what was inside.  Liking surprises, I tore open the envelope.  Inside was a white taped jewelry box, which I eagerly ripped off the tape.  When I opened the cover I was delighted to find this little guy inside!  My husband John was standing nearby and I said, “I bet my mom sent this to me.”  I was so excited!  I just love anything vintage and especially if it reminds me of years gone by.  Thinking this is a magical surprise sent by Santa’s other elf named mom, I decided to send mom an email.  I said, “Ive been elfed!!  The cutest, sweetest, most darling little elf showed up in the mail today!  Luckily the box was not taped too tight so he could breath.  Wow, was he happy to see me!  Wow, I was even happier to see him!!  I wonder where he traveled from?  I’m so glad he wants to live here.  Though I already told him I do not, I repeat, I do not share my wine.  So he said he will drink ol’fashions with John.  Hope you can meet him someday!”

Mom wrote back, “Boy are you lucky—guess he picked the best house he could find, eh?  You sure he is old enough to have ol’ fashions?  Oh, that is right, most elves are exempt from the drinking age law.  Do you think he came from the North Pole?  Sure would love to meet him someday.”

I wrote back, “If the North Pole is W5555 Cty. N (address changed to protect privacy), then yes, I believe he came from the North Pole.”  🙂

Ahhh, this is the real magic of Christmas don’t you think?  Last year when we came home from a Christmas concert there was a gift in my door.  It was two doggie mugs with hot chocolate.  Never did know who it came from… but I have my sneaking suspicion… and does it really matter?  How special it is that someone wanted to surprise me and do something special.  That is truly the spirit of Christmas!

I would like to invite you to check out some wonderful books about dogs and the human-bond connection.  I am proud to be affiliated with a cooperative authors group and helping each other promote each others books.  We each have a deep love for animals and understand the positive effect they have on human beings.  As a gift to yourself or someone else this holiday season please stop by my author friend, Robert McCarty's blog and read about these great books!