2010---The good, the bad, the lovely!

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! In just a few hours, we'll be headed to a party to watch Carolina play in a bowl game and ring in the new year. Actually, we probably won't make it to midnight....I'm tired from a long run this morning, and Hubby went for a long bike ride. Sad when you get old!!!

Just visited Facebook to see how my friends in cyberspace are doing. One of my sweet peeps, Leah, had a great question on her wall. She asked what was the most memorable thing about 2010. I would love to hear your answers to this! So, get comfy and spend a few minutes reflecting on the moments that have made an impact in your life this year. (Leah, if you have the same question on your blog, please forgive me! I really liked it!!!)

My memorable moments (is that redundant?) include reading through the Bible for the first time ever (see Wendy Pope, for tomorrow we start again!), attending an awesome ladies' retreat (gIRL gathering at Black Mtn.), speaking to a lovely group of ladies at a nearby church, and seeing my photography business grow according to God's plan.

The other is going through the first year without my Daddy. It was a year ago last week that he passed away. But, glory! He's celebrating Christmas again in Heaven.

Share your memories with us! And, have a blessed New Year!

Sweet Blessings,

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of hosting a Christmas dinner for some precious friends. One of these darling gals lives way up in Virginia, and I haven't seen her since last year. Even though my week was very hectic, I slowed down and made time for these wonderful women of faith. We laughed, ate....and ate some more, and simply sat in the presence of each other for hours talking and planning our next marathons. We never did decide on one that we could all run together. One is planning her daughters' weddings (yes, 2!). Another is busy teaching high school. One is very involved in her church work. And another is working around her son's senior year in high school--prom, graduation, etc.

Everyone is in a busy season it seems these days. How many errands can you run before lunch? How quickly can you get in and out of the grocery store? How many loads of laundry did you wash and dry today (folding them up doesn't count!!)?

How many times did you talk to Jesus today? How many phone calls did you make? How many prayers did you lift up to the Lord before bedtime? How many texts did you respond to?

As Christmas approaches (and I am NOT done with my shopping or baking, thank you!)
I encourage you to stop. Sit. Pray. Listen. Take out that Bible and turn to Luke 1. Slowly read the words, one at the time. This is not the time to speed read! Let the meaning sink in. Ponder the words that God has placed before you. What does He want you to see, to hear, to remember? Enjoy this Christmas time. He has given us the most wonderful Gift ever. The gift of Jesus...who loved us so much that He died for our sins so that we might spend eternity with Him. Now that, my friends, is the best Christmas present ever.

Sending all of you hugs and love from my little corner of SC.
Merry Christmas!

Sweet Blessings,

Christmas Gift Ideas!!!

Hey, y'all! Is it cold enough for you? Mercy! It's freezing down here in the south! I don't do this kind of weather!

Hope that some of you have thought about Christmas presents by now! There are only 19 days left until Christmas. I should be in a panic because I only have a few purchased. But, I refuse to let it get to me ( call me on the 24th, and we'll see if a panic attack has set in or not!)

Ok, time to share some fun gift giving ideas for those of us on a Bu-Jay. You have less than a week to find something really cute and fun and special for some of your closest girlfriends. You have wracked your brains out trying to come up with an original idea...you have done the Bath and Body Works lotions (which I LOVE!!!), candles, ornaments, etc. You need something new...vibrant...exciting. Are y'all getting the picture? I need some ideas!! Quickly! But this is something that we can all benefit from!

List two or three items under 20$ and the store where they can be purchased (online stores/etsy are great options!) Let's see what we can come up with that will relieve a little stress. On your mark...get ready... go!!!

1) Half of a pound cake on a nice plate from Target, Marshalls, etc.
2) A plug- in from Scentsy and some bricks to go with it in a cute drawstring pouch (Contact your nearest Scentsy rep.)
3) A new cookbook (You know where to get these! Church ones are the BEST!) and a cute Christmas spatula( Cracker Barrel, Target)

Ok--your turn! Impress all of us with some really cool ideas...quickly!


Sweet Blessings!