Merry Christmas

Christmas has always been a magical time for children and adults. Maybe it’s the crisp air or the anticipation of family and friends gathering for festivities. Whatever the cause for this special time something that adds to the uniqueness of the holiday season is selecting, wrapping and giving gifts.



Remember as a child excitedly running to see what jolly saint Nick left under the tree? As parents there is nothing more precious than seeing your children excitedly unwrapping their gifts.

For myself, and many others, the joy of this special time of year is selecting the perfect gift for each of my loved ones. I know most people anguish over shopping. Dealing with crowds and traffic is not fun but there is no other feeling like finding a gift that fits the personality of my family members.

Girlfriends in God -- Mary Southerland
Winston Churchill said, "We make a living through what we get, but we make a life through what we give." The world would like us to believe that the success of Christmas depends upon how much we spend, how many presents we give or receive. While Christmas is about giving, budgets do not determine the success of our Christmas giving.

Giving is not dependent on the condition of your checkbook. Giving is dependent on the condition of the heart. Let me share some creative ways to give gifts that are straight from the heart.

1. A homemade gift
Giving something you make represents time and effort invested on the recipient's behalf. Each year, we make hot chocolate for our neighbors, scoop it into decorated mason jars and deliver it to their doorstep. The best part is ringing the doorbell and the running like crazy! Our neighbors love it and it has become a fun family tradition.

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (NIV).

2. Possession gift
Give something you already have, something that is of special value to you. Not your junk, but your treasure. Don't ask the question, "What can I buy for Sally?" Ask the question, "What do I have that would mean a lot to Sally?" My pastor husband once mentioned in a sermon that he collects old Bibles. The next Christmas, one of our church members gave him an old and cherished family Bible. It is still one of Dan's most prized possessions.

3. Gift of time
Time is a valuable gift because when we give thirty minutes of time, we are giving thirty minutes of life. When Dan was in seminary, we were always short on time and money. When Christmas came, one of our friends handed us a Christmas card with his gift inside, a coupon good for one afternoon of babysitting each week for the whole year. To this day, I still remember how thrilled I was when Scott handed us that card and showed up every week. That gift kept on giving all year long. Give a gift of time spent in prayer for a friend or an afternoon of errands run for an older friend. Time is a precious gift.

4. Gift of encouragement.
Tell someone what they mean to you. Write it down so they can read your encouraging words several times. Writing it down can help you say it better and requires more time and thought. You can also make a cassette tape of encouraging words and thoughts for those who can't see well or for that hurried mom who spends much of her life in a car. In my bible, I have several notes tucked as bookmarks for special verses; notes of encouragement that have keep me on my feet during difficult times.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress -- James 1:27

5. A blind gift
Give a gift to someone you don't even know; a gift that is given in Jesus' name, just because you love Him. I recently read an article about a millionaire who sets aside large sums of money at Christmas. Dressed in a disguise, he then walks the streets, pressing $100 bills into the hands of the needy. "It makes my whole year," he says.

6. Secret gift
Give a gift to someone you know without them knowing who gave it. Give with no hidden motive and with no possible benefit to yourself. Like most newlyweds, Dan and I were on an extremely tight budget during the first years of marriage. At one point, we had no money for groceries, a fact we shared with no one but God. We wanted to see what He would do. Returning from church one Sunday night, we started up the steps to our mobile home. There, on the sidewalk, was a brown package. We hurriedly ripped off the paper to find a brick with two $100 bills taped to each side. We still don't know who gave us that gift, but every time I think of them, I ask God to bless them for their secret gift.

This year, make this Christmas your best Christmas by receiving His gift of Love, by giving yourself to Him and by sharing His love with others. Search for Him in every face. Watch for Him throughout each day and may this be a joy-filled Christmas and the beginning of a joy-filled year!

Until next time and next year, may you all be blessed.

A Christmas Story quiz

Christmas is not complete with out that timeless classic movie....A Christmas Story. You know, Ralphie and his Red Rider (blah blah blah) BB Gun. See how much you know about the movie. I didn't compile this quiz myself, I borrowed it from someone. Honestly, I don't know the origin of this bit of trivia.



Pencil's ready, begin.

1. What is Ralphie's last name?
2. Where does he live (street, town, state)?
3. What does he want for Christmas? (Be exact)
4. According to his mom, teacher and Santa, what will happen if he gets it?
5. What does Ralphie explicitly not want for Christmas?
6. What is the name of the local department store?



7. What is the name of the Lone Ranger's nephew's horse?
8. What did the "clodhopper down in Griffith, Ind.," swallow?
9. What contest does dad enter?
10. What is first prize?
11. What is Ralphie's brother's name?
12. Who directed, produced and co-wrote the movie?
13. This man also directed what 1982 movie about a group of Florida high schoolers and a sleazy nightclub owner?
14. What magazine does Ralphie's mother read?
15. According to Ralphie (as he tries to con his dad), what did Flick see near Pulaski's Candy Store?



16. What are the parents names?
17. What did the father want for Christmas?
18. What does he get?
19. In his dream sequence, what does Ralphie call his trusty firearm?
20. In that dream, who's the leader of the desperados who attack his house?
21. What kind of car does dad drive?
22. To the best of Ralphie's knowledge, where does his dad's "tapestry of obscenity" still hover to this day?
23. Why does the little brother cry before going to school?
24. What song's sheet music is written on the blackboard in Ralphie's class?
25. What is the name of Ralphie's teacher?
26. What is the name of the neighborhood bully?
27. What color eyes does he have?
28. This bully is played by Zack Ward. In what Fox comedy did he co-star as an adult?
29. What is the name of his toadie sidekick?
30. Name two things confiscated from students in the teacher's desk.
31. What book is the class reading?



32. What is the most serious of all dares?
33. Melinda Dillon, who plays Ralphie's mom, appears topless in what 1977 movie?
34. Where does Ralphie sit in class?
35. What theme does the teacher assign to the class?
36. What is the name of Ralphie's neighbors?
37. Who wrote and narrated "A Christmas Story"?
38. Who does he play on-screen in the film?
39. What does dad guess is his "Major Award'?
40. When the crate arrives, where does he think it's from?
41. How much does dad tip the delivery guys?
42. How long has Ralphie's brother not eaten voluntarily?
43. When did mom last have a hot meal for herself?
44. What is the Major Award?
45. What is the nickname of the neighbor dad talks to across the street?
46. What time did "Lil' Orphan Annie" start?
47. Who is the sponsor of the radio show?
48. What grade does Ralphie get on his theme?
49. How fast can dad change a flat tire?
49b. In a dream sequence, how does Ralphie go blind?
50. What brand of soap does Ralphie like to have his mouth washed out with?
51. What brand does he hate?
52. When mom breaks dad's Major Award, what "crusher" of a line does he stammer out?
53. What does dad then do with his Major Award?
54. What kind of dogs do the neighbors have?
55. Who had tickets to the Bears-Packers game?
56. Characters from this movie march in the Christmas parade
57. Some of these characters pretend to beat up what other character in the parade?
58. Who/what does "Goggle Boy" waiting on line like?
59. What year did "A Christmas Story" likely take place?
60. What does the department store Santa hate?
61. Ralphie's dad could replace a fuse faster than what?
62. What gifts did Ralphie and his brother throw over their shoulders in disgust?
63. What are the names of Ralphie's two friends?
64. Name three gifts Ralphie's brother received for Christmas
65. What is the name of Ralphie's aunt?



66. What does she think Ralphie is?
67. What does she make him as a gift?
68. What two things does dad say Ralphie looks like wearing it?
69. What school does Ralphie attend?
70. What does dad offer Ralphie on Christmas morning?
71. What is dad's favorite food?
72. What happens to Ralphie's glasses on Christmas morning?
73. According to mom, what will dad get if he eats dinner before it's completely cooked?
74. What day of the week does Christmas fall on that year?
75. Where does the family go out to eat on Christmas night?
76. What is above the restaurant?
76b. What two songs does the waitstaff sing?
77. How is that dinner like da Vinci's "The Last Supper"?
78. What is the problem with the duck that's served?
79. How is this resolved?
80. What does adult Ralphie call duck?
**************************************************************
SCORING
0-15 correct: You spend too much time wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve.
16-30 correct: OK, you've seen the movie, but like Ralphie's theme you only get a C+.
31-45 correct: You're no clodhopper.
46-60 correct: Give yourself a Major Award. A bowling alley, perhaps.
61-80 correct: You are Ralphie.

Answers will be furnished on request.

Merry Christmas.

Shirt Design

When I grow up, I want to be a designer of graphic shirts. You know, the shirts with printed designs on them. A very popular designer is Ed Hardy. Several of his designs inspired me to create different shirts. I want my creations to give a positive and inspiring message.



I hope you like these and if you want to purchase a design, I'm sure we can make an arrangement.


Until next time.

Fabulous Forty

Forty is nice. At least that’s the sense I’m getting after 2 days. The first day, the day I actually rolled the number over from 39 to 40, I didn’t feel good. I have an ongoing medical condition which resulted in extreme fatigue. Not the medical condition itself caused this but the treatment of the condition. At some point I have to wonder which is worse, the disease or the side effects of the medicine.

The second day I was 40 was great. It was Friday; Friday the 13th to be exact. I had invited some close family and friends to join me dining at a great restaurant, Pappadeaux’s. In the course of my life, I have a history of terrible parties. If you want your party to be a dud, let me plan it and invite the guests. This, fortunately, was not one of those times. I invited 20 people and 20 people showed up. That was the first time in my life that’s happened. OK, I think I actually invited 24 people but still, 20 showed up. I was so impressed and felt so loved.

The bad party streak has ended. Woooo Hoooo! I once had a Pampered Chef party at my mom’s house. I invited about 30 people and precisely 4 showed up, including my mother. I tried to throw a “surprise” 30th birthday party for my ex husband….it was a disaster. If it weren’t for my family showing up there would not have been anyone there.

For the 2 days I’ve been forty I really haven’t felt much different. The waiter could not believe I was 40; but then again I am sure he was expecting a heavy tip. I hear 40 is the new 20. I don’t want to be 20 again but I think I’m going to like 40.
Again, thanks to everyone who showed up. I wish it could have been a more intimate setting where we could visit with each other but we can do that another time.

Until next time. <3

The Young & The Beautiful

My friend, Teri, generously allowed me to take part in her kids lives. After all, Teri and I had shared so many other things. Being friends since we were 7, we experienced each others birthdays, first dates, proms, graduation, marriage, death, you get the idea. We are family, so I became Aunt Lisa to her four children.

Being Aunt Lisa was great when they were babies and small children. I could cuddle and play with them, then give them back to her. Now they are all teenagers and nobody wants them! Ha ha, I'm kidding. They are all great kids. Not having children of my own, I find it intriguing that they all have such different personalities.

I won't discuss the differences of the kids. I will say I wish I could have been there more often than I was. It amazes me how the years have gone by. I would give
so much to see more baseball games, attend more birthday parties and (my favorite) take them to the movies.

A few years before Teri's kids were born I took her sister's kids to the movies. Teri's niece Samantha was telling me that she remembered seeing a particular movie when she was five and now her daughter saw it for the first time and she's five. I think it was Snow White...Cinderella? It's been too long ago.

Rachel, the youngest of Teri's kids is now 14. She and her cousin Ashley were getting ready to go to a school dance when I was visiting them a few weeks ago.
Ashley is Angela's daughter and although we haven't been as close as Teri and I, Angela is just like family too. It doesn't seem very long ago that Teri and I were getting all dressed up to go out. I'm probably nostalgic because my birthday is around the corner.

Until next time.

Exotic Animals

I went with a friend on a group trip to an animal sanctuary in Wise County, Texas. They have mostly large wild cats: bengal tigers, sumatran tigers, white bengal tigers, leopards, jaguars, cougars, bobcats. They do have two servals but those are very small.

This particular sanctuary has European brown bears -- the same as grizzly bears, and two black bears. We went Saturday, October 10. It was a cold and overcast day. The black bears and the servals were the only animals I didn't get to see.

Because of their safety regulations, I didn't get very many good pictures. I was really disappointed. I guess for pictures without cage wires in front of me I am going to have to go to a nice zoo or photograph animals in the wild.




The tour of the place was about 1 1/2 hours, there were some animals who didn't like visitors and some who were in quarantine. We also toured the facility where the food and medications were prepared. It was a nice tour for the price. Because there was a group of about 20 people, we got a discount and paid $10 per person. They don't charge an entrance price but they do request donations -- which are tax deductible -- of $20 for an adult and $10 for children 7-12 (I think). They do not allow children under 7 for safety and insurance purposes.



The website for the sanctuary is http://www.bigcat.org/. I'd like to know if you go.

Until next time.

Soltis Wedding

This is technically my second wedding to photograph. The first one was by accident seven years ago. I was at my cousin's wedding when one of his groomsmen found me seated in the church. This poor guy frantically told me that Wes needed help because the photographer they hired was having equipment problems.


Well, every wedding day has a story. My brother's wedding had a bridesmaid faint and fall down several steps. Luckily the poor girl was alright but she could have been seriously injured. My wedding was pretty smooth. I think at one point my dress was missing.



This wedding, the wedding of Matt Soltis and Carrie Gann, went smoothly. It was so smooth that I think everyone should take a hint from this couple. They have known for a while they were going to get married but they didn't want to plan the big, stressful, huge family-involved event. So they narrowed down a time when they could both take off work, asked for a few days of vacation and planned the ceremony accordingly.

The only people who knew they were getting married were the Reverend and his lovely wife, the witnesses, Matt's son and me -- the photographer. We took some photos before the ceremony. Naturally I took some during the event and then we took more afterwards.



After the couple came back from a few days at a bed and breakfast, they showed a few photos of the ceremony to their close friends, put some on Facebook and then everyone knew they had been married. I know they were both anxious and a little nervous but the wedding was really beautiful. I NEVER cry at weddings, I am just not that kind of person. I shed a few tears at this ceremony. It was very sweet.

I am glad that they selected me as their photographer. There are more photos of the wedding on my Facebook page. I am limited here on what I can post, the number of pictures. If you need a photographer for any reason, any type of event, let me know. If you can't afford my prices -- which are VERY REASONABLE, we can work out some agreement.



Until next time.

New Photos

It's been a while since I posted pictures. Here are just a few for now.

I saw an image on tv of the Cowboys new stadium and there was a small pond in front of it. I really liked the vantage point of that camera because the image was all

water, trees and grass in the foreground and in the background was this massive structure. I tried to replicate that image.

I went to Fort Worth after church today and took some pictures of the buildings. I really like Art Deco artistic style. This style spilled over into every day life during the roaring 20s. Bass Performance Hall is a great example of Art Deco style. I love how the angel's trumpets extend over the street.



This church is a historic landmark in the downtown area of Fort Worth. It's the First United Methodist Church on 5th Street.

It was built in 1930.


My pastor and his wife on the 23rd wedding anniversary, Luis & Carmen Bernard.



Until next time.

Here are some random pictures. Actually, I think most of them came from the Dallas Arboretum. Roommie and I went a few weeks ago but I haven't done anything with the photos yet.



There were some really nice areas there. They have several acres with different blooming trees and flowers. I loved the frog fountains...there were four in a square squirting water in their mouths.

I loved the covered path leading to the fountains. I was reminded of something out of Alice and Wonderland.

Until next time. :)

Much Better

Although I'm feeling better from my illness, I continued having hearing difficulties for more than a month afterward. I finally went back to the doctor who gave me an antibiotic to clear up the sinus infection and relieve the pressure on my ears. Hallelujah, its working and my hearing has improved dramatically in just two days. Yes, I'm continuing with the full dosage...this ain't my first rodeo.

I've been busy recently and was able to take more photos but unfortunately they are still in my camera. I will work on that next week. I still have lots of things to take care of and will update that here along with the photos.

For a sneak peak, I've decided on yet another career change. I think this is my 3rd one. I've always heard the average person changes careers 5 times in their life. I never thought of myself as average....mmm.



I'm currently listening to Michael Tait and dc Talk. I've heard rumors that Tait will front Newsboys but at the same time I've heard rumors debunking that rumor...who and what to believe? only time will tell. Tait is really a talented singer and I'm looking for any of his solo works. I cannot find them in stores so I'm having to result to the 'net or second hand cds. If anyone can help me out I'd appreciate that. In particular the album with "God Can You Hear Me", one of my all-time faves!

Until next time. :)

More Senior Photos

Here are some more pictures of Breanna. I think I took about 150 total pictures. This is something I really enjoy. She was great to work with, like she had natural talent posing.


Until next time.

Graduation 2009

Here are some pictures I took of my cousin's daughter, Breanna. She is a senior this year at Red Oak High School. I was honored to take the pictures.



It's not a paying job but maybe it will lead to one.
Until next time.

The Ties That Bind

Our family celebrated Easter a week later due to scheduling conflicts. Any reunion is a special occasion. We always have lots of fun, lots of food and naturally, with our family, lots of people. You see, there were 13 original siblings. They all have kids, who have kids and some of them have kids.


THE SIBLINGS

Not everyone was able to be there. It's been years since all of our family could come together. One of my aunts made the comment that the next time we gather it should be at a funeral. I think alcohol was involved. Everyone looked at her and said, "WHAT?" It may have been one of the moments when you don't think about what you are about to say. Who knows.

FIRST COUSINS

We even have our own security system. We call him "The Enforcer".


Until next time.

Easter Sunday

Easter is the most important day for Christians across the globe. Most of you know that this day marks the resurrection of Christ. I've been attending a Disciples of Christ church for the past two years and I've experienced celebrations not observed in the Baptist churches I attended as a youth and young adult.

This year, I went to a Maundy Thursday service. This was a very solemn and reverent service that beautifully accented Christ's last supper and mandate (maundy) to his apostles, which is to love one another.

Something else I've learned is that Easter also refers to the season of the church year called Eastertide or the Easter Season. Traditionally the Easter Season lasted for the forty days from Easter Day until Ascension Day but now officially lasts for the fifty days until Pentecost. The first week of the Easter Season is known as Easter Week or the Octave of Easter. Easter also marks the end of Lent, a season of fasting, prayer, and penance.


As a child we dye and hunt eggs, eat too much candy, get new clothes and go to church. But as an adult, we realize that Easter is all about renewal of life. Few things emphasize this more clearly than a new baby. This is my friend Jacob. He is such a good and happy baby and a true joy to be around.

I can't leave out Cricket. She's been my 4-legged child since December 1995. I hadn't been married but about a month when I told my then-husband I wanted a cat to catch mice in our home. We had a right-of-way behind our house that wasn't maintained and woods across the street from us so the little critters were abundant. I went to the local animal shelter to look at the different cats. I was looking at a solid white one on the top row of cages when I felt a tug on my shirt. I looked down and saw the multi-colored paw clawing my clothing. I couldn't refuse that, so I brought her home.



I was told that she had been abandoned in an apartment and went all weekend without food or water. The maintenance man found her, she was underweight and near death. She's anything but underweight now. She still has seperation anxiety even if I'm gone just to the grocery store. If she gets her feelings hurt, she goes to eat. If I leave, she eats. If I ignore her, she eats. She's a big and healthy girl now.

Until next time.

So You Say Its Your Birthday

It’s not often I get invited to a 6 year-olds birthday party, but I did today. My cousin’s son, Connor, celebrated his birthday at Chuck E. Cheese….the only place where a kid can be a kid. It turns out to be a very happening place on Friday nights. There were so many kids running around having fun, especially Connor. His face shows how excited he is in almost every picture. I did say almost. The one picture he’s not smiling is when he discovered his name on the cupcake collage was spelled wrong.



The candy alphabets you can get at the grocery store for cake decorating had only one N but Connor is spelled with two. So his mom put an M on it instead of one N hoping it looked close enough to Connor that he wouldn’t notice. Six year-olds are smarter now than they used to be, don’t think you can fool one when it comes to spelling his or her name.

Connor and my Dad share a common interest. They both like John Deere items. I got him this shirt for his birthday from my Mom, Dad and myself. He said he really liked it. Good thing. It looks great on him.



Enjoy Easter with your families. Pray for the people suffering from flooding in Minnesota and North Dakota as well as those out of work….like myself. I am more fortunate than many, I have a place to live.

Until next time.