It's a New Day, a New Year.....!

May all the dreams in your eyes, all the desires in your heart and all the hopes in your life blend together, to give you the most spectacular New Year ever. May all your dreams turn into reality and all your efforts into great achievements.

Happy New Year from one flashy Broad!

Christmas Eve

Well here we are in Hurricane...'twas the night before Christmas'. We had a lovely turkey dinner 'n fixings, with one of Aunt Marie's Razzleberry pies and a Lemon Chiffon pie for dessert. Shari & I have given assignments to Wood & Mike to assemble and insert batteries; Grandma-Great & Connor are rolling out cookie dough, and we (the girls) are putting the finishing touches on the infamous 'Christmas Breakfast' for tomorrow morning. I have never had a Christmas where I moved so slowly-almost as if I’m watching myself from afar. Just don’t have the energy this year, and am fighting a bacterial infection -- (I’m on the meds.)

What hasn’t been done, doesn’t get done! It is what it is! And in the long run, what does it really matter anyway, right? (I will close the door to spaces that I have neglected, hoping no poor soul will try and open them.)

We are watching Christmas Story on TV & playing 'Mexican Train' with Dominoes. We will head back to the condo soon, and regroup back here in the morning when Connor gets up.

I know that someday I will probably miss all this hustle-bustle (though I can’t imagine it now!), so I will try and remember what is really important as we gather together. And that is, that we are together, enjoying each other, and celebrating the gift of Christmas…

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, and to all a Goodnight

Oh DANG! I forgot I was gonna use this picture circa 1982 - The Shifflett kids are gonna hate me for this one, but it's a Mother's perogative. Matching PJ's compliments of Grandma Shifflett.

I've been in the BahHumbug-ish mood this year for Christmas. For those of you who received the 'letter', I'm sure you knew I was writing it 'tongue in cheek' . I thought I might try to whip out something via email (that hasn't happened!); the only decoration I have up is the tree that my two oldest grand-daughters, Kloyie & Skyla helped me with; and as far as cooking and baking -- FORGET ABOUT IT!

“When our children/grandchildren are sick -- When their little body aches and a fever rages and their head hurts, and they can’t explain what is wrong, they don’t want new toys or new clothes or a nicer house to live in. They only want to be held by someone who loves them. Ralph W. Emerson, an American philosopher reminds us that rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only real gift is the gift of yourself.

When I am hurting emotionally, I don't want a nicer car to drive or a new wardrobe. I too want to be held by someone who loves me. At Christmastime the best gifts I receive are tokens of love from those I care about and who care about me. So often the gift of time, of presence, is the best of all. It takes a clear vision of what matters to give our children presence, not just presents. We never outgrow the need for love expressed by presence.

No matter how old we are, the gift of time and attention is just as sweet as it was when we were children. Grown children need it from parents; parents need it from grown children. It is a never-ending cycle. We all need support and help from each other. We have the capacity to love and lift each one around us with our presence.

As the sacred music of the Christmas season surrounds us and the message of Christ's birth is uppermost in our minds, may we think upon the wondrous gift of God's presence. May we be willing to receive it, to open our hearts to it and really feel it. Jesus came to us so we could know the Peace of Heaven on Earth.”

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends. May your New Year be filled with Peace, Hope, and Love and a renewed awareness of your Presence in our lives.

WELCOME HOME!

We are proud to welcome Elder and Sister Campbell who have returned home from their Mission assignment in the California Riverside Mission! We are thrilled that they are healthy (for the most part), happy and are home to celebrate the Christmas Season with friends and family.

Love you both,
li'l sis

If you're not in the Spirit of the Holiday yet, this will get you there. After checking out this link, you're sure to be singing Christmas carols and then be thanking me for time 'well-spent'.

Check out this link and test your Christmas skills:

Funny, Funny Mother

This was always such a riot to read aloud at DiAnne's Christmas get-together, cuz no one works harder or starts earlier to prepare for Christmas than her! We would be in tears laughing at the scenario -- when I read it now, I just heave a big sigh of RELIEF knowing that I was never nor will I ever be like this MOTHER!

See Mother - See Mother laugh - Mother is HAPPY.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans for Christmas. Mother is organized.
Mother smiles all the time - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

See Mother - See Mother smile - Mother is HAPPY.
The shopping is all done. See the children watch TV.
Watch children, watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask Santa for different toys!
Look, Mother is not smiling - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

See Mother, See Mother - See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses - Mother will make robes -
Mother will make shirts. Look - Mother put the zipper in wrong!
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother put the material away until January.
Look, Look. See Mother take a tranquilizer - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

See Mother, See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineapple and powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour and dates, pecans and brown sugar, bananas and spices and vanilla.
Look, Look. Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn. See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy. See Mother pull her hair.
See Mother clean the kitchen with the garden hose - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

See Mother. See Mother wrap presents. See Mother look for the end of the scotch tape. See Mother bite her fingernails. See Mother go. See Mother go to the store 12 times in one hour!
Go Mother, go! See Mother go faster. Run Mother, run.
See Mother trim the tree. See Mother have a party. See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother scrub the rug. See Mother tear up the organized plan.
See Mother forget the gift for Uncle Harold. See Mother get the hives!
Go Mother, go! See the far-away look in Mother's eyes.
Mother is disorganized. Mother is disoriented - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

It is finally Christmas morning. See the Happy Family.
See Father smile. Father is happy. Smile Father, smile!
Father loves his new neckties. Look, Look. See the happy children.
The children will remember this Christmas.
See Mother. Mother is slumped in a chair. Mother is crying uncontrollably.
Mother does not look well. Mother has dark ugly circles under her blood-shot eyes.
Everyone helps Mother to bed. Mother sleeps quietly under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile - FUNNY, FUNNY Mother.

"A Maxine Christmas Story"

A good friend forwarded this to me and I knew Maxine and I had something in common --- but my hope was that I would grow up to be just like her! Maybe I'm closer than I think!

'Twas the night before Christmas, And all through the house...
Not a creature was stirring Since the cat ate the mouse.
My support hose were hung By the chimney with care.
(I hung them last Christmas And just left them there.)

My dog, Floyd, was nestled All snug in his bed,
After watching the cat rip The presents to shreds.
And I in my long johns And ratty night cap
Had just settled my butt For a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn There arose such a clatter,
I swore at the window, "What the (blank) is the matter?"
I tore open the window, Not a second to tarry,
All ready to throw The noisemaker a berry.

A bright moon was lighting The new-fallen snow...
And I had a moon of my own Set to show.
Floyd was beside me, Paw pointing the way
Toward eight tiny reindeer Hitched up to a sleigh...

And a little old driver So cheery and quick,
I thought for a moment That I would be sick.
Like a bat out of...you know, His reindeer they came,
And I whistled and shouted And called them some names--

"Hey, Hornhead! Hey, Furface! Hey, Weiner and Turkey!
Yo, Klutzy and Mangy And Venison Jerky!
Stay off of my porch! Get away from my wall!
Now hit the road, hit the road, Hit the road, all!"

But as pedestrians before My old Buick, they fly
And head for high ground With great fear in their eyes,
So up to my rooftop The fleabags they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys And old Fruitcake-Breath too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
Holes in my new shingles Made by each tiny hoof.
As I reached for my slingshot And a marble as well,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas Tumbled and fell.

He had a huge sack of Cheap junk on his back
And I whispered to Floyd, "Be prepared to attack."
His eyes they were squinting, His toy bag was draggin',
And I felt for a moment Like I'd soon be gaggin'.

He was dressed all in red. With a bell on his hat.
And a belt of black leather To hold back the fat.
A billowing pipe He clenched tight in his smile,
And the smell was like something Had been dead for awhile.

He had a broad face And a little round belly
That shook when I nailed him With a handful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, Well, actually porky,
And I laughed when I tripped him (He looked pretty dorky).

He was like a beached whale Unable to budge.
And he tasted good, too, If the dog was a judge.
I spoke not a word But went straight to my work--
A noogie, a wedgie, A cry of "You jerk!"

Until laying a finger Aside of his nose,
With a loud cry of "Uncle!" Up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to the sleigh And dragged in the toys,
Then he cried to the reindeer, "Get me out of here, Boys!"

And I had to exclaim As a slushball I tossed,
"Happy Christmas to all, And to all a Get Lost!"
But then, as I turned, I saw 'neath the tree
Two gaily wrapped presents-- One for Floyd, one for me.

A big bag of jerky Turned Floyd mighty chipper,
While for me was a pair Of brand-new bunny slippers.
I looked out the window, And hovering there,
Old Santa was winking From his sleigh in midair...

"Merry Christmas, Maxine!" He cried, full of cheer.
"Same to you, Pal!" I answered, "I'll get you next year!"
MERRY CHRISTMAS

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family -- I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table, but do not show love to my family --I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family -- it profits me nothing.

If I trim the tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the church choir, but do not focus on Christ -- I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table lines.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return.
Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

May we keep the true meaning of Christmas foremost in our thoughts and hearts as we approach the holiday season.

Color Theory

Jenna always seems to have the newest links and great insights into herself and life, in general. For being such a youngster, she's got her act together pretty good. Anyway, she had this new link on her blog, so I thought I would try it. Like her, every time I do one of these, it generally comes up close to the same answer -- I could hardly force myself to think that any of the attributes fit me. But I'm not unhappy with the conclusion and the color. I've always liked blue! Although, if you ask me, I'll usually say my color is RED -- probably trying to compensate somehow. So. . . what color are you?

you are slateblue #6A5ACD

Your dominant hue is blue, making you a good friend who people love and trust. You're good in social situations and want to fit in. Just be careful not to compromise who you are to make them happy. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz