Chapter 12, Page 31, Book 10

Help me see the possibilities each new day brings. Give me the zeal and anticipation of the New

Year with every new month, new day, new minute, and new second of my life.

It's FANTASTIC Friday and New Years Eve.

I put this photo of me on my blog so you all could see me SMILE. My laptop lets you take pictures of yourself and lets you edit them. The option I choose was called Comic...it shades and highlights the way you might see in a cartoon. Appropriate don't you think? If you look at the right side of my face you'll see a dimple there. It's a family trait, that dimple. Mine is not as deep as some of my grand babes though, I always know that when I see those dimples someone is really happy.

As you all know my blog is done in book form. Each Chapter is a month, each page is a day and each book is a year. I'm making the final entry in Book 10 today. Then I'll close this book and open a new one. Book 11 has nothing but empty pages right now. I can't even try to imagine what might be written. Life is like a mystery story and sometimes I can hardly wait to turn the next page.

But today is what is important, so we won't spoil it by thinking about tomorrow. As we listen to the bells ring out the old year and ring in the new, let us hold our loved ones tightly before beginning our walk into the New Year.

After years of anticipating coming days and reflecting on those in the past, I've learned that making the most of the present moments we spend with our families is what brings the greatest joy. Always remember that today is the tomorrow you wished for yesterday.

I try to stay up New Years Eve until Midnight so I can watch the ball drop in Times Square on the TV. Most of the time the members of my families will be celebrating at parties or in their own homes. Some will call at Midnight to say Happy New Year and some will call tomorrow.

I'm always invited to join them but I have a hard time joining one and not the others so I stay home. One thing about having such a large family is that times together for all of us is getting more and more difficult. Right now a quiet evening at home is an enjoyable thing for me and preferable to a party anyway. If I doze off no one will be the wiser.

This ends my book for 2010. Tomorrow we'll start a new one with fresh clean pages just waiting to be filled in.

I'm sending love and good wishes to you all for the New Year ahead!

May today be all you need it to be. May the peace of God and the freshness
of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and
conquer all your fears. May God manifest himself today in ways you have
never experienced! May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and
your prayers be answered. I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I
pray that your territory is enlarged. I pray for peace, healing, health,
happiness, prosperity, joy, true and an undying love for God.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 12, Page 30, Book 10

These little sled ornaments were for my granddaughters. I used silver paint on them to make them sparkle because that is what my beautiful grand daughters do...they sparkle!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

One of the simplest ways to change your mood or mental outlook is to remind yourself of all the good things in your life. Reflecting on how far you have come, what you have already accomplished, and what you have learned, can be very encouraging.

Appreciating your dearest friends, your closest family members, your favorite possessions and of course yourself can bring a smile to your face.

If you need a lift or an attitude adjustment, try to appreciate and reflect on the good things. Count your blessings. It can be done anytime and any place.

Smile at life, even when life has not smiled at you first. Count your blessings, and before you're finished counting you'll have even more.

2010 has been a very good year for me. I am thankful for all the many blessings I've received this year and there is just no end to the list here at my house.

There is a lovely saying that says: 'A good friend is hard to find and when you find one good and true, don't change the old one for the new.' Today I thank God for my family and friends. I thank God for their friendship and support. May I never take them for granted.

It's been a year to be THANKFUL for at my house, I hope that in someway it's been one that you can be thankful for too.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 12, Page 29, Book 10

I painted these sled ornaments for each of my grandson's. I did paint a different one for the 3 newest little boys but forgot to get a picture. I'll have to see if one of my sons will send a picture to me so I can show you later. Tomorrow I'll show you what I painted for the grand daughters.

Wonderful Wednesday

Over the years, I've found that our emotions and our money, prey upon us countless times each day.We see people in advertisements looking beautiful, young, sexy, and happy while using various products and we want to feel that way too.

But there are a lot of ways to boost your moral with out spending loads of money. Very often what we already have are our best sources of feeling the very best we can be.

For instance I get an immense amount of joy from the act of blogging and I send out a daily e-mail fo my friends and family. Living alone it gives me a way to keep in touch with all of them. Being a lone is a way of life that I don't recommend to anyone but this is the circumstance of my life right now. We are supposed to bloom where we are placed and doing this has become a challenge to me. I have accepted the challenge and try to make the most of it.

Crafting keeps me busy creating and knowing that I'm making something for someone else always makes me feel good. I love giving and making things allows me to do it.

Reading opens doors to things outside my world too. I love reading for pleasure and reading to improve myself spiritually too. Books are available reasonably when you shop thrift stores and when you have friends that share their books with you too. This Christmas my family gifted me with a Kindle. It will enable me to read lots of things and I've heard they do have lots of free books on Amazon to download too. I've not used it yet but it won't be long and I'm sure I'll have it mastered.

If you can find those things that make you feel good that don’t cost anything and spend your spare time focusing on those things, not only will you be happy simply enjoying what you like, but you’ll feel good later realizing that you didn’t spend any money.

True wealth is not in the things we have but in what we do with what we do have. Things like family, friends, faith, home are the things I consider to be important in my life.

Focusing more on what is abundant in our lives ALREADY is the best way to generate more abundance. And remember that sometimes our time line and the God's time line may be different.

So on this WONDERFUL Wednesday, I do hope Your day is one full of WONDER too.

It is there if we take the time to look.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 12, Page 28, Book 10

Little by little I'll show some of things I painted this year for Christmas gifts. The sled above is one of the 7 I did for each of my children.

A few years ago, after a long and gruesome day of work, I realized I was in danger of wasting my life. I saw that the years were slipping by. With the good Lord's help, I have since made myself a whole lot happier. My days have become joy filled and full of meaning. I've become rich in things I really never considered to be of much importance before.

One thing I've learned is to take care of my self. To get more rest and to eat the right things too.

I've learned to let go of a lot of things. Old grudges and petty complaints were given a boot out the door. I let them go .

I don't dwell on what's wrong in my life, but focus on what is right.

I look for little ways I can stay closer to my family and friends.

I've accepted my way of life and what I am and have learned to enjoy just being me.

I leaned that I really have a wonderful life and look forward to each day. Every moment holds something new and I thrive on being a part of each one of them.

The darkest days of the year are about to lighten again. We will be celebratings the ending of one year and the beginning of the next. It's a time of impending rebirth. Even in these Arctic blasts of winter, there is the scent of Spring. Can you smell it? We are at the turning point of the year, the symbolic moment of starting over.

See the world as completely new every moment and approach it with a sense of wonder, for even though we often forget it, we are always starting over. I'm going to light a candle to the end of the year and say a prayer of gratitude for 2010 and declare what I'm letting go of this year. At midnight on the 31st, I'm going to make a toast to releasing anything that no longer serves a purpose in my life..

There you have my 2 for Tuesday. How to make life worth living and living worth while in the coming year and a peak at my Christmas painting.

Have a Terrific 2's Tuesday everyone! Blessings to you for the coming year!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 12, Page 27, Book 10

Our Family Christmas gathering 12/26/2010

MERRY MONDAY!

If you've been following along with with my journal, you've heard about the wonderful Christmas gifts we received of hope and JOY, love and Peace. Ever since the beginning of Advent, I've lit my Advent candles which symbolized each one of these gifts. Christmas Day may be over for this year, but we get to keep those gifts with us all year long. I've been thinking about what I'd like to have for my New Years resolutions and remembering these gifts, I thought why not have my resolutions include them.

For the New Year I'd like to resolve to have new HOPE. New Hope means that I won't give into to feelings of worthlessness or despair. If today isn't going quite like I want it, I have to stop what I'm doing and think about the blessings in my life. I have to change my attitude and think about what is right in my life. Having good thoughts, my day will be filled with HOPE and today is what is important. Yesterday is over and tomorrow may never come.

I am going to resolve that there will be new JOY in my life. I'm going to take myself less seriously. I'm going to laugh more and I'm going to remember to be thankful always for the many blessings in my life.

I'm going to LOVE more too. Having new LOVE in my life means that I'm going to show respect and kindness to those around me. I'm not going to be judgmental or criticize what others do. I'm going to find the good in people and emphasize the positive aspects of their lives. I'm going to give out more compliments and speak a little softer and kinder.

I going to resolve to have NEW PEACE in my life. Peace can happen in the midst of turmoil, if we want it. Peace is something that my attitude can keep in check. If I let others determine my thoughts and actions, I feel that peace is often hard to find, but if I want Peace it's up to me to act that way and think peaceful thoughts.

This is going to be a MERRY Monday here at my house today. I've got my New Years resolution list made now and I can concentrate on other things...you know I always have lots to do around here and today is no different.

Peace on earth will come to stay,

when we live Christmas every day.

Helen Steiner Rice

Have a MERRY Monday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 12, Page 26, Book 10

This picture show my DSIL, DD, DS#5,DDIL#5, myself, and of course that is Mr. Wonderful in front.

HOLIDAY TIPS

Carrot sticks-avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

Drink as much eggnog as you can. Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an egg-nogaholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have two. It's Christmas!

If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy.

Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free.

Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food.

If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.

Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips. But hurry! Cookieless January is just around the corner.

Author Unknown

Today is the day for me to SMILE. It's the day that my family will gather to celebrate Christmas. All but two of my 7 children and their families will be together anyway. I surely do miss those that can't come home for Christmas. I will be sharing loads of fun and love with the ones that are present for sure. They are the best present any mom could ever have. I just love being with all of them and they make me so very happy.

We will have loads of food. All of them are good cooks and they always bring along their favorites to share with every one. We try to spend most of the day together. Some live close by and others have to travel an hour or more to get here so some have to leave earlier than others. Still what time we have together is always a blessing.

My children and their children have already celebrated Christmas in their own homes, but today is the day I'm celebrating it. Christmas just isn't Christmas for me till I'm with my family and although yesterday was the real Christmas, today it is real for me.

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles

Author Unknown

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 12, Page 25, Book 10

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Somewhere across the winter world tonight

You will be hearing chimes that fill the air;

Christmas extends its all-enfolding light

Across the distance...something we can share.

You will be singing, just the same as I,

These familiar songs we know so well,

And you will see these same stars in your sky

And wish upon that brightest one that fell.

I shall remember you and trim my tree,

One shining star upon the topmost bough;

I will hang wreaths of faith that all may see --

Tonight I glimpse beyond the here and now.

And all the time that we must be apart

I keep a candle in my heart.

Mary E. Linton, Candlelit Heart

Christmas is the season of lights, and Christmas candles have always been central to lighting the Christmas season. While today, Christmas candles are largely bought for gifting and décor, in the Victorian era, people used to decorate their Christmas trees with candles.

A candle placed in a window at Christmas time was believed to help guide the Christ Child as he wandered from house to house on Christmas Eve

The legend of the Christmas candle

Many years ago an old cobbler and his wife lived in a little village in Austria. Although very poor, whatever they owned they shared with others. Each night they placed a lighted candle in the window of their cottage as a sign of hospitality to any traveler needing shelter.

Through the years, war and famine plagued this little village. Yet, as though some mysterious charm guarded them, the cobbler and his wife suffered far less than their neighbors.

One evening, on the night before Christmas, the villagers gathered to discuss their plight. There is something special about the cobbler and his wife, said one villager. They are always spared our misfortunes. What do they do that we do not? Let us put a candle in our windows too. Perhaps that is the charm.

That night every home lit a Christmas candle in each window, and lo, before the sun rose, a messenger brought great news to the village. Peace had come! The villagers gave thanks to God for this blessing of Peace and vowed to always light candles on Christmas Eve.

This beautiful custom spread throughout the world, and each year millions of Christmas candles light up the world with a message of love and everlasting joy.

So as I light my Christmas candle today, I'll be holding you all close in my heart and wishing you the merriest of Christmases and an exciting, sparkling, and magical New Year

MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 12, Page 24, Book 10

FANTASTIC FRIDAY

I heard on the news last night that half of our States here in the US may very well have a white Christmas here this year. Our cards, carols, and stories all hold up a white Christmas as the ideal Christmas time.

It makes us wonder why were the writers of so many popular Christmas songs dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh, dreaming of a white Christmas, walking in a winter wonderland, remembering a good king who gave alms when the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even, daring Mother Nature to let it snow, or imploring loved ones to please have snow and mistletoe

Though Christmas celebrations have existed in some form for at least 1,000 years, the holiday as we know it today saw a renaissance during the 19th Century. In both Britain and the United States, there was a push to reintroduce many of the long abandoned Christmas traditions, and to re-imagine this time of year as a time to celebrate family, community, and generosity.

Popular 19th Century writers, such as Charles Dickens, Washington Irving, and poet C. Clement Moore of Twas the Night Before Christmas fame, played a large role in this recasting of the ideal Christmas. And, thanks to both the intermingling of cultures in the U.S. and the marriage of Queen Victoria to the German-born Prince Albert in the U.K., Germanic traditions such as the Christmas tree found wider appeal.

Did you know that there was a period of time, from about the mid 16th Century until the late 19th Century, when the entire world was much cooler than it is now, or had previously been. During this time, glaciers grew larger, and winters were longer and colder across the globe, snow fell in areas where it once hadn’t, and canals, lakes, and ponds froze over for the first time in some areas. White Christmases were much more common 150 years ago, when many of our Christmas traditions were taking shape, than they are today.

Here in my part of the world we usually have a 50/50 chance of snow this time of year. But for us this year we've had snow on the ground for much of the month of December and new snow fell again yesterday. As we are very cold here it is a given that this year will be a very white Christmas.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! Have a FANTASTIC Friday!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 12, Page 23, Book 10

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Lord, thank You for coming long ago to be the Savior of the world and my soul. Thank You for Your promise that You are coming again; that this old world is not all there is. May I live each day in the light of that promise; may I take courage and hope in the promise of Your Word, and by Your grace, may I live for You each day until You return.

MY THANKFUL LIST FOR THIS CHRISTMAS

I am so very thankful always for all my blessings but today I'm posting a list of the things I've received this year that haven't cost a cent but that have meant so much.

THE GIFT OF LISTENING... - I've had lots of time this year and have been able listen more and talk less

2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION... - I've spent more time with family and friends and had the blessing of caring for my two youngest grand children

3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER... - Many happy days have blessed my life this year. This one was full of JOY. Joy as I celebrated retirement, the birth of 2 new grand babes and joy as I cared for them too. Joy in spending time with family and friends and the Joy that was found in each day.

4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE... - I was able to finally get my Christmas letter completed and my cards in the mail.

5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT... - I want to say THANK YOU to all my friends and family for being there to share in my days of the land of the Happy but Poor this year

6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR... - I've been so blessed by the caring and gentle kindnesses of others this year. From my next door neighbor sharing books with me to the many SMILES my grandchildren have given.

7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE... - Days spent at the camper this past summer doing nothing but relaxing have truly restored my body and soul.

8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION... I've been blessed to have those around me with uplifting words to share and have spent many hours too reading inspirational messages on the internet. I no longer subscribe to or buy many books but thanks to the internet am inspired every day by devotionals and meditations provided by wonderful sites full of the good news.

and of course, we can't forget the greatest Gift of all that's made Christmas possible, the gift of Jesus, God's Son, to a very needy world

For these and all my many blessings I am so truly thankful.

As always but especially at this Christmas, it is my hope that your Thursday will be one that you are thankful for too.

'On Ya'-ma