Christian Photographers Community

Praise God for another beautiful day.   

Janet and Etta Sue, I don't know where you gals get your energy.  But then again, maybe back when I was that much younger... 

Al, prayers continue for Marbeth for healing and praise for the help the Lord is providing for you through your church friends.

Today was to be a do-nothing day but my niece called this morning and asked me to go with her and Ivalou to King Chef this evening.  That sounds very nice and delicious!  Robin is Kaye Don's oldest so it will be great to catch up on the family!

Today is a partly sunny/cloudy day and very cold...29 degrees.  The man across the road took down his flag...how dare he!...so I have to look at my pine tree to see if it is breezy and it is a little.  Hope it warms up some!

Hi everyone.  We went to Bible study and an hour at Dunkin' Donuts.  It was 37 degrees here this morning and is now in the 50s.  Nothing else on the schedule for today and I had a nice rest as soon as I finished my lunch.  We had nine men at McDonald's this morning.  They are starting the remodeling up there and have closed their very busy drive-thru.  As soon as that is done they are going to reopen the drive-thru and close the dining room for remodeling.  We will have to go to Burger King for a few days until the dining room reopens.

Janet, the Thanksgiving lunch at the Mennonite Church sounds delicious. 

Judy, I never heard of such high meal prices at conventions.  I suppose most of the attendees must have been on expense accounts.  (I see that you didn't have to pay out-of-pocket for the meals.) What did they have for the meals that cost so much money?  Too bad you can't get a good internet connection.

Etta Sue, that power situation sounds like it couldn't have been good on your electronics.  However, perhaps that is better than a power surge. 

Carol, I have heard of the new tax on medical devices.  I think things are only going to get worse in the coming months as more people lose their jobs or are required to go from full-time to 29 hours.  I understand that if they work 30 hours or more they are considered full-time for the purpose of the health insurance. 

Al, so glad to hear you have such good friends from your church.  I have to help Pat with the strap on her shoe on the leg with the bad knee.  The one that was replaced she has no trouble with.  She has decided to go ahead and get the bad one replaced but couldn't get an appointment with the doctor until January and sure she won't get on the surgery schedule for several weeks after that. 

I am having so much trouble trying to set up Windows Mail. the instructions I have are just not working for me.

All I am glad to hear that there are those from your church helping you.

Janet:  I know - it is hard to know in this day and age if photos and voices are real and it is such a shame.  I really would not know either way.  Lottie has some good common sense for today's youth. 

I am so tired after driving one hour through the rush hour traffic each way and so happy that Don had a meal ready for me.   I have two days of quilt classes and it is rush hour in the dark so not at all easy out there with contstruction and so forth.  The gal & daughter own their shop and it has been there for years now in jeapordy because of impending taxes and most of all the healthcare - one full-time employee will be either let go (and she knows it) or have to take very few hours.  The older owner really wants to semi-retire so this is hard on her as far as work load goes.  11 of us in the class and 10 spoke out about future work problems, I didn't say anything because we are retired.  Anyway, it was really an interesting class and I go back tomorrow as well.  No coffee there to keep us awake, they are trying to squeak by. 

Al:  Sending up a prayer for you.  It is really good that friends are checking in on you.

Last night I slept more than I have in a long time.  Only one 1/2 hour break and then sound asleep again until 7:30 a.m.!!!  It's been so long since I've slept this many hours and this soundly that I'm feeling slow and groggy this morning!     (That's my excuse, anyway. )

Jeanne, what good news!  And you will wake up soon enough!  How I love it when I get a good night's sleep!  And I hae been sleeping better lately, for which I am VERY thankful!

Today our "financial guru" has invited us to a lunch he is giving at the civic center.  After that, I have an appointment for an interview.  So I will hae two stories going at the same time, as I didn't get finished yesterday before it was time for Ed to go to lunch.  That's okay!

The sun is shining brightly, God's in his heaven and He holds the answers.  So I will try not to complain today, but to cheer those with whom I come in contact.

Hi everyone.  We had rain throughout the night and it is overcast this morning.  Nothing on the schedule for today and we don't go to coffee on Thursdays.  I asked Pat if she wanted to go out to breakfast but she preferred not.  She has decided to use her walker here in the house rather than the cane.  She is ready to have her other knee replaced but can't even see the surgeon until January 8th and then it will likely be several more weeks before he can schedule her for the surgery.  He is already booked up until January sometime for the surgeries scheduled.  We ordered our Thanksgiving turkey and trimmings yesterday from Publix.  It is really pretty expensive this way but Pat isn't up to doing much in the way of cooking.  Stacey wants to fix the traditional green bean casserole and I got most of the ingredients for the 5-cup salad.  Pat will bake a couple of pumpkin pies and sure fix a relish tray.  The turkey comes with mashed potatoes and gravey, rolls, and dressing.  Most of the left overs will be sent home with the kids.  I have an appointment to see my internist tomorrow afternoon late as think I have developed another hernia.  Do hope I am wrong and it maybe just a pulled muscle but the pain is re-mindful of what I had before I had surgery for the hernia. 

Marilyn, I have never used the Windows Mail but didn't have any trouble signing in with my Hotmail username and password.  I use Gmail.

Janet, I believe you did post Lottie's story a few days ago.  However, you have done a lot of things since then so don't give it a thought.

Carol, I saw the first time unemployment figures announced were much higher than expected (same old story month-after-month).  I expect to see many more people close their businesses and more people become part-time workers or unemployed.  Glad you are enjoying your class although the drive sounds tough.  At least that will be over today.

Jeanne, so glad to read that you had a very restful night. 

Janet, hope your luncheon is good and your interview goes well this afternoon.

Thanks, Larry.  I have removed the duplicate posting.  I need to make myself a different way to keep track of which stories I have posted.  Hope you do not have a hernia.  That's an easier way to do the big meal, and neither of you--should I say, NONE of you---needs to be slaving away in the kitchen for hours!

Some days just do not seem to have enough hours!

King Chef was fun last evening.  After eating we all talked and talked and talked...actually closed up the place! 

Today I take Ivalou for her eye appointment at 1pm.  I don't know if we have anything else to do or will come right back home.

It is another overcast day but bright out, right at the freezing mark!  I don't think a leaf is moving.  I guess you might say a typical fall day!

We found out recemtly that Heather and the family will be having Christmas with us.  I don't think I will order a turkey, rather get a couple of stuffed turkey rolls then add to that the fixings.  I have baking to do, that is a job John and I will do together.

I just paid all the bills, a necessary but none the less one I really don't like.  I have to make cuts in phone services as they are getting too high.

John has a trainee with him again this week.  He will be home friday hopefully early.

Have a great day folks, and God Bless

Etta Sue:  That sure looks like the cat Garfield.  Too funny for words! 

JudyB:  How lovely - your entire family will be together.  We have to celebrate a few days early with Christmas because half have parents in other states..    I sure cannot complain because everyone lives closer to me, so far. 

Larry:  Every day there is another problem with the workers and Don said he would paint the rooms himself just to get things going.  they seem to not understand what we have on the signed contract.  Good that you are taking it a bit easier with Thanksgiving. 

Etta Sue:  Every time I look, that cat is eating all the popcorn! 

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Well, maybe not quite that cold, but we do know it's November!   

Hi everyone.  We have a sunny and crisp day today.  Just back from coffee at the Senior Center.  We made he decision to start going to Burger King rather than McDonald's until they finish the remodeling.  They have torn up all of the pavement  around the building.  The only thing on the schedule for today is to see my doctor at 5 pm this afternoon.

Janet, I can assure you I do not do much slave work in the kitchen as never learned to cook.  I do try to help Pat in the kitchen but it seems that she sometimes resents it a bit.  I just see what a struggle it is for her to stand and cook.  We did get a little cart so she can place things on it from the pantry and not have to make more than one trip and do the same thing with multiple items from the refrigerator. 

Judy, it sounds like you have a good plan for Christmas and know you will enjoy having Heather and the family with you.  It seems that all the costs keep going up. 

Carol, hope you don't have to take your contractor to small claims court.  The last couple of time I had carpentry work done on the house it was accomplished very quickly. 

I have noticed a lot of chain business remodeling.  Are they remodeling to use up some of their profit so they won't be taxed so much?  A lot of car dealerships are remodeling and fast food places. 

Then I see on TV where so and so business gave a million dollars to so and so charity.  Or new cars to someone.  Or even homes to someone.  And I still say that if stores have sales every day then they are over-pricing things in the first place!  And no everyone seems to have 'reward' cards!!  Why don't they just lower the prices and cut out that middle part to get a bargain!! 

Ivalou got another shot in her eye for macular degeneration.  And she doesn't go back until March 15.  Then we went to Cracker Barrel for a meat loaf dinner! 

Kitty is in Ohio with grandchildren.  Katie fell yesterday at recess and broke her arm.  So Kitty is staying another day and asked me to check on her kitties this afternoon. 

My house smells good.  I just got some cornbread out of the oven.  I am going to make Cornbread Salad for the Harvest Dinner after Sunday School Sunday.  Yum! 

I started revising my calenders that I make each years.  That is the hard part and to make sure everything is right!  Next is to check to see if I need ink and card stock.

Another bright and sunny day in central Indiana.  It was cold...down to 26 degrees but hopefully the sun will warm things up...maybe to 48 degrees!

Don is going out for a walk on this sunny and crisp day.  I surely need to walk after sitting for two days.  Now to start thinking about Thanksgiving here.  First, a deep cleaning of the house if ever anything gets finished around here - dust, I can't keep up with it. 

Twinkies will be no more.  Oh, no.  The state fairs have deep fried Twinkies.  Terrible loss of jobs though so that isn't funny.  I have only had one or two Twinkies ever and they were good at the time.  Now, if it could be dipped into dark chocolate, wouldn't it be good for us? 

Larry:  We paid half the bill up front and will withhold the other half until they finish.  I just heard a story about someone in the area who paid for roofing without checking and her money was gone & roof was made worse by them just making noise up there.  Did you have your doctor's appointment today?  I was wondering how that turned out.   

Hi everyone.  Just stopping back by as I had to share the following, which I just read.  I think it will make your day with the message it contains.  It is called
]Take my Son.....

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, fromPicasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.


When the Vietnamconflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, There was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands..

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father Opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'

There was silence...

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'

But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'

Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!'

But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'


Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

'We have $10, who will bid $20?'

'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'

A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings?'

'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will... I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?'

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Please send this to ten people and back to the one who sent it to you.

God Bless.

Well, I seem to have somehow lost the email notifications again, so I had to come here the "hard way."    I thought it strange nobody had posted since my last one......

Anyway, good to see the new posts.  Larry, I used that in my Christmas cards a few years ago, think it's so good!  I am looking for a new one to use this year.  I cannot believe Thanksgiving is only a few days away!!

We went to Hugoton to see their community theater play and dinner last night.  It was the most enjoyable one they have ever done--called Love Thy Neighbor.  Just good, clean fun!  Granddaughter Abby's new boyfriend was there, so we got to meet him.  She isn't yet allowed to date, but they "like" each other.  She is fifteen now, can you believe it?  I can't!  Mark was also there, and Diane was the head cook for it, and Curtis was in charge of sound, so we saw them all except Jeff.

The big arts and crafts show is being held here today at the civic center, so I am going to meet my friend Pat there.  Later, we might do some card making, it is scrapbooking day, but I'm not organized for that right now.

I have put in lots of hours on the story series this week, even got Beth's done, as she was talking more clearly when I went to see her, so I took advantage of the improvement and interviewed her.  That girl never ceases to amaze me!  She came up with some things she hadn't told me before, about her outlook and expectations in life.  What a blessing she is!

I must get with it!  I've been up since 6, and now have to hustle to meet Pat at 10! 

Hi everyone.  This has been a very busy morning.  When I saw the doctor yesterday he diagnosed my problem not as a hernia but diverticulitis of the large intestine.  So I had to get two antibiotics at the pharmacy, have blood drawn, and pick up the barium drink as I had to have a CT scan.  That is where I am just back from as was able to get in for the scan this morning.  So now am eating my lunch which tastes pretty good since I wasn't able to eat anything this morning other than toe drink two sessions of the barium solution and hour apart.  It will be sometime next week before the results are available.  I was relieved that I am not facing another surgery.  We did go to Burger King this morning for coffee and will be meeting there until McDonald's is finished with the remodeling.  I am ready to rest this afternoon and watch some football.  I  just checked and the game is being televised by our ABC station.

Janet, wonderful that you could interview Beth and get new insights into her thinking.  I take it you are not exhibiting in the arts and crafts show? 

Well, I got a warning ticket from the Lapel Town cop!  After checking on Kitty's kitties, I decided to get a cappuccino.  Lapel changed the speed limit last year so you have to slow down to 30mph...out in the country!  I checked and I was going 28mph.  Then I passed an intersection and the cop that was sitting in an alley pulled out behind me with his lights going!  I'm not  speeding...why is he stopping me??  I pulled over and he came up to my window...back window, really...and asked me if I knew I didn't stop at the stop sign?  What stop sign?  He said, the one just put up.  There have been signs saying a stop sign was going up for two weeks.  I told him I am sorry but I seldom come into Lapel from the southeast and didn't realize there was a sign and that I was looking at the construction for a new convenience store.  He didn't give me a ticket but wrote out a warning!!  Bummer!

I kind of panicked while trying to go to sleep last night.  I make my own Christmas cards and I don't have a clue as to what to do this year!  We have a 'mailbox' at church for those people who come to church.  We drop our cards in there instead of using USPS.  Then my Sunday School class sorts them and will distribute them December 16th.  A great savings!  So I must get my mind going and decide what to do this year!

Larry, your post is a great idea for a Christmas Card insert. 

Not much going on today but I have been so busy.  I have a Cornbread Salad put together.     I have done some laundry.  I printed the Euchre tallies for Tuesday and next month.  I checked what previous years Christmas cards were...so I don't duplicate!    I finished a Bible study by Max Lucado on Revelation...still don't understand Revelation.... 

And I got a call from the hostess for Euchre asking for a green salad from me for Tuesday...so I will have to go to the store Monday. 

Another bright and sunny day in Indiana.  I am beginning to like these days!!

Hi 

I came here for comfort.  My year old HP computer had the mother board replaced because the company was at fault with that model.  They sent the part but not the repair person.  So it cost me 179,00 and windows did not work. Kept asking for validation and not accepting the code.  So I finally did a factory reset. did not load windows and would not use my rec. disks.  I am at war with HP And Costco and am hoping the HP box will come to take it to their repair place.  So many lies...doesn't anyone tell the truth these days!

I broke the bank and got an IPad2  and trying to learn how to use the thing.  Sure not easy to type.  I am 80 yrs. and do not learn new things easily.  Good thing it is hard to type or my sad story would continue.

This site is a real blessing and helps my lonely life to be happier.  So know that many of us do read and try to stay strong.

God Bless,
Liz

Liz!!  How good to "see" you!  Sorry about your problems with HP.  I am finished with them, too.  I used to have so many things from HP, computer, printer, camera, etc.  EVERY one of them broke or quit working, and they wouldn't even talk to me about fixing them, just said "we will be glad to sell you a new model!" Fat chance!  NO MORE HP products for me!  The printer was brand new, never did work, and on the site, there were literally hundreds of complaints about that printer, and still no offers to make it right.

Anyway, glad you got an IPad (I'm not even sure what that is!)  So you are doing better with the new stuff than I am!  Which reminds me, Larry--the ebook reader I got is a Pandigital.  I can't figure out how to use it.     I hate how stupid it makes me feel when I cannot do stuff a lot of kindergarten kids do!  AARRGGGHH!

I went to the craft fair with Pat and we had a good time looking around.  The only items I bought were a Christmas tree skirt for her for Christmas, and two little headbands for the two older ggranddaughters.  Last of the big spenders, that's me!  The older I get, the more leverites I see.  Do you know what those are?  Things you see, and say to yourself, Leave 'er right there!   

Then we went to the library and spend a few hours making cards.  Then I went to see Beth, she was talking to John, and as I was leaving, I saw Carl Slemp, whose story was the second one I did.  I stopped to talk to him and he told me he is being baptized tomorrow!!  That just made my day!  He is such a nice man, and had told me he never went to church, but he has been going to the services there, and one of the chaplains led him to the Lord!  I told him how thrilled I was to hear that, and he asked why.  I said, "Because I want you to be in heaven, where I will be!"  I told him I will be there to rejoice with him tomorrow, and he seemed pleased to hear that.  God is good!!

Anyway, Liz, I got off topic, but want to say how happy I am to see you posting again.  I wish you peace and joy, and please do come in and post a bit often, so we know you're still there, okay?

Time to find something to eat for supper.

Well, I can say that God is able to bring good things out of almost anything!  Marbeth is back in the rehab and care center, now, out of the hospital, and hopefully healing a bit more each day.  But the result has beeb that our youngest daughter, who lives in Portland - who has been out of communication for the past few years - came down to see Marbeth yesterday.  Then, afterwards, came to our place, visited.  She had her "significant other" with her.  Well, it turns out that they wanted to take me to dinner over at a local restaurant.  So we did that too.  Then they are going to visit Marbeth again tofsy.  So we're back in communication!  Pray for Rachel - she needs  our Lord & Savior.

Greetings on a lovely "brisk" sunny day.   

Liz, it's so good to see a post from you.  I hope you get your computer problems straightened out, and meanwhile please let us hear from you via the iPad.   

Janet, what wonderful news about Carl Slemp!   

Etta Sue, not fun to get a warning for passing a stop sign, but so much better than a ticket!  You sure won't miss that one again!   

Al, wonderful news that Marbeth's health is improving and equally wonderful news that your daughter is making progress at healing your relationship - even though it involves a "significant other".  I pray that situation will soon be corrected. 

Hi everyone.  It is clear and sunny morning here in Georgia.  I have been doing some chores here in the house this morning and have worn myself down so will not be going to church today.  Pat's big toe has acted up again and she can't get a shoe on her foot.  In fact, she asked me to fix her breakfast this morning, which is a bit unusual.  We will just have a quiet day.  Of course, I will watch the Atlanta Falcons play this afternoon and probably some of other games. 

Etta Sue, glad you didn't get a ticket.  A warning doesn't give you any points on your license does it? 

Liz, it does seem people tell you what they think you want to hear.  It is very frustrating having computer problems.  I bet before long you will love your iPad2.  I got a very light blue tooth keyboard to use with my iPad when I want to type very much.  It was less than $20 and works very well. If you can't understand something about the Ipad let me know and I will see if I can be of help.  Nice to see you posting.  As Janet said I also do not buy HP products anymore after some bad experiences with their printers. 

Janet, I had a Pandigital tablet that I used as an ebook reader and did other things with it like email and web surfing. Tt was one of their first models and was a bit clunky.  I gave it to my DIL and she has had a lot of use from it.  In fact, for Christmas we are going to give her a new tablet.  Just remember that you do many things like your painting, framing, writing etc. that other people can't so don't be hard on yourself.  Try going on Google and search for your model of Pandigital and you will likely find some videos that give you a step by step walk through how to use it.  What a nice thing you experienced yesterday by seeing Carl Slemp. 

Al, your being reunited with your daughter is the reason we should never give up hope that things will work out in God's timing.  Hope this will be the beginning of a great reunion with her.  Hope Marbeth is able to come home before too long.

Hmmm.....no new posts since I was here earlier.  I went to town to drop off my shoebox gift for Operation Christmas Child, went to the craft show for a few minutes, read Beth and John (on phone) her story, then went and Read Bo Crocker his, and got his corrections.  Then I attended the church service there at the home, after which Carl was baptized. (Methodist pastor did it, so not immersion!)  I am just SO happy that Carl is now part of the family of God!!

I want to watch the PBS presentation of the Dust Bowl, as I know several people who submitted photos and/or were interviewed for that documentary.  It is ontonight and tomorrow night starting at 7 Central time.

See you later!!

Oh!  Larry, I finally figured out how to read the books that are on the device--I think it is a tablet--but have yet to find out how to connect to the internet with it so I can order more books.  I'm reading Pride and Prejudice, which was on it, and the first 15 chapters are rather tedious, to say the least, but I'm plowing on!    It's supposed to be a classic, right?  By Jane Austen.  Okay, now I'm going!

Time to start a new week  Here.