Black salt?

Okay, so I've been running so hard, or flat sick in bed, that I havn't blogged. I have about 3 backed up in my digital camera that I will get to very soon. For now, here's a funny story.
As you know, a couple of weeks ago Mom (Judy) was here for a visit. In one particularly slow day, she decided to help me out. She cleaned out my refrigerator, and my medicine cabinet, and anything else she could find. One of the things she cleaned was my white tupperware salt and pepper shakers. You know, they are the ones that we used to have way back when, but now we just take camping....the ones with the flip top lids? Anyway, Now instead of one being stained with pepper and the other one white from the salt, they are both white. Very white.
A couple of nights ago when Aimee was having her terrible, horrible, very bad, no good day, she came to my house very sick. Of course mamma was going to baby her a little bit. So, I made her cream of wheat. I went to sprinkle a little bit of salt into the milk I was heating, and was I surprised when the salt came out black!!!!! Yes, I did sprinkle pepper into her cream of wheat. You should have seen me trying to get it out with the paper towel. I finished that cream of wheat with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Hopefully, she didn't notice!

It's my birthday and I wasn't even invited to the party

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.

I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise.
I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus!"... as if the party were in his honor! At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and.... do you know what.... no one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you.

Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements.

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation will be left outside. Do you know how you can answer this invitation? It is by extending it to others whom you care for... I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year... See you soon....

I love you!
-Jesus-

REMEMBER TO TAKE A BREATH DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

This was emailed to me this morning. I wanted to share it with you all......
Have a blessed day.......



When things in your lives seem almost too much to
handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough,
remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had
some items in front of him. When the class began, he
wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise
jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. he then
asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed
that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the
golf balls. he then asked the students again if the
jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured
it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up
everything else. He asked once more if the jar was
full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into
the jar effectively filling the empty space between
the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I
want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things--your
family, your children, your health, your friends and
your favorite passions--and if everything else was
lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your
job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else--the small stuff. "If
you put the sand into the jar first," he continued,
"there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life. If you spend all your time
and energy on the small stuff
you will never have room for the things
that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your
happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get
medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner.
Play another 18. There will always be time to clean
the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf
balls first--the things that really matter. Set your
priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what
the coffee represented. The professor smiles. "I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your
life may seem, there's always room for a couple of
cups of coffee with a friend."

Lake Tahoe

Okay, so I know I'm late in getting my photos out, but I already explained why in my last post. We had an absolutely fabulous time in Lake Tahoe. Although it was cold, and it snowed, and we weren't dressed appropriately, we truely have no complaints. It was a wonderful time of relaxation, fun, games, food and more food, crafts, sight seeing, and running from freezing rain. Although the drive was long and tedious (thanks, Alex!) I would love to go back again someday. maybe in the late spring or early summer. It is a beautiful place right in our own backyard. I can't believe we'd never been there! Anyway, enjoy the photos!

It must be the holiday season....

Well, It must be the holiday season, because my day is short about 6 hours each day. Man!, where does the time go? I just got an email from Joleen wondering where I've been. I'm not sure, but I am sure of one thing...I've been running! I hope I got somewhere! I'd hate to think this has all been for nothing! We got back from our little holiday on Sunday night. Couldn't wait to crawl into bed, so we unpacked quickly, and that's exactly what we did. Monday, I worked all day, trying to catch up having not worked since the previous Tuesday. Then it was off to bowling. Have I told you we've been bowling our butts off lately? Well, a story for another time. Tuesday, I worked, and then ran about 6 errands. Had to finish up the Christmas shopping. Yes, I did say finished! One of those errands was to replace the all-too-feminine Christmas stocking that I bought Alex with one a little more manly. Hopefully red is his color. Sarah had an orthodontist appt on Tuesday to get her top braces finished. They added the wire and red and green bands. She is definately in the Christmas spirit. I also designed our company Christmas cards. I printed the mailing labels and ordered 125 copies of our Christmas photo that Aimee took for us. On Wednesday, I didn't go into the office, but stayed home to catch up on chores. I took the dogs to the groomer to get beautiful They are getting their pictures taken with Santa on Saturday! Yes, they are! Then, Brad and I worked together to come up with the inside verse for our company Christmas cards and I printed it on all 125 cards. As soon as the pictures get here, I'll adhere them and send these out. By the eveningI was finished with my 50 Christmas cards and had printed my mailing labels. Then I finished 25 boxes for a swap I'm participating in tomorrow evening. Then with time to spare before bed, I designed 5 samples of Christmas cards that I am trying to sell to a self employed friend for her company cards. Today, after work, I went to a funeral of a bowling friend, then picked up Sarah, went to the post office, the bank, Joann's and back to the orthodontist for an adjustment on a wire that was grabbing her cheek. We went to dinner as there was no way I was cooking. Now I am making an attempt to finish laundry and clean up from my creativity the past few days. I have to get Deana's room ready for Grandma who will be arriving to stay at our home for 5 days on Saturday. Tomorrow, I will go to work, then to Maryvale for family therapy, then to my Stampin Up meeting/dinner. By Saturday, If I'm not dead yet, I plan to take Sarah to the Upland Christmas parade, finish up the house, collect Grandma at the airport, take Sarah and the pooches to the mall for Santa pictures. Sunday will be my day of rest. Right? I hope to post my Thanksgiving pictures within the next couple of days so check back with me! Hugs from a tired me.........