Thoughts for the Week~October 3

[Janet]

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Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23a
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." NIV

Today as every day I have choices to make in my Christian walk. Thanks to the Bible I have good targets to keep in my sights. So here is my top ten list when making choices.

10. Joy

9. Peace

8. Patience

7. Kindness

6. Goodness

5. Faithfulness

4. Forgiveness

3. Gentleness

2. Self-control

And the number one choice to make today as compiled by Pastor Bill with a lot of help from the Holy Spirit:

1. Love

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

Prayer:Father thank you for sending your love in the form of Jesus Christ to model the choices I should make every day. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

[Janet]

Oh, my.  I know I am not doing it right, but getting the Thoughts posted is such a trial for me, every time. 

Sorry for so many posts in a row; I came back to answer Carol's question about my Beth.  She told me today that she has another UTI, so they have her back on antibiotics.  The infection may have been the reason she was sleeping so much.  And now I am going to try to take a nap, as I have to drive this afternoon to the town where we have the class, and shouldn't really try to drive when I am this sleepy! 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is simply a beautiful and cool day here in Georgia.  We did attend church this morning and I sang in the choir.  It is unbelievable how much energy singing takes and is something I have always taken for granted.  My choir director has no problem with me sitting during the hymns and to let me enter the choir procession as they reach the choir loft as there is a side door.  We didn't go out to lunch with the group as just didn't feel I had the energy to do a lot of talking.  So we went to a place close to the church but the service was so bad and so slow we got up and left and went to our old standby, which is in the same area.  Had a good meal, good service and the prices are several dollars less.  Needless to say we don't plan to go back to the first place.

Mrs.Barbarian, so nice to read your posting and to know you find the site enjoyable.  You are now a part of the CP famly and we are interested in you, your family and what you care to share of your life.  Most of us have never met personally and yet I know I feel bonds of friendship that are much stronger than with many of my family members.  We are concerned about each other when things are going well and also rejoice with each other over the good things.  A smile is such a strong action to take and it helps us feel better about ourselves.  We laugh with each other and cry for each other. 

Nita, Happy Birthday to you.  Hope you had a nice day.

Etta Sue, sometimes I think if I slow down much more I will be going backwards.    Glad you are getting a new lens and hope you won't have an additional charge.  Too bad that you weren't happy with your new GPS.  I also have been disappointed in the last one I bought and my bargain turned out not to be much of a bargain. 

Marilyn, that is a very pretty card you made for Nita.  Glad you are getting things in order before your surgery.  You know we will all be praying for you to have a good recovery.  It sounds like you have a very positive attitude and that is so important.

Judy, sorry to hear that Kass has the flu.  I hope it is short-lived and she will be back on her feet soon.  I am beginning to notice are trees are beginning to show some signs of fall and the greens are dulling.

Carol, I think microwaves must be built to fail.  We replaced the one over the stove several years ago and that one didn't last long.  We we bought an inexpensive one that sits on the counter and it does what we want done.  It heats up leftovers and pops popcorn so what else could we want. 

Janet, you might want to boot your computer into safe mode when you do the defrag.  Sometimes some of the programs that run in the background seem to interfere with the defrag process.  Hope you have a wonderful week of painting.  Sorry to hear of new problems for Beth.  Thank you for your Thoughts for the Week.  You may struggle but you do a great job in getting them posted. 

[Pat]

Hi everyone,

I am still in the hospital but should be released later today.  Am having a little problem with my blood pressure being too low.  During the night the lower number got down to 35.  The nurse thought it was due to dehydration so started forcing fluids and it went.  It is still too low to be dismissed.  The nurse just told me to start walking, which I have done.

I got good news and bad news yesterday.  The good news is that the stent is open.  The bad news is that their isn't anything left to do that will help my heart.  Apparently the heart is continuing to weaken and the pain and shortness of breath is probably attributable to that.  I will just have to live with it and adjust my activities as needed.  I know God is in control so will not worry about the situation.

Larry, just want you to know that i'm praying for you daily.

[Carol]

Janet:  That was a very nice message you posted for devotions.  It is something we all can hear more often.  Probably the antibiotics make Beth feel sleepier than usual. 

Now there is a 300 acre fire in the hills but this is not near our cabin although in the same county.

I am trying to figure out Thanksgiving and have everyone come to the mountains - we already have Christmas gathering lined up at one son's home.  We all need cooler weather to get into the mood. 

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It is a cool 50 degrees here and I put on one of my sweatshirts to wear today.  This is the first time this fall and it feels good.  The house is cool but we don't want to turn the furnace on yet but don't think it will be long.

I went to my usual coffee at McDonald's this morning and will go to my Monday men's luncheon.  Today we are going to Macaroni Grill.  The food is always good there and we have enjoyed it several times. I have nothing else on the schedule for today. 

Pat, thanks for your prayers and concern. 

Carol, hard to believe it is time to start thinking about Thanksgiving.  I noticed places here getting ready to sell pumpkins so know it is definitely the beginning of the fall season.  I know the fires in your county in the mountains is troublesome.  Hope this one was not started by a person.

[Carol]

Don is taking his early morning walk and I finished mine a half hour ago.  Waiting for the contractor. 

Please remind me to never  sell anything more on Craigs List - I now have a warning that someone tried to steal my account.  It may be easier to donate the gas dryer.  It is a long story!   

Oops, contractor is here!  I gave him coffee to perk him up.    

No rain in sight and this is a worry when we should be getting snow in this hills by now. 

[Pat]

Do you have kijiji.com down in your state, Carol?  I sold my patio table and chairs on there with absolutely no problems.

Try it if you have it.  I have to put a slash after that with /guelph

[Etta Sue]

Church was awesome.  Great message.  First time I ever heard the congregation clap after a sermon.  Great. 

I did get my money back from the new GPS.  It was a fine GPS.  Nothing wrong with it.  But it wasn't as new a model as my old one.  And since I fixed the old one and it worked fine all the way to Precious Moments and back, I didn't need the new one.  I only used the new one from Noblesville to home...7/5 miles.  I was impatient and panicking thinking I wouldn't have a GPS for my trip.  So that's why I got the new one.  Then I fixed the old one and didn't need the new one.  Patience isn't my virtue!

Ivalou was home when I got home from church, O'Charley's and Walmart.  I took her mail over and visited with her and daughter, Jo.  Good to see her back home!

Today I got up early and got the car greased and oil changed.  Then to the grocery for some supplies! 

Inky is waiting patiently for me to get up and feed her her wet cat food.  Ali is asleep on the back of the couch. 

I am sleepy, too, but hopefully will wait until bedtime!

<: )) ))><<~~>  <: )) ))><<~~<  <: )) ))><<~~< 

[Marilyn]

My goodness Etta Sue Panic? over your GPS not working right?  What did you do before you got a GPS, us a Map?    I don't have a GPS and get around just fine, I look at the maps on Google and Mapquest and figure it out from there. I got around in Los Angeles. without a map or any of that even with all the traffic and construction.

I got up the morning to find that during the night Happy had chewed a large bloody spot on his him. I immediately put the E-collar on him and sprayed it good with Tea tree Oil Antiseptic. I do not need any kind of open wounds in  this house before or after my surgery.

[Ruth]

Marilyn:   We do not have a GPS and have heard terrible stories about them taking you far beyond and around your destination, all this to say that they do not do the most direct route.

Maps work fine for us and even at that we just might make a phone call to the destination for further directions.   

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  We have a crisp, clear and beautiful day here in Georgia.  The humidity is down.  I am feeling good today with no shortness of breath.  Just hope it lasts awhile. 

Pat and I plan to go vote in our General Election today.  We have 6 weeks of early voting now so we will be able to avoid the crowds on the actual election day.  Neither of us are up to waiting in long lines. 

I really like having the GPS when I have to go into places I am not familiar with.  However, I do know that occasionally it wants to direct you off to some less efficient roads.  One time I was looking for a particular location and when I got to where it said the address was it was a vacant field.  I then stopped and asked for instructions and the place was a couple of miles on up the road.

Marilyn, sorry to hear of the new chewed bloody spot on your dog.  Hope it heals shortly and doesn't turn into a problem.

Carol, I have never tried to sell anything on Craig's List but guess a lot of people do.  Hope you have success is selling your dryer.

Not much on the schedule for today so will just enjoy the day.

[Etta Sue]

Ha Ha ~  Marilyn ~ I look at maps like most women look at catalogs.  In my early travels, I never drove.  My husband drove.  I was the navigator and he was the pilot.  Later Ivalou tried giving me directions by looking at AAA Triptiks.  We still got off track...I say, because she isn't a good map reader!  Then I got a GPS.  GPS's are crutches...like calculators.  I don't trust myself to add 2 + 3 anymore without a calculator.  Same with a GPS.  I don't trust myself to remember and drive without a GPS...especially when I am alone.  I know.  I wouldn't get lost...that is infinity.  But....

I truly do not understand how anyone goes anywhere without a map.  I have family that go without a map or anything.

My Tom Tom lets you re-calculate if you don't like the route it chooses.  Plus when you don't take the road it says, it re-calculates.  Seldom does it say to turn around or make a legal U-turn now!!  I like that! It makes a difference on some GPS if you choose shortest route over fastest route.  Sometimes that means country roads but the fastest route may mean out of your way but on interstates.

I got my car maintenance done yesterday and some groceries in.  Already have three items I need the next time I am close to a grocery!!

I put a some beans to soak last night so I have beans in the pot, cornbread made, onions chopped and Ivalou called to come over for lunch.  It was only 38 degrees when I got up this morning.  Cornbread and beans weather!!

It is still cool...43 degrees but bright and sunny and a slight breeze.  Maybe I can get outside this afternoon and move a big limb from the front yard to the back yard.  I should mow leaves.  We'll see!

[Marilyn]

Larry Happy's wound is looking much better today. The Tea tree Oil usually heals  things up pretty fast.

Well  one more day after today and it will be all over by noon. Keith has gone to Coquille for jury duty this morning but he has with him the Dr's note I got stating that I am having surgery on Thursday and he is needed as a caregiver.

I also have a patch to put behind my ear tomorrow  to prevent nausea form the anesthetic, they will give me gas after I am asleep.

[Jeanne Lee]

I've never had or used a GPS myself.  I have known of several incidents, though, where friends or family have been sent way off course. 

[Carol]

I know this sounds odd but I am very good at remembering how to get some places even years later without a map or GPS.  We do have a GPS and it was great to use in Phoenix traffic where you only see walls off the freeways.  My mother was always a navigator too. 

Pat:  No, I have not heard of that site.  I have decided to keep the washer for the cabin and have lowered the price on the dryer and if this doesn't sell really fast, it will be a donation to the disabled veterans which is what I should have done in the first place.  What is happening in your two corners of the world?  I never know where you are - there is nothing wrong with that sometimes - hmmmm? 

The bathroom is finished and we have been doing the touch-up all morning.  Good job but we really cannot recommend this really nice young man - we talked church and so many things.  Still, he told us everything to be done and then left at nearly 9 PM yesterday leaving us with a lot of little things that he had promised.  I feel so bad about it but when will they learn if they are not brought up to do right?  He cannot go into the neighborhood booklet of references.   

We got the gas hot water heater working correctly and it had something to do with the constant turning off and on of the water supply from the workers.  Now, if we can only figure out what is wrong with the microwave.  Always something. 

Someone set the latest fire in the hills and it should be contained in the next few days.  550 acres as of last night & miles from our place - our son could see flames from miles away on the deck and that is because the fire went right up the hill. 

Tomorrow should be fun as our table for bible study is going to lunch.  I have never been home to join them so this will be great.  They all want to see my new bathroom & one gal actually called & apologized to me for mentioning this in front of the group - she doesn't know me, not much fazes me after all these years - come on down!   

[Ruth]

Today turned out to be a quiet but busy day I am sure that you might find that hard to understand after reading what I have done.  First I went to Brampton to a discount shoe store and purchased lpr at the posted price and got the other at half price. I will have shoes for sometime. Then almost beside this store is a new to me always fresh grocery store, yes I went in, I will be returning again as it is mostly filled with fruits and veggies, the dairy, meat and fish with some breads all healthy stuff if there was the sweets etc it was very little and yes this is a large store, lots of folk coming and going.  Then I stopped at Zehers in Bolton and the post office here at home all on my way of course. 

After lunch I had a Dr's appointment so you sit and wait there then on to Cosco and the Health Store I will have to return as they did not have what I needed.   Now I am home for the evening.

The day was cloudy, sunny with a little rain mixed in but hey no snow.

Dancing with the stars is on at 9 at which time we find out who stays and who goes

[Pat]

Sounds like a very busy day, Ruth.

I watch Dancing with the Stars last night so probably I'll watch tonight to see who's gone.

[Etta Sue]

Always something to add to my stress.  Glad I truly don't let it get to me.  I did all my maintenance and cleaning on the laptop yesterday.  Restarted it and can't get on the internet wireless!  I think I might have done something like update the driver and shouldn't have.  So if it isn't working by tomorrow, it will go with me to PC Help when I go swimming.

Today I am taking Ivalou to the doctor and both of us are getting our flu shot.  Then I reminded her yesterday she needs to get her plates for the car before the 14th.  So will do that and of course, eat somewhere! 

I am using the desktop for now.  So slow!!  But easier to type than the Droid.

That's it for today!

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@

[Marilyn]

Etta Sue did you have to buy and extra internet option  to pay each month in order to  have the Droid? Corey was telling us that they had to purchase a $30 a month extra internet option. For Maddie's Droid.

I have lot to remember to do today. I have to wash my hair and when it is dry put the Scopolamine patch behind my ear. I am going to bake another cake and put it in the fridge so Keith won't have to do any baking for  at least a week. But first of all as soon as Keith goes to work I am going to the gym and get in a good workout. I have thought about going before I check in at the hospital but on second thought I don't think I will do that.

[JudyB]

Let's see if I can post this.

It has been a beautiful week here in NorthBay so far.  Freezing nights and warm days.  I have an acorn squash plant right by the door.  I have no idea how it got started, but it has 1 squash plant on it.  I originally tried to kill it till I realized what it was.  Now to give it a bit more time.

I have a little confused grand coming to spend the night with me on Friday.  She believes the whole world hates her....and in turn hates them back.  She is hurting, and is coming to Gramma to talk it through.  I think she needs some one on one.  She will get that, maybe do some baking with me.

Kass is doing so well with the college course.  The teachers realizing her potential, are pushing to get the best out of her.  she is rising to the challenge.  In cadets she is holding a tight reign on two misbehaving cadets.  It was so funny on Monday.  One of the two were horsing around in the parking lot with cars moving.  Orders came easily.  "Stop the car!"  I stopped, not knowing why.  On went the wedge (hat) and the door opened, "Cadet, why are you playing in the parking lot!"  There was silence for a minute, then "Yes Flight Sargent!" They stopped fooling around, and she got back in the car. As we drove away she said "I just wish he would grow up, he drives me crazy."  I didn't tell her she was just like that at that level.

I am hoping to have my new computer by the weekend.  (sigh)

Just as I Am


"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!"
Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871)


A simple invitation
"The simple message of the song "Just as I Am" was so popular in the early days of Billy Graham's evangelistic crusades that it became a regular part of the response to each appeal to make a public commitment for Christ.

Charlotte Elliott seemed to have everything going for her as a young woman. She was gifted as a portrait artist and also a writer of humorous verse. Then in her early thirties she suffered a serious illness that left her weak and depressed. During her illness a noted minister, Dr. Caesar Malan of Switerland, came to visit her. Noticing her depression, he asked if she had peace with God. She resented the question and said she did not want to talk about it.

But a few days later she went to apologize to Dr. Malan. She said that she wanted to clean up some things in her life before becoming a Christian. Malan looked at her and answered, "Come just as you are." That was enough for Charlotte Elliot, and she yielded herself to the Lord that day.

Fourteen years later, remembering those words spoken to her by Caesar Malan in Brighton, England, she wrote this simple hymn that has been used to touch the hearts of millions who have responded to Christ's invitation to come just as they are."

[Jeanne Lee]

Posting For Judy

Just As I Am
(Click to hear the music)


Author:  Charlotte Elliott, 1789-1871
Musician:  William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868



Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  Once again we have a chilly but sunny day.  We haven't turned on the furnace and the house is really chilly.  It is making me think about getting out my electric blanket for the bed so I can have a warm place to be at night. 

We went to Bible Study again today.  We are in the 4th chapter of John.  It is a very interesting study.  After the study we went to the donut shop (I didn't have a donut) and visited until about noon.  Pat and I were both tired so elected to not go out with the group to eat but came home.  Just got up from a nice rest period.  Tonight I plan on going to choir practice.

Ruth, that was quite a busy day you described.  I almost had to go back and rest some more as was exhausted just thinking about all of that.    The new store with the fruits & vegetables sounds great.

Marilyn,  we will be thinking of you tomorrow.  It sounds like you have everything under control.

Etta Sue, have you tried the system restore function on your laptop.  That will often solve problems as it puts the computer back to the condition it was before you experienced the problem.  Usually the cleanup programs do a good job but occasionally identify a file or two that are needed and cleans them out.

Judy, it sounds like your granddaughter needs a listener.  It sounds like Kass is doing extremely well.  Perhaps she just needed to be challenged in her school work. 

Carol, glad your bathroom project is finally completed.  Hope you enjoyed your Bible study.

Jeanne, thanks for posting the hymn. 

[JudyB]

Larry she will have one on Friday night.

Jeanne thank you for posting that for me.

[Ruth]

We had another beautiful day.

Today was our coffee morning but instead of Tim's it was at the home of Glen A  ( he is wearing a cast the full length of his leg, yes he broke a bone that is between 2 pins)  it was a very nice visit for all of us.

I did a little file cleaning and it will be going to the shredder in a few minutes.
Also we had a little concern with our furnace -as it turned out we had no need to worry but when the fellow came he also did a cleaning, so now we are set for the winter.

[Al Moak]

Well, Ruth, glad your furnace is all ready - that's got to  be a nice feeling.  Now you can just sit back and wait for it to go on and off the way it's supposed to.

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  It looks like it has been very quiet here since I last posted.  I don't have anything particular to write about today.  I expect to spend the whole day and evening at home.  My wife is attending a special Bible Study this morning.  This study lasts for 16 weeks and she is enjoying it.  She had to miss the study last week because of the funeral she attended in North Augusta, South Carolina.

I am thinking we will soon turn our furnace on.  However, it wasn't as chilly today as the last two days.

I guess Marilyn has had or soon will have the hand surgery.  I know she will be glad to have this behind her and to begin the process of healing and having the pain eliminated. 

[JudyB]

well our furnace has been going for about a week.  Enough wood to take the chill off and then in the evening again to keep the chill off.  Wood season has come to the North.  Most of us country folk burn wood as it is warmer and considerable less expensive. 

John is in Wisconsin and will be home late Friday or Saturday.  This is our turkey weekend, but it isn't as big a day as it is for our friends in the south.  Our big day is Christmas.  I am already working on that as my shoulders allow. 

Well I am off, have projects to finish.

[Etta Sue]

The laptop is at the laptop hospital!!  And yes, I did a system restore that day and that didn't fix it.  That's when I thought that I really deleted something that shouldn't have been deleted!  I have my antivirus that I ran.  I have Auslogics Booster and I think that is where there were three drivers that needed updated which I did.  And I have cccleaner.  I did the disk cleanup, defrag and finally scan disk that runs when you turn off the computer and back on.  THAT's when I couldn't get back online through wireless. 

I went to go swimming but the pool was closed.  Code brown last evening.  Think of what is brown that could be left in the pool by a young boy.  I was told it would be open by noon.  So I waited an hour and asked if the pool would be open for sure at noon.  She didn't know but for me to ask the two men at the pool.  No, not at noon and they don't know if it would be open today or not.  So I went for Mexican lunch and stopped at Hallmark for some birthday cards. 

The cornfield across the road is down!  Yeah!  Now to get the one west of me and I will feel free again! 

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@

[Carol]

The bible study speaker was difficult to understand and she is for one month.  Only one friend could make it to lunch so she drove me to the French bakery & it is always so fun to talk to that couple and then we shopped for gifts she was buying for grandchildren. 

It looks like the city has marked our front corner and we may have a drain installed which would be wonderful  Being on the north side of the house, the water and snow form thick ice every winter which makes that corner wicked for anyone walking.  I see that our fence posts are being replaced as they wait for the counsel to decide whether to use wood or the more expensive TreX and we need to save more money in that case.

Had a lovely walk this morning and spotted one deer although others saw a group afterward.  It takes extra time because now I know so many people by their faces or their dogs, I know all the dogs names.    but forget the people's names.  Isn't that awful?