Chapter 12, Page 31, Book 08

THE FAIRY’S NEW YEAR GIFT

Two little boys were at play one day when a Fairy suddenly appeared before them and said: “I have been sent to give you New Year presents

She handed to each child a package, and in an instant was gone

Carl and Philip opened the packages and found in them two beautiful books, with pages as pure and white as the snow when it first falls

Many months passed and the Fairy came again to the boys. “I have brought you each another book?” said she, “and will take the first ones back to Father Time who sent them to you

May I not keep mine a little longer?” asked Philip. “I have hardly thought about it lately. I ‘d like to paint something on the last leaf that lies open

No,” said the Fairy; “I must take it just as it is

I wish that I could look through mine just once,” said Carl; “I have only seen one page at a time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks fast, and I can never open the book at more than one place each day

You shall look at your book,” said the Fairy, “and Philip, at his.” And she lit for them two little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw the pages as she turned them

The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that these were the same fair books she had given them a year ago? Where were the clean, white pages, as pure and beautiful as the snow when it first falls? Here was a page with ugly, black spots and scratches upon it; while the very next page showed a lovely little picture. Some pages were decorated with gold and silver and gorgeous colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still others with a rainbow of softest, most delicate brightness. Yet even on the most beautiful of the pages there were ugly blots and scratches

Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last

Who did this?” they asked. “Every page was white and fair as we opened to it; yet now there is not a single blank place in the whole book

Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?” said the Fairy, smiling at the two little boys

See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this page when you let the baby have your playthings; and this pretty bird, that looks as if it were singing with all its might, would never have been on this page if you had not tried to be kind and pleasant the other day, instead of quarreling

That,” said the Fairy sadly; “that came when you told an untruth one day, and this when you did not mind mamma. All these blots and scratches that look so ugly, both in your book and in Carl’s, were made when you were naughty. Each pretty thing in your books came on its page when you were good

Oh, if we could only have the books again!” said Carl and Philip

That cannot be,” said the Fairy. “See! they are dated for this year, and they must now go back into Father Time’s bookcase, but I have brought you each a new one. Perhaps you can make these more beautiful than the others

So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left alone, but each held in his hand a new book open at the first page

And on the back of this book was written in letters of gold, For the New Year

By Emilie Poulsson

GOOD MORNING !

We are supposed to have a bit of that ‘fairy dust’ today in the form of snow today. Hopefully the roads to and from work will be just fine and then I’ll be in for a nice long 4 day weekend. We get New Year’s Day off and then I took a vacation day on Friday.

I will thoroughly enjoy having another long break from work. Next week it will be back to work and back to normal. It will be a very long stretch til I have another vacation day. I don’t think there are any til April when camping season starts again. I’m trying to save them all for April through October so I can have nice long weekends at the camper.

There will be some special days coming up but not vacation days. 3 of my grand babes have birthdays in January. I may get to see 2 of them at the Stroll for Epilepsy that we do each year( It will be on the 31st of the month ) but one of them is very far a way so that will mean sending off a gift in the mail.

My youngest son also has a birthday in January. He’ll is the same age as my ‘dirty old ‘ bird. We don’t know when bird’s birthday was at all but they said she was 2 when we got her and DS#6 was 2 at the time.



I hope your enjoy your New Years. It will be a quiet one here. I watch TV and see the New Year come in if I can stay awake that long. I was up at 5 this morning as it’s a work day and that will make for a very long day.


THOUGHT FOR TODAY
A Year of Time
By Steven B. Cloud
As we look into 2009 we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.
The gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak—every man, woman and child has the same twenty-four hours every day
The gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak—every man, woman and child has the same twenty-four hours every day.
Another important thing about time is that you cannot stop it. There is no way to slow it down, turn it off, or adjust it. Time marches on.
And you cannot bring back time. Once it is gone, it is gone. Yesterday is lost forever. If yesterday is lost, tomorrow is uncertain. We may look ahead at a full year’s block of time, but we really have no guarantee that we will experience any of it.
Obviously, time is one of our most precious possessions. We can waste it. We can worry over it. We can spend it on ourselves. Or, as good stewards, we can invest it in the kingdom of God.
The new year is full of time. As the seconds tick away, will you be tossing time out the window, or will you make every minute count?
'On Ya’-ma
I wish you humor and a twinkle in the eye.I wish you glory and the strength to bear its burdens.I wish you sunshine on your path and storms to season your journey.I wish you peace--in the world in which you live and in the smallest corner of the heart where truth is kept.I wish you faith--to help define your living and your life.More I cannot wish you--except perhaps love--to make all the rest worthwhile.
Robert A. Ward

Chapter 12, Page 30, Book 08

"Where are we going?" said Pooh hurrying after him and wondering whether it was to be an Explore or a What-shall-I-do-about-you-know-what."Nowhere," said Christopher Robin.

So they began going there, and after they had walked a little way,
Christopher Robin said: "What do you like doing best in the world, Pooh?"And of course, what Pooh liked doing best was going to Christopher Robin's house and eating,

"I like that too," said Christopher Robin, "but what I like doing best is Nothing.""How do you do Nothing?" asked Pooh, after he had wondered for a long time.

"Well, it's what people call out at you just as you're going off to do it, What are you going to do, Christopher Robin, and you say, Oh, Nothing, and then you go and do it."

"Oh, I see," said Pooh."This is a nothing sort of thing that we're doing now."

"Oh, I see," said Pooh again."It means just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.

Through the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh we can soak up some invaluable lessons on simplicity and natural living

GOOD MORNING !

It seems to me that simplicity is something to be desired and worth striving for. A lot of people I know pack so much into their lives, that sometimes finding a quiet moment is hard to do. Not only do we clutter up our homes with lots of stuff, but we clutter up our lives with things that don’t really matter also. It pays to take a long hard look at what is really necessary. Some get so involved in things outside their family life, that the family gets left behind. Some get so overwhelmed with work that nothing else seems to matter. Balancing it all out is so important for our well being, both mentally and physically.

In our world many have an “I want it all’ disposition. Take it from me we just cannot have it all without consequences. I’ve learned to step back and evaluate many things in my life and when it comes down to it, I make do with a lot less than most folks I know and I’m probably more at peace that a lot I know too.

I do hope that you can have a peaceful day and not let any outside influences stress you out. Remember the story of Christopher Robin and just go along with what you need to do and don’t bother….

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Today I know that I cannot control

the ocean tides. I can only

go with the flow. . . .

When I struggle and try to organize

the Atlantic to my specifications, I sink.

If I flail and thrash and growl and grumble,

I go under. But, if I let go and float,

I am borne aloft.

Marie Stilkind

‘On Ya’-ma

For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.

T.S. Eliot

Chapter 12, Page 29, Book 08

Trust God’s all wise wisdom
And doubt the Father never,
For in His heaven kingdom
There is nothing lost forever

Helen Steiner Rice

GOOD MORNING !

If you’ve been reading my journal for awhile you know that I spend a good deal of time in the re-search department. Lost and Found is one of my favorite games to play. Well, I do never get bored for sure.

On this past Friday I received my official notification that I’m now signed up for Medicare. This is the health benefit provided to those 65 years of age. I am to hang on to this document incase I don’t receive my card when in March I’ll become 65 and entitled to medical benefits. Now I’m going to tell you that this document is in the top drawer of the little chest that sits by my TV. Just in case I cannot find it, you will all know where to tell me to look.

Since I’m still working and will be (God willing and the creek don’t rise) yet next year, I don’t get the full benefit until I retire. My work covers what I need with health insurance until I can no longer work. Retirement is coming in the future, but not just yet.

It is Monday , and it’s back to work for me today. It will be a 3 day work week though, and that is a wonderful thing.



When you lie down your sleep will be sweet
Proverbs 3:24

Why don’t you take a little nap
while I ice this cake I told my husband
He wondered off to the bedroom
As I stood at the stove with my mixer in hand I said
Are you lying down yet?
No, he answered… the sound of your mixer is too loud
I want to lick the bowl instead.

I took him his treat and when he’d finished
I told him he’d better lie down before he got cranky
He lifted his face for a kiss, an extra sweet one
There was icing on his lips

Although we’ve been married for almost 50 years, in some ways
my husband hasn’t changed a bit.

A shorten version of a story from Guide Posts 2009

Thank you Lord that even though our outer nature is wasting away
Our inner nature is being renewed every day

From The Bible
2 Corinthians 4:16

‘On Ya’-ma

Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them.

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Chapter 12, Page 28, Book 08

God has told us that nothing can sever
A life He created to live forever.
So let God’s promise soften our sorrow
And give us new strength for a brighter tomorrow

Helen Steiner Rice

GOOD MORNING !

I always start out each and every day with the hopes for something ‘brighter’ for sure. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. But we are to give thanks for everything.

We can focus on one positive thing a day. Be thankful for that thing all day. It could be as simple as looking at yourself in a mirror. I am thankful for my eyes. I like the color and I can see out of them just fine. There are people who can not see at all or can't afford glasses

Be thankful for the basics. The water that is pumped into your house everyday. The electricity you use daily- You will really feel this when the power goes out in a storm. Your bed, your car, your food in your kitchen, not everyone has these things. Appreciate what you have!

Yesterday I was blessed by going to visit DS#3 and his family. DS#6 and his wife were going to visit and asked me to go along with them. So the pictures today (in the side bar) are of them all and the fun we had there. It was (according to the daily trivia) Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day so we did do some of those and went out to dinner together. I love visiting but the distance between us all keeps those visits far and few in between it seems. I am thankful for the time I do get and do appreciate what I have for sure.

I’m off to church as usual today and will be saying extra prayers for all of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily but I feel those offered in church on Sunday are special ones. The good Lord does hear and answer all our prayers, but in his mysterious ways doesn’t always answer them in the way we think He should. We just have to have faith that He knows what’s best for us.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

And you will always give thanks for everything
Ephesians 5:20

That’s what my mother used to say .
You will write thank you letters for your Christmas gifts.

I recall the agony of gripping a stubby pencil and thinking What shall I say?
Mothers have probably been saying this since the beginning of time

So here is a solution. A form letter and all you do is fill in the blanks

Dear_________

Thank you for the _____________.

___It was beautiful
___Just what I need
___something I really like

Our Christmas was
___fun
___happy
___blessed

We had
___ham
___turkey
___meatloaf
___pizza

___Love,
___Sincerely
___Cordially
___Warmly

Your signature________________

Done! It may not be ideal but it is better than nothing.


May this coming year
Bring you lots of happiness and cheer
May this be a happy year
With only days that have no tears

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 12, Page 27, Book 08

When your nervous network
Becomes a tangle mess,
Just close your eyes in silent prayer
And ask the Lord to bless
Each thought that you are thinking,
Each decision you must make.
As well as every word you speak
And every step you take

Helen Steiner Rise

Life is a book in volumes three--

The past, the present, and the yet-to-be.

The past is written and laid away,

The present we're writing every day,

And the last and best of volumes three

Is locked from sight -- God keeps the key.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

It is almost time to start a new book with lots of blank pages and chapters to be read and I’m going to try my best to fill those pages with even more good things than I have in the past.

I am really looking forward to having a fresh start and saying good bye to this old eyar of 2008. This book of mine has been filled with many blessings and a few sorrows. Maybe the new one will find a mixture of both too, but we have to find our balance in all those things and try to remember only the ones

that made us smile.

Thank the good Lord the future is hidden away. We do not know what pleasures or pains lay ahead for each of us, but we are reminded that today is what counts for all of us.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little, soon-forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a heart-felt compliment, and the countless infinitesimals of pleasurable and genial feeling.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge


A new year is beginning to peak through

softly beautiful and different like new falling snow,

each day unique and shaped just for you.

Your life adding something as each day does grow.

My wish for your new year is beauty

and softness with surprises thrown in for delight.

Love for each day bringing happiness to you,

making your life a scene of sparkle and shining sunlight.

Author Unknown

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 12, Page 26, Book 08

THANK You, God, for the beauty
Around me everywhere.
The gentle rain and glistening dew,
The sunshine and the air,
The joyous gift of feeling the soul’s soft,
Whispering voice
That speaks to me from deep within
And makes my heart rejoice.

Helen Steiner Rice

GOOD MORNING !

After celebrating Christmas, we often have a let down feeling so my aim now and through the New Year will be to start your day with something positive. I’ve a new Helen Steiner Rice book so there will be one of her poems for you each day for sure.

And I’ve a new Daily Guideposts book that I’ll feature a little reflection from each day. There are many other little books around my table this year and I’m sure I’ll find some things to share with you from those too.

Besides all the things I find on line, I read a lot and am very thankful that my weakening eyes let me continue. My goodness, they do get a work out. I’m on the computer more often than not at work all day and then between the computer and my books at home the only time they are not in use is when I’m sleeping. I do have bifocals that have a special mid section that is made just for computer work. Isn’t it wonderful what modern science has come up with.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Let us not be weary I well doing,

for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not

Galatians 6:9

School is boring, No more school.

This came from Maggie who is an effervescent child that is bright, kind hearted and well behaved in school. One of the lessons Maggie has learned is that every day isn’t going to be filled with excitement no matter where she is going to be.

It’s a lesson I’m constantly working on myself. Some how the best I can give is the small but necessary task, no matter how boring it is.

Lord, help Maggie and me to face all the tasks

You give us with a Cheerful heart.

Story shortened just a bit from Daily Guideposts 2009

The new year, like a new born child,

is placed in our hands as the old year

passes away. The days and weeks to come

are God's gift; they carry God's blessing.

As a blessing we welcome them.

Our hope for the year ending is that all

that was good in it remain with us an

all that was harmful be left behind

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 12, Page 25, Book 08

My Christmas Wish For You

My Christmas wish for you, my friend

Is not a simple one

For I wish you hope and joy and peace

Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too

Throughout the coming year

Lots of laughter and happiness

To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one

And when totaled by the lot

May you find all you've been given

To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light

May your spirit never grow old

May all your clouds have silver linings

And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more

May all your dreams come true

May you have a Merry Christmas friend

And a happy New Year, too ..
I wish you a merry Christmas

:)

GOOD MORNING !

It is a special day today! The whole reason for all the preparation and work that we’ve done the month of December has arrived. First and foremost today I’ll be going to church to thank our dear Lord for his marvelous gift to us. I will be saying some extra prayers too as there are so many in need of them right now.

Too often we come up to Christmas eve and Christmas day, as well as the days after, with little or no time for prayer at all. Every moment, it seems, is filled with some preparation, some tradition, having people over to our house or going to others' homes. Even those who are home bound or those of us who might be alone these days sometimes have difficulty getting to the heart of the Gift offered us these days.

If we focus our attention, we can let many very ordinary parts of our days become prayerful and rich with grace. Imagine how different this Christmas would be if we let every handshake, touch on the arm, every hug, every kiss, be an opportunity - even for a few brief seconds - to turn to God in thanksgiving and with a prayer

This is the day that Christians have set aside to celebrate the beginning of the greatest gift mankind has ever received. Coming into the Christmas season with a grateful heart is essential if you really want to make the extension from Jesus's giving of His amazing gift to your giving and receiving

One of the great opportunities we have these days is to savor the Christmas season. Christmas is not a single day; it's a season. In our church it is a two week period


This is the proclamation made in many of our churches today

Today, the twenty-fifth day of December

Unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth And then formed man and woman in his own image.

Several thousand years after the flood,When God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant.

Twenty-one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah;Thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt.

Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges;

One thousand years from the anointing of David as king;In the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel.

In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;

The seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome.

The forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus;

The whole world being at peace,Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father,Desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming,Being conceived by the Holy Spirit,And nine months having passed since his conception,Was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.

Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh

From ancient times, this has been the way the Church begins its celebration of this glorious day. It offer us a sense of the place in history that the birth of our Savior has and invites us to rejoice

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Thought For The Day

A Christmas Prayer

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds,

and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift

and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning

make us happy to be thy children,

and Christmas evening bring us

to our beds with grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.

Amen.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee Born this happy morning... Son of the Father Now in flesh appearing. Oh come, let us adore him... Christ the Lord

‘On Ya’-ma

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?

Bob Hope

Chapter 12, Page 24, Book 08

The Twenty-fourth of December

The clock ticks slowly,

slowly in the hall,

And slower and more slow

the long hours crawl;

It seems as though today

Would never pass away;

The clock ticks slowly,

s-l-o-w-l-y in the hall.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

You all know that for me the family celebration is over, but tomorrow, Christmas Day, is the really important part of my festivities. I’ve given you lots to think about throughout the month of December. All those things were really daily reminders to myself too.

As much as I love journaling for my family and friends, I really find it avaluable way to keep myself on track too. Little stories and quotes jog my old brain to what really is important in life and help to keep my spirits up too.

Life is not always good to us, but we only have to listen to the news to realize how fortunate we are. There is always someone that is worse off and that needs our support and prayers. Sometimes it seems that only a miracle can help us. They are there everyday if we take the time to look.

I may not be able to explain the many wonders of God I see, but I enthusiastically accept them. I notice countless expressions of divinity, both large and small, offering transformation as they extend out to others with love and giving. The joy in a child's face, a mother's embrace, or a friend's willingness to help all leave me overflowing with awe.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God ..., 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace.'
Luke 2:13-14

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Christmas is…

By William Arthur Ward

Christmas is more than a time of music, merriment and mirth;

It is a season of mediation, managers, and miracles.
Christmas is more than a time of gaiety, greenery and gifts;

It is a season of wonder, worship and wise men.
Christmas is more than a time of tinsel, trees, and toys;

It is a season of preparation, prayers, and peace.
Christmas is more that a time of festivities, family, and friends;

It is a season of generosity, gladness, and gratitude.
Christmas is more than a time of carols, cards, and candy;

It is a season of dedication, direction, and decision.
Christmas is more than Santa, stockings, and surprises;

It is Christ, caring and concern.
Christmas can be the end of fear, and doubt;

The beginning of faith and hope.
Christmas can be the end of selfishness and strife;

The beginning of love and good will.
Christmas can be the end of pessimism and cynicism;

The beginning of belief and trust.
Christmas can be the end of emptiness and waywardness;

The beginning of happiness and purposefulness.

‘On Ya’-ma

I have always thought of Christmas as a good time; a kind, forgiving, generous, pleasant time; a time when men and women seem to open their hearts freely, and so I say, God bless Christmas!

Charles Dickens

Chapter 12, Page 23, Book 08

Christmas is for children. But it is for grownups too. Even if it is a headache, a chore, and nightmare, it is a period of necessary defrosting of chill and hide-bound hearts.

Lenora Mattingly Webe

GOOD MORNING !

I believe that Christmas is really for adults as much as it is for Christmas. We need Christmas every year to remind us of what we often forget.

Act like a kid. For example, consider all those holiday television shows and videos you loved to watch as a child. Somehow, you have not found the time to watch them for years. Well, this is the year to start that tradition once again. If you can, watch them with a child. However, it doesn’t matter if a child is watching the program with you. The important thing is to remember to be child-like.

Stock up on all those fun things that a child likes to have available while watching a video. For example, you should dress in your most comfortable pajamas, grab a cup of cocoa, and fill up a bowl with popcorn. Then, settle into your most comfortable chair with all the goodies and enjoy watching Snoopy decorate his dog house.
Now, apply that same principle to all of your holiday related activities. It’s all those little extras that will really add joy to the Christmas season

This is the season to be jolly, make merry, and recall the joy that can fill your life. The holiday season is the time to be child-like. It is a time to overlook life’s little irritations and be grateful for all the wonderful aspects of what has been given to you.

I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, and a joyous time no matter what holiday you will be celebrating.


THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Act Christmas
It is easy to think Christmas,

and it is easy to believe Christmas,

but it is hard to act Christmas

Anonymous

‘On Ya’ - ma

They err who thinks Santa Claus comes down through the chimney;
he really enters through the heart.
Mrs. Paul M. Ell

Chapter 12, Page 22, Book 08

Traditions add so much joy to the holidays. Traditions give a child a sense of belonging and identity. They strengthen bonds across generations and live long in memory.

A family rich in traditions has a powerful antidote to commercialism. The more focused you are on pleasures that cost little or nothing, the more all the gifts tend to stay in their appropriate place.

Best of all, many traditions are perfectly suited to today's busy families. Here are a few favorites

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Light candles at dinnertime.

If December mornings are dark where you live, light candles at breakfast, too.

At my house the candles on the the Advent Wreath are lit

Take an evening stroll or car ride to look at Christmas lights.

Serve warm chocolate with candy canes for stirring

Our Christmas traditions help us to reclaim those parts of ourselves

and make them a part of who we are as adults--if we let them

GOOD MORNING !

I know that when my children were growing up we did a lot of fun things at Christmas time, but now they have their own families and new ideas for ways to celebrate.

I found this article in FAMILY LIFE that had some good suggestions for those that are trying to establish family traditions of their own.

Every family is truly unique. What we do will not apply in every situation, but we've learned some principles that can help you negotiate the challenge of managing holidays

Be flexible. Perhaps occasionally, you will celebrate your family's Christmas a day or more early

Be brief. A short visit that ends on a positive note is better than a long stay that rubs someone the wrong way.

Be firm. Don't let nostalgia, the holiday spirit, or guilt-inducing comments sway you from doing what's right for your family

Be kind. Parents need children to be compassionate to them too.

Keep Christ central. Make Christ the focus of your holidays

Confront your memories. Holiday memories generally come in two varieties—good and bad. Both types can wreak havoc with your appreciation for Christmas's real meaning. If you have good memories, your expectations may rise so high that you end up disappointed with the state of your current experience. If your memories are bad, almost everything that happens around Christmas will renew your pain. Either way, it's better to deal honestly, openly, and prayerfully with your expectations about Christmas ahead of time

Set and keep a budget. Too many people get carried away with spending around Christmas. It often starts with a sincere desire to make children happy and then gets out of hand. Exchange gifts on a preplanned budget

Keep it simple. Christmas traditions don't have to be elaborate, and you don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy the season sincerely. Ultimately, love is all that is necessary

These are just a few ideas. The ones you come up with for your family will be better

Sometimes the traditions are handed down family to family, sometimes they are ones we make for ourselves, but all in all it is important to have them as they give us many happy memories in the years to come.

Christmas is more than one day in the year. I prepared for a month and will enjoy the memories for years to come.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Fail not to call to mind, in the course

of the twenty-fifth of this month, that

the Divinest Heart that ever walked the

earth was born on that day; and then smile

and enjoy yourselves for the rest of it; for

mirth is also of Heaven's making.

Leigh Hunt


'On Ya' - ma

Chapter 12, Page 21, Book 08

MY FAMILY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 20TH, 2008

Back row: DDIL#6 and DD

Middle row: Our Sweetheart, DDIL#1, DDIL#3, me DDIL#5

Front row: Our Princess and our Angel

Here is DDIL#6, our Princess and DD decorating cookies

Here are DS#1, DS#3, me, DD, DS#5 and DS#6

Here is our Star, DS#3, DS#6, DSIL, DS#1and Prince Charming and DS#5

DS#5 and his wife who kindly host our Chistmas get together

Here is DD with me

Here is me with 5 of my grand'babes

DS#6. his wife and their 2 dogs

DS#3 frosting cookies

DD and her hubby and their 2 dogs

DS#1 and his family

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December

A magical thing

And sweet to remember.
'We are nearer to Spring

Than we were in September,

'I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December."

Oliver Herford

GOOD MORNING!

In may seem as though winter is just about to begin, but, in fact, the darkest season is nearing its end -- at least astronomically! The Winter Solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year, will occur on December 21 -- and, at that point, the days will begin to grow longer again

So every year about the time of the winter solstice, as I make my way to and from work in the dark; when the sun seems pale and beaten during the day; when what the scientists now call Seasonal Affective Disorder or just a case of the glooms infects me; at the time of the winter solstice, at the shortest day of the year, you gotta party.

In my trivia for today I found out that it is LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE day . Look on the Bright Side Day is a day to be optimistic. The term itself is an optimistic one. It calls upon us to look for something positive, out of an otherwise bad or sad situation. Often, a bad experience has positive lessons to be learned

I do always try to do that and have learned many lessons for sure. More will be coming my way as they never seem to stop. I will be lighting the candles to chase away the gloom and letting my light shine with a SMILE today. It’s easy to give away and every one needs one to help brighten their day.

It occurred to me that we all have a light within us -- just likeChristmas lights -- that everyone sees. When we let it shine itreassures others, it makes them happy, and brightens an otherwise dimworld. Over time, looking at our light, others decide to light upthemselves as well. It is contagious

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

We celebrate the birth of our Redeemer.

It is a time of birth, of beginning. He began a path through the snows of life, a path without which our very spirits would be frozen in the ice of eternity. His is a warming fire--a refiner's fire--in days of cold. The days are coldest and darkest at the start of the winter months. The world had not seen darker days than those before our Savior entered the winter of his existence.

Yet he was the light, a light that shone in darkness. As surely as the days begin to be longer and brighter at Christmas time each year, so did the light of his influence begin to increase in the world. It is still growing, and will go on until it attains unto the perfect light--even the light of summer

Christmas is about Jesus who was born into our world bringing light and hope. We need support, love, companionship, friendship, light, hope and so much more

‘On Ya’-ma



Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration

is being wreathed in smiles.

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