Chocolates and Heroes!
Okay, I promised this to you. All you, my dear readers:
Everyone that gets five readers to promise to read my blog (at least once a month, now that's not asking too much, is it?) will get . . . drum roll ~~~~~~~~~~
Chocolate candy! Yeah, that's right. I'll send you some good chocolate right around Christmas.
Here's the rules:
1) Invite five people to become one of my readers.
2) Contact me via email, phone, etc. and let me know their names
3) Contest runs till close to Christmas. (I'll be the judge, but I'm lenient!)
4) Wait for that chocolate box in mail. (good chocolate, remember!)
Now you all get to work!
Someone sent me this bit of information this morning (thanks, Margie!). It really touched me. In fact I thought it was so good I wanted to share with you today. Enjoy!
"In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his parliament members why he believes so much in America, he said,
'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look for how many want in . . . and how many want out.'
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1) Jesus Christ
2) The American G.I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Touching, huh?
Here are some hints for taking Christmas pictures (good for anytime, really! Ooops! I forgot my brother's wife is a photographer & takes some really neat pictures--I've seen some. They're good!)
Anyway, try these:
1) First, the biggest mistake people make is that they take photos too close to faces. This distorts faces and their colors and also highlights any little imperfections! Make sure the photographer is a reasonable distance away.
2) Many people lean away from the camera. Rather, you should lean towards it slightly.
3) Try to look directly at the camera for most flattering results.
4) Finally, smile as close as you can to the shot being taken. A faded smile from holding it too long looks a bit strange in a photo!
Quote:
Happiness is intrinsic, it's an internal thing. When you build it into yourself, no external circumstances can take it away. --Leo Buscaglia
Blessings
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
PROBLEMS
Hey, you all. I've been hearing from some of my readers that you haven't seen anything since sometime in November. Well, I've been writing, I don't know what the problem is. Hopefully, it'll be fixed shortly. Keep watching.
Hints for children:
One thing you should ensure at Christmas is that your children (old enough, of course) write little thank you notes to those who've given them gifts: grandparents, etc.
There is nothing nicer than receiving a personal thank you for a gift that you have given, particularly from young children.
Help them write it if necessary. It need not be long, but it's good practice for them at writing, too. Also a good way to start is to ask them to think about what it is they like best about the gift they've received. Tell them to all they need to do then is write it down on paper.
Quote:
Blessed are they who give without remembering, and take without forgetting. --Elizabeth Bibesco
Blessings.
Hey, you all. I've been hearing from some of my readers that you haven't seen anything since sometime in November. Well, I've been writing, I don't know what the problem is. Hopefully, it'll be fixed shortly. Keep watching.
Hints for children:
One thing you should ensure at Christmas is that your children (old enough, of course) write little thank you notes to those who've given them gifts: grandparents, etc.
There is nothing nicer than receiving a personal thank you for a gift that you have given, particularly from young children.
Help them write it if necessary. It need not be long, but it's good practice for them at writing, too. Also a good way to start is to ask them to think about what it is they like best about the gift they've received. Tell them to all they need to do then is write it down on paper.
Quote:
Blessed are they who give without remembering, and take without forgetting. --Elizabeth Bibesco
Blessings.
Friday, December 01, 2006
SNOWMEN Who Don't Melt from the Warmth
I love snowmen!
I've collected many things through the years, but I honestly think snowmen are some of the cutest, cuddliest things created. And the choices they have! Men and women, children snowpeople. Active ones, those formed with families. Bright colors, cute costumes. White, antiqued, clear iced ones, funny, and nostalgic ones.
A friend has all the ones she's collected in her shelves and top-of-cabinet spaces. Darling! I stand open-mouthed studying each one.
Take the new one I bought this year (at a bargain shop, so I didn't have to spend a lot of money!) It was a stackable, 3 round boxes with the snowman's head, facial features, & hat on the top small one. Hands & buttons on the second, and I think maybe a little decoration on the bottom one.
Interested in mystery? Hmmm. What could be hidden in those boxes? For children, a gift of such fun boxes would be (especially with promises of hidden treasures) -- delightful suspense. A friend? Give her a snowman box with some of her favorite things tucked inside. Who could ask for more?
And they make such fun Christmas decorations. Do you like simple things? Use only a few, and better, pick out a select few that are sleek with simplicity. Scatter them here and there throughout your house. Want only one focal point without having them all over your house? Then choose a table top and set a several small ones together as a collection.
Use a large one to greet your guests at your front door. Or pick out a few snowmen ornaments to use as name tags at a dinner. Place settings with the folded card tucked inside the snowmen ornament string/loop are cute as take-home mementos.
Most of all, if you decide to love those melting human-creations, enjoy their simplicity.
Some Pre-holiday hints to make this month go smoother:
First of all, take it easy. Don't over extend yourself. Enjoy the holiday season. If there's been a tragedy in your recent life, try to reshape this holiday to make it fun and fulfilling once again. Try to make some changes in your traditional celebration. Don't try to live out the expectations of others.
* Who do you want to buy presents for? Divide your list in two parts: large and small. Those who receive larger gifts and those who will get the smaller one. Then divide again. Do you really need to buy a gift when a little memento or card will do? People just want to be remembered.
* Do you want to bake? Choose a few of your favorites. Don't do a massive baking, unless you really want to.
* How will you decorate, and do you want to? Look through past year items. Any need repairing? Replacing? Discarded?
* How much money do you have to spend? Be firm with yourself! Try doing more with less money. Be creative. It may take a little more effort, but in January, you'll be glad you did.
* Are you entertaining? How much? When? Plan early, invite early, so that you won't be disappointed and your friends and family will have time to make their plans and accept yours.
* Cleaning? Be kind to yourself. If you can afford it, hire someone to help you. Or if you have close friends, have a cleaning swap. Maybe three afternoons. Result: Spic and span houses.
* Interested in participating/enjoying some Christmas festivities? Choose selectively. Look for free Christmas programs and cantatas. Go to parks to enjoy the festive light displays. Churches offer many programs and plays.
* Worried about spats in the family get togethers? Sometimes there's not much that can be done. Try prayer. Try getting the parties together on neutral ground and allowing them to talk the problem out. Let a friend or someone similar be the mediator; stay out of it personally. Or if all else fails, arrange for visits from each at different times.
* Traveling? Remember that if you travel on Christmas eve or Christmas day, many places will be closed. Plan on your meals, your place of stay.
Remember: the key is to take it easy. Christmas will still come regardless of how much we do or don't do.
Quote:
The first fall of snow is not only an event but it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up to find yourself in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment, then where is it to be found? -- J.B. Priestley
Blessings.
I love snowmen!
I've collected many things through the years, but I honestly think snowmen are some of the cutest, cuddliest things created. And the choices they have! Men and women, children snowpeople. Active ones, those formed with families. Bright colors, cute costumes. White, antiqued, clear iced ones, funny, and nostalgic ones.
A friend has all the ones she's collected in her shelves and top-of-cabinet spaces. Darling! I stand open-mouthed studying each one.
Take the new one I bought this year (at a bargain shop, so I didn't have to spend a lot of money!) It was a stackable, 3 round boxes with the snowman's head, facial features, & hat on the top small one. Hands & buttons on the second, and I think maybe a little decoration on the bottom one.
Interested in mystery? Hmmm. What could be hidden in those boxes? For children, a gift of such fun boxes would be (especially with promises of hidden treasures) -- delightful suspense. A friend? Give her a snowman box with some of her favorite things tucked inside. Who could ask for more?
And they make such fun Christmas decorations. Do you like simple things? Use only a few, and better, pick out a select few that are sleek with simplicity. Scatter them here and there throughout your house. Want only one focal point without having them all over your house? Then choose a table top and set a several small ones together as a collection.
Use a large one to greet your guests at your front door. Or pick out a few snowmen ornaments to use as name tags at a dinner. Place settings with the folded card tucked inside the snowmen ornament string/loop are cute as take-home mementos.
Most of all, if you decide to love those melting human-creations, enjoy their simplicity.
Some Pre-holiday hints to make this month go smoother:
First of all, take it easy. Don't over extend yourself. Enjoy the holiday season. If there's been a tragedy in your recent life, try to reshape this holiday to make it fun and fulfilling once again. Try to make some changes in your traditional celebration. Don't try to live out the expectations of others.
* Who do you want to buy presents for? Divide your list in two parts: large and small. Those who receive larger gifts and those who will get the smaller one. Then divide again. Do you really need to buy a gift when a little memento or card will do? People just want to be remembered.
* Do you want to bake? Choose a few of your favorites. Don't do a massive baking, unless you really want to.
* How will you decorate, and do you want to? Look through past year items. Any need repairing? Replacing? Discarded?
* How much money do you have to spend? Be firm with yourself! Try doing more with less money. Be creative. It may take a little more effort, but in January, you'll be glad you did.
* Are you entertaining? How much? When? Plan early, invite early, so that you won't be disappointed and your friends and family will have time to make their plans and accept yours.
* Cleaning? Be kind to yourself. If you can afford it, hire someone to help you. Or if you have close friends, have a cleaning swap. Maybe three afternoons. Result: Spic and span houses.
* Interested in participating/enjoying some Christmas festivities? Choose selectively. Look for free Christmas programs and cantatas. Go to parks to enjoy the festive light displays. Churches offer many programs and plays.
* Worried about spats in the family get togethers? Sometimes there's not much that can be done. Try prayer. Try getting the parties together on neutral ground and allowing them to talk the problem out. Let a friend or someone similar be the mediator; stay out of it personally. Or if all else fails, arrange for visits from each at different times.
* Traveling? Remember that if you travel on Christmas eve or Christmas day, many places will be closed. Plan on your meals, your place of stay.
Remember: the key is to take it easy. Christmas will still come regardless of how much we do or don't do.
Quote:
The first fall of snow is not only an event but it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up to find yourself in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment, then where is it to be found? -- J.B. Priestley
Blessings.
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