New Poll Open

Just wanted to let you know that there is a new poll "opened" on the side bar. Remember, there is no personal information required in order to vote. And, no, I have no way of knowing who votes. So don't be shy, go ahead...use your right to vote.

This poll will give me an idea of how old my readers are. Not that there is anything I can do with that information, but it's fun to know.

(For those who read my blogs through Facebook, this will not apply to facebook but rather my personal blog)

Until next time, exercise your freedom to vote, HB

Thanks, Santa!

I didn't mention in the previous blogs what Santa brought for JB and me.

Santa was really good to me, better than I deserved. Because if gifts measure your "goodness", I must have been a really good girl this past year. With much doubt as to that being the reason for such great gifts, I am most assured that the reason I received such great gifts is because, I have a special Santa that loves me very much. One that I am most blessed to be Mrs. Clause to.

He left me Photoshop Elements 6.0 (the newest version) and Quick Books Pro 2008 (also the newest version). He also gave me enough money to purchase my Tax ID number that will allow me to buy some of my monogramming supplies and inventory at wholesale prices. As soon as I get this number, I hope to have new items for monogramming.

I am still trying to learn Photoshop. I welcome any advice, tutoring, or instructions. I can run a commercial monogramming machine and learn most of its software, but this Photoshop is kicking my butt.

As for JB, I guess he wasn't as good as me this past year. He only left him the Apologetics Study Bible, a new alarm clock to replace the old broken one, and a custom monogrammed "Roll Tide" sweatshirt with matching crimson windpants. All of which, he liked generously.

I have some girlfriends that I know Santa was good to..new Dooney & Burke purses are sure nice gifts. There Santa must really love them also. They must have been as good as me, also.

Until next time, HB

Christmas 2007

We had a great Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior. For the first time in my life, I did not travel on Christmas Day. We stayed home in attempt to avoid the Christmas rush of hurrying through Santa and then traveling several hours to make it in time for Christmas lunch. And I will excitingly say, it was the best ever. It was amazing how much stress was eliminated by just staying home. We did, however, go to my parents Christmas night for supper and more presents. For those who don't know, they only live about 5 miles away.

We began our Christmas travels, Sunday the 23rd to JB's parents. We spent the night and celebrated with his parents, his brother and sister in law and Nonna. JB's sister, Angie, was on call so she was not able to make it this year. Christmas Eve evening, we traveled to Granny and Granddaddy's to celebrate with extended family. This year's family crowd was slime due to various family reasons. Regardless, it was just as sentimental and festive.

After arriving back home late Christmas Eve, we put the boys to bed and began Santa's toyshop.

(No words can describe these pics above).

We finally got it all set up in about 1 1/2 hours. Santa brought a roller coaster, teeter totter, tools, vacuum, tub toys, sit n spin, and many other toys...too many to list all, of course.

As you can see in the picture above, our den was taken over by toys. Uncle Wade and Aunt Tracy gave them the tent and tunnel set. We went ahead and put it together for the boys to experience. We made sure they new that Santa did not bring the tent and that it was given by family.

The boys have loved their roller coaster. It is nothing more than a car that zooms down a 10 foot track of hills. Regardless of it's simplicity, it has already brought hours of thrilling rides.

Since Angie was on call and couldn't go home, she spent the day with us. My dad also spent most of the day with us. We had lunch of grilled pork loin, creamed corn, and baked sweet potatoes. My dad's attempt to fry a turkey resulted in a back up entree of grilled pork loin. He has always done a great job of frying turkeys, hence the reason I asked for one this year. Instead, this year poultry ended up poached. We were, however, able to salvage a few pieces. There's always next year.

Since we stayed home this year, JB and I decided to "give Jesus a present". We took lunch to an elderly couple that lives across the street from my parents along with a small gift. They have little family and she is not in good health. It was such an honor to spread Christ's love on Christmas Day.

I hope all of you had a blessed Christmas and look forward to what the new year has to bring. May we always keep CHRISTmas in hearts year round.

Until next time, HB

Out with the Old, In with the New!

I am terribly embarrassed to post the picture above, but I must in order to give y'all a "picture" of what I am talking about. This represents all the junk that we have cleaned out and getting rid of. We even had people to stop yesterday and dig through it like it was a "junk store" open for business. To my amazement they found some things they thought worthy of salvaging.

JB has been off all week, so we followed through with our plans of "cleaning out" and starting the new year clutter free. We spent all day yesterday cleaning our closets (both bottom and top), toy boxes, cabinets, my sewing room and the garage. Today JB is cleaning out and organizing the storage room within our garage. It's shameful the amount of stuff we accumulate. It is also a reminder of just how much we are not in need of anything. However, we had to do this in order to make room for all the new toys that will one day become the same junk as pictured above.

My motto when cleaning out was "if I didn't realize that it was there, it's gone." It's sad that I didn't even remember some of the junk that I had stored away. Some had been stored since we moved here 3 years ago. If I haven't missed it by now, I definitely didn't need it.

It was comical watching Waste Management pick up our stuff. It was so much, that the driver had to get out and help. They both shook their heads in either frustration, amusement or dread at having to "deal with" our version of a junk yard. I saw them as I peeked through our blinds, too embarrassed to let them see me watch. Although, the boys stood at the glass door and watched with amazement as they said "bye bye stuff".

I must admit that watching all that junk leave my care, left me feeling relieved, accomplished and somewhat refreshed. It reminds of the times I have left my sins at the altar for God to "through them away". What an awesome thought that is, that our Savior rids us of all sins (junk, trash, clutter, garbage) when we ask of His forgiveness. And just like all the garbage I threw away, it won't be remember. As Casting Crowns sings, it's as far as the east is from the west. Where Christ throws my sins away is as unknown to me as where my trash will end up. And as another song states, "your sins are erased, they are no more, they're out on the ocean floor". (Well, hopefully my trash doesn't end on the ocean floor, but you get the point.) As we no longer have to deal with the
material trash in our house, we no longer have to deal with the trash in our hearts and lives that keep us from feeling refreshed, revitalized, and redeemed when we give it to Christ and repent. And to know that the beginning of redemption all began with the birth of Jesus Christ in which we just celebrated through the Christmas season.

This new year, may you find your hearts, lives and homes to be clutter free...both of material trash and sins that keep you feeling guilty and unworthy.

Until next time, HB

As the World Turns...

I heard that my aunt's twin was seen at Carols by Candlelight this past Christmas season. Furthermore, she was with a much younger, handsome man. Their interaction with each other was so that it was obvious they knew each other very well and both appeared to be enjoying each other's company, despite of who might be watching them. They obviously weren't ashamed or afraid of being seen together even though my aunt's twin is married. Why would they take such a risk at being "found out"? What about their love did they not feel the need to hide? Is their love so strong that didn't care who found out?

Just the facts, Mam.
Well, my aunt's twin is my mom and she did not attend Carols by Candlelight this year. Instead it was my aunt's (and my mom's) older sister, Myra. Oh, but yes...she was with a much younger, handsome man. His name is Kelly and it happens to be one of her sons. Therefore, they were enjoying each other's company in spite of who would see them.

You see, a man that knew my Aunt Jean (my mom's twin) told her that he saw her twin sister at Carols by Candlelight. Aunt Jean responded as if it might have been true. For all she knew, my mom could have attended the Christmas program. Then the story took a turn..."She was with a much younger man", he inquiringly informed her.

Then, after a quick thought, Aunt Jean realized that it was Aunt Myra, their older sister and that she had to be with Kelly, her son. She then informed his inquiring mind that it was her older sister with her "middle" son. To which he replied, "I didn't know she had another son. I know Chris and Ryan but didn't know that there was a Kelly."

Glad to clear up this season's edition of "Inquiring Minds Want to Know".

Until next time, you never know what soap opera you might star in, HB

Few Funnies

Here are a few sites you might find amusing. The boys have been begging to watch them again, again, again, and again. You will have to copy and paste in your address bar to view. Have fun.

http://badaboo.free.fr/merryxmas.swf

http://www.icq.com/img/friendship/static/card_7944_rs.swf

Don't You Just Feel this Way Sometimes....

...me, too.

Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season. May we not forget the true reason we celebrate this time of year. Jesus, our Lord and Savior is Born!

(I got this through an email. Thanks, Denise)