From Christmas Chaos To Blessed Contentment...

As we approach Christmas Day...I am forced to look at my gift lists, my wish lists and my grocery lists and I realize I am not prepared for this holiday. I freak out and stress every minute about all I have to do including address Christmas Cards that have been sitting on my desk for the past three weeks. This holiday is turning into a thorn in my side and I look forward to it being over. I have gifts to buy, cards to send, gifts for my child’s teachers, functions to go to, a turkey to make, potlucks to attend and no money for any of it......AHHHHHHHHHH! 

Whew...then I take a deep breath and remember why this holiday is taking place. After going to a little city in Texas and taking a walk in a recreated town named Bethlehem from over 2000 years ago, I realize that I have it all wrong. 

I walk through a wooden gate into this town to be welcomed by camels, donkeys and plenty of sheep and am quickly approached by a woman saying, "Shalom" and asking me if I would like to buy a chicken. I hear her story of how she has no money to pay for her taxes and Caesar is making her sell everything she owns...including pets and her only source of food. I tell her I'm sorry and walk on to be greeted by another woman trying to sell fabrics. I ask her how business is and she tells me she's selling and can't complain but to please not speak of it or Caesar will take everything she owns away. I started to feel pain and fear for these women and quickly forgot my own. I walk in and out of stone houses and shops only to see smiling faces of people young and old and welcoming me with a warm, "Shalom, please come into my home." Believe me, I'm without delusions. I realize now that these folks were actors portraying the little town of Bethlehem but, I have truly forgotten that while walking through. I look up and see a bright star shining off to the east of the town and follow its beauty. 

I am led to a bright cave where I see a beautiful young woman in the arms of her loving husband and together they hold a chubby cheek little cherub. Their love eluminates almost as bright as the star in the sky above them. I look at this child that is to symbolize my newborn savior, Jesus Christ and I start to cry. This sight before me has put all my holiday woes to rest and I am immediately filled with praise. Christmas is not a time to stress over who gets what gift or who didn't receive a Christmas card. 
Christmas is the celebration that we are here because HE was born! 

With my heart filled with the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of our Lord, I wish you all the most blessed year and pray that an even better year comes your way. You are all my brothers and sisters and I thank you for your friendship and love.




I wish you a Merry Christmas...
Con Molto Amore,
Paiger 

Just A Moment Of Thought...

You know it's sad when you're up late at night, had a couple too many beers and you have to watch Chelsea Lately with one eye closed to avoid seeing two of everyone on the roundtable.

Just sad...
Con Molto Amore
PAIGER

Put Up Y'all......

While watching my "guilty pleasure", Chelsea Lately, I was educated on a new term...

Put Up!  Ross Mathews, who I think is just hilarious and a total sweety pie, said that instead of putting someone down...put em up!  Love it.  Instead of insulting a person and making them feel bad...just pay them a simple compliment and you'll be surprised how much it means to them and how much it warms your heart.  Thank you Ross!

It's funny how my day can begin on such a positive note and then I go to a store or restaurant where there is someone working who clearly hates their job.  They will give bad service or just be downright "snippy" and it blows my morning.  The best thing I can do for them is just smile and try to say something nice.  Now mind you, that's not always the case.  I'll react bad, storm out of there, slam my car door and say some form of a curse word....hey, I'm human.  But I just love the idea of the Put Up.  It's a cute reminder to myself to not take it personaly and to be kind to everyone.  You never know...it could make someones day.

Now I can tell myself to put up or shut up.  LOL

Con Molto Amore Everyone!
Paiger

Fearful Courage...

This morning was a powerful service and really stuck with me.  We had a guest speaker at our church (Hill Country Bible in Austin Texas) who is a pastor at an associate church in Gonzales TX, Jesse Elizondo.

He spoke of COURAGE and asked how courageous do we live our lives?
He asked if we Speak Up to call others to join the cause of following God's word?
He asked if we Stand Up for the right in the face of wrong?
Do we Step Up to follow God whatever the cost may be to us?
And finally, do we Set A Pattern and expect the greater reward, God's reward of eternal life?

It was powerful and really made me look at myself and demand the answers to these questions.  God has provided us an amazing world full of beauty and love and I know, for myself, I take advantage of that.  God is everywhere and his love surrounds us but, I tend to abandon my courage to fight for it.  During these past few weeks of recovering from surgery I felt so weak and beat down.  I felt a victim.  Now, a little stronger, I feel like a fighter.  A fighter who wants to take on the weaknesses of my body and beat them down.  I know only God can give me the courage to do that and the courage to share that fact with all of you.

Courage is not the absence of fear but doing what you fear the most.  Be strong and courageous!

Con Molto Amore,
Paiger

Harley And An Ice Pack...

Day four after surgery was pretty good.  My neck was a little on the sore side today but what better way to deal with it than to have my trusty monkey, Harley and an ice pack?  It did wonders!

Harley was made for me at Build-A-Bear in Houston in 2002 for my birthday.  My dad, my sister, and my brother all put a heart in him before we built him together and we all named him Harley for my love of motorcycles.  I love that little Monkey and when my little darlings aren't stealing him from me, he is on my bed.  This past week he has been by my side along with PD (the greatest little min pin in the world especially since he tolerates the cat sneaking in some snuggle time).

 

They have all kept me company while Deano was at work and the girls at school.  I couldn't have asked for a better recovery this week.  Tomorrow I go to the doc to remove my stitches and draining tube which I'm not looking forward to but, hey, once it's over I'll feel so much better.

Every day I feel more and more like myself.  Swelling is going down slowly but surely and the pain is less every day.

Again...I want to thank all of you for your kind emails, phone calls and texts wishing me the best and keeping me in your prayers.  You are all wonderful and I love having you a part of my blogging family.  A friend of mine told me yesterday that with all the physical drama I experience, it might be wise to just wrap me in bubble wrap.  I got such a kick out of that and still can't stop laughing.  She called it alright.  Paiger wouldn't be Paiger without all the injuries and surgeries.  I guess it just keeps things interesting.  Still...I can't thank you all enough for taking a day to walk in my shoes.  

Happy Friday to all of you tomorrow and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Con Molto Amore,

PAIGER

A Walk To Defeat ALS - Lou Gehrigs Disease In South Texas...

Many years ago my girlfriend, Jenny lost her mom to Lou Gehrig's Disease.  It was actually three months to the day before my father lost his battle with a brain tumor.  So, needless to say we have been there for eachother in huge ways while dealing with our losses.  This is something that is important for me to do not just to be there for Jennay but by the Grace of God...make a difference.  That's why I'm calling on all my blogger family to help.  Whether you donate $5 or $50, will be a tremendous help in researching this wicked disease that doctors are STILL trying to figure out.  There are some breakthrough's happening but, all of us can help push that along with our donations and hard work.  I have listed a link below that you can click on to donate or to sign up to walk with us.  Our team is Carol's Courageous Angel's and my name is Paige Royal.  

http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/SouthTexasWalk?px=2686611&pg=personal&fr_id=6562

Thank you for helping me reach my Walk to Defeat ALS(TM) fundraising goal! This is an exciting opportunity for us to work together to support those affected by Lou Gehrig's Disease and to spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure.

Please consider walking with me or sponsoring me. With your help, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease. I encourage you get your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers involved!

Why We Need Your Help

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.

This crippling disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease though support is bringing researchers closer to an answer. In the mean time it costs an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need. Help make a difference and donate or join a walk today.

Anything you can do would be so appreciated.  Our Goal is to reach $3000 but we pray that God provides more to help all those who are suffering find some answers and hopefully some peace.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this and if there are any questions...please do not hesitate to comment below.

Good night all you beautiful people out there who take their walks in Paiger's Shoes.  You mean the world to me.  God Bless You!

Con Molto Amore,
PAIGER

Day After Surgery...