CHAPTER 10, PAGE 31

Walk Into My Parlor - by Mary Howitt

"Will you walk into my parlor?"

said the spider to the fly;

 "Tis the prettiest little parlor

that you ever did spy.

The way into my parlor

is up a winding stair,

And I have many curious things

to show when you are there."

"Oh no, no!" said the little fly,

"to ask me is in vain;

For who goes up your winding stair

can never come down again."

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Good Morning !

This is All Hallows Eve and tomorrow we celebrate All Saints Day. Did you know we are all Saints in the making ? The Saints as we know them, people like Mark , John, Luke and Paul in the Bible were actually real people just like us that had real problems and faults just like we do. That’s why we lovingly remember them. They do give us the encouragement we often need to persevere.

I remember all the great Halloweens we had in our family and I know my children still enjoy this holiday. Something about the unknown always attracts people. The mysterious and spooky things that can’t be explained are scary sometimes, but the promise of all those treats is worth going out begging for. It is a fun time for young and old as I get lots of enjoyment out of handing out those treats to the little ones too !

Now for my annual plan to get it all done for Christmas

Here’s the plan in a pumpkin-shell:

Phase 1:

Gift Shopping and Wrapping

8 weeks before: Shop for and wrap 1/3 of your gifts

7 weeks before: Shop for and wrap 2/3 of your gifts

6 weeks before: Finish shopping and wrapping gifts

5 weeks before: Start planning for Thanksgiving

Phase 2: Decorations, Cards, and Mailings

4 weeks before: Put up outdoor decorations and write Christmas cards

3 weeks before: Set up Christmas tree an decorate indoors. Mail cards and gifts

Phase 3 Celebrations, Cooking and Cleaning

2 weeks before: Attend and host parties. Bake and clean 1 week before: Grocery shop for Christmas meals; make final preparations for the big day

Christmas Week: Celebrate Christmas and Enjoy!

New Year’s Day Take down decorations, write thank-you notes, and start the New Year fresh.

8 weeks before Christmas – you guessed it, Halloween!

When you use Halloween to trigger your holiday preparations (instead of Thanksgiving), you have plenty of time to get everything done.

As our family get together is the weekend before Christmas, I need to be starting soon!

Today I’m thankful for all of God's blessings in our world and in our lives. And pray that we all will be able to see the really important things in life.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

As soon as you observe that everybody agrees with you, you can be sure they don't mean it.

Anonymous

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

www.irenescorner.com/graphics

 

CHAPTER 10, PAGE 30

 

 

A little story for you this morning…

 There was an older guy who decided to jog around the local high school football field. As he huffed and puffed along, the team was practicing. The players soon started running sprints up and down the field.

The man told himself, "I’ll just keep running until they quit." So he ran, and they ran, and he ran some more, and they kept running. The old man kept running until he could finally run no longer. He stopped in exhaustion.

One of the players, equally exhausted, approached him and said, "Boy, am I glad you finally stopped, Mister. Coach told us we had to keep running wind sprints as long as the old guy was jogging."

He was watching them; they were watching him. He was letting them set his standard; they allowed him to set theirs.

 Good Morning !

When I was younger, things that others did influenced me greatly…I was always swayed by the majority. Now that I’m more ‘seasoned’, the crowd matters very little and I’m becoming quite immune to what goes on around me. Changes in things I’ve valued for many years are happening so rapidly that I can not keep up with them nor do I even want to. I’m very much set in my belief system and think I’ll just stay this way. Not that some changes aren’t good things, I’ve just learned to be much more selective.

Back to work today ! I’m looking forward to a pretty quiet day both at work and at home, but you never know what surprises may happen….

Today I’m thankful for the caregivers of our sick and elderly folks. Being there for them is an awesome task. I pray for all those that wouldn’t have the quality of life they do have with out them. My youngest sister cares for our Dad day in and day out and I know he’d not be able to be on his own with out her thoughtful care.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If you are quick to take offense,

then you'll be under the control of those who you find offensive.

If you are easily angered,

then your actions will be dictated by those who anger you.

If you are obsessed by what other people think,

then you will be imprisoned by their thoughts.

If you yearn for easy answers and quick solutions,

you'll fall prey to people who offer you nothing but promises.

If you find the truth too difficult to bear,

you'll be enslaved to those who tell you what youwant to hear.

When you have the courage to think for yourself,

the strength to accept what is,

the commitment and discipline to make a difference,

then you are free.

You are truly free to live with purpose,

joy and fulfillment.

Let your life be defined,

not by reactions to what others do, say,

or think but rather your own unique vision.

Raise your eyes above the pettiness

and follow the path of the greatness

that is within you.

Author Unknown

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

Ma

 

Graphics by:

 

www.untilthengraphics.com

 

CHAPTER 10, PAGE 29

Growing older only means

The spirit grows serene,

And we behold things with our souls

That our eyes have never seen.

Helen Steiner Rice

Good Morning !

It is my R & R day once again. After many trips up and down the stairs at my house yesterday, I do feel like I need an R&R day. My knees are complaining.

I’ve been behind on posting pictures of the grand’babes’ as I’ve received them and so today I put up a few for you all to enjoy too !

I found a new snack food to put together. It’s really pretty good and very peanut buttery, if you like peanuts you might want to try it. This makes a lot and I’ve stored it in my large Tupperware Bowl with the sealtight lid.

½ box Reece’s Puffs Cereal

½ box Peanut Butter Cookie Crisp Cereal

½ bog peanut Butter chips (just like chocolate chips but peanut butter)

½ bag M&M’s with peanuts

1 bag Reece’s Pieces candy

Mix it all together and enjoy!

I won’t be eating it all at one time that’s for sure….

This morning I’m off to church as always and I’ll be praying for you all today. Then it’ll be back home to get ready for another work week.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A Love Note (the kind you hope you never get)

I will seek and find you . .

I shall take you to bed and have my way with you

I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan.

I will make you beg for mercy,

 beg for me to stop.

I will exhaust you to the point

that you will be relieved when

I'm finished with you.

And, when I am finished,

you will be weak for days.

All my love,

The Flu

Now, and go get your flu shot! I got mine yesterday !

Hope you will too !

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

CHAPTER 10, PAGE 28

From one of the newsletters I read every day…

So what am I devoted to? ...

 It's not the same question as asking What is my passion?', though it's similar. Devotion is about giving myself to something bigger than myself

Mary Ann Brussat

Typically, when we think of the word "devotion," we think of a display of great love, something you show. But in my tradition, a "devotion" is also something you do regularly, whether you feel like it or not,—and I can tell you, sometimes it doesn't always look like a great display of love.

Devotions are acts—like reading Scripture, a little bit every day, and praying, spending time with God. We call devotions "spiritual disciplines"—and for good reason. They aren't glamorous. They don't offer any fast results. But they do shape us into a certain kind of people, just the way water that drips on rock for a million years can finally cut a channel in it.

The key isn't how well you do it. The key is doing it.

Anna Carter Florence

Good Morning !

When ever I think of someone that’s devoted, I think of my dog. He’s getting up in years and misses my boys something terrible, yet he is devoted to me. He follows me around like my shadow when I’m at home. He always runs to the door to greet me when I come in, and he always has a lot of patience with me when I forget to give him his dog biscuit, he sits and waits til I remember.

I ‘m devoted to God, my family, my home, but could never attain the unconditional devotion that my beagle gives to me.

Just some things that the article made me think about when I read it.

Saturday mornings are very special to me.and I’m thankful for them It’s really the only morning of the week when I’m not on any strict time schedule. I can appreciate this one even more since my internet service is working today.

Last Saturday I had all the good intentions of enjoying my usual few hours of computer time and had no service.

Today, please join me in praying for those that have been devastated by the fires in California. Certainly those firemen that lost their lives there were devoted to their jobs.

Thought For Today

All animals except man know that the ultimate point of life is to enjoy it.

Samuel Butler

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

www.irenescorner.com/graphics

 

CHAPTER 10, PAGE 27

A Different Type of Prayer

There's always two sides....

"Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.

Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judgment and quick to forgiveness and patience and empathy and love.

AMEN!

Good Morning !

There are really two sides to every coin and none of us really knows what the other side of a person is like. The side I try to show here in my journal is one of optimism and faith. In my side bar there is a little sign that reads - God, family and home. Truly that is what is important in my life.

The side of me that you don’t see, would be hard to find. A dear friend years ago said to me – Pam, you wear your heart on your sleeve. I guess I always have . I’ve never been able to keep many secrets about myself and I always seem to say way too much. I guess the good Lord made me the way I am, so I’ll just be thankful for it.

Today, I praying for all those that have a hard time sharing themselves with others. Being alone most of the time, I do know how important it is not to be too ‘one’ sided.

And THANKFULLY it is Friday ! My favorite day of the week ! I’m soooo looking forward to the weekend !

Don’t forget to ‘flip’ your coin today !

Thought For Today .

Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson.

You find the present tense,

and the past perfect

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

graphics by: www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 10, PAGE 26

When the storms of life

 Gather darkly ahead,

I think of these wonderful words

I once read.

And I say to myself

As threatening clouds hover,

Don't fold up your wings

And run for cover.

But like the eagle,

Spread wide your wings

And soar far above

The troubles life brings.

For the eagle knows

That the higher he flies,

The more tranquil and brighter

Become the skies.

And there is nothing in life

God ever asks us to bear

That we can't soar above

On the wings of prayer.

And in looking back over

The storm you passed through,

You'll find you gained strength

And new courage, too.

For in facing life's storms

With an eagle's wings,

You can fly far above

Earth's small, petty things.

By: Helen Steiner Rice

Good Morning !

I’ll start by telling you today that I’m thankful for a nice efficient and courteous furnace repairman that came to my house yesterday after work. We all have those days when little surprises happen.

Yesterday was the day my furnace decided to quit working. Surprise ! I was amazed at how fast the repairman came and also that he just happened to have the needed part in his truck. Thank the good Lord for his many blessings.

Let’s see now…I got a new washer, my car has been serviced , and now so has the furnace…that’s 3 things for sure. My grandma always used to say that bad things come in 3’s. I’ll be praying that that is it for a long while. I think my savings is just about depleted and there will need to be some ‘time out’ here in order to replenish it.

When I think about the Storms of Life, this is a very trivial thing. Lots worse could happen so I’ll just be very thankful it was only the furnace having trouble.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we would all be millionaires.

Abigail Van Buren

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

graphics by: www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 10, PAGE 25

The days of cloud or sunshine,

The moments that we share,

The timely word, the thoughtful line,

The note that says "I care"

Mean more to me than I can say,

So it's time, I think, you knew,

How much it brightens up my day

To have a friend like you!

What brightens all my memories

Is the great times that we've shared

You're one of those special people

'Cause you take the time to care!

When I feel a little blue and sad,

The easiest thing for me to do,

Is remember that things can't be that bad

When I have wonderful friends like you!

Author Unknown

Good Morning !

If you’re reading this post today, consider yourself one of the friends thanked above. Most of my 'blue' days seem to come from my solitary life. Being online keeps me in touch with family and friends near and far away and really does brighten my day !

The promised snow of yesterday did not materialize here anyway. East of us they got quite a bit. I do know where my snow shovel is just in case, but hopefully it will stay in the garage for a long time to come.

Last night I was ready for bed by 8:00 in the evening. I couldn’t think of any really good reason to stay up, so I got my book and went to bed. I think I needed an extra hour or so of sleep and feel a little more energetic this morning.

Today I’m thankful for a a new beginning and a fresh start each day. And I’m praying for those who only see boredom, staleness and drabness… Life and especially today is given to us to make the most of it…to make a real go of what God has given to us.

Thought for Today

Friends are like walls. Sometimes you lean on them, and sometimes it's enough just to know they are there.

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

graphics by:

CHAPTER 10, PAGE 24

To forgive is not to forget,

To forgive is really to remember.

That nobody is perfect.

That each of us stumbles.

When we want so much to stay upright.

That each of us says things

we wish we had never said.

That we can all forget that love

is more important than being right.

To forgive is really to remember

that we are so much more than our mistakes.

That we are often more kind and caring

and that accepting another's flaws

can help us accept our own.

To forgive is to remember,

that the odds are pretty good

that we might soon need

to be forgiven ourselves.

That life sometimes gives us

more than we can handle gracefully.

To forgive is to remember,

that we have room in our hearts

to begin again and again, and again.

Author Unknown

Good Morning !

SNOW SNOW SNOW

That’s all I heard about on the news yesterday and although we only got a few flakes Monday, More is on the way for us today. There is nothing on the ground yet.  It’s not supposed to do this til Christmas comes around.

BrrrChill !!!

If any of you read my daily newsletter you will know that I’m a trivia fan. In today’s trivia I found out that it’s National Forgiveness Day !

Today I’m thankful for those that have forgiven me and I ‘m praying for those that are unable to forgive someone else. It is an awful burden to carry. 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

My friend, I hope your day is good

and it is a well-known fact that

we each need at least 7...

Yes, that is seven hugs a day

for good health!!

Have you gotten all of yours today ?

If not, here's one to start you off

(((((HUGS))))

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

CHAPTER 10, PAGE 23

Oh Lord,

Please make my words

Sweet and tender,

For tomorrow... I may have to eat them

Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on.

Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.

It is better to keep your mouth shut, and look like a fool, than to open your mouth, and remove all doubt.

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.

A few wise words from Authors Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

It’s Monday morning again and you know I have a tough time on Monday morning getting up and ready for another work week.

Saturday night I was visiting with my Dad and we were talking about how even though we think we have it bad, someone else always has it worse.

You know my Dad is 83 now and he has a lot of health issues and is of course missing my Mom who passed away in March very much. But he said every time he’s been in at the VA hospital for check ups or tests and has the occasion to see those suffering there, he is grateful to be as well off as he is.

So today, I’m thankful for what I am and for what I do and am praying for those suffering long term illnessesand disablements. I do have so much to be thankful for.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Each new day is a miracle waiting to happen !

Thanks for being a part of my day !

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

www.creativeladiesministry.com