HAPPY NEW YEAR

Roses are red
Violets are blue
A happy, happy
2007 to you!

Wishing you a blessed, happy, healthy New Year!

Mandy

Christmas

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as mine. We had a great time with our family. Lots of food, presents, and laughs. You can't ask for more than that.

I went shopping the day after Christmas and stocked up on some gifts for next year. Gotta love the Hallmark store when all their Christmas stuff is 50% off! Bought a really cute stuffed Santa for me. Just couldn't resist him.

Made some trips to the movies in the last week or so. We went to see CHARLOTTE'S WEB, which was delightful, and ERAGON, which was pretty good and a lot like Lord of the Rings, only with a dragon. And what a dragon! She was awesome. I'm assuming they're already planning a sequel.

As the year comes to an end, I look back with gratitude for all the blessings that we've enjoyed.

Hope the New Year brings you health and happiness.

Mandy

The Holiday

I went to see the movie, THE HOLIDAY, and I loved it! Yes, it's definitely a chick flick ~ a love story filled with beautiful people and places, but I loved it anyway, and I developed a whole new appreciation for Jude Law. He was so good in the movie. I must admit, I cried at leasts three times...Yes, it was predictable in places, but it didn't matter. I loved it!

Mandy

Sunday Morning Coming Down

It rained here in Sunny Southern California yesterday. Today, the sky is clear and blue and beautiful, with a few fluffly white clouds scattered here and there, the kind of day that makes you glad to be alive and on the earth.

I spent the day with my family. Truly another blessing in my life.

So many things to be thankful for at this time of the year. I hope you take a moment to count your blessings and that you are surrounded by those you hold dear, that you have someone to love, and someone who loves you.

It saddens me that so many are trying to turn the Christmas season into the "holiday" season, to take Christ out of Christmas, which seems so silly to me. Without Christ, there would be no Christmas. I don't know about you, but when I shop, I'm shopping for CHRISTMAS presents, not holiday presents. It's a CHRISTMAS tree, not a holiday tree.

And so I say to all of you, MAY YOU HAVE A PEACEFUL AND BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!



And if you don't celebrate Christmas, then I wish you love and happiness and peace in whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of the year.

Mandy

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I don't know what it is with my car and December. Last year, I had to buy a new starter which cost over $500. Today, I had to buy 2 new tires and have the front end aligned and replace the bushings (whatever the heck they are!). All told, it cost about $380. Honestly, this isn't the time of the year when I want to be spending money on car repairs!!!!

But, it does look like Christmas at our house. The lights are up, the tree is up, the presents are wrapped. Of course, it was 85 degrees the day we put the lights up! But then, this is sunny California :)

Mandy
www.amandaashley.com