Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne ?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

Dear Blogsphere:

Here we are at the last day of 2010, and for the first time ever, I am not sorry to see it go. Usually I get sentimental at the end of a year and face January 1 with a mixture of happiness and a wistful sense of what I leave behind. Not this time. This year has been full of obstacles, both small and great, that challenged me more than I ever though possible. And despite all of the good things that happened I am ready for the new. 2011, you had better not disappoint.

Thanks for sharing in the journey. Here's to an amazing new year.

-Little Dreamer

Suggestions gratefully accepted

Recently, I decided that I ought to carry an emergency kit in my car. (trash bag full of goodwill donations does not count) It seems to be one of those simple suggestions I fully intend to implement...and never do anything about. So, I decided to make 2011 the year this changes. I've done some research about basic necessities to have on hand, but I thought I'd reach out to the blog world. Do you have a car kit? If so, what did you include? Anything you don't have you wish you did? I don't plan on spending a lot of money to get started but I can certainly add to it over the next few months. (and that fleece sweatshirt I planned to get rid of just might come in handy in my little endeavor!)

Update: Day Two

I'll say this for a major cleaning project, it does clean out the sinuses! I don't think I've sneezed this much in ages! Today I tackled the Bermuda Triangle of my closet. Unfortunately, I still haven't found my limited edition World Championship Angels hat, and things were more organized that I expected. Nevertheless, I managed to toss a few things, add some more to the donation pile, and flip-flopped half of my clothing. That will be particularly fun the morning I'm late for work and can't find my pants. :-/ I just hope the American Cancer Society does a donation drive soon. Otherwise I'm toting a trunk full to goodwill.

It's that time of year again

Yup, it's time. The job I both look forward to and dread. It's time for "spring cleaning" or, in my case, winter break cleaning. The CSUF campus is closed for the week, and while I'm working from home I am not putting in a full week...leaving time to accomplish those little tasks that comprise my lengthy to-do list. You know, the one that keeps growing and growing and growing? (think Energizer battery) At the top of the line: clean out my closet! (no comments from the peanut gallery, Christina!) Suffice it to say, the thing is a gigantic mess and is in desperate need of a little TLC. I spent a couple hours tackling this monumental task and made it through 1/5 of the job. Before you say that's not much, bear in mind this included taking out and reorganizing (by color) each article of clothing, moving loose shoes and those housed in boxes aside to vacuum carpet, and agonizing which pair I really don't need anymore. Unfortunately, my donation pile was rather pathetic. Here's hoping the rest of the job yields more results. (Unlike my super organized cousin, I will not be posting before and after pictures, but I will keep you appraised of my progress. :-) ) In addition to the slightly overwhelming monster of a closet, I also have to:

*catch up on laundry

*wash my curtains

*pick up clothes at the dry cleaners

*write Christmas thank yous

*prep for NYE party (still have to purchase decorations, plan appetizers, and plan wardrobe)*organize digital pictures*and, since I'm not tied to an office, make time for lunch/coffee dates with friends!

I have four days to accomplish all this and play my little game of El Toro catch up. Totally doable...right?

Letter from Jesus

A friend forwarded this to me the other day, and I thought the message was worth sharing. (Since it's making the e-mail rounds it might as well join the blogsphere, however beware the spacing. It seems to be a little off!)

~Merry Christmas~

_____________________________

A letter from Jesus about Christmas that I thought you would appreciate.

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing to the president complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love; and remember that I LOVE YOU. JESUS