Noel, Noel

For some reason this photograph of my Christmas stocking would not load into my blog yesterday. I just wanted you all to see how darling it is! I should have stuffed it full of gifts for myself so it was all puffed out and easily readable...but you get the idea. Each time I see it I can't believe I hadn't ever lost it in 65 years. If you knew me well, you'd know I have misplaced or lost forever things of significance.

Noel, Noel

Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel

OK I DID IT!

I can't believe it! I actually took down my fall harvest decorations and put up Christmas. Now nicely packed away for the move are all the orange, browns and bronze colors and out comes the red, green and white making way for a shinier and brighter motif bringing forth the LIGHT of the World.

My favorite thing to unpack and hang is my Christmas Stocking. Its a knitted stocking in red, white and green stripes with my name knitted in there. It was a gift from my Godmother for my first Christmas ever! I am astounded that I haven't misplaced that all these long 65 years! Then a nativity set that was my mothers...Joseph got lost though.

I'm keeping it simple this year...no tree, no elaborate lights and just using what I have kept over the years (and I got rid of a ton of that while packing...off to Goodwill it went). I just saved some of my favorite things -- I think no more than 10. I did dress up the geese on the porch though..so cute.

I am learning simple. I am beginning to appreciate it so much. It's a much easier and peaceful way to live. As I've sorted though everything and I mean everything in the past couple of months, discarding the unnecssary, keeping only what I cherish or need, shredding til I'm shredding in my sleep all the papers of years gone by of my life and Jeff's, eating on a schedule, going to bed early and sleeping all night, becoming organized in all areas of my life I feel as though the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders.(And 40 lbs off my body) :)

Sure, the 'situations' still exist that cannot be reconciled quite yet, the lack of money, the tribulations of the world in just being alive in 2008 are extraordinary and yet I feel peace and joy, deep within. Thank you Christ Jesus. You came into the world in the most simple way. Let me learn from that.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27 KJV)

But to His disciples He said, "My peace, I leave that with you; that is My legacy. My joy, I give that to you."

Black Friday

Nothing can get me out of bed at 4 am and certainly not to stand in line with a zillion other people looking for the bargains! ONCE I went to a sale at a furniture store..it was a great store, good merchandise, so I got there about 30 minutes before the store opened and waited in line. I was pretty close to the head of the line. The doors opened and people pushed from the back rushing you into the store. They were like madwomen rushing around. I tried to just walk over to the bedroom stuff because I had seen the ad for a nice headboard that was all curliecue and white wicker == just perfect for my young daughter. I touched it first, I really did...and a nanosecond after me another woman touched it...we just looked at each other...no one let go...I finally said in a nice quiet calm voice, "I believe I got here first." She said, "You did not!" Her LARGE HUGE HUSBAND said, "It's hers!" I said, "As you wish, I dont fight over a $13 headboard" and strolled off. As I left the store I decided that was my last rush for any deal at any store. Things have only gotten worse with this Black Friday situation. Stores opening earlier and earlier...why don't they just stay open all night?

I do like shopping on line = no lines, no rude employees, no pushy people and often free shipping! Today I found a wonderful 'deal' at Fitz and Floyd... fitzandfloyd.com ... 100 items on sale under $20. I found a perfect $30 canape plate for $5.99 and another for $6! If i had an extra $12 I would have bought them both! I also understand many online deals are better than what the stores are offering.

Tragically, today someone who worked at Wal-Mart in Long Island was trampled to death as 200 shoppers rushed in...four were injured....and people continued to push ahead and shop before that store was closed. Shameful. Sometimes it's best to just stroll away, you know?! Or just be like me and stay away. Makes for a better Friday.

Do any of you remember the 'good ole days' when the day after Thanksgiving seemed just an extention of the day before? More turkey, more everything and games with the family, tossing a football back and forth or playing in the leaves? Of course way back then,(pre-60s) stores weren't even open on SUNDAY let alone offering deals on Friday.

And to think for some, these are the 'good ole days'...

A Fast Cookin' Recipe for that Big Turkey

Next week is Thanksgiving and I just wanted to share with you my tips for a fine turkey dinner made in no time at all! My goal in life is to one day have my own cooking show on FOOD TV...watch for me there!

Prepare your turkey as you normally would but do not stuff it. Make your stuffing and use a different container to do the baking. Place a tinfoil tent over turkey and place in the oven. Place on CLEAN and as soon as you smell the turkey wafting throughout your home, rush and take off the tinfoil....continue on CLEAN for another 10 minutes and bam! It's done!

This is one of the funnier happenings in all my years of cooking. While I've set fires, forgotten to turn the oven ON, forgotten ingredients, added fresh pineapple to JELLO (a big no-no), as well as other assorted accidents and problems, this one took the cake (or should I say turkey)?

I am not sure HOW the oven was set to CLEAN because I never pulled that safety lever over to ensure no one opened the oven..but while the wings were a nice black and burned to a crisp..the ten extra minutes without the tinfoil tent allowed us to actually EAT (yes EAT) the breast and let me tell you, it was super moist and yet cooked just fine! Fortunately I had made an extra pan of stuffing because what was inside this turkey was wet and soggy! Sometimes you just have to laugh when you have experiences like this!

I think the products to the left are great ideas to give as gifts for Christmas!

Another Goose Episode...

Yesterday I told about the geese, small groups and an episode with Patti. Late last night I was reminded of another time that our friend Rose Marie was so sick in the night that she could barely move. She and Patti lived in the same town so she called Patti to ask for help in getting dressed and getting to the hospital. The hospital she went to was near my home so they called me as well and I met them there. I think Rose Marie was in that hospital four-six hours. Patti and I hung out in the lobby and they let us see her once. Eventually they diagnosed her problem and fixed her up and Patti took her home.

This is just another example of why it is good to dwell in unity with fellow believers. God knows what he is talking about. We were not meant to be lone rangers. Sometimes people have a hard time trusting others because of childhood issues or just because someone hurt their feelings. That's just what the enemy wants! Stay alone, don't trust anyone, be depressed because then he doesn't have to worry about that person accomplishing much for the Kingdom of God. No fear of them sharing Jesus with anyone. No fear of them feeling bonded in community giving of themselves and receiving tenfold back.

Live in the freedom God provides and enjoy those around you. Reach out and take a chance -- you might just be surprised!

Goose the enemy today!

Be a goose!

The Goose Story

Next fall, (or maybe they are still passing over us now)whenyou see geese heading South for the Winter, flying along in V formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

When the Head Goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshots and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly, or until it dies. Only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

For years I facilitated a small group bible study for women through my church. Some years it was held at the church and others at my home and usually there were groups of 6-10. At the beginning of each year I handed out The Goose Story. I love the way we can learn great lessons of encouragement, love, sacrifice, fellowship and love from the geese. Most often it wasn't long before we were living the analogy.

No one was felled by gunshot but as life hit us round the head from time to time or for a season, our bond was close enough that we stood by each other, prayed for one another, listened, and encouraged as best we could.

I remember my friend Patti's daughter who had a new baby that ended up in the icu for newborns. We were there for her in prayer and in person. That baby is now 14 and healthy and happy. Patti's mother died this past week and I was so upset that my car was broken and I couldn't get down to the Bay Area to be with her while her mom was in the hospital. I knew her brothers and sisters had all come to be together, but I really wanted to be with her too. I prayed and sent emails to let her know I was there in spirit.

We all have our struggles and our victories and need to share life with each other at deep levels.

Reach out and be a goose! ;)

* PSALM 85 *

"O God, You have indeed been good to us. You have prospered our land.

You have opened your heart to us in love. You have forgiven our sins and adopted us as Your sons.

But now our country is in turmoil. We no longer have the confidence in our leaders. Our citizens are in revolt. Our young men are spilling their blood in foreign wars. People are turning away from You and are being enslaved by strange doctrines and godless philosophies.

We know that You have not turned away from us. You touch us with joy and peace the hearts that are open to you. You stand ready to show Your salvation to all who will trust in You. As we speak to You in faith, You respond in loving concern. You will give us what is good and will prosper us with gifts from Your hand.

You are holy and just. You love your children and will guide them in Your course for their lives.

Renew our faith, O God.

Forgive us our many failures and infidelities

May our land continue to be a place where we can be free to love and serve You."

Memories

I thought this was the cutest little Mary Engelbreit poster. I downloaded it for my desktop. It brought back a great memory of when my granddaughter, Rachel was two-and-a-half...Leaves were falling rapidly in our yard and I was taking care of her everyday then while her parents worked. I asked her if she wanted to go pick up leaves with me and of course, like any wonderful child, she did! Kids are so helpful when they are small...I'm not sure what happens at age 12. Before we gathered the leaves we pushed them into a big pile and she ran through them playing.

Anyway, I gave her a basket and she began filling it up. I grabbed my camera and took some photos which came out so adorable that I knew we would make a craft with those leaves. So that's what we did. We went and got a few picture frames and glued a variety of leaves on the frame...she dutifully pushed them til the glue 'took.' I had the photographs enlarged and ready to put in the frames a couple of days later. Then we wrapped them up and gave them for Christmas to her mommy and daddy and her other grandparents. I don't know how long those leaves lasted but it was a fun couple of days we shared making something meaningful for those she loved so much.

BEFORE WINTER HITS...

It's a beautiful fall day and the garden which was so full and lush in the summertime is preparing for winter. I thought I'd take a few pictures of my autumn tree and what is left flowering in the yard.

Soon approaching is a new season for this yard and for me. Like the tag in my blog: I am A Woman in Transition. The house will be sold and I'll be moving along. A new season for me for sure.

I have spent the last almost-seven years here caring for my son and lately the packing up has been difficult. I know closing the front door on Jeff's house for the last time will take its emotional toll as well, but also am secure in the love and grace of God who promises in Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Pretty Petunias

I think these are paperwhites, but I'm not sure. They are SOOO fragrant!



do dads on a wall - See it's 70 degrees!!!!

a lovely corner spot

Is this a gorgeous rose or what?!!!!

japanese maple in a wine barrel

Beautiful yellow daisies

That's it for the yard. By Spring I'll have planted and hopefully have some beautiful new flowers in the Pacific Northwest!

Remembering our Veterans & My Dad

My Dad was a veteran of WWII. He enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Monterey, CA. Then he was sent to Normandy, France when I was 18 months old (in 1944) and returned when I was three. He is my first memory! I can see the airfield he landed on in Marysville, CA, the chain link fence that separated us as my mother lifted me up to see him. He gave me candy and gum and walked along the fence until the gate opening where he then picked me up & carried me to the car.

I have quite a few pictures of him in an album that he made. The first section of the album are his days in the Army and the war with he and his buddies. He used to talk about the guys he met in France during the war and one of them --Bill Cosgrove-- became my Godfather. There was a bond between these men that is like no other. They alone know what they went through, the extent of their dependence upon one another and serving one's country with valor. So today's blog is a tribute to my Dad, Francis B. Glasky, and all the veterans of all the wars that have kept us safe and protected here in America as well as those abroad.

The picture above is of Mont-St-Michel in Normandy, France. My Dad had a watercolor of that in our home. I know it brought him many, many memories of his time fighting for our freedom. Oh, he did get a medal because of his injury in the war: a rat bit his nose while he was asleep!

How Long Do We Have?

HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?

About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, A lexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:


'A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.'

'A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.'

'From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.'

'The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years'

'During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. From bondage to spiritual faith;

2. From spiritual faith to great courage;

3. From courage to liberty;

4. From liberty to abundance;

5. From abundance to complacency;

6. From complacency to apathy;

7. From apathy to dependence;

8. From dependence back into bondage'