As our Friendship and Wisdom week comes to an end I can only hope that maybe we have gained some insight into what a true friend is or should be. Maybe we have even gained enough wisdom to examine ourselves and see in what areas we may lack, that would make us a better friend to someone. It is never to late to try and make yourself a better person or friend.

Watch for the new theme to post! This next week is Blessings. I can only hope that you will tell us some of your stories of how you have been blessed. We would love to hear from all of you. You never know who you might inspire.

Happy Halloween!

Number Seven: Faithfulness - The quality of adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea; loyalty

Know that I never stop
guarding you and tenderly
watching over you.
I command my angels
concerning your protection.
I'll never leave or
give up on you.
Even when you are faithless,
you can count on
my steadfast commitment.
My love for you endures
forever, and my faithfulness
continues through all
generations.

Faithfulness is a hallmark of friendship. It takes many forms, but perhaps the most treasured faithfulness in friendship is silence. Not a lack of communication but communication without words. In friendship, there are times when words don't need to be spoken because friends know each other. They hear heart cries as audibly as vocal ones. And, even when need is unspoken, they faithfully respond.
Many things can mute our cries for help, support, or encouragement. Shame, regret, and fear are silencers. Yet true friends respond faithfully, enabled by special sensors that are alerted at the smallest telltale sign of need. If someone is missing without reason, a friend starts searching. If someone is sad or weighed down by circumstances, a friend will faithfully come alongside to help lift the load. If someone fails, a friend faithfully forgives-whether or not a confession is offered.
Pain-even unexpressed pain- is felt and shared by faithful friends. They understand unspoken fears and offer assurance. Friends can sense the storms suffering that ravage your heart, and they offer shelter. True friends faithfully fulfill the needs that go undetectable by most. Friends rush to your side without a syllable being uttered.
Friends talk about thoughts, feelings,dreams, fears, and needs. They share laughter and tears. But the best friends are the ones who, through the years of faithfulness, know us well enough to understand and respond even when we're quiet.
Hugs for friends

I also believe that there is one more very important step to friendship. Forgiveness. Without forgiveness you can not have Faithfulness. As friends, even when the pain is to difficult to deal with you have to have forgiveness. Not only for yourself but for your friend. It may not come today, tomorrow, or next week, but in each persons time you will have to find forgiveness or you will never be able to move on. Trust me I have learned this is a very important step in everyones life whether it is a friend or a family member.

Quotes for the day!
For by wisdom your days will be many and years added to your live
Proverbs 9:11

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is one friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

Number Six: Dependability - the trait of being dependable or reliable

I've planned and know
all of your days.
My eyes search the earth
to strengthen you when your heart
is fully devoted to me.
Even if your body or your
emotions break down,
you'll have peace knowing that
I am the strength
of your heart and
your destiny forever!
You, in turn, demonstrate
my greatest love
when you sacrifice your life
for your friends.


Whenever your friends mention you, it's in connection with these five words: I can depend on... and with good reason.
Truer words could not be spoken. You're the first to arrive and the last to leave, the first to give and the last to take. When crisis comes to a friend's life, it's your name that immediately comes to mind as someone on whom a person in need can call. You always seem to know what to do, even in the worst of circumstances. When faced with hard questions, your friends know that either you'll have the answer or you'll search until you find it. If a battle is raging, you will bring peace. If someone's heart aches, you will bring healing.
You live like the one who said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). But Jesus didn't always wait for those in need to come to Him. Sometimes, he went to them. when his friend Thomas was confused and doubting. Jesus went to him. When the women who were his friends were grieving, he went to them. Jesus' friends learned that they could depend on him.
Like Jesus, when others won't-or can't- come to you, you go them. Many lives have been blessed by your help in times of need. And those who call themselves your friends know: they can always depend on you.
Hugs for friends

Today is Cissy's Birthday! I wont tell you how old she is because she might get angry and you wouldn't want to see Cissy get angry:) Do you know I still remember her birthday party she had the first year we met? We had so much fun that night. It was my first costume party. I don't remember everything but I remember most of it. Of course when you are that young you live in the moment and then forget about moments before. I can't remember most of my teenage years and then wish I could forget a whole lot of my adult years, lol. Isn't life strange? Anyway, I digress! We are talking about Cissy's Birthday! As far as I know Cissy is not having a party ( if she is I wasn't invited, LOL!) but if she was this is what I would make to take. These Cake Balls are so delish! They taste just exactly like truffles. I love them because there is gazzillions of cake mixes and cake icings so you can make a variety. Chocolate Chocolate fudge is my favorite. But I have also made Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing, Strawberry with French Vanilla Icing, and Lemon with Vanilla Icing. I never skimp on the chocolate coating. I use Ghiradelli Baking Chocolate. However, here is a tip. Store bought cake mixes and icings taste just like the Name Brand. The only way people would know the difference is if you told them:) I honestly do not remember where I got the original recipe but if you Google Cake Balls you will find a lot of them. I adapted this one to my own tastes. Also, if you are feeling adventures you can put sprinkles or nuts on them. Sometimes I drizzle more chocolate over them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CISSY! I LOVE YOU!


My Chocolate Cake Balls

1. A box of chocolate cake mix
2. 1 Container of Deep Dark Chocolate Icing
3. Chocolate Coating
Sprinkles or nuts if desired.

Bake cake according to instructions on the box.Crumble cake while still warm( Let cool about an hour) into big bowl. Make sure crumbles are small ( do not make fine, just small) Transfer cake into large bowl. Mix icing with cake until well blended.Refrigerate, covered, for at least 3 hours or overnight if you prefer.

With melon baller ( or hands covered in powder sugar) scoop ( or roll) 1 inch balls. Stick them in the freezer for at least an hour. Trust me, it will make dipping so much easier!

In a double broiler ( or you can microwave, just be careful not to burn the chocolate) over low heat melt chocolate until smooth. Dips balls into chocolate ( I use a dipper I bought at Micheals but toothpicks work well, just make sure the hole is on the bottom) and then place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Sprinkle with nuts or cake sprinkles if desired.

Some tips:
These make great gifts. My mom buys those candy boxes at Michaels all the time. So if I am making these for a gift I place the cake ball on a truffle wrapper and stick it in the box. The medium boxes will hold 6 cake balls if they are small, 4 if they are large.

Mix it up! Try different icings and cake mixes.

You can also make these into Lollipops. Before dipping put your cake ball on a sturdy lollipop stick ( we get ours from Wal Mart). Dip the cake ball into the chocolate and let harden. We also bought a large styrofoam square to stand the lollipops in so they looked nicer when dried. To prepare the square take a lollipop stick and poke holes all over the square at least 2 inches apart. Do this before you make the lollipops. Trust me. I didn't and then when i tried to put my cake ball lollipop in it fell off, lol.

Use different color chocolates. The first time I made these was valentines day. I used pink and red chocolate. They were so pretty. I can't wait for Christmas:)

I hope you guys will try these:) If you do I would love to see your end result!

B.D.S.

I think Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the colors of Fall. The deep rich golds, the golden yellows and the deep reds. I love the crispness of the air and the crunch of the leaves under your feet. Two of my favorite holidays are in the Fall. Halloween and Thanksgiving. Fall means lots of things to different people:) For most guys and some girls it is Football time:) ( Go Ravens!). For some churches it is Homecoming time. For a lot of High School students Fall is a time for Homecoming, Friday night Football Games and fun! Then there is my favorite reason for Fall:) Potluck dinners! With all the activities going on there is bound to be some great pot lucks happening. Cissy gave me this recipe many, many moons ago and it is one of my favorites. It is perfect for a potluck dinner. It is creamy and rich. It is a great addition to those cozy fall dinners to.

Creamy Autumn Potatoes

1- 8oz. pkg cream cheese
1- frozen bag of hashbrowns
1- 10 oz cream of mushroom soup
1- 10oz cream of chicken soup
1- sm bag shredded cheese
1/4 c. chopped onion
1 TBS butter

In medium saucepan saute onions in butter until golden brown. Then add cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, and cream cheese. Cook until cream cheese is melted and blended thoroughly. Layer hashbrowns in a 9x10 casserole dish then pour 1/2 of cream cheese mixture over it. Then sprinkle with cheese. Repeat this step once more.
Bake in oven at 350 degrees until cheese is golden brown and bubbly.

If you make this recipe please let me know! I would love to know what you think of it!

B.D.S.

Quotes of the day!
God pairs people as friends at the right time and pace and season of needs.
Wayne Watson
We are made not wise by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility of our future.
George Bernard Shaw

Number five: Sacrifice- forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have greater value or claim.

Because of my incomparable
love for you,
I made the ultimate sacrifice,
giving up my son.
You can trust
me to graciously give
you all things.
Love each other
as I've loved you.
Love others sincerely and deeply,
honoring others above yourself.
Real love is patient and kind
and isn't self-seeking.
The hidden blessing is that
when you delight yourself in me,
I give you the very things
your heart desires.

Self-sacrifice is the defining pinnacle of friendship. Jesus said,"Greater love has no one than this, that lay down his life for his friends"(John 5:13)
We're not often called upon to sacrifice our lives for our friends, but the principle of sacrifice remains true today. If you have friends you know would brave a burning car to pull you to safety or face down an angry mob that was after your blood, you can count yourself blessed indeed. But sacrifice is so much more than being willing to die for a friend.
It's being willing to die with your friend when the crowd condemns or ridicules your ideas. It's accommodating your craving for Chinese when she's secretly dying for pizza. It's driving across town three times a day to let your dog out so you can have a romantic weekend away.
It's giving you the best seat at the movies, the bigger piece of French silk pie, and taking vacation to accompany you to the doctor for that scary test.
Sometimes we might not even be aware of the loving sacrifices a friend is making on our behalf. That's what was so awesome about Jesus' sacrifice: He gave his life to save those who didn't know him or who rejected him as their friend.
Sacrifice for a friend is always worth it, even if it's never acknowledged, appreciated, or known.
Hugs for friends

Going to do two steps today

Number four: Involvement - a sense of concern with a curiosity about someone or something.

You don't have to fear evil.
I restore your soul and
prepare blessings for you
in the presence of your enemies.
Because I help you,
you won't be disgraced.
I am your sun and your shield,
giving you grace and glory.
In the shelter of my presence,
I hide you
from intrigues of people
and protect you
from false accusations.

Do you know what your friends say about you? You may be surprised. They may not talk much about your looks or your charm. They probably don't even focus on your taste in clothes or the car you drive. No, when your friends talk about you, they speak about different qualities. Perhaps they describe you as having eyes that are always watchful; you never miss a thing when it comes to your friends who are in need. Your eyes are constantly on the lookout for ways to serve and protect those for whom you care.
Or maybe they comment on your hands-how busy they are, always waving to neighbors, greeting new people and inviting them into your world. Your hands never seem still; they are actively engaged in offering needed affection or comfort.
They might even describe your feet as being swift, running toward tragedy or heartbreak, getting you there first without fail. And when you arrive, your bright and sympathetic smile warms the heart and welcomes the hurting.
What may surprise you the most is how many of your friends notice your voice: calming when the storms of doubt arise; encouraging when others are weary; inspiring when someones courage begins to falter; hopeful when goals and dreams seem hard to attain.
Oh, sure, you're nice looking, smart, maybe even witty-but your friends recognize that your most valuable quality is your willingness to get involved in the lives of others. To make a difference. To be a friend.
Hugs for friends

A true friend provides a safe haven. She accepts us, failures, foibles, and all. She does not judge us when we show her who we are. She responds with gentleness and empathy. She is genuinely on our team.
Ann Hibbard

I love baking as long as it is easy and requires little work. I am more the decorator. My mother on the other hand is a full time baking queen. She bakes everything from scratch and mmmm... it's good. But not everyone has time to do that, me included. So what if you are invited to a friends house for potluck, or a girls night in? Ask to bring dessert and make these! They are so easy and they taste so delicious! You can make these even if you haven't been invited anywhere:) I always take it a little step further when I am sharing them. I cut them into bars and then I wrap them in cellophane. Next I tie a ribbon and add a little trinket on the ribbon. People love it because they are in individual portions and it looks festive.
If you do make these I would love to know how they turned out!

This recipe comes from one of my favorite blogs Buns In My Oven Check out her blog because she has some great stuff!

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

* 3/4 cup butter
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 cups quick cooking oats
* 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

1. Melt butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, and oats. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Press half of mixture in to the bottom of a buttered 8 x 8 dish.

2. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate and peanut butter, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and blended. Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the crust, reserving a couple of spoonfuls to drizzle over the top.

3. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate and peanut butter, pressing gently to form a crust. Drizzle the remaining chocolate and peanut butter over the top of the bars.

4. Refrigerate for 3 hours before cutting and serving.

B.D.S.

Quotes of the day!

Understanding is the wellspring of life unto him that have it.
Proverbs 16:22

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in it the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

Number three: Commitment - a pledge or promise; obligation

Experience my everlasting arms. My spirit made you,
and my breath gives you life.
I am your trustworthy refuge.
When you make me
and my ways priority,
I'll take care of all your needs
through my unlimited riches in glory.
And don't forget...
you can do all things
because Christ is your unfailing
power source.

What is it that makes you the best of friends? What is it about you that brings out the best in others?
It could be your willingness to engage the lives of your friends wherever they are. You willingly enter their war zones and fight the daily battles with words of encouragement and comfort. No fight is too small or too big for you when it comes to your friends.
It could be the help you offer others climbing the mountain of faith. You anchor those pushing themselves to the summit. You refuse to leave anyone behind. You won't give up until everyone reaches the goal.
Perhaps most important is the deep connection you eagerly seek to have with others. It's an invisible link of friendship that unites your heart with the hearts of others. It's powerful enough to hold lives together no matter what may come along. Nothing can shake you loose from those you call friends. No one can come between you and those you love. Nothing can seperate you.
In a world of shallow commitments and abandoned loyalties, your devotion is unique and rare. You are locked in for the long haul. You're staying no matter who else goes. You've wrapped yourself around the hearts of your friends with an embrace that will hold through any storm.
What is that makes you the best of friends? The answer is simple: commitment. Your commitment to others makes you a friend par excellence!
Hugs for friends

Quotes of the day!
Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's something you don't learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.
Muhammad Ali

Wisdom is not just about the answers we receive, but also about the questions we ask.

Number Two: Companionship - the state of being with someone; the relationship as companions.

When you come near to me,
I'm so close to you.
There's no darkness in me.
I fill you with joy
in my presence and bless you with eternal pleasures
at my right hand.
May you walk in
my light,
experiencing sweet fellowship with friends
as my son's blood purifies you.

No modern medicine or meditation has quite the same healing effect as a friend. Friends can take the space once occupied by loneliness and fill it to the brim with partnership and purpose. Isolation is replaced by delightful companionship. Heartache is healed by the joy and satisfaction of camaraderie.
Only soul mates can fill the need in each of us for true companionship-the craving to be known, understood, and valued. And that kind of friendship is a rare gift. But when that treasure is found, it works its way into our lives, into the deepest recesses of our hearts. Companionship can transform us. It replaces selfishness with a spirit of sacrifice. It soothes the sadness of loss and raises a song of joy. It buries the hatchet of hatred and reaps a harvest of love.
The wonderful miraculous thing about friendship, is anyone can participate. Each of us has the power to partner with another and, in so doing, change the world one heart at a time. You, as a friend have that power. your companionship can bring peace and joy to another.
Companionship does require an investment. It takes time to build. You'll have to share your pain and loss, even reveal your weaknesses. But the rewards are worth it, because companionship means not only bearing one another's burdens but also sharing victories, in haling, in joy. And in a world fueled by greed, selfishness, and hatred, friendship-companionship-may be the only way to make a difference.

Hugs for Friends

Tell me what you think this word means. Yes it is a real word.

Clinchpooper


Good luck

Just a note to any followers please when you join send us just the name you are following as and your birthday. That way we can give you a shout out on your special day.

Sorry ladies I missed counted. There are seven things to a great friendship.

Cissy always finds all this inspiring stuff and to be honest, I am jealous.I love reading her posts because they always give me insight and I learn things from them. I tried to find inspiring quotes. I wanted to be thought provoking and insightful. I finally gave up because lets face it I am just not that inspiring, lol! I ended up finding funny quotes and well I have just learned to accept that I just gravitate toward that. I am still jealous though:)
So here is my friendship quote for the day. Hopefully if nothing it will at least make you laugh:
"A friend will bail you out of jail but a true friend will be sitting beside you saying, Man that was fun!"

B.D.S.

Poems of the Day!

May our friendship last forever;
May I sail upon your sea.
May we go through life together;
May there always be a "we".
Nicholas Gordon

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can, and
Wisdom to know the difference.


I have some things from a book I have that I would like to share with all of you.
It tells that there are six key things in a friendship and over the course of the week I want to share them with you.

Lift your eyes up
and remember that your
help comes from me.

I take hold of your right hand
and remind you not to fear
Because I will help you.

Watch me make all things beautiful in my perfect timing.

Number one : Timing - the selecting of the best time or speed for doing something in order to achieve the desired or maximum result

The scriptures say that God saved us " at just the right time" (Romans5:6). He knows the importance of timing. That's why He sends us the friends we need at just the right time-to fill the gaps, hear our gripes, and strengthen us when we want to give up.
Is there anything more pleasant than the voice of a friend when we're feeling the full weight of failure and frustration? That sound alone can bring hope to a surrendered heart.
Is there anything more comforting than the arm of a friend steadying us when we become week-kneed from the stress and strain of life's weight on our shoulders? That helpful arm serves to remind us that we don't have to face tomorrow alone.
Friends seem to appear out of nowhere when we need them most-to reinforce us for unexpected or extended battle. They come without fear for themselves, because they know sacrifice is part of the friendship. They come to walk with us, side by side and step by step, until we find a way to defeat the enemy.
Every time a friend rescues us at just the right time, another memory is made. Celebrate those memories often. Lift those diamond bright moments to the light and be thankful for the pressures that brought them into existence. Above all, don't forget to thank God. He was the one who knew exactly the time to send you a friend.
Hugs for Friends

To me Friendship and Wisdom go together. In my opinion Wisdom means growing and friendships do alot of growing. My friend I am doing this blog with has been my friend for 21 years. Wow, it really has been 21 years. We have had good times and we have had bad times. But somehow we always seem to find each other again. Throughout our 21 year friendship I have gained a lot of wisdom from her. I have gained the wisdom of true friendship and true forgiveness. She has seen me at my worst, she has seen me at my best. We have secrets that are just between us and through that I have gained the wisdom of loving someone for who they are. Like her I am not the same person I was 5, 10, 15 or 21 years ago. Through my friends I have gained wisdom and have become the person I am today. Will I be the same person I am now 10 years from now? No. I won't be the same person I am now 1 year from now. Because everyday I grow. Everyday I gain the wisdom of new things.

I have another friend that I have been friends with for 3 years. Our friendship was actually a result of some bad things that happened. Working through those she became my boss first but my best friend later. She is like the sister I never had. Thinking back on our friendship I am amazed to realize all of the wisdom I have gleaned from her. The wisdom of patience. The wisdom of empathy, compassion and above all unconditional love. She is a take me as I am person and I love her for it. She has an opinion about everything and can always come up with a story that will help you through what you are going through. Even if all it does is make you laugh. She doesn't care I am fat. She doesn't care I have bad teeth. She doesn't care I have a hormonal balance that turns parts of my skin brown. She thinks I am beautiful and she means it. I know for a fact she has never talked behind my back and I haven't talked behind hers. You can't buy friendship like that. However, if it hadn't been for the wisdom from other friendships, our friendship wouldn't be what it is. I learned from past mistakes and will never repeat them. See, it is all about growing. Everyone is in your life for a reason. It is up to you to figure out what that reason is and learn, grow from it.

Even though I have gained a lot of wisdom through my friendships I have also gained wisdom being completely alone. When my daughter was so very ill I spent 31 days in a hospital far from home. 90% of that time I was by myself. Through those days I gained a lot of wisdom. The wisdom of how precious life is and how quickly someone can slip away from you. The wisdom from spending Thanksgiving and Christmas by myself away from family. I learned not to take for granted spending the holidays with family and friends. Most of all I found the wisdom to know that I can handle what life throws at me. People were there for me through the phone, through email but noone could really know what i was going through then.I also found the wisdom to know that sometimes forgiving yourself is way more important then someone else forgiving you. You can't change the past. You can't undo what you have done. All you can do is move forward and learn from the wrongs you have done. Life is a journey and sometimes the journey is more important then the destination.

I don't claim to know why things happen. I can't tell you how certian events in the last few days have come to be. I can tell you I am truly thankful. I feel I have been given a second chance. Where it will take me I don't know. Is it meant to be forever? No one can answer that but I am going to enjoy the now and put it in the almightys hands for later. Fences are being mended and no matter what happens that is more important then all the gold in the world. I have learned enough wisdom in the last 35 years to know to just appreciate the now and love those that are in your life now because no one knows what tomorrow will bring.

B.D.S.

How many of you have these special friends in your life?

Please tell us about them we would love to hear your stories.

Quotes of the day!
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold and to get understanding rather than to be chosen than silver.
Proverbs 16:16

Friendship is born in that moment when one person says to another"What! You too? I thought I was the only one."





We meet people all the time, but few ever remain forever. Yet we do find a few select people in our lives that we call friends. Some are old and some may be new to you, but each are unique and special to you. For me I have had the pleasure to meet three people that mean alot me.
These are my friends:

The woman that I am partnering with on this blog, whom you all will meet, I have know since the 7th grade. When we were kids we were thicker than thieves, but once we hit high school we hit a rough patch. It wasn't until my oldest daughter was born that we began to rebuild and repair what we had destroyed. We spent alot of time together those next six years and even have daughters that are two weeks apart. Now over the course of the last 10 years we have spent drifting in and out of each others lifes and even hurting each other at different times. Yet we always seem to find a way back to our friendship. Always having to repair all the mistakes that we have made. Is our friendship always the same each time no, it is stronger. Our friendship is always changing and growing so that it can accommodate us as we change and grow. There is one thing that always remains the same though. She knows that if she needed me I would be there and I know that if I her she would come running.
Then there is the friend that I met about six years ago. She is younger than me but we get along great. We don't even fight. She is the yin to my yang. She says all the things I need to say to people, but can't manage to muster up the courage. She has a uniqueness that is all her own and I wouldn't change for the world. I know in my heart of hearts that she would move heaven and earth to find me if need be. I call her my lil sister from another mother. She helps me to take my blinders off and see things for what they really are. In the course of our friendship she has blessed me with the three sons I will never have and I have blessed her with three daughters.
Even with her though we don't talk or see each other often due to our family and work lives, but when we are together we enjoy each moment because we don't know when we will be able to see each other again.
My other friend I met more recently when our girls were doing cheer leading. After spending a full week going back and forth between her house and mine, I found that our lives were different, yet the same. We have so much in common at times that its sick. In less than a week her daughter was calling me "Aunt" and mine calling her the same. With in the year that I have know her she has let me take care of one of her most prized possessions, her dog Mina, been my sounding board when I am absolutely frustrated, and given me the courage to go wild. She makes me laugh when I don't feel like it. With her I get to color outside the lines. We both agree though that we don't make friends easy but the ones we do we like to keep forever. She is always telling me " She is like a plague that I can't wash off."
Her and I go any where from a week to two without talking before we call saying we just needed a good dose of each other. We like to make sure the other is still sane and isn't bald. Meeting her has been like a ride you just don't want to get off of. If any of you met her you would understand, because you would just have to love her.
Each of these woman have been placed in my lives at random times in my life. Each of them allow me to be me and love me for who I am. I know that I could tell them anything and they wouldn't judge me for it. They each let me laugh and cry. They also each give me comfort in knowing that I am not alone in this journey that we call Life. Words can not express what I feel for each of them. I do know this though they are each truly special to me and I am blessed to not only call them friends, but sisters.

I believe that certain people are placed in our lives to stay. It doesn't matter how long you have known them, its about the bond you fuse together as friends. As kids we like that term best friend and we pick one person to give it to, but as adults we find many that can share that title. We gain enough wisdom to know that each friendship is different, but each person is just as important to you as the next. So remember to tell all of your friends today how much they mean to you and how much you care. You never know if you will or when you may get another chance to.

As a country when did we get so far away from what we stand for. As american citizens so many of our morals and ethics have fallen away. We have become sick with greed, vanity, lust, etc. Our founding fathers built this nation on their blood, sweat, and tears with the idea of all men being equal and in " God We Would Trust". If they had any idea of what we had become they would all turn over in their graves, or at least left us better instructions than just the Declaration of Independence.
So not everyone will agree with me but I'm sure for some this will make sense. The only difference is that I'm not gonna force feed you my thoughts as so many others try to do. I'm not going to debate my thoughts with you either because these are mine and you don't have to like them, but the freedom of speech amendment allows me the right to say them. Just like all the other jackasses in this country. So Love it or Don't read this.
Let me start here my now 15 year old daughter, was in a government class last year. She comes home and tells me she learned that our country was a democracy. Me I laughed. Then I told her that a democracy was where we the people decide on things. We the people don't decide on crap. All the politicians decide our fate. There are laws passed or enacted all the time that I didn't get a say in. I know what you are saying well if you vote you get to decide. I say bull! Did I vote on the healthcare reform they are trying to pass? Did I vote on raising my taxes? No when I went to the polling place
I picked politicians so they could pretend to do whats best for me. Not what I wanted. Personally I feel like all of that is a crock of crap. They tell you go vote it makes a difference. If my vote made a difference then all presidental candidates would get in on popular vote not by an electoral college. If my vote really counted then someone would actually take the time to ask what I thought. Let me tell you I would definitely not raise my taxes so that they can line their pockets. When they decide on their raise increases each year I would tell them they have to give money back to the people. No more fancy suits or jet planes for them. You have to live the way the majority of people really live from paycheck to paycheck. I believe thats why a real working man has never been elected, he would really work for the people. Democracy no we are not.
Here I am trying to decide whether to pay the mortgage payment this week or the truck payment first. Should I make the kids the last 2 boxes of macaroni and cheese or can I make 1 box to feed all 5 of us in this house. My husband has been out of work a month now and can't find a job. Yet we pay people millions of dollars to play a sport, to sing a song, or to act. This list could go on but I won't subject you to that. They make all this money with a god given talent that was free to them. Not that they are all bad people but explain a national debt if we can pay these people this kind of money. Explain the thought behind the fact that an average person who has been convicted of a felon and served his time can't get a job. Yet if you can play football we will pay you millions of dollars. We are so perverse that we take a young woman who has had indescretions with our then president and make HER a celebrity. As an average person does the news really care who your spouse is sleeping with. Okay I know he was our president. We have talk show hosts that exploit peoples lives and people that have NO shame let them. I guess anything to make a buck. We have fathers and mothers who refuse to take care of the children that they created. Those babies didn't ask to be here. Why should they be made to feel unloved because of someone elses selfish acts. These children are yours step up to the plate people. We have kids killing kids, adults killing adults and alot of it is just for sport. Where are our morals people? NO one knows what love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness is anymore. We are all out for number one. What kind of creatures have we become? Many believe in the evolution theory (which I do not) but if that is the case we have evolved from monkeys to monsters. Do any of us really know what true love is anymore or do we just use the words I love you out of comfortabiltiy or obligation? All of us long for acceptance, approval, and love, yet what are we willing to give up to gain those things. We have now replaced love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness with greed, bitterness, jealousy, and hate. It's all about how we can keep this guy down not how can we both get to the top together. I will admit we all have our own demons to deal with, but it is how you deal with them. We are all only here for a very short time. Once we are gone we can never repair the mistakes that have been made by us or to us. We all need to remember that what we do here we may not pay for here but we will pay for it. Release the RAGE. Free yourself from the monsters that dwell within all of us. Remember to fill your heart, minds, and souls with all the good things in life that we once had as small children. I challenge all of you today to look into the eyes of each child and try to remember what true love is. Let go and live like little children do, live with purity and unconditional love for one another. Love everyone and everything with a passion. Show love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to all the children of this nation and every other because they are our next generation. They are what we leave behind. For me my children are the only mark I will have left on this world. Everyone needs to start to feel with their hearts and souls, Not their minds.

Try and remember that no problem will last forever. For everything there is a season. Look at this way this is your winter season, where everything disappears and dies away. The next season will be your spring where the new you can emerge and be prosperous knowing that you will have God on your side.

For those of you reading this who know God but are struggling with your faith or you that do not know God. God says in Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. So take the time to seek him and find him for he will change your life.

Some will not understand why I write this, but thats okay.Some will not like what I write and thats okay to. You can say whatever it is you want to say about this blog. I will not debate my thoughts or feelings with you. They are mine and freedom of speech is my constitutional right.

For those of you who care I am compelled to write this. My thoughts are so overwhelming at times that I need an outlet to let them free. I am a pretty personal person so for me to share is a big deal. I don't even keep a diary. Crazy! Huh! Right now though I am walking a journey that has lead to feel and think so many things. Some of you might relate. You might even be able to help me or me you. I don't know, but right now I can honestly tell you that this is what I am supposed to do for whatever reason. This is what I am told to do. Take that however you want to. It just is.

So I can only hope that those of you that have read this will come back and read more. I have never done this before so it might get messy. Please feel free to let me know what you think and how I can improve this. I hope to really get started by the end of this week or over the weekend. So please come back thenSome will not understand why I write this, but thats okay.Some will not like what I write and thats okay to.  You can say whatever it is you want to say about this blog.  I will not debate my thoughts or feelings with you.  They are mine and freedom of speech is my constitutional right.

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