I attended a conference in Spartanburg, SC this past week.  In the next few days I will be sharing some reviews with you on places where I stayed and ate.  I had a great time and learned a lot but I am sure glad to be back home! 

I missed everyone and now I have a lot of catching up to do!  Bare with me as you see comments from reviews you may have posted weeks ago.  I am still reading and commenting but I'm reading personal books off line more now so I'm not at Viewpoints as much as I was in '08.

"Do what your heart tells you.  Do not be afraid to pursue that which cannot be seen.  Faith is the bridge with which to cross, courage is the first step."  ~Unknown

"Success is simply a matter of doing what you do best and not worrying about what the other fellow is going to do."  ~John R. Amos 

Tomorrow I leave for 3 day conference in Spartanburg.  I won't be coming online while I'm away so I will try to do some catching up Thursday evening when I return.

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn."  ~Unknown

"A person who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."  ~Albert Einstein 

A little speck of hope never goes down to zero no matter how many times it is divided in half.

God answers "knee mail."

When life knocks you to your knees don't miss the opportunity to pray.

Don't forget to set your clocks back before you go to bed tonight. 

I wrote a review on the book One Small Thing.  Well, I was pleasantly surprised this morning to discover that the author left me a comment!!

It's Friday the 13th--aagghh!!

I am going on a daytrip with my family tomorrow.  We are headed to Spencer, NC.  I believe we will end up at a train museum.  Not really my cup of tea but I won't be alone on Valentine's Day.

Here's wishing you all a happy and safe weekend.  Happy Valentine's Day to everyone at Viewpoints!!  Love and Hugs, Gigi

The Parable Of the Pencil:

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

-- Author Unknown

The message will speak for itself...

Diary of an unborn child

September 19:

Today my life began. My parents do not know it yet, but it is I already. And I am to be a girl. I shall have blond hair and blue eyes. Just about everything is settled though, even the fact that I shall love flowers.

October 3:

Some say that I am not a real person yet, that only my mother exists. But I am a real person, just as a small crumb of bread is yet truly bread. My mother is. And I am.

October 7:

My mouth is just beginning to open now. Just think, in a year or so I shall be laughing and later talking. I know what my first word will be: MAMA.

October 9:

My heart began to beat today all by itself. From now on it shall gently beat for the rest of my life without ever stopping to rest! And after many years it will tire. It will stop, and then I shall die.

October 17:

I am growing a bit every day. My arms and legs are beginning to take shape. But I have to wait a long time yet before those little legs will raise me to my mother's arms, before those little arms will be able to gather flowers and embrace my father.

October 27:

Tiny fingers are beginning to form on my hands. Funny how small they are! I'll be able to stroke my mother's hair with them.

November 4:

It wasn't until today that the doctor told mom that I am living here under her heart. Oh, how happy she must be! Are you happy, mom?

November 9:

My mom and dad are probably thinking about a name for me. But they don't even know that I am a little girl. I want to be called Kathy. I am getting so big already.

November 24:

My hair is growing. It is smooth and bright and shiny. I wonder what kind of hair mom has?

November 27:

I am just about able to see. It is dark around me. When mom brings me into the World it will be full of sunshine and flowers. But what I want more than anything is to see my mom. How do you look, mom!

December 8:

I wonder if mom hears the whispering of my heart? Some children come into the World a little sick. But my heart is strong and healthy. It beats so evenly: tup-tup, tup-tup. You'll have a healthy little daughter, mom!

December 12:

Today my mother killed me.

(Anonymous 1978)

Hear ye, hear ye!  I got a message from Anna Leigh (writersquill) and she is pregnant and expecting twins!  You can look at the comment she left me today if you want more information.

Has anyone heard from LadyMagic and MikeMaroon lately?  Just wondering because they have been inactive for a while and I sent them both comments but didn't hear back from either.  I am just hoping nothing has happened.  That's the tough thing about this sight.  Unless you have a close friend or family member who is also a member we don't know when something serious may have happened to someone.  I'm just a tad bit worried.

When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters.  One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.  ~John F. Kennedy

Adversity is the trial of principle.  Without it, a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.  ~Henry Fielding  

There's no major significance for me posting the following thought; except for that I came across it in some paperwork at the office and decided to share it with my friends here at Viewpoints.

When you live in close proximity with other human beings there will be many times that you will offend each other.  Families inevitably hurt each other from time to time.  Saying "I'm sorry" are the two words that can repair your relationship.  Without apologies the bad feelings are allowed to grow until eventually they grow into something so big and ugly that it is almost impossible to repair.  It is difficult to humble ourselves and admit that we may have made a mistake.  However, when you think about the repercussions of not making a simple apology, you will realize that it's worth the effort.   (Unknown)

Hoping everyone has a great day!  They are calling for more freezing weather here and another chance of snow late this evening!  ~Gigi

Long time no bloggy...

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.  Circumstances and situations do color life but you have been given the mind to choose what the colors shall be.  ~John Homer Miller

Your imagination if your preview of life's coming attractions.  ~Albert Einstein

Write the bad things that are done to you in the sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble.  ~Arabic Parable

While here at Viewpoints: Live, love, laugh and Learn 

I love horses and I love to go horseback riding so I thought the message on my t-shirt would be very fitting.

Advice From a Horse:

Take life's hurdles in stride.  Loosen the reins.  Be free spirited.

Keep the burrs from under your saddle.  Carry your friends

when they need it.  Keep stable.  Spur yourself on to greatness!

It's Just Another New Year's Eve

Performed by Barry Manilow

Don't look so sad, it's not so bad you know.
It's just another night, that's all it is,
It's not the first, it's not the worst you know,
We've come through all the rest, we'll get through this.

We've made mistakes, but we've made good friends too.
Remember all the nights we spent with them?
And all our plans, who says they can't come true?
Tonight's another chance to start again.

CHORUS:

It's just another New Year's Eve,
Another night like all the rest.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
Let's make it the best.
It's just another New Year's Eve,
It's just another Auld Lang Syne,
But when we're through this New Year
You'll see, WE'LL be just fine.

We're not alone, we've got the world you know.
And it won't let us down, just wait and see.
And we'll grow old, but think how wise we'll grow.
There's more you know, it's only New Year's Eve.

REPEAT CHORUS

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe evening.  If you party to bring in the New Year please drink and drive responsibly so that there are no injuries and casualites.  If I could, I would be the designated driver for everyone.  Take care and God bless.  I look forward to great and wonderful things at Viewpoints in 2009 and I hope we all meet our writing goals.  ~Gigi  

As we journey through life we encounter many people and obstacles along the way.  Friends are flowers in the bouquet of life.  Obstacles can be stumbling blocks or stepping stones.  It's how you perceive what's in your way.  I choose stepping stones.

I grew up with the 4-H clubs.  Now I am establishing the 4-L Club here at Viewpoints.  Do you want to be a part of something wonderful?  Then come on along with me for the ride of your life.  The journey of a thousand miles begins with that first step and our quest to the next writing level begins with that next review.

The 4-L Club:

Live, Love, Learn, and Laugh (Count me in!)

~Gigi

Has anyone "heard" from R11 lately?  It's not like her to be absent from the boards as long as she has been.  I miss my partner in crime; especially at the virtual slumber party.  I'm hoping she's just absent because she may be on vacation or travelling during the holidays. 

I will probably be offline Wednesday thru late Friday evening.  I will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my best friend and all of her family.  This has been an annual tradition for me for years since all of my family is married with children. 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas.  Maybe Santa will leave you something good in your stocking or under the tree! 

Take time to remember the soliders who can't be with their loved ones during the holidays and for the families that are missing them.

May our Lord draw nigh to you as He did in Bethlehem so long ago.  Wisemen still seek him!  Remember Jesus is the reason for the seaon and the last word in Jesus is US.  Keep Christ in Christmas and in your heart the whole year through.

I love you all and wish you a very Merry Christmas.  If you are traveling, be safe and have fun!  ~Gigi  

Hey, Michelina posted a new topic on the discussion boards earlier today titled "New Year's Resolutions."  Since she is affiliated with Sears she most likely posted it on the sK-you website because I couldn't find it on our list of discussion boards.  I found it by following her activity on boards.  So, if you would like to post your News Years Resolutions or read some then just sign in at sk-you.viewpoints.com.  Once we get a few people on that board we can follow our Friend's Activity thru our My Home and keep up.

If you don't want to sign in at sk-you.viewpoints.com you can just follow my activity because I already posted on the board.  I'll be waiting to see what some of you have to say ;+)

Remember: "Promises are like pie shells, easily made and easily broken."

Chrissy (cmohr80) sent a hello message.  She has her play this weekend and said she will be returning to Viewpoints Monday ;+)  She told me to pass this message along and to tell everyone she misses them.

My thought for the day--taken from a perpetual calendar in my study.

"People are like stained glass windows.  They sparkle and shien when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."  ~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross