Articles

Mar 05 2015

33 Outfits Out of a small overnight bag.

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 9 Comments

One Month Travel Pack

I thought you would enjoy have this “One Month Travel Pack” I call it 33 outfits out of a small overnight bag. As we go into the spring and summer, and have to deal with high baggage charges this is a great way to have lots of options and save some money too. Wouldn’t it be great to pass up the baggage claim crowd at the carousel?

I have taught this trick for years, it can be adapted for a man’s “Travel Pack” also. I decided to share it with you dear friends, Hope you find it helpful. If you have any questions let me know. Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Feb 19 2015

Fifty Shades of Brokenness?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 8 Comments

Fifty Shades of Brokenness?

Valentine’s Day is a day set aside for remembering the ones we love, honor and respect. A day of flowers, chocolates, cards and sharing the special joys of serving and putting others in your life first.

This year however, it will be remembered as the opening day of “Fifty Shades of Grey”; a movie and book that glorifies sexual perversion, abuse, pornography and lust. And it’s alright when your consenting adults, no matter what the age.

I’m sure the Valentine’s Day opening date must have been a joke, because nothing about it has anything to do with love, kindness and respect. I am saddened to hear of the huge openings as people rush to see the movie lured by tantalizing advertisements, curiosity or secret interests.

Although I have not seen the movie and have chosen not to read the book, I have read a lot about it from people who have. My dear friend Heather Mertens has written extensively about the perils of the book and movie. At first I was concerned for her and worried that is was the wrong subject choice. But she has kept it up to some peoples’ dismay and I applaud her boldness and faithfulness to sound the alarm.

For years I have traveled and talked with women whose lives have been broken and devastated by some form of perversion, pornography or abuse in their homes. Behind closed doors they silently keep the secret that is slowly destroying their families, home and children’s life. These people live the real heartbreak, lives that this book and film praises and challenges us to accept as normal.

I hear the stories of the brokenness and devastation that continues to affect their lives. There are no Valentine kisses or the joy of knowing you are loved because you are special. There is only the cruel imagination of someone who uses you as an object, instead of valuing and loving you as a precious gift.

Have we become complacent and numb to the world we live in that immorality and evil is now acceptable? Is it easier not to say anything and pretend it’s not happening? Are we to fill our hearts and minds with thoughts and images that deaden our senses and moral integrity?

In Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) it says:

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.

I know this is a heavy subject and I wanted to share my heart with you. I finally decided to stand up and say ENOUGH! I’m not going to keep SILENT!

Thank you for sharing your time with me, I love you!

Lovingly, Karan

***Discussion: I do value your opinion, please let me what you think. Please pass along.

I love hearing from you. Hugs

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?

Nov 06 2014

Pandemonium or Memories?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

Pandemonium or Memories?

As I watched images (96) my husband hang up each of our daughters’ wedding pictures in our new home, I remembered all the laughter, joy, and craziness of their childhood.

In the quietness of our dream home, I am left with quiet memories of endless dishes, piles of dirty clothes, backpacks filled to overflowing, and always racing to get somewhere quick. It was a time we thought would never end. Continuous games, parties, and worry. Wishing for five minutes of peace and quiet, and telling myself someday I would have time to do all the projects I dreamed of.

My dream was to take a long, hot bubble bath in a dimly lit room. The bath that would soak all your stress away, with scented candles, bath oil, and music to relax your soul.

However, I had three vivacious daughters, who loved to sit around the bathroom telling me about their day. Entertaining me and one another with their newest jokes, stories and doing impressions of their teachers, boys, and friends at school that day.

As I look back I see that my daughters thought my quiet time was their time, because I was not talking on the phone, doing business, or attending to someone else’s needs. When I was in the bathtub under all the bubbles, my daughters knew they had my full attention.

Karan K. Gleddie

Offering Love and Laughter to Women who need Hope