the end of another year...

can you believe it? 2 more days...and we will be entering into 2012...i love love love this time of year...new beginnings...

upon reflection...it still amazes me how this was one of the hardest years...but yet...one of the best...i know...sounds crazy...but i think too many times...when we focus on the bad...we forget of all the blessings surrounding us...

i saw a quote once that SO stuck with me...and of course...i am totally re-phrasing...but it went something like this...

when you are counting your problems...count your blessings as well...if your problems outnumber your blessings...go back and count your blessings again...because there are probably some that you missed...

how true...right?

i am so thankful for the love of my precious Savior this year...(and every year)...He is always with me...what a comfort...

thank you dear readers for walking along side of me...letting me pour out my thoughts...my fears...my gripes...my victories...

my wish for you is that your 2012 be filled with more love then you can handle...more joy then your heart can sustain...

"The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine upon you.
And give you peace.
And be gracious unto you. Amen."

happy new year!

photo source

resolutions...

do you make them? seems for many it is not a welcome term...and...i believe that change should not only transpire on the first day of the year...

but for some...it is a good starting point...on my biz blog & biz facebook page...i posed the question...what is your beauty or fashion resolution for 2012...which all the comments will be posted to an upcoming blog...

if you would like to participate...please submit your responses...it may seem trivial to you...but sometimes...one small change...can make a world of difference...and not only that...but it can inspire someone else to make a change that they need to...

don't be shy...please share...here is the original post...or you can post on my facebook biz page...or twitter...

aren't you loving all the options? you can even post your resolution to this post...i will be gathering them all up...

in the mean time...enjoy the last few days of the year!

the 3 c's...

choices...chances...changes...

you must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change...

a quiet week of contemplation...

after the flurry of christmas...and all the celebrations...i am finding myself enjoying a quiet week of contemplation...putting together the last touches of my business/personal plan for 2012...and thinking of all the wonderful moments of this year...

there have been some not so wonderful moments...but looking back...i so clearly see God's hand in the midst of it...whether it was to push me forward...or carry me through it...He was there...every step of my journey...for that...i am grateful...

my mind is racing...as i have all these thoughts of new things i want to accomplish in the new year...the exciting thing...is that i know these are ideas that God has planted in my heart...

i need to just follow His lead...

wishing you...

...a very merry christmas

may you be surrounded by those you love...and may you feel a special touch from the Father above...

letter from God at christmas...

received this email this morning...a little long...but a good reminder of things we could do...instead of...

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My Son's name out of the season.

Maybe you've forgotten that I didn't send my Son in December, it was some of your ancestors who decided to celebrate My Son's birthday at what was, in ancient times, a pagan festival; although, I do appreciate Jesus being remembered... anytime.


How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day.

If you want to celebrate Jesus' birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My Son's birth, then make room on your lawn for the nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all my followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.


Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all the trees. You can remember me anytime you see a tree.

Instead of fusing over trimmings and traditions, consider giving My Son one of the gifts below this Christmas.


1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My Son's birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.


2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.


3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.


4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.


5. Pick someone who hurt you in the past, forgive them, and give them the gift of a future free from the pain, shame, and guilt of yesterday's mistakes.


6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile, it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.


7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.


8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.


9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. Be sensitive to the needs of others. A few cans of food or a simple gift can go along way towards good will on earth.


10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.


Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Please, if you love me, love my children all of them, especially the ones that challenge your traditions. I'll take care of all the rest.

Invite others to a Christmas festival that has more to do with eternity than all the trimmings and traditions of December 25th.

+ GOD +

enjoying this time...

don't you just love this time of year? although i am coming to terms with the fact that some things will just not get done...for example...i haven't written out christmas cards yet...and at this point...wondering if i will have the time...and if so...at this point...will it even get there in time?

the older i have gotten...i have realized that i am one person...and there is a big possibility that everything that i would like to do...have good intentions to do...will not get done...

so i let myself off the hook...as in...i probably won't be sending cards...(do you like how i just came to that conclusion?) i have really gotten to where i want to enjoy the season...and not run around like a mad woman...i want to relish in the spirit of christmas...the reason for the season...

so while i still have a few gifts to buy...gifts to wrap...cookies to bake...i am doing it all while being enveloped in christmas tunes...blasting through my home...

random acts...

of kindness...

i have always been a big believer of what it could do to this world...if we all did our part...this video challenged me that much more...to always be aware of my surroundings...it is not about giving the biggest chunk of change...so many random acts of kindness are the little things...

but again...it is about being aware of our surroundings...i saw this video this morning...and thought it went well with my post from yesterday...at a time where many are hurting and lonely...imagine what a simple act of kindness could do...

let's spread some...

ok...just a fore-warning...this will probably be a true post of random thoughts...

that is how my mind has been the last few days...actually weeks...

just random thoughts...that never stop...

and in the mix of it all...is my Heavenly Father...seriously...where would i be without him?

this is a strange time of year for people...although it is a happy time...it is a lonely time for many...it is a time of remembering those who are not here anymore...to celebrate with us...for some...it is a time of holding on to what used to be...to better times...for some it is a time amplified of what they don't have...of being totally alone...with no family...no friends...

in the last month alone...i've listened to many friends...some mourning the loss of a relationship ended...some mourning the death of a family member...some wishing this time would pass...

i think sometimes we could get so into the spirit of Christmas...and forget that this is a really hard time for so many...an what better time to show Christ love? what better time to extend a helping hand...a smile...a kind word...

so i challenge you...while you are out and about today...this week...take a moment to notice those around you...if you are not sure...ask God to point them out to you...the thing is...He will...and then do something...anything...brighten someones day...because beyond the real reason for Christmas...Christ love and birth...isn't it about spreading cheer?

let's spread some...

homeless man w/priceless friends...

This is a video of a homeless man in Santa Barbara and his pets. They work State Street every week for donations. The animals are pretty well fed and are mellow. They are a family.

The man who owns them rigged up a harness for his cat so she wouldn't have
to walk so much (like the dog and himself). At some juncture the rat came
along, and as no one wanted to eat anyone else, the rat started riding with
the cat and, often, on the cat!

The dog will stand all day and let you talk to him and admire him for a few
chin scratches.

The Mayor of Santa Barbara filmed this clip and sent it out as a holiday
card.

a great video...click on the link below...

juror #11

spent the week in jury duty for a criminal case...the jury selection took longer then the trial...glad it is over...not sure why the guy took it to trial...he had nothing that proved his innocence...other then banking on the fact that he was innocent until proven guilty...and everything stacked up against him...it didn't take us much time to convict him...

the bailiff was a dead ringer for george bush...and laughed about it...i just wanted to squish him...he was so adorable...

met some interesting people...some i will most likely keep in touch with...

the whole criminal justice system really fascinates me...of course nothing like on tv =)...although a bad time of year to be sitting a week in court...it was beyond an interesting week...

guess i'm off the hook for a year =)

what not to wear to court...

...thought i would share my post that i posted today on my biz blog...as it is a message that needs to reach the masses...ok...maybe that is a slight exaggeration...but if you saw what i saw...you would understand...

i have to admit...you know those walmart emails that go around? with all the lovely outfits people are caught wearing at walmart? yeah...i cringe...the thing is...whether these individuals were photographed at walmart...or home depot...or the grocery store...the point is...they were obviously wearing the items they were photographed in...and my question would be...do you own a mirror?

today i had the lovely duty pleasure of going to the court house for jury duty...i almost thought i was off the hook...as i was on stand-by for 2 times...but alas...the third time i called in...i was summoned to come on in...

i really don't mind the whole jury process...i mean...it needs to be done...and i have to say...there was one time...i really wanted to be chosen...for a "hire for murder" trial...but i wasn't...and i was bummed...yes...bummed...

but that was then...and this is now...and as the jury selection continues...i will be back in tomorrow morning...

but...that is not what this post is about...it is about what not to wear to court...do you need to don a suit? of course not...although both female lawyers looked quite put togther in their suits...

i'm a people watcher...i enjoy looking to see how people put together outfits...different personal styles...etc...today...i wish i had my camera...although i'm wondering if i would have been able to take pics...

the thing is...when the judge...along with his statements about all the "law" stuff we need to pay attention to...also has to go in detail of what not to wear to court...i really begin to wonder what people are thinking...

today we had...one who came in her slippers...matching beautifully to her pajama bottoms...you guessed it...i cringed...

we had an individual who showed enough cleavage to take the focus off other matters...and looking like she mis-read the jury duty summons to mean...dance club...

and last but certainly not least...we had a nice young man...who managed to show off his lovely patterned boxer short...and his pants somehow hanging on to dear life...about half way down his buttocks...i still wonder how he walks without his pants falling down...

the judge addressed proper attire...and i'm left to wonder...is it really hard to figure out what would be appropiate to wear to a court of law? somthing that i think is common sense...is it?

what are your thoughts?

how love is spelled...

saw this on my girlfriends facebook page...had to share...

As he opened his [business] journal, the old man's eyes fell upon an inscription that stood out because it was so brief in comparison to other days. In his own neat handwriting were these words:

"Wasted the whole day fishing with [son] Jimmy. Didn't catch a thing."

With a deep sigh and a shaking hand, he took Jimmy's journal and found the boy's entry for the same day, June 4. Large scrawling letters, pressed deeply into the paper, read:

"Went fishing with my dad. Best day of my life."

...we all have many priorities competing for our time, But there's nothing more
important to remember than: To A Child, Love is Spelled T-I-M-E. [One could say this applies to all those we love...]

happiness is like a butterfly...

may your weekend be fabulous...

aahhh december...

...i welcome thee!

i don't know what it is about this month that i love so much...sure the cold weather is upon us...but worth it with all the other stuff...what other stuff you may ask?

the hustle & bustle of this glorious season...people are in much better moods...seems like...at least that is what i have noticed...

christmas music...how can it not put a smile on your face...right? the lights...the tinsel...the glitter...the color...the trees...the beautifully decorated trees...

but most of all...the greatest gift ever given...God sent His Son to earth...as a babe...thank you Lord for your great gift...

may your CHRISTmas season be filled with love, joy and His abounding love...