At Least the tree is up

Thanks to a little 7 year old asking me EVERYDAY..the tree is up!

Here are a few of my favorite ornamnets...

The Value of Time

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man.. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him. Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
 "Jack, did you hear me?" "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said. "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important....Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said. As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next doorone more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly. "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said "What box?" Mom asked.. "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom." It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser." "The thing he valued most was...my time" Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

Thanks Living

I was furtunate to give the Childrens Sermon (Moments) at our church Sunday. I thought I would share what I did...it is a great reminder of how we should all be living!


Thanks Living

Theme: Sharing God's blessings with others - Proper 29 (34)

Object: A thank you card

Scripture: "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

When someone does something nice for you, what do you do? You say, "Thank you," don't you? Sometimes that just doesn't seem to be enough. Has someone ever done something for you that was so nice that you wanted to do more than just say, "Thank You." I have. When that happens, I sometimes send them a "Thank You" card. Everyone enjoys receiving a "Thank You" card.

Another way you can show your thanks when someone does something really nice for you is by doing something nice for them in return. For example, if someone invites you to spend the night and you have a really good time, you should return their kindness by inviting them to come and spend the night with you.

It is always important to show our appreciation when someone does something for us, isn't it?

Well, I don't know anyone who has done more for us than God has. God provides food when we are hungry and water when we are thirsty. He heals us when we are sick and he comforts us when we are sad. The Bible tells us that he is an ever-present helper in times of trouble.

Because of all God has done for us, we say, "Thank you." But somehow that doesn't seem to be enough. We could write him a "Thank You" card, but I don't think the Post Office could deliver it, do you? I have a good idea, why don't we do something nice for him in return? But how?

Jesus told us how to do it. Jesus, said, "Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you do it for me." That means when we feed someone who is hungry, it is the same as doing it for Jesus. When we visit someone who is sick, it is the same as doing it for Jesus. When we give clothes to those who are in need, it is the same as doing it for Jesus.

There is a very special name for this way of saying, "Thank you." I call it "thanks living." "Thanks living" is when we show our thanks by the way we live. "Thanks living" is when we look at the many ways God has blessed us, and we thank him by being a blessing to others.

Let's pray and ask God to help us to offer our thanksgiving by "thanks living."

Our Father, we come into your presence with thanksgiving. Help us to turn our thanksgiving into "thanks living." Amen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Funny Story

I am not sure if this is true or not...my personal guess is that it definitely had a ring of truth.

A lady died this past January and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.

Here is the exchange :






Family Member: 'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'

Citibank : 'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member : 'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections.'

Citi bank : 'Since it is two mont hs past due, it already has been.'

Family Member : So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'

Citibank : 'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit b ureau, maybe both!'

Family Member : 'Do you think God will be mad at her?'

Citibank: 'Excuse me?'

Family Member : 'Did you just get what I was telling you -


the part about her being dead?'

Citibank : 'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'

Supervisor gets on the phone:

Family Member : 'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.'

Citibank : 'The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member : 'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'

Citibank : (Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'

Family Member : 'No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given)

Citibank: 'Could yo u fax us a certificate of death?'

Family Member : 'Sure.' (Fax number was given )

After they get the fax :

Citibank : 'Our system just isn't setup for death.


I don't know what more I can do to help.'

Family Member : 'Well, if you figure it out, great!


If not, you could ju st keep billing her. She won't care.'

Citibank: 'Well, the late fees and charges do still apply.'


(What is wrong with these people?!?)

Family Member : 'Would you like her new billing address? '

Citibank : 'That might help...'

Family Member : ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'

Citibank : 'Sir, that's a cemetery!'

Family Member : 'And what do you do with dead people on your planet???

Encouraging Word

Encouraging Word

For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

~ Romans 10:10, NLT

Thought of the Day

Learn a Lesson

Instead of being afraid of situations, consider them to be your teacher and learn a lesson from them.

Breast Cancer Stamps

I recently got an e-mail that touched my heart. I would like to share it today. We can find a cure for breast cancer!

Like most elementary schools, it was typical to have a parade of students in and out of the health clinic throughout the day. We dispensed ice for bumps and bruises, Band-Aids for cuts, and liberal doses of sympathy and hugs. As principal, my office was right next door to the clinic, so I often dropped in to lend a hand and help out with the hugs. I knew that for some kids, mine might be the only one they got all day.

One morning I was putting a Band-Aid on a little girl's scraped knee. Her blonde hair was matted, and I noticed that she was shivering in her thin little sleeveless blouse. I found her a warm sweatshirt and helped her pull it on. "Thanks for taking care of me," she whispered as she climbed into my lap and snuggled up against me.

It wasn't long after that when I ran across an unfamiliar lump under my arm. Cancer, an aggressively spreading kind, had already invaded thirteen of my lymph nodes. I pondered whether or not to tell the students about my diagnosis. The word breast seemed so hard to say out loud to them, and the word cancer seemed so frightening. When it became evident that the children were going to find out one way or another, either the straight scoop from me or possibly a garbled version from someone else, I decided to tell them myself.

It wasn't easy to get the words out, but the empathy and concern I saw in their faces as I explained it to them told me I had made the right decision. When I gave them a chance to ask questions, they mostly wanted to know how they could help.

I told them that what I would like best would be their letters, pictures, and prayers.

I stood by the gym door as the children solemnly filed out. My little blonde friend darted out of line and threw herself into my arms. Then she stepped back to look up into my face. "Don't be afraid, Dr. Perry," she said earnestly, "I know you'll be back because now it's our turn to take care of you."

No one could have ever done a better job. The kids sent me off to my first chemotherapy session with a hilarious book of nausea remedies that they had written.

A video of every class in the school singing get-well songs accompanied me to the next chemotherapy appointment.

By the third visit, the nurses were waiting at the door to find out what I would bring next. It was a delicate music box that played "I Will Always Love You."

Even when I went into isolation at the hospital for a bone marrow transplant, the letters and pictures kept coming until they covered every wall of my room.

Then the kids traced their hands onto colored paper, cut them out and glued them together to make a freestanding rainbow of helping hands.. "I feel like I've stepped into Disneyland every time I walk into this room," my doctor laughed.

That was even before the six-foot apple blossom tree arrived adorned with messages written on paper apples from the students and teachers. What healing comfort I found in being surrounded by these tokens of their caring.

At long last I was well enough to return to work. As I headed up the road to the school, I was suddenly overcome by doubts. What if the kids have forgotten all about me? I wondered, What if they don't want a skinny bald principal? What if..

I caught sight of the school marquee as I rounded the bend. "Welcome Back, Dr. Perry," it read. As I drew closer, everywhere I looked were pink ribbons - ribbons in the windows, tied on the doorknobs, even up in the trees. The children and staff wore pink ribbons, too.

My blonde buddy was first in line to greet me. "You're back, Dr. Perry, you're back!" she called. "See, I told you we'd take care of you!"

As I hugged her tight, in the back of my mind I faintly heard my music box playing . . . "I will always love you."

Subject: Breast Cancer Stamp Booklet

We need those of you who are great at forwarding on information with your e-mail network. Please read and pass this on. It would be wonderful if 2010 were the year a cure for breast cancer was found!!!! This is one email you should be glad to pass on. The notion that we could raise $35 million by buying a book of stamps is powerful! As you may be aware, the US Postal Service has the "Fund the Cure" stamp to help fund breast cancer research. The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda , Maryland . It is important that we take a stand against this disease that affects so many of our Mothers, Sisters, Friends, Coworkers, and Spouses of Coworkers.

Instead of the normal 44 cents for a stamp, this one costs 55 cents. The additional 11 cents will go to breast cancer research. A "normal" book costs $8.80. This one is only $11.00. It takes a few minutes in line at the Post Office and means so much. If all stamps are sold, it will raise an additional $35,000,000 for this vital research. Just as important as the money is our support. What a statement it would make if the stamp outsold the lottery this week. What a statement it would make that we care.

I urge you to do two things TODAY:

1. Go out and purchase some of these stamps.

2. E-mail your friends to do the same.

Many of us know women and their families whose lives are turned upside-down by breast cancer. It takes so little to do so much in this drive. We can all afford the $0.55. Please help & pass it on.

Encouraging Word

Encouraging Word

Wednesday 11/11/2009

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

~ Romans 12:18

Three Things

Thought of the day

Give and Take

Whatever you give comes back to you. Whatever you take will not stay with you.

Going to Amish Country

I am so excited about my trip to the Amish Country in Ohio! I love this place.

The atmosphere is so peaceful and quaint.

I really enjoy seeing all the horse drawn buggies and plows.

The stores are so interesting and different from what we have available.

The children are adorable

The cheese is the best!!!

Reese's® Puffs® Sticky Balls

For this post I have to give Props to another wonderful blogger I follow....Little Birdie Secrets. Check out her blog...I just love it. The link above is for the post where she made the Sticky Balls.

Here is the recipe:

Reese's® Puffs® Sticky Balls

1/4 cup margarine

1 bag (10 oz) regular marshmallows

1 box (14.25 oz) Reese's® Puffs® cereal

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 tsp. shortening

 

In saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth.

 

Stir in cereal. Spread cereal mixture on waxed paper. Cool 5 minutes.

Lightly spray hands with cooking spray and shape mixture into balls.

In a small microwaveable dish, microwave chocolate chips and shortening on high 1- 2 minutes, stirring until smooth. Drizzle chocolate over cereal balls. Let stand 30 minutes until chocolate is set.

Yummy!!!!

Thought for today

This one is really for me...as a reminder. Don't ask...just having a hard time with someone.

See the Sweetness

No matter how bad people may seem, they possess at least one virtue. Be like the humming bird and pick out the sweetness of everyone's character.

Seasonal and H1N1 2009 information

With the seasonal flu and H1N1 2009 flu epidemic sure to get worse as flu season draws closer and peaks, I thought I would share my presentation (for work) with all of you too.

Influenza is spread from person to person via droplets...AKA: sneezes and coughs. The virus spreads when a contaminated droplet lands or is transfered to an object. This can be salt and pepper shakers, door knobs, shopping cart buggies, bathroom doors...you get the point. Then we touch our face. The nose, mouth and eyes are entry points to our bodies.

Some higher risk groups of people should be vaccinated first. These people are, children, people greater than 65 years of age, people who have chronic disease such as COPD, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems and their caregivers.

Some signs and symptoms you may have the flu are fever (but not in everyone), cough (this is worse with H1N1), sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, extreme fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children).

Not every one should seek Emergent Care. If you are not ill with the flu you have a good chance of getting it while you are at the emergency room. Some reasons to seek immediate emergent care are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe and persistent vomiting, flu like symptoms improving and then returning with a fever or worsening cough. In addition in children watch for not wanting to be held, not waking or interacting well, any fever with a rash, bluish color skin or not drinking.

The only treatment for the flu are antivirals (call your doctor to see if these are right for you), they can reduce symptoms and shorten the course by 1-2 days. The other medication is to simply treat the symptoms. Tylenol, ibuprofen and aleve may help ease fever and aches.

How do you lesson the spread of seasonal flu and H1N1 2009?

1) keep the sick person at home.

2) remind the sick person to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue

3) use hand sanitizer and wash hands frequently.

4) have everyone in the home to stay away from the sick person (at least 6 feet if possible)

5) consider wearing a face mask or having the ill person wear a mask (if they are in a common area of the home).

6) if possible have the ill person use a separate bathroom.

7) stay home 24 hours after the fever has gone (this is without medication)

8) NO VISITORS

9) have only one person take care of the ill person

10) pregnant women should not care for the ill person if possible.

11) wash hands often and use paper towels to dry.

12) wash eating utensils and plates in hot soapy water.

13) avoid face to face contact.

14) if possible open windows for good ventilation.

Stay healthy everyone

The Day After

So being the proud Mama of a 6 (almost 7) year old.....here are the Trick-or-Treat Pictures!!!

 This is the happy can we go yet picture

...a very happy boy looking at his candy.

He is donating a gallon baggie of his candy to the Veterans Clinic I work at for the Veterans...he is a good boy!

The school party picture of the kids with their vampire teeth in.

And I had to show you the before and after pictures...

Before

After

It's official...Halloween is over.