CHAPTER 7, PAGE 7

Every sunrise is a present,

A gift from God above,

Gift-wrapped with scarlet ribbons,

Tied with bows of love.

Each day's a new beginning,

A time to start anew,

While all the stars are sleeping,

The rose is fresh with dew.

Each day's a new creation,

Too lovely to ignore,

We may find a blessing,

Just outside our door.

We cannot keep the past,

Like fireflies in a jar;

Nor journey to the future,

By wishing on a star.

Every sunrise is a blessing,

A gift for just today,

Rejoice my friend,

Embrace it before it fades away!

Author Unknown

 GOOD MORNING !

The weather the past two days has just been heavenly. Mid 70’s and sunny with low humidity. I just knew that would happen , now that my vacation is over, but DD and her hubby are on vacation this week, so we’ll just thank the good Lord for the nice weather for them.

This is FRIDAY already ! The last day of the work week and I’m sooooo glad. After my busy weekend last week, I need another weekend just to catch my breath. I’ve no big plans other than my weekly ‘house blessing’ , my visit with Dad and of course R&R on Sunday. With the cost of gasoline being out of sight, I know my trips to visit the campers are going to be less and less.

It would be grand if I could walk everywhere I needed to go as I really need the exercise, but most of what I do requires a car to get there. Like going to work …It’s a 20 minute drive ….can’t walk that one. So I’m off and at ‘em to welcome another day.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The most important thing in life, is to learn how to give out love and to let it come in.

M Schwartz

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

graphics by:

 

www.creativeladiesministry.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 6

 

Life isn't about keeping score.

It's not about how many friends you have

or how accepted you are.

It isn't about who your family is

or how much money they have

Or what kind of car you drive.

or where you went to school.

It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are,

or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on,

or what kind of music you listen to.

It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown,

or if your skin is too light or too dark.

Life just isn't those things.....

Life is about who you love and who you hurt.

It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposely.

It's about keeping or betraying trust.

It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or as a weapon.

It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful,

maybe heartening.

It's about starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.

It's about what judgments you pass and why.

And who your judgments are spread to.

It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention.

It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.

It's about carrying inner hate and love,

letting it grow and spreading it.

But most of all, it's about using your life to touch

or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could have

never occurred alone.

You, and only you, choose the way those hearts are affected ...

AND THOSE CHOICES ARE WHAT LIFE'S ABOUT.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

Yesterday turned out to be a beautiful day. In the low 70 degree temps and mostly sunny. You might know it would be as we all went back to work. As a matter of fact, it’s supposed to be sunny all week , but warmer.

Work was busy and I love it like that as the day goes much faster. I even got to go out at lunch time and made a stop at the grocery store and gas station. Gas ranged between 2.99 and 3.05 a gallon on Wednesday.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Where there is love

The heart is light,

Where there is love

The day is bright.

Helen Steiner Rice

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

graphics by:

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 5

 

 

Among the great and glorious gifts

Our heavenly Father sends

Is the gift and understanding

That we find in loving friends

For in this world of trouble

That is filled with strife and care

Everybody needs a friend

In whom they're free to share.

And somehow in this big wide world

We've loving faithful friends,

For God in all his charity

And wisdom always sends

A sense of understanding

And power of perception

And mixes these fine qualities

With kindness and affection

So when we need some sympathy

 Or a friendly hand to touch,

Or an ear that listens tenderly

And words that mean so much

We seek our true and trusted friend

In the knowledge that we'll find

A heart that's sympathetic

And an understanding mind.

Helen Steiner Rice

GOOD MORNING !

Back to work today and it will be a busy one. After taking Friday and Monday as vacation days and Tuesday the holiday, my desk will be loaded and it’s payroll day and all ready…over the hump day !

After today only 2 more days til another weekend. Hopefully the good Lord will bless me with enough energy to get it all done.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

You can have big plans, but it's the small choices that have the greatest power. They draw us toward the future we want to create.

Robert Cooper

MAY YOUR DAY BE BLESSED WITH A FEW SMILES AND LOTS OF SUNSHINE TO WARM YOUR HEART !

MA

 

graphics by:

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 4

Today I smiled,

and all at once,

things didn't look so bad.

Today I shared with someone else,

a bit of hope I had.

Today I sang a little song

and felt my heart grow light,

And walked a happy little mile,

with not a cloud in sight.

Today I worked with what I had

and longed for nothing more,

And what had seemed like only weeds,

were flowers at my door.

Today I loved a little more

and complained a little less,

And in the giving of myself,

I forgot my weariness. ...

What did you do today? ...

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

My five days are over and it’ll be back to work tomorrow. I’ll be getting every thing ready for the new work week and will probably hate it when the alarm goes off in the morning !

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Believe there is a great power silently working for all things good, behave yourself and never mind the rest.

Beatrix Potter

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart.

MA

 

 

 

www.hshpgraphics.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 3

If anyone should hurt you

and say a thing unkind,

Remember what I tell you,

and keep these things in mind;

For every 1 who makes you cry,

there are 3 who make you smile,

 That smile will last a long, long time,

and the tear a LITTLE while

If someone says a thing that's cruel,

don't let it get to you —

There's so much good about you,

and your faults are very few;

Don't let someone who hates the world

cause you to hate it too,

For behind the cloud's a golden sun

and a sky that's bright and blue!

So if a certain someone should act a certain way ...

Just think of THOSE WHO LOVE YOU

and don't let it ruin your day.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

At about 8:30 this morning my two dulcimer buddies and I will travel down to spend the day with the campers. There is a chance of showers, but the weather man said only 30 percent so I’m hopeful.

Below is a list happenings for Day 3 of my vacation which was yesterday - Sunday

DAY 3

GOT UP SHORTLY BEFORE 7:00 AM. THE NEWLY WEDS ARE HERE AND I SEE THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN THE BEAGLE TO BED WITH THEM.

Computer time, devotions and lots of good coffee

8:30 headed for shower before everyone else wakes up

9:00 Blueberry bagles for breakfast Got ready for church

10:00 Put the chicken and rice in oven on low so it will be ready when we get home 11:00 church time

12:00 Kitchen smells heavenly when we get home, dinner almost ready. Reminds me of the old days. Sunday dinner was always after church, then we just had leftovers for the evening meal DS#5 came over for dinner too !

Both of my sons helped to repair the broken handrail on the front porch and then they fixed a gate for my beagle at the kitchen door. Now I don’t have to step over the baby gate, I can open this one and walk through.

In between I made my ‘deviled eggs’ for tomorrow All this took most of the afternoon DS #5 had to go home but about 6:00 or so I fed the Newlyweds some hotdogs for supper.

After that DS#6 decided to change my password on my net gear to make it simpler and then he had a terrible time getting it to work again. He finally figured it out and it was about 9:00 when they left for home.

It was a long day ! Hopefully the next time I have them for dinner, they won’t have to work so hard.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.

Charles Dickens

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart.

MA

 

Graphics by:

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 2

A Sioux Indian story...

My grandfather took me to the fishing pond when I was about seven, and he told me to throw a stone into the water. He told me to watch the circles created by the stone. Then he asked me to think of myself as that stone person.

"You may create lots of splashes in your life, but the waves that come from those splashes will disturb the peace of all your fellow creatures," he said. "Remember that you are responsible for what you put in your circle and that circle will also touch many other circles."

"You will need to live in a way that allows the good that comes from your circle to send the peace of that goodness to others."

"The splash that comes from anger or jealousy will send those feelings to other circles. You are responsible for both."

That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger.

We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.

Remember the eternal wisdom:

WHATEVER YOU FOCUS ON EXPANDS...

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

TODAY is my R & R day . I really do need one after the cleaning spurt I’ve been on. The Newly Weds are here this morning and it will be nice to have someone to go to church with. They’ll only be staying til after lunch and then will head home again.

She has a class starting tomorrow to begin her studies for her Masters Degree. It seems that now teachers not only have to have a 4 year degree, they must also get a Masters.

Below is the list of accomplishments for DAY 2 of my vacation. I didn’t get quite as much done as yesterday.

Slept in til 7:00 this morning. Morning coffee computer time and devotions til about 9:00 or so

Took 2 asprin for my aching knee joints…

STRIPPED MY BED AND GOT THE LAUNDRY GOING.

9:45 HELPED MY SISTER WITH THE YARD WORK – WOW IT IS GOING TO BE A HOT ONE OUTSIDE TODAY!

10:45 CHECKED IN WITH MY DAD ON THE PHONE REBOOTED THE LAUNDRY

11:00 HEADED FOR THE ‘NEW’ FLEA MARKET IN TOWN TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE

1:30 PM BACK HOME. I found my July purse at the flea market. They wanted 24.99 for it, but I told the lady I wouldn’t pay over 20. She said $21 and it’s yours – so I took it. That’s more than I’d normally pay for the purse of the month, but I do like it. It will be a nice summer purse in the years to come too !

I had lunch and once again rebooted the laundry. Of course with 2 cats there is always the litter boxes to clean up too so I did that and emptied the trash .

2:00 I MADE THE SPARE BED UP AND RAN THE SWEEPER ON THE SECOND FLOOR

3:00 DS#6 called and wanted chicken and rice for dinner tomorrow so I ran to Aldi’s to get some chicken.

4:00 Made up my bed with freshly laundered sheets and then headed to the basement to clean up the shower area.

5:00 Left for Dad’s and will spend the evening with him. We’re having Mr. Hero’s Philly Steak Sandwiches for dinner .

As soon as I charge my batteries for the camera I’ll take a picture of the JULY purse for you all to see

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Where is home?

Home is where the heart

can laugh without shyness.

Home is where the heart's tears

can dry at their own pace.

Vernon Baker

I hope your day is blessed with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart!

MA

 

 

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

 provided the graphics today

CHAPTER 7, PAGE 1

Everything that you are...

everything that you would be...

everything that you would do...

begins with a simple thought.

Be ever diligent to guard your thought life,

for it is the thoughts and intents of the heart,

that ultimately shape and mold us

into the person that we become.

Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

Good Morning !

Surprise ! One of my other journals ‘On The Bright Side’ was an editor’s pick this week. Our journals editor Joe put it in the line up for 4th of July journals. This journal is actually a newsletter that I send out to my family and friends every morning. I decided to put it in a journal so that more people could read it. So if you would like to see it – it’s listed in the side bar under other journals. I’m honored that anyone would like to read anything I put together. Thank you editor Joe!

I thought you all might be interested to know how my 1st day of vacation went so I kept track during the day so I could show you all what I did:

SLEPTIN TIL 6:30, ENJOYED COFFEE AND COMPUTER AWHILE

9:00 A.M DR AND LR CURTAINS ARE DOWN AND IN WASHER, PART OF WOOD WORK DONE AND THE KITCHEN FLOOR IS CLEAN…3RD CUP OF COFFEE

10:20 A.M. WOOD WORK DONE AND STARTING THE WINDOWS, THE CURTAINS ARE IN THE DRYER

DD STOPPED BY ON HER WAY TO GET A HAIRCUT THEY ARE GOING OUT OF TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND AND THEN TO THE CAMPER ON MONDAY. DSIL WENT BACK TO WORK (LIGHT DUTY) ON THURSDAY. THEY ARE ON VACATION AT THE CAMPER NEXT WEEK.

11:45 HUNG CURTAINS BACK UP – LOTS OF CRITTER HAIR IN DRYER VENT CLEAN OUT – MUST CLING TO CURTAINS TOO! THERE WAS HAIR ON MY WALLS AND WOODWORK TOO !

12:15 PM TAKING A BREAK TO TAKE THE BEAGLE OUT AND HAVE LUNCH!

12:50 PM GOT THE SUMMER SLIP COVERS OUT OF THE BASEMENT TO PUT ON THE COUCH AND CHAIRS. BRIGHTENS THE ROOM UP

1:19 TAKING A BREAK – GETTING WARMER IN HERE, JUST TURNED ON THE AC. GOING TO CHECK MY EMAIL.

2:00 THOSE SLIP COVERS ARE A PAIN TO PUT ON…I’M MOPPING MY BROW AND TAKING A DEEP BREATH…I STILL HAVE THE CURTAIN VALENCES TO PUT UP

I put on a fresh table cloth in the dining room too. The light colors of the rooms will make it look cooler I think.

3:00 PM headed to the Wellspring bookstore that is closing to see if there are any bargains left. This is where we had Prayer Group and I’ll miss them very much. Didn’t find much, came home walked the Beagle again and continued the cleaning

4:45 PUT THROWS AND THROW PILLOWS IN THE WASHER.

 5:00 DINNER TIME…I’M THINKING I WON’T DO MUCH MORE TODAY. I REVIVED A LITTE AND GOT THE DIRTY BIRD’S CAGE CLEANED AND THEN SWEPT UP THE FLOOR. Then I put the beagle in the shower and gave him a bath before I took my own.

THAT WAS IT .

I think that it was about 8:00 when I headed for the porch swing.

I’ll be keeping you posted as the weekend continues.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.

Langston Hughes

Have a blessed day – filled with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

provided the summer graphics today