Christmas..Check your lists, and do some reflecting

I love Christmas,

One might wonder why,because

as a child besides the gifts and wonder ,it also brought enough pain to nearly overshadowed the joy of Christmas.

I vowed to myself it and other things would be different for my kids.

I didn't know,then, how much grown up "stuff" could get in the way.

Work,pain,interpersonal relationships,family adjustments , personal "growing up"struggles , financial "grief" (out of work ,no money),disappointments( deeds and words from others seemingly bent on destroying any joy you have, in even simple things..words sure can cause deep wounds can't they?)

Then there are the ghosts (memories) of Christmas past( I grew up in a heaven/hell home environment. My mom loved and served God, my Dad was at war with God .

Dad both loved and hated Christmas (and Christians,even his own kids) sadly my dad 'celebrated" it with way too much alcohol.

Dad ,most often ,was a violent abusive drunk.

Like water seeping into a"wounded" boat hull , these "ghosts" can sink and destroy you ,if you don't keep bailing , make temporary repairs or do like I did, and get a whole "new" boat(below)

MAN overboard...that's how one can feel during what should be the most joyous time of the year...forgetting that even the Angels sang for the birth of Jesus.

If you feel overloaded,pressurized,depressed,scroogie (hey ,all the pressure of commercialization alone, to 'get" us to buy,shop,give ,donate,can overwhelm one if you let it)

Then there is the prep time: cleaning (why did our kids and now our dogs get sick AFTER,a newly cleaned carpet?) cooking, wrapping, stuffing, decorating( just finding the stashed "stuff"to decorate,can be frustrating)

I remember one year when our kids were still in grade school, I was headed towards a

KISS Christmas( otherwise called: keep it simple stupid, or perhaps STOP the "insanity". a KISS approach to anything ,if you're not careful can quickly be like throwing the baby out with the bath water, before you know it ,at Christmas time ,you become what else... scroogie..

Better watch out scroogie I "am " headed your way.

I was tired, plus I was in the "gopher" stage (you know this stage I bet)

either your kids or your friends are involved in this program, that play etc and who is the main "go-for it" and do for them? You got it, MOM or good friend... YOU...

That year it was ME.. as I was desperately trying to be the Christmas"hostess twinkie" mom in her "spare" time" .

( the Hostess twinkie mom ,does it all perfectly ,everyone smiles and adores her.

A good movie example ,depicting...we are all "happy",working together...find and watch lilies of the field starring Sydney Poitier )

There I was TaDa: the greatest twinkie mom failure ,or so it seemed to me at the time,nothing was going perfectly, just where were those smiles? and it felt as if every one didn't adore me.

I was discouraged ,especially with all of the to do's, the expectations( both a good share of which happened to be my own): our kids wish lists were long and money was L-O-N-G "gone"

Plus I was overwhelmed with all of the commercials squeezed between the Christmas specials the family loves to watch . M-O-O-M.."hey I WANT that" or "guess what schoolmate so and so " is getting or already "got"...UGH!

Something happened, in the twinkling of an eye...no not a "quiet" in the house mouse, umm was "it"an accident?

No, it was a simple holiday movie starring Jimmy Stuart that "happened" to come on .

The movie ,It's a wonderful life, inspired me at a time I was struggling with great pains, emotionally and physically.

I felt as if my life really didn't matter,(little do we know, right? )

Next happening to clinch the "deal".. a ladies Christmas tea ...

yep, one more "go-for""thing & place . I could barely drag myself there,

I debated on not going.

I am so glad I went. The visiting missionary shared how they celebrated Jesus's

birthday BIG time...they went all out,because our God is special.

Then I remembered WHY I loved and celebrated Christmas .

I am ever so thankful for someone so special and wonderful who came into my life ,year earlier, with a precious gift:

At nine years of age I met Him, Jesus . I wanted to live for Him because He died for me.

I remembered ,Jesus had paid a humongous price for the worlds first Christmas GIFT,

a King's ransom, in fact.

But He gave His own life, not just for the world , perhaps more importantly I remembered this expensive gift was "just"for ME too.

(to really receive a gift one must accept,"open" and use it,by the way)

I accepted this rich gift of John 3:16 and "opened" my gift (Romans 10:9&10).

I also chose to follow in Jesus's footsteps as well as other heros who chose to do so :

Ruth, Ester, David, Joshua and Caleb (Joshua 24:15, is one of my life 'threads") .

Even as a young girl I chose then, come what may, I would follow.

Sometimes I felt like I was eating those heart words, but thankfully was reminded ,when I need reminded most, I am in THE race and on the Winning TEAM , with a host of "folk" cheering me on.

They are there, even when I stumble ,trip , fall or even during those times I have been "shoved" down into a pit (on purpose by someone who hates me. I am in good company though,because he hates God and especially Jesus too) .

Nearly all of my hero's are listed in what is fondly called by those who know about it,the "hall of fame: (Read Hebrews 11 in a King James or new King James version of the Bible for the most accurate translation)

Christmas is also now my time to reflect and my time to think about the coming New Year..

what would I do differently,what did I miss, forget, wish I could do over.. I start getting my "list" ready for my New Years appraisal and revision.

Thus ,I am keeping my list and checking it twice, not just for Christmas but for each coming

New year too.

You "got" this post today because...as I was checking my list for what I need to do and make during the remaining days before Christmas.. what do you know ,an elderly dog I am babysitting, while the owner is away for Christmas, just became incontinent..did I "need" that?

This dog is so sweet , and he was very embarrassed so I "simply" added to my to do list.

I chose to take the time and take him with me to "visit" our wonderful vet, and design and make him a doggie diaper. NOW he feels better and I can ,with Joy, get back to my list.

To compensate for the time 'crunch" this extra to do created on my list, I'll cross off a few things that really don't matter.

A few of those those extra "hostess twinkie" mom 'things' .

I love this dog ,even though he isn't mine ,and he needed my help.

I am remembering ..the perfect gift is love , love gives where it is needed.

Stop , look and listen... where is love really needed around you?

Your loved ones, the neighbor, the helpless, the lonely, perhaps the hungry birds outside, or a sad, embarrassed faithful ,man best friend ,even if his heart belongs to someone else.

(another great movie to watch is the gift of Love starring Marie Osmond)

May you enjoy a very special and blessed Christmas.

Christmas road trips? Dangers in your "good" tires exposed

Please watch this short video about the hidden life threatening dangers that are possibly lurking in your "good" tread tires. This could save your life or the lives of those you love.

I plan to crawl under our car as soon as it is light enough outside and see if I can decipher how old my car tires are..or maybe I'll let my guy do that , since I'm not using the car today :-)

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

here is a link for Canada's standards, I've not watched this one yet
http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/specialsection/story.html?id=df7e6ce7-3012-41ae-a98cbe7bd9debf5

Have a blessed Christ-mas

2010...if not why not..what is holding you back?

TIME OUT.... take a little "time out" for yourself that is....

If at all possible plan for a night at the beach or someplace where you can be "free"

Free to just be you...and time to rediscover what your true passion is...did you lose it?

Who are you? What do you really want?

Where will you be at this time next year IF you don't do what is needed?

What is needed? Bottom line it is ACTION....what action?

I just finished reading a book written by Dee Henderson.."Before I wake".

I was surprised with learning a NEW ? truth..

( I'd previously read this book some time ago,how did I miss this?.

I believe truths are like an onion sometimes.. some we learn layer by layer )

Personally I've made great strides in personal growth since Jan 2006...

It was the year I lost over 100 lbs(and 1st time ever in a lifelong weight 'battle"

I was able to maintain that loss..YAY)

I came out of homemaker mom"retirement"( our kids are all grown,so I was finally doing "stuff" previously denied...self stuff,like art etc...)

I successfully started a home based business,which creatively allowed some supportive type businesses to come "on board".

We began building our dream home...all such creates more "stuff'

As most of you know making great strides in any given area,especially concerning personal growth...there can be some considerable growing "pains" encountered.

WHAT?WHY?HOW?WHERE?HUH?

Like me ,you might discover you are "stuck" in a given area.

why? why do "others" move on,grow,expand,do yada yada? you keep searching for something that you can't quite put your finger on...you are not dumb,you do work at "it' ,you are open, you do 'want". you "got" THE BIG dream...(like "they" tell you to have)

TIME OUT...what is going on deep inside?

While reading Blackstock's book (again) page 253...HIT me....

"I'm tired God, deeply tired inside where hope tries to live...."

Perhaps you are "stuck" because deep inside you are fearful "this" won't "work"

This "diet", business venture,program, procedure,relationship...

IF you continue,your subconscious is possibly the "one" who is getting in your way...

"thinking" for you. ALL the BETTER to "protect" you (my "dear")so "it" says...

so you won't "FAIL" and then become the victim when HOPE really dies !

Hang onto your hat...take that TIME OUT...

Look in the mirror and tell (out loud..we believe what we hear)

the would be naysayer "it" doesn't REALLY understand things

NOR does "it"really KNOW you all that well...

Exhale the neggies out ,Breath in deep rich FREE now is the time air.

Give yourself FREEDOM....freedom to BE,to DO, to GROW

( while not a star trek fan I love Spock's line...LIVE LONG & PROSPER)

What is it that you need to LIVE LONG & (really)PROSPER (not just $$) ?

Watch for some upcoming posts either here or at my farmfunnies

I will be sharing a number of creative ideas about things to do...

Perhaps you already know what would allow you freedom to live long & prosper

GREAT...then if not why not?

2010 ready or not...here we come...I'm ready...are you?

p.s. if you "fail" no biggie...your hope won't die..

It can't unless you let it...we get to choose.

There is an abundance of true life examples all around us.

People demonstrating how to thrive,when by all appearaces they "should"

up and "fade" away...

CHOOSE to aim for the moon/stars...if you fall short ..why just dust off

and "shoot" again..starting TODAY.

Never give up,never surrender,never say die...

why? because I know you can do "this", I BELIVE in you....

(besides if you sit "still" and you don't take that step,pull that bow string back do that?

you'll not budge very far...will you?

Then next year...same time, same place ,same ? is that what you REALLY want?

extra p.s. do you need a lil' help?

e-mail me at betty@bettyframesuccess4u.com to set up 1 free 10 min phone consultation

(I know...I NEED to figure out some of this computer "stuff" ...why because I love YA..

and BECAUSE I have some great systems to do so

(thanks to Ann, Alica &Mike :-) ... )

and yep my blogs are not that "polished" , why?

because these were originally set up for friends/family(especially grandkids) and fun..

I still love to do them...

However, they've grown ahead of my computer skills... :-) sigh... yay....

Hang on,don't lose sight of hope & Keep looking up

Visiting one of the blogs I follow, I was inspired to write this post about hanging on.

Over the course of my life I have been blessed with several encouragements during those times when life seems so discouraging.

#1 One winter I was engulfed in a siege of "home-ness" .

Our kids spent one whole winter in various sieges of illness.

During this L-O-N-G winter I remember once waking to the plea of a distraught little girl wanting comfort, widely waking up as the sound of upchucking and the force of warm vomit covered my entire head. Missing numerous Sunday services and feeling very isolated and alone(hubby was attending school during the day and working nights for us).

My heart melted when a lady from our church sent a single mum decorated as a smiley clown face to me,with a card saying I was missed . ( this is one of the main reasons I love my card system , hoping to reciprocate to others who may also be in the depths of despair).

#2 Still living within the bounds of our "school" budget , a dinner at a restaurant "gave me a fortune cookie containing Chinese proverb i still treasure to this day:

He who aims for the moon may hit a star, but he who aims for a tree,never gets of the ground.

( I strive to aim high,even so if I fall a bit short I'm still flying high :-)

#3 A very beloved pastor shared in a sermon :

A salmon fights hard and sometimes it seems to only stay in one place, making no progress...BUT a dead salmon only goes downstream....( I learned to remember to never give up,never surrender,never stop fighting. I may rest and sigh sometimes)

This same pastor I later discovered spent some serious time in prayer support for me---little did he know I was being bombarded with very self destructive(why not end it) " pot shots". I literally believe his prayers kept me here, so I try to ALWAYS heed any prayer promptings.

In the same vein, a close (non animal loving )friend sent me (a hopless animal loving fanatic)a poster, just for fun. It was a kitten hanging onto a branch by one paw . Little did she know I was hanging "again". I "got" Anne with an E 's engulphment feelings of the depths of despair (Anne of Green Gables)

#4 Meeting a fellow canary lover, I discovered later had the same heart longings for God that I did . She taught me the blessings of praising God.. God inhabits praises to Him...Thus if you want to be in the presence of God more often,start praising Him . Praise even "in"the bad, this is scriptural by the way.( i.e. lost wedding diamond;very sick kids; unpleasant, difficult,vexing, even tragic "life" trials).

#5 A guest speaker shared how we gain faith by literally hearing the Word of God.

(I reasoned I needed to HEAR God's truths to negate the inner neggies I kept hearing repeated over and over inside my lil' punkin' head)

#6 We need to put on our armour, this is a daily necessity. Without armour we , will be recipients of direct hits. Some "hits"are so fast and hard we not even feel them at the time.

In combat remember, they also serve who stand and wait. That to be fore warned is to be fore armed. This translates for me and "my" house that I want us to be RFA -ready for anything .

#7 Time is fleeting,so savor what is really precious. Little sticky hand prints,they will far to soon be distant memories. Look for the beauty all around you . Enjoy each day of your life,day by day moment by moment..learn to treasure and store up the treasures that really matter.

http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup-frame.html

My heart pants for God, I LOOK to the hills from whence cometh my strength, and I know my help comes from my Lord,even when I don't feel it... I choose to hang on ,remembering God's truths,and looking up to Him...

What about you?

This is your life,know the choices & choose well

You can call a rose by any other name ,BUT it will still be a rose.

Our lives are rose "like".

You can say (to yourself and perhaps to others)

It is all xyz's fault I'm not thinner,wiser,richer etc.

You were born in the wrong century or on wrong side of the "tracks"

You missed out on various "advantages" or social "placement

You didn't have the"right" parents or environment.

No matter what you call "it" any problem is not a problem.

In reality whatever you are facing is simply...YOU....

thus the solution(s) begins in YOU...you can do it, whatever you choose.

Long time followers of my blogs, know I base my life on sound Biblical principals

I heartily recommend you look there for your best answers.

I also heartily recommend anyone you choose to give you advice,council or support

be one who bases their life principals and values on the solid Rock of Biblical principals too.

It doesn't take a very long "venture" into history to learn how a society "evolves" with out holding true to their core values .

Societies who stray from these principals,

whether they personally believe in God or not ,decay and eventually become pretty much extinct in some form or another.

I find it not only sad, but I think it pity our founding fathers would have a hard time "recognizing us now.

Let this little history "foray" enlighten you to not following "suit".. Be the BEST you can be

no matter what.

Light a candle in your life, don't hide it under a bushel, look at your dreams, your goals, hold them high despite what inner voices may be "whispering".

Formulate a plan , commit to do something positive... for YOU,,,your dreams... your goals.

You are worth it!

Start now,no matter how small you start.

Today,right now, choose what you REALLY want.

If you don't choose,the choices will be made without you.

As for me, I choose to do what I REALLY want...

Now go ...You can do it, I know you can...I belive in you... :-)

What is your biggest challenge?

What is your dream?

What do you REALLY want?

betty@bettyframesuccess4u.com

Little known family facts , a tribute to Bob Bogle

All of us have some little known family facts don't we?

Well here are some of mine:

I just wrote a tribute post for my cousin Robert at my farm funnies blog

most of the world knew him as Bob Bogle,lead guitarist and co founder of the Ventures.

I wrote my post mainly for my own kids and other family

members , but my family facts contain good memories ,so I am sharing them with you

my readers and followers.

Here is a link to my tribute post

Young cousins memories and tribute to Bob (Robert) Bogle, Lead guitarist for the Ventures

What holds you back? Where are you headed?

The road is ahead of you and you are wondering what lies around the corner.

Do you know what would hold you back,once you round that corner?

Do you really know who and what you are?

Do you have the resources to become who and what you are destined to be?

Do you have pain,regrets,indecision,sadness,that seeks to engulf or hinders your travel?

While, as a professional health and business coach, I can share tools and ways to reaching your dreams goals, I cannot "fix" the inner struggles, and misbeliefs , you know...all the negative

things that a person acquires during a lifetime.

I want to share video that could help clear up a lot of such "stuff",

why not check it out... and if you need a health or business coach, contact me for a free

consultation .

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=849dc7c803281df74bb2

Is there a "Morel" to this story? Yes and a yummy one...

When one finds such a "shot" , what else but .....
...A fry fest...
What else could one expect , after all? I mean after capturing such, what is left but to create a scrumptious fry fest?

Actually, I left these particular treasures alone.
The last time I had created a scrumptious feast from such after finding some on one of my
forays as I checked fences, I searched in vain for several years in the hopes of a repeat performance, my are these treasures good. I had been told it didn't matter if you picked them, if conditions were such that created a safe haven for them, they would return again...They never did, no matter how hard I looked.

This year I decided to mark the spot and let them happily enjoy life till the very end.
I echo Spock's sentiments..."Live long and prosper" ( with many descendants) my dear mushrooms.

So the Morel to my story...let "blooming" mushrooms be
sing them a happy song each time you pass by
let them grow tall, strong and free
and perhaps many descendants next spring you can FRY !
(well saute' in butter that is, yumm)

Got steak anyone?

Healthy Health Elixer

It is evening and the sun is setting, are you refreshed in spirit?
Have you paused long enough to wonder and be thankful for the beauty around us?

Perhaps you are tired and ready for a good nights sleep,
Well, working long and hard will help promote that.

How do I know?
A perfect stranger told me so. While I was doing some late grocery shopping tonight.
We happened to be in the same "place" at the same time.
I "opened" the door to the conversation, and thus we shared a few words.
I asked how her day was, then she asked how mine had been, I laughed saying
long and hard. That is when she laughed and said well at least you will sleep well.

Again laughing, I said yes, we call out to that pillow, come to momma baby...
Again we laughed and we both moved on to finish our shopping.

So work long and hard, do a good day's work, and then....

I heartily recommend a great Healthy Health Elixir, just click on the link below, to find out more . I'm almost positive it will enhance your sleep, especially when you apply some laughter with it.

Remember a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.
(actually I do not recommend what is apparently the main ingredient for vitameataveggamin)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVfBRRm7RgI

Free, All natural,Blissful,Refreshing Restful SLEEP AIDE...

Do you have trouble falling asleep?
Do you find you wake up rumpled in spirit, dreading another long day?
Do you find your mind on overload with worries?
Are you so concerned about our economy , you can't rest?

Here are some very practical solutions that have worked extremely well for me for years.
It doesn't matter what the "issue" is...

My sleep "aide" is wrapped around a very simple principal...
The source is tucked inside a small black book (mine is actually burgandy)
No doubt you have a similar one, it may be bigger or even smaller.

Inside this book there are a few written lines.
It says, and I quote
"He will keep you in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee."
There are many similar verses:
how to find perfect rest
how you can be protected from harm, danger
where to get strength
how to deal with danger
..just to name a few...

How does one keep your mind stayed on Him?
What to do when your mind seems to be turbulent with
concerns,worries,grief,
unresolved issues (with work,family,spouse,child..whatever),even pain.

Here is what I have found to work consistently.
There are a few "troubles" it may take a little longer time to fall asleep,
but the same principal will apply.

#1 Start singing, not just any song but the old time gospel ones, such as Jesus ,Jesus ,Jesus, sweetest name I know...There is Sunshine in my soul today... He walks in the garden alone...
just get one of the old fashioned hymn books and find any song that has words singing about Jesus...I have my own personal theory about why this sleep "aide" is so effective, but that is for another post....I kid you not, There is Something About That NAME ( a name of another song , if you didn't know that)

#2 this is possibly even a more effective sleep "inducer"
start praying...the talking to God ,about anything ,kind of praying.

If you find you can't there are several possibilities of why...
a. You may not really know Him, you may know about HIM, but that is not the same
I know how to turn an oven , but I don't really KNOW about electricity.. and if I haven't
taken time to learn or study ways to cook , I won't know how to use what I have available
to me.... so if this is you find some one to ask or just pick up that "book" (the BIBLE)
and start in what is called the book of John...( kind of in the middle)
b. you know Him, but you are what is called :out of fellowship
this is like having your oven turned on, your meal in "there", but not having the stove
plugged in...so you have no power...
c. you may be in a deep valley...sometime when everything else is 'right" there can be
times when the way is so dark and suffocating...hang on, he who stands and waits
(hanging on ) also serves...at such times I have simply uttered i am sorry i can't even
pray...and just well was wordless....

I also have a theory of why this 2nd sleep 'aide" is so powerful...
briefly, I believe we each have a purpose, at your core being you know this too, and when we reach out to the Divine, we face opposition...

My merry heart sings even louder : Praise Him , Praise Him...Jesus our blessed redeemer,
Sing oh Earth His Wonderful Name Proclaim...

(a little FYI...if you experience more difficulties in any form,
I would suggest you may have hit an oppostion "nerve" and thus you may need some support...i.e. someone who is a little more experienced with
opposition tactics..
if you are on your own, just ask out loud , God I need help..
then look up different words ( listed in what is called a concordance in the back of your Bible ) that come to your mind as you ask for help, the answers are all in there...
I can promise, because it has already been PROMISED they are...

for fun read my recent post at farm funnies
Need SLEEP ? Try Grandma's Feather Bed..

a couple of helpful links

Dr. Charles Stanley - Anxiety
YouTube - CHARLES STANLEY - LANDMINES IN THE PATH OF ...
Controlling Your Thoughts - Charles Stanley

It's what's inside that matters, so have a heart...

You've all heard how you are not to judge a book by it's cover, right?

Funny, how often we tend to do that.

How much does that happen when meeting people?

A lot I think,

Here a whole auditorium laughingly looked at Susan Boyle , fully expecting

her to "flop", did she ? Now it's your turn to "judge" ,be careful...

Let this video be a reminder as you meet people wherever you go, and have a heart.

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=98096bfbc280d77852ec

Spring time Trillums, bloom where you are planted..

It's spring time, my Trilliums ,daffodils, violets,johnny jump ups and snow bells greet me everywhere I go...

How about you? Can you hear their joyous words of cheer?

This morning one of my clients shared with me how she is in a lot of pain right now, but she
was working hard, she had already done 5 loads of laundry and had been on her feet all day.
Her motto sounds much like mine, despite current constant pain in my neck right now, I get busy and just tackle what needs doing...we both put our focus on the joy and beauty around us.

There are times it is tempting to "give up", but really would that be any better?

I remember the words from Joni's friend (in the book Joni) when she wanted to give up ... you can have a 5 min pity party ,then get on with it (well something to that effect)
click here , Joni and Friends to see Joni's smiling face and learn more about her, then click your back arrow to return here.
Joni is amazing , she learned to paint with her teeth holding a brush.. talk about rising above limitations..wow

The next time something hinders you, limits you or discourages you, why not get a handle on it? Perhaps like Joni ,with you teeth if necessary (kind of like biting the bullet isn't it?

Put your focus on something funny or of beauty and be encouraged,refreshed and renewed.
Find a copy of Hinds Feet on High Places, perhaps amazon.com would have a used one at a good price, it is probably out of print now.
Then like little much afraid, learn to bloom where and how you are planted...

Learn to be like my spring flowers, full of springtime cheer and beauty
despite the frozen ground and spring mud they pushed their way up through .
They bring joy to those around them (well those who look for joy) and so can you.

Many blessings

Happy wherever you are, when your heart is full of love

Here are two little songs to remind you, no matter where you are, or what is going on in
your life, you can still be happy. It is the condition of your heart that makes the difference.

Both star Danny Kaye, one of my favorite actor's, both songs are in the movie Han's Christian
Anderson.
(when you finish one, be sure to click the back arrow to return to watch the next one)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJHls-r ( I just discovered this link is no longer valid, it was what inspired this post, SO when you watch the next one, click on the utube over on your left that says thumbalina...TaDa and you will be able to see the one I wanted to share)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMKxnYRhk6I

to see a funny Danny Kaye with the Muppet's chef click on
my latest post at farmfunnies ( Is your turkey cooked? )

Oh no! Hurry before the sunsets

Before it gets any later, I thought I would add a link for my today's post over at my farm funnies, then I'd best hustle outside or this farm will not be so funny...

I thought my post could have gone here in merry heart... but since I did add a couple of funny u-tube links to it.... oh well, decisions, decisions...

what are words? life after birth...which egg are you ?

mars and venus , slay the dragon.

Aww fudge, Oh fudge, yum fudge, whatever...it is "food", well chocolate is considered one of the four food groups I've heard :-)...more importantly right now the photo of this pan of fudge was in my pictures and thus it has become a "symbol" for food in this post.

Now that we have that defined, remember this magic. Food is the way to a mans heart.

I do believe there is much in that saying. I know I sure worked hard to learn to become a good cook after I was married. I also learned there is more to cooking than just following directions or simply aspiring to be a good cook. Part is practice, part is a husband who doesn't notice the burned edges and says yum while he undoubtedly has to hold his breath to swallow said burned dinner.

Now that the way to a man's heart is defined, I have bigger fish to fry : what is a man anyways?

What makes them so very different ?

Since there are so many good books on such , yep I've read more than my fair share,trying to understand, so I won't even try to go into that for this post. I'll just give you an easy (for me :-) ) link to learn more about the differences.
Love and Respect Reflects over at AbbaStories . The author of this blog has a link to the Love and Respect's blog, I haven't checked it out yet but will soon. I am greatly impressed with the authors of this blog book by the same title.

Here is what I find an interesting question.

Why is it men, who can sit reading a newspaper,with the television on, not seeming to really notice the tellie ? At the same time the kids can be dismantling the

a squawking cuckoo clock , while they fight over the proper dismantling methods. The washer is going bananas with an lopsided load of clothes. Unfortunately you are within hearing range but up to your neck in the middle of something that you can not easily put down . Hubby cannot hear your desperate plea for intervention of the cuckoo fest.

To me the most interesting part of this, is what happened to occur to me.

Dragons, yes Dragons. Didn't men use to go slay dragons? How on earth did it ever happen? Here is what I couldn't quite wrap my brain around. How, when almost bedlam can be going on within the walls of a home, and I know mine isn't the only one this scenario has occurred in, having been a personal witness to many other such "other" world "sitings" again HOW did the man ever survive?

If they don't hear the noise rampaging within the "castle" walls all about them, then how did they ever hear the noise of a dragon who was lurking in the forest or whatever?

Here is the "deal" , I discovered today.

When the man , who is king of the castle, is IN his castle, his guard is lowered.

Hopefully he is at peace, he is at rest, he is regaining the fortitude to go out and win another battle...tomorrow.

May the king have some quite,peace and as in the movie taming of the shrew, may he find ease...and watch out cuckoo, Mom can't help right now...

merry heart laughter, medicine for the soul,

These are bleeding hearts, they are in my flower garden. I love them.

They remind me to have a merry heart.

How to have a merry heart when you are down.

Years ago when I was in one of Anne of Green Gables depths of despair and the tunnel was so dark and seemed endless, I stumbled upon a little plaque. It was one that my youngest daughters made for me at a Bible camp, It was a little board in the shape of a bottle and it had the words of a Bible verse spelled out with outdated pills. A Merry heart doeth good like a medicine. I decided I needed a merry heart, I needed this medicine for my inner self.

I rented some of the good old video's that were funny. Danny Kaye movies, cartoons, etc.

It took a while, but I did begin to have a lighter heart. Just this morning one of my dear clients wrote me an e-mail. In it she talked about how much fun her and some girl friends had at a recent birthday party. These gals occasionally meet and they laugh their selves silly.

My client asked if I had heard of Normal Cousins , I hadn't. Here is a link that tells how he used
humor to help himself heal Normal Cousins Journal of Nursing Jocularity

Find something humorous. Learn to enjoy life, learn to laugh, then learn to let your body have freedom to heal. God's medicine, laughter, and ..a Merry Heart.

Never Miss a Sunset,

Years ago I read a book called Never Miss a Sunset.

I don't remember the author just now.

Sunsets are free, they are rich, they can lighten and refresh your spirit,

Wherever you are in the world, try not to miss the next sunset. Take a few moments, breath deeply let your cares go, and let the beauty of the original painting, which is etched in they sky
for only a few moments give you new strength.

I even take time to thank the artist. He does such marvelous work, every day.

My husband once noticed when viewing a beautiful scene in nature, as hurried people thronged all about him, none were noticing the splendor, so he felt all the beauty was just for him. No one else even seemed to care.

Let your spirit be enriched, and may you be richly blessed.

It's snowing : Time to make the donuts

Snow equates to making donuts, here on our little farm. (donut u-tube link below)

I have some wonderful new recipes to try thanks to Ed Chastain.
Ed is a professional donut maker, I loved watching him make donuts on his u-tube.

So much in fact ,I decided to purchase his professional donut course.
It is something I've considered doing for about two years , but I am not planning to be a professional donut maker, so I thought it was a bit extravagant of me to do that.

What is life anyways, but to occasionally to do something extravagant, not for any particular reason, but just because.

When our children were little I used to plan a very merry un birthday party ,just because.
Because we occasionally needed something different, a break, or something to look forward to.

I remember one dear Aunt told me to do something nice for myself occasionally.
I took her words to heart.
Why did she tell me that, you may wonder.

While I was a young stay at home mom, and my hubby was working and going to school to get his degree.
I was engulfed in childhood lingo, surrounded by sesame street "gigs" .

My Aunt reasoned ,that as stay at home moms, one seldom hears good comments about a job well done, gets a raise or a bonus , generally you get a lot of static !

To keep ones chin up sometimes the hearth nurturer needs her own nurturing, and thus sometimes one must do that for oneself.

Perhaps like me your family is all grown now. Perhaps you are going through some family struggles, financial upheaval with our economy. Perhaps you just need a change.

Perhaps (also like me) you are engulfed in your own home business: if so remember you are the "boss" so remember to reward your worker "you" occasionally

What ever your situation, depending on what your budget will allow
do something just for you, maybe stop for a moment , find a comfy chair, have a lingering cup of coffee, while you go to Ed's link and watch him make donuts.
Then why not opt in to his link to receive free donut recipes.

Ed doesn't know me, though we've e-mailed a couple of times about my donut questions.
He sounds like a hardworking ,great guy . I love to help others and share good things.
So it snowed today, it's donut weather and how best to share donuts than Ed's u-tube.

Make an occasion to make yourself , and the family some special donuts.

What about your neighbor ?

Enjoy ... Giving is special, and sometimes you need to give to yourself ,as well.

If you don't have snow, well FAKE it and make some anyhow :-)

Ed's link EXPERT DONUT MAKING

and my crazycritter part is adding this donut "course" too , I couldn't resist :-)

Muppet Show - Swedish Chef - making donut

Shazamm, a new post went into cyberspace...and ended up where?

Here is the link to my new post for here at Merryheart.
I came here ,logged in and wrote this post just for you .
I published it and shazammm, it went into cyberspace and came out at my crazycritter blog
here you go....have a wonderful day, and if you were to tell me your computer or your dog ate your work...I'd believe you :-)...Stressed? Take time to see what you miss ....