Emotional Heart Health and more surprises...........

(Sweet lil bird,  from a Sweet, lovely  friend)
*
Afternoon Sweet Friends,
*
And how are you today???  Doing well I hope.
*
Yesterday I was telling you about how loved I felt by all
 that transpired for my birthday. So I also wanted to share
 some thoughts about that with you!!
*
I think it is the desire of every human being to be loved 
by others;  we want that,  we desire that,  and most of all,  
we need that! And it is the Most Wonderful and Marvelous
thing to know we are loved by our Loving Heavenly Father,
 and that should Top our list!!
*
But I think we all know we need a little Jesus with skin on
 (as my dear friend Diane says). We need the love of family,
 friends, sisters and brothers in Christ, neighbors and
 sometimes even strangers.  Yes, many times we can sense
and feel the love of God, and other times God uses plain ole
 people just like you and me to make others feel loved.
*
After all Jesus said in John 13:34-35 (NIV)
"A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one
another.  By this all men will know that you
are my disciples, if you love one another."
*
Now I wanted to say some practical things about that
 and what it looks like comparing it to some of what 
happened during my birthday.  
*
Cards -Cards are a Wonderful way to express your love. 
 Even if the card has nice words,  adding a lil  personal note
makes it soooo special.  Now this is just me,  but I do not
 believe in wasting good money on joke cards,  I think if 
I am gonna take my time making or buying a card for
someone,  it should be something that will build the person
 up and make them feel loved. And I know anytime I have
 recieved one, I feel a bit disappointed,  almost like that 
person didn't have anything nice to say about me or 
something,  know what I mean???

*
See these cards.....Not a joke card in the bunch! 
 I believe we have plenty of time for joking and I am 
all for fun, but it is like another friend Tracey from church
 says,  I would rather have my flowers now than at my 
funeral!  Good Saying,  just another way of saying let's
 love on people while we still have them, and not regret
 later that we never told them how we felt about them.
*
I think we all think good things about each other but so
 many times those words never get out of our mouths
 and they could make such a tremendous difference to the
 person receiving them.  I think we need to learn to be
 lavish with our praise and love for others,  and every
 chance we get pour on the love...........Love is the least
 expensive and the most important gift you can ever give
anyone!!  Cards are a perfect way if you have
trouble saying things to others,  say it in writing,
but say it!!  It could change someones life!
*
Sometimes the enemy of our soul tricks people
into thinking that no one cares about them or
loves them,  when there could be a whole host
of people that adore them,  but never take the
time to every say it!!  I have actually known of
those situations and seen the disasterous results.
Seriously,  you pouring out your heart in words
spoken or in words written could literally change
someone's life,  I am dead serious!!
*
I have read where it say it takes about 10 good
or positive words,  to undo 1 bad word,  meaning
if someone says one derogatory thing to you,  it
will take 10 encouraging statements to erase it.
Whoa............sometimes I think it might even 
take more than that!  So realize someone you
love maybe have had someone say something 
derogatory to them today and guess what, they
need you to pour some loving words on that
negative thing!! 
*
Gifts - not that gifts are always necessary cause
sometimes a card full of loving words can be
just as much a gift as anything you could give.
*
But if you are going to give a gift be sure that
when you are choosing it you are thinking about
what the person you are buying it for likes...
 not what you like.  Sometimes that takes a lot
of thought and sometimes I ask the Lord for 
ideas,  and he has given me some good ones.
There are times when you just aren't sure if the
 person will really like it or not,  so I usually try to 
give a gift receipt,  or at least tell the person if
 this does not fit properly or you don't care for
 the color, or it isn't your cup of tea,  I will not be
the least bit offended if you return it. I bought the
 gift  for you, and I want you to like it,  so if you
 aren't happy with it please please get something
 you will be happy with!  Of Course, We should
 always be grateful for any gift we recieve because
the person doesn't have to give us anything,
*
Time - I think the gift of time is a  wonderful way to 
say I love you and I enjoy spending time with you, 
 I love that my hubby takes the day off if he can, to
 spend the day with me on my birthday and
 Anniversary.  One birthday my daughter, and I
 got subs and a fruit salad from Publix and
 went to the park together and just lunched
and talked,  it was my idea of a fun day.
In fact, tomorrow she is taking me to get a 
pedicure.  She many times chooses gifts that 
we can enjoy together,  and I love that! 
*

*
Then yesterday, our Sweet Friend Becky from

 over at Holiday in the Sun came over to sit a 
spell and chat,  my favorite thing to do!! lol

And she came armed with yellow Mums,

a small lovely cake plate, that she had made, 
with strawberry pizza, she had made as well.

Delicious!! and a absolutely gorgeous

handmade card that was so sweet , and

a lil birdie in a cage.  Everything was

packaged so beautifully too,  This girl

has such a flair......... I tell you........

.It just made my whole day!

*

*
Is the packaging even a gift,  lovely glassine
bag and curly ribbon and bow and irredescent
Easter grass and doilies and colorful tissue paper.
What a vision of lovliness,  I didn't even need
to open it,  it was a gift in and of itself.
*
But then I did and it has this inside.
*

*
and look she put the nest and birdie inside,
how sweet and cute is that!
*

*
Then she had this adorable lil cake stand that
she made with a candlestick and plate,  
I just love it,  but even more
it had this on it!!
*

*
This is strawberry pizza with a pecan sandy crust,
They were so delicious,  and made by the sweet
hands of Miss Becky too!
How thoughtful and delightful!
I had already taken a pc off the plate before 
I thought to take a pic,  couldn't wait to get
into those sweet babies!!  lol

*
And here is the Beautiful card she handmade for me.
Isn't it so pretty,  and filled with loving and encour-
aging words as well.
*

*
and look at this... even the envelope is special with 
little flowers on it,  so cute!  Couldn't bring myself
to throw it out.
*





*
Here's the mums in a vase,  and I attached 
all the trimmings from the gift bag.  Doesn't it 
look so nice. I placed it in my freshly painted
bathroom and I love it!!
*

*
Here's a closeup of the decorations,
think they are so festive....
*

*
Some type of lovely Chrysanthemum,  I think!
All I know is they sure are pretty.
*
Another good lesson is how wonderful it can be to make 
gifts for someone. I can tell you I was totally thrilled by
all that Becky did,  cause I know how much thought, love
 and work went into all that!  
*
So hope I have given you something to think about the
 next time you have an opportunity to celebrate something
 in someones life.  All I can say is if you treat your loved
ones and friends the way I was treated this week,  they
will definitely have an emotionally healthy heart!!
*
I also, want to say that  I love love loved all my
 wonderful cards, They were so sweet and 
cry worthy!! lol

and loved all my gifts and surprises!  
*
It has been a Fantastic week I have to say!
Thank you to everyone who made my  birthday
so Special,  and May the Lord bless you abundantly
for your goodness, sweetness and love to me.
*
So sorry this is sooooooooooo long,  I never intend
that, but it just sort of happens.  Thought it wouldn't
be too bad since it had so many pictures.
*
Have a great day tomorrow!
*
Blessings and Hugs,
Nellie

Happy Emotionally Healthy Heart to Me!!

*

Hello Sweet Friends,

*

and welcome to Heart Tips Tuesday, Not!! lol

*

I have been soooo busy having fun, being pampered,

and loved on, that I haven't even had time to think

of what to post for Heart Tips Tuesday!!  Sorry if

you are disappointed in any way,  I will try my best

to get with the program for next week!! lol

*

I do have some tips however,  for making someones

heart emotionally healthy,  cause I think if mine could

feel anymore loved it might just burst!

*

As some of you might have figured out,  I had a

birthday this week.  Thanks so much to all you
Happy birthday Well wishers.  I so appreciate
your sweet thoughts.
*

Hard to believe, sometimes you wonder how

you got here so fast,  but what we lose in youth

we make up for in wisdom, I think!! 

At least, that's my story and I am sticking

to it!! lol

*

It has been a Wonderful 3 days I have to say!

I feel like I should write my Thankful Thursday

post today!!   Seriously!!

*

I am thankful for what a great time we all had

as a family on Sunday.  They all made dinner

for me and cleaned up after and put everything away,

  Finally ... the good fairies actually did show up!! lol

*

Scott and Megan bought me 2 new games, cause

they know how much I love to play games,  and 

we played one,  called "the Last word",  it was

 so much fun,  but I felt like I was brain dead the
first round and just as I was starting to get the
hang of it,  it was time to stop. lol

Maybe I will do better the next time.

* 

Jim took Monday off,  so we could go shopping

and spend the day together. Didn't do exactly what we
 were planning originally but that was fine with me because
 we got more stuff to try in the bathroom,  one of these
 days we will get it figured out!  lol
and it will be lovely!!  For Sure!

We had shopped till we dropped then went to

Red Lobster for din din,  it's was delish!!

Most of all we had a really fun time together!

*

*

We found this salad/dessert plate while we were at Home Goods,

and thought it was so cute,  we decided to buy one and make it for

Special celebrations.   When we have Birthday Celebrations or

whatever we are Celebrating the Special Person can have their cake

or dessert on the Queen or King for a day plate!!

*

*

This is a close up of the Crown,  and the actual color

of the plate.  Don't know why that came out so dark.

Isn't it just the cutest!!

*

I have never gotten more birthday wishes than

I did this birthday,  it was amazing,  and most 

of that is due to Facebook and blogging.  I

got 22 facebook wishes and quite a few blog

wishes,  5 phone calls,  1 ecard, 1 email, and

8 Birthday cards,  and 2 gift cards, and a one

 free smoothie from our favorite place (Planet 

Smoothie) . All this took place between Sunday 

and Monday. I am telling you I am overwhelmingly

surprised and touched beyond words.

*

There is more to come tomorrow.........

I will tell you about the emotional heart

tips then cause it was getting too long,  so I
decided to stop.

*

I hope you are all doing well and I hope

you have a Wonderful Evening with

your families,  friends/and or Pets.

*
Hopefully I will get around to visit soon,
I have been reading just not commenting
cause it has been rather busy lately.
*
Hugs and Blessings,

Nellie

Have a Steadfast Sunday

*

Good Sunday Morning to You All

*

Well,  I am a tired camper tonight,  cause

we have been working most of the day

cleaning our porch and all the stuff on 

the porch cause you know how dusty and 

dirty it gets,  but it looks wonderful now.

Just a few more touches and it will be

all back to normal and ready to enjoy!

*

I love this time of the year when we can

really use and enjoy our porch.  I love to

do my quiet times out there,  and to eat

lunch and dinner out there,  and sometimes

we even play card out there at night using

the kerosene lantern.  Just something different

to add a lil spice to life!

*

And I am all about that.......as long as it is

good clean spice!! lol

*

Well,  gotta go blow dry my hair and get

ready for beddy!

*

So I will leave you with another one of

favorite and much used verses.

It is Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

*

You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trust in you.

(another version says "him whose

mind is stayed on you")

*

Personally,  I like that version better but I was having

 trouble finding it,  and am too tired to look for it,  Sorry!

*

You have a Steadfast Sunday,

*

Love, Blessings and Hugs,

Nellie

Welcome to Thankful Thursday - March 25, 2010

*

Hello Sweet Friends

*

Welcome to Thankful Thursday!

*

So how is your Thursday going???  Well,  I hope!

Hope the weather is glorious wherever you live,

and you are able to really be enjoying this Spring

Weather!

*

It's a beautiful day here and a pretty warm 80 degrees,

must get out there and sit in the sun some.  sounds

Wonderful since I am feeling a lil bit chilly.

*

 My hormones are all over the place these days,  one

 minute I am hot, another I am cold,  but I am definitely 

having more cold spells than hot these days,  which is a

 real praise for me because I used to have hellacious hot

 flashes where I truly thought I might combust one day!!  lol

*

So guess that would be my 

#1

thing I am truly thankful for cause it has been a

long time in coming!!  Too Long,  if you know what I 

mean!! lol  Am hoping the cold spells last once we get to

 those soaring summer temperatures.  lol

*

*

#2

I am thankful

 for these absolutely gorgeous hydrangeas hubby

 brought me yesterday, as an early birthday present.

They were just putting them out at Sam's when he was

there,  and he knows how much I love them.  I had 2

others that I tried to grow on the side of the house 

where there is filtered sunlight,  but I really think they

just do not like our soil around here, so he said he

thinks we should just put this one in a large pot,  and

see what happens.  Great Idea Honey!!

*

#3

I am thankful

that we had the opportunity to counsel a young couple

with marital problems last evening,  and hope we were

able to instill some hope in them.

*

*

#4

I am thankful

that this sweet young couple said they wanted their

marriage to make it very much,  and they were

willing to do whatever it takes,  Now that is good

material the Lord can work with!

Exciting to see what the Lord is gonna do with this,

and happy he is allowing us to be part of the process.

*

#5

I am thankful

for the encouragement that the Lord gives me

about soooooooo many things.  It just blesses

my heart with so much joy.

*

#6

I am thankful

that I didn't have anything I had to get done today,

because the week has been busy, and I feel rather

whipped, so it has been a leisurely morning and

I am so enjoying it.

*

*

#7

I am thankful

for this cute lil critter below,  he is so adorable.  

*

*

He was out in the Sweet gum tree in our front yard.

*

*

I love how he is holding his lil paws and has his

tail pulled in close.  These were both taken on

zoom from inside the house.  Thought they

came out pretty good for being taken thru

the window!  lol

*

#8

I am thankful

that I finally finished my Spring decorating and got

everything put away and most of the house cleaned,

so we can just enjoy it,  and we are!!

So nice to have the refreshing change inside as

well as outside.

*

#9

I am thankful

that I think I have figured out a way to make the 

paint in our bathroom and water closet work out,

if I can just find the right shower curtain,  with just

the right colors!!  I have found several that I like

and that could work,  but want to look more to

make sure.  Don't know about you but I like

to check all my options, cause there is nothing

that annoys me more than buying something

and then going to another store a week later,

and finding something else I love more.

*

#10

I am thankful

that hubby brought a shower curtain home.

He of course,  knew I was looking so he went to

 Target to see what they had and planned to

have it be one of my birthday gifts, but when he

saw  I brought 3 others home, and I wasn't too

crazy about any of them, he decided to show me

 the one he bought.  It has a chocolate brown 

background, with large circles in green, blue and tan,

 and I had actually seen it there before and liked it but

 thought it would be way too dark,  but actually I really

 liked it.  It is very striking,  however,  it is minus one of

 the colors I need , but am still thinking on it....

It is definitely a possibility,  but would then have to

 come up with another idea for a window dressing. 

 just need some time to look around and fritz with it

 some and I will find what I need and make up my

mind,  eventually, just have to be patient! 

 Good things come to those who wait on the Lord!

*

*

#11

I am thankful

and honored that the Duchess over at  rose tea cottage

mentioned me in her blog today,  and not only did she

mention me,  she directed folks to visit me, and because

of that I have made 3 new friends/followers.

Thank You for that Sweet gift to me!

*

You should visit her as well,  she has a delightful

blog full of grace and beauty.

click here

*

#12

I am thankful

for life itself!  Life is hard at times,  but life can also

be joyous, exciting, fun, enjoyable, blessed, and

full of the Wonder and Awe of God!

I believe he wants us to enjoy the lives that He has

given to us,  not just endure them!

*

I once heard a saying,  hope I get it right..........

*

Our lives are a gift from God

and what we do with our lives is our gift back to God!

*
And I just remembered another One!

#13
I am thankful
that Rosie, our grandaughter dog is fine.
On Sunday she was acting wierd and her
the whites of her eyes looked horrible,
like blood,  Dee was afraid she might have
had blood pressure problems or something
like a brain tumor or stroke,  cause it just happened
all of a sudden. So Dee had to take her to the vet
at Pet Smart cause that was the only place open, 
and they thought it was an allergy to something.
We were all talking and we were asking her
if she has sprayed hair spray or perfume or anything
 like that,  and she did remember spraying some
 room freshner not too long before this happened,
but she couldn't remember if Rosie was around
or not at the time, but we are thinking that could have 
been it,  so just in case be careful spraying stuff if you
 have a pet near by. She looked awfully scary I'll tell you,
 I was thinking a few broken blood vessels maybe, but ,
  it looked like pure blood in her eyes.  She is like our
 baby, she is such a sweet cuddly lovey lil dog,  so just
 had to include this on My list for sure cause it gave
us all a scare for sure.
*
Try to be a blessings to someone today
You want be sorry!
*

Thanks for coming by,

*
So...........What are you 
Thankful for today!!

*

Blessings and Hugs friends,

Nellie

*

Welcome to Heart Tips Tuesday - more about exercise

Evening Sweet Friends

*

Welcome to Heart Tips Tuesday!

*

Sorry I am posting so late,  but I had a busy day full of

 making menus, grocery lists and then shopping and dragging my

 haul in!!  lol  I don't have to tell you..... I am sure you know all

 about that, after all,  we all have to eat!! 

*

I left off last week with showing you the first video we 

started with,  and today I will tell you about the other

3,  they are all by Leslie Sansone,  and give us a  great

workout,  and one thing I like is that all but in one video

and one lady they are all pretty covered up,  not like

so many others videos where they let it all hang out,

if you get my drift!!

*

Our 2nd video was called "Walk way the pounds"

 The Walk & Jog video. It has about 4, 2 minute 

jog sessions, so it is easy to do,  or you can just do

 the low impact, cause she has a person that you follow

 for that as well.  I could not find the dvd cover for it

 for some reason,  Sorry!

*

Our 3rd one is this one below:  This has a 30

and 45 minute routine where you use weights.

In fact, it comes with 2 ball type 1pd. weights,

and we have worked our way up,  I am doing

3 pds,  (I can't really go over that weight, because

 of a problem with my neck but Jim is up to 5

pds)  Our Dr. wanted us to add some strength

training to our workout.  It probably isn't as

good as going to the gym and using their machines

but it does a fairly decent job as you up the

weight more,  but the workouts are excellent.

But again you want to work up to this,

not start with it.

*

Our 4th one is this one below.  This has a belt

that goes around your waist,  but you don't 

have to use it unless you want to.

  It is 45 min. workout and a good one too!

  Our daughter bought this one for  us.

*

*

We also rotate the videos,  so we are not doing

the same one all the time either.

We have been walking outside some lately,

cause we are ready to do something different.

That is a nice change of pace.  We may fix

our bikes and start riding them some too.

*

You just need to find something you like to

do,  I have a friend that plays tennis all the time,

and she is in great shape and loves doing that.

*

I have another friend that goes to jazzercise and

she loves that,  so you just need to find whatever

it is that you enjoy doing,  maybe it is playing

badmitton in the back yard or swimming or 

raquetball,  my husband used to do that.

*

It is also good if you can get a partner,

to exercise with.  I have one friend who talked

all the ladies in her office into going to Curves,

(it is an exercise place just for ladies,  and it is

a combo of machines and floor exercises,  if

I understand correctly) so they go their to exercise

 every Mon., Wed, and Friday after work.

*

I have gone to jazzercise in my earlier years

and loved it,  but it took a huge chunk out of my

day because it was 25 mins. away,  so by the

time I got dressed, drove there exercised for

over an hour and came home,  I would eat up

so much of my day,  so I also chose to do 

something close to home like walking outside

with my headphones and listening to good

praise and worship music,  or riding my bike.

*

Now fortunately,  Jim and I exercsie together

all the time,  so we can spur one another on.
Plus since we do it at home it only take us
30-35 mins. cause we don't have to drive
somewhere, and since we do it everyday
it only has to be 30 mins. for 5 days a week.
If we are having a busy week sometimes
we do 2 -  45 min. routines to get it all in.

*

Oh yea,  our kids used to have a trampoline

and that is good exercise too.  I used to jog

on the trampoline.  When I was in my 20's

I used to jog all the time,  and that gets you

into shape very quickly,  but as you get older

it isn't great for your enternal organs or your

knees,  so I haven't done that for a long time.

*

I love swimming and sometimes use my

sister-in-laws pool during the summer months,

cause it is the best over all exercise you can

get cause it is easy on your joints and you

use all your muscles and it will flatten your

stomach and tone your arms better than 

anything I have ever done.

*

Well,  hope you will be thinking about

some things that you can do that will be fun

for you to do,  cause that is half the battle.

Once I borrowed a rowing machine from

a friend and tried that,  suppose to be good

for flattening your stomach.  I liked it but

it became annoying cause the kids were

always playing on it and readjusting it

so I finally gave it back!!  lol

*

I have another friend who has an 

elliptical,  it is sorta like the gazelle 

that we have,  but a little different.

We like the gazelle and use it at

least once a week.

*

Jim and I had decided quite awhile

before he ever had the heart problems

that we needed to be exercising.

The big reason..........we had seen

both of our Mom's lose their legs do to

 lack of activity,  and we knew instinctively,

 that we had to do something different

 than what they did if we didn't want to

end up that way.  We don't know how

long the Lord will let us live, but we do

know we want to be as healthy as we

possibly can be, as far as it depends on us.

*

Thanks for coming by and listening

to the ramblings of this determined

wife who is trying to help her husband

reverse his coronary artery disease.

*

I have to say I believe the Lord is in

it, and I believe it will happen one day,

We have seen a lot of progress,  and

we just ordered a book about a man

who had i,t when he was 32 yrs. old

and had bypass surgery and they didn't

think he would live past 40,  now he

just filed for medicare,  and he reversed

his,  so we can't wait to read the book,

cause we will probably pick up some

new tips.  Hope so anyway!

*

Have a great day tomorrow,

 cause

it is too late for a good evening, it

has passed already,  and you are

probably heading to beddie bye land!

*

I know I am going there soon!! lol

*
What do you do to get exercise???
Or what are you thinking about doing???
*

Love and blessings to you all,

Nellie