Christian Photographers Community

Praying for all the requests tonight. I have been moving furniture for Christmas and each night I wind up struggling with pain.  I too struggled with bullying right through and past school.  I never told anyone, I thought the bullies were right. I too would have taken the suicide route if I had known about it.  Thankfully I am here today.

I am posting early todays carol.

Thanks to our Lord, we are here today and able to come to this refreshing place.

It's supposed to be a lovely day here in Nashville, with temps rising to about 60 degrees.

I awakened early, got a good bit done, and am ready to go do a few errands.

So, y'all have a good day with our Lord,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee on a sunny and crisp Georgia morning.  I decided not to go to Bible Study today.  They have been studying the scriptural background of the Christmas Carol "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and I missed the first two weeks of it.  The group is leaving after the study is completed to go to eat together at a special place that features southern cooking.  The lunch is $17.  It is in an old mansion and there is a lot of walking involved so neither Pat nor I need that this year.  So other than wrap up a couple more packages, which will complete the wrapping for this year, I don't have anything else planned for today.

The Postal truck just delivered two large packages from Pat's sister with gifts for us.  Pat thought we should go ahead and open them but I think we should wait until our gift exchange so we an anticipate what the gifts might be.  They are obviously the same for each of us and certainly unexpected but appreciated.

Carol, thanks for sharing that touching piece about the children.  I guess it must have been Jenny who was in Arizona and I had gotten confused.  With you both living in Denver and traveling quite a bit and involved with family sometimes I mix up the details.  You will have had your Christmas with family before leaving and planning to enjoy the real reason for the season in Arizona.  It does sound like your plate is full up until the time you leave. 

Ruth Ann, I didn't know about the bullying you experienced.  I had a little of it but certainly not for eight grades.  When I was in the 7th grade a distant cousin who went to my one room school bullied me to the point I had a fight with him and I was not a fighter but had had enough.  It took me several years to like him again.  Then in high school after a basketball game a member of the opposing team came over to our bus and attacked me (I don't think I had even touched him in the game) and gave me a back eye.  I was totally shocked. 

Liz, so sorry that you don't know where you son is and know that must be very difficult.  However, I would imagine he knows where he can find you.  We just don't control another person and can only turn them over to the care of God.  I didn't remember that you were a painter.  Interesting how cats take over and occasionally share with us of their possessions. 

Janet, I am sure John gets a lot of satisfaction in being able to get what Beth likes to eat.  You can download a program called "Quicktime" that will play alot of the hymns that Judy posts.  Windows Media Player should play the mp3 and midi files.  Here is a link for Quicktime:  http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.

Judy, it appears that many of us were bullied to some extent.  Like Ruth Ann I took piano lessons, which as a boy, set me up for some ridicule but my revenge was to be a better student and never going along with the gang attitude.  I have to wonder if we haven't ended up much more compassionate and caring about about others from some of our own experiences that were very painful.

Larry, I agree that 'walking a mile in their moccasins' makes us more compassionate and understanding.  Nice of Pat's sister to send you gifts!  Thanks for the link, I am downloading the media player now, as I do enjoy listening to the songs on here.

At the gym this morning, after 20 minutes on the treadmill, we played "Pickle Ball" for about an hour.  It was fun, and a great workout--I was wet all over!  Even my head sweat, and I don't like that, because I just got my hair done yesterday.   Oh, well, the exercise is so good for us!

I need to go to the care home to find out about what company Beth was assigned to, for the new thing taking the place of Medicaid.  Ours is called KanCare and there are three or four different companies doing it.

Have a great day, friends!

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Good Morning everyone, Sorry to hear about the bullying. I wasn't bullied during my school years but by the men in my life, which is something that is in the past and In prefer to leave it there and not talk about that part of my life anymore. I am not the same person who put up with that bad behaviors back then, I no longer live in fear of my life.  With that said I will wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Janet, Ivalou and I got to the restaurant to play Euchre.  All 8 of us ordered our lunch and just as the salads were being delivered, Jan got a phone call.  Her Mother, in Florida, passed away around 10:30am.  Her Mother, Jane, was 93 and Jan was down to see her in November after her mother had fallen and broke something.  Jan told her that after Christmas she was bringing her back to Indiana.  Jane said 'No way!...I am not going back to Indiana.'  Well, she is but not to live.  Jan left to see what she needed to do to get her back to Indiana.  All the arrangements are made and prepaid so I think all she would have to do was go to the funeral home where those arrangements were made. 

So we tried to find someone to come and take Jan's place but we ended up playing with a 'dummy'.  I need to see if there are Euchre rules with a dummy online! 

After I took Janet home, Ivalou and I went to church for 'Meal on Us'.  Evelyn met us there and then we got in her car.  She drove around Noblesville while I navigated her with a map to see 12 homes decorated with lights for Christmas! Beautiful!!!

Then back home.

Today as I was 'soaking' in the bed, getting ready to get up, my doorbell rang.  The neighbor across the road...where the flag is...brought me a mini-loaf of some kind of bread. 

Then I got busy with the busy-ness of the day doing nothing but being busy.  Nothing on the schedule today.

Carol, I do want to thank you for posting that about the children in heaven.  I only wish some of the parents read that.  So comforting.  It is so hard to lose someone anytime but it seems that losing someone at this time of year is worse.  And no parent should lose a child...anytime!

Janet, so glad that John is there with Beth.  I can picture them in my mind's eye together and that makes my heart smile.

Liz, I can see your cats.  One outside being adventuress and the other being a cat...napping! 

Ruth Ann, prayers are for your concerns.  I am so happy that we got to meet again.  Next time we will spend more time together!!

Larry, glad that you and Pat got your decorations done...at least, what you wanted the most.  I will be and am praying that Pat's near future surgery will be easy for her!

JudyB, thank you so much for the music that fills our hearts and souls.  When I am cold down here in the lower 48, I think of you in the upper north and then realize...if Judy can survive that cold....I can survive this cold!

Christle, I am sure that your house smells wonderful whether it is baking in the oven or cooking on top of the stove.  Our sense of smell is one of God's gifts!

Bullying!  I don't remember being bullied at school....just remember being picked last a lot of times.  I think I was well liked but not as an athlete.  At my little school if the girls didn't play sports, then there wasn't enough for the guys to play so we girls were drafted also.  But at home, it was a different story.  My brother was the bully to me.  He picked on me all the time, tripped me, hit me, called me names, made me cry, etc.  And worse, I think Mom ignored it!  I love all my family but it could have been happier memories growing up.  I don't remember Ivalou doing anything negative...in fact, I don't remember growing up with Ivalou...Kaye Don dominated those memories and they are bad! 

The evening Kaye Don and Barb got married and I was in the line to congratulate them for their marriage, Barb looked at Kaye Don and said, 'You are never to be mean to Etta Sue again, you hear?'  Kaye Don said 'Yes!'  And he never was mean to me again. 

Wow!  That brought back bad and good memories!

Windows 8.  I read somewhere or someone said that you have to shut down your laptop...not just shut the lid.  Well, lately I have been just shutting the lid and I like that so much better.  When I open the lid, all the files and browser windows and everything is just like it was when I shut the lid!  I don't have to open them all again!

Now to go search where I changed the sounds to sound like a drain pipe...water dripping and such! 

Amazing stories in here.  Blessings all around!

We had our closest friends (neighbors) here for breakfast.  One has terminal cancer and he is at peace - this morning he said that he has been told to evangelize and speak out so he had our attention and it was a lovely time with him at the table.  What a privilege to know this man.  We are afraid of losing him when we are away. 

Liz:  I did not know that you have a son missing.  It has to be a heavy load you are carrying and good that you can talk about this in here.  My prayers for you. 

JudyB:  Those school years should have been happy for you -  now you have a super family and live a much happier life than the bullies. 

Larry:  We are off to Arizona.  One 2nd. cousin has already written and he left early from Minnesota.  It is 14 degrees F. here today and we have had two blizzards.  After fixing breakfast for neighbors, we had dental appointments at noon and Don drove through a blizzard.  Lots of wind but only about 6 inches of snow I think.  Drifts are about three feet high.  It is getting warmer for the next two days so we shouldn't have trouble on the freeway. 

I feel really old & it is because of doing some physical therapy - good grief, who thinks up these awful stretches? 

This has been a long day for me.  I decided to move my desk into a different room.....that has meant moving other furniture as well.  You can never just move one thing, there is always a domino effect!  Thankfully I am nearly done. I will finish up tomorrow.  This is intended as a surprise for John, and he doesn't have his laptop with him this trip so there will be no clue!

I enjoy posting the carols.  It really is a pleasure to see you folks enjoying them!

Night all and know that I am praying for the needs expressed here.

Good morning, friends,

It's to be SUCH a busy day. So, I'm just peeking in to say I'm okay and that I hope your day will be filled with the rich blessings and mercies of our Lord.

Ruth Ann

It is still chilly here on the island and snow seems reluctant to leave.  Does give a nice Christmas setting tho'...
Wendy spent yest. helping an 86 yr. old friend who gathers grocery money and gifts to give to needy families that are in the area.  Wendy helps her get a discount at a store, many many groceries, gift certificates and spent the day in cold rain, helping to load and take them to her house, where other friends help with the process.  Also toys for the children.  These are all really families who need the help.  So many times that is not the case.  This lady, like Wendy, is in a great deal of physical pain.  My SIL also helped, as did my GD.  I spent the day doing work here for my daughter as not possible to go out in the cold and help.  Jean has done this work for years, despite illness and operations.  She is truly doing God's work, as is Wendy.

Carol, I keep forgetting to thank you for giving me the name of a good Bible app.  Really like the Olive Tree.  I plan to spend the next year doing reading each day.

Larry, I am not a serious artist like Janet, but do enjoy painting in watercolour and acrylic paint....also watercolour pencils.  As for my son, it is not quite that simple.  He got into drugs at a very early age and I was powerless to control the situation.  That, with a mental problem, caused problems with the law for him and a steady deterioration, until in his mid twenties, we simply lost contact......But it is what it is, and I have a wonderful daughter, SIL and GD, so many blessings to be grateful for....

It is sad that so many people are living in fear of the end of the world.  They should have read the end of the Bible.  We are not to know the date when Jesus will return, only to be assured that he will and then the world will truly change for the better.  That is something to look forward to with gladness, not fear!

Time to join Jane in the corner.  For some reason I seem to need to post right now.  Mostly come to read and enjoy all your adventures and find comfort in knowing there are other Christians out there. 
So a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from me, my family, Misty, Billy Bob and Sqeek.

God Bless.

This laptop is getting to be expensive.  First I had to download new Microsoft Office, second I had to order a new The Print Shop and now I ordered the new Corel PSPX5.  None of the discs would load on the new laptop!  The guy that designed that feature on DVD's should have the same destiny as the guy that put arsenic in Tylenol years ago.  It causes us all a lot of expense and unnecessary ill-spent time!!  (Climbing off my soapbox now)

Yesterday was a great day of doing nothing. 

Today!  I plan to go to the pool, buy some under $3 a gallon gas, eat a Mexican lunch/dinner and get in some groceries.  I can't get in the pool until 2:30pm so I am not rushing.  Oh, yes!  And taking my black and white chemo wrap to the hospital!

It is quite windy today with rain.  Only 42°.  But from reading Facebook last night I was expecting that thick white rain when I woke up.  So what we have could be a lot worse!!! 

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a rainy day and turning much colder throughout the day with it to get into the low 20's by morning.  We are apparently on the northern edge of the this storm going across the SE so hopefully won't have any severe storms.  The first thing I did this morning was make a fast trip to Walmart.  I had never purchased the calcuim with vit. D that the doctor has prescribed for me and we needed some milk, bread and fruit.  Fortunately, they were not yet very busy.  I didn't use the cart this morning as felt walking some would be good for me and knew exactly where I was going and took it slow.  Last evening Pat and I went out to eat at Chili's and had a very good dinner but ate too much.  Glad we went when the weather was nice rather than tonight.  We will stay in the rest of the day.

Janet, I had never heard of pickle ball until this last year when they added it as a demonstration sport in the Senior Golden Games.  I believe it was a success and will be added as one of the permanent events. 

Marilyn, somethings we need to leave in the past and so glad that life is good for you now.  Merry Christmas to you but will you not be posting more before Christmas? 

Etta Sue, we never know what each hour will bring to our lives.  Sorry that Jan's mother passed away but 93 is a good old age.  I know of no reason why you would have to shut down your Windows 8.  I just close the lid and it goes into sleep mode. 

Carol, thanks for the info on your upcoming trip to Arizona.  It sounds like it is time to get away from Colorado for awhile.

Judy, moving furniture is hard work and I hope you haven't hurt your shoulders.  Do you use those slider pads?  I find they really do work well.  I don't have the lifting device but my friend bought one and sure I could borrow it is needed.  However, I don't think I will be moving any furniture in the future as my heart doesn't like it. 

Good Morning, Ruth Ann. 

Liz, there are many kind and caring folks who do things for others and get little recognition.  However, one of our TV stations does feature community events including some on those doings good deeds for others.  I just read that 54% of the over 120,000 school children here in our county are now eligible for free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch at school. and our food banks are overloaded with needs.  Liz, believe me I can relate to some of what you experienced with your son although we have been fortunate enough to not have lost them and now enjoy a better relationship with them than we have ever had since they have been adults.  I am very glad you are posting.  You know you are among folks here who really care for each other and I am confident we don't judge each other either, just love them as they are.

Today is a work day again.  5 bookcases needing the shelves washed.  I have put it off till now, but need to get at it.  It is amazing the amount of dust a wood furnace creates.  We need to get new filters into the furnace that will help.

Larry i have to do it all by hand, and yes need prayer for my shoulders.  wrenched them badly yesterday.  Today should be easier I am leaving the moving of the piano further for John to help with.

Time to sing!

Well, what a day this has been!  Started out without TV, internet, or telephone.  There was a local outage experienced by the company that supplies all three. Thankfully, the gal that comes to put my shoes on in the morning came, so that was a tremendous help!  I'm glad I had no emergencies during that time, as I wouild have had no way to call for help.

Such good, newsy posts today!  We went to the gym, and since what they had for lunch at the senior center didn't appeal to us, will likely not be going out again until 6:30.  At that time, I will go to the Care Home for Christmas carol singing.  Then their party is tomorrow at 2:00, so I will be going back for that.

Jane and Liz, if you girls stay in that corner, I guess we will all just have to come and join you!  Please do keep on posting; we love you and wonder about you when you stay away.  So good of dear Wendy to help others, even when she has such physical problems.  Yes--everyone needs to read the Book!  Then Friday wouldn't hold even a tinge of fear for them.  And if Jesus should call us home on Friday, what a joyful day that would be!  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

I finished wrapping the last of the gifts we had to wrap, so now I will be thinking about food preparation......need something for Christmas Eve, then Christmas day!

Al, so glad you were all right until the power was restored.  That can be scary for one in your situation.  You didn't mention a service for Marbeth (or maybe I missed your post).  Did you get that all taken care of okay.  We like to know that all is well with you.

We had a terrible blizzard last night, but thankfully, it lasted only a short time, and there wasn't much snow.  But what came, came sideways!  Visibility was near zero!  It was late in the evening, just getting dark, so we were in for the night already.

It's time to eat a bite of lunch.  See you later!

Al You may have to get one of those emergency notification units where you push a button if there is an emergency.  They operate on rechargable batteries, and recharge as they are plugged into the hydro.  YOu have to push the button whe n you get up as well as when you go to bed.  It will give you peace of mind knowing someone is as near as the push of a button. 

Hello friends,
I hope all are doing well today.
Etta Sue,  sorry to hear your friend in Mexico passed away.  I guess that was quite a shock.

We had a terrifically fierce windstorm yesterday with wind gusts in the 60s.  Plenty of dirt in the air, but no precipitation at all.  I heard on the Albq news this morning that a big chunk of the roof flew off the First Baptist church here in town.  Earl and I were members there 1957 - 1963 when the church started a mission church.  We moved our family to the mission and in one year it became an independent church as workers were needed for teaching, etc.  We stayed for 39 years and were the last charter members who left.

Al, Glad you didn't have an emergency.   How are you doing healthwise now?  I know you miss your Marbeth. 

Ruth Ann & Judy..I am sorry you were bullied when young, there are memories there yet and they still hurt.  Perhaps that is why the Lord has graced you with a servants heart, you are so kind and helpful to so many others.

Hasta Manana,  -- Janice

Thank you Larry for the Merry Christmas wishes, I am here every day but sometimes do not post.

It has been  nothing but heavy Rain and wind for a few days, yesterday there wasn't much rain but there was wind.  We had water in the laundry room/pantry this morning and don't know from whence it came. then when I opened the garage door to go to the gym the driveway has so much water that it was about ready to come over the two inch lip  and into the garage. Keith got out there and  cleaned the driveway drain so by the time I got back home the water had drained off. Our driveway slopes down from the street.

Our neighbors across the street are  having their annual open house today so we will be going over there after Keith gets home from work, he says there isn't much to do at work so he has been working on the track lighting the last few days, adding light and adjusting them.

We will be leaving for California on Monday and returning on Wednesday. We are doing Christmas Eve at Gilbert's house then Christmas Day at Sarah's mother's in Eureka.

I was wrong about that roof .  it didn't fly off, just peeled. Sara (gr dtr) brought in my newspaper and here is the story.

www.cnjonline.com/digest/blownover.html

A bit of fun tonight with our song,  we are under a winter storm watch!

Hi everyone.  After a rainy day yesterday it is a cold and windy day here today.  My neighbor has a big sleigh and seven reindeer in his front yard that he made as a Christmas decoration.  The wind was so strong last night it knocked over the reindeer.  It is suppose to stay windy all day today with some gusts up to 40 mph.  We had about everyone in in Friday coffee group there this morning, which was nice.  One of the men brought in a treat for everyone to go with the coffee.  If Pat decides to go in a little bit I will drive her to a meeting at our church and then will go back and pick her up when she is ready to come home.  She might go out to lunch with some ladies after the meeting, which I hope she feels up to doing.  I have a number of tasks to do here at my desk and found one more Christmas present to wrap for Pat so want to get that done while she is out of the house.  That will be it for today as don't expect to go anywhere else.

Judy, it sounds like you overdid with the furniture moving.  My grandmother always used a rug so something hard under the legs of her furniture when she moved it.  The visiting nurse is suppose to be looking into getting one of the emergency call devices for her.  If that doesn't happen I think we will  arrange for it as she is reaching the point with the falls that she needs it even with the pull cords she has in her bedroom and bathroom to signal an emergency.  If she were in the kitchen or her living area they would not be accessible.

Al, it is frightening not to have a phone.  Do you have an emergency cellphone to use?  Glad you have someone to help you with your shoes.  I usually have to help Pat with the sock and shoe on her back leg. 

Janet, it sounds like the care home has been keeping you busy but it nice that you participate in the events with Beth.  Glad you didn't get caught out in the blizzard.

Janice, glad you didn't have the snow to go with the strong winds. 

Marilyn,  glad you are going to be with your family for Christmas.  It sounds like you have had more than a sufficient amount of rain.

Well, we got the snow and wind that Janet sent our way!  It actually started while I was in the pool yesterday.

I got some $2.88 a gallon gas!  Wow!  Who would think how much joy that gives someone?  Later I noticed on Gas Buddy that it was raised to $3.19!! 

Then I went to Noblesville and had a Mexican lunch at La Casada.  Then to Marsh's for groceries...my list was at home on the counter but I did remember everything on the list and then some! 

Leaving Marsh's, the radio was stating that a thunderstorm would be in the area in the next 30 minutes.  So I decided to take my chemo wrap to the hospital and then go to the pool.  I did and as I walking into the building where the pool is, the clouds to the west were almost black, rolling and rolling with lightening in them and thunder!  Whew!  Glad to get inside...poor Hawaii was outside though!  People coming in after me were saying how bad it was. 

The new skylights over the pool showed rain, then sunshine, then cloudy again!
When I left, it wasn't bad.  Thank God, it didn't hail as that was a possibility.

Then last night after dark the wind started!  Howling wind and snow!  I noticed that the front porch bulb is out!  Not changing it until it is above freezing!  And it is only 24° right now!  So Santa's head that is on that light won't be lit up until that bulb is changed!

This morning it is white out there but I still see blades of grass and corn stalks.  The flag across the way is blowing straight to the southeast!  My deck needs swept but....

I am glad that I got everything done yesterday and I have no where to drive until Sunday morning to church!

Well, here we are on the 21st of December and the world is still here!     So much for the Mayan calendar. 

It snowed over night and we got about an inch - it looked pretty for a while.  Now it's quickly melting away and there a very brisk wind.  The next few days and nights will probably be on a roller coaster with the low teens (or possibly single digits here) at night and then into the 30's or 40's during the day.  And maybe even waking up to a little snow on Christmas morning.  Another of those forecasts of "look out the window and see what's there". 

Etta Sue, it did look as if the weather were heading your way!  The snow is all gone here except a bit on the north sides of buildings.  You certainly had an eventful and busy day yesterday!

Larry, were you talking about Stacey when you spoke of getting the emergency button?  I decided you must have meant her.  I hope both you and Pat are feeling good today.

We have been to the gym, came home and cooked breakfast, both have showered and are now ready to go to lunch!  I certainly do not feel hungry again yet, so probably won't be eating much.

Jeanne, hope you can just stay in and stay warm!  You do get some wild weather there, don't you?  Well, Kansas does, too, but ours is always very unpredictable.  However, the weather people have gotten much more accurate in their predictions than they used to be.

About the Mayan calendar--I got an email today that said "The Mayans were wrong!  So you'd better get out and get those Christmas gifts!"   

Janice, always good to see your posts!  Hope you are doing well and looking forward to an enjoyable Christmas.

Judy, hope you don't overdo any more with the furniture moving!

Marilyn, hope you have a good trip, and Merry Christmas!

Time to go!

Well, I thought I had posted.

At any rate, I was exhausted after getting in at 2 am from picking up my trucker son at a truck stop about 50 miles from home late last night.

So, with foggy brain, I accomplished some duties, then fell asleep in the big comfy chair, awakened briefly after an hour's rest, and went on to bed for the remainder of the afternoon.

Now's time for normal folks to be in bed, but I'll be preparing to leave for our Christmas celebration tomorrow at about noon eastern time (I live on central time, so it's an hour earlier by my body's clock.)

Now, to go make that cornbread dressing and prepare the sauce for our potato salad.

Then, it will be time to rest a few moments. Y'all have a wonderful Christmas with our Lord, and I'll be here as often as I can the next few days.

Love to all, and Love to our Lord, Who made Himself a tiny babe to come be with us here in the flesh. No wonder He understands our troubles and sorrows, and no wonder He planned to provide us a way to His Father, through His death.

Lord, we praise you tonight!

Ruth Ann