Ending The Year of 2005

As we finish out the next day of 2005....

there is a time of mixed-emotions.

All of the excitement of Christmas is still surrounding us

yet we know that we will have to 'let go' and move on to

a completely New Year.

We really have no choice in the matter...

WE HAVE TO....LET GO!

Our faith kicks in and tells us that.....

next year will be....EVEN BETTER!!!

Does this mean that we will not have problems, pain,

hard decisions and choices?

Absolutely NOT!

You can bet we will....and maybe even things will happen

that we can not now....even imagine!

Yet I expect the year of 2006 to be a good and wonderful year

for me and my family.....

even better than 2005....

Simply because we continue to learn and grow every single day

in our life's experiences.

Yes, some people must learn...'the hard way'....

but learn we will as long as we breathe on planet earth!

Our choice is to decide if we will live life with.....

a good attitude or.....a bad attitude.

Whichever we choose....will deternime our outcome...

I choose....The Good Life for 2006.....and More to Come!

I also pray, that you, too, welcome The Good Life for 2006!

Be Blessed is my prayer for....Y O U and all those you hold dear!!!!

Merry Christmas to you All....

and a HAPPY New Year! (click on picture)

Britt on Christmas Eve reading story to Joshua...

Ho, Ho, Ho.....here comes our latest gift!

Joshua wants to hold his lil cuz...

but baby Chuckie just likes to 'grab noses'.....

these two little ones make....Christmas Fun!

Yep, he got it this time!

Chad and 'Lil Chuck' say.....can we open presents now?

Merry Christmas....EVERYONE!

Life is on....fast forward!
So much is happening...so fast...around me that I have to stop to catch my breath...in order to breathe!
Many of you know our dear friend Jane....(pictures on my previous blogs) and her fight with cancer.
Yesterday Cindy and I went to see Jane and in essence said our 'good-byes' in our heart......knowing that God can at any moment bring that Miracle that everyone is praying for.
Jane is so blessed with so many people that love her and are 'flocking' to her side in order to express that love again and again....
She receives it all....in 'Jane style'....and often is heard to say, "I need my space!"....Cindy and I came home worn out from trying to give Jane our energy and strength through our heart, mind and soul.
My dear husband, prepared me food which blessed me.
Then I received a phone call (i.e.medicine therapy)from my friend, Melissa, and after listening to her wild and crazy escapades, I found myself laughing and laughing and laughing....
Can you believe that Pammy's pig, Charlotte, gets so excited upon seeing her buddy, Roxy, the dog, that she falls over with a stroke or heart attack?
Honest to God...a real live vet in Indiana swears this breed is famous for 'too much excitement' death syndrome.... The pig survived but now has a 'bad leg'....
Then imagine if you will.....two beautiful, BUSY, women painting for two days in a empty house....and then using the vast amount of money earned by the sweat of their brow....not to buy 'diamonds' for themselves....but to indulge family members with gifts like boat trifles, teen-age iPods, and even other things called 'crap' by some family member.....
So it goes in the family saga of the...Collins family!
Surely needed to hear all the zany things happening to others...
Life is a present.....who needs anything else?
Merry "Jesus Loves You and So Do I" Christmas!

Today is Brittney's 22nd Birthday..holding 'Lil Chuck' along with Melissa Jo and Carla, we all meet at P.F. Chang's for a special time of celebration....Britt, your family loves you!

Celebration with Melissa Jo, Britt and Carla....
and 'Great Wall of Chocolate' cake...

Happy 22nd Birthday, Sweet Britt

Is this for bed...or street?

Crazy card....from Carla/Molly

Mother & Daughter...special moment.

Cousins....Matt & Molly/Carla

Part of the family celebrates Britt's birthday at P.F. Changs...

+++Click on pictures to enlarge...

Merry Christmas from Jane....and to Jane....

We love you, dear one!

The Cat-Lady....

The 'gift' of Life....

A family Christmas Miracle has happened.....our sister, Shyrl, was in ICU and on respirators and body function machines....Shyrl has been very ill and has had near death experiences for years now....This time by all medical facts....she was in a coma and her body was not functioning except with the aid of 'machines'....In the last week she had been taken off the machines a couple of times but could not breathe on her own and was reconnected.

Shyrl's daughter, Susie, was told to make some decision about 'pulling the plug' by Thursday of this week....as it seemed that even her brain was not working...Prayers, prayers and more prayers were prayed by all family members, their churches, etc...

Lo and behold, on Wed. afternoon the nurse called and said that 'she was showing some fighting back signs'.....within 4 hours, Shyrl awoke, spoke to nurses, then her daughter. The machines were removed, she started breathing on her own, became very alert and asked for...'mashed potatoes'....The ICU nurses named her 'Cat-Lady' but said she had more than 'nine lives'.....

A Miracle happened in that room.....the medical facts were correct at the time...BUT FOR GOD.....who even has authority over.....death!

Merry Christmas, Shyrl!

Carla Maria says, "Merry Christmas' and "Happy Birthday Britt"....sharing a fun day with the girls was my early Christmas gift!

My Carla is soooo much taller...plus she wears 'stacks'....

Southern Belle's....cousins who are devoted to each other....always!

My girls, Britt & Carla, as we celebrate Britt's 22nd Birthday at LaTeresita...

Britt and Carla at Britt's office...

Carla Maria....the family 'runner' keeps in shape....eating right, no smoking, and a good attitude of life!

Carla...my shopping partner...says good-bye in parking lot mall....

and a good time was had by all....

Chad reading 'special words' at his business partner,

Jeff Miller's Wedding to Jen on Sunday...

The setting was the beautiful Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach....

The Don CeSar Hotel, referred to as the pink castle on Florida's Gulf Coast...

was a beautiful place to have a Florida Wedding....

The Don CeSar Beach Club Resort and Spa is now listed on the

National Register of Historic Places and has had a

Four Diamond rating for 25 years

while serving delectable “Floribbean cuisine”.

***Note...refer to my Nov. 18, 2002 blog link on left for the

history of the awesome Don CeSar Hotel....

Wedding Party on beach at Don CeSar

Chad, a member of the wedding party says, "It IS a Good Life"....

Florida Wedding at its best...Jen & Jeff and wedding party in St. Pete beach surf

Bride and Groom, Jen and Jeff, living their 'Dream Come True, wedding day...

Tropical Sunset on Wedding Beach...

Family tradition of lighting Advent Candle each Sunday before Christmas goes to youngest family member this year, with a little help from his Dad....

Carlos M. Fernandez III, & IV

Iraqi Marine safely home with family at Christmas....Thank God!

Mother and son enjoy tire swing...Lil Chuck loved it....

Our live Nativity Scene with our 'blessed' youngest family child on the first day of Advent....2005

You only live once - but if you work it right,

once is enough....

by-Joe E. Lewis

Joshua starts early...by being an 'elf' with the Holy Family...

Merry Christmas,You'll....

Humor Therapy
by: American Cancer Society
Other common name(s): Laugh Therapy

Humor therapy is the use of humor for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. It is used as a complementary method to promote health and cope with illness.
Overview
Although there is no scientific evidence that laughter can cure cancer or any other disease, it can reduce stress, promote health, and enhance a person’s quality of life. Humor has physical effects because it can stimulate the circulatory system, immune system, and other systems in the body.
How is it promoted for use?
Humor therapy is generally used to improve quality of life, provide some pain relief, encourage relaxation, and reduce stress. Researchers have described different types of humor. Passive humor results from seeing prepared material,such as a funny movie, standup comedy, or an amusing book. Spontaneous or unplanned humor involves finding humor in everyday situations. Being able to find humor in life can be helpful when dealing with cancer.
What does it involve?
The physical effects of laughter on the body include increased breathing, more oxygen use, and higher heart rate. Many hospitals and treatment centers have set up special rooms where humorous materials, and sometimes people, are placed to help make people laugh. Materials commonly used include movies, audio and videotapes, books, games, and puzzles. Many hospitals use volunteers who visit patients for the purpose of providing opportunities for laughter. A 1999 survey found that about 1 in 5 National Cancer Institute-designated treatment centers offered humor therapy.
What is the history behind it?
Humor has been used in medicine throughout recorded history. One of the earliest mentions of the health benefits of humor is in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. As early as the 13th century, some surgeons used humor to distract patients from the pain of surgery. Humor was also widely used and studied by the medical community in the early 20th century. In more modern times, the most famous story of humor therapy involved Norman Cousins, then editor of the Saturday Review. According to the story, Mr. Cousins "cured" himself of an unknown illness with a self-invented regimen of laughter and vitamins.
What is the evidence?
There is no scientific evidence that humor is effective in treating cancer or any other disease; however, laughter has many benefits, including positive physical changes and an overall sense of well being. One study found the use of humor led to an increase in pain tolerance. It is thought laughter causes the release of special neurotransmitter substances in the brain (endorphins) that help control pain. Another study found that neuroendocrine and stress-related hormones decreased during episodes of laughter. These findings provide support for the claim that humor can relieve stress. More studies are needed to clarify the impact of laughter on health.
Are there any possible problems or complications?
Humor therapy is considered safe when used as a complementary therapy. It can be harmful if used to avoid difficult or delicate issues that are important to you or your family. Laughter can also cause temporary pain after some types of surgery. This improves as the body heals, and causes no lasting harm.
Additional Resources
More Information from Your American Cancer Society
Other materials may be ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).

Laughter IS Medicine!

Come laugh with me I say to you...

CHANGE that look from sad and blue...

CHANGE IT N O W...Indeed you MUST...

For in my words you sure can trust....

That Laughter chases the blues away...

And releases your soul to come out and play....

To play and explore your special “Light Side”....

Where no pill nor drug can turn the tide.....

Because to laugh is to release yourself,

Completely to LIFE and fullness of HEALTH.....

John 16:24...LB.....Jesus said, “Ask, using My name,and you WILL receive, and YOUR CUP OF JOY WILL OVERFLOW."

Another DVD sitter.....'gone to the dogs'!

Too Much.....Everything.....

Bet all of you know what I am talking about....too much....everything....
Heard that Annie P. and Dockie and their entire clan in our beloved Steinhatchee....
had 3 turkeys, at least 14 side dishes and too many desserts to count....
We, too....indulged and over-indulged while living in ...'the land of plenty'....
For this I am thankful....to God, America and my family and friends....

Another point was made in today's newspaper....of this 'land of plenty' mentality.....
I will quote from The St. Pete Times.....

...."Few things distract a parent from serious enjoyment of shopping like a whiny baby.
So the three malls in the Tampa Bay area - Citrus Park, Countryside and Brandon - now offer rental DVD's and players that attach to the mall's free strollers.
The DVD players rent for $5. plus shoppers have a selection of about 50 DVD's in the lending library at mall concierge desks.
"Moms are telling us they are a godsend," said the marketing director at Countryside...." (end of article)

Just when I think I've seen it all......another 'change' hits the airwaves....
Wonder what's next.....think we could market something to entertain a baby during its nine months of.....doing nothing but growing and 'being'......
Perhaps we could 'invent' some way for our 'baby' to communicate back to us while reading the ultrasound.....we would probably get the 'surprise' of our life!
Oh, well, as my Southern Mama used to say,
"Someone who thinks they 'know it all'....has a lot to learn!"

***Click on pictures to enlarge for better viewing...then back button
to return to next post.....

"Happy Thanksgiving",, says Carla and Britt...two of the south's finest 'turkeys'.....

Carla just returning from running
in St. Pete's Turkey Trot race....
Way to go girl! ................Carla Maria without her cap!

Carla, our Turkey Trot Queen...

Racing is in the blood, Chuck Jr., Chuck III, Vinnie and now 'lil cuatro'.... (click on picture to enlarge)

Melissa, Susan & I, eating out in Canada Annie P. 'loves' Bill's new look...

What a wonderful time we had this week as a.....Florida tourist!
All the pictures below is just a fraction of the fun time we had as an 'on land nautical group'....

****Be sure to click on each picture to enlarge it for better viewing since I made each one smaller to save on space....

Epcot....a day of fun with Sally & Sam....provided by our Disney friends who treated us royally....A special thank-you to Susan...our planner....Bill, our tour guide, Kurt & Melissa our Illuminator adviser and Dockie & Ann our 'patient' dinner guests as well....This was a first for our 'nautical' group to do the tourist scene, first-class....and without a boat....Thanks, guys for a job...well-done!

Charlie in Epcot's Italy...

Our host, Bill aka: Bozo#2, takes care of us Royally, after he gets off from work at Epcot...He even got a new 'very stylish' haircut in honor of our special day....Thank you, Bill, for being a great 'babysitter'.....

Disney's ....and our....favorite Bozo's...#1 aka:Kurt, #2 aka:Bill, #4 aka: Sam....and Princess Susan....await Illumination Display at Epcot....thanks to Bozo#1....Thank you guys for a GREAT...AND FUN....TIME!