Wishing and Hoping

Cast your wish upon my magic wands.
May all of your dreams and wishes come true
A bright beautiful New Year is out there waiting for you!
May it bless us all with only the very best!

Here's to bright beautiful New Beginnings!


Welcome in the New Year
as you would a friend;
one who brings twelve shining gifts
to last until year's end.

Harmony with others,
faith in each new day;
all the kindness you can spare,
goodwill in words you say.

Compassion for earth's creatures,
and hope for those in need;
make peace with all of nature,
make tolerance your creed.

Thoughtfulness and sharing,
love spread far and near;
a thankfulness for living
to end a perfect year.

* Sheila Forsyth *

My New Years Wishes for you

Time to kiss 2007 good bye and welcome in a bright
beautiful New Year 2008
I am more than ready!

Life is short make FUN of it!

Besides health, love peace and joy
I would like to share this verse with you by Barbara Cage.
My Wishes for you:
O wish I could make sure you always had the best~ like laughter and rainbows, butterflies and health. I wish I could take you anywhere you wanted to go and treat you to waterfalls, rivers, forests, and mountaintops. I wish I could make it possible for you to do anything you ever dreamed of, even if just for a day. I wish I could keep you from ever being hurt or sad, and that all of your troubles and problems would disappear. I wish that I could package up all the memories that bring smiles to you and have them handy for your immediate enoyment. I wish I could guarantee you peace of mind, contentment, faith, and strength, as well as the constant ability to find joy in all the things that sometimes go unnoticed. I wish you moments to connect with other individuals who are full of smiles and hugts to give away and stories and laughter to share. I wish you could always know how much you mean to me because no matter what is going on in our lives, You are always loved and appreciated. ~Barbara Cage

Beautiful

Be Still

Blessings for the New Year and a prayer for you!. I pick you all of you to be blessed!

This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.

There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's always pray for one another.

---

The prayer:

Father,

I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Where there is joy, give them continued joy. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence. Where there is need, fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.

In Jesus'
name Amen.

Praying is not about asking, it is about listening.
It is just opening your eyes to see what was there all along.

Seek enjoyment in the doing of things rather than focusing so much on the end result and Epictetus, once wrote, "Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them."

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the best of everything that comes along their way


Happy New Year 2008 and always!
We will go to a movie to a mass and then out for an early dinner and come home and relax.
We rarely stay up late........
so we ring in the New Year Early!

Thank you Dani!

Muuuuah I love you Dani.
Thank you a gazillion times!
Greeting card scanned that my Sister sent me is where this above photo is from.

My Darling friend Dani has once again worked her magic and created a masterpiece on this web journal.

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and of of the best things you can be.
~Douglas Pagels, Author

To say thank you of course is never ever enough so
I will share a kiss with her and a New Year Prayer.

A New Year Prayer

Holy Father, God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows. We praise You for Your unequaled greatness. Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead. Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more. To teach our children to laugh by laughing with them. To teach others to love by loving them. Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us. So that Love could be with us, and we could know You. That we could share Love with others. Help us, Father, to hear Your love song in every sunrise, in the chriping of sparrows in our backyards, in the stories of our old folks, and the fantasies of our children. Help us to stop and listen to Your love songs, so that we may know You better and better. We rejoice in the world You loved into being. Thank You for another new year and for new chances every day. We pray for peace, for light, and for hope, that we might spread them to others. Forgive us for falling short this past year. We leave the irreparable past in your hands, and step out into the unknown new year knowing You will go with us. We accept Your gift of a new year and we rejoice in what's ahead, depending on You to help us do exactly what You want.. I say it again, we rejoice! In Jesus name, Amen.

I believe

Me and my baby Sister with our dolls in the back yard where we grew up
with our Aunt and Uncle beside us.............
Memories are a glorious way of making our hearts smile!

Yesterday we went to visit a few relatives, on my husbands side of the family, one a sick Aunt laying in the hospital with a broken hip. She is 83.......Her attitude is fabulous..............

It is nice to be connected heart to heart!

I Believe...

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,

but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...

That no matter how good a friend is, they are going to hurt you every once in a while

and you need to forgive them for that.

I Believe ...

That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to,

doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I Believe ...

That it is taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words.

It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...

That either you control your attitude or it will control you.

I Believe...

That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...

That sometimes when I'm angry I have a right to be angry

but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...

That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.

Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...

That no matter how bad your heart is broken,

the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...

That the people you care most about in life

are taken from you much too soon.

I Believe...

That life is more precious than money will ever be able to be.

(Author Unknown)

Thank you my Sugar Plums

My Christmas Pajamas 2007
We will go to mass tonight and out for a chicken dinner
and I will wear my Sonia Kashuk lipstick called Lily
and watch A Trip to Bountiful
and read more from this book
The Friday Night Knitting Club
and rest, relax and rejuvinate with my husband!
The time spent with loved ones is the greatest gift of all.
It is Paul's son's Greg's 37th birthday today
One year for my dear Aunt Barb in Heaven!

Thank you dear ones for your love and kindness all year long and you
make every day a Holiday just like Christmas.
I love you
I thank you
I wish you the most wonderful of blessings.
Health, love, peace and joy!
Love Jeanne
X0X0

A clever person turns great troubles into little ones and little ones into none at all.
~Chinese Proverb

2007 Has sped by





Now, we need to face 2008




There may be risks involved





We may need to face roadblocks





So stay alert





Share time with friends





Jump over obstacles





With care





And caution





Face challenges





Remember to laugh





Cooperate





Discover





Make new friends





Above all...be ready for adventure





Stick together





And you will be able to go far





Very far....





Well, not quite that far....





Always take time to smell the flowers





Don't forget to relax and enjoy





And never forget to love those dearest to you



2008!

H a ppy New Yea r !!

---

Happy 29th Birthday my Precious Son

I always told my son he would see the world and live a charmed
and enchanted life that many only dream about!~
I was right!

My son turns 29 today.
May Heaven smile and hear your every wish.
I am so very proud to be your Mother.
I love you more than words could ever say!

Depeche Mode precious and fragile things

I love Depeche Mode especially this song..........
Precious Playing above
We just got back from the movies and seen
Charlie Wilson's War
we both enjoyed it.

We had chili and salad out.............
I am enjoying the time with my handsome guy so very much!
I love our times shared.
Tomorrow shopping day in the USA
Yipee!

Spread Joy Scatter Love

Me and my two nieces on Christmas day!
It all begins and ends with family

You deserve the fun, the joy, the freedom,
and the pure goodness
that flows through the experience of love that indwells in you...
The choice is yours."

-David McArthur and Bruce McArthur,
The Intelligent Heart

I salute you!
There is nothing I can give you which you have not;
but there is much, that, while I cannot give, you can take.

No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.
Take Heaven.

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present instant.
Take Peace.

The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet,
within our reach, is joy.
Take JOY!



~F. Giovanni
A.D. 1513

My dear friend Nooshin in Australia received
the best Christmas present
she too was issued a clean bill of health with her recent
health scare.
Thank you for your love and prayers
all year long!

The Whale

Me and my precious Sister taken yesterday at her lovely home.
She works very hard to put on a fabulous meal for us all.
Thank you Sister.
I love you!

Sent to me via email
Source from the San Fran Newspaper

The Whale
If you read the front page story of the SF Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralone Islands ,outside the Golden Gate, and radioed an environmental group for help.

Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her… a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed gently around ~ she thanked them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The man who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you, and everyone precious in your lives be blessed, and free from the web of tangles of life that can bind us from joy and living!
Blessings

All is Calm All is Bright

A greeting card photograph I love so much!

The sun is shining brightly today and we are resting and relaxing and our house is calm and full of quiet
as we watch movies and eat some leftover turkey.

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas with your loved ones....................

Canada:
We have given the world insulin, Terry Fox, the lawn sprinkler,
Alice Munro, Haida art, Bobby Orr,
The paint roller, the chocolate bar, but in this season
our thoughts turn to peace.
Our reputation may at times be frayed, but since Lester Pearson
introduced the idea to solve the Suez Crisis in 1956,
Canada has been known for tempering violence and conflict
around the world with peacekeeping.
~Source Toronto Star article

Let there be peace on Earth and
let it begin with me!

We shall find peace
We shall hear angels
We shall see the sky
Sparkling with diamonds
~Anton Chekov

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

-Calvin Coolidge

Keep the Spirit Alive all Year

It seems I was drawn to Ruby red this year............
May all your days be Merry and bright.

Keep that beautiful spirit of Christmas alive in your heart all year long.
Spread love, scatter joy!
I am truly blessed and so is everyone I love.

"A person's world is only as big as their heart."

-Tanya A. Moore

Cherish the day

I love, love, love, Sade and

I love, love, love you all!

The Road Of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong,

so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die.

He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it,

But I really didn't know Him.



But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride,

but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.



I don't know just when it was that he suggested we change places,

but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable...

It was the shortest distance between two points.





But when He took the lead,

He knows the delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"

I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He

laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.



He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.

They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine.



And we're off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight."

So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.



I did not trust him at first, in control of my life.

I thought He'd wreck it; but he knows bike secrets,

knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks,

knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.



And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places,

and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze

on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.



And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says....

"Pedal."

By: Author Unknown

Photograph from the Newspaper
Merry Christmas Darlings

Off to my Sisters house for dinner.
Justin called this morning and we had a nice chat
We went to a most beautiful mass last night with Laurie, Joe and our grand angels
and had a lovely time at their home afterwards.
Paul and I went to visit Grandma this morning and my Mom and Sister's gravesite
and are just about to leave soon for my Sister's Christmas dinner with her family.
I send you glad tidings of comfort and joy
and all that makes your world smile!

A Christmas Wish

I wish you the joy of Christmas

The spirit's sweet repose

I wish you the peace of Christmas

To mark the old year's close.

I wish you the hope of Christmas

To cheer you on your way

And a heart of faith and gladness

To greet each coming day!

~Author Unknown

Today and always

I wish you

Glad tidings, of comfort and joy
and may we all have today and always,
peace, love,
health and
Christmas

Joy to last the year on through

and the very best of wishes

from my heart and home to you!

My religion is very simple.

My religion is kindness."

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama

Merry Christmas!

From my heart and home to yours with so much love!

Merry Christmas to you all that I love so very much!

Where did the year go? Suddenly it is December ......again - and we realize that with giant strides we started in January and within a blink of an eye, 2007 is on its back!

A big 'Thank You' to each and everyone of you, for the huge impact you had on our life this year. Especially for all the support and e-mails we received.......without you, I'm sure that 2007 would have been extremely difficult.

From our side we wish you all a Very Merry Christmas Season filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.

May 2008 mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love, Happiness and Bright Futures.

And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love.

To those who need money, may your finances overflow

To those who need caring, may you find a good heart

To those who need friends, I am still here for you .

To those who need life, may you walk with GOD .

Thanks for being in my life, my family and my friends!!

I love you so very much

Merry Christmas

from my heart and home to yours!

God bless you all real good***

My friend sent me this from her

son's school newsletter and how true

Part of this article was from my son's school newsletter -thought I'd pass it along...

" We are in the thick of the holiday season and school vacation is coming up fast. One year I asked a lot of adults to tell me of a great holiday memory they had. The memories ranged from times in their childhood up until present. There was lots of laughter and sweetness in telling. None of the memories were about things. They were usually about something funny or tender that happened with a family member. They were about time spent together and memories made. The gifts were about the time spent with another, not about "stuff" at all."

Jenni Egan, Helman School

Remember we don't need Christmas in our hands we need them in our hearts............

Love you
Merry Christmas!
Keep the Christ in Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Photographs courtesy of my fabulous nephew Rob.
Thank you my fine one!
Santa's on his way
His reindeer are here!

Christmas Eve!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

"It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters."

-Mother Teresa

Santa's Reindeer spotted

and photographs courtesy of my fabulous nephew Rob.

Thanks Rob!

Grand Angels and Visits with Loved Ones

Me and our Grand Angel send you our love.
Christmas is all about Love, Peace, Hope and Joy
and Good Health Too.
Christmas Blessings to all of you!

I love Krinkles and anything that sparkles and Angels and Victorian things

My Hungarian Angel atop our smaller tree

Colour your Christmas with Love

Fresh orchids and a rose dried from our garden

Bottle brush trees and roses dried from our garden and bamboo sticks
blessed from Monks from Asia

Bless this house all the loved ones in it and all the people in our lives.........

God bless you all real good today and always.
It's coming on Christmas..................

Today we are taking our Grand Angels out with us for the day to visit lovely family members.
Off to mass now
Just wanted to share a few photo's from our home to yours with love
Taken this morning at 4:00 A.M.
Yes I rise early and go to bed early too.........
Giggles

Hungarian Kifli Cookies

My Grandmother's Shadow box of Hungarian Treasures outside
her room at her Nursing home residence

Photo from a Google Search
Hungarian Kifli Cookies either filled with poppy seeds or walnuts

Hungarian Merry Christmas
- Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket / Kellemes Karacsonyiunnepeket & Boldog Új Évet
I bought for my beloved Grandmother an Aunthentic Hungarian card with this written it it
The Angel on my small tree in our sitting room has the Hungarian colours,
red white and green.


My Dear friend Shelley shared her Velvet Cookie Recipe
of your beloved Mom's so this is as close as I could get to
the cookies my precious Grandmother used to make
Hungarian Kifli

INGREDIENTS For Hungarian Kifli cookies from a Google Search...................Not quite the recipe my Grandmother used but she had no recipe Giggles*

• 9 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 egg whites
• 8 ounces ground walnuts
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, cream butter and cream cheese. Stir in the egg yolks and vanilla. Stir together the flour and baking powder. Add the flour mixture a little at a time until it is fully incorporated. Divide dough into 5 parts, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight.
2. in a medium bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks, add sugar a little at a time while continuing to beat to stiff peaks. Fold in ground walnuts, and set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 3 inch squares, place 1/2 teaspoon of filling in the center of each square and roll up from corner to corner. Place on cookie sheets and refrigerate until hardened.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Roll in confectioners' sugar when cool.

Hungarian Traditions taken from this page
on a google search

Hungarian Christmas Traditions

Trisha Romance

Trisha Romance

I love her art!

The joy of brightening other lives,

bearing each others' burdens,

easing others' loads

and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts

becomes for us the magic of Christmas."

What is Christmas

Faith and hope and love, which cannot
Be bought or sold or bartered
But only given away, are the wellspring
Firm and deep of Christmas celebrations
These are the gifts without price, the ornaments
Incapable of imitation, discovered only within oneself
And are therefore unique
They are not easy to come by but they are in
Unlimited supply!
This Christmas mend a quarrrel
Seek out a forgotten friend
Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust
Write a love letter
Share some treasure
Give a soft answer
Encourage youth
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed
Keep a promise
Listen, apologize if you are wrong
Try to understand
Flout envy
Examine your demands on others
Think first of someone else
Appreciate
Be kind, be gentle
Laugh a little, laugh a little more
Deserve confidence
Express your gratitude
Welcome a stranger
Go to church and praise God for his goodness
Gladden the heart of a child
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of this earth!
These are inklings of a vast category.....
Of a mere scratching of the surface
These are the simple things
To have heard them all before, but their influence has never
Ever been measured
Some of this text was taken
From a Christmas card
And it says source
Anonymous!




Let us be grateful
To people that make us happy! They are the charming gardeners
Who make our souls blossom!

Miles of Smiles

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."
~ Bob Hope

A picture of my Aunts on a Christmas past...........


A dear flickr friend has some fabulous news she shared

Congratulations Robyn!
I love to spread the cheer especially this time of year
What Robyn Wrote for those of you who cannot acess Flickr:
Her words below!
I can finally let the cat out of the bag so to speak (originally alluded to in the comments here)...

Earlier this fall I sold the rights for two of my photographs to be used as CD cover art and CD art for a CD-single release called "Overwhelmed". It's a tribute CD dedicated to NASCAR's Jeff Gordon and his wife Ingrid following the birth of their baby daughter (put together by "The 'Original' Route 66"). Part of the proceeds of this CD and accompanying book will benefit "The Jeff Gordon Foundation".

It's in the works to get the CD listed on nascar.com, amazon.com, and jeffgordon.com — and there's a strong possibility the book and CD will be featured on QVC's "For Race Fans Only" show. (Dan Hughes, the QVC host of that show, wrote the book's forward.)

If you're interested in purchasing a copy, send me a Flickr mail and I'll direct you the appropriate order site. The item is now out of pre-order and is shipping. (I do not receive any proceeds from these sales.)


View above larger: farm3.static.flickr.com/2173/2119735326_6dbc2f98a8_o.jpg
Photo used on CD insert cover: www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/138231235/
Photo used on actual CD cover: www.flickr.com/photos/shutterblog/229571893/

December Celebrations

Christmas Candles

Taken from this page while found doing a google search on

Christmas candles

http://touchingbeauty.spaces.live.com/blog/

This Christmas let us light some candles in remembrance of the true meaning of Christmas:

Let us light the first candle for the Man whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day. May the fire from that candle light the world.

The second in honor of the gift of His love. May the light from this candle touch every heart - those who believe and those who do not.

Light the third candle in honor of your children and your family; for they are among your greatest gifts.

Light the fourth for your friends. For they, indeed, are among your greatest treasures.

Light the fifth for the less fortunate ones: For the mother who has no food to give her child; for the father who has no job; for the children who go hungry. May the glow from this candle guide our conscience.

Light the sixth candle for those who are suffering. For those who are ill, forgotten, lonely; for those who are homeless and are huddled on dark winter nights in the unseen corners of cities all over the world.

Light the seventh candle for us to remember the gifts that we have received: Those Good Gifts which we have been blessed with are gifts for all seasons lest we forget them when Christmas has passed.

Please visit this beautiful page it is exquisite.

I light this special candle every day of advent and all through the year
This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine.
My Dear Friend Has a New book published please go and share her joy

My Son with Santa..........
Circa 1980's
Led Zepllin Live from London England 2007
I was a huge fan when they began many songs such as this still melt my heart.

My Baby Sister is having a birthday today
She is 3 days before Christmas and my son 3 days after!

May Heaven smile of both of them and hear their every wish.

Merry Christmas

Where did the year go? Suddenly it is December ......again - and we realize that with giant strides we started in January and within a blink of an eye, 2007 is on its back! A big 'Thank You' to each and everyone of you, for the huge impact you had on our life this year. Especially for all the support and love we received.......without you, I'm sure that 2007 would have been extremely difficult. From our side we wish you all a Very Merry Christmas Season filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts. May 2008 mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love, Happiness and Bright Futures. And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love. To those who need money, may your finances overflow To those who need caring, may you find a good heart To those who need friends, I am still here for you . To those who need life, may you walk with GOD . Thanks for being my friend!! Thank you for the joy you bring to my world! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas

Loved, treasured, and adored in Heaven as you were on Earth
In loving memory always of my late beloved Mother!
I miss you more than words could ever say!

A Memory......

A gift of a moment in time.

My loved ones are the jewels in my life
Diamonds in my heart!

From our home to yours with so much love
I wish you health, peace joy and happiness and if you are lucky to
share your holidays with those you love
Tell them So.
What the world needs now is love sweet love.
Love is all you need and health too.
Christmas wishes to you!

There is always time in this busy season to show kindness. We probably won't come across a situation like this, but we can let a car into the lane, hold the door for someone loaded down with packages, or just smile and wish Merry Christmas to the harried clerk.

I wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

Psalm 55:22 --- you really need to read this.
'Friends are God's way of taking care of us.'
This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the 'quickie mart ' building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was ok.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was ok and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'don't want my kids to see me crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They live in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there..

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'

This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'

My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless, especially for the months left in 2007 , and I picked you.

Much more than four I would like blessed with God's richness!



Here is the prayer:

'Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and e-mail friends reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen.'

And So This is Christmas

Me and my precious Grandmother
December 19th, 2007

We'll be friends forever won't we Pooh?
asked Piglet
Even longer Pooh answered............
Family, faith, friends
May you be blessed with all and good health and good cheer
at Christmas and all through the year!

Our little neighbor friends enjoying the snow
December 2007

Sweet neighbor friend Snowman

My friends fabulous son bottom left
Christmas concert

Detroit Magic Radio Station Pajama Friday
Fabulous
They truly are MAGIC!
Lots of Pretty things posted again

And So This is Christmas

Christmas is a time of love,
A time of joy and cheer.
Christmas is a peaceful time,
That wondrous time of year.
A time of faith, a time of hope,
Of friendships much more true;
Christmas is a joyous time
When love shall come to you.



Christmas is a little child.
It's tinsel shining bright,
Frosted windows, snowy lanes,
Candles in the night.
It's Santa Claus and dreams come true,
So much that gladness sees;
It's holly wreaths and silver bells
And star-tipped Christmas trees.



Christmas is a place called home--
A door thrown open wide;
A crackling fire all aglow
And loving hearts inside.
It's happy faces, shining eyes,
Soft music in the air;
It's tissue, ribbon, cards to write
And secrets everywhere.



Christmas is a lighted church--
The very nicest part,
Believing in a special way
A prayer that fills your heart.
It's friendliness so much more real,
A blessing from above;
Christmas is the special time
We greet the folks we love.

~ Author Unknown ~

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only a few will leave footprints on your heart"

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one without any fear
God bless you all at Christmas and Always

Thursday Already!

Cheers darling............
Christmas cheer at the Nursing Home
Smile darlings she looks like me!

A little cat I have named Magic has adopted me
He or she not sure yet was waiting for food when we got home.
I hope I bring comfort and joy who all that touch my life!
I try and make a nice warm little cozy spot with a blanket in our back storage shed for this little
fur angel!

A cold snowy wintry December night
Santa loves this weather!

Our main floor bathroom with some Christmas accents

Fabulous~!
Sent to me by my fabulous friend Esther!
I love you Esther!

"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

-Earl Wilson

My dear friend Nancy has a sweet precious Sister who began her first chemo treatment

yesterday for ovarian cancer.

We have all been praying hard and keeping them all in our prayers this Christmas and always.

Please remember those that are suffering and sick and lonely

There are many!

Remember those in need

Spread love

Scatter Joy!

All summer long trees had grown tall and full,

roots deep in the rich island soil, branches yearning toward the golden sun.

The salt wind had blown in from the east, gilding the pine needles silver.

Everyone knew the best Christmas trees came from the north, with the best of all coming

from Nova Scotia, where the stars hung low in the sky.

It was said that starlight lodged in the branches,

the northern lights charged the needles with magic.

Nova Scotia trees were made hardy by the sea and luminous by the stars.

~An excerpt from a book I am reading

Silver Bells by Luanne Rice

My relatives in North Carolina

My inherited Sister Michelle and her gorgeous children.
She is like me her family is her jewels in life.

She is very very close to her children and is a most excellent Mother
Her husband is the same as a Father and loving husband to her.
We are both truly blessed
It all begins and ends with family!

I had a precious visit with my beloved Grandmother this morning.
We were talking about Mom and our loved ones in Heaven.
I told her
We only part to meet again.
~John Gay
She liked that.
I told her one day we will all be together for eternity in Heaven!
No sickness, no suffering just peace and bliss
and PURE HEAVEN!

Source of this painting unknown to me
I put this copy in my precious Grandmother's room
a most beautiful kind soul of a man that I know
from a religious store gave it to me today
when I went in there to purchase some holy medallions for my beloved Grandmother!

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Pink hues in the sky last night when we returned home................
Beauty abounds on a cold wintry night in December

Paintings from Heaven
last night

My Late Father's only remaining sibling his brother James and his wife
They reside in Europe
I am so glad I contacted the remaining members of my late Father's family.
There are only a few left...............

My late Sister Sharon left, my Aunt Mary me and my precious and beloved
Grandmother holding my baby Sister Debbie
who will be having her birthday December 22nd
My Son has been trekking through the jungle and is now
off on a diving adventure................
More Asian adventures for his life memory book.
Us we returned home to a nice clean driveway and walk
and our neighbor will receive 2 fresh salmon steaks today.
When kindness touches your world
be ever thankful!

Hark the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born king."
Peace on Earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
~ Charles Wesley,
Christmas Hymn
Beautiful photography site
He captured exactly what my husband and I saw on our recent trip.........
Brrrrr Winter Schminter!

I did not bring my camera as it was too cold and snowy to walk around
but this says it all.
Love you

We are Back

If YOU SEE A FAT MAN …

Who's jolly and cute, Wearing a beard and a red flannel suit, And if he is chuckling and laughing away, While flying around in a miniature sleigh, With eight tiny reindeer to pull him along, Then let's face it... Your eggnog's too strong!

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2008!

You'll Hear from me next week again

One of my most favorite pieces by an artist I adore
William Bouguereau

Provided we don't get a huge snow storm predicted
We may be leaving tomorrow until mid next week.
I will keep the handsome guy company on his business trip out of town.
Just so you don't worry darlings

Be safe and be well until I return.
I love you
Be Good!

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

The Lord led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large
pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of
stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'

It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. ; You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'

When Jesus died, he was thinking of you. Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.

I'm in the 7%. Remember that I will always share my spoon with you.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
For He has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The mighty one has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
Luke 1:16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn10FF-FQfs

My son has arrived safely at his tourist destination and is off to trek in the jungle
for 3 days.
Thank God for his laptop!
Giggles...........
Who would have thought of his adventures in his life
when I took this picture?

Happy moments shared in our backyard on Arlington
with 3 of my favorite people
My son being held by my precious Wendy and her husband Rob to their side.
Glorious people have blessed my life!
Thank you God!

Our Corey is a Star

Angels bless you Corey and all my lovely friends!

Corey is a Star
As posted on a sweet friends blog above link
once again Corey will be featured in a magazine.
You can read about it on my friend's blog.
She will be in the Victoria Magazine January/February issue.
I am rushing right out to buy mine today!
Yeah Corey................You have blessed my life and everyone whose life you have entered.
We are all lucky to know you!

Care and Love

My Baby Sister will be celebrating her birthday
December 22nd.........
Moments from a childhood party
Circa 1950's happy days era

Source of this photo unknown to me
Sent via email
Love is all you need!

Hop Aboard The Love Train
Love is all you need
Scatter Joy
Spread Love!
Keep the magic of Christmas alive all through the year!
The world needs more kindness and love!

Not sure if this works here in Canada heard it on the US Station.

Love you

I listen to Jim Harper from Detroit Magic Radio Station and he shared this on the radio and his online journal

Best Way To disable a stolen or lost cell phone

December 13th, 2007 by Jim

It will happen to everyone sooner or later…you lose your cell phone, or Heaven forbid, it’s gets ripped off.

Best Life Magazine offered this advice to save you from getting a phone bill for a bunch of unauthorized calls.

Key in the following digits into your cell:

*#06#

This will give you a special serial number, and if you call your provider and give them the number, they can disable your phone.

If it doesn’t work, call your carrier and ask them to help you obtain the serial number. Then hang on to it so you can report it if you ever need to.

It’s as valuable as Xeroxing your driver’s license and your credit cards.

Hope you never need it!

Take good care of yourself and those you love during this very busy time of year............

May the beautiful sentiments of this season last the entire year long!

The more we truly care, the more we'll come to know ourselves and others. Care provides the key to unlocking our potential and making it real."

Doc Childre and Howard Martin,
The HeartMath Solution

Happy Thursday

Beautiful
A soft snow is falling
I went to visit my beloved Grandmother early this morning.
I brought her a real little Christmas tree for her room and decorated it and
brought her gifts from us and my friends.
She was so happy and sends her love to you all
and says Thank You and Much Love
My Grandmother is the true meaning of Christmas
Love Joy and Peace
She is one fine lady!

God became man

Divinity arrived

It all happened in a most remarkable moment

A moment like no other

For through that segment of time

A spectacular thing occurred

God had come near

~Max Lucado

May His presence by your peace,

your joy and your light this Christmas and always.

To A Beautiful Person

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.

If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.

He sends you flowers every spring.

He sends you a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He listens .

He can live anywhere in the universe, but He chose your heart.

Face it friend, He is crazy about you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain.

But, He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

They always say that time changes things,

but you actually have to change them yourself."

- Andy Warhol

Polyp was Benign Darlings

DOING A HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!

I thank God for his love and blessings bestowed upon me and the love and prayers and cards and letters and love from you all.
It means so much to have you in my life
I love you all so very much!
Yahoo 2008 will be a very good year.
As is every single day we walk upon this Earth!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Source of this photograph unknown to me
It was sent to me in an email by dear Martha!
For my dear friend Tara.
Feel better soon and I hope a cup of good health is ever presented
to us both!
I love you!
Keep well my darling friend!
Please visit her journal
You will be enchanted!

My
"Believe" Tea Pot from which I always have a cup
of Christmas Tea
next to a wedding picture of my late Beloved Mother
and my late Father!

And the children were all nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of Sugar Plums danced in their heads!

Blessings
I love to read this every Christmas!

Please visit this site
A dear online friend has some beautiful Christmas messages.
This is her first Christmas without her husband who died
last January from cancer.
I pray for her and all those who mourn and will find the holidays
most difficult.
Remember those who are lonely and in need of cheer
not only at Christmas but everyday of the year.

A special prayer for all those suffering in this world!
A special prayer goes out to Juanita in Georgia too and my dear friend
Judy and her family!

Love Lives On

~ Amanda Bradley ~

Those we love are never really lost to us--
we feel them in so many special ways--
through friends they always cared about
and dreams they left behind,
in beauty that they added to our days...
in words of wisdom we still carry with us
and memories that never will be gone...
Those we love
are never really lost to us--
for everywhere their special love lives on.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;



The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;



The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,



But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.



And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.



But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Christmas Meme Magic from Shelley

Christmas Meme from my dear friend Shelley

1.What is your favorite Christmas carol/song?

Mary Don't You Know.......Or Mary Did you Know............

Merry Christmas Darling..................

Oh Holy Night Any song by Josh Groban and the Christmas song by Sting

Gabriel's Message

2.White lights or multicolored?
Both

3. Do you have a cut tree, live tree or an artificial tree?
A real tree on our Kitchen Table a small Norfolk pine, and an artificial tree, but we have had real ones in the past

4. Eggnog, mulled cider, or hot chocolate?
Pass on them as I do all sweets now...........

Nothing with sugar except fresh fruit for this gal!

5. Do you decorate your house with lights?
Yes

6. Do you write a Christmas letter?
I write hand written letters to many expressing my love

7. Do you like receiving Christmas letters/photos?
Photos. I adore and I also love to read Christmas letters.

8. What is your favorite Christmas story/movie?
Love them All

But Always Watch Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation

and A Christmas Story

9. Have you ever made a gingerbread house?
Yes once with my beloved Mother as a child

10. Poinsettias or holly?
Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus, inside our home, and Holly grows in front of our home

11. Do you display a nativity scene?
Yes, absolutely!

12. Do you bake Christmas cookies?
No

13. Ham or turkey?
Turkey and bringing a ham to my Sister's home for our dinner.......

but I eat turkey

14. In what languages can you wish someone a Merry Christmas (without cheating)?
Merry Christmas

French: Joyeux Noël

Hungarian - Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket / Kellemes

15. Do you know all the words to Jingle Bells?
I think so but the version may change each year.....giggles!

16. Do you put presents under the tree?
Yes but most importantly remember those in need.

We like to help out as much as we can.

Giving warms hearts......that is the Christmas Spirit!

17. How do you eat a candy cane?
Never eat them

18. What is your biggest holidays pet peeve?
Materialism, and not focusing on the true meaning

19. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Remembering those I love dearly both here on Earth and in Heaven.....and prayers.........
Going to mass and spending time with those I love

sharing love and peace with everyone...............

and embracing the true meaning of Christmas

20. What was the best present you ever got for Christmas?

My Son born just after Christmas in 1978

and the gift of magic of love and kindness and blessings that have touched my life

not only at Christmas but all year long.
The Gift of love and family and friends and my faith!

I pass this along to anyone who wants to participate!

Love Jeanne

Where do the years go to

It just seemed like yesterday my late husband and I held her
(my Dear Friend Elaine's son)
own small son in our arms.
We are his Godparents!

Life truly is a Circle Game

A recent photo of my dear friend her husband and Grand Angel

My dear long time friend Elaine and I had our Christmas lunch yesterday.
Our reunions are fabulous and wonderful

I love you Elaine and all your family.
God blessed me with people like all of you!

The Circle Game
Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like, when you're older, must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him,
Take your time, it wont be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
Therell be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

Joni Mitchell lyrics

Think Pink

Beautiful image courtesy of my darling friend Dani!

A Pink Mosaic I posted on my flickr pages

My Pink Dishes..........
Ooooh La La!

My Dear Friend Dani


My dear friend Dani is sharing my love of pink today.
I love to share my friendship with very special people like Dani!
I adore you and love you so very, very, much.
Merry Christmas my dear and precious friend!

She is the one who designs this lovely blog with all of her magic and talent
and love and fabulous talent.
I thank you a million times!

Logan's Calf

Family More Precious Than Gold

These are the three cousins mentioned below
taken a few years ago

My Three Cousins, Wayne, Pamela and Janice
with Santa
Circa 1966

It all begins and ends with family.
I love each and everyone of my precious family members!

I am the spirit of Christmas
Which is PEACE
I am the spirit of gladness - HOPE
I am the heart of Christmas, which is LOVE

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – lyrics

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

Logan's Calf
My Dear Aunt Pearl and Lee sent me this via email above link.
So very precious indeed!

Peace to you and yours at Christmas and Always

My Favorite picture of Angels a dear friend
bought me some years back!
Angels protect us all!

May Angels Protect

You
May troubles neglect you


On a Christmas Ornament a Friend Sent

PEACE:
To be free of worry and fear!
I wish you peace, health love and joy today and always.
Love Jeanne

So very pretty!

Peace

- Amanda Bradley

Peace will come when people live

In friendship, side by side,

And cherish understanding

More than hatred, greed and pride.

Peace will come when people see

All people as the same,

And no one has to live in fear,

In ignorance, or shame.

Peace will come when people

Who are needy can reach out

For shelter, food, or love,

And no has to do without.

Peace will come when people

Learn to listen and to care

About the rights and dignity

Of people everywhere.

Peace will come when love and trust

And kindness know rebirth,

And on that day all people

Will rejoice in peace on earth.

Have Yourselves a Merry Little Christmas

She Lives on Love Street

My fabulous niece Michelle whom I adore and her
glorious husband Rob.
How blessed we are with beautiful family and friends!
We love you all!

Keep the Christ in Christmas!

A beautiful flickr friend of mine always shares the most beautiful poems
when he places his photographs
I would like to share this one with you all.

Heaven's Gift
by Sandra A. Popp

Heaven's gift has come to man.
Mortal fate rests
Within tiny hallowed hands.
Shepherds singing, a shining star,
Angels proclaiming,
Kings bearing gifts from afar.
A scene of serene glory,
The weight of a holy hush,
The meaning of heaven\'s story,
\'Twas God\'s first CHRISTmas gift to us.

Who would recall the power of that day,
At the time when He was led away,
Bearing a crown, a robe, and fateful wounds?
Was He not the gift from heaven\'s womb?

Shall we turn from that holy day
And walk away unchanged?
Will we allow it to envelope our souls
Only to let it slowly slip away?

Through plastic, tinsel, parties and gifts,
Shopping, planning, and Christmas lights lit,
Can the simple gift be heard or seen,
Or does it quietly fade behind holiday sheen?

Let us not forget that He loves us so.
He loves us too much to let us go.
He sent a plan with His sacrifice
To forgive and cleanse and give us life.

Embrace the greatest gift of all;
Don\'t let your sense of the manger wane.
The gift of heaven is yours to receive.
It was the true reason He came.

We put up another tree in our sitting room
A smaller tree easier to manage
and we will donate our big big tree to charity!

My back door
Now in a home of lilacs, love and laughter
I finally know the true meaning of happily ever after!


She lives on love street
We had a lovely conversation with our son in Asia this morning
He leaves this Friday for his trip.
Love from my heart and home to yours this Sunday.
We are expecting freezing rain
So I am staying indoors decorating some more
Listening to Noel by Josh Groban that a dear friend sent me with this book
An Old Fashioned Christmas
A Special Collectors Edition

How wonderful to doing what you want when you want
and thinking of those you love!

Pass the Bliss

A fabulous photograph sent to me by my nephew Rob
of one of his 4 most handsome and charming sons.
Thanks Rob
What a golden gift you have
Happy healthy sons and a beautiful wife and family.
You are truly blessed!

A Reminder
For One More day is on tonight
From a Mitch Albom book

Expressionery


Praying

It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

* Mary Oliver *

As seen in the December Issue of O magazine
by Oprah the above Praying Verse

Pass The Cheer

My dear dear friend Elaine bottom right in this photo
We will have a Christmas lunch on Monday

Will have a nice Christmas breakfast with these two dear friends next week
and a Christmas lunch with my other dear friend
I'm eating very strictly on a schedule and very very healthy
I don't eat out much anymore.
Gave up Starbuck's latte's for good too.

Pretty Things

Lovely Things from a Lovely Family Acquaintance

Giggles for you ..........

To commemorate her 69th birthday on October 1, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music. Here are the actual lyrics she used:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth and glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Weak bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short, shrunken frames,
Remembering our favorite things but not our names.

When the joints ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad!

*(Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.) Please share Ms. Andrews' clever wit and humor with others who would appreciate it.

One More Day

My son at a dear friend's birthday party.........
She wanted to share her birthday kisses with him.
Of course I would want to spend everyday closer to my son.
He is living the life of enchantment so I must be happy for him......
We give our children roots and wings as the saying goes with our blessings!

I would spend a million more days with my beloved Mother in Heaven.

Love Lives On

Author: ~ Amanda Bradley ~

Those we love are never really lost to us--
we feel them in so many special ways--
through friends they always cared about
and dreams they left behind,
in beauty that they added to our days...
in words of wisdom we still carry with us
and memories that never will be gone...
Those we love
are never really lost to us--
for everywhere their special love lives on.

If you could spend one more day with anyone whom would you choose?
Mitch's Albom's fabulous book is being made into a movie
on this Sunday night Oprah Winfrey presents
One More Day

We are always on our way to a miracle.

"The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart;

This you will build your life by, this you will become."

- James Allen

O Holy Night

Our power has just come back on out since 4:00 AM.
Thank you for all the convenience of heat, making tea and things we take so much for granted...........

A quote from Mitch Album’s book “Tuesday’s with Morrie” “As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away….You live on…in the hearts of everyone you have touched….Death ends a life, not a relationship.”

Me and You 1982

Beary special times with Paddington Bear

My Son will be 29 December 28th.
Here we are with him as a 4 year old child.
He loved Scooter from the muppets
1982
Beach in Ontario

How can the years have so quickly passed?
He is my pride and joy!

Happy Wednesday

A cute little store near my home.........

Only the intelligence of love and compassion cn solve all the problems of life.
~Krishnamurti

World Clock


A soft snow is falling and Christmas carols are playing.
I put on the Christmas tree lights as soon as I get up at 4:00 A.M.
eat my breakfast pray, do my walk and begin the day with love.

I love you all
Jeanne
X0X0

Eat Pray and Love Being Made Into a Movie

Merry Christmas Darlings
Pucker up under the Mistletoes..........
Christmas Kisses Galore
Sparkling Sweetness and Sugar
spread it all over the land
Everyone is born with a great need to be loved
and never ever outgrows it!

Many have been enlightened by this most fabulous book...Eat Pray Love

.....I know I was.
Elizabeth Gilbert was once again on Oprah today.
The book is being made into a movie.
I am thrilled!

A dear friend in Brazil designs gorgeous clothes

http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/usc/www_usc_emi.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/12B9839E15B79548852572F400680A77?openDocument

To my fabulous friends at Christmas and Always

Me and my beloved
Christmas 2007

To all my precious friends at Christmas

and always

Thank you for your love and joy

and friendship at Christmas and always

Love Jeanne

To My Precious Friend at Christmas

For the Holidays and all through the year

One of the best feelings in the world comes from being a friend

And having a friend in return

I would not trade my friendship with you

For anything because I know that nothing else

Could ever begin to bring me the contentment the wonderful craziness the support and the caring

The laughter the understanding and all the thousands of things we share together

One of the sweetest feelings in the whole world

Comes from knowing that everything we share and the joy that graces our lives will warm our hearts forever

In all the days ahead

For no matter how far apart our paths may wander

And not matter how long it has been

It is so great to know that

You and I will always be the closest and dearest of friends

Merry Christmas my Precious Friend

Love you

Jeanne

National Geographic

Here Comes Santa Claus

Me with my Aunt Shirley and Santa Claus
1950's

My Sweet and Precious Sister Sharon
who has been in Heaven since 1985
taken with Santa in the 1950's
God bless you always my precious Sister
She is buried with my Mom.........
Together they share eternity.....with all our other loved ones in Heaven
Always in my thoughts and prayers

St. Nicholas is the patron saint of among others, children,
and pawnbrokers. That may explain why this Thursday is both
feast of St. Nicholas and National Pawnbrokers Day

As a baby name, Santa peaked in the 1920's at number 847
Rank of Rudolph in the same decade Number 136

Be good Santa is Watching!

http://www.blogwindsor.com/2007/12/03/first-day-of-snow/


My photo taken yesterday of our neighbors home where
their children built a precious snowman with snow business!
Giggles
it was featured through my flickr posting at above posted
Windsor Blog
Thank you so very much

High Flight

Memories of the Happy Days era I grew up in.......
Me the first child on the left sitting on the car hood
with my cousins and Grandma and Sisters
In front of my Grandmothers home where I grew up

Life of John Gillespie Magee who wrote one of my favorite poems:

High Flight

Information provided from a Google Search it was also in my Advent
Book of Prayers

John Gillespie Magee, Jr. was born in Shanghai, China, to an American father and a British mother who worked as Anglican missionaries. His father, John Gillespie Magee, was from a family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania of some wealth and influence—there is the Pittsburgh Magee Hospital and the Magee Building. Magee, disregarding family wealth, chose to become an Episcopal priest and was sent as a missionary to China and there met his wife - Faith Emmeline Backhouse. Faith came from Helmingham in Suffolk, England, and was a member of the Church Missionary Society. John and Faith were married in 1921, and John junior was born in 1922. He had an older brother, Hugh. Proud of their origins and wanting to provide their sons knowledge of their Anglo-American roots, John and Hugh's parents resolved to send them, when they were old enough, first to school in England and then to college in America.

John junior began his education at the American School, Nanking (1929-1931). In 1931 he moved with his mother to Britain where he continued his education first at St. Clare's near Walmer, Kent (1931-1935) and then at Rugby School (1935-1939) winning the Rugby School's poetry prize in 1938. In 1939 he moved to the USA to live with his aunt in Pittsburgh and attended Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Connecticut. He earned a scholarship to Yale University - where his father was then a chaplain - in July 1940 but did not enroll, choosing instead to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force in October of that year.

He received training in flying in Ontario at Toronto, Trenton, St. Catharines, and Uplands and passed his Wings Test in June 1941. He was sent to Britain initially to No. 53 Spitfire Operational Training Unit (OTU) in Llandow, Wales later that year and then to the newly formed No 412 Fighter Squadron, RCAF, which was activated at Digby, England, on 30 June 1941. The motto of this squadron was and is 'Promptus ad vindictam' (Latin: Swift to avenge). Magee was qualified on and flew the Supermarine Spitfire.

Magee was killed at the age of 19 when the Spitfire airplane he was flying (markings VZ-H, serial number AD-291) collided with an Oxford Trainer from RAF Cranwell flown by LAC Ernest Aubrey in a cloud at about 400 feet (120 m) AGL (above ground level) at 11:30 over the village of Roxholm which lies between RAF Cranwell and RAF Digby, in Lincolnshire, England. Magee was descending at the time. At the inquiry afterwards a farmer testified that he saw the Spitfire pilot struggling to push back the canopy. The pilot stood up to jump from the plane but was too close to the ground for his parachute to open and died instantly. Magee is buried at Holy Cross, Scopwick Cemetery in Lincolnshire, England. [1]. On his grave are enscribed the first and last lines from his poem High Flight:

"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth -

Put out my hand and touched the Face of God."

Part of the official letter to his parents read: "Your son's funeral took place at Scopwick Cemetery, near Digby Aerodrome, at 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, 13 December 1941, the service being conducted by Flight Lieutenant S. K. Belton, the Canadian padre of this Station. He was accorded full Service Honours, the coffin being carried by pilots of his own Squadron."

His biography was written by Hermann Hagedorn in the 1942 book: 'Sunward I've Climbed, The Story of John Magee, Poet and Soldier, 1922-1941.' Also bvb

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless falls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, nor eer eagle flew –
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Rabbit Rabbit

A very old photo of my baby Sister with my late Grandfather and
Lovely Grandmother taken on a Christmas Morning
in the 1950's

Smile it increases your face value!

A new month begins again.
Rabbit Rabbit to you all

Snowflakes are fragile, but look what they do when they all stick together!
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Accept the things to which fate binds you,
and love the people with whom fate
brings you together,
but do so with all of your heart.
~Marcel Aurelius

It's the first day of Advent today:

The Many Symbols of the Advent Wreath

The symbols of the Advent wreath should be explained to the children to make the service more meaningful and exciting for them. It makes certain teachings of our Faith visible, even touchable and is a very effective way to present these to children.

First of all, and most important, is the symbolism of light. The children will have surely noticed that in winter the days become shorter and the nights become longer. It should be pointed out to them that at Christmas this changes, and the days begin to get longer and the nights shorter. The progressive lighting of candles symbolizes the coming of the spiritual light of Christ into the world and anticipates the change in physical light which takes place at Christmas.

The wreath itself is round, a circle. This reminds us of the crowns worn by kings and of crowns made of laurel (bay) leaves presented to those who were victorious in the athletic games of the ancient world. It points out to us that Jesus Christ is our true King and that He is victorious over those things which would hurt us - evil, sin, and death.

The wreath, again, is circular and this is a symbol of the eternity of God, who, like a circle, has no beginning nor an end. The candles placed on the wreath remind us that in Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem, He who was eternal, the Son of God, entered into our world of time and change. (Theologians call this the “intersection of time and eternity”. How amazing that such a profound idea can be made visible by a few branches and candles!)

Point out to the children that the differing lengths of the candles show us the passing of time as we get nearer to Christmas.

Each candle on the wreath stands for a Sunday (and its following week) of the Advent season. Candles 1, 2, and 4 are purple. In the ancient world purple dye was very expensive and could only by afforded by kings. The purple candles tell us that the one whose birth we are preparing to celebrate is our true King. The rose candle (3rd Sunday) tells us that Advent is half over and Christmas is getting nearer and nearer. Its lighter color is a symbolic anticipation of our joy when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The Advent wreath is made of evergreens, which are symbolic of life itself and, since they last through the winter, point to God’s gift of life which comes to us even when the world is dark and threatening. Many kinds of evergreens can be used when we make the wreaths at Church. Others can be added later on at home. Each has its own symbolic meaning.

Pine , the most common evergreen, points to Everlasting Life.

laurel (Bay), which was used to crown those who won in the games, signifies victory.

cedar , because it is long lasting and aromatic, is symbolic of strength and healing.

Juniper , holly, and rosemary By legend these plants provided shelter and help for the Holy Family when they fled from Bethlehem to Egypt. The fragrance of rosemary, it has been said, began when the Virgin Mary laid out the Infant Jesus’ clothes to dry on this plant. The rosemary bush responded by perfuming the Christ Child’s clothing.

Holly . Its prickly leaves remind us of the Crown of Thorns. Its red berries remind us of the Blood of Jesus shed for us upon the Cross.

Ivy , since it is frequently used as a decoration, has always been a symbol of joy and festivity.