Choose Wisely

Isn't this a great poem about the consequences of choosing one over another? Take moving to Hawaii for instance. It seemed like such a great idea 14 years ago when my first granddaughter was born. That decision has impacted so many people, especially my daughter who lives in California. I don't always weigh or even know all those consequences. I don't always choose so wisely!

New Web Site: Jandesigns.net

This is the title page of my new website. So exciting to have a presence on the web again. I tired it a few years ago but did not understand all that much about search engines and such. Still don't! But my sweet neighbor, Donna, has been working on it for me and web hosting. Thanks for looking at my blog and for everyone of your sweet comments! I appreciate you.

About A Dog

The sermon at church on Sunday was about trying to ignite people that had become indifferent. The Pastor used the example of a dog who had a sad face because of current things going on but that still wagged its tail because of how it used to feel. That totally reminded me of this little poem that I have always loved and thought was so funny. I hope you like it!

TA-DA

Hi, eveyone, here is what I did. I typed all your names and cut them and folded them up tight. Then I put them in a bowl and held them up high while Hubby drew one of your names out of the bowl. Ta-Da, the winner is L. 'Ailina. So 'Ailina, write to me at Jan@jandesigns.com and tell me your address and which one of the card designs that you would like to have and I will pop them in the mail to you! Congratulations and thank you to everyone who reads my blog! Love from me,

GIVE AWAY

I am going to give away a package of five of these teal "Thank You" cards. This is an "I appreciate you" present. Leave a comment on my blog and I will draw a name out of the hat and send you the cards. I will post the winner and then you can email me your name and address.

Or, if you prefer, you may choose my Hawaiian theme "Thank You". Also a package of five (5) cards

Life Handbook 2010

Tara had this on her blog, I thought it was great, sharing with you.

Life Handbook 2010

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:

40. Please share this with everyone you care about, I just did.

What I Do

My sweet neighbor, Donna, has been working on my website for me: Jandesigns.net. Still under construction but she has done such a great job. I created this picture today to show some of the tools that I use in my artwork. Pens and brushes. Thanks so much for reading my blog, I appreciate you!

Children

I have been working on this project for most of the week. This is a baby present for my nephew. He and his wife had this baby just after Christmas. Going to have it matted and framed now and hope they like it. It will join the one that I made for his sister three years ago. Welcome to the world, little baby Vance!

Spread Your Love

I've always loved this saying by Mother Teresa. Wise Lady. Don't I say that about all my quotations but this is a good one for an entry by the front door. Reminds me to be especially loving to my visitors. Thanks so much for checking out my blog, have a great day!

Teaching The Star

One of the Stamp Stores here in Hawaii called "A Place In Time" has graciously allowed me to teach craft projects in their store. I am starting with a cute Valentine project called, "A Friendship Star." I am teaching it on February 6th so if any of you out there are in Hawaii, come to join us!

Prayers for a Family

Sometime last week, because of my neighbor Donna and her tweets, I learned about a very sick little baby boy here on Oahu. He had pertussis ( whooping cough), pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). I found his mom's blog and started reading about him on the internet. His mother is a very strong Christian and she was asking for prayers for her 8 week old baby. I immediately started praying for Gavin, day and night, asking God for a miracle for him. He died yesterday after such a brave fight. Now my heart and prayers go out to his family for comfort and peace in their profound loss.

This Year

New Year's Hawaii Style

New Year's Eve Hawaii Style

New Year's Eve in Hawaii is different than any New Year's Eve that I have ever experienced. Culturally, it seems the norm to ring in the new year with Fireworks. NOTHING is illegal here so people seem to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on things that make noise or bring light. Sparklers, bottle rockets, caps. Every garage, street and house looks like a million times what it looks like in town squares in other parts of the country. There is a haze of smoke hanging over the valley and noise everywhere. Almost feels like a war zone. They celebrate in STYLE here.

A Year Of Favor

This is a favorite Scripture of mine in relationship to a new year. It is like God is telling us, we are going to have a year of favor. What could be better than that? I am so thankful for all the new friends I have met through blogging this year and all your sweet and helpful comments. Happy New Year, everyone. Happy year of favor.