Articles

Dec 30 2014

Happy New Year!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

The New Year like a book lies before me;

On it’s cover two word, “My life,” I see.

I open the covers and look between… each page is empty, no words can be seen.

For I am the writer, I hold the pen, that will fill these pages to be read by men.

Just what kind of book will my book be, my life written there for others to see.

Each day a page written, one by one… will it be worthwhile when finished and done?

Lord, help me keep these pages clean and fair, by living the life I’d have written there.

By Gertrude Laura Gast

thanks

The last two years my one word for the year was Faith, This year I have chosen Thankfulness. It is my greatest desire that I will be found Thankful for everything in my life. For both good an bad because I will learn to grow in each season as God walks with me.

Thank you to each of you for all your encouragement and kind words this year, I love to write and share with you, and to also be able to listen as you often share your hearts with me. I count it a privilege dear friends as we travel together. I love you!©

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said.

People will not remember what you did.

But,

People will never forget how you made them feel.

By Maya Angelou

What are you Thankful for this year?

Lovingly, Karan

Dec 18 2014

Merry Christmas Everyone! Hugs

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

The top 10 ways to confuse Santa Claus

A Christmas Chuckle that was sent to me, thought I would share it with you.

1. Instead of milk and cookies, leave him a salad, and a note explaining that you think he could stand to lose a few pounds.

2. While he’s in the house, go find his sleigh and write him a speeding ticket.

3. Leave him a note, explaining that you’ve gone away for the holidays. Ask if he would mind watering your plants.

5. Leave a note by the telephone, telling Santa that Mrs. Claus called and wanted to remind him to pick up some milk and a loaf of bread on his way home.

6. While he’s in the house, find the sleigh and sit in it. As soon as he comes back and sees you, tell him that he shouldn’t have missed that last payment, and take off.

7. Leave a plate filled with cookies and a glass of milk out, with a note that says, “For The Tooth Fairy.”

8. Leave out a copy of your Christmas list with last-minute changes and corrections.

9. Leave Santa a note, explaining that you’ve moved. Include a map with unclear and hard-to-read directions to your new house.

10. Instead of ornaments, decorate your tree with Easter eggs, and Dress up like the Easter Bunny!

Reflections from Karan:

Every year I strive to get all my Christmas shopping done early, which I accomplished only once in my life. I hid the gifts so no one could find them before Christmas day. However, I hid them so well I couldn’t find or remember where I hid them. I didn’t those gifts until we moved four years later.

I finally came to the conclusion I do Christmas shopping faster and better under stress, you know, when in panic, fear or doubt run in circles, scream and shout.

I was a little slow getting the Christmas feeling this year, and when I finally snapped into gear my to-do list was overwhelming. The Christmas baking I wanted to do, and the gifts I planned to make, just didn’t get done. I ran out of time.

When my life gets hectic, I become preoccupied with myself, my circumstances and can soon forget about others and their needs. I become defeated and indecisive. What a shame, God is the only one who can bring rest and peace among all the craziness.

Over the years, there have been hard lessons to learn. But God in his great love has shown me that the things I valued most are not as important as the people in my life or my relationship with Him.

Especially, when faced with the fact there may not be any tomorrows left. It is funny how fast our priorities can change. Jesus knows about all of activity in our lives, because he made us. He also knows that we need times of rest both—Physically and spiritually.

On a night almost 2000 years ago, God in his love gave Himself to man in the person of Jesus Christ. An angel choir heralded his birth in a Bethlehem manager. We still celebrate His birth today. We call it Christmas.

Thirty-three years later, Jesus Christ continued loving me when He willing took the punishment I deserved, by giving His life on the cross so I might have my sins forgiven,

He is the only source for perfect peace and complete rest for our souls, especially at this busy time of year. You are loved and special to Him. ©

Merry Christmas,

Lovingly, Karan

Praying you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today.

Sending love to you all.

Dec 10 2014

What someday are you waiting for?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

What Are We Saving For?

By ANN WELLS

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package.

“This,” he said, “is not a slip. This is lingerie.”

He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite: silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.

“Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least eight or nine years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion.”

He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment. Then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

“Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister’s family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn’t seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.

I’m still thinking about his words, and they’ve changed my life. I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I’m not “saving” anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event–such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, and the first camellia blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for a small bag of groceries without wincing.

I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends.

“Someday” and “one of these days” are fighting a losing battle to stay in my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I’m not sure what my sister would have done had she known that she wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I’m guessing–I’ll never know.

It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with–someday. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write–one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them.

I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes I tell myself that this is a special occasion.

By ANN WELLS ~The Los Angeles Times April 1985

I love this story and the truth it tells. This season I want to love well and give with and open hand to those around me. I want to “Dance like no one is watching, Love like I’ve never be hurt, Sing like no one is listening and Live my life praising God.

How about you?

Lovingly, Karan

Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me. Hugs

Discussion question: What do you think of Ann Wells story? Have you been waiting for saving someday?

Dec 04 2014

Have a Happy Thanksgiving America!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

The Thanksgiving Horseback Ride

A blonde decides to learn and try horse back riding unassisted without prior experience or lessons. She mounts the horse with great effort, and the tall, shiny horse springs into motion.

It gallops along at a steady and rhythmic pace, but the blonde begins to slip from the saddle. Out of shear terror, she grabs for the horse’s mane but cannot seem to get a firm grip. She tries to throw her arms around the horse’s neck, but she slides down the side of the horse anyway.

The horse gallops along, seemingly oblivious to its slipping rider.
Finally, giving up her frail grip, she leaps away from the horse to try and throw herself to safety.

Unfortunately, her foot has become entangled in the stirrup. She is now at the mercy of the horse’s pounding hooves as her head is struck against the ground again and again. As her head is battered against the ground, she is mere moments away from unconsciousness or even death when Frank, the Wal-Mart manager runs out to shut the horse off.

My life speeds along so rapidly, I feel like I am on the highway of life. And when my to-do list hits overflow, I become overwhelmed. At this point, I feel guilty and decide not to look at my list any more. (No, I’m not feeling better yet)

Throwing the to-do list away now becomes a real option. I could start a new list, and forget how far behind I am. just racing to keep up with my to-do-list. At times, everything seems completely out of control, with family, stresses, work, and other people’s expectations.

I want to see the big picture and know success is certain. However, nothing in life has guarantees. When financial prospects are bleak, job markets are uncertain, and health issues persist, it is easy to become overwhelmed with life.

Sometimes, I wish God would send me an e-mail, or memo, as a quick reminder that he is still in control. Why is it so easy to trust God for other people’s needs, but when it comes to our own needs we don’t have much faith? Isn’t God enough to take care of all our needs, big and small?

Psalm 46:1-2 says,”God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. so we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. He is my strength, and light in a troubled world, I will not fear?

Father, I choose your strength, love and promise, I will not fear as long as you walk with me lighting my way. I choose to trust you.

Praying you had a wonderful season of Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me today. Sending you much love to you all,

Lovingly, Karan

Discussion Question: What are you most thankful for at this time of the year?

Nov 14 2014

November Newsletter ~ Everyone Has Blonde Days

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

Wanted For Attempted Murder (the actual AP headline)

Linda Burnett, 23, a resident of San Diego, was visiting her in-laws, and while there went to a nearby supermarket

to pick up some groceries. Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled up and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her head. One customer who had been at the store for a while became concerned and walked over to the car.

He noticed that Linda’s eyes were now open, and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda replied that she’d been shot in the back of the head, and had been holding her brains in for over an hour.

The man called the paramedics, who broke into the car because the doors were locked and Linda refused to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in, they found that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head.

A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from the heat, making a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad of dough hit her in the back of her head. When she reached back to find out what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed out, but quickly recovered and tried to hold her brains in for over an hour until someone noticed and came to her aid.

And, yes, Linda is a blonde.

WARNING: Dog 4 Sale

TIME seems to be the one thing we long for, but never seem to have enough of. And when we get a few minutes we are usually too tired to enjoy it.

Julia Ward Howe said, “I am weary way down into next year”. That is descriptive of the way many of us feel—especially at the Thanksgiving and Christmas. We become so exhausted that we miss the real meaning of the occasion.

Our lives become so busy, we get worn out and have no time for friends, family or God. A lady once told me,” I ‘am so busy serving God, that I don’t have time for God”. What a shame, because God is the only person that can give us true rest and peace in the mist of our hectic lives.©

Thank you for sharing your time with me and stopping by, Hugs to each of you!

Enjoy this special time, making memories with the ones you love!

Lovingly, Karan

Discussion Question: How do you save time during the busy season’s, what tricks have you learned?

Karan K. Gleddie

Offering Love and Laughter to Women who need Hope