.........and in 2011

Year 2011 Career (Libra)

You're still revamping your true vocational calling by cutting out all of the extraneous little side-jobs that once ate up so much of your precious time. The final days of the North Node in your career sector at the start of 2011 give you one last prodding to determine your own true north. No longer can you beg the question. Fence sitting in all aspects of your life is quickly becoming an extinct option, especially when it comes to your work. By nature you're indecisive but 2011 is the year for commitment. Put your doubts aside and just get on with what you do best: bringing more beauty and harmony to everything you touch. At the end of the day, you're an artist -- and that's that. 

Although you may still be saddled with your fair share of responsibilities, you're finally able to see the forest through the trees and get a grip on the bigger career picture. You prefer any work that involves socializing, utilizing your creative and intellectual talents and of course flirting your heart out. This is why sitting behind an isolated desk doing menial tasks will just never rock your world. You're finally coming to terms with saying no to anything you consider a giant waste of your time, and you can thank Saturn for that. Adding to the planetary support to align work with soul, Neptune, the planet of glamour and dreams enters your work sector this April through August. It shall then again return in 2012 to stay for an extended 14-year ride, making sure that you absolutely adore what you do. This is a wonderful opportunity to find meaning and inspiration in your work.

So with that being said.....Maybe, just maybe my friend Saturn can light a fire under the tail of my friend Neptune because I might loose my flipping mind if Neptune does not get here before April!  LOL

Year 2011 Romantic

Co-dependency be damned, Libra! You've had your fill of accommodating every wish, desire and need of your mate to your own detriment. You're also finished with sugarcoating the truth and resorting to passive-aggressive tactics to get your needs met. For a sign that prefers balance, such extreme give and no take throws your scales way off kilter. The imbalance can no longer be ignored or justified. The rules of the game have changed and you've learned to just say no. Saturn has been working hard on rebalancing the karmic scales and forcing you to draw some serious lines in order to regain important equilibrium in your partnerships. Relationships continue to be a major priority this year Libra, but topping this list is the relationship you have with number one. Falling in love with yourself and being true to your needs is no longer a luxury but a dire necessity.

So seeing as how I am single.....I don't really feel that applies to my life at the moment......I think I have already gotten to the point before my sign did......LOL

You've survived enough painful romantic disillusionment to last you a lifetime during Neptune's spell in your romantic sector over the past fourteen years. Of course falling in love certainly has it's high points but the crash after the reality check gets to be too much after enough heart-break repeats. The good news is that Neptune leaves your romantic sector for good allowing you to once again trust your perceptions when choosing your match. Love is especially in the air when Venus enters Libra in late September and early October, just in time to guarantee a wonderfully amorous birthday season.

So I was going to say 13 years but I can see the 14 years in there for sure!!  

The first few lines were as if I had written them in my own diary and someone went and plagiarized from me to put them here..............

"The object of a New Year 

is not that we should have a new year. 

It is that we should have a new soul."

~ G. K. Chesterton

Hope you all have a safe and happy new year!

 

The Shoestring Philanthropist......

So, I will post the link to this story below.  I am up for learning about just about anything so I am always looking stuff up in my spare time.  I came across a story called "The Shoestring Philanthropist" that was in Parade magazine.  

You may have heard this story before but when I was little I had begged and begged for money for a toy.  It was cold and snowing and we were at Brendles on Tunnel Rd for those of you that remember that place (I don't think it is still there) anyway, finally my mother had just about enough of it and I supposed wanted to shop in peace so she gave me some money and asked my sister to drive me across the street to K-Mart to get me a toy!  Wooo Hoooo I winned, I winned!  Anyway, as we were leaving the parking lot there was a man standing there looking such a mess, something I guess I had never paid attention to before I mean I was a kid.  He was holding a sign that simply said WILL WORK.  It was not asking for anything, he wasn't being picky.  It was so cold and snowy out so I decided I wanted to help.  So my sister said OK and she rolled the window down and told him to go stand up by the Burger King. (it was in the parking lot) We went through the drive-thru, spent all of my money and what little my sister happened to have in her pocket.  We bought coffee, orange juice, hot food.....we drove back around to the man, crouched down behind the sign to block the wind and gave him all the food.....He was so beyond thankful.  In years since my sister and I have been known to buy a bag of warm deli food, juice and snacks at Wal-Mart or somewhere with the only intention of finding someone as we left to give it to.  Such little things that we so often take for granted can touch someone else in such a big way it is unreal!!

A few years ago my family and I had been to the Copper Cellar on Christmas Eve, it's a nice place, and as we were leaving there was a man, clearly not clean or anything and again it was very cold out.  I watched these people actually cower and grab their bags tighter including a family member of my own whom will remain nameless.  As we were passing I simply turned back around and gave the man my to-go box with my left overs.  It was so appreciative and so grateful.  I turned around and my unnamed family member said "Wow, I just never thought about that!" and I said well, "He didn't want to attack anyone or anything, he is cold, hungry, alone; it is Christmas eve! I mean, really, in most cases I would have taken that box home and it would have sat in the fridge until trash day" and she said you are exactly right, that was very nice.  Yes, it was "leftovers" but really, isn't that about 100 times better than him having to eat something out of the dumpster?  

Some people can't be trusted.  I worked several years here locally in a Package Store in the evenings.  I can't tell you how many people walked in, some times multiple times a day, and purchased "minis" with change and wrinkled up 1's that people had given them.  For those reasons I don't give people $$.  I was traveling with a friend one time and this man and small child were at the station trying to get someone to help as they were out of gas and living in their car.  We decided we would not give him $$ but we would put a little gas in his car.  You can always find simple ways to help others.

I get really frustrated when I see people posting on facebook every day of the week that they are eating out multiple meals a day, at nice places and having their $7 fancy coffee everyday and then they complain about how tight their budget is and they don't reach out to help others, they don't donate when people are raising money for a good cause because they can't afford it.  Eating out every day let a lone multiple meals is stinking expensive!!  Can you imagine how many people you could give a warm coffee and biscuit to, especially this time of year just by skipping that expensive coffee and waiting until you get to work and drinking regular coffee.  1 of your fancy coffee drinks could help 2-3 people they are going without, right there in your very own town.  With the economy so many people are on hard times that never would have been before.  What most seem to take for granted is all it takes is one little thing to happen and we ourselves could be the ones standing in the cold praying for something warm to eat or gas so our family would not freeze in the car! Just simple cut backs make a difference.  I traded buying gifts for the 4 people here at work I normally buy for and took that money and bought Christmas gifts for 2 children in NC.  See, Dec 4th their mother, a girl I went to school with (young, vibrant, whom should have had so much more time) passed away.  Medical bills have been more than what the family could handle.  It will make a difference in those children's lives and that is what matters.  Yes, the people here at work would have enjoyed their gifts but I think I chose the better option this year.  It was a simple trade, a simple choice and a good one!

The thing you hear about it making you feel better....Guess what.....IT IS TRUE!  It will stick with you when you make a habit of it as well.  I have had to make a lot of changes this past quarter with my situation changing and although the cuts have been stressful, frustrating, upsetting.....I still have SO MUCH that others do not and I have to always remind my self when I get so down that I am very blessed. 

I see all of these groups and even know some of these people and it seems that everyone leaves this country to help overs yet there are so many people in our own neighborhoods that NEED help.  My best friend since I was 10 was adopted and had a "Big Brother" through Big Brothers and Sisters program and I have to say, his Big Brother made such a difference in his life and til this day they are still family.  Still see one another, still talk, attend weddings all of that stuff.  It didn't cost this guy $ just a little of his time to help someone else and it was wonderful!  I like to see people help HERE.

Anyway, all that being said, while reading the above mentioned article I came across a group called the Cause & Affect Foundation.  Yes, they help a lot in other countries but when I read their blog I discovered that they also help at home and they have taught other young people to step up and help others as well so you should check them out.  

As you enjoy your holiday vacation time and you are out and about enjoying all the things we should be so blessed and thankful for and you see that man, think, do you really need that leftover box, would it hurt you to share and help someone else??  It will not cost you a dime!

Just a thought.

"I would maintain that thanks 

are the highest form of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness 

doubled by wonder."

~ Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Well I have been a little slack on updating....sorry for that.  So much has been going on.  It is so strange to me that Christmas will be here in just 3 days!  YIKES!  I am not ready for it as I would like to be but it is what it is and some things just will not get done this year.  This is ALWAYS my favorite time of year.  The past couple months though I have been under an unusual amount of stress and it has just not been the same for me this year.  Regardless, it is here, it is going to happen with or without us so we might as well jump right in. I am thankful to have all of my family here and with me for the holidays and all of the "normal" days that take up the space between holidays.  Personally I simply know too many people that don't have that this year and have not had it in the past and my heart always goes out to them as time passes, as I get older, I realize more and more how very blessed those of us are that have it.

Most of you that know me also know that I can be very opinionated although over the years I have learned that I can't always share my opinions with those that need to hear them without hurting feelings so I do a lot of tongue biting too.....LOL   I mean I just don't get how it is so easy for some people around me to take their loved ones for granted.  

I have one friend who's family lives maybe 45 minutes away yet what do they choose to do most holidays?  You might have guessed by now (knowing me) they sit on their rear ends, in their pjs, voluntarily not spending holidays with their loved ones.  I just want to give them a good swift kick.  I mean they make time for co-workers and buddies to eat, drink and be merry and enjoy holidays and completely ignore their family.  "Oh well, we may see them at Christmas"  You may?? WTH is that all about, it is not like you live in a different country or even state for that matter.  You live in a different bordering county.  Get up off you rear end and go!!  Tomorrow is not promised.  I mean I really can't believe that anyone at our age could not grasp that.  Dec. 4th, a girl I grew up with, single mom of 2 children (11 & 13) lost her life.  She was my age.....She wasn't old by any definition of the word and yet she does not have a tomorrow, her children do not have 1 more day with their mother.  They will not spend Christmas with their mother, enjoying the holiday because they are selfish or lazy or ungrateful.  They will not be here because they don't have that option.  What I can say, they made the best of every day they had.  So while you sit on your rear end, in your pjs doing nothing, teaching your children nothing about how blessed you are to have a family.....Tomorrow is NOT Promised.

I have a friend that is not spending the holiday or any time for that matter with his father.  Why you ask?  Well be cause just as the children above he does not have that option.  I will say though that they made every effort to make the best of the time that they had and not just when he fell ill.  They spent time together and valued one another before that.  His daughter got to know her granddaddy.  Even living almost an hour away they saw each other most weekends.  They appreciated one another.......Tomorrow is NOT Promised.

As I sit here and type this there is a funeral precession driving past my office......

You have a grown man that cries to everyone about his children not wanting to be his friend on facebook (mind you we are adults so maybe he should grow a pair, put on his big girl panties and act like the adult in the situation) meanwhile one of his children, after all the hurt and pain they have endured due to his actions, makes the "big gesture" they make the first move (we are talking about a 13 year old, not an adult) and requests their fb friendship, requests that they make an effort to be back in their lives and how does this adult react to a simple question??

CHILD:  Can I come see you on Christmas?

PARENT:  No.

CHILD:  Well can I come see you afterward and give you a Christmas present at least?  (Keep in mind said parent lives 15 minutes up the road)

PARENT:  I don't know if I can find time?

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!  I mean seriously, tell me one good reason while I should hit the breaks should you ever cross the road in front of my car..... I am waiting..........Oh yeah.....there is not one reason in hell!!  When you are old and everyone is sick of your crap, you will be that nasty old person from tv shows (that we all want to tell ourselves really does not exist) that will be on your death bed approaching you day of judgment and your very own children, your own flesh and blood, will not be standing there by you and who's fault is that?  YOUR FAULT!  Because you  have done such an amazing job of being the adult and not blaming children for your poor choices. 

FRIDAY, December 14, 2010  (You like how I am sneaking in that "blog date" bawhahahaha)

I actually went to Biltmore Candle Light.  I know right, weird, I spent 18 years of my life right up the road and never had been at Christmas time or at night for that matter.  It was beautiful.  I will post a few pics below.  Of course I had to stop before and have my Frank's Pizza.  One of my friends is good friend's with the owner so as I am eating I look over and the owner keeps walking over to the dining room, talking on his cell phone and staring at me.  Then a waitress walks by and says "He is talking about you"  HA HA HA  It made for an interesting dinner and then it was off to Biltmore.  Got home around 1am and sadly woke up Saturday with a migraine and spent the majority of the day sleeping!

BEAUTIFUL! (It should be no surprise that most of Richie Rich was filmed here)

Sneaky Pirate totally snapped this pic when I was not paying attention!!

SUNDAY, December 19, 2010 (Yep....did it again)

Sunday morning I got up, rushed to straighten and clean the house.  I put up some more Christmas decor, just because I am behind does not mean I will not get it done....lol  I headed out, picked up a Christmas gift or two.  Then I went to meet my friend Leylith for lunch.  So we had decided to go to Asian House.  Well we get there and apparently everyone in town had the same idea!  We then decided to go to El Pasarrio in JC.  Well she had never been there so it would be something new for her.  The food is always good, the service is always good so good choice.  Well we get there and our poor waiter gets completely overwhelmed.  Finally about 10 minutes after she gets her food I get mine....no biggie, no schedule so we are just going with the flow.  So half way through our meal the fire alarm starts going off....now let me just say this place is packed and we are all chowing down on some good Mexican food, you look up from the table....everyone looks at the fire alarm, everyone watches all of the staff race towards the kitchen.....not one person stopped eating or got up from their table!!!  We all just continued on like it was no big deal, luckily for all of us, it was no big deal.  Anyway the alarm wont stop beeping until the Fire Department gets there to reset it.  (We are just a few minutes up the road from the JC Fire Department)  About 20 minutes later guess what ..... the fire department shows up!  I mean clearly by that time they place would have burnt to the ground had it been an emergency......Glad to know they are so quick on their feet!   As they walk in to the place, all casual like, they are greeted with loud applause, laughter and tons ppl taking video (I am sure they are all posted on youtube now) when they left they were still shaking their heads trying to figure it all out.....they seemed to think that it taking them 20 minutes to get 1 mile up the road to put out a fire was just no big deal....Needless to say lunch was great and a little free entertainment on the side made for some good laughs.  Afterward we went back to my house and I helped her put teeny tiny pics in a bracelet for her Mother-in-law which I later heard she LOVED so that was great!!  I was more than happy to help out!

So more later, I mean really, you can only put so much into one blog post!  lol

I do hope that everyone takes time out in the future, more than just major holidays, to truly appreciate their families and say a little prayer for all of those who are not so fortunate.

The family.  

We were a strange little band of characters 

trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, 

coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, 

borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, 

inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, 

loving, laughing, defending, and trying to 

figure out the common thread that 
bound us all together.  

~Erma Bombeck

Nicole..................

So, I have been a little busy, sinus infection and then strep so I am behind on my blog.  I will try to get back on track with it.  Just a lot of changes going on in my life.

Anyway, I have written about Nicole in my past posts.  She lost her battle with Stage 4 Liver Cancer Friday morning around 5am.  I know we are not supposed to question things that happen like this, we are not supposed to question God and his plan.  I think it is hard not to though, especially in times like these.  I think we are only human, I think we all question things. I sat and watched The Christmas Shoes tonight. I have seen it before but tonight it was so different. I cried and thought about Nicole and her two young kids Megan and Bradley.  I can't begin to imagine what they have been going through as they have watched their mother battle so hard since May.  Watching the boy in this movie and him having to deal with such devastation at his age. My mom is my world and just the thought of it brings me to uncontrollable tears. I know there is a reason they are having to deal with all of this (I know I will simply never understand these things but I have to accept them) and I can only pray and hope that their mother's courageous battle and example she has set for them will somehow benefit them down the road when facing their trials.  I know she was a fighter, she was strong, funny, stubborn! Ha! The stubborn is likely the reason we got along so well when we were younger and by the same token butted heads when we didn't agree; we are both very stubborn.  I am thankful to know that she is not suffering anymore, that she is healthy and that she is now with her father which she lost years ago.  I hope that everyone will continue to lift Megan, Bradley and the entire family up in prayer as I know they have a long and difficult road ahead of them. I pray that we will some day find a cure, a way to end all of the pain and suffering.

Nicole, Megan & Bradley  ( <3 how she rocked the wig! )

The world of facebook. Nicole shared her battle, her ups and downs with all of us. It was a much needed release for her but in doing that I think that the touched so many people.  Her battle made it so very easy for me to participate in the "Thankful Challenge" on facebook. If you are not familiar with that, during the month of November we were to list something each day that we were thankful for. I always tried to make sure what I posted was unique each day.  I was however a little disappointed that so few participated.  It was myself, my mother, my aunt Lisa and my friend Julie.  I did not see anyone else post daily.  I think in the coming year I will try and post something each week that I am thankful for. I agree with my friend Katie's blog that people should not just be thankful one day of the year.  I think that in the coming year I will try and post something I am thankful for at least once a week.

"Our earthly loss is always a heavenly gain
Although our hearts hurt and mourn in humanly pain
The fact still remains the same
That Heaven Has Gained more Love
To sprinkle down from above"

~ Antonio Talbert