Happy Anniversary Baby!!

Today is our 11th anni! So many memories over the years I would hardly know where to begin. From the stress filled fights leading up to the wedding to the crazy things before during and after. It was not funny then... but it is now (thank goodness)!

I can not TELL you how many times the flowers went in the trash and the wedding was OFF! Only for us to make up and for me to go running to the trash can praying that nothing gooey was on the arrangements I had worked so hard on. Then I would spend the next hour or so trying to fix them to get the crinkles out... ahh memories!

The night of the rehearsal we had to stop and buy rings, which made us late of course. Luckily they had a beautiful ring all ready to fit my size 5 finger. A rare thing. We had fun that night and then parted ways so that he could go to his bachelor party and I could go work on the bridesmaids dresses. I ended up pulling an all nighter, but was so hyped up I didn't seem to notice.

When the sun came up I was off to the races. I washed our blazer and hopped in to go to the reception hall and get people going on the decorations. This of course took longer than expected so I then rushed to my future brother and sister-in-laws house to shower and race to the salon.

I have to say that... the salon was a mistake. I was supposed to get a nice relaxing message, but it turned into a torture session instead. The masseuse decided that I was way to tense and was going to work it out of me even if it killed me! I was sore for a month and a half... literally. My make-up was spot on though, even if I did have a HUGE zit on my face. God bless that woman for being able to cover it and not make me look like a total freak! lol

Now, however, I'm late to the church where I was to get my hair done. As soon as I walked in the door I realized... I FORGOT MY DRESS!!!!! I was supposed to pick it up on the way to the church! Oh noooo! Luckily I caught my Mom on the phone just before they left for the church and she was able to go and get it. Breathing a bit easier I went to the organ loft to get on with the rest of the day.

Everything was going great until.... I notice the bridesmaids whispering among themselves. "What's going on?" I ask. Well, we are supposed to be married in 45 minutes and none can find the Groom! Turns out the best man had shut the alarm off and wasn't answering the phone. His wife (bless her heart) drove like a bat outta hell across town and saves the day! (Thank you Lisa!!)

There I am... stuck in a chair getting my hair done, worrying if he's gonna make it in time, when the fresh flowers arrive. The order is wrong. I could'a killed that florist right there on the spot. I was starting to wig OUT! I'm crying by this point and the only thing that had gone right that day was now a smeared mess on my face. Thankfully my Daddy steps in to save the day and offers me (get this) a get away car! lol (Have I mentioned how much I love my Daddy??)

Time to get dressed... ok.. dressed... Final touches on my hair... oh no... It didn't have time to curl properly thanks to the masseuse from hell and it just kinda hangs there like a limp rag. At that point, I didn't really care. I just wanted to get this over with. Finally Lisa (remember Lisa?) gets back and tells me the groom has arrived and is getting dressed. Hallelujah!! (I bet his mom was disappointed though.. not lol)

The music starts and down the winding stair case I go on my Daddy's arm. Good thing to 'cause I slipped and twisted my ankle. Ugh! As I'm waiting in the vestibule I notice that one of my brides maids is wearing a nice outfit... but not her dress. "Where's your dress?" The seamstress never showed up with it. You know what?? Whatever! Let's get this over with all ready!

And we're off! The music changes, the door opens and... no one is looking... no one is even standing!!!! Being in a catholic church you can not play "Here Comes The Bride" so no one knew the bride was coming! "Look at me! Loook at meeee!!" It's my wedding and we're half way down the aisle and no one has even noticed!!! Finally, someone does and they all turn around... phew! I'd have felt like a HUGE heel if I'd been all the way to the alter before anyone noticed!

Wait a second... Oh no... Is he alright?? Oh no.. he's gonna pass out... no wait... he's gonna puke! No... worse.. he's realizing what a huge mistake he's about to make and running right past me out the door screaming for his life! His mom is jumping up and cheering and screaming praises to God as she follows after him up the aisle! Whooping for joy all the way!

But it didn't happen... it was all in my head. Yes he looks about to pass out and puke at the same time, but he's still there! Maybe he wants to run and his legs aren't working... but I don't care. I breathe huge sigh of relief as we (finally) approached the altar and the ceremony begins.

It was beautiful, it really was. We had family and friends speak and a unity candle and a wonderful soprano singer. It was great, and it was OVER! Everyone files out side and they all blow bubbles and the sun is shining bright and beautiful... until...

Until that is I see a horse drawn carriage approaching. I had wanted to have one, but it was so expensive that we just couldn't afford it, but here it came. Everyone thought that someone else had ordered it for us. I thought it was my new husband. He thought it was my Daddy. Daddy thought it was my Mom, and Mom thought it was my new in-laws.

Turns out... no one ordered it for us. It turned the corner and there were people inside! My stomach took a lurch and the whole crowd collectively let out a huge, sad "ugh". Like they had all been punched in the stomach right along with me. Fortunately (not) the photographer caught the whole thing on film. He couldn't snap pictures fast enough. Thanks photo guy!

As we are all standing around discussing this event, the carriage comes back. The driver felt so bad about the look on my face that he asked/told the couple to get out so we could have a ride. It was wonderful! I think it was God's wedding gift to us, I really do.

Everyone makes sure they know where they are going for the reception and My Honey and I stay with the photo guy for more pictures. It took forever, but it was fun and I knew I'd appreciate the time spent later when we got the proofs.

We finally finish and it's off to the party! Woo hoo! But wait... ummm... where are the keys?? Turns out they are in the best man's pocket... who is already at the reception! We hurry to catch photo guy just as he's leaving and ask for a lift. He obliges and we pile into his little car headed for the reception. My dress was so HUGE that I couldn't see out the front and photo guy couldn't see out of the passenger side. Lol we must have been quiet a site that day, but we made it without any incidents!



The reception was great (even if the air wasn't working on the hottest day of the year). The cake was beautiful (even if it did taste like card board). And we all had loads of fun dancing the chicken dance and the hokey poky and cha-cha-ing our way around.

I look back at all the adversity of that day and think to myself..."Self, you are one lucky woman!"

TTFN,
Me

Give it your all!!!

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to
GIVE OVER 100%.
How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
answer these questions:

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K
8+1+18+4+23+ 15+18+11 = 98%

And:
K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E
11+14+15+23+ 12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But:
A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E
1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!
God bless!!

I Miss My Daddy

When I was little,
He went away,
I was so young,
I didn't know to pray...

I loved him so deeply,
As he did me,
When ever I saw him,
Our hearts jumped with glee...

He was my life line,
Though I couldn't stay,
And now that I'm older.
I do stop to pray...

I pray for his peace,
I pray for his heart,
No matter the miles,
Our hearts will not part...

How To Be

How To Be A Good Wife I copied this from my HSM4Christ forum with permission. I really think it says volumes, and I try to accomplish this list every day! Get your work done. Plan tasks with an eye on the clock. Finish or interrupt them an hour before your husband is expected home. Your anguished cry "are you home already?" is not exactly a warm welcome. "She...worketh willingly with her hands." Proverbs 31:13 Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know you have been thinking of him and are concerned for his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed. "...She bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens." Proverbs 31:14,15 Prepare yourself. Take 15 min. to rest so that you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift. "She maketh herself covering of tapestry; he clothing is silk and purple. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come." Proverbs 31:22,25 Clear away the children. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order and it will give you a lift too. "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27 Prepare the children. Take just a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. "Her children arise up, and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:28 Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate noise of washer dryer, dishwasher, vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. "And that ye study to be quiet..." I Thessalonians 4:11 Be happy to see him. Greet him with a smile and act glad to see him. "...Her husband also, and he praiseth her." Proverbs 31:28 Some don'ts, don't greet him with a problem or complaint. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this minor compared with what he might have gone through during the day. "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her..." Proverbs 31:11 Make him feel comfortable. Have him lean back into a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillows and offer to massage his neck and shoulders and take off his shoes. Speak in a soft, soothing, pleasant voice. Allow him to relax to unwind. "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." Proverbs 31:29 Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Proverbs 31:26 Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax. "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31:31 The goal, try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit. "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:12

A Poem written by Judge Roy Moore

Some of you may be wondering what Judge Roy Moore has been doing since he was removed from the bench for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Please read the poem he wrote.


The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama . Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray.

We've kept God in our temples,
how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not angry,
that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

The Bible, begining to end!!

The following is from a lady in Oregon . It is priceless! The Bible explained by kids - truth has been redefined!

One of our favorite jobs has been leading junior church. We try to do more than Baby-sit our church's beloved little ankle-biters during their time in our special junior church facility. We aim to give them a solid background in biblical history. At the end of each year, we give them pencils and paper and ask them to chronicle what they have learned.

This assignment never fails to elicit some intriguing responses. In case you're a little foggy on your biblical history, let our junior church students help you with his complete overview of the Bible, compiled from their essays:

In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one,' but I think He must be a lot older than that. Anyway, God said, 'Give me alight!' and someone did. Then God made the world. He split the Adam and made Eve.



Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden. Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars.

Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.

Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something. One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.


After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.

Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable. God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti.



Then He gave them His top ten commandments. These include don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's bottom (the Bible uses a bad word for bottom that I'm not supposed to say. But my Dad uses it sometimes when he talks about the President).. Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother.

One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua, who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.



After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.



After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore. There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them.

After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of the New Testament. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn, too, because my Mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisee sand the Republicans. Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.

Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount. But the Republicans and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead.



Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven, but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.

There! Now you understand!

The Stolen Car??

>
>
> A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard.
> Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right
> thing, by stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the > red
> light by accelerating through the intersection.
>
> The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in > frustration,
> as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her > cell
> phone and makeup.
>
> As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up > into
> the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit > her
> car with her hands up.
>
> He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted,
> photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a
> policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back > to
> the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal
> belongings.
>
> He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind > your car
> while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, > and
> cussing a blue streak at him." I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper
> sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-
> School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the
> trunk; naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car."
>
> Ouch!

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she like s me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & st ronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Right on, Andy Rooney !

>> Right on, Andy Rooney !
>>
>> Andy Rooney said on '60 Minutes' a few weeks back:
>>
>> I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers..

The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory
>> are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black
>> Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like
>> the United Cauc asian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment
>> Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson
>> will be knocking down your door.
>>
>> Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You
>> can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to
>> ban you from driving to the ball game.
>>
>> I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there
>> are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING
>> MARTHA BURKE ?
>>
>> I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it
>> is an opinion.
>>
>> I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are
>> different, weird, or tick me off.
>>
>> When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of
>> the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of
>> Probability.
>>
>> I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a
>> newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of
>> fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak
>> English!
>>
>> My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the
>> countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.
>>
>> I think the police should have every right to shoot you if you threaten
>> them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word
>> 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines.
>>
>> I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are
>> qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans
>> or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store,
>> or any other business.
>>
>> We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives
>> in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come
>> over here and tell us our constitution is a living document and open to
>> their interpretations.
>>
>> I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor
>>
>> I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That
>> doesn't stop you f rom watching them.
>>
>> I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and
>> continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next
>> operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.
>>
>> It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take
>> a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when
>> necessary, and say 'NO!'
>>
>> I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't
>> pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that
>> new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as
>> you serve me French fries!
>>
>> I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and
>> not a single one of them was born in Africa ; so how can they be
>> 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent I don't go around
>> saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great,
>> great, great grandfather was from Europe . I am proud to be from America
>> and nowhere else.
>>
>> And if you don't like my point of view, tough...
>>
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , AND TO
>> THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE,
>> WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
>> It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore I have a very hard time
>> understanding why there is such a problem in having 'In God We Trust' on
>> our money and having 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just
>> tell the 14% to BE QUIET!!!

God Speak to Me

A friend sent this to me, and it fits life these days beautifully. I hope it means something to all of you.




God Speak To Me

A man whispered, "God, speak to me."
And a meadowlark sang.
But, the man didn't hear.

Then the man yelled, "God, speak to me."
Thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man didn't listen.

The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you."
And the stars shined brightly.
But the man didn't notice.

And the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle."
And a life was born.
But the man didn't know.

So the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here."
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

So remember, don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.
Take notice of the blessing around you.

Hear! Hear!!

I got this in an e-mail today. I don't know if Jay Leno really said it or not, and I don't really care. I'll second that!!




JAY LENO ON PATHETIC NEGATIVITY

I hope you will all read this to the end. Jay Leno puts it into perspective and makes us think about the pathetic negativity. That's right, Jay Leno!!

Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....


'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.

In essence, 2/3's of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.

Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and Provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.

Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen.

No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens.

They see us for what we are.

The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has no plan to get us out?

The President who has a measly 31 percent approval rating?

Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11?

Is this same President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession?

Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The Commander-In Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show?

Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it...are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom.

There is currently no draft in this country.

They didn't have to go.

They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

Why the hell then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media.

If it bleeds, it leads; and they specialize in bad news.

Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts.

How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner?

The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations.

They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another.

Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about 'how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way'...Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed very day by the media.

Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage.

Then start being grateful for all we have as a country.

There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times a day or at least be thankful and appreciative.

'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks,

'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

Jay Leno 2007

Thoughts on integrity...

Have you ever noticed that when you are trying to teach your kids a biblical lesson, you suddenly see how it applies to you too?? Then you have to decide, do I ignore the fact that this applies to me (at least in front of the kids), or do I use myself as an example, and try to teach them from the error of my ways?? I use myself as the example, but I'm tempted to pretend I'm perfect every time. I think we all want to be perfect in the eyes of our children, but I also think to do that is folly. We aren't perfect beings, that is why we need Christ in our lives to begin with. No one can keep that facade for ever, and when it falters, where will your kids be then?

The same applies to lying to your kids. Take for example the tooth fairy, the easter bunny, and yes, even santa clause. Eventually they will know the truth. Where does that leave God? Where does that leave your integrity in your child's eyes? It causes them to wonder about the truth of God when they shouldn't have had to. Take the time to ponder that.

On another note...

Did you notice my new ticker?? That's right! in just over five weeks, I will have my reversal surgery!! I'm so excited I just can't even stand it!! If you are curious about where I'm going or the Dr I have chosen, the link to his site is on the right. To be honest I'm more nervous about the logistics of traveling then the actual surgery itself. I don't like things to be up in the air. I like to have a good plan, and deviate if I need to, then to have no plan and have to wing it. prayers for the travel and surgery are greatly apprieciated!

Well, it is that time in my Saturday for me to goof off and play computer games! I hope to hear from everyone!


ME