CARROTS, EGGS AND COFFEE

Something to think about in these uncertain times . . .
Carrots, Eggs & Coffee!

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee....You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.

In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me
what you see?'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting
through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest
do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes a long their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and
heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you (I JUST DID); to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendships you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.

If you don't send it, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someone's day with this message!

May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!

Beautiful Outdoor Wednesday Pictures

GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY..
THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BYE.THIS IS JUST A
BEAUTIFUL TIME OF THE YEAR TO SHARE THESE
OUTDOOR PICTURES.

THESE PICTURES ARE TAKEN HERE IN MERIDIAN OVER
AT ONE OF OUR PARKS.THIS HAS BEEN A VERY HARD
WEEK FOR ME. MY MOTHER IS BACK IN THE HOSPITAL,
I FELL LAST SUNDAY AND CRUSHED THE FIBULAR
LIGAMENTS IN THE TOP OF MY FOOT.I AM ON CRUTCHES
THAT IS A SITE WITHIN IT SELF,MY FOOT IS IN A
BOOT NOW TELL ME HOW GOOD THAT IS LOOKING. TRYING
TO WORK.MY DOCTORS EXCUSE WAS FOR ME TO STAY OFF
THE FOOT FOR TWO WEEKS,THAT HASN'T HAPPENED EIHTER

I NEED TO SAFE MY VACATION TIME FOR WHEN OUR NEW
BABY COMES IN DECEMBER.


BACK TO THE REASON FOR THESE PICTURES THAT I CHOSE
I JUST WENT OVER TO THE PARK MONDAY FOR JUST A REAL
GOOD OLE CRY. MY SON AND HIS WIFE ARE MOVING THIS
WEEKEND.MY PLATE IS JUST TO FULL FOR ME RIGHT NOW.




OUR BEAUTIFUL CAROUSEL. LOCATED IN HIGHLAND PARK



JIMMIE RODGERS MUSEUM



ARE THESE DUCKS JUST BEAUTIFUL...HIGHLAND PARK

Moonbeams Vintage

Welcome to 2nd Time Around hosted by Diane
A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words. I don't ever
join in this fun event sometimes I just don't
have anything cute to show. But today is the
day that I do have something that is a deal,
a steal and matches what I have just great.
A wonderful friend told me about Moonbeams
Vintage not far from her home.Oh me my
daughter-in-law and I went Saturday.The
cutest shop that I have visited in a long time.
Please visit Kelli blog Sassy Southern Mom
http://kelli1975.blogspot.com/ to see
the table that she bought for $7.00 it was on
sale 50%off. These are the 2 high back chairs
that I bought for $20 for the two. She was asking $12
but she sold them to me for $20. Your thinking
sounds good so far lets see what ya got...They match
my table and chairs that I painted black last summer.
I am showing one of the chairs that I already had.
They match perfect.Hope you enjoy 2nd Time Around.
Have A Great Day..

Around Town Carousels

Welcome to Blue Monday. Sally is our wonderful
host for this event. A little about my hometown.
Several years ago Sela Ward opened a home for
children here where artist throughout MS has
donated their time to design these carousel
horses.Once they are designed they are sold
to businesses in our local area.They are very
unique and each and everyone of them has such
character.
A little bit about my hometown..

Have A Great Blue Monday.




Cities worldwide are bringing art (and animals) to the people with wildly popular painted pigs, cows, fish and moose. They are stampeding and swimming through the streets from New York to New Orleans in the form of fanciful public art. And they are bringing business with them.

The brightly painted, life-sized sculptures are gaining popularity across the globe, proving that everyone can appreciate art-especially when it's painted across a beguiling animal. Public art is also pumping millions of tourists and dollars into the cities that open their arms to the whimsical beasts. It's an opportunity for the art industry to give back to the community and bring recognition of its artists, galleries and sponsors. Meridian is the first city in Mississippi to join the national animals on parade phenomenon. What more natural icon for Meridian than the Carousel Horse -thus Around Town Carousels Abound was born.

The fiberglass carousel horses measure approximately 5' x 4, 11", will be painted by local and state artists and be permanent art throughout the city. Plaques will designate the artist and sponsor of each horse.

"The primary goal of our project with the life-size carousel horses is to instill within the citizens of Meridian and Lauderdale County a deeper love, thirst and appreciation for art. We feel there is no better way to accomplish our goal than to expose people to public art.

A PINK HEART

WELCOME BACK TO PINK SATURDAY. THIS
HAS BEEN A FAST WEEK. ONCE AGAIN I
HAVE POSTED ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS
VERY DEEPLY TO ME. FRIENDS HOW SOME
PEOPLE DON'T CHERISH FRIENDSHIPS
ENOUGH. LIKE THE POST SAYS SOMETIMES
WE JUST LET THE BALLOONS GO.MAYBE WE
DON'T REALIZE THE EFFECTS OF THE BALLOON
GOING UP UNTIL IT IS OUT OF SITE AND WE
NO LONGER CAN SEE IT.I ALWAYS WONDER WHERE
DID THAT BALLOON END UP.
PINK SATURDAY IS HOSTED BY BEVERLY OVER
AT HOW SWEET THE SOUND. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO
VISIT HER BLOG AS WELL.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL PINK SATURDAY
AND MEET LOTS,LOTS OF NEW FRIENDS.

EACH PICTURE REPRESENTS A PART OF A PINK
HEART.I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO GET THE PICTURES
IN BETWEEN THE WRITING. OH WELL ENJOY,
THE PICTURES ARE VERY SWEET.








Give this heart to everyone you don't want to lose in '09 . Try to collect 12, it's not easy!



'Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.





If you want your dreams to come true, you mustn't oversleep.


Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.


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


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


The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge.


One thing you can give and still keep...is your word.


You lie the loudest when you lie to yourself
If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
Ideas won't work unless ' You' do..


Your 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 you might have been.


Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right.. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back. Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away. Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong. Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late. I don't want to let that happen so I'm gonna tie you to my heart so I never lose you.

Send this to all your friends and see how many you get back. Even send it to your balloons that you think have flown away forever.You may be surprised to see it return. Send this heart to everybody you love and like and that have touched your life in a positive way..





Fred Baskin
(678) 266-7618
"I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living"
Psalm 116:9

The Seed

A successful business man was growing old and
knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.
Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children,he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO.
I have decided to choose one of you.. "The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one
of you a SEED today - one very special SEED.. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be
the next CEO."

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the
story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had
grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but
he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however.He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the
seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment
of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety
of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful --in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will
be appointed the next CEO!"

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to
the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next
Chief Executive Officer!

His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.

"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.

Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!"

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

* If you plant faith in God , you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now;
it will determine what you will reap later.

"Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back"

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

This is outdoor Wednesday.I have never
partcipated in this beautiful event.I have
to be honest I love beautful plants,but
truly once I have bought them I don't
remember one from the other.So, today
I am going to educate myself with what
some of the plants are.Most all of the
plants survived the winter and have come
back prettier than ever.

Healthy Snacks to Fight the Afternoon Blahs

It's three o'clock. You're sleepy. You can't concentrate. Your energy level is at an all-time low. All you can think about is that candy bar in the back of your desk drawer or taking another hit of caffeine. The afternoon blahs have hit.

Healthy snacks to cure the snack attack

Microwaved low-fat popcorn

Saltine or whole wheat crackers with peanut butter

Fresh fruits, either plain or with cheese

One half of a whole wheat bagel topped with peanut butter or hummus

One cup of low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons whole grain cereal

Carrot and pepper strips with low-fat salad dressing

Sunflower or pumpkin seeds

Mixed nuts and dried fruit

Fresh fruit yogurt smoothie

Avoid shovel-eating. Instead of a pile of potato chips overloaded with calories and fat, try an orange for a quick energy fix and vitamin C for later. Whole-grain foods, such as a muffin, stick to your ribs longer than a candy bar and will help you avoid the post-sugar energy plunge.

Too cute!Too cute!Too cute!

Too cute!

Shirley & Marcy

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.

So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.

She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week?

Do you know her?'
Timmy nonchalantly replied,
'Yeah, I know who she is.'
The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?'
'That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.'

'Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? '

'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much.
And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow
me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always..

I know you smiled!
I sure did, Pass this on
and brighten someone's day!

My Blue Butterfly Tree

Welcome to Blue Monday.Sally is the host
for this event.http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/
A time to visit blogs and
make more new friends.


My post today is a post from a friend.She had been on a field trip with her child's classroom to some forest in or around Atlanta I asked her to look for blue butterflies and this is what
she found. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING AS PRETTY....I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY AS MUCH AS I HAVE..



Oh there is no words to express this very special meeting that took place. The Forrest was most honored to witness such an impressive moment.

And honestly, so am I! This is, of course, the blue episode after that first ladybird incredible gathering. I don’t remember ever seeing such butterflies (the only blue butterflies I caught when I was a child were small and had some dots on) and I hope not to catch the Mariah-la-butterfly-mania, but I do declare this scene to be one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen! Those colors are fairytale-ish, aren’t they?

Funny Love Quotes

I hope everyone who visits my blog
today has a little grin when they
leave. I really thought a little
humour would be great for today.
Enjoy and please come again real
soon...



When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: either the car is new or the wife is.



Love may be blind but marriage is a real eye-opener! Unknown

Do not marry a man to reform him. That is what reform schools are for."

Mae West

Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law

A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished.—

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Whatever you may look like, marry a man your own age - as your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.
Phyllis Diller

Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invariably they are both disappointed.
-- Albert Einstein - Funny Love Quotes

In my house I'm the boss, my wife is just the decision maker."

Woody Allen.

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday
is to forget it once

I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always.

***********

I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said.
So I suggested the kitchen

All About the Color PINK

Brighter pinks are youthful, fun, and exciting, while vibrant pinks have the same high energy as red; they are sensual and passionate without being too aggressive. Toning down the passion of red with the purity of white results in the softer pinks that are associated with romance and the blush of a young woman's cheeks. It's not surprising that when giving or receiving flowers, pink blossoms are a favorite. Pink is the color of happiness and is sometimes seen as lighthearted. For women who are often overworked and overburdened, an attraction to pink may speak of a desire for the more carefree days of childhood.
How the color pink affects us physically
Bright pinks, like the color red, stimulate energy and can increase the blood pressure, respiration, heartbeat, and pulse rate. They also encourage action and confidence.
Pink has been used in prison holding cells to effectively reduce erratic behavior.
Welcome to another Pink Saturday.
My post for today is about the
beautiful pink color. There is
truly something about the color pink.
It is always very soft and always makes
me feel good.
Beverly from How Sweet The sound is the
host for this event. Every week it
continues to grow. So we know that the
color pink effects alot of us. In one
way or the other.

If you are one that comes to my blog
regularly why do you think bloggers
have stopped coming???? Do I not post
anything that is interesting.
Thanks for stopping by.
Pink Saturday is a wonderful way to
meet new friends..
Have A Great Day..


Pink around the globe

The pink ribbon is an internationally recognized symbol of hope and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

In Japan, the color pink has a masculine association. The annual spring blooming of the pink-blossomed cherry trees (the Sakura) is said to represent the young Japanese warriors who fell in battle in the prime of life (the Samurai).

Jaipur City is a foremost tourist attraction in India because of its superlative forts, grandiose palaces, vivacious temples, multicolored bazaars, pulsating streets, and its distinguished pink color to which the city owes its oft-used name "The Pink City". Learn more about this colorful city

The Chinese had not recognized the color pink until they had contact with Western culture and the Chinese word for pink translates as “foreign color.”

Marrakesh is another city associated with the color pink. It is sometimes refered to as the "Rose City" because of its salmon-pink colored buildings and the red clay of its terrain. Learn more about the Rose City
Religious & mythological associations with pink
Pink signifies happiness and joy in Catholicism.

Popular phrases that include purple

Tickled pink: to be happy
In the pink: in good health -- this phrase hasn't always had this meaning. See what it originally meant
Pinking shears: scissors with serrated blades
A pink elephant: term to describe hallucinations during intoxication
Pinkie finger: the smallest finger on the human hand
Pink slip: notice that employment is ending
Pink collar: refers to a particular class of jobs once only filled by women

Quotes about pink

"Pink is the navy blue of India." --Diana Vreeland
"I fell off my pink cloud with a thud." --Elizabeth Taylor

Songs with pink in the title

"Mr. Pink Eyes" by The Cure on the "Lovecats" single
"Pink" by Aerosmith
"Pink & Blue" by OutKast on "The Love Below"
"Pink Cadillac" by Bruce Springsteen
"Pink Cashmere" by Prince on The Hits 1
"A Pink Dream" by The Cure on the "Mint Car" single
"Pink Elephant" by Cherry Poppin' Daddies
"Pink Houses" by John Cougar Mellencamp
"Pink Maggit" by Deftones
"Pink Panther Theme" by Henry Mancini

INTRODUCING PINK

Pink is the color of happiness and is sometimes seen as lighthearted.

THE EFFECTS OF THE COLOR PINK

How the color pink effects us physically and mentally
Stimulates energy
Can increase the blood pressure, respiration, heartbeat, and pulse rate
Encourages action and confidence
Pink has been used in prison holding cells to effectively to reduce erratic behavior

Penny Postcards

East Mississippi Insane Hospital and Grounds, Meridian



Weidmann's Restaurant, Since 1870, Meridian

What did your town look like according to Penny Postcards?

Check out your old stomping grounds during the times of the penny postcard. If you didn't know your town back when,you sure will
not know it now. Very Exciting for me...

The price was raised to 2 cents on January 1,1952.
Click on the state and then on the county name to see old penny postcards from that area...pretty neat.

Click here>> Penny Postcards

Click here for Lauderdale County/Meridian >>

http://usgwarchives.org/ms/lauderdale/postcards/ppcs-laud.html

Fruit Fool

Use this Fruit Fool recipe for a fabulous easy no cook dessert. You can use any flavor of canned fruit pie filling in this easy and adaptable recipe.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
21 oz. can apricot, peach, or cherry fruit pie filling
1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Preparation:

In medium bowl, fold together pie filling and thawed whipped topping just to marble. Spoon into six parfait glasses or stemmed goblets and sprinkle with nuts. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. 6 servings

PINE TREES KNOW EASTER

Pine Trees Know Easter!

HAD NEVER HEARD THIS STORY BEFORE BUT, BELIEVE ME, I PLAN TO WATCH THE PINE TREES THIS SPRING TO SEE THE CROSSES.



Last April on a Sunday we took one of our "nowhere" drives, my husband was quietly driving a back road. I was occupied in the front passenger seat watching the scenery.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that my husband was straining to look out my window. This startled me, since his eyes should have been on the road in front of him. I asked him what he was looking at out the windows, and he quietly replied,"Nothing” His eyes went back to the road in front of him.

After a few minutes, I looked over at my husband and noticed a tear. I asked him what was wrong. This time he told me, "I was just thinking about Pop and a story he had once told me"

Of course, because it had to do with his Pop I wanted to know the story, so I asked him to share it with me. He said, "When I was about 8 years old, Pop and I were out fishing and that's when he told me that the Pine trees know when it is Easter.."

I had no idea what he meant by that, so I pressed him for more information.
He continued on... "The Pine trees start their new growth in the weeks before Easter -- if you look at the tops of the Pine trees two weeks before, you will see the yellow shoots. As the days get closer to Easter Sunday, the tallest shoot will branch off and form a cross. By the time Easter Sunday comes around, you will see that most of the Pine trees will have
small yellow crosses on all of the tallest shoots."

I turned to look out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a week before Easter, and you could see all of the trees with the tall yellow shoots stretching to Heaven.

The tallest ones shone in the sunlight like rows of tiny golden crosses.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU WATCH FOR THE CROSS AND MAY IT SERVE AS A REMINDER THAT IT WAS UPON A CROSS THAT JESUS DIED. HE DIED FOR YOUR SINS AND MINE. HAVE YOU ACCEPTED THAT?


HAVE YOU ACCEPTED HIM AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR?



IF NOT, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO ACCEPT HIM. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE GIFT HE GAVE YOU, THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS ON AND PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE THIS TO HELP OTHERS UNDERSTAND THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRIST SURRENDERING HIS LIFE ON THE CROSS ,THAT YOU AND I, THROUGH OUR ACCEPTANCE OF HIM, SIMPLY BY PRAYING AND ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE HEAVEN OUR NEW HOME.

Two choices so be POSITIVE

You have two choices!!!!
>
>
>
> Jerry is the manager of a restaurant. He is
> always in a good mood.
>
>
>
> When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would
> always reply:
>
> "If Iwere any better, I would be twins!"
>
>
>
> Many of the waiters at his restaurant quit their jobs when
> he changed
>
> jobs,so they could follow him around from restaurant to
> restaurant
>
>
>
> Why?
>
>
>
> Because Jerry was a natural motivator.
>
> If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was always
> there, telling
>
> him how to look on the positive side of the situation.
>
>
>
> Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went
> up to
>
> Jerry and asked him. "I don't get it! No one can
> be a positive person all of
>
> the time. How do you do it?"
>
>
>
> Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to
> myself, I have two
>
> choices today. I can choose to be in a good mood or I can
> choose to be in a
>
> bad mood.
>
>
>
> I always choose to be in a good mood. Each time something
> bad
>
> happens, I can choose to be victim or I can choose to learn
> from it. I
>
> always choose
>
> to learn from it.
>
>
>
> Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to
> accept
>
> their complaining or I can point out the positive side of
> life. I always
>
> choose the positive side of life."
>
>
>
> "But it's not always that easy," I
> protested.
>
>
>
> "Yes it is," Jerry said.
>
>
>
> "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the
> junk every
>
> situation is a choice.. You choose how you react to
> situations.
>
>
>
> You choose how people will affect your mood.
>
>
>
> You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.
>
>
>
> It's your choice how you live your life."
>
>
>
> Several years later, I heard that Jerry accidentally did
> something
>
> you are never supposed to do in the restaurant business.
>
>
>
> He left the back door of his restaurant open in the
> morning, he was
>
> robbed by three armed men.
>
>
>
> While Jerry trying to open the safe his hand, shaking from
>
>
> nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers
> panicked and shot
>
> him.
>
>
>
> Luckily, Jerry was found quickly and rushed to the
> hospital..
>
>
>
> After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care,
> Jerry was
>
> released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets
> still in his body.
>
>
>
> I saw Jerry about six months after the accident
>
>
>
> When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were
> any better, I'd be
>
> twins. Want to see my scars?"
>
>
>
> I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone
> through
>
> his mind as the robbery took place.
>
>
>
> "The first thing that went through my mind was that I
> should have
>
> locked the back door," Jerry replied.
>
>
>
> "Then, after they shot me, as I lay on the floor, I
> remembered that I
>
> had two choices: I could choose to live or could choose to
> die. I chose to
>
> live."

>
>
>
> "Weren't you scared I asked?
>
>
>
> Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept
> telling me I
was going to be fine.
>
>
>
> But when they wheeled me into the Emergency Room and I saw
> the
>
> expression on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got
> really scared.
>
> In their eyes, I read 'He's a dead man. I
> knew I needed to take
>
> action."
>
>
>
> "What did you do?" I asked.
>
>
>
> "Well, there was a big nurse shouting questions at
> me," said Jerry..
>
> "She asked if I was allergic to anything."
> "Yes, to bullets," I replied.
>
>
>
> Over their laughter, I told them "I am choosing to
> live. Please
>
> operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
>
>
>
> Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also
> because of
>
> his amazing attitude.
>
>
>
> I learned from him that every day you have the choice to
> either enjoy
>
> your life or to hate it.
>
>
>
> The only thing that is truly yours - that no one can
> control or take
>
> from you, is your attitude, so if you can take care of
> that, everything else
>
> in life becomes much
>
> easier.
>
>
>
>>
>
> >
>
>

Her Hands

Her hands held me gently from the day I took my first breath.
Her hands helped to guide me as I took my first step.
Her hands held me close when the tears would start to fall.
Her hands were quick to show me that she would take care of it all.

Her hands were there to brush my hair, or straighten a wayward bow.
Her hands were often there to comfort the hurts that didn't always show.
Her hands helped hold the stars in place, and encouraged me to reach.
Her hands would clap and cheer and praise when I captured them at length.

Her hands would also push me, though not down or in harms way.
Her hands would punctuate the words, just do what I say.
Her hands sometimes had to discipline, to help bend this young tree.
Her hands would shape and mold me into all she knew I could be.

Her hands are now twisting with age and years of work,
Her hand now needs my gentle touch to rub away the hurt.
Her hands are more beautiful than anything can be.
Her hands are the reason I am me.

My mother will be celebrating her 83rd
Birthday on the 12th of April. She is
the sweetest,kindest,most thoughtful
person that I have ever known. She loves
her children,grandchildren and now her
great grandchildren. From now until the
12th I will be adding little special things
about my mom.Pleaseleave a comment so that
I may share them with her.She looks so
fragile doesn't she.This was made at my
sisters this past weekend. She has been
staying at my sisters for the past week.
She is only 25 miles from me.

35 Things that Make YOU Special

What do people remember about you when you walk out of the room?
In my case, I may think it’s my background and knowledge that makes me special, but it’s more likely that what’s really memorable is seeing food magically transports itself from my plate onto the floor or onto other laps when I’m excited…

What makes YOU special?
Take a look at the following list of 35 things that make you special. It’s like a life inventory. When you consider all the questions, you’ll get a sense of how your life is at the moment, and how you could change it to bring out YOUR special uniqueness.

1. Personality
What is your personality? Take a look at the following personality types according to the Enneagram. Are you

An idealistic Reformer,
a caring Helper,
a success-oriented Achiever,
an introspective Idealist,
an idealistic Reformer,
a caring Helper,
a success-oriented Achiever,
a sensitive Individualist,
an intense Investigator,
a security-oriented Loyalist,
a spontaneous Enthusiast,
a powerful Challenger,
or a reassuring Peacemaker?
You can take the Enneagram test here, or take another personality test here

2. Signature style
What’s your signature style? Are you engaging, entertaining, moving, intense, funny, bold, ditzy, serene, boring, or threatening?

3. Beliefs
What do you believe about life, the universe, or about yourself? Do you have religious beliefs? Do have beliefs about yourself that limit your potential? Complete this quiz to find what your limiting beliefs are.

4. Spirituality
Are you drawn to the mysteries of life? Do you use spiritual practice, i.e. meditation, prayer, or other to nurture your spirituality?

5. Aspirations
What are your aspirations? Do you strive for a cause that is greater than you?

6. Dominant sense
Each of us has a dominant sense through which we experience the world. What is your dominant sense? Is it sight or sound or touch? To find out do the test here.

7. Thoughts
What kind of thoughts are mostly in your mind? Are they daydreams, or thoughts focussed on your current project? Is your mind usually focused on the past, on the present, or on the future?

8. Goals
What are your goals? Have you recorded them? Which goals we choose, and whether we set them determines a substantial part of our uniqueness. Click here to learn how to set goals.

9. Creativity
Are you creative? Do you create at work, or write, paint, cook, or in any other way? Often people who are creative are more lively and happier than those who are not. Find out what makes us creative.


10. Happiness
How happy are you? Take the test here to see how happy you are. Find out what authentic happiness is.

11. Attitude
What is your habitual attitude? Is it negative or positive? Our attitude is shaped by influence and association, beliefs, thoughts, expectations, and self-talk. How was your attitude shaped?

12. Attraction
What are you drawn to? What are your favourite colours? What’s your favourite music, climate, or food? What kind of people do you like?

13. Genes
We are shaped by both heredity, as well as environment. What traits have you inherited from your parents that make you unique?

14. Body
The size and build of our body is genetically encoded. However, how we care for our bodies determines what it looks like. Check out the following questions: Are you slim or overweight? Are you fit or out of shape? Are you flexible enough to touch your toes? Is your body able to practise sports, or dance, or do yoga, or train in martial arts? If you have a physical disability, are you stretching your capability to the limit, or not?

15. Face
The face is a mirror of the soul. If we are kindly and upbeat, our face looks animated and relaxed. If we feel down, or anxious or ill, our face looks tight and grey. What is your face like? Do you take moments to relax your face?

16. Ethnicity
What is your ethnic origin? Are you proud of your culture of origin and your ancestors, or not?

17. Culture
What is your culture? Is it followed by the majority or a minority of the people around you? In what way does your culture influence your life?

18. Voice
We are born with a particular voice and its resonance, tone and pitch. However, it can be developed - as actors and singers know. What is your unique voice like?

19. Diction
Do you speak with an accent or a dialect? The way we pronounce the language we use is a unique marker.

20. Gender
Gender is only partly determined by body formation. What masculine and feminine traits do you see in yourself?

21. Health

Good and bad health are life’s gift and burden. What really shapes our uniqueness is the attitude to health. What is your attitude? Are you pro-active or passive? Do you complain or actively seek healing?

22. Hormones
Hormonal patterns determine whether we are tired, or hungry, or irritated, or lustful.
What hormonal patterns or surges are noticeable in your life and how do they influence you?

23. Age
Age is a biological factor. But it is also influenced by the mind. Do you feel old and unfit, as well as low on energy and drive? Or do you feel vitally alive, energetic and youthful? If you want to feel youthful, you need to put effort into keeping your mind and body in good shape. How do you keep in good shape?

24. Intelligence
Being intelligent is not only having a high IQ. Intelligence is now seen to include social, emotional, and physical aptitude. Your mix of these strands of intelligence is what makes you unique. How do you maintain and develop your intelligence?

25. Life experience
Each of us has a unique experience of life. Used wisely, experience is valuable because we can recognise patterns and respond appropriately. Which life experience has shaped you most?

26. Childhood
The childhood we experienced in the past makes us unique today. What was your childhood like? How has it shaped you? If your childhood included traumatic experiences, what have you undertaken in order to heal from them?

27. Trauma
What kind of life crises have you experienced? Have you integrated them, or are they still unresolved? (My upcoming Ebook From Tragedy to Triumph: How to Win Through a Life Crisis explains how to integrate difficult experiences).

28. Opportunities
We have all encountered different opportunities in life. What kind of opportunities have you encountered or created? How have you responded to them? What we make of opportunities is part of what makes us special.

29. Relationships
Whom and what we relate to makes us who we are. Which human beings do you love or feel connected to? Whom do you feel disconnected with? What about the environment - do you love nature, or the city? What is your relationship to animals - which are your favourite animals?

30. Learning
Your stance towards learning makes you unique. Is continuous learning important to you or not? Do you like formal study or informal learning? What kind of learning environments work best for you?

31. Habits
How do you spend your time on a regular basis? How much time to you spend on passive recreation, such as TV? Do you have an unpaid activity that you enjoy? How important is this activity to you?

32. Work
Most people spend more time at work than asleep. How we spend this big chunk of our life makes us unique. What do you define as your main work? Do you work for yourself or work for others? Do you work mostly alone or with a team of others?
Are you passionate about your work or is it a chore? Do you earn enough to keep yourself going or are you struggling financially?

33. Quirks and foibles
What are your quirky habits? As I said in the introduction, these foibles can be the thing that people enjoy about us.

34. Communication style
Psychologists pinpoint four different communication styles. Are you a Relater, Socialiser, Thinker, or Director? Check it out on this site.

35. The life journey
Each of us is on a unique life path. Which path we follow defines a part of our uniqueness. What path have you chosen?

..

What strikes me is that we are able to change most of these variables! What makes us truly special is how we spend our energy, thoughts, and time, as well as how we respond to whom and what we encounter.

It’s in your power to evolve and bring forth the unique, special person that you are. That’s an awesome responsibility

When you read this list, what did you realise about your life? Please share you thoughts in the comments.

What kind of Angel is inside of your heart

When I have no one to turn to
And I am feeling kind of low,
When there is no one to talk to
And nowhere I want to go,
I search deep within myself
It is the love inside my heart
That lets me know my Angels are there
Even though we are miles apart.


A smile then appears upon my face
And the sun begins to shine.
I hear a voice, so soft and sweet
Saying, 'Everything will be just fine'
It may seem that I am alone
But I am never by myself at all.
Whenever I need my Angels near
All I have to do is call.


An Angel's love is always true
On that you can depend.
They will always stand behind you
And will always be your friend.
Through darkest hours and brightest days
Our Angels see us through.
You are one of my Angels.
Perhaps I am one for you.

Have A Truly Blessed Sunday. Thank
you for taking the time to come by.
Have A Great Week

Wherever there is winter, there will be spring

There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE

TIPS - Long Live Your Lashes

A flutter of the eyelashes can get a girl places, but only if the lashes are long and luscious of course. They need as much looking after as any other part of your appearance. Here is how to make sure you don't neglect those peepers!

Eyelash curlers make a big difference. For maximum effect, squeeze and release the curlers at least 3 times on your eyelashes in different places. This will give you the maximum curl and open the eyes right up. Don't use curlers after you have applied mascara as this breaks and damages the lashes.
When applying mascara, wiggle the brush from side to side as you sweep upwards. This gives width to lashes. If length is what you are after, apply mascara several times to just the tips of the lashes.
Have a day off from mascara each week. You can use Vaseline on this day which will condition the lashes and keep them in good nick. You condition your hair after all, why should your eyelashes be any different.
Avoid false eyelashes if possible. The glue can actually pull lashes out and you will end up with shorter, thinner eyelashes. Concentrate on what you were born with and enhance using mascara rather than falsies.
If your eyelashes are fair then eyelash tinting is an option. Don't do it yourself unless you know what you are doing. A trustworthy salon will do a much better job for you.
Don't pick at dried mascara on your lashes. Use a good make up remover and cotton wool, and be gentle as you wipe the mascara off. Never pull the lashes away from the face as you remove mascara, as you will definitely lose a few.
Don't be afraid to experiment with colour. Try a colour mascara on the tips of your lashes for a party look, or apply a little bit of glitter for eyes that really sparkle!
Related Posts:
GRAPEVINE - Good (Mascara) Vibrations
PRODUCT - Volum' Express Mascara
TRY THIS - Flashy lashes

Scents of Style | Frangrances to Compliment Your Style

Your style mood is reflected in your daily ensembles and the scent you wear should be just as stylish.For those fun and flirty style moods you'll feel pretty irresistable in Elizabeth Arden Pretty, a feminine blend of pink lily, creamy amber and orange blossom. A romantic style mood calls for an escape to island paradise with Island Michael Kors Bermuda, an exotic blend of vibrant hibiscus and tropical passion flower. Giorgio Armani Onde Vertige blends the sunny frangipani flower with the sensual patchouli for a lush oriental fragrance, perfect for a sexy style mood, while a fresh burst of mandarin and rosy peony give Sarah Jessica Parker Twilight the sparkle you need for a natural and refreshing style mood.