Happy New Year, New Start, New Outlook!

January 1, 2013January 1, 2013 / www.spilledcookies.com / 7 Comments

Ahead there is a new path, do not be afraid, you have not passed this way before.

It is finally here, 2013, a new year holding unlimited promise for a bright future.

I can’t say that I was sad to see 2012 go away as it was a challenging, hard and often depressing year.

The holidays proved to be one of the hardest times I have ever lived through, the grief was hard to keep in check and some days I simply could not do it.

So on New Years Eve I made a promise to myself that I would again do the burning bowl ritual.

I wrote all my excuses, grievances, fears and regrets on pieces of paper and offered them up with much thought, a prayer and burned release at midnight.

One by one I let go of all that was holding me back, keeping me down and blinding my sight for the future. I am free. The ashes of what once was are gone, scattered in the wind. I am thankful. I am at peace where I am, with who I am and with my past. I am ready to move forward, to embrace the future whole heartedly.

What are your goals? Have you made New Years resolutions? Have you created a calendar, set deadlines to meet along the way?

This year I decided resolutions are not enough. This year I made commitments to myself instead. I will eat healthier. I will exercise regularly and take my health seriously. I will take more calculated risks. I will be involved in community and charity work. I will make a difference. I will take an active part in life and not just exist, but live, really live.

Whatever you resolved to do, or change this year, take a moment to reflect, to plan, to decide, to set goals, and celebrate when you reach those goals, find ways to hold yourself accountable, or find a partner so you can encourage and hold each other accountable along the way.

Life is more than just struggling to make ends meet. It’s more than going to work and coming home at the end of the day. Life is more than routines and schedules. Laugh, play, strive, struggle, encourage, have faith, love, and reach out to help others along the way. Live. Happy 2013, may this new year bring you more joy than you’ve ever known.

Cherry Coley (c)

Happy 2013! Stop Planning, Start Doing (untaintedliving.com)
Happy New Years!!! (bloggingwithjoy.wordpress.com)

Slightly Irritated with Spam

December 22, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / 2 Comments

Brand new Mayan calendar and the spammers are driving me nuts! Honestly, do you really have nothing else to do other than torment bloggers by filling up their comments sections? Perhaps a course in time management might help you to realize how much of yours and every one else’s time you are wasting?

Perhaps your self esteem is so low that you are doing this for attention. There are other more useful ways to get attention. Why don’t you spend the time doing something nice for someone else instead?

It’s Christmas time, are you saying you (as a spammer) honestly have nothing else that you would rather be doing? How sad for you. I feel sorry for you and your lack of friends, self esteem and apparent lack of interests. Maybe you could spend some time in a library and find something more interesting to do.

Oh well, Merry Christmas to you anyway. I do hope you will find joy in spending time with others and find ways to enjoy, and grow the relationships with the people in your life. Good luck to you.

Cherry Coley (c)

Catch the Spirit – Pass it On

December 18, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / 3 Comments

“He who is not thankful for little, will not be thankful for a lot.” – Chinese Proverb

I am thankful for holidays and especially for Christmas. I am thankful Christmas symbolizes the birth of Christ, although according to Jewish calendars I think he was actually born around passover. Still the music is beautiful, the images are wonderful and the peaceful, quiet that comes in winter with the cold weather adds to a sense of peace.

I love everything about Christmas. The trees and beautiful decorations, the sparkling lights, the candles, the dishes, the spirit that comes to inhabit the homes of those that welcome Christmas. I’m not talking about the commercialism and greedy parts that Christmas has grown into, I’m speaking of the true love and caring spirit of Christmas.

What I really wish is that this spirit of Christmas would stay with us. Not the rush, the hurried and frantic parts, but the quiet peace that is Christmas that settles after everything is done, all the presents are unwrapped, everyone is fed and happy, and content. The quiet hush that comes after a day of excitement, sharing, celebrating and being with people that we love.

I used to love to watch my kids sleeping among their new stuffed animals at the end of the day, smiling and cuddling a new toy. We are blessed, truly blessed.

Today and every day we can capture a little of the spirit that is Christmas. It doesn’t have to be a holiday to show someone you care. It doesn’t have to be Christmas to contact loved one’s you don’t talk to that often. Kindness doesn’t have a season, thankfulness doesn’t have a limit.

In everything give thanks. Thank you, God for giving us another day, let us use it wisely.

Cherry Coley (c)

Christmas – a Season to Be Thankful……. (jeremylum88.wordpress.com)

I Don’t Feel So Merry

December 11, 2012December 11, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / 6 Comments

It’s Christmas time. Yesterday we had snow, just a light dusting, and it was beautiful. There is a chill in the wind today, it makes me want to stay home by the fire and drink hot cocoa.

I have been looking at Christmas decorations, but they don’t seem quiet as sparkly as they used too. I have been avoiding Christmas music for the most part. I simply cannot listen to much of the Christmas music yet.

I am trying, but the truth is I just don’t feel the Christmas spirit much this year. I try to remember last year, but all I can think of is that my days with my mom were running out and I didn’t know it. Instead she and I stayed up late talking on Dec. 11th. We were talking about how everything was going to be different without dad, and we should try to make new Christmas traditions.

We had a long conversation that night about past Christmas’, about new plans, about the Bible and our beliefs, about my kids and our family. Mom and I talked late into the night enjoying each others company. I missed her, I had not seen her in a week or two since Casey was working and using my car more.

Now, the song that best describes how I feel is “Where Are You Christmas?” The answer is, I am not sure. I think Christmas is the same, the spirit is the same, it is me that has changed. I am still healing, still searching for answers that don’t exist and longing for conversations I will not get to finish until I see my mom and dad again someday.

This Christmas is a little better than last year, but it still hurts, aches. Yet I know that time, faith, and hope will eventually heal the hurts, though they won’t fill the gaping hole left in my heart where my parents once lived. I miss them.

If you’re parents are still here, take the time to go see them. If they need you, listen, and be there for them as they were for you. If you have family you haven’t talked to in awhile, here’s your chance, your excuse, break the ice, heal the rift and share the love while you still can. Christmas is about love and that is the greatest gift of all, don’t miss out on this free and wonderful gift.

Cherry Coley (c)

Broken Hearts and Christmas (lynnecobb.com)
Tis The Season to Cry in Public Over Cheesy Christmas Commercials [Video] (collegecandy.com)

December!!

December 4, 2012December 4, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / 6 Comments

December is here already. It is hard to believe we have arrived at the last month of the year so soon. Now is a good time to look at where you are, what you’ve accomplished so far this year and see if there are any last minute projects that you can wrap up before the year ends.

This is has been a difficult year for many people due to illness and loss. It’s been a year of struggle for many who are still looking for work or trying to get back on their feet from having been without a job for a long while.

Each year has its challenges that we will either rise to meet or let over take us, how we respond is our choice.

December is a time when I like to look at the progress made throughout the year. That’s when I take the time to really look at things, could I have done something different? Would the results have been different if I had chosen a different approach? What did I learn and how can I improve on things for the next year?

Take some time today to be thankful for the blessings and events of this past year. Be thankful for the people you’ve met along the way, and the lessons you’ve learned, even if they weren’t too pleasant. Take some time to appreciate 2012, for we will never walk this path again.

Then start setting your sights on the future, 2013 is going to be a great year!

Cherry Coley ©

Count them!!! (msgiddy.wordpress.com)

Sweet Dreams!

November 25, 2012November 25, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / 6 Comments

sleeping kitties

Today I am thankful for sleep. Sleep is something we all need and crave more of at times. There’s nothing that can take the place of a soft pillow and a warm blanket after a long day.

I love the luxury of a pillow top mattress and that there are so many types of mattresses to choose from. We really are spoiled with all the choices of pillows, comforters, and sheets available. We take our rest and sleep very seriously.

I am thankful to be able to rest and recharge, to close my eyes and drift away to another place where possibilities are endless and flying is possible without an airplane. I am thankful to have a place to sleep safely at night.

Sleep is truly a gift so our bodies have a chance to rest, recuperate and make a fresh start. We do the majority of our growing and healing in our sleep.

I have often envied the cat and his ability to sleep most the day and night. Then again, even though I enjoy sleeping I wouldn’t want to spend all my time dreaming, there’s a lot of living still to do.

Cherry Coley ©

What’s It All About?

November 24, 2012November 24, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / 4 Comments

What is Thanksgiving? A tradition, a celebration and reminder of a good harvest to be enjoyed with family, friends, and neighbors. A time to thank God for a good year.

This year it was a time for the retail stores to promote their latest wears and sales, to tempt shoppers to choose between time with family and rushing to the stores. How sad that it has come to this. What about the workers in the stores who really wanted to stay home with their families, but were told they had to come in?

I don’t like how commercial Thanksgiving was this year. It is disappointing and disturbing. Not only that, but it shows how commercial Christmas has become. In surveys taken there were 48% of the people who now wish they could just skip Christmas. Why? Because it’s become a time of greed, seeing what you can ask for and get for Christmas, trying to out do each other on presents, and racing out to get the latest toys.

I love the holidays. I love the traditions we had growing up and have fought to keep them alive. Our family doesn’t have all the latest technology, or the highest priced items. We don’t go into debt for 6 months to pay for Christmas presents that are over the top, or spend until all the savings are gone.

So today, I am thankful I grew up at a time when Thanksgiving was about getting together with family and enjoying the time spent listening to each other. I am thankful I grew up believing in the magic of Christmas as well as the true meaning and remembering the first birthday of Jesus. I am thankful for Christmas eve church services with Christmas carols, and a quiet thankful spirit.

I remember many soft and quiet winter nights watching the lights on the Christmas tree, with Bing Crosby playing in the background.

Today I am thankful for family traditions, may they live on in spite of commercialism. It is my hope that we will slow down and take the time to remember, Christmas is not about the gifts, Thanksgiving is not about the food, both holidays are about one things only and without that thing, they become hollow – empty. Thanksgiving and Christmas are about love, honest and true, caring and kind, love.

Cherry Coley (c)

…haul out the holly (the2womancrusade.com)
Is it really about Thanksgiving? or “Why I’m boycotting ‘Black Friday’…” (3rdculturechildren.com)
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? (colishia.com)

The Choice is Yours!

November 21, 2012November 21, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / 9 Comments

Today I am thankful for choices. I love the fact that we have so many choices each day, starting with our attitude. We can choose to be happy, choose how we approach the day ahead and choose the direction our day will go.

Even if you have a day when everything seems to fall apart, you keep making mistakes, or other people get on your nerves, you still have the ability to choose how you will respond.

Choices are among the most important things we have available to us. Our choices will lead to decisions that over time will show others who we are and what we stand for.

Today celebrate your ability to make choices. There is always hope when there are choices to be made and there are always choices to be made. Today choose to have a cheery attitude, choose to share your time with others, choose to make a difference, choose.

Cherry Coley ©

Ba-Ling!!

November 19, 2012November 19, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / Leave a comment

Today I am thankful for glitter and sparkly decorations. I just love glittery things. You can add a little glitter on something and it just becomes fun.

I used to love buying the glittery t-shirts, when you put them on the glitter would somehow wind up on your skin and hair making you look like a faery got ahold of you at some point.

When we were in pre-school and kindergarten it was vital to have glitter to work on crafts with for Christmas and Valentine’s Day. You have to have glitter to make your artwork stand out.

We still like glitter on our Christmas tree and ornaments. We add white glitter to make figurines and ornaments look like there is snow. There are even greeting cards with glitter added in to give them that little extra something to grab your attention and make you smile.

Little girls love glitter on hair bows, purses, and shoes. There are whole collections of glittery sticker designs.

Humans have had a love of glitter since ancient Egypt where they used the ground up iridescent shells of beetles as part of their cosmetics. Even before that there is evidence select minerals were used in prehistoric times for cosmetics. Glitter as we know it was born in America after WWII by a cattle farmer named Ruschmann who found a market for scrap material ground into glitter made of plastics.

I love glitter because there’s just something about it that makes you think of magic and it makes me smile. I love glitter because it’s pretty! Today be thankful for glitter.

Cherry Coley ©

Eat it Up!

November 10, 2012November 10, 2012 / www.spilledcookies.com / 2 Comments

Today I am thankful for restaurants. It’s nice to have a wide range of places to go out to eat, to gather with family or friends, be served a meal, and enjoy the company without having to worry about cooking or clean up.

It can be addicting, this kind of convenience, we can get spoiled very quickly to having others wait on us.

Our family goes out to eat to meet up with friends, or family, and to celebrate different occasions. We don’t go out to eat a lot because it can get expensive depending on where you go. So going out to eat is a real treat when we do go.

I am thankful to live in a time and place where there is a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. To be able to choose different cuisine’s is a convenient treat. To be able to share the experience is a blessing. Not long ago we went to Medieval Times and enjoyed dinner and a tournament for a birthday.