Good evening,                                                  2/16/2016  12:08 a.m.

        Sunday was Valentine's Day and I hope everyone had a great one! We focused mainly on or two daughters this year. I got my favorite Swiss chocolates though, thanks babe! We decorated the table and had nice treats and things for the girls. Teddy bears, over sized heart shaped glasses, balloons and a vase with silk roses. They loved it all! It was a good day!

GN and God bless!

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!! IN THE MIDST OF PURCHASING GIFTS FOR LOVED       ONES, REMEMBER THE GIFT OF LOVE!!! BE SURE TO KEEP KINDNESS AND COMPASSION IN THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR MIND. THIS TIME OF THE YEAR CAN BE VERY STRESSFUL FOR SOME WHILE OTHERS HAVE EVERYTHING THEY COULD WANT AND MORE. PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. BECOME A BLESSING TO SOMEONE IN NEED. LET THE REASON FOR THE SEASON SHINE BRIGHTLY THROUGH YOU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

GOD BLESS ALL♥️

    Halloween hadn't even arrived yet before they started putting out Thanksgiving and Christmas items.    They couldn't even let us get used to the fact that Thanksgiving was on the way before they began with Christmas stuff. That early advertising leads to kids beginning to beg a little sooner. BAH HUMBUG! Lol

     As you are out doing your grocery and other shopping I know you see the holiday stuff out already. I take a pass on Halloween altogether, but I enjoy Thanksgiving. It's amazing how you look out your window and see Summer slipping away, making way to Autumn. When I say Autumn immediately I can smell the pine and the sweet treats baking in the oven. The sweet potato pies, chocolate walnut cakes, cookies, brownies, and more. Banana bread, spice cake, blueberry muffins, and scones. Autumn is a sweet time of the year and I truly enjoy it!

   Can you believe that some stores are already promoting Christmas stuff? The children aren't even done enjoying summer yet! Christmas is 5 months away, HELLO!!!!! Lol I heard of starting early but my goodness!

"WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

   The Christmas season can bring joy and excitement for many, but for others it can bring on sadness. For those who have recently lost a loved one or have lost someone around this time. If you know someone who may be having a season of sadness, take the time to spread a little cheer their way. Maybe help them recall some great memories of the lost loved one. Remind them that although their loved one is no longer here with them physically, that their memories live on in their hearts and mind. Let them know that their particular loved one wouldn't want them to mope around and feel sad; but to LIVE and honor them with gladness in their heart. I love and miss my grandmother the most at Christmas time, being that this holiday represents love, hope, joy, and family. Plus her birthday is in December. I love the way her face would light up with appreciation and happiness when I gave her gifts. I always felt so much love and comfort from my grandmother. She was my best friend and a great support. My grandmother taught me how to smile and honor God at all times, no matter what you may be going through. She taught me that no matter how badly others treated you, without cause, still love them and treat them well because that is what pleases the Lord. My grandmother taught me to always be a lady and a loving mother and a respectable wife. Most of all she taught me to keep God first in all things and everything would be alright. Thanks nanna! I celebrate you and remember you with gladness this holiday season! I know heaven is a beautiful place but being that you arrived I'm sure you make it look even better! I miss you, I love you! See you when I get there!

       It's amazing how the youth seem to be so ungrateful nowadays. Parents are working so hard, overtime and under time to make ends meet. They are working to keep a roof over their children's head, food on the table, clothes on their backs, and shoes on their feet. Parents even go out of their way to try to get many of the kids wants, but do the kids appreciate it? It doesn't really seem like they do. They barely say thank you and is constantly looking and begging for more. When I'm out at the grocery stores I observe how even the little children act. Picture this, aisle 7, mother trying to get things on her list, and the baby sitting in the cart. Suddenly, a toy catches the child's eye and he/she asks to have it. Mom says no and the begging and screaming begins. After about a minute, the mom gives in just to keep the child quiet and to keep everyone from looking. When this same Mom gets to aisle 9, she starts getting cereal and unfortunately candy is on the opposite side of the aisle. The child begins to beg for Skittles, Mom says no and continues getting cereal. After a few seconds, the child is screaming to the top of his/her lungs I want Skittles! The mother says no and the child goes into an all out tantrum. Throwing things out of the shopping cart, kicking and screaming. The mother then proceeds to grab the bag of Skittles and gives in to the child yet again. Now, the child just completely showed out, and what does she do, reward the child for misbehaving. That's not teaching the child to be grateful, that's teaching the child to think when they run a muck, they get what they want. That behavior should have been rewarded with a smack on the bottom and no toy or Skittles!
     Parents, it's really okay to tell our kids NO! It's not going to kill them to hear the word NO, if anything it will help them. I know we would like to be able to give our children the things our parents weren't able to give us, but let's face it, some kids are just spoiled rotten! Let them have things sometimes, but at times you have to say no, even if you can afford it. Our young people have to learn that life is not always going to be roses and sunshine. Just like we have four seasons, life has seasons as well. There will be times of plenty and times of famine, and some in between. They have to learn to adapt to the many changes that life will bring. We must make them aware that nothing comes easy or for free. You have to work for what you want in this world. Keep it real with them because if you don't, you are making them handicap. Give them chores to help make them responsible. Make them work around the house for what they want at the store. We must prepare our children for the future. It's a cruel, cold world out there and if we don't help them now, they will be left out in the cold.

    In the midst of strolling through the malls and searching for that perfect gift for your loved ones, I ran into a few old friends from school. It was nice to see some familiar faces who were part of fond memories of the past. It was like an unexpected gift in itself. Hope to see a few more friendly faces as the holiday season progresses. God bless you all and have a happy holiday season. Stay safe and remember the reason for the season, Jesus!