HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I just want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for stopping by this year and wish you all a very happy New Year!

Looking forward to good things in 2007. Will post my resolutions later this week.

Do the FROG thing. (Fully Rely on God)

Question: Three frogs are sitting on a Lilly pad. One frog decides to jump off. How many frogs are left on the Lilly pad?
Answer: Three

Let me explain. One frog "decided “to jump." But there is a big difference between deciding to do something and actually doing it. The difference is COMMITMENT. Commitment can be defined as a promise, pledge, or vow. These words are much stronger than plan, desire, or intention. These words are serious and demand response.

Once the frog is airborne you can say he is committed.

It is that time of year again, when many of us will make resolutions for the coming year. We will start out with gusto only to lose steam as the days pass by. Then enthusiasm will dwindle because we did not make true commitments, we only had good intentions.

Like the frog, we must get airborne to change decisions into commitments. We must depend on our heavenly Father to strengthen us spiritually, physically, and mentally. We can accomplish all that we set out to do as long as He is our strength.

We must take to heart the words of Zechariah 4:6.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."
We must echo the Apostle Paul and declare; "I CAN do ALL things through CHRIST who STRENGTHENS me."

Praying for you to have a Happy and Prosperous New Year, PT2006

The Day After

Okay, I know I've been lax with the holidays and everything. Time to get back to normal I suppose. Everyone I've talked to has had this crud. I hope you and your family are well. We did have a great Christmas getting together with family. I haven't taken everything down yet. Sort of took it easy today between typing. Yes, it's back to work for me. And I have CWGIII for another week until school starts back, so naturally I'm doing the night shift thing.

We've been outside in the cold setting up his fake deer so he can target practice with his B.B. gun. He got the gun last year, and this year asked for a fake deer to shoot at. I just hope no one thinks it's the real deer and starts shooting into my yard. Maggie sure hated it. She ran around barking at it and snarling. We had to take it down after target practice to keep her from taking it apart.

He also got a Dukes of Hazzard remote control car and a Roboreptile and a bunch of other things he probably didn't need. They kept him pretty much occupied yesterday, but today, he was a bit subdued. My guess is he's all partied out. I know I am. And it's back to the diet for me after today. All the rich food has taken its toll on me.

So how was your holiday? Leave me some comments and let me know. I trust all is well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We've all been sick this week around our house...coughs, fevers, aches and pains. But hopefully we're on the mend and can enjoy Christmas. Haven't felt like posting. Spent today trying to get my house ready for company over the next two days. We'll have a country ham breakfast with the Greens and then have my sisters and their husbands and my nephew over Christmas Day night. Tomorrow we're visiting my grandparents at the nursing home. In case I don't see you all, I wish you all a very happy holiday and the merriest of Christmases. Can't wait to hear all about your get-togethers and such. All my love, Cindy

The Doctor Will See You Now

The doctor will see you now" are words seldom heard today. When they are spoken the "now" hardly indicates the time you will actually be seen by the doctor. I have had enough experience lately to know how the term "patient" came to refer to the one seeking medical attention. It takes a mountain of patience to stay the course beginning with the appointment and ending with a face to face encounter with the doc.

Waiting rooms are merely a tool to compensate for the physician's limitations. He is limited as to how many patients he can see and treat within an interval of time. He is also limited by the unpredictable number of interruptions he will receive in the course of a day. And as is true for all humans, there is a limit to how much he can physically, mentally, and emotionally endure.

I am so glad that I serve a God that can be touched with the feelings of my aches and pains--a God that is never too busy, distracted, or tired to take my call. Jehovah Rapha has no secretaries or waiting rooms. No appointments are necessary to see Him. He will allow no interruptions when He is tending to my needs. I have His full attention when I talk to Him.

There is no case too hard for Him-no mutating strain(viral or bacterial) that He can not eradicate, no emotional or mental anguish He can not cure. He even knows just how to treat those ailments with no name, origin, or apparent cause. Pain is no match for Him! Psalms 103:3 makes it clear that the Lord is the one who forgives all our sins and heals ALL of our diseases.
No wonder He is called "The Great Physician".

If you have a need today, I can testify: "The Doctor will see you now". PT2006

Just Sharing a Bit

Here's my baby. Doesn't he look all grown up? Next project is a digital camera. Perhaps that would make a great anniversary present in June.
I really meant to have more pics, but CWG, Jr. has informed me that it costs money every time I upload from the cell phone. You mean that's not included in our package?? LOL. And it's a tedious process for me anyway. Sorry there's not more to see here. But thanks for stopping by. See post below for a pic of my new piano.
Here's my tree. The pics aren't great, because I transferred them from my cell phone.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Santa's come early around here. Guess I've been good enough. Whew! I've been playing this little gem since Friday night when I got it. Found it in the classifieds and got a U-haul that night to get it home. I had it tuned to 440 concert pitch today, and it sounds wonderful. The technician said it was almost new. Can you believe it? I wish I could find a way to play a bit and record it for you. If anyone knows how, let me know.

The gentleman we bought it from gave Chase three brand new John Thompson First Grade books. They are exactly the same books I learned on, and I had a lot of fun showing Chase one of the ones I had had all these years. With the exception of stickers and penciled notes, it was exactly the same. I hope he gets as much pleasure from music as I have through the years.

Now we can have Christmas carols on Christmas Day!

What's in Your Wallet?

Every day the headlines feature liars, cheaters, murderers, mischief, criminals, and all manner of evil. Television is filled with more of the same. No wonder so many people today are battling depression and suicidal thoughts. Statistics have shown that the number of suicides increase during the holiday season. Many of the despondent see no reason to rejoice. They believe they are without hope.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, we need to reach out to those who are down and out, those with limited income, those who are imprisoned, hospitalized or shut in. More importantly, we need to go out of our way to testify to those who are lost. We MUST declare the Good News of our savior Jesus Christ.

We say,"Jesus is the reason for the season", but do we explain that statement? Do we take our listeners from the manger to the cross? Yes, there are many who think the mention of the cross taints the celebration; yet without the cross, there would have been no need for his birth. We must take advantage of every opportunity. We must say as Peter did in Acts 3:6; "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you." He could have well said, WHO I have, I give to you.

Jesus in your heart is of far greater value than anything you could have in your wallet. Many times it is easier to give a buck or two, than it is to spend time with the needy. Yet time is of the essence. Take time to 'tell it on the mountain', tell it in the streets, tell it in the grocery store, tell it at work, tell it to all you meet; that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Thank you all for your prayers. I am on the mend and looking forward to getting back to work. Prayer is the best medicine with physical therapy running a close second. (smile)

PT2006 12/13/06

Useful Info

With winter comes the evil, dreaded dry skin and mucous membranes--sore throats and coughs, all that nasty stuff. We tend to turn up our thermostats and all that dry hot air just dries us out. CWGJR has sleep apnea, and we have found that he has to use a humidifier attached to his nasal BI-pap machine to find relief in the winter. He has sleep apnea, and that little machine has done him wonders. And I don't have to hear him snore anymore. It supplies warm, moist air to his nasal passages and lungs directly and has helped him immensely. And since I've noticed CWGIII with a dry and red nose as well, I imagine a room humidfier for his room is in order.

Humidifiers come in a variety of sizes, prices, and brands. Sometimes it can be confusing as to what you need. Do you need one in your bedroom only? Or one for the whole house? What brand is best? Did you know there is an optimum humidity level that's best for your home? I didn't. I was reading at
complete guide to buying a house humidifier and found a wealth of information on humidifiers including desirable features and brand comparisons. If you have the same winter time troubles, you might want to check out the information. There are many other useful links on those pages that can point you in the right direction.

Shop But Don't Drop

Well, you know how I hate shopping at Wal-mart this time of year. I love their prices, but I hate the hassle. Ever since the advent of computers and ebay I've shopped online. I know some of you are squeamish about putting your credit information out there, but if you use a fraud protected credit card and a secure site, you'll be fine.

The year I had CWGIII, I was just too tuckered out to shop. I was delighted to find many items online that came with free giftwrapping. It saved my life. That was the year I ordered Charles a cologne giftpack from Fragrance.com. They sent me an e-mail a day or so later saying it was backordered. But guess what? They sent an even larger bottle at the same price. How cool is that?

I've found a site that I like that I think is helpful...
www.StealDeals.net You can shop by store, coupon, category, or item. They have lots of brand name stores, and they put it all there together for you. The site has been up and running for 18 months, and it's easy to navigate. You can really save some money if you take the time you would have spent in line at a store and search online. Not to mention save your feet and sanity.

This year I found that crazy looking
Roboreptile and a Darby Dog. The key to online shopping is to make sure you do it early enough for the items to get to you before Christmas. Or if you're a procrastinator, pay for overnight delivery. But I warn you it will cost you, and you'll probably lose out on the savings you got with your coupons.

I think I got some great deals. Don't ever pay full price for stuff you can get cheaper. Trust me on this one. It's worth it.

Prayer Requests

I have some needs in my family I'd like to share:

My sister, pt2006 is down in her back and off work for a couple of weeks. Please pray for a healing touch so that she is able to get back to her life and enjoy the holidays.

My grandfather (the one in the nursing home) has full blown pneumonia and has been in the hospital for over a week now. He needs God's intervention.

As usual, continue to pray for my husband a full time job with benefits. Times are financially hard. This Christmas will be a little better than last--at least I'm working regularly. But we really need a miraculous intervention.

Continue to remember my friends' mother who has breast cancer. She is finished with her radiation and just waiting to see if it helped.

My husband's father's weight is improving thanks to buttermilk and cornbread. His mental state is about the same. An acquaintance saw us out shopping the other night and said they saw him out walking to the store and that he walked out in front of about five cars while crossing a busy intersection. This worries me greatly. We finally have meals on wheels set up, a home health nurse, and a CNA to bathe him and do small housekeeping jobs. This is helping out some. But as you know, with Alzheimers things will not get any better unless God intervenes. Pray for his safety and God's will in this situation.

I do feel a bit selfish about asking about my personal needs, but I realize I can't carry these burdens alone. I encourage you to share your own needs here and those of others you know. There is power in numbers and power in prayer.

Today's Sweet Drive-by Advice

Lately my hubby has been dabbling around in used cars. He seems to think that by buying them cheap and overhauling them a bit he can make a profit. I'm skeptical, but to avoid a fight I've let him do it. (Laughs at the word, "let") We've found a useful site that maybe you would enjoy, if you're like us and never buy new. (An automobile depreciates thousands as soon as you drive it off the dealership lot.)

You can find Cars For Sale in these Used car and truck classifieds. You can list your auto for free. 10 pictures and unlimited text. No credit card is ever required, and your listing stays active until sold. And it's 100% free.

The search function is easy to use. You can search by price, mileage, year and newest. You can also search by location, if you're looking for a car in your area.

You can find the crash test ratings, fuel economy, and recall information, which is hard to find on most used car sites.

There's a loan calculator, insurance quotes available, and auto shipping quotes. There are also reviews you can read, which we found helpful. We looked up our Sebring and our Aveo. It even tells you if your model has had any recalls.

Just passing along that little bit of info in case any of you are looking for a Christmas present for your teen or yourself. As you may have noticed, I'm trying to boost my readership a little bit with more varied content and outgoing links. I'm also experimenting with Google adsense. I'll let you know how that turns out.
used cars

My Spanish Angel

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I trust your holiday shopping and preparations are going well. Last night, at the insistence of CWGIII, we put out Christmas lights. Well, at least on his little cabin. That didn't seem to be too big of a hassle. I love Christmas lights, but I can't stand taking them down in the bitter cold of January. We wrapped the porch posts and outlined the side facing the road. He has one of those prelit grazing deer, a bell, and a "Feliz Navidad" sign. It looks quite festive out there. Thanks Aunt Carla for helping out with donating part of the lights. The rest I got off the clearance table at Fred's and Dollar General, so not too big of an investment. Couldn't find a "Merry Christmas," so "Feliz Navidad" will have to suffice. However, my son is getting some Spanish instructional CD's for Christmas, so it's kind of theme-related.

Yes, CWGIII wants to learn fluent Spanish. I suppose he shouldn't have too tough of a time with it. He said his first word at 3 months, believe it or not. And it was "book." I remember taking him to work to show him off at 4 months and the girls couldn't believe he could say "good." They said he was just cooing, until I said, say, "Good juice." And he said "Good jooo." It was obvious he was mimicking my mouth movements and sounds, whether or not he knew what he was saying. He hasn't stopped talking since. Such words and phrases as "facetious", "obsessed", "evidently", "eventually", "realistic", "in my estimation," and "by my calculations," have crossed his lips in the recent months. And I just sit in amazement that a seven-year-old is talking to me like a grownup. What are they teaching in schools these days? Or is it because he lives with a writer and a salesman and is an only child? Could be. Childen repeat what they hear, I have to remind myself. Boy do I need reminding. It's like that new country song I heard the other day, "I've Been Watching You," by Rodney Atkins. They watch us when we slip up, and they watch us when we do good.

But really, his language skills are coming along nicely. And I must brag, he's been a straight-A student this year so far. Charles and I were talking about this last night when he was telling me about a young boy that graduated college in one year. His name was David Bahn, and the story ran in the January issue of Kiplinger's. I promised CWGIII at the first of the school year a $100 if he made it the entire year without anything lower than an A. I might have to pay up. But at that, if he does it every year, $1200 is a small investment for a valedictorian and free ride to college. Some of you may disagree with this method, but in my house bribery is not a dirty word if it gets positive results. We just use it sparingly. (Mama don't have that much cash to dole out regularly anyway.)

Someday maybe he'll be bilingual or multilingual. Someday he may be an ambassador or maybe even President! Yes, I have big dreams for my little man. But for now, I'm content to watch him bask in the glow of a prelit reindeer and smile as he turns to me and says, "Now we can get a whole bunch more to cover the whole house." Sigh. The joys of motherhood.
Tags: Christmas lights
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Feliz Navidad
Holiday

Ever Wanted to be a Fly on the Wall?

Okay, I have a question for you all today. I was thinking about it this morning as I was surveying the garbage in my garage that had been scattered everywhere. Was it Maggie? Our neighbor's dog, Wiggles? A raccoon or possum? Or even the wind? Short of sitting up all night or catching the culprit red-handed, there's really no telling. I do know that I've never seen Maggie bother the garbage. Even after it's been dumped out. I am tempted to blame Wiggles right off the bat, but what proof do I have? None so far. If I had a security camera, then the puzzle would be solved. But I wouldn't go that far just for a little garbage.

One year when my son was two, some pranksters cut the cord to his blow-up snowman in the yard and moved it to a yard a street over. Not a nice thing to do. And boy was I mad that they had destroyed it by cutting the power source. Once again, no proof. And kind of spooky that someone had been so close to the house and us not know it. Kind of like the other day when someone left the back door unlocked and my sister and brother-in-law came in and made themselves at home. Not that I minded them being there, but the thought that anyone else could have been in and out and me not even realize it. Spooky. But I ramble. Here's the question for the day.

Is it ever acceptable to use a spy cam or hidden camera? Would you have any qualms about placing one in your home if you thought something was going on that shouldn't be? What about at your business? Is this a serious invasion of privacy if it's in your own domain? Do you trust your babysitter? If you run a business, do you trust your employees? Would you go that far to make sure that your family and possessions are protected?

And then of course my mind wandered to the whimsical side of the question. What if you could catch the culprit who spilled the unknown substance on your freshly shampooed carpet? Or find out who left the glass of coke on your dresser to make the unsightly ring? What about finding out who put the red sock in the washer with the whites? Who broke that what-not on the mantle and set it back just so? Who keeps spitting toothpaste in my sink and not rinsing it out? Ughhh. Of course I know the answer. There's only three of us in my household. Most of the time I can figure it out by process of elimination. Oh but to have that coveted proof. There would be no more, "But mom..." or "I dunno, honey." And Maggie would be off the hook.

Of course, I'm not blameless. The other day I went to the fridge and thought, Hey, who drank all my Lipton Green Tea? And the answer is, no one in the house drinks it but me. Had to be me. Unless of course I'm being investigated by the CIA, and they've helped themselves to it while they surveilled my home. Somehow I don't see the boys in black chillin' on my sofa with a cold one while they install a stealth camera in my dusty silk plants. But hey, as long as they don't touch my hidden Dove chocolate stash, we're cool.

Pray Unsaved Souls into Heaven

Sometimes you just have to PUSH your way through! I'm not talking about the holiday sales crowds. I'm talking about the "light and momentary afflictions that are not worthy to be compared with Christ's sufferings". I'm uncertain of the orgin of the acronym, but I use it a lot. Pray Until Something Happens!

Pray until something happens! Pray until something changes! Pray until someone changes! Pray until something gives! Pray until you change! Pray until you get a breakthrough! Pray until it becomes natural to pray. Pray until......

The Apostle Paul said it so simply, "Pray without ceasing". No exceptions, no qualifiers, no excuses. If the great preacher, teacher, evangelist, missionary, pastor, Apostle needed to PUSH, then I know I need to do the same. Above the Apostle Paul, I read of Jesus in the garden. He asked the Father to let the cup of death pass him by if there was any other way to fulfill God's will. Didn't Jesus also say to the disciples, "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation?"

Temptation is but one reason to pray; sickness is yet another. But dear readers, the most important need to pray is in regards to lost souls. Time is short; Jesus is soon to return. He is not willing that any should perish, so why do we slack in prayer? It is truly his will for us to Pray Until Something Happens to bring the lost to the knowledge of his saving grace.

Worship Wednesday is brought to you by pt2006. Thanks sis!

Unique Ideas Make for a Special Wedding Day

My neice recently got married, and I have to say a few things have changed in the 10 years since I married. More and more brides are having non-traditional or unique weddings, music, favors, and attire.

Jennifer had a gorgeous wedding, but it was like none I had ever been to. For starters, my son Chase was the ring bearer. Nothing unusual about that. But he was pulling the 14-month-old flower girl in a decorated Red Flyer wagon down the aisle. I had to hold my breath from the back of the sanctuary where I was prompting the bridesmaids. But all went well, and little Riley didn't tumble out head first as I had imagined.

There were no traditional wedding songs. Jenn came down the aisle looking radiant on the arm of her father, Ken, to "I Loved Her First." Her bridal gown was traditional ivory, strapless with a fingertip veil. For accent there was a long chocolate sheer sash over her shoulder that fell down the front of her gown. It was much prettier than I imagined when they first told me about it.

Her colors were ivory and sage. She had sage and ivory napkins and a sage colored wedding cake that looked like a wedding gift in three tiers. Inside it was wonderfully surprising chocolate cake.

On each of the tables in the reception hall, there were little bells attached to cards that had little thank you poems on it. You can go to this link to find cheap but elegant wedding favors:cheap wedding favors. There were white lights strung across the ceiling of the fellowship hall and hurricane globes with pillar candles on the tables surrounded by floral wreaths in ivory and sage.

When the bride and groom left the church still dressed in their finery, instead of birdseed or the old standby rice, the couple ran through a corridor of bubbles. The pictures turned out wonderful. And I'm sure they were both grateful not to be picking little grains out of their scalp all night.

Overall, it was one of the prettiest weddings, and although I'm partial, one of the prettiest brides I have ever seen. And the ringbearer, well he was the most handsome guy there, bar none. I'm just glad he chose to wail til a couple weeks after the wedding to play barber. Yes, he did. His hairline is now about 3 inches higher. Sigh. Well, he's still handsome...I suppose I'll cry when his day comes.

Tried in the Fire

While reading over at Writer...Interrupted, I was struck by the first thing on the Top Ten List for Writers. Patience. Here are some thoughts I jotted down.

My grandmother always told me that if I prayed for patience I would have tribulation, because tribulation worketh patience. However, David said: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me... and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23


James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

I do believe the trying of our faith brings us patience. When we ask God to search us and try us -- to see if there be any wicked way in us that needs to be ferreted out, we are opening our hearts for him to do his spiritual surgery in our lives. And as we all know, sometimes recovery from surgery is painful. The end result is a healthier body. In other words, it helps us to survive. The tribulations we have may cut. They may make us uncomfortable for a season, but the time we spent alone with God in the Recovery Room brings sweet healing and inspiration.
I want my Recovery Room experience to bring about it's perfect work in my writing and in my life.

I think my grandmother was saying to be careful in what you ask God for, you just might get it. When asking for patience, we are asking for God to teach us. It is not up to us to question His methods. God allowed Job to be tried and found him to be faithful. When his wife in effect said, "Just curse God and go on and die already," she was short-sighted. She couldn't see the long-term benefits of this shaping of Job's life. God was not wanting to destroy Job. He wouldn't allow Satan to destroy him. God wanted to perfect Job. And Job was rewarded in the end. He learned some valuable lessons about God--and the folly of leaning to one's own understanding. His friends thought they knew what God was doing. His wife thought God had given up on them, and I'm sure Job sat in his ash heap and wondered, "God, what in the world are you doing?" But out of the ashes there came something beautiful as Job was perfected.

Did Job pray for patience at some point before all this began? Was that how it all got started? I don't know. I do know he was a righteous man. And that he surely wanted to please God. He knew he was being tried in the fire. Job 23:10 says, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
vs 14: "For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him." Job 42:10 "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends." Job's suffering was used to help bring the repentance of his friends, so that what Satan meant for harm only served to increase the kingdom of God. The funny thing about Satan is that he just can't accept that no matter what he does, he will never have the power that God has. His wits are no match for the Almighty's wisdom. He can never triumph.

I am encouraged today by the book of Job. If it's been awhile since you've read it, take time today. You will be inspired, blessed, challenged, and thankful.

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