THE PICTURE OF A CHILD

I have to admit that I don't have extensive knowledge about art. Rarely do I know one artist from another. My favorite art/pictures/photos are depicting people as in a portrait or being involved in some activity. During the past year I have started a collection of pictures of children and began to hang these in a grouping in my hallway. Throughout my work history, I have worked with children, from infancy through teen years. Children face good and bad times and we adults should be positive role models. Unfortunately not all adults teach children positive values. Looking at images of children there are possible indications of innocence, playfulness and simplicity. There are also those images that depict strife and sadness. Looking at a picture, I often wonder what story is behind a child's image. The "children gallery"reminds me of the love we should have for a child. Over two years ago, we were blessed with a granddaughter, "ms. pumpkin"(nickname).Our granddaughter is fortunate as she has alot of people who love her. Although, "ms.pumpkin" lives in another state her parents take alot of pictures of her as well as we usually talk with her on the telephone weekly. I know it's great being a parent, but Boy! being a grandparent, is SUPER. If you are a grandparent, you will understand what I mean. Enjoy my collection as well as my PRIZE photo of "ms. pumpkin". Out of curiosity, do you have a collection /gallery of pictures/photos/art that is special or has some significance?

THE TRAIN

THE TRAIN


THE TRAIN is traveling, making trips and stops,
where will it finally rest?
It's easy to get wrapped on a trip,that you
missed the joy of the beginning.

It's time to get back on the track,
travel at a slower pace,
say HELLO, to ALL who passes my way.

Rose

Like a train, I feel that it's time to stop, take time to get back to
blogging,checking in and saying Hello.I hope everyone had a great Christmas. We had snow on Christmas Day in Ga. It was beautiful. New Years was quiet, but safe.Busy with family, friends, volunteering. My goal of this 2011, is weight reduction, increase volunteering, enjoying life with all it's ups and downs. For those of you who know, we are the parents of 5 babies(dogs), we now have adopted a new baby(dog), her name is Mattie. I'm a sucker and after hearing that her owner had died and this dog needed a home we introduced her to her new 5 siblings. All has gone well, and we named our new baby, Mattie. All of our babies have names starting with the letter M. as our last name starts with M.When I was a young child I had a severe fear of dogs. Up until age 8, I would run, jump on items, including making my parents hold me if a dog was insight. Mother and Dad bought a Chihuahua and after jumping on the kitchen table, I worked on my fear and thank goodness no longer had to jump onto our table. Dog fear solved,so what can I say, my parents did a great job in helping me. Hopefully, I will come to my senses and my husband and myself will keep our family number the same, now 6. Bear with me to get to your blogs,bear with me if my posts sometimes experience a "time lapse". I have been having problems with photos, but will try to include some photos.

TRY,TRY,TRY

TRY, TRY, TRY, it has taken me days to get my pictures to be posted. Don't know what went wrong. After much frustration, I just couldn't deal with the computer. I'm sorry for the delay and now will try to say Hi! to my friends.Please notice my post dated 12/05/10. your friend, Rose

CHRISTMAS IS COMMING

I, had planned to do this post sooner, but as many of us bloggers have said,"busy", it's easy to get sidetracked. I'm still alive and will get back to reading blogs. I hope that all of you had a safe and warm Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving was good and busy. As we have just celebrated Thanksgiving, we are preparing for Christmas. This usually involves decorating and food preparation. Some families have certain traditions and ideas. In 1991, my 1st. husband was killed in a car accident. As the months went by (husband was killed during May, Memorial weekend), Christmas became an issue. My Mother, asked me why would I want to decorate the house and celebrate Christmas. I, told Mother that I felt if I didn't acknowledge Christmas life would be very miserable and that we needed to celebrate the birth of Jesus. When I lost my husband, I never got angry at God and ask why me. I was fortunate to have 18 years with my husband and that was a blessing. During this time, I used an idea given by my church to help people through Christmas. I, set up a "Blessing Tree". What is a " Blessing Tree"? A tree that is not pretty or several tree limbs to make up as a tree. Everyone at church would write on a piece of paper a blessing they have received. The blessing was put onto the tree and eventually there was a beautiful tree thanking God for providing blessings to everyone. I, remember getting a few tree limbs, setting this up as a tree in my home and daily place a blessing on my tree. It looked strange to some, but was my salvation. I, admit that I don't do a blessing tree every year, but try to remember how this helped me. The tags on the tree would be written from Thanksgiving until the end of December. Currently, my tree is located in our hallway, I, can't miss it. I, have a bowl of tags, a calender on the table and check each day off as I write a blessing. Some of my blessings are having friends, a husband who will make oatmeal and coffee for us, that is just some examples. When the Christmas holiday is over, I still keep my tree and decorate for different holidays. I, wanted to share this idea to you and maybe the "Blessing Tree", will become a part of your life. Attached is a photo of my tree, you can notice that it is different from our Christmas tree. Also included are photos of our Christmas decorations in our home. My husband often will tell me I go overboard decorating, but I still go the same path. I, have a collection of Santa's, some of which my Mother gave me way before she died. I, also have a very old chalk nativity scene that I had when I was a toddler.Enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed decorating. Are there any traditions that you do in preparing yourself and your home for Christmas?

THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING

T-time to remember who/whats important in our life
give thanks to God.
H-hear the sounds of laughter,birds chirping
give thanks to God.
A-all of the great wonders of the world,Grand Canyon,etc.
give thanks to God.
N-nature, trees, flowers are there for us to enjoy
give thanks to God.
K-know that miracles can happen
give thanks to God.
S-sunshine acts as a blanket to keep us warm
give thanks to God.
G-God gave life
give thanks to God.
I-I am never alone,He is with me
give thanks to God.
V-valuable people and things in our life
give thanks to God.
I-I have the ability to become the person I want to be
give thanks to God.
N-notice the colors of a rainbow
give thanks to God.
G-God loves us
give thanks to God.


As Thanksgiving approaches, let us all remember that God is always with us.
Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy family, friends, food. It is also a time to
reflect into our lives of the people and possessions we have, not taking
these for granted.Take time to pray and thank God. I wish to all of you
a blessed Thanksgiving.

Peace be with you, Rose

STEPS

The little toddler, putting his feet on the floor, looks forlorn and
frightened. He hesitates to move, but he wants to reach for the toy truck
across the room. Slowly moving, his wobble feet, one at a time. He loses
balance and falls down on the floor. He lingers, and wonders what he will
do. Will he remain on the floor or try to get up to get to the toy?
Just as a toddler, we have to make decisions to either move forward or
remain stationary. With no movement we don't have to leave our "comfort
zone".We know what and who we have in life, job, relationships, values.
Uncertainty, may not be an issue we have to face and challenge ourselves.
Just leave everything as it is , don't challenge and create changes. If,
we remain in life with little movements, we might not have to face
failure and disappointment. To move forward and challenge ourselves opens
up new experiences, situations and yes, the possibility of regretting

our decisions. Moving forward gives us the potential to grow and learn.
To move forward we can experience new situations. Yes, we might
get frustrated but we can grow as an individual.




In my life, I have made 5 job changes in 34 years as a social worker.
I remained within our State gov. system. Many times I would say to myself,
Why do this? At the end of my career, I had learned valuable information
which had some impact on each job change. Moving forward can cause stress,
but can open a new world to us. Just think, if no person didn't challenge
themselves and initiate movement and change in their "comfort zone",
we might not have the leaders of different nations, inventions, and
so much more. We can grow everyday. Take movements, changes, to learn
from mistakes, advice, observations.Look back in time, Jesus reached
out to people. He approached issues about tyranny, false Gods, loose
morals,people relationships, etc. He was crucified, but his impact
upon this world is the most significant factor that has impacted our lives.
Take steps, move forward, question, challenge , learn. Move out of your
"comfort zone", and Grow.

Veterans Day

I vow to thee,my country----
All earthly things above===
Entire and whole and perfect,
The service of my love.

18, 20, 22, does age matter? He comes to volunteer to serve
his country. Unseasoned, not knowing what path-road he will go.
Will he be able to follow commands? Will he be able to fire a
rifle if needed and wound or kill another person, the enemy who
resists allowing people to live in a free world from tyranny?
Will he be able to face the possibility of his own death? He knows
that God is everywhere. He asks for God's help to endure this new life
in America's service. He asks God to give him strength to do what
needs to be done in peaceful times as well as in war. When, all
is done, he no longer is a inexperienced soldier, but now a seasoned
veteran and his youth is gone. God Bless our military veterans.
Rose


V--volunteer, valor
E--enforcer, enlisted
T--troops, training
E--elite, enterprising
R--resourceful, rookie,recuirt
A--armed forces, amazing
N--Navy, National Guard
S--soldier, serviceman, seasoned

D--defend
A--amazing
Y--youth