Hi all,
My mind today is on this tragedy that occurred in Connecticut at an elementary school. As far as they now know, eighteen elementary children and eight adults were shot and killed by an assailant early this morning.
The news media hasn't released, as of yet, why this twenty year old man went into this school with a gun and started killing children and adults. As far as I can see, there IS NOT any good reason for such a vicious act.
Once again, I need to ask myself, "What is happening in this world today?" Why do people think it is okay to take out their frustration and anger by picking up a gun or knife and killing someone! It certainly is not okay, not under any circumstance or for any reason what so ever.
Please take a few minutes, where ever you are in the world, and say a brief prayer for the survivors of this terrible shooting and for their families. Please ask God to stay close to them and help them through this horrific time.
Make sure you hug each member of your family and tell them how much you love them. Remember, tomorrow they could be gone! Sometimes there is no tomorrow!
Susan
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
How are your nerves????
Hi all,
How are things going with all of you? Are you stressed out for one reason or another? Perhaps it's work, problems at home, illness in the family or just the time of year! Whatever it is, just stop, take a deep breath and sit down. Or better yet, lay down and do some easy breathing exercises. Just breath in deep through the nose, fill up your whole chest with air and then push the air back out through your open mouth. As you breath in, say to yourself, "I'm breathing in comfort and calmness." As you blow it out through your mouth, say to yourself, "I'm pushing all the tension and stress out of my body." I promise you it works. If you don't believe me, just try it!
I've done my breathing exercises just a short time ago because I took my husband to the hospital early this morning for some surgery. Everything went terrifically and I didn't realize just how worried I was until after I was home for about an hour. He will be released tomorrow morning. He is fine.
I knew he would be, because I knew God would take care of him. But, as you may know, we sometimes cannot control our minds and hearts. So, the deep breathing exercises helped me to relax and unstress.
Well, now let me change the subject for a bit. I received a call again today from the librarian at York Catholic High School. She had asked me about a month ago if I would come into YCHS for a morning to speak with the students in English class about writing. I feel so blessed to be asked to do this. Let me remind you that I am not a well known author. I have written and published six books thus far. I am currently working on my seventh.
God has so blessed me with a vast amount of creative abilities. I want high school students to know that creative abilities, whatever they may be, are a wonderful blessing from God. We should not overlook them. It's so important to realize, at any age, that whatever your passionate about, doesn't have to be what one does for a living.
For me, it's not about the money. It's about giving back for God's wonderful blessings. I could have died back in 2006, but He wasn't done with me on this earth yet. So, I'm playing it forward when ever I can. I cannot go out and work at a job any longer, or go to volunteer work at a hospital or some such place. What I can do is create things that make someone else smile. If I can do that for even just one person, then I am playing it forward!
How about you? I'm sure you have been blessed by God in many ways. Are you taking those blessings and playing them forward? If not, start soon! You'd be surprised at how much peace and contentment it brings to you.
If you're still doing Christmas shopping, try: www.amway.com/coriebersole
www.athome.com/angiealbright or www.athome.com/marlenaebersole
or for Tastefully Simple products www.TSbyCandice.com
Well, that's all for now. I wish each and every one of you a wonderful day, and remember to play it forward!
Susan
How are things going with all of you? Are you stressed out for one reason or another? Perhaps it's work, problems at home, illness in the family or just the time of year! Whatever it is, just stop, take a deep breath and sit down. Or better yet, lay down and do some easy breathing exercises. Just breath in deep through the nose, fill up your whole chest with air and then push the air back out through your open mouth. As you breath in, say to yourself, "I'm breathing in comfort and calmness." As you blow it out through your mouth, say to yourself, "I'm pushing all the tension and stress out of my body." I promise you it works. If you don't believe me, just try it!
I've done my breathing exercises just a short time ago because I took my husband to the hospital early this morning for some surgery. Everything went terrifically and I didn't realize just how worried I was until after I was home for about an hour. He will be released tomorrow morning. He is fine.
I knew he would be, because I knew God would take care of him. But, as you may know, we sometimes cannot control our minds and hearts. So, the deep breathing exercises helped me to relax and unstress.
Well, now let me change the subject for a bit. I received a call again today from the librarian at York Catholic High School. She had asked me about a month ago if I would come into YCHS for a morning to speak with the students in English class about writing. I feel so blessed to be asked to do this. Let me remind you that I am not a well known author. I have written and published six books thus far. I am currently working on my seventh.
God has so blessed me with a vast amount of creative abilities. I want high school students to know that creative abilities, whatever they may be, are a wonderful blessing from God. We should not overlook them. It's so important to realize, at any age, that whatever your passionate about, doesn't have to be what one does for a living.
For me, it's not about the money. It's about giving back for God's wonderful blessings. I could have died back in 2006, but He wasn't done with me on this earth yet. So, I'm playing it forward when ever I can. I cannot go out and work at a job any longer, or go to volunteer work at a hospital or some such place. What I can do is create things that make someone else smile. If I can do that for even just one person, then I am playing it forward!
How about you? I'm sure you have been blessed by God in many ways. Are you taking those blessings and playing them forward? If not, start soon! You'd be surprised at how much peace and contentment it brings to you.
If you're still doing Christmas shopping, try: www.amway.com/coriebersole
www.athome.com/angiealbright or www.athome.com/marlenaebersole
or for Tastefully Simple products www.TSbyCandice.com
Well, that's all for now. I wish each and every one of you a wonderful day, and remember to play it forward!
Susan
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
He is Coming! Are you ready for Him?
Hi all,
We're just fourteen days away from our celebration of the birth of Jesus. Are you ready? I know that the Christmas Season is a prelude to the real reason we celebrate Christmas, but I don't think some people remember that fact. I was just listening to the news report for tonight and it's a bit depressing. Every day the tell us about someone who was murdered, someone who was robbed, someone who robbed the Salvation Army kettles and just today they announced that someone is stealing from The Goodwill store.
I have to ask, "What is this world coming to? What has happened to Americans that they feel this is okay behavior? Did they not learn that it's wrong to steal, it's very wrong to pull a gun or knife and kill another person?"
Some days I sincerely worry about the world that my Grandsons are growing up in. Will it just get worse as the years go by or will something happen to change people. It's doesn't seem to just be younger people either. A man in his fifties has been in the news because he just abducted and assaulted a college student. The thing is that he just recently got out of prison on the same type of charges. He is now being charged with this count, plus a few others.
Apparently, prison did NOT reform him! Why was he left go? And, what is wrong with him and all the people like him? What happened to him to make him this way, and why?
I wish I had the answers to these questions, but I simply don't know. But, I most assuredly do worry about the next generation and the next after that, and so on. What is going to become of this world.
I suppose the only good thing for me, is that I probably will not be alive to see these changes. I pray that my Grandsons and their future children, have a better world in which to live.
I am looking forward to Christmas and our celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ once again. I pray that God will show His mercy and kindness to me, my family, my extended family, my friends and the whole world! He is the only One who can help us.
Sorry, I didn't mean to be so down, but sometimes I just can't overlook the things that are happening right before my eyes!
Susan
We're just fourteen days away from our celebration of the birth of Jesus. Are you ready? I know that the Christmas Season is a prelude to the real reason we celebrate Christmas, but I don't think some people remember that fact. I was just listening to the news report for tonight and it's a bit depressing. Every day the tell us about someone who was murdered, someone who was robbed, someone who robbed the Salvation Army kettles and just today they announced that someone is stealing from The Goodwill store.
I have to ask, "What is this world coming to? What has happened to Americans that they feel this is okay behavior? Did they not learn that it's wrong to steal, it's very wrong to pull a gun or knife and kill another person?"
Some days I sincerely worry about the world that my Grandsons are growing up in. Will it just get worse as the years go by or will something happen to change people. It's doesn't seem to just be younger people either. A man in his fifties has been in the news because he just abducted and assaulted a college student. The thing is that he just recently got out of prison on the same type of charges. He is now being charged with this count, plus a few others.
Apparently, prison did NOT reform him! Why was he left go? And, what is wrong with him and all the people like him? What happened to him to make him this way, and why?
I wish I had the answers to these questions, but I simply don't know. But, I most assuredly do worry about the next generation and the next after that, and so on. What is going to become of this world.
I suppose the only good thing for me, is that I probably will not be alive to see these changes. I pray that my Grandsons and their future children, have a better world in which to live.
I am looking forward to Christmas and our celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ once again. I pray that God will show His mercy and kindness to me, my family, my extended family, my friends and the whole world! He is the only One who can help us.
Sorry, I didn't mean to be so down, but sometimes I just can't overlook the things that are happening right before my eyes!
Susan
Sunday, December 9, 2012
The Count Down!
Hi all,
Well, as you know, the count down to the day Jesus was born is coming rapidly. Christmas Day, for some reason, seems to be coming more quickly this year than in the past. It's just two weeks and two days away and I'm still a bit stressed about getting things done.
I am happy to announce that just about all my wrapping is complete. I baked two 9 x 13 pans of Seven Layer Cookies yesterday. One was chocolate with walnuts and the other was vanilla with pecans. Of course, I had to sample them to make sure they were edible and I have to say, they are yummy. A few days ago I made a large can of Chex Mix. I'm hoping to be able to make two large pans of chocolate chip with walnut bars today or tomorrow. I've decided to try doing them in large cookie sheet pans, because it's very hard for me to stand in my kitchen that length of time to make individual cookies.
Now, I'm not complaining, just trying to make my life easier. My illness, Chronic Congestive Heart Failure, has drastically changed my lifestyle, but I've accepted that a long time ago. It just lets me a bit melancholy as I think back to all the cookie baking I used to do. Truth be told, neither my husband or I should be eating all those cookies and snacks. He's a diabetic and I positively have to maintain my current weight.
How are you feeling these days? Is this season stressing you out? If so, please try to find some time to sit down and relax, preferably by yourself. Choose a nice quiet place, away from the husband or kids, just put your feet up, close your eyes and empty your mind. Do some deep breathing so you have something to concentrate on besides your stresses. Breathe in all the way until you fill your chest cavity and then push it out through your nose. I promise you it works, even if only for a short period of time.
I've been doing some writing on www.fanstory.com . I joined that writing website some time ago and I truly enjoy reading and reviewing other writers work. Of course, I love posting my own work for other peoples enjoyment. I've already posted a few chapters from My Memoirs, which I wrote and published back at the end of 2006. If you have the time, check the website out. Thanks.
Well, today my Red Hat group is having our Christmas Banquet. One of my ladies bought each of us a headband to which is attached a large pair of reindeer antlers in red. We are wearing them to the banquet in place of our red dress hats. I'm sure this will, indeed, bring the chuckles from other people, but who really cares. What's important is that we have fun while we're still alive to enjoy ourselves.
Take care and have a blessed and wonderful Sunday.
Susan
Well, as you know, the count down to the day Jesus was born is coming rapidly. Christmas Day, for some reason, seems to be coming more quickly this year than in the past. It's just two weeks and two days away and I'm still a bit stressed about getting things done.
I am happy to announce that just about all my wrapping is complete. I baked two 9 x 13 pans of Seven Layer Cookies yesterday. One was chocolate with walnuts and the other was vanilla with pecans. Of course, I had to sample them to make sure they were edible and I have to say, they are yummy. A few days ago I made a large can of Chex Mix. I'm hoping to be able to make two large pans of chocolate chip with walnut bars today or tomorrow. I've decided to try doing them in large cookie sheet pans, because it's very hard for me to stand in my kitchen that length of time to make individual cookies.
Now, I'm not complaining, just trying to make my life easier. My illness, Chronic Congestive Heart Failure, has drastically changed my lifestyle, but I've accepted that a long time ago. It just lets me a bit melancholy as I think back to all the cookie baking I used to do. Truth be told, neither my husband or I should be eating all those cookies and snacks. He's a diabetic and I positively have to maintain my current weight.
How are you feeling these days? Is this season stressing you out? If so, please try to find some time to sit down and relax, preferably by yourself. Choose a nice quiet place, away from the husband or kids, just put your feet up, close your eyes and empty your mind. Do some deep breathing so you have something to concentrate on besides your stresses. Breathe in all the way until you fill your chest cavity and then push it out through your nose. I promise you it works, even if only for a short period of time.
I've been doing some writing on www.fanstory.com . I joined that writing website some time ago and I truly enjoy reading and reviewing other writers work. Of course, I love posting my own work for other peoples enjoyment. I've already posted a few chapters from My Memoirs, which I wrote and published back at the end of 2006. If you have the time, check the website out. Thanks.
Well, today my Red Hat group is having our Christmas Banquet. One of my ladies bought each of us a headband to which is attached a large pair of reindeer antlers in red. We are wearing them to the banquet in place of our red dress hats. I'm sure this will, indeed, bring the chuckles from other people, but who really cares. What's important is that we have fun while we're still alive to enjoy ourselves.
Take care and have a blessed and wonderful Sunday.
Susan
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!
Hi all,
Today, my Red Hat group met at my house for a Christmas Cookie Exchange and lunch. I prepared a nice light lunch of chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with a deviled egg along side. With that I had warmed Italian crusty bread with Tastefully Simple's Tuscan herb blend and olive oil for dipping. I served a choice of two fresh brewed teas: Peach Blend and Earl Gray with a touch of Raspberry.
For dessert, we each had six homemade cookies to taste. (I gave everyone a baggie to take the cookies home, because, as usual, we couldn't eat that much.) Along with that, we each were given one half dozen homemade cookies from each lady to keep for ourselves. That means that we each ended up with three dozen cookies to share with our husbands. We had a great time. These friends are very special ladies and it means so much to me to have them as friends. There are eight of us in my Red Hat group.
On Sunday we are all meeting at Fire Mountain in Mechanicsburg for a Christmas Banquet and gift exchange. We invite our husbands to join us and, of course, they do. I know we'll have a wonderful time with them and each other.
I haven't started my baking or my homemade candy yet. I plan on starting tomorrow by making my homemade fruit cake. I've never been a lover of fruitcake, but using my Mom's recipe changed my opinion on fruitcake. It's so moist and delicious! These will be for you, Mom, with love! (My Mother passed away in 1996 and I miss both her and my Dad so very much. He died in 1999.)
I'm hoping to do most of my candy and Seven Layer Bars next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. My husband is having some surgery on Thursday and will just have to stay in the hospital overnight, so that will pretty much take care of those two days.
I absolutely have to get back to writing my current novel. I have been doing some writing on the website www.fanstory.com/susanlappmellott , but it's just not enough for me though. I do love writing, any type at all. I've writen some articles for www.ezinearticles.com/susanlappmellott, haven't even done anymore for there lately.
I realize that the Christmas Season is a very busy time of year for everyone, but it's especially hard for me because since becoming ill, I usually run out of what little bit of energy I have, by shortly after lunch time. I am just about finished my Christmas shopping though. I just have one more shipment to arrive and then I'm finished. Hurrah!!! I did most all of my shopping on line this year. I used: http://www.amway.com/coriebersole, http://www.athome/angiealbright, and http://www.mariebersole.com . Check these three sites out for some great savings. Check out the Ribbon cards and Partner stores on the amway site, as well as, all sorts of great buys and savings on the other two sites. If it's food that you'd like to purchase, either for yourself to serve or to give away for a great gift, try: http://www.TSwithCandice.com. I'm sure you'll find something great there. You know, everyone does have to eat! Check it out!
Well, that's my story for today, and I'm sticking to it!
Susan
Today, my Red Hat group met at my house for a Christmas Cookie Exchange and lunch. I prepared a nice light lunch of chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with a deviled egg along side. With that I had warmed Italian crusty bread with Tastefully Simple's Tuscan herb blend and olive oil for dipping. I served a choice of two fresh brewed teas: Peach Blend and Earl Gray with a touch of Raspberry.
For dessert, we each had six homemade cookies to taste. (I gave everyone a baggie to take the cookies home, because, as usual, we couldn't eat that much.) Along with that, we each were given one half dozen homemade cookies from each lady to keep for ourselves. That means that we each ended up with three dozen cookies to share with our husbands. We had a great time. These friends are very special ladies and it means so much to me to have them as friends. There are eight of us in my Red Hat group.
On Sunday we are all meeting at Fire Mountain in Mechanicsburg for a Christmas Banquet and gift exchange. We invite our husbands to join us and, of course, they do. I know we'll have a wonderful time with them and each other.
I haven't started my baking or my homemade candy yet. I plan on starting tomorrow by making my homemade fruit cake. I've never been a lover of fruitcake, but using my Mom's recipe changed my opinion on fruitcake. It's so moist and delicious! These will be for you, Mom, with love! (My Mother passed away in 1996 and I miss both her and my Dad so very much. He died in 1999.)
I'm hoping to do most of my candy and Seven Layer Bars next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. My husband is having some surgery on Thursday and will just have to stay in the hospital overnight, so that will pretty much take care of those two days.
I absolutely have to get back to writing my current novel. I have been doing some writing on the website www.fanstory.com/susanlappmellott , but it's just not enough for me though. I do love writing, any type at all. I've writen some articles for www.ezinearticles.com/susanlappmellott, haven't even done anymore for there lately.
I realize that the Christmas Season is a very busy time of year for everyone, but it's especially hard for me because since becoming ill, I usually run out of what little bit of energy I have, by shortly after lunch time. I am just about finished my Christmas shopping though. I just have one more shipment to arrive and then I'm finished. Hurrah!!! I did most all of my shopping on line this year. I used: http://www.amway.com/coriebersole, http://www.athome/angiealbright, and http://www.mariebersole.com . Check these three sites out for some great savings. Check out the Ribbon cards and Partner stores on the amway site, as well as, all sorts of great buys and savings on the other two sites. If it's food that you'd like to purchase, either for yourself to serve or to give away for a great gift, try: http://www.TSwithCandice.com. I'm sure you'll find something great there. You know, everyone does have to eat! Check it out!
Well, that's my story for today, and I'm sticking to it!
Susan
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Just Take A Moment and Breath!
Hi all,
How is everyone doing today? Are you stressed out? Are you feeling anxious? Do you feel there's not enough time to get everything done? Are you short on time? Are you short on money? Do you feel like you could just sleep the month away?
Well, if you are feeling any of the above things, you need to chill out! I would suggest you find a nice quiet spot, pick up a book or your favorite music, kick off your shoes and relax. Do you even remember how to do that???
To be honest with you, doing the above will only relax you for a short period of time. Perhaps you should try some deep breathing exercises. Don't know how to do them? It's easy, here's all you do:
find a comfortable spot and lay down or lounge in a chair. Breathe in through your mouth and let the breath fill up your lungs. Next, breathe out through your nose until all the air is out of you. While doing the breathing in say, "I'm breathing in relaxation." While releasing the breathe say, "I'm pushing out the tension." I guarantee you it will work. You need to do it for at least fifteen or twenty minutes to have it work.
Well, now I'm finished playing doctor. I feel better, as I've accomplished quite a bit last week and this week. I'm almost finished with my gift purchases and I have most of my wrapping done. Good for me! Next week I'm going to start my baking and candy making.
I seriously need to get back to my writing one of these days. If I don't soon get back to my novel, I'll have to reread what I've already written so I know what it's about!
I do love the Christmas season more than any other time of the year. I lets me feeling happy, generous and loving. How about you?
Well, that's all for now. Take care and smile. It's good for you and for everyone around you!
Susan
How is everyone doing today? Are you stressed out? Are you feeling anxious? Do you feel there's not enough time to get everything done? Are you short on time? Are you short on money? Do you feel like you could just sleep the month away?
Well, if you are feeling any of the above things, you need to chill out! I would suggest you find a nice quiet spot, pick up a book or your favorite music, kick off your shoes and relax. Do you even remember how to do that???
To be honest with you, doing the above will only relax you for a short period of time. Perhaps you should try some deep breathing exercises. Don't know how to do them? It's easy, here's all you do:
find a comfortable spot and lay down or lounge in a chair. Breathe in through your mouth and let the breath fill up your lungs. Next, breathe out through your nose until all the air is out of you. While doing the breathing in say, "I'm breathing in relaxation." While releasing the breathe say, "I'm pushing out the tension." I guarantee you it will work. You need to do it for at least fifteen or twenty minutes to have it work.
Well, now I'm finished playing doctor. I feel better, as I've accomplished quite a bit last week and this week. I'm almost finished with my gift purchases and I have most of my wrapping done. Good for me! Next week I'm going to start my baking and candy making.
I seriously need to get back to my writing one of these days. If I don't soon get back to my novel, I'll have to reread what I've already written so I know what it's about!
I do love the Christmas season more than any other time of the year. I lets me feeling happy, generous and loving. How about you?
Well, that's all for now. Take care and smile. It's good for you and for everyone around you!
Susan
Monday, December 3, 2012
Are You In The Mood?
Hi all,
Of course my question is are you in the mood for the Christmas Season. Well, if you're not, I think you need to do whatever it takes to get yourself in the mood to welcome the birth of Jesus. If you aren't a Christian, then get in the mood for Santa's big arrival.
You do know that Santa Claus is a good and generous man. He gives to everyone and he tries to make every ones life a bit easier. He loves with all his heart and soul. To me, he's quite a legend. I love the feelings of love, peace and generosity that the Christmas season bring to us, if we open up our hearts and let those feelings inside.
As you may know, I create my own Christmas cards. I have been asked to display a few of them. So, I'm posting some of them for everyone to enjoy.
Have a great day and get in the mood.
Susan
Of course my question is are you in the mood for the Christmas Season. Well, if you're not, I think you need to do whatever it takes to get yourself in the mood to welcome the birth of Jesus. If you aren't a Christian, then get in the mood for Santa's big arrival.
You do know that Santa Claus is a good and generous man. He gives to everyone and he tries to make every ones life a bit easier. He loves with all his heart and soul. To me, he's quite a legend. I love the feelings of love, peace and generosity that the Christmas season bring to us, if we open up our hearts and let those feelings inside.
As you may know, I create my own Christmas cards. I have been asked to display a few of them. So, I'm posting some of them for everyone to enjoy.
Susan
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