Giving, Smiling and Love!

Hi all,

Well, the end of this week is fast approaching.  The title of this post, "Giving, Smiling and Love" are to me what this Christmas season is all about.  I hope you all feel that way also. 

If I could have one wish this holiday season, it would be that these feelings of giving to others, smiling to show friendliness to others and showing your love to all those you meet would continue all year long, from one year to the next.  There is so much hate, anger, bigotry, vandalism, stealing and killing going on every day in this world, that it makes me so very sad.  That is not the way God planned for His world to be. 

I understand that at times a person gets over whelmed, angry or disappointed, but keeping it under control is what we all need to practice.  Getting revenge and holding a grudge against someone hurts you more than the other person.  I'm not saying it's easy to forgive someone who's hurt you badly, but we must try, for our own sake, not theirs. 

Just a few words about Cardiovascular Disease in women.  Please take a few minutes to read my article on just this subject on one of my pages in this blog.  You can live without some of your organs, but you definitely can not live without your heart.  Please don't think that because you're only in your late thirties or early forties that you couldn't have heart disease, because I'm here to tell you, yes you can.  Don't ever think that heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, ventricle fibrillation, congestive heart failure and many other forms of this disease, won't happen to you.  They can and they will.  Ladies, we must be proactive with our own bodies and our health.  Think about your children and how much they need you in their lives.  Anything that doesn't seem normal, health wise, report to your doctor.  If he/she doesn't take you seriously, ask to see a specialist or make the appointment on your own.  DO NOT take no for an answer!

Now, on to a happier subject.  How's your Christmas shopping coming along?  Mine is almost finished.  I did most of it by using my Grandson's web site to purchase Ribbon Cards and gift cards from their partner stores.  I think it's was so very easy and quick.  I love it.  Check it out:  http://www.amway.com/coriebersole

My advice to help you get all the things accomplished that you need to during this season is:  stay calm, keep smiling, order whatever you can on line and have it shipped directly to your home, don't make things harder for yourself than they need to be, make a list of things to be done and do two or three things each day and finally, remember that getting stressed, unnerved and unravelled will spoil the true reason for the season:  Jesus birth!

Three other sites you may want to check out for your Christmas shopping are:
http://athome.com/marlenaebersole
http://athome.com/angiealbright
http://TSwithcandice.com
The first two are home wares of all sorts at great prices and the last one is Tastefully Simple food.
Check them out,  they're a great and easy way to do your Christmas shopping while staying in your pajamas.  How great is that!
Susan

Time To Get Busy! How About You?

Hi all,

Wow, November is about over already, just three more days!  Time always seems to go so very fast at this time of year.  It seems that I have so much to do and the time just flies away. 

I just spent four days in Ocean City, MD with one of my daughters and some good friends.  We had a very nice time, but it was very tiring for me.  I sincerely enjoyed myself, but I was glad to arrive home yesterday. 

Today I had to get down to business.  I did some laundry; finished six more hand made Christmas cards; washed up my kitchen floor and laid down some new rugs that I'd purchased recently; and worked on a few other projects for Christmas.  Now to get down to business...

Writing is very important to me, as well as all the other creative things I do.  I want, so much, to get back to working on my novel, but there just doesn't seem to be enough time right now.  I'd also like to write another article on cardiovascular disease.  Even though I am not writing much now, I am still doing some creative work. 

I have about six or eight more hand made Christmas cards to finish yet, then I am done for this Christmas.  I truly love creating my own cards.  It allows me to truly put a part of myself into each cards and that means so much to me. 

I need to start doing some wrapping of gifts pretty soon.  I like to be all finished with the wrapping, shopping, and Christmas cards by around the tenth of December.  Then I have plenty of time to start on the home-made candies: peanut and almond bark, peanut butter fudge and gorp (which is a form of Chex mix.) 

In order to thoroughly enjoy the entire holiday, I like to be all finished everything (except last minute preparations for Christmas Eve supper) so I can just enjoy the week before Christmas, as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Tomorrow I am going to attempt to finish my cards and perhaps start on my boxes.  Maybe, if I have any energy left, I'll attempt a bit of cleaning upstairs.  We'll just see how the day goes!

I hope you all aren't waiting for the last minute to do your Christmas shopping and all the other chores that there are to do before the big holiday.  I'm doing most of my shopping on line these days.  Here are three web sites that I am using:  http://www.amway.com/coriebersole; http://www.athome/marlenaebersole;     http://www.athome/angiealbright   Check them out as they are running some marvelous sales right now. 

Take care and don't over do it.  You don't want to be sick for the holidays.
Susan

Sunday, God's day (and mine) of rest!

Hi all,

Today is God's day of rest!  After He created all of this world for us, He rested on Sunday.  I would say it was a well deserved rest, too.  I think it's so very sad that we don't look around us and see all the beauty God has created for us to enjoy.  Beauty that doesn't cost us a penny. 

I have been in Ocean City, MD for the past few days and I can't wait to see the sky each morning as I crawl out of bed.  I've taken pictures of it and God's beauty just keeps amazing me.  I basically brought my camera along just for that purpose.  I've been mesmerized with the sky every since I was here, in OC, in September.  Then it was the sky as night was falling.  Since then, I've been taking more time to just stop for a second and glance up.  It truly amazes me at it's beauty.  It's so simple to enjoy, just walk outside, stand still for two minutes and look up at God's glorious sky.  It's there for every single one of us to enjoy.

It is God's day of rest, but I needed some rest this afternoon as well.  We've been on the go, with not much sleep for the last few days.  I've rested some, but I choose this afternoon to just hang out by myself and relax.  The lack of sleep is beginning to get to me.  Tomorrow we head home. 

Our Thanksgiving holiday was very nice.  I got to spend Thanksgiving Day with all three of my daughters, their spouses or partner and my six Grandsons; of course, my husband, Gerry, was with me, and some friends.  That just made the day perfect. 

I haven't had much time to do any writing, except on my blog.  I truly need to get back to my novel, but I know December will be a busy month for me.  I will continue using my creative abilities because I need to finish my Christmas cards this coming week.  That will be a weight, but a good one, lifted from me. 

I'd also like to write another article for Ezine Articles on cardiovascular disease.  Perhaps in January!
I've been keeping up some on my reading and writing for Fanstory, but not as much as I'd like to.  Hopefully I will have more time for that, too, in January.

I trust you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and are preparing for the Christmas Season.   God bless you all.
Susan

Black Friday, What's That???

Hi all,

I trust you all had a great Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.  My husband and I had Thanksgiving at my youngest daughter and her husband's house.  There were about twenty eight people in attendance.  We all took covered dishes, while she prepared the turkey, filling and gravy.  It was very relaxing and so good to spend the holiday with my family and friends. 

Now, to get to this Black Friday thing!  No, I didn't go shopping today.  I wasn't home today, but even if I had been, I would have not gone shopping.  To tell you the truth, I do much of my Christmas shopping on line.  Since becoming ill in 2006, I do very little store shopping anymore.  I just don't have the strength to run around trying to find the things I need. 

Actually, the gifts we give our children and grandchildren are usually money or gift cards.  Since my Grandsons have gotten older, they'd rather have the money or gift card.  That way, they are free to purchase whatever they'd like.  They like it that way and it's so much easier on me.

Since my husband has cut his work hours back to about sixteen hours per week, we've decided that starting this year, we would be slimming down on our Christmas giving this year.  This is not something I enjoy doing.  I love seeing my children and grandchildren happy.  It means so much to me to be able to share what I have with them.  But, since my husband is now seventy years old, it's time for him to slow down a bit and enjoy life more.  This also makes me happy!

My husband, Gerry (the great deer hunter) left today to head up to his hunting camp for the first week of deer season.  He hasn't bagged one for several years now, which means we haven't eaten deer meat for quite a while.  We recently purchased a quarter hind beef and both our chest freezers have quite a bit of meat in them.  He asked me (before leaving) if we will have enough room for deer meat if he gets one this year.  My response was, "Let's worry about that if you shoot a deer."  And the truth of it is that I won't worry about it until he actually bags the deer.

Well before we know it, November will be over and we'll be speeding into December and getting ready to close out another year.  I'm not sure I'm ready to end this one yet, but I suppose it really doesn't matter whether I'm ready or not.  It always amazes me at how fast each year passes.  I guess getting older has something to do with that, but what will be, will be!

I hope you all have a great weekend.  Do something to make yourself smile.  We all need to lighten up from time to time and take some time for a bit of silliness. 

Are You Creating?

Hi all,

My question today is "Are you creating anything?"  I believe that most of us have some creative abilities of one sort or another.  For instance:  First, my husband creates pricing for Triangle Fire Protection Co., where he is an estimator.  True, he has to check out quite a bit of information before he comes up with the quote, but that's still being creative.  Second, all three of my daughter have businesses on the web, for which they've set up there sites and a link for their Facebook pages.  That's being creative.  Third, JD, who is my son-in-law is making home made fudge for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  That's being creative.  Fourth, Mike, who is also a son-in-law, is a policeman.  Is there any doubt that he sometimes has to be creative?  Fifth, Kevin, who is my daughters partner, works for Harley Davidson.  He works on the assembly line and has learned many of the line jobs.  That's being creative. 

So, don't tell me you are not creative.  We all are in our own way.  Do you love to create new delicious meals to surprise your family?  Will you be wrapping the Christmas gifts you purchase for others?  Will you be setting up the Thanksgiving Day table for way too many people?  Will you be running around like crazy on Black Friday trying to get the best bargains? 

If you will be doing any of these things, you, also are being creative in one way or another.  For myself, I will be creating a large dish of mashed potatoes and two pumpkin pies for Thursday, so I will be doing some creating there. 

Of course, most of my creating, will be done in the form of writing and producing Christmas cards with my artistic abilities.  Actually, I am almost done with Christmas cards.  I have approximately fifteen or so cards left to create.  It's taking me quite a while but I'm getting there.  After I complete the cards, I have another quick project to complete before Christmas.

So, get "creative" in one way or another.  You'll be surprised at how much creativity you have within you!  Good luck and get started...
Susan

One Day Closer!

Hi all,

Well, we're now one day closer to Thanksgiving Day.  I have so many things for which to be thankful, that I'm not sure I could name them all. 

1.  I will start with the fact that I'm still alive; that I wake up every morning is truly a blessing for me.

2.  I am so thankful for my three daughter:  Marlena, Angela and Candice.  I'm also very thankful for my great sons-in-law:  Michael and JD.  And for Kevin who is Angela's partner.

3.  I am so blessed because of my six grandsons:  Jacob (21), Cori (20), Tucker (18), Toby (18) Luke (16) and last but not least, Tanner (15).  I love my six Grandsons so very much and I am so proud of them.

4.  When God brought Gerry, my husband, into my life, He certainly blessed me.  He is a good man, and a very supportive husband.  He helps me a lot, since becoming ill.  Thank you, Lord, for bringing him into my life.

5.  I am thankful that we have a home that's paid off; more than enough food to sustain us; enough money to do a few extra things which we enjoy; decent cars to drive; and a new furnace to keep us warm and cozy.

6.  I am thankful that, even though I was born with a defective heart, I am still living.  My life may be sedentary, but I accept my life and my health just as it is.

7.  I am thankful that God has stayed with me, every minute of every single day for all my sixty-four years of life.

8.  I am so grateful for the blessing of creative abilities.  My writing, paper crafting, drawing and art work are so fulfilling to me.

9.  I am, also, so thankful for my extended family, whom I love very much.  Also, for all the friends I have.  I so appreciate their friendship.

Of course, Thanksgiving Day is only one day out of the year.  Yet, our blessings are given to us every day of our lives.  Even the hardships we face, are given to us to help make us grow and become  stronger individuals.  We may not see that at the time we are going through hard times, but God has a
plan for all of us.  God does work in mysterious ways, sometimes in so small a way that we don't really see it. 

I have to share one of those times.  For the past five or six weeks, I've been looking around the house for a cross to put on my key chain.  I found a few.  One was a good size, but it didn't have the ability for me to hook it onto the chain.  Another one was a bit too small, it had a small fake diamond in the center.  I hooked it on though and have been using it.  I realized the other day, that the stone fell out of the cross.  I started my search all over again, but to no avail.

A few days ago, after the mail came, I opened an envelope from the Marian Fathers, whom I sometimes donate money to help them.  There, attached to a placard, was a beautiful cross with the Divine Mercy picture of Christ on the front.  It was the perfect size for my key chain and there were not stones in it.  I immediately loved it.  All I could say to myself was, "God works in mysterious ways.  Thank you, Lord, for my cross."

I don't consider myself an overly religious person, but my faith is stronger than it's ever been my whole life.  I suppose coming close to dying will do that to a person. 

Well, now I've shared with you some of the things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving.  How about you?  Please share your 'thanks' with me. 

To comment:  click on "Comment".  write your response and sign it, click on the circle that says anonymous and then fill in the letters in the space, which are in the box above that space, click send or enter, whatever it says and I should get your response.  Thanks.

Susan

It's nice and warm in here!

Hi all,

Today finally got here.  It was the day for our new furnace to be installed.  Mr. Mike, from Walton and Company, installed it for us and he did a great job.  It seems to be working great.  So, many thanks to Mike and Walton and Company.  Also, to my daughter, Angel, for setting all this up for us.  It's nice and cozy warm in here.  We are relieved to have the new one working, because the old one was doing some funky things and we were a bit concerned that it would start a fire or something.
We also thank Kevin for helping Mike drag that old furnace out front.  I assume it was quite heavy what with all the huffing and puffing they were doing.

I got my downstairs dusted this morning, so that's something.  I was hoping to get started on a few more Christmas cards, but it didn't happen.  Gerry and Kevin brought the Christmas tree down from the third floor.  Gerry sat it up for us and leveled it, so it's now ready to be decorated.  Maybe we will find some time to do that tomorrow.  We'll see!

I positively have to get back to my writing one of these days.  I've got to say that I miss not working on my novel.  There just doesn't seem like there is enough time in a day or I'm just too tired when I do have time.  At least I've been creating art with my Christmas cards.  That's something!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Sunday.  Remember to do something to praise God tomorrow, it is His day, after all! 
Susan

What's Up With You?

Hi all,

Did you have anything exciting happen to you today?  I hope you did, but even if you didn't, today is Friday, so the weekend is upon us.  I'm sure if you are still working, that's an exciting thing. 

I had an exciting phone call this morning.  It was from a Mrs. Murphy from York Catholic High School.  She is the librarian there.  She said she saw the article in the York Daily Record a few weeks ago, about me.  She told me that one of my Grandsons, Toby Grove, is a library aide and she asked him why he didn't tell her that his Grandma is an local author.  He shrugged! 

She wanted to know if I would be interested in speaking to the students at York Catholic for Book Week in April.  Of course, I said, I'd be delighted to speak with them about writing and the thrill it gives me to complete a book or article.  It's a thrilling feeling to put your thoughts and feelings down on paper for other people to enjoy.  There will be a few other local authors as well. 

I was thrilled to see the article in the newspaper and on the newspapers blog a few weeks ago, but this was a new excitement for me.  I only wish that when I was a student, I would have followed my passion for writing and art.   I chose, instead, to get married.  I always wanted to be a Mom and I became a Mother three times.  I have three marvelous daughters, Marlena, Angela and Candice.  They completed my life.

So, I hope you had some exciting news or something great happen to you today.  If not, tomorrow's another day.  Your time is coming! 
Susan

The Holidays Are Fast Approaching!

Hi all,

Well, whether we want to admit it or not, the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons are almost upon us.  I'm already feeling a bit pressured.   How about you?  Any thing that's pressuring you?  Send me a comment and let me know.

I now have 35 Christmas cards finished; eight almost finished (tomorrow, hopefully!); and that lets about twenty or so more to hand make.  I'm starting to feel some pressure there to get them done.  Of course, they're not signed and addressed as of yet.

I have all my Red Hat Christmas gifts bought, but I soon need to get on the stick and get them wrapped.  Our banquet is on Dec. 8, so I need to shake a leg on that.  Also, I plan on making the ladies husbands a small gift, so that's another thing I need to get moving on. 

We, my red hat group, are having a Christmas Cookie Exchange on Dec. 6, so I soon need to decide what kind of cookies I'm going to bake for that. 

We are having a new furnace installed in our house this Saturday.  So, I haven't done much cleaning in the past week or two, since I don't know how much dust that installation will shake up. 

We, my husband and I, need to decorate the house and put the Christmas tree up in the next couple of days, as he will be away hunting for a week during the first week of deer season.  I am not able to lug the containers up from the basement anymore by myself.  So, I am at his mercy to help me with the decorating.  That's why we usually do it before he leaves for hunting.  When he gets back, that next week will probably be a very busy week at work for him.

I could go on, but I'll stop stressing now.  Oh, I almost forgot that I am going to Ocean City for four days in the near future.  As much as I love that thought, it means four days less of accomplishing things that I need to do.

I have put my sequel novel, "Crafty-cruise" With A Capital "C", on hold until after the holidays, simply because I don't have the time to work on it now.  That makes me sad, because I originally hoped to have it published by the end of the year.  But, no such luck!

All in all, I am looking forward to the holiday season, as Christmas is my very favorite time of the year.  How about you?  I think the thing I love about the season is that it makes me feel good inside.  Most people that I come in contact with are very friendly and happy.  I like that feeling!

I do have some of my shopping finished, but still have a good bit more to do.  I was going to Christmas shop at http://www.athome.com/marlenaebersole  and http://www.athome.com/angiealbright , but I ended up buying things for our house.  Go figure!
Check out their current flash sale and the 25% off regular priced items.

Check out their sites and please split your order between both of my daughters.  Thanks, I do appreciate it, and I know they will, also.

Please send me some comments.  I'd love hearing form you...
Susan

What's The Deal, Anyways?

Hi all,

Hey, does anyone know what's the best deal of the day?  Well, let me tell you what it is, if you don't already know.  Everyone loves getting a fabulous gift at a super low price, right?  Of course you do, who wouldn't?  I have two web sites to share with you all.  They are:

http://athome.com/angiealbright

and

http://athome.com/marlenaebersole

Please check out the wonderful "Flash" sale this company has going on right now.  Then check out their other great home products.  Check on the great dinner wear they carry.  My husband and I have the red set and we just love it.  It's both microwavable and dish washer safe.  It looks great on your dinner table. 

Both these sites are the same, except that two of my three daughters are in the business.  So, if possible, maybe you could order something from both of them, thereby helping both of them out.
Also, perhaps you'd like to get in on the business profits by having your own on-line business with At Home.  Just let one of them know and they'd give you all the details.  This much I will tell you:  It's free!!!!!  Yes, I said, FREE!  Nothing to spend and nothing to lose, how terrific is that?

Of course, my third daughter is a very prosperous consultant for Tastefully Simple.  Everybody eats, right?  Check out her site and order something yummy for dinner.  Just think, you can serve it on that new dinner wear you purchase from At Home. 

Her web address is:  http://www.TSbyCandice.com

I love my daughters and I am trying to help promote their businesses any way I can.  Give them a try, you may be surprised what wonderful things they have for sale. 

Have a wonderful day.  I know you will, now that you know where the deals are...
Susan

Oh no, It's Here Again!

Hi all,

Of course, what I mean by my title is that Monday is almost upon us, once again.  I remember when I worked a full time job, how fast the weekends flew by.  Monday for me is laundry day.  I have to say that I am a creature of habit, always have been and I suppose I always will be.  I can break my schedule, once and a while, but I don't very often.  I tend to be a very organized person.  I have always been that way and I guess I like myself that way.  It helps me to stay on top of everything I have to do.  Although, some days I don't have a lot of things to do. 

Last evening my Red Hat Group, The Radically Radiant Red Ladies, had a Not So Progressive Dinner.  It was held at the Lutheran Senior Village in Chambersburg, in the Community Room.  Their community room is a beautiful space, even the rest rooms are nice. 

We had one table set up for Appetizers, one for the Main Course, and a third for desserts.  There were seven ladies from the group.  Six of our husbands were able to join us.  Two of the ladies prepared appetizers to tantalize our taste buds, while three of the women prepared pot roast, potatoes and carrots.  They all cooked them in their crock pots.  That left two ladies preparing desserts:  one was a Apple Bunt Cake and the other was Not Your Mommas Banana Pudding.  Everything was quite yummy and, as always, we had too much food!  Great food, great friends, what more could one ask for in this life.

I hope you all had a good Sunday.  Mine was a bit quiet, which I liked.  I worshipped God this morning and then this afternoon I watched Christmas movies on television.  I, also, prepared a large pot of home made vegetable soup for dinner tonight.  I love homemade soup, any kind, any time.  Now, I plan on watching another Christmas movie.  So, goodnight to all!

Susan

They're Coming, Ready or Not!

Hi, everyone!

How was your day?  Mine was good.  My title:  They're Coming, Ready or Not! refers to the Holidays, both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I can't believe we're almost into the middle of November.  Time just goes by so quickly.

When I was a teenager, I thought time went so slow.  Then as a young mother with three daughters, I still thought it moved slowly.  When my girls were teenagers, I thought it went too fast.  There was never enough time to get everything done.  There were too many meetings, ball games, school functions and just plain work, that I never had enough time for myself. 

Then I got old and became ill and I thought now time would drag, but it still just zooms by, from one year to the next. I lead a rather sedentary lifestyle and I assumed that time would drag by, but it does not.  Some days seem a bit long, but the weeks and months are gone before I know it.

With the Holiday Season coming, I wish time would just slow down a bit.  My favorite time of the year is the season from Thanksgiving until the first of the new year.  I don't do a lot of the homemade gifts and cooking like I used to do, but don't you just know it, time still speeds by. 

It makes me stop and think:  This is my life flashing before my eyes.  Before you know it, my life span will end and that will be the end of my time speeding away.  I'll finally be able to rest and relax in pure bliss.  How great to see my Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa once again. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not rushing my life away, but if you're over sixty, you are on the downward leg of your journey.  Being ill makes it shorter yet, but I'm okay with that.  When God decides that it's my time to leave this earth, I'll be ready. 

My advice for today is to spend time with those you love, or as much time as they can fit into their schedules for you, which probably won't be very often.  Love God with all your heart and try to live by the Ten commandments.  Try to be a good person and a loving spouse or partner, mother, father, son, daughter, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc. and a good friend to those you care about. 

Talk with God every day and don't forget to go to Him with your needs and requests, but then make sure you be quiet and listen when He whispers in your ear.  Don't worry, He will, but you need to be still and listen!  Practice gratitude and acceptance every day of your life.  You'd be surprised how the stress and anxieties seem to become less.   

Are You Stressed?

Hi all,

As Tuesday winds itself down, are you finding yourself stressed?  You all realize that this is November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Then before we all know it, it will be December and we will be preparing for the Christmas Holidays.  My very favorite time of the year. 

I'd have to say that I'm not stressed right now, but I am busy.  Making your own hand made Christmas cards is very time consuming and tedious.  I created some very special cards today, and they took me a long time to make.  I worked about two hours last evening, cutting things out in preparation for them and then I only got four done today in about two and one half hours.  Each one is different, so it's not like mass production them.  I now have thirty cards finished and a long way to go yet.

Yesterday, I got the crazy idea that I'd like to hand make a door prize for my Red Hat Christmas party in early December.  So, I started it last evening and worked on it this afternoon while watching television.  It's looking quite good and now I'm not sure if I want to give it away.  I just may end up keeping it for myself.  My friend, Donna, stopped in tonight and I showed it to her.  She said she'd be upset if she didn't win it!  Decisions, decisions?

I need to get back to my writing one of these days, but I don't know when that will be.  My sister, Carol, drove up to Pa. yesterday for a two week visit.  She's staying with my brother, but she and I will be spending a good bit of time together while she's here.  I don't get to see her very often, so I like to take advantage of the time I get with her.

I know that with the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays fast approaching, everyone will be quite busy and that causes a bit of stress.  Make sure you keep some time just for yourself.  Pick up a good book and sit and read or take a nice hot tub bath to relax after a stressful time.   Be good to yourself.  If you are not good to yourself, you can't be good to anyone else.  Remember that! 
Susan

The End Comes, As Usual!

Hi all,

Of course, I am referring to the end of the weekend.  I suppose it could mean the end of the day, since it's now evening, or the end of many other things.  How about:  the end of us procrastinating, the end of us blaming other people for our mistakes, the end of us whining that things don't go our way or perhaps it's the end of us blaming God for all the things that go wrong in our life. 

That surely gives us all some things to think about, doesn't it.  If you have troubles in your life, you are definately not alone.  We all have difficulties to deal with on a daily basis.  For instance, I could sit and complain that I spent Saturday alone, but what good would it do me?  It's not going to change anything.  There was a good reason for my being alone.  It was because my husband had to attend a viewing and funeral about two and a half hours from here. 

We all make mistakes in our lives.  That's a part of growing and learning.  At sixty four I'm still learning so much every day.  Some times it's just something I read in a book or some other little tidbit I pick up.  Lately, I've been learning a great deal because of my writing.  What have you learned today. 

I started working on another nine of my hand made Christmas cards.  I've been making cards for quite some time now, but each project is trial and error.  I enjoy experimenting with different styles of cards.  Most times they work, but sometimes they don't.  So, that's just a lesson learned by me.

I've been spending some time lately on the web site:  www.fanstory.com/susanlappmellott  I really enjoy it because it's for writers.  I've submitted about six stories on the site.  Three of them being excerpts from my memoirs.  I enjoy writing non-fiction, because when I do, I realize how much I've grown and learned over the years.  But, mostly, I realize just how many times God has carried me during those years, and He still is! 

I do hope your weekend was enjoyable and restful.  Try to get a good nights sleep so you will be wide eyed and bushy eyed in the morning, whatever your plans may be.

Susan

Good Morning To You All!

Well, good old Friday has, once again, graced us with it's presence.  I'm sure for many of you, it's the end of the work week, giving you two days off to relax.  Or, maybe not!  I remember those days when I worked a full time job and ran around on the weekends for basketball, cheer leading, grocery shopping or the like.  Not to mention having to clean the house.  Although it was good not to have to get up at the crack of dawn and go to work, weekends didn't necessarily mean 'resting'.  Of course, my life isn't like that anymore, children all grown with their own kids, not working any more because of illness, leading a rather sedentary lifestyle, which means I get to rest every day. 

If you asked me which I'd choose, typically I answer that I'd like a bit of both worlds.  That's just not going to happen, so I will just accept the life I've been given with praise and joy to God.  I still wake up every day, am able to write, draw, make hand made cards and do other creative things. So, I'm content to live my life with my illness because I'm STILL LIVING with HEART DISEASE! 

What's on your agenda for the weekend?  Anything exciting?  I'm not sure I'd say my schedule is exciting, but then, I suppose it depends on one's perception of exciting.  I will be alone much of tomorrow, because my husband is attending a viewing and funeral about three hours from home.  That's okay, I've become used to being alone since I've spent most of the last seven years by myself during the day.

 I don't cringe when I'm alone with the silence.  Sometimes, I rather enjoy it.  It gives me time to speak with God or just to listen to what He's trying to tell me.  Sometimes, all we do is ask, over and over again for His help, when we need to be quiet and listen to His answers. 

Well, I finally finished my first eight hand made Christmas cards.  Of course, I had to start with a very complex one, which took some time just to get all the pieces cut and ready to assemble.  Hopefully, I will be able to work on the next eight  or so today.  It gives me so much joy to create my own cards.  I believe they make people smile and I hope they feel special that they receive a hand made card from me.

 Giving back to God is what I need to do, now and for the remainder of my life.  I am so truly blessed, every day.  Always have been and I know I always will be until God takes me home to live, once again, with Him.

Have a great weekend!  Take some time for yourself.  It's very important to each of us, especially you women with families at home, because we don't take time for ourselves very often.  We're predisposed  to always put our families first.
Susan