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Today was not the day that Pastor Steve should have skipped some sermon notes.  I couldn't keep up with him.  I was praying that I would get through the morning service working the projector system.  I really want to go back to bed but I can't...too much to do today. 

Maybe tomorrow I will rest!

Thank you for the devotional, Etta Sue. Our pastor has been talking on a series of gifts of the Spirit. Unfortunately, I missed today's as I have come down with a nasty cold. I have gone through two boxes of Kleenex.
I do have a cold medication in my drawer, however there is a warning; "Do not use if you have a bleeding or cardiac condition or are pregnant or breastfeeding ( :roflBig: at 67 ), have insomnia hormone sensitive cancer, diabetes or schizophrenia."  I don't think I have any of these, however, I would not want to take the risk, just allowing it to run its course.

This message was on Kevin's FB wall.


1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
... and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46

I told him that I was praying for 2 specific things.  
1. Safety for him and Midorie
2. That he would be able to have a spiritual impact with the people he is ministering to.

He has asked that we pray this specifically for him.  I am extending it to the rest of the Christian community there that they would be able to minister to the unsaved in action, how they live and work.  

We prayed for Haiti, we need to pray for Japan, and all the countries in the "Ring of Fire".  They are being hammered.

Judy is Pat in Guelph or Virginia?

She is in Guelph.

Did I hear right?  There are now volcanos happening in Japan?

You heard right Judy. there is a Volcano erupting in Japan.

When will this end?

Ruth:  You are so funny - it sounds like it is best not to take those pills anyway.  Hope you are comfortable. 

JudyB:  Thanks for keeping updates on Kevin.  The temperature in northern Japan is quite chilly now - is he in the north part? 

Larry:  Baked turkey is good any time of the year - I don't buy the huge ones anymore and have given the really heavy roaster to one of the boys.  Turkey dinner makes you sleepy anyway. 

Al:  Did you have any water warnings in your area?  Sounds like a lot of damage in Crescent City area for boats & docks. 

We had a wild storm today.  It came up quick and was all done within two hours.  Much damage elsewhere, trees down, roofs damaged, no power, etc...but we are ok here.  The thunder was louder than I've heard it before, the lightning was brighter and the wind of almost non stop for awhile there.  Hail and rain too.

Janet, I'm praying that your mom's home going/coming will be a time of release for all of you.  Knowing where she will be, and Who she will be with..... <3....is such a comfort for you I know.

I have the cold that has been going through my family.  Some had the flu, but mine is just a cold that makes me tired and achy with a stuffed head.

So glad to see that Kevin posted.  I know we are all praying for Japan, and that there is a wide open door for ministry.

Hi everyone.  We are suppose to have another clear and warm day, getting up to 72 degrees.  Yesterday was just delightful here and got to 73 degrees with no wind. 

We had a good church service with about 16 new folks joining our congregation, most by transfer or redidication but one young woman was baptized.  Following church a friend joined us for a quick lunch at Johnny's Pizza.  They have a very good baked sub and Pat and I share one yesterday.  I came home and watched the SEC and ACC basketball tourney finals.  They really were very good games as were really never close.  No basketball tonight that I am aware of and then the big tourney starts tomorrow.  Following the games I started working on getting the data together so I could itemize my taxes.  That took about 5 hours but feel I am on top of the situation and should be able to finish our return.  I won't be sending it right away as have to pay some additional taxes.  Yesterday was really a very good day.

Today the lady who I work with on the Senior Golden games is coming by to pick up the first batch of paperwork that I have completed and to bring me another big batch of applications to process.  So this will be paperwork week.  At 1 pm I will attend the Monday men's luncheon.  We are going to a seafood place today.

The situation in Japan just seems to be getting worse and worse.  Last night they had another flood warning and heard this morning that the nuclear plant situation is not good with more radiation getting into the air.  I am hearing that the USA has several nuclear plants build along fault lines which makes one pause.  The leaders of our country have so many serious problems to deal with and they need our prayers even when we don't agree with their decisions. 

Etta Sue, thanks for the new devotional thoughts for the week.  Judy, thanks for sharing the news from Kevin.

Nita, glad you didn't have damage from your severe storm.

Carol, this turkey was a very large one and filled up the big roaster we have, which is getting almost too heavy for me to carry from the shelf where we store it.  I did enjoy a very nice turkey sandwich last evening.

Marilyn, I read about the volcano erupting in Japan.  You have to wonder if there is any connection to the earthquakes.

Ruth, your cold will probably be over as soon without the medicine as with it.  I think sometimes the medicine thinks we are better because it may mask some of the symptoms but a cold just has to run its course.

Time to leave for coffee.  Hope this is a good day for you all.

I agree, Larry. Nita and I probably have the same type of cold. I did sleep a bit better last night and only used about five tissues.

I was supposed to work at the café today (bookkeeping), However the owners are going on a trip soon (work related) and appreciate me trying not to pass on my cold. So I have plenty of work to occupy my time at home.

Larry! 72 degrees! We will not see weather like that for at least two to three months!

I think Ruth, Nita and I have the same cold.  I slept better last night.  Since I have gotten up, I am having more symptoms of the cold. 

The little baby work boots and afghan were a big hit yesterday.  Heather got so many nice things and she is so gracious and appreciative for what was given to her.  She has no family of her own so her husband's family and the church family is all she has.  She is a such a sweet girl. 

I have already been to Lapel today to get some items for Euchre tomorrow.  I am taking Sausage Balls to Euchre.  Only three ingredients...sausage, cheese and Bisquick.  I only had Bisquick.  Now I have all. 

And I am not going to go to Photo Guild tonight.  I am thinking that may be a thing to cut out of my life.  They are all over my head lately...most becoming professional.  I love looking at all the photos except the dark, gothic looking, portraits.  Most of those people are scary looking to me...tattooes, piercings, dread-locks with them being black and white on top of the scariness!  My opinion. 

So I am in for the rest of day and until Euchre tomorrow.  May have to go get the mail but not by car!   :roflBig:

Today is my Mother's birthday.  She would have been 98 years old today!  And I was baptized 13 years ago today!  So it's my second birthday!

I didn't sleep at all well last night, then early this morning the phone rang, and it was the Care Home calling to ask me to PLEASE come in to work.   :-\  So I did, then stayed late to help take residents to Alco to shop a little bit.  It was well after 4 when I got home.  I am sleepy!!

The Hospice lady came today to do the paperwork on Mom.  She seems very kind.  Mom smiled at me, but didn't have much of anything to say.  My new pastor came to meet her, and prayed for her.  He didn't get to meet Beth, as she was getting her shower at that time, so he will come back to meet her later this week.

Larry, so glad to read that you had a really good day yesterday!

Prayers going upward for those in Japan.

Today was physio.  "Bill" has had me streaching the muscles and reteaching the muscles what they are supposed to do.  I have reached 140* lifting the arm unsupported straight forward and up. (reaching to the sky.)  To the side I have 90* movement.  Doing that he has now given me more to do, this time rotating the shoulder.  The exercises hurt, but so would a marathon if Iwere to run it.  Physio always leaves me tired, I slept for a couple of hours on the couch when I got home.

It has been a lovely day here in the north.  I do believe spring is on its way.

Elizabeth woke me up with a start this morning. John had forgotten his wallet.  I called him and thankfully he had sufficient documentation with him in the truck saving me a 6 hour round trip to take it to him.  Thus not holding him up either.

I am praying for the needs represented here.  Night all

Judy

Hi everyone.  I can't say it is a very pretty day here as it rained a lot last night and early morning.  It seems to have slacked off pretty much but still damp and chilly, only 46 degrees.  After coffee and walking at the gym this morning I stopped and voted in a special election to replace our County Executive, who had to resign to keep from having criminal charges brought against him, as they were brought against one of the council members.  We have had a lot of rather shady and underhanded land dealing in our county in the last few years.  I do hope we can elect an honest person who has the interests of the county at heart and not just to help their "special friends".  I will attend a meeting this morning and then will have a quiet day. 

Late this afternoon my wife will attend a ladies book club meeting at our church that is beginning.  They will meet twice a week for 90 minutes.  They are discussing a book about 12 Great Women in the Bible.

Last evening I spent several hours sitting in my easy chair entering applications for the Senior Golden Games.  There were 106 new applications.  Today I will work on the Certificates for these individuals that are given for participation.  It isn't hard but just takes time. 

After working on my income tax itemized deductions I found that once again I didn't have sufficient itemized deductions to exceed the standard.  So I found I wasted several hours of hard work for nothing.  However, I now have removed any doubt from my mind about the matter.  I am thankful that I owed income taxes as there are many people who are out of work who won't be able to pay this year. 

It seems the situation in Japan seems to worsen by the day.  The nuclear situation to bad but the humanitarian aspects are just overwhelming.  It seems each morning the news become more bleak. 

Judy, glad John didn't have to drive to meet you for his wallet.  It sounds like your shoulder is healing well even though it gives you pain in the PT and afterward.  Hopefully all of that will soon be a distant memory.

Janet, I do worry about you overworking.  Hope you got better rest last night.

Etta Sue, I have never understood the "goth" appearance but suppose it is a way to defy society in some way.  I am sure you will make the proper decision for you on the photo guild.  Hope your cold is better today.

Ruth, we sure don't have 72 degree weather today.  Hope you are feeling better today, as well.  Nice that you can do your work from home.  I was able to do that for about 18 months before I had to retire as even that became too much to handle.

It is sunny and not too cold. (-5 degrees C, 23 F) I am feeling much better, however decided not to attend the ladies bible study as I am still a bit congested and we have older people who attend.

I am so blessed to have the work God has given me and that I can do so much of it at home. I really did not anticipate it when I moved up here 2003/04.

Blessings to everyone..... Judy, I should be freer next week, I hope. It's my granddaughter's 14th birthday on Friday and I have to get there!!!

I slept so good night before last but last night wasn't so good.  I tossed and turned and then got up and watched TV...recordings and finally I am caught up with them.  I watched Oprah and her interviewing Michael Jackson's mother.  I just don't understand why he is idolized so much.  He even lied to his mother as well as his fans.  It seems so many today 'heroes' are not good people!  Where are the John Wayne's and Bob Hope's today?

Today is dark, dreary, rainy and cool.  Spring is coming and I can't wait to sit out on my deck with a book!  This afternoon is Euchre.  I have my Sausage Balls all ready for the oven.  They are better warm so maybe I can put them in the microwave at Jane's before we start eating since we won't eat until after we are done playing Euchre.

It is dreary here too. More rain and wind expected.  I thought I had finished a baby afghan  until  folded it and noticed that  on end need to have more stitches to make it fold  evenly so I  ripped it out this morning  and will redo the last row and the edging. I am also knitting  a shawl/scarf. Keeping busy it  different things, trying not  to be on the computer so much.

I wonder how the radiation from the nuclear plants in Japan is going to affect us on the west coast. It is rather scary.

This old world is in a heap of hurt, that's for sure.  Dishonesty, no morals, crooked politicians, liars, cheats, vulgar displays of nudity, etc.  BUT...."Where sin doth abound, GRACE doth MUCH MORE abound!"  Thank God, we who know Him can look to him for answers to life's every problem.

Egypt is going to be in MUCH worse shape now that they have ousted Mubarrak, because the Muslim brotherhood is poised and ready to take over; which was the whole idea in the first place.

My prayers are with God's chosen people and the holy City of Jerusalem.  Please pray that our country does NOT take part in trying to divide Jerusalem.  If we are part of that, we will be cursed, according to the Word.

Goodness!  Let's talk ab out the weather!  :)  It was 69 here today; tomorrow is to be 80 and Thursday 85 degrees!  Unbelievable!!  The little snow is only a dim memory now.

Choices, choices!  Our choices make or break us.  It is so clear to me now, why couldn't I have learned it earlier?

Please remember my friend Willa and the entire Miller family in your prayers Her brother Clarence Miller passed away about an hour ago. I a,not going to California for this funeral, I can't afford the gas and I only met Clarence once. Willa is taking this very hard, last August  her husband passed and she is still recovering from her Gall bladder surgery, she is still weak and  lost a tremendous amount of weight.

It is sometimes hard to remember that our God Jehova Will have the final say.  At that time we will rejoice and praise Him and the Son.  Even so come Lord Jesus.  In the meantime we need to draw closer to Him and let Him lead and guide.

Marilyn, I am praying for Willa and her family.  She has been through a lot of pain and heartache in the recent months, and I know she must be very weak since her surgery and weight loss ... that can play a terrific role in her state of mind and increase the emotional impact.  I pray the Lord will hold her close and give her supernatural strength to get through this latest blow. 

I saw this rare visitor as I walked Jazz, our border collie, this morning.  It's presence reminded me of Jesus's words about worry...

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matt. 6)

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Beautiful Kevin.  And a wonderful promise for all of us.

Such a great photo of the cute little chickadee!  I think on those verses often, and thank you, Kevin for reminding us.

I am off to work, may I be a blessing to each person whose path I cross today!

It's a relative of the chickadee...this is actually a "Great Tit."  and, you are welcome.  God reminded me, so I thought I'd pass it on. ;)

just dropping by to give you a quick hello Ruth didn't sleep well last night and so she is a cranky baby we are going to try to take a nap ASAP! its spring break here and so we have been at home all week...time to go talk to ya'll later
Sarah

Hi Sarah!  I thought...who is this?  Ruth?  Newbie?  You must have lost your old information and registered again.  How old is Ruth now?  So good to see you back and posting!  How's life treating you?

Well, God answers prayers.  Central Indiana has been longing for sunshine and today we have sunshine.  We are to be in the 60's today and tomorrow the 70's!  And it isn't officially spring yet!  But the grass is getting greener in spots...that's a good sign.  And the Robins are plentiful...strutting around and hunting for worms!  They must be getting a lot to eat since their tummies look full.  All the rain brought the worms close to the surface so the Robins could feed. 

Euchre was fun yesterday.  We all enjoyed the laughing and being together.  The snacks were a great treat and idea.  I brought home a few sausage balls and they are in the freezer for another day or two of snacks.  Ivalou has Euchre next month so I will be helping her. 

Oh, how I wish I could enjoy this sunshine outside!

Hi everyone.  It seems I have been running behind all day on my usual routine.  First I overslept this morning and had to call the fellow I pick up for coffee to say I would be 20 minutes late.  I rushed around and made it in 20 minutes.  We then went to Bible study and continued our study of John.  As usual we went to the donut shop and enjoyed an hour of fellowship and then 5 of us went to the Hot and Cold Asian Buffet for a big lunch.  I was a bit chilled by the time I got home and got under my electric blanket and got all toasty and had a very nice nap.  Now just trying to catch up with e-mail and message board.  Tonight is choir practice.  At least we have a very nice day with a lot of bright sun.  It hasn't gotten too warm as is only 55 degrees.

Etta- I lost it all BUT it is sometimes good to restart things lol. Ruth is 14 months, walking and talking and running momma and nama (what she calls my mom cuz she can't seem to say nana) and papa all over lol. She is a very very active little girl but wouldn't have her any other way :) We have seemed to have traveled all over today and I am ready for bed as she is already in her bed so we will talk to ya'll later!

Sarah:  Your baby is 14 months old - my, the time has gone quickly.  Doesn't it though?

Larry:  We just paid our taxes early as after all there is nothing made on interest from the bank & we always talk about a friend who has passed & how he rejoiced in the fact that he had enough money to pay his taxes.  So, it is so much better than complaining but I do wish they would use that money wisely. 

Friends coming tomorrow to stay and he has two days of tests and appointments at Mayo again.  She is bringing the dinner for tomorrow night - I will make a salad so that is easy.  Yesterday, all the flags, AZ state, the POW flag, and our USA flag were all at half staff for the last veteran of WWI.  Can you imagine?  He was in the army when he was 16 years old.  There is a very nice veterans area by the pond near town center with a bronze statue of a WWI soldier saluting all three flags.  It is a special place to see on our walk. 

Hi Sarah!  Good to see you here again.  Give your little one a hug for me.

I saw on TV about the last WW1 Soldier's funeral--he was 110 years old!  Wow!  I certainly agree, Carol, about the government not wasting our hard-earned money, and using it for things that we absolutely do not agree with.  I remember my Dad talking about someone he knew (many years ago, of course)  who reared back, stuck out his chest and declared, "I pay income taxes!"  Back then, few did, and if so, it meant they were making good money!

I have to work again today and I am so tired already.  Three days this week, and I told my boss I'm going to quit if she keeps having me work so much.  I do still have a life!  And lots of responsibilities and such with Mom and Beth.....

I must go, it is that time.

Hi everyone.  I didn't oversleep this morning so have a few minutes before heading out to coffee.  About 10:30 this morning we will head down to Atlanta to have lunch and spend a little while with our daughter.  It is suppose to be a nice day on this St. Patrick's Day.  There is a new pizza place opened in the building where she lives so we will try that out for lunch with her.  I am sure I will watch considerable basketball the rest of the day after we get home.  This is the real beginning of the NCAA Tourney.  

Sarah, nice to see you posting again.  Those little ones are a lot of work but a lot of joy.  Enjoy her while she is little.  

Carol, I probably should do the same with my taxes but am so frustrated with our government that I don't intend to give it to them one week before necessary so they can squander it on some worthless project just to be spending money.  Enough of my soapbox for one day.  

Janet, I see you posted as I was writing.  I do hope for your benefit that this is the last day this week they ask you to work.  Don't forget that "no" is a complete sentence.  :)  Of coarse, I wouldn't want to give you advice since I don't walk in your shoes. 

I got an email from Janice today.  She said

QuoteEtta Sue, we are sad at our house.  We learned this morning that our son passed away at his home in another city.  He is age 50.  His wife called Elaine our daughter and told her as much as she knew at the time.  She did not want to have us learn over the phone that he had died.
They think it was a heart attack, but will have to have an autopsy to know what happened.
His wife owns a kennel / dog grooming business and sometimes stays overnight there with the animals for security reasons.  So she was not at home.  When he did not show up for work this morning, his boss went to their home to check on him.  He was lying on the floor beside a vacuum which was still running.  

Elaine told her it was OK to wait until she felt like talking to call us when she learned anything about it.  She was quite upset and Elaine had trouble understanding what she was saying.  We have not heard any details as yet.  They had been married only 5 years (a little less actually) so he had no children.  

Our son was a Christian, he was baptized when he was almost 11 years old.  But he was not attending church for quite awhile.  At least we know he had trusted Christ.

Please pray for Janice and Earl.  

Us Hoosiers are so looking forward to today!  It is suppose to be 70° today!  The sun was shining but it has gone behind a cloud right now.  I walked to the mailbox without a coat on today.  First time for 2011. 

I am doing some laundry and when that is all dry and folded and put away, I plan to take a book outside and read. 

I love Spring!  New beginnings!!

Tonight is the planning committee meeting for the retreat.  Always fun!

It is raining.  Warmer than yesterday but rainig.  At least we don't have to shovel it!!!

Etta Sue I am going to add Janice's prayer request to the prayer and praise section.

its official 34 days left in this school year YAY:) still on spring break so Ruth and I have been all over. Her fever blisters have decided to make an appearance so we are back on medicine again. Just received word that a class friend died last night due to an infection in her incision from the c section she had 11 days ago. She has 6 kids the oldest is 9 and the youngest is 11 days. She was a stay at home mom and did everything she could for the kids. Amber will be missed.
Sarah

So much heartache in this old world.  I'm so sorry for Earl's and Janice's loss.

When I came in the door this afternoon, Darrel looked at me and said, "You look beat."  My reply was, "I AM."  Yes, Larry, I know that "no" is a complete sentence, and that's what I told her about working on Saturday next week; then I went and crossed that day off her schedule in the kitchen.

Our new pastor came to meet Beth today.  He assured her that she is still an important part of the church, is loved and valued, and he prayed for her.  The last guy never visited her one time in the 5 years he was here!

Larry, having a pizza place should be handy for your daughter, especially if she likes pizza!  ;)

Goodness, Sarah!  Was this Amber near your age?  Six kids!  They need their Mom.  What about the dad?  Does he have family who will be able to help with them?  As I said above, so much heartache.........

I'm so saddened by the loss of Janice and Earl's son at such an age.

We'll put a topic in our Sympathy and Bereavement area for them and let's all post there so that when Janice comes online, she'll have some messages to read.




Janet, I'm so glad that you said "NO!"!  What a lovely gesture on the part of your new pastor to include Beth.  That's so important and I'm sure he'll be back again to visit her very soon.

Yes, Pat, he promised to visit her often.  He may bring his kids to see her, as she loves little ones so much!  Also, he told her he looks forward to meeting John in June.

That's so nice, Janet.

I wish I were closer so that I might drop in and visit her. 

Beth would love that, Pat--and so would I, because then I'd get to see you, too!

Hello everyone.
I used to frequent this site a few years back and happened to see the mini challenge and wanted to enter, so I clicked on the link.
I had opportunity to see all the beautiful, encouraging posts that were made when I came here before, and though I don't remember why I ever stopped coming, it's time for the prodigal daughter to return home.  :yes:
So glad to see this site still going strong.
Prayers and Blessing to all,
Joann

Welcome back Joann.  We are glad to see you ae back.  Join in the conversation, with a Coffee/Tea and a snack,   Great to have you here!

Hi everyone.  It is going to be a glorious day here in Georgia, as was yesterday.  It was 60 degrees already when I came by the bank and is to get into the high 70's today.  I just now turned off the furnace and expect that was needed early this morning and expect to open the house up a bit by afternoon and enjoy some fresh air. 

So saddened to read of the death of Janice and Earl's son and also of Sarah's friend and both at such a young age. 

Joann, nice to see you posting once again and we hope you will become a regular poster here in "Thoughts".

Janet, I am sure having the pastor stop by to see Beth met a great deal.  I was shocked to read that the last pastor had not visited in 5 year's time as hospital and nursing home ministry is a normal part of pastoral care.  We  have members of our church who serve on a committee to visit those in the hospital and nursing homes to supplement the visiting of our pastoral staff.  A couple of times Pat and I have been the recipients of such visits and I know how much that met to us.  Particularly the day that our daughter had her second heart surgery and we will sitting along and two wonderful friends from our church came and sat with us for several hours.  They even came back the next day with another kind lady from the church to see how things were going.  It made me realize how these kindnesses can be so healing and just having someone else to talk with for a little while gets your mind off of the situation a bit and helps the time pass.

Janet, I am proud of you to use the pencil to mark through a day you didn't want to work at the home. 

Yesterday when we visited our daughter we ate lunch at the new pizza place and it was very good pizza.  It is a place that has obviously opened on a shoestring and they just used three or four card tables with inexpensive chairs to seat those wanting to eat in as we did.  It was a Brooklyn style, which apparently means the pizza is baked at a lower temperature for a longer time to be sure the crust is not only baked on the top and bottom of the crust but also in the center. 

Marilyn, that was a pretty graphic for St. Patrick's Day.  I couldn't even find anyting green to wear for the day so wasn't very Irish yesterday.  However, no one pinched me so that is a good thing.

Etta Sue, thanks for sharing the information regarding Janice's son.  Also appreciate Pat and Judy attending to creating a place where we can leave remarks of condolence.

Not much on my schedule tonight.  I did attend coffee but did not walk as didn't get along too well yesterday morning and had some recurrence of the pain in my shoulder when I went to bed last night so decided not to push it for the rest of this week.  I do have a friend stopping by about 10 am to spend a little time with me on something we are working on together.  Then I will just rest, watch basketball, play on the computer and read for the rest of the day. 

It doesn't look much like spring yet, but it is starting to feel like maybe...  Bright sunshine, warm temperatures near 50 and lots of March winds should help to get rid of some of the snow.  Of course, there's still plenty of time for more cold and snow, but today is definitely a promise.

It's wonderful to see Sarah back posting with us.  Hard to believe that baby is already 14 months!  Sorry to hear about the friend who died, leaving six very young children. 

Well, I thought of all kinds of things to say but now that I am here, I am blank!! 

Today is rehab day for Ivalou.  Hope this helps the pain in her arm and she won't have to take those terrible pain pills that makes her sleep all the time and therefore, she is sluggish.  I was up at 3am and her kitchen light was on!  I never know if she slept so much she is awake or is still sleeping in her chair in the family room.  She isn't as good now as she was this time last year, for sure.

It is cloudy today but warm for this time of year in Central Indiana. 

The weather is so unperdictable.  Last night we had a thunderstorm and heavy rain, this morning it was snowing, now there is no snow but it is windy.  Temp is about 0*C, so still quite chilly.  

When it gets to this time of year I think about Don.  I am sure he is busy with his greenhouses.  I wonder if he is going to have those wonderful cherry tomatoes?  http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=8685.0

My arm is doing well.  My Therapist is pleased with the progress.  I soon willto begin muscle strengthing exercises.  Every week he gives me something new to do.  Always challenging the muscles.  Ice has become my best friend!

Got to get some other chores done, so Bye for now!

I meant to tell you about a fire in Listowel.  A Dollar store was on fire and the volunteer firefighters responded, 2 were killed in the fire.  We need to pray for the community as well as for those families.

Good Morning, Boy oh  Boy there are sure a lot of posts since I was here the last time last evening. It is good to see all the newsy postings.

Sarah glad you came  back and I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Likewise I am very sorry to hear about Janice and Earl's loss of their son.

I am trying to stay off the computer as much as possible to be furiously crocheting a baby afghan for my grand daughter, I may have already told you but I have already finished one that I started 3 years ago for my grand daughter in law. I have been out of touch with that part of the family for so long. I recently have been in contact with some of them on Facebook.

Well I have to get  going to the gym  here in just a couple of minutes, gotta keep up with the exercise!!

I was just trying to upload a photo to my album and I got an error  that  my session had ended to try logging out and back in. I tried top log out and got the same message. Can't log out and back in, Can't  upload a photos What is going on? Is there a problem with the site?

Don't think so Marilyn, I will check it out.

Well, guess who got called in to work again today, for the FOURTH day this week??  Right.  But I only had to stay about an hour and a half, till the other gal got there.  She had a dead car battery, lives way out in the country and had to wait for someone to come give her a boost.

Larry, you can give me advice just any time you want to!  :)

I am supposed to go to the State Senior Spelling Bee again next week.  Sure would be nice if I could win it!  Then I would get a $1500 scholarship to attend the National one in Cheyenne, Wyoming!  So wish me luck; or rather, pray that I will be able to think clearly and will get words I can handle.

I'm going to the senior center for a bit, then have to try to get several things done that I've had to let wait because of working too much.  See you later.

So sorry to read about Janice and Earl's son.

Welcome back Joann!  Nice to have you returning.

Janet:  Cheyenne is just up the road from me - well, I would say two hours going through Denver too.  I hope you get there too - we were there for the first year of our marriage.  I married an Air Force guy & lived on Sagebrush.  Isn't that an appropriate name for some place in Wyoming???

Egg salad, brownies & some fruit is ready for either a picnic or lunch here or whatever our friends want - they are having medical appointments (he is at the Mayo hospital) this morning.  Yesterday was the same so he is very tired & they may want to stay indoors or sit on the patio.  We will drive them to a nearby lake if he feels up to the ride. 

Marilyn:  Be careful crocheting - your hand, I mean.  Enjoy your work because I know you will enjoy gifting that blanket.   

Judy I kept getting the same message so I uploaded the photo to my Live account on MSN and  posted it from there.

Carol I only crochet for a few rows then  stop  and do something else for awhile.

JUST WANTED TO SAY:



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Shinenlite  Thankyou for that.  Have a good night and may you est in God's Peace.

Hi everyone.  Looking forward to another very nice day.  It was up in the 80s yesterday and we were able to open up the house a bit and had to have the ceiling fan on high in the family room to stay comfortable.  Didn't have the furnace on all night and still comfortable here in the house.

I was very sluggish yesterday.  I did not walk yesterday morning because I hadn't felt very good the day before and I was sure glad I didn't as was so tired.  I did make a trip to Wal-Mart in the afternoon for a few grocery items and should have used the electric cart and saved my energy but made it and was glad to get back home.  Looking forward to a better day today.  I will attend a meeting this morning and then take it easy the rest of the day.

Shinenlite, thanks for the little graphic, which is a good reminder.

Marilyn, it sounds like you are getting a lot of knitting done and there will be a very lucky person to receive your gift when it is completed. Pat is now quilting a quilt top she made for her good friend's birthday.  Don't know whether she will have it done by then or not but it could be a belated gift.

Carol, it sounds like you all are having a wonderful time in Arizona.  I have found memories of the seven years that I visited my folks for a week or so while they wintered in Arizona.  The only bad time I had there was when I ended up in the hospital with my heart and it took forever to finally get all the insurance claims paid (but that is a past bad memory I don't think about.)

Janet, I will be pulling for you in the spelling bee.  When I watch the kid's spelling bee's on TV I can't believe where they come up with some of the words and more amazing is that most often the kids are able to spell them.  Maybe this will be your year to go to the Nationals.  I have never heard anything about that type of contest around here other than for the school age children.  Glad you didn't need to work very long.

Judy, that sounds like a terrible tragedy in your area.  Were these professional firefighters or volunteers?  Sounds like interesting weather you are having.

Etta Sue, sorry to read that Ivalou is in pain and not doing as well.  I know that must be of great concern for you as well as for her.

Jeanne, when it gets this time of year spring can't be too far away.  Things are really greening up down here and I noticed yesterday that the leaves are about out on the Bradford Pears and the flower petals  are quickly falling to the ground.  I noticed the beginning of green showing in my yard yesterday and I have grass that doesn't green up until later in the spring.

Happy Saturday, folks!  Our temps didn't get up nearly as high as predicted, and it was cooler yesterday.  But we do not need to be in the 80s with wind blowing as it is terribly dry here as it is.

Larry, I hope you feel the return of your energy today.  Thanks for rooting for me in the state spelling bee.  The others have backed out, so I will be the only one going from this county.  (The Sr. center pays for the top three winners of the county to go, in fact, they take us.)  The director said if I win, she gets to go to Cheyenne, and I said that's my plan, but I can't make any promises!  At least I have the courage to TRY.  ;)

Shinenlite, that's a nice graphic.  I don't know how to do any of the fancy stuff on computer, so I appreciate others' efforts.

I just had a lovely visit on the phone with my sister Shirley.  She is so excited about going to Africa this summer.  She was called to go to Africa as a missionary when she was fourteen, but had no encouragement from the folks, so all these years later she feels as if she is being given a second, and probably last, chance.  I am still praying about going with her, need to see what happens on the home front before I can really decide.  Mom and Beth need me here.  I could leave Beth for three weeks as don't feel she is in imminent danger, but Mom is a different story.

I have decided to take a different tactic about working.  I plan to tell them I am going to RETIRE!!  If I don't get busy on Beth's book, she may get to the point where I cannot understand her speech any more; it is quite hard already, and we need to get busy on it.  Letting people know about NF, as well as telling Beth's courageous story is important, I think.

My, you all have been posting since I last posted.  That is great!!  Love it! 

Ivalou did great at rehab.  She has the same PT that she had last year.  Jen has had more training and one thing is tape for pain.  She put two strips of tape on Ivalou...her right shoulder blade and on her neck.  I don't know if it is special tape or not but it is suppose to pull the skin away from the point of pain.  Jen said Ivalou's right side and spine is full of knots where she is so tense.  The pain pills doesn't work on those knots!  But Jen thinks she can help Ivalou!!  Yay!! 

Ivalou goes to her neurologist Monday...who really hasn't done a thing for her except okay the nurse Ivalou sees to give her the pain pills!  When Ivalou tells the LP or the neurologist about the pain, they don't have a clue why she is in pain or what to do about it other than mask the pain with pain pills! 

This morning Ivalou and I went out for breakfast and then went to Dollar General.  Usually I am done first and wait in the car for Ivalou.  This time Ivalou was done first by about 5 minutes.  When I go to the cash register, Ivalou was all ready sound asleep in the car.  With these pain pills, she is fine as long as she is up and about but as soon as she sits down, she is asleep. 

I just pray that Ivalou will become the best that she can without pain and pain pills!

I think today will become a day for dusting and cleaning.  I wish it would warm up like in Georgia so I could open the windows but it is only to get to 56°...so that's a tad to cool for open windows.  But maybe I can open the front door and get some bright light in.  It is sunny and that always makes one feel better. 

This is another beautiful day.  The temps are still below zero Celcius, which slows down the runoff and also slows down the sap for maple syrup production.. The producers aren't soo pleased about that.

Pat say an explosion just off the 401 yesterday.  I am looking forward to seeing the pictures. 

John is home, came home early yesterday.  We have had a great tiime together.  He will leave late tomorrow.  them's the breaks!

Have a great day and remember "This is the day that the Lord has made....let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

With all the trouble and turmoil that is going on in the world, we need to trust our Lord and Saviour.

May each of you feel His peace as you work through your day.

Etta Sue, has Ivalou ever tried chiropractic?  Or massages?  Both of those work wonders for the type of pain you describe, and are SO much healthier for you than pain pills, which only mask the pain temporarily.  Just a suggestion, hope you (she) find something that helps.

Beth and I worked on her book today; her speech was especially clear, and I felt we made good progress!!  PTL!!

Thought I would drop in and say Hi! from a very soggy Vancouver Island.  Things are so late this year, not a happy Cherry Tree to be found.  We have been experiencing quite cold weather for this time of the year.

I had one eye done for cataracts and am having trouble seeing at the moment.  Will get the next one done in April.  Three types of drops 4x daily is the pits....guess all will be fine later.

This is a nice place to visit when the news gets too sad for words.  So I mostly come and don't post.  Glad that all is sort of okay will everyone.  What is that old saying....when we start down the other side of the hill, things get more rough!

Hope you do well in your spelling bee, Janet.  Made me think of something I read one time:

Behold the turtle.  He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.

In case some of you have not seen or heard of this cute cat, thought a smile might be useful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDX7tevXO1E

Hope the link works.  Ignore the other stuff that comes with the link.  Not my choice and don't know how to cancel it out.....


God Bless,

Liz

Liz:  Great to see you posting.  And, it may take some time for your vision to get to the really correct stage.  I don't know why that happens with some people.  I do hope you are doing well. 

Judy:  Must have missed your note then went back and read about the firefighters.  Oh, my - such a sad outcome for the families and little town.  So sorry.  Prayers for all.

Our good friends left this morning after he had two days of tests & appointments at Mayo Hospital.  We were able to drive them to a quiet nearby lake in the afternoon and watched the birds & boats.  They enjoyed that & I made a picnic lunch - then, later we went to a little place for pizza and sat outdoors & watched the moon for the two nights they were here.  Talked forever and it was good.  They may not be able to come to Denver because his doctors have now told him not to fly & most planes are pressurized at our altitude so we are always ready to fly but someone from flatland might feel pressure on their heart at that altitude.  It is terribly sad.  Anyway, very grateful to have two good nights & some afternoon of a lovely visit before they return to Minnesota. 

Leftovers for dinner tonight. 

Carol - I see that I didn't ever answer you relative to the tsunsami from Japan the other day.  We didn't get any noticeable wave at all here.  I know they had some damage up at Crescent City in the harbor area.  Apparently it moved some docked boats around, resulting in some damage to them, but there was nothing here.  They supposedly evacuated some people from a place called Sunnybrae, which is the south side of Arcata, about 6 or 7 miles from here, but, as it turned out, there was absolutely no reason to do so except exagerated caution.  Better safe than sorry I guess.  Where we live we're about 4, 5 miles from the ocean with some hills in between.  Not much danger here.  If a wave ever comes over the hill, it's all over for us.

Liz, I am delighted to see your post--and thanks for the grins re the cat burglar, so cute.  Hope your eyes get better quickly.

Carol, what a wonderful hostess you are!  I'm sure your friends and family treasure their times with you.  You truly have that gift of hospitality.

I awoke early and couldn't get back to sleep, so got up.  I forgot to check out the really big full moon last night, so just went out to look, and it's still very bright.  Somehow it is comforting to see things as they have always been in memory; but even the heavenly bodies will change in these last days.......

I couldn't get online last night; must have been a problem with our server.  We were having high winds, maybe that had something to do with it.  The wind is still blowing this morning, but not hard, and I hope it doesn't get that way!

I will be back later to post a new week's Thoughts.

I'm back already!  I had a good day yesterday.  Went to see Mom and Beth, made progress on Beth's story; then came home and got a few things done, such as cutting some mats for some photos I am framing for someone in Hugoton.  Did some cleaning, etc.....isn't this just fascinating??   :lol:

I'm so glad to get the new vacuum cleaner, as my cat is shedding furiously, leaving little tufts of white fur all over, and when she sits in my lap I have a covering of cat hair!  Her undercoat is very soft, fluffy and white, and I think she has enough fur for ten cats!  No amount of combing and brushing seems to lessen the shedding.  If I didn't love her so much, I would banish her from the house until the shedding gets less.......... :(  But I do, so I don't.  ;)

My eldest sister who fell and broke a hip in January has just had her first knee replacement and is in rehab.  She called me yesterday and she says this knee is 10 times as bad as the hip was, in regard to the pain.  That will make it hard for her to get the other knee done, which she really needs.  She said she doesn't feel like eating, and has lost down to 125#.  Getting old surely isn't for sissies!!

Okay, guess that's all!  :cool:

Cute cat video.  Mine are inside cats but I know they wander at night.  Makes me wonder why they get into certain things. 

I do not know what got into me yesterday but I did some serious cleaning!  Even used furniture polish instead of the feather duster.  Moved furniture.  Swept the whole house.  Just wish it had been warm enough to open windows.  But it didn't get that warm.

I am already for church.  Hope I get to sit with Ivalou today.  I ran the projector four weeks in a row .  My turn to sit with the rest. 

Our Women Retreat has the theme of 'Wonder Full World'.  Seven of us ladies are talking about a continent.  We asked a teacher to get us a world map.  She couldn't find any.  Yesterday while I was getting a folding table out behind a bedroom door, I noticed a rolled up map.  I thought it was a map of the county I live in but it is a world map!!  How happy I am to help the group.

I am feeling soreness today from all the work.  Perhaps a nice Sunday afternoon nap is in store today. 

Sunny right now but clouds to the west so it won't last long.  Just hope the rain holds out until we get back home this afternoon.

Here is a goo9d way for us to start the day.  God's grace is wonderful and sustaining.  Sing along with me!

Hi everyone.  Amazing how fast the weeks roll by anymore.  We have an overcast sky this morning but still 57 degrees already.  We will go to church this morning and I expect will stop somewhere to get something to eat.  This evening we have been invited to a big birthday party for three friends at one of the friend's home.  She is making the hamburgers and hot dogs and we are taking nibbles.  Pat made up a batch of Chex mix yesterday, which she really likes.  I don't particularly care for it as it has too much garlic flavoring.

Just had a restful day yesterday.  Enjoyed watching the games and finished a book on my ebook reader about 11 pm last evening.  I will start a new book today and watch more basketball this afternoon and later this evening when we get back from the cookout.

Carol, I can understand why the doctor would not want your friend to be flying.  I had a really bad time with the altitude when we were in Denver a few years ago.  I have no intentions of ever subjecting myself to that altitude again.  My heart doctor told me that were I to move there I would eventually adjust but that isn't going to happen.  I am sure thoughts of home are in your mind a lot now as the winter comes to an end.

Etta Sue, it sounds like you an energy burst yesterday with all the cleaning.  Glad you found the map.

Janet, glad you have decided to "retire".  It sounds like you will have plenty to keep you busy and you should be able to enjoy life more.  The book you and Beth are writing sounds like it should be very good and certainly Beth has a story to tell.  Are you studying the dictionary in preparation for the "Bee"?

Al, glad you were all safe and sound in your area.  The story from Japan seems to get worse day by day.  However, yesterday I noticed the news media had a new hot crisis to take up the airwaves and Japan seems to have been forgotten. 

Liz, glad you have one of the eyes taken care of and will soon have the other.  My wife had that done this last year and it was very successful.  Sorry to hear the trees aren't pretty up your way.  Is that still to come or has the season passed?

Judy, glad that John is home for a little while.  I saw his pictures on Facebook and he dresses up just fine.  I take it that his new duties as an Ambassador have begun.  Will that mean he will not be driving as much or is that just worked into his schedule?  Thanks for posting the hymns and words of comfort.

God has given us a brand new week, upon whose pages we can mark, either for good for for evil.  May we all choose to live for Him these coming seven days (that will be a good thing, then we can continue daily!)

You will find a clean new page here.  (http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=11593.0)