Resolutions

OK, so I know everybody makes New Years Resolutions, and most people, (I said most people) don't do them for more than 30 days.

I know I am definitely guilty as well. But this year will be different. Hee! Hee!

The main reason it will be different is because this year I am making some reasonable resolutions. I am not going to vow to lose 20 lbs, because let's face it, Not Gonna Happen!

So here goes.

First, I am going to make time for God, every day. I have said that in the past, and then life gets in the way and I don't do it. But not this year. Surely I can take 15 minutes for the Lord, right? I can, I know I can, and if all else fails, I have a bible at work, I'll just do it on my 15 minute break that the law requires.

Second, I am going to exercise 5 out of 7 days per week. I was doing that, then Thanksgiving came, and went, and I just kind of, you know, stopped. But I have already started that back so I think that one is definitely doable.

Third, I am going to make a conscience effort to have more of a servants attitude. After all, it isn't about me.

Last, I want to try to pay more attention to my kids. They are teenagers, and honestly, we do more stuff as a family than most teenagers they know, but I guess I just want to listen more to what they have to say.

So that's what I've got.

How about you? Anything you want to share?

Christmas Vacation

Over the Christmas holiday's I actually managed to get quite a bit of things accomplished.

My daughter got her braces off, YEAHH!!!!

I painted my bathroom, pictures to come.

We had a holiday basketball tournament that lasted 3 days and we won our first game.
(I know, not really a banner season.)

I cooked my first dish from my new cookbook.

Cowboy Calzones, it was GREAT!!!

I had a great Christmas, really good, we got together with our families and we still managed to leave liking each other. (Not that that is unusual or anything.)

I am looking forward to a great year next year. I have decided to post my New Years Resolutions so that when someone catches me doing something I said I wouldn't do anymore, you might stop me. Or not.

Christmas Images

Just some of my favorite things about the holidays



Christmas trees!!!

Gingerbread houses. (And sweet girls).

Pretty decorations.

Candy!!


All of that is great, as long as we remember what it's really all about!

What a dissapointment!

Well, as usual, we were disappointed in the amount of snowfall we actually received. While they call for 6 inches, we get 1-2.

I did leave work about 15 minutes early on Friday, (so I wouldn't get stranded).

It was beautiful while it was falling, but I really wanted enough to play in, like sled, build a snowman, you know, PLAY!

But that's OK, on Saturday, I baked goodies for Mr. Wonderful's co-workers, and watched Christmas movies, ALL DAY!

It was actually a pretty good day, if it wouldn't have been for the kids bickering that there was nothing to do, it would have been a great day.

Awwww, kids are such a blessing, and a test.

Any hoo, Not much snow = cabin fever = bored kids = crazy mom's.

*I have pictures of the snow, but I have been too busy shopping to put them on, so I will try to do that later.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

They are actually calling for an accumulation of snow here!

This really isn't what we call normal winter weather here, and we may not see it again for another 5 years, or more. So when they really think we will get more than a dusting, people get excited!!

Luckily, today is the last day for most schools, and the kids will be home anyway, so why not enjoy some snow.

I really hope we get some snow! I hope it's enough that it looks like this! I've been to the grocery store, so I have all the necessities I could possibly need. But, there's only one bottle of wine so I hope the roads are still OK for travel, after all that's just enough for one snowy night.

Maybe.

What would you like?

OK, lets just pretend that you could have whatever you wanted for Christmas, what would you ask for?


Would it be one of these?



Or maybe one of these.
Maybe it would be one of these.

What's on your wish list?

Favorite Christmas movies

I don't know about your house, but at our house around the holidays there are a few MUST SEE movies that I just have to watch for it to really feel like Christmas.

The first one is It's a Wonderful life. I just love that movie, sometimes I watch it even when it's not Christmas and it still makes me cry every time. I love how innocent Clarence is. And how George really thought people would be better off without him. Great, Great movie.

I also have to watch Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. This is just a classic, funny, Christmas movie. Love it!!! Who wouldn't love cousin Eddie?

We also make a habit of watching A Christmas Story. It's just as much a classic as Christmas Vacation. HO! HO! HO!

And even though I probably shouldn't, I love the cartoons that come on every year, the old ones, like Peanuts Christmas, and The Year without a Santa Claus. You know, the good ones.

When we were growing up, we would go to my Grandmother P's for Christmas eve, and open presents with my Dads side of the family. We would eat supper and when we all would gather in the living room to open presents, we would read the Christmas story from the bible. Of course as a kid, we just wanted to get to the present part, but even then, we knew it was an important part of why we got to open presents in the first place. When we were done we would be sitting around watching some Christmas cartoon, not sure which one, but I do remember the Santa radar that would come on and tell us where Santa was. I think they still have the Santa radar.

It was one of my favorite things about Christmas.

Do you have any favorites?

What Christmas means. . . . .

I subscribe to a e-letter from Proverbs 31 ministry. Today's was something that I was just thinking about, how we "over do" Christmas. Christmas is about love, family, genuine caring that doesn't have to come in a box.

As my kids get older, it is so easy to see how caught up we can get in trying to keep up with the Jones', by getting them the latest and greatest gadget. And I hate to say it but the more they get, the less grateful some of them become. When we were growing up, there were 4 of us kids, and my mom didn't work so that she could be at home with us. So we did good to get a few things per child. But we didn't care, we never knew that we got any less than any one else. We had each other and a whole lot of love. That's what God wants for us, love, relationships, and genuine caring for him and each other.

I hope it means as much to you as it does to me.


"For where your treasure is, there your heart is also." Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

It was 38 degrees when I woke the day after Thanksgiving. Yet, willing to brave chilly temps and frenzied crowds in search of crazy deals, I headed out shopping.

As I walked the aisles past slick gadgets, plush robes, and animated toys, one thought kept coming to my mind: The gifts we long for—the ones we ask for, save for, shop for, and wrap up in shiny paper with bows—will disappoint, eventually. They will age, wear, scratch, stain, fade or break. They may even get lost or stolen. Not long after the shiny newness wears off, the realization sets in that these objects don't provide the lasting happiness we'd hoped they would.

Am I a Christmas scrooge? Not at all! Beneath my tree sits several lovely gifts I look forward to giving my family. And I'm hoping one will appear there for me before Christmas Eve. But this thought, this realistic view of the contents of those packages, helps me keep the material aspects of this holiday in perspective — eternal perspective.

It's so easy to get caught up in the commercial fervor that is Christmas. It's easy to think we must show our love through bought gifts. But often a warm hug and some relaxed hospitality, time spent together on a hobby, or a letter detailing your appreciation would mean so much more than another coffee mug or gift basket. And for those of us facing hard financial times this year, that's welcome news.

If I could give you one fantastic gift today, I'd take your hand and cause us both to travel back in time some 33 years after the birth of Christ. We'd sit together on the hillside and listen to Jesus teach the Sermon on the Mount. We would hear our Savior say , "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV).

Perhaps hearing it from the Savior's lips would help us believe that it's important what we treasure. It's important where our heart is. And to remember that the objects we ask for, give, and receive are temporary, just like the pleasure they bring.

God, however, gives gifts that are eternal. They never age, fade, deteriorate or fail to delight. He gave the gift of love with a baby in a manger. He gave the gift of truth through the teaching of Rabbi Jesus. And He gave the gift of eternal life in the form of the crucified and risen Christ. God gives the best gifts!

I found a few good deals at the mall that early Friday morning, but no thing like the deal I found at a little church almost two decades ago when I met this risen Lord and exchanged my sins for His grace.

In the days of the Bible, times of great joy were frequently accompanied by the giving of gifts (e.g. Nehemiah 8:10; Esther 9:22; Revelation 11:10). This ancient custom, practiced in all nations throughout history, finds its greatest expression today at Christmas. As we participate in gift-giving this year, let's follow God's lead and look for ways to also share love, truth and the path to eternal life with those we care about. Perhaps we can help another to find the greatest gift of all, or to treasure it rightly.

*This came from Proverbs 31 Ministries daily devotions.

Mountain trip

Here we are after hiking to the top!



This is where we stayed. You will see on the next picture one of the reasons I love this place so much!!!
These beds are like sleeping on a cloud people!!!


This is Louise's, it has the BEST homemade jelly in 3 counties!

One of the waterfalls we saw on out hike.



This is at the bottom of Linville Gorge. It was just beautiful!

I'm still here!!

We got home from the mountains Sunday afternoon, and we have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off since then.

I have come to the conclusion that when you pick out your tree while standing on the mountain, you need to remember that your living room is much smaller than the great outdoors. Our tree stands about 8 feet tall, and it looks like it's about 4 feet around when you walk in the door and see it.

But that's the fun part of getting your Christmas tree isn't it? I mean that and putting on the lights, of course.

Our trip was amazing!!!! I have some great pictures but I haven't had time to put them on yet due to Basketball, and Senior projects and just stuff.

We went hiking to what felt like the bottom of what felt like Mr. Crumpet, but once we got to the bottom it was breathtaking. So the next day, we hiked to the top. Another beautiful sight. God does good work!! After we recouped from our hiking we went to Sugar Plum Farms to get our tree.

While we were there, both husbands slipped in the mud. Hee! Hee! Hee!
One was laughing at the other one when he fell. Men, they are so silly aren't they?

Pictures to come tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Earlier this week my friend directed me here, to read a post about Thanksgiving. What a great post, and an even better challenge.

So while I am trying, diligently, not to sweat the small stuff and to focus on the Good stuff, here are a few things I am truly Thankful for.

I am so Thankful for my family, while we definitely aren't the Walton's, we do love one another.

I am thankful that my mom still gets us together weekly for supper with my siblings. It is a tradition I hope never ends.

I am thankful for my job, and my wonderful co-workers. Even though I sometimes complain, not much really, I am blessed with my job situation.

I am thankful for my church family. Whenever I need something, anything, I know I can't count on them. Along with them, comes my friends. I have great friends that I know if I needed something they would not hesitate to help.

I am thankful that I live close to my family. My mom and I live on the same dirt road, and my brothers aren't far away. My husbands family is also close by. Double blessing!

My kids are healthy, and pretty good kids. My husband is a good guy (most of the time), and I am lucky to have him. (And he I).

I am certainly thankful for God's amazing grace that saves us all!!

What are you thankful for?

Holiday Traditions

After a Thankful, HUGE, Thanksgiving at our house, we will be heading off to the Beautiful mountains of NC to get our Christmas Tree.

For about the past 5 years, we have been going to the mountains and getting our Christmas tree.

It started by accident, we just happened to be at a friends house in the mountains and it was right before Thanksgiving, and we couldn't help but see all the Christmas tree lots with so many BEAUTIFUL trees. What was amazing to us, was the trees were so much cheaper there than they were if we would have bought them at home. And so the tradition began.

This weekend will mark our 6th annual Christmas tree trip. We have been staying for the last few years here, because they offer a "Christmas tree package", and we have loved it. The people here are so nice, and the beds are soooo comfy!! They have those down comforters, oooohhh, I just love them.

When we first went, my brother and his family would go with us, it was so much fun, we would find different places to stay and ride around until we found the perfect tree. If the weather is good we like to go hiking. One of the best times we had was when we went and stayed in an old cabin with no TV and the kids actually had to have CONVERSATIONS with us. A whole new concept for teenagers. That was a lot of fun, that place was right on the river so that was nice. And of course we have been when it rained, but we still had a good time. The last few years it has just been my family going and our kids don't think we're that much fun. Imagine that.

This year one of my Beach Girls and her family is going and I can't wait. We are going to have a ball. I just hope the husbands can handle it. I am going to take lots of pictures so you can enjoy the experience right along with me. My oldest is 17 and he thinks he is graduating out of this kind of thing. I hope he never stops wanting to go, but he is growing up and I suppose we should want them to be independent. Shouldn't we?

So, what are your traditions?

While making wreaths. . . .

A few weeks ago I was sitting in my living room floor putting together a wreath made with Christmas ornaments like you've seen on other blogs. Then I remembered seeing a picture of a garland made with ornaments that looked kind of like this.




With that, I decided when I was done with my wreath I would tackle one of those, I mean, how hard could it be, right? So I had all of my supplies on the living room floor.


So I set out to make something just as pretty as the other one, and believe it or not, it was!!!
I wanted to use plum colors and I happened to buy a whole box of plums and greens at Wally World and just look at how it turned out.



I had to sit it on the mantle, just to see how it would look, and I absolutely love, love, love it!!

I know there aren't any more decorations but this was Halloween time when I did it, I just got so excited I had to show it off.

** I used floral wire to string them on. Also, I linked up with A Soft Place to Land.

Prayer Cards

The other night, just as I was about to settle in to watch Criminal Minds, I really like that show, my husband decided to chime in and comment about all the crap on TV, and that we should be watching PBS.

I am not a hater of PBS so I agreed to turn it to the station. It so happens that night the show was about religious caves in Tibet. These caves were built into the sides of mountains and really were pretty fascinating. But one of the things that really caught my attention were the relics they found in the caves.

Some of the caves were specifically set up for burial, which apparently was only for the high religious leaders. The other bodies were disposed of via vultures. That's right, I said vultures. They had a specific rock, with tools for chopping, and they proceeded to chop and the vultures ate the remains. They still had some knives there for chopping.

Anyway, some of the caves were living quarters. I have to admit it really was interesting. I reluctantly watched to begin with, then I found myself captivated. (Probably the knives.) One of the items they found were Prayer cards. People would write their "Prayers" on paper, fold them up and put them in a special place. Because back in the day, it was sacrilegious to throw them away so they saved them.

So, with that I had an idea.

My daughter has struggled with something/someone in her life and makes her feel intimidated and uncomfortable.

Every day, she asks me to pray for her, which I do, but I immediately said to her, we will do that for you. I will make you some prayer cards that you can take with you.

She jumped right on it and I was actually suppose to do it yesterday, but didn't get around to it, so today, I am making them.

Now, the old Prayer cards were written in Tibet, and I have no idea what they put on there's, I guess it could have been what they were praying for, or to, because they were mostly Buddhist (I think).

So I am going to put encouraging scripture on hers. I want her to feel free to be herself, and have fun. When someone says something ugly, let it go. Remember what God says about you, that's what is most important.

I probably wouldn't be writing this if I had watched Criminal Minds. But I still like the show.

What a difference Faith can make

Sunday, our Sermon at church was about Hannah and Samuel. He started off talking about how Hannah had always wanted children and yet she wasn't able to have any. Hannah's husband Elkanah also had another wife named Peninnah. (Apparently not uncommon, though frowned upon today.) Peninnah teased Hannah to the point of tears. Hannah went to the temple to pray, she was so overcome with grief over not being able to bear children she couldn't even eat.

While she was there, as she prayed she asked God to give her a son, and if he would, she would give him back to the Lord. While she was praying and crying, the priest thought she was drunk. When she explained her situation to him, he understood and said "may God grant your request."

After that Hannah's whole attitude changed, she was no longer sad, she was eating and had a whole new attitude. In time, Hannah had a son, and she was true to her word, when he was weaned she sent him to live with the priest at the temple. She completely gave him to the Lord.

What a woman!! I am completely in awe of how Hannah took her son to live at the temple when he was probably very, very young.

Another amazing thing was how her attitude changed the minute the priest gave her his blessing. She was completely at ease and she had the attitude that she would be getting pregnant. She knew it in her heart, that God would take care of it, in his time.

One of the things the Preacher talked about was how powerful prayer can be when it is in line with what God has planned. Look at what Samuel was to become. And Hannah went on to have more children. God's plans for us now, probably don't really seem like plans at all. Why are these things happening to me, why now? Well, we can't see the end result, not yet. But there is a reason. We just have to have faith, and trust. Like Hannah.

Let's be Hannah, we can pray about whatever it is we feel like we need, give our prayer over to the Lord. Completely, don't worry over it any more!

Have faith, in his time, your prayer will be fulfilled.

Ta-Da!!

This is the before chair. Blue, filthy and just yucky!!!!


Can you see the dirt on these chairs?

I have wiped them down and sanded them.








And these are my finished product, man, is there anything a good can of spray paint can't fix? I am going to spray them with polyurethane to make them hold up a little better. (That was Mr. Wonderfuls' suggestion.)


And this sweet thing was waiting to greet me when I was walking up the steps!!
SAVE ME NONNY, SAVE ME!!!!!!!!!

I linked up at Trash to Treasure at Reinvented!!!

New Project!!

I am in the process of working on some chairs that I got out of my mom's building.

I love the look of the chairs, but they are blue, and really dirty!

Not that there is anything wrong with a blue chair but I wanted to paint them, so on Monday, I will show you the finished project!!

I know, the anticipation is killing you isn't it.

You have to wait.

In Honor of Our Veterans

Because of their sacrifice, we are free. Free to choose our own religion, free to protect ourselves. Free to travel anywhere in this US we want.

Thank you to all the service men and women who have served, or are serving, a huge, heartfelt Thank You!!!!

I don't like Spiders and Snakes!!

This morning as I was working out with my Jillian tape, I noticed a spider.

He (or she) was slowly making their way on to the rug that I was exercising on, I was starting to panic a little because I DO NOT LIKE BUGS!!!!!

I asked myself, What would Jillian do?

So, I smashed the guts out of that spider!!! Sorry, I am not one of those people who will try to scoop it up and put it outside. If I were to do something like that it would just jump on me outside and I would end up screaming like an idiot. Besides, it was a big spider.

So, after ridding myself of the spider, and continuing on with my exercising of course, I started to wonder. Why do bugs bother me?

I guess it was something that could have happened in my childhood.

I really don't remember any traumatizing moments with bugs, except once when my cousin caught a katy did (That is like a giant green grasshopper, and no, it isn't a praying mantis), and he kept telling me he was going to put it in my hair and it would lay eggs in there.

I know, I know, everyone wants to be in my family don't they? So kind, and loving.

Anyway, we were probably 15, or 16 when that happened so I guess that couldn't have done it, could it?

Maybe some people just don't like bugs, like some people just don't like cats. (You know who you are.)

I guess that's what makes the world go round. No, that's love that makes the world go round.

Trusting

Sometimes in life, we get disappointed. It is part of life, no one is immune to it. That is what makes it so difficult to watch people you care about get built up for something, only to be let down.

This is where faith, and trust come in. It is so easy to trust God when things are going along just like we want them too, but let something come along that wasn't planned and that's when we are really tested.

Even though we trust God to get us through every day, when he mixes it up a little we tend to ask him why. When something messes up our routine, or we are simply out of our comfort zone, it makes us anxious.

We forget that we are not in control, not of anything. That is hard for us to understand sometimes because society tells us we are. Luckily for us there is someone much wiser in charge. He knows what we need, and that is enough.

This week someone I cared about was disappointed, and my heart broke for them. But it was something that we had prayed about, together and separately, and if it was meant to be it would be.

Trusting God all the time, even when we are disappointed, hurting, scared, and feel alone, can be a challenge. But without him we couldn't even get through the good days.

No, the Lord is all I need
He takes care of me.
My share in life has been pleasant;
my part has been beautiful.
Psalm 17: 5,6

Everything I learned. . . .

The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me,
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou annointest my head with oil
My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and Merci shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.
Psalm 23


The other day, I was listening to something on the radio that was pertaining to what our kids were learning in school.

I thought about all the things kids learn about now in school, and some of the things they don't learn.

For instance, every morning in Elementary school, we would recite the 23rd Psalm. EVERY DAY!

We would also say the Lords prayer and the pledge of allegiance.

Now I know that after 9/11, a lot of schools began doing the pledge of allegiance again, but I don't know that they still do. I am talking about public schools here, I feel sure private or Christian schools do this.

What are we teaching our kids now? I have to say that I have two teenagers and I can tell you what they don't learn.

What has happened to learning how to write? The schools spend very little time teaching kids to write. When I was in school, fourth grade to be exact. We had specific times designated to help us learn to write our letters correctly. If there was something we had trouble with, we got extra help.

How about spelling? We did spelling all through middle school. I am not sure that kids are really getting the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic. I think because of all the new testing, and No kid left behind stuff, that kids aren't getting the basics that they need.

Kids need to be taught how to balance a check book. How to write checks. How to write letters. How to be respectful.

Maybe if they were still able to recite the 23rd Psalm things would be different. Maybe.

Conversations

Yesterday, at church I overheard a conversation between a Grandpa and his Granddaughter.

She is probably 6 or 7. Here is how it unfolded.

First let me set the scene, another Grandparent was holding her Grand baby, you know showing him off which is exactly what Grandparents are suppose to do. While everyone was oooohhing and aaaaaahing over the baby this is what unfolded.
*Please note the abbreviations.

GP: One day, I want you to have a Grand baby like that so I can hold him. But now I don't want that to happen till you are 25 or so.

GD: Why do you and Grandma argue?

GP: Me and Grandma don't argue.

GD: Yes you do, like when you are in the car going somewhere.

GP: That's not arguing, we are just having a disagreement. Everybody disagrees sometimes.
When we disagree, then we just discuss what we should do. We aren't arguing.
There isn't anybody who doesn't disagree sometimes. Everyone does that.

GD: Do they argue? (Pointing to someone)

GP: Yes, everyone does.

GD: I bet there are people in that book that argue. (Speaking about the bible)

GP: Probably.

Now I have to say that when the conversation first started, I did get the giggles. When Grandpa was going on about how they weren't arguing they were just having a discussion. I really almost lost it. I couldn't stop thinking about all the time I had had a discussion with my husband in the car.

I just thought that was so funny! And I don't know how the conversation went from grand babies to arguing. That's kids for you.

Later on, you know how the kids will go up to the front for a little childrens message. All the kids went up front. The message was about fishing for men. The lady up front happen to have a fishing pole, she said if I use worms to catch a fish, what would I use to catch men.
One very smart child said chocolate. Another threw out candy. But I definitely think they were on the right track, you will surely need food if you want to catch a man.

Kids really do say the darndest things don't they?

Happy Halloween!!!!

Just a few Halloween memories! I know some of the pictures aren't straight, but I think they are still cute!!

When I stayed at home, we would have a big party and even a hay ride!



Even when they were getting older, we still like any excuse for a party!!!


EEEEeeeeeeekkkkkk!





Aaawww, A princess!



























They aren't really in order, as you can tell, but I am in a hurry and I just wanted to get them on.

I hope you have a safe and fun Halloween!

I'm off to get the door, I have my first Trick-or-treater!!!!