Monday, January 26, 2009

Something Random because I haven't Blogged for a While

Like the title says, this is just something random that I'm blogging about because I haven't for a while, and I have nothing else to do! :) Wow. That's just scary, I need more sleep. If only you could see me now... (I look mentally handicapped, while typing frightening things. Goodnight!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Happy New Year's!

It's a brand new year, with resolutions to be made, (resolutions also to be broken) new people, new places, full of newness. We are rushing to get everything done before school, or work comes back into play, and I invite you to take a minute to chill. Sit down, relax, drink a nice cold glass of milk. Or water. Or whatever you like to drink. Keep the distractions down, gone if possible, and just rest.

If you are reading this right now, you probably are thinking of yourself. Sitting at the computer, reading my useless ramblings, you're on your way to your goal! Just do nothing for a moment, even if it hurts. It's good for you.

Oh! And remember! Happy New Year!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Longfellow's Christmas
From Music and the Spoken Word
Delivered by: Edward Herrmann . Program 4135


Sleigh bells and laughter pierced the stillness of softly falling snow, as the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow family, bundled in winter wool, whisked along in their horse-drawn sleigh. The five children giggled with delight.

Then, ringing down snow-packed lanes, across fields, and through the wooded hills and valleys pealed the bells—solo steeple bells and choirs of carillon bells—playing the familiar carols of Christmas. The Longfellow family delighted in their message of joy and peace.

But a few months later, fire ravaged their home. Trying desperately to rescue his wife Fanny, Henry was terribly burned. Three days later, on their 18th anniversary, Fanny was buried - while Henry, confined to bed, fought to live—fought for the will to live.

Two Christmases came and went. Henry wrote, “How inexpressibly sad are the holidays.” “‘A merry Christmas’ say the children, but that is no more for me.” On Christmas Day, 1864, he wrote:

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

At some time, each of us echoes the question of his broken heart: When pain, grief, and loneliness overwhelm us, where is the music of hope and peace?

For Henry, the answer came at Christmas. As the rising sun burnished the windows of the Longfellow home brilliant gold, pealing through the crisp morning air, came a clear, joyous ringing…Christmas bells.

From his lonely desk, Henry heard them. In that instant, his broken heart was healed. Renewed, he plunged his pen into fresh ink, and joyfully drew it across a sheet of snow white paper…

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Christmas bells still ring out a clear message: Out of suffering and despair, joy can flourish anew, and hope and peace be reborn. Peace on earth. Peace in each broken heart.

And so, as the bells pealed on, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow finished his carol of hope and faith:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,
“God is not dead; nor doth He sleep!
The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”

This is one of my favorite Christmas stories... I think we can all learn from this story, and know that whatever happens to us, you can always find something good about your situation. Don't just look for the gloom.

Merry Christmas!
Can I tell you how much I enjoy sleeping in?  Too much than could possibly be good for me!  But I still do.  There is no more school for the rest of this year, which makes me unbelievably happy!  I didn't have to get up at six this morning, I got up at 9:30!  I'm guessing it will progressively become later over the coming break, making it even harder to go to school, when it comes.
But, what can you do? I say enjoy it while it lasts!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Handmade Headbands

So, over the weekend, I decided to try out making these (see pictures below)














{The background of this one is on the pillowcase I made}















{This one is on the carpet downstairs}














{This one is on my bedroom carpet}



Any orders?

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas Cartoons!!



Merry Christmas! Hope you have a great one!