POTTER'S CLAY

I am not always right,
sometimes I am wrong,
and I'll even admit it.

I am not always happy,
sometimes I am sad,
but I try not to show it.

I am not always _____,
sometimes I am ______,
_____________________.

Go ahead...fill in the blanks.
No one is perfect...
...that's what's so special about us.

He is the potter,
We are the clay!

(ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE MOLDED)

ANALOGIES & METAPHORS

ONCE AGAIN, I DID NOT WRITE THIS, BUT LOVE IT!

Every year, English teachers from across the USA can submit their
collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays.
These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across
the country. Here are last year's winners:

1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.

2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.

3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.

4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli, and he was room
temperature Canadian beef. (Apologies to all the Canadians here)

5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.

6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.

8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.

9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled
with vegetable soup.

11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.

12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.

14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced
across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one
having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from
Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.

15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.

16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River.

18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.

19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.

20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike
Phil, this plan just might work.

21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.

22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.

23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with
power tools.

25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if
she were a garbage truck backing up.

HATERS

NOTE: I DID NOT WRITE THIS---
---IT IS USED BY PERMISSION

A hater is someone who is jealous and envious and spends all
their time trying to make you look small so they can look tall.
They are very negative people to say the least. Nothing is ever
good enough! When you make your mark, you will always attract some
haters…That’s why you have to be careful with whom you share your
blessings and your dreams, because some folk can’t handle seeing you
blessed…

It’s dangerous to be like somebody else…

If God wanted you to be like somebody else, He would have given
you what He gave them! Right? You never know what people have gone
through to get what they have.

The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but
they don’t know my story… If the grass looks greener on the other side
of the fence, you can rest assured that the water bill is higher there
too!

We’ve all got some haters among us! People envy you because you can:

Have a relationship with God
Light up a room when you walk in
Start your own business
Tell a man / woman to hit the curb (if he / she isn’t about the right thing)
Raise your children without both parents being in the home

Haters can’t stand to see you happy, Haters will never want to
see you succeed, Haters never want you to get the victory, most of our
haters are people who are supposed to be on our side. How do you handle
your undercover haters?

You can handle these haters by:

1. Knowing who you are & who your true friends are *(VERY IMPORTANT!!)
2. Having a purpose to your life? Purpose does not mean having a job.
You can have a job and still be unfulfilled. A purpose is having
a clear sense of what God has called you to be. Your purpose is not
defined by what others think about you.
3. By remembering what you have is by divine prerogative and not
human manipulation. Fulfill your dreams!

You only have one life to live…when it’s your time to leave this earth,
you ‘want’ to be able to say, ‘I’ve lived my life and fulfilled
‘my’ dreams,… Now I’m ready to go HOME! When God gives you favor, you can
tell your haters, Don’t look at me…Look at Who is in charge of me…’

Maya Angelou



I advise anyone who read this to use these words of wisdom to heal your heart / give you courage to go on. Do not use it to strike at your haters, or with that purpose in mind, instead share this poem with a person who can appreciate and cherish this poem.

THE SECRET (My Explanation)

My chiropractor is very positive-minded. I told him things were looking up for me and I had begun attending church and walking with the Lord once again. He told me about a book 'The Secret,' By Rhonda Byrne. Dr. Paul said it was life-changing and he would make me a CD of the book. I ordered the book through Amazon; it came quickly, and I began reading it yesterday. 'The Secret' is positive thinking!

With your mind, thinking that you will get what you want, the 'law of attraction' attracts all the good (and/or evil) things you think about. If you think you're going to have a bad day, you will. If you think you're marriage sucks, it does. If you think you are poor and life is not worth living, you will remain poor and sad.

If, however, you think/say only positive things, and you believe those things unequivocally, YOU WILL ATTRACT THOSE THINGS THAT YOU THINK. WHERE YOUR THOUGHTS ARE - IS WHAT YOU ATTRACT!

A wonderful way of looking at things, but I must say, with GOD in my constant thoughts, I am being blessed with nurturing faithful friends, blessed with His love and care, peace and grace, and living a more godly life...there is only good in God!

I told a struggling believer that God does not rule the world, Satan does. That is why bad things happen to good people - and good things happen to 'bad' people. Firstly, because Satan rules the world, it is his intention to make every evil thing happen. Those who walk with God ask for God's mercy, and God intervenes in Satan's plan. God turns something so negative into something positive that shows the Glory of God.

So if Satan is ruling you, I'm sorry, but evil is what you are attracting. If God is ruling you, I'm happy to report, goodness is what you are attracting!

So do yourself a favor and remember...thoughts are things!
And read 'The Secret.'

Justin's Published Book

 

My nephew Justin is published. Here is the official information and website in which to review the book and order it for yourself.

 

Being a fellow-writer myself, I'm happy to push sales on Justin's behalf. I'm very excited!  

 

I'm going to order one or two and have him personally inscribe them for me.

 

Just thought you'd like to know in case you want one or two yourself. Let's support my published writer-nephew!

 

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60799-931-7

 

BET IT WOULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT CHRISTMAS PRESENT!

 

...And So It Begins...

One day of feasting and tummies a'buldging,

Thankful for family, friends, and the Lord,

One day of cooking all dishes we love,

Thankful for children, and babies, and more.

...And so it begins...

The race to the end:

The race to Christmas Eve.

Racing through the mall

Or even the dollar store,

Pushing and shoving to get the LAST ONE!

Ribbons and bows and papers for wrapping,

Mittens and hats and arctic warm coats,

Buddle against the wind, snow, and ice,

While outside it's cold, for sure...

In our hearts we are warm, kind, and nice.

Hustle and bustle be done with it soon,

For Jesus is the Reason for this holiday,

It may be the norm to lavish loved ones with gifts,

But pause a moment on Christmas morn'

And thank God for his Son, who was born.

...And so it begins, each and every year,

Filling the holiday month with tinsel and cheer!

Feeling Like a Veteran

I was not able to take advantage of the Veterans' Eat Free at Applebee's on Veteran's Day.
I was busy working, going to a childcare staff meeting, and donating food to my local food pantry.

I did, however, continue feeling the pride for my country, my fellow citizens, and my GOD. Thanks to all my fellow-veterans.

Grapevines Reincarnated

The sun was warm this November day in New England. After walking four miles in Northwood Meadows State Park, I came home and went to work. My husband watched football.

Assisted by a 7-1/2 year old kid, I drastically trimmed back the grapevine (since the grapes never mature). I taught my young niece how to make grapevine wreaths! She's pretty good at it and made two! She took them home so she and Mama can customize them for the upcoming holidays.

I'm going to turn the grapevine trellis into a bird sanctuary.

I'll put up several birdhouses. Next, I'll coat pine cones with peanut butter and roll them in birdseed. Twine will secure them next to the birdhouses. I want to take care of our fine, feathered friends this winter. I want to 'put up' some red male and yellow female Cardinals in my Kennard Condos. And of course, there are millions of Chickadees!

Hopefully, it will be a short, mild winter.

I have enough grapevines to make several wreaths. Since I'm beginning to make homemade gifts for Christmas presents (to those who still exchange), perhaps I'll buy some ribbon and fake grapes and make wreaths for next year's recipients.

I love working with nature's bounty!

PRIORITIZING HOLIDAY PLANS

 

Yes, it's true...Christmas is less than two months away!

Preparations are being made...in my twirling mind...busy plans are being made and categorized into priority.

Today, I am going to Wal-Mart to purchase supplies for decorating a bob house into a gingerbread house...brightly colored plastic tablecloths, supplies to make some large candy canes, and brown felt & white ric-rac to make gingerbread men/women cuffs for the float riders to wear on their wrists,to make us all GINGERBREAD MEN/WOMEN! 

The Nottingham Christmas Parade is on Dec. 5 at 1:00.

If any locals are interested, place it on your calendar.

(The float is representing: ALL ABOARD -- the awesome daycare center at which I work part time.)

Oh, this is only one project on my TO DO list, but at this moment, it is

THE MOST IMPORTANT!

Today's Hymn

Jesus, I Come

Song by George C. Stebbins

 

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,

Jesus, I come, Jesus I come;

Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,

Jesus I come to Thee.

 

Out of my sickness into Thy health,

Out of my want and into Thy wealth,

Out of my sin and into Thy-self,

Jesus I come to Thee.

 

 

Enjoy your day and be stress-free!
Regards,
Lisa