Cherry Mismis!

Let it be a time to remember the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ,

that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of

the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.

Merry Christmas to the Blog World!

Hope it was filled with memories and feelings of love and

gratitude. Luvs.

Sunday's Thought and Picture

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"Scientists can look at the rings of trees and make educated guesses about climate and growing conditions hundreds and even thousands of years ago. One of the things we learn from studying the growth of trees is that during seasons when conditions are ideal, trees grow at a normal rate. However, during seasons when growing conditions are not ideal, trees slow down their growth and devote their energy to the basic elements necessary for survival.

It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be.

The wise understand and apply the lessons of tree rings. They resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of everyday life. They follow the advice “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” In short, they focus on the things that matter most.
We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best."

Of Things That Matter Most
Uchtodorf
{read the rest of this talk here}

Happy Sunday Lovelies!

True Thanksgiving

I didn't want to be thought of as completely ungrateful and

nasty about the whole idea of Thanksgiving. So, I've repented of my ways,

decided that Thanksgiving isn't soo bad, and I've been pondering a certain

memorable one that I had about three years ago.

I lived in China for about 5 months teaching English.

It was an incredible experience that I would encourage anyone to

do. However, it was the first time I really left my home for an extended

about of time with no easy access to getting back. I missed my mom, my family,

my bed, carpet, normal tasting toothpaste, sugar, milk, simple veggies not

swimming in grease, and going to church. China is a strange place, full of

customs that baffled all of us. The unexpected was expected. Everything was

so strange and dirty.

The food is what threw us for a loop the most. Everything, I mean

EVERYTHING, was served in pools of oil. It tasted weird and did
terrible things to our bowel movements. (TMI) And to top it all off

was the fact that China doesn't believe in sugar. (I have a terrible
sweet tooth and this was agony.) It was
all okay for the first month or so, but by then the cake and brownie

mixes we had brought over were highly relished and rationed.

There were four of us that would met in the dead of the night to

cook these glorious sugary-saving treats and devour them without

any guilt about not sharing with the rest of the group. Good times.

We missed home.

Thus, Thanksgiving was a glorious event. We gave our Chinese cook

a break and cooked all day. We didn't find a turkey, but had a duck.

We made rolls, did our best with pies, and had stuffing. It wasn't

fancy, but it was amazing because it was an America tradition. We

didn't have our families, but we had each other. We ached for home,

but were grateful that we were able to keep a little of it with us. We

sung hymns, ate food, and talked about what we loved about America.

And let me tell you... that food was the best I've ever tasted. I

was grateful for every bite that reminded me of home. We weren't

worried about calories or food pyramids, just feeding our souls with
that which was familiar. Every bite was a symphony.

We ate with empty stomachs and hearts full of gratitude.

We enjoyed the smells of the slightest hint of familiarity.

We were enjoying the goodness of the earth. We teased and joked and

loved each other. It was the best Thanksgiving because I truly

recognized what was important: family, love, and the feeling of

belonging.

That is the true feelings of Thanksgiving, brought to you from

all the way around the world.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Thanksgiving-Grinch

Did I ever tell you that Thanksgiving is one of my least
favorite holidays?

First of all, it is a PAINFUL holiday. You eat too much.
(Well, I do because I have no self-control.)
You feel guilty for eating too much and oh boy do you hurt
from eating too much. And then you have to lay around with
your pants cutting off the circulation to your legs and act like you
are enjoying yourself when really all you want to do is find your
stretchy pants and a dark, comfy corner to recuperate in.

Second of all, I hate the fact that sometimes it is the only time of
year we mention what we are grateful for.

But mostly its because I have no self-control.

So, in my Thanksgiving-Grinch attitude I am skipping over
Thanksgiving in my blog (at least maybe till tomorrow) and moving right
on to Christmas. A couple of us decorated my apartment all
holiday-like. I love it and the warm cozy feeling that
lights, balls, and different colors cast everywhere.





One of my favorite movies to watch at this time of year is
Home Alone. Towards the end of the movie a scene takes place
in the chapel; it is Christmas time and the two lonely characters are
seated next to each other. The boy, played by McCaulay Culkin, has
been left at home alone by his family accidentally. The older man is a
neighbor who lives by himself. The boy asks him if he has any family.
The gentleman explains that he and his son have parted ways and no longer
talk. Kevin blurts out," Why don't you just call your son and tell him you are
sorry and invite him home for Christmas."

The old man explains he is afraid. He is afraid of failing to express
his love and voice an apology.

A little while later, Kevin looks out the window and sees his neighbor
welcoming his returning son. Son embraces father, and the old man
hugs him tenderly. There is so much forgiveness and love.


I am wishing you a happy time with your loved ones.
Don't eat too much and enjoy the holiday!

Why Thank You!

I am so very grateful, very fitting for such a season.

I am young. I am naive. A lot of time very immature.
I don't think I am wise at all. My blog is all about my
learning some hard lessons, mixed in with all my silliness and
a little bit of journal writing.

But when I came out about my divorce and told about my
heartache there were a few people who really reached out to
me. I would sit at my computer aching for comfort and I found
it in my blogger friends. They left so many messages of hope,
encouragement, and kindness. People that I've never met before
suddenly cared about me and my life. Every comment was a treasure I didn't
expect. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

So when two of my good blogger friends have given me blog
awards in the last day, I just love them more.
(And it is a "Stylish Blogger Award" meaning my blog is stylish right?
I like simple, clean lines and designs. I always wondered if my color
schemes and layout were boring. But they make me happy.)
Thank you Laura! Thank you Mary Kate!
You are such lovely people and I send you an e-hug.
Friends forever? :)

I am suppose to share 7 things about myself:
1- I love naming cars. I think it really isn't that fun to drive
a car that doesn't have a name. And it has to be a name with
lots of personality, like Mildred, Betsy, and Dolores.

2- My mom bought a new alarm clock a few years back and my
dad couldn't stand it. I don't blame him really. Anyways, I inherited it
because I didn't have one and I am always vowing to myself that I am
going to go get a normal one. This cursed thing has birds for the wake-up
call. Annoying, doesn't-even-sound-like-birds, noises wake me up every
morning. Maybe part of the reason I am not a morning person.

3- I love ceramic jugs. I constantly find myself looking at them.
I talk myself out of buying them. They are so pretty.

4- I HATE, HATE folding socks. So I don't.

5- Window light is my favorite kind of light. I want a house
with lots of window and one of those round spire thingys that has
a bench I could read books at.

6- I love scarfs, but sadly only have two of them. They are just
so darn expensive.

7- I hate jeans. Dress pants or stretchy pants.

And these are seven people that I read quite often, besides
Laura and Mary Kate in no particular order:
-Baby Sister at La Esquina de la Estrellita, she is a happy person.
-Holly at Holly Knitlightly, she has a cute esty shop and it is really
easy to like her.
-Amy at life's a Journey with a smile, she has a lot of spirit about life and
isn't afraid to talk about things that hurt a little bit.
-Carlotta at Pastor's Girl's Ponderings, who is the kind of photographer
that I want to be, maybe after school. She has cool hats too.
- Kate at (fill in the blank) blonde, I think this is her second or third
award but that is because she is soooo popular. Seriously, love her.
-Kam at Campfire Chic because she has lots of good ideas for
fun crafts and decorating that someday I'll have time for.
-Taylor at Anticipation!, she is really popular too. Probably why
we aren't friends, yet. :) But I like following her. She is really upbeat
and fun and gives me out of my box ideas about fashion.
-Okay, I know I was only suppose to have 7, but I really like Kaleena too!
(I know she already got one of these, but I am just reiterating her awesomeness.)

Enjoy the day dearies! It is a blizzard here and I am going to cuddle up
and stay warm reading a book. Luvs.

Photo Challenge: Food

Food is great. I don't blog about it much, because well
I've told about my terrible cycle before and to be
perfectly honest it hasn't changed that much.
Except if Mr. Friend (who needs a new name)
graciously feeds me fancy food, because I'm worth
it or something like that. He is nice like that.

But one of my favorite photos happen to be of some
delicious blueberries I had at our farmer's market a
few months back. They are so pretty. And shiny.



If you want to join the Pastor's Girl's Pondering's photo
challenge hop over to her blog and enter.



Fun for all!