Here With Me

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God of Wonders by Third Day

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Creed - Rich Mullins

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There is a God

Christmas Lights

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He is the reason

Just because Christmas is almost over does this mean we aren't supposed to listen to Christmas music?  I wonder.  Christmas shouldn't be limited to just December 25th....no, it should be a time we hold dear to our hearts year round.  The music that surrounds this special time...should be enjoyed the year through.  Remember to hold dear to our hearts, Jesus....for He is the Reason for all seasons.

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Friday Fragments, Christmas Eve

I'm not usually one who participates in many things, but since its the Eve of Christmas I thought why not?  ;)
Mrs. 4444's has graciously opened up this opportunity for anyone and everyone to share their fragments of the week.    Well lets see what I can muster together.   This will be the first Christmas that we will not have bought each other presents.  Its getting harder and harder to surprise my hubby with something he would like.  Its too easy and probably just as boring to get him socks or underwear!    
I haven't gone anywhere this week.   I have been home relaxing and getting ready for the Christmas dinner this Saturday. I've been busy working on a large order for foot butters and a candle order.   I just had a dreaded thought I've got to get that order done right away! ;)   
Merry Christmas!!   Happy New Year!!

Be sure to visit Mrs. 4444's for more  Friday Fragments

a successful failure

For 3 days we participated in a craft fair.   6 out of 12 were there.   The weather was nasty-snow and freezing temperatures.   I'm sure we weren't the only ones that held hopes high for this event...several I talked to also were hoping for sales.   For many of us this was our first time.   We were promised that this event would be properly advertised.  Ads via radio and billboards.   What we got was facebook, and a few signs placed around town.   I don't think these "signs" were seen....due to the non-existent foot traffic.  But we didn't know about the lack of advertising until the last day.   We just assumed I guess.    The first evening, the person heading up the fair, was bubbly with excitement.   I stopped to talk.   I'm not sure what made me say what I did...but this is what came out...I said, "well just remember, if we don't get the traffic and sales that we need from this event to think of it as a *successful failure*."   This person wasn't too sure why I said this and responded with- "why in the world would you say that?"   "Well, I'm not trying to say no one will do well"  "Then why did you say it?" I then explained about the Apollo 13 movie.  How they went to the moon with the intent of bringing back rocks and information...instead they had to find a way to get back to earth...without having the mission completed.   Crinkling up her nose she responded, "well that's dumb to compare this event with a movie!" "I'm just saying, if we don't get the kind of sales we would like, not to become depressed about it...but to move on with a positive attitude."   With that she walked away....talking to some of the other vendors.   The success I was referring to....is the fact that we all got to know one another....for 2 evenings and half day on Saturday, we all got to yak and share stories about things in the past, present and future.  Some of the people we already kind of knew from church.  Others we'd never met, until that time.   Even with my "positive" attitude....I had times when my feeling were up and down....then finally down when on the third night we found out they didn't advertise like they said they would do.   I had to ask myself, what were they thinking?  Surely they knew placing an ad on the radio would cost big bucks, not too mention billboards!!  No wonder there wasn't any foot traffic.  Besides that~ it was way too close to Christmas, people just don't have all kinds of cash just to buy anything and everything.   During the last day, it wasn't even 4-0-clock, when "they" decided finally we weren't going to get any more business.   It didn't take us long at all to get things into boxes and head for the door, we filled up the back seat and drove away.   


  As we drove off into the sunset....I remember thinking how dumb it was for them to make us BELIEVE they did their best to get the word out.   OH someone did profit from this alright...they did.   Booth rent, was basically a donation of sorts...to help fund a business they were starting.  (daycare).    I wouldn't think they would have much overhead to contend with as far as I know the main business is within the walls of a church.  So at the least, they may need funding for some things.   But the heat and electric would be paid for by the church officials.    Well the more I thought of this, the MORE it grew larger in my mind....the MORE I thought about all the time and effort I put into my candles and bath products the more my anger grew!   I fumed as we drove down the road.     After a few days past.... and the clouds parted in my brain....thinking became more clear..... it was just as I said ~ A Successful Failure ~  Yes, that's what it was.   I can also say this was experience I hadn't known before!   Experience of knowing what kinds of questions to ask before even plunking down my money the next time....if there is a next time!  LOL   I feel that I can laugh about this whole experience...well, not big belly laughs...more of a chuckle. ;)    I can also say this ~ I prayed over every aspect of my business, every jot and tittle...I was hoping God would just open the windows of heaven and heave out a big blessing of sales....of course, I was hoping the same for others....but also hoping for big sales.   Then, as I prayed I was "banking" on this event to get me in the Christmas spirit.   My oh my~ was I let down in a big way.    I don't think, that God was up there making fun my situation, no, I'm thinking he had plan to begin with... a plan to instruct me on how to navigate in my business, how to deal with people or at least how to deal with situations beyond my control.   What did I do about how I feel about Christmas....well, I know where it doesn't come from....it won't come from people...the Joyous time of Christmas will come when I decide to focus on Jesus.  After all, isn't HE the REASON for the season?   Its not all about the gifts under the tree...its about how he died upon the tree to give us all LIFE.   Jesus is the best gift of all.  


Maybe your asking yourself, what or how did I deal with the anger over the situation beyond my control?   I decided to lay it down at His feet.  It isn't good to carry around anger...it will eat you alive.  
I know I got off my original track of thought....but I just wanted you to know what I went through....and who knows....maybe it will be something to see you through. 


















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Festive Mantle

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Give your burdens to God

Lord I want more of you in my life, to help me through the turmoil and strife - help me to let it go, I need peace in my heart~ I need a caring heart, what should I do - I know I will lay all my troubles down at the foot of the cross~

*Chorus*
Give all to God, Lay all your burdens down - Give all to Him - lay your burden down~
Invite the Holy One in your heart - His love will bring you joy, lay your burdens down - lay it down.

Let His Power come in, He will give you joy again,~ Lay your burden down, He will lift you up, lay your burden down, He will lift you up!

-written by Mary-

"His Joy is your laughter."

Jesus will make you whole!

To the winners of blog giveaway

...You know who you are. ;)  I have fallen behind, again!   I was so wanting to get your things out a lot sooner...I'm not trying to make excuses here...I'm just wanting you both to know...I have not forgotten. :)   I will try my best to get everything sent off after Christmas.  Thank you for being understanding. ;)




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3 days away

Christmas is just days away....and what have I accomplished?  Maybe I should say it this way...what haven't I accomplished?  Shopping.  Both my hubby and I have not even begun to shop for one another.  I'm not exactly sure what he would like.   His main hobbies include painting and radios.  I can cross off a new shortwave radio  as last summer he picked up one for free.   Some guy decided to give one away.   He said it didn't work very well.  Hubby cleaned up the connection, just a little corroded.  And now its in perfect working condition!   And painting, well he's got all the paint brushes he could ever want...and tubes of paint he picks up when its on sale.   I don't think I will even venture in those areas.    Last Christmas, I got him a book.   Yup, a book.  It was a book on money management by Dave Ramsey.   Because last year I was basically clueless as to what to buy him.   I thought of a gift card.  Socks.  How bout a tie?   Naw...he doesn't wear ties.   Maybe something cool for his computer?  I could sit here and try to guess...maybe I should just ask.   

...and it started with the closet

Hi!  This weekend was all about getting decorations out of the closet, and begin to decorate the mantle, string lights outside, and even do some painting.  Before we could paint we had to have a project.  The built in shelf in the living room could do with some sprucing up..so hubby knocked out an upper shelf..it was too high for me to reach so therefore it hardly got dusted, then we had to decide on a paint color, sand fossil.  It wasn't a hard choice as we already had it in our possession, it was a color we trimmed the office, along with painting the walls a sage green.   Hubby then used the hammer and other tools to knock out the shelf...being extremely careful not to knock out the wall behind it..the shelf came out with no problem!   I painted long into the night on Saturday, well, the project wasn't started until after 8 pm...we weren't in any hurry. ;)   Then hubby, gave the whole thing a second and third coat on Sunday.   Just painting the inside shelves, the outside also needs to be freshened up with a new coat of paint, however, that will come when we decide on a new wall color.  And to think this all started just by opening the closet....I wonder what other treasures will find upon opening boxes.  There is a mystery there I'm sure. 







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Still waiting...giveaway

Still waiting on Miz. Caution Flag to report in.

I'm in the process of making the Holiday Treat Giveaway...and they sure do smell wonderful!  

I might consider doing another Giveaway just before the holidays, do I have anyone interested??  
Let me know by leaving a comment!!  Did I say how much I love your comments??




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Our winners are.....

Mrs. 4444's  and  Caution Flag!!
I picked 2 because only 2 decided to join in this blog giveaway...so~be on the look out I might decide to do another giveaway!

Congrats to our winners!!   




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Welcome new followers!

A big Holiday Welcome to all my new followers!!  :O)  The Homesteading Apartment; Empty Nester; Lets Make a Difference.   
Glad you are here. ;)


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Wednesday the 10th

I'm getting a head start on this...so here are some pics.

 

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C'mon ova! JOIN the FUN!!!

Just making another announcement..for the blog giveaway...happening right here.  I'm offering 1 dozen tealights (mixed variety), foot butter, and an 8 ounce smelly jelly... this is a real treat...I hope you won't miss out!   Please join in the fun.  Become a follower if you haven't already done so...leave a comment saying which scent you'd prefer...Christmas scent, Kitchen scent, dessert, fruit, spices.    C'mon now...so far only 2 ladies have joined the fun...lets make it more challenging!  :O)   Winners will be announced on November 17th!



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Shabby Chic

I love my new found space.  I love the fact that I have more drawers, and enough room on top for things needed...like the microwave. ;)

 I haven't decided what to add to the wall over the microwave, maybe hang baskets.  Or a wreath. 

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not too shabby....

Hello!   This time change is for the birds in my opinion.  I got up this morning thinking I had over slept but I hadn't.   Yesterday was a crazy day.  We did manage to go to one open house we like doing this on Sunday's.   It was a new condo, very spacious, hardwood floor in the kitchen, new berber carpet in the living room and throughout.   Generally, I'm not a big berber fan as we have some cheaper stuff in our house, it wasn't our choosing it was here when we bought the place.  I've had one person tell me they liked it...well, they can claim it...I will gladly take some new stuff!
Anyway, after coming home we said lets do something to make our kitchen a lot more usable, so we traded dressers, both are nothing fancy mind you....one was in our living room holding a bunch of junk, so we weeded through the junk some will go to GW. Some stuff will go home to their rightful owners. LOL   So we moved the smaller dresser from our bedroom to the kitchen, fitting it just right up to the fridge, I was able to fill it with things that would never seem to fit right in our present kitchen drawers.  We have 2 old rickety drawers that will rub sawdust into the next drawer below it, not a great feature to have when storing mixers, hand blenders...just small appliances.   Now the top of the dresser has the microwave, cookie jar, utensil-go-round, and my knife set.   All within reach, when needed cooking at the stove.   I am just thrilled with how it turned out!   So today, I've been doing some cleaning around the kitchen, putting away things that have set out most of the year.  I never wanted my home to look cluttered...in all the other places we've lived I could keep it looking nice and clean cause I had way more places to store everything...it was great.  But those days are far behind...and you make do with what you have.  I will add tho~this dresser is actually saving us about 300 bucks...we've looked around at all kinds of kitchen storage items and I know none of those would hold as much as this dresser does...so there...it adds a kind of shabby design too!





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Just as I thought

I ended having a dream (after going to bed around 6:30 or so this morning)... the cast of characters were taken from people I wrote about in my journals.  heh heh ;)   I told you didn't I.

This dream was so crazy the only part I remember was:  I was in the military.  I had lots of friends.  And some how or another they were trying to sell me on some cosmetics, hair care, etc... one gal kept bugging to purchase an amazing hair brush...not only could you brush your hair, but it also worked as a make-up applicator!  LOL...  There was also a big huge indoor pool in this dream, the kind that is under the floor...the bad thing was the floor opened up and people were falling in...not good considering there were older women in dresses, hats, gloves....you name it...all had fallen in without even a scream.   Acting as if they enjoyed every minute.   I told you it was a crazy dream.   
After that I woke up.... 

And since I've been up.... I called a friend.  Then another call came in....  I really need to get busy around here....its Friday... and why oh why am I not motivated....who knows.

Nice to see a new follower!   Thanks for joining.  :O)

Hugs, Mary   

Some favorite stores, hangouts,

Believe it or not I'm still up...and reading more of my journal.  I got to thinking about the stores that we loved going to...(I'm going from memory)... Crafts Frames and Things; The Mole Hole; Tin Originals; West Wood Shopping center; West Wood Christian Book Store; Kirklands; Windsor Mall; Cross Creek Mall; Roses; Sky City; Food Lion; Krogers; Tally Wood Shopping Center; and that's all I can think of...its kinda funny why I would remember so many places..but after all we lived at Pope AFB-near Fort Bragg for 9 years!   If you ask me that's a long time for anyone to be stationed in one place. ;)   There's one road (name of road) that sticks in my head..Yadkin Road.   There must have been someone we knew that either lived near there, or a store we used to shop...my mind is working over time.  Hah 

I'll probably have some interesting dreams centered around all of this...places, and people we used to know.   I always thought it would be fun to run across these folks in the future...who knows, with the internet these days....the world some how seems a wee bit smaller...with every single person out there with some sort of connection...facebook...classmates.com, some other sort of place for peeps to hang out.   I can remember when, *way back when* pen pals were the fad.  By the time I was 20 years old, I was writing to 21 pals from Kuwait (before any wars), to Germany, to Barbados, to Jordan, to so and so on!   I thought my mother would go crazy!  Me writing almost every week to these folks, well really teenagers, and some my age...writing was my way of staying in touch, my bedroom was my place to *hang out* to curl up with note paper and pen...jotting down thoughts...and almost anything that came to mind.   My clothes closet was filled with shoe boxes of every letter and picture saved.  You don't know how many times I would hear those famous words..."You need to go through all those letters and toss them!"  these words lingered over head....yet, I found some nook and cranny to stick more letters, behind books, between journals...just some place they wouldn't be found.  Mom didn't like that I was becoming the worlds worst pack rat...*but a good kind of rat!* LOL...   well... I must say... the clock keeps on ticking...and I must get some sleep before the dawning of a new day...don't forget to set your clocks this Sunday... have a good weekend... bye!  

Times Past...1989

I was just going through an old journal from days gone by.  Came across an entry from December 1989.  Hubby and I were stationed in North Carolina at the time... I woke up to our first winter day..with snow and ice covering the ground.   Hubby was away in England and I was alone in our mobile home... I was busy getting ready for friends to come by to pick me up to help out with the Salvation Army to serve Christmas dinner. I had helped before in the kitchen of the Salvation Army to serve in what was called Love Lunches...but serving for the crowd that would be coming for dinner had made me a little bit more nervous, I think it was because I didn't know how many would be gathered there...several other people from surrounding churches had come to help to put foods together and cook...the place was busy..we had a lot to accomplish...it was a grand time of fellowship.  After the food was prepared we stood with utensils in hand to serve our guests...I manned the sweet potato station...many people came through the line that afternoon...I was happy to serve each and everyone with a happy heart and a smile.   Later that afternoon I went home with my friends for dinner and more fellowship as we gathered around the table.  The food was plenty and it was quite tasty.   We celebrated Christmas with a cake and singing.  All had a grand time.    As time went on...of course we moved to other places like Japan and then to Arkansas...but the times we spent in fellowship with our friends we had known and loved would always be remembered.  This Christmas time, will be spent as always with my husband and I gathered 'round the tree exchanging gifts for one another...and remembering our friends.  :)

Thankful Challenge November 5th 2010

The picture for the Thankful Challenge would not come up for me in this post..so I'm sorry for that..however, I did want to say what I'm thankful for... 
Here's what happened...yesterday morning as my husband was on his way into the building of where he works, the time was 6:30AM so its still a little dark , he saw a truck coming towards him, he thought at first it was a co-worker playing a prank on him..as if to say "I'm gonna run over you".. hubby thought the person would then just go around him, however this did not happen..all of the sudden as he was still walking he was hit!   He said, the side mirror has bumped his elbow pretty hard....thankfully it wasn't too hard to break any bones.  When he first called to tell me of the accident I was rather angry...and who wouldn't be?!?!  For the majority of the afternoon I stayed upset.  Then later, when we got together for prayer time..I had to decide right then and there if I was going to keep the anger....or let it go.   Letting it go was the best medicine...we prayed for the person who had driven so recklessly...and decided to forgive.   So there you go~I start my Friday, in a most Thankful way~praising the Father in Heaven for keeping my husband safe.   Thanking God for the power of forgiveness.  It will truly set the captive free.
 

Follow Friday 40 and Over!

 

 I hope I got this right! 

I will try my best to go visit others, as you come visit me..or follow...otherwise, I may not be able to find you.

11 more days....

Before I announce the winner of the contest... just a teeny reminder! :)  




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Christmas

Have you ever noticed how the seasons pass by so quickly?  This isn't the first time I've taken notice of this...but really, Thanksgiving gets buried under all the wrappings and trimmings of Christmas.   The stores are a myriad of glittery lights, trees, bobbles, snowmen, santas, bells, candy, glitter...etc...this list could go on forever and ever... its easy to get all wrapped up in the lists of what everyone wants...but lets not forget the Real reason for Christmas.  Its all about Christ...His love for us.   When we focus on the true meaning...then all these things will fall into place. 
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I am Thankful......

I'm behind..ooops!...day 4... in this giving Thanks challenge...well...lets see....I am thankful for how the Lord works with me...in helping me make decisions.  Like for the past few days I had been wanting to expand my line of business...however, on closer look I don't think its God's timing for me to get into another field of products.   I will have to wait, patiently.
I am Thankful...for how the Lord watches over our household.. 
I am trusting in the Lord, in all things. :) 

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I just finished making candles....

I just finished making some candles in a red hot cinnamon, they sure smell good!!    I encourage you to enter the giveaway...sure would love for you to join!  :)    

I am also getting ready for a Christmas craft fair coming up in December.  I'm looking forward to showing all that I have, from candles to foot butter, to milk bath...etc...

Just looking around on the internet, for Tear Bears....have you all heard about these little treasures?   I call them treasures cause they are so cute!    Here are the instructions I found online... I plan on making these sometime.   

How to make Tear Bears

The instructions look fairly easy to follow.. 
and if you want to save more money I suggest gathering your materials like Mulberry paper online...Ebay is a good place to look!   That's where I bought mine.   And for a good price too.  Its a lot better than spending a bunch of money at a craft store.

Well that's all for now folks.




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Holiday Treat Giveaway!

Holiday Treat Giveaway!
Given by Sketches By Mary

Get ready everyone~ this is one giveaway you won't want to miss!
 
The winner will receive 1 dozen of mixed tealights; 1-8oz. smelly jelly; 1-4oz. jar of creamy aloe foot butter.
 
Contest Rules:
To enter is easy! #1. Become a follower.  #2. Make sure to leave a comment letting me know what kind of fragrance you like..here are the choices to pick from: Christmas, Spices, Desserts, Fruit, or Kitchen scents.
 
You can increase your chances of winning by spreading the word around by adding a link back to my site, then letting me know by sending an email to: naturesheartlandcandles@gmail.com

This contest begins on midnight November 1st...and ends on November 15th.  The winner will be announced by email, and I will let everyone know who won on my site, on 17th of November!  I look forward to meeting you all~let the contest begin!!

*Please note that I cannot send things overseas at this time.*  Giveaway only open to those in U.S.   Thank you for understanding.

 

Points to Ponder

Tithe if you love Jesus, anyone can honk.   


If the church was perfect, we wouldn't be here.

Pray everyday its like calling home.


Do the math and count your blessings.

A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.


Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

Blessed are the flexible for they shall never be bent out of shape.

.




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Welcome faithful followers!

I want to extend a warm welcome to my new follower...thanks for joining..."we" are a small group...hoping to grow day by day.  :)   And I want to encourage those that "sneak" in for a peek to actually became a follower....after all its okay to be a follower!  




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The Art of Being Selfish

...this was a title of a book I recall from the past....  
I remember thinking.....why would someone need to read a book on being selfish?   I mean, if one wanted to be selfish....all you'd have to do is think about yourself, what pleases me?   To be caught up in ones own thoughts.   To never think outside the box.  To have the world revolve all around "self".   What other things come to mind?   

I'm not sure why this subject came to mind....it just did.   






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On the last post I mentioned the benefits of taking vitamin B-12... here are more interesting facts that I've come across....(whether we want to hear it or not).

Just Say No....to bone-breakers; soda pop, sugar and caffeine are all detrimental to your bones.  Sugar increases calcium excretion.  Soda is high in phosphorous, and too many soft drinks prevents proper assimilation of new calcium into our bones.  Didn't know that?....read on...Coffee and caffeine subtly damage bones too.   Hamburgers are beef...and here's the beef on beef...cut down on your meat intake.  Too much protein causes calcium to be lost in the urine.  

 

Fresh as a daisy

Have you ever felt like you've been asleep...(goodness)...let me say it a better way... lately, I have felt like I've been asleep in my mind...strange as that might sound..it sure seemed that way...until I got a bottle of Vitamin B-12....this is not an a commercial...although it might sound like one...I'm not being paid...(wish I was!)....just a little pill...did the trick...it worked on my mind...its working, believe it or not, in my nerves....for a few days, I've been experiencing a pinched nerve in my left shoulder...I tried exercising...tried the arm twirly thing...nothing seemed to work....until I took that little pill today.   Thank God.  Something worked...
My mind is feeling fresh as a daisy.   Now, I feel another commercial coming on....would that be from the old Irish Spring soap?   Or was that from fabric softener?    Fresh as a daisy....I'll have to think on that one a while.  



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http://cowpattysurprise.blogspot.com

I just wanted you all to visit this lovely lady's site...  she's got the best sense of humor!   :)  (I hope you don't mind for me doing this!)  ;)

I will be adding your site to my links.   :0)   




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Homespun Flair ~ The West Ladies

http://thewestladies.blogspot.com/ please visit The West Ladies Blog...it will probably be a mite late to enter their wonderful give away...but I'm sure they would love for you to come visit any time you want. They have quite a bit of things to look at and items to purchase...so if you are looking for something with homespun flair be sure to check these ladies out!



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The west ladies are holding a giveaway!

....snacking isn't bad if one does it during the day, or when one is feeling that afternoon low...but to feed oneself late ur I mean, early in the morning hours...now that presents a problem...especially when I've been "sentenced" to choose foods more wisely...this time I fell back two steps...when I spied on the kitchen counter the bag of hot chocolate mix...yes, its chilly enough to drink hot chocolate...but I wasn't interested in sipping piping hot liquid at this hour...no, I went straight for the bag...secretly stepping into the office to sit in front of my laptop...I carefully tore open the bag...and proceeded to eat the dry mixture...oh, the splendor of it all....each little crunchy bit...I licked up every last bit.   I'm on a chocolate high.  Ahhhhh.



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I'm following me

I thought something looked funny when I glanced down at my followers list...and there I am.  um-huh.  I know very strange indeed, now how do I get me off my trail?


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10 Commandments for living...Helen Steiner Rice

Among some of the things kept in my box of memories... is a resolution list by Helen Steiner Rice..it was her list of 10 Commandments for living...that helped her defeat self-pity and focus on helping others.

1. Thou shalt be happy.
2. Thou shalt use thy talents to make others glad.
3. Thou shalt rise above defeat and trouble.
4. Thou shalt look upon each day as a new day.
5. Thou shalt always do thy best and leave the rest to God.
6. Thou shalt not waste thy time and energy in useless worry.
7. Thou shalt only look on the bright side of life.
8. Thou shalt not be afraid of tomorrow.
9. Thou shalt have a kind word and a kind deed for everyone.
10. Thou shalt say every morning -- I am a child of God and nothing can hurt me.

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....things kept....

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