Christmas 2011 New Year 2012

Having tons of computer problems still don't have Christmas pics up yet. But took lots this year!
Had some fun.

But the most important gift I got this year was a reminder from my Sons Girlfriend
that the most important gift I give and have is LOVE and Health! So much of the time I do take
my everyday health for granted. I can walk, hear, talk and see pretty good most days..
Not to mention I don't have heart problems, Diabetic, or cancer. I do know many very inspiring
people that struggle with these conditions each day! So I once again have to say Thank you Jesus!

My favorite holiday is New years Eve! I love the idea of the old year ending and the New begining!
I LOVE calenders as you know, and starting a new Calender is the best! I did get two new wall ones.
(Cats probably for hubbies music and cat room, and a Moody ca lander that is inspirational for the bedroom.
And OH yes I did make the hubby a small stooges calender for by the computer! So we are set!
This year Is something new I have a purse calender that says mom on it that was from 2011 that goes into
2012 (my best friend has a matching one too) So its a new thing that I am taking a old year into a new one!
Very exciting! I know I am a nut! LOL

So as I am enjoying a few days off I plan to savor the last few days in 2011 and Welcome 2012!!!!
May we ALL be Safe, Healthy, and Have a Prosperous NEW year!

Tues Night Book club

Well I did a goal on my bucket list!! I joined and went to a Library book club night! It was so nice! I got there early and I caught up on my reading of my favorite magazines. They provided nice chocolates and water.
There was 12 of us! I was the youngest in the group. But the conversation was exciting and talkative.

The only sad part of the night was that our host the librarian said they are cutting hours and she may no longer be able to host the group. (but we would be able to use the room without her) Its just so very sad that our services of the library and post office always have to be the first to be cut. (Oh, yes then its always GAS and BUS/TRAIN transportation too! WHY WHY WHY!!! How about the lovely people in politics!!!

Oh well enough of my gripping and I have to get my hands busy crafting for Christmas! I wish that I was more savvy with my camera and computer to show pics. 

Dec 3 Already... Oh Boy

Wow, Its already been 3 days into December! I know this month is going to FLY by! As I feel that this
year did! They say that happens as we get older but I am not EVEN going to start to talk about that! LOL So I am off to a Ok start to the crafts but I just cant decide which is the easiest to stick with. I started out trying to
make socks, then it went to Stockings, Then trying Mittens, and now I found a new stitch to make for Hats.
But I better make up my mind quickly because I am up to having to make 32 of them. I have the 8 stockings
made up but I am just not happy with it. So today so far I have 2 hats! Oh such Joy if these people only knew
my dealings. LOL But its fun and I am able to give something so that's what matters!

But now my bigger news that I am so excited about! I have finally did it! After years of dreaming about it I finally was able to at my favorite library to join a book club! Not only that we have a NAME:

Chick Lit / Contemporary Women's Fiction Book Group!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Book : Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson 
First Meeting : December 6

I am so excited and I just got the book today! So I have 4 days to read but that's OK because I am a fast reader and just so excited!
So that is me for now Crafting and Reading away! Got to get busy!
Hope your havin a blogging good day!

Therapy Thursday

Can I say I am Thankful?

Yes I can say that but I also can say that I was part of a Therapy program right now.

My mind races and when I feel like I have taken steps forward I find that I am going

backwards. 

Needless to say Thanksgiving came and went so fast! I stared this post before Thanksgiving

and now I am posting it afterwards. I am thankful for family! I was not able to be with my 

parents this year but I was able to see my son so I was happy for that. I enjoy going

and being with my husbands family but there is just something about me wanting to

be able to stay home one year and just to be able to have left overs. So this

year my dear hubby surprised me and made all the fixings this week.

 It was a nice treat and made the holiday feel like it wasn't over. 

It sadens me that for the most part Thanksgiving is just a one day eat fest. In

my heart its just so much more. Yes its a chance to eat all the good stuff and

be with family but for me its a special day just to be thankful too! I know we

are supposed to be Thankful each day anyways!  So Now the hussel and

bussel of the holiday season starts!  For me its a major craft time so this

is a nice break to remember to be Thankful! I am Thankful for the DEAR ones

that read this!

Remembering 9/11

So many tributes today.. So many lives that were changed. Choices. Delays that saved peoples lives.
I am a firm believer there is a reason for everything but a reason for all this suffering? NONE, JUST
PLAIN WRONG.... Will there be healing,  its been 10yrs, will people be able to feel differently
down the road? For some it feels just like yesterday and the time of 10yrs just doesn't seem right.
Life sure did change forever because of this day.


 For me 9/12/99 was a day that my life changed for ever. My youngest brother had a car accident and
passed away. My sadness is there each year and has been different each year.
So I guess it will be with so many of these people too.
 But we must go on and LIVE and make our lives for Purpose and make the difference
that Jesus would want us to do.

May those who have lost loved ones find Peace and we all find ways
to make GOOD shine in this world.

A Computer Crash

So last Monday I was off and then work decided to give me off for 3 whole days after too. So needless
to say with NO money I was home thinking allot and trying to use my time wisely. On the computer mostly
and I was thinking of changing my blog theme and using more pics and articles. Like maybe being more
creative. So I started brain storming and doing allot of searches. So by Wed. our lovely computer decided
it didn't like what I was doing on the Google sites and it decided to crash... Making me and my dear hubby
not very HAPPY at all..

Needless to say my hubby is very clever and cannot do without the computer so he somehow restored things.
All so far except the WORD files that I had stored.. AM sad about that. I had allot of tools and resource
articles that made me happy... But once again it made me think.. Not to be so dependant on the computer.
To have things stored in more than one place. And there is nothing like having things written on paper.
Its all a learning process.. And in all things to be content and calm.

A Change coming to a new season

So as I think of this summer coming to a change I think of the fun time of this past week and
also the time with my friend today.

I so enjoyed the time I had today with a dear friend of mine. We had some lunch and went to
a book store. In that time she showed me a calender she had. She knows how much I value
keeping track of time and writing everything down. Calenders are very important to me.
So as a new school year starts for her and for me a new season of having to find a new job or move to this new location in Sept. comes I wanted to mark this day as a new beginning. 
So I found the calender she had and just had to get it! It is a 3 yr pocket calender so that
will be nice to be able to have it for a while.. 

Seasons do change and its nice to look back on things from the past and also look positively to the
future.
What Am I hoping for:

1. A Job that provide better financial relief for our bills
2. Peace of mind in choices with our church
3. A change in my habits for weight loss
4. Details for Holiday season preparations
5. Better communication with family members

Keeping that list short for now but that is a TALL order with allot of WORK having to go into it.
May this be a beginning to this New season just seeing these!

Plans and choices

This summer is flying by and I feel like I am watching life just go by! I recently asked a co-worker what
she is doing for the weekend and she said to me in such a cheerful voice, "I have so many Plans and lots
of choices.. I said WOW your a lucky girl.. She told me then, LUCK has nothing to do with it I PLAN
my options ... I will not be just doing NOTHING, I can do THAT when I am dead... Which at first
made me REALLY MAD and THOUGHT what a smarty pants and that she was really into herself.

But now calmer I am glad she that to me. I will now look at my summer as yes to get my plans working.
We don't have money so my plans cant be the major attractions or a vacation but I can do free things!

So here is my start list:
1. Free swimming in the park.
2. Free Movies in the park.
3. Getting  a Movie at the Library.
4. Sitting in the park watching kids play.
5. Helping Mom with things she needs done.
6. Sitting with the neighbors having a baroque.
7. Riding my bike
8. Finally going to a Crocheting meeting.. (I have been so bad in not going)
9. Reading a good novel/ or Bible  in the park.
10. Starting my crochet projects for Christmas.. (yep it will be here before we know and Mittens I think is
going to take me longer.)

So That's my start of FREE things to do!

Treats of Cakes

Well I am day one of being 46.. Amazing how this year went by! I wish I would gathered and wrote
the lessons that I have learned from this year and put them in a book.. Maybe I will do that weekly
for next year..

I did allot of celebrating with cakes this year. (not intently)
Had a cake that was from a awesome bakery a shared  birthday family cake..
.. (strawberry and light whip cream) Which is the Pic show..
Had two cakes at work from my boss... (a blue berry bunt cake and peach one)
My neighbor baked a Dun kin Hines chocolate on chocolate.. YUMMY
And finally a cake at Music team practice that was chocolate moose..

So you can say in 4 days I have had allot of sugar.. OH boy!
But I do take Each day as a GIFT and I am thankful for each day!
It does feel really nice that I have wonderful family/friends who do
like to celebrate!

So off I go to make more memories and journal to learn new lessons!

Thur.'s Pics For Inspritaion

Well Last week was a week of  Birthdays..  5 People in my life had them.. Its my birthday month and
it got me thinkin of some quotes I seen.. Time seems to be moving so fast...

1. Birthdays are got for you. Statistics show that people who the most live the longest.
Larry Lorenzoni

2.As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes and
I cant remember the other two.. Sir Norman Wisdom.

3. Its surprising how much of memory is built around things unnoticed all the time. Barbara King solver

4. Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. Auguste Rodin.

5. The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once. Albert Einstein

6. You cant change the past but you can ruin the present worrying about the future.. Unknown

 So that's my quotes for the week..  Just hoping that I spend my TIME wisely and Learn something
new each day!

Friday Fun Feature (On Thur..)

I have decided I am going to start collecting quotes that mean allot to me each week..
This week was Oprah's last show and a new quote that I LOVE is from a show
she had on Jill Bolte it was:

 Please, Be responsible for the energy you bring in this room..

I just love that! She was talking on how she could feel the positive and negative people
as they came in her room after her stroke.. I do plan to read her book.

The other quote I found as I was making a card for a friend who is retiring at work.
As I was putting it together I found a DR. Seuss quote

Oh The Places You ll go
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting
So get on your way!

I also found a site with 9 other quotes from Dr. Seuss that I just love,

1. You have brains in your head. you have feet in your shoes.
you can steer yourself, any direction you choose...

2. Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive
who is youer than You.

3. From there to here, and here to there funny everywhere.

4. Don't cry because its over, Smile because it happened.

5. If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is good.

6. I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. A elephant's faithful, one
hundred percent.

7. So the writer breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the
reader who reads.

8. And will you succeed? Yes Indeed, Yes indeed! Ninety-Eight and three-quarters
percent guaranteed.

9. Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple

So those are the fun ones this week... .

Being a leader

I have been a leader in my church in many different forms.
 My joy has always singing. Music has always been the part of my life that would always comfort, soothe and bring me peace. So being brought to church at a very young age, (from about 1month old) I started singing at probably the age 4yrs. Its mostly has been with children my age in groups. All through the years I kept doing this but never really doing solos. I thought I was not good enough and never had the confidence. But now I have had the joy of being part of a small worship team. It amazes me all the time how far Jesus has brought me.

I also have been a leader with kids and part of a women's board. Which also amazes me!

I have lived with emotional issues and have had some serious hospital stays. But today as a follower
of  Jesus I can say yes every day I do have to be a warrior of fighting off the struggles of thinking I am
not worthy of being a leader or member of a church. Thank goodness for the Internet and the good help

of support help from dear friends. I do hope to continue to serve as a humble faithful leader. 

Different Looks at being a MOM

I got some fresh looks this weekend on being a MOM. I went to a memorial service for a Friends mom
yesterday.. It was unique. She had 5 kids and they all are grown up with kids now. They all can look back
and tell different stories of how she touched them. She was a real mom who had hard times and still made
a difference in each of their Lives. Being Real and she was Kind.

 I was making her mothers day gifts because I have no money to buy her anything. I made her paper flowers and bracelets. (again I wish I would have taken pic's to post)
I gave them to her today she was filled with joy just that I took the time to make them for her.
My dad thought it was weird and called it childish. But Mom understands me and just smiled and
said its from my daughter and that's all that matters. As he called me childish I said yep I am a big
kid at heart and I don't ever want to grow up..

In car she shared a story I had forgot. Mom loved to go to Marshall Fields and look.. She took
me with this day. And I scooted off and started to play in bathroom. She panicked and thought she lost me.
She went to lost and found and Over the speaker they said: Cindy H. please come to Lost and Found your MOM has been lost.. (she was so embarrassed.)

As I think of being a Mom to my only Son It saddens me of how unprepared I was and young.. I think of
so many things I would want to do differently. But then everyone can say Woulda Coulda Shoulda.. I look
at him now and just pray that he will find peace in this life and find friends that can be encourager's.
This world just has to much sadness and I hope he will find compassion show kindness to all he meets.

Kindness that is what I hope for all Mom's today!

The Royal Wedding

Well its official.. They can begin to live as a married couple.. Sounds like they are off to a good start..
Its amazing how the media has made so many people part of a private event.. I enjoyed watching Princess Di get married but somehow now it makes me sad.. She didn't have a chance. Not really knowing Prince Charles and being so young with the media.. But you know we all have choices how we live and she had
hers to live out.. Now I have to focus on mine.. So much of the time I fight comparing myself to others and
worrying about doing the right things.. But ya know really its about just loving God and Loving others.. That's all he really commanded us to do!

So that's what I plan to do today!

A new Obession

Well tonight I started to work on my art journals again.. And as I did I kept thinking of how someday I
would love to have a craft space.. My dear hubby has our spare room for his music studio and I someday
would like to make a permanent craft area.. And in my dreams for some reason I have always wanted a
cork board.. So just for fun I was googling all night now cork boards.. Ikea, Target, Amazon, Pottery Barn,
and all over.. Well then I just stumbled upon a Light house Cork board.. It is so very cool.. I wish I could
have posted a pic but I am just not that computer tech tonight..

 One of my other dreams is to live by a beach. So I have some beach themed things
in my house..So now there is another search to go on.. But I found this cool website with
house hold items.. Maybe someday I will be able to start my craft beach theme area.
Oh well just once again thinking and journal out loud..
Hope you are dreaming your dreams tonight.. 

My Legacy

So my son just had his 28th Birthday and it was a hard day. A close friend of mine her mother passed away
that day.. And also his girlfriend on that day spent it in the hospital in the hospital with a friend who was having brain surgery... So needless to say it was not really happy day for him or me.. But that is life our
days are not always going to be easy and go the way we plan... Things can just change at a drop of a hat.
You can lose a job, have a stroke or a crazy thing like Bell's palsy, or have to go in for a surgery you don't
plan on.. But I also know that yes Life is hard ,,, BUT GOD is GOOD.. He provides and I know he is
watching and has us all in his hands.. There is purpose and in his plans all GOOD will come!

I was thinking again of my son this morning and yes he is grown up but I thought I would write him
a letter... My darling is just not big with Phones or talking. But I wanted him to know about some family
Values. Values are so important... Never to late to teach them...
So here is my list to tell him:

1. Trustworthiness

Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, and country

2.Respect

Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant and accepting of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

3.Responsibility

Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes • Set a good example

4.Fairness

Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

5.Caring

Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

6. Citizenship

Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor

I thought those were great core values to have! I hope that he will live by these!

But most of remember from me:

.YES LIFE CAN BE HARD BUT GOD IS GOOD!

Day of YouTube

So I must say I was very sad today. I was supposed to be on a fun day with the hubby to see a play
with our church group but NO I have to wake up feeling really BAD and not feeling up to going on
a 2hr car ride and sitting all day.. So I called my dear sister n Law and she gave me a hair trim.
She could only stay 1hr so hear I am on the computer.. So hear I am and YES I am doing 2 blogs
in one day while they are fresh in my mind..

I started watching YouTube in hopes of learning some ways to do Christmas projects for this year of socks or mittens.. But I didn't get to far with that and just started looking around.. Now I am just addicted to going on and looking at video's.. I do this when I am home alone and just don't feel like
I can do to much for various reasons with pains in my body lately. So I must tell ya what I have found:

1. Music video's from Christian groups and from along time ago
2. Funny Cat/Dog video's doing things people would
3. Lots of make up Gurus..(that's what they like to call people who LOVE make up)
4. Painting techniques (I have not tired yet but sure relaxes me)
5. Really cute kids singing
6. Gadgets
7. Storage ideas
8. Cleaning techniques
9. Nail growth videos (totally obsessed with growing my nails)
10. whats in my purse videos ( I know its so dumb but its just weird)

So that's my day! I really need to expand more in learning to do links on here..

Favorite Things of Libriary

So as my friends know I love books.. It used to be such a joy for me to go to used book stores or even
at garage sales to find books.. But as I quickly filled up my book case and found less and less storage
and people complaining I had to many books as also the cost.. So I now go to the library more..
This week I just was thinking why I LOVE the library..

1.They have the reader
2. They recycle batteries
3. They have notice board of lectures coming up
4. Computers
5. Book clubs
6. Museum tickets
7. Magazines
8. Job Listing posts
9. Buy used books
10. Have large print  

So that's today's list of my favorites... Did I forget anything???
Any other new things at the Library please let me know!

Wow lots of B-days

I love to celebrate B-days and remember my family and friends.. I do believe each life is a gift from God and has a special purpose and gift to share! Its amazing how February has grown to be a month of me having so
many birthdays.. My brother and Step dad both have birthdays. (11th and 13th) Also my brother N law.and nephew. And then I have 4 other people I know close to me that I have grown to LOVE.. So needless to
say in my time of having NO money I have become very creative in my giving of gifts!

But somehow in my love of lists for the people that have mile stones I start and write them things that I admire or know about the years that I have shared with them.. When my hubby turned 50 I did 50 things I LOVE about My Hubby. But NOW my brother is 40 and my step dad is 70... And also two days apart!! UGGG... so my brothers was not that bad and I had plenty to make fun of.. LOL Just kidding.. NOT really..LOL
But with my step dad 70 things was allot! I got up to 47 things and then asked for help from mom.. It was a fun project to do and mom was getting a kick out of it. But we shall see if I get it done..

I found this quote and It really gave me something to think about!
Every person is a half open door leading to a room for everyone.
Tomas Transtromen

The Blizzard of 2011

I sure felt like a kid again! It was a snow day I looked forward to! I was so excited except the thought of
maybe losing electricity! It was so much fun to watch the hubby run from window to window and the
cats following him behind.. I sure wish I had a video of it! The surprise to me was also the thundering
we had while snow coming down.. It was so amazing..

 New things I saw was snow melting machines they now have to melt the snow and how the police used snowmobiles.. It was also amazing to see how more of those yellow caged things to move the snow.
I was also glad to see how people really pulled together and helped their neighbors get out of spaces and
even shoveling for each other.. It was good to see people can still show kindness..

So I my love of lists I started thinking IF We did lose Electricity what would I do... So in planning for the event I started a list I was planning to go to 100 but I got to 65 so far but here is the TOP 10:

1. Call family make sure OK.
2. Light the Candles and Have the Flashlights
3. Take pic of the snow
4. Eat comfort foods
5. Update your grateful list
6. Journal your feeling about storm
7. Make the cats chase the flashlight for some laughs
8. Take a relaxing bath with candles (if not dangerous conditions)
9. Take a Nap
10. Tell some jokes or comforting stories to stay in a good mood...

A verse of Encouragement and Comfort

Psalm 3:3-6

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people. Who have set themselves against me all around.
.

New Year Start

Man the New year slipped in and now I am in the middle of  January!

We started out the year with the whole family in and it felt like a massive food savage.
All they wanted to do was eat JUNK! White castles, Super Dogs, Pizza, Tacos, Red Robbins,
the only thing they missed was beefs and country buffet..
All I can say Veggies and salad  the other day never tasted so good.

I have had massive phone and computer problems.. (hopefully our service is fixed now after two visits to the house) I sure have missed my Thur. night of enjoying the computer all to myself for the past 3wks.

I had a friend come in from out of town and wanted to know what was new in my life and I was
at loss for words. Not much NEW to report but I sure do need NEW..

1. A New Job
2. A New attitude
3. A New view of food
4. A New arrangement of clothes
5. A New way of cleaning my house
6. A New way of remembering names
7. A New way of learning the right way to spell words
8. A New way of budgeting my bills
9. A New way of remembering to keep my prayers fresh
10. A New growth in my relationships