T'was the Month before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears

You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

not Happy Holiday !

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

A 'Paws' In Communication...

Today I am coming to a 'Paws' to reflect upon one of the most important aspects of marriage...'Communication'.

Why does it seem that before marriage we are more capable of successfully communicating with each-other; but after marriage all communication seems to breakdown?

Often, I believe the answer can be found within our 'emotions'.  Before marriage we felt one over-powering emotion....love.  But now the emotions of hurt, anger, disappointment, resentment and fear often dominate.  These emotions do not encourage us to communicate.  Or, if we do it is likely to be critical. 

Sometimes our emotions cause us to speak out of anger and create even more negative feelings.  I guess the key is learning how to share emotions without the hurtful connotation of  condemnation, while still being able to share whats on our hearts openly with the person we love.

To do this, it takes tremendous amounts of patience and self-discipline.  Some-days, more than I think I could ever possibly posses!

I guess the thing to remember is that no one is a 'mind reader'.  Without positive communication, loving relationships cannot flourish!

Stress is another aiding factor that works to further breakdown our communication.  If we are not at peace within ourselves...how much more can we bring into our relationships?  When we are stressed or disappointed in life, oddly it's much easier for us to take it out on the person with whom we are closest to.  Probably because we all know that no one else has to listen or care as much about us or our feelings.

I believe the solution to these problems are finding ways in which we can resolve conflict quickly and calmly leaving both people feeling loved, heard, validated and understood!  There are many ways to go about attaining information on conflict resolution, one of my favorite resources can be found here.

A Wife of Noble Character...

"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.

Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."

Proverbs 31:10-12

As it draws near to the Christmas holidays I have been contemplating all of the reasons that this particular season means so much to me, and in reflection of that, I have found that it has less to do with the festivities and more to do with the 'spirit' of the day or the 'reason for the season'!

Christmas is an opportunity to give, to love upon those we cherish the most.  To me, it's not about finding the biggest most expensive gift, it's about giving from the heart and finding the perfect gift for each person.

Today, I am not focusing on gifts of the 'monetary' variety necessarily.  Instead, I am concentrating on those things that we can all afford to do this season.  We can all slow down our pace this year and remember what Christmas is really all about.  We can become the 'warm' in the midst of the cold by sharing with others, by opening our hearts and giving what we can to those less fortunate, even just a smile to a random 'passer-by', giving our shopping cart to the person behind waiting in the cold to get one, or even paying for the coffee of the car behind you in the drive thru, just small random acts of kindness to brighten ones day is what makes this holiday so magical!

'Paying it forward' is a motto that everyone should embrace all year round; but especially at this time of the year!

Throughout my reflections of this season I have been made aware that 'charity' begins at home.  If we can't treat those whom we love with utmost compassion and respect how much more will we be able to treat complete strangers?

I have never claimed to be a 'perfect' wife; as I'm most certainly not!...But seeing I am married and with no children I have committed myself this Christmas to becoming a better helpmeet and wife to my deserving husband.  I am choosing to focus on what I can do before the end of the year to become the virtuous wife that God has called me to be and then make it a habit before the new year arrives!

A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

Proverbs: 12:4

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs: 14:1

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day.

Proverbs: 27:15

Lest We Forget...

For the men whom bravely fought; it was for our freedom that they sought.

For the families whom hearts were torn; it was for our sake that they have mourned.

For the soldiers whom fight today; may they find peace along their way.

For the loved ones awaiting their return; may they find comfort as they yearn.

For everyone that enjoys freedom that was bought; wear a poppy today to show you haven't forgot!

Before I Kick 'The Bucket'...

My 'Bucket List'

• Visit the CN Tower
• Own a house
• Create a lucrative business that will allow me to work from home
• Go on a boat cruise with hubby
• Pay off all of our debt
• Swim with dolphins
• Publish a book
• Write a song
• Invent something
• Ride the 'Sky Wheel' at Niagara Falls
• Shop in the states
• Own a Lab or Boxer
• Learn how to play the guitar
• Learn how to make Mom's meat pies
• Start and finish my 'Cuba' scrap book
• Research and learn about my ancestors 
• Create a family tree
• Learn how to drive a standard
• Drive a motorcycle
• Learn how to ski

This is what I have come up with so far, I hope to check some off my list before adding more...

Bucket List...

In recent days I have come across a few people I know discussing their life aspirations; things they feel that must take place in their life before they leave this earth...all wrapped up in something they call a 'Bucket List'.

This idea, this 'Bucket List' phenomena has got me thinking...what in my life have I yet to accomplish?, Am I where I should be in life?...What am I lacking?...If I died tomorrow would I be able to leave this earth knowing there was nothing left 'undone'?

I have never been one to make 'New Years Resolutions'...why you may ask?...Simple, I never want to set myself up for failure.  This may sound obsured to those of you who know me, as I've always been so organized and detail oriented. You may have figured I had my life all figured out, planned out, even scheduled to a tee in some super organized date book...to all of you whom think that...I'm sorry for the disappointment but no..I do not have my life anymore 'figured out' than the next person.

All this time I concluded to never make resolutions or 'Bucket Lists' for myself fearing failure, meanwhile I now believe I may have had it all wrong....a wise person once told me...'If you fail to plan; you plan to fail'

So here it is, a start of a fresh new way of thinking...and imagine...BEFORE New Years!!!

Once I have my 'Bucket List' figured out it will be documented here so stay tuned!!