New Design for New Year

LOOK  I have a new blog header

I am excited about it....and feel the need to tell yall!

 I  give kudos to An Orginal Belle who designed this for me.

I have tons of stuff to blog about later on.....

as I go back to hibernating this week!

I Heard The Bells

When I learned the history of this poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.....This song has encouraged me even more to hear the Christmas Bells!

"A few months after the Civil War began in 1861, Frances Longfellow was sealing an envelope with wax when her dress caught fire. Despite her husband's desperate attempts to save her, she died the next day".

During his distraught times.....Longfellow still heard the Christmas Bells and wrote the poem below.

Christmas Bells   by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play,     And wild and sweet     The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom     Had rolled along     The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day,     A voice, a chime,     A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South,     And with the sound     The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent,     And made forlorn     The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said;     "For hate is strong,     And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;     The Wrong shall fail,     The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."   Take the time to hear the bells after my history lesson...   I wish yall a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Days of My Horse-Dog

Donny ran in the door carrying a big stick

I said "Donny what did you bring in the house?"

Rfff Nothin, do I look guilty?

Funny how I see that my horse dog was bringing me a present

when really he was playing with a beloved stick!

My Favorite Christmas Decorations

This was made by my Mother-in-law 25 years ago

My Mom gave me this to me a long time ago

My Son when he was 5 years old

My daughter made this at school 1993

my daughter bought this for me is NYC
she went there with her school

My 11 year old tree

I always liked this tree but it has seen better days....when it was young!

This makes up my Christmas tree full of old precious memories!

I Changed my MS Treatments

I took the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treatment Copaxone for one year but I had injection site irritations.  I knew about those irritations from when I had previously taken Betaseron in 1994.

I wanted to try Copaxone because several other MSer's that I knew, had good results while using it.

However, I had taken Avonex successfully for 11 years.....So why did I change when we are all so different?

Maybe it was the fact that Hubs gives me the injection since I compare it to a harpoon Ok it is a large needle......always lookin for meds with smaller needles.

I learned the old sayin of "If it ain't broke, then don't fix it" was true for me!  I am back to using Avonex which works for me.


Different subject that is not so technical:

I received this beautiful Christmas card from Anne at HotchPotch Ehhh?? in Denmark.....Anne shares the history of these beautiful weaved heart cards

My Night Driving

net pic

This is a huge small accomplishment for me to be thrilled about!

I wanted to go to our MS Self Help Groups Christmas Party Dinner

however Hubs was working....therefore I was apprehensive about driving in the dark.

When I drive at night....it seems like the bright lights of other cars look like the above pic

As I grow older my eyes are not what they used to be...dah

(like the rest of my body)

I was happy when I was back at home....with a sense of accomplishment and relief.

I will be trying new eyeglasses that may shield the glare.

I am Thankful for small achievements and eyeglasses!

My Three Year Bloggiversary

The following is one of my first blog posts out of 500 posts.  I show it with all its flaws to say that practice makes perfect it better:

December 2008: Everyday life with MS

I AM WRITTING THIS AFTER A LONG DAY. TIRED OF COURSE, BUT THANKS TO MY POWER WHEELCHAIR, I HAVE THE DISHWASHER RUNNING NOW. I AM COUNTING DOWN THE STUFF I HAVE TO GET DONE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. SINCE MY JOURNALISM IS SO BAD, I WONDER WHY I AM DOING THIS. I KNOW THERE IS A PURPOSE FOR EVERYTHING AND MAYBE ONE PERSON WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP ON TRYING.

I had 5 followers with one comment that inspired me to keep on blogging.  (Thanks Lynn) 

A little encouragement can make a big difference in ones life

At least I stopped typing in all caps!

My Cactus Flourishes

What does my cactus show me? 

I knew it had grown a lot but I was surprised by how much it

had grown in 6 years.

The same cactus in 2005

 The plant took time, attention, care, and lots of light to grow

I feel that life is the same way.

Thankful for Memories

Grumpy Oscar and Happy Shelby

After grumpy Oscar passed away recently.....I found this old photo of Oscar and Shelby.

Many years ago, we had adopted a puppy so that Oscar would not be lonely....

I am not sure Oscar appreciated that fact.

Therefore Oscar was forced to raise the happy dog, Shelby.

Back when happy Shelby was a puppy with older grumpy Oscar....Shelby kept yelping as puppies do.

Oscar could not take that yelping puppy anymore so....

Oscar went over and looked down at her and barked a few stern  barks.....Shelby looked up and quietly barked Ok and hushed.

Oscar was not mean to Shelby and they both lived long, full lives!

Maybe the Christmas season causes me to feel reflective or is it the old photos...whatever it is...I am thankful for memories!

Gift of Lights

Hubs and I drove through the Gift of Lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

We began the tour of more than one million LED lights along a 1.5-mile drive through course

It brought out the kid in us to see the lights while driving through the tunnel under the stands.

There were many themes of lights.

They had us listen to their radio station of Christmas music as you drove.....NASCAR drivers like Tony Stewart, Darryl Waldrop, Brad Keselowski, Bill Elliot, Carl Edwards was speaking between the songs.

car loads of kids enjoying the lights

Georgia Gift of Lights website has all the info...the cost is $15 per car

Disclaimer: I was given a free ticket to the Gift of Lights to blog about  my tour

I had to remind Hubs that he was not a NASCAR driver when we drove home!  

However Hubs and I enjoyed the lights!

Words 4 MS

I was asked (freely) to share this info about MS Lifelines for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)....Check it out if you want to:

In order to inspire others through compelling real stories, MS LifeLines asked the MS community to tell its story through four words in a video earlier this year.  Now, you can check out some of these stories from Words 4 MS and share them with friends at http://on.fb.me/ucIogz.

Starting in March, to honor MS Awareness Week, MS LifeLines invited the MS community to submit a video that uses four words to illustrate how individuals feel, what inspires them, or reminds them of someone who helped them through their MS journey.  Now, a video montage of select submissions is available for viewing.  The video features individual stories from people impacted by MS.  You can also go to www.MSLifeLines.com/Words4MS to submit your own video today.

MS LifeLines is an educational support service for people living with MS and their families.  MS LifeLines is sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

I Have a Cold!

feeling a little like this Plant

Funny how a cold was a big deal when I was a kid

Now it is just a minor irritation when I compare it to the aches of growing older!

(forgetting other aches)

 Trying to keep Perspective today

PS: Our Thanksgiving was nice with Dad and family
      Starting to get up a Christmas tree and back to blogging!

I Confess that I was a Grinch

I had a memorable Thanksgiving yesterday however  today is what is known as "Black Friday"....so I share this thought about Christmas.

It was written by Susie at Recovering Church Lady.  I must confess that I did gripe about Christmas being too commercialized....til I read this post on her blog:

Christian Grinches?

Written Dec. 2010........
You will not read many rants on this blog but I do have an issue with a phenomenon that occurs every Christmas and it really bugs me. I do not understand the Christians who gripe about how "our" holiday is being ruined by commercialism, greed and division. Don't they see that they are ruining it by complaining and moaning about it all season?

I read a news article about some church people and atheists  who are putting up dueling billboards to prove.....well, I don't know what they are trying to prove, it makes no sense! Do they think that some words on a big sign are going to change the way a nation thinks about Christmas? Or about Jesus? 

The fictional character, the Grinch is about a creature who hates all the warm fuzzy feelings and spirit of giving that appear every December. Scrooge would get along really well with him. Unfortunately I am seeing and hearing a lot of church people who could be part of the same club! All they talk about is the greed and commercialism of Christmas. Don't they hear themselves? The subject is the opposite side of the issue but the mood and tone are exactly the same!

Maybe it is a 'glass half full or glass half empty' kind of thing. I see this time of year totally different. 

I walk through stores and hear God being honored and praised in the overhead music being piped in for all to hear. Can you imagine any other time that the words, "Glory to God in the highest" would be resounding in your ear as you are reaching for the dish soap off the store shelf?

The malls are crazy-busy and the lines are long, but it is because everyone is hunting down a gift to give away. The desire to find the perfect item that will bring a smile to a friend can't be a bad thing, can it? We are spending hard-earned money to express our love for one another. Not only are we buying gifts to give away but the treasure is being wrapped in pretty paper and sparkly bow, so that it brings a smile even before the friend knows what is hidden inside! 

What other time of year could you get away with walking from house to house singing songs about Jesus? I know that Christmas caroling does not happen much any more, but how crazy is that tradition? The recent uploads of flash mob musicals on YouTube are evidence that singing for other's enjoyment is still alive. Maybe these are the new version of caroling! 

Houses and yards are full of bright lights and scenes of cheer. Just driving to a friend's house at night is a colorful and uplifting experience! So what if there are more Santa scenes than Jesus scenes! Both are delivering a message of love and generosity. 

My Santa collection.

I love Jesus and I love Santa. I also have no problem distinguishing which one is real and which one is pretend. My Christmas includes both of them and seeing more Santas in store decorations does not make me angry or jealous that Jesus is not getting enough attention. I know He is the reason for the season but I don't need to walk around shouting it to the world. 

This is a unique time of year when we as Christians have so much opportunity to love others and give of ourselves in so many ways. We can walk around humming songs that speak of angels and the Savior. Strangers aren't freaked out if we smile at them and say "Merry Christmas", blessing them as we go about our daily business. 

What is the main question people ask one another at this time of year? "Are you going home for Christmas?". This holiday promotes family time and gathering with our loved ones. Christmas movies and stories are about forgiving one another and letting bygones be bygones. Hallmark movies make us all teary and mushy because they point us back to our families and healing old wounds. 

Jesus is the center of it all!

There is something about this season that calls us up to a better, kinder, more loving standard. Why complain about commercialism when it is pointing people in the right direction ultimately? I plan on exploiting Christmas and enjoying every opportunity to smile big at strangers and totally ruining the dark moods of the Grinches!

Seeing Beauty in the Sky

I saw beauty when I looked up (yall know the analogies).

The sky looked strangely beautiful as I was making my daily telephone call to my Dad....just ordinary stuff.

He did not answer so voila....

I grabbed the camera to try to capture it 

Look for the Beauty as it is all around us!

 

 

 

Spotlighted on Multiple Sclerosis Relief Blog

net pic

I have been Spotlighted at Multiple Sclerosis Relief.  I appreciate Linda for adding me to her Spotlights.

Just sayin to check out her blog....other than to read "My MS Story".

My Unusual Sleep Pattern

my view is strange sometimes

Why do I wake up early now?  

I was a late sleeper my whole life til the past year.....

Maybe it is my horse dog that 

wakes me some days

but I wake him some days!

Why did my sleep pattern change?

Maybe it is my age since I am past 50

However it is nice being an early bird!

Can anyone relate to this?

My Dog Oscar's Tribute

Our 15 year old dog Oscar passed away in her sleep....(reason for her boy name is here)

Here are a few words to describe her life:

She disappeared for one month during our 500 year epic flood (You can imagine our surprise when she came home).

Oscar protected us from stray animals....which is important when you live in the metro woods!

Oscar accidentally bit my Aunt Sue when going after another dog on her shoulder.

I was not fond of Oscar because she was not a friendly dog....however I always felt compassion for her!

Oscar is missed....we tried to make her last days as comfortable as possible.

Seeing Beauty In Simplicity

I see beauty when simply turning on the faucet

and I have running water!

I am joining Shanda at A Pause on the Path to see Beauty in Simplicity

Honoring Veterans on 11-11-11

Hubs Sub

Happy Veteran's Day!

I have a special appreciation of my Hubs service
he was in the Navy.

Hubs was in a submarine with 100? men.

(they were packed in it like sardines)

 To all Veterans I say

THANK YOU!

Adjusting to the Time Change

I am having the worst time adjusting to the time change!

It has been a long time days since the time fell back

and I am still falling back in my brain!

Maybe it is my old body having a tough time changing!

Have yall adjusted?

Stormy Weather

When I saw this unusual sight...

I tried to capture it with my camera (I did not enhance pic)

It had become very dark

yet the light was seen through the trees.

There are many analogies with this scattered storm
or just a dark photo!

Feeling Thankful

family togetherness

I list a few things that I am Thankful for as we approach Thanksgiving:

My Multiple Sclerosis was halted with meds

My Family

Jesus....

water

A life with Hubs

all the friends that have come through my life

being able to see the above deer

Be Thankful for the big and little stuff!

Marine Son Gone to Duty Station

My life is back to normal.
Just sad to see my kids move away...then again...

It is not easy for grown kids to move back home briefly.
I would say:
Where are you going?
When will you be home?
etc
I still think I need to take care of him but it drove my son crazy.
It is not easy to see your kids as adults??

We did have many Family Fun's while he was home.

All in all we had a whirlwind of memories for a few weeks.


Off topic but I add this video of the procession of Fallen Marine Scott Harper.
I want to store it in my blog since we were proud to go to this.....I want to remember it.

Cpl Scott Harper Procession from Channel 23 on Vimeo.

My Guilty Horse Dog....

I discovered this mess in my house one morning!

Who would roll shred paper on the inside of my house?

It appears the evidence led me to this guilty looking horse dog?

Is he cowering in shame?

or is he going back to sleep?

Honoring our Fallen Hero Scott Harper

Hubs took this pic of son and I waiting for the procession

We went to the procession of our fallen hero Scott Harper.  He was being escorted  home a final time.....we wanted to honor his sacrifice...He was killed in Afghanistan at the age of 21.

the Procession began with a police escort

A silence began....then tears....

the Mom of Marine Harper went by in the limo behind the hearse.....she reached up and touched the window as she was looking at my son in his uniform.

Maybe she touched the window as an act of appreciation for my son standing there saluting his fallen Marine.....

Fallen Hero Scott Harper

We were so touched by her thoughtful action during her pain.  

Since my son is a 21 year old Marine, this affected me greatly.

Moths are Beautiful too

Psalm 139:14  for I am Fearfully and Wonderfully made, marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

Beautifully and wonderfully made came to my mind when I saw this moth on my door last year.

I am re-using an old photo but I still have the excuse of being busy with my son.....kinda.

Try to Notice the beauty around you....through the good and bad times.

WFW

My Family Welcomed Son Home

Youngins

I continue sharing a few of our events while my son has been home.....

We had a lunch for my family (20 people) to come over to welcome him.

older ones: Aunt, MIL, Hubs, Uncle

As you can see we get out the finery of paper plates for our family!

This is one of my favorite things to do....socialize with them.

Do try to Enjoy your family when you can.