THE ENDING OF ANOTHER YEAR ......

Whow, that doesn't seem possible to me! Time sure is flying, isn't it!

Every year at Christmas, we receive a beautifully written letter from our Pastor's wife; and this year, she talked about the things that happen to us in life. She pointed out that on some days we can see the positive, happy side of those things; but then other day's we feel sad and dejected about the same event. All that got me to thinking ... thinking about this past year and all that has transpired; and how I do exactly as she described!!!

In our little piece of the world, Gene's health has definitely deteriorated over the last 365 days ... even the simplest tasks in day to day living are painful for him, yet he manages to maintain good spirits inspite of it all. We had to live another year without Micki, yet she enjoyed another year in Heaven! Our business, like so many others, has suffered terribly from this weakened economy, yet our doors are still opened. My Mom's memory seems to be getting worse by the day, yet we celebrated her 91st Birthday this month. We lost Miss Molly Mae, yet we found Dolly Darlene. A good friend dissapointed us terribly, yet it made me realize how often I must dissapoint God! It's a wonder He has continued to put up with me for so long, and I now vow to do better where He is concerned :) We lost 3 dear friends this year ... two to cancer and one to diabetes and heart failure, yet their memory is so precious. I'm a year older, my hair is a lot grayer, and I'm a bit wider, yet I'm still here :)

Some of my best pals and I have been reflecting on not just the last year, but the last "decade," which, of course, is coming to a close as well; and I have found oodles of stuff that have transpired over the last 10 years to ponder in the same manner. We'd be here till dooms day if I listed them all, so I'll spare you from that :) I did wanna share some pictures of how we began this last decade tho ............... we rang in the new Millenium watching the BeeGee's in Concert :) These are the only pictures we have because I left my camera at the restaurant before heading to the Arena. I'm so thankful to have them :)

Me and my honey :)

Me and Micki :)

From our house to yours ... Happy New Year! May it treat all of you with an abundance of kindness :)

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven." (Philippians 3:13-14)

A LAZY DAY DOWN SOUTH :)

I sure hope everyone enjoyed a Blessed Christmas! Now that the celebrations are over, it's a lazy kinda day at our house; and the best thing happened! Some cooler weather blew in during the night ... the kind that allows us the luxury of turning off the A/C and opening up the windows :) I can't tell you how glorious it feels, especially after our mid 80 temps yesterday!

I've been enjoying some quiet time in my sewing room while Gene and Dolly have been snuggling together; and in preparation of the New Year that is almost upon us and using the "journal cover pattern" over at Moda Bakeshop, I made a cover for my new calendar.

A fast, fun and easy little project that was good for my tired self; and now that my calender is ready to "rock 'n roll," let the countdown for the New Year begin :)

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

TOTED OUT!

The grand finale of the "homemade gifts for 2009;" and I do believe it's official ... "I am toted out! The problem is I still have more people that I wanna make totes for, so hopefully after a small break, I'll be ready to make a few more :)

Now, this proud Mama simply couldn't resist sharing this one!


OMG, talk about cute!!!!!!! Hard to believe too, especially since we've given her two new names ... "Trouble" and "Mischief!"

Hope these last few days before the big celebration are enjoyed by all :)

"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. ³²He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of His father David, ³³and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end." (Luke:30-33)

THE "MERRY" IS MISSING FOR MANY ....

I know that Christmas will be a wonderful celebration with family and friends for many people across this great land; but as unfortunate as it is, it won't be quite so "merry" for others. Today I have some of those folks on my mind and in my heart. Ya see, I visited a Blog this morning that I've been following for awhile now about a family with a wonderful 12 year old Son, Andrew; and I was deeply saddened to hear that he lost his battle to cancer this week. It is so obvious that the family he left behind loves the Lord with all their heart and soul, but I know that the journey that lies ahead for all of them is not going to be an easy one. If you get a chance, please stop by his Mom's Blog and give your love to this grieving family.

Then there's a wonderful young woman, Ashley, who is in TX battling Ovarian Cancer. She is currently enduring the unimaginable with her loving parents by her side. I've been following her Blog for several month's now and it is quite obvious that she is a Child of God and a blessing to many. I know that they would all appreciate some encouraging words as well :)

Also, I've had the pleasure of getting acquainted with a lovely lady in AL, Susan, who lost her beloved Husband several month's ago to cancer; and then there's Donna who is facing her first Christmas without her precious Daughter, Amber. Both of these Christian ladies have inspired me greatly through their daily posts. All those "firsts" after a loved one passes are terribly difficult, so I'm sure some love sent their way would be much appreciated :)

In many ways perhaps "modern technology" has taken away from the manner in which we used to keep up with family and friends; but in so many ways, it has brought us into the lives of many that we would have not have otherwise had the opportunity to know. In my book, that's a good thing :)

Life is truly difficult for many folks right now ... there's my wonderful Sister-in-law, Cindy, who I adore and who is still having difficulties from her 2nd battle against breast cancer ... and there's my friend Debbie, who is preparing to celebrate her first Christmas without her Dear Mother ... and my friend Janet, whose heart is broken from the recent loss of her beloved Aussie, Dixie ... and my friend Shirley, whose 10 year old Grand Niece, Mikayla, is battling cancer ... and my friend Mary, whose Son's are in the midst of saying their final goodbyes to their beloved Grandfather ... and my friend Marti, who has been searching for a job all year ... and my friend Carla who has worries in her heart for her Dear Husband's health and her Dear Daughter's business ... and my friend Marka, whose Mother has been ill for several years ... all the people who have been suffering for so long from this terribly weakened economy ... the many who have lost their jobs, their homes and are having trouble keeping food on the table for their family ... all the soldiers who have lost their lives for our continued freedom and the sorrow in the hearts of their loved ones left behind ... the list truly goes on and on and on; and I hope as we all prepare to celebrate the Birth of Jesus with the people we love and care about that we save a piece of our heart for all those who are suffering.

Before I get back to the tasks at hand, I wanted to share a picture of our beautiful Daughter, Micki, from a "Christmas past" :) The cutie playing Santa is my honey :) We miss her every day, but we continue to be grateful that she no longer suffers from the struggles of this life and Crohn's Disease and that she gets to celebrate this joyous Season in the most wonderful place of all :)

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. " (Isaiah 40:28-31)

HO-HO-HO!

It's off to the "Pest" Office we go!

Twas the 10th day before Christmas

and we're all scurrying around.

Not a sane one amongst us ...

not a single one to be found.

There's shopping and there's baking

and all those presents we're still making.

There's decorating and there's wrapping

and the feet of little one's tapping.

The sewing machines are roaring

and the postal rates are soaring.

Oh my gosh, I'm out of thread!

What in the world is going on in my head!

Nope, not a sane one amongst us ...

not a single one to be found

cuz there's cards to write and there's trees to adorn,

but we mustn't forget the Baby Boy that was born.

"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!

"But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you," (Mathew 5:44)

QUALITY TIME IN THE SEWING ROOM ..............

......... with Aunt Margaret! She flew back to TN yesterday, and we're already missing her. Having her with us this last week was very good for my soul, so thanks so much for coming down for a visit Aunt Margaret!!!!

She saw one of the "charm party totes" I had recently finished hanging in the sewing room and she asked if I could make a "smaller version," so a "smaller version" we made!


I just love all the fabrics she chose from my stash and the pockets she wanted!


And look how cute she looks carrying it!!!!!!!!!


Instead of the 5 inch squares, we cut 'em 4", which made it the exact size she was hoping for! I'll definitely make more and one will have my name on it :)

We also made this adorable "pocket scarf" and hat out of fleece! MaryAnne over at "Moonbeams in a Jar" posted a tutorial for the scarf about a year ago! Tks so much Mar! This set is going to Aunt Margaret's Granddaughter, who adores pink!

The hat was a purchased pattern from JoAnne's and was sooooooooo easy!

I'll be looking forward to her next trip South!

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (Thessalonians 5:18)