AULD LANG SYNE

The greatest blessing is

created and enjoyed at

the same moment.

--- Epicurus

The countdown begins to 2009! Can you believe it!? It is amazing how fast time seems to go when you are not paying attention. I tried to pay attention earlier this year, but somehow got off track. As "they" say, "onward and upward", "don't look back", "forward march". I'll keep trying to connect with God, the energy of the universe that set everything into motion and that continues to "breathe" life into us everyday, if we will only let It. Or maybe that is the secret, don't try, just be and enjoy and take the gift with gratitude? Why is that so hard? Probaby because we are conditioned to work "hard" and slave and be busy, busy, busy...go, go, go. This year I will march to my own inner drum, sing my own song, dance my own dance, etc. etc.......not thinking or worrying about what others are doing or saying. Go about my business with a song in my heart and a constant prayer of thanksgiving on my lips. Continue to give and share. I know it can be done (just like keeping Christmas all year long) if we can release our ego and the need for approval. If we have God's approval what more do we need?

AULD LANG SYNE

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
~~~~~

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
~~~~~

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
~~~~~

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
~~~~~

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine
But we've wandered mony a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.
~~~~~

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
~~~~~

We twa hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
~~~~~

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
~~~~~

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o'thine!
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne.
~~~~~

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o'kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
~~~~~~~~~~

About the song Auld Lang Syne from www.christmas-songs.org "Auld lang syne" is a poem written by Robert Burns in 1788. It is traditionally sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year's eve. The meanings of the Scottish words used in the song are given below:
auld lang syne: times gone
bybraes: hills
braid: broad
burn: stream
fiere: friend
fit: foot
gowan: daisy
guid-willie waught: goodwill
drinkmonie: many
paidl't: paddled
pint-stowp: pint tankard
pou'd: pulled

twa: two

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Burns’ original Scots verse from Wikipedia

AULD LANG SYNE

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind ?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days o' lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

~~~~~
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !

And surely I’ll be mine !

And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,

And pu’d the gowans fine ;

But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,

Sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,

Frae morning sun till dine ;

But seas between us braid hae roar’d

Sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !

And gie's a hand o’ thine !

And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,

For auld lang syne.
CHORUS

Another translation on Wikipedia:

English translation(minimalist)

AULD LANG SYNE

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind ?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and old times since ?

~~~~~
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

~~~~~
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !

And surely I’ll buy mine !

And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,

and picked the daisies fine ;

But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,

since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine(dinner time);

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !

And give us a hand o’ thine !

And we’ll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A SAFE AND

SATISFYING NEW YEAR'S EVE

DAY AND NIGHT!

The World is Filled with Enjoyment

You were made for enjoyment,

and the world was filled with

things which you will enjoy,

unless you are too proud to

be pleased with them, or too

grasping to care for what you

can not turn to other account

than mere delight.

--- John Ruskin

Well, yippee, I got my teeth cleaned yesterday after 5 years! It wasn't too bad although I do have quite a bit of demineralization which is really, not good. More fluoride and brushing my teeth if I have sugar. Last month, I had already switched to Xylitol for a sweetener, the kind made from birch bark not corn so I have that going for me. :o) I have pretty much flossed religiously these past 5 years so that helped immensely.



We head over to the store today and I have another "you-know-what" scheduled too. I am beginning to feel like they are making a difference and I will continue with them a few more times. I have overindulged the past 2 weeks with food (fried and sweet), alcohol and more wheat products than usual. I think I forgot to mention that one of the lab tests I had the last time was for celiac's disease which I do not have. (I didn't think I did, but the doc thought we should rule that out too!) I do think I have a wheat sensitivity as sometimes I do feel a difference when I eat it and other times, not. Again no rhyme or reason.
Well enough of that, I better get going!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What Are You Doing New Years Eve
When the bells all ring and the horns all blow
And the couples we know are fondly kissing
Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?
~~~~~
Maybe it's much too early in the game
Ooh, but I thought I'd ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's eve?
~~~~~
Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When it's exactly twelve o'clock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Year's eve?
~~~~~
Maybe I'm crazy to suppose
I'd ever be the one you chose
Out of a thousand invitations
You received.
~~~~~
Ooh, but in case I stand one little chance
Here comes the jackpot question in advance:
What are you doing New Year's
New Year's Eve?
~~~~~
About this song, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" was composed by Frank Loesser in 1947 . This song has been performed by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, The Orioles, Nancy Wilson, The Carpenters and Clay Aiken. --- From www.christmas-songs.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HAVE A STUPENDOUS DAY!

Enjoying the next couple of days

He is the happiest,

be he king or peasant,

who finds peace in his home.

--- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Hopefully, today, I will finally have my teeth cleaned! I had an appointment 10 days ago, but they sent me home because I had a cold sore! The past two days we have been trying to move things around and get organized. What a long process that I am trying to enjoy. :o) If I am lucky, it will only take me January to finish.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A PRODUCTIVE, but

PEACEFUL DAY!

Are you a Joymaker?

Blessed are the joymakers.

--- Nathaniel Parker Willis

1907 Postcard

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below is my dear sister-in-law, Terri. She is a joymaker and one of the most loving and caring people I know. She took care of her husband, Tim for over 23 years after he had a brain tumor removed when he was, I think 26. Tim passed away July 2007. The doctors said he would probably live only 5 years and I think they are still shocked that he lived 23. I know it was because of LOVE.....Terri's Love and devotion. This is something I can say I have witnessed. I am so blessed to have her in my life.

This is the INSPIRE sign that I mentioned

in yesterday's post that Terri gave me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A JOYFUL DAY!

GLAD CONTENTMENT

He is a wise man who does

not grieve for the things

which he has not, but

rejoices for those which he has.

--- Epictetus

My new mantra for 2009. :o)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Above postcard postmarked 1930

No message, just signed

"From Laurel and Shirley"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did everyone have a nice Christmas holiday? We did. Mike and I left on Wednesday afternoon to head down to his parents in Walnut Creek. His sister Terri came up from Lancaster a day earlier so it was the 5 of us. I received several gifts from my dear sister-in-law Terri (I'll picture later), but my favorites included a large sign INSPIRE (which I will either cover in glitter or seashells or maybe both!) and the new "magazine" book "Where Women Create". I am hoping to finally finish my office/studio this year and maybe these will be just the things I need to push me over the top! You see, my studio is painted and I have many pieces of furniture, shelves, etc. to help me get organized, but I just haven't been able to get with the program and do it ! (I think that is a common feeling?) As I am feeling better physically and mentally maybe it will actually happen this year! I am hopeful! THANKS AGAIN Dear Terri ! (I am just thinking I didn't get a picture of her.....dang! Actually I think there is one from Thanksgiving so I will post that one tomorrow :o) On Friday, we headed over to Elk Grove (south of Sacramento) to my Dad's to see my brother, Anthony who was out from Kansas City. He moved there in April for his job and will need to stay until at least this July. I think he would prefer to be in California, but it is working for now. It was great seeing him, even for a couple of hours. We met at Chevy's for a late lunch and had planned to head home after, but we ended up sticking around town. Mike, Linnea (my stepmom) and I went to a couple of cute gift/antique stores and I found more old and new bottle brush trees for my collection. Later, we went to dinner again at Vince's (more fried artichoke hearts!) with just my Dad and Linnea which was nice. We got home last night around 11:30 pm.

Anthony, Mike and my little niece, Reyna (Anthony's daughter) She is a sweetie! She is living in California and misses her Daddy so much.

This is Bo, one of my in-laws cats.....taking a nap!

Another old postcard, no date.

Back of postcard to "Baby"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is my darling Goddaughter Chelsea
and her boyfriend Cameron,
taken last Saturday night
at our girlfriends get-together.
My flash didn't go off so I tried to
lighten the picture a bit.

Another darling is Stephanie,

my girlfriend Phyllis's oldest,

shown with her beau, Sam,

taken the same night,

but inside with the flash!

Stephanie and Chelsea were

born in 1991, 2 months apart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have big plans for 2009, but I have said that for the past 8 years and feel like I haven't really done anything. We will see how far I get this year! I hope everyone's plans come to pass and that we all are blessed with perfect health, energy and glad contentment to enjoy our lives, do the things we are meant to do and help others do the same.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A GRATEFUL DAY!

KEEPING CHRISTMAS

KEEPING CHRISTMAS
by Henry Van Dyke

It is a good thing to observe Christmas day. The mere marking of times and seasons, when men agree to stop work and make merry together, is a wise and wholesome custom. It helps one to feel the supremacy of the common life over the individual life. It reminds a man to set his own little watch, now and then, by the great clock of humanity which runs on sun time.
~~~~~
But there is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.
~~~~~
Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground; to see that your fellowmen are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy; to own that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life; to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness --- are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.
~~~~~
Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts; to try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you; to trim you lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open---are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.
~~~~~
Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world---stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death---and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas, and if you can keep it for a day, why not always?
But you can never keep it alone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wonder if Belle every wrote poor Madeline back?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MAY THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS BRING YOU MUCH LOVE, PEACE AND A CONTENTMENT LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER KNOWN BEFORE.
MERRY CHRISTMAS !

FEAR NOT!

"And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you

good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

--- Luke 2:10

Another glorious day is here. Hope everyone is enjoying this season of all seasons. We are heading to the store today so I will make this quick. I love the greeting on the back of this postcard....the very last sentence.(click to enlarge)

Today is my girlfriend Gina's birthday, who is visiting from New York. Here is a pic taken the other night with her husband Jacques and sweet little girl Alexandra. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gina!

Another lovely postcard from 1908. 100 years old !

Another song from www.christmas-songs.org

Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Hark the herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled"

Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim

"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

~~~~~
Christ by highest heav'n adored

Christ the everlasting Lord!

Late in time behold

Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see

Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with man to dwell

Jesus, our Emmanuel

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

~~~~~
Hail the heav'n-born

Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

~~~~~~~~~~

"Hark! the herald angels sing", was written by Charles Wesley in 1739. The most popular music song is based on William Cummings adaptation of a Felix Mendelssohn tune.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A ZIPPY DAY!

Christmas is right around the corner

May you have the

gladness of Christmas

which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas

which is peace;

The heart of Christmas

which is love.

--- Ada V. Hendricks

I had a fabulous weekend visiting with my old girlfriends! Unfortunately, Nancy couldn't make it because she was having back problems, so it was 7 instead of 8. This was the only pic I got with all of us. I need to learn to adjust photos as some of us have red eyes! Later, Phyllis, Cindy and I, along with our husbands ended up at another party around 11 pm. (we didn't get back to the hotel until 3 am!) The house was 10,000 square feet and absolutely wonderful ! Right when you walked in, there was a 12 foot tree (I wish I got a pic) covered with glass ornaments and a sweeping curved stairway to the right. The "house" had 3 stories, a small movie theatre, wine room, work-out room with sauna, pool table and covered outside ping pong table, 3 bedrooms upstairs for the boys, 2 guest rooms, the master bedroom (with 2 walk in closets, the wife's the size of my kitchen!), an office/den for the husband, an office/workroom for the wife and it still went on and on! YIKES! It was a real treat to see. The owner was a friend of Phyllis's and actually was a freshman when I was a senior in high school. I remembered her name, but didn't know her at the time. She was so delightful and very gracious.....Thanks Sue!

Back row: Cindy (my cousin), Gina (who has been living in NY the past 9 years), Peggy (my other cousin and Cindy's older sister)
Front row: Me, Mary, Phyllis and Sally (all sisters)

Another sweet postcard image

The back (click for larger image and to read a bit more easily)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From www.christmas-songs.org
Mistletoe and Holly
Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents
Countrysides covered with snow.
Oh, by gosh, by jingle
It's time for carols and Kris Kringle
Overeating, merry greetings
From relatives you don't know.
Then comes that big night
Giving the tree the trim
You'll hear voices by starlight
Singing a Yuletide hymn.
Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Fancy ties an' granny's pies
An' folks stealin' a kiss or two
As they whisper, "Merry Christmas" to you.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Mistletoe and Holly" was composed by Henry Sanicola and Don Stanford and performed by Frank Sinatra in 1957.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HAVE A YULE-TIDE DAY!

THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR

At Christmas be mery,

and thanke God of all:

and feast thy pore neighbors,

the great and the small.

--- Thomas Tusser 1577

Today is Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Summer, here we come! The above postcard reminds me of my Goddaughter Chelsea when she was younger. I'll have to find a picture one day to post and compare. She is now 17 and smart and beautiful.

Another postcard - no date

So now is come our joyful'st feast
Let every man be jolly;
Each room with ivy leaves is drest
And every post with holly.
And while thus inspired we sing,
Let all the streets with echoes ring
Wood and hills and everything
Bear witness we are merry.
--- Geo. Wither

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE AN X-TRA SPECIAL DAY!

Evergreen

Of all the gifts I have each year

(Some sparkling bright and glowing)

I think the gifts I hold most dear,

Are the ones so green and growing.

--- Anonymous

This postcard is from 1910, 98 years ago! I love reading the back of postcards. My friend's party is tonight so we will be heading down to the Bay Area. It will be great to see all my old girlfriends. :o)

WINTER EVERGREENS

BY J.E. Carpenter (mid-Victorian era)

The roses long have past their prime,

The fruits no more are seen.

So let us chime a Christmas rhyme to hail the Evergreen - the Evergreen!

~~~~~

Though bright may be the summer wreath,

To mourn it were but folly,

While friends delight to meet beneath the Mistletoe -

the Mistletoe and Holly!

~~~~~

Then circle round the ruddy blaze,

And let but mirth be seen,

We still can raise, a song of praise to hail - to hail the Evergreen!

~~~~~

What though we rove the woods no more,

Should we not still be gay,

When Winter hoar, has leaves in the store that never fade away?

Some love to sing the joys of spring,

With them why need we quarrel,

While jovial Christmas deigns to bring the Ivy - the Ivy and the Laurel?

~~~~~

Then let us all each other aid,

Where friendship's wreath is seen,

'Tis never made, of flowers that fade,

But of the Evergreen,

Tis never made of flowers that fade,

But of the Evergreen!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A WISHES-COME-TRUE DAY!

More pictures

Back over the black mystery

of old years, forward into the

black mystery of years to

come, shines ever more

confident the golden

kindliness of Christmas.

--- Winifred Kirkland

Yesterday was a bit of a disappointment as I had a dentist appointment to finally get my teeth cleaned and they sent me home because I had a cold sore. I have to say I made "1/2 a scene" and have been trying to find the good in it since. They rescheduled in 2 weeks. Today, I have a doctor's appointment to check labs, one being if I am allergic to wheat.(which I don't think I am) But we shall see !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More pictures from the other night.

Myself, Nino and Jasmine

Myself, Nino, Jasmine and my Dad, Roy.

Being silly at dinner.

Cross-eyes!

CUTE !

My sister, Amanda, Nino and Mike

Opening gifts. We got Jasmine a tea set made from recycled plastic bottles, made in San Francisco, all green, etc. I saw it last year and was glad to find it by accident this year. Jasmine spent the rest of the night offering us tea and "hot cocoa". I didn't know if she would like it or not, but she did !

"What means this glory round our feet,"
The Magi mused, "more bright than morn?"
And voices chanted clear and sweet,
"Today the Prince of Peace is born!"
"What means that star," the Shepherds said,
"That brightens through the rocky glen?"
And angels, answering overhead,
Sang, "Peace on earth, good-will to men!"
--- James Russell Lowell

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A VOLUPTUOUS DAY!