Farewell 2012

As I say farewell to 2012, I like to look back over my year and reminisce all that happened.

Would you be willing; as you think back and remember your year to answer one of these questions?

20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
5. Pick three words to describe 2012.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2012 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2012 (again, without asking).
8. What were the best books you read this year?
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2012 for you.

go ahead answer as many or as little as you'd like.. ...

Blessings

Priorites

This story was floating around the web a while ago and I thought it was worth sharing.
 
The Professor.. .
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar

and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

 He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.

He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full..

The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed... .. .

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - - - your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else- - -the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first- - -the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

As the year of 2012 comes to an end may we be reminded of what's really important and to get our priorities straight as we begin a new year.

Blessings

Boxing Day Blessings

I was up at 4 am anticipating the day ahead - excited beyond belief to have the family home for Christmas. We didn’t have to prepare much as I spent the day before stirring, mixing, measuring, chopping, blending, baking, basically doing everything needed so I could spend our Christmas focused on the family, not on the food.

We tend to do a rather non-traditional meal around our house at Christmas time; rather than turkey & dressing ~ we decided to serve a brunch which consisted of: brunch enchiladis, cinnamon buns, fruit salad, specialty cheeses, shrimp ring, and yogurt. For supper we feasted upon; nacho dip, hot cheese spread, tortilla wraps spudge rolls, chicken wings, jalepeno poppers, mozza sticks, italian meatballs and of course the leftovers from brunch. We also munched throughout the day on nuts & bolts, Christmas crack, and chips; to say we’ve gotten our share of carbs is a bit of an understatement ~ however it sure was mmhmm, mmhmmm good!

After our brunch we settled into the family room for our gift exchange. We had drawn names back in October when everyone was here for my birthday.

Gerard gave his gift to Teya,

who gave her gift to…. . Gerard.

Krystle gave her gift to her Dad,

who gave his gift to Darcy,

who gave his gift to Krystle.

 Kyle gave his gift to me

and I returned the favour by giving my gift to him.

Wayne & I decided that even though we are in on the gift exchange we still wanted to buy a gift of each of the ‘kids’.

We gave Krystle the `Holy Family' Willow Tree Angel set.

Teya received a bath set and a jewellery holder in the shape of a ladies evening gown.

Our boys got Lego ~ yes Lego.  Even though they are 22 & 24, they still love it!

Gerard was given a box of hot chocolate K-cups and gift cards for a few fast food places {A&W, McDonalds, Dairy Queen & Subway}.  sorry, I didn't get a picture of that.

However, I did happen to snap a picture of these boys in their matching T-shirts

love it!

As I reflect over the day, my heart swells with love for family;  the laughter we shared, the tears of joy expressed, the memories made; I will treasure this day for years to come.

Blessings

Merry Christmas

From our house to yours!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Blessings

one more sleep

as our kids were growing up, we used to count down to big events by how many sleeps it was. each Christmas we'd pull out the countdown bear

that would be filled with treats in each pocket.  as each day would pass the kids would move the bear and get the treat. it was never difficult to get the kids up for school through the month of december, because it meant that the first one up got to move the bear and therefore get the treat.

times have changes considerably. with all the kids at their own homes poor mr. bear had sat in december 1 pocket for about one week until i remembered to move him. in fact each week he'd jump a couple days just to get caught up. without the kids here to share any of the treats wayne has had his share more than his share of candy.

again this year we've seen some traditions change and our plans get altered from what we’ve been used too. and that's ok - truly it is. 

someone shared this photo on facebook

and i thought it to be a great reminder.  may we all recognize what is truly important this holiday season.

blessings

Say Cheese

I love getting photo Christmas cards.

I also love giving a photo Christmas card. {so I included a copy of ours as well.}

The smiling faces and co-ordinating outfits, the perfectly selected backdrops. The yearly record of amazing travels, big blessings and small joys in abundance. It’s good to reflect on all that is right in the world, especially when so much seems so wrong. But yes, I know it can be depressing sometimes to get those wonderful Christmas letters, when maybe your own life isn’t quite so pretty. Or you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders for others who are hurting.

Is everyone’s life as picture perfect as they seem? Perhaps some are, but I’m quite certain that most are not. I know ours isn't. We all have hurts, disappointments, frustrations, confusion and seemingly unanswered prayers. They just don’t look as pretty on the yearly Christmas card.  No one really wants to get a card that tells the whole truth like that in the mail, right?

This is the time of year where friends are having parties to show their homes all dressed up in Christmas finery. Perfectly decorated corners are filled with handmade crafts and homemade treats, an abundance of holiday cheer and beautiful trees all a glow. It’s all good though, we need to find that corner of peace and beauty in a dark world.

I’m going to venture a guess, that behind the camera there is probably an “undecorated” and slightly-undone-less-than-festive scene just out of view of the lens.  Because, you know, that’s life. It unravels. The good with the bad, the messy with the beautiful. Tears are mixed with joy.  Both sides of the camera tell the true story of the life we lead.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Praying God’s joy and peace for you all.

Blessings

courage

what's the first word you see?

supposedly the first word you see is something that you value.. ...  . please leave a comment, telling me what your word was and whether that's true or not

blessings