Today I've done some more "research" for my Christmas experiment. I came across an article in "life:beautiful" magazine (Winter 2008-Wanda J. Ventling and Allan Edeker). It was an excellent article on ways to bring peace home. I thought, "what a great article!" True peace only comes from the Prince of peace...which is Jesus Christ. I have fun celebrating around this time of the year, but I don't ever want to forget that the real meaning of Christmas has everything to do with Christ, and nothing at all to do with the glitz and commercialism that society has created.
Some of the peaceful things that were listed in this article are:
1. Get lost in music. ------ Do you know that calming music can lower your heart rate? A great thing to know if you are rushing around this Christmas season. Plus who doesn't love Christmas music? Don't be afraid to sing. Even if you don't have the voice of an angel--your family will applaud your effort. After all who doesn't smile when singing Christmas songs?
2. Pray.---- You don't have to carry your burdens alone. (Phil. 4:6-7) God knows this time of the year can be stressful. He wants to hear from you.
3. Avoid envy. ----We are all dealing with our own issues. Sometimes people that look like they have their holiday wrapped up in a pretty bow are the very ones that are becoming the most unraveled. Don't fall for the deception.
4. Buy a good joke book.--- Share with your kids. Laugh out loud....laugh until you snort:)The cornier the better.
5. Spend within your means.--- Don't stress yourself out more by knowing that you've maxed our your credit cards. The bill will have to be paid. It is not worth it. Really. You know it is the truth.
6. Count your blessings. Put things in context. Even the poorest of us have so much to be thankful for! There are always others who have it a lot worse then you do. Why not help someone else?
7. Smile. Not only does it make you look younger, it reduces stress and releases endorphins. Plus others will be drawn to you if you look like you are happy:)
8. Volunteer. Nothing better than helping someone else. Take the focus off yourself.
9. Get enough sleep. Rest restores. Enough said.
10. Make comfort foods. It will make you feel good to make your mom's special Christmas cookies, or grandma's yummy baked macaroni. Tradition is something everyone loves.
A couple of other great decorating ideas I came across.........
Cut out pieces of white paper in 2 in.x 2 in. squares. (construction paper, printer paper, or small index cards cut in half or thirds) Punch a hole in the top of each piece. Print a letter on each card with crayons or markers until you have spelled out "Merry Christmas". Take a piece of ribbon, yarn...whatever you have, and lace it through the holes. Hang the word garland on a mantle, across a door opening, or above a child's bed. If you feel creative you can make several word garlands with other sayings such as "Winter Wonderland", " Jesus is the Reason for the Season", or " Twas The Night Before Christmas". The garlands are simple but cute. Most children would enjoy helping with this....let them decorate their own.
If you love hot chocolate as much as I do you'll love this little bit of festive creativity. What is better than having a steaming mug of hot chocolate on the cold winter days leading up to Christmas? Try this little trick for the hot chocolate lovers at your house. Make your hot chocolate as usual. Add 2 big marshmallows on top with a little special something! (The special something is this: take a piece of paper (about 1in. x 1in.) and make a stencil. Fold the little paper in half and cut out a half heart. Open it up and you have a mini heart stencil. Put the little stencil on top of the marshmallow and sprinkle a little bit of the hot chocolate mix, or baking cocoa powder on the stencil....pull the stencil away and wa la! you have a little heart on the marshmallow.) Your kids and husband will notice the little touch. They will think you are so cool. And of course you will agree!!!
Stay tuned for more "Christmas Experiment" blogs!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
It's Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas!
Sorry for being such a slacker this week with my blog. In the evening (when I normally blog) I've just been so tired that I kept saying, ""I'll do it tomorrow." Next thing I knew the week was gone and I hadn't updated. Shame on me.
So, I've been coming to terms with the fact that we don't have a lot of money this year for Christmas. (not that we've ever been loaded, but this year is especially thin due to the lack of jobs thingy we have going on:) This is the first Christmas since '07 that we will be able to "full out" decorate. The past couple of Christmases we have been packing for our big move, didn't feel like getting everything out with boxes sitting all around, you know what I mean.
I have always been a Christmas kind of a gal. I love to decorate, I love the season's music, I love a mix of familiar and quirky, and I'm all about family tradition. So......... this week I've pulled out all my Christmas books and magazines. Yes, I save them. I am one of those weird individuals that DOES save magazines and actually pours over them again and again....year after year. Hey, good ideas are good ideas and classics are classics for a reason!
I'm already making a list of things that I want to do with the family. Things that are free or very minimal in the forking over of money. I know that we are not the only ones out there that are hurting due to job loss, down turn of the economy etc. Everyone is feeling the pinch. There are so many things that can be done that will make awesome memories for the family and still not break the bank. I'm viewing this as a fun and festive experiment. How many things can I do (with the family) that won't cost anything?
THE EXPERIMENT IS ON! Yesterday I started looking through my magazines/books for ideas. I won't actually start decorating for Christmas until the Friday after Thanksgiving. (Because I LOVE Thanksgiving too--and have a lot to be thankful for... I don't want to crowd Thanksgiving out of it's rightful place, I am not one of those people that jump the gun so to speak with the holidays.)
First thing I worked on was my list. The list is an ongoing thing. I went around the house and looked at objects that I already have that could be "repurposed" or dressed up for the holidays. For instance, the small garden urn that I have can sit on our dining room table filled with old Christmas balls that I might not hang on the tree, but would still be shiney and festive setting in the urn. Or I could add a couple of pine tree sprigs and ask our neighborhood friend if I could gather some of her pine cones to add to the table urn?
Have any red, silver, gold, or green picture frames? What about framing some of the pretty Christmas cards that you receive? Set the picture frames on a table in the living room or in the hall. Instant holiday art.
Does your family like to eat spaghetti? Do you buy the sauce in the jars? Save the glass jars. Peel the labels off--and wash the jars well. Buy a pack of white votive candles (you can get really cheap at the Dollar Store) and put them in the glass jars. Group several of the jars together for soft, warm elegance. If they can use lots of candles for the Christmas holiday at Colonial Williamsburg and have such a beautiful scene, than so can you!!!
These are just a few things......the plan is for me to blog about my "Christmas Experiment". I will add pictures as I go along. So tune in for Christmas creativity galore!
So, I've been coming to terms with the fact that we don't have a lot of money this year for Christmas. (not that we've ever been loaded, but this year is especially thin due to the lack of jobs thingy we have going on:) This is the first Christmas since '07 that we will be able to "full out" decorate. The past couple of Christmases we have been packing for our big move, didn't feel like getting everything out with boxes sitting all around, you know what I mean.
I have always been a Christmas kind of a gal. I love to decorate, I love the season's music, I love a mix of familiar and quirky, and I'm all about family tradition. So......... this week I've pulled out all my Christmas books and magazines. Yes, I save them. I am one of those weird individuals that DOES save magazines and actually pours over them again and again....year after year. Hey, good ideas are good ideas and classics are classics for a reason!
I'm already making a list of things that I want to do with the family. Things that are free or very minimal in the forking over of money. I know that we are not the only ones out there that are hurting due to job loss, down turn of the economy etc. Everyone is feeling the pinch. There are so many things that can be done that will make awesome memories for the family and still not break the bank. I'm viewing this as a fun and festive experiment. How many things can I do (with the family) that won't cost anything?
THE EXPERIMENT IS ON! Yesterday I started looking through my magazines/books for ideas. I won't actually start decorating for Christmas until the Friday after Thanksgiving. (Because I LOVE Thanksgiving too--and have a lot to be thankful for... I don't want to crowd Thanksgiving out of it's rightful place, I am not one of those people that jump the gun so to speak with the holidays.)
First thing I worked on was my list. The list is an ongoing thing. I went around the house and looked at objects that I already have that could be "repurposed" or dressed up for the holidays. For instance, the small garden urn that I have can sit on our dining room table filled with old Christmas balls that I might not hang on the tree, but would still be shiney and festive setting in the urn. Or I could add a couple of pine tree sprigs and ask our neighborhood friend if I could gather some of her pine cones to add to the table urn?
Have any red, silver, gold, or green picture frames? What about framing some of the pretty Christmas cards that you receive? Set the picture frames on a table in the living room or in the hall. Instant holiday art.
Does your family like to eat spaghetti? Do you buy the sauce in the jars? Save the glass jars. Peel the labels off--and wash the jars well. Buy a pack of white votive candles (you can get really cheap at the Dollar Store) and put them in the glass jars. Group several of the jars together for soft, warm elegance. If they can use lots of candles for the Christmas holiday at Colonial Williamsburg and have such a beautiful scene, than so can you!!!
These are just a few things......the plan is for me to blog about my "Christmas Experiment". I will add pictures as I go along. So tune in for Christmas creativity galore!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Hold My Hand
When the waves crash around me
And I do not understand,
When I feel myself going under
Father, please hold my hand!
When I'm in a dark night
and I can't see the plan,
When the stars no longer shine
Father, please hold my hand!
When life becomes so hard
and all I ask is, "Why?"
When I long to smile,
but only seem to cry
Father, please don't let me go
I want to hold Your hand.
When life has knocked me to my knees
and it hurts to stand
I am so tired and weak
Oh Father, I want to hold Your hand!
I will hold Your hand.
I will not let it go.
You are my strength
and I know you love me so!
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path. Proverbs 3:5-6
And I do not understand,
When I feel myself going under
Father, please hold my hand!
When I'm in a dark night
and I can't see the plan,
When the stars no longer shine
Father, please hold my hand!
When life becomes so hard
and all I ask is, "Why?"
When I long to smile,
but only seem to cry
Father, please don't let me go
I want to hold Your hand.
When life has knocked me to my knees
and it hurts to stand
I am so tired and weak
Oh Father, I want to hold Your hand!
I will hold Your hand.
I will not let it go.
You are my strength
and I know you love me so!
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path. Proverbs 3:5-6
Monday, November 9, 2009
Man Who Snapped? Or Terrorist?
This crazy man who let loose on the soldiers and civilians at Ft. Hood last Friday...did he just snap or was he a terrorist?
After hearing what others have had to say about him and his personal activities it really has to make one wonder. It for sure was premeditated. He was giving personal possessions away before this whole thing went down. He was yelling Islamic exclamations before shooting people, and he obviously had back up ammo to be able to mow down 13 people....and wound 29.
I really have about had it with the media telling us that Islam is a religion of peace. My last blog was about the Muslim father who ran over his daughter because she was too westernized. Then Friday this massacre occurs in Texas with the guy yelling "Allah" as he murders everyone in sight.
And the real kicker is the media said over the weekend....the poor man was harassed in the military. Oh, boo hoo! Give me a break! I don't care what anyone said he had no right to kill all those people. None. I think that is all just a ruse anyway. I think he knew full well what he was doing. He CHOSE this for himself.
And by the way, Mr. President where are you during all this? Haven't heard much from you about this awful thing that happened in Texas. You very briefly said something....not a whole lot of sympathy for those who died, or those that lost loved ones. How come?
After hearing what others have had to say about him and his personal activities it really has to make one wonder. It for sure was premeditated. He was giving personal possessions away before this whole thing went down. He was yelling Islamic exclamations before shooting people, and he obviously had back up ammo to be able to mow down 13 people....and wound 29.
I really have about had it with the media telling us that Islam is a religion of peace. My last blog was about the Muslim father who ran over his daughter because she was too westernized. Then Friday this massacre occurs in Texas with the guy yelling "Allah" as he murders everyone in sight.
And the real kicker is the media said over the weekend....the poor man was harassed in the military. Oh, boo hoo! Give me a break! I don't care what anyone said he had no right to kill all those people. None. I think that is all just a ruse anyway. I think he knew full well what he was doing. He CHOSE this for himself.
And by the way, Mr. President where are you during all this? Haven't heard much from you about this awful thing that happened in Texas. You very briefly said something....not a whole lot of sympathy for those who died, or those that lost loved ones. How come?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Her Father Murdered Her
I saw on the news again today that a young American woman of middle-eastern descent was killed by her father. This is so repulsive to me. HE RAN HER OVER WITH HIS CAR!!! His reasoning was that she was becoming too westernized. He rather her be dead then be westernized. THEN FOR CRYING OUT LOUD WHY DID HE MOVE HIS FAMILY TO THE UNITED STATES???? A child is supposed to be able to depend on their parents for unconditional love, support, and advice. How terrible it must have been for her, as her last dying thought, to know that her own FATHER was her murderer.
There is far too much of this going on in the world. These "honor killings" (and I use the word honor very loosely in that description) are right here on our doorstep in America. All to often I hear on the news of young women whose fathers or brothers have taken it upon themselves to "save the family honor" by KILLING their own daughters or sisters. Most of us don't see that as honor. It is weakness. When men disfigure or kill women because those women don't agree with them, or aren't living up to some preordained "standards" then those men (a.k.a killers) are nothing but weak bullies.
Yes, this makes me irate. This kind of deadly behavior happens in countries around the world.....and now it is infiltrating my country too. And I for one am mad about it.
There is far too much of this going on in the world. These "honor killings" (and I use the word honor very loosely in that description) are right here on our doorstep in America. All to often I hear on the news of young women whose fathers or brothers have taken it upon themselves to "save the family honor" by KILLING their own daughters or sisters. Most of us don't see that as honor. It is weakness. When men disfigure or kill women because those women don't agree with them, or aren't living up to some preordained "standards" then those men (a.k.a killers) are nothing but weak bullies.
Yes, this makes me irate. This kind of deadly behavior happens in countries around the world.....and now it is infiltrating my country too. And I for one am mad about it.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Of Mice and Men...Uh Make That Women Too.
Life is difficult right now for a lot of people. The economy is in a slump, people not being able to find jobs, penny pinching is the norm. We could all use a good laugh, and because I don't mind using my own fiasco's of life to make for a good story and hopefully some smiles....here it is.
Those of you that have been reading my blog for awhile know that my family moved into our new house this past summer. We had built it ourselves (of course with the help of at least a million other people) and are pretty happy with how things have turned out. Except for the fact that since we built our house in the middle of what used to be open farmland, basically a big field, we have field mice. Okay, so we moved into their territory.....they need to get over it! They invaded our garage in full rodent force. That was bad enough as I am not friends of rodents named Mickey, Stuart, or Jerry. Well, really I'm not friends with any rodents. Period.Um....as a matter of fact I am an arch enemy. Just so you know where I stand.
So, the fact we had these furry creatures in our garage was bad enough......but when one escaped into the living quarters of the house.....and by living quarters I mean the master bedroom/bath.....this was all out war! So, here is the story from my point of view, others might say differently (namely my husband) but don't listen to them...because I'm telling the story here.
The other night I had to use the bathroom before going to bed. (as God gave me the bladder the size of a pea, that is just my burden to bear) It was a little after 10 and I was tired. I trudged into the bathroom and had just sat down when IT ran right under my feet. At this point my brain has not caught up with my vocal cords. As I lifted my feet straight off the floor I let out a scream. My brain kicked in when my husband came tearing into the bathroom, at my obvious distress. The fact that I'm sitting on the toilet with my legs stuck straight out, pointing at the corner of the room..... he guessed it was the mouse. He is a smart man. I, still perched on the toilet, told him "to get it!" He grabbed a trap we had (since we had been trying to get the fur ball since the evening before) and he cornered the mouse. Long story short the mouse got his leg caught in the trap and there was a lot of squealing going on. (by the mouse,not my husband) My husband stood there with a wriggling mouse. He was my hero! The Mouse Master!
So, he wasn't sure what to do with it since it was still alive. He took it outside where our outdoor kitty saw him and thought to herself, " Daddy, thank you so much! You brought me a night time snack. How thoughtful of you." She took off with it and needless to say the bathroom mouse was no more.
As an ending to the story I had to clean up the mouse "remnants" the next morning. Yuck. I know why I hate mice and their little "presents" they leave behind. I cloroxed everything. Let that clean aroma be a deterrent to any other rodents that get the idea that they can share my house. The only time I'm interested in seeing a rodent is if it's on TV being chased by Tom.
Those of you that have been reading my blog for awhile know that my family moved into our new house this past summer. We had built it ourselves (of course with the help of at least a million other people) and are pretty happy with how things have turned out. Except for the fact that since we built our house in the middle of what used to be open farmland, basically a big field, we have field mice. Okay, so we moved into their territory.....they need to get over it! They invaded our garage in full rodent force. That was bad enough as I am not friends of rodents named Mickey, Stuart, or Jerry. Well, really I'm not friends with any rodents. Period.Um....as a matter of fact I am an arch enemy. Just so you know where I stand.
So, the fact we had these furry creatures in our garage was bad enough......but when one escaped into the living quarters of the house.....and by living quarters I mean the master bedroom/bath.....this was all out war! So, here is the story from my point of view, others might say differently (namely my husband) but don't listen to them...because I'm telling the story here.
The other night I had to use the bathroom before going to bed. (as God gave me the bladder the size of a pea, that is just my burden to bear) It was a little after 10 and I was tired. I trudged into the bathroom and had just sat down when IT ran right under my feet. At this point my brain has not caught up with my vocal cords. As I lifted my feet straight off the floor I let out a scream. My brain kicked in when my husband came tearing into the bathroom, at my obvious distress. The fact that I'm sitting on the toilet with my legs stuck straight out, pointing at the corner of the room..... he guessed it was the mouse. He is a smart man. I, still perched on the toilet, told him "to get it!" He grabbed a trap we had (since we had been trying to get the fur ball since the evening before) and he cornered the mouse. Long story short the mouse got his leg caught in the trap and there was a lot of squealing going on. (by the mouse,not my husband) My husband stood there with a wriggling mouse. He was my hero! The Mouse Master!
So, he wasn't sure what to do with it since it was still alive. He took it outside where our outdoor kitty saw him and thought to herself, " Daddy, thank you so much! You brought me a night time snack. How thoughtful of you." She took off with it and needless to say the bathroom mouse was no more.
As an ending to the story I had to clean up the mouse "remnants" the next morning. Yuck. I know why I hate mice and their little "presents" they leave behind. I cloroxed everything. Let that clean aroma be a deterrent to any other rodents that get the idea that they can share my house. The only time I'm interested in seeing a rodent is if it's on TV being chased by Tom.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Wanting To Knock On The Door Of Small Town America
It is still a dream of mine. A dream I've had for several years. One I'd like to accomplish before I die. Hopefully, I will have many years to work on the project:)
I've mentioned before that I want to write a book about small town America. I long to travel the entire 50 states visiting the towns that many people have never heard of. Places that are home to many wonderful Americans. Places that have not lost their appeal. Places that have survived the years. Time has moved on...but yet parts have stayed the same. I want to search for the stories that will make readers long "to be there". Secretly wishing that they just lived down the street.
I want to hear the life changing stories of the locals...as well as the mundane routines that get them through the day. I believe everyone has a story to tell. There are those people that are natural born story tellers that can weave a story that captures the listener from the very first breath. Sometimes a story is stuck inside a person, but with some gentle prodding a real gem emerges. It just requires some polishing before it really shines! Some stories might make us laugh. Some would surely make us cry. Some would create pride in our collective heart while others might cause us to gasp in surprise. All would make us think.
Many of you might be like me... and I suspect you probably are. In a world that is at times chaotic, it is comforting to sit down with a good book. Many times words, whether uttered or written, can be soothing to the soul.
To my readers: Any suggestions for a small town (let's say 5,000 residents or less) in your state? Where would you suggest I visit?
I've mentioned before that I want to write a book about small town America. I long to travel the entire 50 states visiting the towns that many people have never heard of. Places that are home to many wonderful Americans. Places that have not lost their appeal. Places that have survived the years. Time has moved on...but yet parts have stayed the same. I want to search for the stories that will make readers long "to be there". Secretly wishing that they just lived down the street.
I want to hear the life changing stories of the locals...as well as the mundane routines that get them through the day. I believe everyone has a story to tell. There are those people that are natural born story tellers that can weave a story that captures the listener from the very first breath. Sometimes a story is stuck inside a person, but with some gentle prodding a real gem emerges. It just requires some polishing before it really shines! Some stories might make us laugh. Some would surely make us cry. Some would create pride in our collective heart while others might cause us to gasp in surprise. All would make us think.
Many of you might be like me... and I suspect you probably are. In a world that is at times chaotic, it is comforting to sit down with a good book. Many times words, whether uttered or written, can be soothing to the soul.
To my readers: Any suggestions for a small town (let's say 5,000 residents or less) in your state? Where would you suggest I visit?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)