Musings by Mommy

2012-01-19T08:14:00.000-06:00

Can I just say that I am so glad that this silly computer is no longer ruling my life? I am! I am just loving it! I'm reading again, I'm crocheting more, I'm cooking REAL meals, I'm visiting with my family more! I love it.

I'm still having a hard time figuring out what the real attraction was with Facebook. I still get on Facebook a couple of times a day but it's quick. Just a quick scroll through to see if anything interesting has happened and then I'm off doing REAL things. It's wonderful!

I'm rereading Debbie Macomber's "A Good Yarn" and am thoroughly enjoying it. It is really keeping me motivated with my crocheting. I'm having such fun!

Waking up...

2012-01-15T11:49:00.000-06:00

A little over a week ago we had company for a couple of nights. It was very nice and since it was such a short visit I really tried to curb my computer time. (You can imagine just how hard this was.) We had a nice time visiting. We watched little T.V. and really just visited. I did check my email a few times but I pretty much stayed off the computer.

After they left I really had a hard time figuring out what I have been finding so darn interesting on this silly computer. Suddenly, Facebook wasn't all that important anymore. I was living real life with those around me. It was wonderful! In the last week or so I have spent a lot less time on the computer and Facebook.

Now, I will admit that if I had a smart phone, I would probably be posting to Facebook more often as I would take photos of what we've been doing and post it but... since I don't.... Mostly what I have been doing on the computer has been reading... on my Kindle App or at different websites. Yes, I've been on Facebook some but not really that much. I'm just not sure what the attraction has been! And, honestly, I'm so glad! I kind of feel like Percy Jackson and his friends when they finally stopped eating the Lotus flower cookies. lol

Anyway, I'm finding my new way in life, living, and my new way on the this computer so, if I seem missing in action, just wait. I'll check in here and there. You can always email me too! Comment and I'll comment back. Or even, heaven forbid... call me! I love to visit with friends.

My new way, has been reading, crocheting, visiting with my family, cooking more, and just hanging out! I'm enjoying it completely.

The Conversation Continues...

2012-01-11T08:42:00.000-06:00

Well, after my post yesterday, I had a really good day. I was proud of myself. I was in a few situations where things could have gone negative but it didn't. I'm not saying that I never had a negative thought or word but I don't seem to have the grumps for now.

But.... I think God is continuing his conversation with me. This morning I got up early and had some quiet time. I've been slowly reading Lysa Terkeurst's "More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" and today I read about a time when Lysa was having a difficult time. Her husband said she was premeopausal. Lol I can laugh because DH often thinks this of me but he has learned NOT to voice this. :o) Anyway, and she was having a hard time not reacting badly to a particular situation. She said,

"I asked the Lord to come to me quickly and interrupt my natural-flesh response before I blew some sort of gasket. I don’t even know what a gasket is, but I’m fairly certain it ain’t pretty when one blows. I choked out a very simple prayer, Encourage me, Lord, please."

TerKeurst, Lysa (2009-09-15). Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl (p. 67). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

This struck me as this is how I have been feeling too often lately and I have been finding myself crying out, Dear God, help me! Change me!

Anyway, in response to her pray she read Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

Hmmm.... an undivided heart. That's how I've been feeling lately. Divided. Divided between the happy "Pollyanna" person I usually am this new negative Nellie I was becoming.

See, how He is just continuing on with his conversation? Just to prove it was Him... Lysa Terkeurst posted this morning on Facebook for me to see....

The peace that flows despite circumstances can only be found through Jesus being with us. That's why Jesus phrased it the way he did, "Peace be with you!" In other words, you can walk through anything if you realize that He is peace and He is with you.

Well, I guess I should mention that this was part of the reading I did as well. She talks about how when Jesus came to see the disciples he said, "Peace be with you!" not joy, or hope or love but PEACE! How if we spend time with him each day and ask him to be with us and guide us we can have peace. The kind of peace only he can give.

Lysa says, "Why is it so important to spend time with Jesus every day? Because He will give us the exact instruction and comfort we need to handle all He sees coming our way—how to act and, even more challenging, how to react in every situation.

TerKeurst, Lysa (2009-09-15). Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl (p. 63). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

So reading that on Facebook right after I read it in the book just reemphasized that God is really speaking to me and answering my prayer that he change me, change my heart. I definitely need help with the react part. I've been struggling with that a lot of the past few months but it has steadily gotten worse over the last few weeks.

I'm so glad that God started this conversation with me as I already feel better. I feel lighter and more ready to face the difficulties that come my way. Conversations with God. I'm glad I'm finally seeing my billboards!

Decluttering my mind...

2012-01-10T09:18:00.000-06:00

Ever have one of those days or weeks were you just feel like God is talking to you or maybe even screaming at you?

I'm having one of those. I have been feeling somewhat negative lately. I've been trying to brush it off but it's been just hanging on me. I've been having a hard time finding the "light" in things or people. It seems that the negatives have been on a neon sign for me, flashing obnoxiously at me. I've been trying to be more positive and whatnot but I think God is pointing out that I have been failing... as if I didn't know!

So, yesterday, as I was looking at music I found a song all about people who have the grumbles... Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday..... they have the grumbles. Then this morning I read a devotional about "Mean Girls" and thought, wow, I've been guilty of that! I've never thought of myself as a mean girl but when I read this and how this mom thought she was having a teaching a moment only to have her daughter point out that she was being mean... well, let's just say I could relate! (It's a great devotional, if you have time go read it. It won't take more than just a couple minutes of your time.)

I don't really know where all of this negativity has come from but I'm ready to send it on it's way right on out the door of my life! It's bringing me down! (I know my mom is reading this and nodding her head right now!)

Remember me mentioning that Clutter Challenge a week or so ago? Well, it started yesterday and something I am loving is that it is starting with the clutter in my mind and well, some of my mind clutter is all this negative stuff! So, I am decluttering the negatives today. If you hear me being negative or "mean", gently point it out (please take note of the word GENTLY). I want to be held accountable for my thoughts and words. Well, I already am of course but I want to more conscious of it.

Want to join me?

2012-01-05T08:42:00.000-06:00

I saw this video this morning and I'm thinking I just may buy the DVD and workbook.

Anyone interested in joining me in it? Some of us read "Made to Crave" together anyone want to do this follow on? Just checkin'.

I've got to go get busy now. Chat with ya later! :o)

Trials = Joy?

2012-01-04T11:25:00.000-06:00

This morning I was talking with my mother about my day yesterday. It started out wonderful. I had a thankful heart which made me joyful. I was happy and the world seemed so bright and beautiful.

Then, about noon or so some things happened that left me upset and feeling knocked down but I climbed right back up and things were good again... then, it happened again! It was a little harder to get back up that time and I didn't quite make it to where I had been... Then the bottom fell out and I didn't really recover to well.

As I was telling my mother about this I remembered something that I had read in one of Lysa Terkeurst's books, "When you go to a new level with God, you get a new devil." Wow, that's what I was feeling. Things were going so beautifully and then a force unknown to me was trying to drag me down and make me miserable... unfortunately I think perhaps it won with me last night. But I woke up trying to put things back together but it wasn't like yesterday at all.

Then a few minutes ago, I read an email. I get these emails every couple of weeks and honestly lately I haven't been reading them but this morning for some reason I did and I'm so glad. It's called Proverbs 31 To Encourage You! It's not the other Proverbs31 site, this is just a woman who I think homeschools that writes the occasional devotion and emails it out. Anyway, the scripture in it was James 1:6-8.

"But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord"

It really made think. Do I pray with doubt? If so then how can I expect my prayers to be answered?

After reading this I went and just read about the book of James and about James himself. It was very interesting. Then I went to read the scripture in context and Wow. It was even better! lol Sometimes I can be a little slow.

Several things struck me....

In reading about the book of James in my Bible (The Wesley Study Bible) I came upon this quote from the second -century Espistle to Diognetus, "Christians.... live in their respective countries, but only as resident aliens; they participate in all things as citizens, and they endure all things as foreigners. Every foreign territory is a homeland for them, every homeland foreign territory" (5:1-14) Isn't that interesting? I thought so. I had read it aloud and DD was sitting here listening and she said, "Hmm, Christians are foreigners even in their own countries." I made a comment about our homeland not being our real homeland and then asked her where she thought our real homeland was and she looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Heaven." I could the silent "DUH!" in my head. lol

Then the Life Application Topic:

"In James, faith is a set of specific practices - engendered in the congregation - that make disciples walk in a different direction than the world's way. In the contemporary church, being a Christian is often presented as a technique for happiness and prosperity, a helpful way of getting what we want. In James, Christians suffer because they follow Jesus - God's divine Yes. In much of the church, salvation is something that you believe or feel. In James, salvation is when you talk and walk like Jesus. Though Jesus is mentioned only twice (1:1; 2:1), James exemplifies the communal, congregational, practical consequences when a congregation dares to obey the One who commanded, "Follow me.""

I found this interesting as well. Then I read the verses before the ones in the devotion.

James 1:1-5

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings, My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have it's full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you." Now go back up and reread the scripture above.

Hmm.... so I'm thinking that those "trials" yesterday that kind of messed with my day were actually JOY. I was receiving the lesson of "endurance." I also think that I need a little more faith and a lot less doubting. That's what I'll be working on for now. Less doubting and seeing the JOY in the trials that come my way.

Touching others

2012-01-03T16:20:00.000-06:00


Wondering...

So this is a pretty common theme for me on this blog... You can read an old post about it here there are others too just search for it.

Anyway, I often wonder if I am touching others lives in a positive way. Am I making a difference in anyone else's life? Do you ever wonder about that? I do, regularly. I wonder if little things I do matter to others or even big things for that matter! You know like "It's A Wonderful Life" or other movies like it.

I just wonder sometimes. That's all. I hope so. Wondering it makes me want to be a better person. To try harder, to smile more and bigger (if that's possible), to sing more, to share more, to reach out more. I guess it's a good thing I wonder about this so often. :o) Hopefully it really does make a better person.

The Little things I love part 2....

2012-01-03T10:57:00.001-06:00

I love the treadmill in my bedroom with whom I am getting reacquainted.

.... nice hot showers

.... busuu.com

.... getting back to routine

.... complimentary bang trims

.... and lastly.... Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney

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Oh, and I can't forget...

.... Sisters... (and brothers too!)

The little things I love...

2012-01-03T07:56:00.000-06:00

Well, my family of course!

I love that life gives me a new start every morning. I can go to sleep every night knowing that when I wake up, I get a new beginning if I want one.

I love the way my little puppy snuggles in with me when he comes to get in bed with me in the middle of the night.

I love that we homeschool and I get all this extra time with my kids.

I love phone calls/visits from friends.

I love my friends! They are all so awesome.

I love that I get to blog. :o)

I love the little things...

Remembering...

2012-01-01T14:50:00.000-06:00

*Disclaimer... Mom, Daddy, Dear Brother, Dear Sister and other family members this post is a tear jerker (about Susan) so you just may not want to read it. I'm just saying... don't say I didn't warn you.

I feel almost certain that I have mentioned my older sister on here before. She died almost 21 years ago.

The whole month of December she was on mind a lot. Well, I think of her all the time but for some reason, she was just really, really on mind. I talked about her a lot more than usual. Her birthday was in December so maybe that's why.

Then a few days before Christmas, my dear friend lost her bother. It really brought back all kinds of memories and thoughts of my sister. I even lost a cousin at about the same time so memories flooded me.

Last night my friend mentioned her tears and sorrow. I was talking with my family about it this morning and out of no where I started telling a story of my sister.

I was always a little jealous of sister. She was 10 years older than me and so she was married and living with her husband by the time I was 10. She would come home and well, to this little one it seemed liked everything stopped and was all about her. (Which was the way it should be but I didn't understand that then.) Really she was just older and so could be more apart of the adult stuff than I could be. She was beautiful and thin and well, perfect in my eyes. I wanted so badly to look like her, to be as beautiful as her. I loved going and spending a week with her during the summers! I looked forward to it every summer.

When she came home for my high school graduation, she took me shopping for dresses. We had so much fun and bought the most beautiful dresses. After that we spent more time together. I would drive up to see her some on the weekends and we talked and exchanged cards often. We talked about everything. I felt like my big sister was becoming my best friend and it was wonderful.

I remember when she told me about her first seizure. I was so scared and she swore me to secrecy and I, of course, did not keep it. I told my parents because I was worried. She wasn't mad at me. By the time I told she was at the doctor's anyway. We continued to talk often and I visited too.

Then the day came she had brain surgery. My daddy was in the hospital as well. My mom was with my sister and we were with Daddy. I got home from my classes that morning and met my brother. While I was waiting I looked through the mail. I had a card from my sister. I couldn't open it for a while. It made me cry to get it. I read it and laughed and cried. I was having some "friend" issues and so was she and so she sent a card about it and said that she and I were best friends and so who needed those others when we had each other.

My brother and I went to the hospital to see my daddy. When the doors of the elevator opened to Daddy's floor every minister (Daddy is a retired minister) we knew in the area was standing there waiting to get on... they looked at us so sad. One of them stayed and walked back to Daddy's room with us to be there for us as Daddy told us that Susan's tumor was inoperable. I clutched that card so hard.

Later when it was just my daddy and me in the room, I asked what exactly did it mean that it was inoperable... I was really asking what would happen next but that's not how I worded it and my daddy's response was ... "She going to die." Then he cried and I cried and I read my card again. My daddy asked what it was and asked to read it.

I read that card over and over for years. My sister didn't die till 2 or 3 years later. I carried that card with me all the time. I visited her often and we spent lots of time together until she was really, really sick. I remember the last time I saw her. I can still see her face as she lay in the hospital bed in her living room. I remember it was time to go and I was scared to go. We didn't really grow up saying the words, "I love you". We just knew it but that day I knew I had to say it. We weren't big huggers either but I went over the her bed and hugged her as best I could and whispered "I love you, Susan" in her ear and then proceeded to run out the door crying. I couldn't get in our car fast enough to hide. I didn't want anyone to see me crying even though I knew they saw me. It was so hard.

I loved that card. I kept it for years until one Army move it was lost... I think of that card all time. How I wish I still had it. It was so special and came at the perfect time.

It is so hard to loose a sibling, whether young, old, sudden or drawn out. It's hard to loose anyone close to us. So... hold those you love close and don't be afraid to say I love you. It's not sappy. It's wonderful.

Well, this is what was on mind this morning and as I shared it with my DH and kids, I thought perhaps I'd write it up as a blog post, a memorial to my Sweet Sister. I miss you.

Happy New Years!

2012-01-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

Our new year came in quietly this year. There is a stomach bug going around our home and it landed on DH early, early Saturday morning and he was pretty miserable all day. He even went to bed around 8 or 8:30. Poor guy. So the kids and I spent the evening watching movies. DH watched a couple of them with us too.

We laughed a lot and it was good. Great to sit with my kiddos and laugh. We paused the movie at about 11:57 to watch the ball drop. As it did, we all looked at each other and said "Happy New Year!" and then moved right on back to the movie. LOL It was almost over and then we all went to bed... Well, I did after cleaned up the kitchen.... couldn't wake up this morning to a mess, you know? That would NOT have been a good way to start the year. :o) It was a nice quiet evening. Nothing exciting but nice. We were together and that's the most important thing.

If you've been reading here much lately, you've been reading about the changes I feel are coming my way. I don't think I'm going to make any resolutions this year. I seldom keep them anyway and I don't know resolutions seem... I don't know... let's just say they don't often work for me. So, instead, I am just trying to consciously make positive changes in my life. Not just a single change but changes that I hope make my life and the lives of those around me better.

Happy New Year, my dear friends. May 2012 be a year of wonderful blessings.

Needing those rose colored glasses...

2011-12-30T09:48:00.001-06:00

So I had a little conversation with myself this morning... do you ever do that? Anyway, it went kind of like this...

Self, you choose what bugs you, you choose how you feel about something someone says, you choose whether or not to get irritated or sad or hurt so.... Make better choices!! Choose to let stuff go, choose to laugh off things that bug or irritate me. Choose to be happy, choose to wear the rose colored glasses! Choose to see the light in all things. Choose...

Choices. That's what it's all about and I can choose more things than I think I can. I'm ready to choose change in me, change for my life. I've already started and it's going quite well! Yea for change!! Who would have ever thought I would ever say such a thing. lol I hate change but I think this kind of change is good. Yep, Yea for change!

Change

2011-12-29T09:42:00.000-06:00

If you are a Facebook friend, you have probably seen what I have adopted as my new philosophy...

"No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change." ~Barbara De Angelis

I think it is wonderful and just that quote itself has been a great change in my life. I've been posting on Facebook pretty regularly that change is coming into my life, some big today and some little for today but hopefully big in the long run.

The first changes have to do with my time and I'm working on that one. My family is my priority and I'm working on making sure that how I spend my time reflects that.

Second is my health. It's a priority as well and I want to get on it right away! I already have and will continue to do so.

This one is a hard for me. I love food and even worse I love all the wrong kinds of food! So, I'm learning portion control and variety. (And NO, I did NOT eat ONE piece of candy yesterday!) I want to be sure I'm setting a good example for my kids even though they already eat better than me. HA! So, I'm doing this with or without everyone's support but I will say... if you don't support it you will most likely not be a priority in my life right now. I'm not saying that to be mean, I'm just saying I'm making a priority of my health. :o)

I've already started going through things in my home (and life) and letting go of "stuff". So today, I signed up for a 3 week Bible study, well kind of... it's a January Clutter Free Challenge. It's starts on the 9th. I'm ready to let go of the junk, the clutter, the stuff that doesn't make me happy anymore! We'll see how it goes, but I've already done a lot of it and I feel better! So if you'd like to join me, go here and sign up today. I'd love to have friends to chat with on this journey. :o)

Well, I best get off here... I've got lots to do today to get this change going. I hope you have a wonderful day!!

2011-12-12T16:34:00.000-06:00

Oh, my. I have had a lovely day. We slept in a bit, had a wonderful homemade breakfast TOGETHER, ran errands, DH and DS put up the outside lights, I did some decluttering, and more decorating, had a wonderful early dinner and just feel like it has been a fabulous day!

I pulled out our Christmas dishes for our breakfast and dinner and was so nice and cheery. I just love Christmas. I know, you've heard it before but I do! I still have a lot to do around here but it is happening, finally, and I am excited.

We still have most of our Christmas shopping to do but should get it done this week and early next week. I know, nothing like waiting till the last minute but sometimes... that's all you can do. We've been busy with some of our Christmas cooking and you know what? I'm feeling a little Mrs. Claus today! :o)

The Christmas Spirit!

2011-12-09T13:56:00.000-06:00

I have been reading a lot of Facebook statuses lately that have said, "I just can't seem to get in the Christmas spirit" or some variation of that.

Today, I figured out a GREAT way to get into the spirit! Go ring the bell for the Salvation Army! DD and I did that this morning. We were only signed up for an hour but I accidentally got us there an hour early so we rang for 2 hours instead and you know what? I wouldn't change it for anything! We had a great time! We were ringing like crazy. In fact one of the other mothers there said, "Wow, you are the most vivacious bell ringer I've heard!" LOL that made me laugh.

I was remembering an ABC Family movie called "Three Days" with Kristin Davis. At the beginning of the movie she comes outside to see a Santa ringing a bell saying, "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas" in a very monotone voice and his bucket is empty. She comes over and says, "Here let me show you how" and proceeds to ring the bell in a dancy kind of way and is very cheerful as she says, "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!" and people come out of the wood work to give. That's what I felt like today! It was fun and really wonderful. We sang carols and laughed and visited and wished everyone a Merry Christmas!

It was so fun to hear people walk up singing with us or walk out of the store singing with us. People stopped and gave and then thanked us for doing what we were doing. That kind of made me laugh, because I didn't really feel like we were doing anything but having fun, THEY were the ones giving their money! It was wonderful.

So, if you are having trouble getting into the spirit of Christmas, I suggest you call the Salvation Army and see if you can get a slot to ring somewhere. It will have you in the spirit in no time! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Daily Boost

2011-12-07T08:45:00.000-06:00

First you need to know that I don't like smoothies. I don't like fruit and I don't like yogurt so... I don't like smoothies... BUT I had been reading about this herbal mix you put in your smoothies that is really good for you. It has brain food, energy booster, stress reliever, anti aging, eye, vein, and heart strengthener, blood purifier and more. So, I thought I needed to give this a try. I need to learn to like smoothies.

Well, I have to tell you still don't really care of smoothies but they are ok and the best part is they work! I had the smoothies 3 days in a row and felt pretty good. Then yesterday I was unable to make one because I was out of juice. By 2 or 3 in the afternoon I had the yawns. I just couldn't stop and all I wanted to do was sleep! Now this WAS the usual but the days I had the smoothies, this didn't happen! So, I'm sold on the smoothies for now and the herbs that go in them. They really do give me energy and I feel more alert too.

If you'd like to try out the herbs you can find them here. I'm using the Daily Boost Smoothie Mix but there are others too. You can find the in the mixes section.

Priorities

2011-11-29T14:48:00.000-06:00

What are yours? How do you set them? How do you know what to make a priority? How do you know if you've made the right choices with priorities? I've been thinking and I guess we really won't know until sometime down the road... will there be regrets? Will there be consequences?

Priorities have been on my mind a lot lately. Everyone has their own priorities and everyone's priorities are their own. I can't tell you what YOUR priorities should be and neither can you tell me what MINE should be... no matter how badly we want to do so!! We all have to make those decisions ourselves and hope that we make the right ones.

I know that I haven't always made the right ones. I often spend way too much time on this silly computer or spend time reading a book by myself when I should be spending time with my family. I do regret those poor decisions... how many others will I regret?

I guess it's one of those things/times when we just do the best we can and hope it's for the best.

Yes, I know I'm rambling but this is what is playing in my mind today...

Advent

2011-11-28T16:27:00.000-06:00

So, yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. We lit the candle of Hope. Today, as I was reflecting on what we need to be doing during the season of Advent I found these readings...

Isaiah 40:31

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.

Hebrews 10:23

²³ Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.

Hope... that's a word I often use. I hope can do this... I hope this works out.... I hope... My hope is in the Lord... that's what I should be hoping... Hope in the Lord... It will renew me because He is unwavering and is reliable. What a wonderful promise!

In my looking for guidance in my Advent reflections I stumbled upon this article. Please read it. It's really good and I think it was written just for me!! Maybe some of you out there will think it was written for you too....

And here are some wonderful ideas for sharing Advent with your family... Enjoy.

Remember, Advent is a time of preparing our hearts for Christ. Let's prepare!

Tid Bits and such...

2011-11-27T19:03:00.000-06:00

Okay, so you may not know this about me but... I really believe in the healing power of herbs and oils and well, alternative therapies. I really do. I've seen it for myself several times.

Aromatherapy is a favorite of mine. I first discovered it because DS and DD had ear "infections" all the time. I honestly I hate going to the doctor. I don't know what it's like to go to the doctor in the civilian world but in the military world it is the pits. They do NOT care about us at all. But I digress... so anyway, I try to take care of things if possible so that we don't need to go to the doctor.

Several years ago, DD's ear was hurting her again... so I started reading about what I could do at home to help. Did you know that if you put some lavender essential oil on a warm wash cloth and place it on the ear it is very soothing? Since I discovered this we have not been to the Doctor for an ear infection!

The other that I love tremendously is Garlic. Garlic is wonderful and since you can purchase odorless garlic it's even better! It's a natural antibiotic, antifungal, and so on... I first discovered the power of garlic when my parents were visiting. My mom had a terrible cold and cough. We made a poultice and placed it on her back, chest and then the bottom of each foot for about 1 minute each. She showed improvement quickly! Since then I give it to my kids as soon as I hear signs of a cold. I hear them blow their nose or clear their throats and I hand them a couple of garlic pills and keep them taking it all day long for a day or two if necessary and they usually don't get sick.

I love it! I love using natural herbs and such to keep us healthy. I love it so much that I often share with others about it. I love to help and hate to see people feeling bad but... I need to learn to stop doing this. It seems people are not receptive at all. I either get laughed at or made fun of and honestly... I hate that! I don't understand it but... I'm hoping I've learned my lesson. Don't get me wrong, I've had a couple of people listen and try it or listen and move on. But you know when you get hatefulness.... you just kind of want to keep to yourself and only share with those who share in the desire to try alternative therapies.

Anyway, tidbits about me... I love the healing power of garlic, I love aromatherapy and it's healing power, I love reading about both and would love to become an aromatherapist and/or an herbalist. I'm totally interested in this stuff! I love reflexology and would love to learn that too!

So, it seems I share myself here in little tidbits... you just never know what you'll find out about me when you read here!

2011-11-26T06:52:00.000-06:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Just spending time with each other. We watched the parade together. Then DD helped me cook like never before and it was so fun! DS helped DH with the turkey and helped me too. We played games and enjoyed visiting with friends over dessert.

Yesterday was just a slow lazy day. I wasn't feeling too good so we just watched some favorite tv shows and a few movies. It was nice just to relax.

No, we didn't participate in the Black Friday sales. Maybe we are crazy but we all hate crowds and lines so we have never taken part in Black Friday.


Last year's fireplace decor

Today, we will most likely start our Christmas decorating. Inside at least... It's raining right now so I don't really see DH and DS getting out and putting up the outside lights. I think we have decided to get a real tree this year! We are very excited about it but it probably won't take place until next weekend so for now we will put up the nativity scene and my Santas and such. Hang garland and lights over the place!

I hope you have been having a wonderful holiday weekend! We have!

Mrs. Santa Claus...

2011-11-23T09:27:00.000-06:00

When you think of Mrs. Claus what do think? What do you imagine? What comes to mind? I've been thinking on this ever since I decided that that's what (who) I want to be. :o)

So here's what I think of...

Kind
Loving
Happy
Devoted
Giving
Special
Understanding
Patient
Caring
Loves to help others
Beautiful soul
Sings... Do you think she directs the elf choir?
I don't know... I think she is just all about love...

What a wonderful person she must be. What a wonderful person to aspire to be. All such beautiful qualities to possess. What do you think of when you think of Mrs. Claus? What are your first thoughts? What picture comes to mind?

Change

2011-11-22T19:19:00.000-06:00

Change... that's a word that I really don't like. I like things to stay the same... sort of.... Lately though, I've been feeling the need for change... change in thoughts, attitude, habits, ...

So many things I want for my little family, for myself... so change.... perhaps it's time for a little in my life.

I think it is time to take stock, see what's working and what's not and then make the changes that need to be made.

So, perhaps instead of New Years Resolutions.... I'll be making some Thanksgiving improvements... or yes, changes. Be ready world! I'm rocking the boat!

Lazy Day

2011-11-19T14:31:00.000-06:00

Don't you just love a lazy day? I do. They are my absolute favorite! Well, at least today! lol I love those days where we just do what we want to do. Watch movies, make pizza, play the piano, read a book... just what we want to do. We did have to make a run to the store for a few items but DH ended up taking me out to lunch too! Just the two of us. Very nice.

Since we got home, I've been playing the piano. I am bound and determined to get better! I'm having fun and enjoying it. I don't even think DH has minded all that much. :o) It gets to be a bit much for him sometimes but I do play somewhat quieter than the kids do.... somewhat. :o)

We've been planning our Thanksgiving dinner and day. I love Thanksgiving. I love the day. I told DH I was thinking starting a little something new this year... I think we should have a little "talent show" of sorts. Maybe during dessert. You know the kids could play the piano or guitar, sing, read poem, tell a joke or something. I just thought it would be fun. Something different. Oh, and not just the kids either, DH and I would have to something too. It could be several things or just one, it could be done together or alone or both! I think it would be a lot of fun. I don't know if it will happen or not... we'll have to see but it is an idea...

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Thanksgiving

2011-11-18T08:35:00.001-06:00

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away? I'm really excited. I love all the cooking, the turkey, the dressing, the homemade noodles, the mashed potatoes, creamed corn, green beans, cranberry sauce (for DH), the pies, such. I love the season of Thanksgiving! I love family time and puzzles. I LOVE the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

As I'm sitting here making my shopping list for that very special day, I'm thinking of all that I'm Thankful for this year.

1. I'm thankful for family
2. I'm thankful that my daddy is still with us and doing really well!
3. I'm thankful for each and every family member, DH, DS, DD, my parents, my siblings and their children, DH's family, and all our family out there!
4. I'm thankful for friends, and I have some wonderful friends!
5. I'm thankful for our lovely home
6. I'm thankful that DH is retiring from the army, it's time.
7. I'm thankful for pets, I just love my little Chief.
8. I'm thankful ...

I'm just very thankful. I can't possibly list it all here. There is just so much to be thankful for and what a blessing that is to me!

I love planning our holiday celebration. Planning the meal and activities.

Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner? This year has gone by very fast for me. I still have much to do before it gets here but I LOVE it! This is definitely my favorite time of the year.

Momma Bear

2011-11-17T21:34:00.000-06:00

So, today I found out that a very good friend of mine did something that... well, they fixed it so that my child would not be able to do something my child REALLY wanted to do. I'm feeling like I was stabbed in the back. This happened a while back but I just found out about it this evening and it really upset me. My child on the other hand is such a trooper. They are disappointed and a little hurt but handling it pretty well (they have known about it for a while just didn't tell me) ... Mom on the other hand feels a lot like a Momma Bear (probably why they didn't tell me for a while.)

It just hurts me so bad that someone I considered to be such a good friend would intentionally do this to my child. I just don't understand it. Why? Grr... But, I am moving on for now... Letting go of it. DH is just as upset as I am but I just keep telling him that we are good people and we will do the right thing. Well, as close to the right thing as we can... we will move on. I'm not saying it will be easy... it won't .... but we will do our best.