For Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
DECEMBER 31ST, 2008


TODAY'S THOUGHT

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other

George Eliot



TODAY’S ACTION

Be aware of small chances that come your way to show compassion



TODAY’S QUOTE

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.

Oprah Winfrey

IT’S WEDNESDAY !!

Today is the very last day of 2008!

I’m off to work as usual and it may be another long day. I worked over so far on Monday and Tuesday this week. The big boss that has retired and went to Florida for the winter had a disaster at his house here in Ohio. A water pipe broke flooding his house. So his son-in-law (my boss) has been tied up there. The retired boss flew in to access the damage so they’ve both been tied up for sure.

Thankfully he has a home in sunny Florida where he can stay until the damage is repaired. From what I hear the repairs will be extensive. We just never know when something like that can happen I guess.

DS#6 and his wife and dogs are coming in for New Years. They have a party to go to with her folks tonight so I will be dog sitting again. I don’t mind at all as they are very good dogs. We are supposed to get some snow so I’ll be praying that all the travelers have safe trips. DD is leaving today with her hubby for a snow mobile-ing trip, DS#5 and his wife are visiting with friends this week and DS#3 and his family will also be visiting with friends for New Years.

I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be snug as a bug in a rug right here.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!



25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me,
and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name


TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God,
and in God’s time all things will be made well.



TODAY IS…NEW YEARS EVE
New Year's Eve is when all the fun and festivities are. We see out the old year and ring in the new. While it is often thought of as a time to drink and be merry, many people take it as an opportunity to eat and be merry. Drinking is not as much a part of the event as it was decades ago, if only because of tougher drunk driving laws.
New Years' Day on the other hand, is a time to relax and enjoy the start of a bright and promising new year....a new beginning. It is a time to be with family. After all, you haven't seen your mother in law since last year.
So, enjoy everything about New Year's....it only comes once a year.
To many Americans, the ball dropping at Times Square in New York City signals the start of the new year in this country. The ball was first dropped in 1908.

Today is You're All Done Day

Today is World Peace Meditation Day

Today is National Check the Smoke Alarms Day

Today is Make Up Your Mind Day. Make a decision today and follow through with it

Tonight is First Night, a non-alcoholic alternative New Year's Eve celebration of the arts, planned tonight in over 140 U.S. and Canadian cities. The first First Night in 1976 was in Boston, where 1-million are expected to attend 250 shows today and tonight

Universal Hour of Peace begins at 11:30 tonight. Until 12:30 a.m. January 1, 2009, every man, woman and child is invited to spend the hour in meditation, prayer, conversation, listening to beautiful music or whatever helps them concentrate on peace

1879: The cornerstone was laid for Honolulu’s Iolani Palace. It’s the only royal palace in the United States
1929: Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians played their theme song, Auld Lang Syne, to usher in the new year at New York City's Hotel Roosevelt Grill, the beginning of a tradition. It means "old long since" or days gone by.
Today is Hogmanay. In Scotland, December 31 is known as Hogmanay, the word children use to ask for their traditional present of an oatmeal cake (which is why this is also called Cake Day). The first person to cross the threshold into one's home, called the first footer, is an indication of the year to come. Although the tradition varies, if the first footer is tall and dark, the year will be a good one.

TODAY’S SMILE

BETWEEN THE YEARS

I stand between the years. The Light of My Presence is flung across the year to come - the radiance of the Sun of Righteousness. Backward, over the past year, is My Shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and disappointment.

Dwell not on the past - only on the present. Only use the past as the trees use My Sunlight to absorb it, to make from it in after days the warming fire-rays. So store only the blessings from Me, the Light of the World. Encourage yourselves by the thought of these.Bury every fear of the future, of poverty for those dear to you, of suffering, of loss. Bury all thought of unkindness and bitterness, all your dislikes, your resentments, your sense of failure, your disappointment in others and in yourselves, your gloom, your despondency, and let us leave them all, buried, and go forward to a new and risen life.

Remember that you must not see as the world sees. I hold the year in My Hands - in trust for you. But I shall guide you one day at a time.Leave the rest with Me. You must not anticipate the gift by fears or thoughts of the days ahead. And for each day I shall supply the wisdom and the strength.

GOD CALLING

A few tips for New Year’s Eve

Remember, you'll enjoy the (Rose Bowl) much more on New Year's Day if you don't enjoy the punch bowl too much on New Year's Eve

I'm all for MADD -- Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. But I think what we really need is BADD -- Bartenders Against Drunk Drivers

Just remember, having a boring time at a New Year's Eve party is nothing to be ashamed of. Boredom is easier to cure than a hangover

NEW YEARS CHEER

At the sound of the tolling midnight bell

a brand new year will begin.

Let’s raise our hopes in a confidant toast,

to the promise it ushers in.

May your battles be few, your pleasure many,

your wishes and dreams fulfilled.

May your confidence stand in the face of lossand give you the strength to rebuild.

May peace of heart fill all your daysmay serenity grace your soul.

May tranquil moments bless your lifeand keep your spirit whole

TODAY’S LINK

Happy New Year Card for You!
Just click on the link below

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1715391774561&source=jl999

TODAY’S WORD

tacit \TAS-it\, adjective:
1. implied or understood without being openly expressed2. saying nothing; silent

c 1575, from French tacite, from Latin tacitus “that is passed over in silence, done without words, assumed, silent,” from tacere, to be silent

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
Isaiah 43:1
Jesus’ disciples also encountered a stormy experience. They were on the Sea of Galilee when a windstorm whipped up (Mark 6:48). The storm was so violent that despite being experienced fishermen who knew the lake well, they feared for their lives. But Jesus walked out to them and saved them.
No one can predict with certainty how stormy the New Year will be. We do know, though, that everyone will face storms. But we who have Jesus have our future securely moored to Him. Jesus, who did not fail us in the past, will not fail us in the future.
How will you fare in the storms of the new year? If you’re anchored in Jesus, you have nothing to fear

Our Daily Bread – Daily Devotional

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

When things go wrong, don’t go with them

79 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!
AND 93 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today
and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA


MY JOURNALS
What’s New at My House

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below:

http://goodmorningsmiles.blogspot.com/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

For Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
DECEMBER 30th, 2008


TODAY'S THOUGHT

In times like these, it helps to recall
that there have always been times like these.

Paul Harvey


TODAY’S ACTION

Life is a song-sing it.Life is a game - play it.

Life is a challenge - meet it.

Life is a dream - realize it.

Life is a sacrifice - offer it.

Life is love - enjoy it

A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul



TODAY’S QUOTE

Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God and he is instantly free. . . If we understand our first and sole duty to consist of loving God supremely and loving everyone, even our enemies, for God's dear sake, then we can enjoy spiritual tranquilly under every circumstance.

A. W. Tozer

IT’S TUESDAY !!

Soon this old year will be a thing of the past. I know that lot of people are looking forward to a new and better year. I just seem to be coasting along here and trying to live my life day by day. A new year doesn’t seem to hold the excitement for me that it once did. What seems to matter most to me now is a new day.

I woke up again this morning, and so did you if you are reading this! That is something worth celebrating for sure. Each new day is a gift. Treasure each one and make the most of it. Some days are ordinary with no special events planned, but even in the plain and simple times we have so much to be thankful for.

My motto has become: Relax, celebrate the day with me! Of course, I’ll be wishing you a Happy New Year when 2009 rolls around but most of all I’m wishing you
a wonderful and amazing new day.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !


TODAY’S PRAYERS

Father, we are filled with the new light by the coming of your Word among us. May the light of faith shine in our words and actions. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever

Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU!



25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me,
and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name


TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God,
and in God’s time all things will be made well.



TODAY IS… BICARBONATE OF SODA DAY
National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, or Baking Soda Day, celebrates the many benefits and uses of Bicarbonate of Soda.
Just how does Baking Soda work and what, specifically, does it do? Few people seem to know. It's quite simple. We will skip the chemistry lesson and how Baking Soda is made. Let's just talk to what it is, and what it does. Bicarbonate of soda is a chemical compound - sodium carbonate or sodium bi-carbonate. When heated, it creates carbon dioxide, a gas. The gas aids a variety of bakery products to rise as they cook.
Many people just think of Bicarbonate of Soda as something you use for baking. But, it has so many more uses. Here are just a few of them:
Baking- helps baked goods, like bread, to rise
Relieve stomach indigestion and heartburn when mixed in water
Removing odors in the refrigerator, vents, storage areas, and closets
Removing odor in kitty litter
It is used in fire extinguishers for grease and oil fires
It is often used as a cleaning agent
It can be used as a meat tenderizer
Put it in water with beans to minimize flatulance from eating beans
Polish Silverware
Remove burned food from a pot or a pan
And, the list goes on, and on, and......

The Festival of Enormous Changes At the Last Minute begins today

Today is Falling Needles Family Fest Day, a time to gather around the Christmas tree and watch the needles fall. Live it up! Dance barefoot

1942 - Mr. and Mrs. North debuted on NBC radio. Joseph Curtin played Jerry North and Alice Frost played Pam. A typical Mr. and Mrs. North episode would find Pam leading Jerry on what seemed to be a wild-goose chase as they tracked down criminals

(My mom always said she listened to that radio program and that is why she named me Pam)

1951: The Roy Rogers Show debuted on NBC-TV, starring Roy, Dale Evans, Pat Brady, Trigger, Buttermilk, Bullet, and Nellybelle. Nellybelle was a jeep. Dale wrote the theme "Happy Trails to You." The show lasted six years

1995: Procter & Gamble announced it would resume Mr. Whipple’s lifetime supply of free Charmin bathroom tissue immediately. Actor Dick Wilson, who had urged shoppers for 25 years not to squeeze the Charmin, had suddenly stopped receiving monthly shipments to his home in Nevada. A company spokesman said it was a goof-up, not intentional

1980 - The Selective Service System sent a warning to Mickey Mouse at Disneyland in Anaheim, California: Register for the draft or else! The Selective Service said that Mickey was in violation of registration compliance. Of course, Mickey, age 52 at the time, sent in his registration card proving that he’s a World War II veteran

An Apple a Day. . .Researchers have determined that drinking apple juice and eating apples has a beneficial effect on risk factors for heart disease. Compounds in apples and apple juice act like those in red wine and tea to delay the breakdown of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, a process linked to the accumulation of plaque on the walls of the coronary artery.

TODAY’S SMILE

There is an old fable about a puppy that was vigorously chasing his tail. An old dog saw him and asked, “Why are you chasing your tail so?” The puppy answered, “I have mastered philosophy. I have solved the problems of the dog universe, which no dog before me has rightly solved. I have learned that the best thing for a dog is contentment and happiness. I have discovered that contentment is in my tail. Therefore, I am chasing it; and when I catch it, I shall have happiness!”

The old dog said, “My son, I too have paid attention to the problems of the dog universe, in my weak way, and have formed some opinions. I, too have judged that contentment and happiness are fine things for a dog and that happiness is in my tail. But I have noticed that when I chase it, it keeps running from me; but when I go about my business, it comes after me.”

The fabled dog apparently knew a great deal about life. He put his business before his happiness, and his happiness came along

One More…

Some years ago an English preacher is reported to have said to his congregation:

Our forefathers did without sugar until the thirteenth century; without coal fires until the fourteenth century; without battered bread until the fifteenth century; without potatoes until the sixteenth century; without coffee, tea, and soup until the seventeenth century; without pudding until the eighteenth century; without matches and electricity until the nineteenth century; without canned goods until the twentieth century.

Now, what are we complaining about?

TODAY’S WORD

sacrilege \SAK-ruh-lij\, noun:
an intentional injury to anything held sacred;
disrespectful treatment of something sacred

c 1300, from Old French sacrilege, from Latin sacrilegium and sacrilegus "one who steals sacred things," from sacer "sacred" + legere, take, pick up

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?

Psalm 85:6
In a way, our lives are like musical instruments intended for “the praise of the glory of God’s grace” (Eph. 1:6). But over time, life wears us down. Our hearts cry out for renewal. The psalmist prayed: “Will You not revive us again?” (Ps. 85:6). The Hebrew word for revive means not only “to restore and refresh” but also “to repair.”
It’s vital that we submit our souls to the Master’s restorative touch. Why not set aside some time for spiritual retreat, and ask the Lord to repair your heart?
Time in Christ’s service requires time out for renewal

Our Daily Bread – Daily Devotional

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Don't forget to fill the bird feeder when winter storms are forecast

80 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!
AND 94 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Sunrise: 7:19 am
Sunset: 4:37 pm

Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today
and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA


MY JOURNALS
What’s New at My House

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below:

http://goodmorningsmiles.blogspot.com/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

For Monday, December 29th, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
DECEMBER 29th, 2008


TODAY'S THOUGHT

Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches
Wanda Hope Carter


TODAY’S ACTION

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.

Sarah Ban Breathnach


TODAY’S QUOTE


I discovered I always have choices and sometimes it's only a choice of attitude
Judith M. Knowlton



IT’S MONDAY !!

Guess I’ll have to go back to work today. Being at home for 4 days was such a joy.
There are probably some of you out there feeling just the same way, I’m sipping the good Cinnamon Sticky Bun flavored coffee here this morning and trying to count my many blessings, one of which is the job I go too.

It is payroll day and I’m pretty sure our men worked last week so there will be some people counting on paychecks this week. The week before there was only one other person on the payroll besides me and my boss. It’s that time of year when we seldom have work indoors to do.

DS#5 has been suffering from a cold again and DD is fighting one too. Both are supposed to be traveling this week for a winter break so I’ll be praying they are both better soon and can enjoy their little vacations. Of course I’ll be praying for safe travels for them and for DS#6 and his wife too as they go back and forth.

I’m planning on a quiet week. Nothing but work til Wednesday then off Thursday and Friday. On New Years Day evening I’ll have dinner for any in my family that are able to make it.

There will only be 3 days of work so I will not complain for sure.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !


TODAY’S PRAYERS

Father, keep us young in heart as we age, supple in faith,
and always open and expectant for what you want to do in us.
Amen


Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.




25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me,
and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name


TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God,
and in God’s time all things will be made well.



TODAY IS… PEPPER POT DAY

Pepper Pot Day commemorates the creation of this thick spicy soup, which was served to the Continental Army during the cold, harsh winter of 1777-1778. Pepper Pot soup was first made on December 29, 1777.
According to the legend...
During the Revolutionary war, the Continental army was camped at Valley Forge. The winter was cold and harsh. Conditions were deplorable. Food was often scarce. George Washington asked his army's chef to prepare a meal for the army that would both warm them, and boost their moral. The chef found scraps of tripe, small bits of meat and some peppercorn. He mixed this in with some other ingredients, and created Pepper Pot soup, also known as "Philadelphia Pepper Pot soup”. The hot, and somewhat spicy soup, was well received by the troops. It was called "the soup that won the war”.
Celebrate Pepper Pot Day by making some Pepper Pot soup for the family. Note: while tripe was a main ingredient of this soup, you can substitute with chicken, beef or ham.
This soup is quite easy to make. It does require about 2-1/2 hours of slow simmering, so plan ahead
Yield: 9 servings

1 tb Margarine

1/3 c Diced onions

2 tb Finely diced leeks or green

1/2 c Celery cut into 1/2″ pieces

1/4 c Diced ham

6 c Water

5 Chicken bouillon cubes

5 Beef bouillon cubes

1/2 c Green pepper, cut into 1/2″

1 cn 16 oz. tomatoes, diced

2 ts Salt

4 oz Tripe, cooked and julienned

1 c Cooked rice
Heat margarine in a large saucepan. Add onions,
leeks, celery and ham. Saute, stirring, until
vegetables are tender. Add water and bouillon cubes
and cook until bouillon cubes are dissolved. Add
remaining ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.

From Liberty Tree Tavern, Disney World
Makes 9 Cups

Today is National Yodel In The Shower Day

Today is Tick Tock Day. All the dreams you had for 2008.
It's time. Do it!

Today is YMCA Day. The first U.S. branch of the Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Boston on December 29, 1851

1845 Texas became the 28th of the United States of America on this day. And, the state nickname, the Lone Star State, comes from the Texas state flag with its one star. Texas is an altered pronunciation of the Indian word, Tejas, meaning friends, and that’s why the Texas state motto is “Friendship.” The capital of the second largest state is Austin, its state bird, the mockingbird, the state flower, the bluebonnet, the state tree, the pecan tree

1848 - President James Polk turned on the first gas light at the White House

1921: Sears, Roebuck President, Julius Rosenwald, pledges $20 million of his personal fortune to help Sears through hard times

1955: Thirteen-year-old Barbara Joan Streisand recorded "You’ll Never Know" in Brooklyn. She would be appearing on Broadway and misspelling her name within five years

1967: Star Trek's The Trouble With Tribbles airs for the first time

TODAY’S SMILE

(dedicated to all the teachers in my life)

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued: "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about Teachers: "Those who can...do. Those who can't, teach."To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?"Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness, replied, "You want to know what I make? "I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.""I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the student did not do his or her very best.""I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence.""I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home"You want to know what I make?"

"I make kids wonder.""I make them question." "I make them criticize.""I make them apologize and mean it.""I make them write.""I make them read, read, read.""I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, and definitely beautiful over and over and over again, until they will never misspell either one of those words again.""I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English.""I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart...and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention."You want to know what I make?"
"I make a difference."

ONE MORE…

A "calendarer" is the Olde English word for one who keeps a meticulous calendar. George Ellis wrote a poem in 1751 to describe the twelve months of the year, titled - appropriately enough - "The Twelve Months."

Snowy, flowy, blowy,

Showery, flowery, bowery,

Hoppy, croppy, droppy,

Breezy, sneezy, freezy




TODAY’S WORD

ramble \RAM-buhl\, verb, noun:
1. to wander about
noun:1. a walk for pleasure without predetermined destination
verb:1. to talk or write about one thing and then another without useful connection

unknown origin, perhaps frequentative of romen "to walk, go" of via romblen "to ramble." The vowel change was probably influenced by Middle Dutch rammelen, a derivative of rammen "used of the night wanderings of the amorous cat

TODAY’S REFLECTION

We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day

2 Corinthians 4:16

Second Corinthians 4:16 refers to our "wasting away" by the weight of years or the troubles we've had to bear. But while our bodies slowly decay, we can be inwardly renewed by the work of the Spirit within us. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. Indeed, our later years can be more faith-filled and exciting than our earlier years! We can look back on a lifetime of God's faithfulness to us, offer our lives in the present for God's use, and look forward with hope and joy to what lies ahead
Though our bodies may be weakening, our spirits are being strengthened by God's grace
Upper Room Devotional

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

A whispering grove tells of a storm to come

81 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!
AND 95 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS


Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today
and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

MY JOURNALS
What’s New at My House

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below:

http://goodmorningsmiles.blogspot.com/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

For Sunday, December 28th, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
DECEMBER 28th, 2008


TODAY'S THOUGHT

I will honor Christmas in my heart
and try to keep it all the year.

Charles Dickens

TODAY’S ACTION

Use today, for it is a gift, to extend your love


TODAY’S QUOTE

It's hope as a decision that makes change possible.

Jim Wallis

IT’S SUNDAY !!

I had a great day yesterday visiting with DS#3 and his family. DS#6 and his wife picked me up and took me along with them to visit for the day. I did put some pictures in my journal ‘What’s New at My House’ if you want to take a look.

I will have a much quieter day today. I plan on going to church and then will be back home again to try and get things ready for the work week ahead. There’s not much really that I need to do so it will be a day of R & R for the most part.

It has been a very fast Christmas break but I’ll have another 4 day weekend next week to enjoy too. The weather here was very spring like and in the 60’s yesterday. I actually went outside with out a coat on. It felt great. Today we’ll be down in the 40’s but that is above freezing and still very nice for us this time of year.

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

God Bless You!



25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me,
and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name


TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God,
and in God’s time all things will be made well.



TODAY IS… CARD PLAYING DAY
Card Playing Day is the perfect time to spend an hour or so playing cards with family and friends. And, it arrives at just the perfect time of year........ a few days after Christmas. The holiday hustle and bustle is over. The kids are getting bored of their new toys. It's time to turn to card games for a calmer, relaxing, and more slow-paced form of fun and entertainment.
Spend the day playing cards with family and friends. If you have kids, make sure to play some age appropriate card games with them. You'll find its quality time with the kids that will create many warm memories

Happy Card Playing Day.
Now "go fish", "hit me", "double", and "I'll raise you two!

Today is Holy Innocents Day, commemorating the massacre of children in Bethlehem ordered by King Herod in an attempt to kill the child Jesus

Today is National Chocolate Day

Tonight is Take a Drive and Enjoy the Christmas Lights Day, for those who were too busy to do so before Christmas. To make it special, take an older person who no longer drives

Today is National Call a Friend Day

The Pennsylvania Gazette, owned by Benjamin Franklin, ran an ad for the first issue of Poor Richard’s Almanack on this day in 1732. Here are some of the epigrams Ben served up in Poor Richard’s Almanack:
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. Let thy maidservant be faithful, strong, and homely.
God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.

1846 The United States of America grew one state larger by adding Iowa. The 29th state’s name is derived from an American Indian word meaning ‘the beautiful land’. It is widely thought that Iowa’s nickname, the Hawkeye State, is in honor of Black Hawk, the famous Indian chief who led the Sauk and Fox tribes against the Iowa area settlers in the Black Hawk War of 1832. Iowa City was the first capital of Iowa. 11 years later, Des Moines, the state’s largest city, became the permanent capital. The Iowa state bird is the eastern goldfinch, the state flower, the wild rose

1869: William F. Semple of Mount Vernon, Ohio, patented chewing gum

1945: Congress officially recognized the patriotic "Pledge of Allegiance" to the U.S. flag

1973: President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act into law




TODAY’S SMILE

For any of you who have ever had a young child, we humbly dedicate the following:

Knock, knock.Who's there?

Dwayne.

Dwayne who?Dwayne da bathtub; I'm dwownding!

~~~

Knock, knockWho's there?

Wayne.Wayne, who?

Wayne, Wayne, go away; come again some other day!

~~~

Knock, knock.Who's there?

Canoe.Canoe, who?Canoe come over and play?

~~~

Knock, knock.Who's there?Amos

Amos, who?A mosquito bit me!

~~~

Knock, knock.Who's there?Andy.

Andy who?Andy bit me again!

~~~

Knock, knock.Who's there?

Irish.Irish, who?

Irish you a Merry Christmas;

Irish you a MerryChristmas!

~~~

Knock, knock.Who's there?

Boo.Boo, who?

Don't cry, it's only me!!

~~~

Knock, knock.Who's there?

OliveOlive, who?

Olive you (I love you.)

TODAY’S WORD

qualify \KWOL-uh-fahy\, verb:
1. to make or become fit or competent2. to give legal power; to make or become legally capable3. to make less strong; to modify or limit the strength or meaning of4. to characterize by attributing some quality to

by 1465, from Middle French qualifier "to characterize by attributing a quality," from Latin qualis "of what sort" + facere, to make



TODAY’S REFLECTION

I sought the Lord, and He heard me.

Psalm 34:4
God created us in His image to have emotions, so the longing to feel loved is legitimate and good. One way that many of us sense we’re loved is when someone talks with us and listens to us.
God provides those needs in our relationship with Him too. He speaks through His Word to our heart (Heb. 4:12), and He wants us to pour out our heart to Him about everything (Ps. 62:8)—even our longing to feel His love. Besides a relationship with Him, He daily gives us our breath, clothing, food, and shelter. Like the psalmist, we can find Him to be our “rock” and “refuge” as we trust Him (vv.2,7).
Knowing that God loves us comes by faith;
feeling His love for us comes by relationship.
Our Daily Bread – Daily Devotional

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Use clean, empty milk jugs to store sand
or commercial ice-melting products

82 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!
AND 96 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS
Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today
and may you have the EYES to SEE it!
I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA


MY JOURNALS
What’s New at My House

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below:

http://goodmorningsmiles.blogspot.com/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

For Saturday, December 27, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
DECEMBER 27th, 2008


TODAY'S THOUGHT

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,
everything is softer and more beautiful

Norman Vincent Peale




TODAY’S ACTION

Make someone's day . Tell them how much you appreciate them


TODAY’S QUOTE

Whatever you are filled with, spills over when you are bumped.

An old Indian proverb


IT’S SATURDAY !!

It was a very quiet day at my house Friday I really slept in and then did some laundry but that’s about all. Today will be a little busier because I’m going with DS#6 and his wife to visit with DS#3 and family. We’ll probably go out to dinner with them and then come home.

It is supposed to be unusually warm with rain they say. Being in the 60’s at the end of December is rare indeed. But it won’t last long at all and we’ll be back to winter weather next week.

I really am enjoying my Christmas break from work. One more day tomorrow and then it’ll be back to work Monday but only for 3 days. Maybe by the time New Years Day comes I’ll be feeling like my old self once more. 4 day weekends are wonderful!

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !


TODAY’S PRAYERS

Lord, help me to start each day by listing a few of the wonderful blessings
You've provided that make me happy


Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !




25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me,
and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name


TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God,
and in God’s time all things will be made well.


TODAY’S TRIVIA

Make Cut Out Snowflake Day is here and now.
Here's a day to show your crafty skills, as you make paper snowflakes. Making cut out snowflakes is a great project for kids. However, you don't have to be a kid, to have fun making paper snowflakes. It's a skill that is practiced by many people.

They say no two snowflakes are alike. It shouldn't come as a surprise, that there are seemingly countless different snowflake designs. Templates abound, from fast and easy patterns, to intricate time consuming designs to challenge the most practiced "snowflaker".

So, if you like snow...bring it on! Bring out the paper and scissors, and cut out some paper snowflakes on this very special Make Cut Out Snowflake Day.

Today is Watch the Children Day, and learn again how to enjoy life

Today is Modern Medicine Day, marking the birth of Louis Pasteur, the father of modern medicine, at Dole, France, on December 27, 1822. Pasteur developed modern inoculation methods and the pasteurization process

Today is National Fruitcake Day

Today is the Feast Day of Saint John the Apostle, son of Salome and Zebedee

The Jerome Kern (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) musical, Show Boat, opened on this day in 1927 at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City

1903 - The barbershop quartet favorite, Sweet Adeline, was sung for the first time -- in New York City. The song was composed by Henry Armstrong with the words of Richard Gerard. Now female barbershop quartets call themselves Sweet Adelines

1932: Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City

1947 - “Hey kids... What time is it? It’s Howdy Doody time!” Buffalo Bob (Smith), Clarabelle the Clown (Bob Keeshan), Judy Canova and a host of others joined Howdy Doody on NBC-TV. The show stayed on the air for 13 years

1951 - A Crosley automobile, with a steering wheel on the right side, became the first such vehicle placed in service for mail delivery -- in Cincinnati, Ohio

1971 - Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Woodstock of Charles Schulz’ famous Peanuts comic strip made the cover of Newsweek magazine this day

TODAY’S SMILE

MARTHA STEWART DOESN'T LIVE HERE!

I'm creative, You can't expect me to be neat too!

I clean house every other day.... Today is the other day!

If you write in the dust, please don't date it!

Kitchen closed this chick has had it!

I would cook dinner but I can't find the can opener!

Ring Bell for Maid Service . . .

My house was clean last week, too bad you missed it!

I came, I saw, I decided to order take out.

If you don't like my standards of cooking...

lower your standards.

Apology . . . Although you'll find our house a mess,

Come in, sit down, converse.

It doesn't always look like this:

Some days it's even worse.


TODAY’S LINK

A BLESSING FOR THE COMING NEW YEAR

http://www.mamarocks.com/new_year_blessing.htm



TODAY’S WORD

paltry \PAWL-tree\, adjective:
1. almost worthless; trifling2. of no worth; contemptible, despicable

probably associated with dialectic palt, pelt "trash," cognate with Middle Low German and East Frisian palte "rag," and Middle Dutch palt, broken or torn fragment.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peterand to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him. ”So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed

John 20: 1-8

The tomb is empty and the Lord is nowhere to be seen. We wait in the emptiness. We are running with the disciples and come to the tomb. We see the linen wrappings that once covered his precious, bloodied body. Where is he? This is the moment of suspense and nothingness; the moment between his death and confirmation of his resurrection. What do we do in this pocket of time?

We often spend time in spaces of emptiness and anticipation: thinking about loved ones who have gone, and about wonderful times that are now part of history. Where do they all go, and where is Jesus in our empty times, our tomb times? What is to come?

They are all waiting for us, and we will see them again.No one or nothing that existed and ended in love is ever lost. The risen Christ is no longer bloodied and beaten. He wants us to leap into the next moment in time, trusting in him, because he is already there

Online Prayer – Reflection of the Daily Gospel

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

A green Christmas, a white Easter

83 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!
AND 97 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS


Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today
and may you have the EYES to SEE it!


I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA

MY JOURNALS
What’s New at My House

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below:

http://goodmorningsmiles.blogspot.com/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
DECEMBER 26th, 2008


TODAY'S THOUGHT

Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn king!

Charles Wesley


TODAY’S ACTION

Sing aloud the melody in your heart



TODAY’S QUOTE

Christmas, children, is not a date.
It is a state of mind.

Mary Ellen Chase


IT’S FRIDAY !!

Now that Christmas Day is over we should remember the days between Christmas and Epiphany are still very special days to celebrate. So I’m sharing a little info with you that I found out about today…
St. Stephen's Day immediately follows Christmas, and the Church rejoices in this first testimony by blood to the fact of the Incarnation. Children love the Gospel story about St. Stephen, who for love of God was stoned to death while praying for his enemies. It is also becoming a practice on St. Stephen's Day to pray particularly for our enemies, and it is appropriate to remember the persecuted Church throughout the world and all the people who, like Stephen, are being afflicted for their faith.

There is the story of Good King Wenceslaus who "looked out on the Feast of Stephen" and who enjoyed eating his minced meat pie after sharing his meal with a poor peasant family

Good King Wenceslaus looked out on the Feast of Stephen,

When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.

Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,

When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.

We hope to keep Christmas alive in our hearts every day of the year.
Loving, sharing, caring and celebrating are what is important in life !

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

We give you thanks, Lord, for you are rich in mercy,

--for the great love with which you have loved us.

You are acting always in the world by the power of your Spirit,

--making all things new.Open our eyes today,

and those of our brothers and sisters

--that we may see your wonders


Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU !



25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me,
and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name


TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God,
and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY’S TRIVIA
Boxing Day is celebrated in England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other former British commonwealth countries. It is a legal holiday in these countries. This is also St. Stephans Day, where Boxing Day gets some of it's roots. On St. Stephans' Day, churches opened their collection boxes to the poor.
Boxing Day was an expression of appreciation and thanks, much like Christmas tips are today.
The roots of the holiday goes back to the Middle Ages . On this day, members of the merchant class would take boxes, fill them with food and fruits, and give them to servants, tradespeople and the less fortunate. In the case of servants, they would work on Christmas Day, so it was only fitting that immediately after Christmas, they would be given a day off to celebrate. Usually celebrated the day after Christmas, some would celebrate the following Monday when Christmas fell on a Friday or Saturday.
Today, the giving of boxes includes filling boxes with food and clothing for the needy and performing volunteer work. Monetary gifts to charity are also common.

Today is National Whiners' Day, a day dedicated to people who return Christmas gifts

Today is Second Day of Christmas, observed as a holiday in many countries

Today is National Candy Cane Day

1492: 1st Spanish settlement in New World founded, by Columbus

1799: Former President George Washington was eulogized by Colonel Henry Lee as first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen

1865 - James H. Mason of Franklin, MA patented the coffee percolator that makes coffee good to the last drop!

TODAY’S SMILE

After Christmas vacation, a teacher asked her small pupils to write an account of how they spent their holidays.

One youngster wrote about a visit to his grandparents in a life-care community for retired folks:"We always spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa," he said. "They used to live here in a big red house, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. They live in a place with a lot of retarded people. They live in tin huts.

They ride big three wheel tricycles. They go to a big building they call a wrecked hall but it is fixed now. They play games there and do exercises, but they don't do them very good. There is a swimming pool and they go to it and just stand there in the water with their hats on. I guess they don't know how to swim.

"My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff. But I guess she forgot how. Nobody cooks - they all go out to fast food restaurants. As you come into the park, there is a doll house with a man sitting in it. He watches all day, so they can't get out without him seeing them.

They wear badges with their names on them. I guess they don't know who they are."My Grandpa and Grandma worked hard all their lives and earned their retardment.

I wish they would move back home but I guess the man in the doll house won't let them out."

TODAY’S LINK

The following web site has a beautiful inspirational presentation. It is also available for downloading as a screen saver.http://www.worldtradehope.com/hopetwo.html

TODAY’S WORD

oblique \oh-BLEEK\, adjective, noun:1. something oblique, such as a line or figure
adverb:1. in military use, by turning 45 degrees
adjective:1. not straight up and down or across; slanting
noun:1. a muscle attached at an oblique angle to the structure that it controls
adjective:1. having unequal sides; situated obliquely instead of transverse or longitudinal2. not straightforward; indirect

from Middle French oblique, from Latin obliquus "slanting, sidelong, indirect," from ob "against" + root of licinus "bent upward," from Proto Indo-European base lei -to bend, be movable

TODAY’S REFLECTION

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart

Luke 2:19

Surely Mary meditated on the honor God gave her, as well as what must have seemed the overwhelming responsibility that now was hers. The only way she could assimilate it was to fix her thoughts on her Son. Here was a mystery filled with grace and grief, this Infant who was the "revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past" (Romans 16:25).Hebrews 3:1 counsels us to "...Fix [our] thoughts on Jesus..." Meditation gives us God's perspective on His promises and our problems.

Pat Nordman – Daily Miscellany

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

If at Christmas ice hangs on the willow, clover may be cut at Easter


84 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!
AND 98 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today
and may you have the EYES to SEE it!

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA


MY JOURNALS
What’s New at My House

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below:

http://goodmorningsmiles.blogspot.com/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html

For Christmas Day, 2008

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
DECEMBER 25th, 2008


TODAY'S THOUGHT

Peace on earth will come to stay,
When we live Christmas every day.

Helen Steiner Rice


TODAY’S ACTION

Spread the spirit of Christmas by sharing and giving to those in need


TODAY’S QUOTE

Christmas comes but once a year.

Time to get out the memories,

the warmth and cheer.

And let us keep these wonderful traditions

always near and dear

Phyllis D. Burns

IT’S THURSDAY !!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

The day we’ve all been anticipating has finally arrived. I got to sleep in this morning and am sipping the good cup of coffee and just taking it slow and easy. My coffee flavor this morning is Cinnamon Sticky Bun which was a gift for Christmas. It is good !

DD and her hubby will pick me up and we’ll go to church a little bit later this morning then I’ll return home to dog sit for a couple of my grand’dogs’. DS#6 is at his wife’s folks today and they preferred that the dogs not be underfoot while all their family is in so I volunteered to have them at my house this afternoon.

I plan to get out and do some visiting later in the evening and that will be my Christmas Day. I hope you are all enjoying Christmas at your house and that Santa was very good to you!

Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY’S PRAYERS

Christmas Blessing

Heavenly Father:
Christmas began
with the gift of Your Son,

Who in turn gave the world
the gift of His life.
Let me remember, O God,
that Christmas remains
a matter of giving,
not parties, not presents,
not material wealth,
for Christmas is Christmas
when I give myself.

Van Varner

Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

25 WORDS

God, I thank You for today, for the ways You will bless me,
and for the ways that I will serve others in Your name

TO REMEMBER…

I am in the hands of God,
and in God’s time all things will be made well.

TODAY’S TRIVIA

Today is Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus, believed by Christians to be God in human form. Christmas is a holiday in at least 105 nations. Christmas, the biggest holiday of the year. Christmas has both a strong religious and traditional meaning. It has a certain feel, all to itself, that you usually do not feel at any other time of the year. It creates within us, a sense of kindness and concern for fellow man. At no other time are we more generous and giving. It creates a sense of family and belonging. Everyone comes home for Christmas. Christmas is a time of family and giving. It is truly a time that comes but once a year

For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

John 3:16-17

336: This is the earliest known year that Jesus' nativity was celebrated on December 25th, as mentioned in the Philocalian Calendar of A.D. 354. Jesus' birth was commemorated on January 6th in Greek Orthodoxy, although by the 400s most of the Eastern churches had accepted the Roman date


1223: St. Francis of Assisi assembled one of the first Nativity scenes, in Greccio, Italy

1896: John Philip Sousa wrote the melody to a song that had haunted him for days. On Christmas Day, that melody was finally titled, "The Stars and Stripes Forever."He had hoped the song would be a ballad - but alas, another march

1949 - Dick Tracy got married on Christmas Day. The comic strip hero married Tess Trueheart. The couple later became parents of a daughter. The little girl’s name was Bonnie Braids

TODAY’S SMILE

GINGER: How was your Christmas?

JANET: Oh, it was just fine. How was yours?

GINGER: Pretty good…at least this year I didn't get any useless or stupid gifts. Did you ever get a gift that you just hated?

JANET: Yeah, one year I got one of those talking scales. The first thing it said to me was, "One of you has to get off!"


According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, adult male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter. Adult female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, :o) according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen- had to be a girl.

We should've known. Only women, while pregnant, would be able to drag an overweightman in a red velvet suit all around the world in one

TODAY’S WORD

robustious \roh-BUHS-chuhs\, adjective:
1. Boisterous; vigorous.2. Coarse; rough; crude

Robustious derives from Latin robustus, "oaken, hence strong, powerful, firm,"
from robur, oak.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Joseph…took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus
Matthew 1:24-25

Joseph tanked his reputation. He swapped his diploma for a pregnant fiancée and an illegitimate son and made the big decision of discipleship. He placed God’s plan ahead of his own.
Rather than make a name for himself, he made a home for Christ. And because he did, a great reward came his way. “He called His name Jesus.”
Queue up the millions who have spoken the name of Jesus, and look at the person selected to stand at the front to the line. Joseph. Of all the saints, sinners, prodigals, and preachers who have spoken the name, Joseph, a blue-collar, small-town construction worker said it first. He cradled the wrinkle-faced prince of heaven and with an audience of angels and pigs, whispered, “Jesus…You’ll be called Jesus.”
One of 365 devotionals in Grace for the Moment, Volume 2
By Max Lucado

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Important: Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup

85 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

IT’S CHRISTMAS!

AND 99 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

May there be a miracle in YOUR life today
and may you have the EYES to SEE it!


I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MA


MY JOURNALS
What’s New at My House

http://onyama.blogspot.com/

To see archived ‘On the Bright Side’ Newsletters click on the link below:

http://goodmorningsmiles.blogspot.com/

BRIGHT SIDE LOGO BY SON #6http://www.littlerainey.com/index.html