SOME PEOPLE...

This guest post from Edgardo Rosa

Some people (usually from the older generation) say that we have too much choice. Just take going to the grocery store for instance. The other day I went to the produce section, and counted over 18 varieties of apples. It seems like we used to have just red or green (on a good day!) I then went to the cereal aisle, and I guess I’ve never really realized the ridiculousness of our plethora of choices. There is literally an entire AISLE devoted to cereal! I can’t figure out if all of this choice is a good thing or a bad thing. I’ve gotten so used to all of my choices- that I don’t know what I would do without them. I love being able to scroll through my hundreds of channels from my satellite (http://www.TVbydirect.com) . I love being able to sit down on my couch, decide what cereal I want for breakfast out of around 100 choices, and then sit down to any one of 5-6 news/morning shows. Do you think that all of this choice is a good thing or a bad thing? Are we living in excess, or are we merely utilizing and enjoying choices that are in front of us?

GRANDMOTHER'S TEACHING

Thanks for the article from Robin Woodard

It was finally Christmas time and I was excited to put my knitting skills to work. My grandmother had been taking time for years to teach me and I had finally picked up the skill of knitting well enough to knit gifts for others. I had been taught how to make a number of things from scarfs to sweaters and had something special for everyone on my list. I cant wait to see how everyone enjoys the gifts that I made with my own hands for them. I am looking forward to seeing my own hard work finished as well.

My grandmother and I had been knitting together for years, and I loved sitting around with the DirectTV on with one of our favorite shows and knitting together in silence. It was a bonding experience for the both of us and one that I will remember every time I pick up my knitting needles in the future. I cant wait to see my own grandmothers face when I see her open up the finished sweater that I have been working on for her. Her teaching can finally be seen in a finished product of mine.

CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE WITH CHARLIE BROWN

Content by Mitch Osborne

The unforgettable A Charlie Brown Christmas special has been around for over three decades. The introduction music from the show is now a classic tune that is heard all over the world during Christmas. The lovable characters and story not only give us a great special, it also tells what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.

I eagerly wait for this favorite animated Christmas series of mine to come on my Direct TV Satellite Packages. I truly enjoy this special because the progression not only allows us to see the wonderful characters of the Peanuts comic strip in action, it also shows many of us what the true meaning of Christmas is. We can forget that Christmas isn't all about gifts and the perfect tree. It's not about commercialism and who has the most gifts. It's about the celebration of a great being and also the celebration of love and family.

Whenever me and my husband get stressed about present buying or the holidays we think back to the night we watched the show and remember that none of the materialistic things count. The time spent with our loved ones is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon us.

A Charlie Brown Christmas special is fun for all ages. It provides great laughs for the children and also deeper meaning for us forgetful adults. That's why every year I sit with my hot chocolate and re-watch this favorite Christmas special of mine.

MY KNITTING

Posted by Jerold Austin

My grandmother lives in Malta, which is a small island off the coast of Italy. She doesn't really come to visit often, in fact the last time I've seen her was when I was about ten years old. I can't really remember the visit well, but I do remember that she taught me how to knit. I remember sitting by the fireplace and watching her intently, trying to remember all of the different stitches and moves that she was making with her hands. Because she has been knitting for about fifty years and on a daily basis, she is extremely good at what she does and extremely fast. I remember just being intrigued by her quick moving hands and her lightning stitches. It only took her about an hour to finish a beautiful piece of work: a pair of socks.

Once I began knitting, I took my time. It wasn't as fast for me to catch on, but I eventually did. I still don't knit very well, but it's definitely better than most people. In fact, I absolutely love sitting and knitting while watching my cable tv. When I knit, it literally feels like hours are passing by. And the fact is is that they actually are. I get so enveloped in my knitting that I actually forget what and who is around me. It's really very interesting.

WE LOVE NICK JR.

Written by Don Gregory

At my house, we love watching Nick Jr. on Dish Network, which is satellite TV from www.TVbyDirect.com. Nick Jr. has so many shows that my 23 month old daughter loves to watch. Her favorite of course, is Dora the Explorer. She has learned so much just by watching Dora. She has known most of her colors and shapes since she was 20 months old, which is incredible. I credit Dora with her learning them so early. Most kids do not know many colors or shapes by the time they are two. My daughter asks to watch Dora several times a day and I am always happy to let her.

We also enjoy watching Diego on Nick Jr. Diego is just like Dora, except he is a boy and has a rescue pack instead of a backpack. He is fun and always on some kind of adventure.

Fresh Beat Band is also a fun show on Nick Jr. If your kids like music, they will love Fresh Beat Band. They make my daughter dance in ways that I have never seen her move. She gets excited when she hears them on TV.

Our final favorite is Kai Lan. She is somewhat like Dora, except Chinese. Her show teaches children about feelings. My daughter has learned about being happy, sad and angry from watching Kai Lan. She also knows the names of all of the characters.

It is amazing, how much kids learn just by watching Nick Jr. It is my daughter's favorite, but also the favorite of my husband and I because it has helped her to grow into such a smart toddler. You can definitely say it is like pre-school on TV.