Friday, December 24, 2010

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear...

The Birth of our Saviour!
Oh, the beauty of that night of long ago holds so much truth and glory!

courtesy of Photobucket

Today being Christmas Eve,
holds so much anticipation!

Some traditions at our house when my girls were little,
  • My 2 daughters were able to open one gift each  --prechoosen by me :)
  • This one package included a warm, soft, fuzzy, flannel nightie that I made earlier in the month along with a Boyd bear and a specially selected book.
  • Once the girls were changed into their new yummy, cozy nighties, Daddy would read the Christmas story.
  • Oh, not in the normal fashion....we would all gather around the Christmas tree on our tummies.  At the foot of the tree was our vintage nativity scene as Jesus was our favorite gift of all!  We would have all the lights turned out except the twinkle of the Christmas lights on the tree and candles.  Daddy had a flashlight and would shine the light on each figure of the nativity scene as it came into play in the story. 
  • Once the story was told and the girls had a chance to re-tell their version with the flashlight and we giggled and played a little.  The girls were tucked into bed with their new teddy bear and book. It was so hard to leave the girls as they were so snuggly soft in their flannel nighties.  I loved hugging them as they were so cuddly!!  LOL!  I remember that so well!  :)
  • They were then left to dream of the sweet anticipation of what tomorrow would bring...


So many sweet traditions...each family having their own. 
Not so important as to what the traditions are as long as they are special!!
My daughters to this day at the ages of 25 and 23 love love love the traditions of our little family!  Some old and some I created!  My daughter now with her 2 daughters is carrying on some of the traditions she knew as a child and also creating a few of her own!

Whatever your traditions are, I wish you
a very blessed and wonderful
CHRISTmas!

My granddaughters helping decorate my tree a few weeks ago...  :)


"It Came Upon The Midnight Clear"

"It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men

From heavens all gracious King!"

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing.



Still through the cloven skies they come,

With peaceful wings unfurled;

And still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world:

Above its sad and lowly plains

They bend on hovering wing,

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessed angels sing.



O ye beneath life's crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow;

Look now, for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing;

Oh rest beside the weary road

And hear the angels sing.



For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophets seen of old,

When with the ever-circling years

Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own

The Prince of Peace, their King,

And the whole world send back the song

Which now the angels sing."








Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wishing you a Very Merry Merry Christmas!!


I hope everyone is enjoying the wonder of the Christmas season!


2 days left for Christmas shopping!  Oh my!
I am actually finished with my shopping...I did a flurry of shopping the first week of December and got it out of the way before I started my week of classes last week for my insurance property and casualty license!
I became extremely sick at the beginning of the class last week and had the flu bug with an incredibly horrible migraine headache the whole week as I was trying to learn.
But miracle of all miracles....I passed the state exam yesterday!!!!  WhoooooooHooooo!!
If you know anything about state exams, they are not a breeze to pass.
Instructor said that our state is the third hardest in the country.  They make it difficult with trick questions so that you have to take the test again...making a big $75 profit on each test!  Grrrrr!

But that is behind me for now!  My boss let me have the rest of this week off and a sweet short week next week!  :D  I am so thankful for the break....a wonderful Christmas gift as I am tuckered with all the studying I have done over the past 3 months along with learning a new job!!!

I am sorry that I didn't even say boo for the past couple of weeks....too busy and then getting sick to squeeze in getting on my blog!
Thank you for all the ones who sent messages to me!  It was so sweet!
I have to tell you that it took me a few minutes to remember how to log back on to my blog and check in on it!! 


I look forward to spending Christmas day with my two beautiful granddaughters...



Little Miss C & Miss T...my granddaughters!


My beautiful daughter with her little girls! 

with their Mommy and Daddy along with....

my other beautiful daughter with her wonderful boyfriend/fiance!

Well, I have a lot to catch up on and to get ready for the big Christmas day so I will run for now....

but I sure hope everyone is enjoying this season and are taking a few minutes to stop
and remember...

The Reason of the Season
is
Jesus!

Merry Christmas!



Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Ready for the big Thanksgiving Day?


Apple Pie ....yuuummmmmm...
that is on my list of to-do's before Thanksgiving ....along with corn pudding
and broccoli/cauliflower casserole 
and cranberry salad.
Fortunately, I will be toting all of my dishes over to my brother's home.
We will have over 30 in our party this year as our family keeps growing and growing.
He has a big beautiful home ....not a little cottage like mine.  :)
I am not complaining though...I LOVE my little cottage!
I was watching "The Holiday" the other evening with my daughter ....do you remember the movie?
It has Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.
Love that movie...
But anyway the little Rose Hill Cottage in England reminds me so much of my own little cottage....
and that is my kind of home....just old and charming.  :)

Just a little update.....things are coming along with work.  I have to get my insurance license....
life/health and also my property and casualty license.
Sooooo....
that means lots and lots of studying...
work, work, work....  :)
LOL!  Just thankful I have a wonderful job and have a reason for the loads of studying!
So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season!!
Counting my blessings, one by one......soooooo many to count...
too many to count!  But too many blessings is not something we complain about though, now is it?  :)


I have been enjoying the last few robins at my antique bird drinking trough before they head south for the winter!
I know it won't be long before I will have my eyes sharpened, hoping to see one of those little fellows again....my first hope and sign of spring.



I have not been in blogland for a while because of the work and studying...no time to visit.
I am sure I will have more time after the holidays and having those license under my belt!


But in the meantime, Happy, Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to YOU! 
Don't eat too much apple (or pumpkin) pie!  :)


Psalm 28:7

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Something Came Up...




Okay, okay...I am going to be honest.  I didn't want to post anything all week...and not even now.  I have been so busy that the last thing I wanted to do is prepare a post.  :(  Sorry, isn't that sad?  
...But you know sometimes you know when God is speaking to your heart and nudging you to do something. 

There was something He laid on my heart to share last Sunday...something beautiful.

But I have so much on my plate right now
that I kept shutting it out.  :( 

The kicker was when I peeked in on one of my favorite blogs
(haven't done much visiting this week...no time)
to see what she was up to.....

 there it was....the "something"! 

 The very thing that God wanted me to share! 
I am going to send you over to her blog to read this something! 


But....first....

I want to start by sharing a little bit of what God shared with me...

what He gave to me....

Do you ever look around you and say
"Wow, this isn't fair?  Why do I have to deal with this while...(fill in the blank of someone you know and who you have witnessed delighting in a world of blissful blessings and seemingly no care in the world)."

Yeah, that's right it isn't fair, is it??

No, wait.
Stop...

If I received what was really fair
....what I deserve
...hmmmm. what. does. that. look. like?




But I live with the generosity of
Grace which is
Beautifully Unfair!

We have grown accustomed to His Grace being the norm...
our expectations become increasingly higher with His abundant blessings.

Blessings, though, are exactly that...undeserved gifts.
When we think life is unfair,
we need to hit the reset button
and remember we don't deserve His Grace, let alone anything else!

So you see, life isn't fair at all....but that is a very good thing!!


So, the next time I find myself, sulking and thinking it is not fair...
I will be hitting the reset button!  :)


God has given me a reset button!
And, that is what I wanted to share...

and now you also must go see what Rebecca at "A Gathering of Thoughts"  has for today in regards to this "something"...

Linking with...


Hitting the reset button with you today, my friend! :)

(see Matthew 20:1-16)


Psalm 28:7

Saturday, November 6, 2010

I was Drugged as a Kid

It's true!  I was drugged! 

But you know what, I am grateful for that!


"The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, “Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?”


I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had even known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.


God bless the parents who drugged us."    ~ Anonymous


Wishing more of our kids today were acquainted with this kind of drug! 

"Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

Linking with Spiritual Sundays...

Psalm 28:7

Thursday, November 4, 2010

This One is for the Girls!


I marvel at the woman's ability to persevere! As a woman, we wear so many hats and work hard to make it all work!

I am thinking about all the different journeys that women may be walking but the one that stands out the most for me right now....are the ones who are divorced, separated, or just single.  As I have been working really, really hard on learning Excel for my new job with the start date fastly approaching, I was thinking about how thankful I am...

  • that God has allowed the doors to open to have this job,
  • the time I have been given before start date to be able to relearn Excel from years ago (how often does that happen to get so much time before actually starting a new job! that is truly a gift!), 
  • as well as, a dear friend of mine giving me access to a wonderful website to learn Excel and loaning her workbooks to me.... 

.....but I was also thinking of all the gals out there trying to make it on their own!  So here is to making it on our own!  :D   This one is for you....

 

Have a happy day being confident in whatever you do and ....never giving up!  :D
Psalm 28:7

Monday, November 1, 2010

I WON! I WON!! :D

Wow!  How is that to start off the week!!  I won a BEAUTIFUL giveaway over at The Gathering Place with Rebecca!!  :D


I won a beautiful set of Christmas cards lovingly made by Rebecca herself!  Rebecca has such gifted talents of sewing and painting.  If you don't know Rebecca, you need to meet her....trust me, you will become a follower!  :)  She not only has a talent with a needle and a paintbrush, but she is also a wonderful story teller!  Her stories will make you cry happy tears of joy and also pull on your mother heartstrings!  She loves the Lord with all her heart and sometimes will explain this worship of her heart in her posts.

If you haven't done your Christmas shopping yet, you have to run over there now to her little on line store and do a little shopping as her beautiful treasures go fast!  Each little treasure is handmade with such beauty and precision!  Ha!  I sound like a salesman....I promise she did not ask me to say these things!!  I just have been following her for a while and have witnessed beauty in her craftsmanship!  :)

Well, I must run for now as I had mentioned earlier in a previous post....I will be starting a new job soon that I am SOOOOO excited about it!  However, I really really really need to learn EXCEL.  Really!  I worked on it all last week....but I want to learn it like I have been doing it forever (and trust me, I am not there yet...not even close)  :)

Have a wonderful, wonderful day....I will too as I will be dreaming of a special package coming in the mail!  ;)

Psalm 28:7

Friday, October 29, 2010

Up To The Mountain


A couple of months ago, I was feeling discouraged..you know what I mean...life can be tough sometimes and you feel the weight of many burdens that can all the sudden be overwhelming.

I happened to go out with a friend for dinner during this time of heaviness...and shared some of my private feelings on this matter with her. 

I went out to dinner with her again last night....Cheesecake Factory...yum!  Pumpkin Cheesecake for me!  :)  At the end of our time before we went our separate ways, she said, "Carolyn, remember how you felt several weeks ago that life sometimes seems like it can be so overwhelming and you get tired?  Well, this song is perfect for you!"  Please listen to the song below ...if you are feeling discouraged and it seems to be a constant uphill battle, you will be blessed.  :D  I promise!

Be sure and turn up the volume!


~Up To The Mountain lyrics  Songwriters: Griffin, Patricia J.;

"I went up to the mountain because you asked me to

Up over the clouds to where the sky was blue

I could see all around me everywhere

I could see all around me everywhere



Sometimes I feel like I've never been nothing but tired

And I'll be walking till the day I expire

So sometimes I just lay me down, no more can I do

But then I go on again because you ask me to



Some days I look down afraid, afraid I will fall

And though the sun shines I see nothing, nothing at all

Then I hear your, your sweet voice, ooh

Come and then go, come and then go

Lord, telling me softly you love me so!"


Ahhhh!  He makes life worth the living...even during the tough times....because He loves me so!  :D

Galatians 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
(That was several weeks ago that I was feeling a little blah....I feel happy and wonderful today!  I just wanted to share this special song sung by Susan Boyle because maybe you are finding yourself feeling a little blah today.  BTW, Excel training is coming right along (see previous post)!  PTL! Thank you for all of your words of encouragement!  So so appreciated!)
Linking with Spiritual Sunday...click on the little birds to be inspired and blessed!



Psalm 28:7

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Read All About It!

LOL! I am just kidding! This news isn't really headline news.....but it is to me! :)

A Time for Celebration!



Do you remember I had said there was an awesome job opening that I was so excited about?  Do you remember that I had two interviews and I was waiting for a response?  Do you remember that the position was newly created and I would not start until January.....so I would not hear back until probably mid-November if the job is mine?


Wellllllll................

I went in for a third "chat" earlier this week with the lady I would be working directly under and .....
I HAVE THE JOB!  :) 
It has not been cleared yet with HR so it is 99% sure, I guess you would say.  I am so so excited....and I will be starting in mid-November! 

I will be working directly under a district manager of a Fortune 500 company and will be teaching classes as new updates are implemented.  I will travel around the district working with individual managers and their staff.  Did I mention that I am excited?  Yes, I am very excited!  :D

HOWEVER....

now don't laugh....

I have to really really brush up on Excel   :(   I took a course in college, but I have NOT used it enough to feel comfortable with using it frequently. every day.  Taking stats from other spreadsheets and incorporating them into a new one.  I know this is something a lot of people use every single day.  Everyone has told me....it is NO big deal.  Easy to learn.  But I want to MASTER this computer program....I want to EXCEL in Excel!  I want to walk right in to this position and manipulate this program like it was second nature.  I don't want anyone within the company to wonder and second guess their decision to bring me on!

Study, study...practice, practice, practice!

So what does this mean?
Well..... it means I will spend less time in blogland for a few days or so.  I will update with new posts as I can...but I won't be able to visit with all of you like I want to and make comments.  :(   ....I will be dedicated to learning this computer program in time for my start date at my new position!

I know it won't take forever to learn.... and with God as my source of strength and my provider, it is not a concern!  :)  I thank Him for being my Father, my Provider, my Shepherd, and my Counselor through my journey!

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance."
                                            ~ Psalm 16:5



I will post with updates and be around soon to comment on your posts!  :)  Thank you again for all your sweet comments of encouragement and prayers!  Blogland has the nicest people ever!!!

Psalm 28:7

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Betsy McCall Paper Doll Day! :D

It is a rainy, rainy day!
That's okay... I love the rain!  :)


A time to come in from outside and spend some time indoors...


Maybe... 
  • snuggle up with a good book
  • sip on a cup of hot spiced tea
  • wrap in a big wooly sweater
  • have yummy beef stew simmering in the crockpot for dinner tonight
  • children play quietly with crayons and coloring books
  • classical music play quietly in the back ground
  • time for reflection and pause in prayer of thanksgiving
What do you do on a quiet, rainy day?
Any ideas to pass along?

Since it is a rainy day, let's play with paper dolls!!!  :D

Betsy McCall Paper Dolls....they're the sweetest as they bring the sweetest memories!  :)


courtesy of http://www.thebleudoor.com/

Today's paper doll features Betsy from January 1953...isn't she adorable?  The little story is sweet too!  Click on the above picture to see it enlarged to read the story and to also print and cut out your paper doll for your little girl or granddaughter!  Please don't hesitate to visit the above website for more paperdolls!

Hope you have a wonderful, rainy day....I will be spending a quiet afternoon with my scissors cutting paperdolls for two special little granddaughters who love to come visit Gamma!  :)
(I have an update on my job interview...coming shortly!  :)  A BIG thank you for all those who prayed!)


Psalm 28:7

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Zippity doo dah, Zippity AYE!


Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye,
My oh my what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine coming my way,
Zippity doo dah, Zippity aye.



Mister blue bird's on my shoulder,
it's the truth,
it's actual,
everything's satisfactual!

Zippity doo dah,
zippity aye,
zippity doo dah,
zippity aye!

I love children's songs....I really do! There is so much happiness and fun in the lyrics...also brings back tons of memories of childhood play! Do you know that when my children were little, I tried to see EVERYTHING through their eyes...all of the awe and wonder.

You know what happened?    .....It became a habit!  Everything became refreshed and new to me.  I somewhat, I guess you could say, was able to become a child again! It is such a joy to look at things with "new" eyes! There is so much wonder around us ....but often we allow the burdens of adulthood weigh us down; blinding us of wonder and God's beautiful creation...all the simple pleasures everywhere around us if we can take the blinders off.

Words of pondering that allows the blinders to come off:

Ephesians 4:26;29-32 (New International Version)
 26... Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry ...29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.





Remember this song?  I loved this little movie from many years ago!  :)
I will be away for a few days but one last verse I want to leave to you....
"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more." 
                                           ~ Psalm 16:11


I am joining all the other amazing bloggers over at Spiritual Sunday...click on the little birds below so you may be blessed!  :)



May you have "eyes" of children today!  :)
Psalm 28:7