Little Mountain House

AVON Representative ANGELENA RYDER serving the Marlinton, WV area

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:20:00 +0000

AVON Representative ANGELENA RYDER serving the Marlinton, WV area

It's time to start Christmas shopping:) Avon has some wonderful products at great prices. Click on the link above to go to my Avon page.

Thanks

Facebook Fibbers

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:52:00 +0000

Report cards came out yesterday in our neck of the woods. This morning when I logged onto my Facebook account I was slammed with stories about how everyone's kid got Straight A's. Really?!?! Every single parent was posting about their prodigal child. Now either I am the only parent whose child did not get straight A's or some people are stretching the truth a tad bit.

Could it be that the teachers have chosen only 2 kids in the whole school not to give A's to and those 2 kids just happen to be mine? Conspiracy theory?

I am going to start looking on the bumpers of all my friends to see if they have that coveted "honor roll" bumper sticker- cause I think they are (gasp) stretching the truth a tad bit.

Now I might not get that honor roll bumper sticker cause my kids grades are "average" but I am thinking of making some bumper stickers to add to the back of my car:

My kid may not be on the honor roll, but he can hold my beer without spilling it while I drive
My kid can't read your bumper sticker
My degenerate beat up your honor roll student
My underachiever got your honor roll student pregnant
I can drive, text, and beat the shit out of my kid at the same time
My other kid is Charlie Sheen

So there Facebook Fibbers take that!

Cheap Laundry Detergent

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:56:00 +0000

I read an interesting email this morning

I use Ajax, Dawn or Joy to wash my clothes. It's bunches cheaper than Tide. Mix it 7 to 1 (Water/Ajax, Dawn or Joy) in your empty laundry detergent bottle. Pour in 7 cups of water, then add 1 cup of dish detergent. I use the bottle cap to measure just like the Tide.

I also fill my Downey ball about half full of white vinegar and toss that in. It removes soap build up and softens too.

I think this may be worth a try!

Listia - my new favorite site

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:31:00 +0000

I know I haven't blogged in a while and I am hoping to get more time to do that- but I just have to share this site with you. It is Listia- think ebay only everything is FREE!!! I know!!! Listia is an auction site for Free Stuff where you bid on other people's items using credits instead of real money. They have some really nice things! Sign up is free and you also get bonus credits for signing up. Click Here to sign up. I am also putting some things up for auction. I have a 3 piece colonial candle tart in Hot spiced Apple ready for bidding all free- no cost- even the shipping is free. They will make your house smell wonderful

20 Lessons from the Great Depression

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:55:00 +0000

Save a dollar for every dollar you spend. I’m a big believer in the Pay-As-You-Go rule, but if you allow more cash to go out of your door than goes under your mattress, you’re asking for trouble.
New doesn’t automatically mean better. New this and shiny that may get you a lot of attention and give you a feeling of importance, but new stuff usually costs more than old stuff. Slightly used, gently used, or just plain used will often to the job.
Be thankful for what you have. All of us have complained about eating leftovers when we didn’t want to or complained about eating the same thing three times a week, but there are quite a few people in this world that might not know where the next meal will come from. Just be thankful you have what you have … if you have it.
Learn how to fix/maintain what you have. Nothing can be more frustrating than having a piece of machinery, whether it be your car or your laptop, that you rely upon, paid good money for, and have to pay someone to repair it. Eliminating the need for the repairman will save you countless hours and dollars over the years.
Waste not, want not! If you’re discarding a substantial portion of what you bought (or made yourself), you’re essentially throwing money in the garbage can. Either cut back on what you’re making, or find ways to reuse it at a later date.
Make cheap food taste like a million bucks. I probably violate this suggestion most of all because I’m a wannabe chef, but during my college years, my food budget rarely exceeded $100 per month. Learning how to make good eats on the cheap will save you thousands per year if you can learn a few cooking basics.
Don’t pay what you can do/make for yourself. It seems like an odd question to ask, but why would you pay someone to do something that you can do for yourself. I understand that we’re all super busy and we may not be an expert in everything that modern society pushes upon us, but thanks to the Internet (praise be Google!), you can find a DIY video for almost anything on your Honey Do List.
Preparation can keep you from being blown off course. Many times during your life you’ll face some type of adversity. The more prepared you are to handle it, the better off you’ll be at weathering the storm. As the old adage goes: you can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails!
Family time is fun time. I’m one of the least social members of my family, but nothing beats a classic game of Monopoly with the folks. This weekend happened to be catching up over baseball games on TV and lots of hanging out in the kitchen. Funny how positive social interactions work aren’t they?
Make your big purchases off season. One of my cardinal rules of shopping (which I loathe to do) is buy most of my winter clothing in April. This way, the retailers are desperate just to break even on their investment and clear the excess inventory to make way for Spring/Summer months. This works equally well when buying summer clothing in November.
Marry someone who complements your weak points. No this doesn’t mean someone who will say “good job” each time you do a good deed. Not that kind of compliment. In a complementary relationship, your strong suits will make up for your companion’s weaknesses and vice versa. In the end, the marriage is stronger than the two individuals!
Exchange time, skills or service as currency. If you know how to play the piano and your neighbors want their kid to learn to play piano, find something they have that you want.
Learn to preserve and store food. Even if you’re not into growing your own food, it never hurts to buy in bulk and keep it frozen for a few months.
Start a garden and pay yourself for growing your own food. Why pay a grocery store for food that you can grow yourself? Many people these days are under the false impression that gardening is too difficult to try and best left to the hippies and hillbillies. Hardly the case since Michelle Obama and started a victory garden on White House grounds.
Credit cards are the devil. If you tell my Grandma that you bought her Christmas present on credit, you better hope you got your fill of pumpkin pie prior to opening gifts. Chances are, she’ll cut you off and give you a 10 minute lecture from Proverbs. Most old school consumers won’t even think about buying something unless they pay in cash.
Patience is a virtue. Be patient, save your pennies, and wait until they turn to dollars. Paying cash is the only way to go. I admit, this doesn’t translate well to 2009, but if you can rely upon your debit card more than your credit card, you’re on the right path.
Work hard, and work often. My family wasn’t exactly the affluent type back in the day, so I’m glad to have some of that blue collar mentality rubbed off on me. I never really understood what it meant to say “I built that” or “I made that from scratch” when I was a kid, but I certainly learned what those phrases meant once I became a bit older.
At the end of the day, think how to make tomorrow a little better. This phrase is fairly common, but it’s been sitting on my grandfather’s antique desk for as long as I can remember. Probably longer than I’ve been alive. But to me, it’s a testament to how both of grandparents lived their lives. Over time, little improvements add up a lot quicker than you think.
Envy is still a sin. Even though I’m the blaspheming evolutionist of the family, it doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention to sound advice. Believe it or not, the Bible has really good tips on debt avoidance and the “debt is slavery” principle.
Speak convincingly and be a leader. We all know a hierarchy exists in most families, and if that happens to be you, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion. Even if you hurt a few feelings here and there, they’re family and they’ll eventually forgive you.

article from Steadfast Finances

Wednesday Baking | Oatmeal Cinnamon Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:26:00 +0000

Wednesday Baking | Oatmeal Cinnamon Bread

Looks like a delicious recipe that I am going to make this Christmas

Marriage becoming obsolete

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 12:39:00 +0000

[091/365] Wedding Ring
Originally uploaded by Lel4nd (be back soon in Dec)

I recently read an article that said most Americans believe that marriage is becoming obsolete. Really? Is that what we have become? I have been married for almost 20 years to the same wonderful man that one day I will grow old with and join into our Heavenly Fathers kingdom with. This is the same man who has fathered my 3 sons, stood by me through thick and thin. Seen me at my best and at my worst. Followed me up and down the path of mood swings, migraines and all sorts of other goodies.

Why are people not wanting to get married? Maybe society has made it easier for folks not to get married. After all - who wants to be "tied" down for the rest of their life? Don't you want to be an independent person? Who wants to work through an argument when you can just walk away and move on to the next bump in the road with someone else?

Marriage is not easy. There is no quick fix. One can not be self centered and have the "me" attitude. It is a "we" attitude. Looking out for each others best interest, the "I got your back" attitude. Each person must give and take. Arguments are bound to happen. But what about the good times. The making up, sharing memories, raising children in a loving home, growing old together, looking back on your life at all the achievements and disappointments? Granted marriage is not always a bed of roses, but I think the benefits far outweigh the alternative.

When my husband and I were first married there was the honeymoon phase. Life was grand- I woke up to glitter and rainbows every day. Then came the adjustment phase- uh- not so great. Little things like leaving socks on the floor, not picking up his towel, leaving glasses on the counter drove me nuts- and I let him know all about it every chance I got. Sure I drove him nuts too, my anal ways about housekeeping- among lots of other things. But we worked through it. Both of us had to grow up and realize that we were each our own individual - but joined. It was not about who was right or wrong, it was about learning to adjust to each other.
Now we are in what I like to call the comfort stage. We are completely comfortable with each other. We know each other like the back of our hands. With one look or touch we almost always know what the other person is thinking or feeling. Sure we still have our arguments - but doesn't everyone?
One day we will reach the end of the road. We will not know when that time will come, or how it will happen. But we do know one thing. He will be there holding my hand as I take my journey into Heaven or I will be there holding his hand as he takes his journey. I will not have to worry about being abandoned and alone during my final walk for he with be with me every step of the way. We loved each other enough to make an eternal commitment to each other. People who think that marriage is becoming obsolete really don't know what they are missing.

The Ten Commandments for Raising Teenage Boys

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:20:00 +0000

Don't remember where I found this one- but man oh man does it ever fit!!

1. Thou shalt not try to hide thy chips of corn from before mine eyes. I needest them for my skin above and my bones beneath for I art a growing boy.

2. Thou shalt not make me to cleanest any part of thine house, inasmuch as I likest it just the way it is.

3. Thou shalt not make thy name upon my Facebook page in a wall post or it shall be stricken off before thou can blinkest.

4. Remember the Saturday to keep it wholly for the purpose of mine rest. For in five days I have laboured diligently with mine brain and to grant unto me sleep is to shew mercy unto me.

5. Honour thy son's friends, that his days may be cool upon the land.

6. Thou shalt not kill my unlimited texting plan for it is the steadfast way of the rising generation.

7. Thou shalt not commit the unpardonable sin of leaving me to hunger for forty minutes, nay even forty seconds. Yea, thou shalt lay a store of food up for mine own purposes and none other.

8. Thou shalt not steal my playlist from upon the computer and try to makest me hear thy music. For inasmuch as thou thinkest my music is raucous, thine music smiteth mine ears from off mine face. I ask thee, is it good for mine ears to be smitten? Nay, I say it is not good.

9. Thou shalt not bear me to rise up and putteth away mine cell phone. Not even while I sleepest, for in the day that I do shall surely be the day when a lady, most fair above all ladies, shall text mine phone.

10. Thou shalt not covet mine ipod, neither my manly baseball gloves, neither my mother of questionable humor.

Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:38:00 +0000

1 pork roast
1 onion chopped
2 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce

Put the above ingredients in the crockpot the evening before. Cook on low all night or for at least 8 hours.
The next day take the roast out of the crockpot and drain the water reserving the onions. Shred pork and add back to the crockpot. Make BBQ sauce- pour over pork mixture and cook on low for an additional hour.

BBQ SAUCE

3TBS butter
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup black coffee (prepared)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 small onion minced
2 TBS molasses
1 TBS paprika
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce

For the sauce, melt the butter in a 2 quart saucepan. Add ketchup, coffee, brown sugar, onion molasses and paprika to the melted butter and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add Worcestershire sauce.

The Boys of Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:43:00 +0000

Fall is in the air. We woke up to a cool 57 degrees this morning and all the locals are talking about football season. Our beloved WV Mountaineers begin their season today. The pride of Pocahontas; the Warriors play against Parkersburg Catholic and the little Warriors face off against Midland Trail.

Football is a favorite pastime here in the mountains. We will travel far and wide to watch or participate in a game. It is a social event as much as a sporting event. We will wear our maroon and gold in support of our beloved county team, while we have blue and gold running through our veins in support of our state team. The men will relive their glory days from when they were in high school. You will hear a lot of " Remember when old so and so"- and so the story goes with each person adding bits and pieces along the way. Players are sized up and cheered for their excellence in the sport.

The boys of fall start out young playing with their Dads and brothers in the backyard and then when they reach kindergarten it is off to peanut football. With such a small town and not very populated these boys will likely play together from peanut on through high school together. It is more of a brotherhood than a sport.

The parents get together in anticipation of the games. Volunteers are working the concession stands, chains and announcing the game. And because we are southern and saved by the grace of God the coaches lead the team prayer before each game and the National Anthem is played across the loudspeakers.

The whistle blows and the cheers begin. If a player gets hurt during a game - you can expect he will get plenty of calls the next morning to check on him from - well basically the whole county. We are sparse in population and most everyone knows everyone. If they don't know you personally they will ask who your parents, brothers, sisters, cousins etc and eventually find a lineage they can relate to.

There will be wins and losses, but one thing can be accounted for - the boys of fall will always remain in the heart and soul of every small town.

Knitted Washcloths/ Dishclothes

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:03:00 +0000

I have been knitting my own dishcloths for sometime. I am a beginner knitter and am self taught over the internet. Once I got the hang of it, it was very easy.

In our never ending quest to simplify our lives I have found that knitting is a good skill as well as a wonderful method of relaxing in the evening time. I like to think that anything you can make for yourself at home is a wonderful alternative to store bought items. Not to mention that these cloths make wonderful Christmas presents.

Knitting is rather easy to do, there are lots of great tutorials and videos on the internet to help you get started.

Here are a few of my favorite knitted dishcloth knitted washcloth patterns.

PurlBee -Wedding Washclothes

Rainy K dishclothes

Homespun Living - Waffle knit dishcloth

Dishcloth Pattern Corner ( They update their site often with new free patterns)

Dish and Wash Cloth Mania

Rigid Ribbon Dishcloth- Down to Earth

Groovy Mom

Once you learn how to knit or crochet your own dish/wash cloths you will never go back to store bought again.

De' Nile and the Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:35:00 +0000

YES WE STILL HAVE SNOW ON THE GROUND - but I am so ready for spring and summer. This is a re-post of warm weather and ahhhhh-summertime!! ENJOY

Denial I am in denial. Football season is in full swing, school starts soon and (gulp) summer will be over soon. So we are trying to squeeze in every last minute of a mini vacation we can on any given day, cause a trip the Nile ain't happening this year. We went to the lake the other day. The beach wasn't that crowded- in fact we didn't have to fight not one person for a place on the beach. I keep telling Levi "be a lover, not a fighter" but with 2 brothers it just ain't happening most days.

The views of the lake are so peaceful and relaxingBut with his brothers working and no one to play with except me, Levi was a poor lost soul out to sea.
So he swam and dove for rocks. This one caught his eye for about 5 mini seconds before he cast it out unto the great unknown. He was telling the rock "I know we've just met and all but I am about to throw you at least forty eleven feet into the air and you will plummet to the depths at the bottom of the lake. Journey well my little friend." Alright - so he probably wasn't saying that but I was bored and had no one to talk to.

But then--- Guess what??? Family arrived in the form of a cousin. Let the games begin!!There was jumping and running and splashing and giggling and digging in the sand and, and and....then it started thundering and we had to go home. But it was fun while it lasted and we are going back soon. Cause that's how we roll!

Hang in there- Summer is almost here

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:50:00 +0000

A friend had this posted this pic of 2 deer on his twitter with the caption " Hang in there! Summer is almost here...we can see the deer moving around. Yep, won't be long."

Yep that pretty much sums it up!

No school Anywhere

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:52:00 +0000

Chalkboard Cookie
Originally uploaded by SweetSugarBelle

Today is our county's' 15th snow day. This has been an extremely long and hard winter here in the mountains of WV. Today on WV Metro News it talked of all 55 counties in the state of WV school being closed due to the weather and hazardous conditions.

These are great days for families though. Being cooped up in a house together during the winter storms can be trying for even the best of families. We try to break the monotony by sledding, snowboarding, playing games, cards, dominoes. We have also had a lot of popcorn and movie time together as well.

On Wednesdays our local gas station has $.49 cent movie rentals. This includes the new releases- so guess when our movie night is?

Our children and family are our eternal blessing from our Heavenly Father. We should not limit our time together as a family to snow days we should take each day as a blessing with our family and show them how much we appreciate them.

Have a wonderful and blessed day

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:38:00 +0000

OK I had never heard of Tim Hawkins before - but man he has some funny parody songs. This one is set to John Lennon's Imagine. I laughed and laughed!

Tim Hawkins - Things you don't say to your wife

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:32:00 +0000

Such a cute video, so funny and true.

Update on Flooding in Marlinton

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:53:00 +0000

God is sooooo good! No water got into the Elementary school- it got right up to it, but did not get in. That is the stories I am hearing over and over again from homeowners and business. Some business and homes had 4-6 inches of water- while some the water just got very very close to coming in - but did not!! There were some though along the river that I am sure lost a lot.

The kids are even back in school today and all roads are open. Our town crew done an awesome job at cleaning up the flood debris after the water went down.

Prayers Please- Flooding

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:23:00 +0000

After having lots of snow on the ground and heavy rain for the past couple days our small little town is being flooded as I type this. I post these pictures with a heavy heart. The Greenbrier river has not crested as of yet and is not expected to crest for a few more hours - so water will continue to rise. These photos are taken from various friends that are on facebook and the ones of Huntersville area I took. The road that leads to Marlinton is closed due to high water.

Our An overhead view of the town of Marlinton

elementary school playground
Our football field at the school- the little white building is our concession stand
Our Elementary football field- you can see the top row of the bleachers sticking out of the water
Our local car dealership Mitchell's Chevrolet

Our Elementary School
Rt 219 - Marlinton

Burns Motor Freight

A local gas station
Napa store
Our local Dairy Queen
Our town Post office
Please keep these people in your prayers as there is going to be a lot of work to be done after the water goes down.

There are times when we need to be lifted. There are times when we need to be strengthened. Be that kind of friend and that kind of person who lifts and strengthens others. (Ensign, Feb 2002, 12).

Date Night and a Snatched Camera

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:56:00 +0000

Thane and I had our date night a few weeks ago. This is a time that we as a couple have come to cherish. This is a time for us to reconnect with each other. Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that we forget to take time away from being mom and dad and just be us. Sometimes we go out to a favorite restaurant, go for a drive or walk, or sometimes we just sit and enjoy the natural beauty around us. This particular date we went to a restaurant for a nice dinner. Levi however decided to capture some of the beauty around the house with my camera. Here are the wonderful pictures he took:

An amazing red sunset
Another view
Our lovely 18pound kitten Bootsie - protector of the Christmas gifts.
Pretty good eh??

WOW!!

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:37:00 +0000

My friend Angie has started a blog finally- Welcome to the land of blog Angie! She makes and creates the most beautiful ornaments I have ever seen. Above is a picture of just one of them. Aren't they pretty? She makes all kinds of other wonderful crafts (pictures please Angie) and is selling them on her blog. Angie is a local gal and has a wonderful and kind heart. Go by and visit her and give her some comment love if you get a chance. Kountry Kreations

The Picture above is a Memory Bulb, here is what she wrote:

The one craft that is my favorite is the Memory Bulbs. I have done many bulbs where people have sent me an article of clothing of a lost loved one or a photo or both and I have turned these in to a Memory Bulb that you can treasure forever. What a neater way to remember your loved ones than like this. The prospects are endless when creating memories.
Loved one can also be a beloved pet.

Wouldn't it be great to have a memory bulb using your loved ones clothing to remember them by. I have some of my mom's old Christmas ornaments that mean so much to me. One of my favorite parts of decorating the tree is placing the ornaments and telling the stories of where the ornaments come from. Just think of the memories you would have with a memory bulb of your loved ones and ancestors. The possibilities are endless. I am thinking of going through my ancestors pictures and having her do some for our family genealogy. What a neat idea it would be to have an ancestry tree at Christmas! Link Kountry Kreations
You can also visit her Etsy shop here

The Weather Outside is Frightful....

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:01:00 +0000

We still have snow on the ground. It is so beautiful, but unfortunately too cold to go outside for very long periods of time to play. Here is our weather forecast for our little town:

Tonight...Snow showers. Areas of blowing snow. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Windy and cold with lows 1 below to 5 above zero. Northwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent. Wind chill values as low as 26 below.

Sunday...Snow showers. Areas of blowing snow. Additional snow accumulation around an inch. Windy and cold with highs 7 to 15 above. Northwest winds around 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of snow 90 percent. Wind chill values as low as 27 below.

Yep, wind chills 26 and 27 below!! I see an opportunity for some good quality family time coming to the Ryder home. Cards, games. baking, drinking hot cocoa by the fire, and just enjoying each others company. Children are a blessing and they grow up so fast.

Every winter our dogs come inside to sleep during the night when it is really cold. I never thought to bring their dog food pan inside, but I did start to notice that it was empty every morning. Well this morning I saw the tracks of my mysterious dog food eater: A deer! Yes , a doe has been coming on the porch eating the dog food. We have lots of deer and in the summer they can be quite a pain getting into gardens, but we generally put out some food during the winter months to help them out. Well, this little piggy decided she needed some extra protein from dog food. So this evening the dog food bowl will be brought inside, but it will be replaced with a pan of corn in her usual spot. Here's a picture of some of my winter buddies from last year.

I have found a wonderful blog, that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Julie at Circle Cliff Views has the loveliest blog and such a kind heart. If you get a chance go give her a visit.

2010 Handbook

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:55:00 +0000

2010 Handbook

These are some great goals to live by now and in 2010!

Health :

Drink plenty of water.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
Make time to pray.
Play more games
Read more books than you did in 2009.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality :

Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don't over do. Keep your limits.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Smile and laugh more.
You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society :

Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life :

Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
GOD heals everything.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
The best is yet to come..
When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

The Children were nestled, all snug in their beds....

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:22:00 +0000

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds..., originally uploaded by Estelle and Ivy.

Do you remember as a child counting how many sleeps it was until Christmas? I reminded my youngest son this morning that there were only 5 more sleeps until Christmas. He replied that there were only 4 because Christmas Eve he was always so excited that he couldn't sleep.

As a young girl I can remember counting down the days until Christmas every year and not being able to sleep on Christmas Eve as well. I thought that Christmas eve might have lasted a year for it seemed an eternity waiting for daylight to open the presents that Santa had bought. I would lay in the bed and it seemed as if every creak of the house might have been Santa. I would imagine what he would bring me. I would mentally review the year to remember if I had been naughty or nice and pray that I would receive the gifts I had asked Santa for that year. I could never resist sneaking out of bed with my flashlight and taking a sneak peak into the living room and seeing presents under the tree- proof that Santa had come. After this it seemed to take forever for daylight to come!

Each year there was a doll, some sort of homemaking item like a tea set, bake set, a homemade outfit for my dolly. I wonder if little girls today receive any homemaking items?

Christmas plays at the local churches were always a Christmas tradition. After the traditional play in which most cases the children acted out the speaking parts of Mary and Joesph. The audience would sing traditional Christmas carols and then sing Joy to the World. In the 3rd verse of the song Santa would come through the wooden double doors of the church and hand out brown paper lunch bags of fruit, nuts, and hard candy, and a candy cane. This is a tradition that is still carried on at small churches in our neighborhood.

The elderly were made baskets of fruit and usually a canned ham and it was delivered by the children that attended the church, the ladies of the church baked breads and cookies to include in the baskets and they were looked forward to every year.

Christmas programs on the television were wholesome and enjoyable. None dared to make fun of Santa and most all carried the message of Jesus.

We are Snowed in!

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:47:00 +0000

It started snowing yesterday and now we are at 25 inches and still going. I am so glad I have my food storage built up. It comes in very handy in times like this.

My truck is buried:

The trampoline is buried

And it is still pouring the snow!!

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Angelena) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:35:00 +0000