Gratitude

I received this as my daily devotional and thought it was well worth passing along.

After a long pregnancy that generated more questions than

congratulations; that nearly led to a marriage ending before it started; that included a painful and arduous journey; that culminated in her son being born in conditions fit for animals but not for humans, how did Mary respond? Luke tells us that she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (2:19).

In Bethlehem, among the animals, she found joy. She could have complained that God was doing nothing good for her, but instead she declared the "great things" God had done (Luke 1:49).

This is central to the Christmas story - and the joys and challenges of our modern holiday - remind us that gratitude changes everything. Whether there are gifts stacked to the ceiling with your name on them or your aren't sure anyone is going to give you anything, stop and give thanks to God, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts.

You'll receive a special blessing in your spirit and discover you have everything you need.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

My girls and Cooper this morning.

How NOT to test your dogs shock collar

So, Today I was planning on doing some over due cleaning.

Cooper had other ideas.

As I kept on doing my work, Cooper kept on whining. His whine is more like a whistle through his nose.

It's a dogs equivalent to your child saying Mom, mom, mom, mommy, hey mom, mom.

It can become really annoying. Like this morning.

Now, last night it snowed, the temperatures dropped and going outside wasn't high on my list, at least not until after I got my work done since a long walk in the cold makes me sleepy.

I kept working and he kept... whistling.

(sigh)

Who wants to clean house anyway

so, I called my walking friend and she was ready for the trek to the quarry.

The quarry in summer

Today it did not look like this.

Anyway, back to the walk prep. I had to put layers and layers on, find my headband to cover my ears and put on my cool orange boots that are great in water. We had lots of rain yesterday before the snow started so I knew we would have to walk through a lot of water.

During all of this, Cooper's excitement escalated! He knows my walking clothes. He proceeds to jump and bark and get all excited.

I hate this and just want to hurry up and get on the road so he will stop.

I have to explain here that we use the "Pet Safe" electronic pet containment system, which is a very nice system by the way. But early on, the actual shock freaked Cooper out to where he wouldn't leave the porch, so I turned off the shock part because just hearing the tone sent him running back with in the boundary. Well, over the past year he has figured out that the shock wasn't coming and has been wandering the neighborhood stealing other dogs bones. (Another story for another blog). I had to change the settings last week to put on the shock. I didn't want him getting hit by a car or going to dogie jail for theft.

I wanted to get the point across so I didn't start with whimpey 1 or 2

I went up to the next to last level #5!

I don't believe in wasting time teaching a lesson.

Well, in my hurry to stop the excitement my dog was experiencing I forgot to take off his shock collar....Woopsie!

As I began to back out of the driveway Cooper began to yelp very loudly and persistently. Over and over and over.

OMG!! I forgot the collar, I had on thick gloves so I couldn't get it undone.

He kept yelping, I started to panic.

I drove forward back into the boundary but it wouldn't stop!

Finally I got it off and out of the car, because even though it wasn't on his neck anymore the sound was freaking him out.

I got back in the car and he was trembling. I felt so bad. Did I traumatize my poor baby? Was he going to have a stroke?

Nah. After we pulled out on the road he began his excited whistle, whine of excitement about going to the quarry, which he loves.

Please don't turn me in to the dogie police. I love my dog and hate that this happened but I have to tell you I was laughing quite a lot as I retold the story to my husband when we got home and now I am sure the shock part is working.

Don't worry, we had a nice long relaxing nap on the couch when we got home.

He is a very pampered dog.

Simple, quiet Christmas

I'm really glad I read a post today. She shared how she has had difficult Christmas's and this year was another one. I have not really had a season like we are having right now and I really don't want to decorate for Christmas this year. I don't want to participate in the partying. We foreclosed on our house of 15 years and will have to be moving out. I am closing my photography business after 24 years and looking for a new job. My brother-in-law is dying of cancer and we just lost a friend of many years suddenly this past week. I do not have a bad attitude. I am grateful and hopeful but I just want to celebrate the fact that Christ was born and because of that I have hope. Gifts, decorating and parties just don't fit in this year. She helped me feel better that some years it is ok for it to be different, quiet.

I think we will just have a simple Christmas remembering what we are most grateful for which right now for me is the fact that our family has become stronger and closer through this and the 4 of us will be together. I am thankful my husband is still here after the scare we had last year,(Our friend was not so lucky, he leaves 3 children, 2 grown but his youngest is just a senior this year.) I am thankful that my girls are awesome young women I am so proud of and that we have a faith in a big God and that He has something good in store for us just around the corner!

Blessed

I have so much to be thankful for but right now I am thankful that I have learned what is truly necessary in life. I am truly blessed and hope all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Library Thing Book Review

I was able to snag another book from Library Thing! I am loving this site. This is the 3rd book I have received and it was one I would not have normally picked but the message has stuck with me and I feel it is worth a look.

I was plesantly surprised by this book. It drew me in right from the start. The author dangles information in pieces to keep you reading. It was not predictable as many of the inspirational books tend to be.

The subject matter many seem difficult but is presented in a way that helps you see that these things are survivable.

I did have trouble with one character through out the book. Sherriff Huff’s character is likeable enough and at some points I wondered if he was going to be crooked because of the whineing he kept doing. One inner dialoge about his desire to be with his grandkids would have been enough for the reader to get the point he did not want to remain sheriff. I found him tireing.

The author did a good job with the sadness and pain of all the characters and how we all find someone to blame for our difficulties.

The message of forgiveness and acceptance is strong and the end is inspiring. The message of the love of God is presented well without being preachy.

Many people who have not suffered may not believe some of the situations that happen but pain and hurt lead us to behave in ways we would not normally react. Even as Christians.

By putting many people who are scared, hurt and lost together, a mob mentality is likely to happen.

All in all I would reccommend this book, espically if you are going through tough times and want to be encouraged.

Isn't nature cool? Have you ever seen a prettier "S"?

Oh by the way My first name is Sherri.

So I have not been able to update because I have been very busy making items for 2 Holiday Craft shows being held this weekend. Todays was fantastic! I finally found people who love my vintage look!!!! I am really looking forward to tomorrows.

The second reason is because my attitude has been a bit eradic lately.Is that a word? I can't find the correct spelling here and am to tired to look it up. Sorry. Anyway, my husband has not heard about any of the jobs he has applied for. The good news is they are still posted so not filled yet. Hopefully they are planning on actually hiring the 1st of the year. So anyway that leaves us at the end of the foreclosure journey. The bank bought back our house this past Thursday. We are unsure of how long they will give us to leave so we are beginning the packing and throwing away stuff. I have made the decision to close my portrait studio after 26 years. I have a real peace and freedom in this since I have actually spoken it out loud to my client this past week. The last month has been very hard and I just couldn't talk about any of it but now I am really doing well and looking forward to what God has in store for my husband and myself.

Do you think it could just be shock? LOL

On a really brighter side. My youngest, the one in the homecoming photos, got accepted to Johnson and Wales for culinary arts this fall. She also received a very generous scholarship from them for academic achievement for all 4 years. We had not applied for any help yet. God is SO GOOD! She is excited and knows God is supplying all her needs and He will ours to.

I can't wait to tell you what he has done for us when it happens. For now I am living in excited anticipation.

P.S. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I will try not to be so silent as the time passes and we wait.

Busyness

I feel like my blog is this truck.

When life gets crazy for me, that is when I neglect my journaling most.

I have missed recording many very life changing moments because I am just to over come to write.

Life gets to busy and we get to distracted and then before you know it we have left something precious to us behind.

I'm going to try to do better ;)

My husband had an interview yesterday!

I'm afraid to hope but I am going to anyway.

I'll keep you posted!

Hope you are taking time to enjoy the Fall colors while they last!