December 28, 2008 at 7:54 am (Family, Focus, Holidays)
It is December 28, 2008. Christmas is over. New Year’s is just a few days away. Now is the time to evaluate the “Season”. Was it good? Were there disappointments? Will we be glad when it is all finished?
I have always loved Christmas! It has everything wonderful wrapped up in one big present. The meaning of Christmas is vital to our Christian walk. If it weren’t for Christmas (and Easter), we would not have a Savior who came to earth as a man and then died on the cross for our redemption, our faith would be worthless! This is truly an important and meaningful time to remember!
Christmas is also a wonderful time to see friends and families. Many memories are made during this time of the year. It is important to me to keep a strong connection with my sisters and their children. I want us to make memories for ourselves!
And, of course, Christmas has it’s own special foods. It is almost magical sitting down to Christmas dinner. The smells, the tastes, and the conversation are such a beautiful fusion of the senses. Each one is good, but the blending is incredible!
This year, the Christmas Season has been bittersweet. This is the first year without my Mother. My sister and her husband announced that they are moving to Missouri. My uncle passed away on December 23. The funeral was held on Christmas Eve. Each of these events is sad, but the combination of them is overwhelming.
In the book of Job, Job experiences wonderful blessings of God, followed by horrendous tragedies. As he is suffering through all of this, his so-called friends try to give him advice. They wonder why he is facing so many difficulties. They ask about the sin in his life. He declares, quite adamantly, “Why should I accept the good from God, and not the bad?” He isn’t saying that God randomly sends us good, and then slaughters us with bad. What Job conveys is the blessings of the plans of God. His plans include wonderful gifts, and also difficulties. But I can have assurance and encouragement knowing that God is in it all. I will live this day, this month, this Season knowing that God is good!
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November 29, 2008 at 11:53 am (Holidays, Saving Money)
Yesterday was “Black Friday”. That statement alone causes my adrenaline to rush, my blood pressure to elevate, and my checkbook to shrink! I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY! It isn’t so much getting the deals and buying lots of “stuff”. It is just the fun that happens on that day! I find myself singing “Silver Bells” all day long! (My Dad always sang that to me when we were Christmas shopping.)
So yesterday, my older sister and I went out shopping. We weren’t really looking for much, just enjoying the moment! We found a few bargains, but not a lot. After dinner last night, I needed (I say that facetiously) to run out to another Walmart* for just one more item (Prilosec). To make a very long story short (all of my stories are long), I ended up buying 40 30” Minnie and Mickey Mouses (or is that Mices???). I happened to be at the “right place at the right time”. They had to get rid of them before Saturday morning, so they were reducing them further. I offered to buy all 40 for an even lower price! I am so excited!
And now, I have all of my Christmas shopping done! Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas????
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May 27, 2008 at 7:28 am (Holidays)
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No.11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays).
The “unofficial beginning of summer”; the first picnic of the year; a day off from work; a good day for a nap. What does Memorial Day mean to you?
When I was a child, it was ALWAYS the “Kasparek Reunion”. My father had 12 brothers and sisters. That meant there were many aunts, uncles, cousins. We would all gather at Aunt Louise’s home. She had a ball field in her yard with acres of property. We ate, played ball, rode in Uncle John’s jeep, chased the sheep, and had a blast! It was so much fun! I really looked forward to this reunion.
Yesterday, we had a relaxing day with both our kids and my sister, Judi and her husband, Howard. Nothing exciting, just some food and fun conversation. In the early evening, we went to a church softball practice. Once again, nothing exciting, just good conversation and fun!
I had gotten up at 5:30 am and I took two walks. I was really tired so I went to bed early. Looking back on yesterday, there was nothing exciting, but it was a really good, relaxing day. It felt good to be with people that I really enjoy and with whom I can laugh!
What did you do yesterday?
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