HeALth CaRe......

Sorry....but I gotta gripe about health care once again....read my common sense page today........

Christmas is Over...

Okay People....
Christmas is over....we have got to get back on track! We have got to stop this eating FRENZY! We had friends over today to watch football....chili, green Chile, quesadillas, enchiladas, chips, dip, queso, sour cream, guac, more chips, beer, pomegranate margs, bloody mary's, more beer, did I say chips? Desserts......cookies, fudge, homemade peanut brittle, raspberry pudding pie, OMG, we have got to get a grip! If I eat one more thing......I will pop!
Seriously, I am getting obese! I must stop the madness! We all agreed that we need to quit grazing for hours at parties.....Tomorrow is Monday.....but wait, Thursday is New Year's Eve, huge party at Carol's....TONS of food, every year there is tons of food there......she makes this chicken tortilla soup to die for.....okay, next Monday......if I don't have a heart attack before then......Next Year instead of getting a job in fragrances in a dept. store.....I can be Santa instead. I have the belly for it....good grief, I need therapy....

Good Stuff.....

"Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about."
This is so true.....everyone has a cross to carry, a tragedy, a loss, sometimes what we see on the outside is not the real picture.
My sis sent me this list of tips for 2010.....this is one of the tips, I like it!

Letter to my "Families In Need" Group

Twas' nine days before Christmas, and all through my house,
the women were arriving, they were getting ready to pounce!
They had food, and supplies, and gifts they did bring,
They were all dressed in their festive attire, I knew soon the angels would sing,
The presents were wrapped with kindness and joy.......God would soon answer prayers of each girl and each boy
The bracelets were made, and attached with god's words,
blankets and booties and diapers were given, gift cards and turkeys all with God's love,
I know He is smiling from heaven above.....
There are no words to say how awesome is this.........the hearts of these ladies, and all of their love,
And we must mention the men.......
They all came early that morning and ready to go, nothing could stop them, not even snow.
So out in their trucks with maps in hand, delivering the gifts to each mom and dad
Each year this gets bigger, and the needs much more, but my town is special, for them it's no chore,
Everyone is giving and all know HIM,
Whenever I doubt and think this is too much, or start thinking negative and such, I picture my house on the night we all gather and I know God is happy, and that's all that matters.

**Thank you so much for all that you do......give thanks to God, because He is in charge. Each family received their boxes, some where home and some were left on the doorstep (with permission). The people at home were overwhelmed and in tears. Some of our elves were a little choked up as well. Everyone involved, pat yourselves on the back, because of you 17 families have relief and a Christmas.....good work people!
love you all, diane

Architect's of Change

I recently read about a women's conference in California. The theme was be an "architect of change", I love those words. If you are not happy with the way things are going then do something about it. We all complain......about everything. We need to quit complaining and do something to make things better! Be an architect for change! Take charge and do something! Anything! I vow to be an architect of change....look out world! Try some of these:

1. Find your own unique voice and listen to what it’s saying.

2. Empower a young woman. Become a mentor by connecting with a young woman in your workplace, neighborhood or place of worship. Find small ways to reach out, listen and support her.

3. Act locally to make a difference globally. Make informed choices about what you buy and consume, as well as how you dispose of items. Reduce your carbon footprint, use energy and water responsibly and green your life.


4. Advocate for a cause that you care deeply about. Your time and expertise could help make a difference as a volunteer, counselor or board member.

5. Invest in women entrepreneurs. Join Team Maria in the WE Invest/Kiva partnership to give women the tools to start or expand their own businesses. For as little as $25, you can "Become a lender. Change a life."

6. Speak up & ask for what you need. If you need to take time off of your job to care for a child or parent, ask for it. Families need more flexible work schedules, better child care policies and changes in family and medical leave. We need to use our voices collectively to improve workplace policies.

7. Engage your children in the world. As a mother, get your children involved at a young age in seeing the world through the eyes of others, respecting diversity, developing empathy and understanding the gift of giving back.

8. Donate to nonprofits that help women. Instead of purchasing a birthday, anniversary or holiday gift for family, friends and colleagues, make a donation in someone’s name to a nonprofit that works on improving the lives of women and girls.

9. Be an informed citizen. Educate yourself about the world you live in, share your knowledge, educate others and ignite a conversation.

10. Invite 10 of your friends to join you!

Christian Faith and Merry Christmas

I read this great article the other day....it talked about being politically correct at Christmas. The Obama administration was thinking about not having the Nativity Scene at the White House this year, they were trying to have a "non-religious" Christmas. The article went on to say how ridiculous this was (I agree) and that they should consider and I quote "respect for other people's faith is not accomplished by hiding your own" Amen! What a great thing to say...how true. The truth is we are America, we have FREEDOM of Religion. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ, it is a Christian Religion! If people want to celebrate another religion, they have that freedom! Everyone needs to embrace that freedom, you cannot show respect for other religions by hiding Christianity! Our country was founded on Christian Belief's, and when you think about all the $$$$$ being made by businesses during Christmas.....yet they don't have the courage to say Merry Christmas....or our president and family who claim to be Christian...not having the courage to let Christian symbols be displayed on a Christian holiday....what does that say to people of other faith's, do they to have to hide their religious celebrations? We are so out of touch with reality, it is mind blowing.....get real! Merry Christmas, Christ was born, and gives us everlasting life.....hallelujah!
ps-the nativity scene is being displayed at the White House :)
kudos to them!

Snow, Decorations, Santa, Cookies, Trees

All these things and more... they just hired a new woman where I work, she is from Columbia(the country). She told me yesterday that it was a fun day for her, she got to talk to her family who still lives there. They were having a festival, everyone lights candles and gives praise to God for His son Jesus.....she said they do very simple things in Columbia to honor God at Christmas.....she couldn't grasp the "Santa" thing...she asked me what Santa had to do with Christmas? I could not answer......food for thought, Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you God for Jesus our Savior......

When God Opens Your Eyes...

We are in full swing for the Christmas families in need project that I work on every year. God is so amazing...throughout this whole process. I always think I have everything figured out and then He goes and does it.......Slaps me up side the head with something so amazing....always an eye opening moment!
To make a long story short.....one of our families in need is also being helped by someone else....after putting two and two together we realized this is the same family, I thought I knew the conditions and the situation of this family, but turns out I had no idea......without revealing to much info....within 1/2 hour tonight......these people will have food on Monday, and they will have a Christmas tree, and it will be decorated. The next time I bitch and moan....someone slap me. I have no idea and neither do most of us, just how good we have it. Count your blessings.....

Turkey is gone, here come's Santa....

Okay, Thanksgiving is over and now it's time to get ready for Christmas.......What a busy week I have had, it was all great! Friends and family, food, drink, and fun, more food....oh, and did I say food? Good grief! I need to take it down a notch if I am going to make it through Christmas without having a heart attack! Gotta go back on some sort of diet.....what else is new?
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, we have so much to be thankful for.....and to those of you who are disciplined during the holidays....congrat's! *&#!)@#$%!