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I can't believe that 2007 is almost over.  A new year is around the corner!  I pray that everyone have a better year than last year in every way possible. 

I am taking Judy B, my classmate that had knee replacement surgery November 28th to therapy at 11am.  She has three sons and they have been taking turns staying with her so I haven't seen Judy since surgery.  I have talked on the phone to her several times but didn't want to interrupt her time with her boys. 

I was also invited to my nephew's wife's birthday celebration at Ryan's Steak Buffet at 12:30pm.  If I see I can make it, I will go but don't know yet! 

I hope everyones 2007 was the bestest ever and 2008 will be much better!!!!

 :)  ETTA SUE:  Thanks for your devotional I guess I will be the first to read it.  May the Lord bless you in the  New Year and I hope that your health will be good.  It is so nice to read your post's and to here how you are so willing to help others so the Lord bless you for that.

Again to all others who post on C.P. may the Lord richly bless you in  2008 and also give you good health.  Happy New Year. ;D

Well .... according to my clock/calandar we still have more than 24 hours left in 2007.  My daughter, Joy, is heading to Mexico at 6 a.m. and will be celebrating the end of this year and the beginning of the next with her husband.  They will be driving back to California in 2-3 weeks.  There are a lot of issues pending with family members, but God is in control and we totally trust Him.

I am distressed by the number of problems and illnesses in our CP family, as well.  I also have friends in dire circumstances ... I pray that each is resolved according to our Father's will and we can live in contentment and assurance that He always knows best.

I love all y'all and visit here daily (sometimes several times a day) and keep each of you in my prayers. 

See y'all later ... it's still 2007 where I live.   ;)

What a coincidence, Jane - it's still 2007 here also!  But not for long.  And the Brits will be taking it out before we do.  And the Aussies - who knows (they stand on their heads, so how can they see the new year come in?).  And Keven - he's always seeing the rising sun, so maybe it's already here there.  Or is that there here?

Hi everyone.  Have just a few minutes to post before leaving to take Pat down to Atlanta  to see a special dentist to get a biopsy done on her lower gum.  They don't think it is anything too serious but want it checked.  Happy to say I am feeling much better today than I did yesterday and surely that was the bottom of the pit.  Still have the cough but it doesn't seem as bad this morning.  I had coffee as usual.  It is very foggy here this morning but suppose to burn off later and get into the 60s.  Then tomorrow night our cold weather returns down into the lower 20s at night.  We ended up with enough rain that this did not turn out to be the driest year on record for us, but just barely enough.

Etta Sue, thanks for the fine devotional.  Hope you get to enjoy the luncheon at Ryans today.

Happy New Year to everyone.  I must say that while 2007 hasn't been without problems it has been an amazing year for my family.  I try to turn my will over to God on a daily basis and he has done a wonderful job with my life these last months if I just stay out of the way.  I am very grateful.

Carol, you all are having some really bad weather for so early in the year. 

Ruth Ann, glad to hear you got a new camera and I hope you really enjoy it.

Good to read everyone's posting.  Time to leave for the appointment.

I only have a few minutes before I leave for work. I know that 2008 is going to be an amazing year for all of us. God is in control and all our prayers will be answered if we are persistent and keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking. We will receive, find and be answered. Hallelujah!! God is so good---All the time. Get ready folks for the amazing blessings you will be receiving in the coming year. "May you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers".

Here I am!  :)  I sort of slept in this morning, then watched Living the Life and the 700 Club in my pajamas, although I got up several times to put a butter braid into the oven, make coffee, and chase some cobwebs.  ;)  Abby slept until 9:30, and Darrel left for his PT at 9, so it was quiet.

All of the preachers I have listened to lately predict that 2008 is to be a year of new beginnings.  Every new year offers that chance, but this one in even a greater way.  I think we are living in the last of the last days and will see big changes on the world scene, and I want to be prepared for those changes.  I am going to do the 21 days of fasting with Jentezen Franklin and his church.  Fasting opens us up more to hear God's voice.

We have invited my friends Pat and her husband Gaylon for New Year's Eve dinner tonight.  Darrel has steaks thawing.  Gaylon will not attend church with Pat, so we try to witness to him by being his friends and including him whenever we can.  He's a really nice guy, but uses that tired excuse of having been hurt in a church many years ago.  :-\

Carol, I thought I had been staying at home a lot since Peru!?!  Maybe it does sound as if I run around a lot, but mostly close to home.  Diane lives only 30 miles from us, and we have business (alarms) in Liberal, Dodge, Garden, Hugoton, and Johnson, so if there are trouble calls, we (Darrel anyway) goes there.  Everything is so scattered out in this area that we think nothing of a 60 to 80 mile trip one way; we are used to it.

Etta Sue, you're a good friend.  I look forward to meeting you, even if we don't live close.  You're always helping your friends, a wonderful trait!

Larry, glad you're better today!  Good report for Pat is being prayed; and I know you will be careful not to get a "back set" on that cold!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

   :crazy::crazy: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!    TO   ALL!!  :crazy: :crazy:
       :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:   
                                                          :D

It's closer now than it was before.  I can't believe that no one from the West coast has been here to say so. :)

I have.....let's see.........uh..about 7 1/2 hours before I step into my future.
Some of us are going at the same time.....and some of you are already there, or close.

I pray 2008 will be a year as some of the preachers and evangalists, and other Listeners, have projected.  Some have called it the year of the open door.  I've never heard many predict doom and gloom. haha   Our hope is in Christ alone.  Our future is in Him, our past is hidden in Him.  No matter what happens, we are just safe, safe, safe in the arms of God.  That's my prayer for each of my friends here...that we breath in a fresh awareness of The Holy Spirit as He ministers to us the things of God.  Oh, I want this..  I know we all do. 

Hello from high winds and snow - the winds are lighter tonight and we were able to get out and run a couple of errands today.  A semi truck was unable to turn into a round-about at one store and was really stuck in the snow.  Another huge truck was totally broken down and we couldn't turn into that road as it was blocking three lanes - two going and one coming.  It sure is difficult for the truckers.  And, did you hear that at least 2,000 people were stranded in the mountains with this storm and all the buildings available were filled - it had to be many more than that amount because this was hours long and all night as well.

Larry:  Yes, it is early in the year for this problem.  I am tired of winter already.  My best wishes for Pat and her dental problem.  Our youngest son has an infection over the weekend and with face all swollen, he called the dentist on Sunday so has been on Amoxicillan and is not in pain now but hopes to get into the office on Wednesday.  It is good that Pat is being looked after carefully. 

Etta Sue:  Thank you for the message on this last day of the year.  I hope that I can remember to write 2008 on papers  ^-^

I made split pea soup and we had french bread along with shrimp and a dip.  That was plenty filling.  Talked with the children and daughter is going to neighbors, the two youngest boys are staying in and relaxing - oldest son is in the mountains & they go to fireworks if it isn't too windy but don't stay late. 

Blessing to all.  Carol

Hi, friends,

Best wishes for a truly wonderful new year.

I'll be starting the year with a healing sandal on the right foot for a few weeks. Seems when the dog nearly pulled me down a few days ago that I got stress fractures in my right foot - metatarsal bones for toes 2, 3, and 4. So, it's swollen and wrapped with ace bandage, too.

Well, so many people have no feet - I should never complain about a bit of pain. We truly have much to be thankful for.

Y'all rest well, when you go to sleep - I think I may not make it through the news tonight before I konk out!  ::)

In ten minutes or so, it will be 2008!  I just can't believe how quickly this year has passed by.  How we all should be ready for His coming and be ready also to meet our Maker.

Are you ready?

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever  believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."  Have you accepted His wonderful gift of His son?  He died for you.  How wonderful it would be if you were to enter the year 2008 as a new believer in Christ!


How Would You Know?  (the Savior's Words...)

If you never felt pain, how would you know that I'm a Healer If you never went through difficulty, how would you know that I'm a Deliverer? If you never had a trial, how  would you know that I'm a Comforter? If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue? If you never were  broken, how would you know that I can make you whole? If you never had a problem, then how would you know that I can solve them? If you never had known suffering, then how would you know what I went through? If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure? If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them? If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you? If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me? If your life was perfect, thn what would you need me for?

Ruth Ann, I'm so sorry that you are wearing that boot once again.  I do pray that you will be comfortable.

Thank you for all the good wishes folks for Paul and I.  He will be returning to Virginia on Thursday so I'll be scarce until then.

Happy New Year everyone.  A little over half and hour to go.  Grandaughter, Angel, is asleep in the recliner. lol  The old woman, me, is still up and waiting to see the new year in.

I just received a wonderful email.  It was from my sister, Faye.  She is home from the hospital now and is soooo happy to be.  She said she feels good except for being very tired.  Also said it was very scarey because she couldn't breath and couldn't get anyone's attention (when they did the chemo) and later heard the medic say there was no heartbeat, and she knew she was still here, and didn't want them to give up on her.  She's very grateful to be home and getting stronger.  Will work on a new drug starting next week.  And Faye being Faye, the first thing she wanted us, her family, to know was that there was no fault with the doctors. :)  Her daughter was becoming really frustrated with no answers.

Pat, the "How Would You Know" is so perfect tonight.

ok...I'm ready for 2008 and whatever God has planned for his kids.

Blessings, Nita

Just posting my New Years greetings to all here. :coffee:
May you all be richly blessed in 2008.

Hi everyone and Happy New Year. 

It is turning windy and considerably chillier here today.  However, it is sunny outside.  We plan on watching some of the Rose Bowl Parade and then I will watch some of the bowl games.  Tonight Georgia University plays in the Sugar Bowl against Hawaii and I will certainly be watching that game.

The biopsy that my wife had yesterday turned out to be on the inside of her cheek and they had to numb her face in that area and make a small incision and then put in a stitch.  It will be a week or so before the results are known and we will have to see this same dentist again.

Nita, certainly glad to hear that your sister is home from the hospital.

Ruth Ann, sorry to read about your fractured bones.  Hope the pain isn't too bad.  How do you keep your foot warm in that healing sandal?

Carol, it sounds like driving in your area is a real challenge.  You got your 4-wheel drive vehicle just in time.

Janet, your discussion of mileage to go anywhere is sort of what we experience here in our area, although we are getting more and more shopping close by.  I just read in the paper this morning that there is another 300,000 sq. ft. of shopping going in up by the big new shopping area that just opened about a year or so ago.  A developer went in and bought out a whole housing development from the 80s and is tearing down all of the houses to build this additional shopping.

Marilyn, thanks for your good wishes for the upcoming year and also to each person who has expressed similar comments.

Pat, do enjoy Paul's visit. The new year looks SO promising for y'all. God's richest blessings be with the two of you, and with all those you love.

Nita, an error was made in my hubby's cancer treatment, as well, so I certainly empathize with what y'all are going through.

Larry, as far as staying warm in the sandal, it's not so easy! :-[ And, the last time I had to wear one was in the middle of winter. I learned then to keep a small sized trash bag on hand and a large sized rubber band to keep the foot dry during wet or snowy weather.

And, I discovered something yesterday that gave me pause to think. I guess I do have a small amount of vanity, because I certainly wished I could go home and get a black sock so that light colored ace bandage wrapping wouldn't be so noticeable! Then, I got this funny little thought running through my head, "Pride goeth before a fall."  ;)

The weather here in Nashville is also supposed to be extremely cold today and tomorrow. Yesterday's high was in about 50, and today's may reach 35. Brrr - maybe it's time to burrow under the covers to keep warm.

Since we're such a diverse group, what traditions do y'all observe to welcome the new year?

Foodwise, I know we're going to include blackeyed peas and cornbread in our menu for the day. And, when I was growing up it was always traditional to see the new year in while praying. Although alone last night, I went to sleep while praying. What a great way to usher in a time of rest for both soul and body.

Y'all have  a good day.

Growing up my step father always made "Bacala" Translated that is Cod Fish balls. Deep fried Pastry with a piece of cod fish in the center on New years eve with other appetizers, Egg Nog and Tom and Jerry's, virgin of course for the youngsters. On New Years day it was a traditional Ham dinner with all the trimmings.

For me today I will make a pumpkin cheesecake using fat free cream cheese  for later. For dinner I will have a pork chop and a raw veggie and fruit salad, for supper I will have a bowl of soup.

Have any of y-all made any resolutions for 2008? I am going to eat more nutritiously, being careful to bring down my cholesterol and lose another 7 lbs to reach my goal of 160lbs. My spiritual  resolution is to read my bible all the way through this year along with the required reading in the book of John for the Women's Bible Study. It is been maybe 3-4 years since I have read it all the way through.

Pat Enjoy your time with Paul before he leaves.

Ruth Ann - thank you for coming in here.  We'd like Bice to do it twice, then thrice.  May we you entice?
That blackeyed peas and cornbread sounds like somelthing you'd do in Nashville.  I love cornbread.  Could you send some via Cyberspace?

We're going out for breakfast on this 1st day of 08.  It's relatively clear and destined to be sunny here today.

What a night in Indiana.  Those fierce winds started around 9pm last night.  Prediction of high winds, snow up to 6".  Well, they were half right....high winds!!!  A little snow.  I have corner windows to the southwest in my bedroom.  I could even hear my windows moving...not rattling but moving.  It sounded like the roof was going to take off.  The house creaked!  I kept getting up and seeing if it was snowing yet.  So after daylight, I realized it did snow but the grass is peeking through so it isn't the 6" that was predicted.  That wind is scary! 

I did stay up and watch Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve at Times Square, New York City.  At least they had some good moral entertainment this year!  But as soon as that ball fell, I headed for the bedroom with a book. 

Ivalou called this morning to wish me Happy New Year.  I have already sent an email to Kitty....we do this several times a day!! 

Yesterday Judy B, classmate Judy, was so looking forward to eating out...first time since surgery in November...that I didn't have the heart to say I wanted to take her home and head to Ryan's.  We ate at Bob Evens and had a great time talking yesterday.  That rehab place is like Grand Central Station....people coming and going constantly!!

We have been watching the Rose Parade.  My grandparents retired in Pasadena and our family drove down from Seattle twice and walked just a few blocks to stand and watch the parade - we then went to the Washington football game at the Rose Bowl.  It was so exciting to be right on the sidewalk when the bands came marching by & the flowers were outstanding - this in many years ago.  T.V. is nothing like being right in the midst of things.
My grandparents had come from very rural areas of Sweden and farmed/sawmill too in Minnesota until retiring in Pasadena - what a change for them at the end of their lives. 

I just bought some fabric with Alaskan fish on the blocks on eBay.  I don't know who I will make a quilt for - Don suggested one brother of mine in Seattle.  It is a little wild in coloring but tha tis OK. 

Making lists of To Do's this morning - changing dentists and planning our trip to AZ and perhaps out to California north of LA.  We have been a little snow & cold-bound here you can add wild winds to that as well.  I honestly don't know how the pioneers managed to not lose their minds. 

Pat:  How is this going to work for you - I mean marrying a Virginian and you are in Canada.  Who is moving?  Part time?  We have a good friend who lost his wife & remarried.  They each kept their house and he has a cabin as well an an RV.  They are somewhere all the time but it seems to work well for them.  What a happy and fresh new year for you two! 

Ruth Ann:  Oh, no - what a shame.  I hope these bones mend quickly. 

Larry:  Developers seem to get the go-ahead and do anything they want.  Imagine the shock of Europeans over destroying homes and such only twenty some years old.  Our play is that age - good grief.  Such excesses in this country. 

Marilyn:  I grew up having fish often - almost daily in Seattle.  The fishermen couldn't always afford to pay dad for their generators and engines so they would bring salmon and crab to the warehouse - and he would just wait to be paid.  We did eat well  - my folks were so thrifty.

wordsculptor:  Happy New Year! 

Nita:  How great that you had some good news!

Al:  You are turning into my favorite poet!

Thanks Carol - you've got me over a barrel.
I'm glad you like my rhymes.
I get in over my head at times.

Noah's Ark

Everything I Really Need to Know I Learned from Noah's Ark:
1.   Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
2.   Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something Really big.
3.   Don't listen to critics. Do what has to be done.
4.   Build on the high ground.
5.   For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
6.   Two heads are better than one.
7.   Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.
8.   If you can't fight or flee—float.
9.   Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.
10.   Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.
11.   Stay below deck during the storm.
12.   Remember that the ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was built by professionals.
13.   Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.
14.   No matter how bleak it looks, there's always a rainbow on the other side.
15.   DON'T MISS THE BOAT !!!!

Hey there, all y'all!  Happy New Year, too!   :D

Al, you're feeling mighty frisky these daze ... waxing poetic and all ........

Nita, I am so happy for you and Faye and the family ... I know she is thrilled to be home to start this brand new year. 

I learned of the blackeyed peas on New Year's Day from my once upon a time mother-in-law.  It is, indeed, a southern tradition.

I stayed up to see the changing of the years -- and a little more -- then went to bed.  I woke up a couple times while it was still dark, but only tucked the blanket tighter around my shoulders and slept some more.   :)  Finally, I got up and turned on the TV for the early morning news ... dozed some more and decided to do NOTHING the rest of the day.  I watched the Rose Parade and now the games begin ... I changed all my calendars and started a new check register for my checkbook ... whoopee!  Now I'm here.  Somewhere along the line I have felt impressed to fast today ... dunno why, but I will. 

Now, I need to get outside for more wood and get a fire going in the stove.  I'm a mite chilly, and too cheap to turn the electric furnace up.  It's been coming on every little while anyway, and I have it set at 55º. Oops it just came on again!

The other day my daughter called while I was out chopping wood and, when I told her that's what I'd been doing (she called back later) she said "What are you doing chopping wood at your age?" 

"Well," I said, "someone's gotta do it, and I'm the only one here."    :D

C U L8R .... :crazy:

It's here!  Happy New Year!  May we all be blessed with the comfort and love of God's nearness the whole year.

Ruth Ann, I must tell you about my youngest daughter's recent experience with stress fractures.  She was trying to lose weight, so had been running down eight flights of stairs at work.....her foot began to hurt something fierce, she went to the doctor, he said she had stress fractures.  Put her in one of those boots/sandals; which she wore for over two months, and it did not get better.  She went to another doctor, who said she needed surgery; that she had almost pulled the muscles loose that connect from behind the toes to the back of the arch.  She didn't want surgery!  The "rest of the story" is that she asked for a reference to a physical therapist for whom her sis-in-law works, and when she arrived, the therapist told her exactly what she'd been doing before, including the fact that she always ran down, not up, and always turned to the right!

Anyhow, she had three treatments from the PT, put her regular shoes back on, and now her foot is fine.  So much easier than the alternative!  I hope you get really good results, whatever route you go.

Abby and I are reading LIttle Women.  The original version...and it is rather hard plowing.  She used really old English words (I've had to look up several!)  I'm surprised Abby was reading it in fourth grade.  I think I was in 7th or 8th when I read it.  I'm finding that I have forgotten a lot of the story.

Abby and I managed to stay awake until midnight.  She's full of vigor today, but I'm dragging a bit.  :-\  Couldn't be the age difference, could it??

Carol, your plans sound good, and I hope the weather allows you to do whatever you want!

Pat, when you have time, please give me a call, will you?   :) <3

I guess I should call and find out when they want Abby back.  Also need to go check out the photos in the challenge.

QuoteHave any of y-all made any resolutions for 2008? I am going to eat more nutritiously, being careful to bring down my cholesterol and lose another 7 lbs to reach my goal of 160lbs. My spiritual  resolution is to read my bible all the way through this year along with the required reading in the book of John for the Women's Bible Study. It is been maybe 3-4 years since I have read it all the way through.

Was posted at 7:04 am there have been 7 posts since then and not one has chosen to reveal your answer.  Carol did comment on my post about the fish, Al called to find out where I bought the fat free cream cheese.

I am going back to the corner. I tried to start a conversation and  didn't get anywhere.

Aaawww Marilyn.  Let's not start the year off in the corner.   ???   I don't make New Year resolutions ... just try to live each day as the Lord would have me. 

BTW no one commented on my post either ... but then, I didn't expect them to.  I didn't say anything that required a response.  Learned that a long, long time ago.   :-\

Good morn..... ummmm afternoon, folks! Wow - I think I really needed a lot of rest today.

It was so nice to awaken with a call from my son who lives in England. He's going to be here later this week. It was just a brief call - "Mom, I love you, and wanted to speak to you first this year. I'll see you later in the week!"

Then had  abowl of cereal, felt sleepy, and just awakened a little while ago.

I got as far as the cornbread, and my son's headache came back. So, thus far, I've had a piece of cornbread (with a hint of jalapeno flavor) and a couple of cups of Chai spice tea. I'll do the rest of the cooking later this evening when he gets back up and ventures out into the rest of the house.

Marilyn, I really like anything with pumpkin in it. I've not tried pumpkin soup yet, but I hear it's delicious, and of course so full of good nutrients.

Larry, hope your cold is better.

And, that everyone is doing well. I, too, miss Judy B - didn't she say something about having some problems with her computer?

Pat, your posts are good to read.

Carol, what part of the country are you in?

Has anyone heard from Judy McKenna?

Yes, Al, I'll be back. especially when the internet speeds back up. I think many people are sending greetings today, it's extremely slow, and we have a cable modem!

Y'all have a wonderful evening.

Ruth Ann I haven't tried pumpkin soup either, One of these days I will.

Jane I  usually don't post something that  anyone needs to comment on but it is always so nice when someone does.  I was so hoping  to start a conversation today. Or even when someone says "hello" is a more meaningful frendly gesture. One tends to feel so insignificant when no one speaks to you.

Today is Bebe's 7th birthday. We have been celebrating by giving her bites of pork chops, a real bone, and I gave her a piece of the cheesecake, which she didn't eat, Happy ate it after she turned up her nose an walked away.

Nita I forgot to tell you that I am praying for Faye. Happy posted the story of how we got Bebe on my blog as well as on SN.

I am tired today, didn't sleep well after staying awake  until after 1AM, I was out of my regular circadian rhythm.

Back to the corner.

Well, I don't know if it's good or not, but at least we've got Marilyn "cornered!"  I don't make resolutions - I make revolutions, unless it's too much work.  So I haven't made any resolutions.  But I did pray that our Lord would move me to focus more on pleasing Him and serving Him.  Oh how I depend upon Him!  I can't do it in my own strength, that's for sure.

Janet - so many times it happens that one or more medical people think they have the answers to our problems - but don't.  Makes it pretty clear that we should sometimes get a second opinion, doesn't it?  Also makes it clear that we shouldn't give up too soon - that we should trust our Lord and go forward looking to Him.  Oh may I do that!

Marilyn, I have found that when I post something hoping for comments, I am usually disappointed.  But when I just make an off-the-cuff comment (as about soy milk!) that sometimes several have something to say on the subject, and then I am surprised.  Maybe the lesson in all this is not to have too many expectations, then we won't be disappointed.

But as to resolutions, I usually do make some, but choose not to share what they are, as they are mostly personal.  Well, I see yours are as well, but......Sunday the pastor talked about this, gave us each a paper with numbers from one to ten, asked us to fill them out and bring them back to church that night and share our "Declarations for 2008."  I chose not to share mine, so I stayed home.  (Is that rebellion?)  Hope not!

Diane made some pumpkin soup a few years ago, our family didn't seem to like it much.  But we ate some in Thailand that I liked quite a lot.  I liked hers, too.

Jane, how you doing, you old wood chopper you?  8)  That job should keep your blood circulating!  So happy you aren't starting '08 in the corner!  ;)

I have two eye appointments tomorrow, then will have the second cataract surgery on Friday.  Saturday I am supposed to teach for my painting group!  They are all good painters, so I will just pass out the materials and let them got to it!  I won't be able to drive yet, so Pat will drive for me and be my guest at the meeting.  I did the project for December but the weather prevented us meeting.  It is painting and then gold leafing on a plate.

Grandson Curtis just called to wish us a Happy New Year.  Says he will be sent to D.C. for something the end of this month.  The Air Force sends him to a lot of meetings.

Abby and I went to the Home this afternoon to play Disney Pictionary with Beth for a while.  Then Mom and Beth wanted Mexican food for supper, so we went and got that for them; then picked up my 91 year old friend, went back to the same restaurant and ate!  Then I had to take her to meet her Dad, because of my appointments tomorrow.  She didn't want to go home yet.

I'm rambling, so will sign off!  Bye!

Ruth Ann, did you read my message to you in my last post?

I don't make New Year's resolutions either.  I meant to say that when I saw Marilyn's post asking, but my granddaughter came home, so got offline then.  Sorry, Marilyn, that you felt ignored.  I'm bad about commenting, I know.  Now I'll go see what Happy had to say. :)

Al, you are becoming a poet.  Is this what we can expect in 2008? I think we should all see if we can post what we want to say, but make it rhyme. lol (or maybe I'm serious).

Okay, Nita.......let's see.........

Is it really time to make a rhyme?
Or should I wait for 2009?

:lol:

  Good evening to all.  I have been reading about your New year's Resolutions and it is great to see each others thoughts on this. :)  

At our service our associate Pastor had brought up to the front of the church before the service started a box that was sealed and had one opening in it.  Then during the service the congrigation was asked to write down what they wanted to have mostly changed or healed in there life then bring it up and put it in the box and no one would see it but the Lord.  Later that day the box went to the senior pastor;s house and was going to be burned in his wood furnace.  So this was a little different and also a challenge. :thumbsup:

I am not ashamed to tell you all that my request was that the Lord would help me to be much stronger in my prayer time and get the Devil out of that part of my life.  So I hope that you all could pray this for me.

C.P. is to share with others and I feel that I can do this and as I have said before that I do get lots of encouragement from the different post's.

Larry:   I do hope that you are feeling better and your strength is coming back

Pat. S.:  If you have not left for Virginia yet I pray for your safety and be careful of all the others on the road and if you get tired please pull over.  We love you and Happy New Year. :coffee:

To all others again  HAPPY NEW YEAR. <3

Happy New Year to You!  It is 5:43 in the afternoon on January 2nd here in the Land of the Rising Sun.  It has been a very relaxing Christmas and New Years' Holiday for us.  It is especially nice to have Casey home from college for the first time in a year and a half.  And this was our first Christmas and New Year's Eve-and-day together as a family in 3 years.

It's a tradition here to send New Years' cards, rather than Christmas cards.  This is the one we've sent this year.

In His Grip,
Kevin







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Hi everyone.  It is really cold here this morning, down to about 20 degrees with a brisk wind.  I just got back from coffee at McDonald's and it was cold there as well.  I plan on staying in the rest of the day although I have choir practice this evening so will have to get out for that.  I am still fighting this miserable cough but it doesn't seem to be getting any worse and perhaps a little better.  I guess time will take care of it.

Marilyn, I don't make resolutions as usually can't remember them past January.  There is a strong custom here in the South that you have to have black-eyed peas and greens on New Year's Day.  Not for this fellow as I don't care for either one.

Etta Sue, I think that cold, stong wind blew its way down here.

Carol, we watched the Rose Bowl parade yesterday.  Before it was over I just felt that it was all too much.  Every year they seem to bypass what they have done in the past.  However, some truly beautiful floats.

Jane, I would freeze in your house.  However, I know that a wood fire is very warm and heats things up quickly.

Janet, I think Little Women was my grandmothers favorite book and she must have read it many times in her life. 

Ruth Ann, sure you were happy to hear from your son in England.

I have some things I need to work on today so can't tarry there this morning.  I haven't commented on many of the postings but have carefully read them all and appreciate your sharing with us all.

Al you don't have me "cornered" for long, Don't you know that by now?

Janet I have put you on my calender for prayer on Friday as you go for your cataract surgery. My grands don't come as often as I would like them too. In fact they hardly ever  come here. I do talk with Savannah on IM frequently. Those kids are so busy all the time and usually when I want them to come they are doing something else. You are so blessed to  be so close to your grands.

Hi Nita thanks for checking on Happy's post. About Bebe's birthday yesterday.

Gord we were asked at Sunday night prayer meeting and also in Sunday school what we would like to see in 2008 for our church But I also like your pastor's idea of the box then burning  it.

Hi Kevin nice to see you posting here again. We've missed seeing your beautiful photos in our photo challenges and the other threads as well.

Good Morning Larry, I have been to Curves and had my breakfast and now am ready for my day at work. I see it is after 10 am there in Georgia it is only 7:26 here. I see in other places that you are getting some much needed rain there.

To all who have not been here yet Hello to Jane, Liz, Karma, Nards, Etta Sue, Pat, Jeannine, Colin and Vec2 Colin, Kathleen, Artisan, et al.

Hi everybody!  I have been to my local eye doc; he says the left eye looks good, also pressure is down by 6 points, which is great news!  Now Darrel is pushing to leave as he wants to do a few things in Garden City, and I see Dr. Fry at 2:15.  Thanks, Marilyn, I appreciate the prayers about my second surgery.  It is scheduled for about 10 AM.

Hello to all, sorry I have to rush today!

I will say first that I read all the posts in Thought for the Week....  I don't comment on them very much....that's just me.

Recently I have been praying for what to do about Inky.  For the past month...not every day...Inky has been leaving me presents on the dining room carpet...not in the same spot either.  And has had two incidents of wetting on the floor.  I have noticed blood in her feces three times.  So I prayed to God what I should do.  God answered my prayers in saying to give Inky until January 1 and if she still leaves presents to call the vet.  Well, I can't afford much for the vet but I called this morning...after Inky left a present while I was showering.  I told them I had limited money.  But I finally captured Inky and put her in the carrier and off to the vet we went.  Now to wait for a phone call from the vet, telling me what they think is wrong and how much it will cost and then my decision to do that or have her put down. 

Ivalou thinks Inky may have a tumor since she is sooooo big and the two cats only eat a cup of dry cat food a day.  And Inky is hard as a rock...but she acts like she is fine....except when she leaves presents and then she hides for awhile...knowing she did something that upsets her Mommy.  But the blood is telling me something is wrong.  How would I have seen blood if she used the litter box all the time? 

I know I am blabbering but that is my outlet.  I have accepted that whatever happens is okay with me.  I have enjoyed having Inky as a companion since Dec 30, 2003 when she showed up at my doorstep! 

Today I am going with Ivalou for her protime bloodwork....unless the vet calls first telling me to come get Inky.

Awe, Etta Sue, you almost had me crying about Inky! I've got 2 dogs and 1 cat and even though they drive me CRAZY, it hurts me when they hurt.  And I understand about the vet bills!  But God know how we feel about our pets, so we turn to him on their behalf.  I will be praying about this situation.

Happy New Year all, I've been sooo busy, I just run through and scan each post.  We started Ebaying which keeps me tied up. 

Larry, did you enjoy your football game last night?  Georgia whupped up on Hawaii pretty good!  I watched most of it.

Marilyn,  If I make a resolution, I break it, so I just hope to do better.

It's cold in my neck of the woods today, so just trying to stay warm.

Y'all have a great day

Later,
Samantha 8)

Happy New Year!
I am rather sore, due to a bad slide on the ice, down the driveway, (on a hill) with the garbage cans.  We had pickup on Sunday, due to N.Y. Day being the usual time, and it turned into a ice rink overnight.  Now that must of been a sight to behold, this old lady on her back, clutching the handles of the cans, speeding down on her back!!  Better me than my daughter...I am okay, simply discovered parts of me that I had forgotten about....Think an angel must have been around guiding my fall! 

Not given to making resolutions either...Have taken down the decorations and things are back to normal.  I am sorry about Inky and hope the vet finds out what is wrong and it is something that simple medication will resolve.  Never like to see a pet in distress.

Marilyn, I live in the same house as my Grd. but rarely ever get to see or speak to her...unless she is ill and needs something.  That seems to be the way of things for most, so Janet is indeed fortunate. 

Things to get done, so must go.  Thought this was sort of interesting, so will post it:

New Year's Day — January 1
Ruler of new beginnings, gates and doors, the first hour of the day, the first day of the month, and the first month of the year, the Roman god Janus gave January its name. He was pictured as two-headed (both heads bearded) and situated so that one head looked forward into the new year while the other took a retrospective view. Janus also presided over the temple of peace, where the doors were opened only during wartime. It was a place of safety, where new beginnings and new resolutions could be forged, just as the New Year is a time for new objectives and renewed commitments to long-term goals.

P.S.

If we must post
Our thoughts in rhyme,
I'm going to be silent
Most of the time!
               ;)

God Bless,

Liz

I'd give a dime for
the rhyme,
and the tlhoughts
were sublime!

Liz:  Glad that your hill spill didn't do permanent damage. 

Al:  Al, pal, you are the greatest poet, and I want to hear mo-it...........hahahahah

Ruth Ann:  We have moved to Colorado often over the years, 4 times for myself as I came as a single gal - transferred from a job in Washington, D.C.  We now live in northern CO (Fort Collins) about 70 or so from all of the children.  I hope that you can get around next week when your son arrives - how sweet that he called you just to call early in the year. 

I started off the new year just awful.  All because I had to get to a fabric store to save a few pennies, when I came out onto a narrow snow-filled street, to make a right turn, I moved the minivan over a little to let another car come into the parking lot & (it is hard for me to write this without crabby words), I just grazed the bumper of a truck that was sticking out.  All my fault.  The truck bumper only had a smudge.  Waaaaahhhhhhh, our minivan has a damaged slide door & back panel.    :( :-[  So, have an email message into insurance & now all that I have been saving for something wild and crazy will have to go to the repair.  Well, I couldn't decide on what to save for anyway.  Am so put out with myself. 

Up to that point, I was feeling pretty good. 

Marilyn:  Come out of that corner & just let me mope a little. 

Don's back is out and I have shoulder problems  = we are of little use right now. 

Here is the best news even if it is just a little step up - son who is out of work has really been trying his best to keep up his spirits and we have been talking about prayer - he is praying.  It is so comforting to me to hear this from any of my children. 

Carol (Don't park too closely_)

Aw Carol, here is my shoulder, help your self. We can tell God all your troubles together.

Liz do take care of yourself.

I'm back home, tired and blurry-eyed, after having spent hours in the eye doctor's office....again.  :(  I go back Friday morning for the surgery.

First, I want to say thank you to those who commented on how blessed I am by having some of my grandkids near and getting to enjoy them.  I heartily agree--I am truly blessed.  And I pray that you may have the same awesome privilege.

Lest you think my life is all sunshine and roses, I have a confession to make.  Day before yesterday, my son and his daughter Katy (only granddaughter besides Abby) were in town.  They went to the care home to see Mom and Beth.  When they were out of her room, Beth called me, so I went into town to see them.  BIG MISTAKE!!  Jim had been brooding, making up stuff in his head that he imagines I did or didn't do.....and he attacked me.  Verbally, of course, but he was absolutely trembling with rage!  I answered him calmly, without raising my voice, tried to reason with him, to no avail.  I was afraid he would explode and at worst physically attack me (he is 6'4" and very strong) or at least make a terrible scene.  Abby, Katy and Beth were in the room.......so I just said I wasn't going to listen to any more of it, and told Abby "let's go home."  It was awful, of course I cried buckets and didn't sleep that night.  I made light of it to Darrel, as didn't want him to go find Jim and then who knows?  It is heartbreaking to adopt kids, raise them the best you can and then have them act as if they hate you.  Okay,TMI.  Prayers appreciated, though.

I am really bushed, think I will just sack out.

Etta Sue, sorry about Inky.  We had to put our old cat down recently.  He was losing big tufts of hair, making messes everywhere, and was senile.  He would go to the vacuum cleaner closet door and meow to go out, thought it was the front door.  He was a good old cat, we had him for about 17 years.  I hope Inky can be healed without too much expense.  (((hugs)))

Carol, so sorry about your accident.  It's amazing how much damage a little thing can cause to a vehicle!  I hope the repairs are much less than you anticipate.  Is that your new 4 wheel drive?  I was so upset after the above incident that I almost got hit on the way home.  Thank God for His protection---Abby was with me!  :o

Liz, you shouldn't be doing tricks on the ice now!  ;)  I'm SO thankful you weren't seriously hurt!  That old ice is treacherous, and not a soft place to land, as you can testify!  Wonderful that you have a sense of humor.  (((hugs)))

Hi, friends,

It's the end of a long, very busy day, so I'm mighty tired. I didn't leave work until 9 pm, and still not through with the day's work - just had to stop for tonight.

Janet, yes, I read about how she was able to take care of her foot! Wow, wish it would be that easy for me. But, with diabetes and brittle foot bones, I figured I had the breaks because of the terrible swelling and so much pain I could barely rest at night, and then only if I hung my right foot over the edge of the bed.

Thankfully, this doctor has a wonderful reputation and is a person I can trust. At least thus far, I am not back in a wheelchair. But, it's here and paid for if I need to use it again - just not at all anxious to do it during bad winter weather!

It's great to hear from everyone.

Falls on the ice can really hurt - y'all take care, please.

Carol, Colorado is a beautiful state. I passed through it in a huge big hurry a few years back, and would like to be there again, but with more time to look and admire and absorb the beauties found there.

Y'all take care - I'm heading to bed! Brrr - it's mighty cold here in Nashville.

I'm reading through Matthew...I like the way this is paraphrased in The Message, "simple and austere..."  :thumbsup:


In His Grip,
Kevin

Janet - God can heal relationships as well as bodies, so I pray He will touch Jim, open his eyes, and grant restoration and even blessing for you - all through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hi everyone.  It is really cold here this morning, down to about 16 or 17 degrees.  However, they predict it will get up to the 40s today and then cold again tonight.  Fortunately I don't need to be outside other than to go to coffee this morning and the cafe was warm, which was nice.  I went to choir practice last night and was able to sing as the cough doesn't seem to have affected my voice.  Our choir director was sporting a new engagement ring.  We had been expecting it and the choir is very happy for her.  She has been divorced for quite a few years and the man she is marrying has been a widower for several years. 

Kevin, that makes the passage easy to understand. 

Ruth Ann, it sounds like you are overworking again.  They will probably not let you retire as I doubt they could find anyone else who is so dedicated and willing to put in those hours.  Glad you are not having to use the wheelchair at this point.

Janet, I am so sorry to hear of your most unpleasant experience with your son.  Sometimes the way people feel have no basis in reality but in their mind it does, especially if something festers for a long time.  Maybe someday your son will realize what he has done and seek reconciliation.  We don't have to accept unacceptable behavior and I am proud of you taking Abby and leaving.  You can't control his thoughts or actions. 

Carol, don't be so hard on yourself.  You didn't do anything intentionally and what is done is in the past and can't be changed.  Hope the monetary damage won't be too severe. 

Liz, so glad you didn't sustain serious damage from your fall as something could easily been broken.  Your discussion of Janus was interesting and I had never heard that before.

Samantha, I did watch the game until about the 4th quarter when I turned it off.  It really wasn't a competitive game and there was obviously a mismatch.  I would have preferred a closer game but still glad that Georgia won. 

Etta Sue, sure hope you get a good report on Inky.  However, there must be something seriously wrong as that isn't normal behavior for a cat.

Marilyn, when you leave for work I am thinking about having lunch.  Of course, when it is dark here you are still in daylight.

Al, what you say is so true as God can do what man cannot and we should never give up.

first of all thank you for all the prayers.  Inky is back home.  The vet said I was feeding her too much...3oz. per cat daily.  Said to give her a tablespoon of raw pumpkin daily for fiber...her stool was too solid.  And to move a litter box into the dining room where she is preferring to use the floor.  And to get another litter box...one per cat plus one more!!  So they only got 6oz. of food before my going to bed.  I moved a litter box into the dining room.  And surprisingly Inky loves the pumpkin. 

But when I got up this morning...all was fine around the dining room table.  I ate breakfast and when I went into the living room to read my devotions, there was a pile not two feet from the litter box!!!  I didn't punish Inky...Ali used that box so maybe Inky will tomorrow. 

She keeps going to the food bowl that is empty and looking at me. 
I am praying that she will re-learn to use the litter box. 

It is very cold here today...only 10° right now but the sun is shining really bright.  That alone makes it feel warmer.

God is good all the time.  All the time, God is good!

Larry:  Thank you for your message.  Don told me yesterday to "put it in the past".  You are such a caring person.  My best to you and Pat.  Here is some interesting news, they said today that our area or at least Denver is warmer than Tampa and some parts of Florida.  Hope you are not into that freeze!

Janet:  Isn't it strange how children grow up in the same house and their brains can twist things so differently?  Sorry that you had to go through such a traumatic scene.  It may never change but so many will pray for you.  So, take care of yourself today - tomorrow will be a snap and you will be able to see clearly so soon. 

Etta Sue:  Good luck with your Inky!

Today, I will be cutting plastic templates for a project and also trying to do a little 'puter photo editing. 

 

Marilyn:  Thanks for the shoulder.  I feel better already.

Pat:  When I click (NEW), it seems that I am about two posts past my last post and today I missed the note from Marilyn because it was on the previous page.  I try to remember to scroll up to the end of my post - anything else I can do?    By the way, does your guy post on the same internet sites????

Carol

Thanks, dear ones, for the kind thoughts and prayers.  I have finally come to know that there is nothing I can do to remedy the situation; nothing would be heeded if I tried to talk, or write letters.  I just have to put it into the Lord's loving and capable hands and rest in knowing He loves me, even if my two adopted kids hate me, for unknown reasons.  Now saying I am doing this is much easier than doing it, and leaving it there!  :-\

Carol, you are blessed to have such an understanding spouse.  Bless him!

I need to go put drops in my eyes!

Hi everyone. Sorry that I didn't have enough time to get here this morning. I have to go to the Hand Therapist this afternoon before I go back to work.

It is pouring rain here today and the wind is blowing. There was  almost ½ page in the newspaper by the local power company about  the possibility of the power going out. Well I am prepared, My cell phone is on a full charge, my Lantern is on full charge and my windup radio flashlight  is no problem I have one in my bedroom and one in my car. I have batteries for my other radio too. My cook stove is gas so I will have heat as well. I don't know if my heater has and electric igniting system or not. (I don't remember)

Thanks for the email Etta Sue I was worried about Inky, I know how special the two cats are to you.

Janet I have one Daughter In Law that has made up all knds of  bad stories about how my children were raised and how badly my second son, her husband, (He was a favored child due to illness.) was treated.  All lies and my daughter has tried for years to get her to know the truth., to no avail.

Sorry I don't have time to answer everyone.  Maybe later.

Quote from: Janet on January 03, 2008, 02:59:09 PM
Thanks, dear ones, for the kind thoughts and prayers.  I have finally come to know that there is nothing I can do to remedy the situation; nothing would be heeded if I tried to talk, or write letters.  I just have to put it into the Lord's loving and capable hands and rest in knowing He loves me, even if my two adopted kids hate me, for unknown reasons.  Now saying I am doing this is much easier than doing it, and leaving it there!  :-\

You're right, Janet ... there is really nothing that can be done by anyone but God.  There are similiar situations in my family, with one grown "child" choosing Christmas Eve to harrange and berate the mother who has done nothing but love and support and pray.  It definitely made a very sad Christmas for her, but she also knows there is not one thing to do about it.  Seems this person has their own memory of childhood and it is very different from reality. 

My daughter, Dot, says it seems everyone wants to blame their parents for their problems.  She says, in AA meetings, they call that "banging on the highchair"  and time is allowed for that but then it is over and time to move on ...  "Okay, get off the pity pot, your time is up and it's someone else's turn."

We, on the west coast, are currently hosting a series of winter storms coming ashore.  They are predicting rain, high winds, even snow for the next few daze.  I have brought wood, enough for a couple days, up onto the porch so I will be able to keep a fire going without having to brave the elements! 

I have begun a rather unusual project – well, unusual for me, anyway.  I started this year reading the works of Josephus.  I may include the Apocrypha eventually.  The pastor/teacher at the church I've been attending often cites Josephus in his lessons and that makes everything much more interesting – for me, anyway.  It brings in a lot of the history of the times that are recorded in the Bible.  Although not Divinely inspired, they are history. 

Larry, I also (nearly) freeze in my house.  I keep the thermostat at 55º to keep the electric bill as low as possible, and then hope that I can heat things up with the wood fire.  Often, however, I don't get the fire going before the heat has come on several times.  Oh, well, it isn't all that bad.

My hands have begun complaining about my use of the computer and I have to promise them I will make minimum use of it as much as possible.  (It's that old guy Arthur again, y'know).  I thought I'd just replace computer time with reading, but that becomes a small problem too.  :-\   My eyes get very tired when I read ... I think I need new glasses.  That is just one more thing that will have to wait.

What else?  Guess I can watch television and/or listen to the radio.

Getting old(er) sure isn't for sissies.

I really am out of the corner, but have to take it easy for a while – maybe just until winter is over? 

Y'all take it easy now, and keep posting ... I can still read once in a while.

I went to the hand therapist today the first thing she did was give me a different wrap not the huge bulky brace the Dr. had me in. This on is Neoprene and is so comfortable and warm. She also taped my  thumb. I have two sheets of exercises to do twice per day, She is going t work with me on how to utilize different things to help with various tasks. Such as opening doors with my left hand, using foam pipe insulation on my lawn mower handle etc, so many things I can't remember them all.

Hey Al did  you ever remember why you called me?

Stay safe Jane, Liz and Nita.

Hi, friends,

Yes, these highchairs certainly get banged on a lot! (I know - been there and certainly empathize).

Hang on to your hats out there on the left coast.

Marilyn, that sounds as if the therapist is giving you some really good advice.

Well, must go - my UK son's coming in tomorrow night! YIPPEE!!!

In re-reading my last post it looks like I need to learn how to open doors with my left hand, not so I am right handed and it is my left had that is so painful. I will be using helps to be able to open doors with my left hand. Right no I can't do that. Even hold something between my thumb and index finger is very painful. I can't do hand sing anymore. It is even difficult to crochet for more than ten minutes or so. The exercises  may help to be more flexible with less pain. It is difficult for a person to learn to do things in a different way once you have learned. The example she use was crocheting, I can't fathom learning to do it a different way.

Hopefully Al, Myself, Jane Nita, Liz , Timberwolf and Jerad will not float away in these storms here in the west. My front yard looks like a lake in the low end. Please pray that we sill stay safe.

Hi everyone.  We have a beautiful sunny and non-windy day today and it is suppose to get up to about 50 degrees after a chilly night.  We didn't have many men at our coffee at the senior center this morning but as always had an enjoyable time.  I don't have a lot planned for the day but may run an errand or two after lunch.  Pat is at a meeting this morning and left me with the clothes in the dryer to hangup when they finish drying.

Jane, Al, Marilyn, Nita, Liz , Timberwolf and Jerad I hope you have no damage from the storm.  It sounds like it is going to be a big storm. 

Marilyn, I hope the hand exercises really help the pain. 

Ruth Ann, I am sure you are counting the hours until you see your son again.  I hope you all have a wonderful visit.

Jane, Janet, Marilyn, and probably several others, I think there are a number of us who have walked similar paths with our children or other family members.  It is tough but we don't have to accept the unacceptable and just because something is said certainly doesn't make it fact. 

Jane, your study sounds interesting.  The history often fills in a lot of gaps in our understanding and helps us increase our knowledge.

Janet, I am sure we all are thinking of you and praying for you during your eye surgery today.

Carol, it looks like the really cold weather may be over for awhile here in the south. 

Etta Sue, glad that Inky is ok.  I remember when the vet told us we should limit our cat to no more than 15 morsels of food twice a day.  Needless to say that never happened.  I hope you have hard wood floors and not rugs with the accidents Inky is experiencing. 

Larry ~ I do have beautiful hardwood floors.....under my carpets!  And Inky does use the carpet.  Gross but so far, I can pick it up with paper towel, then clean with a wet rag and Febreze it.

Thanks to all for your concerns about my Inky!!!

Inky has been 'good' today.  All is well.  Other than her looking at the empty food bowl mournfully, she is fine.  I just give her some pumpkin and she is okay for awhile. 

Well, I started yesterday cleaning my house.  I think I had forgotten how to dust without using a feather duster.  So I did one wall in the living room...the entertainment center...with Windex and Pledge.  Looks soooooo much better.  Today I did the north wall and dining room....looks soooooo much better!!  Tomorrow I need to tackle the fireplace and two book cases full of whatnots and such!!!!  Or perhaps, I will wait until Monday!!   ::)

Today after 3PM Aaron is coming here on his scooter after working at the Elementary school and he wants to go to WalMart.  So if I get a check in the mail, I will go to the bank to deposit it.  And Ivalou and I both got certified letters that need picked up at the post office...we think it is about the house across the road that the man is re-doing and wants to put on a front porch...it is only 15 feet from the road now.  But probably the letter states that the county can't come closer to his house and would have to take part of our front yards if they want to widen this road...if so, there goes my Maple tree out front.  Then Aaron and I will go to WalMart and then Chili's to eat! 

By then I will be happy to come home and vegetate!!

Lots of dreary, wet days.  No serious storms of note and the island is still floating!
Hope the rest of you are also merely bored with the lack of sunshine.

Larry, I keep meaning to thank you for the link to that Daily Devotion.  Have been using it daily.  Also was inspired to get another of Jan Karon's books and order a newer one from the library.  Forgot how much I enjoyed them until you mentioned the name.  Have started a list of all the many authors that I enjoy as the names keep escaping my aging mind.  This way it is possible to order their books from the library, using the internet.  Ah, the wonders of modern tech....

Jane, you got me to looking up Josephus again on the internet.  Was thinking how much more my former father-in-law could have learned, had he not died (in 85) shortly before the internet became a household word.  I read it many years ago when he first began his quest for more than the bible.  He believed, as others do and have, that all prophecy happened during that period...etc.  Threw out a strong (it seemed) Christian faith, went on to embrace Mormanism, then became a minister in a New Age Cult.  Never returned to his original Christian Faith and took his wife along with him.....A sad end to intelligent people with too much money, seeking their own power, rather than what we all know is a higher one!

I did a little internet prowling this morning and see the controversy over these writings is still raging on.....Especially liked how one scholar summed things up:

Many scholars believe that the real writings of Josephus would have spoken of Jesus in more derogatory terms. Many of them have their own translations, but whatever the case may be, the record stands of the existence of the historical Jesus - the man. Whether Josephus found him a savior or a charlatan is of no consequence, except of course to Josephus.
                               :) :) :)

Etta Sue, I am so glad that Inky is okay.  Have decided to put Misty on a diet as she has a huge appetite.  We are going to try pumpkin with Misty and Squeek, told my daughter about it....A little fibre never hurt anything, unless it makes more work for me with the litter box! ;)

Have read all the postings and hope Janet's eye surgery went well today.  Loved the picture of Pastor Kevin's family.  Happy about Pat and her handsome beau.  How absolutely wonderful!

Time to go and get busy.  This seems to be turning into a book. 
Pleasant Day/Evening and God Bless.

Liz

Quote from: mybcjazz on January 02, 2008, 03:50:06 AM
Happy New Year to You!  It is 5:43 in the afternoon on January 2nd here in the Land of the Rising Sun.  It has been a very relaxing Christmas and New Years' Holiday for us.  It is especially nice to have Casey home from college for the first time in a year and a half.  And this was our first Christmas and New Year's Eve-and-day together as a family in 3 years.

It's a tradition here to send New Years' cards, rather than Christmas cards.  This is the one we've sent this year.

In His Grip,
Kevin

Ohhh, Kevin, what a lovely  card you made!  It's so nice to see the family and lovely that Casey got home alright and was able to spend Christmas with you all.  Jazz looks so cute in the photo.

Not much to say from here. We are dealing with a very bad storm here in the west.  Not staying on the computer long these days, my left hand is pretty painful today after doing the exercises the hand therapist gave me yesterday. She also gave me a much smaller wrap instead of the humongous brace the Dr. had me wearing. I like this one better as I can type  now. I can also get my medical gloves on over it.

The weather here on the West Coast is really bad. Lots of wind and rain. I couldn't even see with my wipers going full blast. When I went to Curves this morning I came out  the door and the rain hit me in the face. I didn't have  but maybe 12 steps to walk to my car and my rain coat was soaked. There are 25 foot waves breaking on the beach and the surfers were out yesterday, can you believe that., We have some dangerous jetties at the entrance to Humboldt bay  and these dummies were out there  in the ocean. Needless to say I am not walking the dogs today.

The winds are supposed to be 100 MPH over the mountains. Greyhound has suspended service to this area, they are only going as far as 3 hours south of here and 3 hours to the east of us. They are not even going to Oregon up I-5 only as far as Redding. Snow just might be all the way to the beach. There is a storm from Alaska coming down the coast.   
 

Quote from: Gord Brown on January 01, 2008, 11:42:41 PM


Pat. S.:  If you have not left for Virginia yet I pray for your safety and be careful of all the others on the road and if you get tired please pull over.  We love you and Happy New Year. :coffee:

Hi Gord...

I'm not leaving for Virginia until just before Jan. 26.  The National Christian Choir concert is on Jan. 26 so I must be there for that.

Quote from: Marilyn on January 01, 2008, 10:04:49 AM


For me today I will make a pumpkin cheesecake using fat free cream cheese  for later. For dinner I will have a pork chop and a raw veggie and fruit salad, for supper I will have a bowl of soup.

Have any of y-all made any resolutions for 2008? I am going to eat more nutritiously, being careful to bring down my cholesterol and lose another 7 lbs to reach my goal of 160lbs. My spiritual  resolution is to read my bible all the way through this year along with the required reading in the book of John for the Women's Bible Study. It is been maybe 3-4 years since I have read it all the way through.

Pat Enjoy your time with Paul before he leaves.

No resolutions for me, Marilyn!!!  I always break them!  :)  Your pumpkin cheesecake sure sounds yummy.

Yes, I had a wonderful time with Paul.  He got home to Falls Church, VA at about 3:30 am this morning.  I was waiting for his phone call!!  Guess he's sleeping most of today.  ;)

Quote

Ivalou thinks Inky may have a tumor since she is sooooo big and the two cats only eat a cup of dry cat food a day.  And Inky is hard as a rock...but she acts like she is fine....except when she leaves presents and then she hides for awhile...knowing she did something that upsets her Mommy.  But the blood is telling me something is wrong.  How would I have seen blood if she used the litter box all the time? 

Ohhh, Etta Sue, I'm so sorry to read this.  Any further news?

Quote from: wordsculptor on January 01, 2008, 06:30:43 AM
Just posting my New Years greetings to all here. :coffee:
May you all be richly blessed in 2008.

Thanks so very much, Keith!!!  Hope you had a wonderful and blessed New Year's Eve!

Quote from: Nita on January 01, 2008, 02:27:59 AM


I just received a wonderful email.  It was from my sister, Faye.  She is home from the hospital now and is soooo happy to be.  She said she feels good except for being very tired.  Also said it was very scarey because she couldn't breath and couldn't get anyone's attention (when they did the chemo) and later heard the medic say there was no heartbeat, and she knew she was still here, and didn't want them to give up on her.  She's very grateful to be home and getting stronger.  Will work on a new drug starting next week.  And Faye being Faye, the first thing she wanted us, her family, to know was that there was no fault with the doctors. :)  Her daughter was becoming really frustrated with no answers.

Pat, the "How Would You Know" is so perfect tonight.

What great news of Faye, Nita.  It is my prayer that she progresses nicely.  Has she been keeping up her blog until she went into the hospital?  I've lost the address of it.  Could you post it please?

I'm so happy you enjoyed my little "offering" about "How Would You Know".

Quote from: Larry Hanna on January 01, 2008, 09:30:20 AM
The biopsy that my wife had yesterday turned out to be on the inside of her cheek and they had to numb her face in that area and make a small incision and then put in a stitch.  It will be a week or so before the results are known and we will have to see this same dentist again.

I will be praying for Pat, Larry.  Please keep us informed about this.  Happy New Year to you as well.

Quote from: Ruth Ann Bice on January 01, 2008, 09:50:52 AM
Pat, do enjoy Paul's visit. The new year looks SO promising for y'all. God's richest blessings be with the two of you, and with all those you love.

Thanks Ruth Ann...  I've come to the conclusion though that a second marriage is much more difficult than a first as we're both older and more "stayed" in our ways and there's so much to think about about moving to another country, etc.  We're just leaving it all with the Lord though.  That's the best thing as His ways are Perfect!!

Pat~It's great to hear from you again.  I do understand the "scarceness" of your posts while Paul was visiting, though.   :)  I know you are both waiting on the Lord for His perfect will and timing.  Lots of things to be worked out and plans to be made ... take it slowly (but not too slowly) and always rely on His will. 

Kevin~I am so sorry I neglected to comment on your wonderful New Year's greeting ... I love the photo of your family.   :thumbsup:

The wind is really blowing – gale force – and we've had heavy rain off and on most of the day.  Times like this make me very happy to have a nice fire in the stove and a book to keep me company.  Nita and I both live on high ground, so we are not suseptible to flooding here, but that is not to say there isn't much flooding around the area. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more trees blown down.  Marilyn you should know that Oregonians have webbed feet ... maybe you should get yourself (and Al) some pontoons.  Or a boat! 

I try not to do much reading on the Internet (hurts my eyes).  I have many books here in my library, including the set of the Works of Josephus.  It is much easier (for me) to pick up a book than to access something on the Internet – or even read it from computer files, on screen.  I have eSword on cd, and downloaded into my computer, but still prefer opening books to study.  That's just me.

From the forward of Volume I of the Works of Josephus, I learned that Josephus was born into a priestly family in A.D. 37 or 38, and educated in both Jewish and Hellenistic culture.  He was a precocious child and, at the age of 14, he was consulted by the chief priests and community leaders concerning the meaning of Jewish ordinances.  At age 16, he began the process of investigating the major Jewish sects, with a view to committing himself to the one which best exemplified his ideas of piety.  His investigations were thorough and became of great value to his later discussion of the "philosophies" of the Jews – Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes.  At age 19 he became a Pharisee. 

As Larry said, I consider his wriings a pretty accurate account of history that is not covered – or only lightly touched upon – in the Bible. In fact, I understand the excavators of Masada, drew upon the writings of Josephus for the history of the site. I am just now making it to chapter VII of "The Wars of the Jews" ... I still have a long way to go, for sure.  :-\

Hi!  We are just home a little while ago.  My surgery went well, as to results, he said---but the anesthestist didn't give me enough medicine, and I felt everything the surgeon did!  OUCH!  They told me later I should have spoken up, that they would have given me more med.; but I was concentrating on NOT moving, and thinking "I can stand this pain for ten minutes!"

I can barely see, hope I haven't made too many errors.  Thanks for your prayers and thoughts today.  I will be away from home tomorrow, but if I can read, will catch up with you all tomorrow evening.

Love to you all!

Ohhh, Janet!  {{{HUGS}}} 

I've been wondering about you and we'll chat on the telephone soon, ok?

Love

Pat

Quote

Pat~It's great to hear from you again.  I do understand the "scarceness" of your posts while Paul was visiting, though.   Smiley  I know you are both waiting on the Lord for His perfect will and timing.  Lots of things to be worked out and plans to be made ... take it slowly (but not too slowly) and always rely on His will. 

Thanks Jane!  Yes, I tried to check into the site but couldn't really as Paul and I have so very much to discuss about our future.  Moving to a new country will certainly be different!! 


JUDY
I had a long talk with Judy today.  I was too busy over Christmas to even call her!  :-[  but she understands.   Anyway, she's having so many computer problems.  She can check her email but can't access sites on the internet so therefore she's not able to get into CP.  She has someone who is going to look at the computer but she has to wait a couple of weeks.  I've told her about all who have mentioned her so she's very happy to hear from you all through me.

Janet:  It is good that your surgery ordeal is over.....sorry that you had to endure pain as it never should have happened.  

We are back after taking grandson half way to his home & we made that trip twice in 24 hours.  He was busy with grandpa making a beautiful wooden handled cheese slicer.  

Marilyn, Jane, Nita and Al:  Hang on to your hats!  I have heard that this is a biggie storm.  

Carol

Pat:  You certainly do have a lot of changes coming.  I am glad that you don't drive on the wrong side of the road, for instance   ;D 

HAHAHAHA!  Carol, no I had to endure that when I moved to Ireland with Jack!  HAHA!!

Jan. 4/08

I am going to try and post.  I have read all this weeks posts, and have not frozen up or been booted off the site. 

Pat thank you for explaining things for me. 

Happy New Year Everyone.  May this coming year be blessed as you dig deeper into His ways.

John was home for a week at Christmas and went out again on Sunday before NewYears.  We have had a quiet week this week.  Monday it is back to the grind of school.

Have a good weekend everyone, and God Bless.

Yes, God bless everyone here.  You have a great weekend too, Judy.

Jane, I'm still standing.  You?  I wasn't so sure my windows wouldn't break during some of our hail storms, but they didn't.  I looked out, stood on the porch and watched, and they were pretty big for what we usually see here.  Scared the dogs too. lol   The wind was WINDY, but I'd experienced a lot worse here.  I could see it in the trees around me and hear it, but nothing moved on my property.  Not even a pile of brush. :)

"Burdens are Lifted at Calvary".  How I know that.  Oh, how I know that. :)

Nita

Yup, still standing over here.   :thumbsup:  The winds weren't as strong as those a month ago, although pretty wild at times.  Actually, don't tell anyone, I really like to watch the storm (from the safety of my home).  I looked out at the ducks trying to buck the winds and they were just being blown all over the lake.  The swans were swimming with the wind at their backs and their feathers were lifting and making them look pretty "ruffled."  All the ducks were facing into the wind so their feathers remained unruffled. 

JudyB ... good to see you posting.  I'm glad you were able to make it in here and hope things continue to improve so you can return as a regular once again!   ;)

Good Morning Judy B.  Nice to see you posting.

Nita & Jane:  So, you are still standing.  Great!  We had high winds last night and this storm is supposed to only affect the mountains, but we shall see.  The last foot of snow we had was a surprise.

Pat:  Thank you for lifting burdens song.  I needed that message this morning. 

I have a meeting this morning and the speaker is going to explain why there is more poverty in this county and it has come on suddenly.  Not a good sign. 

Carol

Just a note this morning before I leave to "teach" my painting group!  That will be the almost blind leading the ......sighted!  :lol:  They are all very good painters, no worries about that.  Just give them their packets and turn them loose!

The storms in Oregon and California sound really wild; I am praying for all to be safe during the storms.

JudyB, great to see you here again, and hope your computer behaves so you can continue to post.

Carol, that sounds like an interesting meeting.  Let us know what you learn.  Thanks for your good wishes.

Yes, Pat, I hope we can talk soon.  Maybe I need to start planning a trip to Virginia?!?!?!  Love today's verse!

I must run!

Well, here we are, bright and early.  Well, early anyway.  We live in a mobilhome park, and the park has no water at the moment.  I've notified the man who fixes such things, but I'm sure it'll be a while anyway before anything happens.  Thankfully, Marbeth put two bottles of water in the refrig., so I'm having coffee anyway.  What would I have been like if I couldn't have my coffee? (What am I like anyway!)

Thankfully, the storms haven't affected our power yet.  We have gas heating, so it's warm as well.  Thank the Lord for His mercies!

Hi everyone.  Glad to see you all postings from California and Oregon and to know that, at least a the time you posted, you still had power.  I heard on tv this morning that more than 1 million people were without power in California. 

We had a nice evening.  Yesterday afternoon some friends from church called wanting to know if we would meet them and two other couples at a particular restaurant and then come to their home to help finish up some Christmas goodies.  We said sure and had a delightful evening. 

Janet, glad to see that your surgery went well although painful.  Hope your painting class goes well today.

Carol, I will be interested in what you learn at the meeting today on poverty. 

JudyB, sure nice to see your posting again.  Hope your computer has been fixed and stays that way.

Pat, are you going to be moving to the USA full-time or maintain duel residences?  I am glad you had such a nice visit with Paul and that you will be able to see him again later this month.  Thanks for your concern for my Pat.  She had a letter from the doctor yesterday saying they were awaiting more test results from something they had rerun related to the lupus test.

Jane, I watched a very interesting program last night on History International.  It was about the books that were rejected as part of the Bible.  I knew very little about them.  It fit right in with the discussion of Josephus.  I found it fascinating.

Marilyn, being a caregiver you have to get out in the bad weather.  Sorry to hear that your hand was so sore this morning after doing the exercises yesterday. 

LIz, glad you found the Daily Devotional site helpful.  I have decided to try to read through the Bible in one year again as I have done a couple of times before.  However, like Marilyn, (I think it was) mentioned it has been two or three years since I have done that.  I decided January 1st is a great time and I can listen to audio of the Bible while I follow along.

Etta Sue, I noticed in Target yesterday they had the products they have been advertising in the infomercials on TV including the one for pet odor.  I remember we had to have our carpet pulled up and the padding replaced after our cat decided he couldn't wait to get to the litterbox.  From then on we kept a litterbox available in the house and didn't have anymore problems. 

Al, hope your water is restored shortly. 

We have a meeting to attend shortly and then plan on watching some football this afternoon and resting.  I am still fighting this dreadful cough but think it is gradually getting better.

Good Morning Just checking in.  No power outage here either, I did hear lots of thunder booming in the night and  my poor Happy has spent the last two nights under my bed.

I am high enough not to be affected by any flooding. I have hear that  the Eel river was to reach flood stage by last night but I haven'tseen today's paper yet. Still too dark to see if it is in the front yard. (the paper)

My, you are bunch of chatty people.  Must be the west coast winds loosened their tongues!   :lol:

Yesterday Aaron and I had a good time.  I had to tease him a lot.  It seems when he asks you to go to WalMart or out to eat, then it is him that wants to make all the decisions.  He really didn't like it that I went to the bank and the P.O.  Then we got to WalMart and I mentioned that we would meet up front at 4:30pm, he said 'Let's make it 4:35!!'  Then he rode his scooter here but bought to 2-12 pack cartons of pop and 24 bottles of water.  I asked him how he was going to get those home.  He said, 'Well, I am going to ask you to stop at my house so I can carry them in and then go to your house and get my scooter.'  But some how when we got to his house, I was the one that carried his things in.  But here at my house, he carried mine in...so all is even now.  He is a fun guy to be with.

Ivalou and I just got home from eating lunch at Woody's in Lapel.  They have huge breaded tenderloins so we split one and had potato chips with it.  Great lunch.  Bestest tenderloins.

Now I am wanting to call Kitty to see if she is home to go over and see the routine of feeding and watering her cat and cleaning the litter box while they go to Disney World for two weeks. 

And Pat, Inky is fine now...two days and no presents.  And last evening I thinned the pumpkin down with water and Inky liked that better.

Warmer, dreary rainy day in Indiana.

Saturday afternoon around 4:30, we returned from a short 2-day trip; Midori, her Mom, and Casey, our second son.  The weather was spectacular and the sites and food were grand.  We're back for church today, and I have a couple of counseling appointments in the afternoon.

And then tomorrow we head to Tokyo for 3 days--I've extended my vacation a bit...hope to be able to share photos of both trips soon.

I'm reading Matthew 6 this morning.  It starts off like this...

"Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks.

Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out."

In His Grip,
Kevin

Kevin - I'm one of those people who want an absolutely acurate version of God's Word.  And, thankfully, I believe I actually have it.  But as a paraphrase - as an admittedly paraphrased version - that which you've been quoting is really great!  I think I like that one bettwer than any I've seen (and I've seen about all of 'em).

By the way - we've got our water back!  I thank our Lord for my across-the-street neighbor who does the fixing on such things!  I got him up at about 6:30 this AM to tell him it was off, and he got right on it.  Thank You, Lord.

Yeah but youcame over here for water too. and I was Oh so generous with my water. ;D

Yes, Marilyn, you supplied us with 9 gallons of water, and that was great.  The only thing was that as soon as we got home we discovered that the water was (of course) back on.  Never in all history have so many  done so  much for so little!

Hi, friends, I'm really enjoying being with my son from the UK. <3

I'll be back more when he goes to NC to record those 2 CDs. Hopefully, I'll see him again next weekend.

Pat, it's good to see you back. And, Judy, too.

Westerners, thankfully, it sounds as if most of you have made it through the storms "mostly" OK.

Wow, Janet - I'm so sorry about the medication problem! Yikes. Here's hugs ((((( ))))).

Larry, and Kevin, and everyone else, thanks for posting.

 ;D  Good Morning to all.  I have been going over all the post's and thanks for all the new's from everybody. ;)

We have been blessed this weekend to have our grandchildren with usand thier parents plus one doggy called Gabby short for Gabriele.
So we have had a full house this weekend.  They are so cute and beautiful and we love them to pieces.

The weather here is been very mixed up cold and then rain then snow so you never know what to exspect. :)

Hope that you all have a wonderful day in the Lord's house and may the Lord richly bless you all for this coming week. :coffee:

A small quote.  Spend time in prayer>>Ask God to enable you to walk so close to him that your life becomes an authentic example to other Christians.   
                        Prayer is so important.  Good Night. :)

Al, you are funny. lol  Glad you got your water back. 

Marilyn, that was so nice of you to give Al his 9 gals of water. 

Jane, I bet that was really entertaining...watching your ducks and swans on the lake.

We have a new member.  He's Scotty and he's 15.  He introduced himself when he posted earlier tonight.

  If you make it here, Scotty, Hi again.  These are all nice people, some great photographers, some not so great...like me...and some who just like to look at photography. :)   


I'm headed to bed, so good night all.  Nita

Good Morning, I have John Hagee on my TV so I am not staying just checking in and letting you know we are fine here.

Hi Everyone!

I missed church today.  For some reason, I guess my electricity hiccupped in the night and so my alarm didn't go off for me to get ready.  No storms or anything either.  I'll go later on tonight though.

The theme of the sermons this year...the whole year...at my church will be 'Clearly'.  Today's sermons were on Mark 8:22-26 where Jesus spit on the blind man's eyes and asked him if he could see.  The man said 'I see people but they look like walking trees!'  So Jesus touched his eyes again and asked the man if he could see clearly now.  The man said 'Yes, I can see.  I see clearly now!'  I often wondered why Jesus didn't heal the man of his blindness the first time.  Was Jesus tired?  Did he forget how to perform a miracle?  I was told today that the disciples were on there way to Bathsaida with Jesus when he healed the blind man...the word 'disciples' means learning.  So this was a lesson from Jesus to the disciples that we don't learn all at once.  It sometimes takes stages to learn and unusual ways....then you see things clearly.

Then I went to Taco Bell and then to WalMart.  I got $3.16.7 gas before church. 

I sure hope my two furgirls get used to being a little hungry soon.  It is intimidating to have four eyeballs staring at you..... :'(

Let's find out how much gasoline/petrol is where YOU live!!

It's $1.06 per litre here in Guelph.

The price is $3.06.9 in Ulysses, Ks.  Well, may be higher today, I haven't checked!

In Mckinleyville, California it is $3.53 for regular per gallon.

Oh, thanks! 

I should go to the converter and see how your prices compare with here in Guelph.

Hi everyone.  I think I saw this morning that gas was $2.98/gallon which means at Kroger it probably was $2.95/gallon.  It sure doesn't look like it is going to go down in price.  World demand continues to grow and the USA continues to resist doing anything to utilize our own resources.  (I'll get off the bandwagon!)

It was warm here today and was about 60 degrees when church was over.  We went to church and I sang in the choir but fought this cough throughout and I really didn't feel like going out to lunch with the group.  So we stopped at Wendy's and then I came home and took a nice nap.  Felt better when I got up but the cough is dragging me down again.  It just seems to drag on and on.  This is apparently common this year with those who have this bronchitis or chest colds. 

I have gotten the church website updated for this coming week and caught up on my e-mail.  I will be busier this week as all of the regular activities resume and my retirees luncheon is on Thursday.  This is also the week for our SeniorNet volunteers to meet and to have our PC user group meeting.

Glad to see our friends on the West coast still have power.  I just saw a picture of the flooding from the dam that broke in Reno, Nev.  I sure wouldn't want a home below such a structure.

Etta Sue, glad to read that Inky is doing better.  Stand firm on the cat food and probably in a few days they will adjust and it will be better for them.  It sounds like Aaron is used to having his way.  :)

Pat, I am sure you could use the extra sleep this morning.

Marilyn, I always like to watch John Hagee.  I have read one of his books on the Jews and part of the other one. 

Gord, it sounds like you had a busy weekend.  Glad your family could be with you.

Ruth Ann, what type of music does your son do?  Is he a singer? 

Kevin, it sounds like you are having a nice vacation.

Hi Nita, Pat, Janet,  Al and anyone else I may have missed.

Hi Larry...

That's about the price I saw gas when I was coming home from Virginia the last time but I'm wondering how much I'm going to have to pay on the weekend of Jan. 26 when I return down there.

It cost me 128.00 total for the fuel for the car the last time.  That's really not too bad for a journey of almost 500 miles one way.

Marilyn is correct on the price for a gallon of regular at the main-line stations.  The "discount" stations are about 3.50.  I get mine at about 3.43 (Commercial Fueling Network), and it's maybe 2, 3 cents lower at Costco.  I personally believe the oil companies are gouging the public, and I believe they should be found guilty and sentenced to pay it all back.  (I didn't say I knew how to do that . . .)

We had communion this morning.  What a wonderful ritual!  It's really a two-way conversation and transaction between our Lord and ourselves.  He says to us, "This is My Body, broken for you.  This symbolizes my righteousness, which becomes yours when I am broken upon the Cross.  And this cup symbolizes My Blood, shed for you to bring you forgiveness.  So I am offering you righteousness and forgiveness."  Then we say to Him, "Blessed Savior, I confess my need for Your righteousness, and I hereby receive it with joy.  And, again, blessed Savior, I confess my need for forgiveness, and I hereby receive the forgiveness You offer - with eternal thanks!"

Next time you go through communion, bring with you specific needs for righteousness and forgiveness.  See His immense love and grace and receive it specifically for your specific needs.

Thanks so much Al for that little devotional on the Lord's Supper.  I so appreciate that part of my worship and wish that it was more often than it is in my church.  I looked forward to each Sunday morning at 9:30 in the Bible Chapel where we worshipped many years ago for the Breaking of Bread service.

That's truly high priced gas!!!

 :)  Good evening to all. Gas in Welland Ontario Canada is $1-05.5 a ltr. so it is starting to go up.  On the news last night they said that it could be up as far as  a $1-30 this Summer and that the petrolium companies are just getting richer and richer by the year.

Was at church this morning and my wife was not able to go as she just did not have the strength.  It has been a very busy weekend having the kids and the grandchildren.  But we just enjoy it so much.

Again have a great week. :coffee:

Hi Gord!

I'm beginning to think that it won't matter if I fill up in Canada or the USA when I go to Virginia.

Sorry Noreen is not keeping well.  I continue to pray.

 :)  Hi Pat.   Well I did not read all about what was said about communion and I agree completly that we do not have it happen enough at our church.

When I got saved and understood what it ment it was such a wonderful time to have communion and to have the emblems that are to represent the broken body and the blood.

Thanks for your reminder Larry or Al. :)

Quote from: Pat on January 06, 2008, 02:22:21 PM
Let's find out how much gasoline/petrol is where YOU live!!It's $1.06 per litre here in Guelph.

Using the formula I use for a guess ta met on US vs Canadian Gasoline/Petrol..... $1.06 x 3.625 x conversion rate (which is just about equal dollar for dollar)....ballpark figure is $3.844 a gallon Canadian. 

Price here in Michigan yesterday was $3.139

Because of some obscure Michigan law, gas can no longer be discounted.  Hence we lost our .05c off special at Speedway when using a rewards card (not a credit card) and being able to redeem reward points for gas.  This law is no doubt why we've never rec'd any "at the pump discount" at Costco.

However there is a way to get around the Michigan law re: Speedway...either wait till traveling in Ohio or Ky and redeem points for a gas discount or redeem points for a gift card and use the gift card to purchase gas or anything else.

I think I paid $3.16 per gal last time I filled up here.  Nita

Thanks Ed and Nita.  Guess it will still be cheaper then in the USA according to you Ed. 

Last night coming home gas was $2.99/gal, this morning on the way to church it was $3.04/gal.  I wonder if a horse would be cheaper :D  That's in northeast Mississippi.

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee.  It is a beautiful day here in Georgia and is suppose to get up to 72 degrees. 

I don't have anything significant to do today but may start cleaning out my storage closet here in my office and sorting through records from last year.  I think my cough is better today, still there but not as severe.

Al, thanks for the thoughts on Communion.

 Al:  I love communion - it almost always makes me weep a little.  Such a precious time.  In the Lutheran church where we belong, we have it weekly.  We kneel at the altar and just that movement is so soothing and peaceful.  Anyway you have communion is fine with me and I will not return to any church where I am not invited to take communion.  ...... Glad that you have heat and now water.  How are your feet/legs doing at this time of the year?  Any better? 

Larry:  We watch some of that show on books left out of the bible long ago.  It would make a good study at church. 

Etta Sue:  What a fun time you had with Aaron.  He sounds bright and interesting.  How old?

Gord:  Having the family around is always the best!  Glad you have the experiences. 

Kevin:  It sounds so exotic - going to Tokyo.  Do you ever come over here? 

Scotty:  Welcome - I hope that you do come and chat with us!

Pat:  Your life is very interesting!  Missing the notes from your sister, I hope that she gets a different computer.   

Good Morning Everyone!

It's 47 F here this morning and it's quite "balmy" outside.  Geordie hasn't even barked yet to ask to come in!

I have a few errands to do and then some much needed vacuuming.

Janet and Larry:  You asked about the meeting on the surge in poverty in our county.

They need funding for a study but there is an increase in the number of single women households with children.  Not a rise in divorce and not a rise in the number of SWHWC.  A family of 4 needs almost $50,000 per year just to rise above poverty in this county - in other words, it is more expensive to live here than it should be - (I have always said that our groceries are much higher than Denver).  I know it has to be health care, school supplies, heating, affordable housing,  and so manyother things.  We don't have a great transportation system, although there are buses but a car is a necessity.  It is a highly educated area with people working at jobs just to get by and they aren't getting by.  They go to school here and don't want to leave the area.  A huge amount of people working at even two jobs and they are slipping lower - now, the cost of gasoline puts so many over the edge.  

I also think that younger people (and some older) don't know how to pinch a penny - they don't know how to cook from scratch and so many things.  They have never had a real budget and get into trouble on figuring how much something really costs, because they don't figure interest and in home buying - a balloon payment means nothing to them.  Sad sad cases but they do need help.  There are also a lot of agencies to help here and one in particular helps with heating expenses and keeps people in their homes.  

When Don and I worked with the homeless - we were always astounded by the stories - they would drive the entire family here "because they heard there was work here".  Many poor judgements, in my opinion.  Then, there was a shock of not finding affordable housing.

It would save a lot of heartache if everyone would go through marriage counseling before they even think about it and here is where the church can help if people would only be willing.  Lots to ponder.   Carol

Please be patient, I am working on the Thoughts.......be back to post it soon.  Janet

  Got it!  Please click here (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=6518.msg114358#msg114358) to find it.



AARGH!!!!  Will someone more computer literate than I please fix this link?  My eyes and my headache are getting worse by the minute, struggling with it!