For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Saturday, December 31, 2022
New Year's Eve - Retirement Anniversary
Friday, December 30, 2022
Friday Photos
I really haven't taken too many photos this week, but here's a couple that I did take. My sister's husband has been in the hospital this week, So I've had the pleasure of going to her house a couple times a day to let their dog out and then to feed him supper. I say pleasure, because I love this dog. His name is Clyde and he is the sweetest. But I also found out that he is extremely stubborn. lol I would have to keep telling him to go out and he'd run out and then try to get back on the porch and I'd have to send him out over and over and finally he would give up and go. Crazy dog. lol
He was running towards me here. His mouth looks so goofy here. But that's Clyde! |
Here he's standing at the door watching me. I eventually had to go out and shoo him out into the yard over and over. |
He is such a cutie! |
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Thankful Thursday
Today I am thankful for my life, health, family and Jesus Christ my Savior. I'm so glad God made a way of salvation for anyone who will accept it. We don't deserve it, but He loves us. Sometimes I wonder why, but I never doubt that He does. If you haven't chosen to become His child, but you would like to, these verses below will tell you how.
Romans 10: 9-13 "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
It's just that simple. From time to time I start doubting my salvation because I see myself acting in ways that I shouldn't. But I just always come back to these scriptures and remind myself that I am His and He loves me and I can ask forgiveness if I need to and then I'm in right relationship with Him. I can also ask Him to help me to become more like Jesus, because I know that is His will and He will answer that prayer.
So that is what I am so thankful for this morning. If you don't know Him, please consider coming to Him for salvation.
Cathy
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Wednesday Hodgepodge - Final for 2022
1. Did you set any goals for the new year this time last year? Did you meet them or miss the mark? Tell us more if you're comfortable sharing. No I really didn't set goals, except maybe to just enjoy retirement. My last day of work was December 31st. So January 1st was the first day of retirement. All I can say is that I love being retired. I miss the people I worked with, but I've seen some of them throughout the year and it's been good. I mostly keep busy, and I spend a lot of time in my office at church and I plan to do the same in 2023.
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Tuesday 4 - Happy New Year
Happy New Year
"Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. We offer you 4 questions weekly to get you blogging, visiting and learning about yourself and other bloggers. The more people join in, the merrier and the better it gets. We are always looking for topics, subjects and ideas so feel free to chime in if y ou have ideas." Message from Annie. Link for Tuesday 4 is here.
Yesterday was the day after Christmas and the final day of Hanukkah. There are only a few days left in 2022... Let's talk about it.
1. Many stay home and even go to bed early on New Year's Eve. What are your plans and do you have reasons for what you do? No plans yet. But my guess is we will go out for lunch during the day and then be home for the rest of the evening. We typically just have a normal night and may or may not stay up late. But probably we'll not stay up as we have church the next morning and we both need to be awake and fresh for that.
2. Guy Lombardo was a traditional fixture on TV and then Dick Clark and his Rockin' New Years Eve took over. People ate certain foods, bayberry candles were burned for luck. It seems that lately tradition and not just for New Year, is being forgotten and lost on so many fronts. What traditions in life are important to you and remain steadfast in your life? I've kinda learned to not depend on traditions totally any more. Things change all the time and I'm okay with that. The most steadfast thing in my life is being a child of God and loving Him and my family.
3. The New Year is often a time to reflect on what has transpired and many make resolutions in an effort to improve their life. Do you count the cost of time and tradition in your life? How do you handle good times and bad times and do you forge ahead or get mired down? I try to be intentionally thankful always. Sometimes I forge ahead but honestly, sometimes I get overwhelmed and get mired down. Always, I need to turn to Jesus. He helps through everything good and bad.
4. In ancient Israel, the new liturgical year began in the Spring with Passover.. a new beginning. The Civil year calendar began on Rosh Hashana and 2022-23 is the year 5783 on the Hebrew calendar as of September. How important is the liturgical calendar in your life? Do you take notice of religious holidays and times? Are the holidays more religious or secular for you and your family? I really don't know anything about the liturgical calendar. Christmas and Easter are important to me because of Jesus. We raised our kids to know about Jesus for those holidays but we also let them believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny. We were both raised that way too.
Happy New Year from Tuesday 4 and me!
Cathy
Monday, December 26, 2022
Bits of This and That - Christmas Weekend
The snow started Thursday night. Here are a couple of pictures in the dark with a flashlight that show how much the wind was blowing and how hard the snow was coming down. They were reporting that we were going to have extremely hard winds on Friday, so I took in all of our outside decorations, so nothing would get broken or blown away. I'm really glad I did that.
On Friday the temperatures were so frigid. Trying to take Lucy out was horrible. I think with the sub-zero temperature and then the wind chill factor even lower, her little feet couldn't take it. So basically we stayed inside most all day Friday. We watched movies, did some reading of blogs and a book. Hubby made chili that was delicious as always.Saturday, we ventured out for a short time, Hubby was trying to decide what to do about church. We drove over to the church and the lot had been scraped by one of hubby's friends. He finally decided that he was going to cancel church, as the sidewalks were still covered and also we knew with the frigid temperatures, it would all freeze over again overnight. He just didn't want to take any chances that someone would fall and get injured. And also the roads weren't that great either. So while we were out we grabbed lunch from a drive-thru and came home for the night. Actually, it's Monday at 2:13 while I'm typing this and we haven't moved the car since we came home on Saturday. It's very rare for us to be home this much! We ate leftover chili on Saturday for dinner.
Sunday-Christmas Day was quiet. Again just hubby, me and Lucy. We talked with both girls and our grandson a couple of times throughout the day. We were supposed to have church, then lunch at my sister's, but they were sick and we had to cancel out. But I did talk to my brother and both sisters that day on the phone. We baked a ham for lunch along with mashed potatoes and broccoli and cauliflower. It was all delicious. We watched White Christmas and napped a little and just tried to enjoy the day for what it was. Things don't always go as planned, but we can choose to be joyful or we can choose to be miserable. I choose joy!
Here is the pre-recorded sermon for Sunday for the 5th week of Advent.
Friday, December 23, 2022
Christmas Conversation
I borrowed these questions from Myra's blog, Respice, Prospice and you can click here to see her questions and answer on her blog or on your own. I did ask her and she gave me permission. She said she would be giving her answers on Thursday or Friday.
Message from Myra "Today's questions are taken from The Christmas Conversation Piece, a little book that's been part of my holiday collection for a while now.
You can choose to answer any one -- or all. Perhaps you'd enjoying posing them to your family and friends! I chose to answer all of them here on my blog."
Cousins with the grandparents at the Aquarium in Gatlinburg |
Cousins in front of the fireplace at our hotel. |
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Thankful Thursday
I'm thankful for my Lucy and I love her in her winter sweater. I've bought her a new one but haven't put it on her yet. I think I will on Christmas morning.
I love this Nativity. |
Link up is here. What are you thankful for today? Thanks for visiting.
Cathy
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Something Fun
My husband found this and used it in a sermon in 2008. I loved it so much then and posted it. I decided I wanted to share it with you again (in 2012). ( in 2021) and again today.. Hope it makes you laugh like it does me.
Ever wonder what it would’ve been like if the wise men had been women? When they arrived at the manger, you can bet they would have:
1. asked for directions;
2. arrived on time;
3. helped deliver the baby;
4. cleaned the stable;
5. brought practical gifts; and
6. made a casserole!
And a couple of our ladies at church added another one.
We've displayed this one for years. I don't even remember where I got it. It's on the top of my piano and that candy cane was painted by my grandson last year and gifted to us. |
I love this lighted one. I bought it a couple years ago at the Christmas Mouse Shop in Myrtle Beach/ |
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Tuesday 4 - Counting Down to Christmas
Counting Down to Christmas
1. What was the countdown to the holidays like for you as a child? Special projects at school.. at home.. with friends? Was a big deal made of the month in your family or town? What does your countdown look like now? As a child we always had a program to participate in at church. Kids were given a poem to memorize and then share at church. It used to scare me to death, but we did it every year. I remember going to see Santa in our small town and we'd visit the fire station in the town where our church was and get some candy. We also always got a bag of hard candy and chocolate drops and an orange from our church. Lots of Christmas breaks our family would go to Florida for a week to spend some time with my dad's parents who were snowbirds and lived there in the winter. Now, our Christmases are very simple.
2. As a kid did your family stay home on the holidays or go visiting around ... what do you do now? We went to my grandparents (mom's parents) on Christmas Day for lunch. We did Christmas at home first. When our kids came along, we did Christmas Eve at my parents and our Christmas on Christmas morning and then lunch in the afternoon at hubby's parents. Busy, busy days. Christmas now changes from year to year. This year too much of the family is sick so plans are to wait a couple weeks and try it again, maybe.
3. What foods did Mom and Grandma make for those days? What snacks were out? What is the food situation in your home today? My dad would make the ham, mom did many things, but one of my favorites was Waldorf Salad (apple salad) and grandma did chicken and dumplings and pickled beans. There were all kinds of dessert, pies, cake, cookies, homemade candy, etc.
4. Did you have a traditional way of spending the day with time to open gifts, visit, special breakfasts, special dinner, guests? What do you do now? Hubby and I usually have cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then just relax. We typically don't do presents for each other any more. Then sometime during the day we'll hear from each of the girls. Some years we'll get with his family and some years with mine.
Christmas will definitely be a lot quieter this year, but I think it will still be good. Actually, since it's on Sunday, we'll be going to church and then have the rest of the day free, as far as I know. Now, we'll just wait and see what's going to happen.
Thanks for visiting.
Cathy
Monday, December 19, 2022
Bits of This and That
Hubby and I have had a great weekend. We've been home watching movies and enjoying being together and we've been out to lunch a couple of times. The other day I took a couple of pictures of a particular place in our home that I love. This is my newest nativity and I've had this snowman for years, The little snowmen were a gift from my sister. The bell on the left was painted by my daughter many years ago with scenes from Narnia and the other ornaments are just some that I enjoy. We only have a small fiberoptic tree and it won't hold ornaments, so I picked a few and just hang them around like this. (forgive the sweeper handle and the charger cord and my bracelet in the picture).
Here's a full picture of the rest of the cabinet. My dad made the cabinet and I love it. The churches and the village on the 2nd shelf stay up year round. The bottom shelf typically holds my Noah's Ark collection.
Sunday we had two really good services. Hubby's sermon from Sunday morning is the fourth in his "O Come Let Us Adore Him Series. and I've posted it below. Sunday night we had our annual Christmas Carols and Candlelight service, which is always very fun.
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Saturday 9 - The Christmas Song
The Christmas Song
1) While this song was published as "The Christmas Song," many people refer to it as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire." Have you ever roasted chestnuts (in an open fire or in the oven)? No, I have not roasted them and as far as I know, I've never eaten one either.
Friday, December 16, 2022
Friday Photos
I don't have many pictures this week, but here are a couple.
I've been asked to make a set of black boot toppers for a friend. I haven't loomed in quite awhile, but I'm rather enjoying it. |
We now have a Ford's Garage in Cincinnati. Hubby and I went yesterday and it was delicious. |
While watching TV, I took a couple pictures of Lucy. The room was fairly dark, so they aren't of the best quality. But I like them anyway. |
She seldom lays on the floor, but for some reason the other night, she did. I love the mixture of colors on her back and how shiny she is. |
Well, that's about all I have. I hope you are doing well and thanks for visiting,
Cathy
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Thankful Thursday
I'm so thankful for:
**Health - I visited my surgeon for a 6 month follow-up from the outpatient surgery I had where they removed some abnormal cells/cyst from the area of my mastectomy. At the time, they said it was not cancer, but took no changes and removed it. On Tuesday, she told me she took my case before the tumor board and it was decided that there were no cancer cells, but that it was pre-malignant. Everything looks fine, and I have my annual mammogram scheduled already. What I did learn from this, is that I need to keep vigilant on checking myself. I'm the one that asked the nurse practitioner to check that place and she decided to do a biopsy right there in the office. It came back abnormal so the surgeon wanted to see me. In that visit she decided to remove and scheduled me for surgery. However, she also stated she never would have done a biopsy on the bump if she had been the one doing my annual exam. Tuesday, she told me she was very glad that she did remove it and guess, what so am I. But if I had never said anything, it would have been missed and I might have cancer again right now. So I'm very thankful God nudged me and had me say something that day. So, remember, if you ever notice something changed, mention it to you doctor. I know I will.
**Scripture - I'm so thankful for the verse below that reminds me to let God transform me into the person he wants me to be my changing the way I think. And also I know that Gods will for me is "good and pleasing and perfect."
There are many other things I'm thankful for, but I'll stop here for now. What are you thankful for this week? You can link up here or here, if you'd like to join in for Thankful Thursday.
Cathy
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Wednesday Hodgepodge
Monday, December 12, 2022
Bits of This and That
Good Monday Morning to You!
It's a good day for a good day. I've got so many things to do this week, but first I want to thank God for a good weekend He gave us. I haven't posted since Tuesday last week, so this may flow back to some days last week. Hubby had a couple doctor appointments (first one was last Monday) and I drive him there so I can let him off at the door. He's got some issues with walking too much, so at least by dropping him off at the door, it shortens the walk a little bit. His other appointment was on Thursday and then we went to Cracker Barrel and had breakfast afterwards.
We sat near the fire and it was beautiful to watch. |
Tuesday night we picked up his mom and we went out and looked at Christmas lights and just had a great time talking and laughing and being together. Of course, we missed his dad as he used to always be part of these nights too. But we had a great time and saw some beautiful lights.
This is one scene from one of the drive thru displays we visited. |
Wednesday we had the annual business meeting at church and we are so blessed with a wonderful group of people and all went well there too.
Before grooming. Lucy refused to look at the camera. |
I love their chips and creamy jalapeno sauce |
After grooming. The bow was gone after about 2 minutes in the house. lol |
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Tuesday 4 - TV Time
TV Time
Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.
1. TV has become a part of daily life. How much TV would you say you watch weekly? Probably a lot more than I should. Maybe 30 hours give/or take.
2. What is the earliest TV program you remember enjoying? I loved Saturday cartoons and then there was a movie with Kukla Fran and Ollie as emcees, The Real McCoys and Sky King.
4. How many of the western programs and their stars did you watch back when westerns were popular fare on TV? How many do you recognize? Try not to look at the list below! Gunsmoke was probably my favorite. But I also watched Rifleman, High Chaparral and I'm not sure what else.
1959 Photo of all the Warner Brothers Studio television western stars who had programs on ABC. From left: Will Hutchins ("Sugarfoot" Brewster-Sugarfoot), Peter Brown (Johnny McKay-Lawman), Jack Kelly (Bart Maverick-Maverick), Ty Hardin (Bronco Laine-Bronco), James Garner (Bret Maverick-Maverick), Wayde Preston (Christopher Colt-Colt .45), John Russell (Dan Troop-Lawman).
I didn't really recognize any from the picture. However, after reading the list, James Garner is very familiar.
Well that's it for me. Thanks Annie for the great questions and for bringing back some memories.
Cathy