Tuesday

Things have been pretty busy. I worked late last night. It's hard to believe that it is only Tuesday. I'm already on Thursday in my head. Hopefully I'll get it all straight before the day really gets started.

Walter & I both managed to get our laundry done last night. Yippee!

The day was as busy as usual, but the internet connection was giving us a terrible time. I'm looking forward to tomorrow when the NEW FIOS will be installed. It is really going to be a quantum leap in speed from the current fractal T1 connection that we have. I had a couple of LARGE files that needed uploading and finally just gave up and did the upload from home this evening. At least I can relax now, since I know that they have been done.

I had an interesting surprise on the door when I got home. It seemed that maintenance had come by to "clean my carpets"? Supposedly a requested service, NOT! What I had asked for was them to come in and make sure the water was out of the mechanical room so that it wouldn't mold and to see what they could do about the 'smell' from the leaking into the mechanical room. I was able to talk to the same girl in the office that requested the service for me over the weekend and she was as equally surprised. I told her to ask them if, "Anyone was at home?" in the maintenance office. Duh! The note also said that they couldn't do the service because Carla was out. Well logic here would say, tell the tenant a day before so that wouldn't be an issue. "Brainless bunch today!"

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to..........discourage him.

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair, or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of 'Jesus Loves Me'. It is quite good, so read, sing and enjoy:'

'JESUS LOVES ME'

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME..YES, JESUS LOVES ME...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, THE BIBLE E TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

Though I am no longer young,
I have much which He's begun.
Let me serve Christ with a smile,
Go with others the extra mile
.
(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
'Have no fear, for I am near.'

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day

"For Better, For Worse"

My husband retired, and for the first time in over 40 years I had to think about preparing midday meals. Tired of it after several months, I said, "I married you for better or worse, but not for lunch."

"Fair enough. From now on I'll make my own," he replied.

A few weeks later he had to go downtown on business and invited me to join him afterwards.

"We could have lunch at that Chinese place we both like," he suggested. I happily agreed. At the restaurant the next day we were seated, and the waiter came to take our order.

My husband looked up, a twinkle in his eyes and said, "Separate checks, please..."

Sunday

Rise and Shine. Time for church.

This afternoon, after I pick up Sean we're headed over to Mom & Dad's to be part of the September Birthday celebration. We're having cake & ice cream for all the September birthdays, so that will be Sam, Cassie, Elda, and me. Quite a busy month for birthdays.

Afterwards, I'm off to choir practice and then back home. Where I really do have to do laundry. Otherwise I'm going to end up going "naked" to work.

Well, I was going to choir practice, but ended up hitting Advance Auto Parts instead. The battery connector kept slipping off of the battery, so I need to get a new pair. I'm having Walter put them on the end of the battery cables this evening, in between loads of laundry. I'll be fine until then.

No laundry - instead I was nodding off and ended up in bed before quarter to nine.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thoughts For the Day: Life is not a race. Take it slower. & Hear the music before the song is over.

Saturday

It looks like we had some rain during the night, we've been needing. Thing have been a bit dry.

This morning I'm heading out for work for about a half day. We're doing audio and video production today. Hopefully everything will go smoothly. Brian will be in to help out so that will be a big help.

This afternoon, barring rain, Walter & I are heading off to Bush Gardens for "Howl-O-Scream". It should be fun.

Walt & I had a good time at Bush Gardens, I do believe that watching the "targets" get scared in the mazes was one of the high points. You could just tell by watching the people in line who was truly anxious about going into the mazes. They were really funny.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: "Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!

READ THIS VERY SLOWLY... IT'S PRETTY PROFOUND

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get the kid toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I! 'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Roller blades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to...not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say?
And why are you waiting?

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask, "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift... Thrown away....

Friday

Today was a really tough day. I couldn't believe how much we had to get done and in the short time to get it done. I felt like I was going to be permanently attached to the computer for a while there. I ended up working late this evening, finally getting home around 6:20 p.m.

I checked in on Walter when I got home and we decided to head out to get something to eat this evening at Mi Hicienda's. The food was great as always, but the service was a bit slow this evening.

I'm heading back into work at 8:30 in the morning, so I'm going to get to bed a bit early this evening.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate - look to his character.” — Noah Webster

Eyes of Love

My mother's friend joined Weight Watchers, and the other day when she was getting ready to go to the weekly meeting her little grandson asked her where she was going. She said she was going to her fat club.

When she got back home her grandson said, "Well Grandma, are you fat yet?"

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS

Smart man + smart woman = romance

Smart man + dumb woman = affair

Dumb man + smart woman = marriage

Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy
______________________________

OFFICE ARITHMETIC

Smart boss + smart employee = profit

Smart boss + dumb employee = production

Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion

Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime
_____________________________

SHOPPING MATH

A man will pay $20 for a $10 item he needs.

A woman will pay $10 for a $20 item that she doesn't need.
_____________________________

GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.

A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
_____________________________

HAPPINESS

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.

To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.
______________________________

LONGEVITY

Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.
______________________________

PROPENSITY TO CHANGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.

A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
_____________________________

DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE

A woman has the last word in any argument.

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
_____________________________

HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED

Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

_____________________________

Thursday

Another day closer to the weekend - although I don't have anything spectacular planned. I do believe that I may be going into work on Saturday for awhile. I'm not exactly sure what the project will be but...oh well.

This afternoon I have a dental appointment to see what's going on with my bite and what can be done about my grinding my teeth in my sleep. Apparently I'm not to good to my teeth in my sleep.

Tonight's the night of the 'big' performance - wish us luck!

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Everyone smiles in the same language.

Car Sale

Judi tried to sell her old car. She was having a lot of problems selling it, because the car had 250,000 miles.

One day, she told her problem to a friend she worked with at a salon. Her friend told her, "There is a possibility to make the car easier to sell, but it's not legal."

"That doesn't matter," replied Judi, "if only I can sell the car."

"Okay," said Judi's friend. "Here is the address of a friend of mine. He owns a car repair shop. Tell him I sent you and he will turn the counter in your car back to 50,000 miles. Then it should not be a problem to sell your car anymore."

The following weekend, Judi made the trip to the mechanic. Two weeks later the friend asked Judi, "Did you sell your car?"

"No," replied Judi, "why should I? It only has 50,000 miles on it!"

{This particular Judi must have been blonde!}

Wednesday

Well a night of listening to the rain in the mechanical closet. I have been promised that the repairs will be done this morning.

I couldn't tell anything had changed this evening when I got back home from work. No note or work order left telling me that anything had been done. Oh well!

I headed off to choir practice this evening at 8:00 p.m., we were doing a short practice before we perform for the Association of Independent Baptist tomorrow evening. We were truly blessed this evening when one of the gentlemen of the church was able to play piano for us - and he'll be there tomorrow as well. Yippee!!

I'm hitting the hay early this evening and hoping to get a really good night's rest. See ya'll in the a.m.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Every now and then, go away; have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work, your judgment will be surer. - Leonardo da Vinci

Church Cats

A mother looked out a window and saw Johnny playing church with their three kittens. He had them lined up and was preaching to them. The mother turned around to do some work.

A while later she heard meowing and scratching on the door. She went to the window and saw Johnny baptizing the kittens. She opened the window and said, "Johnny, stop that! You'll drown those kittens."

Johnny looked at her and said with much conviction in his voice: "They should had thought of that before they joined my church."

Tuesday

Yesterday was a real kicker. I was beat by the time that I left work and ready to fall out, but I had a hair cut scheduled. Walter went with me so that we could do some shopping afterwards.

We also went out to eat at Dolce Vita, a new Italian restaurant off what used to be Old Hundred Road. It was a really nice place. Great food and atmosphere.

I was pretty much calmed down when I got home, until I fired up the computer only to have it NOT START! I had a minor panic attack and called Gary our company computer guy. It was so funny, I tried to start it up with him on the phone and it started! He said that it was his "intimidating voice" that caused to start. (really funny). I did do a scan disk afterwards and everything looked just fine. It must have been a quirky moment. However! I did back up all my documents, just in case something goes.

This evening I arrived back home to find that the mechanical closet was "raining" again. I've called the maintenance department to come back and fix it. They said that they will be here within the hour. I doubt it, but we will see.

I was pleasantly surprised when maintenance arrived. It turned out that the fellow from this weekend didn't even tell the main maintenance office about the "shower" over the weekend.

So what had happened during the day today, was the people in the apartment above me called saying they didn't have hot water. Maintenance came out to relight their water heater, without knowing that the water heater had burst over the weekend. So now, I'm listening to the rain fall once again. Even though maintenance used a shop vac to clean up the water from upstairs. I'm beginning to think that the residence in the apartment above me have turned on their water heater again.

Oh! I had a quick call from Danielle this evening. She & the family are doing well. She does think that Faith may be coming down with a bit of a cold. I hope that it is over quickly.

I've been working this evening at home, "attending a teleconference" and make a couple of audio recordings. I'm planning on getting all this done and in the bed before 10:30 p.m.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us. - Oprah Winfrey

Movie Meet

After I had purchased movie tickets for myself and my girlfriend, she went inside to find seats while I got some popcorn. By the time I was served, the previews were already being shown. I stumbled my way through the dark, sat down, put the popcorn in my girlfriend's lap and gave her knee an affectionate squeeze.

Then I heard a familiar voice say, "Pssst! John! I'm back here."

Concert Dreams

Not that I need reminding, but time flies much too fast. When I was a teenager, I used to whine to my parents, "Just once I would like to see Aerosmith in concert before I die."

The other day my 13-year-old son, an aspiring rock star, blew my mind with this: "Dad, I'd like to see Aerosmith just once before they die."

Monday

Time to turn on the heat! Who would have thought it would come so soon. I kicked on the heat last night and a good thing too! The temperature outside this morning is a brisk 48-degrees. Brr!

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. - Thomas Edison

Expectations

Because of a shortage of maids, the minister's wife advertised for a manservant. The next morning a nicely dressed young man came to the front door. "Can you start the breakfast by seven o'clock?" asked the minister.

"Can you polish all the silver, wash all the dishes, do the laundry, take care of the lawn, wash windows, iron clothes and keep the house neat and tidy?"

"Say, preacher," said the young fellow rather meekly, "I came here to see about getting married but if it's going to be as much work as all that, you can count me out right now."

Happy Birthday Marion!

Have a Wonderfully RELAXED Birthday!

Sunday

Well, I woke up early this morning {6 a.m.} to be ready for the maintenance man to arrive to fix the water leak. I roused Sean and let him know to be prepared. After about a while I went back and covered up to half-sleep until he either called or knocked on the door.

I dozed a little until Mom & Mamaw Stapleton called around 8 a.m. to wish me a Happy Birthday. Still no repair man....

Dad gave me a Birthday call around 8:30 a.m. Still no repair man...

Walter came down to get me to go to church at 8:45 a.m., but I still need to be here for the maintenance guy. So...I get to miss church today.

It is now going on 9:30 a.m. and still no maintenance guy. When he does get here he is going to get an ear full. At the pace he is going I would have been able to go on with my day as usual and not had to worry about being here.

Sean has had no trouble sleeping through every call and knock on the door. So when he does get up he should be very well rested.

The day has been a real drag...It is 1:30 p.m. and at this point I have been waiting for the maintenance man to arrive for over 8 1/2 hours. I spoke to him around 11 and he said he would be here in an hour and that he was coming from Colonial Heights. I'm supposing that his truck has broken down or some other such tragedy has occurred since he's not here yet.

Sean & I are trapped here until he comes. I've ordered us some Chinese and am getting on the phone to find out where in the world he is.

I made it to choir practice this evening. I dropped Sean off at home before I headed to the church. Practice went well and we are getting all prepared for the upcoming Christmas season.

Walter took me out to the Siam Paragon for Thai food this evening. He had alligator!! It it had the texture of pork.

The restaurant there always does such a beautiful presentation of the food. This was my dinner - a seafood special. It was almost too pretty to eat. The owner's wife brought me out a birthday Taro Custard with a little whipped cream on top and a candle. It was so cute!

A great end to an otherwise yucky day waiting on the maintenance man.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: We can put television in its proper light by supposing that Gutenberg's great invention had been directed at printing only comic books. - Robert M. Hutchins

Sermon Comment

After a very long and boring sermon the parishioners filed out of the church saying nothing to the preacher. Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons."Pastor, today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God."

The pastor was thrilled. "Nobody has ever said anything like that about my preaching before. Tell me why."

"Because it endured forever."

Cathedrals

To all the great moms I know.

This is a story for all of the invisible cathedral builders commonly known as mothers...

I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense - the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone or cooking or sweeping the floor or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.” And the workman replied, "Because God sees." I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.” At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there." As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Saturday

Another day of glorious weather. I've thrown open the windows and am enjoying the wonderful weather.

Mom is on the road to Mamaw Stapleton's house. We spent a good portion of the morning talking as she was on the road from Richmond to just past Lynchburg.

Danielle sent me this really cute e-card - it is a must watch, I nearly fell out of the chair laughing.

I've been working on graphics and website this morning for work. Sean's finally arrived and we are going to move on to video production this afternoon. I think we'll take time out for lunch first though.

While the video was compiling we went out for a while. Miss Carla had a nice trip to the 'beauty shop' where she got shampooed and her nails trimmed. She smelled so much nicer. While she was getting all fixed up, we ran up to WalMart. I picked up an extra lamp for the house - the one on my dressing table was always in danger of falling off now it has a nice steady base. It looks nice as well.

While we were finishing up the video Sean heard what he thought was rain beating on the air conditioning units outside. I thought that he was hearing horses running on television. Turns out that there was water running into the mechanical closet in the apartment. I got hold of the maintenance department and they came right over. Turns out that the water heater in the neighbor's apartment upstairs had sprung a leak.

It looks like we'll be in for the duration in the morning. The maintenance man will be back to get it fixed around 7 a.m. So much for getting out to church in the morning, unless he doesn't have a lot to do. But I'm not counting on it. I'll just make choir practice tomorrow night.

Sean and I have been finishing up the video this evening. This is what he finally got loaded up on YouTube.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day:

Anniversary Friday

Morning Everyone. There weather this morning is wonderful. It is going to be a wonderful day.

Well today marks my 16th anniversary. Wow, 16 years! Well at least the last is going out with a bang.

This afternoon I'm headed out for the annual "Birthday Luncheon" with Marion. Time to celebrate our birthdays, mine on Sunday and hers on Monday. We've been doing this for 13 years. That seems incredibly long. We started this back when both of the big guys were playing baseball together. Lots of things have gone on in both families and we've talked them all over lunch at one time or another. Good friends are a true treasure.

I got a Birthday surprise at work this morning, they had a carrot cake and card for me. It was so nice. I finally cut the cake around 9:30 and by this evening all that was left was a slice to bring home. Yippee!!

This evening after I got home from work, Walt & I headed over to El Toro Loco for dinner with Roz, et. al. We had a great time. As they told Walter we were dining with his 'adopted' cousin. The fun never stops. What a terrific way to celebrate the upcoming 'birthday'.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “Never blame a legislative body for not doing something. When they do nothing, they don’t hurt anybody. When they do something is when they become dangerous.” — Will Rogers

Cell Phone Find

An employee of the airport found a cell phone in one of the boarding areas. She switched it on, hoping a caller would identify the owner. It rang, and she answered it, but there was no response. When it rang a second time, another female employee answered, and the same thing happened.

Moments later, a supervisor came by and picked up the ringing phone. "This is Bob. May I help you?"

"Bob," the bewildered woman caller finally spoke. "Where is Bill, and who are those two women he's with?"

Thursday

Morning. Hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful fall weather, at least around here. I got to sleep with the window open last night. Good stuff.

This morning I'm basically ENJOYING the wonderful fall weather. I could sit on the porch all day with a good book and a pot of coffee. Good stuff.

Mom & Dad dropped by this evening to visit for a while. They brought me by my birthday card early, since Mom is going to be out of town for the weekend.

My big birthday surprise was this terrific stork sculpture. It is either an inside or outside piece, for now it is going to be staying inside.

Mom also brought me over 3 quarts of green beans, I'm looking forward to dinner tomorrow night. Green beans, chopped onion and tomatoes. Yum!

We had a wonderful visit - coffee & ice cream and lots of conversation. Time really flew by while they were here. Company is something that I need to have more of here.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding one’s self in the ranks of the insane. — Marcus Aurelius

A TEST FOR OLD KIDS

I was picky who I sent this to. It had to be those who might actually remember. So have some fun my sharp-witted friends. This is a test for us "old kids"! The answers are printed below, but don't cheat.

1. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, Who was that masked man? Invariably, someone would answer, I don't know, but he left this behind. What did he leave behind?________________.
2. When the Beatles first came to the U.S. In early 1964, we all watched them on The _______________ Show.
3. "Get your kicks, __________________."
4. "The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to ___________________."
5. "In the jungle, the mighty jungle, ________________."
6. After the Twist, The Mashed Potato, and the Watusi, we danced under a stick that was lowered as low as we could go in a dance called the "_____________."
7. "N_E_S_T_L_E_S", Nestle's makes the very best . . . _________."
8. Satchmo was America's "Ambassador of Goodwill." Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was _________________.
9. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking? _______________.
10. Red Skelton's hobo character was named __________________ and Red always ended his television show by saying, "Good Night, and "________ ________".
11. Some Americans who protested the Vietnam War did so by burning their______________.
12. The cute little car with the engine in the back and the trunk in the front was called the VW . What other names did it go by? ____________ & _______________.
13. In 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, "the day the music died. "This was a tribute to ___________________.
14. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it. It was called ___________________.
15. One of the big fads of the late 50's and 60's was a large plastic ring that we twirled around our waist. It was called the ________________.

ANSWERS:

1. The Lone Ranger left behind a silver bullet.
   
2. The Ed Sullivan Show
   
3. On Route 66
   
4. To protect the innocent.
   
5. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
   
6. The limbo
   
7. Chocolate
   
8. Louis Armstrong
   
9. The Timex watch
   
10. Freddy, The Freeloader and "Good Night and God Bless."
    
11. Draft cards (Bras were also burned Not flags, as some have guessed)
12. Beetle or Bug
    
13. Buddy Holly
    
14. Sputnik
    
15. Hoola-hoop

Wednesday

I had a nice surprise this evening, L.G. called. We had a very pleasant conversation. It was good to hear from her.

Walter & I went out to Mi Hicendia for dinner. Dinner was good as was the conversation. While we were there I saw this huge glass. It looked like a fish bowl on a stem. You can see by the tea glass how big it actually is.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. — Edmund Burke

Help Line

It's clear why these people needed to call a "help" line.
------
Customer: "I've been calling 700-1000 for two days and can't get through; can you help?"
Operator: "Where did you get that number, sir?"
Customer: "It's on the door of your business."
Operator: "Sir, those are the hours that we are open."
------
Samsung Electronics
Caller: "Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?"
Operator: "I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about."
Caller: "On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?"
Operator: "I think it means the telephone plug on the wall."
------
Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while traveling in Europe)
"If I register my car in France, and then take it to England, do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?"
------
Directory Enquiries
Caller: "I'd like the number of the Argo Fish Bar, please"
Operator: "I'm sorry, there's no listing. Are you sure that the spelling is correct?"
Caller: "Well, it used to be called the Bargo Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off."
------
Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: "Woven? Are you sure?"
Caller: "Yes. That's what it says on the label -- Woven in Scotland."
------
On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator:
"I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on."
------
Tech Support: "I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop."
Customer: "OK."
Tech Support: "Did you get a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No."
Tech Support: "OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No."
Tech Support: "OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?"
Customer: "Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'."
------
Tech Support: "OK. At the bottom left hand side of your screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?"
Customer: "Wow! How can you see my screen from there?"
------
Caller: "I deleted a file from my PC last week and I just realized that I need it. So, if I turn my system clock back two weeks will I get my file back again?"

Tuesday

The weather may be alright today, but it looks like rain one day this week at least. Carla and Tweat both have been enjoying the weather over the past few days. They've been able to spend more time outside than normal. Maybe this weekend will be great as well.

It's been a good day. I've been working on getting together a couple of images for a work website. The biggest one was a brain map image. I'm pretty pleased with the results.

This evening Walt came down for a little while and had some ice cream, before heading up for an early night. Hope gets caught up on his sleep.

Sean called to discuss video production. He's got a video that he wants me to help him work up this weekend so that he can put it up on You Tube. So he'll be coming over this weekend to get that done.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. — Thomas Paine

9/11

Monday

Welcome to a brand new week. This will be the first full week of school here. Here's to all the family that is in school. Ya'll have a great week.

I sort of just piddled around all day yesterday. Nothing particularly exciting.

I did try out a new Sunday school class aka Fellowship class. We had an interesting teacher and a number of new people in the class. I'm going to give it a few weeks to see if it is where I want to stay or not. Last night at choir practice we tried out another prospective choir director. This one was good. He even has Manchester Choral Department credentials. His style of directing is quite a bit like Paul's and he has a lot of energy.

After church last night I went out to Shoney's with Jeanie & her girls - we had fun. I showed the girls how to whistle through their straws. They thought it was a hoot.

Well time to get off to work for the day. Everyone have a great one...Later

Great day at work today. Loads of stuff accomplished. Heather & I had the third pea in our pod start work today. Brian joined us this morning and hit the ground running. Great Day!

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. - Albert Einstein

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS

Smart man + smart woman = romance
Smart man + dumb woman = affair
Dumb man + smart woman = marriage
Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy

OFFICE ARITHMETIC

Smart boss + smart employee = profit
Smart boss + dumb employee = production
Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion
Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime

SHOPPING MATH

A man will pay $20 for a $10 item he needs.
A woman will pay $10 for a $20 item that she doesn't need.

GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

HAPPINESS

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.
To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.

LONGEVITY

Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.

PROPENSITY TO CHANGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.

A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.

DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE

A woman has the last word in any argument.

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT GETTING MARRIED

Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next." They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

Saturday

A very nice morning. The weather is pleasant and on top of that I got to sleep in!

I've put Miss Tweat on the patio for the day. She has been talking up a storm since she's been outside. Carla has been laying out in the grass in the sunny spots enjoying the day as well.

There is nothing truly big on the agenda for the day. Perhaps I'll head out to the grocery store a bit later in the day.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thoughts For the Day: Work as if you were to live 100 Years, Pray as if you were to die To-morrow. - Benjamin Franklin

“I would like to know the name of the buffoon who first decided that competition was a bad thing. Who was the silly goose who woke up one morning with the goofy notion that kids shouldn’t keep score in their games so that the members of the losing team wouldn’t suffer from low self-esteem? And what fathead decided that high schools shouldn’t have valedictorians because all the other seniors would feel like a bunch of underachievers? No doubt it was the same idiot who determined that a level playing field didn’t really mean equal opportunity, but equal results.” —Burt Prelutsky

More Suthen-ism's:

Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" them, you "PITCH" them.

Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., make up "a mess."

Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."

Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, . as in: "Going to town, be back directly."

Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table.

All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well.

Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor 's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin!

Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20.

Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash.

No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn.

A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb.

Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines, ... and when we're "in line," . we talk to everybody!

Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're related, even if only by marriage.

In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.

Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them.

Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food.

When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner!

Only true Southerners say "sweet tea," "sweet milk," and "light bread". Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk. And "Light bread" is white bread.

And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say, "Bless her heart" ... and go your own way.

To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart!

And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language!

And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could."

Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah !

Now...... Shugah, send this to someone who was raised in the South or wish they had been!

If you're a Northern transplant, Bless your little heart, fake it. We know you got here as fast as you could.

Kentucky:

The owner of a golf course in Kentucky was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask is secretary for some mathematical help. He called her into his office and said, "You graduated from the University of Kentucky and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 4%, how much would you take off?"

The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, "Everything but my earrings."

You gotta love those Kentucky women.

Alabama:

A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night , one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck.

"Where's Henry?" the others asked.

"Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied.

"You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they
inquired.

"A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to steal Henry!"

Louisiana:

A senior at Louisiana was overheard saying..."When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana "

When asked why, he replied he'd rather be in Louisiana because everything happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the civilized world.

Mississippi:

The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, "Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!"

Bubba replied, "Did you see who it was?

"The young man answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got the license number."

Tennessee:

A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65. The trooper asked, "Got any ID?"

The driver replied, "Bout whut?"

North Carolina:

A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait.

A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.

The man replied, "I have a flat tire."

The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"

The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back! I never did understand it neither."

And Finally....

You can say what you want about the South, but you never heard of someone retiring and moving north.

Friday

A relatively busy day. I ran out this afternoon to Volvo to pick up some parts for Walter's car, of course they weren't in stock, so they are ordering them and they should be in the first of next week.

While I was out I had opportunity to talk with Danielle. I was glad to hear that her classes are going well and that she is beginning to put together an idea of what type of degree to pursue.

Walter's back from Roanoke - it looks like he won't be heading back up there next week. There is some work that they need him for here in town.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: The leader shows that style is no substitute for substance, that creating an impression is not more potent than acting from one's center. - Lao Tzu

Please join us in the FLY THE FLAG campaign

THE PROGRAM IS THIS:

On Tuesday, September 11th, 2007, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this anniversary of our country's worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

Action Plan: So, here's what we need you to do...

(1) Pass on the plan to everyone you know (at least 11 people). Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.

(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation.
God Bless You and God Bless America

Thursday

Hope all everyone is doing well now that they are back in to school. The weather even turned enough to wear 3/4-length sleeves. You all know it won't be long before we are all looking to the spring to warm us up.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” — Albert Einstein

SOUTHERN WOMEN

Southern women appreciate their natural assets:
Clean skin.
A winning smile.
That unforgettable Southern drawl.

Southern women know their manners:
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, sir."
"Why, no, Billy!"

Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions :
"Y'all come back!"
"Well, bless your heart."
"Drop by when you can."
"How's your Momma?"

Southern women know their summer weather report:
Humidity
Humidity
Humidity

Southern women know their vacation spots:
The beach
The rivuh
The crick

Southern women know the joys o f June, July, and August:
Colorful hi-heel sandals
Strapless sun dresses
Iced sweet tea with mint
Straw hats and big sunglasses

Southern women know everybody's first name:
Honey
Darlin'
Shugah

Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Steel Magnolias
Gone With The Wind

Southern women know their religions:
Baptist
Methodist
Football

Southern women know their country breakfasts:
Red-eye gravy
Grits
Eggs
Country ham
Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly

Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
Chawl's tn
S'vanah
Foat Wuth
N'awlins
Addlanna

Southern women know their elegant gentlemen:
Men in uniform.
Men in tuxedos
Rhett Butler

Southern girls know their prime real estate:
The Mall
The Country Club
The Beauty Salon

Southern girls know the 3 deadly sins:
Having bad hair and nails
Having bad manners
Cooking bad food

Happy Birthday Steve

Wednesday

It looks as if we are going to have another pleasant day outside today. I've been a bit stopped up with watery eyes - so it must truly be fall (ragweed). However, it hasn't been anything a little antihistamine couldn't fix.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Peace begins with a smile. - Mother Teresa

Tuesday

Back to the regular routine after the long weekend. It really went well.

Walter's off to Roanoke for the week to work. He'll be home for the weekend, but then back off again the first of next week.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been. - John Greenleaf Whittier

Chocolate Calories

A good piece of chocolate has about 200 calories. As I enjoy two servings per night, and a few more on weekends, I consume 3,500 calories of chocolate in a week, which equals one pound of weight per week.

Therefore...

In the last 3 1/2 years, I have had a chocolate caloric intake of about 180 pounds. I weigh only 165 pounds, so without chocolate, I would have wasted away to nothing about three months ago!

I owe my life to chocolate.

Have A Great Year

To all the family that is back to school today. Ya'll have a terrific day.

Happy Labor Day

A Monday Off

What a wonderful morning. I've slept in today. Carla even slept in for a while this morning.

I've nothing spectacular planned for the day other than visiting with the family this afternoon at Mom & Dad's house. The only have to do for the day is laundry - YUCK! but it does have to be done.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at perfect liberty.” - Thomas Jefferson

Water Bowl

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as He got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog. After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind."

Soooo...

Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word. Maybe this will explain.

When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do? You forward jokes. When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes. When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how, you forward jokes. Also to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get? A forwarded joke.

So, next time if you get a joke, don't think that you've been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.

You are all welcome @ my water bowl anytime.

Serene Sunday

What a glorious morning to wake up to! The birds are singing, the crickets are chirping, and all the little woodsie sounds abound this morning. The temperature to terrific, and thank you Lord, no humidity.

I was able to sit out on the patio this morning with my first cup of coffee and my sketch book before getting ready to head off to church. I've moved Tweat and her cage outside to enjoy the day. I'm sure that she will appreciate the time outside. Carla has enjoyed the door being open - in and out, whatever her pleasure.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: - to come.

WARNING

If your computer does this when copying a file...

You KNOW it's been infected with some crappy virus!

An Interview

This is an incredible interview with Rick Warren , 'Purpose Driven Life ' author. His wife now has cancer, and he now has 'wealth' from the book sales.

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said: 'People ask me, 'What is the purpose of life?' And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity.

We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body--but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity.

This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one!

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, 'which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her. It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder.

For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease. So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence.

He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.

Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back.

It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions?

Popularity?

Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism?

Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better.

God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list.

He's more interested in what I am than what I do.

That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

'Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD. '

Saturday Outting

The boys and I are heading once again down to Bush Gardens for the day. This is the last hurrah of summer before school starts for Sean on Tuesday. But first thing this morning Walter & I are dropping by Midas to donate blood. The blood service has been calling Walt all month to get him to come in and donate. He has type O blood so they want all of it that he will spare. Then we're picking up Sean and going straight on to Williamsburg.

The plan is to ride rides ALL day long. The biggest thing that we have to do is make sure that Sean eats, otherwise we'll have one grumpy guy on our hands. The weather report does seem to be on our side, with highs in the mid-80's and overcast. Most likely we'll be able to enjoy ourselves without suffering from too high temperatures. Should we get in mood - we can always catch the Chubby Checker concert out this evening. You never know.

I've even got Monday off to rest and relax. That is if I can. Who knows.

Well, as they always can, plans changed on the fly this morning. Sean called to let me know that he wasn't up to going with me this morning. I hope that he is feeling much better this evening.

Walter & I dropped into the Midas on Hull Street to give blood first thing. My iron was right on target this morning, however, after trying once in each arm they pretty much "patted me on the head and said thanks for trying". They were really nice about it, my veins were just too deep and they rolled. Perhaps next time - in November.

Bush Gardens was delightful today. The weather was stupendous. I finally got to see the show in Ireland called Emerald Beat. It was fabulous!!! The choreography was terrific and how awesome. It only took all summer to get to it - I am so glad that I did finally get to attend one of the shows. It was well worth my time.

On the way back home we passed this promotional car for Red Bull. Quite an interesting looking vehicle.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thoughts For the Day:

1. If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.
3. Going to a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. It isn't the jeans that make your butt look fat.
5. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal & opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. (Just remember how lucky you were to get a free trip around the sun.)
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind & narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years & throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make the ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shall not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. If you must choose between two evils, chose the one that you've never tried before.