Merry Christmas

Wishing you a joyful Christmas as we celebrate together the birth of our redeemer Jesus Christ!

The Charlie Schulz Philosophy

You may be familiar with this. I have read it before and recently received it in an email. It is one of those, hmmm makes you think kind of things. I do not know where it originates from but felt it was Blog worthy.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder it.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies.
Awards tarnish..
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one :

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?
The lesson :

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the
most credentials, the most money...or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most.

''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!"

Let's Chat about Marriage

Today marks our 24th Wedding Anniversary.
December 20th, 1986, Sergio & I exchanged our vows.
I was 24 and Sergio 28.
When we started dating, neither of us were looking for a future spouse.  We were both happy about dating without that... false pretense. Do you know what I mean?  We weren't trying to impress each other or catch each other. Quite frankly, Sergio had a bit of a Casanova reputation. I knew he wasn't looking for a wife. He loved being a bachelor.  Me? I had just stepped out of an uhm.. difficult relationship. Marriage was the furthest thing from my mind, so to date a man that appeared to be a "Lifer as a Bachelor" was a great sense of relief.
No pressure.
He had to convince  me to go out.  I was planning on taking a year off dating. He finally got me to agree to a cookout with several friends. Just hanging out and enjoying our mutual friends.
That was June 9th, 1985.
We have been together since.

The way we meet is a grand story... but I am going to make you wait till next year to hear it. This post is more about marriage.

Once I was at a friend's wedding shower. There was some concern about these two marrying. I said, "If you have any doubts, please don't do this.  It's a life commitment." She smiled and said, "Not hardly Jan. I can always get divorced if it doesn't work out."  Which they did.

I know other friends that married because of timing, or because they dated so long, or because...what if no one better comes along?

I know friends that have been in abusive or controlling marriages. I know friends that have cheated and thought nothing of it.

I know friends that can't stand or have no respect for their spouses.

I can't imagine.

Please don't misunderstand. My marriage has been far from perfect. There have been moments of doubt, moments of tears, and a lot of prayers. (I have always prayed daily for my spouse and my marriage).

My marriage takes a lot of work and I am proud that we do, both of us, work hard every day at it. It takes 150% not just 50%.  It takes patience, understanding, and sacrifices. It takes a lot of prayer.

I believe in divorce. I believe in separation. I do not believe anyone should stay in a loveless or cruel marriage...
But, I also believe in commitment. In love. And God's plan. I wish everyone would think very hard about their decision to marry, and the seriousness of the commitment they are about to make. Especially a Christian marriage... think about the promise you are making not only to each, but to God.

I believe the mountains are not appreciated as much without the valleys. And that some valleys can not be crossed, some mountains can not be accomplished.

I do know that, for me, it is worth every valley, every bit of energy, every tear and every single prayer.

God has given me this man to share my life and to love me. To walk beside and enjoy every day of our lives together.
For that, I am truly Blessed♥

Happy Birthday Pumpkin

 

 My Emily turned 22 yesterday.
To you young Mom's
or Mom's to be, I give you this advice.


♥hold on tight to your little girls...
♥Read to them, every night while you can...
♥play with them every chance you get...
♥be silly with them a lot..
♥let them "help" you cook,
no matter how messy it gets...
♥let them fix your hair, even if it hurts...
♥sing with them, even the weird hip hop or tiny bop...
♥let them "help" with their little siblings,
so what if the diaper isn't put on right,
it's about learning and trust...
♥get to know their friends...
♥ get to know their teachers...
♥take your turn being a Room Mom...
♥be the Brownie, Girl Scout or youth church leader...
♥go to every game, practice, competition
(yes even if it means sitting for 4 hours to watch them perform for 3 minutes)...
♥teach them chores and expect them to do them...
♥make boundaries because you love them...
♥know when to be the mean Mom...
♥follow through...
♥don't be judgmental...
♥let her develop her own style, not the one you want them to have...
♥respect her, cherish her, and love her.

The reward of seeing her develop into a fine woman will amaze you.
Mine do me.

self worth? what is it worth?

 { self-worth- the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect}


So strange how one can have so much going for themselves and from the outside appear to have it together, when truly inside feel as if they are dying and full of doubt.

Picture perfect.
Nice house. Great husband. Beautiful successful children. Accomplished with work and service.

Inside, dark, sad and full of discontentment.

melancholy.

I can't make these feelings go away.
I certainly can (and do) make it better. I have wonderful coping mechanisms I use, I remember that I can't nor should I feel, I can fix things. Also, I take medication. 

It's the holidays, that make things feel worse. This is a season of joy. Of family and friends. Of celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am full of shame to feel this way at a time of celebration and joy. I am full of doubt, of my self worth.

I'm giddy of the arrival of my college daughters. Of them staying for a few weeks. Of getting to have them with us. Of getting to see the wonderful young women they have become.  But... I am also frightened. I have a habit of having high expectations and getting let down when things go awry.  My husband will be expecting them to be perfect. Or at least see things the way he does... When they don't (and they won't), he will blame me. The girls will then get mad at him, which he will get madder at me, as he thinks, "you girls always gang up on me. it's three to one." Regardless to the content of the subject. He will also tease me, which for the past 25 years he has felt I should not get mad, as he does it "lovingly" and he has forever, so I should be use to it by now. It's usually, nothing or very little & should not bother me, but, for the past 25 years, he KNOWS it bothers me & I wish he'd stop. It's just not funny to me.

Family will gather. And I will stress. Somebody will say something, do something. I will be the peacemaker.

Oh my gosh... when it rains, it pours...
I started this post earlier today. Since starting it, we discovered our car has been broken into, and yes things were stolen. Then the furnace tried to die... but Hubby scared that mean ole furnace into giving some more life into it.

The day has turned to evening.  Things already look brighter.  I hesitate to post this, especially since I am censored more now with readers that I don't want to take things wrong and over react.
But...
Truth be known, this is my life.
I promise myself to be honest.  I keep much to myself, but writing is so therapeutic. I know that I am not the only one that has these feelings.  I know that when I read others, and how they cope, how they made it better, I know I can too.  I hope that others feel that way when reading my blog.

I feel ten times better. Humor has helped. I'm about to indulge in a glass of White Zinfandel. That will help too. (Don't worry, I only have a glass now and then, never abuse and haven't gotten "tipsy" in many years.)

My lovely Therapist told me I must lower my expectations. I must accept things are GOING to happen. When they do, I need to say, "Oh, so that is the "Thing".  And Move On.  Funny.. It works.

I realize life throws us all surprises and disappointments.

Remember I am very grateful for my life, family, and faith. I just really need to work on that self worth thing.

Puppy Love

Bruno in his favorite sleep position, hogging the bed.

Once upon a time, there was a magnificent dog by the name Bruno. This gentle giant of a Dog came to live with us when he was just about 4 months old. We wanted a companion for our Beloved Lucy Girl. Bruno was a Humane's Society Dog.

Even though he was a mixed breed, one look at his feet told us he would be a BIG dog.  Bruno grew to a healthy 125 and had a slender build. He ate a lot. He had allergies, and took allergy medicine for them. His back bothered him and he amazed us as he was smart enough to twist and align it when he slept.

This loyal Pup was a dream Dog. He stayed by Lucy's side, guided her, assist her, and slept next to her. He protected my daughters, and never once bit anyone.
When Lucy died, Bruno mourned. He continued to be a great Dog to us, but he missed her terrible. We decided to get him a little sister. Riley, was purchased at The local Pound at 5 weeks old.

Bruno wasn't too sure about this crazy ball of energy. He gentle played with her, let her razor sharp teeth hang off his body, and learn to adore her. Riley got  very sick after our first week with her (parvo) and landed in the Veterinary Hospital for several weeks. But, once she arrived home, Bruno again, stepped into protective nurse mode and tended her every need, much as he did for Lucy.

Everyone that meet Bruno, adored him. For Halloween, he donned a kitty headband and sat on the porch with me passing out candy to the children. He played, loved our family and was such a good boy.

One day, I noticed a swelling on Bruno's throat and thought he had gotten stung by a wasp. (he was always killing them when they would fly around the swimming pool. Surely to keep them away from the kids in the pool.). Off to the vet we went. But it wasn't a wasp sting... He had lymph node cancer.  There wasn't anything we could do.  Our vet found several other lumps, and would not be able to cure this. We chose to give Bruno medication to keep him comfortable for as long as possible and make the best of what time we had left. A few months later, we loss our sweet gentle giant. Too soon.  He was only five years old.

Had we known this Dog would not live long, we would have still chosen him. The love Bruno shared with us in five years are worth a hundred years. I would not have traded them.  He gave to each of us. He is still a part of us, and still in framed photos in our home.

Recently, a blog friend, Herrad, from Access Denied-living with ms  received devastating news of her Beloved Spike.

Spike has Bone Cancer. 

Herrad & her Richie, understand a thing or two about Puppy Love and about dealing with death.

Sometimes, life is so unfair. Sometimes it is very unexplainable. It certainly is unpredictable and challenging.

I think my friend would agree with me. It is worth it. You take what you get and make the best of it. You need to enjoy every second and every opportunity. You never know when it is gone. You may never know how fortunate you are, but if you live each day the best you can, if you can pay it forward (much like our Pups). Then, I think you have something.

Babies aren't so Little Anymore

Here is a recent picture of my babies.  They had Winter Formals with their Sororities. Annie, on the left is 20 years old and Emily, on the right will be 22 in a couple of weeks.
Here is how I still see them though.

I know they are growing up... but sometimes I still think they are my Babies.

I remember first little boys that were important to them.

Here is Emily in Kindergarten with her friend Warren.

Here she is now,a Senior in college with her boyfriend Derek.

Here is the Baby Annie, with Chase, she's about 5 years old...

Fifteen years later with Nathan. She is his Baby now.  They had been dating for close to five years.

Where did the time fly? It seems only yesterday... And now, today, it flew so quickly.
Do you ever feel that way? Poof! Just like that.

Blog Reading

I have discovered a few new Blogs recently.  New to me anyway. Want to share with you as you too may find them a good read.

The first I would like to share is Anne Fannie's Green Acres .Anne is a loving Mom/Grandma that also loves her pets, gardening & is craft too. She has a beautiful Victorian Home in Southern California. She writes well and is interesting.  She also seems to have a great eye and takes great photos. She also generously shares crafting tips.

Next I want to share with you The Harwards. Julie is also a loving Mom/Grandma that lives on a beautiful piece of land they call Circle Cliff Views. Breathtaking location. I think maybe Utah?  (I'm not sure). Her love and compassion is felt when I read her blog.  She has a beautiful way of writing.

Also, you need to check out The Mahogany Way. Darcel is a young loving Mom with three adorable children. They are a Christian Attachment Parenting, Un-schooling family, which I find fascinating and intriguing. Darcel is refreshing and I look forward to reading more of her family's adventures.

Finally my newest find is Neinie Dialogues .  Stephanie is a survivor of a plane crash. She is an amazing Blogger that will inspire you as she does me. Her love of family & faith is evident. She actually has a few blogs but this will get you started. 

So, what are you waiting for? Go click on the links and check them out!

It's Begining to look a lot like Christmas

It started snowing this morning. Chilly too. My most current excuse for not attempting to finish with the lights. (I have gotten the two boxwoods finished & 1/3 of the Magnolia tree).
Trying to finish things up around the home. I got the tree done. I let the dogs see it & Bandit got a little too excited... He won't be allowed back in the living room until after the tree is down.

Our Tree this year, is a mismatch of new and old. It has a lot of old hand-made from the girls, Precious Moments, their favorite hallmarks over the years, as well as this & that's we have collected. The girls use to have their own tree in their bonus room that was always very fun. I have done all home-made, and I have done all white or other themes.

My old glass ornaments go in a fishbowl on the coffee table.  I wish I had thought of this years ago as many have not survived children & cats. Here they are safe and I can see them well.

The mantel is coming along. I love the old Tonka truck that was Sergio's sitting on the hearth. I also love catching him smile at it.

A gathering of Santas. I do love them. In different styles and vintage as well as new.  The two old ones in the center belonged to my Grandmother Peggy & maybe Grandmother Noel prior to that. The one with a light bulb in his nose is so frail.  I never plug it in as the cord is older than I! I remember my parents sitting hit up on the bar when I was young.

Finally the good stuff.  The best Christmas decorations, the ones that I will never part with.  The precious goodies my babies made. These are my favorites.  Some have permanent spot, displayed through out the year.

My dear Blogger friend Linda over at Over the Fence inspired me to share a little of my Christmas cheer. I love how she gives us glimpses. It's like sharing a cup of coffee while enjoying her Christmas cheer.

I still have a ways to go.  But, getting there gradually.

Got some great music on too.  I am playing my friend Brooke's playlist from  Brookie's Cookie Jar . She also has a lovely Blog and always great jams. Gosh... so grateful for my Bloggy Buddies!
One more picture for you...
This is my bed last night @ 2am. Im am actually squeezed in between the cat & dogs, with the rest of me up the pillow side.  With Sergio out of town on business, four of the 6 critters that live with us, like to keep me warm at night!

Love to all♥