To My Beautiful Friend Dani with so much love

Not only does my fabulous friend Dani, homeschool her children, take care of her Mom and is the world's most
fabulous friend, wife and Mother, she created this new look for my blog with her gorgeous talents and love.
Thank you Dani for your friendship all through the years, and your love.
Your kindness and love mean more to me than
you will ever ever know!
You are a light of Christ in every sense of the world.
Your love and support especially these past 4 months have meant more to me than
you could possibly know.
I thank God for people like you in my life.!
I am truly blessed

Thank you Dani:
(From a greeting card verse)
You have given me the gift of true friendship!

You are in my Heart at Christmas

True friendship is that unexplained heart connection between two people who enrich each other's life.

They may not know exactly why they became friends but they do know that their presence in each other's life is a gift.

True friendship is one of the most valuable treasures anyone could have.

It is necessary nourishment to the heart and soul.

It creates a feeling of unconditional acceptance between two people who allow each other to be themselves, just as they are.

True friends are sensitive to each other's own perceived flaws,

insecurities, vanities, peculiarities, and opinions, but neither puts demands on the other to change.

They just want the best for each other, always.

This kind of relationship takes no effort and needs no rules.

This is our kind of friendship.

The kind that exists between two people who understand

each other and know how to communicate with each other

often by not saying a single word.

Thanks for giving me the gift of true friendship.

Merry Christmas

I love you with all my heart!
I am truly blessed!

Love Jeanne

New Christmas Pajamas

Yesterday I finished up our Christmas shopping.
I bought myself some new Christmas pajamas
and some for my precious Grandmother too.
I brought a beautiful winter basket to Mom's grave
and my sisters and had it a Christmas theme.
I go there every week and pray and reflect.
Treasure those you love at Christmas and always.
I dropped off Grandma's goodies from our family
and Justin early this morning and
she will have lots of treats from us.
We are all born with a great need to be loved
and never ever outgrow it.
We are off to a funeral this morning
for Paul's Aunt's lovely husband.
He used to own the Hi Ho here years ago
an A&W type place where all the teens used to
gather and adults alike.
It was quite the place.
Leo Fortin will be remembered with love by us all.
God bless your soul darling man!
Blessings my bella's!
Ciao!

Be the Light of Christ to everyone you meet!

"Go out into the world today and love the people you meet.

Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people."

- Mother Teresa

Inspiration always calls to me

Thank you god for the blessings in my life!

Thank you!

Some of my favorite quotes

Embrace your bliss

It is the key to happiness~Jeanne

Experience is a hard teacher

because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward.

- Vernon Law

There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends.

That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first...

when you learn to live for others,

they will live for you.

Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952)
Yogi and mystic

LIFE LESSONS

The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them.

If stories come to you, care for them.

And learn to give them away where they are needed.

Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.

Barry Lopez
Crow And Weasel
North Point Press

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap,

but by the seeds you plant.

~Robert Louis Stevenson

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving,

and that's your own self.

~Aldous Huxley

The weak can never forgive.

Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

~Mohandas Gandhi

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,

nor the kindly smile,

nor the
joy of companionship.

It's the spiritual inspiration that comes to one

when he
discovers that someone else believes

in him and is willing to trust him with his
friendship.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never think that God's delays are God's denials.

Hold on

hold fast

hold out

Patience is genius

~ Comte de Buffon

Making the decision to have a child

it's momentous.

It is to decide forever to have your heart

go walking around outside your body.

~ Elizabeth Stone

You wake up in the morning and your purse is magically filled with twenty-four hours of unmanufactured tissue of the universe of your life. It is yours. It is the most precious of possessions. No one can take it from you. And no one receives either more or less than you receive.

~ Dr. Thomas Arnold Bennett

"Blessed is the influence of one true, loving soul over another".

~ George Eliot

"When I speak of love

I am not speaking of some sentimental and weak response.

I am speaking of that force which all

of the great religions have seen as the supreme unifying principle of life.

Love is somehow the key that unlocks the door which leads to ultimate reality."

"Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that. Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it."

~ Dr. Martin Luther King

The Man you Love

The Goodness in Life

A picture my son took in South America this past summer
Christo overlooking Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Christ the Redeemer of the Open Arms,
located atop the Corcovado Mountain
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

At a height of 710 meters, the statue of Christ the Redeemer is certainly one of the world's best-known and most-visited monuments.

Terri you are beautiful
My beautiful online friend who lives in my same city creates
fabulous presentations.
Visit if you can.
I continue to pray for her and her husband!
Christo overlooking Rio de Janeiro Brazil

The best things in life are not things.

WE don't need Christmas in our hands we need it in our hearts!

The Goodness of Life

by Ralph Marston

Though there is much

to be concerned about,

there is far, far more

for which to be thankful.

Though life's goodness can

at times be overshadowed,

it is never outweighed.

For every single act

that is senselessly destructive,

there are thousands more small, quiet acts

of love, kindness and compassion.

For every person who seeks to hurt,

there are many, many more who

devote their lives to helping and to healing.

There is a goodness to life

that cannot be denied.

In the most magnificent vistas

and in the smallest details,

look closely,

for that goodness always

comes shining through.

There is no limit

to the goodness of life.

It grows more abundant

with each new encounter.

The more you experience and

appreciate the goodness of life

the more there is to be lived.

Even when the cold winds blow

and the world seems to be covered in foggy shadows,

the goodness of life lives on.

Open your eyes,

open your heart,

and you will see that

goodness everywhere.

Though the goodness of life

seems at times to suffer setbacks,

it always endures.

For in the darkest moments

it becomes vividly clear

that life is a priceless treasure.

And so the goodness of life

is made even stronger

by the very things

that would oppose it.

Time and time again

when you feared it was gone forever

you found that

the goodness of life

was really only

a moment away.

Around the next corner

Inside every moment

The goodness of life

Is there to surprise and delight you

Take a moment to let the goodness of life

touch your spirit and calm your thoughts.

Then, share your good fortune with another.

For the goodness of life grows

more and more magnificent

each time it is given away.

Though the problems constantly

scream for attention

and the conflicts appear

to rage ever stronger,

the goodness of life grows stronger still,

quietly, peacefully,

with more purpose and meaning

than ever before.

Copyright © 2004 Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

My Christmas Card to my Sister
I love angels and this is one of my favorites of angels!

"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in
which we are permitted to remain children all our lives."

-Albert Einstein,

One Solitary Life

Remember to embrace the reason for the season!
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years, He was an itinerant preacher. He never had a family or owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never wrote a book or held an office. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. While He was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends deserted Him. He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had- His coat. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave. Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure for much of the human race. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of a man upon this earth as powerfully as this "One Solitary Life."

Christmas is for Love

Christmas Is for Love

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas. Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child. I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him. As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, "Did you really miss me?" I explained how he had been my best helper. "I was making you a surprise," he whispered confidentially. "It's for Christmas." With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn't stay after school any more after that. Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. "I have your present," he said timidly when I looked up. "I hope you like it." He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box. "Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?" I asked opening the top to look inside. " "Oh you can't see what's in it," He replied, "and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you're all alone." I gazed into the empty box. "What is it Mark," I asked gently, "that will make me feel so good?" "It's love," he whispered softly, "and mother always said it's best when you give it away." And he turned and quietly left the room. So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it. Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love. and for celebrating the reason for this season! We don't need Christmas in our hands We need Christmas in our hearts!

Life a mixture of blessings and woes

List 10 Challenges You Have Had

In The Last 3 Months:

Author: William Shakespeare

When he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night, And pay no worship to the garish sun.

Romeo and Juliet. ACT III Scene 2.

1. My Beloved Mother's sudden death has left me in utter shock and grief! My entire world has changed, as is the case with anyone experiencing grief of loved ones! It is as if we are the only one feeling this utter pain!

2. Planning the funeral with my Sister and having my son very ill in South America at the same time. He could not make it in time for the funeral but we held my beloved Mother's burial until he was well enough to attend. A summer of extremes, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, as the famous quote goes........what started out as a joy fest with both Justin and Kim home for the summer turned into a summer of agony.

Thank God they both had a lovely visit with Mom prior to her death!

3. Dealing with grief on a daily basis and worrying about my 91 year old Grandmother and all the changes she has had and not having our family homestead to visit any more is very difficult for her and for us all.

4. My Grandmother's other daughter has to have major sugery as soon as they do many tests on her as it is a very serious operation. My Grandmother knows nothing of this. We worry about Aunt Mary!

5. Living so far away from Justin and Kim and missing them each and every day especially at Christmas.

6. My Grandmother's Sister Barb has been very sick in the hospital for 3 weeks now!

7. Keeping things on a quiet level at this very very hectic time of year and pacing ever so carefully! Having had pneumonia for at least 7 years in a row I was finally given a pneumonia shot 4 years ago but must still be very very very careful!

8. Being patient with people that are not so patient at this time of year, especially with our fragile economy and so many losing their jobs!

9. My dear friend Cathy is having major difficulty with her severe form of diabetes again and I am very worried about her.

10. Keeping my emotions the happiest I can muster, as Christmas approaches and praying for those that I know that are suffering! Praying for world peace and to remind people JESUS is the reason for the season!

Bobby

The Mindless Menace of Violence
Robert Kennedy

On the Mindless Menace of Violence

City Club of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio
April 5, 1968

This is a time of shame and sorrow. It is not a day for politics. I have saved this one opportunity, my only event of today, to speak briefly to you about the mindless menace of violence in America which again stains our land and every one of our lives.

It is not the concern of any one race. The victims of the violence are black and white, rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown. They are, most important of all, human beings whom other human beings loved and needed. No one - no matter where he lives or what he does - can be certain who will suffer from some senseless act of bloodshed. And yet it goes on and on and on in this country of ours.

Why? What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created? No martyr's cause has ever been stilled by an assassin's bullet.

No wrongs have ever been righted by riots and civil disorders. A sniper is only a coward, not a hero; and an uncontrolled, uncontrollable mob is only the voice of madness, not the voice of reason.

Whenever any American's life is taken by another American unnecessarily - whether it is done in the name of the law or in the defiance of the law, by one man or a gang, in cold blood or in passion, in an attack of violence or in response to violence - whenever we tear at the fabric of the life which another man has painfully and clumsily woven for himself and his children, the whole nation is degraded.

"Among free men," said Abraham Lincoln, "there can be no successful appeal from the ballot to the bullet; and those who take such appeal are sure to lose their cause and pay the costs."

Yet we seemingly tolerate a rising level of violence that ignores our common humanity and our claims to civilization alike. We calmly accept newspaper reports of civilian slaughter in far-off lands. We glorify killing on movie and television screens and call it entertainment. We make it easy for men of all shades of sanity to acquire whatever weapons and ammunition they desire.

Too often we honor swagger and bluster and wielders of force; too often we excuse those who are willing to build their own lives on the shattered dreams of others. Some Americans who preach non-violence abroad fail to practice it here at home. Some who accuse others of inciting riots have by their own conduct invited them.

Some look for scapegoats, others look for conspiracies, but this much is clear: violence breeds violence, repression brings retaliation, and only a cleansing of our whole society can remove this sickness from our soul.

For there is another kind of violence, slower but just as deadly destructive as the shot or the bomb in the night. This is the violence of institutions; indifference and inaction and slow decay. This is the violence that afflicts the poor, that poisons relations between men because their skin has different colors. This is the slow destruction of a child by hunger, and schools without books and homes without heat in the winter.

This is the breaking of a man's spirit by denying him the chance to stand as a father and as a man among other men. And this too afflicts us all.

I have not come here to propose a set of specific remedies nor is there a single set. For a broad and adequate outline we know what must be done. When you teach a man to hate and fear his brother, when you teach that he is a lesser man because of his color or his beliefs or the policies he pursues, when you teach that those who differ from you threaten your freedom or your job or your family, then you also learn to confront others not as fellow citizens but as enemies, to be met not with cooperation but with conquest; to be subjugated and mastered.

We learn, at the last, to look at our brothers as aliens, men with whom we share a city, but not a community; men bound to us in common dwelling, but not in common effort. We learn to share only a common fear, only a common desire to retreat from each other, only a common impulse to meet disagreement with force. For all this, there are no final answers.

Yet we know what we must do. It is to achieve true justice among our fellow citizens. The question is not what programs we should seek to enact. The question is whether we can find in our own midst and in our own hearts that leadership of humane purpose that will recognize the terrible truths of our existence.

We must admit the vanity of our false distinctions among men and learn to find our own advancement in the search for the advancement of others. We must admit in ourselves that our own children's future cannot be built on the misfortunes of others. We must recognize that this short life can neither be ennobled or enriched by hatred or revenge.

Our lives on this planet are too short and the work to be done too great to let this spirit flourish any longer in our land. Of course we cannot vanquish it with a program, nor with a resolution.

But we can perhaps remember, if only for a time, that those who live with us are our brothers, that they share with us the same short moment of life; that they seek, as do we, nothing but the chance to live out their lives in purpose and in happiness, winning what satisfaction and fulfillment they can.

Surely, this bond of common faith, this bond of common goal, can begin to teach us something. Surely, we can learn, at least, to look at those around us as fellow men, and surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our own hearts brothers and countrymen once again.

Bobby Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

"A Generous And Compassionate Country" - RFK Speech
"Never Gonna Break My Faith" - Aretha Franklin & Mary J. Blige
"Tracks Of My Tears" - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
"Come See About Me" - the Supremes
"Function At The Junction" - Shorty Long
"Grazing In The Grass" - Hugh Masekela
"I Was Made To Love Her" - Stevie Wonder
"Tuesday Afternoon" - Moody Blues
"Black Is Black" - Los Bravos
"Ain't That Peculiar" - Marvin Gaye
"Baby I Love You" - Aretha Franklin
"Grazing In The Grass" - Hugh Masekela


"Louie Louie" - Demi Moore
"No One Left But Bobby" - dialogue
"The Sound Of Silence" - Simon & Garfunkel.
"The Mindless Menace Of Violence" - RFK Speech

We loved the movie and the actors were fabulous.
Many memories came flooding back and I must get this fabulous soundtrack.
How lucky I am to live across from Motown where most of these
songs originated from.

We then went out for a lovely dinner and
went to bed early.
Early to bed and early to rise
makes a person, healthy, wealthy and wise!

Memories of my precious Grandmother

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

Grandmother

There are a thousand memories that come to mind.
Here are just a few.
I love you precious Grandmother.
You are jewel in my heart and a diamond in my life!

Our Grand Angel is 8 today

Our grand angel is 8 years of age today.
How is that entirely possible.
I can remember holding her for the first time and fell absolutely in love.
She melted my heart then and continues to do so each time I see her.
She is divine!
Happy 8th birthday Princess!

Grandangels

To be a child is to see dragons
in summer clouds,
hear music in crickets
hums
feel velvet on a caterpillars back
and belive that pumpkins really
do turn into coaches~
Happy Birthday precious one!

My Precious Grandmother

I spent a lovely afternoon with my precious Grandmother, who is 91 years of age,
on Tuesday afternoon
while my Aunt and Uncle ran some Christmas errands.
We had treasured times as always.
I picked her up lots of goodies and steeped tea
and cherry danish and many of her favorite things.
We have the best memories collected.
She told me a million times how much she loves me and I her
and we held hands and hugged and kissed and laughed
and felt our sadness too regarding Mom and other things
in our lives.
My Grandmother is more precious than gold.
I asked her what she wanted for Christmas
and she replied
A red dress.
She will get so many things from so many
she is so loved and adored just as my precious Mom was
What my Sister in law in Nova Scotia wrote about my precious Grandmother:

What a sweet little lady, you were certainly in good hands with her and your Mom,
taught by the best!
A red dress, wow she can be a red hatter.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make
you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you
happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of
everything;they just make the most of everything that comes along their
way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you
can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and
heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone
around you is crying.



"At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.'
Hungry not only for bread -- but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing -- but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks -- but homeless because of rejection."

---

"There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread."
~Mother Teresa
Roman Catholic Missionary

The Angel of Remembrance I bought for my Sister

Happy Thanksgiving

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies;
but let the thankful heart sweep through the
day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it
will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!
-- Henry Ward Beecher

Happy Thanksgiving week to all my American Family and friends!
We here in Canada celebrated ours in early October at Harvest time

Thanksgiving is each and everyday!
We are all truly blessed!

The Post below
The Goodness of life
was
Sent to me by my darling friend shelley!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all my family and friends in the USA
Blessings!

The Goodness Of Life How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and truly caring of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will ha been all of these. ~George Washington Carver

You are so dear to me

Be gentle feelings are everywhere!

I am praying for all those in grief or suffering
this holiday season. I know all to well the deep and profound pain the holidays can bring.
I am a lady of an extreme sensitive nature
and at Christmas time especially I become so sentimental
and all of my senses are in overdrive.
I am trying so hard to be brave and strong.
As is my Sister and everyone.
It is a very difficult time for us all.
Everything is heightened a thousand fold
both joy and sadness.

I hope each of you that still have
your precious Mom's and loved
ones treasure the times you do share.
We have two of our children in Asia as well.
So far away.
People are happiest when
surrounded by family and loved ones,
at least I am.
It all begins and ends with family!

Reindeers: Just the facts:

While these animals may not be able to soar through
the skies without the help of Santa
there are some interesting facts regarding them.
Reindeer reside in the Arctic north and can be
found in North America, Asia and Europe.
These animals are cousins to the caribou, which are larger than reindeer.
Reindeer can pull a sleigh at a speed of 12 to 15 miles per hour
Reindeer and caribou are the only deer where males
females, and calves produce antlers.
Like other deer the antlers are shed each year.
Reindeer hair is extremely dense so that the animals
can survive the Arctic.
This thick coat allows the animals to lay on
snow without melting it and getting wet.
Large feet in relation to their body size
and helps reindeer walk on snow
Source:
From our local newspaper~!

I'm dreaming of a pink Christmas

I posted this on Flickr yesterday.
There you will find the credits to each person
who took all of these glorious photo's.
None of them are mine
I just made a collage.
And so this is Christmas
and what have you done
Another year older
and a new one just begun!
~John Lennon

If I could I would have an entire house of pink.
It has been my favorite colour since a small child.
Pink it has always been PINK!
Last year my Tree was Geisha a Go Go from all the things
our children sent from Asia
This year everything will be as much pink as possible
I will name my tree Pink Passion!
Oooooh La La!
I wish you pink coloured wishes
with candy cane kisses.
Fa La La Latte
Off to go shopping today with my handsome guy
and my Sister and her handsome guy.
We will have fun.
Our cherubs in Asia cooked an 18 pound turkey on the weekend
and had all the trimmings.
I planned on cooking them a huge turkey dinner (their favorite)
when they were here this summer but with all the parties
taking place it never came to fruition.
They are very anxious for their Christmas vacations
Kim and Drew in Thailand
and Justin and his lovely friends in Indonesia.
They do know how to live!
Love you all so very much.
Our child we are sponsoring for Christmas
has a huge gorgeous bag full of all pink things
for the most part too.
She is 8 years of age and I hope this
will be a magical Christmas for her!
I believe she is an orphan
in our city.
Thanks for coming to visit and leaving your gorgeous words.
They warm my heart more than you will ever know!
Love and hugs
Off to have a joy fest!!!!!!!!!!

Star light Star bright

The above link to create this I viewed on this beautiful blog I visit each and every day!
Emma Sage
Thank you!

Wintersong

I grew up with the owner of one of my favorite local shops
"The Cook Shop" and her delightful daughter owns one of my favorite
card shops Elizabeth R's.
I am very good friend with Esther's brother and his wife.
How wonderful are the people in our city and the shops are divine.
We are truly blessed!
It is a treasure trove of delights especially at Christmas!
I am so very proud of everyone that makes such a success of their lives.

I love the voice of our beautiful Canadian Artist Sarah McLachlan.
I love her new CD Wintersong.

1. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Listen Listen 2. What Child Is This? (Greensleeves) Listen Listen 3. River Listen Listen 4. Wintersong Listen Listen 5. I'll Be Home For Christmas Listen Listen 6. O Little Town Of Bethlehem Listen Listen 7. The First Noel/Mary Mary Listen Listen 8. Silent Night Listen Listen 9. Song For A Winter's Night Listen Listen 10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Listen Listen 11. In A Bleak Mid-Winter Listen Listen 12. Christmas Time Is Here Listen Listen

What Christmas music have you purchased this year?
Are you getting prepared for the holidays as yet?
Many here have their Christmas lights,
sparkling and the trees are up in a few home.
I love pink Christmas trees!

Christmas Lights

Count your blessings!

[From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly]

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay For their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.

But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.

Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.

Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back Mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. On a bike. Makes Taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?

And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick Was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him Brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.

"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him And his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an Institution.''

But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes Followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the Engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was Anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.''

"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a Lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed Him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his Head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the School organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want To do that.''

Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran More than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he Tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore For two weeks.''

That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, It felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''

And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly Shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.

``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a Single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few Years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then They found a way to get into the race Officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the Qualifying time for Boston the following year.

Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''

How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he Was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick Tried.

Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud Getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you Think?

Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with A cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.

This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best Time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world Record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to Be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the Time.

``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''

And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a Mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries Was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' One doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.

Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.

That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.

``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''

And the video is below....

Tremendous!

Everyday Thanksgiving
(for my American family
and friends celebrating
Thanksgiving this coming week)

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings,

Thank you, Lord, that I can hear.

There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible,

Thank you, Lord, that I can see.

Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,

Thank you Lord, that I have the strength to rise.

There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud

Thank you, Lord, for my family.

There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced,

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have.

There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work.

There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest,

I thank you, Lord, for life.

"Write it on your heart that

everyday is the best day of the year."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson.

We are all so blessed and each day

we have so much to be thankful for.

Thank you dear Lord for all of thy blessings!

Happy Saturday

I seen this sign yesterday and it made me laugh

Children left unattended will
be given an expresso and a free puppy!

The most wasted done is one where there was
no love or laughter to be shared

I have a new Christmas CD
called Santa Baby

I love this song by Sara McLaughlin
a remake of the one Joni Mitchell sang
and I love her version as well

River

Lyrics to Sarah Mclachlan River

It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer singing
songs of joy and peace

Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

But it don’t snow here
It stays pretty green
I’m going to make a lot of money
And then I’m going to
quit this crazy scene

Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
Teach my feet to fly high

Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

I made my baby cry
I tried hard to help me
No it wouldn’t be at ease
[ these lyrics found on www.completealbumlyrics.com ]
But it left me so naughty
made me weak in the knees

Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

But I’m so hard to handle
I’m selfish and I’m sad
Now I gone and lost the
best baby that I’ve ever had

Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

Oh I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly highhh
Oh I wish I had a river
That I could skate away on

I made my baby say goodbye
It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

Weekend, Weekend, Cha Cha Cha

Go ahead and strut your stuff and wear a pink bow while you are at it.
Stepping into the weekend again!

This is from a greeting card I received today and I
bought our grandangel the very same one about a month ago.
I love it!

Childhood memories come flooding back
I am like a child in many ways so full of wonder
always and Christmas make the magic in my heart
glisten!
Christmas songs are playing in my heart and home
and I embrace every golden memory of goodness!

The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in
which we are permitted to remain children all our lives."

~Albert Einstein

“If women didn't exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning.”

Aristotle Onassis

I am my Mother's Legacy

If there ever comes a day when
we cannot be together
please keep me in your heart
and there I will remain forever!

Oh to be a golden butterfly

Arrayed in heavenly attire

To soar and dart with my companion the wind

To dance upon the roaring waves

of the sea

To smell the fragrances of the smiling flowers

And then to ascend like a mighty eagle

There to touch and kiss the face of God

My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it's start.

She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem...

And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.

I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me

Family more precious than gold

Family more precious than gold
My son will be 28 December 28th.
How is that entirely possible?

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith


People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women
with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

Holiday Tea

Love is Blue.
A new jacket I bought for the little child we are sponsoring for Christmas.
I have her bag loaded with treasures.
It is best to give than receive!

The holiday tea I told you about has a festive blend of black tea, cherry, almond and hints of orange. It only comes out at Christmas time. I plan to purchase some more today before it is all sold out. Blessings of love and peace and joy! Enjoy your days darlings!

Happy 30th birthday Noi!
May Heaven smile softly and hear your every wish!

Monday Breakfast

To love oneself
is the beginning of a lifelong romance
~Oscar Wilde

Today my dear friend is having us over for breakfast,
me and another dear friend.
Our fabulous trio is once again making memories............
It is their remembrance day holiday
working for the government so we are taking advantage of their time off.


Yesterday my husband and I went to visit Mom's grave and they were having a big dedication ceremony there at the cemetary,
with the Bishop attending.

Rainbows have a special meaning to me now more than ever
I have this in Mom's memory book

I'd like to capture a rainbow and put it in a box

So that any time you wanted to

You could reach in and pull out a piece of sunshine.

I'd like to build you a mountain that you could call your very own

A place to find serenity

In those times when you feel the need to be closer to yourself.

I'd like to be the one who is there

When you are lonely or troubled

Or just need someone to hold.

I'd like to do all this and more

To make your life happy...

But sometimes it isn't easy to do the things I would like to do

Or give the things I would like to give.

So... Until I learn houw to catch rainbows or build mountains

Let me do for you

That which I know best...

Let me simply love you.

My Sister phoned me last night.
They went away for the weekend to Columbus Ohio and she said
it is a gorgeous town.
There was excellent shopping and they got quite
a bit of Christmas shopping done.

I hope you enjoy your day darlings.
Off to get ready for another Joy Fest.

When your heart speaks take good notes!
Love Jeanne ^j^

Serene Sunday

The first time her laughter unfurled its wings in the wind,
we knew that the world would never be the same
~ Brian Andreas

The newest princess in the family!
Anastastia has arrived.
Proud Grandmother holding her
our lovely Frances!
Babies are bits of stardust
handblown from God's own hands!

Some advice I have always loved:


As we grow up,
we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time.
You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

We went out for a lovely drive today and then out for Chinese food. I told my husband my fortune cookie fortune enclosed will be for my dear friend Shelley.
Mine read:
You will be selected for a promotion because of your accomplishments.
I pray it brings her good fortune and luck!
Long overdue! Love you Shelley!
I love all of my friends and loved ones so much!
Love you Sugar Plums!

The Heart that gives is rich beyond measure

Special Aunties.
My Aunt on the left is in need of an operation soon
very serious at best.
My lovely Aunt in the middle is whose home
Grandma resides at now with my Uncle
and my Aunt on the right is very sick in the hospital right now.
I pray for my family members daily as I do everyone I love and in the world.
When prayers go up blessings come down.

A Sunday Kind of Love
Sunday is sort of like a piece of bright gold brocade
lying in a pile of white muslin weekdays.
~Yoshika Uchida

Everyone needs beauty
places to play in and pray in
where nature may heal and cheer and bring
strength to body and soul alike
~John Muir

We are going to take our grand angels out for a special day again next Saturday.
We have to collect them
when they have a social free day they are busy young people. *Smiles*

We again are going to buy for a person through our church for Christmas
and donate to the charities we so believe in.
We have an 8 year old little girl and we received her list last night.
The same age as one of our grand angels soon to be 8 this month.
We will have them help pick out the gifts.
We teach them we don't need Christmas in our hands
We need the Christmas spirit in our hearts.

We Remember

We Remember

You and Him


You stay up for 16 hours
He stays up for days on end.
--------------------------
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
--------------------------
You complain of a "headache," and call in sick.
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
--------------------------
You put on your anti-war/support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He thinks he fights for your right to wear that shirt.
--------------------------
You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
--------------------------
You remember your "buddies" who aren't with you.
He knows you may not see some of your buddies again.
--------------------------
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
--------------------------
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
--------------------------
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.
--------------------------
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
--------------------------
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
--------------------------
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told his third tour will be held over an extra 2 months.
--------------------------
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
--------------------------
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
--------------------------
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet
--------------------------
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
--------------------------
You hear lies and jokes about the war.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
--------------------------
You see only what the government and media want you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
--------------------------
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told.
--------------------------
You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
--------------------------
You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
--------------------------
You sit there and wonder, why did he have to go over there four times?
If only there were more men like him!

Brother in Arms
~Dire Straights

These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day youll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And youll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms

Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
Ive watched all your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

Theres so many different worlds
So many differents suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones

Now the suns gone to hell
And the moons riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But its written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
Were fools to make war
On our brothers in arms

To Mother's Lovely Mothers

When my husband and I were visiting with my Aunt last night in the hospital
she talked almost the entire time about my beloved Mother.
She was loved and adored by everyone.

Whether you cherish them here on earth or embrace
every golden moment you had with them as you send
your prayers up to Heaven,
cherish your darling Mothers.

A Mother:

For those who are lucky to still be blessed with your Mom,
Treasure them they are truly a blessing!
This is one of my favorite pieces on Mothers

The young mother set her foot on the path of life.
"Is this the long way?" she asked.
And God answered her "Yes, this way is hard,
and you will be old before you reach the end of it.
But the end will be better than the beginning."
But the young mother was happy,
and she would not believe that anything could
be better than these years.
So she played with her children,
she fed them and bathed them,
taught them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike,
and reminded them to feed the dog
and do their homework and brush their teeth.
The sun shone on them and the young Mother cried,
"Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."
Then the nights came, and the storms
and the path was sometimes dark,
and the children shook with fear and cold,
and the mother drew them close and covered
them with her arms and the children said,
"Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near,
and no harm can come."
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead,
and the children climbed and grew weary,
and the mother was weary.
But at all times she said to the children,
a little patience and we are there."
So the children climbed and as they climbed
they learned to weather the storms.
And with this, she gave them strength to face the world.
Year after year she showed them compassion,
understanding, and hopes, but most of all...unconditional love.
And when they reached the top they said,
"Mother, we would not have done it without you."
The days went on, and the weeks and the months
and the years, and the mother grew old
and she became little and bent.
But her children were tall and strong,
and walked with courage.
And the mother, when she lay down at night,
looked up at the stars and said,
"This is a better day than the last,
for my children have learned so much
and are now passing these traits on to their children."
And when the way became rough for her,
they lifted her, and gave her their strength,
just as she had given them hers.
One day they came to a hill,
and beyond the hill they could see a shining road
and golden gates flung wide.
And Mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey.
And now I know the end is better than the beginning,
for my children can walk with dignity and pride,
with their heads held high, and so can their children after them."
And the children said,
"You will always walk with us,
Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone,
and the gates closed after her.
And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still.
A Mother is more than a memory.
She is a living presence.
Your Mother is always with you.
She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street,
she's the smell of certain foods you remember,
flowers you pick and perfume that she wore,
she's the cool hand on your brow
when you're not feeling well,
she's your breath in the air on a cold winters day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep,
the colors of a rainbow,
she is your birthday morning.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter
and she's crystallized in every tear drop.
A mother shows every emotion...
happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy,
love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrows
- all the while hoping and praying
you will only know the good feelings in life.
She's the place you came from,
your first home,
and she's the map you follow with every step you take.
She's your first love,
your first friend, even your first enemy,
but nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space, not even death!
Author Unknown

Friday at last

" The most important work you and I will ever do
will be within the walls of our own homes . "
harold b. lee 1899 ~ 1973

“If women didn't exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning.”

Aristotle Onassis quotes (Greek shipping magnate and Businessman, 1906-1975)

TO THE WONDERFUL WOMEN IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.

Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.

Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say let's pray together, another let's cry together, another let's fight together, another let's walk away together.

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish, another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion, another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ... those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it's wrapped up in several... one from 7th grade, one from high school, several from the college years, a couple from old jobs, several from temple or church, on some days your mother, on some days your neighbor, on others your sisters, and on some days your daughters.

So whether they've been there 20 minutes or 20 years, I thank you God for all the women that you have placed in my life to make a difference.
and of course my husband and son as well!

Blessed Are

Blessed are the poor - we can help them.

~~Blessed are they who mourn - we can console them.

~~Blessed are the meek - we can strengthen them.

~~Blessed are the wanderers - we can give them refuge.

~~Blessed are the merciful - we can benefit from them.

~~Blessed are the clean of heart - we can imitate them.

~~Blessed are the peacemakers - we can receive gentleness from them.

~~Blessed are the joyful - we can relax with them.

~~Blessed are the patriots - we can get loyalty from them.

~~Blessed are the clergy - we can get spirituality from them.

~~Blessed are the children - we can listen to them.

~~Blessed are the elderly - we can gain wisdom from them.

~~Blessed are the family members - we can love them.

~~Blessed are the least deserving - we can pray for them.

~~Blessed are we all. God can work Great Things through us.

~~Mary Ann Herman

Thursday Thoughts

A chinese love stone

My dear Aunt My Grandmother's Sister is in the hospital.
I spoke to her last night on the phone.
No one likes to be in the hospital.
My love and prayers are with her as is the rest of our family
praying for her to get well.


It seems so many I know are sick and suffering in some way.
Dear Lord please make the hearts of everyone I know full of love, peace, and their
lives full of health and less worry!

Thank you for the world so sweet
Thank you for the food we eat
Thank you for the birds that sing
Thank you God for everything!

All you need is love, and faith and prayers!

Wishings of Wellness

Mom always loved things in three's for her three daughters.
A lovely trio.

Cathy, Nancy and I are a golden trio as well.
Our friendship is precious to us all.
Long may it continue.

When I am an Old Cat

I shall wear a diamond collar and leave my footprints
on white couches
I shall drink my cream with a touch of brandy
and spit out my vitamins;
I shall sit on the laps of dog people just to irritate them;
I shall nap on top of the neighbor’s petunias
and perch on top of birdbaths
and grow charmingly chubby.

But for now I must tolerate the dog
and use my litterbox [ahem, Bilbo!]
and not sharpen my claws on the sofa,
so no one can doubt the truth
that cats are superior to dogs.

But every once in awhile I wonder
if I should be naughty now and then
and nip a few toes,
so my humans won’t be too shocked
when suddenly I become an old cat
and start to wear a diamond collar

~ Authur Unknown

My darling friend Cathy suffers from the most severe type of diabetes there is.
Here Mom died of it and so did her Sister.

She is now on 5 needles a day is strict and diligent with her lifestyle and diet and yet
it is still out of control.
It is a constant struggle to keep things at rest and her diabetes under control.

The specialist said she needs to retire from her job for her health so I will be with her on Monday
with our other dear friend Nancy, the long, long, golden trio friendship we have is golden.
We have been most worried about Cathy.
I pray for all of my friends and loved ones who are sick and suffering and wish them days
of health and magic ahead.
When you have your health you have your wealth!

I wish my dear friend Dani days of health and all of God's most richest blessings.
Feel better my precious friend.
I love you Dani!

I love all my precious friends and loved ones and cherish each one!

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. "

-Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little House in the Ozarks by Hines

Babeeeee You are a Star

I keep telling my sweet and fabulous friend Mindy she is destined for great things.
I have borrowed this from her own blog

She has a way with words and so does her Mr. X.
Both are fabulous friends!
Taken from Mindy's world famous blog!
I keep telling her to polish up her Tiara!

Familybits

I am totally going around the house doing the "New York, New York" dance, complete with bent-knee kicks, holding a cane out in front! (Hurts a little, though; am still sick as a dog).

My book is finally listed for sale on Barnes & Noble, and alllllmost all the way listed on Amazon!! I just love how you can already buy a gently used copy though. I bought one just to see if it is. I bet it isn't—I think the resellers say that to make people they're saving money by buying it used. No flies on me!

Oh, and Phil says it's listed on BestBookBuys.com.

BOP bop BAH da bop, BOP bop bah da bop! Whoopee!

P.S. While you're there (or there) grab a copy of Mr. X's book!

Happiness

If you're happy and you know clap your hands..........
Each person is about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

So happy to spread the great news about my fabulous friend Corey in France
Go and visit and start spreading the news

Yahoo Corey!

"There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease

worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will."

- Epictetus

I began my morning by giving thanks and in prayer as I always do the same way I end my days. I am so happy to see many are giving thanks for many things and it seems the Thanks is being put back into lives.

I washed my hair with Daddy-O shampoo by Lush and

I giggle each time I use it reminding me of the sayings of my youth,

Daddy-O, cool cat, groovy some that came to mind and I am

once again reminded how fast the years do pass by~

I am making special trips to various places to get gourmet

Christmas goodies.

Christmas teas, sugars, and yesterday I bought Bubble Gum tea

for our grand angels when we have our Christmas tea together.

Things get sold out so rapidly so I always buy it when I see it!

I have a special teapot I use just for them that has a girl and boy on it.

A family member of ours on my husband's side had a new baby

daughter last week and I have been out buying things for

Princess Anastatia.

I love that name.

She is a beauty!

It is nice to have joy in our lives.

Miss Bella came for a walk with me last night as my husband

went for an extra long walk on his lunch time and was not quite up to it

last night!

Miss Bella is a fine beautiful intelligent 9 year old, whose company

I really enjoy!

I have mailed the letter to Santa on behalf of Lily and Brady that I do

every year and Santa writes them back.

They get to busy and always forget to do it themselves.

I have my overseas Christmas cards mailed.

Keep the Christ in Christmas and the Thanks in Thanksgiving~

When prayers go up

Blessings come down!

God bless you all real good!

Outlook on Life

Outlook on Life

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. I also know that dreams really do come true and you have my Best Wishes and my best efforts in those.

Dalai Lama

Food for Thought

A birthday cake for my husband on his last birthday in March.
I crave sweets!

From the Oprah show this week:

The foods you crave, and when you crave them, might just depend on your mood. "Our bodies are designed to fulfill our needs," Dr. Oz says. "The gut and the brain are the two most closely related organs. So it makes perfect sense that the foods we eat change the way our brains function."

Dr. Oz says the following cravings could mean you are feeling these moods:


Meat could mean you're angry
Sweets might be a sign of depression
Ice cream might mean you're anxious
Salty snacks could mean you're stressed
Pasta might signal loneliness or sexual frustration
All of the above might mean you're just a little bit jealous

And the intersection of food and mood doesn't stop at cravings. It also involves how we can proactively affect our emotions. "If you're depressed, you should take omega-3 fatty acids, especially women who are having babies," Dr. Oz says. "That baby sucks all that healthy fat out of your body and you get depressed after you have this beautiful, brilliant wonderful baby."

We Remember

We truly take a lot for granted. Forget the football "heroes" and movie "stars". Pass this on so that all may know the price of freedom.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the Soldiers fighting for our freedoms!


One died for your soul;
the other for your freedom.

How about you pass this along, for remembrance day!

Grand Angels

Make an online slideshow at onetruemedia.com

Thursday ~All Souls Day

Remember from "It's a Wonderful Life"
Every time a bell rings an angel gets her wings.
I have an angel above our door bell
to honor Mom.
I am sure she received gold angel wings the moment
she entered Heaven!

Today is all Soul's Day:
My husband and I, along with my Sister will go to mass tonight and honor
all the departed love ones we pray for in Heaven.
My Sister's husband is on afternoons so he will be unable to attend.

I will cook my Sister a lovely dinner and could never repay her for all the times
she has cooked for us at her home.

All Soul's Day is a Roman Catholic day of remembrance for friends and loved ones who have passed away. This comes from the ancient Pagan Festival of the Dead, which celebrated the Pagan belief that the souls of the dead would return for a meal with the family. Candles in the window would guide the souls back home, and another place was set at the table. Children would come through the village, asking for food to be offered symbolically to the dead, then donated to feed the hungry.

Write injuries in sand, kindnesses in marble.
-- French Proverb

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Food for thought:
Our lovely Father Daniel
has worked with the homeless
in Toronto, Hamilton and many US cities.
He asked them all what bothered them most about being homeless.
Most said they feel they are invisible to society and
looked down upon.

Are you the light of Christ for everyone you meet?

Rabbit Rabbit

We were given this latest photo of our grand angels last night
when we went to watch them get dressed for Halloween
and bring them their treats.
It is so hard to believe our eldest grand angel will be 8 this month.
November brings many of my dearest people on earth their birthdays.
Including our eldest grand angel.
Rabbit, Rabbit good luck for this month and every month!

I was sent this card yesterday and would like to share it with you.
Sent to me by a dear friend.
Why God gave us friends
He never intended for us to walk alone through life
that is why he created for us dear friends.
He created friends, and placed these special people in our path to
walk with us
You and I have been friends for a very very long time.
Our hearts have interlocked,
and what we are together makes us stronger
and helps us perservere.
Together we have tried our wings;
we have soared high, crashed,
celebrated and cried.
We have dried each other's tears
and picked up the pieces
of our broken dreams.
Together, we have made things better than they were before.
It is not even so much all the help we constantly give each other
it's the absolute confidence that we are always there for one another
wanting, willing, and ready to share, both our joys and our sorrows.
Above all, friendship is a precious gift of oneself to another.
Thank you for sharing your life with me.
Your friendship is a most beautifful gift.

This card as all the cards and letters deeply touch my heart.
I thank God for you all!
Love and smiles!