For Friday, January 31st, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31ST, 2014

48 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

141 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:41 am

Sunset: 5:44 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

January 31st. is Inspire Your Heart With Art Day.  Today we celebrate art and the effect it can have on your heart. Art is valued and appreciated for all sorts of reasons.

Whether it's a trip to a local museum, watching or acting in a play at the local theater or tapping your toes to a rockin' concert, today celebrates creativity with an artistic flair as well as the positive effect it has on our lives.  The key to getting the most out of this day is being selective about your art, and choosing something that will inspire your heart rather than expire it.
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep.  

Scott Adams

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  

Pablo Picasso

Art comes in many forms.  I have two sons that are artists.  My youngest son designed the logo I use every day and is a graphic designer. The other is a caricature artist and is also an art teacher.  

I love the many aspects of art and am also a wanna be artist.  I love painting things to give as gifts.  With Valentines day just about 2 weeks ago.  I’m going to try to celebrate this day by making some valentines.

I’ll be painting blocks of wood, but it’s a good time for any of us to get out the paper scissors, and glue and make some Valentines.

I have lots of handmade art here at my house.  The grand babes supply a lot of it but I’ve purchased some too.  I’ve tried to decorate my home with something that inspires me.  

Hope you all are inspired with some art today and have fantastic Friday!

Let me ask you something, what is not art?  

Author Unknown

COUNTING MY GIFTS

As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.  

John Lubbock

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1364. for DS#5 and DS#6, artists in their own right

1365. for inspirational art on my walls

1366. for grand babes that delight me with their art

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

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.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.  

John Ruskin

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Thursday, January 30th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30TH, 2014

49 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

142 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:42 am

Sunset: 5:42 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

On January 30th we celebrate Curmudgeons Day. The good thing is that you don’t have to be grumpy to celebrate it.

Some people see it as a day when you’re permitted to be as miserable and grouchy as you like. In fact, they consider it a day when grumpiness should be celebrated.

But for those of us that look on the bright side, we can celebrate Curmudgeons Day and have fun while doing it. One of the best ways I know of to celebrate today is to spread some cheer and make a curmudgeon laugh.

Optimism is the cheerful frame of mind that enables a teakettle to sing, though in hot water up to its nose. 

Author Unknown

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body. 

Joseph Addison

It’s been hard to be cheerful here in the middle of winter, but as always I’ve found that what we give away comes back to us double.  It is in cheering someone else up that we do feel better.

One of the best things I’ve heard lately and that made me SMILE, is that today we’re to be in the 20’s, even close to 30.  We are finally out of the deep freeze.  Now there is a delightful thought!

There is only one more day left to January, and where can we go but up from here on out.  January this year was notorious for it’s cold days and while February often brings some of our snowiest days, we’ll be looking forward to some warmer days for sure.

Our area and many others are now experiencing road salt shortages and our side streets will only be salted if they have sharp curves or hills they say.  As winter still has a way to go we’ll be hoping they don’t run out.

And lest I forget, I want to send out some Cheerful Birthday Wishes to DDIL#1’s mom today.  We’ve been blessed to celebrate her birthday together other years but not this one, so didn’t want to her to think I’d forgotten.

Keep safe and warm and cheerful too!  Think Spring!

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up

Mark Twain

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, and its power of endurance -- the cheerful man will do more in the same time, will do it better, will preserve it longer, than the sad or sullen

Thomas Carlyle

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1361. for cheerful smiles and grins, and laughter

1362. for a cup of blueberry patch yogurt this morning

1363. for another almost an extra hour of daylight now

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

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.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

A cheerful face is nearly as good for an invalid as healthy weather. 

Benjamin Franklin

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29TH, 2014

50 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

143 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:42 am

Sunset: 5:39 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR STAR TODAY!

May the dear Lord bless you today and always!

Have a very happy Birthday!

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. 

Les Brown

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

You're Important

Don't say you're not important,
It simply isn't true,
The fact that you were born,
Is proof, God has a plan for you.

The path may seem unclear right now,
But one day you will see,
That all that came before,
Was truly meant to be.

God wrote the book that is your life,
That's all you need to know.
Each day that you are living,
Was written long ago.

God only writes best sellers,
So be proud of who you are,
Your character is important,
In this book you are the ‘Star.'

Enjoy the novel as it reads,
It will stand throughout the ages,
Savor each chapter as you go,
Taking time to turn the pages.

Author Unknown

This is the last of the January birthdays in our family.  All have been long distance ones and I didn’t get even a bite of cake and ice cream, not that I needed it of course.  

This is one of my grandson’s birthdays and as usual a card was sent in the mail.  Our mail carriers have had quite a rough winter here this year.  We’ve had many school closings but not once did the post office close.  

Even though I didn’t want to, I did lower my thermostat a degree as the gas company here has asked that we try to conserve usage due to the BIG freeze.  It just means I’ll put on another layer of clothing to keep warm.  They say we have plenty of gas but due to heavy usage the pipe lines can not always handle the flow of gas to our homes.  

This may be a day off for school for many and I’m sure our birthday boy will appreciate that too.  The governor of our state has asked that the allowed days off school be extended this year due to extreme weather conditions.  Many have already used up the five days we are allowed without having to extend the school year. The important thing is to keep kids home, inside and warm.

Take good care everyone !  Keep safe and warm!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars.

Henry Van Dyke

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1358. for our Star, a wonderful grandson

1359. for great series like Downton Abby to watch on TV

1360. for little grandchildren that came to my house this week, they do make me SMILE

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

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.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

GOD BLESS YOU !

Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.

Serbian Proverb

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28TH, 2014

51 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

144 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:44 am

Sunset: 5:40 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

Data Privacy Day, held annually on January 28th, encourages everyone to make protecting privacy and data a greater priority. DPD is an effort to empower and educate people to protect their privacy and control their digital footprint.

Database:  the information you lose when your memory crashes.  

Dave Barry

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Treat your password like your toothbrush.  Don't let anybody else use it, and get a new one every six months.  

Clifford Stoll

Two of the most important things to make sure your data is protected seems to be that we should make sure we keep our computer updated and to have a strong password that includes letters and numbers.  

I’m no computer expert but I know that there are many virus’s and hackers out there.  Recently we read about Target’s files being stolen.  One would think a big chain like that would have some some strong privacy controls in place, but there is always a way around them it seems.  

We all value our privacy and with so much done on the internet these days we need to take care.  Another thing we can do to protect our data is to back up our computers often.  I was blessed to have received a back up external hard drive for Christmas.  It is hooked up to my computer and backs up my data every time I turn the computer on.  Should anything happen to my computer, I now have a back up made.  That was not always the case here and over the years I have lost a lot. 

Always remember: Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or know who you’re dealing with. If a company that claims to have an account with you sends email asking for personal information, don’t click on links in the email.  Call the customer service number listed on your account statement. Ask whether the company really sent a request.

Here at home the news keeps saying stay in if you absolutely don’t have to go out.  I know many have to go to work and am thankful I don’t.  Take good care everyone.  Keep safe and Keep Warm!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

A picture is worth a thousand words but it takes 3,000 times the disk space.  

Author Unknown

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1355. for the internet, it gives me lots of pleasure

1356. for my external hard drive, a gift from my children

1357. for the faithful mail carriers, making deliveries every day in this terrible weather

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

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.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

What boots up must come down.  

Author Unknown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Monday, January 27th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 2014

52 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

145 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:45 am

Sunset: 5:39 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

Lewis Carroll (1832–1898) was born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson on this day in Surrey, England, the son of an Anglican clergyman.   He taught advanced mathematics at Oxford University and was quite successful. To balance his serious career and to protect his privacy, he invented his pen name and wrote poetry and stories. His Alice's Adventures in Wonderland  began as an oral story he told to friends on a boating trip. The book became an instant success.

Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle.

 Lewis Carroll

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Today isn't any other day, you know.

Lewis Carroll

Alice in Wonderland is one of the world’s greatest books and not only for children but for adults too.  There are many lessons to be learned from this fanciful tale.

Alice learned the lesson about choosing what she really wants.  The choices we make are important too.

Alice was told to say what she means, and we too need to say what we mean, not beat around the bush or ignore some subjects all together. 

Thinking about the impossible, gets our creative juices flowing.  Just as Alice was challenged to do, we all could think about how we might find ways to do the impossible.

Our lives are all about learning who we are, what we stand for, what we want to do, be and have.  Life is about dealing with difficulty, hurt and pain as well as love, laughter and fun.  It is about overcoming fears, meeting new challenges head on and nurturing relationships. It is about using our talents and learning to be the best we can be !

If you’ve never read it, take the time.  You won’t be sorry.  

Hope you all have a great Monday.  Keep warm and take good care!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1352. for the valuable lessons learned from Alice

1353. for a new day to discover new things

1354. for graham crackers, a tasty snack with a glass of milk

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

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.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. 

Lewis Carrol, Alice in Wonderland

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Sunday, January 26th, 2014

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 2014

53 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

146 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!

Sunrise:7:45 am

Sunset: 5:37 pm

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

If you happen to be married, today may just be your significant other’s lucky day! Today is Spouses Day! This annual holiday, which celebrates your better half, is observed each year on January 26th

In our busy and hectic lives, those we care about most sometimes feel unappreciated and taken for granted. Today serves as an important reminder that we need to show that special person in our life just how much we care and appreciate him or her.

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.  

Cynthia Ozick

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are

Gail Godwin

Appreciating one another is something we all can do whether we are married or not.  Those around us everyday often get left out when it comes to appreciation.  I can say that for 27 years of my life I was married to a wonderful man and I think he knew just how much he was appreciated.

Showing appreciation doesn’t have to mean gifts or even a dinner out.  There are many ways to do so and I hope having this special date on the calendar will nudge you on do just that.

Gratitude has to be an attitude you carry with you every day.  When our thoughts are mostly focused on what we appreciate in ourselves and others, we bring more love, health, prosperity and well being into our lives.  Is't  it amazing that the blessings right in front of our eyes EVERY DAY are the ones we're least likely to see.  It takes TWO to make a marriage work...helping and sharing, appreciating one another. Remember:  no one accepts you, supports you, and loves you as much as your spouse, all year round. Not just in the special moments, or the sad times, or the most wonderful time of the year, they do it every day. And that is something to be truly thankful for.

Hope you all have a restful and relaxing Sunday, I’m staying in an keeping warm!

 

COUNTING MY GIFTS

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  

Thornton Wilder

I have counted at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for this past year and have now reached my 1000 gifts.  I'm not stopping, but will continue on counting.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.

1349. for 27 wonderful years, gone but not forgotten

1350. for my little house plants that are trying to keep green through these winter days

1351. for a hot bowl of chili on a very cold day

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

 

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.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma