New Year Challenge

I belong to several "organizing" and "Life Coaching" sites and get emails from them on a daily basis. One of the things that I get are daily quotes and ideas from articles. This particular one was sent from another scrap site "Scrap Girls" and it really hit home. I wanted to share it with you and then let you know what my challenge for myself in 2008 will be.

"In five years I will be five years older...

Last year - on this exact date - I shared one of my favorite thoughts with you. I can't recall where I got it. It may be something I dreamed up as I dealt with so many of our challenges because the Paxman family has had plenty of them over the years. But regardless of where it came from, it is a thought that has kept me going many times. It helps me remember that no matter what it feels like at the moment, my current challenge will end and I will be happy once again.

In five years, I will be alive and this will be over.When life gets hard and I start feeling squished, I chant it in my brain. it says to me, "Ro, calm yourself down. You don't have to panic. You can get through this, just as you have managed to get through everything else."When I realize that, I instantly relax. I remember that I have lived through family problems, healthy difficulties, financial disasters, job losses, and horrible haircuts or dye jobs. I just had to throw that last one in because I recently put too many blond streaks in my hair.

But you know what? Evenaully, I'll get my hair back to a less shocking blond and in the meantime, I can enjoy pretending that I'm Marilyn Monroe. I don't have to sit on my front porch and scream. I can stand up straight and calm myself. I'm giving you this thought today - one year from the first time I shared it with you - because I believe it might be helpful to you as you move into the new year. Every one of us will have days or periods of time next year when we will wish life would ease off. When that happens, let's stop and think, "In five years, I will be alive and this will be over."

The chances are, that will be true. If we aren't alive, well... then... we have moved to a place where we don't have to worry about it anyway, right?So in five years, it will be over - one way or another.What a powerful little sentence. It snaps your mind forward and you realize that it is true.

In five years, this will only be a memory. You might even look back at it with semi-fondness because you will realize that it helped you grow.So write it down. Memorize it. Stick it on a card and pin it to your wall. Make it part of your life - as I have. And feel the freshness that replaces the dark when you believe that all will be well.

"Just a Mom"

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder,"do you have a job or are you just a......?""Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.

"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire."Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,"just what you do in your field?"Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,"I have a continuing program of research,[what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.

"There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than"just another Mom." Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers"Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations

"and great grandmothers"Executive Senior Research Associates"?

I think so!!!I also think it makes Aunts"Associate Research Assistants".

Sometimes something touches you

The internet is an awesome thing and sometimes you get something that touches your heart. My family is struggling with one of our "Soldiers" who has lost his way. He has had a mental breakdown of sorts - and some days he is with us and some he isn't. This poem was emailed to me and I know it was God's way of telling me he will be ok:

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "Harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

PLEASE,

Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as
you can? Christmas will be coming soon and so much credit is due to our
U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.

Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq.

Merry Christmas

We have had part of our Christmas with the kids - our morning breakfast which consists of sausag/cheese and onion biscuits and opening presents. Zoey - the youngest made out with a kitchen and accessories, Elmo and other educational toys. Not sure what the rest of the kids got!

I got a nice album set - pretty blues, greens and browns, a makeup bag set, a foot spa, shirts for work and the best was my camera.

Took a brief nap and now waiting on the standing rib roast to cook! The kids will be back shortly and the noise will start again. I have to work tomorrow - opening at 5 am so it will be an early night for me.

Glad the shopping side is over - now starts the returning of unwanted gifts and nastiness that goes with it.

Huckabee Response

Here is the response that Huckabee responded with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-BFEhkIujA

Think he is a true believer and some one we may want in the white house?

God answers our prayers

It was the day AFTER Christmas at a church in San Francisco . The pastor of the church was looking at the manger scene, when he noticed that the baby Jesus figure was missing from the cradle. He immediately turned and went outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon walking down the street.

And in the wagon, was the figure of the infant Jesus.So he walked up to the boy and said, "Son, where did you get that little baby Jesus that's in your wagon?"The little boy replied, "I got him from the church."

"And why did you take him?"asked the pastor. The little boy replied, "Well, about a week before Christmas, I prayed to the little Lord Jesus. I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it."

Smile!

The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endlessbaking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.

For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor.

Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holidayas "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.

So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly takenaback by its bold title.Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens,red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, tospell out the title of the song.As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up theletter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding uphis portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love.

"The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small,quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totallyunaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purposefor our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And He still is. Amazed in His presence... .humbled by His love. The Wise men worshiped the Christ child, today, wise men still do! HAVE A BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

DIRECTIONS TO OUR FATHER'S HOUSE.

Make a Right onto Believeth Blvd.
Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which isJesus Christ.
There, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith, whichis over troubled water.
When you get off the bridge, make a Right turnand Keep Straight.

You are on the King's Highway - Heaven-bound.
Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One forthe Son, and One for the Holy Ghost.
Then exit off onto Grace Blvd.
From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane.
Keep Straight and then make another Right on PrayerRoad.

As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic onTemptation Ave.
Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END.
Pass up Envy Drive, and Hate Avenue.
Also, pass Hypocrisy Street, Gossiping Lane, andBackbiting Blvd.

However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane,Persecution Blvd. an d Trials and Tribulations Ave.
But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is straightahead!

AMEN!!!!!

Where did the week go??

The last time I sat at the computer for any length of time was last weekend. Where did this past week go? I love the hustle and bustle of the holiday season - but not when I am the one getting run over!

Work has been busy as well as the evenings with parties, plays and spending time with the grandkids.

One of my friends lost her mother this week. It was suddenly and totally unexpected and she passed on her 82nd birthday on the way home from their celebration. This is an especially hard time of the year to lose a loved one - and for those who are single or lonely - even worse. Do your part and make sure you invite someone who is single to spend the holidays with you.

Will be back later to post more!

Blinkies

I have been going nuts trying to add 2 blinkies to my 2peas siggy line. I finally got them after tearing my hair out, throwing a hissy fit and some tears. Thanks to all the patient peas that helped me. I have to learn how to post pictures here.

I went to a craft show today and saw a really cute idea. I have it sketched out on paper and will try to make it. I can't believe what they were charging for it. $40 and there is no way there was that much time and materials put into it.

I also want to make some of the cone/paper trees so off to start cutting my paper.

The Night before Jesus Came

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME -

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
in hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be The Day!
The light of His face made me cover my head it was Jesus!
Returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life, which He held in His hand,
was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
when He said, "It's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready
He rose without a sound
while all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and this sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
the coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
we'll find that the Bible was true after all!-

Author unknown -