auld lang sine

Can you believe it!? This is the last day of 2007. Where did the year go? It's that time when I reflect on the past year and think about what I would like the new year to look like. One could call that process making resolutions. I don't, mainly because I've made many resolutions throughout my life and I don't usually keep them. So I learned that if I don't call them resolutions, I can't break them ;)

2007 wasn't the best of years and we're looking forward to 2008 being a better one. Don's job situation, and not knowing what his future would look like, made most of the year a stressful time. And I was a little overwhelmed in November when I was diagnosed with Diabetes.

But, for the present time, Don still has his job and I think I have my Diabetes under control. God has been good to see us through these times and we are thankful that our trials weren't any worse. He promises us that He doesn't give us more than we can handle.

There were a lot of good things that happened this past year and, again, I am thankful for each and every blessing and happy event that was a part of our 2007. I do look forward to 2008 because I look forward to seeing how God will use me and what He has in store for me and my family.

Even though I don't make resolutions, there are some things that I will be working hard on to achieve. I plan to read more. There are so many books I have that I haven't read. I love to read. I just need to make it more of a priority.

I also want to get back into scrapbooking. Again, I just need to make it a priority. I plan to spend my new year's eve of 2009 sitting around looking through all my finished photo albums with the satisfaction of having read so many books.

Of course, what I just wrote may come back to haunt me, but I'm going to be working hard at it all. I hesitate to mention this, but I'll also be working on being better at exercising and eating healthier. But again, these ARE NOT resolutions.

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link of the day:
http://www.icq.com/img/friendship/static/card_16961_rs.swf

a fond farewell

This morning we had to say good-bye to our company. We had a wonderful time while they were here and I'm going to miss them. My sister and I don't get to see each other very often. It had been a little over two years since the last time. We're hoping it won't be that long this time.


Thanks, Karen, for coming all the way out here and spending your Christmas with us. I love you and your family, and loved having all of you in my home. I will think of you often and keep you in my prayers, thanks to the bracelets (watch for show & tell next Friday).


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link of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbkNxYaULBw

down time

I love Christmas, but I think I love the week afterwards almost as much. For me and my family, it's down time. There's not much that needs to be done and after the hustle bustle of the last few weeks, it sure feels good to be able to sit down and relax a little.

We had snow on Christmas which made for a picture perfect "white" Christmas. We had snow again today [all day long]. That only encourages me to stay inside, pick up a book, watch a movie, play a computer game or two, change my blog layout [you like?], and visit with family.

As I previously wrote, I've had my sister and her family visiting us from California. It's been so nice having them here. We've gone out and done some things, but we've also just hung out around the house. Her kids are entertainment in themselves [a lot of tiny talk around here :)].

It looks like they'll be going home on Saturday. New Year's Day is Tuesday. After that, things will get back to normal. Until then, I'm going to continue to enjoy this time. I hope you, too, are having some down time and using it in a way that feels good for you.

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link of the day:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/12/photogalleries/topphotos-pictures/index.html?source=F1924

look, my table got cleared off

Well, another Christmas in the books. I hope yours was a great one.


Even though it's Wordless Wednesday, I just have to add a few words. We had a wonderful day yesterday. My sister and her family drove in over the weekend [through a snowstorm] to spend the holidays with us. Two young ones [6 & 9] in the house adds to any Christmas festivities :]

Make sure you visit the other Wordless Wednesday participants.

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link of the day:
http://ww12.e-tractions.com/snowglobe/globe.htm
(thanks Karenkool)

merry Christmas

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:9-12)

Wishing you and yours a joyous Christmas filled with love and happiness.

If you have the time, I'd encourage you to read the heart-warming story that is found on my link of the day. It's worth the time.

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link of the day:
http://www.my-tgif.com/Christ_come.shtml
(thanks mom)

no coal in these stockings

Today for Show & Tell, I'd like to share something that is very, very special to me and my family. It's our Christmas stockings.

What makes them so special is that my grandmother knitted each one. And not only did she knit the four here, but one for each and every person in her family. She started with mine [which makes it extra special] as I was her first grandchild.

She then knitted one for my sister and then my brother. When each of her grandchildren married, she knitted a stocking for the spouse. With the birth of each great-grandchild, she'd get out her knitting needles once again. She has six great-grandkids and each one has a hand knitted stocking.

She felt she needed to knit two more stockings to complete the circle; one for her daughter [my mom] and another for my mom's husband, Lee. If my math is correct, that's fourteen stockings she poured her love into. She made her first one nearly 50 years ago and finished her last one just a few years ago.

It is tradition in our family to give stocking stuffers to each other. Each Christmas these stockings are filled with all kinds of goodies. And each stocking is different - no pattern was used twice.

Thank you Grandma for not only my stocking and my family's stockings, but for giving each person in your family a part of yourself. A piece that we cherish deeply and will keep with us forever.

Visit Kelli at There Is No Place Like Home for more Show & Tell.

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link of the day:
http://www.allthingschristmas.com/stories.html

girlfriend's favorite christmas

continued from girlfriend reminisces...

The ride home from the grandparent's house was always a trip the girlfriend enjoyed. It took 30-40 minutes but was all on a few bigger streets and side streets - no freeways. It was always late at night, near midnight. Usually there wasn't much conversation in the car. It felt like a reverent silence for all the passengers as they stared out the car windows at all the Christmas lights and decorations. A time for inner reflection.

Of all the Christmases the girlfriend can remember, there is one that will forever remain as one of her favorites. It was a year when the girlfriend had her own apartment and lived by herself. As the car pulled up to boyfriend's house, his mom asked the girlfriend if she wanted to spend the night.

That one question could have been considered the best Christmas gift the girlfriend received that year. Of course, she said yes. She slept on the couch but felt it was more comfortable than her own bed. Maybe it was the gratitude she felt or the love that was extended to her that had her smugly tucked under the blanket and reflecting on the family that she had grown to love as her own.

As much as she loved falling asleep where she did, waking up where she did was even better. It was Christmas morning. There was the smell of cinnamon rolls baking and the anticipation of the day hanging in the air. Everyone grabbed a mug of hot chocolate and made their way into the family room where the tree displayed the wonderful abundance of gifts.

Besides the kitchen, the family room was the most used room in the house. Dad sat in "his" chair; a well worn recliner. Everyone else seemed to have their "regular" place where they sat. The girlfriend sat on the fireplace hearth, which was a bench in itself. There was a fire blazing and when there was a fire, this was her favorite place in the entire house.

As she participateed in the opening of gifts, she shared in the traditions of the family. Opening one gift at a time while everyone else watched. There was genuine appreciation as each person would get up and hug the person that gave the gift. The warmth the girlfriend felt was not just physical. It was the warmth of love that seeped into her bones and touched her heart in a way that she will never forget.

The girlfriend received the best gift that year and it wasn't anything she unwrapped.

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link of the day:
http://www.storycorps.net/

i just want to know...

Does anyone's table look like mine?


If so, where do you eat your meals? oohhhhh... the other table. Then your's doesn't look like my other table.



check out more messy table pictures at Wordless Wednesday.

update: sorry, I haven't seen any other messy table pictures. Either no one else has messy tables during the holidays or they're just not showing them :]

But there are a bunch of other nice photos. Go check them out.

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link of the day:
http://www.structuredsettlement-quotes.com/fun/family.html

girlfriend reminisces

It was tradition. Every Christmas Eve was spent the same way for this family. First they would visit Grandma V. Grandma V. was a widow and lived in a small apartment. She would cook the evening's dinner containing the German favorites of the family. The girlfriend didn't really care for the cuisine, but what could she do but politely accept what was put in front of her. She would eat as little as possible without making it look obvious that she didn't like it.

Then it was time to open the exchanged gifts. Of course, that is what the kids were there for in the first place. Grandma worked in a big department store, so most of the gifts she gave to her family were from the store, which was fine and usually very nice. A little more conversation was batted back and forth before it was time to say farewell - until the next day, Christmas, when the family would see her again at their home.

From there, the family and the girlfriend would travel across town to Grandpa and Grandma T's home. There, that whole side of the family would be gathered. The contrasts between the two visits were deep and wide. Quiet, subdued, and somewhat uncomfortable to loud, crowded, and fun.

It was a large family and the girlfriend loved this. Along with grandma and grandpa, there were aunts and uncles, and cousins galore. Girlfriend didn't have any cousins so this was something she had never experienced. She loved watching the interaction and the closeness of everyone. And it was a good thing they all got along because there were so many crammed into grandma and grandpa's living room, they were practically sitting on each other's laps. Once everyone had arrived, the gifts were exchanged - and it got even chaotic in that little room.

As the conversations flowed, so did the love. Even though the girlfriend wasn't a member of this family, she not only felt accepted, but a part of this large, loving family. She felt that way the first time she took part in this Christmas Eve tradition, and it only grew more so with every year after that.

to be continued...

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link of the day:
http://downloads.raileurope.com/holidayCard/06_christmas_card.html

this and that

If you read my last post, I have too much to do and therefor I shouldn't be on my computer when I could - and should - be using my time more wisely. But I can't help it. I have to make my usual rounds to see what's happening in the world of blogs. And there are just some things I have to post about. But I'll make this one short and sweet.

Here's a picture of Danielle taken after the wedding last night. She was a beautiful bride's maid in one of her long time friend's, Trista's, wedding. I've known Trista, and her family, since she was about 8 years old. It was a very nice wedding. Because I'm a youth worker, it made me wonder about all the weddings, of kids I've known since adolescence, that I'll be invited to. It will be an honor to attend each and every one of them. I look forward to it.


I came across this fun site where you can make your own gingerbread house - virtually. It's easy, it's fun, and there's no messy clean-up to worry about. Here's my house.


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link of the day:
http://www.bored.com/songtapper/

i need more time

According to my little Christmas countdown on my sidebar, there are nine - only N.I.N.E - days left until Christmas. Am I ready? NO!! And to be honest, I don't know if I'm going to be ready.

Being diagnosed with Diabetes (type 2) during the holidays has been the pits. This is what my week looked like:

I have to prick my finger four times a day for a reading on my blood sugar count.
-> good news: my count has progressively been going down.
I finished decorating the house.
-> it looks great.
I met with a dietician
-> bad & good news: I'll have to change my diet, but not that drastically.
I met with an opthamolgist.
-> good news: no sign of diabetes in my eyes and will get a prescription after my blood sugar levels even out.
I met with a podiatrist.
-> this was one of my biggest concerns since my foot had been bothering me. good news: circulation looks good (it's improved since being on medication). bad news: I had an infected ingrown toenail. The doctor cut away the skin and drained the infected area. This is what my foot looked like when I came home... [at least it's a festive red]


We had youth group on Wednesday night and it was our Christmas party, which meant food, decorations, and small gift give-aways - not to mention a clean house. I also met with two sets of friends for our annual holiday outings and gift exchanges. That meant I had to have all the presents bought and wrapped. Today we are attending a wedding of a family friend (another gift) and Danielle is one of the bridesmaids. I had to help her make sure she had everything she needed.

On top of all of this... I came down with a cold on Tuesday. The kind where I just wanted to stay in bed all day, but of course, I couldn't. I'm feeling a little better this weekend but not completely over it.

I still have to send my family their gifts. Those should be in the mail by Tuesday and I don't even have all of them bought. But I will hopefully get it all done.

I'm not really complaining about my week because a lot of good things came from it. All good news from doctors - thank you, Lord (and thank you everyone for your prayers). Danielle came home for break. And I spent time with dear friends. And I'm looking forward to next weekend when my sister and her family will be coming to visit. It will be a wonderful Christmas.

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link of the day:
http://www.northpole.com/

christmas decorations

I'd like to share a special Christmas decoration that I have. I look forward to bringing them out each and every year. It's the three little buildings in this picture.


Notice what the top looks like? Rough and uneven. That's because each building is actually a partial brick that has been painted to look like a building from Santa's village.


My mom used to live in a [very] small rural farming town in Oklahoma. I used to love going and visit her and her small, quaint town. I just love the look and feel of a small rural town. Big trees, old homes, walking everywhere, and the old brick buildings.

My little Christmas buildings were made from bricks taken from an abandoned building from my mom's hometown. My mom bought them from a lady who collected the bricks that had fallen away from the building and then painted and decorated them. I love them. Thanks mom. I think of you, Lee, and Carmen every time I look at them.

Kelli hosts Show & Tell Friday and anyone is welcome to join in.

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link of the day:
http://brickartist.com/

a Christmas meme

Sarah, of Short Stop, tagged me for this meme. Thanks Sarah. I had fun.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I enjoy watching people open a wrapped box but I'm not opposed to sticking a gift in a bag for the sake of convenience or wrapping challenges.

2. Real tree or artificial? I love a real tree but don't like them drying out and having the needles fall all over the floor. So, about four years ago, we purchased a fake one. I miss the real ones but it is more convenient.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually a week or two after Thanksgiving, depending on when Thanksgiving is. Every once in a while, I even get it done the weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the weekend after New Year's.

5. Do you like eggnog? Eeewwwwww. Gross!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't know about favorite, but the first one that came to mind was a doll called Crissy - and her hair grew.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, we do. I've had this one (scroll to bottom of post) for nearly 10 years. We had a couple of others when my kids were young - so they could play with the figures.

8. Hardest person to buy for? This usually changes from year to year. Usually one of the guys in my family.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Any female in my family. I'm a good shopper and gift-giver. There's an endless amount of things I could buy for any one of them.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? hmmm, I really don't know.

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? This to changes from year to year. One year I may not do either, the next year I will mail them. Actually, as I'm typing this, I realize that I've never e-mailed cards. What I was thinking was sometimes I send cards and other times a newsletter, and sometimes nothing at all (like maybe this year).

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I shop all year round. We do stocking stuffers in my extended family, so if I see something that would make a good one, I buy it.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, I have.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies, cheese potatoes, cherry jello (not just regular cherry jello).

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? On the real trees, we always had colored lights. Our fake tree came with clear ones. I think I like the colored ones better.

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night and Grown-up Christmas List.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I'd prefer to stay home but unless family comes visit me (like this year!), it makes for a lonely Christmas. So every other year or so, we travel back to California.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall...the most famous reindeer of all? That would be Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I've done both. Believe it or not, last year and this year, I haven't put anything on the top. I've been looking for something I like.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open one gift - of our choice - on Christmas Eve. The rest on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The work it takes to put all the decorations out and then having to put them away. I'm never very motivated to do either. And then the crowds in the stores.

23. What I love most about Christmas? There's a lot I love about Christmas. The biggest is that it's a time that is focused on Christ and what He means in my life. I love the spirit of the holidays. People are usually friendlier and good will is more prevalent. I love being with family. And I love giving gifts.

If you haven't already done this, consider yourself tagged. I'd love to read your answers.

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link of the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0
(thanks Dad)

the stockings were hung

You can see more of my home holiday pictures by scrolling down to the next post. And don't forget to check out more of Wordless Wednesday.

welcome... c'mon in

Heidi Jo is hosting the Holiday Home Tour Extrvaganza. Join in the fun by grabbing your camera, snapping some pictures of your decorated home, and posting them for all of blogland to see. But do it quick. The tour ends tomorrow (Wednesday).

Welcome to my home (cue in sound of front door opening and me gesturing you in).











I hope you enjoyed looking around. Come back again any time.

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link of the day:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/christmas/decorate-a-tree/index.html

what is going on?

First, a shooting rampage in a mall in Omaha. Whenever I hear the ongoing news stories about this event, I think about it on a personal level. I've been to our local mall a few times in the past couple of weeks. That tragedy could have happened in any mall in the country. How unnerving it is to think you could be shot down by some lunatic who picked your favorite mall to use as a firing range. My heart goes out to those families who lost loved ones to such a senseless crime.

Now there's been two more senseless shootings, and these hit closer to home. And where is the one place you would feel safe - besides your home? A church, right? Well, that's where the gunman hit. At least the police feel it's the same gunman. They're still investigating.

Shortly after midnight, four people were shot at a YWAM (Youth with a Mission) dormitory located on the campus of a fairly large church in a city in the north part of Denver. Two of them died and the other two are in the hospital. They were shot because they would not allow this young man to stay the night in their facility.

About twelve hours later, a gunman opened fire in the lobby of a mega church in Colorado Springs, right after a service concluded. Reports said that at the time there were hundreds of people milling around and parents were picking up children from the nursery. There were about 7,000 people in total on the campus of the church. The gunman shot four people, killing one, before he was shot and killed by a security guard from the church. (The church had beefed up security because of the earlier shooting.)

I thought of my daughter immediately. She attends that church in Colorado Springs but on Friday nights, when they have a service/youth group for college aged kids. When I talked to her, she knew about the shootings and shared that a lot of her friends also go on Sunday mornings. In fact, her roommate and her roommate's boyfriend had left the church grounds about five minutes before the shootings.

What made it even more scarier is that Danielle had almost gone to this church today. She usually works at another church on Sunday mornings, but she didn't work this morning. She had decided not to go because she didn't want to drive the snow-packed streets. I am so happy and thankful that God was looking over her - protecting her.

So I'm back to my original question: What - is - going - on? How did we get to a place where we can't feel safe in our schools, in the malls, or at a place of worship? What makes a person want to go out and start shooting at people? I just don't understand it. It's enough to make me want to become a hermit and live out the rest of my days inside my comfortable - and safe - home.

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link of the day:
http://uploads.ungrounded.net/221000/221483_Play.swf

YOU can make a difference

I had a Show & Tell post all ready to go when I came upon a blog that I just felt I needed to share. I'll save the S&T for next Friday.

My blogging friend, Melissa, pointed me in the direction of the 25 Days to Make a Difference site. It's about making a difference, in big and small ways, through the Christmas season. It was started by a young lady named Laura who decided to do this in remembrance of her Grandfather who passed away. Be sure to read the 'About this Project' section. She is one amazing kid.

You can sign up to be part of this worthwhile project or just read Laura's posts or how other people are getting involved. I think it's pretty amazing. One of the things I like is that it doesn't have to be something big to qualify for making a difference. We can all make a difference by doing the smallest of things for other people, or the environment, or even ourselves.

And this isn't just for adults. In fact, since she is a teenager, she's encouraging kids of all ages to get involved. You also have a chance to win part of the money she's collecting to donate to a charity of your choice. If you wish to participate in this, you must sign up by tomorrow, Saturday, December 8th.

Please... please..... PLEASE, go and check out this site. I think it would be a great thing to get involved in, but even if you don't, I think you will find the project, and what's being done, very inspirational.

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link of the day:
http://www.moillusions.com/2007/12/julian-beevers-new-3d-sidewalk.html

decorating the tree

My Christmas tree is up and decorated. I love it. My tree is one of my most favorite parts of Christmas. I love ornaments - always have. I've made it a practice to purchase one new ornament each year. That's on top of ones that are given to me. So if you do the math, I have quite the collection, and it's very eclectic. But each one is special to me and as I place it on the tree, I remember where it came from and if it was a gift, I reflect on who gave it to me.

One regret I have when it comes to decorating my tree is that I pretty well do it by myself. It's not that I mind doing it myself. In fact, I enjoy my time alone with the tree. What I regret is my family feeling like they can't help. And it's my fault they feel this way. It's a mistake I wish I could go back and do differently.

Since decorating my tree has always been a passion [and a little bit of an obsession], I didn't let my kids do too much ornament hanging when they were younger. GASP! I know... I'm a terrible mother. I didn't realize what I was doing until it was too late. It wasn't until they were older that they started making comments like, "we don't put ornaments on because mom will just move them anyways," or "the tree has to be perfect."

Believe me, I feel very guilty and wish I hadn't been so obsessive about it. I wish I could have let go of the control and just let the kids have a good time - not worrying what the tree ended up looking like. I just didn't realize what I was doing and what kind of legacy I was leaving for my kids.

I did end up relinquishing control but it was too late. Even though I invite Dani and Jake to help me decorate, they don't really have any desire to do so. That makes me sad, but it is what it is, and there's not much I can do about it now.

So let this be a lesson to any of you who are reading this and have young kids at home. Let them join in the enjoyment of decorating the family tree. Don't worry about what it looks like. It's more important that they participate than to have that perfect tree.

And Dani and Jake - if you're reading this - I'm sorry I robbed you of the joy of the tradition of decorating the family Christmas tree. I wish I could go back and change that for the both of you.

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link of the day:
http://www.crayola.com/coloring_application/index.cfm?referrer=/coloringCraft/craft/index.cfm&mt=digicolor

i love my ornaments

Here's a photo of one of my ornaments. I'm hoping to take some more pictures and post them either in a post about my tree or in the 'pic of the day.'


For more Wordless Wednesday photos, check out W.W. headquarters.

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link of the day:
http://www.jacksonpollock.org/

10 favorite games

Ten for Tuesday has given the prompt of listing the 10 Best Games (video games, board games, card games, etc). I am a game player and our family plays games, so I thought I'd play along this week. This is my list of my 10 favorite games, in no particular order.

First I will list the games my family often plays:

1. Blokus. We just starting playing the latest version of Blokus which is in a trigon shape (versus the original square shape). Many people have never seen or heard of this game. I encourage you to check it out.

2. Phase 10. We actually play a lot of card games, but Phase 10 seems to be played more than anything else. Hearts, Speed, Peanuts, 500, and Up and Down the River are also played often.

3. Sequence. Long time favorite.

4. Catch Phrase. Another long time favorite and one we bring out when company comes over.

5. Apples to Apples. Another one that not a lot of people have heard of but is a great one for larger groups. Our youth group loves it and would rather play that than do any kind of lesson :]

6. Balderdash. Danielle started playing this with her roommates and thought we needed one. We just bought it for the Thanksgiving break and played it a few times. It's fun and challenges your creativity.

Now I will give you five that I personally play either on the computer or on a video game console.

7. UNO through MSN games. I play this with other internet players.

8. Mario Brothers from Nintendo. I don't play this anymore because I'm not very skilled in playing 3D video games. But before the new technology, I used to play a lot of Mario Brother games. I miss it at times.

9. I subscribe to Comcast Real Arcade games and have a few favorites through them. A few are Mahjong Towers, Shape Shifter, Ultra Ball, and Zuma. I enjoy strategy/puzzle games.

10. I saved my all-time favorite for last. Please don't judge me... I can't help it. I love playing a virtual game called Roller Coaster Tycoon. You get to build and manage an amusement park, building your own roller coasters, and working to achieve specific goals. For me, it's an addicting game. I usually only play it on Sunday afternoons because I know I'll spend too much time playing it and I feel like that's my time to play.

Now it's your turn... what are some of your favorite games?

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link of the day:
http://www.johnsadowski.com/big_spanish_castle.php

monday potpourri

I know some of you have come here looking for More of Him Monday. I have decided that More of Him will be taking the month of December off. I am sorry if this is an inconvenience to anyone, but I'm guessing that this month will be busy for all of us. Whether it's the hustle-bustle or the special meaning of the season, I think we all want to be writing about other things and/or not spending as much time here in blogland. I will post it again in January. If you did post something today, please leave a comment in order for me [and others] to stop by and read it.

SharonB of Quiet Reflections is having a holiday give-away. All you need to do is answer the question in her post and your name will be entered in the drawing for your choice of one of the books she's giving away. Good luck.

Speaking of SharonB, she honored me with this The Colors of Friendship award right before Thanksgiving. This is the spirit in which this award is given: I want to nominate my following blog friends for the Colors of Friendship Award. They color my life with the beautiful hues of friendship. Although we come from different backgrounds and cultures we share the same spirit of friendship. Thanks again Sharon.

And speaking of awards, Tee of Spilt Milk passed on this fabulous award to me some time ago. Thank you, Tee. It's always nice to feel fabulous, and you made me feel that way by honoring me with this award. Sorry it's taken so long to acknowledge it.

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link of the day:
http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

christmas is...

Okay, I think I'm starting to get into the Christmas spirit. I visited a couple of Christmas specialty stores this afternoon. How can you not feel it while walking in and amongst beautifully decorated tress? Then Don and I did a little shopping tonight. Well, we actually did more looking but at least we started. Tomorrow the tree goes up!

We stepped into a Christian Bookstore tonight and I bought myself a small Christmas book full of meditations, stories, and quotes. I think I'm going to enjoy reading it each day. I think it will help me keep the focus on the reason for the season.

Here's a couple of things that was said in the introduction. I thought I would share them as they are great things to reflect on as we enter this special time of year.

"Christmas is your best time of the year because it is a celebration of God's moving into your town, your neighborhood, your home, and into you.

Christmas is God in the flesh, making tangible God's feelings about you. You acknowledge such love when you put up your tree, decorate it with colors and shapes, and light it in joyful anticipation. You honor such a gift when you choose particular presents for special people and give them in love and appreciation. You affirm the coming of God in Christ when you read the story, sing the songs, listen to the Word, accept the truth, and feel the touch.

Christmas is knowing God loves you and comes to be with you. Christmas is God in your heart."

(taken from Christmas Is... published by Blue Sky Ink)

If you hadn't noticed, today is December 1st. May the next 25 days be filled with Christ's love and all the joys that the holidays can bring.

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link of the day:
http://www.funpic.hu/swf/monitor_cleaner.swf