A Time to Start Over

Today, it seems, has been a time of deep reflections for me. I have finally been able to get away from my busy schedule, and meditate on so many things that has happened in the past couple of years, and after emerging from a period of many tragic happenings, I find that it is time to put the past behind me, and look towards new beginings.

It is time to start all over again. As I look forward to new things, I can begin to anticipate with excitement, whole new horizons, filled with wonderful and new changes, so, I find myself putting my life into perspective, as I come to realize that there comes a time for me to stop, and enjoy the journey.

Today, I reminised about a time not so long ago, remembering when the New York subway system was not as elaborate as it is today. A token then, cost a mere 10 cents, and a Milky Way chocolate bar was a nickle. You could enjoy an evening matinee for just a dime. When I first came to the USA, a permanent Visa cost $5.00, and so on and so fort...

And somehow, I awake, and find that the economy is in a shamble, and people are hurting, and suffering for lack of the bare essentials we once took for granted. I find that I too have been hit by this situation forced upon us, and have been forced to begin the course of life once again.

But in the middle of it all, I have found hope, and the courage to look toward a brighter day. It is indeed a time to start over, and this I find, is not as traumatic as I anticipated. So, as I travel this new road, I am begining to see a brighter future, and I look forward to the challenge.

Today, I do not discard the past, but I have put it in that place of memories, for I know I will visit there for refference time and time again. But, I press forward, for I am renewed, and ready to face the challenge, it's time to start over again.

The Holidays are here again!!!

The Holidays are here again, and I once again find myself in a rush to get things done. This year has been a very hectic one for me, and it still seems as if I am in a mad dash to get things up to date. Nevertheless, we are in the heights of our preparation for the Christmas Holidays, and we are hoping it will bring us a measure of success.

We have decided to add some of our crafts to our online web store, www.jhhmonline.8m.com and we will be displaying our handmade costume jewelry for the Christmas sales this year. We have been working on our crafts department all Summer long, and we are very excited, and waiting to see how well this will do.

As we get full force into the holiday, we have planned many fun additions, and exciting programs, and we invite you to check out our web site: www.jhhmonline.8m.com Please leave us some feedback as you do.

Of course, we will be keeping you abreast of our success, and all new developments this month. Let us be the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

LionofJuda

To all our Enlisted Servicemen, and Veterans

On this very important day, we would like to recognize, and honor all of our enlisted servicemen, and women, and all of our veterans. We salute you, and pray that God will be with each and everyone of you.

As we celebrate Veterans Day, let us remember the men and women who have signed up, placing themselves in harmsway daily, so that we back home would be able to live in peace and safety. We also remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, as they gave their lives up for our freedom, and way of live. To them we owe a debt of gratitude, that cannot be repayed.

For this cause, we pray that America will be a place to which you all can return, and be able to enjoy the safety and peace that you have so selflessly, and boldly defended for all of us. We are grateful to all of you, and thank you all for what you have done, and continue to do daily.

Have a very blessed, and happy Veterans Day.

LionofJudah

Back Home in Beaufort

We finally made it back home to beautiful Beaufort by the Sea, and I welcome the change. I awake each morning just being thankful for the bright, crisp, clear beautiful sunshiny days, that are only found in Beaufort.
I am overjoyed, and look forward to getting back into the swing of things.

It has been quite an ordeal, and one which we will not soon forget. Nevertheless, there were many lessons to be learned, painfull as it may have been. We find ourselves showing more appreciation for so many things we once took for granted, and we have really come to understand that the grass is not always greener on the other side as we once thought.

So, now we find ourselves looking forward to a new begining, and I look with renewed anticipation, at the changes that we will no doubt face. I am relieved, and I am very glad to be back home in Beaufort once again.

LionofJuda

More talks on The Health Care Crisis

It is amazing all that we have been hearing about affordable health care these days. So far it has been just that, talk. In the meantime, countless number of Americans are left, without being able to afford the care they so desperately need, as the talks go on.

I have found myself at the loosing end of this stick, as I too am caught among the ones who do not have any health care insurance. This is not due to anything that I have neglected to do, but because I have a few medical conditions, that have placed me under the classification of: "pre-existing condition". I have been denied health insurance so many times, that I have stopped trying. I live daily by the grace of God, and by doing all I can to maintain as healthy a lifestyle as I can. I am a diabetic, hypertensive, and have been diagnosed with gout. I have a condition that should have been operated on, however, I am not able to afford the surgery, so this has gone unattended.

The irony of all this, is the fact that I am a Registered Nurse by profession, and after taking care of myriad of patients, I find myself unable to get the care that I need. This then, is not just my story, but the story of so many Americans trapped in this system. So, we continue to suffer, as the talks go on.

It is equally ironical, that monies are taken out of our paychecks to cover the medical bills of others, while we, the ones who are paying out, are unable to get care. I myself have seen and cared for many indigents from other countries, who are here illegally, receive the care that I am denied, as the talks go on.

Will there be an end to this critical situation,? we have heard the promises, and we are now awaiting the delivery , as the talks go on.

Loinofjuda

New Things

The new year is now well under way, and now I find myself having to sit down and take inventory of my life so far. So many things have happened the last year, many of which brought life changing experiences along with them. We re-located to New York city, in hopes of finding a better way for my young adult daughters, who where having a difficult time at finding jobs. Both freshly out of High School and college, they were about to get the rudest awakening of their lives.

Beaufort SC is a very laid back place, unlike the hurry worry setting of a big city such as New york. The people are very friendly, and everyone knows each other. The job market is slow, but cost of living is so much lower than New York, it's as if you are in another country all together. Apartments and real estate is so much more affordable in Beaufort.

Well, after being here for six months, all my younger daughter could find was a part time job at a department store. This was devastating, since she came out of college with a Bachelors degree. She ended up having to take the job because we needed the income. We now find that coming here was one of the biggest mistakes we ever could have made.

So now, after wasting much time and money, we find ourselves preparing to go back to where we came from, and learning in a huge way, that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

I have also come to realize that this in not only our story, but also the story of countless of Americans who have been affected by the troubles of our rapidly failing economy. We are now having to start a new, and sometimes, new things can be very frightening.

Nevertheless, we are going ahead with our plans, because we must move past this situation, and get on with our lives. So even tho we have been set back some, the human will is to persevere, and that we will do. We will go on, to new things.

LionofJuda

Have a Happy New Year!

I am wishing everyone a very happy New Year, and am hoping that this year will be one of New Beginnings.

At the beginning of a new year, some of us find ourselves making resolutions that we never keep. It is amazing how many find themselves in this same routine; it certainly has become a habit.

This year, we have the opportunity to start over, be refreshed, and or to try something we have always wanted to do, but just didn't. We can make goals that are achievable, and plans that will ultimately change our lives for the better.

I have always put in writing my goals for the new year, that way, not only do I have a record of my goals, but I am also able to track my progress and achievements, and I can see how much I have or have not accomplished at years end. This has been a great help, as it has allowed me to see how far I have come, and what else need to be done.

I guess each person has their way of  tracking their own growth, but if you do not, I invite you to try setting goals for yourself, and working diligently at carrying them out. I am convinced you won't regret it. It is very rewarding to see that you have accomplished a lot from one year to another.

Have a great year, and hope you will be able to accomplish all that you set your heart to do all year long.

LionofJuda