Time for a Break

I know I promised to tell you about my trip to NY, and maybe at some point I will. (If someone shares some decent pictures with me!)

Anyway, I'm taking a self-imposed break from blogging: you know, busy holidays, planning for a new year, and all that jazz. I may pop in from time to time, but there won't be any regular posting until 2009.

So, I hope all you bloggy readers and friends have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!

Honey, I'm Home!

Hey blog friends!

First, thanks for your prayers for my return trip. They were absolutely answered, but that post will take a few minutes to write, so expect the rest of the story soon. :-)

Second, I tried really hard to give you guys a few little pre-scheduled somethings to read while I was away, even if it was mostly fluff. It would appear that it really is all about QUALITY, not QUANTITY, based on the comments (or lack thereof) and such. So, maybe I won't do that again!

Third, I am really tired, but at least wanted to pop in and say hello. I missed being here, but it was nice to have a breather, too.

And lastly, unless some of my fellow trainees from last week share their photos, you won't see anything really good from my trip. The combo of a camera that just stinks in the dark, bad weather and ME as a photographer is just a recipe for disaster! But I will share what I do have. Just don't laugh. (where I can hear you!)

Now, to catch up on all that stuff I missed this week....

A Quick Request

Hey all,

As I sit here in the hotel about to leave, I'm asking for traveling mercies for our class. There's some nasty weather here that's already causing airport delays, which is annoying in itself. However, we also have connecting flights that we may miss if we're delayed getting out of Newark. Please pray the the weather improves and the delays go away!!

Thanks!!!

A December Meme for You!

Today, I am once again in the limo, heading back to the airport for my flights home. And you get to read another meme!!! Lucky you!

So, for your meme-reading pleasure, I'm sharing this December Meme I saw over at Knitted Fresh Daily. Enjoy!

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags?
Who cares? My other family members do most of the wrapping :-)

2. Real tree or artificial?
Real. It smells so good (but makes such a mess!)

3. When do you put up the tree?
Whenever my husband says!

4. When do you take down the tree?
Usually between Christmas and New Year's. Or when all the needles have fallen off.

5. Do you like Egg Nog?
By the gallon!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Barbie Dream House (I'm with Annie/Lesli on this one!)

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, a beautiful one by Willow Tree.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My parents. They have everything and want nothing.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
My kids. They have everything and want everything else.

10. Mail or email Christmas Cards?
Mail - if I remember before Christmas Eve! (This year, I'm even sending PHOTO cards - WOO HOO!)

11. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Home Alone, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Elf, A Christmas Story... (I could keep going - I love Christmas movies) :-)

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Candy. Lots and lots of candy. I need more candy. Do you have any candy?

13. Clear lights or coloured?
Clear, although I thought the multi's were beautiful when I was a little girl.

14. Favorite Christmas Song?
Silent Night, While You Were Sleeping (by Casting Crowns), Away in a Manger (this could also be a long list)

15. Travel or stay home at Christmas?
Home, thank the Lord!

16. Can you name all of Santa’s Reindeer?
Absolutely! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen (I have the mugs, remember?)

17. Angel or Star on the top of the tree?
A silver Martha Stewart K-Mart star that is too fancy for my tree. (Yes. I just said that K-Mart is too fancy.)

18. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning?
Morning - but the kids have to wait until the coffee is ready :-) (Yes, we're evil parents. Mwuh-ha-ha-ha!!)

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
How everyone has forgotten that it's all about Jesus. The outrageousness of all the shopping and STUFF. And that it's being advertised before Halloween now!

20. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees?
I want a themed, Martha-Stewart-would-be-proud tree in our living room. Another homey tree with all the construction-paper ornaments in the family room. That's what I want, but not what I have. I just have the homey one.

21. Gingerbread or Sugar Cookies?
Sugar. Hands downs! They're almost as good as candy! (By the way - do you have any more candy?)

Peace on Earth: The Christmas CD by Casting Crowns

Every year, I scan the holiday displays looking for a good Christmas CD. I love Christmas music! Especially the classics (think about all the songs in the movie "Home Alone").

But, I don't often end up with very good Christmas music. I tried an MTV Christmas cassette (ahem) several years ago that had one or two good ones on it. There's a few ancient CD's lying around the house that are OK. I even have one that was just instrumental piano. (What was I thinking?)

This year, however, I picked a winner: Peace on Earth by Casting Crowns.

Oh my word! Just go buy it, and you'll see. It has classics like "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night," so you can't miss if you just want a great version of traditional Christmas songs.

But I have to say that I think my favorite is "While You Were Sleeping." The first time I heard last verse, (if you watch a YouTube video of it, it begins with "United States of America") I got all teary. It really touched my heart. That's what good music does!

So, if I ever give you a piece of advice, this is one to listen to: GO GET THIS CD!

NOW!!!!

You can even follow this link and buy it!

Any questions? :-)

I'm somewhere in New Jersey - how about a quiz?

Well? How friendly are you? Some of this is true for me...

Your Friendliness Score is 54 (Friendly)

No doubt about it, you are a good friend and a friend to many. Even in other states! You're one of the first people your friends call when they have news. Or need to know how to get candle wax out of the carpet before your wife gets home. You are quite popular, and your circle of friends is always growing. And while you are always making new friends, you are careful not to leave your old friends behind. True - I just got reunited with an old BFF!! While you are a great friend, you're not perfect. Sometimes you slip a little. Easy, there... Make sure to listen to your friends and make time for them. Occasionally they feel a little neglected. No they don't. Do you??

How Friendly Are You?

Sponsor a Child this Christmas

It's that time of year when many people begin to think about charitable contributions. Maybe you grabbed the name of a child or a family off of a Giving Tree at your church. Perhaps you donated canned goods through your child's school for a White Christmas drive. Or maybe your motives are more personal and you're giving in the name of tax deductions.

Whatever the reason, helping those in need is is a noble cause.

I'm asking you today to support a very noble cause: Compassion International.

Surprised? You shouldn't be. I blog about them fairly often and have a few of their widgets in my sidebar.

The difference is that my cause, while it will accept one-time donations to a number of funds, is really seeking people who are willing to make a long-term commitment. What they want is a person or a family who will commit to send $32 a month to sponsor a child in need.

That child will be sponsored by you and you alone. They will send you letters, and you can (and are encouraged to) write to them. Send photos, cards, paper gifts that will fit into a standard envelope. Make it a year-round involvement, instead of one that takes only a few dollars or moments of your time.

The investment you make means so much more than $32 to the child it's dedicated for. It means hope. Food. Medical care. Education. And most importantly, it begins to introduce them to Jesus.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child this Christmas, just leave a comment here with contact info or email me at ehingersoll@charter.net and I will send you a Sponsorship Packet. Receiving the packet does not obligate you to sponsor anyone. But I'll bet that once you see that precious face looking back at you from that packet, you'll think twice before saying no.

I'm asking that for the next few weeks you direct everyone you know to this blog post. Link to it. Email it to your friends. Forward it to folks at church. Do whatever you can to get the word out.

I want to see children sponsored as a result of this post. I want to know that I was able to use my words the better the life of a child, or two, or ten.

I thank you for your efforts in helping me spread the word, and the kids who get sponsored as a result do, too.

Merry Christmas.

Winner of my Cafe Holiday Expo is....

LauraLee Shaw!!

LauraLee, please contact me with an email address so I can get your shipping information.

Congrats!!

As a side note, I am leaving tomorrow on a business trip that will last through Thursday night. A friend/coworker will be accompanying me on our flights to and from New Jersey, limo rides (SQUEE!) and training sessions. I ask for your prayers for safe travel and good times!! (Especially for fun when we get to visit New York City for the first time on Wednesday!)

Don't hate me because I get an all expenses paid business trip. Sometimes I have to work Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas Day to make up for it!

Anyway, I have scheduled a few posts to bore you entertain you in my absence. See you in a few days!!

Dear Irritated Travelers in Target Yesterday:

I am the lady who was in line behind you. I can understand your frustration when you encounter an employee of an establishment who is unable to properly perform their job. I am trying not to be judgmental. Apparently you were travelers, and perhaps had endured a long, trying trip. Maybe you were tired. OBVIOUSLY you were grouchy.

Keep in mind: that cashier was probably hired as seasonal help and may never have processed a traveler's check before. Cut her some slack.

When she recognizes her limitations and calls the manager for assistance, don't stand there impatiently and proceed to tell her to treat it as cash. You do not work there, and probably don't know how she should process it through her register. Please wait quietly for the manager to arrive.

Don't instantly start screaming at the check-out manager when she appears, either. That simply puts her on the offensive and results in each of you becoming even more ugly and hateful. Use your inside voice.

Asking for the name of the store manager ONCE should be sufficient. You would have heard the cashier tell it to you if you had stopped yelling for a moment.

Demanding something to write on the from the very people you are screaming at was a bit comical, and I'm a little surprised that the poor girl complied with your demand.

Also, asking for the name of the corporate manager repeatedly, when you still haven't even spoken to the STORE manager is a bit much.

Please tell your girlfriend to be quiet and stop yelling at everyone as well. It isn't her transaction to be upset about.

And by all means, don't suddenly develop a conscience and try to be caring when all your hatefulness finally makes the poor cashier burst into tears. She doesn't want you to pet her shoulder and tell her it's not her fault. She knows that's not what you think, because you've been yelling at her for a solid ten minutes. You acted like it was all her fault. Just take your hypocrisy and go see the manager.

Shame on you. Shame on you both.

Oh, and for the record, I had to stifle a giggle when another cashier came over to soothe her comrade-in-arms and said, "Don't worry about them. God will take care of them because he's COMING BACK!"

Amen.

And Merry Christmas.

Friday Fill-Ins: NY Trip Preview Edition

Get yours here!

1. Snow in New York City next Wednesday would be wonderful.

2. I'm looking forward to my trip to New Jersey/New York next week - and the limo rides!

3. This trip is the best free training trip for work ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is The Dukes of Hazzard (I thought Bo was, uh, cute.)

5. I'm done with people who are ugly to others :-(.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is looking at Christmas lights (well, one of many enjoyable things!).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to checking out some new purchases, tomorrow my plans include being at home alone and scheduling blog posts for next week and Sunday, I want to pack for my trip!

I just have to say...

my boy pinned his first opponent last night at the wrestling tournament!!!

Way to go, Michael!!!

The Cafe Holiday Expo is here!!

Man, I love a good giveaway. I am a total sucker for contests! And I know of a good one for you to check out:



Internet Cafe Devotions is celebrating the holidays, and this week's way to celebrate Christmas is with a giveaway carnival! Yay! Head on over to their site to see what kind of goodies are up for grabs.

So, what am I giving away? Well, look no further:






I made this snowflake purse with my own two little hands. Seriously! It's made out of a beautiful red wool, which I then embellished with a few snowflakes.

Oh, and then there's the verse of the back. (That's the best part!) There you'll see Isaiah 1:18: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

Pretty cool, huh?

Well, I think so, and I hope you do, too! One of you lucky blog-hoppers will win this little bag. (And it is petite - maybe six inches wide? Just right for keys, cell phone, a smallish wallet and lip gloss!)

All you have to do to enter the contest is leave me a comment telling me the best Christmas gift you ever received. That's it! (Not just a random comment. I want participation, people! :-))

Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win, though. I'd hate to have to give your prize to someone else! (Sorry, international visitors: this is open to United States residents only.)

Deadline to leave a comment is this Sunday, December 7th at 8pm EST. The Random Number Generator will pick a winner, which I will then announce. I believe that Internet Cafe Devotions will also post a list of all the winners.

So, be sure to enter while you're here, then head over to Internet Cafe Devotions and see what other goodies you can win!

Good luck!

Works for Me - Flavoring Green Beans

I seem to be on a food kick with my Works for Me Wednesdays. You'd think I actually COOK or something!

Not all of us are blessed with canned-in-mama's-kitchen green beans. (YUM!) Canned-in-a-factory green beans just don't taste the same. At all.

Well, here's a little tip that my friend Melba shared with me a few years ago:




Use chicken broth or bouillon when you cook them. I was almost ashamed that I didn't know this already. It's so easy! And tasty? Yes, ma'am!

So try it out. Those picky little eaters in your house just might eat their beans!

That's what Works for Me today!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

These are the reindeer mugs I mentioned in my holiday traditions post. I dug throught my as yet unpacked Christmas decorations and fished these out so we can start using them. Aren't they the cutest?



Just look at Dancer with her hoop earrings!



Is it just me, or does Vixen look a little matronly?



Don't let me feel silly here - do you have a favorite coffee mug? (By the way, I usually try to get the mug with Cupid on it. Because I'm a hopeless romantic and all.)

Anyway, Happy (almost) Wordless Wednesday!