Happy St. Valentine's Day. May Cupid's arrow strike you just the right way.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
Stupid Cupid
Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Another Hallmark and Cadbury holiday. A day when the stores get rich, flowers and candies fly out the door of the stores, restaurants and hotels are packed, and love abounds. Well ... it does for some of us.
I've never experienced any such Valentine's Day. Just once in my life I would like to be pampered and loved on that day. Hell ... to be pampered and loved like that on any day would be awesome.
Stupid Cupid!! Point those arrows the right way will you. Your aim stinks!!!!!
I've never experienced any such Valentine's Day. Just once in my life I would like to be pampered and loved on that day. Hell ... to be pampered and loved like that on any day would be awesome.
Stupid Cupid!! Point those arrows the right way will you. Your aim stinks!!!!!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Education: Coming Full Circle
Last week I had the opportunity to sit in on a meeting with a consultant who was describing his portfolio to a graphic designer to create a logo to represent a new educational initiative. I didn't really know much about it up to that point. As I sat there listening, I became more and more fascinated by what he was saying. I absolutely love being part of the education system and seeing the vision of what we wish to accomplish with the youth who are our future. This incident was no exception. Let me tell you about this program.
Here in Nova Scotia we are beginning a new initiative called Community-Based Learning (CBL). This program goes hand-in-hand with the new Options and Opportunities (O2) program that is now being offered in some schools. The intent of these programs is to bring the community into the classroom and the classroom into the community in partnership or mentoring programs. In this way, we hope to provide our youth with opportunities to explore different careers to see what they like, what they don't like, and where they feel they fit. We are facing a huge labour shortage as the Baby Boomers and the early Gen-Xers head into retirement. With the pull from the west to bring our tradespeople out there and the pull to the south for the medical profession and other professions, we are in serious danger of losing so many of the businesses that are essential to our existence. So we are taking the bull by the horns.
The first obstacle to overcome is the paradigm thinking of the Boomers and Gen-Xers that unless you go to university, you won't succeed in life. You will never make money, you will never be someone. Hogwash! They could not be more wrong. Not everyone is meant to go to university, and there is no shame in that whatsoever!!! We have heard from several industries that they can't get tradespeople at all to work for them because if the youth do choose the trades, the west is calling them out there. They are offering more money and more opportunities, but their hearts belong at home and they want to be there. Businesses are beginning to see that they need to offer more money to these tradespeople to keep them here. We have spoken to the businesses and have developed our programs as a result. Here is the main objective of these:
We have approached businesses to become mentors to our youth. They take the students into their businesses and teach them about what they do and how so that students can make informed decisions about career possibilities. The students spend a specific number of hours out in the community learning about these career possibilities, both through the trades and university careers. It helps them to know what courses they need to have if they want to work in these careers. By informing them, students are more successful in the classroom because they see the big picture of what they need and why it is important. They also have opportunities to work in co-operative education settings in businesses. The CBL and O2 programs help to educate the students on what it is like in the real world and help them to see what it is they are working towards. There is even a personality profile portion to the program to assist them in making their choices. They will be more likely to know what direction they want to go in at the end of high school so that they don't waste money and years of their life trying to figure it out (like I did, and my daughter). One of the most exciting aspects is that Nova Scotia is working with the businesses to create a Mathematics Skills course that will provide students with the kind of math they need to succeed in these careers. When we can bring real-life experiences into the classroom and take the students into the community we all benefit and school makes so much more sense to them, increasing their success rate.
This seems to me as if we have come full circle in our education program. Even 50 years ago, many, many people learned their trades through mentorship, working part-time while attending school. The old-fashioned way wasn't all that bad after all, was it? These programs really excite me. I see so much potential for students who might once have risked falling through the cracks. It is so exciting!!
Here in Nova Scotia we are beginning a new initiative called Community-Based Learning (CBL). This program goes hand-in-hand with the new Options and Opportunities (O2) program that is now being offered in some schools. The intent of these programs is to bring the community into the classroom and the classroom into the community in partnership or mentoring programs. In this way, we hope to provide our youth with opportunities to explore different careers to see what they like, what they don't like, and where they feel they fit. We are facing a huge labour shortage as the Baby Boomers and the early Gen-Xers head into retirement. With the pull from the west to bring our tradespeople out there and the pull to the south for the medical profession and other professions, we are in serious danger of losing so many of the businesses that are essential to our existence. So we are taking the bull by the horns.
The first obstacle to overcome is the paradigm thinking of the Boomers and Gen-Xers that unless you go to university, you won't succeed in life. You will never make money, you will never be someone. Hogwash! They could not be more wrong. Not everyone is meant to go to university, and there is no shame in that whatsoever!!! We have heard from several industries that they can't get tradespeople at all to work for them because if the youth do choose the trades, the west is calling them out there. They are offering more money and more opportunities, but their hearts belong at home and they want to be there. Businesses are beginning to see that they need to offer more money to these tradespeople to keep them here. We have spoken to the businesses and have developed our programs as a result. Here is the main objective of these:
We have approached businesses to become mentors to our youth. They take the students into their businesses and teach them about what they do and how so that students can make informed decisions about career possibilities. The students spend a specific number of hours out in the community learning about these career possibilities, both through the trades and university careers. It helps them to know what courses they need to have if they want to work in these careers. By informing them, students are more successful in the classroom because they see the big picture of what they need and why it is important. They also have opportunities to work in co-operative education settings in businesses. The CBL and O2 programs help to educate the students on what it is like in the real world and help them to see what it is they are working towards. There is even a personality profile portion to the program to assist them in making their choices. They will be more likely to know what direction they want to go in at the end of high school so that they don't waste money and years of their life trying to figure it out (like I did, and my daughter). One of the most exciting aspects is that Nova Scotia is working with the businesses to create a Mathematics Skills course that will provide students with the kind of math they need to succeed in these careers. When we can bring real-life experiences into the classroom and take the students into the community we all benefit and school makes so much more sense to them, increasing their success rate.
This seems to me as if we have come full circle in our education program. Even 50 years ago, many, many people learned their trades through mentorship, working part-time while attending school. The old-fashioned way wasn't all that bad after all, was it? These programs really excite me. I see so much potential for students who might once have risked falling through the cracks. It is so exciting!!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Yes, I Have the Answers
This is in response to the questions at Sam's Place. My responses are in red.
* Why you always stop by a puddle when you park. Because there are no lakes in parking lots.
* Why the telephone cord always gets knotted no matter how carefully you hang it up each time. (Thank goodness for cordless phones.) If I pull your cord beyond the coils, it will coil up incorrectly too. It can only take so much stress.
* Why the computer always freezes near the end of a long document. (Never near the start or when doing a short project.) If it froze near the start, you would simply start it over in a new file. Where would the aggravation be then? Seriously, the more complex and full the document, the more chance of it freezing, so keep the files small, simple, and clean.
* Why the door lock is always stiffer or stuck when your arms are full of packages. It's not silly. You just can't turn your arm as easily if it is full. Duh!!
* Why you think to turn the dryer on after you get upstairs. I think this happens only after the age of 40. Information overload. Too many things to think of so nothing can stay for more than 10 seconds. Some times I think I can't even manage 10 seconds before I forget.
* Why the cashier with the shortest line up has to call for a price check just after you get there. Sometimes people just pick up something without a price on it and don't notice it themselves.
* Why your coat only gets caught in the door when your arms are full of packages. Just plain dumb luck!!
* Why the water gets warm just after you finish washing your hands under running water. Duh ... you're supposed to wait for it to get warm before you wash your hands. Were you brought up in a barn?
* Why the key you need is always the last one you try out of the bunch. Because none of them are marked or else if you lost them, someone could come break into your house and steal your things. Now that would just be silly!!
In all honesty, these things just happen. Just dumb luck. Shit happens. Live with it and don't sweat the small stuff. Life goes on...
* Why you always stop by a puddle when you park. Because there are no lakes in parking lots.
* Why the telephone cord always gets knotted no matter how carefully you hang it up each time. (Thank goodness for cordless phones.) If I pull your cord beyond the coils, it will coil up incorrectly too. It can only take so much stress.
* Why the computer always freezes near the end of a long document. (Never near the start or when doing a short project.) If it froze near the start, you would simply start it over in a new file. Where would the aggravation be then? Seriously, the more complex and full the document, the more chance of it freezing, so keep the files small, simple, and clean.
* Why the door lock is always stiffer or stuck when your arms are full of packages. It's not silly. You just can't turn your arm as easily if it is full. Duh!!
* Why you think to turn the dryer on after you get upstairs. I think this happens only after the age of 40. Information overload. Too many things to think of so nothing can stay for more than 10 seconds. Some times I think I can't even manage 10 seconds before I forget.
* Why the cashier with the shortest line up has to call for a price check just after you get there. Sometimes people just pick up something without a price on it and don't notice it themselves.
* Why your coat only gets caught in the door when your arms are full of packages. Just plain dumb luck!!
* Why the water gets warm just after you finish washing your hands under running water. Duh ... you're supposed to wait for it to get warm before you wash your hands. Were you brought up in a barn?
* Why the key you need is always the last one you try out of the bunch. Because none of them are marked or else if you lost them, someone could come break into your house and steal your things. Now that would just be silly!!
In all honesty, these things just happen. Just dumb luck. Shit happens. Live with it and don't sweat the small stuff. Life goes on...
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Age
Have you ever had days where you feel your age? Days when you feel older? Days when you feel young again? I think we all experience all of them from time to time depending on what we are going through at the time.
Today is my birthday! Two days ago I would have told you I was 90. Yesterday I would have said I was 55. Today I feel a little younger than my ____ years.
Well ... you didn't think I was going to write the number down there did you? Not a chance.
Today is my birthday! Two days ago I would have told you I was 90. Yesterday I would have said I was 55. Today I feel a little younger than my ____ years.
Well ... you didn't think I was going to write the number down there did you? Not a chance.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Tears
There are many different kinds of tears, each with their own scientific consistency. There are tears of sorrow, tears of fear, tears of happiness ... you name it. We each cry for our own reasons. Some of us cry easier than others, some cry harder than others. Me? I cry easier and harder than a lot of people. I'm not afraid to feel my emotions or express them. I don't, however, like to display tears in my workplace, but it has happened from time to time for various reasons.
The tears of sorrow seem to be more acidic or more saline than others. I don't know this to be fact, I only know that they make my eyes sting, my cheeks burn like crazy and I get one hell of a sinus headache. The snotty nose is another issue to deal with. Why does that have to accompany the tears? I guess that is why they say tears are cleansing. They clean your body of all fluids so that you can't even spit.
All I know is that my face is killing me, and I look like hell...
The tears of sorrow seem to be more acidic or more saline than others. I don't know this to be fact, I only know that they make my eyes sting, my cheeks burn like crazy and I get one hell of a sinus headache. The snotty nose is another issue to deal with. Why does that have to accompany the tears? I guess that is why they say tears are cleansing. They clean your body of all fluids so that you can't even spit.
All I know is that my face is killing me, and I look like hell...
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Nothing to Say
Well, Keyboard tells me I am behind in my blog writing, and so I am. I've been having a complete writers' block lately and can't really think of anything worthwhile to say. The things going on in my mind really aren't appropriate to put here (I'll let your mind wander on that), so I have said nothing at all. Hmmm ...
Can't think, brain dumb, inspiration won't come
bad ink, poor pen, best wishes, amen.
How is that? or maybe this:
As you slide down the bannister of life, may the splinters never point your way.
I really can't think of anything to say. I've been extremely self-absorbed lately, so the ideas just won't come. Keyboard, I promise I will try to think of something to write soon. In the meantime, it's nice to know you miss me (teehee).
Can't think, brain dumb, inspiration won't come
bad ink, poor pen, best wishes, amen.
How is that? or maybe this:
As you slide down the bannister of life, may the splinters never point your way.
I really can't think of anything to say. I've been extremely self-absorbed lately, so the ideas just won't come. Keyboard, I promise I will try to think of something to write soon. In the meantime, it's nice to know you miss me (teehee).
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Month after Christmas
Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd tasted
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rare,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt—I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So—away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
'Til all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie—not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore—But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd tasted
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rare,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt—I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So—away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
'Til all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie—not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore—But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Looking Ahead to a New Year
In looking ahead to a new year, let us take a look at how things have really changed over the years. The following are some examples. We actually survived these things and are the stronger and wiser for them.
Scenario: Jack pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.
1973 - Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his to show Jack.
2006 - School goes into lockdown, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1973 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends. Nobody goes to jail, nobody arrested, nobody expelled.
2006 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1973 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by principal. Sits still in class.
2006 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. School gets extra help from province because Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his father's car and his Dad gives him a whipping.
1973 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2006 - Billy's Dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. Billy's sister is told by provincial psychologist that she remembers being abused herself and their Dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.
Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some headache medicine to school.
1973 - Mark shares headache medicine with principal out on the smoking dock.
2006 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario: Mary turns up pregnant.
1973 - Five high school boys leave town. Mary does her senior year at a special school for expectant mothers.
2006 - Middle School Counsellor calls Planned Parenthood. Mary is driven to a clinic and gets an abortion without her parent's consent or knowledge. Mary is given condoms and told to be more careful next time.
Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.
1973 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
2006 - Pedro's cause is taken up by one of the governing parties. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. A
class action lawsuit is filed against the school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he can't speak English.
Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from Canada Day, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1973 - Ants die.
2006 - Police, Security, and FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary, hugs him to comfort him.
1973 - In a short time Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2006 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in Canadian prison.
My, how things have changed....
Scenario: Jack pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.
1973 - Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his to show Jack.
2006 - School goes into lockdown, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1973 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends. Nobody goes to jail, nobody arrested, nobody expelled.
2006 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1973 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by principal. Sits still in class.
2006 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. School gets extra help from province because Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his father's car and his Dad gives him a whipping.
1973 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2006 - Billy's Dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. Billy's sister is told by provincial psychologist that she remembers being abused herself and their Dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.
Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some headache medicine to school.
1973 - Mark shares headache medicine with principal out on the smoking dock.
2006 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario: Mary turns up pregnant.
1973 - Five high school boys leave town. Mary does her senior year at a special school for expectant mothers.
2006 - Middle School Counsellor calls Planned Parenthood. Mary is driven to a clinic and gets an abortion without her parent's consent or knowledge. Mary is given condoms and told to be more careful next time.
Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.
1973 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
2006 - Pedro's cause is taken up by one of the governing parties. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. A
class action lawsuit is filed against the school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he can't speak English.
Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from Canada Day, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1973 - Ants die.
2006 - Police, Security, and FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary, hugs him to comfort him.
1973 - In a short time Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2006 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in Canadian prison.
My, how things have changed....
Saturday, December 30, 2006
The Year in Review
It is that dreaded time of the year again when the TV stations are filled with "Year in Review" programs. We have already lived through this year. We have seen the news caps. Why do we need to be reminded of all the tragedies that happened? Why do we need to rub the stupid things people did in their faces one last time to humiliate them yet again? Why do we have to create lists of who were the worst famous role models of the year?
The end of a year is supposed to be time to reflect on the good that happened in the past year and prepare for the good that can happen in the year to come. So please, don't waste air time rehashing all the stuff that makes us feel blue. Let's leave the past there and move on into the new year with a positive attitude. I'm certainly going to try that. How about you?
The end of a year is supposed to be time to reflect on the good that happened in the past year and prepare for the good that can happen in the year to come. So please, don't waste air time rehashing all the stuff that makes us feel blue. Let's leave the past there and move on into the new year with a positive attitude. I'm certainly going to try that. How about you?
Friday, December 29, 2006
Bible Humour from the Mouths of Babes
LOT'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"
DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ?" "No," replied David. "How could he, with just two worms?"
HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, " We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?"
One child blurted out, "Aces!"
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday school teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Rick was excited about the task -- but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Rickey was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."
Church Smiles
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.
"Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady.
*************
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign...
"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.
Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
**************
Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"
DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ?" "No," replied David. "How could he, with just two worms?"
HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, " We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?"
One child blurted out, "Aces!"
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday school teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Rick was excited about the task -- but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Rickey was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."
Church Smiles
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.
"Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady.
*************
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign...
"Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.
Caution: Do not step in exhaust."
**************
Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
Monday, December 25, 2006
It's Christmas!!
I hope you are all having a beautiful Christmas day!!
Merry Christmas to all my friends and loved ones!
Miz D
Monday, December 18, 2006
You're Not Listening!!!
You're not listening!!! I had to use those words this evening to a telemarketer. I hate those phone calls. I see the toll-free number come up on my phone and I hestitate to answer it. Tonight made up my mind that from now on, I'm not answering any of those. If it is a legitimate call regarding something other than solicitations, they will leave a message asking me to return the call.
Tonight, this was the gist of the conversation:
"Hello."
"Hello Mrs. G." (first of all, I am not MRS. anybody. Mrs. G is my mother! No Brownie points so far.)
"Hello."
Then came a big long speel about little angels, young children who have leukemia and have lost their hair. My heart feels for them. I brace myself for the next request.
"If you could help us out with a donation of $100 or $200, it would greatly help these children."
"I have no doubt that it would, but I can't help you."
Then the speel begins again.
"I know that this is a lot of money at this time of year..." [No...do you think!!!!]
"...perhaps you could help us with a donation of $50."
Again, I reply, "I'm sorry...I can't help you."
The speel continues.
"Perhaps you could help out with a donation of $20."
"I'm sorry...I can't help you."
At this point I am wanting to hang up, but don't want to be rude.
The woman continues talking incessantly about donating the money, how much it would help, the money would take a month to come out of my account, etc., etc.
At this point, I interrupt her once again to say, "I'm sorry, I'm not able to help you financially."
The speel STILL continued...
I interrupted once again to say, "YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME!!!! I cannot help you with money. I will pray for these children, but I CANNOT help you. I wish I could." And I do wish I could.
Finally... the woman gave up, wished me a good evening, and hung up.
Needless to say, those toll-free numbers will no longer get answered in this house. I hate saying no. I feel guilty because I believe we are all born to help one another, but I also know we can only help so much. If I won the lottery, I know I would help out others, but right now, I have other priorities, and I still continue to do what I can for others in non-monetary ways.
Love thy neighbour as thyself...one of the two greatest commandments. I try my best. God forgive me where I have failed.
Tonight, this was the gist of the conversation:
"Hello."
"Hello Mrs. G." (first of all, I am not MRS. anybody. Mrs. G is my mother! No Brownie points so far.)
"Hello."
Then came a big long speel about little angels, young children who have leukemia and have lost their hair. My heart feels for them. I brace myself for the next request.
"If you could help us out with a donation of $100 or $200, it would greatly help these children."
"I have no doubt that it would, but I can't help you."
Then the speel begins again.
"I know that this is a lot of money at this time of year..." [No...do you think!!!!]
"...perhaps you could help us with a donation of $50."
Again, I reply, "I'm sorry...I can't help you."
The speel continues.
"Perhaps you could help out with a donation of $20."
"I'm sorry...I can't help you."
At this point I am wanting to hang up, but don't want to be rude.
The woman continues talking incessantly about donating the money, how much it would help, the money would take a month to come out of my account, etc., etc.
At this point, I interrupt her once again to say, "I'm sorry, I'm not able to help you financially."
The speel STILL continued...
I interrupted once again to say, "YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME!!!! I cannot help you with money. I will pray for these children, but I CANNOT help you. I wish I could." And I do wish I could.
Finally... the woman gave up, wished me a good evening, and hung up.
Needless to say, those toll-free numbers will no longer get answered in this house. I hate saying no. I feel guilty because I believe we are all born to help one another, but I also know we can only help so much. If I won the lottery, I know I would help out others, but right now, I have other priorities, and I still continue to do what I can for others in non-monetary ways.
Love thy neighbour as thyself...one of the two greatest commandments. I try my best. God forgive me where I have failed.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Christmas Cookie Recipe
This is a great recipe. Try it…I guarantee you’ll like it!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
1 cup of water
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup of brown sugar
lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Crown Royal
- Sample the Crown Royal to check quality.
- Take a large bowl, check the Crown Royal again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.
- Turn on the electric mixer... Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
- Add one teaspoon of sugar... Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Crown Royal is still OK, try another cup ... just in case.
- Turn off the mixer thingy.
- Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
- Pick the frigging fruit off floor...
- Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a dewscriver. Sample the Crown Royal to check for tonsisticity.
- Next, sift two cups of salt, or something ... who giveshz a heet.
- Check the Crown Royal.
- Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
- Add one table.
- Add a spoon of ar, or somefink ... whatever you can find.
- Greash the oven.
- Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner.
- Finally, throw the bowl through the window.
- Finish the bottle of Crown Royal.
- Make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Farm Animals—A Response
Well over there at Sam's Place, he is watching cartoons about farm animals having fun. I laughed at his description of cows. He is right about them being called teats. My grandfather had a dairy farm, and I spent a lot of time with the cows and watching them being milked. There definitely were no male cows there. That milking machine might really have hurt that poor bull.
Chicken fingers and chicken balls? Who the heck ever heard of a chicken with hands. They were built upside down. Did you know that? They have to wear their underwear on their heads to cover their peckers!!! And as for chicken balls...a chicken is also a female. Please...I don't think they are androgenous. You better check the roosters for those, and you would have to check very closely. Bet you can't find them. Good luck getting that close to a rooster!!! It would give you a whole new meaning to the term "experiencing a pecker."
Kind of reminds me of prairie oysters. Who would have thought they had nothing to do with shellfish? Just the mere thought of eating those...ewww... Those poor bulls...
Chicken fingers and chicken balls? Who the heck ever heard of a chicken with hands. They were built upside down. Did you know that? They have to wear their underwear on their heads to cover their peckers!!! And as for chicken balls...a chicken is also a female. Please...I don't think they are androgenous. You better check the roosters for those, and you would have to check very closely. Bet you can't find them. Good luck getting that close to a rooster!!! It would give you a whole new meaning to the term "experiencing a pecker."
Kind of reminds me of prairie oysters. Who would have thought they had nothing to do with shellfish? Just the mere thought of eating those...ewww... Those poor bulls...
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Thank You and May We Never Forget
In Flander's Fields the poppies grow, between the crosses, row on row...We all have heard this poem many times over the years, but have you ever really stopped to understand what it means to you?? For many years, I hadn't because my life had not been directly touched by any of the wars. Having come from farming families, none of my family members were ever enlisted to fight. However, for the past few years, the reality of the wars and what they have meant to my life has become abundantly clear.
I don't like war. Then again, I don't believe anyone does. It is because of our fallen comrades and those who survived it and live the daily nightmares, that we have the kind of freedom that we enjoy today. We have the privilege of a democratic government, and we have freedom of speech. We have adopted an attitude of multicultural acceptance in our country where, most of us at least, treat each other as equals regardless of our differences. Yes, there are always those who do not and will not, but someday I hope something will open their eyes to the reality that we are all created equal and are all entitled to equal opportunities in life.
This year again, I had the privilege of listening to war vet who is a friend of mine, speak of what it was like for him when he fought in WWII. The horrors that he saw, some of which he will never relate, was horrific. I listened as he spoke with a broken voice and tears welling in his eyes of watching a young woman with a baby in her arms, starving on the island of Malta as they were bombed repeated for 30 days. Those 30 days he spent there he speaks of most often in his talks, and he still carries the emotions of that day. That was in 1944. He also watched as some of his comrades were shot down in a plane by friendly fire. He said he would never forget it and would never reveal their names so that their family would not suffer any further from it.
This year, I was most touched by something he said. He is of British descent, but he was fighting as a Canadian in the war. He brought a picture with him to lay on our altar. It was a photo of a German soldier who was either dying or was already dead, laying among the rubble of his plane that had been shot down. He reminded our congregation that this man, although considered to be the enemy, was a person just like the rest of us. One who had a family who loved him and who he loved. War is a horrible thing, and we must remember them all, not just those who fought for our own freedom. May they all rest in peace.
To those who are currently in our armed forces fighting for world peace, may the grace of God that passes all understanding be in your heart and minds forever, and may He help us as a world to finally find that acceptance, equality, and peace we all deserve. To each and every member of our armed forces, I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. God bless you.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Top 10 Things Only Women Understand
TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND
10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colours.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.
AND, the Number One thing only women understand:
1. OTHER WOMEN
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Estrogen Issues
WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE "ESTROGEN ISSUES"
- Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
- You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
- The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
- Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
- You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: "How's my driving-call 1- 800-."
- Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
- Everyone seems to have just landed here from "outer space."
- You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
- The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Pregnancy FAQs
Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.
Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.
Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.
Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?
Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labour, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.
Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.
Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labour?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.
Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.
Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.
Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.