You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2008.
A Gift for ALL my Bloggy Friends
Thought for Today
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on,
with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”
Hal Borland
Yup … this rose is blooming in my yard right now
along with some ‘apricot’ roses I’ll share
sometime soon!
Click for others participating in Ruby Tuesday.
If you missed them, click for …
Thought for Today – “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” Oprah Winfrey
Now for a little Blogthing fun …
| There Is 1 Gap in Your Knowledge |
 Where you have gaps in your knowledge:
Science Where you don’t have gaps in your knowledge: Philosophy Religion Economics Literature History Art |
Sigh! I suppose I should feel reassured, but I find myself wondering which science question I missed … wishing they’d provided that feedback. How silly when I could be focusing on the fact I got all the other questions correct even though I’m getting older & have been ‘happily retired’ for seven & a half years. Methinks I’ll choose to allow myself to feel reassured that my mind still works and simply release the ‘judgments’ altogether … just because. LOL
If time permits, I hope you’ll play along either in comments below or on your own blog … leaving me a link so I can read your results too. If you do decide to play … feel free to ’snag’ the award above or any award at the bottom of my sidebar to enjoy and share as you choose ;–)
Recently Sandee of Comedy Plus received this Friend Award from Colleen of Life is a Story in the Making and passed it along to HER bloggy friends. Thank you so very much.
Here are the rules:
“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find, and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”
Sandy wrote: “Everyone knows I don’t follow the rules very often and I’m not going to disappoint anyone on this award either. If you want this cool award then please help yourself,” and I’m saying the same thing to YOU. May we spread friendships throughout the Blogosphere by sharing generously with one another. If you’d like to try out some new blogs, see the list of bloggers I highlighted for the Lemonade Award … and remember … I do LOVE comments and link-love too!!!
Thought for Today – “The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.”
Methinks I am most
delighted to discover
composing outside
of WordPress in the
Windows Mail program allows
formatting to change
as I want it to
without editing in ‘code’
as I’ve done ’til now!
I know that it’s not
Friday … but somehow my mind
is in Haiku mode
even though it is
Saturday. I want to say
thank you Geraldine
for suggesting I
experiment with Outlook
Express … My laptop
runs Vista and does
not have it available,
but Windows Mail works
as I hoped it would.
Possibly I’ll try it out
with Blogger as well.
Just like Sandy of
Momisodes assisted me
with video clips
and Dona of Clutch
wing’s nest suggested
a ‘fix’ for troubles
I had early on getting
‘comments’ to appear
correctly … each one
of these ‘virtual’ friends helped
me solve challenges.
So I offer them
this award for ’standing out’ …
with much gratitude
and give it as well
to those who have commented
during December.
For others who leave
comments on any of my
posts, you’re most welcome
to snag & enjoy
any of the awards in
my sidebar below
passing them to you
bloggy friends in whatever
way you choose to share.
Thought for Today
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” Oscar Wilde
Christmas Eve Sunset
captured in between rainstorms
… stormy skies offshore.
Sunny skies return
after a few days of rain
… much needed moisture
See a 2nd Haiku Sky Watch Friday
and collage of mine at Sacred Ruminations.
Click for others participating
in Sky Watch & Haiku Friday this week.
Thought for Today
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” Anthony J. D’Angelo, The College Blue Book
This version is beautifully sung by children
with baby photos by Anne Geddes and always reminds me
of what Christmas is really about. Enjoy!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thought for Today
“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.”
Janice Maeditere
… I just returned from the Post Office to drop off the last batch. I mailed most of them yesterday before 5:30pm.
Thanks to everyone for all the kind words about my unique cards. I’ve been creating my own each year since 1989. Before that my ‘ex’ (who’s very artistic) created our ’stylized, non-traditional’ cards.
This is the 3rd (or perhaps 4th) year I’ve used the computer to generate them. Before that I did them by hand and had them printed at Kinkos.
Public Service Announcement!
If you’re a coffee drinker, Starbucks has all their coffee beans on sale at 20% off until December 31st … so I stocked up on Christmas Blend (regular & decaf), getting an EXTRA 10% off with my ‘card’ … pretty nifty, eh?
Here’s a bit of my favorite Christmas music
from James Taylor … Enjoy!
Handy time-saving tip: If you right click on ‘comments’ (found at the TOP of the post under the title here at WordPress) to open in a new tab, you can listen while you type … Isn’t that fun?
Thought for Today
"It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to." Annie Gottlier
(after I write personal notes and address envelopes)
Sunday I created my 2008 Christmas Card from the following parts:
The giraffe bearing gifts on front …
The two collages side by side on the back with
brief messages above & below:
… blended together to look like this:
Simply picture this folded in half vertically … with the giraffe on front and the collages on back. That’s my card with a holiday message inside!
Thought for Today
“Remember this December
That love weighs more than gold!
Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon
I can't help but wonder about 'stats' below
found in my Dashboard this morning. To know
so many visit without commenting
generates questions within. Everything
equal ... when I visit others, I leave
feedback of relevance ... thus can't conceive
why (or how) so many bloggers who must
value 'comments' on their own blogs can just
drop by without taking a moment to
type a brief comment. To everyone who
DOES take the time to respond, 'Hip Hooray!'
I feel most grateful for you MAKE MY DAY ;--)
If you’ve left me comments during December …
this award is for YOU to enjoy and share with others as you choose.
Top Posts
The Lemonade Award … 51 views (12 comments)
Haiku Sky Watch Friday 49 views (23 comments)
(Haiku) Sky Watch Friday 47 views (21 comments)
Slice of Life – Memories of Dad … 41 views (14 comments)
Haiku Sky Watch Friday 38 views (13 comments)
Photo Hunt – Breakfast Collage 36 views (13 comments)
How to Remain Young and a Thank You 31 views (8 comments)
Morning Musings and Me Me Me … meme 31 views (10 comments)
Blog Stats Summary Tables
Total views: 960
Busiest day: 68 — Saturday, December 6, 2008
Views today: 41
Totals
Posts: 21
Comments: 187
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You Are Peaceful and Appreciative |
|
You approach the holidays with harmony and thoughtfulness. You realize the holidays can be a hard time for some people, and you’re there to lend your support. Not only do you enjoy giving during the holidays, you enjoy receiving greetings, love, and gifts. You graciously appreciate every holiday gesture made in your honor. Of all the types, you are the most likely to give a gift that’s meaningful for you and the recipient. You’re also the most likely to hand deliver as many of your gifts as possible. |
Thought for Today
"If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it." Toni Morrison
Arctic storm descends ...
Southern California rain
saturates dry ground
washing everything
trees, grass, flowers, houses, cars ...
air feels brisk, smells clean
animals scurry
seeking places to escape ...
watching warily
Ms. Kitty dines 'in'
near French Doors (for quick escape)
... Molly in kitchen
behind 'doggie' gate
watches ... wondering just when
she can play outside
without the 'wet' stuph
falling from the sky today ...
'routines' disrupted
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
See a 2nd Haiku Sky Watch Friday
and collage of mine at Sacred Ruminations.
Click for others participating
in Sky Watch & Haiku Friday this week.
Thought for Today
“Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”
Langston Hughes
I found this link at Sylvia’s …
and laughed so hard I just had to share!
What you miss by not attending church
Click for others participating in Wordless Wednesday
Thought for Today - Mirth is God’s medicine. We ought to bathe in it.” Henry Ward Beecher
1. Sunrise-Sunset, Blog Your Blessings, & Sacred Life Sunday are at Sacred Ruminations along with Monday Motivator
2. Two awards are up for grabs (to enjoy & share with others) along a variety of Christmas music & fun activities are at Small Reflections (see sidebar links). I hope you can drop by when time permits.
3. The Lemonade Award is up for grabs on this blog along with other awards in my sidebar to snag, enjoy & share with others in the spirit of the holiday season.
4. Hootin’ Anni’s Christmas give away starts today! Be sure to drop by … check out her 2008 Holiday Tour, Faces of Christmas and be sure to leave her comments.
5. I’m delighted to share that it’s raining (finally) in Southern California … gently & steadily here at the beach … with snow falling at the 3000 feet level.
I remember taking this quiz once before and sharing my results at Small Reflections (as part of a Whimsical Wednesday post), but when I saw it at Greyscale Territory on Friday and answered the questions again ... my results were different so I'm sharing here and will link the two posts for comparison.
What Tarot Card are You?
You are The Sun
Happiness, Content, Joy.
The meanings for the Sun are fairly simple and consistent.
Young, healthy, new, fresh. The brain is working, things that were muddled come clear, everything falls into place, and everything seems to go your way.
The Sun is ruled by the Sun, of course. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon’s Diana. A positive card, it promises you your day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. As the moon symbolized inspiration from the unconscious, from dreams, this card symbolizes discoveries made fully consciousness and wide awake. You have an understanding and enjoyment of science and math, beautifully constructed music, carefully reasoned philosophy. It is a card of intellect, clarity of mind, and feelings of youthful energy.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.
Thought for Today- "Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures." H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Life's Little Instruction Book
HAIKU
Southern California skies
at the beach change frequently.
I’ve collaged photos
snapped at various
times on diff’rent days this past
week from my front yard.
Earlier this week
temperature highs were in
the low 80s, but
with an Arctic storm
heading toward the So Cal coast
highs the next few days
predicted for the
mid-50s with rain over
the next five days … and
SNOW at 3000
feet … lowest in many years!
Currently it’s dry.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Click for others participating
in Sky Watch & Haiku Friday this week.
See also Haiku Friday #97 – Snow in the Blogosphere
at Sacred Ruminations.
Thought for Today -“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire.” Edith Sitwell
This was a 'sticky post' with Haiku Sky Watch Friday below
but now it's not!
Click to listen to Straight No Chaser sing their unique version of 12 Days.
If you wish, click to listen to Straight No Chaser perform while you watch this animation. It will open in a new window. Click there to start the video and return to this page … or enjoy both separately as you choose. Happy Holidays!
PS - If there are any WordPress users out there who know how to 'embed' a video in a post, I'd love to learn ;--)
Sandy of Momisodes came to the rescue! Thank you Sandy!!! The link to the directions showed me I what I needed to add to the URL to make the embedded code work. I'm such a happy camper today ;--)
Hugs & blessings,
received the Lemonade Award from Page at The Road I’m Traveling for showing gratitude or a good attitude (from “if life hands you lemons, make lemonade”)! She explained how she felt both humbled and honored at the same time then passed this nifty award along to 10 others … and I happen to me one of the lucky recipients. She wrote: “Storyteller – You’ve been a wonderful encourager! I love seeing your name appear in my comment sections!” I feel similarly humbled & honored and want to say …Thank YOU Clara!
Here are the rules:
- Put the logo on your blog or post.
- Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
- Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
- Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.
Choosing specific recipients is always a challenge for me because I’ve made so many ‘virtual friends’ and enjoy so many blogs … so I’m breaking the rules to share this with anyone who believes THEY make LEMONADE from lemons.
That said … I do like to introduce my friends to one another and since this is a new blog I’ve decided to highlight a few friends … just because. Each of the women listed below has impressed me in a different way. They’re listed in no particular order, some may already be recipients, and all truly deserve the Lemonade Award for having a great attitude.
- Yertle of Smile, Play, Dream – is a ‘working mom’ of two young boys who nurtures herself & others by sharing her journey honestly, expressing her gratitude for the many simple blessings in her life, offering motivational ideas on Mondays and visiting ‘bloggy friends’ whenever time permits … participating in ‘memes’ when they strike her fancy & sharing link-love generously.
- Joyce of Mom’s Musings lives a very busy life. Another working mom (and grandmother too), her attitude is always upbeat & cheerful, and her posts are thoughtful & uplifting. She leaves wonderfully supportive, encouraging comments on the blogs of others and always responds with friendly emails to those who comment on her blog. Her joy in the Lord shines consistently.
- Lisa of Lisa’s Chaos takes and shares the most wonderful photographs on her blog. Seeing the world through her eyes uplifts my spirit, enhances my appreciation of nature, and motivates me to look more closely at everything & take photographs differently.
- Sandy of Momisodes creates & shares entertaining and thought-provoking pieces regularly. She writes from her heart, knows how to tell a story to draw readers in … and shares photographs with a quirky originality, sense of perspective, & clever titles or captions. Along with a handful of other ‘virtual friends’ … she provided the support & encouragement I needed early on to make me into the (slightly obsessed) dedicated blogger I am today.
- Mama Zen at the Zen of Motherhood writes with a wry sense of humor about her life with Baby Puppy and Daddy Zen, displays a quick wit & succinct style of writing I envy, expresses her point of view on a variety of subjects and publishes book reviews too. The comments she leaves when she visits always make me smile.
- Karen at Journey to Authenticity has been a wonderful friend & encourager from the beginning. We met at a Writer’s Retreat for Women at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, New Mexico during the summer of 2007 and each started blogging a few months later. She’s the only ‘blogger’ I’ve ever met in ‘real’ life! Busily raising a young son with special needs, Karen’s blog presents a delightful mix of photographs, anecdotes about daily life and memories, entertaining stories, and an honest exploration of her life as a wife, mom, and aspiring novelist.
- Sandee at Comedy Plus consistently makes me smile and often laugh aloud with what she shares on her blog. She has many friends in this virtual world, I see her upbeat, supportive, and encouraging comments all over the Blogosphere. Sandee shares awards generously on her blog (methinks this might have been one) and is quick to participate in ‘memes & quizzes’ when they strike her fancy. I’m always surprised when she finds my posts so quickly … often before I’ve finished ‘refining’ them ;–)
- Raven at View from Raven’s Nest shares wonderful photographs, well-written stories, lovely poetry, and expresses her opinion eloquently on a wide variety of topics when she feels passionately about it. She’s the creator of Saturday’s Wordzlle Challenge and although I don’t participate, I do enjoy reading when others do.
- Sylvia From Over the Hill may not realize that she’s responsible (at least in part) for this fledgling WordPress blog. When she lost control of her original blog (I’d add the link but my computer won’t load Google Reader for me to find it right now) she didn’t skip a beat but moved on and created this new one … publishing prolifically on a variety of subjects demonstrating passion & creativity along with a delightful sense of humor and a knack for photography. I responded by quickly learning how to back up my blogs on Blogger and here at WordPress too … then decided to ‘experiment’ with this new blog as a way to learn how things work.
- Tammy of Mom Knows Everything & A Little Girl Talk generously helped me with some ‘technical issues’ when I experienced difficulties creating original ‘headers’ for my first two blogs. She publishes daily on both blogs … shares her creative handiwork & photos of her children in the midst of their daily life … and frequently visits others leaving comments often.
So, if you want to read some uplifting blogs – those that promote an attitude of gratitude – check these out! You can also click on the links in my sidebar here and/or at Blog Rolls, Bling, & Blurbs for more bloggy friends I like to visit … many are deserving of this award too and I hope they’ll ’snag’ it to enjoy and share with others.
Other ‘holiday related links of interest:
Christmas Fun & a Quiz
SnowGlobe Fun & NORAD Tracks Santa (with games & activities for kids of all ages)
Holiday Fun (12 Days)- A Musical Revival of Sorts
Carol of the Bells – Straight No Chaser
A Doggie Guaranteed to Make you Laugh!
Thought for Today - “A wise man does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” Epictetus
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