Saturday, December 19, 2015

OUR 45TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!


Tomorrow, December 20, is our 45th wedding anniversary . . . wow, that's a long time. Clark and I
are far and away different people now than we were then. Oooo, what kids we were then, but we thought we were adults, at ages 22 and 23.

In our sixth year of marriage, Clark felt that the Lord was leading him to attend college, as he vowed that he was finished with school when he graduated from high school.  Now, ten years after high school, several years on the police department, and a year's deployment in Vietnam, he wanted to become a teacher! Don't tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor. After hating school all those years, he taught for 32 years, and is now subbing occasionally in our county.

I am so thankful for him--he's a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather to our three grandchildren. He is very special to our two daughters and sons-in-law as well. Clark's strengths are the quiet kind, and he dislikes drawing attention to himself: he can fix just about anything, make something with wood, and has a lot of common sense and wisdom. He is my rock, humanly speaking, and I am so thankful to share my life with him!

Happy Anniversary, honey. I can't imagine going through life without you.


Thursday, December 10, 2015

A DACHSHUND'S MERRY-GO-ROUND LIFE NOW IN PAPERBACK!


The paperback version is now available for purchase in time for Christmas! Only $9.99, this final book of THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES is sure to please dog lovers of all ages. 
Click on the link for further details: http://www.createspace.com/5924235

Or, if you'd prefer the ebook version:
www.amazon.com/dp/0B0170JSATG

Get your free Kindle app here for use with a smartphone, tablet, or computer:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8&ref_=sv_kstore_4


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY AS A CHRISTIAN


Image result for BibleOn this day in 1975 I became a Christian by turning my life over to Christ and accepting Him as my personal Savior. I was already a church member, having made a profession of faith and getting baptized at age 15. Over the years, I believed I had done what was required of me for my eternal destiny.

Fast forward to 1979. I was now age 28, and had been hearing the true gospel for several years at Mid-Way Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. Scripture was taught clearly, and I began to have doubts for a year before I surrendered to the Lord that night. I kept justifying my unease by citing to myself how busy I was in the church: I taught a children's Sunday School class, I sang in the choir, my husband and I worked in the church bus ministry, which involved visiting prospective church attendees on our route every Saturday to invite them to church. The route was in an area of town where people often did not have their own transportation. Then, on Sunday, our bus went through the route to pick them up for church and return them home afterwards. I also worked in children's church and taught in the Christian school affiliated with our church.

That didn't help, because these verses kept coming to mind: "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no man can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. My so-called "good works" would not get me to heaven. It was clearly stated in the Bible.

My profession of faith at age 15 and subsequent baptism were merely outward actions. There had been no heart change, and throughout the years, I had tried so hard to "do the right thing" regarding my faith. It wasn't enough.

Then, there was the pride thing. What would people think of me if I came forward, admitting that I had been a hypocrite, not really a Christian at all, merely pretending? I wrestled with that for quite a while until the night of December 9, 1975.
Image result for praying
Life Action Crusade was holding a revival at the church. It consisted of a young people's chorale and several staff members: one handled the children's programs during the regular services, and a few of the men alternated preaching on the nightly revival. The message that night was about the boy Samuel whom God called while he was sleeping. He awakened, looking around for the person who had called his name, not realizing until Eli had told him that it was the Lord God.

It seemed as though that pastor was looking straight at me when he uttered this statement: "Some people don't even realize when God is calling them to repentance." I know now that it was the Holy Spirit's conviction of my needing a Savior. When the altar call, or invitation, was given at the end of the service, I felt as though I was propelled by an invisible hand to go forward and accept Christ. Again, it was God's convicting power that led me forward to confess my need for a Savior, and I did that, no longer holding back or worrying about what others thought. That issue of pride would not take me through eternity!

I was baptized again a week later, because the first time was only an outward action that I thought was a necessary part to be a good person. This time, I was baptized as a new Christian, and that baptism signified my step of obedience to God and a public profession of an inward change in my heart, much like the wedding ring symbolizes a marriage. The ring itself does not make one married, but is a symbol of what happened between a man and a woman.
Image result for church service
I am so thankful God gave me a second chance! That was the best Christmas present I have ever received: God's free gift of salvation! If you have doubts or questions about your own eternal destination, there are several online sites to help you in your quest:

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/about/becoming_a_christian.aspx

http://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAv5-zBRCAzfWGu-2jo70BEiQAj_F8oCgOPdAywIfw-Zhvr8o68YCn0atDBQzcAxzjhzkP23oaAozr8P8HAQ

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

DOXIE CHRISTMAS VERSION OF "WINTER WONDERLAND"



WIENER WONDERLAND

Dog tags ring, are you listenin’? 
In the lane, snow is glistenin’ 
It's yellow, not white, 

l've been there tonight, 
Marking up my wiener wonderland.



Smell that tree? 

That’s my fragrance. 
It’s a sign for wand’ring vagrants 
Avoid where I pee, it’s my property! 
Marked up as my wiener wonderland.


In the meadow Dad will build a snowman, 
Following the classical design. 
Then I’ll lift my leg and let it go man, 
So all the world will know that it is mine, mine, mine!


Straight from me to the fencepost, 
Flows my natural incense boast. 
‘Stay off of my turf, this small piece of earth,
I mark it as my Wiener Wonderland!
~author unkown

Monday, December 7, 2015

STAR TRIP: OUR FAITH AWAKENS


Our grands performed in their church's Christmas play last night, taken from the Star Trek theme. Our daughter Holly directed it, her friend Janet made all the costumes, and it was very well done, complete with the Three Wise Men's camel ride (bar stools with stuffed camel head toys). 

Here are only a few photos of the event:

Princess Leia/Mary
C3PO/Narrator - Annika!

Queen Amidla/narrator

Only One Kenobi/Wiseman - Alexa!
Darth Vadar/King Herod, Stormtrooper/Advisor, 2 Narrators
Yoma/Wiseman - Asher!

We are thankful that they have this opportunity, not only to serve God, but to get valuable experience that will benefit them for years to come. Good job, Holly!




Merry Christmas, one and all!



Friday, December 4, 2015

BABIES, DOXIES, AND CHRISTMAS SHOPPING


Babies and puppies just go together nicely--especially babies and DOXIE puppies!

This adorable photo of both sleeping and wearing Santa hats was too sweet to resist, so this is my
Christmas photo of the day for my doxie-loving friends. I'll include a Christmas photo every time I post during the month of December.



Do  you have your Christmas shopping completed? I have done nearly all of it, and have already wrapped the gifts!  Oh, I know people who shop the after-Christmas sales for NEXT YEAR'S CHRISTMAS--I'm not one of them. Before we were retired teachers, my husband Clark and I were very busy during the month of December: all the school programs, preparing for and administering semester exams, grading exams and averaging grades, etc. Also, both of our daughters were involved in programs at school and at church, as well as playing sports, so there wasn't much time left over for decorating until Christmas break, let alone shopping for Christmas!

Image result for christmas presentsI made it easy on myself this year: I ordered everything online, and I cannot begin to do justice to the joys of doing so! There are several reasons why shopping online is such a stress-free way to shop:

(1) you can shop any time of day or night, dressed to the hilt or in PJs;

(2) it's so easy to find what you want without having to go to several stores (have you ever noticed that if you are shopping for something specific--item, size, color--stores never have it??);

(3) many sites offer free shipping, and you don't have to burn up gas or hunt for a parking space;

(4) weather doesn't affect your shopping, unless a big snowstorm slows down the trucks bringing    your purchases;

(5) it's fun! Our daughter gave us a list for each of our grandchildren, complete with the links to those items--all I had to do was click on the links, and presto--buy the gifts.

A word of caution:

(1) please do not use a debit card when purchasing online. Banks and stores say those are easy targets for misuse. Credit cards are more protected;

(2) shop only on sites that are vetted or have a stellar track record. Fly-by-night websites abound around the Christmas season, so be careful.

Enjoy your Christmas shopping, and have a great weekend, doxie lovers!


Thursday, December 3, 2015

HAPPY THURSDAY!


I like Thursdays. They're near the end of the week, and the next day is FRIDAY! Yay! I've been retired from going to a job for two years now, but Fridays are still a thrill.

Have a great weekend, doxie lovers.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!


For those who know me, I love everything about Christmas! So, for the past few days, I've been jazzing up our home for the holidays. Boy, the old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be . . . last night, I felt like I had been out working a construction job!

Our daughter and son-in-law will be with us from AZ, and of course our other daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren will be with us from northern GA.

Here are photos of my handiwork:

Breakfast nook: table was an
antique from my parents

Dining table: my mom made the tablecloth
and napkins for me years ago

Even our grandfather clock has gotten the Christmas spirit!

The wall beside the oven

Dining room light

Lighted Christmas village

Our tree

"The stockings were hung on the fireplace with care . . ."

Our lighted Christmas doxies

CHRISTmas without Christ is just another day

Saturday, November 28, 2015

ST. SIMONS ISLAND PHOTOS

Before Thanksgiving, my hubby took me to St. Simons Island for my birthday. He knew I had been wanting to go to gather vibes and research for my next series, THE ST. SIMON CHRONICLES. Book 1, A Dachshund for Savannah, will come out in early 2016.

What a beautiful place it is! Glad to share some of the many photos we took while there:

The Pier

Looking out over the Pier

Back toward the island from the Pier

From the Pier once again!

View of the Island from another section of it















St. Simons Lighthouse

Maritime Hall

Ashady residential street

Avenue of the Oaks at the golf course--these
trees were planted in the 1870s!

Avenue of the Oaks




















One of many beautiful homes on St. Simons

Another shady residential street

Christ Church, started by the Wesley brothers in 1736

Christ Church

Saturday, November 21, 2015

MASQUERADE BALL PICTURES


Alexa's birthday party last night was so much fun! All the children and adults dressed up, and the decor and food were fabulous! On the menu was homemade lasagna (Alexa's request), garlic bread, salad, and birthday cake.

Here are some photos commemorating the event:

Alexa with a friend

Holly and Alexa
Holly & Philip, Alexa's parents


Waiting for cake!

All the party beauties--plus Dad!


Birthday cake made by Holly, her mom



Brother Asher: Phantom of the Opera!

Attendees enjjoying the deliciious meal




Learning to waltz via tutorial video

















Sister Annika and friend Jean

Philip and grandparents:
Clark, moi, Joe and Sheila (Philip's parents)


It was a great party, and we were blessed to share in it with our granddaughter! Holly and a friend did all the decorating, and Holly make the cake and prepared the lasagna as well.

Have a great Thanksgiving, doxie lovers! Clark is taking me to St. Simon's Island for my birthday next week, so I won't be posting the week of Thanksgiving. We'll be back to join our daughter's family and Philip's parents and grandmother for Thanksgiving.

May God's blessings come your way.

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