The Life of Mrs. Miles

BLUE SUEDE CHRISTMAS KIT

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Blog reader Barb, from Manitoba asked me "how do you find time for all of this creativity and activity at such a busy time of the year??!!" ... Well, actually, I don't know! It's something I try not to think about - for fear the answer will overwhelm me. If I had to think about it I guess my answer would honestly have to be that its a God thing becuase I truly don't have the time. Oh, and of course, Miles gets inspired and whips something out of his creative, chaotic mind when he sees me floundering about. I keep a little notebook with me all the time (yes, in my funny looking Winnie the Pooh Diaper Bag/Camera Case that I haul with me everywhere) and I write all the little things of interest I come across and all the best bits of the day to share with you here. The rest of the stuff goes in the dustbin of life. The stuff that gets left out is the 'have to do's' and the bad stuff gets chalked up to experience. Thanks for your comments Barb - I love hearing from you. Feel free to email me anytime too, directly at lalalime@hotmail.com. I would love some nice snowy pics of your Manitoba - I've never been there. I would love to share some with my blog readers!

LAYOUT BY READER TRACEY - OF HER DAUGHTER!

(using some of my elements) Thanks for sharing!

YOUR layout could be featured here... just send me a link!

Well, some of you are definately getting in the spirit with my "GIVE before you give" challenge. If you are new to my blog I will 'splain it again. I am challenging you all to give 'extra' this year. You all know who you HAVE to buy for, and who you NEED to buy for... well, I am daring you to pick someone you don't have to or need to buy for. Someone who you know could use your love... it does not have to be monetary... could be doing a good deed, babysitting, anonymus deed etc... but the idea is you do it BEFORE you do the others, the 'have to's and need to's' I was trying to think of like if you picked someone low-income or needy... what would make a really nice gesture. What came to my mind is they probably get some food, specially this time of the year, but I bet nobody buys them nice bath soaps, bubble baths, make-up, nice costume jewellery, pretty towels, tea towels - or even toilet paper. If you can't afford new for some things, I bet you have some pretty nice things hanging around or in your jewellery box you never use or know will be replaced this Christmas. Can you see it now, a needy person recieving something nice BEFORE Christmas - they may be able to use over the holidays?

Gina and her daughter took the challenge: Hannah called and needed foods for her school food drive today. It is a 1-2(maybe 3)punch type of giving... I was giving to my girl, she was giving to the ppl in need, and She was also giving to her class - if they meet their quota of foods to give, they get a party at the end of the week. Giving times 3. :)

Another anonymus reader wrote this: Didn't know you were hoping for replies to your GIVE before you give ... I don't pick one person, but we did donate a number of new toys to the "Toys for Tots" can over at the fire station yesterday. As for one person, I made some cookies for our favourite folks at the coffee shop with a note saying we appreciated them. Once the holiday season is over, I'll once again be baking stuff for the firefighters throughout the year to let them know they're appreciated.

You know, in my busy-ness, I may have missed someone... if I have, please remind me. I want to publish your good deeds here over the next few days before I take a break for Christmas. I hope my fingers fall off typing all your 'good stuff'...

LOOK WHAT MY FRIEND JOY GOT FOR AN EARLY

CHRISTMAS GIFT - name? Bug...

how sweet is that?

Reader Dee Doty sent me this beautiful poem which was shared with her from another friend. (thanks so much, Dee) This goes right along with our 'giving' theme:

DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER

I've never made a fortune

and it's probably too late now.

But I don't worry about that much,

I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,

I'm reaping better than I sowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer,

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I haven't got a lot of riches,

and sometimes the going's tough.

But I've got loved ones around me,

and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,

and the mercies He's bestowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer,

'cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,

My faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke,

and the sun peeped through again.

So God, help me not to gripe

about the tough rows that I've hoed.

I'm drinking from my saucer,

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,

when the way grows steep and rough.

I'll not ask for other blessings,

I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,

to help others bear their loads.

Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Yep, more oxymorons for you to ponder:

non-fat ice cream

non-profit organizations

non-stick glue

non-stick gum

non-stick velcro

non-stop flight

non-toxic bug spray

non-working mother

normal deviation

normal espionage

normal human

numb feeling

numbing sensation

Okay folks... I have a revalation for you. This is NOT the time of year to diet. Nah, don't even CONSIDER it. Why put your poor body through this stress. You know, I have a mother in law who's love language to me is FOOD and toilet paper. You heard me right. The food part is understandable as she loves to cook and bake. Well, the toilet paper thing? She buys it by the flat I am sure. I have never bought a roll since I married her son. Now thats amore! So, in this train of thought I bring you the following poem:

A Dieter's Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around my hips

Were Fanny May candies that sneaked past my lips.

Fudge brownies were stored in the freezer with care

In hopes that my thighs would forget they were there.

While Mama in her girdle and I in chin straps

Had just settled down to sugar-borne naps.

When out in the pantry there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the kitchen I flew like a flash

Tore open the icebox then threw up the sash

The marshmallow look of the new-fallen snow

Sent thoughts of a binge to my body below.

When what to my wandering eyes should appear:

A marzipan Santa with eight chocolate reindeer!

That huge chunk of candy so luscious and slick

I knew in a second that I'd wind up sick.

The sweet-coated Santa, those sugared reindeer

I closed my eyes tightly but still I could hear;

On Pritzker, on Stillman, on weak one, on TOPS

A Weight Watcher dropout from sugar detox.

From the top of the scales to the top of the hall

Now dash away pounds now dash away all.

Dressed up in Lane Bryant from my head to nightdress

My clothes were all bulging from too much excess.

My droll little mouth and my round little belly

They shook when I laughed like a bowl full of jelly

I spoke not a word but went straight to my work

Ate all of the candy then turned with a jerk.

And laying a finger beside my heartburn

I gave a quick nod toward the bedroom

I turned I eased into bed, to the heavens I cry

If temptation's removed I'll get thin by and by.

And I mumbled again as I turned in for the night

In the morning I'll starve... 'till I take that first bite!

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BARB'S HANDY TIP #158

Fold your Own Santa and Reindeer!

A special Christmas present from Yamaha. We have made paper craft models of Santa Claus's reindeer and sleigh.Download them to enjoy your own Christmas. Our original Christmas card is also available.

YAMAHA FOLDABLE SANTA AND SLEIGH