105th HodgePodge

 CLICK THE PIC to join us @ Joyces...

1. The last walk in the woods I had was when we were touring Tuscaloosa with Skoots, before she decided to go there…A park is located just around the corner from her apartment…a lake, community building, walking trails…we enjoyed walking around the lake and talking to the ducks.

2. Some years I send 80 or more cards; this year’s grouping will be much smaller…probably around 30 or so.  I bought a cute little painted clothespin banner to display my cards this year…think I’ll hang it in my foyer going into the dining room…or at the fireplace…haven’t decided yet.  

3. A set of words I’ve heard way to much of this past week:  fiscal cliff…yet 'he' wants to SPEND more.  

4. December 13th is National Cocoa Day-my daughter will probably be celebrating that day…she’s a BIG cocoa person; me not so much.  I'm more into espresso shots in my coffee with really good cream and some coconut flavoring, or peppermint this time of year!












5. I’ve been buying less and less over the years, to help alleviate the craziness of the season.  I just don’t enjoy it as much as I used to enjoy the hustle and bustle…probably has to do more with my ‘MONES than anything else.  

6. Besides jewelry, what's a favorite sparkly-glittery item in your home or closet?  Don’t really know of one right off the top of my head…I love candles, but since hubs allergies have been so horrible, I can’t have those around anymore.  

7. Share a favorite line or two from any Christmas carol.  “We sing a love song, as we go along, walking in a winter wonderland.”  

8. Not in the Christmas spirit at all this year…I’m more into a long winter’s nap, especially with all the cold meds I’m on right now.  However, my Christmas cactus IS in the mood and it has been blooming this week...

A GIVEAWAY...& 104th WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

STITCHES, sCRAPS AND sPARKLES IN THE SUN IS HAVING A GIVEWAY...giveaway is open from now until the day SHE makeS HER 100th post. SHE'LL do a random drawing on that day and you'll have one week to claim your prize.

Here's how to enter:
1. Be a follower of HER blog.

2. Let HER know which prize you like.

That's it! As a bonus, if you mention my giveaway on your blog and leave me the link, you'll get an extra entry in the drawing box!

 

 

JOINING JOYCE and the others...

1.  Our traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking:  usually the LAST thing opened...a few nice gifts, a few silly gifts, and some chocolate, of course. 




Here are some  things Santa puts in our stockings (yes, I STILL get one...)

-socks/hosiery                                     -ties/handkerchiefs
- Stationary                            - Phone case/cover
- Nail polish                    - Chapstick
- Wine stopper                   - scratch-off Lottery tickets

-inexpensive jewelry           - Scented candles
- Mini tool set                -Cookie cutters

-travel-sized games/puzzles            - Magnets
- Hot chocolate/coffee                       - Coffee mug                           - Perfume
- Make-up brush set        - Reusable grocery bags  
- Ear buds/headphones              -Itunes/Amazon gift cards    

 - Body lotion       - Mini sewing kit/crochet hooks/knitting needles
- Golf balls/tees/engraved ball markers

when I was growing up, we had to open our stockings FIRST (to keep us entertained while the parents made their first cup of coffee)

2.  I average between 7 and 8 hours of sleep, but they're usually interrupted with one visit to the girl's room...getting back to sleep can be an issue.  An afternoon power nap is always fun, too!

3. If I had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year it would be:  Cokes...I need to give them up anyway after hearing how horribly they affect your pancreas and your insulin spikes.

4. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. I like to keep my ears open for what's going on in their world...but I'm not obsessed with it.  I used to follow their Mother, Diana, much closer....she seemed to be one of the ones with the most sense of 'real compassion'.

5. For me, the sound of childhood was reading to my girl before bed...and hearing her giggles or her singing along to our little Christian songs.

6. Fruit cake-can be a yeah or a boo; according to which one I try to eat.  Some are horrible...one we buy from NC is awesome.  My favorite dessert made with fruit...my grandmother's fried apple pies...surely do miss her making them.

7.  One thing I want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end...it's be nice to get my Christmas tree up before Christmas Day.

8.  Randomly fell onto CBS Tuesday night...the VS 'angels' were prancing in their underwear...what little there was of it.  

They incorporated pop star artists R* (Do you enjoy hearing lyrics that repeat for umpteen times?...most rap horribly bores me) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and B* (wearing pants below his bottom that look like a 'full' diaper is dropping down through his pants...oh, that'll make for a better show....what?? 

Commercialism to the max.  Guess their sales will be skyrocketing Wednesday with all the young girls wanting to mimmic. 

Wee, a makeup bag free with a $75 purchase! 
(I'd rather spend my $$ to feed someone or take some diapers to our Pregnancy Center.)

 

 

 

 

FACILITATING FAITH, week 13

 
Christmas means we are never alone...

because Christ was born and has risen.  

He's promised to never leave us or forsake us; yet many have lost loved ones recently in and around our fellowship.

Challenging ourselves to do something extra for them during his giving season shares his love personally. Who can your class reach out to during Advent?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your assurance that in our loneliness and sorrow, you are always here to comfort us. Amen.

 
Blessings,

TELLING FACES

The way you get to know yourself is by the expression on other people's faces.
~Gil Scott Heron

People watching has always been a hobby

 

Early on during a photography class, we were challenged to sit quietly at airports and capture as many emotions as possible.

 

Certain glimpses into others' world brought questioning.

Watching expressions un-changing on a face... no expression, outward signs of not caring...not listening?

Seeing glazed frowns...an irritation at what's being said or concern for those speaking?

Noticing others' speaking right on top of what's already being said, as if it isn't being said, having no concern with the first words or even their trespassing on them?

Hurried travelers passing bell-ringing Salvation Santas as if not there, seeing through and past.

 

What expressions are you conveying to those around you this Christmas Season? 

Romans 12:3  ...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 

DOME, D-DOME, DOME!

On game days, I always want to be at the games hearing bands, watching the cheerleaders fly through the air, hearing the helmets hitting the pads, feeling the drums in my heart....

Once a drum major, always a drum major!

Blessings,