It goes without saying that the longer you wait on something the sweeter it is when it comes, and that is what the winter season always did for me. I love winter. I love the cold, crisp, fresh air that happens after a beautiful, refreshing, heavy, wet snow. I really can't explain what it is, but for some reason, I feel like snow cleans the air much better then a rain.

But you know, there is simply no way you can use the same wardrobe for winter as you do the other three seasons of the year with which this part of the country is blessed. And why do I say blessed? Well, the reason for this is.....number one, I am of the female gender and I like to shop. Ask my children. No, on second thought, don't ask my children....But, in all truthfulness, I bet about every woman reading this little note will, if they are honest, will agree that they like to go shopping. And why is that? Because most men do not like to shop. Oh, there are exceptions to the rule of course, but generally, the woman does the shopping. Shopping for groceries, shopping for birthday presents, shopping for Christmas gifts, shopping for wardrobe. Very few men even shop for their own clothing. So, hey guys, you have done it to us. We HAVE to like to shop! And what better reason is that it is winter, time to change the wardrobe!

Growing up, our wardrobes, or at least mine, was very limited. We did not have closet after closet after closet of clothes as most young people do these days. Ours were pretty simple. Dresses for the boys, overalls for the boys, dress up dress for Sunday goin' to church for the girls and a suit for the boys. Mom and Dad the same.

But, we had to dress warmer, so of course, some changes had to be made. This is where the box added to the charm of the season change.

There were no such things as jeans or long pants, or even, heaven forbid, shorts, for girls. The only time that you possibly were allowed to wear such things were possibly when you were helping in the fields or it was beastly cold and then, only then, could you wear your brother or your fathers overalls. Otherwise, we gals would have to resort to those horrible, horrible long cotton socks. UGH! The most awful color of something between a brown and an orange, if my memory serves me correctly! Needless to say, I detested that particular attire.

As a younger child, there was such thing as 'leggings'. The girls would have matching hat, coat and leggings and the boys would have cap, coat and leggings also. The girls leggings would have elastic around the waist, the boys leggings would have suspenders. Then, possibly down the side, in order for them to be pulled over their shoes easier, there would be a button closure, later progressing to the zipper. But, once the girls got too old to be wearing the leggings, the sock routine took precedence.

Now, again, there was no such thing as a one piece pair of pantyhose. It was two nylons, and thus was the same for those cotton socks. How were they held up? By elastic garters. Wearing them was like being in a torture chamber. We may have been graced with one pair of Sunday garters but the 'every day' type was just a piece of rubber elastic, measured around the mid thigh area, cut possibly an inch or so longer, then tied into a knot. That is what held up your socks. Now, when the elastic became worn, you can imagine what happened to those horrible cotton socks. You could not hold them up. The socks would fall down to your ankles, baggy socks resulted. Example, do you ever watch "Mama' on some of the ole re-runs on TV? Well, if you do, you will see her, in her dress, always a dress, and when she sits down, and sometimes even standing up, you will see her cotton socks rolled below her knees. That's it. You have it! That was part of our attire.

Each year for Christmas, we usually received a new sweater, or a new skirt that we would wear for the school and church programs. Something new! Again, that lasted us through the year. But, come spring, it was packed away in our little box, in the hopes that next year we would still fit into that sweater to which we had grown quite attached.

A heavy woolen coat was a must, mainly for the warmth, because I just know that our winters back then were a lot more severe then they are today. Why it seemed like it started to snow in early October and we would have snow on the ground until April. And, it was cold. Bitter cold. Along with the heavy coat was warm caps, often crotcheted by mothers or grandmothers, a muffler, sometimes two. One you would put under your coat before you buttoned it to your chin, and then the other would be wrapped around the outside after you were all buttoned up. Gloves were definitely a must. Not the nice little water repellant gloves of today. They were woolen gloves, or cotton. But the one thing I remember is how they used to fix the gloves for the wee ones that wore the leggings. Usually there were mittens, and their mother would either crotchet a string, to make it match the color of their outfit, or possibly just a long piece of yarn, would attach the mittens together, then they would be slipped through the arms of the coat so that they dangled out of the bottom of the sleeves. One thing for sure, you always had your gloves when you needed them!

Footwear, also, very different. No pretty suede shoes,3/4 or 1/2 inch heels, and a color to match every outfit. Black, blue or brown were the colors. Take it or leave it. That was it. Tie shoes for school, and maybe for church, a pair of 'baby doll' black patent shoes. But, with all the snow, these had to be protected so then we were blessed with those things called, galoushes, or overshoes. Rubber, no less. Not the lightest things in the world either. At least we girls did not have to wear those ughly, ghastly 4 and 6 buckle overshoes that the boys had to wear. Thank goodness for that.

Yep, things are a lot different today. Mom, my 'winter garb' as I get dressed this morning to head for town to get my mail is going to consist of a pair of heavy black jeans, a cotton turtleneck sweater topped with a matching sweat shirt, a gold pair of Red Cross brand shoes with some grip to the rubber soles as there is still some snow and ice about and do not want to fall. My coat is a lined polyester coat that I can throw into the washer when it becomes soiled, and on my hands are a cute pair of sleek black gloves. And, I am ready to head out the door, crawl into a warm heated car and head for my destination.

But, one thing I have to admit to you, Mom, (if I could be so blessed as to be able to share this with you today in person), is my 'winter garb' would never, ever, fit into a box in that attic today! No way!

My challenge for this week is this:

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness!".............

Now, I will have to admit, that yes, we do have tornadoes. Yes, we do have some forceful wind storms. We are known to have some blistering hot summer days. But, if true facts are to be available, our ranking would be quite equal to most states in whatever glory they assume their state to place. After all, as I recently told a native Floridian when confronted with the tornadoes in the state of Kansas..............ahem, I cannot recall Kansas ever having a tornado on CHRISTMAS DAY! ....Ah, in that instance, Mother Nature did deal a card of a different color, did she not?

This particular snowfall, with which we are being blessed as I write, can possibly be called by some farmers as 'a million dollar snow'. It is wet and heavy. It is not blowing. It is staying on the fields and planted crops and supplying much needed moisture. It is bringing needed nutrients to the crops and soil, replenishing those which have been lost due to various reasons.

But above all, it brings pleasure and beauty to everything around us. The trees are laden with several inches of the heavy snow. The lawn furniture carries about five or six inches of snow on its surface, but even better then that was to see the little children down the street, 'rough housing it', so to speak, and listen to the sound of their happy voices as they played in the snow.

As I watched them frolic in the snow, I had to think back to my childhood days and recall some of the things that we used to do when the ground was white with snow. Can you remember what games you played to entertain yourselves?

How about a snow angel? What fun! First of all, you would find a nice level spot, where no one had walked, and you would lay on your back, and then you would open and close your legs, back and forth, back and forth, after that was done, then you used your arms. Up and down, up and down. Just those two motions. Then, slowly rising, and following in the same footsteps which you had used to arrive at the 'angel' destination, you would slowly return to the original destination and be transformed by the image you had just formed. An angel, no less! That is the only time in the world that you can make a snow angel. Is age a barrier as to participation? Certainly not. Anyone can make a snow angel, regardless how young they are OR as old as they may be!

Now, the snow game of Fox and Geese is another story. This requires dexterity, stable underfooting and speed. This game is played by stomping out a huge round circle in the snow, then adding pie-shaped lines which lead to the middle of the circle. The center of the circle was the safe place for the 'geese' who were playing the game, and of course they were chased by the 'fox'. You had to stay within the circle at all times while being chased by the fox and if the fox caught you because you were not in the safe zone, then you became the fox. Frankly I believe the game should be left to the younger generation.

Oh, then their are the very famous snowball fights. Grab a handful of snow, pack it firmly between the palms of your two gloved hands, then add more snow, packing it again. Size and hardness of the snowball determines the speed with which it can be thrown and just what impact it gives to the destinated location. Well, also, it does have some bearing as to the size of the person that is actually 'throwing' the snowball also. Fun, sometimes a little dangerous.

And a snowhouse, or a fort?? Why, of course. That was a definate necessity. Really you should have built that fort BEFORE you started making the snowballs if you wanted to be in a safe, protected area once the fight began.

"Mr. Snowman, bring me a dream"..........with his usual three huge round balls of snow, twigs or branches for arms, a carrot for his nose, couple lumps of coal for his eyes, one of your old woolen scarves to tie around his neck, and maybe one of moms old felt hats, or even dads old straw hat or even possibly you relinquishing your wool cap for a good cause! He usually graced your front yard, to be admired by all passer-bys, for many days.

And, then there is snow ice cream. There is walking in the snow and sticking out your tongue and letting the snow flakes land on it and melt away. Or, lifting your face to the sky as the flakes land softly on your cheeks and eyelashes and you feel the cool, wet moisture slide ever so slowly down the side of your face. And, I certainly could not close this little session without mentioning the fun of childhood and snow that included the sled as you were pulled by your father, or a group of friends in a race down the hills as you bounced, twisted, laughed and reached the bottom of your destination unprepared in many instances.

Happiness is celebrating little things. The miracle of a holiday has just passed us by but we need not limit happiness to just holidays for joy is contagious. Now, I ask you, why can't 'the season to be jolly' last all year long, snow or no snow?????

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"It is a poor heart that never rejoices".

Time to change the calendars. Take down the old ones, tranfer all the birthdays, anniversaries, and special events that you known in advance that will be occuring and ascertaining that it be in broad view so we can keep abreast of what the future holds in the upcoming months of this year.......... Time to take down the Christmas decorations that have brightened our homes this past month, back to the ole drab, but familiar, items again.......... Time to get the checkbook balanced for the month, get a whole new set of books set up for '08, and yes, oh yes, lest we forget ........time to start work on income taxes!

I read a little quirp somewhere that I found......it really tickled my funny bone because it was so true, and it went like this...."A roadmap will tell you everything you want to know, EXCEPT how to fold it up again".

Would you dare agree with me that few people truthfully can admit to liking change??? We all battle it, but we all go through it, each and every day of our individual lives. We are born, we learn to walk, talk, experience relationships, all which form us for life. We start to school.....and from there on, nary a dull moment seems to invade our daily routine. Then, when and if we marry, it is as though we are basically reborn as we start the process all over again once we start a new family. So, I ask you, why is that we rebel so against change? Is it really all that bad an issue??

A sort of philosophy which I follow goes something like this, and probably not always that pleasing to those around me, but here it is. "Don't do as others say, just listen to them, then do what you feel is good". Am I wrong in believing this?

Look at all the exposure to politics which is basically, in my own opinion, being forced upon us by the media these days! Heaven help us! Supposedly it is just beginning, but I am sick and tired of it already. The Democrats believe this! The Republicans believe that! The Independants promote those! Now, if I had my way, we would have one debate. All the people running for office would be given fifteen minutes to speak, and then we would vote. That would be it. No pomp or circumstance. Just action, quick action. We are all humans, and as several of us gathered together yesterday aat noon agreed, as humans, we all have 'skeletons' in our closets. No one is perfect. Only one perfect person ever walked this earth, so why, tell me why, do we have to be continually exposed to what is being forced upon us as a nation through the media about this one did THIS and that one did THAT or who has spent this many millions of dollars compaigning? That money could be put to a lot better use then padding the pockets of those using it to their advantage at this point. Take the corporate out of this whole campaign, and let the common people work to solve the problems. Live life as simple as each one of us are. Don't fog it all up with promises that are never fulfilled anyway and simply for the reason that they cannot ever be fulfilled, impossible to do. We are all intelligent enough to realize that factor!

True, the creases may still exist in that roadmap, but it is like life, once you have unfolded it, used it, then try to put it back into the same folds, again just like life, it won't happen. If you can get it back into the folds, it will never be as smooth and flat as it was in its original state. And, rightly so. It has been used. It has been referred to. It has given us choices to make. It possibly led us astray in a couple of the traveled miles, mostly from our changes that we chose to make ouselves, not as a result of the use of the map. The colors of the map may have dimmed from use, or possibly stained with that hot cup of java you were drinking when trying to find a certain problem area that needed to be addressed. Your destination plans, arrival, departure times probably all took various detours during the couse of its'use. And, when this happened, and the outlook was dark, we all had to try the 'up' look and try a different route. It does not do any good to situp and take notice if you just keep sitting ...for history celebrates few persons who waited for inspiration...... for like pops used to say, 'you have to take the bull by the horns and go for it' often times. ........Again, all like life!

Maybe this challenge could be used for the YEAR 2008 instead of just one week, think?

CHALLENGE...

"You can be robbed of what you HAVE...but not of what you ARE"

Now in years past, this may have really been taken as an insult, but this winter, folks, that little saying may hold a lot more truth then we would like to own up to.

Snow, oh that beautiful white stuff that ascends from the heavens, in many forms, weights and at variable times of the day and night, sometimes with howling winds, sometimes just gently ascending, so peaceful and tranquil that its presence is only felt, not heard. This year, we have had it all.

It started on November 21st. Our first snow fall of the year. You may have heard me say this before, but my father and mother used to say, 'if we have a snow on the 21st day, or the 8th day, or the 19th day, that is as many snows that we will have for that season'. Whoa!!! You know, I really should have kept count for 2007, but I failed; however, thus far in 2008 we have had 4 snowfalls, and this is only the second week of January!! I have kept tract on my trusty little calendar here beside my computer. And, if I had to give an estimate of previous snows, I would say we probably had about 8 or so snows before that.........so what does that tell me??? Well, if I had a snow blower, I may have put more miles on it then on my car during this period because when I get snowed in.............I hibernate. Nice, warm, tasty, I would rather just stay home!

So what is snow? Is it made up of those beautiful snowflakes that will melt ever so softly on your tongue if you stand in the open as it softly falls from the heavens, with your mouth open, tongue stuck out? What kid hasn't done this in Kansas? I was a kid once. Guilty!!!!! Basically a snowflake is identified as a particle of snow, an aggregate of ice crystals that forms while falling in and below a cloud. If you read the history of how a snowflake forms from water vapor, you will learn that it forms into a shape as the crystals grow larger. But, one thing is always certain, it has 6 corners, forming a hexagon shape.

The World Book of Guiness is supposed to contain information to the fact that the biggest snowflake measured 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick, recorded in 1887! Another fact suggested to be true is that no two snowflkaes are alike. But how? Imagine trying to deciper whether one snowflake was identical to the other when they come with a howling force. I would like to challenge someone to address how many snowflakes it would take to make a snow drift of a designated size. Wouldn't that be of interest?

But, all this aside. Snow is beautiful! It could not have come at a more appropriate time then it did the Saturday before Christmas this year. This way, with my family home for the holidays, the grandchildren were able to make some happy memories together as a family....... A snowman, a fort, sled rides at night, snowball fights, entertaining a 3 year old neighbor/friend, slipping and sliding through the drifts, all bundled up in layers of clothing, heavy jackets, mittens and gloves, ski masks, caps, mufflers, snow pants, boots. After all, coming from a probable temperature in Florida of 74 or higher, to Kansas where the temperature dipped to the low teens, was quite an adjustment to make for part of the family! But they enjoyed it. They made memories. But, as in all things, it had to come to an end after a fun filled week! Sad to say, the next week, Granny had to send them all a note telling them how sad she was to see their footprints slowly fading in her front yard as the temperatures had risen to above freezing and the snow was beginning to melt!!!!!

Again, looking at the positive side of snow. Maintain the thought of the beauty it offers, as well as nourishing moisture for the fields and crops. Look out at night, with the light from the streetlight playing down on the cover. It is like an array of diamonds. Twinkling and glistening. Even yet this morning, as I drove into the neighbors driveway, to join other friends as we gathered together to attend a dear friends funeral, my thoughts turned to dear, departed Esther as I looked at the snow and remembered the times we would put on our snow boots, you know, the ones with little zippers up the front, and lined with fleece to keep our feet warm, and headed off to another friends house for an evening of bridge and fun!

Have you ever seen a bunch of grown-ups cavorting in snow? If you have, you will have to agree with me that growing old may be mandatory, but it is then that we learn that growing up is optional! At that moment, you probably know that God put you on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things, but who cares....you have no cares, you are going to live forever!!!!! Ahhhhh, the beauty of SNOW!

So, my challenge this week, hinges on snow, of course and it goes something like this.......

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

'Remember, every path of life has a few snowdrifts, but rest assured that they will soon be melted if we but allow the sunshine to enter our lives!

Webster described the word 'collector' as one who collects customs of one of its definitions.

Now who does not collect something? Tell me, honestly, I firmly believe each and everyone of you will be able to answer that question without any hesitation whatsoever! So, when I directed the question to you as to what you valued most..... was it, say dolls, or dishes, or antique cars, or figurines, or what? What was OR is it that you have a tendancy to value above other things of this sort? Researchers say that collecting is one of America's favorite...and growing more so on a day by day basis...pastimes and they believe that the kinds of objects you seek out 'reflect your core beliefs...those ideals and values you cherish most'. I find this intriguing.

We have a local Antique Club which meets monthly, and which I find to be very interesting to attend. At each meeting, during one session of the program, each person brings an item they have possibly purchased at an auction, or have in their own special collection and share it with the others by giving a little background on where they purchased it, or received it, or how old it is, or maybe todays value, and sometimes we even have to be told what the item is because it is not recognizable. And, this arises when possibly the age is involved, or is not an area item, or something of that nature. Truly educational.

Well, my children will attest to the fact that I DO COLLECT! Now, before proceeding any further, consider the era in which I was born and raised. The dirty 30's. The Depression Era. We were taught to save. To conserve. To recycle, and this is before the word recycle was even a part of Websters dictionary, but we learned to use things over and over again. Do not throw anything away. Someone, somewhere has a use for it. Mothers words recalled quite readily.....Give it away, use it, but DO NOT throw it away!...... So, OK, Kids, there is my excuse.

But lets focus on a particular item, or items now, because you have, in your own minds, already answered the question of 'what do you value most'. It is said that a dog can smell a good person a mile away and I am truly amazed how some people have this same attribute when it comes to recognizing valuable antiques. If you are among those who like the Antique show on TV, you know what I mean. Isn't that a fun show to watch? Some people are truly amazed at the value of items which they bring to the show, while others know in advance, just possibly wanting a more positive appraisal of the item. I appreciate the fact that this show is one of the few that can be an educational adventure to view.

I have come to believe that sometimes my grandchildren believe that I am the oldest thing in the world........and you know, after trying to keep up with them for a couple of hours, I almost come to believe it myself! Last year we went, as a family venture, to the Zoo in KC, and when we got there, I volunteered to stay in the little snack bar area because I knew, well in advance that I could not begin to keep up with them, walking all those miles, up and down the hills of KC. Well, the oldest grandson was insistant on my going and volunteered to push me in a wheel chair..... however, we arrived at a better conclusion, an electric scooter of sorts. What fun! Before the day was over, nearly every grandchild had, at one time or another, hopped onto the back of the unit and ridden awhile, giving them some relief also. That was a precious memory, and I could share it all with them thanks to todays modern inventions.

On a more personal note, what I collect is not really old, not antique, in the sense that you may think it is, because I like to collect two things. One is houses of all sizes, shapes and forms and another is Beanie Babies. Surprised?

Well, my very first house came from England. My son brought it to me while on a tour with a friend there, and it was tin, filled with cookies. Started the whole thing! Now, I have wooden houses, houses made of rice and wheat straw, of ceramic, crystal, and in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Some true house forms, others are salt and pepper shakers, some perfume holders. But the main thrust of my collection is, each one has its own little story for they came from memorable occasions, trips, friends, relatives which make them all so special! My reasoning behind this collection probably stems from my life's profession. As for the Beanie Babies....well, I have no rhyme or reason for that but I have been told that a person who collects Beanie Babies is listed as one who cherish risk-taking adventures saying that Beanies arrived with gusto---and we stockpiled them. Further description of this 'addiction' says that I live for a change and lose interest in anything routine, that last-minute changes never ruffle my flexible feathers but the one I think better describes me is that my motto as this collector says that I do this........forgive, forget and move on!

We can't compare our lives to others because we have no idea what their journey is all about and many are guilty of going to their graves with music still inside of their soles not having realized that variety is the spice of life! Add variety to your life!.......So, if you cherish elegance, enjoy rose and floral scents, timeless clothing and decor, collect Royal Doulton or figurines. If you cherish fun-filled times and are naturally upbeat, are an optimist, a whiz at coming up with games, like comfort food since this is a way of tapping into fond childhood memories...........collect Barbies or other dolls. Collect cookie jars or glassware if your cherish family ties, have a strong sense of priorities, like jewelry that are family heirlooms. And, rev up that garage full of antique cars if you appreciate the history and adventure of this industry and drive that beauty in the next local parade to share your love with others.

So, what does your favorite collectible say about YOU?

Challenge of the Week:

'Remember, it is not what you GATHER..... but what you SCATTER that tells what kind of life you have lived'.

These Do I Love

These do I love ---------------
Old things, old places;
Remembered times,
Familiar faces.

As you read the poem, what comes to mind? Probably many things, but the thing that strikes me most is the very last line.............Familiar faces.

Faces seldom change to such a degree that they are not recognizable, but put a name with it! Problem? Well, I will be the first to admit, oftentimes there is a problem. And, hey, names do not change. Or do they?

Boomer names show their age. We have to ask Mary and Bob to move over because the change is Taylor-made, along with Andrew and Olivia. And the reason for that is the fact that your name might reveal more about you than you realize. If you are a Linda or a Larry, for instance, it is a pretty good bet that you are older than 40 and probably closer to 60.

Remember the popular names of the 1940's and 1950's? Robert, Norma Jean, Patricia, for example. In my Freshman year of high school, we had two Norma Jeans in a class of less then twenty students. So, we called one Norma, the other was Norma Jean. This was done so the teachers could call on them in class for class discussion. But, these names are aging right along with the baby boomers who own them. Then, in the middle 40's up until the middle 60's, girls were named Mary, Linda or Lisa while Michael and Robert abounded for the boys. This info is according to records at the Social Security Administration.

Now, those names are dated and the latest trend in names for babies are Emily and Jacob. Other names which are in the top 10 are: Christopher, Ethan, Joshua, Andrew, Olivia, Madison, Isabella and Ashley.

So where is Linda, Mary, Bob and Jim? Well, they have become popular name for Grandparents. Include in these, Pat, Carol, Sue, Ron, Jerry and Wally.

Sometimes the newer generation of names implies that those ole boomer names are not only older but also titled as 'vanilla and middle-of-the-road' names.

Remember when girls' names used to be just girls' names? Sure a lot less confusing then these days when many children are attached to 'either/or' names like Alex, Sydney or Taylor. I just received word this past week that a great-nephew and his wife welcomed a new baby girl into their lives, and so my lovely niece was proud to announce that she was now a 'new, first-time' grandmother to Christine Elizabeth. A beautiful bibical name chosen for this added blessing to their family.

Seems like the 'older' generation prefers to admit that many times they were named for saints.........and with that, were supposed to live up to something ...... rather then be named after a famous movie or TV star.

And how about the spelling of names? For instance, on a more familiar level, using my case as an example. Even tho I have found people with the same name, tho not all that common, I have yet to find one that spells it exactly as I do. Throw out Sean as a name for example. How many people can you think of with that name and all the different spellings that come with it? Just hope that Mom's brains were a little clear at the time she gave the name of the baby to the nurse to put on the birth certificate. Maybe we can place the blame on that issue instead of a typing error.

Several circumstances which happened prior to my having my own children and assuming the responsibility of giving them their birth names, made a firm believer in me that this was an important part of any new baby's life. As an example, while working as Selective Service Clerk for Russell County, all these young men, reaching the age of 18 and required to register, would come to my office and were embarassed at times to give me their name or names. I had to impress on them the fact that they had to register their names as the names occured on their birth certificates. If you had a middle name like 'Ex' of 'Delouse' would you have thought you had a good argument for refusal? It happened!

I am not fully aware as to all the reasonings for all the names in my immediate family, but I do know that my brother was named for two cousins who had passed on, I was named for two of my mothers high school girl friends, and the youngest sisters middle name was for an aunt. As for my children, son was named for a special uncle and daughter named after my maiden name with one additional letter added.

It is said that memory is what makes you recognize a person, but doesn't give you his/her name.........oh please. Believe that? I hardly believe that there is a person within reading distance of this challenge who would dare to doubt that statement. Embarassing when it happens, but it happens. Have you ever been in a crowd of people where someone walks up to you and says, 'Hi, how are you? Do you remember me?' .... Do I remember you? Sure I do, I sold you a house.....or my children went to school with you.......or yes, I used to work with you at the local store.........or your parents were good friends of my parents........or you used to live next door to my sister.............but do I remember your name??????????? The best thing here to do is to be honest........admit you do not remember their name, share with them what you do remember, that helps. Happens to all of us!!!

It certainly is true that a name engraved on our hearts will outlast those engraved in marble but seldom do the 'nicknames' that people are given. Too many 'Honeys', 'Chubby', come along during our lifetime, but a good solid name engraved on our hearts, remain forever!

So, sharing this challenge with you this week, I hope you will remember how important 'your' name is to many, many people!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

'LIFE is for just one generation but a GOOD NAME is forever!'

May this forever remain true.

Well, folks, here it is, 2009! If you are like me, the year 2008 flew by like mad........most of the time. During the last few months of the year, during the election, there were actually times when I thought the year 2008 would explode!!! And, hey, it may in 2009, who knows.............but I am so, so, so glad election is over. For the most part, I can honestly reveal that this election could be titled in my journal.....as well, .....one of those subjects that could have been eliminated. We discovered things about others that, at times, was truly unfavorable in our eyes. We saw actions of politicians that astounded the majority of the people in this country. All in all, I would classify it as appaling, revealing, enlightening, versatile, embarassing, but above all......SAD SAD time in the lives of the American people.

All the promises that were made, you know........I know, that they are impossible to attain.........we are all intelligent enough to grasp that knowledge....and heaven help us if they do come true!

I am prone to agree with some of our forefathers that stated that 'nothing is good that is handed to you on a FREE platter'.

So, philosphy is just common sense in a dress suit. Of course it is! Those with common sense, and who take off their rose colored glasses long enough to face reality KNOW what was happening........anything to get votes.

At our Christmas eve services, when the pastor came down the aisle, lighting the candle of each person sitting at the end of the pew, and than that person would, in turn, light the candle of the person sitting beside them, and on down the pews and aisles, until the entire church was filled with candle light as well as the lights from the Christmas tree only, well, it was breathtaking. It was then that I had to think of the phrase about the candles.... 'A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle!' That is what this world needs! A spark of light like the fire of each candle, the spark to be hope.....and that hope, then, can be the spark of encouragement.

Encouragement, which in turn can spark into a good deed because a good deed is greater than the greatest good intention. Encouragement to be on our own instead of standing there with hands out,....... waiting for the government to STIMULATE everyone! The light continues from the burning of the candles!

Promise, this past week, did not glean a very good spark for the approximately 400 people who reside in the neat little town of Gorham, about 7 miles west of here... for the headlines in the local paper read 'Gorham Cafe Closing its Doors', which happened on New Years eve!!! How sad. Each day people in that town, the surrounding area patronized this eating establishment, community funded as I understand, it was, for some, the only outlet for them to be with other friends. People came from miles and miles around to enjoy Betty's cooking of Kase Noodles, Pigs in the Blankets, Fried Noodles, Grebble, and on and on of the many German delicies which, as a general rule, are no longer being prepared in individual homes. Recipes long handed down from generation to generation are going by the wayside. There is no promise there that another restaurant owner will be able to open the establishment again soon........ Oil prices down. People moving to other areas seeking jobs. Enrollment in local schools decreasing. Headlines blaring news that offer little encouragement....... except handouts. Please, where is the PRIDE which our parents instilled in us???

The happiness of our lives depend on the wholesomeness of our thoughts! We need to recognize the fact that if we don't have bad days, we may find it rather difficult to recognize the good days. True happiness is not always being able to do what we like to do...but in liking what we have to do. Gosh, I sure wish we would have had candidates that believed that philosophy instead of making all those promises that THEY KNEW and we KNOW, they will probably never ever be able to produce...some we don't want to be produced for that matter. We need to take ahold of our own boot straps,...... get to work! Quit wanting everything 'free'........ Be proud of the fact that you have a good job! ....... Or if one does not have a good job, find one!.....

Stimulus payments are not the solution!

Instead, lets instill pride in individuals.~ making them think for themselves,~ forget the 'gimme attitude',~ change their lifestyles,~ oh who knows, much good could come with making changes in the daily lives of everyone~

So, like the Christmas eve candle that gave us hope as it lit the candle of everyone on Christmas eve, may we all look to that as a promise.....a promise, that as we proceed into the year 2009 that the darkest night that ever fell on this earth, never put out the stars!

Challenge of the Week:

'Instead of making promises that you know you can never fulfill, remember that one way to tackle a hard problem is to BEND A KNEE.'

I couldn't think of anything better to share with you all today, so here it is.......Read, enjoy and SHARE.

Five (5) lessons to make you think about the way we treat people.

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:

'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?'

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times.. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question
blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
'Absolutely,' said the professor.. 'In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do
is smile and say 'hello.'

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway
trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she despe rately needed a ride.
Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a
knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A
special note was attached..

It read:
'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.
Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving
others.'

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.

'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table a nd walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress
came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,
were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if
anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the k ing's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by
and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of
vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing
and straining, he finally succeeded. After the
peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note
from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The
peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood
transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her
little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a
deep breath and saying, 'Yes I'll do it if it will
save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his
face grew pale and h is smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a
trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away?'.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister ALL of his blood in order to save her but he had chosen to save her anyway.

NOW more than ever - Peace...Pass It On

Challenge......

'WORK like you don't need the money, LOVE like you've never been hurt, and DANCE like you do when nobody's watching'.

That paragraph is almost like saying......'dream on, dream on'!

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the season! You know you are best when you ARE yourself, and I truly believe that at Christmas time, during the holiday season, we open the door to an inner heart and self of each of us. Think about it? All those movies on TV about Scrooge........sure there are people like that, but maybe when we meet people like that...... we have to make changes,.....remembering that some people WANT things to happen, some WISH they would happen and others, well, they MAKE them happen. To me, that is what the holiday spirit is all about. MAKE it happen. It appears to be up to US.

Well, all this is well and good during the month of December. The parties, the dinners, the gatherings, the church services. They become sort of a 'marker' in our life, so to speak. It marks the first Christmas tree in a new home or a new baby has just been born into a family.....the first time you met your in-laws...OR the first time you were able to pay for your Christmas purchases with your very own, hard earned money.............glitter, joy, happiness, dreams come true.........but than along comes January. Ah January, and what is it classified as?

I love December, maybe because it is MY birth month. Maybe it is because of the celebration of Christ's birth. Maybe it is because it may be the one time of the year that I am able to see relatives and friends that I do not see any other time of the year. Maybe it is because I can bake all those chocolate and other candy goodies without a guilt feeling.........because I eat them also! BUT,oh do I ever..... I dread January!

Bleak, dreary, cold, snowy, windy, lonesome days and nights............and worst of all, I have to take down all the bright red, cheery little things that spell
C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S in my home!

For those of you who put the tree up the day or so before Christmas, than the day after Christmas, down it comes, and into storage, you probably do not experience this 'let down' feeling, but from the time I can remember, it was a standing rule that no Christmas tree was ever taken down until the celebration of Epiphany. You know when Epiphany is? It is January 6. So, until that day, the tree and decorations remain in place. What has been put in place as a decoration for the celebration of the Christmas holiday stays in place until that date. Any time after that date, it can be replaced in storage until the next year, but not until then!

As a child, this was a challenge. The days before artifical Christmas trees, when they were all pine trees. The pine trees shed. Regardless how big a bucket we filled with sand to set the tree in, or how faithful we were in seeing that it was watered each week so it would not get too dry....... regardless of all of our efforts.............it dried out. Result? Pine needles everywhere. You have not lived until you have had to remove pine needles from a carpet, believe you me! Even a vacuum cleaner is challenged!

To get a job done, it must be started. Right? So, this past weekend, dizzy ole me (thanks to a nasty ole ear infection).... decided it was time to get the Christmas storage boxes in from the garage, and begin the task I so dreaded! They say that one should not invite trouble, for it always accepts the invitation, but tell me, how in the world can you ever get all the same stuff in the same box that you removed it from???? Not me. I always end up having to get another box or something. Just never goes back into place the same way that it came out. so, there is nothing else to do, but to get another box, or heaven forbid, THROW (whoever heard of that?) something away!

Well, after several days of packing, shoving, wrapping, re-reading the Christmas cards one more time, spending a little time thinking about from whom each Christmas greeting card came, recycling those that were recycable,.... I was all done. HURRAH!!!! Everyone all tucked, lovingly,..... away, until next Christmas.

I Thought!

With a chill factor in the minus area last night, sitting here in my comfy overstuffed chair, legs all wrapped in a nice soft blue blanket, watching a favorite game show, LOW and BEHOLD, I spotted it..........No, can't be. But, yes, there it was. The one thing that I forgot to take down from the wall. My beautiful Christmas wreath above my TV!

Now, I have 2 decor items in my home that are extra extra special to me, and they are wreaths. One is the one that came from daughters family in Florida, adorned with beautiful star fish decorations, along with all kinds of shells from the ocean, AND this Christmas wreath, a gift from my sons family!

A delinquent Christmas decoration, more or less!.... What else could I classify it as! I had overlooked this item! I did not have a box to store it in!

It is true that opportunities are seldom displayed in neon lights, but this one shone so brightly to me, that I have decided to give it the benefit of doubt and let it stay for another day,..... maybe another week, and who knows, .....I may just never put it away. Why, I may just decide to have Christmas in full view all year long. Why not? It can join the wreath of shells and remind me, day in and day out, what life is really all about and in that very special way I will not have to wait until next Christmas to experience what happens then.......so why not NOW!?!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"Remember it is those SMALL daily happenings that make life so spectacular!"

NOW, if that is the case, why in the world do people continually 'get taken' into believing.........'hurry up, now, we gotta get this done. Now ... Right way!"

Am sure that each and everyone one can attest to the fact that, admittedly, there has been a time or two, when people will just dwadle around and test your ability to bear their misgivings. Example, a Sunday morning, all ready for church and Sunday School, you tell everyone, for the exact last time.......you are sure of this...............'we're gonna be late if you don't hurry up'................but is it the end of the world? Usually not. I firmly believe that all things happen in their own good time. And usually WHEN the;y are supposed to happen. Oftentimes when we are pushed, we rebel, especially children, just to see how tolerant their parents are.....just how far they can push them. That is human nature........while on the other hand, when we are pushing someone.......shoving them, manipulating them, we have something else on our minds, most oft times to OUR own advantage!

Returning home just a few minutes ago, after having made a trip to get my daily mail, I heard the news commentators talking a 'mile a minute' as tho they were trying to get everyone that was listening into the same mode they were..................'our new president says that the new stimulus bill needs to be signed immediately'................Hey, there was a stimulus check in the mailbox for many US citizens in May and June, just a matter of months ago...............what impact did that have on the economy? Did it create new jobs? Did it cause our taxes to do down? It appears that there were few, if any, recognizable, satisfying responses on that course of action taken those months hence.

Have you heard a good 'sales pitch' lately? Oh, must not have gotten a new car, or been to a store where a sales clerk works on commission, or been through a drive in when the clerk insists you need french fries to go with that hamburger, or if you have already ordered fries, than you, for sure, need an ice cream cone to top off this wonderful calorie laden meal you will soon be enjoying! Hurry up! Buy it now! YOU gotta have it, right now!...................but WHO, WHO tell me, is it benefitting? Me, me, who does not need another calorie more than necessary for survival........OR is it benefitting the sales clerk who has 'promised' her boss to be top sales clerk today, the car salesman who needs to make his quota of car sales today, or the tools department head whose job may be on the line if he does not meet the quota assigned to his department today..................Who? I ask you, WHO?

'Experience' is said to be a wonderful thing. Believe that? Well, one thing it does, is that it enables us to recognize a mistake when you make it again! But, why, why so often? Don't we ever learn? Just how much does it take for us to finally say, 'enough is enough, child, no more dwadling, you will be ready on time after this, and I mean it'.............or, 'sorry sir, I have a tool box full of tools and don't believe I will be needing a claw hammer today, thank you'.....or, to the drive-in clerk when she keeps urging and urging...........................BUY MORE, BUY MORE........'thank you anyway, dearier, I believe I have ordered all I need for this trip though'................and MEAN IT! And, yes, no more handouts. We have to get to work and work together and work solutions out

Have you ever been guilty of 'throwing a few things in your suitcase', because you were in too big of a hurry to take time to think things through, arrived at your desitination and forgot to bring the most important item of clothing you needed for the whole trip? Have you ever gotten home late, and it was dinner time, the whole family was in an uproar, they were hungry, they were tired, they had a ballgame to be at in 15 or 20 minutes, the dog was barking, the kids were fighting.........and you had to 'throw something on the table'. Remember that disaster? Burned the meat, the potatoes boiled over on the freshly cleaned stove!.....Hal the family left without dinner because you had screwed up things royally by trying to 'hurry, hurry, hurry' and not think things through.....Haste makes waste!

Talking comes by nature. Very easy to SAY it. But SILENCE, silence is golden, and PATIENCE, well, PATIENCE is the most important of all virtues,.............. for by patience,.................................. comes WISDOM!

I envy not, the newly installed government officials. I have to agree with many, many people who have voiced the words..."I wouldn't want their jobs for a million bucks!"...............agree totally, but I really, truly, ...... HOPE and PRAY that if nothing else is in view as they all take their new positions, trying to please and make true promises that are .....and .....are not impossible to keep that they ALL will keep this in mind..................HASTE does make waste............take time to think situations through, READ the instruction books, if nothing else and remember always this one lesson in life............................................ONE PAYS MOST for the things that one gets for nothing!

My mom used to call this a type of 'finaggling'...that is what she used to say when we really wanted a bottle of pop, or a candy bar or something else that she really hadn't planned on buying for us, and we started to beg, maybe even 'whine' a little...............'there you go again, using that
' method to your madness'....! Oh, it may have taken us a time or two to really figure out what she was saying to us, but we soon learned............And, you know something, she was right! Any child knows that a parents willpower will bow down eventually,..... a car salesman can play on your emotions and how neat you would look driving down the streets of town in that spanking brand new car, everyone looking at you.......and that food clerk knows you would just love those fries and that IC cone, you just did not want to admit it..................

But, I am hoping...........and praying............and praying..................that maybe, JUST MAYBE, the leaders of our world...... our great country,...... our states,......... our counties............will just sit back and relax a bit. Take time to review the situation,.................... eliminate 'HASTE MAKES WASTE'...........forgo the 'method to the madness' that seems to prevail in our midst..................and maybe this world can get back on track again!

My bible lesson for today included an excellant point. It pointed to the fact that the real point is that Government is an aspect of a life shared in community with a broader reach. It is about US, only about US, and not about .......US and THEM. Everyone has a part, a role to play and it matters to the whole. We need to come together as a community to live lives that are full and free, and to address the REAL issues that dimish lives and deny justice.

You can chose to agree...........or to disagree.

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"YOU can always PRAY for someone when you don't have the strength to help in in any other way!"

So, I looked at my calendar. Any help???? Well, yes, there were several items I could address.

First of all I knew of 5 friends that shared birthdays on the 29th. My calendar told me that. And so, I think I did fairly well there in remembering their eventful days....... I called three, and sang the first line of 'Happy Birthday' to them......didn't think their ears could stand much more than that one line........one could not reach....and to top it all off, I than realized that I had failed to send a greeting to Juan.........sorry there, buddy, will an apology be accepted for a belated 'Happy Birthday' and you don't have to listen to me sing either!!!!??????

So, the rest of the calendar was clear, so I decided to turn over the calendar for January, because, after all, tomorrow is the last day. First thing I noted was that it was PEPELUALI 2009. For those who do not know what it means, it is February 2009 (in Hawaiian language for the calendar was one of my annual gifts from my very special friends on Oahu, with a picture of Lahaina Town). Went on to read that Sunday is LAPULE.....Monday is PO'AKAHI...Tuesday is PO'ALUA.....Wednesday is PO'AKOLU........Thursday is PO'AHA.....Friday is PO'ALIMA....and Saturday is PO'AONO.

Believe it or not, their Monday is like ours............Groundhogs Day, a day which is always a puzzle to most people. Is it a myth? Is it a superstition?

If it is a myth, it can be described as a tradition or fable
embodying the notions of a people as to their gods, origin or early history OR an invented story.

If it be a superstition, it also is a noun, a groundless belief in supernatural agencies; a popular belief held without reason.

So, now totally on your own, what is YOUR opinion of Groundhog Day and its much publicized predictions as to whether or not we will have an early Spring or whether we are doomed for the continuation of more winter weather?

I, for one, am prone to agree with the scientifically oriented people who take a dim view of the groundhog's accuracy in predicting the weather. Right now, with the temps of today, and here it is, the end of January, climbing towards the 40's, who wants to be told that just because some groundhog, back on the East coast, came out of his hole, at a predicted time, with a bunch of black coated men awaiting his eventful venture, hold this animal responsible for the prediction of winter for six more weeks???? ...... Not me.

It is said that when the groundhog emerges from his hole after this long, uneventful sleep, and he is greeted with a bright sun (causing a shadow of his presence), he is scared and runs back into his hole for the 6 more weeks of winter. Well, tell me, if you had been sleeping for months, you emerged from your bedroom, greeted by bright lights and men in black tails and top hats, wouldn't YOU be frightened and want to return to your bed......ahem, doesn't take the sun or bright light for a lot of we humans to react in that way without all the glamour, if you can call it that!!!

Superstitions about animals actions and weather have been passed down from generation to generation, and will continue to do so!

My parents introduced me to many, as well as am sure, that you too were advised as well. Example: (l) As much rain as you have in the summer determines as much snow that you will have in the winter.....well, we had quite a bit of moisture this past summer, more than usual.........and, winter is not over, but we have had little snow. (2) A cat tearing at rugs or curtains means the advent of high winds. (Tai Tai, JerBer, Nino, some of my precious pets names......and they lived in Kansas all of their lives were NEVER guilty of that! (3) A hog, carrying wood in its mouth, causes rainy weather. ...... Need a hog producers advice in this area. (4) When a dog eats grass everyone expects rain.....funny, but my mother told me that when an animal eats grass it is either lacking a certain vitamin in its diet or has an upset stomach, the latter which I am prone to agree as if an eye was kept on the animal after he consumed grass, it would soon regurgitate the grass. (5) When a snake crosses the road, rain will soon fall.....How else can that poor snake travel from one place to another? (6) Thicker hair on cattle and horses brings a bitter winter.....NOTE the word 'brings'.....Comment? However, the one thing, in addition to the winter weather addressed earlier in this paragraph, that my parents did stress was the caterpillars and their abundance as well as to the abundance of fur, .... and that when this happened, we would have a severe winter. Again, never proven, but I was told that.

It stands to reason that for thousands and thousands of years, the people sought reasons for strange and mysterious events. The looked for answers to certain happenings, even as we do today. We continue to search and see to gain more knowledge, and to a certain degree, this has helped checked the growth of many odd and strange superstitious notions. Two people can look at the exact same thing and each see something totally different. We are human beings!

So, when you turn the calendar on Sunday, to the first day of PEPELAULI, 2009, ponder about Groundhogs Day, and believe what you want to believe because life is full of shadows, but keep in mind the fact that it is the sunshine that makes them all!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

"The very best we can GIVE each other is our LOVE==not advice and certainly not our judgement".

COLD!!! It has been years and years since I can recall it being this cold! When I started this by saying that we were having a heat wave, I was joking, in a sense, but in another sense, not so because just at the moment, the weather channel reports Russell as having 16 degrees and we are in a PLUS ll chill factor. Been several days since that has occured, because believe you me, it has been cold here! Fortunately I have not been forced to venture out since all of this started Wednesday morning. We have had high winds, blowing snow, ice and the whole gamut of wintery weather! With all of this though, if we can just remember that the naked truth is always more appealing when it is dressed in a smile, and make the most of it, our lives won't be so disruptive to the point that we cannot at least TRY to smile about it all.

Hey, remember the days when we all had rubber galoushes??? The boys had big buckles on theirs, distinguishing them from the girls, who had feminine zippers running up the front, but we all had to have 'overshoes', as they were called. That, along with a long heavy winter coat, a woolen hat and gloves, and maybe a fancy long woolen scarf. True necessities going into the winter months. Saying all of this, I am wondering if we could go to the store and get a pair of those concockutions today if we wanted to. Like I was visiting with a friend just this morning about being able to go to the store and buy a really, heavy woolen sweater. Not available. Here we get all the luxurious, fancy sweaters, but if you really wanted a sweater, that was a real sweater, I truly believe that unless you could find one at the Thrift Shop that someone had finally decided to part with, your chances of finding such on the new rack of clothes is pretty slim these days. Needless to say, our winters have been just too mild for the clothing industry to consider heavy sweaters as a necessary item to stock on their racks! But, this year, ole Man Winter has taken a different approach to the situation, and it goes without saying, the entire nation has seen a winter that will probably make history.

My sis jokingly sent me an e-mail this morning remarking about the weather and saying that it was warmer in Alaska then it is here at the moment and should we take a trip North????!.....Well, that is where the smile part comes in. May as well joke about it, make the most of the situation and go on for. without a doubt, laughter is one of the healthiest things we can do. Sometimes ALL we can do is laugh. After all, each and every one of us have experienced humorous events in our lives, some even relating to the weather, so why not take advantage of the situation. Laugh about it!

The ones that I certainly have empathy for, in these elements, are the animals. The cattle in the fields. The wild coyotes. The stray cats and dogs who have no homes. They are forced to be in the truly inclement weather. Their poor little paws, frozen. They have to be in pain. I have seen human beings who experienced frost bite and it is painful. Something they have to bear the reminders for the rest of their lives., ask anyone who has ever had frost bite and they will share with you the pain they experience whenever they are subjected to real cold weather forever thereafter. Not a good thing!

Going back to wisdom about the whole situation, possibly we could find comfort in remembering the days of sledding down the highest hill you could find in town after a heavy snow. Or, how about building the first snow man of the year and begging mom for a carrot to use for the snowmans nose, and how about that red scarf to tie around his neck, or maybe dads ole straw hat for his head.....after all, the neighbors were building one also and we want ours to be just every bit as attractive as theirs is. Maybe even memories of shoveling the driveways and trying to catch your fellow shoveler at a moment when he least expects it, and hurl a big fat snow ball at him. Even better yet, remember the days of building a snow fort, and having snow ball fights from there.....maybe taking a bucket of water, and dipping the snowballs in the water and letting them sit for awhile so they would harden and not crumble when they hit the other person........and this did not happen just in my generation, these very things go on for each succeeding generation! Wonderful memories.
Blot out a bad thought with a good one and have fun, isn't that what life is all about??

So, keep the firebox filled with wood for the fireplace. Be sure you have plenty of heating fuel in the tanks. Keep your utility bills current.
Remember to dress warm when you are forced to go outdoors, keep those gloves and head gear handy. Keep a stock of groceries on hand, just in case of further bad weather. Plan your activities around the weather. Don't be afraid to say 'no, I think I will stay at home tonight, too cold to be out and about'. Watch for the ice spots when you are out on the streets and highways, and above all, be extra watchful of the 'other driver'. Keep your car's gas tank filled with gas at all times. Put on an extra layer of clothing instead of having the thermostat set at its highest temperature. Fire up the oven and bake a big batch of brownies or cookies, have that pot of hot chicken noodle soup a-cooking on the stove. Turn off the TV and cuddle down in a chair with that book you have been wanting to read for ages. Write a Christmas 'thank-you' letter to a friend that possibly did a good deed for you this past year. Call the neighbors and invite them over for a cup of hot tea, or better yet some good hot chocolate drink. Foremost and above all........enjoy the situation because there is not a cotton-picking thing you can do about it anyway! Right??

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

'Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune and circumstances, but great minds rise above it'.

Hey, have a good 'un and stay safe and warm................Nadene

Walk to the refrigerator, open the door. Plenty of food for today, tomorrow and maybe even next week or next month. We are a blessed people.

Crawl into the front seat of your car, put your key into the ignition, turn it...........what do you hear? The gentle hum of a motor ready to fulfill your next wish, and this is just a skimming of what we have available at our fingertips, day in and day out.

But, you know, as in all things, occasionally we have to be reminded to appreciate what we really do have, and just recently, I have to admit, I had that happen to me!

As you well know, we have had bitter, bitter inclement weather of late and the realization of how fortunate I was came to a great big head when I found it time to do a little laundry. Yep, opened up the clothes hamper, sorted a load of clothes to throw in the automatic washer, added some detergent, selected the wash cycle, temperature of the water, closed the lid and then blissfully took a few steps to the computer, sat down and played a game of party bridge to while away the time.......A short time later, the washing cycle was complete and so I opened the washer, and then, oh yeh, then is when I thought to myself, 'Wow, am I ever glad that I do not have to take these clothes to the clothes line to hang them out to dry in this kind of weather!'.

Just think, IF I had not been blessed with this beautiful invention, the clothes dryer, whereby all I had to do was open the door, toss the wet clothes into the dryer, add a sheet of softning agent, close the door and select the proper temperature for drying, here is what I would be doing instead!

I would be scurrying to find the warmest coat I owned, pulling the overshoes or galoushes over my shoes, finding a heavy woolen cap to cover my head and ears and neck, appreciating that pair of gloves I had just gotten for a Christmas gift, piling the wet clothes in a clothes basket, trudging through the 4-5 drift of snow greeting me at the back door and praying the clothes does not freeze in the basket before I even have time to put it on the clothes line to dry!

But, I was fortunate. I 'had it made'! The dryer saved my day just like so many other modern conveniences of today give us day in and day out!

I remember well the wash days from the latter '50's to the '70's! Twern't fun, babe! Especially when it was winter, sun did not shine, a baby or two in the house, no disposable diapers. Things were a lot different in those days.

We had to 'makeshift', and makeshift we did. May as well do it with a smile, it had to be done.

Frequently I hear various answers to the question, and especially as a real estate agent, 'as you enter a house for the first time what aroma attracts your attention the most?'............and we might hear, 'warm bread baking',..... 'smell of apple pie in the oven'.....'simmering pot of cinnamon sticks on the stove'........but never have I heard anyone say that they loved the smell of newly washed clothes.

Interesting because I well remember the days of hanging freshly washed diapers and other necessities on that wooden rack which folder accordion-like, with locking bars at each end. The rods were smooth, various levels to hold a variety of items, and it never bent under the weight for the racks were strong and steady. Placed near a heating stove or over a floor furnace, moved periodically so drying was more evenly distributed, it sure beat standing out in the freezing rain, having the clothes freeze in the clothes basket before you could even get them out to hang on the clothes line and then when you went to all the trouble, they would freeze TO the line and still be damp when brought into the house several hours later. All the while I was thinking about this I sure did not find it hard to appreciate what I had and certainly not wishing for anything else!

And well, to me, one of the most heavenly smells in a home, is that of freshly laundered wash, hanging on that ole wooden rack, directly over the furnace! The little wafts float through the air as the clothes sway gently from the waves of the burning furnace!

Seeing that folding rack, hanging on a hook in the garage, sure brings back lots of memories and serves as a constant reminder to appreciate what we have!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

And, I like to think of myself as being an optomist, but from here on out, I will let you be the judge.

But, here is my problem.....is silence really golden as we have been given to believe for years??? It is really???

The following explains why I question this old adage.

I have not had a post office box for years, but after encountering some problems earlier this Spring with the change in postal deliveries, and an open box for receipt of daily mail, without proper supervision and reoccuring incidents which pointed to the fact that things were not in their proper perspective, I decided to make the change to having a post office box, mainly for security purposes..........so, after considerable consideration, made the trip to the local facility to make the big change.

Boy, I was in for a surprise. It is not as simple as going to the postal clerk, and saying, "I want to rent a post office box."............As a matter of fact, there was a considerable line behind me at the time, and when I approached the window and the pleasant clerk explained what information I had to furnish, the papers needed for completion, and considering all the world events at the time, I jokingly turned around (as I knew all the people standing in line, small town you know), raised my right hand, and said, "I do hereby swear that I was born in the United States and am a United States citizen and am hereby making proper application for a post office box." Well, needless to say, we all had a good laugh, so I took the papers, stepped to the nearby counter and proceeded to fill out the application while the others completed their transactions at the window.

Jim, long time clerk at the local PO, was a big help, and before I left the post office that day, and after exchange of a few mega bucks, I was the proud owner of a new mailing address! Must admit, still having to send out notices of a new mailing address, even have several months lapse of time, but eventually, I am in hopes of having notified everyone of the change!

Now, I am really comfortable with the entire situation. If I do not make it in to pick up my mail each day, I can rest assured it is safe because hearing all the problems regarding the stealing of peoples identities these days, it had been a worry!

Even though we have had postal employees in our family, and as a matter of fact, still do, but not here, therefore, I am not aware of policies regarding the hours the post office normally carry, but here they are closed daily from noon until l:30. Why, I do not know. They just are. And, as a rule, this is the time that I find myself going down town, and as a general rule, stopping and picking up my mail, maybe on way to do some shopping, play bridge, or general errands and so, when I do, I encounter the SILENCE that is in that building.

Have you ever noticied how quiet it is in the post office? People drive up to the curb in their vehicles, laugh and visit with one another, but it seems like the minute they are inside the doors, they become quiet, silent, almost morose.

The folks in our church on Saturday night and Sunday morning make a whole lot more noise than people buying stamps or mailing packages.

People stand in line, very little conversation, maybe a nod or something until they reach the window where you hear the clerk ask questions like.....'You want to have this insured?' ..... 'Do you want to a receipt for your purchases?' .......' Is that all for you today?'......and each time a customer is asked a question, they respond politely in return, and when the transaction is complete, they turn around, walk away, and again, more often then not, ......in complete silence.

But why do we act that way? If we were standing in line at the movie theatre, or a sports event, we would be laughing, talking a mile a minute, why even at the supermarket, we gab a little with the person waiting in line with us. Somehow, the post office seems intimidating. Too many pictures of wanted criminals? Are we considering the cost of the package we are sending off to a friend or relative that we are holding in our hands as we wait our turn at the window? Are we thinking of 'days gone by' when we mailed a letter with a little blue stamp that cost 3 cents, you heard me right, it cost three cents to mail a letter 'in my day'? Whatever it is, and for some reason, the post office is depressing.....and it shouldn't be. Think of all the happy things that happen as a result of that part of our world!!!

Christmas without the mailman bringing Christmas cards? No packages from mom or dad when you are in college and get so little mail as it is? No love letters from the 'love of your life'?
No little card with the picture of a baby on the front telling you about the birth of a new relative or friend? No invitation to the biggest upcoming wedding of the season in the mail? No letter from the serviceman in your life? Not receiving the Christmas package on Christmas morning when it was mailed late and delivered by a friendly postman who was most certainly giving up part of his Christmas day with his family to be sure you got your package on Christmas Day?

You know, I said I am an optomist, or at least like to consider myself as being one, but do you think I could change the atmosphere of the building, itself, any if I dressed up in my best bib and tucker, say, this next upcoming holiday, which would be Valentines Day, and went to the window with a bouquet of flowers, or a box of chocolates in my hand, and start singing, as loud as I could, a little ditty about Valentines Day?

I have heard it said that if we lack the courage to start, we have already finished..........but remember, 'DARERS GO FIRST'!

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

'Opportunity may knock once...but temptation hangs on the front door forever'.

Have a good 'un. Nadene

kup inPeople

This week has not been easy, you all know how that goes some times. Experiencing the 'crud' that seems to be enveloping the area at this time..........spent several days with baby Sis as she went thru cataract surgery, in the hospital, in waiting rooms.........several friends experiencing several health problems, hospitalization, and it seemed it could not get worse, but it did........a dear neighbor, one of my daughters school day friends, experiencing complications following surgery, and at the young age of 47, was taken from this world! Such a shock to all!

I was reeling from all the emotions of attending the funeral this morning, spending lunch with the family members, reminiscing about all the happy and sad times we had shared, as neighbors, friends, business associates, when I happened upon the following note received from another dear friend. It was the crowning point! It basically told everything that I was feeling!
Ending with this introduction, I am passing it on to you, each and everyone, to share!

One Day

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold
morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore."

No more hugs, no more special
moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to
chat, no more "just one minute."

Sometimes,
what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away,
never to return before we can say good-bye,
say "I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it,
fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage and old cars, and children with bad
report cards,
and dogs with bad hips, family and aging parents and
grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce..

There are just some things
that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important. We only have one.

We only have one mom, one dad,
one unique brother or sister or friend. I
received this from someone who thought I was a
'keeper'! Then I sent it to the
people I think of in the same way.

Now it's your turn to send this to all those people who are
"keepers" in your life, including the person who sent it, if you feel that way.

Suppose one morning you never wake up.
Do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking.....I could die today, tomorrow or next week,
and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed,
friendships that
needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends and family know you love
them. Even if you think they don't
love you back, you would be amazed at what those three
little words and a smile can do.

And just in case GOD calls me home.

I LOVE YA!

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

God Bless.............and have a Good 'un..................Nadene