~ A PRAYER & A HOPE~

I have borrowed wisdom from some wise & holy servants, kindly read them. I believe them to be relevant in today's current affairs.

"Be the change you want to see in the world. All the religions of the world, while they may differ in other respects, unitedly proclaim that nothing lives in this world but Truth."
Mohandas Gandhi
"We must become the change we want to see."
Mahatma Gandhi
"Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected"
"Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong"
Mahatma Gandhi

In making my post for the New Year my thoughts were obscured considering the recent happenings in our world of "lost" HUMANITIES .....I was feeling adrift, cynical, demoralized, irreparable and defeated, exactly how "they" wanted me to feel!!

So, with some thought I decided to make this a purposeful & tenacious post, truthful and most importantly HOPEFUL. With that being said

I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE, WORLDWIDE A MOST REFRESHING & CHANGING NEW YEAR. MAY 2008 BRING US THE COURAGE TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS ETHICAL, TO SPEAK OUR MINDS, TO AIR OUR DIFFERENCES, TO DEBATE OUR POLITICS, BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY TO DO SO WITH PLACIDITY, TRANQUILITY AND with PEACE IN OUR HEARTS:)

I realize that sounds like a very heavy purpose, but I like to think it can be accomplished. If it only means that one person smiles at his neighbor, one person tosses a dollar in a homeless persons hat, one person signs up for local volunteer duty, one person reclaims their faith, one person gives what is so invaluable, their TIME to aid a productive cause then wouldn't our New Year start off well:) Let's all be that one person, which in turn will be many!!

God Bless us all, God Bless the USA, and God Bless those with hate in their hearts, may they find love & the path to freedom............ Cheers to a new and aspiring, constructive and positive 2008!!!

Now, go out there and not only Hug Life, Embrace it with all you have and all you are ^-^

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY 2008 BRING US ALL THAT IS "GOOD" AND MAY WE SHARE ALL THE "GOOD" THAT IS IN US:)

~A GREAT LOSS~

I AM AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. ALL I HAVE LEFT IN ME ARE PRAYERS FOR MS. BHUTTO AND HER LOVED ONES.

~CURMUDGEONLY~

I have re-read my last post a few times and I believe I have made a HUGE mistake!! I have been complaining about the actions of others and insinuating that their bad behavior has given Christmas a surly message. WRONG!! This would only be true if I ALLOWED this to happen. CHRISTmas is a "moment in time" to celebrate the most amazing "moment in time" for all Christians, and if I am to profess to Christianity than I must behave in a Christian fashion!! I do not have the right to judge nor should I. I do not have the right to complain, nor should I. I do not have the right to decide what is right for others, nor should I. With that made clear I SIMPLY WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY, MERRY CHRISTMAS. I hope and pray that we will someday not worry about anger, resentments, wars, poverty, sickness and the more frivolous things I previoulsy mentioned....... gifts, traffic and personality flaws....but until that day I shall THANK GOD for ALL the goodness in our world we so often forget to acknowledge.

There is such beauty around us from our glorious & abundant mountain ranges to our capacious azure oceans...There is such beauty around us including kind & loving people of all races and creeds...There is such beauty around us as there are those that give of themselves to offer help to those in need and to those wonderful peeps I say AMEN and THANK YOU. May this season find you all healthy, prosperous and loved.......... and may I remember all of the above:-)
HUG LIFE, Marylou

~The Last Christmas~

See this little kitty, cute isn't she?? But sad:( Well, we were chatting and we both felt rather discouraged as it seems to US that Christmas is simply NOT what it used to be. I remember when you could walk into a store and hear Christmas music, or you could stop in town and see a grand Nativity display or you would see the smiling faces of people, excited to make their Christmas purchases and return home to wrap their presents, decorate their tree and make some egg nog!! Well, it seems like that is all a memory. I do not hear the music, nor do I see the Nativity scene and I think people are usually in such a hurry and well, gosh, they are simply behaving badly!! Cars are honking at me cause I am not driving fast enough and some go as far as to wave at me with one finger????? AND...what is up with this HAPPY HOLIDAYS greeting?? Is it Arbor Day? Memorial Day? St. Patricks Day???? NO, it is Christmas. Therefore why can't we say MERRY CHRISTMAS?????ARGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!I wish we could get back to the way things were but I am afraid with all this nonsense of separation of church and state activists have taken things simply too far.......and they have taken away MY RIGHT to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS. Last time I checked this country of ours was founded on the right to celebrate GOD and I don't believe we changed any of the Constitution lately, although there are those who would like to!! So, with that said I would like to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. I TRULY DON'T CARE HOW YOU CELEBRATE AND I RESPECT THE FASHION IN WHICH YOU DO SO.... IF IT IS A MENORAH, A BUDDA OR A FIG LEAF BLESS YOU AS IT DOES NOT MATTER AN INFINITESIMAL DEGREE TO ME, JUST PLEASE BE SURE TO CELEBRATE!!!
And, Please Don't Forget to..............Hug Life, Marylou ^-^

~THEN AND NOW~

Well, a few things have changed from my last post:) The kids are now adults and living on their own, decorating their own homes! Whoa.....again, not sure where the time went but the train certainly left the depot and I was not aboard:( So, this is my tree for 2007....smaller and I noticed the ornaments have slightly changed. I used to have the most precious ornies ever, made by the kids. Usually a round ball with their name in glitter, a home made critter made from walnut shells and the obligatory but fun school picture framed with popcicle sticks:-) I have saved them all and may package them in a neat box with a ribbon as a Christmas gift, one for Tony and one for Francesca. They can add them to their trees and share with their children who I hope will be conceived during my lifetime!!!!!!! (big grin here) I took some pics so you can now see more boating thingys (DH loves sailing) and I notice more squirrels ^-^. My Nativity Set is smaller in size but not in faith!!! Of all that has grown, the most precious to me is my faith. Each day I come closer to our Lord and I am so grateful for that:) Enjoy a fews pics of my Nativity, my sailor's fave ornies and my squirrels. Nothing fancy but all showing our loves, our faith and our hopes and dreams. AND our gratitude for each day God gives us:) May you all have your own hopes and dreams and may you all have a stong faith, no matter the religion, just be sure you have a higher being you can trust and pray to, that is all it takes:)
Hug Life, Marylou