Friday, December 31, 2010

The Humor is Infectious

Happy New Year's Eve! ......Are You Ready?

We are so excited....We have a nice evening planned with a group of friends and let me tell you that "The Humor is Infectious!"

I love laughter...and I love Humor...


I'll bet I have already made you laugh! 

Humor is very powerful and it's as contagious as yawning.
Did you know that when we take the time to smile for NO reason at all, it can actually boost up our mood?  Humor has a way of activating the pleasure center in the limbic system of our brain.
 

For all of you that have Deer Hunters in your family, I know you have to be laughing now...

When we hear laughter we all are drawn in the direction from where it is coming from.  We want to be a part of what ever is funny.  I think that laughter is a marvelous GIFT.  When we laugh, it automatically releases chemicals into our brains which can reduce stress!  I say bring on the LAUGHTER...ANY DAY....ANY TIME!




I'm not sure if the person who made this sign was laughing when their supervisor realized there was a problem, but I do know that the sign itself has probably made a lot of people smile!




Do any of you know anyone that refuses to engage in laughter? 
I'm not sure that I do.....Maybe it's because I'm always laughing, so I think everyone else is laughing too! 

Marriages need laughter and humor...It is amazing what it will do for a relationship! 

SO......with all this talk about laughter, I am so looking forward to this evening......Our friends are the Best!

Laugh every day,  do something silly ever once in while, laugh at yourself... I do.

Shug Sez...

This New Year's Eve.....Be safe and be smart and don't forget to laugh!


 

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Light Is Good...From Whatever Lamp It Shines!

I suppose that I am the only one left on the block, that is still burning their outdoor Christmas Lights....

Funny how we all have our own thoughts about the Holiday decorations.  Some people choose to take their trees down the day after Christmas and yet others like to leave them up until the second week of January. 

My trees are down and all the decorations are packed away until Thanksgiving Day 2011, but my outdoor lights are still shining bright.  I always burn my lights until after New Year's Eve.  I think it adds to the sparkle of the New Year's Celebrations around town....

Speaking of lights......I am so very disappointed because this is the first year ever that we did not go light looking during the Holidays!  This is one of my very favorite things to do.  We actually have a place just a few miles away that has a HUGE Christmas Display of lights each year.  If it were up to me, I would visit the drive through display at least once a week during the Holiday Season.  I would enjoy the lights and give this big heart of mine an overwhelming thrill  over and over again....

For some people, it's like once they've seen the lights, why see them again!  For me....it's just adds that much more dazzle to my life!  The brilliance of the lights makes my heart glow...I love how they glimmer, glisten and shine.......

We all could use a little brightness in our lives and if it takes seeing a spark of light to make us have a lot of zest and zeal for life, then so be it!

If you need some of this to set your spirit aglow....then drive on by our HOME....We will be shining BRIGHT each night!!

Shug Sez......

Light is good...from whatever lamp it shines!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

2010...What I Have Learned!

It's a new day and as you may have noticed, my blog has a brand new look....I'm crazy about CHANGE...and I love giving face lifts to my writing page...Hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.

Can you believe it is almost 2011..... Where has this past year gone?  This means it is almost time to make those famous "New Year's Resolutions."

Things like save money, lose weight, be a kinder person, have more patience, be more involved in church, and so on and so on!

I'm one of those people that rarely makes a New Year's Resolution.
Why?  I don't know....

I think it makes me feel better if I can jot down the things that I have learned to appreciate about myself during the past year.  This way, I can identify the things that I have accomplished and recognize the positive things in my life.  I don't accept any negative thoughts and I
try to stay focused on the changes that have made me happy.....

These are simple things that may be seemingly unimportant to someone else, but each one is something that I like about ME..This past year, I have discovered..........

1.    I love soups....All kinds of soups!  I could eat soup everyday.
2.    I'll never be too old to run through a cold sprinkler on a hot
       summer day....
3.    It is so rewarding for me to spend time with my friends...
4.    Every time I let go of something I used to like, I have
       more room for the things I enjoy NOW.
5.    I love BLING because I love it!  Not because I want to impress
       someone else!
6.    Water is good for ME...Even if I don't like to drink water, I  
       need it...
7.    The flavor of fresh vegetables is so much better than those I
        buy at the grocery store.
8.    I really do enjoy taking Naps!
9.    I finally realize that I like my hair long.
10.  Getting rid of stuff I don't use can be painful, but it feels
       exhilarating once I've done it.
11.  I love Hugs...I love to give hugs and I love to get hugs..
12.  Just because my favorite color is Black does not mean that
       I'm weird.  It means that I love a color that I love....
13.  I'm not as shy as I once was.
14.  I love Fish tacos....even with cilantro.
15.  Life will still go on even if I don't make my bed....
16.  I have met some wonderful friends all across the country
       through my blog....

There are so many things that I have discovered about myself this past year.  I think this is a good start to my list. 
I can't wait to see what the new year has in store for me.....

Shug Sez.....

There is no need to fret about things in life....Relax and let life happen...

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Construction Day.....

Who out there is busy taking down their Chritmas tree, cleaning up....packing away all the decorations that have adorned your home for the past 30 days or so?

I love my tree and I hate to see it go each year, but today is the day that I will say goodbye to all the beautiful twinkling lights that warm my heart each evening...

My tree is not the only thing that must go...NO...It's time to put away the background on my blog.  This means I have to say goodbye to the family picture that we had so much fun posing for.  Today is construction day for "Confessions of a Razzle-Dazzle Housewife"

Hope you will join me tomorrow for a brand new look and a brand new picture....

Have a wonderful day my friends!

Shug Sez.....

Do something different for yourself today.....Have a warm cup of green tea!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Need or Greed?

Happy Monday!....

"A Bird in your hand is worth more than two in the bush"....
or something like that.

You probably will find this hard to believe, but I had never heard this before.  Sam made this comment a couple of weeks ago, and then I heard it again this past week....

I now know that it is a statement referring to the fact that if you have a bird in your hand, then you know you have your evening meal.  If you become greedy and go after two birds in a bush, then both of the birds may fly away and you end up with nothing but hunger!

It's all about what we already have versus what is present outside of our possession, meaning it could be a relevant risk.

I have to ask myself this question....Do I let the economy define my life?  Am I content and can I accept what I have?

First of all, I think one must determine what is the meaning of a need?  What is the meaning of greed?

I believe that need is a condition requiring relief.  Greed is taking more than what is necessary and by doing so we deny others from having what they may need.

Our society is infected with greed.  It is as if there is this constant unsatisfying desire for MORE.  Take for example our homes.....Do we provide love, comfort and security or  is it our goal to impress with bling?  Are we trapped because we are trying to show people that we have the BEST of what ever is out there? 

I think that I prefer knowing that I have that one bird in my hand....My goal is to be more content with what I have in life.

Need I say more? 

Shug Sez....

Examine your hearts....Is your motivation full of greed or is it NEED?  Are you motivated out of Love? 

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Far Out Thinking

Here I am again.....Doing some of my "Far Out" thinking...Deep Thinking is what Sam calls it.

I suppose I just have a wandering spirit in me about life.  I spend a lot of time thinking about things that never crosses the minds of other folks...While some take life for what it is, I am here thinking the deepest thoughts about each minute of the day..

I say this is what makes me different.  It's what causes me to be creative and have a zeal for life!

Take Christmas Eve for example....I know that we celebrate Christmas Eve because this is a part of our culture.  Here I am, with thoughts of "Why?  Why do we celebrate with such anticipation on Christmas Eve?  On Christmas Eve, how much thought is really put into what Christmas is really about?  Is Christmas Eve full of anticipation for the arrival of Santa?

....We should be overwhelmed with celebration, excitement and Joy on Christmas Day because of what has just taken place....the birth of Jesus Christ.  Christmas and Christmas Post Day (or days), should be spent with great joyful celebration and Praise to God for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ!

 I have to bring myself back to the real world and think about how Christmas Eve was originally celebrated years ago.  This was an evening spent with family....decorating the tree....putting out the nativity scene....preparing for what was to come!

It was full of the mystery and the solemnity of the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ!  This was what Christmas Eve was all about...

...Christmas is so commercialized now and for most of us it starts before Thanksgiving ever gets here. I think it would be so great if we could just go back to the way it used to be....

Can you imagine for one moment the elation, the great anticipation that we all would feel on Christmas Eve?  

Well...this is just me, enjoying some of my unusual thinking!  But you know what....I'm thinking this time I'm not by myself on this one!!

Shug Sez.....

Don't let the excitement of our Savior's Birth stop because the Ho, Ho, Ho has gone back up the chimney!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

The Greatest Gift of All.....

The Greatest Gift of All.......

The gift of a Savior!  God gave his only begotten son....and it is absolutely amazing how this gift was given for everyone....There was not one single person in this whole world that did not receive a gift this Christmas Season...

Not one person was forgotten....We ALL received
an.. "Unsolicited Gift"....Our Father God saw our need and sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save us from our sins.

an..."Unchanging Gift"...Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever....

an...."Unspeakable Gift"...Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...

an...."Undeserved Gift"...For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God: Not by works lest any man should boast.

This is Christmas and we ALL have so much to be Thankful for.....If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, then I would invite you to seek Him, confess your sins and ask Him into your heart. 

For those of us that Know Jesus Christ as our Savior, may will all "Worship Him and Praise Him this day"

God Bless and May Your family be filled with the Love of Jesus this Christmas Season!

Shug Sez.......
Merry Christmas to you All.....

Friday, December 24, 2010

Wonder and Joy

Today is beautiful in such a way that it inspires my heart with Wonder and Joy!

Welcome to our home this morning....I love being able to sit here and enjoy a nice warm cup of coffee...There is not one single thing that is demanding my time this morning. Sam, Trista and shanda left early this morning for their usual "Daughters and Dad" shopping adventure. 

It's just me with some alone time and I can simply enjoy the morning and enjoy listening to the beautiful sounds of Christmas all around me.  

Shopping Done...check
Gifts wrapped....check  
House cleaned....check
Fire going.....check
Pies baked.....check
Christmas lights on.....check
Food ready......check
Tables set.....check
Games ready.....check
Christmas Story ready....check
Kids excited.....check

Nothing left to do!  Are you kidding me?  I can't believe it...I think I'll just sit here and enjoy a few more cups of coffee!

I have had several request for my "Sausage Ball" recipe, so here it is......

3 cups of Bisquick
1 pound of sausage (uncooked)
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1 small jar of cheese whiz

Mix all ingredients together and roll into small balls.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes....Enjoy!

Here is another great recipe that your guest will enjoy during the Holiday season.

Poppy Seed Loaf:

3 cups flour
1  1/2 tsp. salt
1  1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs
1  1/2 cup milk
1  1/8 cup cooking oil
2  1/4 cups sugar
1  1/2 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1  1/2 tsp. vanilla
1  1/2 tsp. almond flav.
1  1/2 tsp. butter flav.

Mix all ingredients one to two minutes with electric mixer.  Pour into 2 large or 4 small lightly greased loaf pans.  Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees or until toothpick comes out clean...Top will crack..

Glaze:

1/4  cup Orange juice
3/4  cup white powered sugar
1/2 tsp. butter flavoring
1/2 tsp. almond flavoring
1/2 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Let bread cool about 5 minutes...Pour glaze over warm bread.....

Hope you enjoy these recipes!!

Shug Sez.....

Enjoy your day...Enjoy your family....and Enjoy the Christmas Story!!!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

I think I know How Frosty Felt......

Frosty the Snowman.....was a jolly happy soul, with a corn cob pipe and a button nose, and two eyes made out of coal....There must've been some magic in that old silk hat they found for when they placed it on his head he began to dance around......
***************

Needless to say, my timing this Christmas Season has been less than perfect!  My Dancing has slowed....WAY DOWN!

My original plans were to have this entire week to do what I wanted to do....Like, go to some specialty shops and browse, make cookies if I wanted to, visit at the nursing home, enjoy the colorful decorations in our home, watch all the Christmas movies that I wanted to watch and just relax....

Well......It hasn't quite worked out the way my mind envisioned.  Fitting everything into this busy season has been a little challenging for me.  Supermom has been sleeping on the job ....I do believe!

Blame it on my Thyroid!...Yes...that is exactly what I am going to do.  I went to the doctor last week and it seems that my thyroid is not pulling it's share of the load (Again).  So, here we go....another increase in my daily thyroid medicine.  Not to worry though...In another week or so, I'll be back up and running in the (FAST) mode...

I do have lessons to learn at each stage of life and I think I must being experiencing a STAGE right now....... 

I think that during this particular stage, I am suppose to learn to not rush ahead of God....In other words, simply slow down and let God direct my feet....

Shug Sez....

I think I know how Frosty felt.......When he began to melt!!
      I need that "Old Silk Hat"....again, REAL SOON!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Oh What Fun It Is To........

The perfect Christmas is one spent at Home!.....

Is this a true statement?  Do all people feel this way?  Am I the only one that loves to spend Christmas at home with the family?

Of course, this is true for me because all of our family lives right here.  We have no place to travel to!  We all live within a few miles of each other....What a Blessing!!

Even though we see each other every single day, we still love to get together for the Holidays.  We have a way of making them very special...

Our kids come over on Christmas Eve.....They all gather here at Pop's and Shug's house around 4:30 or 5:00.  There is one rule that has been around for many, many years...YOU MUST WEAR YOUR PJ'S....Comfort is the name of the game!

We Eat and usually Eat some more....then it is GAME time....
I spend a lot of time thinking of new games for the kids to play..By far, one of their favorite in the past has been the scavenger hunt.  They have a list of things that they must find which usually leads them to a gift.

Speaking of games....Here is one that the whole family loves!  We played this at my dad's Birthday party. 
Items that you will need are:
Several Large Red Pom Balls
String
Vaseline

Tie the string around the Pom, making sure you leave about 12 inches hanging...Rub a small amount of Vaseline on the end of each participants nose. The object of the game is to see who can be the first to stick the red pom on the end of their nose.









As you can see....the adults have as much fun playing this game as the kids do!

When it comes time for the family to gather around the tree, the very first thing we  ALWAYS do is to read the Christmas Story....last year, the kids actually did a Christmas play as the Story was read....Taylor was Mary and Tyler was Joseph.  Mylee was Baby Jesus and Tori was the Angel.  Carson, Tucker and Trey were the three wise men....

The kids put this play together themselves and I must say they did a great job.  We were very proud of them because they wanted the main focus of the evening to be about the Birth of Jesus Christ and not so much about the gifts.  I think they are planning on doing the play again this year, and hopefully this will become a family tradition that will be repeated year after year....

I must say, that I truly love Christmas....I am so Thankful for the Birth of our Savior and I am so thankful for the spirit of Love that shines at Christmas time!

Shug Sez.....

Family is all about  Encouraging, Inspiring, Laughing, and giving lots of Hugs and Kisses!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Memories...

The Christmas Season is the most anticipated season of all....especially when you are a child...To me, it has always been a Magical Time of the year!

Even to this day, I can smell the fresh baked fruit cakes that my mother made each year.  I can also smell the egg custard pies with nutmeg.  These were my favorite desserts, and I am pretty positive that none other could compare to those that my mom made...

One of my favorite things was cutting down the tree....We would all go out (usually on a Sunday afternoon) in search of the perfect tree...I somehow believe that my dad already knew where that perfect tree was at, but he always made us believe that we were the ones that had spotted it.....As I recall, we would drive all through the country and just when we thought we would never find our Christmas tree, right before our eyes would be the most gorgeous tree of all!! We would all scream "I see one, I see one."  (Parents do things like that you know.....)


We could not wait to get it cut down to see how tall it was going to be.  All the way home we would sing Christmas carols and dream of how it would look with the big lights and all the decorations adorning the tree....As soon as it was decorated, all of us kids would work hard placing the icicles on the tree....Sometimes you could barely see the tree for all of the icicles....And OH....the scent of the tree was heavenly...(strange how we never had allergies from those old cut down cedar and pine trees)

There are a few Christmases that I will never forget!  One Christmas morning as I went to see what was under the tree for ME, all I found was a big clear bag, full of switches...Oh yes, Santa had left me the one thing that every child fears... SWITCHES!
I do remember laying my head down and crying, and then all of sudden I felt the warmest hug as my Mom  picked me up, gave me kisses and placed in my arms, The Biggest Blue Teddy Bear I had ever seen!  I think I ended up getting more that year for Christmas than my siblings...but, wouldn't you say I deserved to?

There was another Christmas that still stands out in my mind....My sister and I had ask Santa for these cute little pink watches....On Christmas morning, we got up and ran into the living room to see if we could find what we had ask for.   They were not there....Santa did not bring them!  We looked at all the other stuff Santa left for us, but deep down in our hearts, we were so disappointed....

I'm not sure how many minutes passed by before Dad announced that he could see something hidden high up in the tree....I think Joyce and I nearly tore the tree down trying to reach for those  PINK WATCHES.  We certainly were some happy little girls!

To reminisce about Christmas brings back many happy memories for me.  There are days when I would love to sneak back in time and be a little child again, but those days are gone and I am so thankful for each and every one of them....No matter where you live or how old you are, the memories of childhood Christmases remain forever in our hearts...

Isn't it amazing....What we do today will be the memories to come for our children and grandchildren! 

Shug Sez....

Leave a Loving memory in the hearts of those you love this Christmas Season!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Accept God's Challenge

Mary was young and unmarried when an angel told her that she was going to have a Son....the long awaited Messiah.

Mary was willing to say yes to God without worrying about what this decision may cost her.  Are We willing to trust God unconditionally?

When God calls us for a specific task, He also equips us to be able to do our part.  We must Trust God...

One question that comes to my mind is "What if the fulfillment of God's greatest promises depended upon my own faithfulness"

Wow and Wow again!  Mary had Faith to carry out the challenge that God had called her to do.  I am so thankful that God chose Mary and that she obeyed Him.....

Shug Sez.....

We must accept the challenges that God gives us....Our faithfulness brings glory to God!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Best Gifts...

The clock is ticking away and with just a few hours left in this day, I could not possibly let my overwhelming drive to get everything done  keep me from writing my post.

Hey...it's like they say..."It's better to be late, than to not show up at all"  or at least I think that is what they say!

I have had a super busy weekend.  I guess you might could say a super busy past five days!!   Tori's Birthday Tea, My Dad's 80th birthday party,  Two Christmas celebrations (Mine and Sam's families)  and cooking for the Church Christmas dinner today!

This is certainly what I call being BUSY!!!  But...we have the Best Families Ever and I loved every single moment of our time shared together....

The title of my post is "The Best Gifts."   The best gifts to me are those totally unexpected gifts that we receive.  Their is just so much power in the generosity of an unexpected gift!  

I was so Blessed this weekend because I was the recipient of an unexpected gift....A gift that I really had been wanting!  I had NO CLUE that someone was thinking of me and that they made a huge effort and sacrifice of themselves to make sure that I was able to get such an important gift.....

My sweet sister-in-law Lisa, gave me a signed book!
"Decision Points.....George W. Bush."  Wow....I am more than thrilled to have this book....

I know that it was not an easy thing to stand in line waiting to purchase the book and have it signed....

Yes.....The Best Gifts are those that you receive when you know that someone has taken their time to do something special for you!

Shug Sez......

Greatest Thanks to you Lisa....You Totally Made My Day!  Hugs!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Can't Miss This Preview

Nothing like being........ BUSY

Just Gonna Give You a Preview of What is to Come!!






We had a wonderful time and I have so much to post about Dad's 80th Birthday Party
and Our Family Christmas Get-together....

Read the rest of the story tomorrow!!

Shug Sez.....

I love my Family and Friends!


Friday, December 17, 2010

Happy 80th Birthday Dad!

What a wonderful day....Friday, December 17th!

Today my dad is celebrating his 80th birthday....Happy Birthday Dad!!


Who could believe by looking at this picture, that he has had four completely different bypass surgeries and a valve replacement surgery.  I am one that believes 1 open heart surgery would be 1 to many!!

We are so Blessed to have him here to celebrate this 80th Birthday. 

Just this past year, he was been diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer's.  I simply can not imagine there coming a time when he may not know me or know my name....This truly saddens my heart. 

But you know what.....for now, we are going to ENJOY every single moment of TODAY and then we are going to enjoy tomorrow and all the other tomorrows because I know that God will be watching over him....We are not suppose to worry    about the tomorrows, GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Shug Sez....

Let every moment of life count....



Thursday, December 16, 2010

Treasures of My Heart.....

Geepers, Weepers......I am exhausted today!

Too much partying yesterday....It wasn't just Tea for Two, it was Tea for Nine.....and the birthday girl was very pleased!

Nine Precious little girls gathered at Shug's house after school yesterday to enjoy celebrating Tori's 9th birthday with her...


These little girls were adorned in Prom dresses, Party dresses, High Heels, Bling, and more Bling, Polished nails, Make up on their little faces and infectious smiles.


Tori enjoyed blowing me a kiss.  She was absolutely thrilled with her party and loved every minute of it...


Even Mylee Joe took a little time to blow Shug a Kiss!

Mylee patiently waited all day yesterday for the party..I'm not sure who was more excited.....Mylee or Tori!

We carefully planned the perfect menu for the Tea Party.

Hot Tea with Sugar Cubes and Cream
Sausage Balls
Bagel Bites
Grapes, Strawberries and Cheese

Cherry Lime Punch
Petifores
Dainty Iced Sugar Cookies
Cupcakes



I feel so Blessed to have the opportunity to add a beautiful smile to my precious granddaughters face....

Both of my granddaughters, Tori and Mylee Jo are treasures in my heart.  I love Tori's name because she and I share the same middle name (Lynn.)  I love Mylee's name, because she has my mother's middle name (Jo.)

How beautiful it is to watch them grow....
There is no way to measure a treasured smile or the value of love and giving....The simple things that make life worthwhile!!

Shug Sez.....

Take time to enjoy all the usually unnoticed, simple things about your grandchildren.  Live each day to the fullest with them.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow! 


Wednesday, December 15, 2010

I Wish I Had A Box


I Wish I had a Box.....

It would be the biggest I could find,
I'll fill it right up to the Brim
with Everything that is kind.

It would be a box without a lock, of course
and never would there be a key.
For everything inside that box
Would then be offered FREE.

Grateful Words for joys received
I'd freely give away,
Oh,.....let us open wide a box
of Praise for every day!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could just open a box everyday and out would flow overwhelming kindness and Praise to our Heavenly Father.....

Kindness starts with caring and being tenderhearted towards others and by having a warm spirit  that can ripple out to touch the lives of so many people.

Not much is required for us to cultivate a smile rather than a frown towards others.  A simple smile can do so very much for someone who may be downhearted.  We may have to make a sacrifice of our time and energy, but kindness is something that we can give freely.  We must actively look for opportunities to show compassion and love.....This is Kindness!!

Did you know that the greatest rewards from God come when our acts of kindness are done humbly and quietly?

Shug Sez.....

Kindness....So simple....but yet so rewarding!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

My Christmas Wish List

If you need a good dose of Christmas Spirit this year, then take a moment to think about helping someone who has a need....You will be Blessed!

Christmas has a way of bringing out the good in people....It seems as if we are more aware of needs during the Christmas season.

I was thinking the other day about my Christmas Wish List..
If I where a selfish person, then my list would be something like this......

1.    Remodel my kitchen
2.    New wood floors
3.    Nice Laptop
4.    Kindle
5.    Shutters for Master Bedroom Windows
6.    Travel Trailer
7.    Spa treatments
8.    New Flat Screen TV
9.    Alaska Cruise
10.  New Mule for the Farm
11.   New Truck
12.  New Counter Tops
13.  Diamond Jewelry
14.  Florida Trip
15.  X Box 360 kinnect

You see, this list could go on and on.....All I would be thinking about was "What I wanted."

Praise God that I am beyond having to have material things in order for my heart to be filled with Joy....

It doesn't take much these days to find people with needs..There are needs all around us...People that you could not possibly imagine have needs.....There are many who have loss their jobs and are just trying to figure out how to put the next meal on the table...They are living one day at a time and Christmas is not even here....They can't possibly worry about something that is a couple of weeks away!!!

If you have no idea about where to start giving, then I might would invite you to visit the oncology department of any hospital....There are PEOPLE AND CHILDREN who have tremendous needs.  ....Reach out and offer them something that can be a Blessing to them....

Make a wish is a wonderful organization to give to.....You can not possibly know the good that comes from "The Make A Wish Foundation."  They truly go above and beyond  to see that a child's Wish comes true...

As I said earlier, we have needs right here in our own little town....The best thing that we can do is to Pray and ask God to lead us to those who are struggling and could use a little help......

I would much rather have my Christmas Wish List look like this.....I wish...

1.     No child goes without Christmas
2.    Every child feels loved.
3.    Joy and Peace is spread
4.    Those who feel desperate will be able to experience       Peace.
5.     Hope for those in despair
6.    People will know the Grace of Jesus Christ
7.    Spread God's Love
8.   Everyone would Praise God for His Goodness
9.    Loved Ones would be Saved
10.   Peace On Earth
11.   There would be no Childhood Cancer
12.   Jesus Christ would be Glorified
13.  Hospitals would be empty
14.  There would be no hunger
15.  Church's everywhere would be filled and running over.

This list could definitely go on and on.....

I know this is a long post, and I hope that you are hear reading the ending.  I pray that Joy and Peace will be yours and that your family will be Blessed beyond all measure....

Shug Sez.....

Give....Give every chance you get...Let us all share the Love of Jesus this Christmas Season

Monday, December 13, 2010

Voice of An Angel

What a Blessing!  The Christmas Musical at church last night was very well done......

What a talent it is to be able to sing!    One of my very favorite Christmas songs is "Mary Did You Know" (I have the lyrics below) written by Mark Lowery....He is super talented, but the words to this particular song brings chills to me each time I hear it ...

The words..."Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?....When you kiss your little baby you kissed the face of God"....WOW...I can only imagine the overwhelming greatness that Mary would have felt the night of His birth.

"The sleeping child you're holding is the Great, I am!WOW again.....


Mary, did you know

that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.


Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?


Mary did you know.. The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.


Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.


Beautiful Song...Wonderful Talent.....

Speaking of the musical.....Would you mind if I took just  one small moment to Brag?



My Precious daughter has the voice of an Angel...

She sang "What child is this" and it was absolutely Beautiful....
I guess it will be ok if I brag just a bit more want it?
Her heart is as beautiful as the sound of her voice.....
Proud?  Yes, I am extremely proud of her....
*****

You know, four weeks a year is simply not enough time to hear the wonderful songs of Christmas is it?

Shug Sez.....

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas....


















Sunday, December 12, 2010

Celebrations Galore

Goodwill Shopping.....

Oh what a day...Much to do this week!  2 Birthdays!

Can you believe that people are allowed to have birthdays
just before Christmas? 

Well......My sweet Dad turns the big 80 this coming Friday and Tori will be 9 on the 20th.  We will be celebrating her big day this coming Wed.

Sugar Baby (that being Tori) will be honored with a "Tea Party".........

Trista and I shopped at goodwill this afternoon and we hit the jackpot.....Ten pair of HIGH heel shoes for $10.00
I'm thinking it was a great buy!  These shoes are pink, bright green, red, black, and purple.....These little girls are going to be styling!

Not only did we find shoes, but we found prom dresses galore!  What little girl does not want to dress up in real Prom Dresses?  I can't wait for the party and I can't wait to see the look on Tori's face.  After all, this is the same little granddaughter whose first thoughts about her birthday party were to meet at my house with all her friends.  I would take the "girly girls" shopping at the mall, and Pops would take the "Tomboy girls" to the farm to hunt!...Oh geez...she makes me laugh!!  By the way, I ask her if she was going to be in the group shopping and she said, "NO WAY, I'M GOING HUNTING WITH POPS"

Next will be my Dad's party....We are combining his 80th birthday party with his Christmas get together....
I am excited about this one too!  Since he is having some difficulty with the dementia, I feel that this is one year that we need to celebrate "Big" for him.....

We are meeting at a farm house down in the country and I know he is absolutely going to love it....There is a fire pit with rocking chairs all around it for us to sit and visit for ever how long he wants to talk.  The meal is being catered, so the only thing left for us to do is play games and have a wonderful time....

This certainly is going to be a very busy week, but I guess that is why they call it hustle and bustle of Christmas time....
I'm not going to lie....I love every bit of it!

Shug Sez.....

Don't you wish you knew what kind of vitamins I take?

Saturday, December 11, 2010

A Wonderful Life.......

"No Man is a Failure who has Friends"

What a wonderful Quote.......

"You've been given a great gift George:  A chance to see what the world would be like without you."

"Look Daddy.  Teacher says, every time a bell rings and Angel gets it's wings."




Well Folks......I have heard this is a "Wonderful Movie" and by reading some of the quotes, I believe it must be. 

Hold on to your hats.......I must tell you, that I have never seen "It's a Wonderful Life."  I have heard that it is a true masterpiece and that it truly is a must see, but I have never TAKEN THE TIME to sit down and watch this great movie..... 

Hopefully, I will find the time to watch the movie from the beginning to the end this Christmas season, with no interruptions.  The title is a great title, so I know that the movie must be great as well....

It is sometimes difficult to always maintain positive thoughts or feelings, to be merry or happy, and experience exuberant thoughts or feelings. When facing problems that seem insurmountable, the thought of being merry in the traditional, jolly sense seems almost impossible. 

During this particular time of the year, it is easy to spark feelings of anxiety and fear during the holiday season, when the pressures of life demand so much from us....


But.....on the other hand, this joyous holiday season holds a lot of anticipation and HOPE for those that are able to maintain a POSITIVE attitude every where they go......There is a "Reason for this Season".....The Birth of Jesus Christ, this is our HOPE!

No matter what circumstance comes my wayMy life is a wonderful life........

Shug Sez.....

Make every effort to recognize the good that is your life!

Sunday Thinking

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