Nativity Display and Thought on Materialism

My girlfriend and I went to a nativity display at one of the local churches. This is the 13th year that they've done it. I have a nativity set I painted several years ago but I don't have a Creche. I think I'll do some looking around and see if I can't find one.

In light of the black friday tragedies yesterday, I hope that we will each take a little time to remember that material things are not what make those we love, love us in return. Time=love.

A Different Way To View Struggle

Did you take a moment to be thankful yesterday? I think that especially in such a prosperous nation, we take so many things for granted. The tightening of our belts and re-learning how to live within our means will, I believe, allow us to be more prosperous when the country turns around.

That thought may seem to be contradictory to the point I just made, so let me explain. By learning to live within our means, we will lessen our impulse buying, relearn how to be thrifty, perhaps make more meals at home, thereby increasing time spent with our families breaking bread, we will save more money, thereby becoming more financially secure in the long run, and perhaps because we have to struggle a little ourselves, we will share more of our bounty with those who have less.

I did a little spurring the economy today and did comparison shopping to find the best deals and got a couple of needed items for myself and some Christmas gifts. I am happy to say that I spent under $50. My goal this year is to spend less than $200 on gifts. So far I'm on track mostly because I've been making a good number of gifts.

Tonight I will put the lights on the tree and if I'm truly ambitious, I'll get the ornaments on it as well.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. It focuses our minds on our blessings rather than on our problems.
It makes the heart glad for what we have been given, and it takes our minds off the burdens we all have.

Thanksgiving recognizes the giver as well as the gift. It keeps it on the positive side.

In a life of plenty of prosperity, we seem to take things for granted. How appreciative we should be for our blessings, and what a wonderful thing is a holiday which focuses our attention on them.

Thanksgiving is therapy we all need to keep cognizant of the blessings and beauty of living.

This year let's set aside a few minutes of the holiday to sit alone and think of the many things for which we are thankful - - then this great holiday will have true meaning for us.

~Robert N. Filie

Let The Cooking Begin!!!!

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." ~Meister Eckhart



I began the Thanksgiving cooking last night with the dressing. Today I will work on getting the green bean casserole and the scalloped corn put together (not baked), the poppyseed cake made, and the turkey broth and giblet gravy put together. That will relieve alot of the work tomorrow.

Please take a moment to say a prayer for our men and women in uniform who are serving far from home. Should you see a veteran, please thank them for their service which allows us to sit down to our meal or peace (or joyful chaos in some cases). And above all, take a moment to be thankful. But for the grace of God we go.

I Think I'll Live

After two days of not feeling well, I believe I'm finally on the mend. The sinuses are still puffy, but at least the being constantly cold and dizzy have dissippated. Off to work I go!!

Time To Be Thankful

PHOTO SOURCE: Google images

Hi everyone,

When I stop to think about gratefulness, I realize that it is a word that some people may think has negative connotations. I have had conversations with people who tell me that givings thanks makes them feel as though they shouldn't attain much in terms of possessions, etc. I would counter that we are not entitled to anything. . .we improve our lives through knowledge, connections with others, friends, family, and love. None of us are self-made, no matter how much we'd like to kid ourselves.


There is value to slowing down enough to realize that but for the grace of God (Buddah, Yahweh, or whatever higher power one ascribes to) that we could be homeless, hungry, and in need of compassion. I am thankful for family, friends, joy, laughter, memories, and having enough to live comfortably and still share with those less fortunate.

What are you thankful for?