On to Christmas

 

        

With Thanksgiving over nearly a week, it's time for us to look forward to Christmas.  All over the Internet,  there are tags and snags, but none so wonderful as our own J-Land friends who are offering graphics to us free of charge.  Please check out their journals if you have not done so:

Cab's Creations

Missie's Magical Creations

A Derasta Creation

D's Designs - She made the graphic above

Sazzy Kreations 

While you are there visiting, thank these people for the wonderful work they do.  If you know of another talented graphics artist, snf the link here in my journal, The next tip is that my friend Krissy has set up a Christmas journal called Joy to the World.  This is a beautiful journal that Krissy and her sister Val have created.  Go by and check it out.  The first entry is now up.

I way over did on Thanksgiving day and the day before.  By the time we sat down to eat, my hip was hurting as well as my back.  Next morning I was unable to walk with out assistance.  I sit up in the living room now for a few hours then have to go to bed again.  It's been 6 days and I am better, but still in tremendous pain in my hip and back.  I'm getting depressed - those of you who suffer chronic pain know how it is -in the middle of it, you feel like it will never end.  I know it will end, but I feel like I don't have enough faith right now.  I would like to ask for prayer for myself and also for John who is in the hospital again and for his wife Krissy.  I qm thankful to all of you who support me and this journal.

Blessings to all of you as we prepare for Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Some of you celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.  Others celebrate Kwanza.  Honestly\y, I don't quite understand this one.  Bless you all.

In Christ,

                               =

The Big Day is Over

        

Well, we had the big blow-out yesterday.  I baked two pies on Wednesday, got up at 5 am on Thursday so I could have a cup of coffee or two to get the old engines going ( never did  get up a full head of steam).  By  6:30 Andrea and I had the pumpkin roll in the oven.

         

I had to take little breaks all day long because I just couldn't stand too much.  We had told Kayla's uncle that we were going to eat around 4 pm.  He showed up here at about 12:30 to see the girls and a couple of minutes later his brother Monroe showed up with his intended.  Hostess that I am, I wouldn't leave the room to work in the kitchen.  Oops! turkey delay.  Rob was watching football and the two uncles were lovin' it while my turkey was "patiently" waiting for me to return.   

                          

Uncle Eddie asked if he could take Kayla and Lupe to see the cousins, etc. while the turkey baked.  I looked at the clock and told him we would now eat at around 5:30 or 6:00 pm.  Smiling, I waved as 2 of the 3 girls were whisked away from the holiday madness.

The next thing that happened was that I found some stuff in the body cavity and put it to the side to use later.  I then stuffed the bird, had Rob help me load it buttered, slathered and slippery into a cooking bag and lift it into the oven.  I had cooked the giblets and added to the stuffing, so other than making "smashed" potatoes and veggies, there was a little down time.

I sat in the living room for a while, listened to football and played on my computer for a while.  It was a very nice diversion. Then I got up from my chair and ambled into the kitchen to check th progress of the turkey.  It was browning well.  Now was the time to start making side dishes.  Andrea scrubbed and cut potatoes while I cleaned up my workspace and started water to boil.  After we got the potatoes in the pan, we started to work on the rolls.  Silently, Andrea and I rolled the dough into little balls - tried crescent, couldn't do it - and placed them in the pan to rise a little on top of the stove along with the extra stuffing (it was baking on top) and the turkey neck simmering for broth.  Then it was time for another break.

                                      

After some time reading a couple of journals and playing a bit of Pogo, Andrea and I went back into the kitchen.  The turkey wasn't ready so I went online to look up an onion sauce.  Never found one. Went solo.  Mmmmmmm! scrumptious.  I whipped the potatoes, heated the vegetables and had Rob take turkey out of the oven.  Lupe, Kayla and Uncle Eddie come in while I am whipping the potatoes.  "Is that how you do it?  I thought they came in a box"  Thank goodness she went straight to the living room.  I wouldn't have been able to hold it back too long.  As it was, I nearly wet my pants.  I must be getting really old. 

We put the rolls in the oven, poured the onion sauce over the vegetables, finished making the gravy and set the table with fine china.  It was wonderful.

                  

After the main meal, Rob and I went in the kitchen to start the clean-up and prepare to give them pie and pumpkin roll.  Both went over well.  We finished up in the kitchen.  We ate a lot!  Still,  there were some leftovers . . .          .

 

 

 

                      

                            

                       

          

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

          

I finally get to say Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  I've been busy scouring J-Land to find your entries about the holiday.  Some are funny, some poignant, others full of gratitude.  I have a bunch of links to share with you and a few Thanksgiving graphic to share as well.  You may have read some of them already, but if you haven't, let's get on with it!

I'm not the only Penny in J-Land - enjoy her entry!                 Our friend Chuck talks about an early Thanksgiving

At Missie's house, the dogs are getting a bath and Missie is takin' a break

Tammy has been catching up all day with her journals, had time to send us a card

Not only that, but guess who's NOT coming to dinner at Tammy's house

Donna and Cliff are having a different sort of Thanksgiving

If you love Dad as much as I do, you will enjoy his entry.

AngelRose is wishing us a Happy Turkey Day

Our dear friend Marlene is spending Thanksgiving with her son

I am sure you have read Journal Editor Jeff's Thanksgiving Story - go again

Cathy has a special message for all of us

I love to read Joyce's treasures - today she tells us why she is thankful

Hop over to read Nightmaremom's entry, it's wonderful.

Mary had me in stitches by the time I finished reading this!

My friend Krissy made a comment in my journal this evening.  I think I will share it with you:  Penny, I left comments in the journals you mentioned above.  They were such beautiful entries.  You don't need to mention me anywhere, but I am thankful for my Lord first - for all the blessings He has given to me in my life, such as salvation, and keeping my beloved John alive this year.  Next I am thankful for my family, my friends, my J-Land friends (and J-Land Sisters ;), oh, and I can't forget my kitty, LOL.  Just everything!  

                   

I am so grateful to have made a home here in J-Land.  I've made wonderful friends here.  I am very close to a few.  Funny thing, across the miles we get to know each other.  In our most alone times, there seems to be someone here to talk to.  I'm glad for that. 

            

I love this graphic!  The little girls are so sweet.  Did you notice that the mouse is praying?  My mom loved mice.  I would have sent this to her.  What am I thankful for right now?  I am so happy to have completed the shopping for tomorrow.  The pies are made, I'll make pumpkin rolls in the morning.  We love them - if you want the recipe, I'll be happy to send it along.  Of course it's my sister's recipe so I will give her the credit.  For the first time since we've owned it, we will be using our china for a special meal.  The china was a gift to us while we were still in Mexico.  It's an old set, came packed in a big angel treasure chest.  Packed around the dishes were lovely old napkins and lacy things for the table.  They went into the wash tonite so I could use them tomorrow. 

            

The water in this graphic makes me feel peace.  Thanks, Missie.  Today as I directed, Andrea and Kayla cleaned the bathroom and kitchen while Lupe emptied the trash and cleaned up outside.  Rob cleaned the living room, picked up after the dog  He got up super early to start his work.  Soon we will be putting up a Christmas tree.  He moved the birds around to make room for it.  Yesterday, he made me a great sewing table.  I did more shopping . . . dirt cheap turkey if you spend $25.  Since we already have a turkey, today's went to the Salvation Army to feed the homeless tomorrow.  I received turkey and fixin's when my kids and I were without food or money.  We are grateful to God for His blessings back then.  I like to think that someday the men, women and children who will get a full Thanksgiving meal tomorrow will also be thankful for the blessing of enough turkeys to feed them all.

The Lord has continually blessed our lives.  His grace has kept us alive long enough to know Him personally and to be able to come back to him after a period away.  How can we really be grateful for anything else?  After we knew His love for us, everything else was taken care of.  Isn't that cool?  We don't have to worry (although we will) ever again.  We may be lonely, but never alone, sad but not forsaken and when the worst comes, He will cradle us in His arms and comfort us.  When it is time, He will call us to His side forever.  For these things, I am truly grateful.

                    

Gratitude Again

                    I'm back to add some links 

 

            

                         Thanks Missie for this wonderful tag!

I'll be back later to edit this and add some "grateful comments and links"  This is an exciting week to be alive . . .when we show our gratitude to our Father.  If you haven't made and entry or comment - this is the day to do it.  Make sure you send me your link.  I want to post entries through Thursday.  If I am able, to do so, I will send all your gratitude to you in an e-mail so you may share it on Thanksgiving Day.  If you leave a link to your journal, I will link back to your journal.   See you a little later.

I know it's been a long wait - nearly 12 hours, but I am back to share some gratitude of my own and some entries I have read today.  As well, a friend or two has dropped by to share gratitude. 

             

The first journal I visited today was Hi I'm Kara.  She had a wonderful teaching on true gratitude.  Click on the link above to see her journal entry,  I know she will be happy for you to visit.

Next, I stopped by Jessie's journal.  I liked what she wrote, so as with Kara, I asked permission to share her link with you.  Stop by and give her a shout.

Natalie came by my comments section and left this note:  I am grateful for my family and friends where I live and for my Jland frineds online. I am glad that they have the benefits of reasonable health and good  family support.Thank you Penny
love,natalie

Mandy left her link with me in the comments section. She said she would write it up by this evening.  Write she did - Thank you, Mandy.  Drop by to see what she wrote.

Now for my gratitude is this:  I am not alone in gratitude for family and friends.  My husband treats me like a queen.  Yes I am thankful for Rob and our daughter.  My deepest gratitude goes to God. My name was written on His hand before the world began.  He gave me life and the ability to love.  What more could could I ask for?

                 

I pray that each of you finds the true meaning of gratitude in your hearts. 

                          

                 Penny

LIVING VICARIOUSLY

What is "Living Vicariously"?  It means that rather than having a life of your own, you live by substituting what you think and do for the thoughts and actions of others,  living their lives as yours.

 

As an example I will go back many years - early 70's.  I worked at a small beer bar run by a person named Mama Jac.  She gathered young people around her and was excited by our enthusiasm and abilities.  She was a very lonely woman - she had no life of her own to speak of, so she lived her life through our actions and thoughts.  She even told people that our ideas were something she suggested. Unknown to us at at the time not only was she living vicariously through our lives, she was taking credit for our thoughts.  

Here's my next thought - and this is very important.  Plagiarism . . . what is plagiarism?  The dictionary describes it this way:

"	the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work. "

This is very important to us here in J-Land.  Recently I have been noticing that there is someone here that is doing something very similar to that.  The person gives credit to the original author, writes it up in their own words and asks others to leave a comment in their own journal.  It's possible that this person doesn't know how to link to another journal or leave their own link when making a comment in another journal.

I would like to ask this J-Lander to learn how to link to the original author and let the author receive the comments for their idea.  When you take another's writings and ask people to comment in your journal, you are plagiarising - stealing if you will.   We all work hard to make our journals a reflection of ourselves.  We are thrilled to have ourselves given credit in a peer's journal. If you don't know how to link go to John's journal and read his Journal Helps on the right side of the journal.  There you can learn journal etiquette, linking and a lot of other journaling tips.

Readers:  don't take this personally.  I pray you see how important this is to the cohesiveness of our community.

Many blessings in Christ,

                                    

FAMILY

   

Here I am in 1950 with my sisters.  I'm the cute one in front!  I was just 1 year old.  My sisters, starting right behind me are Sylvia, then 12 years old; Charlotte, 11 years old and Sharon, 9 years old.  At that time in my life, I was still cute and fun and the little doll to play with. 

There are so many happenings in the ensuing years that I can't tell them all.  As you know by my journal, I will tell a couple of stories. 

Sylvia spent a lot of time with our paternal grandmother.  My grandmother, Spring, was an eccentric.  Sylvia became kind of hi-brow because Spring was very wealthy.  By 16 years old, she was living with Spring, driving around in a brand-new T-Bird - the one with port-hole and both hard and soft-top.  I thought she was wonderful, exotic.  Then Spring took the T-Bird and Sylvia was driving the Willys around.  Do any of you remember the Willys?

Charlotte was the only one with naturally curly hair.  When they were in their early teens, Charlotte got a duck tail cut, leaving curls or waviness on top.  When Sylvia and Sharon were complaining about their hair, Charlotte would pass by them saying, "I can't do a thing with my hair . . .I guess I'll wash it"  When I was about 4 years old, Charlotte was my favorite sister.  In fact, I so loved her that I put my snails in the bed with her.  She woke up screaming! 

Sharon was jealous of me.  She had been the baby for 8 years and here comes a new "baby".  She did help spoil me when I was tiny, but always had something up her sleeve.  She would turn off the lights because she new I was afraid of the dark . . . and there were other little things she would do to get me.  Sharon was the first to get married.  She had fallen in love with Jay at age 13.  They wanted to get married back then, but my mom did not agree.  Finally, when she was 16 my mom signed the papers.  I thought that she was so cool.  Then Charlotte married Don and Sylvia married Mark.  I was jealous because those guys took my sisters away.

Now . . . about the "baby".  Like I said, I was a doll to play with.  My sisters spoiled me rotten.  I mean rotten!  By the time I was about three years old, they had done themselves in.  They didn't want to take care of me any more.  I was a real PIA.  I wanted everything my way.  After all, for 3 years, they had given me my way.  When they all got married, I became the only child.  I was only 8 years old, but I ran rough shod over my mom.  Rather than have me have a fit, she gave in.  I never cleaned up, except when I wanted to.  By 15, I was drinking beer with my friends, smoking and worrying my mom.  The rest is well known - you can check it out at my other journal My Story - My Way.  If you do that, start with the first entry.

Well, we all grew up, older and somewhat wiser.  Sylvia and Charlotte are still married to Mark & Don - some 49 years now.  Sharon didn't fare so well - she's married the 3rd time now about 30 years.  Well, you know about me . . .Rob is my 5th husband.  I know he's going to be the last.  I don't think I have another "getting to know you" in me.

Two years ago, just days after we came home from Mexico, we all got together.  It might have been the last time we all get together in one place.  I hope not.  We gave our mother grandchildren and great-grands before she passed away.  Here is how we looked: 

 

Do you see how the years between us have diminished?  From the left are Sharon, Sylvia, Charlotte and myself.  Sharon and I have become closer over the years.  Charlotte and Sylvia seem more alike.  They are both very artistic with things.  I'm a klutz and Sharon is easily more artistic than I am. 

I wanted to share with you just a tad of how it was for me having 8 years with 3 other girls in the house.  Mom was divorced around the time I was 18 months old.  I never really knew my dad.  The girls loved him dearly, as did my mother although she never let on.

By the time I was in junior high school, I was calling them the Three Musketeers.  I miss seeing them.  They are spread wide apart . . . one in Alabama and Florida - one in Arizona - one in Nevada and I live in Southern California. 

I am thankful today and always for my wonderful family.  I pray that you will all be blessed this wonderful day.

                 "The Baby"

THANKFUL TUESDAY

Yes, today is a thankful day.  The sun is shining, no wind, aaahhh, lovely!!A perfect day to head for the beach.  We didn't do it, of course.  the girls were in school, Rob was busy with laundry and I am just plain lazy.  I slept in until 10 am, with just a few interruptions.  Still feeling pretty tired. 

Above are  about the most wonderful, reasons for our gratefulness - Mandy, a dear friend of the girls; Kayla, Andrea & Mandy,  Andrea and Lupe.  We'd be less busy, but there would be less joy and a lot less fun.  There are days, well I guess a lot of parents have them, that we'd be grateful to have them grown and gone . . . but then of course we'd be OLD!!  As long as there are children in our lives, there will be joy and we will stay young . . . at least at heart.

On my shoulder is a young yellow bird we call Rascal.  He reminds us very much of our Dufus.  It's possible that he has one parent in common.  We got him from the same breeder.

Speaking of breeders, we have two new cockatiel chicks.  They popped out of their shells a couple of days ago.  They are so tiny!  These little guys are the first born to this pair.  It took them six eggs to figure out what to do.  I wonder if they are thinking now, "Don't they give out user manuals for them?"  Here is a photo of the second, but largest that I took out:

Rob says that   they look like little dinosaur chicks.  They are possibly 1 or 1 1/4" long now after about 2 1/2 days of feeding.  My thumb is not that big, really!  Because I wanted to get close, it's blurry.   Next week I'll try to post their progress for you.  I'm thankful to have these birds that give us so much joy. 

How can marriage, kids and animals bring us all so much joy?  God ordered it for us.  In Eden, Adam was given the responsibility of naming and caring for the animals.  It has been our responsibility since then to do so.  Then God gave Adam a wife (the first marriage) making them a holy union, the two becoming one.  Then he commanded them to multiply (have children).  Isn't He awesome?  For this, we have joy, sorrow, laughter and tears.  Seems our lives were set up for us long before any of us was born.  For this, I am truly grateful.

Please share your thankfulness with me through the rest of the week.  If you post on your journal or blog, send me the link and I'll post it on Saturday.  

Blessings to all of you, my J-Land family.