Tick Tock!

The countdown begins in a few hours!  The year 2011 is knocking on the door.

Consider your growth pattern for 2010, and you will likely see areas where you have grown.  Maybe it is  a habit, an attitude, an action, a re-think, an act of  forgiveness, you likely have made progress this year.

That is a blessing.
I hope to talk to you next year!

Peace,
Sylvia

At the Mall

I learned something new at the mall today.  First of all, I was there to fulfill  a promise to my teenager: two hours to shop and spend the money she received as holiday gifts.  I said goodbye for now to her as soon as we left JC Penney.  I began my stroll to find Dansko clogs; she took off like a rocket for Forever 21.
After about an hour or so of strolling, I found my clogs and  then stopped at the food court to nourish, get water, and get off my feet. I sat where I could watch the two side by side flat screen monitor/television screens that were mounted high above the bustling food court.  There were so many people;  lots of teens in the area where I sat!  Probably because the screens continuously played  music videos.  Here is the new thing I learned today: the screen on the left instructed  "Play your favorite music videos free.  Text the code to -----."  There followed about three letters and four digits of code, a different code for each video.  The text was charged to the user's  phone as a regular text fee.  The screen on the right played the selected videos.  There was also a message to Tweet requests for desired music videos.  In essence, the audience in the food court could enter the codes on their phones and direct which music videos we all watched.  I watched videos of Janelle Monae,  Rihanna, Nelly, Neo,  MC Hammer, Nicki Minaj,  Jay-Z,  and several others while I ate my sandwich. 
What a concept!
Back in the day, we had these little jukebox devices at the booths in some restaurants.  You'd put in money, select the song, and it played.   No videos back then.  Now,  we can text both the video and the music.
Wow!
TTYL,
Sylvia

Two Thoughts

Two thoughts for today:

"Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before the argument gets out of control."
This is from Proverbs 17:14, God's Word version of the Bible.   I  am happy to say that this counsel came in handy for me today!
We often have the drive to get in the last word during a  "discussion."  That does not work if you and the person you are talking to have that same desire to have the final say.  Sometimes it is best to be quiet.

Read the first page of my novel, Behind Church Doors.  It is posted on my website at www.nikkimacproductions.com.  It is on the "Inside the Novel"  page.  Free read!

Take care,
Sylvia

Rituals for a New Year

It is hard to believe that the year 2010 is almost over.  I clearly remember when it began.
Some people have rituals for the end of the year and the start of a new one. 
Some clean their houses so the new year will not find them with untidy homes. 
Some do all their laundry so the new year will not start with dirty clothes in their clothes hamper.
Some make resolutions. 
Some travel. 
Some throw or attend parties.
Some go to NYC to see the ball drop at Times Square and some watch all the festivities on television.
Some go outside and shoot  into the air at midnight. 
Some light firecrackers at midnight. 
Some refuse to let a female cross first over their door threshold on New Year's Day; they believe a man has to be the first in order to have a good and prosperous new year.
Some attend church services on New Year's Eve; they give praise and celebrate with song and sermon and activities.
It is a sound idea to reflect and plan for personal growth in the coming year.  It certainly is a time to think of others, and to give thanks for bring blessed to see 2011. 
Wishing you all the best,
Sylvia

Good Times

I spent the weekend joyfully surrounded by family!  I am blessed to be from a loving birth family and to also be the wife and mother of my own.  Most of my adult brothers and their families as well as my sister were in  attendance.  Some of them came from far away; it was wonderful to be with  them all.  We spent one day at the home of my parents, where Mom was the centerpiece of our affection.  We gave thanks for this season and for all things from God.  We prayed and remembered loved ones who have gone to their rest.  We took time to enjoy one another's company.  We ate.  Mom cooked or baked chicken, ham, sweet potato souffle, collards, peas, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, sweet potato pie, banana pudding, German chocolate cake, biscuits.  One brother brought a strawberry cheesecake from Juniors in Brooklyn, NYC, because he knows I so enjoy great cheesecake.  Yum!
On December 26th, we worshipped at morning church service.  One of my brothers taught Sunday Bible Class, and my visiting brother, who is a minister,  preached the morning sermon.  My nephew was scheduled to preach the evening sermon, but a snow emergency caused our local minister to cancel evening worship service.
This morning, I helped shovel snow.  I did not do much more than the mouth of the driveway; my husband did most of the work.  I had to do something to burn some calories, because there is another slice of that strawberry cheesecake left.
Best wishes to you!
Sylvia

Children and Chicken Pot Pie

I enjoy children.  My professional career as well as my personal life involves teaching and guiding them.   I especially like to work with children of preschool and elementary age. 
However, when I go out to a restaurant for a meal, I would rather not be exposed to little children who are in charge of the adults who brought them out to eat.
Last night, I was enjoying a freshly-made chicken pot pie at a diner.  It was delicious!  The conversation with my two dinner companions was quite pleasant.  Before we were seated,  I  heard the sounds of two little children coming from the booth to my left, but since we were separated by a wooden divider, I could not see the people  in the booth.  However, I could hear a verbal tug of war between the adults and the children.
Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move!  I looked up into the cute face of a  2 or 3 year-old  child. She was standing in the seat, ignoring the adults with her, who kept asking her to sit down.  Well, not to be outdone, the other little child stood up and attempted to hang over the divider also.  For a few minutes, they played the peekaboo, wave food around, and ignore the adults game. I thought I was going to have to gently speak to the adults, but when they finally realized the children would not listen to them, they got up and left.
Sometimes situations just work themselves out.
I continued on with my chicken pot pie and pleasant conversation.
Enjoy your holidays!
Sylvia

No Harmful Side Effects

Here is a prescription.  Just for you.  Free, with no harmful side effects or disclaimers.

When you wake up in a cranky mood, with a sour disposition, not having the desire to speak with anyone human or animal, take a dose of this prescription.
It says "BIBLE" on the container.  Turn to Psalm 118, verse 24.  "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Next, pray.
Try it.
It works.
Have a great day!
Sylvia