. Anyway, have a good one to you. Neat blog and you have interesting contents here. 
hAVE A GREAT dAY! Thanks so much for your tag. 
I really appreciate you taking the time to drop by. I was looking for some great blogs and I found yours. Your layout is great, posts are easy to read... All around, it's a great journal. 
Have a great weekend! 
On those days when the sun hides and the gloom settles in, do you feel the doldrums settle into your attitude, too? Our area is notorious for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). When we’re deprived of the Vitamin D from sunshine for very long, it takes a toll on our emotions.
How do you combat long winter days?
When the kids were younger, we played in the snow until we turned into snowballs ourselves. Then we came in and roasted hot dogs in the fireplace.
Now, we just stay in front of the fireplace.
This week, I’d had enough of the murkiness, and went off to see my hairdresser. I told her, “When you look out the window and see gray, and look in the mirror and see gray, you know it’s time to do something about some of that gray!”
So, I got highlights again, and it was a nice perk!
The gals at church have been taking a look at our frame of mind, with Jennifer Rothschild’s Me, Myself and Lies. It’s amazing how negative introspection can affect how I treat myself. 
Jennifer reminds us that our words to ourselves can have great influence. They can poison our confidence, or pick up our self-esteem.
David also experienced that problem. He said in Psalm 55:2 that he was distraught by his thoughts. But after he listed all of his troubles, he remembered God’s care.
That’s a good idea on a dismal day; I think it’s time to retrain my thoughts to recall what God thinks about me!
Sally
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Have you watched Clean House on My Style Network? It’s the show where the crew comes in to pry clutter away from homeowners, sell it at a garage sale, and use that money for a home makeover. A recent episode depicted a woman with multiple health problems, her son with multiple Nintendo addictions, and their house with multiple clutter mayhem. Producer Niecy Nash asked her routine question, “What’s your excuse for living like this?”
Good question! The answers never veer too far away from “It’s too hard to delegate,” or “It’s easier to do it myself than to teach someone else to do it,” or “I don’t know where to start!”
Most times, people just need a plan. When everyone is in agreement with that plan, then progress can gain momentum. Niecy gives the family an assignment and sends them off on respite before the Big Reveal Day. The homework is to literally decide how to divvy out the home-work. Who will clean the table? Who will sweep the floor? Who will wash the dishes? Who will do a load of laundry?
When projects are specific, the results will also be specific.
Over the years, we’ve tried sticker chore charts, rewards and pro-rated allowance for chores done. As Niecy says, “We’re preparing our children for adulthood, to know how to take care of themselves when they’re out on their own.” We still haven’t found the perfect solution, but most days, we’re heading in the right direction toward our own “Clean House!”
Sally
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Do you struggle with knowing what to do, when your child makes choices that tear you up inside?
I resonate with Lysa's answer, and reminder to suit up for battle. You can read her post here.
Remember, we're in this war together!
Sally
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For a year, I’ve been involved in a Lose It For Life small group. The desire to exercise has come and gone. Eating habits have varied. But, you know what clicked last week? When
Sally
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Call a friend! Friends can bring a respite into your day by affirming this phase of life you’re in and restoring your sense of humor. Who doesn’t need to take herself so seriously? The stressors of everyday living can build up until we think we’ll pop. But sharing them with a friend can put them in a different light. When I’m fuming mad and relate a mishap to my parents, they start snickering until their laughter turns into guffaws. And I realize once again that life is funny.
Share a project with a friend. A companion makes the time go faster when you have a big job looming at you. You can clean each others’ houses together… one mops, one vacuums. You both win by having clean floors for your babies to crawl on! How about making meals together? Both families benefit from your cooking adventures, and meal prep is lightened for the cooks. Consider Naomi and Ruth’s journey to
Open your heart. When you give the gift of being a good listener, you will reap the benefits of finding someone who will also care about your needs. Take time to study people. Personalities differ, but we’re all cut from the same cloth. We may have different child-rearing techniques, but we’re still trying to raise our children to the best of our abilities. And we can learn from one another while the kids play at a McDonald’s playland or grocery shopping together. Be a shoulder to cry on and a friend who will help celebrate baby-steps!
Whether you make a phone call, share a mountainous project, or become vulnerable to someone else, you can find an oasis in your day when you entrust part of it to a friend. What are you waiting for? Go cultivate a friend!
Sally
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Writers’ Conferences happen all over the country, through every season. But the time to start planning your trip begins now. Hypothetically speaking, imagine your great aunt leaves you $1,000.00 with the stipulation that it be used for a Writers’ Retreat. You’ve got one week to decide, and the trip has to happen in this fiscal year. What would you choose? And why? Be sure to leave links to your choice so the rest of us can decide if we agree!
Have fun choosing!
Sally
“What is home?”
Our class had a variety of answers; places remembered from the past, or an ideal set apart for our families. But all I could think about was a feeling. “You know that feeling you get on Christmas Eve? When everyone’s in bed, asleep, and everything’s done that can possibly be done? All that’s needed at that moment is to reflect on The Day to come, and gaze at the lights on the tree.”
That’s my picture of “home.”
Anne Graham Lotz talks about our heavenly home in The Vision of His Glory. She says the glassy streets of gold will reflect God’s glory with every step that we take. We will not only have access to the Presence of God (as the Israelites experienced through the priest entering the Tabernacle), but we’ll live in the Presence of God.
No, we are not home yet. But Jesus is preparing it with painstaking detail, just like a mom would get ready for her college student to come home on break. Anne reminds us that favorite meals would be prepared, activities planned and phone calls made saying, “My daughter is coming home!”
I can’t wait for my heavenly home!
Sally
What dreams would you pursue? What goals would you set?
If love were the wind in your sails, you could reach greater heights, yet!
Does love make the world go round? Does love kindle hearts that were dark?
Yes, love affirms the person on whom it has made its mark.
What does it take to build self-esteem? To find confidence within?
A belief in abilities and in the One who created them all, to begin.
And so, to you, I wish all of the best
A grand New Year, and all of the rest.
But most of all, a Love so true, that began with the One
Sally
When you were a kid, did you long for a day off from school? That unexpected, mini-vacation that was a gift because the temperatures dropped and the skies opened up? We would hunker down with blankets & pillows, popcorn & Pepsi, and play Monopoly to our hearts’ content!
I’m thinking we all need a Snow Day right about now. Life is too hectic for our own good. The stress level creates short-tempers and long-sighs!
The other night, I sat down in front of the glowing Christmas tree with a book in hand. It was an Advent book that I used to read to the kids, The 25 Days of Christmas, by Rebecca Hayford Bauer. As the quiet enveloped the room, the memories of other Christmases resurfaced.
Wrapping presents and making Christmas cookies are a part of the Advent Season. It’s the thrill of anticipation as we wait for the birth of the Christ Child and the Good News that He brought into the world! Advent comes to a climax on December 25, when we celebrate by giving each other gifts, just like the Magi did, when they bought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to The Babe. (Oh, don’t you wonder what Mary and Joseph did with those presents? Maybe it was enough to pay for their flight to
Create your own “Snow Day” today and let your mind explore the wonders of Christmas. You probably don’t have time to spare, but I challenge you to try this exercise! Set your timer for 15 minutes and escape with an Advent book, or better yet, your Bible. Read about The Babe that came to that manger so long ago. Ponder the gift that He represents. And renew your Christmas Hope. Sing Joy to the World. Out loud! And remember that you can bring joy to your family this hectic, wonderful season!
Blessings,
Sally
Can you smell the aroma of pies coming from my house? My daughter and her friend decided to make pecan pie tonight, one of Anna’s favorites. When I got home from work, I didn’t feel much like doing anything, but their enthusiasm finally motivated me. The process began with making dough and rolling it out. The Karo, pecans and eggs contributed to the filling, and it came together quickly.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the preparations for your Thanksgiving meal? Take one element at a time. In my early-mom days, I would have waited until the last minute to get ready, and ended up exhausted. Why do we do that to ourselves?! Now, I’m a great proponent of lists. Write out the things you want done, and figure out how long they will take to get ready. Then backtrack from the final countdown to make sure it will all fit into the time you have allotted. If not, then slash and reduce your list! You may have more things planned than is realistic for your energies and time frame.
Instead of being overwhelmed, make a plan. Whom will you enlist for help? The little ones can pick up toys and help dust. Someone sets the table while another stirs the gravy. Everyone enjoys the day more when they’ve helped to pull it together. Especially mom!
What tips do you have for surviving the holiday rush? Leave a comment so that we all can benefit!
Take it one day at a time, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Sally
Our High School football team has dominated their class. Last Saturday, they won the Western Regional Championship. Today they took the NYSPHSAA Semi-Finals with a score of 21/nuthin!!!
How does a senior process the thrill of a winning season? How does he know he’s a winner regardless of what’s going on around him? A solid belief system, a vision for his future, and remembering that it takes a team to play the game. Those things all help create a solid foundation.
We’re proud of our senior. Nate has grown a lot this fall and continues to amaze us.
This week, he won the Scout Team Player of the Week, as he helped his team prepare for game day.
Way to go, Nate!
Love,
Mom
Photo Credit: Mary Matteson
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 Christmas Miracles Cecil Murphey/Marley Gibson Foreword: Don Piper St. Martin’s Press, Oct. 2009 Hardcover, 256 pages ISBN: 978-0312589837 Retail: $14.99 |
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