Yikes

Newest glitch in blog land is that I CANNOT comment on your blogs or even my own!  Any wasy to fix this?  HELP!  It keeps making me sign in again and doing a word verification over and over and over and no comment ever appears!

Stepping into the water a little

Things are much "quieter" here in blog land and I am afraid that I can be part of that reason...it is so easy to hibernate and stay in hibernation!  But, I am not a bear  (maybe on a VERY bad day when crabbiness gets its' way with me) so I need to poke my nose out and see what's going on here.

It has been nice to "sneak" back here and take a peek at all the blogs still being done fairly faithfully, but I miss seeing many others.

Blogger has changed and been a challenge so I can no longer get all those neat pictures I used to be able to post unless there is some other way.

In fact, my computer crashed some months ago and we can't find the software to download pictures from my newest camera and so we have pictures downloaded somewhere in cyber space!

Well I found this one of us on a trip to the park...looks like we need to cut back on those midnight snacks...doesn't it?  (Isn't that baby adorable...wish I could hug and kiss it, but I gotta wait till heaven to do that or the mama would probably send me to heaven a lot sooner!)

We need  a little joke....

"A bilingual road sign in Wales caught bikers off guard. The English part read Cyclists Dismount. The Welsh: Llid Y Bledren Dymchwelyd, or "Bladder disease has returned." One theory for the mistake—instead of typing cyclist into an online translation program, someone typed cystitis. "  Actually if you've got bladder disease you probably needed to dismount and find a restroom anyway!

...Thanking the Good Lord for His many blessings on all of us and letting you know that I STILL earnestly remember you in prayer!!

No, I did not "re-disappear"

(I did a pallet knife painting of a sunflower and butterfly for Cheryl but this is as close as I have in my files).

These last few days have been very eventful, with two major occurrences:

1st...my very dear friend Cheryl died and her wake was today, Wednesday, at 4:00 p.m., but I was unable to attend because of the number two occurrence.  However, I feel VERY blessed that God allowed me to enjoy special time with Cheryl just a few weeks ago when I co-hosted a tea party for her at my friend Carolyn's home (easier for Cheryl since I live over 100 miles away).  Cheryl fought a valiant battle with breast cancer that went into remission then she was diagnosed with liver, stomach and brain cancer and yet she stayed the same sweet (but VERY thin) and unselfish person she always had been.  Heaven must be ever so happy to have her while those of us here shed tears for what we no longer have the privilege of being around.

(This little guy is a pain killer...hee hee)


2nd...Michael will undergo surgery tomorrow for a complete replacement of his defibrillator/pacemaker.  With God's blessing it will be a short surgery and he will go home afterward.  If the leads are messed up going into his heart then it may mean a stay at the hospital.  Please raise up a prayer for him my friends.






Something e-mailed to me that will (or should bring a smile to your face):

Role Model






FIND OUT WHO TRULY IS YOUR ROLE MODEL.



(DON'T SCROLL DOWN YET !!!!.)



DO THE SIMPLE MATH BELOW, THEN SCROLL DOWN TO FIND YOUR HERO.









It's AMAZINGLY CRAZY how accurate this is!!!



No peeking!!!





1) Pick your favorite number between 1-9



2) Multiply by 3



3) Add 3



4) Multiply by 3, again



5) You should now have a 2 or 3 digit number....



6) Add the digits together





With that number, see who your ROLE MODEL is from the list below:





Now, scroll down.



;



;



;



;



;



;



;





;



;



;



;



;



1. Albert Einstein



2. Oprah Winfrey



3. President Lincoln



4. Thomas Edison



5. Bill Gates



6. Ghandi



7. Brad Pitt



8. Babe Ruth



9. Marcy that crazy redhead


10. John Kennedy





I know, I know.....I just have that effect on people. One day, maybe you too can be like me.





Why are you laughing???







P.S. Stop picking different numbers!!!





I AM YOUR ROLE MODEL... JUST DEAL WITH IT!!!



~~~Thank You heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the blessings of loving and happy memories and for Your healing Hand in our lives.

Whoooo is this???

Could it be she came out of hibernation???  Hmmm....that almost sounds good...lots of sleep, something that doesn't seem to come my way very often.

Couldn't find a bear in my 'collection', so have a non hibernating elephant and use your imagination please...

          Do they look like big brown bears now(you might need to squint and stand on one leg!)???

Today would have been my late beloved husband Mario's birthday, so I pray that it is a wonderful day of happy memories for all those lives he so lovingly touched here on this planet.

In honor of this special day and special person, allow me to share a lovely prayer I was given at a prayer group meeting...

FIVE FINGER PRAYER

1. Your thumb is nearest to you.

So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.

They are the easiest to remember.

TO PRAY FOR OUR LOVED ONES IS A "SWEET DUTY"




2. The next finger is the pointing finger.

Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal.

This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers.

They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.

KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS.



3.The next finger is the tallest finger, which reminds us of our leaders.

Pray for the national leaders, leaders in business and industry,

and administrators.

These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.

THEY NEED GOD'S GUIDANCE.



4. The fourth finger is our ring finger.

Surprising to many is fact that this is our weakest finger;

as any piano teacher will testify.

It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.

THEY NEED YOUR PRAYERS DAY AND NIGHT.




5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all.

which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others.

As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you"

Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayed for the other four groups,

your own needs will be put into proper perspective.

YOU'LL BE ABLE TO PRAY FOR YOURSELF MORE EFFECTIVELY.

And here's a silly joke to bring a smile to your face....

Two rednecks were looking at a Sears catalog and admiring the models.




One says to the other, 'Have you seen the beautiful girls in this catalog?'



The second one replies, 'Yes, they are very beautiful And look at the price!'



The first one says, with wide eyes, 'Wow, they aren't very expensive. At this price, I'm buying one.'



The second one smiles and pats him on the back. 'Good idea! Order one and if she's as beautiful as she is in the catalog, I will get one too.'



Three weeks later, the youngest redneck asks his friend, 'Did you ever receive the girl you ordered from the Sears catalog?'



The second redneck replies......



?

?

?

?

"No, but it shouldn't be long now. I got her clothes yesterday! "


Thank You dear Lord for the blessings of sharing good things and thoughts with others.

p.s.  Just to let you know, I have been sneaking back here to read your posts and 'keep in touch' that way.

Puff puff...here I come to hurry up and say Hip hip hooray for Bernie!

It is so perfect that it is Bernie's birthday because her birthday should be every day

Since her name starts with "B" that way!

And she always has nice things to say.

(Her blog name says "On my own")

But her words say "I'm there for one and all...

Just give me one little call."

And how about this?

B is for ....the bountiful blessings she sends to all

E is for ....the extra care she has for others big and small

R is for ....the rosy attitude she sends to those who are sad

N is for....never giving up when things seem to go bad

I is for....iced tea that she will serve you if you want to drop by

E is for....the endless care she will show you if you cry!!

Bernie, you are a true gem and a privilege to know!  I just got back from an overnight trip to take my son and family to see his sister and then to Brande's family after that but I had to get something out for your special day...I pray it was/is wonderful just like YOU!

~~~Heavenly Father thank You for the blessings of people like Bernie who show Your love to others in so many ways!

IT'S GREEN TIME...How Green Are You????

I guess the answer to this is "Never green enough, but working on it!"

Being Irish helps but I'm constantly learning new ways to "go green"...for example, I just found out that we can take all of our plastics to our local dump for recycling...YA HOO to that one as Michael goes through tons of Propel water daily!

So this isn't all about the guy below but he IS saving energy/our earth/ the ecology by walking!!!....

Found this great article on the Internet and you can click on the title and get lots more wonderful suggestions too....

"Home cleaning supplies

(It's soooo easy to just use vinegar and baking soda to clean and disinfect most surfaces, toilets and showers that I now keep a large container of white vinegar and a box of baking soda in the bathroom!)

The strength of any deep clean comes from the supplies you use to wipe, polish, scrub, and soak—but that doesn't mean you have to stock up on sprays and powders that are made of potentially toxic antibacterial chemicals. Find out how using kitchen staples—like vinegar, baking soda, and good old hot water—can get your house as sparkling clean as anything on the shelves (at a fraction of the price), and how those once-a-year jobs (like vacuuming the refrigerator coils) can make your home more efficient than you realized.

Home organization

Get a jump on your spring cleaning by tackling all of your home's trouble spots, from junk drawers and closets to garages and attics—because having less to clean makes the job go that much more quickly. Once you've managed to get rid of those magazines you'll never read and those clothes you'll never wear, find green ways to get them out of your house, from donating and recycling to selling or reusing—which can help make someone else's life a little greener, too.

(Lately we've been getting SO many calls from clothing donations centers that we've given to recently and in the past that we could end up naked around here...now THAT"S scary!!)

In this guide, we'll show you how to reduce, reuse, and recycle the clutter that's blocking your access to summer essentials like the beach chairs and the barbecue; how to clean your home from roof to floor with non-toxic, homemade household cleaners; and how to get—and stay—organized without investing in a pile of plastic storage bins. Who knows? You just might love your new, clean, green space so much that next year’s spring cleaning won't even be necessary—so you can head right outside at the first sign of warm weather.

With paper towels making up 3,000 tons of landfill trash every day, it's hard to justify using those disposables—no matter how convenient they are—and it feels even harder to stop. But if you think about all the tasks you use a paper towel for, it's easy to figure out how to replace them, from using microfiber towels on glass and mirrors to turning old shirts into rags to mop up messier spills. For more how-tos on giving up the roll, try these seven simple replacements.

(ONE thing we started doing a long time ago was saving the paper towels that are still 'clean', like those used to quickly dry something or to cover something put in the microwave etc, so that they can be reused to wipe up spills or wash the floor, which I do tile by tile with old paper towels.)

1. To dry your hands

This is an easy one: there are plenty of ways to dry your hands without using paper. Cloth towels are simplest—and the prettiest, if you're interested in keeping the look of your kitchen or bathroom up-to-date; try organic cotton towels for an even greener solution. You could also take your cues from Ed Begley, Jr., and his wife, Rachelle, and install an electric hand dryer, especially if you're providing your home with power from an alternative energy source, like solar or wind. Even simpler? Just give your hands a quick shake and let them air dry.

2. To wipe the counter

If you're used to grabbing a paper towel for every drip, crumb, and splatter that ends up on your tile, then your household waste will see a big reduction by replacing those paper towels with the reusable option that worked so well for generations: the sponge. From pushing crumbs into the trashcan to using a damp sponge to wipe up coffee stains and spaghetti sauce, a simple sponge is one of the most utilitarian tools in your kitchen—and if you're worried about spreading bacteria, use the tried-and-true trick of microwaving a wet sponge for about 30 seconds to kill germs.
(I daily microwave my sponges and love knowing that they are even cleaner than a paper towel afterwards!)

3. To soak up spills


For sopping up simple spills—water, fruit juice, cooking splatter—use absorbent cloth towels and wash them with your place mats, cloth napkins, and other food-prep fabrics. For more complicated spills, like juice from raw meat, set aside separate towels and wash them after each use to prevent bacteria from spreading—and keep in mind that using your hand towel without washing your hands after touching food will mean it, too, needs to be washed more often.


4. To shine glass

You can make your own glass cleaner from lemon juice, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, dish soap, and water, but when it comes to applying it to glass, sponges can leave streaks and terrycloth towels can give you a mirror covered in fuzz. Instead, use microfiber towels from Method that are specially-designed to work on glass and mirrors—or copy another trick from housekeeping gurus and use newspaper for a streak-free shine.



5. To scrub the bathroom



We understand if this is the one room in your home that makes you most inspired to use disposable cleaning products, but the rules that apply in your kitchen apply here, too: use a microfiber glass cleaner; microwave sponges and wash your scrubbing towels after every use to kill bacteria; and use non-toxic cleaners to keep your bathroom free from harsh chemicals.

6. To prep vegetables



Using paper towels to pat dry vegetables might not be the biggest drain on your weekly supply of disposables, but removing excess water will help when steaming, blanching, or drying raw veggies (and those techniques can help you preserve your fresh bounty for winter use). Simple cotton towels are your new best friend, here—or look for linen towels that absorb just as well without releasing any fibers.



7. To blow your nose



Grabbing a paper towel instead of a tissue during sneezing fits is probably hard enough on your nose that you don't need more incentive to switch; but if you're apt to grab a towel when the Kleenex aren't close at hand, then try this trick from grandfathers everywhere: a handkerchief. Just make sure to grab a clean one each morning and—as with all your towels—wash them regularly."


So here's a few goofy 'green' jokes for today......

Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers.



************


Is a vegetarian permitted to eat animal crackers?


*************


Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.


******************


Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain,


For strip-mined mountain's majesty above the asphalt plain.


America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,


And hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea.


Julie was remodeling her house. She had a painter come by to look at her house.




*************

And one I've shared before but a cutie...
They were walking through her house and they came to the first room where Julie said, "I think I want this room blue." The painter wrote something down on his clipboard, walked over to the window, and shouted, "Green side up!"



Then they went on to the next room. There, Julie said, "This room is going to be brown." The painter wrote something down on the clipboard again, walked over to the window, and shouted, "Green side up!"



Now Julie was extremely confused, but she brushed it off, and they went to the next room. Julie said, "This room should be red." The painter wrote something down on his clipboard, walked over to the window, and shouted, "Green side up!"



Julie was even more confused now. She asked the painter, "Why do you go to the window and shout 'Green side up!' every time I tell you what color I want a room?" To this, the painter replied. "I have blondes laying sod across the street."




~~~~~Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit I thank You for the blessings of this beautiful green planet You gave us...please help us honor You by taking good care of it.

Happy Birthday to You Terri!!!

Terri is a fascinating goal setter and dream maker, a true inspiration to people who want to make THE WORLD  a better, kinder and nicer place, so I say to you...may you continue to inspire and find new and wonderful goals to make this world a better place, Terri and

H A P P Y       B I R T H D A Y!!!

A search on the Internet found this article (which Terri could probably have written).  If you want to read the rest of it, just click on the first line...

"When it comes to manifesting our dreams and accomplishing our goals, there are three vital components that deserve our attention. Before we get into that, ask yourself the following question:

Am I actively moving in the direction of my goals and dreams each and every day?

Everybody has dreams and most people have goals. If you want your goals and dreams to become reality, you must move toward them consistently and purposefully. By nature, we always begin with distance between where we are and where we want to be. Our job is to narrow that distance until it no longer exists. To accomplish that, we need to draw our goals and dreams closer to us, while simultaneously moving toward them.

Some people attempt to attract their goals without taking much action. Others choose to act on their goals, but without the added advantage of also drawing those goals to them. Action alone can bring positive results, but it is much faster to combine the two techniques.

For the sake of clarity, let’s differentiate between dreams and wishful thinking. In some conversations, the two might be interchangeable. Not so in this case. When I talk about dreams, I am really talking about highly desirable goals. Future realities that we fully intend to realize. For our purposes, a dream is something that we are willing to work toward, and are determined to manifest, just like a goal."

It's always important to end with a smile, so hope this brings one to your face, Terri and that your day is wonderful in all ways.  May the Good Lord bless and be with you always.

~~~Thank You dear Lord for the blessings of friends to inspire and guide us on our journey of kindness.

Here's to the BIRTHDAY GIRL...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DI!!

Di has never been shy

To let us know

Where she would like to go.

So here's a beach or two

For a friend so true...

Are you looking for some townhouses on the beach Di?....

Or maybe a more secluded spot where you can set up your own little tent?...

Uh oh, found these guys listed as beach creatures...maybe they're just stopping by to entertain Diana?...

How's this spot, complete with a colorful beach towel?....

Here's a nice fixer upper house on the beach...what do you think, Di?....

Can't tell what's in between those trees and making it bigger only makes it grainier so Di will just have to go investigate...

It looks a little windy here, but Di, remember you are from the windy city...

Are you picturing yourself doing this?.....

Or do these chairs look more inviting?.....

How about a little island all to yourself (Jake can come along too if he's being a good boy!)......

Uh oh...watch your food or these guys will swipe it....

Ah, yes, beloved beach glass just for you...something I had never heard of till Eileen let me see the light!....

Okay, now here's all your Village friends dropping in to see you....

Guess you'll be pretty surprised when you see this photo I snapped of you getting ready for your trip to the beach!!!  You are styling girl!!!.....

Well I searched and searched for some cute beach jokes and could only find these, so they may be a little corny or pitiful but they are nice and CLEAN (guess they were washed by the beach or washed up on shore or just beachy keen jokes)!....

What did the pacific ocean say to the atlantic ocean?

Nothing, they just waved!

************


Why couldn't the sailor play cards on his boat?

Because someone was always sitting on the deck.

***********
What does stuck seaweed say?


"Kelp! Kelp!"
***********

What did the fish use as a cell phone?

A Shell Phone!
************

What do you find on a small beach?


Micro-waves!
************
What do you call a woman with sand paper on her head?

Sandy!



~~~Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit thank You for the blessings of good friends celebrating the special day of their birth and our ability to make them smile!