Happy New Year

jscreationzs'

The start of a new year and the chance to good in the world!!! I woke up with thoughts for a better year. We'll start this year with a bang as we plan the benefit for The Old Loxley Hotel.  Jim and I are doing great things to remodel that building and it will be a great asset to the community.
The rest of my family is doing great things as well--
Sarah and Drew are moving into a house with 2 acres which includes a horse stable. Sarah is very excited to have chickens, goats and horses.
Naomi and Jon are looking for a new house to move into permanently as they prepare for the birth of their second child.
Isaac and Rebekah will be starting new jobs in a new undisclosed location. More on that later.....
Tasha and Matt are working away at their jobs with Arthur and Sadie in tow.  Tasha should be graduating this coming up year with a bachelor's degree.
Caleb will be finishing his associate degree here in Baldwin County and going off to the military.
Eliot will continue doing great things in Albania and possibly other places as well.
Lydia will be graduating in May and then going off to school in Art Education.
Moses will be on the down side of working towards his Eagle Scout award and decide on a project.
Last but not least---Henry.....he will be working on school and doing what he does best--play board games.
You all have great things to contribute to the world!!!! Have a great year!!!

Early Memories: A Run In with a Snow Sled and a Dog named Snoopy

         I grew up in New Jersey during the 60's and 70's.  I loved New Jersey's farms and rural areas--but it hasn't stayed that way for long.  New York City has been thrust upon New Jersey as it is just across the river and many people moved to get away from the city (including my parents) to make a better life for themselves.  Now in present times, New Jersey is so corrupt, I could never go back to live there. From Brooklyn we moved to what was a small town at the time by the name of Clark. 

        I came from a family of large noses.  So it wasn't much of a surprise to know that one of my earliest memories in Clark was a run in with a snow sled.  It wasn't my fault.  My older sister and I were exploring in the garage when we discovered a rope hanging down from a shelf.  She pulled on it and I was standing right underneath it so I was the one who got smacked on the bridge of my nose with the front blade of the snow sled.  I was only 3.

  My mother had to take me to the doctor right away and they made her stand outside the door while they sewed me up.  It was not pretty. You can still see a slight scar.  I suppose that first experience might be an indicator of what was to come in life. Although I am not accident prone, funny things just happen to me. 
      
       I don't really feel so bad now about the whole sled thing. My father would take us sledding at a park down the street that had a fantastic hill next to a river.  Every year we would take our sled there and take off down that hill with him steering.  One year, it was one of the earlier sledding experiences; my sister decided she wanted to go down by herself.  She sat head first with gloved hands on the steering mechanism. As she descended the hill, she realized it was a bit too much for her and closed her eyes.  I don't know what she was thinking, because those sleds don't steer by themselves.  She then ran smack into a tree towards the bottom and fell off the sled.  She was lucky not to break her nose in the process but all was well after we realized she was okay.

      Another winter when I was about 8 or 9 years old, we owned a rather hyper dog.  My sister and brother and I thought we could keep control of this rather obnoxious animal but that wasn't always the case.  We named him Snoopy but he was not anything like his cartoon counter part. It was my turn to take Snoopy for a walk on a cold winter's afternoon and I wore a large furry hat with furry pom-poms on the end of the ties.  These furry balls must have seem very attractive to Snoopy because as we walked along on the sidewalk, he kept jumping up to grab them.  I would push him down and attempt to keep walking.  He was persistent and finally caught them in his mouth.  

             If you have ever tried to take something away from a dog with an steel trap jaw--you know it is impossible to open. I was dragged by Snoopy all the way home by these pom-pom balls. He was uncontrollable and I was trying to stop him.  I wasn't very strong so there was no contest.  I finally made it into the house when Snoopy pulled harder and I was dragged on the wooden floor.  My mother, hearing the commotion came running and tried to break open the jaws of an iron clad mouth of this wild animal or at least get the hat off my head but to no avail.  I was dragged around by the neck gagging and my mother started to laugh.  I know she didn't mean to, but I'm sure the picture of this dog pulling the pom-pom ties to my hat with my head stuck in the middle was a funny sight and she couldn't help it. I don't remember what happened after that but somehow I managed to break free and I never wore that hat again.  (At least not with Snoopy around).  I guess I should feel lucky that I didn't lose my nose in all of that struggle.


       

Eclectic Book Catalog For Christmas

Looking for a gift for the person who has everything??? Look no farther.  A catalog of 43 wonderful books including clean romances, inspirational non-fiction and more.
Check it out:

Find books for Christmas

Holiday Eating Tips

Credit: cartinafinland.fi

A friend of mine sent me this to me a long time ago and it has always just tickled my funny bone..
A humorous look at our crazy Christmas traditions......


1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table
knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave
 immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

 2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't
 find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an
 eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me.
 Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

 3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy.
 Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

 4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or
 whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car
 with an automatic transmission.

 5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your
 eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other
 people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

 6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's.
 You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the
 time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while
 carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

 7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted
 Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near
 them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of
 attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them
 behind, you're never going to see them again.

 8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if
 you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have
 three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

 9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory
 celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

 10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or
 get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips;
 start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Lovely Blog Award

The lovely Joyce Smith of  Zany G's (Grandma)

 World blog  http://zanygsworld.blogspot.com

 has honored me with the lovely blog award and I am to write seven interesting facts about myself. Here they are:

1. I never liked to admit that I’m not good at finding the right direction. I don’t give up easily so it is not unusual that I would drive around some places for hours until I find it.
2. I’ve been lost in Pensacola, Florida, New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, and Houston.
3. Once I went with a group of YSA in New Jersey to a dance in Manhattan and we ended up driving through all five boroughs of New York City to get there.
4. When I was in 5^th grade I was chosen as one of three children to be a special escort in the ceremony for the laying of the flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C.  Unfortunately, since I got my directions mixed up—I went the wrong way during the ceremony. (In front of about 100 people)
5. I use to work as a greens keeper on a golf course in New Jersey three summers in a row.
6. I never liked playing golf.
7. I consider myself very patriotic.
8. I love to write.
9. When I was little—my parents would put my sister and I in front of all the family at reunions and had us sing songs. (I actually liked it)
10. When my children, husband and I lived in a farmhouse in Foley Alabama, we were visited by six teenaged pigs.
11.  I once saw two mice dance together on their hind legs while I was watching TV in the house where we were visited by the teenage pigs. (No one ever believed me)
12. We once caught 23 mice in traps while living in the farmhouse in Foley that was visited by six teenaged pigs.
13.  I once swam a race in an Olympic sized pool and came in third place.  (There were only three people in the race)
14.  I love living in Loxley though we have never been visited by pigs. Only mice.
15.  One time when I was younger, my sister and I went trick or treating and a neighbor gave us dog poop instead of candy wrapped up in a napkin.
16. Most people can never guess my age.

I actually wrote a few more than seven as I have written this funny piece about myself a while ago and wanted to use it for this blog.

The other requirement is to pick 15 to 17 other blogs to receive the Lovely Blog Award.  So here are they are:

1. Wendy Dewitt---http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/
2. Shaunna Gonzales----http://shaunnagonzales.blogspot.com
3. Betsy Love: http://sweetbetsylove.blogspot.com

4. Tristi Pinkson: http://tristipinkston.blogspot.com

5. Stephanie Albany: http://stephaniereadthat.blogspot.com
6. Jennifer Wolf:  http://wolftalez.blogspot.com
7. Anne Bradshaw: http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com
8. Liz Adair: http://sezlizadair.blogspot.com
9. Rachel Brooks:  http://rachelbrookswrites.blogspot.com
10.Tanya Parker Mills: http://www.tanyaparkermills.com
11. Bonnie Harris: http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com
12. Theresa Sneed: http://theresatalks.blogspot.com
13. Karen Adair:  http://karenadair.blogspot.com
14. Gabriela Lessa:  http://aspiringwriterworld.blogspot.com
15. Dede Smith:  http://designzbydede.blogspot.com

Now in order for all of you fifteen lovely blogs to accept this award please do the following:
copy, cut, & paste the above award and put in your pictures folder. Then paste in preferred design format of your blog. Answer the seven random facts about yourself and post 15-17 new blogs that you think are deserving of the award on your next blog... wallah, you're now a lovely blog recipient! Congratulations!!!

Food Storage Frenzy

With news of what the world is experiencing I have found myself contemplating more and more of what we are lacking in emergency supplies.  The last time the country went into “a food storage frenzy” was in 1999 right before the Y2K extravaganza. Everyone, regardless of culture, creed or religion was stashing emergency supplies anywhere they could.  But after all the fuss calmed down, everyone forgot about the world coming to an end and the food storage thing went away. Life went back to a normal pace.  My family ate down what we stored and tried to replace it as we ate but we didn’t.  The frenzy of activity no longer existed and I couldn’t keep up.  But now that feeling has returned and I feel what is placed on my heart is to start up the food storage frenzy again; only this time there will be no reprieve.

            With the study of world events, ancient and modern scripture revelation, commentaries of trusted religious leaders and pondering, I and my family have come to the conclusion that this is it. All those years of hearing about what will be happening in the “last days before Christ comes again” and now we are finally here.  It’s almost unbelievable.  It’s surprising and even shocking. Most people wouldn't believe it.

We (my family and I)  have come to realize the time is close at hand to a total world collapse of food, energy and government.  Not a lot of people are paying attention as life seems to be moving forward without discussion of what will happen if our government falls or if the teamsters can’t deliver food or marshal law is implemented  or an epidemic is released.  We all need to be prepared without panicking.  We all need to have some kind of food and water supply so when “the crap hits the fan” as they say, we can all help each other in our small communities without danger to ourselves.  

The following links are websites which specialize in emergency preparedness.  The first is a link to a website which shares a lot of information on all emergencies and how to prepare.  The other one is a 222 page book you can download for free which covers every aspect of emergency preparedness including food storage and safety.

 Link to Emergency Survival

Link to Emergency Survival book-free download

We need to start the food storage frenzy again and really get prepared for what the future brings.  This is not a panic attack but a call for all to prepare themselves for what could happen. We need to inform our neighbors as they will become our closest community in keeping our neighborhoods safe from looters and crazy people.

This next part is a list of the top 101 things to have on hand that will be in great demand to barter. Yes, the barter system will come back when money is scarce so why not get a jump on this list and stash things away for a rainy day.

Top 101 Barter Items

by  M.D. CREEKMORE on MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009 

1.Coffee

2.Sugar

3.Salt
4.Pepper
5.Hard candy
6.Paperback Bibles
7.Kitchen Matches
8.Needles and sewing items
9.Nylon cord
10.Duct tape
11.Cigarettes 
12.Pencils, paper, note pads
13.Toilet paper
14.Tooth paste
15.Soap
16.Rubbing alcohol 
17.Peroxide
18.Aspirin
19.Baking soda
20.tooth brushes 
21.Reading glasses 
22.Liquor 
23.Socks 
24.Tarps 
25.Tools for gardening 
26.Condoms
27.Wooden matches
28.Skills
29.Hand Tools 
30.Boyscout Manual 
31.22.LR ammunition 
32.12-gauge shot shells
33.Water Filters 
34.Firewood 
35.Coleman Fuel 
36.Knives 
37.Manual Can Openers 
38.Vegetable Oil (for cooking) 
39.Lighter Fluid 
40.Charcoal 
41.Diapers 
42.Washboard 
43.Vitamins 
44.Tampons
45.Thermal Underwear 
46.Aluminum Foil 
47.Garbage Bags 
48.Paper Towels
49.Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) 
50.Clothes Pins 
51.Fishing Line
52.Fish Hooks
53.First Aid Kits 
54.Batteries 
55.Spices 
56.Solar Calculators 
57.Belts 
58.Flashlights 
59.Lightsticks 
60.Garbage Cans 
61.Toothbrushes
62.Toothpaste 
63.Nail Clippers 
64.Mosquito Repellent 
65.Duct Tape 
66.Rope
67.Candles 
68.Sewing Supplies 
69.Non Scented Bleach 
70.Canning Jars and Lids
71.Knives 
72.Sharpening Stones
73.Bicycle Tire Tubes
74.Bicycle Chains
75.Air Pump (don’t trade the pump trade the air)
78.Board Games 
79.Playing Cards
80.Mousetraps 
81.Baby Wipes 
82.Razors 
83.Tang 
84.Gloves
85.Underwear 
86.Glue 
89.Broad Brim Hats
90.Files 
91.Pad-Locks
92.Laundry Detergent 
93.Kerosene 
94.Tea
95.Axes 
96.Slingshots 
97.Binoculars 
98.Disposable Lighters 
99.Magnesium fire starters 
100.Plastic sheeting 
101.Over The Counter Medications

Miss anything? Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below.

Hope this helps anyone who has felt the same as I. With a little bit of planning we can help each other as a community, town, state and country withstand the trials of what lies ahead.

The Star Prophesy: A Great Chistmas Gift......

 If you are LDS or just familiar with the stories of the Book of Mormon, Joan Sowards captures the essence of those times in a wonderfully woven story about the coming of Christ which includes a  story about a boy named Enoch called The Star Prophecy.

This story grabs your attention as you read of Enoch's attempts to take the journey of his life. Sword fighting, romance, sailing across the sea are all a part of the adventure and I could not stop reading until the end. A wonderful treat for any age, this story will be a family favorite in no time. I even read it to my family at night. 

A great Christmas gift for any family, you can order it on Amazon.com 

Link to buy book.......

Happenings.......

This past week I arranged to see both Isaac and Rebekah graduate at Brigham Young University in Idaho.  Their graduation will be December 16th which is the day before Rebekah's birthday.  They will both have their bachelor's degree and go off to an internship somewhere. They are still working on that one.  But I am arranging to fly to Salt Lake City on the 14th of December and stay with my brother.  Then the next day I will drive my father's car with him up to Rexburg, Idaho which is only about three hours.  I'm pretty excited as this is my Alma Mater back in 1979.  There has been a lot of changes since I was there and the school is now a four year university so I'm excited to see all that has been done.  I have been looking online at some of the buildings and familiarizing myself with the campus so I won't be completely unaware.

 This cute little boy is Peter Holifield.  He is one of my grandsons who is 18 months old.  Such a cutie.  He lives with his Mom and Dad in Warner Robins, Georgia. Naomi and Jon Holifield.

Today we participated in an Eagle Scout project in Robertsdale, Alabama.  Tyler Evans chose to clean out the Emergency Preparedness warehouse to reorganize and inventory all the equipment and supplies they have there.  It was really a great project and there were about 30 of us there. We were done around noon and all were able to go home.  We made 60 dollars on our yard sale items from last week and Jim started working for the Baldwin County Schools in subbing for teachers.  He got himself on all the high school lists, middle school lists and some elementary school lists. We have been told by several different people that once they get to know you, you are always busy.  It's very exciting.  The only draw back is that we are paid once a month.  So I guess we will have to get used to that and schedule our bills around my paychecks and his.
Tomorrow I fly out to see Sarah, Drew and their children.  They will be going on a trip and I will be staying with Bella and Lael.  I am excited to visit with them and see Rex.  I also get to trick or treat with them.  Very fun.

Hope for the Future.....

I found an even more colorful picture of the fall leaves of the north on Facebook and wanted to post it here. After our difficult week last week--we have more hope for the future. We are going to start again this week to find more work and get somewhere on the hotel plan.  We have to get going to see that hotel remodeled to be a museum and gift shop and also a place for parties. I'm sure we can make it work. We will rent our house and live in the back of the museum which will be very exciting.
Something that was said over the weekend really touched me:  "You can count the number of seeds in an apple but you cannot count the number of apples from each seed." Mary Fairchild  
You never know when you will help someone or touch a life with the example of  how you live you life.   So enough of me philosophizing and tomorrow is a new day to try again. 

Self Confidence

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
images/view_photog.php?photogid=73

I've been having a rough couple of days over the last week. Actually, over the last few months. I had some great highs and some terrible lows.....  As a couple, we are going through such trials financially without a permanent job anywhere--it is so stressful.  I feel bad about myself --I'm sure Jim feels this way as well.  In between these lows, I have become more successful with my writing.  I had seven pieces published through Deseret Connect in print and online in Deseret News, MormonTimes.com and KSL.com. I was really excited about that. Then I was asked by More Good Foundation to write my own column which was unbelievably fantastic.  It is online officially as Bonds that Tie the Family.  All my children are doing well and we are pretty healthy (knock on wood) so there are many highs but the lows are so awful.  We don't have enough money for just the basic needs.  We keep scraping along trying to improve the situation.  Trying to write under those conditions is difficult too.  I guess we should be happy we are not on the street--homeless somewhere--which does happen to so many good people in this country.
  I just have to keep plugging along and break through this trial.  On top of that---my hotel plans just keep getting knocked down...... but every time I think---I can't do this-- something comes along and gives me some hope.  I dont' think it's false hope---but a hope that I can ask someone else for the financing or another person appears who wants to work on it.  If only we had the money to start--we would have that thing looking great in no time.


I suppose that is enough moaning about the difficulties of life...... I'm sure this would make a great tragedy/comedy movie somewhere down the road......  Speaking of roads: the picture shown is that road not taken.....somewhere in Pennsylvania there is this road that is traveled but I have not traveled it yet so I have to trudge through.  Or rather I should take a good look around while I am trudging through and enjoy the scenery.
One more thing......Lydia showed me this psychological test from Facebook----I don't know if it has any validity but you look at a large square of mixed up letters--as it's shown on a word find page--- and the directions say that the first three words you find in this square will describe you........ I found beautiful, love and funny......Am I beautiful? Never thought of myself that way.  I suppose Heavenly Father thinks so....  I know I love intensely and I like to be funny.  Maybe it does describes me which does help me to feel better about myself.


See For Yourself----