Happy New Year 09

I have been looking back at this past year
it has been filled with ups and downs, acceptance
and a great deal of patience and Love.
and so I look back on all of it with the thought
that things that occurred were for a reason perhaps to
help me grow in ways that needed.

so my hope for this year is that what ever comes
it is Part of the plan the Lord has for me and
I will let him walk and be my guide all the way.


wishing everyone Love, Peace in the New year

May Today

" May today there be peace within you
May you trust God that you are exactly where
you are meant to be"

True Love.

"True love is born of songs and promises, and the kind of music only two hearts can hear". (Flavia)


This is just one of many favorite quotes about Love that I have written down in my journal of favorite quotes
(yes, I am kind of silly I write down
quotes, songs, poems that resonate with me in my journal books) anyway
just thought I would share.

My sweet hubby has been having a time of it at his job and well he says it is such a comfort for him to know he has me and the kids to love and support him!( he always has that!)it is nice that he shares those feelings and puts it into words for us to hear from time to time. it makes me teary eyed and blessed to have found a wonderful person that I have shared my life with for 26years and continue to learn from and love him more each day.

Christmas Spirit

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
~Author Unknown


I am full of the holiday spirit! ! Last Friday my work had our annual Christmas lunch where we revealed each others secret santas I ended up with some wonderful Christmas Figurines. Last Saturday I went on an annual shopping trip to the city by the bay ( San Francisco) and had a wonderful time, we arrived at union square and my daughter and niece and myself took the bus down to the pier to hit one of our favorite stores that is going out of business. she bought one thing I bought $ 86.00 dollars worth! my daughter spent some money there as well! then we took the bus back to Union Square and caught up with my eldest nieces did some more shopping I managed to by a few gifts then ( still have to do more gift shopping and less of me shopping!) then we took the charter bus we came on back down to the pier and went to the many shops on and around the pier then we had dinner with two of my older sisters. it was really yummy and we had a wonderful time. then we all piled on the bus and
headed back to home looking forward to next years shopping trip

On Tuesday night I attended my church's ladies annual ornament tea exchange we had wonderful fellowship and great yummy food one of the ladies is an awesome gourmet cook and
made some wonderful looking treats and finger foods one I tried it was not bad but then I found out it was made with Caviar!!! oh well it is good to try different things and now I can say I have tried it but I don't think I will be doing that again!

Next week I am attending another Ornament cookie exchange and at the same time making the final touches on my house decorations and of course gift giving and planning for a special day after Christmas gathering at my house.

I hope the holiday spirit is with all of you

Being honest with ourselves

Lately, I have been going through something inside myself that I can not even describe
I came across this old book I forgot I had and while glancing through it I ended up at this passage which ironically is small part of what I have been feeling.

Our relationship with ourselves is the most important relationship we need to maintain
the quality of that relationship will determine the quality of our other relationships. when we can tell ourselves how we feel and accept our feelings we can tell others.

When we can accept what we want and need we will be ready to have our wants and needs met.
When we can accept what we think and believe and accept what is important to us, we can relay this to others.

When we learn to take ourselves seriously, others will too, When we learn to chuckle at ourselves we will be ready to laugh with others.

When we have learned to trust ourselves, we will have achieved self-love. when we have achieved self-love and accepting our wants and needs, we will be ready to give and receive love.

when we've learned to stand on our own two feet, we're ready to stand next to someone.

" Today I will focus on having a good relationship with myself."

which I have started to do, self acceptance can be a difficult thing if you let it and for quite sometime I have come to the realization that I let the difficult consume me, perhaps not purposely but unconsciously I really kind of did not want to accept things about myself. but since my birthday this past weekend I have kind of awaken to the new things I MUST do and ACCEPT so that I can have a great realtionship with myself. perhaps I am on a soul searching quest. ( one that I know I am not alone in for I know that the good Lord is beside me everyday and every step of the way!)

Blessings 26-30

My blessings continue

Nov 26th I am blessed that I got the rest of my grocery shopping done and that my daughter and I had a safe trip to Santa Cruz to pick up my son, I am blessed that I danced in the rain and weathered the storm!

Nov 27th I am blessed that I had a wonderful thanksgiving that the turkey and all the fixings came out well and that the 4of us were blessed to be together. I am blessed that I got email cards and calls from family members we could not be with personally but in spirit. and for the movie time my daughter and I went to while the hubby and son slept at home. and to hear joyous news that a young friend of mine got engaged today

Nov 28th I am blessed that I survived a day of shopping for a dress with my daughter for her banquet that is upcoming and further blessed that My husband kept his grace and patience through the crowds I am blessed that I had some alone time and saw a wonderful Christian Movie titled Fireproof. can't wait till it comes out on DVD I will be buying this movie

Nov 29th Today I am most blessed for being born on this day, feeling love from my parents spirit and love from my family members calling wishing me birthday wishes I am truly loved and blessed. today I am also blessed because I pampered my self and had a wonderful dinner out on the town with my family, and for my daughter who made me a birthday cake from scratch and did it with love ( it was really yummy!)

Nov 30th Today I am blessed and remembering the passing of my beloved brother and my aunt
I am also blessed to wish one of my Nieces a happy birthday and I am also blessed for the weekend we had and getting my son safely back to school I am also blessed that this month is
coming to and end and getting ready for the Christmas holiday, Looking forward to what blessings the weeks ahead will bring to me, and that in two weeks I will again be coming to bring my son home for his long holiday break!

but I am mostly blessed that everyday of my life God gives me wonderful blessings each and every day.

Blessings 1-25

The month of November is the month of Thankfulness and Blessings so I wanted to share some of the things I have been thankful/blessed for so far

Nov 1st - I am blessed to have met the man who holds the key to my heart 26yrs ago
Nov 2nd- blessed to spend time with my son while we took him back to college
Nov 3rd- blessed to have a great day at work
Nov 4th- blessed that I live in a country where history is always made and that the people choose to make the history happen
Nov 5th blessed that election day is over
Nov 6-7th blessed that the work week is over
Nov 8-9th blessed to have had a wonderful weekend with my husband and blessed that he is feeling better blessed to have wonderful memories of my eldest brother on his birthday even though he his deceased I think of him today and memories of my grandfather who passed on this day as well.
Nov 10-14th blessed for all the wonderful things in my life, blessed that my freedoms are protected by the men and women who serve in the US Military blessed that my daughter is becoming a thrifty shopper!
Nov 15-16th blessed that my daughter is a pretty safe driver as we are preparing her for her Drivers license
Nov 17-21 blessed for a great niece who celebrates her birthday, blessed with a job where everyone gets along, blessed that my son is coming home and we are going to a play together
blessed to see friends that are visiting from Texas, blessed that my husband brought dinner home on his own and I did not have to cook!
Nov 22-blessed that I spent some quality time with my husband even though i was not feeling well, blessed that my son and daughter and I went to Starbuck's together and then to the store and had a fun time!
Nov 23 blessed that my husband and I got our son back to college safely and that I will bring him home later this coming week for the holiday.
Nov 24th Blessed that this is day one of a short week and that things at work are kind of slow
Nov 25th blessed that today is one of my sister's and brother's birthdays along with my godmother's I am blessed that these people are still in my life.blessed that at work my coworkers and I had an awesome potluck for our last day before our Thanksgiving Break
TO BE CONTINUED>>>>>>

I have been tagged

seeing how i was tagged I am supposed to post the 6th photo from my s6th folder so this is it! I recall this day My son and Husband and I were in an antique store and we came across this banjo and we bought it for my son he has played it some but it needs to be fixed it is also the same day that later in the evening my husband and I went to our first Keith Urban concert and we had a really great time!!

now the rules of this tag say I am supposed to tag five others but I really don't have anyone to tag ( sorry!)
at least I did part of what was required of me! and it did bring back the memories of a wonderful evening!

Hands

Hands! A basketball in my hands is worth about $19. A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million. It depends whose hands it's in. A baseball in my hands is worth about $6. A baseball in Roger Clemens' hands is worth $475 million. It depends on whose hands it's in. A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions. It depends whose hands it's in. A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog. A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea. It depends whose hands it's in. A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy. A slingshot in David's hand is a mighty weapon. It depends whose hands it's in. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands. It depends whose hands it's in. Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will Produce salvation for the entire world. It depends whose hands it's in. As you see now, it depends whose hands it's in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because... It depends whose hands it's in. This message is now in YOUR hands. What will YOU do with it? It Depends on WHOSE Hands it's in!

4 Things

FOUR THINGS YOU CANNOT RECOVER
Did Anyone Ever Tell You
Just How Special You Are.
The Light that You Emit
Might even Light a Star
Did Anyone Ever Tell You
How Important You Make Others Feel.
Somebody out here is Smiling,
Because of something you said or something you did!
just something to think about

Thought for today # 3

" Artistic creativity is a
whirlpool of imagination
that swirls in the depths
of the mind"

Robert Toth


I love today's quote it has inspired me to reach deep down and connect with my creative side
inside myself, and I am taking baby steps to let the creative juices flow from the depths of my mind!

Tamales

This Past Saturday two of my sisters and I did the one family tradition that I really take pride in doing for the family we made homemade tamales for the Christmas season. Though this is a lot of work we are excited because this year is a bit special. we have some of our family coming home for the holidays from NE and Japan so
and for the first time in a long time
hopefully most all of the nieces and nephews and their families will all gather together.
one request we had was that the tamales had to be hot( spicy) which since my son was home we made him the official taste tester and so they do have a kick!

we made some green hatch chili ones which are my husband's and one of my brother in laws favorite, then of course we made the red chili hot ones
( if they are not hot enough then I will suggest that the kids who wanted them hot make them next year!) jk!!!

I still have the mild red chili ones to make. yes it is time consuming but it is a tradition that I have known my whole life and I do enjoy doing this with my sisters and for the family. I know my mom would be so proud! anyway for the family that reads this blog these are made for you and with a whole lot of LOVE!

Happy Imagination Day 2008

wishing everyone a Happy Imagination Day! aka Happy Halloween!

when my children were little they would call Halloween " imagination day" and so it stuck till they got a little older then went by the Halloween word
I always liked the imagination word better so it stuck with me!
tonight for our imagination day the son is going to be home for the weekend and we are all going to watch old classic movies and have yummy snacks and pass out candy for the trick or treaters!
I think for a child every day is "happy imagination day"

wishing everyone a safe one

more fun thoughts

I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

Today's thought #2

" I never regret anything. Because every little detail of your life is what made you into who you are in the end"
Drew Barrymore

I love this quote! I will admit I am human and I have regrets who in this world doesn't! but this quote just hit a vibe with me, because all of our daily actions, feelings, do shape who we become
( of course it is good to that the Lord walks beside us as well!)

V. Gill and Dinner with Family

On Friday My husband and I went to a Vince Gill Concert in a beautiful
small town community theater. we go to a few concerts a year. we enjoy all influences of music. we have had these tickets since August
it was a sold out concert.( we were such in a hurry to make sure we got there in time we forgot to take a camera and my cell phone just took blurriness,) while there got a call from my son who is away at college, concert had started so I text really fast sorry" dad and mom are unavailable for a while! "( that was the most strange yet in a weird way fun feeling I have ever felt and of course a bit of guilt along with it!) . the concert was to be only an hour and half long it ended up being two and half hours long it was
just Vince Gill and 3 other musicians. he played his stuff that he is famous for along with some new stuff and it was so intimate because the audience would belt out a title of a song and he would sing it. he shared the inspirations that helped him write some of his songs it was very interesting to learn how some of the songs had come to be and now when I hear a particular song I will listen to it with a different sense of view. what was also so great was his wife Amy Grant was playing the same night at a town about 15 minutes away so he joked about that as well saying" my wife is great but I am so glad you came to see me instead!!) it was really great and if you ever get the chance to see him do it. Amy Grant is also great. yes, after concert I immediately called son and he was fine he was getting ready to go out to a Halloween
costume dance thing in his dorm.

On Saturday(yes, I forgot camera again!) we had the pleasure of going to my eldest nieces house for a wonderful dinner and visit with her and her husband and later her daughter. we don't get to see them much so for me it was a very dear treat that I will hold in my heart forever and I hope that when things are not so busy with everyone we can do more together.

today is Sunday and well I am still on a high from Friday and Saturday. I am just hanging out at home and catching up on laundry etc.
just to start the week all over , this week is going to be exciting as well, son coming home for the weekend, and some of my sisters coming on Sat so we begin our family holiday traditions a bit earlier this year!

I hope all my blogger pals have a great week.

make a living

" we make a living by what we get
we make a life by what we give"

Winston Churchill

Thoughts to live by

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are! HOW TO STAY YOUNG 1. Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times! 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches;) 3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's! 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER. 6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves and God. LIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. 11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time. Lost time can never be found!

Today's thought # 1

"Living is easy with eyes closed
misunderstanding all you see"

john Lennon

Apple Hill & Then Some

In early September my husband and I took a day trip in the convertible up to a little town called Apple hill it is about 10 miles from Placerville, Ca

we try to go every year in the fall
not just to get apples but also because there are many crafters selling their goods it's just a lot of fun.

this year though they had a bad frost in the spring so the apples did not produce as much as the year before
never the less we had a good time

we ate at one of the local farms outside and I took a photo of the scenery the old water wheel and
arch makes for a pretty photo reminded me of a scene from little house television show!

yes, that is a whole pig on the roaster
this little farm eatery is well known here for their pulled pork bbq sandwiches!



on to the next apple farm and well there was a little old machinery and vehicle museum ( we just took photo of the outside!
there is my fun little VW I love it!

it was kind of hardening to see all the
ranches for sale if I could I sure would like to have bought one and live up here! it is so quite and peaceful.

I came home with some wonderful apples and have them all ready to make some pies for the upcoming holidays.

all in all it was a fun little day trip!

Before I was a Mom

One of my cousins sent me this today and I thought I would share

for all us Mom's out there!

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.Chewed on.Peed on..
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him/her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.I had never known the warmth,the joy,the love,the heartache,the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

FUN LITTLE BLURBS

ALWAYS TRY TO HELP A FRIEND IN NEED

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

BE BRAVE...BUT IT'S OK
TO BE AFRAID SOMETIMES

STUDY HARD

GIVE LOT'S OF KISSES

LAUGH OFTEN

DON'T BE OVERLY CONCERNED WITH
YOUR WEIGHT IT'S JUST A NUMBER

ALWAYS TRY TO SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL

MEET NEW PEOPLE EVEN IF THEY LOOK
DIFFERENT TO YOU

REMAIN CALM EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS
HOPELESS

TAKE LOT'S OF NAPS

BE WEIRD WHENEVER YOU GET THE CHANCE

LOVE YOUR FRIENDS NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE

DON'T WASTE FOOD

RELAX

TAKE AN OCCASIONAL RISK

TRY TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN EACH DAY
IT'S IMPORTANT

WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM

SHARE A JOKE WITH FRIENDS

FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE

AND SAY " I LOVE YOU" OFTEN

EXPRESS YOURSELF CREATIVELY

BE CONSCIOUS OF YOUR APPEARANCE

ALWAYS BE UP FOR SURPRISES

LOVE SOMEONE WITH ALL YOUR HEART

SHARE WITH FRIENDS

WATCH YOUR STEP

IT WILL GET BETTER

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO LOVES
YOU MORE THAN YOU KNOW

EXERCISE TO KEEP FIT

LIVE UP TO YOUR NAME

SEIZE THE MOMENT

HOLD ON TO GOOD FRIENDS
THEY ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN

INDULGE IN THE THINGS YOU TRULY LOVE

CHERISH EVERY SUNDAY

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY PRAY

AND CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SMILE AT LEAST
ONCE A DAY!

Thoughts

A sharp tongue can cut my own throat.

If I want my dreams to come true, I mustn't oversleep.

Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important.

The best vitamin for making friends.... B1.

The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts.

The heaviest thing I can carry is a grudge.

One thing I can give and still keep...is my word.

I lie the loudest when I lie to myself.

If I lack the courage to start, I have already finished.

One thing I can't recycle is wasted time.

Ideas won't work unless ' I ' do.

My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open.

The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.

The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime! It is never too late to become what I might have been.

Adjusting

It has been two weeks since we moved my son up to his dorm at UC Santa Cruz, before he left I was already going through an "adjustment period" of sorts, I know it is all part of growing up but I have been adjusting with each of my kids having a boyfriend and girlfriend ( they both have been dating for the last two months!) don't get me wrong I knew this would happen one day. each of the kids friends are really sweet, the first photo is my daughter and her boyfriend Patrick, he is a character, my daughter says he really has a good heart and after getting to know him for almost two months I can see what my daughter means he is a hard worker and he indeed cares for my gal and yes he does have a good heart. ( he likes to bug me when he is around but I am adjusting to it!)


My son's girlfriend is Bryce she is a nice girl and they have been friends since high school. Bryce is headed back to the Coast Guard in January
he and Bryce have a lot in common besides being Black belts in Aikido they are both kind of nerdy!
Bryce also has a kind heart.
for each of my children I know they will have many girlfriends and boyfriends but this is all kind of new to me hence me "adjusting" I guess it's the mom mode in me that does not want either of them to go through heartache which will happen so I am trying to be the best supportive mom I can be regarding this dating stuff! "adjustments" to me in my own opinion is really "acceptance" and so I accept the challenge of adjusting to the new stages in my kids life that teaches me new lessons everyday. at least they all seem to like each other's choices! ( as stated in previous blogs my children are each other's confidants and best friends.) so it makes it nice that they all get along.

I have adjusted to my son's not living at home while he is at school pretty well, ( ok it's only been two weeks and so I am still in an adjustment period) we talk at least once a week or email or text new technology seems to be great for that. in fact last week he text me "mommy" usually I am only called "mommy" when he is sick and yes, he had a cold, he is better now. at least he text to seek my comfort. he is adjusting and liking all his classes which is good he even got into one he really wanted by crashing it and well most of all is work this quarter is reading
( which he likes to do) and writing papers ( which he is good at) so this should be good for him.

"adjustments" or "acceptance" I know that I will have to do this many, many more times in my life time! I just hope I have the patience to get me through!!!( just Kidding!)

Best Advice

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.' 1. Pray 2. Go to bed on time. 3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed. 4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health. 5. Delegate tasks to capable others. 6. Simplify and unclutter your life. 7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.) 8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. 9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together. 10. Take one day at a time. 11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it. 12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases. 13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc. 14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. 15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday. 16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line. 17. Get enough rest. 18. Eat right. 19 Get organized so everything has its place. 20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life. 21. Write down thoughts and inspirations. 22. Every day, find time to be alone. 23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray. 24. Make friends with Godly people. 25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand. 26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .' 27. Laugh. 28. Laugh some more! 29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all. 30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are d oing the best they can). 31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most). 32. Sit on your ego. 33 Talk less; listen more. 34. Slow down. 35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe. 36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never bee n grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31)

4 Rules

DRINK, STEAL, SWEAR & LIE

I met this guy while I was in Albuquerque and he has

a motto he lives by everyday. He said listen carefully and

live by these 4 rules: Drink, Steal, Swear, & Lie.

I was shaking my head 'no', but he then told me to listen

while he explained his four rules. So here they are:

1.. "Drink" from the "everlasting cup" every day.

2.. "Steal" a moment to help someone that

is in worse shape than you are.

3.. "Swear" that you will be a better

person today than yesterday.

4.. And last, but not least, when you "lie" down at night

thank God you live in America and have freedom.

I am not as good as I should be, I am not as good

as I could be. but THANK GOD

I am better than I used to be !

a friend of mine sent this tome so thought it was worth sharing,