Dec 30, 2008

From the End to the Beginning

Christmas is over and we all survived the day. There was one difference this year though. It didn't feel like Christmas. I was so busy making gifts that I forgot what the holiday was really for. So it is now that I reflect on the "Reason for the Season."

As stated in Rick Warren's book, The Purpose of Christmas, it is a time of celebration: God loves you, God is with you, and God is for you. It is also a time for salvation: Jesus save you from something, Jesus save you for something, and Jesus saves you by something. Lastly, it is a time for reconciliation: peace with God, the peace of God, and peace with others.

I have much to be thankful for this year. My children survived life-threatening emergencies and my husband and I have survived in still having a job to go to every day. I am thankful for being able to visit my college 30 years later and take a trip to Hawaii for 2 weeks. I am thankful for my friends that have remained in contact with me and family who still consider me part of the "family." I am thankful that I can spread some cheer and caring for those in need whether it be through a hand made card or a collection of funds for a meal. But I give all my thanks to Jesus for paving the way to heaven and eternal life and knowing that I will see Mom, Dad and Kevin again.

God Bless you all and may you all have a wonderful New Year.

Dec 18, 2008

It's Getting Closer to Christmas


It is only 5 1/2 days to Christmas Eve and I am no where near ready. The Christmas tree is 3/4's up (we can't find the top part) after struggling for 6 hours (the metal pole bend when the tree fell over) to get this thing to stand (crooked and out of shape). There are no decorations up on the tree or in the house. I have no idea what I am feeding 15 people on Christmas Day. I don't have all the gifts, including the ones I am trying to make, done yet. I still have Christmas cards to finish and mail and can't seem to stay awake long enough at the end of a day to work on them. I have to drive down to pick up my son at college tonight instead of tommorrow since we will probably have a winter storm warning and I still have my computer stuff and clothes in his room which I need to move out.
So here are some cards that I did get done recently. I just can't do one design and end it there. I have to do a lot of different ones.

Dec 15, 2008

A Family Member Gone

I recently found out one of my uncles passed away in 2002. I sit here wondering why I was never told. I have gone through the anger stage with my mother's family and have accepted that he is gone. I called this man, Uncle Buddy, his given name was Edward. Most of my life I was not close to him. I really don't know why, but I do remember as a child, that the size of this man scared the heck out of me. As I got older and became a member of the Eastern Star I saw him more often when he would come to the meetings. When my parents died, I was told he was in a nursing home (The Masonic Masons) and he had developed problems due to diabetes and that he wouldn't see anyone but one of my other uncles', Bruce.
So as a Memory Keeper, I search for death records and came across my Unlce Buddy's. It just reinforced my feelings that once your parents die you have no more relatives. Letters written don't get responded to and death information doesn't get passed around to the left-out family members. I was an only child growing up and I am an only child all grown up with no relatives.

Dec 1, 2008

FALL WINTER SAMPLER SPECIAL




Starting today, you can take advantage of a special promotion from the Fall Winter Sampler Catalog. Spend just $20 and you can get any of the items listed below for 20% off. Check out the catalog by clicking the picture.

Item # Description Retail 20% Off
111564 Flight of the Butterfly $31.95 $25.56
112911 Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly) $31.95 $25.56
111676 Puns from the Past $27.95 $22.36
111660 Just Jawing $25.95 $20.76
111624 Dreams du Juor $18.95 $15.16
111700 Thank You Kindly $13.95 $11.16
111714 Wow Flowers $12.95 $10.36
112955 Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers) $12.95 $10.36
111600 Bella's Bloom $12.95 $10.36