New Years Eve, Thursday, December 31st, 2015

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31ST, 2015

 79 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Sunrise: 7:55 am

Sunset:  5:09 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

It’s New Year's Eve !  We see out the old year and ring in the new. It is often thought of as a time to eat and be merry, 

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. 

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.

Happy New Years Eve!

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Every man regards his own life as the New Year's Eve of time. 

Jean Paul Richter

More often than not I spend New Years Eve with my next door sister.  We have a quiet dinner together and then on New Years Day I make dinner for any in my family that can come.  It’s a quiet time here for the most part. The neighborhood always gets a little noisy with fire crackers going off though.

One tradition, maybe two here, is that we have a Christmas Cracker on New Years Day instead of Christmas.  I like the fact that they make a little pop and have a little gift inside along with your fortune for the new year.  I also get a box of Chinese fortune cookies so everyone gets one of those as well.  I really don’t believe in fortune telling, it’s just a fun thing to do.  The pictures are from last New Years Day!  None of us  knows what the New Year may bring, but every day is one to celebrate !

I received a note from my friend that said that all went well with her son's surgery.  They kept him overnight to watch for any reaction to the anthesthetic (as he has had before) She had just got a call from him and they were on their way home from the Hospital.  What a relief.  I will continue to pray for a good recovery.  She ask that I say Thank you for all your prayers and know that God has answered them,  once again.    He is doing well.

I hope you all a safe and Happy New Year Eve !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3454.  for a great year, and a new one to come

3455. for good food, family and friends to celebrate with

3456. for traditions that make things fun

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.

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Recipe for a Happy New Year

Anonymous

    Take twelve fine, full grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past, have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

    Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest , (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing, don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30TH, 2015

 80 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Sunrise: 7:55 am

Sunset:  5:08 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Falling Needles Family Fest Day is observed annually 30th. This day is a reminder for those who enjoyed a live Christmas tree over the holidays to clean it up and recycle it.  On this day, the ornaments return to the boxes, the garland and lights are carefully wound, and the tinsel is gathered to put into storage for another year. Evidently, there is to be dancing around the tree until the last needle drops,  or at least until a significant number fall.

Happy Falling Needles Family Fest Day !

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The smell of pine needles, spruce and the smell of a Christmas tree - those to me, are the scents of the holidays.

Blake Lively

When we were at DS#5’s for our family Christmas celebration I couldn't help but notice the falling needles from their tree.  They had a little train running around a track under the tree and one of the train cars was collecting pine needles.

There is a lot of joy in having a live tree but there is also a lot of cleaning up that needs to be done when they come down too.  I can remember placing a tree bag under the tree to pull up and around it when we went to take it outdoors.  Wrapping it up did help prevent a lot of falling needles on the floor.  I tried to put pictures of several of my families trees in this post today.  Some were live ones.

Many wait until after New Years Day to take out the tree.  Here at my house I usually wait till January 6th, which is Epiphany, The Three Kings Day.  My little table top trees simply get placed in a bin to be used again another year.  

It's quite amazing that even artificial Christmas trees have falling needles.

I hope you all have a  WONDERFUL Wednesday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. 

Helen Keller

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3451.  for Christmas trees, live ones should be recycled

3452. for a day to clean up, my house needs it

3453. for scent of pine it is clean and refreshing

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.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Beware the pine tree's withered branch! 

Beware the awful avalanche!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Tuesday, December 29th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29TH, 2015

 81 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Sunrise: 7:55 am

Sunset:  5:07 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Tick Tock Day.  There are only two days left until the end of the year.  Have you achieved everything you set out to do, upheld your New Year’s resolutions and made a difference? Tick Tock Day puts the pressure on you to cram in some last minute work before the end of the year to achieve your goals.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Establishing goals is all right if you don't let them deprive you of interesting detours. 

Doug Larson

It is good to set goals and make plans for what we’d like to accomplish, but I’ve learned to be flexible.  Not everything I want to do will not always go the way I want it, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.  

Right now I’m sitting here wondering just what this day may bring my way.  It’s still dark out and I haven’t checked the weather report yet.  I don’t know if it’ll be sunny or cloudy, but I do know it’s another day of life and I’m thankful for it.

I really didn’t make any big plans for this year, so for me I’m pretty much ready to close up the books on this one and move on.  Truly we don’t get much choice in the matter anyway.  Times moves forward and so must we.

I hope you all have a TERRIFIC  Tuesday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.

Rick Warren

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3448.  for plenty of time to get things done

3449. for time to spend with those I love

3450. for a new beginning every 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.

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

You may not accomplish every goal you set -- no one does -- but what really matters is having goals and going after them wholeheartedly. 

Les Brown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma

For Monday, December 28th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 28TH, 2015

 82 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Sunrise: 7:54 am

Sunset:  5:07 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

Today is Card Playing Day.  It 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.

Enter the world of card games. Cards have survived for centuries as a form of  play 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'! 

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

One should always play fair when one has the winning cards. 

Oscar Wilde

We have had many happy card games as a family around the table here.  It’s a relaxing way to spend an evening. This year we tried to introduce the joy of card playing to the young grandchildren here at my house by teaching them how to play Go Fish !  It was fun for just a little while, but for the most part they decided they couldn’t sit still any longer and went off to play with the toys in grand’ma’s toy box.  That is what the pictures are of today.

They’re still very young and I’m not one to give up, so will keep trying.  I know for a fact that someday they’ll enjoy it as much as the older ones do.  

Hard to believe that this is Monday already.  We had a great family gathering yesterday and I want to send out a big ‘THANK YOU’ TO DS#5 and his wife for hosting this years get together.  

Most of my grandchildren are still on winter break from school this week, but a few of the parents do have to return to work.  The nice thing is it’s a short work week with New Year’s Day coming our way on Friday!

I hope you all have a GREAT start to this new week!  Happy Monday !

PRAYER REQUEST

A dear friend wrote asking for prayers for her son.  He will be going through 'upper spine' surgery at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29th.  My friend would really appreciate all the prayers that we can come up with.  Her son lives out of state and she is unable to be with him.  Please join me in praying for this son that he will have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.  

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Free will and determinism are like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you is determinism. The way you play your hand is free will.

Norman Cousins

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3445.  for cards, fun and entertaining and sometimes educational too

3446. for family and friends to play games with

3447. for memories, we make them every day for those we love

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.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well. 

Jack London

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma

 

For Sunday, December 27th, 2015

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27TH, 2015

 83 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

Sunrise: 7:54 am

Sunset:  5:06 pm

Life is a Special Occasion!

Hallmark

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.

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

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like a snowflake. 

Marie Ray

The snow flakes signs shown today were part of my Christmas painting project a couple of years ago. The little blocks are perfect for setting out on a shelf or a table and I gave them all away as gifts that year. Snowflakes do make for a Winter Wonderland, but it seems there isn’t any in our forecast anytime some.  Those of us in northern Ohio know this nice weather won’t last forever.  It is wintertime after all.  

It’s to be a very busy day here at my house.  It’s the day of our family gathering for Christmas.  I’m thankful that the roads are not icy or slippery for the folks traveling today and I’m praying they have a safe trip.

Remember that just as there are no two snowflakes alike, we are all different too, each of us very unique and special in our own way.

I hope you all have a RELAXING Sunday !

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Looking for and enjoying beauty is a way to nourish the soul. the universe is in the habit of making beauty. There are flowers and songs, snowflakes and smiles, acts of great courage, laughter between friends, a job well done, the smell of fresh baked bread. Beauty is everywhere. 

Matthew Fox

Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for.  There is truly is always something to be thankful for.

3442.  for snowflakes, no two are alike

3443. for our special time to gather as a family

3444. for clear roads for traveling

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.

 

Almighty and eternal God,

Protect our military

as they discharge their duties

with the shield of your strength,

may the power of your love

enable them to return home in safety

that with all who love them

they may ever praise you for your loving care.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT’s

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

ADVICE FOR TODAY

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together. 

Author Unknown

A little smile, a word of cheer, 

A bit of love from someone dear…

 

Love,

ma