Several time in recent weeks I have heard a few disturbing comments.

As I struggle, I try to find answers to my faults.

So comments:
It's easier to quit smoking than to give up unhealthy foods. You never have to smoke again but you have to eat.

This is the one I am going to address today.

Both are hard. I have tried doing both.

Both are addictions.

But if you were being held hostage and your keeper had a gun to your head told you; "If you eat that cracker, cupcake, cookie, I will shoot and kill you. I am pretty sure you would resist.

If you are overweight and not resisting, you are saying it doesn't matter if I kill myself.

If you think you are hungry, eat an apple. If an apple doesn't sound good, you are not hungry.

...

You have the power to make the better choices.
Not next week.
Not tomorrow.
Today
This very minute.
This very second.

I love color!

Today I was emptying the dishwasher and realized how much I love color.

For the last 40 years we have used Corelle dishes for our dinnerware. Both Bill and I came into our marriage with several place settings. White or mostly white.  Presents for the following couple years were additions to what we owned. We had a family of 9 and ended with a total of 40 place settings. As years have gone by we lost most of the bowls first. Yes Corelle does break, just not easily. In recent years even our plates were taking a toll. It was time to decide whether to add more Corelle or go a different route.

I have always loved the stoneware type dishes. And have always wanted the Fiestaware.
Well we started our collection of Fiestaware and now have  8 placesettings. Each placesetting is a different color.
Several pieces were in the dishwasher this drap rainy, icy morning.

Color made me smile. Thankful. Blessed.

What made your day today.

Challenges

Do you believe in prayer. I know many times I see people ask for prayers, but I don't see them ever pray. Not thanking Jesus and God for life, for food, for mercy, for grace.

I am not accusing just thinking thoughts our loud again.

I know prayers work, I have prayed for patience, I was given lots of practice on that one. At one time I had 5 teens in the house, with 2 tweens. Patience, yep know about that one.

Once I prayed for Bill and I to have a baby. Of course I wasn't specific, didn't think I needed to be.
We got Ash. Not exactly the way I wanted a child.

I know one family who prayed a lot for their family to become closer, their prayers were also answered but not the way they expected or liked.

So with those three examples ( I have more) I watch carefully what I pray for. I try to keep my prayers very specific, and try to pray prayers of thanks more than prayers of wants.

This week a prayer I have been praying for for lots of years has been answered. It is a gift I  never expected to receive.

It is something I am not ready to share with the world yet. Soon I hope I will feel comfortable with sharing.

Remember every situation has positives and negatives and to focus on the positives. With Jesus in your corner it will turn out the right way.

Continue to say those prayers, expect the unexpected. Be ready to not react the way you thought you would. Remember God does have his timing, and a huge sense of humor.

Do you remember?

Do you remember the variety type tv shows of the sixties and seventies.

What were you favorites?

The first one that always comes to mind is Ed Sullivan.

But of course my favorite was The Sonny and Cher Show, or was it the Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour.

Can't forget Donny and Marie.

Or what about all those Christmas Specials.

What were your favorites?

Are there any reality shows on today that bring back memories of those great shows we grew up with?

A lot of people dump poison, anger, resentment and criticism. Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave and wish them well.   ----Joel Osteen

Mardi Gras

Two days in a row. Aren't you fortunate. LOL
Okay need some feedback.
Do you participate in lent?
What are you doing for lent?
If you don't participate, how do you feel about it.

Now if you don't participate, do you participate in shrove Tuesday?

I know many people who make sure they get paczkis or sweets in on "Fat Tuesday", but they don't follow the fast and abstinence associated with lent which follows shrove Tuesday.

Just curious why we follow some customs especially easy customs, but find excuses not to follow other customs when they are a little more difficult.

And now for some information.

The term Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday

The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of Confession and doing penance.

Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: In many cultures, this means no meat, dairy, or eggs

The term "Shrove Tuesday" is no longer widely used in the United States or Canada outside of Liturgical Traditions, such as the Lutheran, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic Churches

And once again I have been missing in action. I am preparing to try to post everyday again. I also changed the title of the blog. I am getting so many hits on it, it really doesn't  make sense. So I changed it away from it's original name. Hopefully I will beable to contribute some good content in the next several weeks. See you tomorrow.