Happy New Year

First of all we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  It's hard to believe that it is going to be 2005.  How many times in the next few days will we write 2004? Bob and I have been reflecting on the past five years in our lives; so much has happened, we have grown and experienced wonderful opportunities to travel, meet and make so many interesting friends who made us laugh, learn, and live life to the fullest.  This is not to say that we don't miss our old friends and family.  We cry with each good bye.  But we believe that life for us should be a journey and our experiences of the past and the future will help us grow and enjoy the time we are given.        A custom that I always did and will do tonight is put some money in a bottle and leave it out by your door.  The theory is that you will have enough money in the coming year.  Hope it works again.   Another good custom in the past hundred years or so for people to celebrate the first few minutes of the New Year in the company of friends and family, laughing and showering each other with hugs and kisses.   This is to me the best tradition of all.    The most popular customfor  New Years is that each of us feels the need to improve something about ourselves.  I am not a big resolution person, as I usually vow to lose all my unwanted weight and be a Sports Illustrated model.  Well now I'm so old I have come to know that this will never happen, but I stillwould like to lose some weight someday!      I just want to take a moment and wish you all the best and most wonderful 2005!  Thank you for visiting my journal and sharing last year with me.  May every moment of the new year be filled with joy and prosperity.  I'm so thankful I've gotton to know you this year.  

 http://web.icq.com/friendship/swf/0,,16961_rs,00.swf

  My cup runneth over, I thank Thee, lord, each day.  As we enter the new year, think about your life.  The days slip by so quickly.  Live your life, not just getting through them.    Store up memories or yourself and those you love,  and don't work just  to attain things while letting go of relationships and sacrificing those you love.  Take stock and consider that life is short.   Wishing you all a Happy New Year this year and every year.       Dawn

Christ is born

Mary Did You Know?

Mary did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God

Mary did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am

Bet Y'all can't do this... How Smart is Your Right Foot?

This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. And you will keep trying
atleast 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't.

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

I told you so ......... .. And there's nothing you can do about it!

Ho Ho Ho and happy holidays to all our journal friends.   It's the season of brotherly love and a time to give thanks for all our blessings.  Sometimes we feel sorry for ourselves with the daily goings on, things are not the way we had hoped for.  But,  if you are healthy, have loved ones, have a best friend, have food to eat and a roof over your head, then give thanks as many in this world do not share such an abundance.  

 Christmas is a magical day for kids of all ages.  But while most of America celebrates, it is a time of depression and heart ache for the homeless and hungry.  What could be more rewarding than to give to charities that will see  to these needs on Christmas Day.  

 Last, but not least send your prayers to the men and women in uniform, many serving in  foreign lands.  Pray for their  families and for their safe return home.    

 Check here for your Christmas card from Bob and I.   http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=AM16127848    

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,  and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called wonderful Counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

 

Hand Painting

Isn't this just amazing?   I just had to show these hands to you all.  Happy Saturday!

"Wee wee chu"

                                                                        
One beautiful December evening Huan Cho and his girlfriend Jung Lee were sitting by the side of the ocean. It was a romantic full moon, when Huan Cho said "Hey baby, let's play Wee wee chu."

"Oh no, not now, lets look at the moon" said Jung Lee.  "Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I play Wee wee chu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Huan Cho begged.  "But I rather just hold your hand and watch the moon."

"Please Jung Lee, just once play Wee wee chu with me."  Jung Lee looked at Huan Chi and said, "OK, we'll play Wee wee chu."

Huan Cho grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

"Wee wee chu a Merry Christmas, Wee wee chu a Merry Christmas, Wee wee chu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

AND SO DO WE!          

Odd and Ends

Hi Everyone,      Today all Christmas cards were put in the mail and all Christmas packages have been mailed.  What a relief off of my poor old mind.  Every year I tell myself I will send gift certificates next year, but then I go ahead and screw up again.  Sometimes mailing of gifts cost as much as the gift to mail.  Holy Smoly.  I also finished one of those fun fur scarfs for a friend's granddaughter (  my friend doesn't knit), another thing off my list. 

We all also done decorating and are now free to enjoy the season.

  Did anyone watch Trading Spouses tonight?   I love that show.  It's pretty funny.    

 I spent this evening looking for an  afghan pattern that I know I copied last year from the Internet.  It was a nice Irish fisherman pattern. One would think I  had lots of rooms to lose my stuff in. LOL    I guess it tells you something about me, unorganized.  

   Did anyone see the Q~Creative Advent Calendar today.   It has a recipe for Swedish Glogg.  I'll tell you one thing, when the snow is blowing and the temperatures go below freezing, hot Glogg will warm you up in a hurry.  When we lived in Massachusetts some of us would get together at Lynch Park on New Year's Day and take a very quick dunk in the ocean and the only thing that made life worth living after that is a warming drink of  Glogg.  One of the psychs used to make a batch every year.  Mumm Mumm Good, just like a Cambell soup commericial. 2004 Advent Calendar Presented by Q-Creative Multimedia

Free Meal on your Birthday

Many restaurants will give you free food or service on your birthday. Most of these will probably come with a song from the employees to embarrass the special person. This is a list of places that will give you free goods/service.    

 ALFY'S PIZZA - free mini pizza
ALL-AMERICAN CAFE - free dessert
APPLEBEES - free dessert
AUSTIN GRILL - Register First - free meal
AUTO ZONE - Free Oil Change
BAKERS SQUARE - free pie
BANDIDO'S - free entry
BANJARA INDIAN CUISINE - free meal
BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream treat
BEACHES RESTAURANT - free meal
BENIHANA'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT - free dinner WITH 3 other paying guests
BENNIGANS - free dessert + song
BILL KNAPP'S - gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day
BLACK BRISKEE - free meal
BOB'S BIG BOY - free hot fudge ice cream
BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) - free dozen hot wings
BURGER KING - free kids meal to all kids club members
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN - Register First - free kids meal during the month of their birthday
CAPTAIN DIZZY'S CAR WASH - free car wash
CARROWS - free cake
CATTLEMEN'S - free dessert and cowboy hat
CHARLIE BROWNS RESTAURANTS - free meal for "Handshake Club" members
CHARLIE'S SEAFOOD - free meal
CHEVY'S - free dessert and sombrero
CHILI'S - free song
CHIPS N GIGGLES - free meal
CLAIM JUMPER - Free Dessert
CRAZY BUFFET - free meal
DAVE AND BUSTERS - $5 game card credit
DENNY'S - free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now)
DESPARADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT - free meal
DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT - free meal
DUKE'S CHOWDER HOUSE - b1g1 coupons (register first)
EINSTEIN'S - free meal
EL CHICOS - free dessert
ERNIE'S STEAKHOUSE - free meal
FAMOUS DAVE'S BARBEQUE - free meal (w/advance signup)
FUDDRUCKERS - free burger
FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB - free cake (party of 5 min.; 2 drink min.)
GOLDEN CORRAL - free meal to birthday Club members (not just kids!) during month of birthday
GRILLFISH - free meal
HANA JAPAN - free meal
HARD ROCK CAFE - free dessert
HOMETOWN BUFFET - free birthday cake
HOLLYWOOD VIDEO - one free video rental
HOOTERS - free song + tshirt
HOSS'S STEAK HOUSE AND RESTAURANT - free cake + song
IHOP- free meal
JOE'S CRAB SHACK - free cake
JT WHEATFIELDS - free coupon in phone book
KING BUFFET - free meal
LADONNA - free meal
LOMBARDI'S IN BALLARD - Register First - free meal w/another during month of birthday
LOTUS - free meal
LUTHERS BBQ - free stuff (varies) for "Great Rewards" members
MACARONI GRILL - free dessert + OPERA-style "Happy birthday" song
MAGGIANOS - $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance)
MARIE CALENDERS - free dessert
MAX AND ERMA - free $5 dessert
MEXICAN VILLAGE - free meal
MOONIES DINER - free meal
MUCKLESHOOT CASINO - free sushi dinner + player's club points
NEWICK'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS - free entry
NITTY GRITTY - free drink + souvenir glass
OKAYAMA RESTAURANT - free meal
OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE - free meal
OLIVE GARDEN - cake (some say free, most say $$)
ONAMI - free dinner WITH 3 other people paying
OUTBACK - free dessert + song
PANCAKE HOUSE - free entry
PAPPA'S RESTAURANTS - free dessert
PARADISO'S - free meal
PERKIN'S - free stack of pancakes
PF CHANGS - free cake or cheesecake
PIZZA EXPRESS - free meal
PONCHO'S - free meal, dessert & picture
PROVINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert
Radisson - free entree in their 12th floor restaurant
REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY - free meal and dessert
RED LOBSTER - free slice of cake + song
RED ROBINS - Register First - free burger coupon / discount coupon
RICE & COMPANY - free meal for Robinson Rewards Club members
ROCK BOTTOM - free appetizer for Mug Club members
ROUND TABLE - free personal pizza
SCALINI'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT - up to 10.95 off pasta specialties
SHEPARD'S BUFFET - free dinner buffet w/3 other paid customers
STEAK AND ALE- free mini choco cake
STEAK-N-SHAKE - free dinner for "birthday club" kids
TACO BELL - free combo meal of your choice
TGI FRIDAYS - Free birthday Dessert
THE 99 - free meal
THE BARNSIDER'S/DEPOT RESTAURANTS - 1/2 off meal + cake & song
THE LOFT - free meal
THE PALM - 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first)
THE PARADISO - free entry + sombrero & song
THE VINE TAVERN - free meal
TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET - Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit
TONY ROMA'S - free dessert
UP THE CREEK - free meal and dessert
VACCARO'S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP - free dessert and drink
WENDY'S - free kids meal to all kids club members
Z' TEJAS - Register First - $15 coupon for the month of your birthday
ZIO'S - free dessert

Gift Suggestions

THE BEST GIFTS 

  To a Friend..................................................Loyalty

To an Enemy...............................................Forgiveness

To your  Boss..............................................Service

To your child................................................A good example To your father..............................................Honor

To your mother............................................Gratitude and Devotion

To your Spouse...........................................Love and Faithfulness

To yourself....................................................Respect

To all men....................................................Charity

To God.........................................................Your Life!!   From Wanda's Country Home

 

I Love Mondays

I guess I walk to the tune of a different drummer.  I just love Monday!

  The reason is a selfish one.  It's is the only day of the week that both Bob and I have nothing scheduled for the entire day and evening.  We can do whatever we want,  Sometime we shop, go to the movies,  or sightseeing.  

 Today we are going to check out a store that opened here a few weeks ago named Ikea.   The first week they were open there were lines every day.  Hopefully we will not run into this today.

  They advertise a "thousands of ways  to make your home you" and their catalog is chock full of interesting pieces.   In the store there is a restaurant and a child care or play yard.  I'll let you know how we made out later.  

   IKEA | home | IKEA, furniture, kitchens, beds, chairs, sofas, decorations  

 Last night I came in third in cribbage, this was the first time I won anything this year in crib.  After crib, we went over to friends house for coffee and a delicious cherry cake.    We were so bad yesterday.  Our friends Mary and Chuck brought us over some yummy chocolate cake yesterday too and we gobbled it right up! 

 I will never be a size 9.  To thin anyway. LOL   Well, I had better get going here.  Catch you later.  

19 days till Christmas!!

A Celebration of Christmas

Last night we went to see "A Celebration of Christmas" in Phoenix.   It was spectacular.  There was a cast of 6oo and the beautiful  Christmas tree on stage throughout the evening, was 40 feet high and held the choir.  Taking clear pictures was difficult  because of the laser lighting show.  They had live camels, zebras, donkeys and even an elephant.   There were wonderful flying angels, full orchestra, and costumes were elegant.    I wish the pictures were better.

Advent Calendar

  23 Days to Christmas   Are you ready?    I'm not.  Every year I tell myself that I will get it all done before Thanksgiving.  Ya right!  Anyway, I did find a nice advent calendar.  Just click on the number daily and when the small picture appears, click on it.  It's pretty cool.  Hope you enjoy it.  

       2004 Advent Calendar Presented by Q-Creative Multimedia  

Here's the Red Hatters

Well, here we are.  Our first gathering was at the Landmark Restaurant and it went off very well.  I think I was the only one that knew all the others, but it  didn't seem to matter.   We have three more gals coming in next month which will be a total of 12. 

  We are calling ourselves "The Sweet Violets."  Anyone remember that old song?  

 This month I am the Queen Mum so I have been practicing my Queenly wave, arm bent at the elbow, hand cupped slowly swiveling back and forth.  I wish you could see how nicely I do this.  I was born to do this!!!!

Sweet Violets
Sweeter than the roses
Covered all over from head to toe
Covered all over with sweet violets

There once was a farmer who took a young miss
In back of the barn where he gave her a lecture
On horses and chickens and eggs
And told her that she had such beautiful
Manners that suited a girl of her charms
A girl that he wanted to take in his
Washing and ironing and then if she did
They could get married and raise lots of
Sweet violets
Sweeter than the roses
Covered all over from head to toe
Covered all over with sweet violets

The girl told the farmer that he'd better stop
And she call her father and he called a
Taxi and got there before very long
'Cause some one was doin' his little girl
Right for a change and so that's why he said
If you marry her son, you're better off single
'Cause it's always been my belief
Marriage will bring a man nothing but
Sweet Violets
Sweeter than the roses
Covered all over from head to toe
Covered all over with sweet violets

The farmer decided he wed anyway
And started in planning for his wedding
Suit which he purchased for only one buck
But then he found out he was just out of
Money and so he got left in the lurch
A standin' and waitin' in front of the
End of the story which just goes to show
All a girl wants from a man is his
Sweet Violets
Sweeter than the roses
Covered all over from head to toe
Covered all over with sweet violets

 

Red Hat Society

Two weeks ago my friends Mary and Joyce and I deceided to form a Red Hat Group.   Today will be our first lunch.  We will try to keep it to a group of fun lovin gals with like to play dress up.  

The Red Hat Society  seemed to start with a poem by Jenny Joseph that goes something like this, " When I am a old women, I shall wear purple with a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me..." I shall go out in my slippers in others peoples gardens and learn to spit."   It started out with just a few women who wanted to take on middle age with energy and enthusiam, but now this new organization or what some call dis-organization is taking over the country, and more than 400-thousand women are involved.  

I'll let you know later how it went.          Dawn                              www.redhatsociety.com