A wise list from a wise lady

I received this in the good old email today. I'm sure it's probably making it's rounds , but I'm going to share it anyways.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, columnist for The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
26. Always choose life.
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles.
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
41. The best is yet to come.
42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
43. Yield.
44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves. Thank you for being my friend

Treat plate or not to treat plate?

I'm making some Christmas goodies today. I don't know if I'm going to hand out a cookie plate, marshmallow bag, or ice cream toppings...or nothing. Do you hand out goody plates? I love to get them, but I'm not very good at handing them out. I'll figure it out I guess.

So, I remember doing a give away a few months ago. The winners will get something homemade from me and I have a year to do it. Well, I'm ready to send those things out and somehow my post was deleted. I need everyone who remembers winning to speak up. I remember most of the people, I'm just missing a couple.

Giving Tree

Do you participate in a giving tree? If not, you should. It's a great family activity, especially for the kids. Nothing can make you feel better during the holidays than to give to others.

Lindsay picked a 15 year old girl this year. I think it's because on the tag, the first thing you notice is the sentence " Likes Tinker Bell". This girl would like a shirt and a pair of jeans.

Abbey picked a 12 year old girl. She was drawn to the fact that this girl wants slipper socks, just like Abbey. She also wants shampoo and conditioner, hair stuff, and a pop/rock CD.

I hope you will consider getting one of these tags yourselves this holiday season. You can find them at just about any grocery store. These kids really don't ask for very much, but what it gives back to you is immeasurable.

Can you guess what I made?

On Saturday we made the trek to our corner tree lot and picked out our Christmas tree. It was so cold. The whole time I was thinking about how soon I could get my hands on some coco.

And yet, I was left thinking about something else. Something that was made for coco, among other things. So, I made some...

Did you guess marshmallows?

They were actually pretty easy to make. They tasted better than any marshmallow I've ever eaten. You can find the recipe for the coco here, but I suggest using all milk chocolate chips. That is, unless you really like the semi-sweet taste. The marshmallow recipe is here. You could add any flavor you want in the end. I think peppermint or coconut would be yummy.

Thanksgiving dinner

I know, I'm behind. I'm just having the hardest time getting myself jump started into the holidays. I was all gun ho for Halloween and then it just kind of petered out. I just don't feel the Christmas spirit yet. Maybe when I get the decorations up this weekend I'll change my mind.

It might also have something to do with having Jeff gone during the week. He's only home on the weekends and it's a mad dash to get everything done that we need to. I think I'm just feeling a little bit blue. I'm going to try to make it a little better though. I think I'll make some treats today... or take a nap. NO! No nap! Fight the urge!

OK, here's the pictures from our Thanksgiving meal. The plates use to be my moms. I was able to complete the set though. Lots of searching and thrift.

I didn't get to use all of my pretty serving wear this year. When we were condensing the kitchen, that was the fist stuff to go. So, the table isn't as picture perfect I like it to be for Thanksgiving.

The girls also got a gift. They were such big helps the day before, they totally deserved it. They wanted fuzzy socks and could talk of nothing else for the last two weeks. I found a great deal at Walmart. Lindsay stayed in her PJ's the whole day...everyday. She didn't wear regular clothes until school started back up.

Hmmm, where have I seen those before?

I was looking for interesting Christmas photos on Yahoo and I came across this picture.

It made me think, "Now why are these so familiar?" Then I remembered where I saw them first.

I think we'll be going traditional green this year, the wooden type. I'm sure if Lindsay were to see any of these she'd strongly disagree with my choice.

What kind of tree are you getting?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I'm thankful for my family and the fabulous food we'll be eating all day.

I hope you all will have a wonderful and thankful day too.

*HAPPY THANKSGIVING*