Friday, 13 Dec. 2013

Triskaidekaphobia .... for all those that suffer with this debilitating disorder, my heart goes out to you today. I personally don't have it, but so many people do, that it has been known to actually bring their life to a sudden halt where they're not able to function normally. I hope you don't suffer from this.

Today we have blue sky and it's warmed up a bit to 31°. However, we're under another winter storm warning. This makes our 2nd one and it's only the second week of December. For us, the normal time for these bitter cold temperatures and record snowfalls is not until January and February. This storm is moving in late tonight and dumping 5-8" of snow on us!

Since the weather reports were not good, we went shopping yesterday. It was so bitter cold and the wind across the parking lots was horrible, but we survived. We got some groceries and some Christmas gifts for our grandsons. The gifts are going to be few this year. Prices keep going up but our income doesn't. We also picked up some of the things I needed to do my annual fudge. I'm not sure if I'm going to bake cookies. I love eating them (big problem) but I don't enjoy all the work involved anymore. I'd love to have a stand mixer with the dough hooks. I've wanted one for years but Santa couldn't afford one, so I'm sure he can't this year either.

I'll still need to go back next week for the items needed for dinner Christmas Eve. Our tradition each year is for everyone (our 3 daughters, their husbands and the 7 grand-kids) to get together on Christmas Eve for dinner and games. Then on Christmas morning they all can enjoy time with the kids, their gifts and new toys in their pajamas and breakfast. This year will be different tho'. We'll not have one husband due to divorce (and I'm certainly not unhappy about that) and one grandchild. Our one and only grand-daughter now lives in Florida and she won't be here for Christmas. Our first one and we will all miss her.

Since the weather is cooperating today, we're going out in a little bit to drag down the tree from the garage attic, haul that big box and the boxes of decorations into the house. Then put it all together and clean up the mess. I'm then going to put up my Christmas village which I put on the mantel. I didn't put it all out last year, but I'd like to see it this year. I may take some pictures. It's not a big display but it does fill the mantel.

Google is not working right today. I've been having a hard time with it. Hope this publishes.

Well, that's all for now. I better get to work. You have a great day.

PS. Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. LOL

Until next time..........

Hodgepodge Wed. 12-11-2013

It's Hodgepodge Wednesday already? Oh my... well, here goes. Hope you find a little something in here that you might not have known about me.

1. Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so please share.

No, I'm afraid not. And our church only does the special Christmas services, which are beautiful. I'm looking forward to it and the music.  

2. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...so, which reindeer name best describes you this week?

By process of elimination, I have to say Donner or Blitzen, but I have no idea what either one means. :) I just know I don't fit in the other categories.

3. What's worse- too quiet or too loud? Which have you had more of lately?

The worse is too loud. I can't take loud noises/voices very well.  But my days are mostly quiet. They can even be too quiet. Consequently, I always have the TV on in the background. 

4. This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo!

When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do? If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?

That would depend on the job at hand. I can be a control freak and having to watch a less gifted person tackle a job I know they won't be able to get right can drive me crazy. I fight the urge to jump in and help. Or leave the room. 

5. What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

What I dread the most.... dragging out the tree and putting it together. 

What I look forward to.... having our kids and grandchildren here. 

6. Facebook has released its list of the 'most talked about' topics of 2013. Pope Francis took the number one spot. Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)

The most talked about topic in our family is the president, his illegal deeds and all his crooked followers. 

7. What's something you consider a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

My computer. No. My Kindle. Yes. That's it. My Kindle. It's a necessity. I grab it on my way out the door and have a library of books, games, Internet, all in one hand. I've never been bored in a doctor's waiting room since I got it. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

ObamaFlowers

(I think this gets it about right.....)

Receptionist: Hello, Welcome to ObamaFlowers, My name is Trina. How can I help you?

Customer: Hello. I received an email from Professional Flowers stating that my flower order has been canceled and I should go to your exchange to reorder it. I tried your website, but it seems like it is not working. So I am calling the 800 number.

Receptionist: Yes! I am sorry about the website. It should be fixed by the end of November. But I can help you.

Customer: Thanks, I ordered a "Spring Bouquet" for our anniversary, and wanted it delivered to my wife.

Receptionist: Interrupting, Sir, "Spring Bouquets" do not meet our minimum standards, I will be happy to provide you with Red Roses.

Customer: But I have always ordered "Spring Bouquets", done it for years, my wife likes them.

Receptionist: Roses are better, sir, I am sure your wife will love them.

Customer: Well, how much are they?

Receptionist: It depends, sir, do you want our Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum package.

Customer: What's the difference?

Receptionist: 6, 12,18 or 24 Red Roses.

Customer: The Silver package may be okay, how much is it?

Receptionist: It depends, sir, what is your monthly income?

Customer: What does that have to do with anything?

Receptionist: I need that to determine your government flower subsidy, then I can determine how much your out-of-pocket cost will be. But if your income is below our minimums for a subsidy, then I can refer you to our FlowerAid department.

Customer: FlowerAid?

Receptionist: Yes, Flowers are a right. Everyone has a right to flowers. So, if you can't afford them, then the government will supply them free of charge.

Customer: Who said they were a right?

Receptionist: Congress passed it, the President signed it and the Supreme Court found it constitutional.

Customer: Whoa! I don't remember seeing anything in the Constitution regarding flowers as a right.

Receptionist: It is not really a Right in the Constitution, but ObamaFlowers is Constitutional because the Supreme Court Ruled it a "Tax". Taxes are Constitutional. But we feel it is a right.

Customer: I don't believe this.

Receptionist: It's the law of the land sir. Now, we anticipated most people would go for the Silver Package, so what is your monthly income, sir?

Customer: Forget it, I think I will forgo the flowers this year.

Receptionist: In that case sir, I will still need your monthly income.

Customer: Why?

Receptionist: To determine what your 'non-participation' cost would be.

Customer: WHAT? You can't charge me for NOT buying flowers!

Receptionist: It's the law of the land, sir, approved by the Supreme Court. It's $9.50 or 1% of your monthly income.

Customer interrupting: This is ridiculous, I'll pay the $9.50.

Receptionist: Sir, it is $9.50 or 1% of your monthly income, whichever is greater.

Customer: ARE YOU KIDDING ME? What a rip-off!

Receptionist: Actually sir, it is a good deal. Next year it will be 2%.

Customer: Look, I'm going to call my Congressman to find out what's going on here. This is ridiculous. I'm not going to pay it.

Receptionist: Sorry to hear that sir. That's why I had the NSA track this call and obtain the make and model of the cell phone you are using.

Customer: Why does the NSA need to know what kind of CELL PHONE I AM USING?

Receptionist: So they get your GPS coordinates, sir.

Door Bell rings followed immediately by a loud knock on the door.

Receptionist: That would be the IRS, sir. Thanks for calling ObamaFlowers. Have a nice day and God Bless America.
_______________
Author Unknown

Throw-back Thursday 12-5-2013

This is my first attempt at doing something for "throw-back Thursday". I love old pictures and I collect digital copies of my hometown. I hope you enjoy these.

I live in a small town in Ohio, population 10,000. It used to be such a nice place to live... everyone was friendly and every Friday evening, people would gather on Main Street, shopping all the stores and stopping on the sidewalks to visit with old friends. That's the only day the farmers would come to town to get what they needed for the coming week. Not like today when we can just jump in the car and run out to the store. They had to plan, get the kids all cleaned up and in their 'good clothes' and then make the long drive.

The above picture is our Main Street, 1939. I love the big round street lights. These were replaced just a few years ago. One of the 3 movie theaters was located on the corner of Main and Market (the right bottom corner). This is The Shines Theater. Every Friday and Saturday evening, there would be a line waiting to get in. There was a new movie playing each weekend. The night this picture was taken, which looks like a Sunday because everything was closed on Sunday, the movie was Martha Raye and Bob Hope in "Never Say Die".  

This picture is "the Last Drayman". He is P. O. Shurtleff, a local resident. A drayman was historically the driver of a dray, a low, flatbed wagon without sides, pulled by horses or mules and used for transporting all kinds of goods. He often brought fresh produce into town to sell to the locals.
Mr. Shurtleff with his overall-clad horse was a familiar sight in Van Wert for many years. He made his final haul January 1944.

The Sparrow at Starbucks

This is a very good example of a "God-incidence." (similar to what many people call a "co-incidence"). I'm posting this for those who truly appreciate the difference between the two terms. [Author unknown]    If you take the time to read it, you will be glad you did.     The SPARROW at STARBUCKS - The song that silenced the cappuccino machine.     It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds  only the slightest hint of the bitter chill of late December and January, but it's enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth. For a musician, it's the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I'm told, and consequently,  the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right.     Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing. It was a fun, low-pressure gig - I was playing keyboard and singing  backup for my friend who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the '40s to the '90s with a few original tunes thrown in.     During our emotional rendition of the classic, "If You Don't Know Me by Now," I noticed a lady sitting in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the  beat and singing along.     After the tune was over, she approached me. "I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?" she asked.     "No," I replied. "We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?" To my delight, she accepted my invitation. "You choose,"  I said. "What are you in the mood to sing?"     "Well. ... do you know any hymns?" Hymns? This woman didn't know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave  our guest singer a knowing look. "Name one."     "Oh, I don't know. There are so many good ones. You pick one."     "Okay," I replied. "How about 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'?"     My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she fixed her eyes on mine again and said, "Yeah. Let's do that one." She slowly nodded her head, put down her purse, straightened  her jacket and faced the center of the shop. With my two-bar setup, she began to sing, "Why should I be discouraged? Why should the shadows come?"     The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song  rose to its conclusion.     "I sing because I'm happy; I sing because I'm free. For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."     When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have rivaled a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout  over the din, "Oh, y'all go back to your coffee! I didn't come in here to do a concert! I just came in here to get somethin' to drink, just like you!"     But the ovation continued.. I embraced my new friend. "You, my dear, have made my whole year! That was beautiful!"     "Well, it's funny that you picked that particular hymn," she said.  "Why is that?"  "Well," she hesitated again, "that was my daughter's favorite song." “Really!" I exclaimed.   "She was 16.  She died of a brain tumor last week."  I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. "Are you going to be okay?"     She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands.  "I'm gonna be okay. I've just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything's gonna be just fine." She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then  she was gone.     Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffee shop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened  to walk into that particular shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the very hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it.        God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it's no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffee shop in midtown  Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything's gonna be okay.     The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, remember, Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was abused,  Moses had a stuttering problem, Gideon was afraid, Samson had long hair and was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, David had an affair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Isaiah preached naked, Jonah ran from God,  Peter denied Christ, The Disciples fell asleep while praying, And Lazarus was dead!     No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.     God bless.  May God Bless you  today and everyday as you face any storms that come your way!

Hodgepodge Wed. 12-4-2013

Today's another Wed. and that means Hodgepodge.... if you'd like to join, click ...  How to join

1. According to Oxford Dictionaries, the 2013 word of the year is 'selfie'. Your thoughts? When did you last take a selfie? Do you post them online somewhere? Do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind the lens?

Having studied photography years ago, I always wanted to be behind the camera. As I've gotten older and have seen the pictures taken of me, I now know --- I want to STAY behind the lens! I've never taken a 'selfie' but a lot of people are having fun with this new technology, including my grandchildren. My one and only grand-daughter lives in Florida now and if she every stops doing the selfies, I wouldn't be able to see her face. 

2. Will you send out Christmas cards this year? If so, are they ready to go? If not, are you glad or sad about leaving that tradition behind?

I've always sent out cards at Christmas, but my list gets shorter and shorter each year. People pass away or move and I lose track of them. I'll get them in the mail next week.  

3. Do you trust easily?

Yes I do, maybe too easily. Until a person shows me otherwise, I will trust them. I also trust tangibles like my coffee pot, my car, etc. What I don't trust is the weatherman. He doesn't always tell me the truth. :) 

4. Pine-cinnamon-peppermint-vanilla (as in sugar cookie)...of those listed, which one is your favorite December scent?

Well, pine, of course. I miss that smell of pine from the Christmas trees, but I use candles and spray. They don't leave a mess on the floor. 

5. Did you do more talking or more listening yesterday? Was that by choice or necessity?

I try to listen more and talk less, but I'm afraid I have often missed it. Yesterday, I listened, especially while my daughter was here. I let her talk and try not to tell her what to do like I have for so many years. From now on, I'm going to listen better. 

6. What's the last song that got stuck in your head? Sorry if it's back there now : )

I'm currently working on a couple Christmas carols on the keyboard, so they are stuck in my head, but I don't mind. Right now it's "Away in a Manger" 

7. Which world explorer (in the whole history of the world) would you most like to have traveled with, and why?

I'm afraid I'm not an explorer. I don't like taking risks or being in strange places where I feel at risk. However, one person I would have traveled with, if you can call him an explorer, would be Charles Ingles. He explored new territory to the west to find a new life for his family. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm a big movie fan. This past weekend I renewed my subscription to Netflix and rearranged some things around the house so I could hook it up to the TV in my office. Hubby has monopoly over the large screen TV in the living room and that would often prevent me from watching the movies I like. But this way we're both happy. After supper, it's movie night with no interruptions. 

The Tablecloth

This is a beautiful story I received in an email today. It says it's a true story, but even if it isn't, there is still the message that --- things happen for a reason! 

THE TABLECLOTH

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned
to their first ministry, to reopen a church
in suburban Brooklyn , arrived in early October
excited about their opportunities. When they saw
their church, it was very run down and needed
much work. They set a goal to have everything
done in time to have their first service
on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls,
painting, etc, and on December 18
were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

On December 19 a terrible driving
rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.

On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.
His heart sank when he saw that the roof had
leaked, causing a large area of plaster about
20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall
of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.

The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor,
and not knowing what else to do but postpone
the Christmas Eve service, he headed home.
On the way he noticed that a local business was
having a flea market type sale for charity, so he
stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful,
handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth
with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross
embroidered right in the center. It was just
the right size to cover the hole in the front
wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An older
woman running from the opposite direction was
trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor
invited her to wait in the warm church for
the next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor
while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put
up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor
could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and
it covered up the entire problem area.

Then he noticed the woman walking down the center
aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor,"
she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?"
The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check
the lower right corner to see if the initials 'EBG' were crocheted into
it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had
made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria .

The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor
told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The
woman explained that before the war she and
her husband were well-to-do people in Austria

When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.
Her husband was going to follow her the next week, but 

he was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her
husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth;
but she made the pastor keep it for the church.
The pastor insisted on driving her home. That
was the least he could do. She lived on the other
side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn
for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas
Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the
spirit were great. At the end of the service, the
pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door
and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognized
from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the
pews and stare, and the pastor wondered if he was alright.

The man asked the pastor where he got the tablecloth on
the front wall because it was identical to one
that his wife had made years ago when
they lived in Austria before the war and how
could there be two tablecloths so much alike?

He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he
forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was
supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and
put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home
again. That was 35 years ago.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to
take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten
Island and to the same house where the pastor
had taken the woman three days earlier.

He helped the man climb the three flights of
stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on
the door and he saw the greatest Christmas
reunion he could ever imagine.

This is a true story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid
who says God does work in mysterious ways.

God's love is always with us. 

His promises are true, 

And when we give Him all our cares,

We know He will see us through.

Until next time.....