It's Crazy Out There!

I have been visiting other blogs, you know, just for ideas.  It's crazy out there!   People blog about "nothing".  I thought my blog was probably uninteresting to read, but not any more.  Number one, I don't want my every thought and deed posted for the world to see.  That is what friends, doctors and prayers to God are for.  I intend to have many interesting topics to help you in the coming year.  Maybe you don't see eye to eye with me on everything, but if you pick up one detail or tidbit that you can use, I have done my job.  I find that people don't always want to listen to you, but a blog is a way you may help just one.  That will be worth it all.  Stay plugged in and I hope to have items of interest in the coming new year of 2012.

Rest, Rest, Rest!

Don't you think it is about time to slow down the pace and rest?  I am trying to do just that, however, it is not easy.  Many of us are back to work from our short vacation and dealing with all the aftermath of the season.  It is very important to take care of yourself since we are coming into the cold and flu season.  Remember to rest a little more in the evening (make yourself).  Eat a healthy diet including plenty of fruits and veggies.  Drink that orange juice.  Put all that candy, pies and cakes you indulged in over the holidays right out of your mind.  Wash your hands often to prevent those germs from getting to you.  It's like they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  It can be very expensive to get ill nowadays.  Now, save that money!

It Has Passed!

Do you feel a little like I do?  Glad it is behind us?   All the busy schedules, baking, cooking, shopping and the list goes on.  We have a tendency to overdo it during the Christmas season.

I received a Bath & Body Works gift card on Christmas day.  After thinking about it, I decided to go ahead and place an order online, before the prices could go up.  I, frugally, purchased items on sale, using a promotional code I got from a website.  I did a Google search for "promotional code".  Several different sights are available for codes.  It saved me 20% off my entire order, even though the items were already on sale.  I feel so good about my purchase.  Now I will have on hand shower gels, lotions to use for myself or for gifts.

Do you have gift cards that you received?  Maybe now is the time to use them while you can take advantage of the sales.  Be sure to search for a promotional code if you shop online.  Learn to use codes, coupons and discounts whenever possible.  They are out there for the taking.  It takes a little time to find them, but they are well worth it.

Christmas Memories #12

Merry Christmas everyone!   Met with more family today at my home.  We ate and ate and ate.  Soooo full of food, it is really sinful.  We enjoyed our afternoon together with laughter, cheer and happiness.  Everyone loved their gifts and we sent them off until next Christmas when we can do it all over again.  We are sooo blessed to have warm homes, good food and peace in our land.  I never want to forget the real meaning of CHRISTmas!  We wouldn't have a holiday without Christ.  Remember to keep it simple for Him, for sure, He came to earth in simple form, born and laid in a manger.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Memories #11

Oh Well!!!!!   It has happened again!    My extended family meets tonight for Christmas party and  I have not made all the goodies I had hoped to.   But refer to Christmas Memories #10.  Do not stress!  Let it go!  It will be alright.  No one but you will know the difference.  Others are preparing and bringing food and goodies.  We will have a great time!   The best thing about it is we are all going to be together to celebrate this beautiful Christmas season.  Will miss you again this year, daddy!   My wonderful dad passed away in 2007 and he is so, so missed.  Words cannot express the emptiness you can feel when you lose someone so dear.  We do, however, have the assurance he is in a better place.  That, we are thankful.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Memories #10

One very important thing to remember during this busy season.   Do not stress because you cannot do all you had hoped or planned to do.  It will be alright!  Sometimes you will be the only one who knew you didn't make that last batch of candy or buy a gift for the drive thru window attendant.

Trust me your family and friends will appreciate you much more if you are not a basket case for Christmas Day.  Not only that, but your health is even at risk.  Stress can cause illness including hypertension that will be another problem, going for an expensive doctor's visit.  Our immune system is weakened due to stress and not eating properly, so enjoy the time you have with family and friends and just LET IT GO!

Christmas Memories #9

Only 5 days before Christmas!  Are you ready?   For the lonely one, discouraged one, unemployed one and the list goes on, this hopeless feeling will not last forever!  No matter how hard we try to make our Christmas memories good ones, sometimes life just happens and our whole world turns upside down.  Oh, I have had a few Christmas mornings when all was not well.

 One particular Christmas Eve morning my husband was going to hunt deer with some other men.  He had to travel into the next county to meet the group and have breakfast.  A little over half way to his destination, he slowed the truck to make a turn and the truck motor just cut off.   He got out, darkness all around, raised the hood and started working around the battery connections hoping to get it cranked again.  He took a screw driver and tapped on an area around the battery and suddenly it exploded in his face.  You see the battery was hot and when there was a spark, it just exploded.  Now remember he was out before daylight, alone with acid from that battery in his face and eyes.  There was a house not too far away and he finally made it to the door and knocked.  The people who lived there was about to turn their back on him, but he convinced them to help.  The acid had been on his face long enough to burn not only the skin, but his eyes.

I got a call from his brother some time later telling me he was in the hospital in that town.  I hurriedly made my way to the hospital, not believing my eyes.  He was in a bad way.  Later that day he was released, yet in pain and bandaged, including his eyes.   Well, my Christmas eve plans were ruined from our yearly family get together.  But we made it through that difficult Christmas eve even if we couldn't do as normal.

The next morning we had to be at the eye doctor's office for him to check the eyes.  We were so blessed that Christmas!  He could see, not very well at all, but he still had healing time.  Back home we went and had many visitors come by that day.  My children were happy even at home.
 
Last year my niece went into labor about 4:00 in the morning on Christmas!  They got up and woke their little boy and had their Christmas gifts early and headed off to the hospital.  The baby was born later that day, but it sure made a different Christmas for all of us!  One we will never forget!  He was the most precious gift even if he did mess up our plans.

I guess what I am trying to say, no matter what comes your way, do the best you can in any situation.  God will be with you and the world will not stop turning.  It will make you stronger and appreciate the good times and "normal" times.