Holiday Cards-Part 1

Last year, in 2003, I sent out my very first set of my own personalized Christmas Cards. It was the first year I had not done them in conjuction with my mother. I was living apart from my mother at the time and decided I had many loved ones I wanted to send holiday greetings to. So, I did. I enclosed a picture of me and a special poem related to Christmas. This year, it's no different. I'm enclosing a picture and a poem and I plan on doing so every year for the rest of my life. I enjoy making out the holiday cards because they remind of who's important in my life; who enriches it and brings me joy and love. I bought these cool lables for my computer printer last week at Wal-Mart and so I don't have to spend endless hours trying desperately to reaptedly write my own address as well as where I'm sending the card to. I have nice writing, sometimes, but anymore, I much prefer to type-it's so much easier and neater. It took me a while to figure out how to work the darn labels-but once I did, I liked it so much that I decided to fill out my actaul address book the same way. I must say it looks very, very nice! Now, today, I am going to fit the poem to the cards and maybe address the envelopes, but maybe not. My main concern today is getting the peom to fit on the inside of the cards. Next week, I'll get a roll of film developed and try to find a decent, recent picture of me to go in there. I have a perfect one from last year, but the idea of this picture is to show what I look like NOW, at the end of this year. But, if all else fails, I'll use that really cute one of me last year standing by the Christmas tree in my Santa hat. Anyhow, my other goal for today, probably my more important one is to finish my English paper. For some reason, I just can't find the motivation to do it. But, I have to, so I will. I write better when I have to pull things out of my butt at the last minute anyway. Hugh called this morning, woke me up, but that's ok, it was nice to hear his voice and I still miss him-but not as much today. Sundays are usually "our day," together, secluded from the rest of the world, so it feels a little weird to be solo on a Sunday, but I have a lot to do today so maybe it's not so bad. Anyhow, that being said, I'd better get going. Ta-ta for now and I'll write again tomorrow.

Many Blessings,
-SL

The following post is from someone else's blog. I clicked on it and what I read was astounding! Like most profound things I read in my life, this came just when I needed it. The user's name is TellMeYourStory and you can find his/her blog on blogger.com

*I did NOT write these words below. I am NOT claiming them as my own and do NOT pretend to have penned them. These words do NOT belong to me and I am giving full credit to the "Tell Me Your Story" user who penned them. I am NOT plagarizing. They belong to another blogger.com user whose name is stated above. The comment below is profoundly true and heartfelt, but it is NOT mine. I just happen to like it....


"Just a Comment"
"If you find yourself in love with someone who does not love you, be gentle with yourself. If you find someone else in love with you and you don't love him, feel honored that love came and called at your door, but gently refuse the gift you cannot return. Do not take advantage, do not cause pain. How you deal with love is how you deal with you, and all our hearts feel the same pains and joys, even if our lives and ways are different. If you fall in love with another, and he falls in love with you, and then love chooses to leave, do not try to reclaim it or assess blame, let it go. There is a reason and there is a meaning. You will know in time. Remember that you don't choose love. love chooses you. All you can really do is accept it for all its mystery when it comes into your life. Feel the way it fills you...it's overflowing, then reach out and give it away. Give it back to the person who brought it alive in you. Give it to others who deem it poor in spirit. Give it to the world around you in anyway you can. This is where many lovers go wrong, just because there are many people in this world you can abuse anybody that you want. It's kinda immature..." (tellmeyourstory. blog.com user. 21 November 2004.)

*Again, the above "just a comment" is NOT my own, I greatly admire it, but did not write it.

Many Blessings,
-SL

My Favorite Charities

Hello,

Here are some links to my favorite charities that I currently support whenever I can!

With the holidays just around the corner, I would advise that you take a look at these wbesites and make even a small donation to one of them. Spread the joy, cheer and generousity, and please, tell your friends about these charities as well! Thank you & Happy Holidays!

Many Blessings,
-SL

St. Jude Children's Hospital: 1-800-822-6344
http://www.stjude.org/
As a former chronically-ill child, I cannot help but support this wonderful organization. I remember what it was like to be extremely sick without knowing exactly what the cause was. I remember my mother worrying about the stack of medical bills and everyday household bills. I can only imagine the sleepless nights and endless worry my mother endured when I was an ill child clinging for my very life. That being said, St. Jude is the one charity I regularly support. Each year, St. Jude's help thousands of children whose lives are interupted by sickness and or cancer. They work tirelessly to save these children and find new and innovative cures for cancer-and "no child is ever turned away because of a family's inability to pay (St. Jude's Nationwide Television Commercial 2004) ." Check them out today!

Heifer International: 1-800-422-0474
http://www.heifer.org/
This truly grass-rooots organization is helping to fight hunger worldwide. They give a handup to hungry and impoverished people almost everywhere. While they focus mostly on international hunger, they do have projects here at home in the United States, such as the St. Helena Beef Cattle Project and the Kentucky Small Farms Project, Phase III . Heifer Interational uses animals to provide food, milk, various animal products and agricultural education for poor families world-wide. They send their own trained staff to assist poor people and educate them on the benefits of the animal gifts they recieve. This organization is close to my heart and I think what they do is great! Give 'em look and see for yourself-I promise, you'll be moved and impressed!

America's Second Harvest: 1-800- 771-2303
http://secondharvest.org/
Because hunger doesn't just happen overseas, it happens right here in our own backyard, America's Second Harvest lends a hand at home. Each and every year America's Second Harvest distrubutes hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to America's hungriest. "[They] distribute food and grocery products through a nationwide network of certified affiliates, increase public awareness of domestic hunger, and advocate for policies that benefit America's hungry ("How We Work" America's Second Harvest 2004) ." With over 200 local food banks nationwide, ASH is doing a fine job at their effort to "end hunger in America." Check out their website today!

Opearation Smile: (757) 321-7645
http://www.operationsmile.org/
Can you imagine a world without smiles? How about your own life without your own smile? What would it be like if you couldn't smile? That definately wouldn't be something to smile about. "Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities..... Together, we create smiles, change lives, heal humanity (Operation Smile Inc. 2004)." Give this truly medically advanced-joy-focused charity a click today. The drastic and wonderful changes from cleft lips to real smiles will definately make you smile wide!

Save the Music: 1-888-841-4687
http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/who_we_are/index.html
Although not quite as important as saving dying children or ending hunger, VH1's "Save the Music," foundation is quite remarkable in its own right. Established in 1997, this great charity has worked each day to save the music in public schools. You may have seen their annual fundraiser on your local VH1 channel, a yearly "Divas" concert in which all the proceeds go to STM. I grew up with music in my school, and I am a former piano and violin player-I can honestly say that music does help! It is the poetry of our soul and the beat of our lives. Without music, where would we be? However, due to depleting education funds, music classes around the country are being taken away. Studies have proven that children who study music do better in other subjects such as math, science, and reading and also have greater self-confidence. Now, who wouldn't want that? Click on the link today and find out more!

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to know, ahead of time,

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR THIS THANSKGIVING?

I do this every year on here, but this year, I wanted to get a head start! So here, goes....

1.) My life: I'm still here and alive and well. I can walk, talk, sit, eat by mouth, taste, smell, see, hear, touch, feel, speak, wiggle my fingers and toes, brush my hair and my teeth, breathe, stand, jump, pour myself a glass of water, and go to the bathroom all without the slightest difficulty. I can go out of my house at whatever time I please, in whatever I please, to anywhere I please. Those are all definite gifts. The passing of Chris Reeve last month reminded just how precious these gifts are. I've never taken them granted, but now I really don't take them for granted.

2.) My relationship with my God: not to sound too preachy or anything, but my personal relationship with my chosen God, has really grown this year and I'm so thankful for that. I've gone to church and leaned on prayers. I've realized that if I do my part by doing the best I can, and being a kind, good, honest, fair and loyal person who gives love, than God really will take care of the rest. We may not always get what we want, but we will always, always get what we need.

3.) My mother Linda: I know, I know I have a boyfriend and many other amazing people in my life. But, my mom is still #1! She's been through so much this year and is still all of the wonderful things I mentioned above in #2. She never ceases to amaze me and still one of my dearest and closest friends. I love her more than words can express nd always will!

4.) My sisters: the absolute lights of life! They inspire me, motivate me and move me in way I can't even begin to describe. They fill me with pride, joy and love to the depths of my soul. I'm so fortunate to have not just one, but three, beautiful, talented and bright sisters in my life! Such a blessing!

5.) My other family & friends: and that includes all of you. I have so many amazing and wonderful people in my life that I can't possibly begin to name them all. I've not A LOT of friends, but the ones I do have, are true and precious. They love, support, encourage, inspire and teach me more than they know! Each of them is a blessing and I cannot imagine my life without them!

6.) My cat Nellie: she's almost eleven years old. No one else, not even my mother, has been there every single day, 24 hours a day, for eleven years straight. She can be the biggest brat this side of the Mississippi, but she' my brat. And she's sweet and cuddly and soft and gorgeous! She brings me joy and laughter and comfort and is my companion! I love her dearly!

7.) My home, and food and running water and electricty: so many people all over the world, even here in the United States, can't say that have all of these and I do. I am truly a lucky young lady. I have food in my house and a plethera of restuarants to choose from should I decide to eat out. I have running water and hot water whenever I desire it and all it takes for there to be light or for my hair to be dry, is the flip of a switch or turn of a button. These everyday things are really gifts that we so often take for granted and shouldn't!

8.) Heat & Air Conditioning: I live in Vegas, so AC is NOT a luxary, it's a necessity, literally, people die without it. And heat, well I hate being cold so that's a great thing too!

9.) My car: well, it's not mine, but at least my mom and I have a way to get around that is for the most part reliable, ours and can be used at our disposal. A lot of people can't say that. I don't have to depend on someone else, or a public bus or cab to go where I want. And that's very cool!

10.) The re-unites I've had this year: with an ex whom I got to have my say with and make peace. because of which, I actually finally got over it-for real! And three of the nurses who took care of me when I was an infant and young toddler I was able to reconnect with this year. We email, call and keep in touch. It's very full-circle and fullfilling for us all. They get to see me as a grown woman, healthy, happy and thriving. And I get to be reminded of how blessed I am to still be here, and how wonderful angels like them made that possible!

11.) This computer and internet: ok, I know, kinda lousy in comparrison to the others. But, truly, without this technology, I wouldn't have met any of you, my best friend Ellen in Arkansas, my friends Liz, Any and Jackie. And more importantly, most of all, I would not have met my amazing boyfriend Hugh. We met online. So I am very grateful for the use and freedom to use this wonderful technology we call the Computer and the Internet. It not only helps me stay connected and learn more than ever possible, but it also is helpful for school and journaling. Truly a wonderful thing! (Okay, so sometimes you wanna throw the darn things out the window-but hey, nothing's 100% foolproof)

Ok, so that's what I'm most grateful for this year and each and every day! I apologize for rambling, but I hope you take the time to really think about what and who it is you are grateful for. Life is what we make it, and it is full of abundant love, blessings and lessons-if we allow it to be.

"Miracles happen everyday, regardless of past circumstances or expected outcomes."
© 2004 Sarah E. Doan (AKA: Sarah Liz Doan)

Take a moment to be thankful for the everyday miracles in your life and the lessons that come out of the tough times!

Happy Thanksgiving & Many Blessings to each of you!
-SL

Plans for Thanksgiving!

Hi Y'all,

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR TURKEY DAY?????Just wanted to see what you were doing for Thanksgiving??? With no cards or presents to worry about, TONS of yummy food and (hopefully) family and friends around-it's bound to be a wonderful holiday! I'm going with my mom to Southern California to see my Grandma Joni. Not the one that lives in Reno (that's Grandma Liz), but my mom's step-mom. She rocks too! Anyhow, we haven't seen her in four years so we're really looking foward to it! We're gonna have a big feast and chat, chat, chat!!! It'll be great! Plus, the four hour drive there and back will give my mom and I a chance to talk and catch up. With my school and her work lately, we haven't had much time to see eachother! Anyhow, just wanted to konw what you're all doing for Turkey Day! Whatever it is you do, please follow these hints:1.) DO NOT DRINK & DRIVE2.) Don't get so full you can't move from the table3.) Take a nice long nap after dinner if possible4.) Look around at your family and friends in awe and thanks for the gifts they are in your life!5.) Give thanks to God, or whomever your personal Higher Power is. HAVE A FULL, SAFE, HEALTHY & HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Many blessings,
-SL