Greeting cards

Happy Thursday everyone!
Today I am looking forward to addressing and sending out my Christmas cards.  I love sending and receiving mail, with Christmas cards being a sentimental favorite.  Christmastime engenders a renewed hope and joy in me.  Seeing all the love I receive in these cards is a boon to my spirit!  I have been known to keep these cards for longer than anyone would expect, rereading them when I have a bad day.
Do you enjoy Christmas cards as much as I do?
Have a great day!
R

Forgiveness

"People can be more forgiving than you imagine.  But you have to forgive yourself.  Let go of what's bitter and move on."
Bill Cosby

How true this is!  I can never seem to forgive myself, but I must!  It's great to be forgiven by others, but if I can't forgive the one person that really matters, it's like the process of forgiveness has not been completed.  For me, forgiveness has to reach completion to be fulfilled!
God Bless,
R

Tuesday's thoughts

I am a very impatient person.  Most of the time it seems I need instant gratification.  God and I lock horns on occasion.  It's more than I would like to admit.  I would love to be in denial about this, but I can no longer do such a thing.  I must let the truth set me free.  I want God to heal my body completely.  I would love for God to give me the inner desires of my heart of which He already knows.  I spoke with a friend recently who shared a song with me that spoke to my heart.  It's called "I'll Wait" by the Katinas.  There is a lyric in that song that says:  "I've found a peace in being still if that's Your Will." 
This is quite a statement of faith.  I need to let and let God, if I am to regain my peace of mind.  I need to wait no matter how painful that may be.  The Book of James says: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  I need my faith to be tested so it may produce perseverance.  With every struggle and each day I wait, I am getting an allotment of perseverance which is much needed.  I shall persevere and thrive.  It is my sincere hope that you dear readers will as well.
R

Cyber Monday

Hey friends,  I'm back from a great Thanksgiving holiday!  I'm sure you all know it's Cyber Monday.  Are you a brick and mortar shopper, or an online shopper?  Do you have to go into the store to touch and feel an item, or do you just click and buy?
I am somewhat of a traditionalist.  I enjoy going into the store and seeing all the new wares for sale.  I'm more of a Black Friday gal.
Will you shopping today online today?  Or do you favor the in store experience?
Happy shopping, friends!
R

Words to ponder

Never complain and never explain
Benjamin Disraeli

These are two things I seem to do too much.  Need to work on that.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving friends!
R

Christmas music!

Happy Tuesday!  Two days until Thanksgiving!  I am beyond excited!  This year has been one of change and progress.  After giving many thanks, we come into my favorite season.  I love the Christmas season.  Apart from celebrating Jesus who is the Reason for the season, I look forward to listening to my Christmas music standbys. 
My favorites include:

• O Holy Night
• Mary, Did You Know
• White Christmas

What is your favorite part of the season?  Any favorite Christmas songs?
Blessings,
R

Monday encouragement

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Blessings to all, my friends!  May your day today be the best yet!
R

Thanksgiving food

It's Friday
Yesterday marked one week until Thanksgiving.  I've given you all a list of what gives me thanks.  Now let's get down to talking about all that delicious food that will be consumed.
My favorites are sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole.  The more marshmallows and brown sugar the better.  Sweetness equals success when it comes to my sweet potatoes. 
I love green bean casserole because of the great texture the French's Onions give the green beans along with the cream of mushroom soup.  I love the crunch of the onion that complements the warm gooey texture of the green beans.  I find it quite amazing how I love the most fattening parts of the recipes that involve healthy beginnings.  This is why we only eat them once a year!
What are your favorite foods to enjoy at Thanksgiving?  On the countdown to food, family and fun!
R

Happiness

Happy Thursday!
Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory
Albert Schweitzer

I find this quote to be very true.  When I am not feeling well, I am reminded of how much I should cherish my good health.  Without good health, nothing really else matters.  The second part of this statement I need to memorize.  With a bad memory, I could forget all the bad injustices I have faced or not have held a grudge for as long, knowing I wouldn't have remembered it anyway.
Readers, what is your favorite quote or saying regarding happiness?
Sending a smile your way!
R

Thoughts courtesy of Dove's chocolate

Hello, friends!  How are you?
I happened to purchase a bag of Dove's chocolate squares last night.  I love these little slices of heavenly delight.  As much as I love the chocolate, I happen to enjoy their little nuggets of positivity on the wrapper.  I found one last night that particularly spoke to me.
The wrapper said:  It's OK to be fabulous AND flawed!
I must say that this statement made me smile!
Be fabulous in spite of our flaws, what a concept.
Have a great day, readers!
YOU ARE FABULOUS!
Cheers,
R

Reflection

Happy Thursday, friends! 
The first frost arrived last night.  The air is crisp and brisk.  The seasons are in full effect.  I see the leaves and their different color schemes.  I am left in awe.  The beauty around me leaves me speechless.  When I get down on myself, I look at my surroundings at try to look at the bigger picture.  I see God's creation, and how He cares for them.  If He can take of the sparrow, He can take care of me as well.
I try to be an optimist, because in reality I'm an internal pessimist.  I am my biggest critic.  I am my biggest roadblock.  It has become my mission to look at myself in a positive way.  I have to look at the glass half-full rather than half-empty.  Sometimes I wonder if I look at myself with having a glass at all.
Here's to internal optimism, my friends!
Cheers,
R

Pondering this thought

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
Socrates

I am finding that the less I claim to know, the happier I am.  I'm no oracle, no sage.  I am just a simple girl who is realizing the less I know the better off I am.  Who knew this simple statement above could prove so profound.  The less I know, the less confrontation I am to find.  Whatever I am to know, I will know.  The rest is not important.  I just want to be happy.  I rather let you believe you know more than I do.  Wisdom for me is learning that knowing nothing means that peace will come because I choose to humbly admit I know not the answer.  That is something I am learning everyday.
What are you learning?  Please share!
R

Election Day

It's Election Day in the USA!  I love participating in the political process!  It's a privilege and duty I treasure.  I love seeing my neighbors patiently wait in line to cast their vote.  As soon as I have voted, I have an enormous smile on my face.  All day I will read political commentary and track the exit polls.  CNN is my best friend today.  I will have my own viewing party later on as I watch the results come in starting at the eight o'clock hour tonight.  I am nervously excited today.  Are you?
Are there any political junkies out there like me?  Go Vote! 
Have a great day, friends!
R

Words to ponder

My life is my message
Mahatma Gandhi

This quote by Gandhi symbolizes what I what want my life to be.  Is there a quote or saying that resonates with you, or symbolizes what you hope your life signifies?
I would love to hear your thoughts, friends!
Have a great day:)
R

College football

The weekend is almost upon us, my friends!  If you are like me, every Saturday in the fall is devoted to college football viewing.  I can't get enough college football.  I watch bits and pieces of most every game that is televised.  I must say, however, that I a fervent Clemson Tiger fan.  There is nothing quite like seeing a game in Death Valley on a crisp fall day.  From rubbing Howard's Rock to running down the Hill, the tradition at Clemson is like no other around.
Who is your favorite team?  Are you as big a college football fan as I am?
Happy watching!  Have a great weekend!
R

Smile

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope everyone has had a great week!  Today I thought I would start the day off with a positive thought!
Peace begins with a smile
Mother Teresa
I am starting my day off with a smile, and here's hoping you'll do the same!
Have a great day!:)
R

Positive thought of the day

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream
C.S. Lewis

What a great reminder to all of us.  Dream and set another goal.  Dreams and goals can give us purpose, a drive to conquer our fears.  Don't be afraid to fail.  One's endeavors may fail, but people themselves never fail.  All we can ask of ourselves is that we take the opportunity to try.  If you do not try, there is no opportunity to fail, and there is no opportunity to succeed, either.
Dream
The sky's the limit!
R

Happy November, readers!  Since this is the month of Thanksgiving, I thought I would include my list for what I give thanks.

• My faith in Jesus Christ.  The Savior and Lord of my life gives me a daily reprieve of my many sins.  The ones I knowingly commit, and the ones that aren't so apparent.
• My family and friends that give me the love and support to continue on this journey we call life.  Without these two components- Life is rendered meaningless for me.
• The Stars and Stripes- No where but these beloved states could a story like mine be written.

The basic necessities- Food and Shelter-if these two are checked off your wealth is exponentially greater than most of the world's population.
Here are some of the small things for which I am thankful

• Fresh picked fruit- I love picking fresh raspberries from the bush in my backyard
• The way my beloved poodle gives me the sweetest kisses in the morning
• Snail mail- I love opening up my mailbox and seeing a letter addressed to me.  Over the next few weeks I will reread that sweet note a friend took the time to send my way.

Friends, what are you thankful for today?  What are some simple pleasures that bring you joy?  Happy Thursday!
R