Happy Halloween

May all our little Trick or Treaters have a fun and fantastic time this evening. To all those attending Harvest Festivals be sure to have a terrific time and enjoy all the activities. Sean is planning on being our resident candy dispensing agent while he will surely have no trouble hearing the bell as he will have the company of Carla & Lilly to announce our arriving guests.

Mom is popping by this morning to get a perm. I'm sure we will have a great visit while I get it all rolled up. We are going to run out and pick up the perm from Sally's. Dean is working on his remaining homework before he heads off to a Microsoft seminar this afternoon. Perhaps he will be as lucky as last time and receive one of the doorprizes again this year. Sean will be working on his assignments while working on keeping everything he needs to do around here.

We got Mom's perm done this morning and it looks wonderful, the curls took wonderfully. We had a very nice visit and I helped Mom pick out the photos that she is submitting for a contest she is entering. I hope that she'll do well. Now all she has to do is get them all labled and in the mail.

While we were sitting on the deck doing all this organizing and letting Mom's hair dry, Carla and Lilly were 'playing' or at least coming to some sort of understanding in who is the top dog and who isn't. I thought for a while that they were trying to kill one another, but it was just too strange. Lilly had hold of a fleshy piece of Carla's neck and Carla was getting her by the scruff of the neck and making her lay down. It was a riot to watch after we figured out they weren't really hurting one another. During this same time period Lilly figured out how to get off the porch, but it was for the best she went potty on her own. I was so proud of her!! and to top it off she did it a second time a short while later.

Sean has been working on his homework on the deck this afternoon. Miss Rachel came over to visit with Sean in the early afternoon. She was a very nice girl. I was able to get this photo of her.

She invited Sean to walk around this evening while she took her her niece & nephew 'trick or treating'. Since he has complete a portion of his homework I think I'll put in a good word for him to be able to go. I believe that they will have fun.

Dean came home from his seminar with a new t-shirt and several other Microsoft goodies. He said that it was very informative. Then again after he got back home, work was paging once again. Who knows how long it will take him to deal with the new mess that they've got going on.

We didn't get our first, Trick-or-Treater until after 6:30 and that was our neighbor Alex. He was decked out as Harry Potter. Looking Good! Debbie was out walking with him and said that she was dressed out as an "Exhausted Mom". She's so funny. Our house was their last stop on their way home. Alex had quite a haul, and was all set to hand out candy at his house having already finished up with his own fun out.

We had loads of goodies leftover, I don't believe that we had more than 30-40 Trick-or-Treaters. An amazingly few amount given the size of the neighborhood and the number of people that usually come in by vehicle from other neighborhoods. It was probably a low turn out due to Halloween falling on a school night.

We did have a several very cute costumed children: a fireman, vampire, several princesses, dancers, and some of the boys dressed up in dreadful monster outfits. Most of them were small children although we did get some as old as 15.

Of course, the dogs nearly died from trying to get out. They were over stimulated by all the excitement. Lilly & Carla both would bark & run to the door, wanting to go out and "see" who was outside the door. Dean finally got Miss Lilly to sleep - I helped keep her that way by sitting on the porch with the candy to keep the door bell from ringing. Miss Lilly was so tired she went to sleep around 8:30. I don't expect to even have to take her out at all tonight. I don't think she'll have the energy.

Danielle said that she was going to take Miss Faith to several houses to Trick-or-Treat. I hope that she will send along a picture of her in her costume. I don't even know what she had planned to dress her up in. I do hope that they had fun.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought for the Day: No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man. - Heraclitus

Memory Improvement

I knew that as I was getting older, and finally able to admit it, certain things were starting to "slip". In an effort to prevent this "slippage", I went enthusiastically to a three-hour seminar on memory improvement. After an hour I slipped out, I took the same course, given by the same professor, last year.

Organization

My sister was bemoaning the fact that she had procrastinated cleaning and organizing her house for a long time. Since she was planning to entertain, she felt a lot of pressure to get moving. That afternoon she phoned, sounding glum.

"I went to the bookstore," she explained, "and I bought a book on how to get organized. I was all fired up, and I decided to clean out all the shelves in the living room. While I was cleaning, I found the same stupid book. I had bought it a couple of years ago!"

Becoming Illegal (From a Maryland resident to his senator)

The Honorable Paul S. Sarbanes
Senate Office Building
309 Hart, Washington DC, 20510

Dear Senator Sarbanes,

As a native Marylander and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.

Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year. Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as "in-state" tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car. If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative. Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,
Pete McGlaughlin

Get your Forms (NOW)!! Call your Internal Revenue Service 1-800-289-1040. Please pass this onto your friends so they can save on this great offer!!!!

Surprise Monday

One of our neighbors moved a camping trailer into their driveway a number of nights ago and now it seems that one of their sons may be living in it. Of course, I'm not sure of this but it does seem that someone was out there with the lights on too late to just be 'cleaning it up'. Time will tell on this one.

I apologize to all those who tried to talk to me on the phone before 10:00 a.m. - I wasn't all there this morning. Grogginess prevailed and I couldn't tell you anything I said to ya'll. Ya'll know I'll call you later in the day. The dogs had all snuggled down close by and gone to sleep so I guess it was quite contagious. Sorry all!

Sean has been working on some of his classwork this morning and has played for a bit on the computer. I've helped him go over his review sheets. I believe that he'll be able to take advantage of this extra time to come up with a great score on his history test when he returns to school.

It seems that Mom told me that Sam is going to try to learn to play the trumpet, just like his daddy. It will be interesting to see if he takes to it. Elda is hunting down her clarinet as an option if the trumpet doesn't work out.

Our mundane Monday was quickly changed into a day with a MAJOR SURPRISE!. Danielle dropped by to visit with us. She stayed for about 15-20 minutes before heading off to final choir practice before tonight's performance. She dropped off a ticket for me to go to her concert tonight. Amazing!

Danielle enjoyed meeting Miss Lilly as you can tell by the pictures. She told Sean that she was going to take her home with her. She thought that she was so cute and lovable.

She filled us in on Miss Faith who has had a temperature for the past days - it is just a virus that will pass. She has just cut her 2nd tooth and still expecting the top two now.

They made it out to the Celtic Festival on Sunday. They even arrived early - they forgot to set their clocks back as well as their watches so they ended up leaving earlier from the games than they had expected to do. They had fun, but the wind and wetness got to them too. Just like it hit us on Saturday.

I had an enjoyable evening at the MHS Fall Concert. I was surprised to meet Jeanie, my choir buddy, and we spent the evening watching our girls do their thing.

The concert was truly wonderful. All of the groups performed excellently. Danielle's group the Madrigal Singers performed two pieces, Oh My Love, by Norman Luboff and And Nature Smiled, by Allen Koepke. Danielle is on the top row in the picture. She is always in the wrong spot on stage for me to take a photograph. Usually she is on the right side of the stage so I dutifully sat to the left in the audience so I could get a great shot. So of course, she was on the left side of the stage hidden from view for the most part. I did try...


The combined choirs performed Regina Coeli, written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. They were fabulous! These Fall Concerts have gotten better each year, the quality of the instruction is surely reflected in the performances.

I got a great shot of Jeanie's girls, Rebekah & Rachel. They were all amazed that they both looked good in the same photograph. Rachel sings with the Lancer Singers and Rebekah is in the Concert Choir. I sent along all the photos that I took of the girls to Jeanie. I hope that the girls enjoy them.

Oh...I did also get a photo of Carson (her other brother) to send along to Danielle. I also sent this along to Carson.

I was able to slip out right after the concert where I managed to get several shots of Danielle. The one alone was one of the best ones that I got all evening of her. Most of the photos were grainy and yucky - too far away and with terrible lighting. I asked Danielle about their outfits, they were all wearing pink shirts with black skirts. She said that the costumes that they had ordered were terrible - that they had many girls popping out of them in various places so in order to maintain decency they wore other matching clothes.

Ben was a surprise attendee, he was able to attend this evenings concert prior to heading directly off to school afterwards. Danielle was riding home with the in-laws. I was able to pass off some extra business cards of mine onto Al, for the office. Hopefully they will produce some painting works for me in the future.

Miss Faith was not in attendence, she was spending the evening at home with a sitter. According to Ben she was feeling better.

Jeanie & her girls and I had a very funny incident that occurred as we were leaving. I was wearing my "bob" hair piece and the girls were talking about how cute it looked. Then I popped it off and showed it to Rebecca who promptly screamed. It was so funny. We were joking about my wearing it to church and taking it off during choir practice. Who knows it might just be a really exciting moment.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thoughts for the Day:

• "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie
• I dream for a living." Steven Spielberg
• If your goal is to be comfortable, chances are you’ll never get rich. But if your goal is to be rich, chances are you’ll end up mighty comfortable. - T Harv Eker

The Cabbie and the Nun

A cab driver picks up a nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won't stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring.

He replies: "I have a question to ask you but I don't want to offend you."

She answers, " My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive."

"Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me."

She responds, "Well, let's see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2, you must be Catholic.

The cab driver is very excited and says, "Yes, I'm single and Catholic!"

"OK" the nun says. "Pull into the next alley."

The nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush. But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying.

My dear child," said the nun, "why are! you crying?"

"Forgive me but I've sinned. I lied and I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish."

The nun says, "That's OK. My name is Kevin and I'm going to a Halloween party."

Sunday

I believe that we are going to have a wonderful day. The weather looks to have cleared out and may even warm up to delightful 66-degrees today. I'm getting ready to head off to church for choir practice and the boys will be following for sunday school, even Walter. We missed seeing Danielle & family at church today. I hope that everyone is doing well and should someone be sick that they recover quickly.

Sean allowed me take a picture of him this morning all dressed up for church.

Sean & Walter spent an adventuresome afternoon playing Empire Earth. They played for several hours, I think in the end Walter won, but they surely did have fun.

Lilly has gotten back into the swing of the house after being out with her 'Uncle' Walter.

Choir practice this evening was excellent as was our performance this morning. We were really into it. It was such a spirit filled performance. WOW!

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

This one is especially timely as we have the new puppy in the house...

Morning Pills

This morning, before I had my first cup of coffee and chased the cob webs from my brain, there was a bit of a mess-up with the pills on the kitchen counter.

I wish to announce to any of those interested that I shall now be heartworm-free for the next 30 days.

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN...?

Mom sent these along to me, it is amazing how much of these even that I remember.

• All the girls had ugly gym uniforms?
• It took five minutes for the TV warm up?
• Nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the kids got home from school?
• Nobody owned a purebred dog?
• When a quarter was a decent allowance?
• You'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny?
• Your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces?
• All your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done every day and wore high heels?
• You got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, all for free, every time? And you didn't pay for air? And, you got trading stamps to boot?
• Laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?
• It was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents?
  
• They threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed. . and they did?
  
• When a 57 Chevy was everyone's dream car...to cruise, peel out, lay rubber or watch submarine races, and people went steady?
• No one ever asked where the car keys were because they were always in the car, in the ignition, and the doors were never locked?
• Lying on your back in the grass with your friends and saying things like, "That cloud looks like a ." and playing baseball with no adults to help kids with the rules of the game?
• Stuff from the store came without safety caps and hermetic seals because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger?
• And with all our progress, don't you just wish, just once,you could slip back in time and savor the slower pace, and share it with the children of today?
• When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited the student at home?
• Basically we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc.
• Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! But we survived because their love was greater than the threat.
  
• Share this with someone who can still remember
  
• Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Laurel and Hardy, Howdy Dowdy and the Peanut Gallery, the Lone Ranger, The Shadow Knows, Nellie Bell, Roy and Dale, Trigger and Buttermilk.
• As well as summers filled with bike rides, baseball games, Hula Hoops, bowling and visits to the pool, and eating Kool-Aid powder with sugar.
  

Didn't that feel good, just to go back and say, "Yeah, I remember that"? I am sharing this with you today because it ended with a double dog dare to pass it on. To remember what a double dog dare is, read on. And remember that the perfect age is somewhere between old enough to know better and too young to care.

How many of these do you remember?

• Candy cigarettes
• Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside
• Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles
• Coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes
• Blackjack, Clove and Teaberry chewing gum
• Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
• Newsreels before the movie
• P.F. Fliers
• Telephone numbers with a word prefix...(Raymond 4-601).
• Party lines
• Peashooters
• Howdy Dowdy
• 45 RPM records
• Green Stamps
• Hi-Fi's
• Metal ice cubes trays with levers
• Mimeograph paper
• Beanie and Cecil
• Roller-skate keys
• Cork pop guns
• Drive ins
• Studebakers
• Washtub wringers
• The Fuller Brush Man
• Reel-To-Reel tape recorders
• Tinkertoys
• Erector Sets
• The Fort Apache Play Set
• Lincoln Logs
• 15 cent McDonald hamburgers
• 5 cent packs of baseball cards -with that awful pink slab of bubble gum
• Penny candy
• 35 cent a gallon gasoline
• Jiffy Pop popcorn
  

Do you remember a time when...

• Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-moe"?
• Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Do Over!"?
• "Race issue" meant arguing about who ran the fastest?
• Catching the fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening?
• It wasn't odd to have two or three "Best Friends"?
  

• The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was "cooties"?
• Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot?
• A foot of snow was a dream come true?
  

• Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute commercials for action figures?
• "Oly-oly-oxen-free" made perfect sense?
• Spinning around, getting dizzy, and falling down was cause for giggles?
  

• The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team?
• War was a card game?
• Baseball cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle?
• Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin?
• Water balloons were the ultimate weapon?
  

If you can remember most or all of these, then you have lived!!!!!!!

Highland Games & Celtic Festival

Yippe!! We are off. Miss Lilly is spending the day with Walter and Carla is getting the opportunity to have a day of peace. We dropped off Miss Lilly early this morning and she and Walter were all set for a day of adventure together, as we headed off into still damp morning.

We were parked, I do believe, about as far away from the gate entrance as you could get - those little flag wavers kept shuffling us further and further away. When we first arrived we thought that we might have needed to pack in hip-waders to deal with all the mushy mud around. I was beginning to think that there wasn't a solid place to stand. Thankfully the sun came out and the wind helped to solidify our footing.

	These are just a few of the individuals that were in costume or members of the Piper & Drum Corps. I saw this piper standing amongst the reenactors, he was wear an old style kilt. The gentleman in the center was the husband of one of the vendors. The couple were observing a group of pipers warming up. I got two shots of the fellow on the bottom row. In the first he was observing the pipers and in the second he was part of a group doing cadences' at their tent. Everyone looked to be having a great time!

The Opening Ceremonies called together all of the pipers and drums together with the various clans and they all took the field. The massed band played and the clans paraded around the field. One of the pipe & drum corps was from VMI - they looked sharp!

Massing of the Bands

Following the bands, the Highland Games continued on the field. We stayed around in the stands to watch the caber toss. It was a true sight to see. There were about 10 competitors, they were trying out a new caber - it was 20-feet long and weighed some where in the neighborhood of 160 lbs. They were suppose to pick up the caber and toss it end over end. Out of all the guys that tried only one was able to do it. He flipped it over and it landed at 12 o'clock in the opposite direction.

We spent a lot of time checking out the Celtic Market and finding out what was new and exciting there. I ended up with a pinkie ring, necklace & earrings. Sean found a nice belt and buckle, no excuse not to have one on now. I found our new Christmas ornament for the year a very sweet Celtic Snowman. On the whole the market wasn't quite what it has been the last couple of years, I really missed the pottery from the Dancing Pig. They always have some unique pieces.

We picked up Lilly from Walter's place - she had been a good girl for him. She even took a swim in the creek back behind his apartments. He tells us she is a good swimmer.

Time Change

Don't forget about Time Change this evening.
Remember to set your clocks back an hour.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Gated Community

Security and peace of mind were part of the reason we moved to a gated community. Both flew out the window the night I called a local pizza shop for a delivery.

"I'd like to order a large pepperoni pizza, please," I said, then gave him the address of our condominium.

"We'll be there in about half an hour," the kid at the other end replied. "Your gate code is still 1238, right?"

Friday

The temperatures have risen to a much nicer 51-degrees. There was a small amount of rain during the night, but the slates were dry this morning. Sean & I are headed off to the grocery store this morning. If I can wake up and reduce this headache that I have somewhat. I've got to go up and wake Sean. Shouldn't be too bad - Lilly will help out on this one.

Before you vote next month be sure to check out the just released information regarding the novels that James Webb candidate for Senate has produced. It is truly shocking and disgusting. The news broke on the Drudge Report this morning! Remember to support Senator George Allen and his re-election!

Wow! grocery shopping was interesting today. Marion met up with us at WalMart and shopped with us until she was finished. We finished up and headed home - it had begun to rain as we were leaving the store. It was helpful to have Sean to help get the groceries in from the car too!

Sean has took time out this afternoon to carve our pumpkin for Halloween. A bit early, but if temperatures don't get too high it will last until Tuesday without any difficulty. That is unless Lilly decides to eat it. She has been eating pumpkin seeds and little pieces of pumpkin. Strange pup.

Walter has dropped by to spend part of the evening with us. Right now he and Lilly are laying on the loveseat. Walter with his calves & feet hanging off the end and Lilly all stretched out on his chest sound asleep. He and Sean are watching some strange program on G4 - a mystery type program about gamers.

We are all heading out to the Highland Games & Celtic Festival this weekend. I've been so looking forward to it. I know that we will have a great time, if nothing more than watching the ferret-legging. A bizzar and strange event involving sweatpants and ferrets inside them. Nothing more to say on that except could you image a ferret running around inside your pants?

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thoughts for the Day:

• "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller
• "Brain cells come and go but fat cells live forever."

Humor for the Day: Seen on a fence: "Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive."

Fall gathering of Kinfolk

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see. This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin. I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch. Happy Autumn!

Lost Baggage

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up.

She smiled told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands.

"Now," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?"

Thursday

It is frosty outside this morning. When I took Lilly & Carla out this morning. The ground was white with frost in the areas where the sun had not hit. It was beautify.

There hasn't really been alot to comment on today. Mom dropped by for a short visit to return an item that Sean left at their house. Other than that not much at all. I did get both the upstairs and downstairs vaccumed without Lilly going crazy. I put a new stick in Tweat's cage, I'm wondering if she start peeling the bark on this one too.

Sean came across this new photo of Faith standing in her crib. She is growing so much. I'm pleased that he shared this with me.

Dean has class tonight - he'll be turning in his mid-term exam which he has already taken and scored an 88, but there are a couple of question that were wrong according to the test-but they were right according to the book. So I guess they will get this all straightened out during class tonight.

Walt says he'll be dropping by after his class tonight to visit, and get me to drill a couple of holes into his belt. He is dropping weight and his new belt is getting much too large.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Albino Peacock

This is just too beautiful not to share. This does not happen very often...He sure looks a giant snowflake!!!!

BEST LAWYER STORY OF THE YEAR, DECADE

AND PROBABLY THE CENTURY

Charlotte, North Carolina. A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against, among other things, fire. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires." The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued.. and WON! (Stay with me.)

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company, which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable fire" and was obligated to pay the claim.

Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss of the cigars lost in the "fires".

NOW FOR THE BEST PART..

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON!!!

With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.

This is a true story and was the First Place winner in the recent Criminal Lawyers Award Contest.

ONLY IN AMERICA! NO WONDER THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES THINK WE'RE NUTS!

Wednesday Already?

It's hard to believe that Wednesday has arrived already. The week is surely flying by. I'm looking forward to Saturday and the Richmond Highland Games & Celtic Festival (my birthday celebration belated - only because this event doesn't come here until October). I'm hoping for an Indian Summer day.

Walter is going to be taking me to the Urbanna Oyster Festival on the first weekend in November. This promises to be a fun excursion for the day. I should be able to get some really nice pictures of the water and they tell me that the sailboats are out in force that day. I'm hoping for an Indian Summer day for this date also. Not to be greedy or anything. It would just be nice not to tote around a heavy coat for the whole day.

We've have a busy afternoon around here: I've got a doctors appointment then shortly thereafter Sean has an orthodontist appointment. I hope that his teeth are all aligned so that the next visit can be to have them taken off. It would nice to finally be through with the brace thing. The orthodontist says that Sean's bite is lining up nicely and that he should only be in them for a few more visits, which are becoming closer together. Sort of like a maternity visits near the end.

I received a great letter today from a cousin, David Baker, he has sent me some interesting information on the Baker family. I'll need to add this to what I already have, but he was able to confirm some of my previous hypothesis. Yippee!

As the final weeks of the campaign season draws to a close. Let's all remember to support our local candidates. Here in the 7th District Eric Cantor is the incumbent candidate and has done a great job in the past. Let's keep him in office. Remember to VOTE on Election Day.

I got an update from my neighbor on her friend Laurie the one who just got back from Liberia with a new daughter. She just found out today that Laurie is heading back to Liberia to pick up.............3 more kids!! The 2 boys I told you about and a little girl. This will mean 8 total children. She and her husband must be truly amazing. I know that she even homeschools all the kids. I do believe that they have the makings for their own version of Eight Is Enough!.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought for the Day: “One man with courage makes a majority.” —Andrew Jackson

Truely Awesome Story

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003. His Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:

"A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her.

Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset,
we drove home.

I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked t o speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can just sit by for; ...have to do something.'

I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy, that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered,quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye.

Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my so n, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was.

He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.'

His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and lead him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves.

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life, so that mother and baby could live.

This story should help us to realize two things: First - that though it has been five years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory. And second - but most important - God is always in control.

We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.

Pole Power

I was getting ready for work when I looked out the window and saw the utility company starting to erect a pole in front of my house. They were going to position it directly in front of my picture window. No way, absolutely no way, was I going to permit this. I gulped down my coffee and went directly to the crew supervisor and told him, in no uncertain terms, that I was not going to stand for his crew putting that stupid electrical pole directly in front of my picture window.

He took out a plot map, a map for pole locations and a right of way document. He went on to explain that the chosen location was the best spot for the pole. I told him it was not the best location for me and that when I came home from work that day I certainly did not expect to see that pole in front of my window.

He asked where I did want them to put it and I told him I didn't give a hoot, as long as it was not in front of my window. I felt pretty smug as I drove off to work because I felt I got my point across. I knew he was afraid to put it there now.

Ah, the feeling of power; at least until I got home and found the pole in the middle of my driveway.

Culture

A young man, while bringing flowers to a cemetery, noticed an old Chinese man placing a bowl of rice on a nearby grave. The young man walked up to the Chinese man and asked, "When do you expect your friend to come up and eat the rice?"

The old Chinese man replied with a smile, "Same time your friend comes up to smell the flowers."

Tuesday

It is a brittle 37-degrees outside this morning. Walking out the door with the girls this morning was the hard way to get fully awake. Burrr. Time for the gas logs.

Dean had some exciting news at work, there may be an opportunity for him to make an in house change. Pray for guideance in this decision.

Alice helped me out with this picture of Faith it was very highly contrasted, but by making some changes and turning it to a sepia tone, we were able to get a up close and personal look at that elusive tooth that she has. She looks like she is having a fantastic time in the pumpkin patch - probably thinking about using that tooth on one of the pumpkins.

I'm heading off to spend some time with Aunt Jo and Mom this afternoon. We are going out for lunch at the New Sino American Buffet. From what I understand this is a terrific place.

We had a great time with Aunt Jo. We had all kinds of fun talking and telling a few stories. The food at the buffett was wonderful. They even had about seven different kinds of sushi to sample in addition to the regular oriental fare. The coupon that we had was only for the southside location (they are owned by different companies), oh well. Perhaps next time.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

The Power of Prayer Across Generations

This first-person account describes how a prayer passed down through family generations brings comfort and joy even in the saddest of times.

The writer overheard the end of an emotional conversation between a mother and daughter in an airport, wherein both wished the other "enough." After the daughter left, the writer approached the mother, asking what wishing you "enough" meant.

The mother's answer was a prayer handed down from her parents to be shared with loved ones. In the form of a blessing, the prayer urges that other person to enjoy a life filled with "just enough good things to sustain them":

• I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
• I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
• I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
• I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
• I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
• I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
• I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Why you don't need a truck in Vietnam.

Aunt Barbara sent these over and I got the best chuckle out of them and thought this would be a great place to share them.

How many piggies are there on that motorcycle? Just how many fowls is that lady carrying with her? This last one reminds me of when Dad had the Datsun truck, and all of us squeezing into the cab for a ride across the river.

Monday

I took Miss Lilly out at just about 6 this morning and got a bonus - a shooting-star streaking through the sky. It was spectacular. I haven't seen one since we went camping in Ocean City during the period in August when we have the meteorshowers. Something truly special for the day.

I've been telling everyone about the toy basket that the dogs have been enjoying. Here is Lilly getting a bone out to chew on.

And..an amazing photo of the girls sleeping on the sofa together. Miracles never cease! They didn't stay that way too long, but it was absolutely adorable. They are even getting along much better. A little better each day.

Carla has started a "new" behavior. She is beginning to come to get me if she thinks that Lilly needs something. She has even whined when Lilly has needed to go outside. Now she is coming to sit next to me once Lilly is asleep so that I will put Lilly down on the couch for the rest of her 'nap'. Weird critters.

These two are just plain odd. Carla sat in front of Lilly (who was sleeping) and whined to wake her up so that they could go outside to 'potty'. I can hardly tell what is going to happen next, just when I think I've got the schedule figured out they go and do something like this.

I've given Carla something else to think about for at least a short while - I hung Tweat's cage on the front porch. This will keep her busy watching out for her instead of Lilly at least maybe long enough to let Lilly sleep for longer than 15 minutes.

This afternoon I got a batch of the apples from Mom & Dad, cut up and put into the crockpot to simmer along for the duration. They are beginning to put off a delightful aroma in the house. I'm sure I'll have a couple of hungry guys looking for them when they come into the house tonight.

One of our neighbors called this afternoon to let me know/find out if I knew about a group of teenagers running around through the woods after midnight last night. Turns out she had called the police and they had come through with spotlights looking for them. They had also found a gas can on her front lawn and taken it with them. I suppose for fingerprints or evidence if they find some other type of similar problem. I had been too busy with Carla waking me up to tell me to I should take Lilly out to notice anything other than the girls and our neighbor several doors over bring home a travel trailer at 12:30 in the morning. Just delightful to have all the lights shining in the window at that hour.

It seemed like everyone in the extended family & a friend decided to all fall apart within a 24 hr period.

Health News:

• Elda Jane Update: She is headed off to see the OB/GYN this afternoon - she had some abnormal swelling and they are following up on that. She is definitely in our prayers. Report! She was all normal - the ER goofed up with the reading of the CT scan. It probably was just gas - as usual it is something odd.
• Sean checked on his friend (a girl)this morning and no one was home at their house. However another of her friends had received a text message late last night saying that she was alright. A few too many stories to follow on this one right now. We'll have to wait and see. Update: She did go to the hospital - and did come home last night. She is recouping at home.
• Now I'm getting a report that Dad is not feeling well. - This afternoon he seems to have turned around and is feeling better. GREAT!

I received a good surprise in the mail this afternoon a coupon sale from Lane Bryant, the only problem with it was the sale had expired. However, since we had shopped there on Sunday (during the sale time) I was able to get them to give me the value of the coupon. YES!, plus there was an offer for a free cami too. So I was able to get back $50, and another shirt, plus coupons for $100 off during Nov/Dec. It was like hitting a small jackpot.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thoughts for the Day:

• "Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies." Nelson Mandela
• There is no such thing as a really rich victim! - T Harv Eker

Halloween Fright

A man is walking home alone late one foggy Halloween night, when behind him he hears: BUMP... BUMP.. BUMP...

Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him. BUMP... BUMP... BUMP...

Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him. FASTER... FASTER... BUMP... BUMP... BUMP...

He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him. However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket clapping, clappity-BUMP... clappity-BUMP... clappity-BUMP... on his heels as the terrified man runs.

Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, he locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps. With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door. Bumping and clapping toward him.

The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is a bottle of cough syrup! Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket... and........, The coffin stops........

Sunday

It been a cold start to the morning, I hope things warm up some. - No such luck. It is still chilly willy around here.

I had a super surprise at church this morning, Walter was there when I arrived. Then Dean & Sean both came in for Sunday school. What a great day! Walter came back to the house to visit with us after church.

I headed out to Mom & Dad's house this afternoon to pick up some apples that they brought back from the orchard. The look wonderful. I think I am going to put then in the crockpot and let them cook slowly. They will be stupendous after slow cooking all night.

I'm off to choir practice this evening, we are getting ready for the Christmas program and a special Thanksgiving service. Lots to practice.

Fire Update: I found out during choir practice tonight that the woman who was involved in the accident Friday was a friend of one of our choir members. Turns out that the accident occurred when a truck/tractor trailer forced her off the road and sent her sailing over the bridge railing. Once she crashed, the car caught on fire. She was trapped in the car unable to get out on the driver's side due to the flames. She was able to make it out of the car by climbing over the center console and exiting by the passenger door. Once out and clear of the vehicle she collapsed - turns out that she had a severely broken arm (in several places) and compression fractures in her lower back. She apparently passed out from the pain. She is recovering at one of the major medical centers here.

I have spoken with Mom today and found out that Elda was sent to the hospital for some tests. They are not sure of what is going on, but she was having pain in the general location of the appendix. They have sent her for a CT scan this even around 8 p.m. so we are all waiting to hear the results. Thank goodness that Tim & Elda have had their terrific friend Ed to call upon to watch out the their little ones while they are off at the hospital. Thanks Ed!

We received another surprise a little later - Sean received a phone call that his friend (a girl) was in the hospital. The reason is unknown at this time, but it sure has been a busy day for the hospitals. I just hope that everything works out well for each and everyone of them.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought for the Day: "When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied." - Herophilus

Lable Instructions

In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods:

1. On Sears hairdryer: "Do not use while sleeping". [Gee, that's the only time I have to work on my hair]
2. On a bag of Fritos: "You could be winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside". [Evidently, the shoplifter special]
3. On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: Use like regular soap." [And that would be how...?]
4. On some Swanson frozen dinners: "Serving suggestions: Defrost." [But it's *just* a suggestion]
5. On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of box): "Do not turn upside down". [Oops, too late, you lose!!]
6. On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: "Product will be hot after heating. [As sure as night follows the day . . . . .]
7. On packaging for a Rowenta iron: "Do not iron clothes on body". [But wouldn't this save even more time?]
8. On Boot's Children's Cough Medicine: "Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication". [We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off those forklifts.]
9. On Nytol Sleep Aid: "Warning: May cause drowsiness". [One would hope]
10. On most brands of Christmas lights: "For indoor or outdoor use only". [As opposed to what?]
11. On a Japanese food processor: "Not to be used for the other use". [I gotta admit, I'm curious].
12. On Sainsbury's peanuts: "Warning: Contains nuts". [NEWS FLASH]
13. On an American Airlines packet of nuts: "Instructions: open packet,eat nuts." [Step 3: Fly Delta]
14. On a child's Superman costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly". [I don't blame the company. I do blame parents for this one!]
15. On a Swedish chain saw: "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals". [Was there a chance of this happening somewhere?.....Good grief!]

EVER WONDER ....

• Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
• Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?
• Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?!
• Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
• Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
• Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
• Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
• Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
• Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
• Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
• Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
• You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!!
• Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
• Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
• If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
• If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Only In America......

• can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.
• are there handicap parking places in front of a skating rink.
• do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.
• do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.
• do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.!
• do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
• do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
• do we! buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.
• do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.
• do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.
• can a homeless combat veteran live in a cardboard box and a draft dodger live in the White House.

Surprising Saturday

Off we go to do some serious shopping. I hope that we are able to find what we are looking for in the least amount of time possible. Shopping is so stressful - Quick and Easy is what I am looking forward to.

We have been truly busy. We began our shopping excursion at 9 a.m., beginning first with breakfast at McDonalds, followed by shopping from one end of Regency Square to the other. We began with clothes shopping for master Sean at Penney's where we hit the jackpot! Everything that he liked. Dean even found some really nice dress pants. We headed on down the mall to Macys - the guys picked up a few things and Dean found a really nice pair of shoes that will work for both work & church. I didn't see anything there, now that's not quite true - I did see one outfit that was gorgeous, but it was almost $250.00 just for 2 pieces.

We stopped for a brief lunch in the food court and trudged forward onto Sears. Now that was an odd place, it was so 'empty'. There wasn't a very big selection at all and it appeared that they weren't quite ready to even open the store to customers. On top of that it was extremely cold in there. Onward to Lane Bryant where I struck it rich in the intimate apparel department. Things fit wonderfully. Big Smile!! Sean found a pair of shoes at the store next door while I was trying things out.

On the way out of the mall we went back through Penney's where I did find a couple of pair of pants, a winter coat, and found a great sale on a new computer bag, and for an extra $0.88 a nice new handbag. For our final stop we went to Ultra where I was able to pick up some bare Minerals makeup. It is so light on my face - it doesn't seem like it is even there.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thoughts for the Day:

• Dreaming frees the soul, energizes the spirit and allows you to do things that would get your behind thrown in jail if you really tried them.
• Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.
• Don't be afraid to take a big step. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.
• Where do your morals lie - BB (before Bill Clinton) or AB (after Bill Clinton) - heard while shopping.

Hitchhiker Problem

John was driving home late one night when he picked up a hitchhiker.

As they rode along he began to be suspicious of his passenger. John checked to see if his wallet was safe in the pocket of his coat that was on the seat between them, but it wasn't there!

So he slammed on the brakes, ordered the hitchhiker out, and said, "Hand over the wallet immediately!"

The frightened hitchhiker handed over a billfold, and John drove off.

When he arrived home, he started to tell his wife about the experience, but she interrupted him, saying, "Before I forget, John, do you know that you left your wallet at home this morning?"

Hugs to All

Friday

We have a rainy start to the weekend, which by 9:30 a.m. had developed into a wonderfully sunshiny day. We have some idiot in the cul-de-sac this morning shooting off firecrackers. What makes it worse is it is probably an adult.

Getting to school this morning was a exercise in knowing the back roads. There was a car fire at the bottom of the hill that we must travel to get to the middle school. The school had sent out a teacher with a flashing light to stop traffic before the main turn to the school and warned everyone about the fire. So we took the roundabout way to the school, instead of a 5-minute drive it took right at 25-minutes, and the return trip home was about the same. I did make a stop at Alice's house on my way home to let her know about the fire, since I couldn't phone her from the car. It gave her a heads up for the morning too. So my normal 15-minutes away from home turned into a 45-minute trip (with the puppy, who was sleepy and wanted to cuddle into my lap, shoulder, crook of my arm anywhere that she could get comfortable!. I found out later that the fire wasn't reported on the radio news until about 8:45 p.m. which wasn't helpful at all to anyone who was stuck in the mess.

FIRE UPDATE: I spoke with LG who was listening to the news this morning. She had some of the accident details. It seems that a car on 288, which passes over the road I normally drive on, caught on fire and jumped the bridge rail landing on the roadway below. Thus closing off my normal route. It is hard to believe that a car would catch fire and get airborne that way. Glad I wasn't there any earlier or we could have been squashed. This afternoon: I spoke with the gentleman who had stopped me this morning. He said that the fire had been spectacular! Also on another positive note, the woman who had been driving the vehicle walked away from the accident with no injuries. The Lord was watching over her.

Mom & Dad are headed off to the apple orchard this morning and they have taken Miss Abby as their guest. They are checking out the leaves as a side adventure to picking up apples. I hope that they all three have a great day and that Mom gets that photo that she is shooting for today.

I talked to Danielle on her way home from school. She had just received placed her order for her cap & gown and all the other things that go with it. She had the tassel to hang on the rear view mirror. 'Senioritist' has begun to set in....although there is still a long time to till graduation. She also told me that it was one of Faith's bottom teeth that had come in and the one right next to it is on the way.

Sean came home this afternoon with news that he is running for SCA Representative from his class. He is excited at this opportunity. He is also heading out tonight for an evening of skating. Loads of fun.

Walter joined us for the late afternoon and early evening. His "motivation" was to spend some time with the girls. He really enjoys playing with Carla and Lilly. He even was able to get in a round of Empire Earth while he was here. We all headed off to China Inn for dinner, great coupon, and had a wonderful meal. Walter was really sweet and dropped Sean off to go skating on his way home. He saved us a trip back out. Plus it also gave he and Sean a few minutes together.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought for the Day: "Your outer circumstances are but a reflection of your inner thoughts." - Various authors

Misfits
Jack Kerouac

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.

They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them.

But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

Two-Cow Philosophy

I've read this one before, but it always is a good reminder to what the basic philosophies are. - JS

Political Philosophies Explained in Simple "Two-Cow" Terms

• Socialism: You have two cows. You keep one and give one to your neighbor.
• Communism: You have two cows. The government takes them both and provides you with milk.
• Fascism: You have two cows. The government takes them and sells you the milk.
• Bureaucracy: You have two cows. The government takes them both, shoots one, milks the other, pays you for the milk, and then pours it down the drain.
• Capitalism: You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.
• Corporate: You have two cows. You sell one, force the other to produce the milk of four cows and then act surprised when it drops dead.
• Democracy: You have two cows. The government taxes you to the point that you must sell them both in order to support a man in a foreign country who has only one cow which was a gift from your government

Thursday

The dogs have been truly interesting this morning. They both have taken turns at picking out toys from 'toy basket' - just too cute. They are "playing" together a bit. Even though Carla isn't too happy about it. She did "trick" Lilly at one point by having the pig ear in her mouth and when Lilly jumped at her, she gave her the ear. Which totally distracted Lilly - Oh how funny.

I made the semi-annual visit to the dentist this morning. No Cavities! He didn't fuss at me at all. So I've been a good girl at least for the past 6-months.

The girls having been doing just fine with one another this afternoon. I was able to get this photo of Lilly when she decided to pretend that she was the RCA dog. Just too adorable. I was able to give Lilly a 'pedicure', she didn't mind having her nails clipped at all. She was a breeze to do, nothing at all like Carla. Walter came by this before class to visit with us - the girls both wanted to sit in his lap and sleep. Which is very funny.

Sean came home from school reporting that the drug dogs had been at the school today and that a couple of students had been picked up with some pot. There were a number of others that were just searched.

Dean has headed off to class tonight. It isn't going to be much longer before it will be time for mid-terms. They could be as early as either this week or next.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Zinger for the Day: "Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but he/she can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake."

People Come Into Your Life for a Reason

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Action

Old Jeb is the laziest man in the county. One day his best friend drove by his farm and noticed his barn was on fire. "Your barn's burning down," he yelled.

"I know it," replied Jeb.

"Well, ain't ya gonna do somethin'?" asked the friend.

"Do somethin'?" responded Jeb. "'Bout what?"

"Why about puttin' out the fire, ya durn fool." answered the friend.

"I am doin' somethin'." replied Jeb.

"What the heck are you doin', jist sittin' there 'n all?" asked Jeb's friend.

"I ain't jist sittin'," replied Jeb, "I'm sittin' here prayin' for rain."

Wednesday

I found out some surprising news when I checked in on my email & followed the instructions that it contained. Danielle posted some really terrific news yesterday evening: "It is official. Faith has a tooth!! ...and working on 3 more."

Lilly just climbed into her basket of "puppy toys" and picked out something, and climbed back out. It was so cute. When she does it again I'll have to whip out the camera to get a picture. I even caught Carla picking out a toy from the basket. It was so cute, she pulled out a rawhide ear.

Mom dropped by this afternoon with several pictures that she had printed for me. It was so sweet of her. She even had wallets done for the boys. Our cartoon of the day is from L.G. - it was in the "Granny Bag" that we got over the weekend. It really was funny, since we had had so much rain over the past few weeks.

I did a terrible thing this afternoon. Since all the dogs were awake, I thought that I would take the opportunity to vaccum the downstairs area. Of course there wasn't a lick of trouble until....I turned on the vaccum. You would have thought that I had set off a firecracker behind Lilly.

She bolted out of the room so fast I didn't even have the opportunity to see where she lit out to. I did all the rooms downstairs, then started looking for her. She was no where to be found. I even went so far to look behind the washer & dryer (where she had gotten stuck before). I took the vaccum upstairs and started working on those rooms, and thought that I would "scare" her out of hiding, but I didn't have to - I found her sitting between the bed and the wall in my room. She wasn't too sure about the vaccum, now I know that she'll avoid it like the plague. It was too funny. It tuckered her out so much that she fell right to sleep.

Sean went out this evening to go to the school night at the Skate-A-Way. He went with one of his friends. It is a short event, but they will have a good time.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thoughts for the Day:

• “Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intelligence.” —Dr. Samuel Johnson
• “I love a dog. He does nothing for political reasons.” —Will Rogers

Honesty

A teenage girl had just been given family-car privileges. One Friday night she returned home very late from a party.

The next morning her father went out to the driveway to get the newspaper and came back into the house frowning. At 11:30 the girl sleepily walked into the kitchen, and her father asked her, "What time did you get in last night?"

"Not too late, Dad." she replied nervously.

Dead-panned, her father said, "Then I'll have to talk with the paperboy about putting my paper under the front tire of the car."

Ol' Spot

A group of country neighbors wanted to get together on a regular basis and socialize. As a result, about 10 couples formed a dinner club and agreed to meet for dinner at a different neighbors' house each month.

When it came time for Jimmy and Susie Brown to have the dinner at their house, like many women, Susie wanted to outdo all the others and prepare a meal that was the best that any of them had ever lapped a lip over.

A few days before the big event, Susie got out her cookbook and decided to have mushroom smothered steak.

When she went to the store to buy some mushrooms, she found the price for a small can was more than she wanted to pay. She then told her husband, "We aren't going to have mushrooms, because they are too expensive."

He said, "Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty of them right in the creek bed."

She said, "No, I don't want to do that, because I have heard that wild mushrooms are poison."

He then said, "I don't think so. I see the varmints eating them all the time and it never has affected them."

After thinking about this, Susie decided to give this a try and got in the pickup and went down in the pasture and picked some.

She brought the wild mushrooms back home and washed them, sliced and diced them to get them ready to go over her smothered steak. Then she went out on the back porch and got Ol' Spot's (the yard dog) bowl and gave him a double handful. She even put some bacon grease on them to make them tasty.

Ol' Spot didn't slow down until he had eaten every bite. All morning long, Susie watched him and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them.

The meal was a great success, and Susie even hired a lady from town to come out and help her serve. She had on a white apron and a little cap on her head. It was first class.

After everyone had finished, they all began to kick back and relax and socialize. The men were visiting and the women started to gossip a bit.

About this time, the lady from town came in from the kitchen and whispered in Susie's ear. She said, "Mrs. Brown, Spot just died."

With this news, Susie went into hysterics. After she finally calmed down, she called the doctor and told him what had happened.

The doctor said, "It's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quick as I can get there. We will pump out everyone's stomach and everything will be fine. Just keep them all there and keep them calm."

It wasn't long until they could hear the wail of the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road.

When they got there, the EMTs got out with their suitcases and a stomach pump and the doctor arrived shortly thereafter. One by one, they took each person into the master bedroom and pumped out their stomach.

After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, "I think everything will be fine now, and he left."

They were all looking pretty peaked sitting around the living room, and about this time, the town lady came in and said, "You know, that fellow that ran over Ol' Spot never even stopped."

Rainy Tuesday

Welcome to our rainy Tuesday. The girls have been wonderful this morning. They have taken the opportunity of the weather to sleep on and off for most of the day. Lilly even "barked" for me to come get her so that she could go back to sleep in my lap (as I'm typing this). I did manage to get laundry done today, which has absolutely amazed me especially as Lilly likes to sleep up close and personal with someone.

During one of the walks outside this morning, I noticed all kinds of birds had invaded the yard - yellow finches, wrens, and another small bird that I don't know what it is called. They are everywhere. I suppose that the rain has brought the worms to the surface and the birds are having a "feast".

I received this wonderful surprise in the mail today. Photos of Miss Faith at 9-months. She looks so cute and appears to be intent on examining that pumpkin. I am so pleased that Danielle remembered me by sending them to me. I'm so happy to see that Miss Faith is grow up so quickly.

Walter dropped by this afternoon to visit before his class this evening. He stayed with Lilly while Sean & I headed out to the doctor for those pesky middle school shots. Sean wasn't too happy about them, but in the end he said that it didn't hurt at all. While we were gone he hung out and let Lilly sleep in his lap, until he had to head out to his class. He phoned me later this evening to let me know that he had scored an 89 on the test he took last week. Way to go!

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

What to Expect if Liberals Win

How important are the upcoming elections? Extremely important! Below is a list of what we can expect if the liberals win. These elections are crucial. It is vitally important that you vote. Please vote and encourage others to do the same. As bad as things are, they will be infinitely worse if the liberals win.

The strategy of the liberals is to get Values Voters so disgusted and discouraged that they will not vote. If that happens, the liberals will have achieved their goal and they will be running our country.

Here is what we can expect if the liberals win:

• Amnesty for 12,000,000 illegal immigrants.
• A push to make homosexual marriage and polygamy legal in all 50 states.
• Only liberal judges will be appointed. They will create laws to implement the social agenda liberals cannot get passed through the legislative process.
• Liberals will make the killing of the unborn more difficult to stop.
• Liberals will continue to try to rid our society of Christian influence, including any reference to God in our Pledge and on our currency.
• A return to the "Fairness Doctrine" in broadcasting where opposing views must be given equal time. Every conservative talk show host will be forced to give a liberal equal time on every issue. The purpose of this rule will be to shut down conservative talk shows.
• An increase in taxes to push new social programs.
• Passing a new "hate crimes" law making it illegal to refer to homosexuality in a negative manner.
• Liberals will give terrorists from other countries who try to kill Americans the same rights American citizens enjoy under our constitution.
• We will withdraw from Iraq, sending the message to the terrorists that if they will just be patient they can win and bring their terrorist acts to the U.S.

Go Vote! Encourage Others To Do The Same.

Monday

So far so good with the Lilly's housebreaking, especially at night, I've just been getting her up whenever I get up during the night whether for Carla or Rascal and take her out for her "potty walk". She doesn't like the cold so she's quick and back into the house we go where she promptly settles back down into the bed with Sean and goes back to sleep. Her chew toys have really helped with the nibbling on fingers and toes. Mom suggest a newspaper to pop her with when she got into trouble, which is working well - all you have to do though is touch her on the nose with it and she'll stop. I've also been telling her no, then giving her what it is okay and saying yes at the same time. I do believe that all these are working well together.

Miss Lilly is asleep and it has given me time to get the floor all swept and ready to go for the rest of the afternoon. I'm going to vacuum after the little one gets up from her morning nap.

Marion is came over to visit and have a couple of cups of coffee this morning, guess who took her nap then? I've been very busy working with Lilly and Carla. Lilly has been such a good girl today, not bad at all for a 6-week old. She is even learning the sit, come, and down commands. She pretty well has the sit command mastered, but then she has a good role model to follow (Carla). The housebreaking is also coming along splendidly, she has only had one accident so far today (4:30p). Marion gave me a hint on training her not to do something, take a container and put some change into and shake it at her and say no at the same time. It spooks her away from the activity and they don't particularly like the noise.

I received and exciting piece of mail today - roll eyes here - a jury questionnaire for the Federal Court. The possiblity now exist for me to be qualified as a juror and called to serve from Nov 2006 thru Dec 2007, ONLY 14-MONTHS! At least the courts are closed on for Federal Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day, plus all those Monday holidays). If I do get called to come in perhaps it won't be until sometime next year, when I'm not busy (grin).

Dean brought home tickets for the Celtic Festival this evening after work. Now we are all lined up to go on the 28th. Walter has graciously agreed to puppy sit Miss Lilly, so long as she comes with a puppy bag (food & water bowl, some treats, puppy pads, leash, collar, and carpet cleaner-just in case she has a relapse). It will be almost like dropping off a baby for the day. But she'll have fun with him and his boys better watch out, as they are closer to the ground than Tweat is here.

This evening has been busy, after reinforcements arrived to watch Miss Lilly. I was able to give Carla a flea bath, then just for good measure Lilly got one too. It was too much for both of them. They have been asleep almost since they were dried off. Lilly looks so cute sleeping on Dean's chest. Carla had snuggled up next to me and has taken over half of the loveseat.

Walter checked in this evening after his history class - he scored a 101 on his first test of the semester. Yippee!! Way to go Walter. What a great way to start the semester!

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Zinger of the Day: A sign in the window: "Any faulty merchandise will be cheerfully replaced with merchandise of equal quality."

Thoughts for the Day:

1. When everyone thinks alike, no one thinks very much. - Walter Lippmann
2. When you are complaining, you become a living, breathing “crap magnet.” - T. Harv Eker

Birth Registration

George goes to the Birth Registration Office to register his newborn son. The man behind the counter asks the name he wants to give to the boy, and the father replies: "Euro."

The man says that such a name is not acceptable, because it's a currency.

Says George: "What? There weren't any objections when I called my first two sons Mark and Frank."

Sunday

We got off to a good start this morning, Carla had awaken me at 3:30 a.m. to go out and the puppy was awake too. So I was able to get them both out at the same time. Once back inside the puppy crawled right back in the bed with Sean and slept until morning. That was great having that extra sleep.

Sunday school was great we finished up learning aout the Jehovah Witness' and next week our lesson will be on the Seventh Day Adventist. Very interesting stuff. The choir is already beginning work on the Christmas program, which will be performed on December 17th. There is a lot of work to do before December. No sign of the daughter, son-in-law or granddaughter - they are apparently having trouble with Faith during the night that is keeping them up. Oh well, maybe next time.

Al asked for me to bring him more of my business cards for painting. Apparently there has been a large number of people requesting my cards. I'll get them to him by next Sunday morning, or ealier if I happen to see Danielle one afternoon.

The boys & I took Lilly out to Mom & Dad's this afternoon to get her first in a series of three puppy shots. She did very well and it was over quickly. All we have to do now is take her back twice more in 6-week intervals. After we got back Lilly took a nap on the couch. She took full advantage of a warm body to sleep next to.

Walter's camping trip went well. The only downside was that he burned a couple of fingers - they blistered, but he appears to be alright. Right now he's napping in the living room before heading home to unpack and get ready for the upcoming week.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought for the Day: "Health is so necessary to all the duties, as well as pleasures of life, that the crime of squandering it is equal to folly." - Samuel Johnson

The Last Day

Ten things God won't ask on that day:

1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
2. God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4. God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6. God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8. God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.
9. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
10. God won't have to ask how many people you shared this with, He already knows your decision.