Treasures In The Attic

Happy New Year Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:59:00 +0000

Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.

~ Dale Carnegie

It has been such a long...very long time since I have posted, but one thing for certain is that I am so happy I did not delete my Blog pages all together, as I am about to start blogging again. I had some very serious health issues over the past couple of years which eventually resulted in a spinal fusion this past August. My recovery was relatively a slow one and one with too many restrictions. I was unable to sit comfortably for more than a few minutes at a time and spent many a day flat on my back staring at the ceiling. I am still in physiotherapy which will still go on for many more weeks. Soon I will be starting hydro therapy in our hospital's physio pool and I am looking forward to that for sure.

So much has happened since 2010 but I would like to begin afresh and it is good to be be back with everyone. Little by little I will be revamping my Blog as I think some new changes are evident, but for tonight I am just getting my feet wet once again and I will be into full swing soon. I see that there have been a huge number of people reading my existing Blog over the past two years....even in my absence and I truly thank you for that, and it is one of the main reasons I have to start blogging once again. I have missed it so much and I will endeavor to make my posts enjoyable and interesting.

In the meantime.....do something special for yourself!

Hugs From Patricia In New Zealand

Dedicated To My Friend Nicki

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:29:00 +0000

For a few years I have constantly found myself complaining about aging. Every time I looked into the mirror I found a woman with new wrinkles by the day. I find myself experiencing more aches and pains, and when the Dentist decided to remove a couple of my teeth and tell me I would need a partial denture I thought it was the end of the world. Then towards the end of last year I had the most unique pleasure of finding and old classmate from High Shool on Facebook. I remembered Nicki well from the old days because she would often sit in front of me in the classroom, and when I saw her Facebook profile photo I noted and was amazed how young she looked, and at the same time why I had aged and she hadn't. I was able to contact Nicki and sent a message which she responded to so quickly, and thus we struck up the most pleasurable friendship. We have been e-mailing back and forth together and I did mention to Nicki on a couple of occasions after she had shared some additional photos..." I wonder why I have aged and you haven't." It was through this special relationship we have developed that made me realize about myself that aging can be a beautiful experience, and that even though my wrinkles and other signs of aging are very visible to me, that no matter how old one is, it is never too late to make new friends. It was actually a life changing experience for me as I came to this notion. Now when I look in the mirror I am not looking for the latest aging signs but rather I look at myself as a whole person regardless of my age with so much love to share no matter how much more or how little time I might have left on this earth. I also realized that friendship with family members and other friends can make you feel young and alive forever, so it is not whether one has wrinkles, aches and pains or not, but it is in the friendships that we share that makes us whole.

Subsequently I came across the following little story just recently that I thought I would post. I could not have said it better myself.

Thank you Nicki for your love and friendship.

Love and Hugs From Patti

Old age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body - the wrinkles, the baggy eyes and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read until 4:00 am and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s & 60s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten and I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say "no" and mean it. I can say "yes" and mean it. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day.

~Author Unknown

Puppies For Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:45:00 +0000

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about Nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he Felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the Eyes of a little boy. Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money." The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?""Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle,"Here,Dolly!" he called.Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.
As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this One noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...."I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself To a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need Someone who understands."

The world is full of people who need someone who understands.

Enjoy!

Patricia

The Importance Of Each Color

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 06:11:00 +0000

Once upon a time the Colors of the world started to quarrel that they were: all claimed the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite.

GREEN said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, leaves - without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."

BLUE interrupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."

YELLOW chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."

ORANGE started next to blow her trumpet: "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time,but when I fill sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."

RED could stand it no longer. He shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you- I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."

PURPLE rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me - they listen and obey."

Finally, INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening - thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me." Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The rain continued: "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow." And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

~Author Unknown

Cheers!

Patricia

The Power Of Words

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:23:00 +0000

A Motivational Story with Wisdom

The Power of Words

by Author Unkown

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.
When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story gives us thoughts to think about: 1. An encouraging word to someone who is down can encourage them to achieve their goal. 2. A destructive word to someone who is down can have negative effects. Be careful of what you say.
The quote below was sent to me by Master Mark Russell. His quote describes "words" very accurately: "Words: The Snow may look smooth and soft, but the rocks underneath are sharp!"
One last point, Are your words encouraging?

Cheers

Patricia

The Squirrel

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:10:00 +0000

A squirrel leaping from bough to bough, and making the wood but one wide tree for his pleasure, fills the eye not less than a lion,—is beautiful, self-sufficing, and stands then and there for nature.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

True Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:38:00 +0000

A girl asked a guy if he thought she was pretty, He said...no. She asked him if he would want to be with her forever.... and he said no. She then asked him if she were to leave would he cry, and once again he replied with a no. She had heard enough. As she walked away, tears streaming down her face the boy grabbed her arm and said.... You're not pretty you're beautiful. I don't want to be with you forever. I NEED to be with you forever. And I wouldn't cry if you walked away... I'd die... I like you because of who you are to me.... A true friend. Remember: A good friend will not come bail you out of jail.... But a true friend will be sitting next to you saying ... WE screwed up! I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. I've learned....That money doesn't buy class. I've learned....That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. I've learned...That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. I've learned....That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can? I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts. I've learned....That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you. I've learned...That love, not time, heals all wounds. I've learned...That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am. I've learned....That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. I've learned....That there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks. I've learned...That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. I've learned....That life is tough, but I'm tougher. I've learned...That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. I've learned....That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. I've learned...That I wish I could have told those I cared about that I love them one more time before they passed away. I've learned....That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. I've learned....That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. I've learned....That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it. I've learned....That when your newly born child holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life. I've learned....That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth happen while you're climbing it. I've learned....That the less time I have to work, the more things I get done.

Cheers!

Patricia

Randy Pauch: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:30:00 +0000

A few nights ago my husband and I had an extraordinary opportunity to view a lecture by Professor Randy Pauch from America on the television here in New Zealand. It was a lecture that we will never forget, and I so wanted to share this lecture on my Inspirational Blog for all my readers.

While you take the time to view this YouTube Lecture I will be off to paint my Beading Studio with my own artistic renditions of Space Shuttles, the planets and super novas. You will know why after the lecture.

Enjoy!

Patricia

The Obstacle In Our Path

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:00:00 +0000

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 king'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 big stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On 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. As 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 others never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:11:00 +0000

America's Independence Day

The Arbitrary, Yet Symbolic, Nature of the Fourth of July©

Isaac M. McPhee
Mar 12, 2008

American's have celebrated the signing of the Declaration of Independence ever since it was first signed in 1776 - but why exactly was this day chosen above the others?
The Fourth of July.

It is a date thoroughly engrained on the consciousness of all Americans; synonymous with all of the freedoms and liberties which Americans hold dear. Even if nothing else is retained through the years of public education, at the very least this one fact will be always remembered: America first gained its independence from England with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 – the very first Independence Day.
It is one of those “sure things.”
The Real Independence Day?
Students of history should be sufficiently prepared to accept that most things are never quite so black and white.
Independence Day is the holiday which is intended to celebrate the signing of The Declaration of Independence, that document which dramatically spells out the grievances of the colonists against King George and the English Parliament and which demands American sovereignty, even if it means the shedding of blood.
It is a striking document to say the least, and certainly opened up the American colonies to quite a bit of British aggression.
But should it really be celebrated on July 4th?
The timeline that most people are not fully aware of goes like this:
The Declaration of Independence was completed by Thomas Jefferson (with a great deal of help from his lifelong friend and later political adversary John Adams, as well as Benjamin Franklin) by July 2nd, at which point the continental congress voted unanimously to disunite the colonies from Great Britain and form an independent state.
From here, the next two days were spent by the congress reworking the Declaration, perfecting it for public consumption (all of this was so far done in secrecy). Finally, the document was accepted by the congress on July 4th, and signed by the congress' president, John Hancock (in that most famous of all signatures; large, bold and proud, practically begging the British to try to take back their colonies; and, coincidentally, where the term “put your John Hancock right on this line” comes from).
The rest of the members of congress didn't actually sign the document until August 2nd, while some waited even longer than that.
What Does This Mean?So when, exactly, should American independence be celebrated?
Should it be the day when America first officially declared her Independence? Then it should be July 2nd.
Should it be the day that the final declaration was accepted? Then it should remain as it is, on July 4th.
Should it be the day Americans first celebrated their independence? Then it should be on July 8, for on that day in 1776 the Declaration was first publically read, and throughout Philadelphia there was great celebration.
Should it be the day that the delegates all finally got together to sign the document, thereby making it official? Then it should surely be August 4th.
Or should Independence be celebrated on the day independence was actually won; the day the war for American Independence ended with the Treaty of Paris, on September 3rd, 1783?
The SolutionWhat should be done in response to these very valid questions?
Nothing, of course. After all, it doesn’t matter in the least what day something is celebrated (just look at Christmas as an example) – what matters is what it represents. Independence Day represents the American colonists throwing off the yoke of English oppression and was symbolic of a young nation finally deciding that she was able to stand on her own.
July 4th is as good a day as any. At least, so thought the United States Congress of 1870, which named the day an unpaid federal holiday, as well as the congress of 1941, which bumped the day up a notch to become a paid federal holiday.

That should be good enough for any American.

Cheers And Happy Fourth Of July

From Patricia

I'm Inspired....And I'm Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:31:00 +0000

Well I'm back blogging after a very long hiatus due to some health issues, and more recently busy with my jewelery business. I hope to be able to stay more current so that I can provide all of you that read my Blog all kinds of interesting goodies and items worth noting. Yes, all these months away from blogging has been a bit disheartening but hopefully things will pick up. I thank all of those who have still been reading my blog during my absence and look forward to having you all back again.
A very special Happy Fourth of July to all of my American Family and Friends and Readers. Actually the 4th happens also to be my Wedding Anniversary. This year on the 4th my husband and I will be married ten years. So hard to believe that I moved here to New Zealand from New York just ten years ago to marry my Kiwi fiancé It seems like just yesterday quite frankly.
I have been pretty busy just lately setting up my new web site for my jewelry business:

Irresistibly Ewe
At
Patricia's Beaded Treasures

I would love for you to stop by for a visit, although I do not have any jewelry uploaded as yet but hope to be ready to go within the next week or two weeks. All of my jewelry is hand-crafted personally. I will be offering beaded jewelry, beaded charms fobs, and beaded bookmarks. There will also be links for other items for offer such as Home Decor, Vintage Treasures, and Shabby-Chic. You may also have interest in auctions, and they will be available via my boutique as well. I will post to my blog to let you know when I am up and running, but feel free to have a peek at my web site itself.
Well...good to be back all.....and as always I welcome your feedback at any time. Have a good look around as there are lots of things to see and make you think on my all my blogs.

Cheers From Patricia

Ordinary Existence

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 03:07:00 +0000

When the heart of your heart opens, you can take deep pleasure in the company of the people around you . . .

When you are open to the beauty, mystery, and grandeur of ordinary existence, you “get it” that it always has been beautiful, mysterious, and grand and always will be.

~Timothy Ray Miller

Uncharted Territory

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 04:46:00 +0000

When we are lost, we typically look at a map to figure out where we are and how to get to our chosen destination. This works well, assuming that there is a map of the territory in which we find ourselves, and assuming that we know our destination. However, this is not always the case. At this time in human history, we are all venturing into uncharted territory, whether we know it or not. And as individuals, we may find ourselves covering ground that our predecessors never even knew existed. When we look to them for guidance, they often come up short. Not knowing exactly where we are, we find ourselves unsure of which way to go, and eventually the uneasy feeling that we are lost presents itself.
The beauty of being lost is the same thing that makes it scary—it asks us to look within ourselves to find the way. If we have no map, we must go on instinct, relying on our inner compass to show us which way to go. This can be scary because so much seems to be riding on it. We fear we might go too far in the wrong direction, or become paralyzed and make no progress at all. And yet, this is the very challenge we need to develop our ability to trust ourselves. We are also learning to trust that the universe will support and guide us. We may believe this intellectually, but it is only through experience that it becomes knowledge of the heart. Learning to be okay with being lost and trusting that we will be guided, we begin our journey.
We can support ourselves by confirming that we don’t need to know exactly where we are going in order to take our first steps. We are learning to feel our own way, rather than following an established path, and in doing so we learn to trust ourselves. It is this trust that connects us to the universe and reminds us that no matter how lost we feel, and even as we journey, on the inner level we are already home.

~Author Unknown

The Play Of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:12:00 +0000

Life is a play in which, everyone has a role to execute. Some are in the forefront and some wait in the wings. But when you know it’s your turn, with enthusiasm you shall come up to the front and prove to the world what you are and what you can do.
All perform in a way that is unique. Some act well and some act better. Yet, a few do it better than the best. When you are conscious of the role you play in life and the responsibilities attached to it, you begin to acquit yourself productively. It’s then will you find this world a great place to live in!
Therefore, know your role well. Be convinced and play it as though it were for real, because once the time is past, it is an opportunity lost.

~Renold Pascal

Sand And Stone

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:08:00 +0000

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert.
During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one
friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped
was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:
"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."
They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they
decided to take a bath. The one who ha d been slapped got stuck
in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After
he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:
"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him,
"After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a
stone, why? The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us
we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can
erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we
must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

The House Of A Thousand Mirrors

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 03:58:00 +0000

Long ago in a small, far away village, there was a place known as the House of 1000 Mirrors. A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit. When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house. He looked through the doorway with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as it could. To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1000 great smiles just as warm and friendly. As he left the house, he thought to himself, "This is a wonderful place. I will come back and visit it often."

In this same village, another little dog, who was not quite as happy as the first one, decided to visit the house. He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the door. When he saw the 1000 unfriendly looking dogs staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1000 little dogs growling back at him. As he left, he thought to himself, "That is a horrible place, and I will never go back there again."
All the faces in the world are mirrors. What kind of reflections do you see in the faces of the people you meet?

~ Author Unknown

Computer Husband

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:21:00 +0000

TO MY DARLING HUSBAND,

I'm sending you this letter in a bogus software company envelope so you'll be sure to read it. Please forgive the deception, but I thought you should know what's been going on since your computer entered our lives two years ago.
The children are doing well. Tommy is 7 now and is a bright, handsome boy. He has developed quite an interest in the arts. He drew a family portrait for a school project. All the figures were good, but yours was excellent! The chair and back of your head are very realistic. You would be proud of him. Little Jennifer turned 3 in September. She looks a lot like you did at that age. She is an attractive child and quite smart. She still remembers that you spent the whole afternoon with us on her birthday. What a grand day for Jen despite the fact that it was stormy and the electricity was out.
I am doing well. I went blond about a year ago and was delighted to discover that it really was more fun.
I discovered that the household chores are much easier since I realized that you don't mind being vacuumed and that the feather duster makes you sneeze. The house is in good shape. I had the living room painted last spring. I'm not sure if you noticed it. I asked the painters to cut air holes in the drop cloths so you wouldn't be disturbed.
Well, dear, I must be going. The family is leaving on a ski trip and there is much packing to do. I've hired a housekeeper to take care of things while we are away. She'll keep things in order, fill your coffee cup and bring your meals to the computer room just the way you like it. I hope you and the computer have a lovely time while we are gone. Tommy, Jen and I think of you often. Try to remember us while your disks are booting.

Love, Mary

~ Author Unknown

Does Your Cat Own You?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:22:00 +0000

Do you select your friends based on how well your cats like them?

Does your desire to collect cats intensify during times of stress?

Do you buy more than 50 pounds of cat litter a month?

Do you think it's cute when your cat swings on your drapes or licks your butter?

Do you admit to non-cat owners how many cats you really have?

Do you sleep in the same position all night because it annoys your cats when you move?

Do you kiss your cat on the whiskers?

Do you feed your cat tidbits from the table with your fork?

Does your cat sleep on your head?

Do you have more than four opened but rejected cans of cat food in the refrigerator?

Do you watch bad TV because the cat is sleeping on the remote?

Will you stand at the open door indefinitely in the freezing rain while your cat sniffs the door, deciding whether to go out or come in?

Would you rather spend a night at home with your cat than go out on a bad date?

Do you put off making the bed until the cat gets up?

Do you give your cat presents and a stocking at Christmas?

~ Author Unknown

The Barbie Dolls

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:51:00 +0000

A man was driving home one evening and realized that it was his daughter's birthday and he hadn't bought her a present. He drove to the mall and ran to the toy store and he asked the store manager "How much is that new Barbie in the window?" The Manager replied, "Which one?

We have, 'Barbie goes to the gym' for $19.95 ...

'Barbie goes to the Ball' for $19.95 ...

'Barbie goes shopping for $19.95 ...

'Barbie goes to the beach' for $19.95...

'Barbie goes to the Nightclub' for $19.95 ...

and 'Divorced Barbie' for $375.00."

"Why is the Divorced Barbie $375.00, when all the others are $19.95?" Dad asked surprised. "Divorced Barbie comes with Ken's car, Ken's House, Ken's boat, Ken's dog, Ken's cat and Ken's furniture."

~ Author Unknown

The Internet From A Spiritual Point Of View

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:34:00 +0000

This Thing Called Love

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 01:49:00 +0000

There are times when we are timid and shy about expressing the love we feel. For fear of embarrassing the other person, or yourselves, we hesitate to say the actual words "I love you." So we try to communicate the idea in other words.
We say 'take care' or 'don't drive too fast' or 'be good.' But really, these are just other ways of saying 'I love you,' 'you are important to me,' 'I care what happens to you,' 'I don't want you to get hurt.'
We are sometimes very strange people. The only thing we want to say, and the one thing that we should say, is the one thing we don't say. And yet, because the feeling is so real, and the need to say it is so strong, we are driven to use other words and signs to say what we really mean. And many times the meaning never gets communicated at all and the other person is left feeling unloved and unwanted
Therefore, we have to LISTEN FOR LOVE in the words that people are saying to us. Sometimes the explicit words are necessary, but more often, the manner of saying things is even more important. A joyous insult carries more affection and love within the sentiments which are expressed insincerely.
An impulsive hug says I LOVE YOU even though the words might be saying very different. Any expression of a person's concern for another says I love you. Sometimes the expression is clumsy, sometimes even cruel. Sometimes we must look and listen very intently for the love that contains. But it is often there, beneath the surface.
A mother may nag her son constantly about his grades or cleaning his room. The son may hear only the nagging, but if he listens carefully, he will hear the love underneath the nagging. His mother wants him to do well, to be successful. Her concern and love for her son unfortunately emerge in her nagging. But it is love all the same
A daughter comes home late, way past her curfew, and her father confronts her with angry words. The daughter may hear only the anger, but if she listens carefully, she will hear the love under the anger. "I was worried about you," the father is saying. 'Because I care about you and I love you. You are important to me.
We say I love you in many ways - with birthday gifts, and little notes, with smiles and sometimes with tears. Sometimes we show our love by just keeping quiet and not saying a word, at other times by speaking out, even brusquely. We show our love sometimes by impulsiveness. Many times we have to show our love by forgiving someone who has not listened to the love we have tried to express.
The problem is listening for love is that we don't always understand the language of love which the other person is using. A girl may use tears or emotions to say what she wants to say, and her boyfriend may not understand her because he expects her to be talking his language. Thus, we have to force ourselves to really listen for love.
The problem with our world is that people rarely listen to each other. They hear the words, but they don't listen to the actions that accompany the words or the expression on the face. Or people listen only for rejection or misunderstanding. They do not see the love that is there just beneath the surface, even if the words are angry. We have to listen for love in those around us. If we listen intently we will discover that we are a lot more loved than we realize.
Listen for love and we will find that the world is a very loving place after all.
LOVE is a happy thing. It makes us laugh. It makes us sing. It makes us sad. It makes us cry. It makes us seek the reason why. It makes us take. It makes us give. Above all else, it makes us LIVE.
It is not the presence or absence of people that makes the difference because a person need not be lonely even if he is alone. Sometimes it is good to be alone. But that does not make us lonely. It is not a matter of being present WITH someone. It is a matter of being present to someone.
So remember...If you love someone, tell them. Remember always to say what you mean. Never be afraid to express yourself. Take this opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you. Seize the day and have no regrets.
Most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today and are what it's all about anyway.

~ Author Unknown

Special People

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 08:45:00 +0000

The special people in this world are the most precious and the most appreciated people of all. No matter what happens, they always seem to understand. They go a million miles out of their way. They hold your hand. They bring you smiles, when a smile is exactly what you need. They listen and they hear what is said in the spaces between the words. They care, and they let you know you're in their prayers. Special people always know the perfect thing to do. They can make your whole day just by saying something that no one else could have said.

Sometimes you feel like they share with you a secret language that others can't tune into. Special people can guide you, inspire you, comfort you, and light up your life with laughter. Special people understand your moods and nurture your needs, and they lovingly know just what you're after. When your feelings come from deep inside and the need to be spoken to someone; you don't have to hide from, you share them... with special people. When good news comes, special people are the first ones you turn to, and when feelings overflow and tears need to fall, special people help you through it all. Special people bring sunlight into your life. They warm your world with their presence, whether they are far away or close by your side. Special people are gifts that bring happiness, and treasures that money can't buy.

~ Author Unknown

Be Unique

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:05:00 +0000

If everyone would look for that uniqueness then we would have a very colorful world.

~ Michael Schenker

The Husband Store

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:21:00 +0000

The Husband Store

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates.
"You may visit the store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights.
There is, however, a catch: you may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!"

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband...

On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1 - These men have jobs.

The second floor sign reads:

Floor 2 - These men have jobs and love kids.

The third floor sign reads:

Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love kids, and are extremely good looking. "Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead good looking and help with the housework.

"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!"

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the Sign reads:

Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor.

There are no men on this floor.This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to

please. Thank you for shopping at the "Husband Store."

Strength And Courage

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:31:00 +0000

It takes strength to be certain,

It takes courage to have doubts.

It takes strength to fit in,

It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to share a friend's pain,

It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to hide your own pain,

It takes courage to show it and deal with it.

It takes strength to stand guard,

It takes courage to let down your guard.

It takes strength to conquer,

It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to endure abuses,

It takes courage to stop them.

It takes strength to stand alone,

It takes courage to lean on a friend.

It takes strength to stand alone,

It takes courage to lean on a friend.

It takes strength to love,

It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive,

It takes courage to live.

May you find strength and courage

in everything you do,

And may your life be filled with Friendship and Love!

~ Author Unknown