I've been doing a lot of reflecting on 2010 and life in general. 2010 was a great year - yes, we've had financial woes and my parents health issues but that is not all there is to life. I will not allow a few bad days to ruin an entire year!
I spend too much time online so I've decided to trim my social networking. The list of sites I was tapped into was:
Twitter
Live Journal
Facebook
Goodreads
Yoga blog
Scrapping blog
This blog
LinkedIn
I've trimmed the list down to a manageable level:
Live Journal
Facebook
Goodreads
This blog
I would cancel Facebook but I keep in touch with friends and family spread far and wide via Facebook. It would be counterproductive to eliminate that vehicle from my social networking house, even though it's the biggest social networking site of all that I belong to and it kind of annoys me in ways I cannot explain.
Likely, I will get rid of this blog too one day but not today. No one reads it anyway- it's kind of like talking to myself which I do on a regular basis but at least with this blog I can go back to see what I've discussed. Unfortunately, many of my more funnier posts had been deleted because I was trying to eliminate any questionable material in case anyone actually read my yoga blog which I was hoping to get published. Also, some of it didn't quite jive with my Christian demeanor either so I deleted those because I didn't feel comfortable with them out there. Yes, I can think unChristian-like at times but I don't want it all over the Internet when I do. People really need to think before they type in my opinion. Sadly, no one read my yoga blog anyway and I lost a bunch of conversations with myself. Such is life. I will get over it.
My wish for all in 2011 is for a prosperous and joyous year filled with love, laughter and lemonade (I really like lemonade).
Blessings,
Sandy
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Sunday, December 19, 2010
The real reason for the season
My kids will tell you (grudgingly) that Jesus is the reason for the season and they are right! If not for Jesus' birth, we would not be saved and I thank God every day for his sacrifice and the sacrifice of Mary. How awful it must have been to realize her son would have to die for all of us to be saved. Add to that, he would have to die painfully, suffering the sins of the world. I could not imagine her sorrow and pain.
I think people need to remember to breathe during the holidays. What I remember most about the holidays when I was younger is not the presents I received (or didn't receive) but the feelings and things I did. What I felt when I saw the trees decorated (we had two in our house), I remember the many nights I spent in the dark living room with only the tree lit just thinking and pondering and, of course, spending time with my family eating great food (and lots of candy!).
I have been trying something new the past few Christmases: I've been spending less and giving more. I give to those who need it and buy a few small items for my kids. They don't need the best new toy each season especially since it will likely get a week's worth of use and then get tossed into the closet. This year we've been feeding the hungry and giving spare change to the H2O Project which supplies clean water to those who have none. It's been a lot of fun!
May the joy of the holiday season fill you with the Lord's light. Good health to you and your families and many blessings for the New Year and beyond!
Blessings,
Sandy
I think people need to remember to breathe during the holidays. What I remember most about the holidays when I was younger is not the presents I received (or didn't receive) but the feelings and things I did. What I felt when I saw the trees decorated (we had two in our house), I remember the many nights I spent in the dark living room with only the tree lit just thinking and pondering and, of course, spending time with my family eating great food (and lots of candy!).
I have been trying something new the past few Christmases: I've been spending less and giving more. I give to those who need it and buy a few small items for my kids. They don't need the best new toy each season especially since it will likely get a week's worth of use and then get tossed into the closet. This year we've been feeding the hungry and giving spare change to the H2O Project which supplies clean water to those who have none. It's been a lot of fun!
May the joy of the holiday season fill you with the Lord's light. Good health to you and your families and many blessings for the New Year and beyond!
Blessings,
Sandy
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Wow, that's a lot of hair
My dog is shedding like crazy. We have a fancy brush to get the undercoat off of her and it works wonders but there is so much hair! I bet we could make another dog with all the hair we've brushed off her. I feel bad though. She doesn't like being brushed. Poor thing is traumatized every time we come near her because she believes we're going to brush her. We keep giving her treats. She is going to get fat. But she will be pretty!!
Monday, November 1, 2010
All Saints Day
All Saints Day is a universal Christian Feast that honors and remembers all Christian saints, known and unknown. In the Western Church (esp. Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans) it is kept on November 1. The Orthodox Churches observe it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
Ephrem Syrus (d. 373) mentions a Feast dedicated the saints in his writings. St. Chrysostom of Constantinople (d. 407) was the first Christian we know of to assign the Feast to a particular day: the first Sunday after Pentecost.1 The Feast did not become established in the Western Church, however, until the Roman bishop Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to Christian usage as a church on May 13, 609 or 610.2 The Feast was observed annually on this date until the time of Bishop of Rome, Gregory III (d. 741) when its observance was shifted to Nov. 1, since on this date Gregory dedicated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter's to "All the Saints." It was Gregory IV (d. 844), who in 835 ordered the Feast of All Saints to be universally observed on Nov. 1.3
As mentioned above, All Saints Day is celebrated by Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans. However, because of their differing understandings of the identity and function of the saints, what these churches do on the Feast of All Saints differs widely. For Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and to some extent, Anglicans, All Saints is a day to remember, thank God for, but also to venerate and pray to the saints in heaven for various helps. For Lutherans the day is observed by remembering and thanking God for all saints, both dead and living. It is a day to glorify Jesus Christ, who by his holy life and death has made the saints holy through Baptism and faith.
http://www.orlutheran.com/html/saintori.html
Ephrem Syrus (d. 373) mentions a Feast dedicated the saints in his writings. St. Chrysostom of Constantinople (d. 407) was the first Christian we know of to assign the Feast to a particular day: the first Sunday after Pentecost.1 The Feast did not become established in the Western Church, however, until the Roman bishop Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to Christian usage as a church on May 13, 609 or 610.2 The Feast was observed annually on this date until the time of Bishop of Rome, Gregory III (d. 741) when its observance was shifted to Nov. 1, since on this date Gregory dedicated a chapel in the Basilica of St. Peter's to "All the Saints." It was Gregory IV (d. 844), who in 835 ordered the Feast of All Saints to be universally observed on Nov. 1.3
As mentioned above, All Saints Day is celebrated by Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans. However, because of their differing understandings of the identity and function of the saints, what these churches do on the Feast of All Saints differs widely. For Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and to some extent, Anglicans, All Saints is a day to remember, thank God for, but also to venerate and pray to the saints in heaven for various helps. For Lutherans the day is observed by remembering and thanking God for all saints, both dead and living. It is a day to glorify Jesus Christ, who by his holy life and death has made the saints holy through Baptism and faith.
http://www.orlutheran.com/html/saintori.html
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Life
My best friend of 35 years (friends since we were three) had a baby in August. Life is so amazing.
My husband and I had our babies before 30 on purpose. We wanted to be young enough to enjoy life after we were done raising our kids. We also wanted to be young enough to handle all that parenting entails. Being a parent is hard work. This came mostly from my childhood as my dad is almost 80. I didn't want to be an older parent (not that there is anything wrong with that). As it stands right now, my husband and I are not even 40 yet and we're on the cusp of freedom. No babysitters needed, no bottles, no middle of the night feedings, no diapers and everyone knows how to dress themselves. Ah, the good life.
My parents are great, don't get me wrong, but I missed out on some things that I wanted to give to my kids and that included a sibling to play with. I play, read, help with homework, bake, dance, comfort and act silly with my kids. My parents were older and as an only child, I spent a lot of time entertaining myself. I'm not complaining. I kept myself occupied and invented a lot of games for me and me only. I am the warm fuzzy foot b-ball champ and that is nothing to sneeze at. (Ask what that is at your own risk. Hubby asked me once and was not as impressed as he should have been. I just wish I could bend that way again.) Being an only child had its advantages as well. For instance, I did not have to share a bedroom or a bathroom with anyone. As a girl, that is a very big deal.
I love my best friend and I love the little nugget she brought into this world. I love the other two gorgeous kids of hers as well. I admire her. She is now a Mama Cubed. I'm only a Mama Squared but that suites me just fine. Our family started just the two of us and now we are nine. That is definitely the best part of life.
My husband and I had our babies before 30 on purpose. We wanted to be young enough to enjoy life after we were done raising our kids. We also wanted to be young enough to handle all that parenting entails. Being a parent is hard work. This came mostly from my childhood as my dad is almost 80. I didn't want to be an older parent (not that there is anything wrong with that). As it stands right now, my husband and I are not even 40 yet and we're on the cusp of freedom. No babysitters needed, no bottles, no middle of the night feedings, no diapers and everyone knows how to dress themselves. Ah, the good life.
My parents are great, don't get me wrong, but I missed out on some things that I wanted to give to my kids and that included a sibling to play with. I play, read, help with homework, bake, dance, comfort and act silly with my kids. My parents were older and as an only child, I spent a lot of time entertaining myself. I'm not complaining. I kept myself occupied and invented a lot of games for me and me only. I am the warm fuzzy foot b-ball champ and that is nothing to sneeze at. (Ask what that is at your own risk. Hubby asked me once and was not as impressed as he should have been. I just wish I could bend that way again.) Being an only child had its advantages as well. For instance, I did not have to share a bedroom or a bathroom with anyone. As a girl, that is a very big deal.
I love my best friend and I love the little nugget she brought into this world. I love the other two gorgeous kids of hers as well. I admire her. She is now a Mama Cubed. I'm only a Mama Squared but that suites me just fine. Our family started just the two of us and now we are nine. That is definitely the best part of life.
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| 3 yr old best friend |
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| Sandy at 3 yrs old |
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Fall
Well, more accurately, it is summer with a fall feeling. Here in the windy city the weather is nothing short of breathtaking. Highs at the beginning of last week were in the 80s with big time humidity but toward the end of the week, it was 70 and gorgeous. Today is much of the same. While typing, I had to shut the patio door because I was actually getting cold! This is the perfect weather for the perfect long weekend. The best part? On Monday it will be hot enough to swim. Only in the Midwest!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
New direction
My new job has lead me in a new direction. For one thing, I turn left instead of right at the end of my street and for quite another, I no longer have anything to do with accounting. I am thinking the latter has more to do with how I'm feeling however (even though it is common knowledge that I do not care for turning left).
I like the change of pace with regard to everything about this company. The people are nice, the job is interesting and the company is respectful. The last time I could claim all three qualities about a company I worked for it was 1999. But the accounting aspect is a very welcome change of pace. I like doing the admin duties without having to be everything for the company. Accounting does the invoicing. IT fixes the computers. Customer Service helps the customers. I only have my job. If someone needs my help, I will gladly offer but not having the expectation of being everything for everyone is a breath of fresh air.
Blessings
~Sandy
I like the change of pace with regard to everything about this company. The people are nice, the job is interesting and the company is respectful. The last time I could claim all three qualities about a company I worked for it was 1999. But the accounting aspect is a very welcome change of pace. I like doing the admin duties without having to be everything for the company. Accounting does the invoicing. IT fixes the computers. Customer Service helps the customers. I only have my job. If someone needs my help, I will gladly offer but not having the expectation of being everything for everyone is a breath of fresh air.
Blessings
~Sandy
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