Friday, December 16, 2022

A Christmas Open House



Welcome!

Greg and I, and a few of our relatives were recently invited to a wonderful Christmas open house. It was hosted by other relatives, a young couple who are newlyweds. They have a really nice house that was made a lot nicer with their hard work. (We know what it's like, to fix up an old house. Greg and I have redone three of them, and we're still working on our fourth one. Working on our house is actually more like a hobby for us.)

We were greeted at the door by this festive Christmas wreath...

and also by John and Ashley, the owners of the house.

They have done a beautiful job of restoring, furnishing, and decorating their house. 

We could hardly wait to see the rest of the house, so John and Ashley took us on a tour-

John really likes his new man cave.

After the tour, it was time for refreshments, and they were wonderful!

 There was eggnog (my favorite!) and a wide variety of munchies and other tasty treats.


We all enjoyed not only the food, but also the fellowship.

Way too soon, our memorable afternoon was over; we always enjoy being with family. It is time well-spent!

"The magic of Christmas never ends, and its greatest gifts are family and friends." ~The Random Vibes

Gift suggestion: "Down Memory Lane," a nostalgic memoir by Becky Arnott on Amazon. For more information, click on the widget above.


We wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Love, Greg and Becky

Positive thought: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." -Luke 2:14

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, January 8, 2023, Becky




Thursday, December 1, 2022

'Tis the Season

 


Welcome!

This is a very special time of the year, for many reasons. 

It's the holiday season that began with Thanksgiving, which most of us just celebrated in many different ways with family and/or friends.

"If you practice gratitude a lot every day, your life will change dramatically and in ways you can hardly imagine."-From "The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne

So, it's important to give thanks, not just at Thanksgiving, but throughout your day, every day. the more you are thankful, the more you are blessed.

Last week, Greg and I were outside a grocery store which is in a small shopping center when we heard absolutely beautiful music outside another nearby store. A grocery store employee walked by, and I asked her what was going on. She said that it was a busker. I had to ask her what a busker was, and she explained that it was someone who performed for money, usually on a street.

Greg and I had seen people occasionally performing on the street in larger towns and cities, but we'd never before heard the word "busker." This type of entertainment is very rare in our area.

I decided to investigate, and I saw a man expertly playing an electrified violin. 



Tears filled my eyes as I read the sign beside him and listened to his wonderful music. He was good enough to play with the finest orchestras in the world, and yet, here he was, during the time of the holidays, having to help support his family the best he knew how. Many people who passed by were thankfully donating to him and his family.

"Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you."-Mother Teresa

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."-Aesop

The talented violinist is not the only one who has suffered during this time in our country (and in other countries, as well). I recently heard a caller on a radio talk show, and I learned that through no fault of his own, he was without a job and was homeless. This, unfortunately, seems to be the tip of the iceberg these days!

"Helping others in need is not only a responsibility of life; it is what gives meaning to life."-Molly Marti

While it is great to help others when they need it, nearly everyone can improve their situation in life by applying certain principles.

"A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you."-Joyce Meyer 

To overcome any difficult circumstance, I do believe we need to have a positive attitude, to pray, and to believe everything will turn out for the best. 

Don't go by appearances; we need to know in our hearts that- "Everything Will Be Okay"-Dana Perino

"The Best Is Yet to Come..." www.jgminternational.org

"-play, laugh, sing, dance, be joyful, hug a tree, and love each other!"-www.matthewbooks.com


Yes, 'tis the season to be thankful, to give to others, and to be positive, all of which would be great to do all year long! What a great world we'd all have then!

Positive thought: "As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way."-Mary Anne Radmacher
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, December 11, 2022, Becky