I did it again. I made it through another year. I am 47 today.

All I wanna' do for my birthday is kick back. Don't wanna' cook; don't wanna' clean; don't even wanna' be all that good today.

I just wanna' be bad like the dogs in the yard...AND, I wouldn't mind a latte' every couple hours or so.

Oh, and it would be really cool to spend the day with these guys! Check out the "See Me, Feel Me" Video. Awesome!!

Blogger Christine has a big ole' heart, and has been posting about Miss Anya. She is a young lady who is separated from her sister and the family who wants desperately to adopt her and bring her home to be with her sister.

Lots of red tape has kept this family from having Anya, and at one time they didn't believe the adoption would even be possible. You can read more about Anya and this awful dilemna she and her loving family have been in, over at (a)musings.

I promised to pray for Anya and this family who has worked so hard to adopt her so that she and her sister could finally be together and share in a loving home. I wanted to mention it here on my site, so that others could link to Christine and maybe become part of the circle of peace that we intend to send out to these people who need us all.

Come home to your family who wants you and loves you, Anya. You are in my prayers. 

As you can clearly see from the ad on my sidebar, Hillary is my #1 choice for the vote of 2008.

I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not interested in Hillary for this because she is a woman. I believe Hillary is brilliant; and, is up for the daunting task ahead.

Also, the information I do not have in an ad over on my sidebar is that John Edwards is my next best choice.

Here is a photo someone took of me during a break at our training. He would have to catch me with my mouth full and munching like a chipmunk. In all honesty, I think I was munching on a piece of fruit; which doesn't really help me in a defense argument that I was enjoying a healthy snack, since I also had a coke sitting in front of me.

But I thought it was a laid back shot of me, so I wanted to share. As I receive others, I will share them with you; and when I get my own pictures back, I will share those as well.

There was always plenty of food everywhere at the hotel and conference center. We were never without the opportunity to grab a snack or something to drink at anytime, and around any corner. Needless to say, I must get back on track. So Monday morning I will be doing my jump-start diet again. God knows, I need a jump start of sorts--heh.

You really can't see them well in this photo, but I have my new eyeglasses on. I love, love, love them. I'll try to get a better shot of them on here soon. Can you tell how much my hair has grown since spring? Gotta' get it long enough to cut the back correctly for the style I'm going for. Later dudes...

* Updated Note: I am awake very early this morning, not by choice. I intend to go back to bed for the day if I can swing it.(12/28 at 4:15am. aaarrgg)

I'm sleeping late tomorrow. I'm sleeping late tomorrow because I am feeling rundown. I am feeling rundown because....well, never mind.

Taking care of myself so that I can better serve others; this is honorable.

Who is it we think is in need of a gift this time of year?

Goodnight...

You can listen here. I feel this song on many levels. Found and borrowed from Miss Pattie's site.

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants' windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
While the sky darkens and freezes
Will be gathering around the hearths and tables
Giving thanks for God's graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus

Well they call him by 'the Prince of Peace'
And they call him by 'the Savior'
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavor
And they fill his churches with their pride and gold
As their faith in him increases
But they've turned the nature that I worship in
From a temple to a robber's den
In the words of the rebel Jesus

Well we guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

Now pardon me if I have seemed
To take the tone of judgement
For I've no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In a life of hardship and of earthly toil
There's a need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure
And I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus.

                            (Jackson Browne)

CHRISTMAS  =  EXHAUSTION

I dream of the Great Smoky Mountains. I dream of sitting by crackling fireplaces glowing warm. There is a knock on my cabin door from those who would bring food in baskets, already cooked and ready to eat; I sip my brandy as we all serve each other the warm foods.

I dream of children singing outside my cabin window after supper; and pups barking as they run through the snow toward the sounds of tingling bells further down the hollow. I dream of the train whistle as the coal black machine winds its way through the mountains on tracks made to last, for the marking of history. I dream of deep and fluffy snow, just right for wallowing in.

I dream....

Of a holiday where the deeper things we think about, or believe, are not confounded and confused with tradition and activity. A time and a place where only love in its purest form abounds, encompassing all people, and seems neverending. I dream of feel good moments where joy and laughter try to outdo one another, and sighs come only as a rest in between the next jolt of both. I believe that love and joy of this kind is God, and creator; and everything to do with why we are here, all rolled into one.

I dream of such a time each year. A time when we don't have to wish one another a happy holiday or a merry Christmas, because we are all already in the midst of such a thing, and have no need for more good wishes. I dream of a time when rest is pleasant and peace is plenty...

I dream of friends and loved ones who would not be left wanting for anything needed.

I have to believe there may just possibly be such a time as this... a holiday someplace beyond my dream; beyond war; maybe not in the Great Smokys, I don't know where.

Why would I keep enduring the struggle of life, if my dream could not be possible?

Whew! I came home from the grand hotel on Friday; bypassed my exit to our house, and straightway to the grocery store I went. Dollars later, I got home to my Sam and my animals. It was most satisfying to see them on Friday night.

I have almost all my cleaning done the way I want it. I am taking a break to say hi to you folks and tell you that I have missed you so. My two-week training was intense, and I finished up with my certificate. I am nervous and anxious as well, to learn more about the history making I will be a big part of in the mental health system of this state, and nationwide.

So you all know, I was unable to read your blogs while I was at the grand hotel. I think I may have told you this last weekend. I will be playing catch-up with you for the next week or so. I hope your little corners of the world are happy places tonight, and I will chat with you soon after Santa makes his visit......Ho, Ho, Ho...and to all a goodnight...

Hi there everyone. I spent the week in training at one of the most exquisite hotels in southwest Virginia. Indeed, I cannot begin to tell you what a fine and dandy week it has been. I completed half of my coursework, and scored very well on my exam. I only missed one point; so, if I were being graded as in school, my score for the exam would be an "A".

I came home last night to Sam and my sweet animals. I was homesick for them. I find that I appreciate them all much more when I have returned from someplace; and they seem to appreciate me much more as well. We talked alot within the group this past week, about taking needed mental health breaks. This is most important for my life, and this time away from the usual routine is a much needed break for me. I am refreshed and rejuvinated. I have been spoiled rotten all week by a fine hotel staff, and I am most grateful for the spoiling.

I return to the hotel tomorrow afternoon. I will check in by 4pm. and begin classes again at 9am. sharp on Monday morning. I have really missed all of you. I don't have a laptop. I do have access to the internet for emails only. The system is set up in the hotel lobby for email only. I cannot even access my own weblog. I have been going through withdraw all week to find out what all my blogging buds are up to. Gonna' do a little reading tonight. I hope to catch up more with you all when my training is completed and I am home again next week. Until then, peace out my friends!