Jodi's Journey

The Golden Years

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:00:02 PST

Pine needles Can Make Some Of The Neatest Things, Can't They?

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:11:02 PST

Some of you may have seen these in an email already, but a good friend of mine, (thanks Janet) sent me these and I just had to share them with you all, this is just too cool. I hope you all have an awesome and blessed Saturday!!

What do you do when you decide to be a poor country folk artist?
With little money (if any) you must be creative. Use your resources.
This artist did just that. What do you find in the mountains of Idaho ?..........PINE TREES. You're thinking something made out of wood......Right?
Not even close. Check out these pictures.
These bears are made from Pine Needles!!!!
A couple of hundred thousand of them in one large bear..
The pine needles were gathered off the ground, sorted, washed, trimmed and hand woven. Over 8 months in making the life size bear!

How Hard It Is To Say Farewell

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:21:49 PST

It is never easy to let an animal go that has been with you for so long, or that has been as loyal as Chyanne has been to us and her peers. Or just to let an animal go period.

I am going to miss you girl, more then words can ever say. I know that you know we love you, and that this is the best thing to do for you at this point in time. Daddy and mommy can't stand to see you not being able to walk and run like you use to, or eat. It's just that time unfortunately, and we know your ready too.

Daddy said I could not go with him today so you and I will be spending some quality time together today, mommy will cry allot probably, but just know I love you so much it hurts girlfriend. Your going to be with your big sister Digit and your little brother Hugo, who went over the bridge last summer, so you will be in very good company.

We love you Chyanne and you will be missed sorely. God bless your little heart and soul sweetie.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:49:16 PST

The Scars Of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:00:48 PST

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida , a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.
In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together.

In utter fear, he ran toward the water,
yelling to his son as loudly as he could.
Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed
and made a U-turn to swim to his father.
It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms
just as the alligator snatched his legs.
That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.
The alligator was much stronger than the father,
but the father was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams,
raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital,
the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the
vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches
where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort
to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy
after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars.
The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride,
he said to the reporter, 'But look at my arms.
I have great scars on my arms, too.
I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go!'

You and I can identify with that little boy.
We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator,
but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are
unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend,
are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle,
He's been there holding on to you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you.
You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations,
not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril -
and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack.
That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have
the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful.
He did not, and will not ever let you go.

Please pass this on to those you love.
God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others.
You just never know where a person is in their Life,
and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars,
because you don't know how they got them.

Right now, someone needs to know that
God loves them, and you love them, too -
enough to not let them go.......

What Happens In Heaven?

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:14:39 PST

I got this from my mother-in-law, and I thought I would share it with you. Thank you mom!

I had a dream that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said,' This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received..'

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world. Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them." I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledgment Section, my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed." How is it that there is no work going on here?'I asked.

"So sad," the angel sighed.. "After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments"

"How does one acknowledge God's blessings?" I asked.. "Simple," the angel answered. Just say, "Thank you, Lord."

"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked. "If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy."

"And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity." "If you woke up this morning with more health than illness.. You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day."

"If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ...You are ahead of 700 million people in the world."

"If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world."

"If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair........."

My Grand Babies & Their 2009 Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:22:10 PST

I have been down with my back pretty bad the last week and a half now, more then the norm for me. But the kids did get to bring the grand babies over to see Nana & Papa last night, and go trick-or-treating with us. They had a blast trick-or-treating as always. Candy, candy candy, lol! And all three of them looked so cute in their outfits.

And of course Parris tried to get in on the action, poor Ezekiel didn't have a chance being down closest to the floor with her. She gets so excited when the kids come over, she really loves them, and I am so happy she is going to grow up with them. I hope everyone else had a safe and blessed Halloween with their kids and/or grand babies!

Sometimes Life Can Really Suck!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:21:14 PDT

Well I don't talk about my animals much on this blog since they have their own blog but I am going to today.

I had bought a MinPin about 4 months ago when she was just 7 weeks old, her name is Parris Anne.

She adjusted very well with all of the other animals, and got especially attached to our Boxer Chyanne.

Well our boxer has not been getting around real good with her back legs for quite sometime now, we have had her to the vet doing blood tests etc. for awhile now, and of course I always assume the worse. Well yesterday Parris Anne had to go in for her Rabies and Distemper shot, so Doc told my husband "just bring Chyanne back in then so I can re-check her weight and calcium levels then". He told my husband he would call later last night and let him know the results, and I was in bed sleeping when he called.

Well we all know how no news is good news and I wish to God that would have been the case. We had talked about having her put down since she is having so much trouble with her back legs getting around and so forth, and their is no cure for cancer of course. We just don't want her to suffer, but on the other hand you don't want to lose them either.

If any of you ever read my blog you would know I had to put down my Pug and my male MinPin last summer, and now this is happening to Chyanne. If your an animal lover you will understand how this is one of the hardest things to have to go through, because they become your family as well.

I cried all morning this morning and I even had my hubby in tears, but this is so hard. I don't want to lose her but I don't want her to suffer either. Parris has become so attached to her, she was just a baby so she probably felt like Chyanne was like her mama.

So this weekend is going to be a very hard weekend with this on our minds, because we have to make a decision as to what to do. I have prayed and prayed, and I know what He said but I am only human, right?

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:48:19 PDT

Memories....Do You Remember?

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:07:06 PDT

A good friend of mine sent these to me in an email, you could have blown me over with a feather, wow it took me back to the GOOD old days. Thank you Marge!! This shows you how old I am though, lol! It is simply amazing how times have changed. Kids today can not believe we had only black & white TV's if we were lucky enough to have a TV at all or that we did not have computers or CD players, etc. I could go on and on. Kids and adults today need to realize how far technology has come, and maybe stop taking advantage of the systems we have today. We never had Welfare or food stamps, it was unheard of. WE HAD JOBS!!!!! I would much rather have the good old days back when we didn't have computers and there was no unemployment lines anywhere in the United States. And when we didn't have to worry about companies outsourcing our jobs, or illegals coming into the United States, and taking our jobs.

We had a Christmas tree exactly like this and to have color, they use to have a wheel that had colors on it and it went around and you pointed it at your tree. 'Yes really' lol!

We had one of these too, and you would have to have a clothes line outside to hang your clothes on to dry. We use to call these Wringer washers. I even used one when I was much older, it happened to be in an old house in the basement my first husband and I rented at one time. Now that was a trip to try to wash clothes in, but I did it and the clothes were always stiff as a board when they came out, lol!!.

This is how are tests were on TV's back then.

And these are called Tinker Toys and they were the hottest toy way back when. If you didn't have Tinker Toys you were not cool at all.

Here was our McDonalds signs, 15 cent hamburgers!

I could not wait to get home from school and watch Lassie. One of the top ten shows on the charts, you would say!

And of course my very first and FAVORITE doll of all time Chatty Cathy, you would pull a string on her back and she would talk. I loved that doll so much, but I sure don't know what happened to her over the years.

25 cents for gas. And they would pump the gas, and clean your windows, and check your oil while the gas was pumping. Now it's all do it yourself, so that put gas station attendants out of work!

This was just about the only beer I ever seen my parents drink. Falstaff was the hottest beer around back then!!

Oh I loved it when my mom would take me to the A and W root beer stand. This was the coolest drive-in restaurant around. And oh when I got older we use to go around and around the drive-in in our boy friends car, because that was the cool thing to do. Cruise the drive-in with your boyfriend in his jacked up GTO!! Yea baby!

My dad had a brown Studebaker, his was a convertible though, we rode around with the top down, and that was cool! Matter of fact the Studebaker manufacturer was in my home town where I live now. But of course it is now gone and again thousands of jobs were lost, people were just devastated when that happened.

That was pretty much all we had way back when was what you called a car hop, they even use to roller skate to your car and take your order, it was too cool! You don't see them much anymore.

And we also had cigarette commercials all of the time, and especially at Christmas time. Imagine buying someone a carton of cigarettes for Christmas. So not cool right? But we did back then.

Amazing How You Can Find God In Others......

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:16:09 PDT

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday He must really be a nerd.' I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him, he looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives. 'He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! 'He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends...

When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship..

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. 'Thanks,' he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years"."Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends"...."I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them".

"I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved". "My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize its depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions.. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse, God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Oh Yea, The Grand Babies Came To See Nana & Papa!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:53:15 PDT

The kids brought over Ezekiel's Halloween pictures for us last night. It was so good to see them because it has been a while since I had seen them last. They had Papa in the kitchen cooking them French fries and Tator tots, and just keeping him busy because that's what Nana likes to see, Papa busy in the kitchen, because she never gets to see it, lol!! They wanted to color, played with their toys, and played with Parris too. So here is a slide show of some of the fun they were having last night! Have an awesome Saturday everyone!

Oh I Just Detest This Time Of Year!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:19:24 PDT

Kevin got laid off yesterday, and of course as most of you know I have not been able to work since last November. I know that I should not worry, but I am only human. I also know that He is going to watch to see how I get through this test. I just pray it's a heck of allot better then in the past, lol!

I am worrier, and when you are a worrier it is a very hard habit to break. It is also very hard for me to let go and let God, I try my best, but there again I am only human. I get depressed as well, because Kevin gets depressed and he just sits around and more or less mopes. And it just makes it worse for me to watch him like this, and I can't get him to go to church with me unfortunately.

I am going to have to pray for more pay per posts for sure right now. And any help you can give, like I said in my post about 'why you would want to donate to Jodi's Journey to begin with', you would be surprised how every $1 really does count. I was just blown away how people came forward last year to help us out, I'm serious I was so shocked, I cried. We were and still are so grateful, and so blessed to have such love as we do from our blogosphere friends, and our families.

I am also asking for all the prayers we can get, that He will provide for us, and somehow the bills will get paid. The power of prayer really does work so please pray for us.

His son once again is also taking advantage of him and not paying for the car that my hubby signed for him to get, so that just makes our blood pressure go up twice as bad. I tell you kids can be so disrespectful, and I just can't believe how he can do this to his dad at a time like this.

Please pray for us, and if you can spare a $1 that would be great too. This is so demeaning to have to ask for a $1 for our "bill & prescriptions jar", but again we appreciate anything and everything you can do for us, and I have to do what I have to do, and believe me I am!! Thank you all so much!

The Ultimate Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy: 7 Must-Bookmark Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:21:20 PDT

We have a guest writer today, and her name is Mary Ward. I would like to personally thank you Mary for taking the time out of your busy day to write an article for Jodi's Journey!

Pregnancy can be scary if you don't know what's going on. Your body is changing, you're feeling things that you've never felt before, and you need answers. These resources can help to shed some light and ensure that you have a healthy and happy pregnancy.

1. My Pregnancy Guide – This is a must have for any pregnant woman. This takes you week-by-week through your pregnancy and has great forums for you to utilize. You can find answers to any question you may have, and realize that your concerns or symptoms are all quite normal. This resource can be a life saver for a pregnant woman!

2. Baby Center – This is the ultimate resource because it walks with you hand in hand throughout every stage of your pregnancy and beyond. You can learn about everything from how to conceive, to how to manage your nutritional needs in pregnancy, and the forums and information take you throughout your pregnancy and into caring for your baby. This site is chocked full of information, and will carry you through every possible stage. Many a pregnant woman will consider this to be her “encyclopedia”.

3. Pregnancy Week-By-Week – This is a very useful resource as it will help you to fully understand what is and what should be going on each and every week of your pregnancy. This can help to answer common questions, and speak to the development of your unborn child. It can also shed some light on what you should expect from your own body and common symptoms that occur at different stages of your pregnancy.

4. Parenthood – From informative articles to fun ideas for your pregnancy and role as a parent, this is a great resource. You can pick up on top baby names, or simply understand the best way to handle common pregnancy issues. This is a comprehensive site that can take you through your pregnancy, and even tell you what to expect in the next phase of your babies life. You can keep up with it for years to come!

5. Just Mommies – You can find information on this site to help you cope with the common issues of pregnancy, and more importantly what to expect beyond once the baby is born. You can join forums or see what others are chatting about. You can figure out what it takes to be a stay at home mom, or what provisions you should be thinking of before your child is born. This resource offers excellent insight and first hand perspectives of this most important role in a woman's life.

6. Pregnancy Love to Know – The name says it all because you can truly find everything here. The sections cover everything that pregnant women have expressed interest in, and they are all broken out into easy to understand categories. This is a great resource to consult when you need an answer to something.

7. Pregnancy Info - You can keep up with whichever stage is pertinent to you as there is everything from infertility to conception to pregnancy and beyond. This is a nice site to refer to throughout your pregnancy and beyond as you work to understand what is happening to you and your unborn child.

Pregnancy shouldn't have to be a mystery, and with these helpful resources you can learn about any topic that pertains to you. To have a healthy and happy pregnancy, it can really pay to keep informed and these resources will help you do just that.

M. Ward writes about how to get a BSN online.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:37:49 PDT

WOW!, What A Wonderful Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:01:13 PDT

Man did I ever have a long weekend, but it was a good one and I feel very blessed. I spent Saturday with my son, and if anyone knows me by reading my blog you would know that we have been estranged for a few years now.

But, I have been talking to him and seeing him off and on now for about 2 1/2 months or so, but nothing major except for now he needs surgery. My son has a hernia, and they do not have a phone so he has the doctors office call me, so I am like 'the messenger'. So right now we are waiting for the surgery date, etc.

Well on one of these 'message days' he said "hey mom if you are going to get me and Sam (his girlfriend) anything for Christmas we could really use winter coats, could you get us both a coat for Christmas?". Now let me just say, my son lives with his girlfriend in a 1 bedroom apartment that could fit into my family room and they both have to use their bikes, plus the bus Transpo system for their transportation back and forth to work, and right now he is looking for a job. If they do need something, and I am able to help them out I will.

I told him "yes I would get them winter coats, but I would do it now since it is getting very cold where we live already, so they need the coats now not on Christmas day, but just consider this your Christmas present". We went to WalMart to get the winter coats that they wanted. After that I took his girlfriend to work, then my son and I went ahead to the Mall and walked around since his girlfriend works at a restaurant at the Mall anyways.

Both my son and I had not been to the Mall in a very long time, and they have redone our Mall since we had been there last. So we walked around and just looked at every little thing that we could, I even had a demonstration on my fingernails to be all shiny and look like I had a manicure for two weeks, "I am like okay sure, heck why not right?" lol!

We even got to see this new computerized cigarette that is out now, since I quit smoking I still thought that this was the coolest thing I had seen since the toaster came out that you could put a bagel in, lmbo!! My son and I both were just mesmerized how this thing worked. You can't even smell the smoke, and it looks exactly like a cigarette.

So anyways I had a very good time with my son on Saturday and enjoyed it very much, there was no arguing, no getting loud with one another, it was just very peaceful and wonderful to be with him Saturday.

Then Sunday I went and picked them up and they went to church with me, which was awesome. It was an awesome service on top of that!! I bought them a couple of books that were on sale at our church bookstore that they wanted, and then we went and had lunch together.

I went home and took my clothes off, put on my old T-shirt I wear, my pajama pants, laid down in bed to watch some TV, and woke up to the TV and light still on at 11 PM, lol! I was so exhausted from the weekend I literally just passed out, then got up and went to the restroom, put on my PJ's, and went back to bed. I am just not use to being out like that, but my son did push me in a wheelchair in the Mall which was cool, but I am still not use to being out and doing stuff like that, and it was awesome, absolutely awesome! Thank you Lord, and thank you son!

So how was your weekend?

Good Morning My Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:00:02 PDT

I HAD AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR THIS MORNING. HE ARRIVED EARLY, SAT DOWN WITH ME AND CHATTED FOR A WHILE ABOUT HOW THINGS WERE CURRENTLY GOING FOR ME IN MY LIFE. AFTER VERY CAREFULLY AND COMPASSIONATELY LISTENING TO ALL THAT I HAD TO SAY, HE SAW THE STRESS ON MY FACE AND THE TEARS IN MY EYES.

HE STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO ME, LEANED OVER AND GENTLY HELD ME FOR AWHILE BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A REALLY BAD MORNING. THEN, AFTER REASSURING ME NOT TO WORRY, THAT EVERYTHING WOULD WORK OUT FOR ME AND BE JUST FINE, HE ASKED ME IF I KNEW OF ANYONE ELSE THAT COULD USE A VISIT FROM HIM.

I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF YOU MY FRIEND. I GAVE HIM YOUR NAME AND TOLD HIM WHERE YOU LIVED. HE GAVE ME ANOTHER REASSURING HUG, THANKED ME AND I WALKED WITH HIM TO MY FRONT DOOR. HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO YOUR PLACE.

Minorities - One Of Maxine's Best!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:00:02 PDT

We need to show more sympathy for these people.

* They travel miles in the heat.

* They risk their lives crossing a border.

* They don't get paid enough wages.

* They do jobs that others won't do or are afraid to do.

* They live in crowded conditions among people who speak a different language.

* They rarely see their families, and they face adversity all day ~ everyday.

I'm not talking about illegal Mexicans ~ I'm talking about our troops! Doesn't it seem strange that many Democrats and Republicans are willing to lavish all kinds of social benefits on illegals, but don't support our troops, and are even threatening to defund them? (I WISH WE COULD FIND A WAY TO “DEFUND” OUR GOVERNMENT!!!!!!!!! )

Grandparents

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:00:00 PDT

Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~Author Unknown

What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change,
and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

Grandmothers are just 'antique' little girls. ~Author Unknown

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild.
~ Welsh Proverb

A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead
of the television.. ~Author Unknown

Never have children, only grandchildren. ~Gore Vidal

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just
a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown

Grandchildren don't stay young forever, which is good because
Grandfathers have only so many horsy rides in them. ~Gene Perret

When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window.
~Ogden Nash

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just
you all day and now the day was complete. ~ Marcy DeMaree

Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. ~Author unknown

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our
hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren,
I'd have had them first. ~Lois Wyse

My grandkids believe I'm the oldest thing in the world. And after
two or three hours with them, I believe it, too. ~Gene Perret

If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should
advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is
no fun for old people like it! ~Hannah Whithall Smith

It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that's why the
world calls her grandmother. ~Author Unknown

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing
old. ~Mary H. Waldrip

You do not really understand something unless you can explain
it to your grandmother. ~Proverb

An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again.
Anything longer than that, and you start to age quickly. ~Gene Perret

The best baby-sitters, of course, are the baby's grandparents. You
feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long
Periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida . ~Dave Barry

I wish I had the energy that my grandchildren have - if only for
self-defense. ~Gene Perret

Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas
are short on criticism and long on love. ~Author Unknown

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do
Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of
little children. ~Alex Haley

Grandmother - a wonderful mother with lots of
practice. ~Author Unknown

A grandparent is old on the outside but young on
the inside. ~Author Unknown

One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new
grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather. ~Joy Hargrove

It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you
become one. ~Author Unknown

If your baby is 'beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses,
sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the
time,' you're the grandma. ~Teresa Bloomingdale

Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have
around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their
grandchildren. ~Author Unknown

What is it about grandparents that is so lovely? I'd like to say
that grandparents are God's gifts to children. And if they can
but see, hear and feel what these people have to give, they
can mature at a fast rate. ~Bill Cosby

Grandchildren don't make a man feel old; it's the knowledge
that he's married to a grandmother. ~G Norman Collie

5th Grade Assignment

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:00:04 PDT

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results:

God is like.
BAYER ASPIRIN
He works miracles.

God is like.
a FORD
He's got a better idea.

God is like.
COKE
He's the real thing.

God is like.
HALLMARK CARDS
He cares enough to send His very best.

God is like.
TIDE
He gets the stains out that others leave behind.

God is like.
GENERAL ELECTRIC
He brings good things to life.

God is like.
SEARS
He has everything.

God is like.
ALKA-SELTZER
Try Him, you'll like Him

God is like.
SCOTCH TAPE
You can't see Him, but you know He's there.

God is like...
DELTA
He's ready when you are.

God is like.
ALLSTATE
You're in good hands with Him.

God is like.
VO-5 Hair Spray
He holds through all kinds of weather.

God is like.
DIAL SOAP
Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?

God is like..
the US . POST OFFICE
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His
appointed destination.

God is like.
Chevrolet. . . .the heart beat of America

God is like
Maxwell House. .
Good to the very last drop

God is like.
Bounty. .. . .
He is the quicker picker upper. . can handle the tough jobs.. . and He

won't fall apart on you!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:00:04 PDT

The Bank

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:42:32 PDT

Thank you sis, and happy birthday to you!! This is AWESOME ... something we should all remember. Have a wonderful and blessed Wednesday!

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.' 'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied. Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing.

'Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

My Husband & I Could Not Have Said It Better!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:13:45 PDT

PLEASE Take the time to read this! This letter to the AARP says it all. It is a must read regardless of your age. Some people just make sense in what they say. This lady certainly does. This was sent to Mr. Rand who is the Executive Director of AARP

Dear Mr. Rand,

Recently you sent us a letter encouraging us to renew our lapsed membership in AARP by the requested date. I know it is not what you were looking for, but this is the most honest response I can give you. Our gap in coverage is merely a microscopic symptom of the real problem, a deepening lack of faith.

While we have proudly maintained our membership for several years and have long admired the AARP goals and principles, regrettably, we can no longer endorse it's abdication of our values. Your letter specifically stated that we can count on AARP to speak up for our rights, yet the voice we hear is not ours. Your offer of being kept up to date on important issues through DIVIDED WE FAIL presents neither an impartial view nor the one we have come to embrace. We do believe that when two parties agree all the time on everything presented to them, one is probably not necessary. But, when the opinions and long term goals are diametrically opposed, the divorce is imminent. This is the philosophy which spawned our 200 years of government.

Once upon a time, we looked forward to being part of the senior demographic. We also looked to AARP to provide certain benefits and give our voice a power we could not possibly hope to achieve on our own. AARP gave us a sense of belonging which we no longer enjoy. The Socialist politics practiced by the Obama administration and empowered by AARP serves only to raise the blood pressure my medical insurance strives to contain. Clearly a conflict of interest there!

We do not understand the AARP posture, feel greatly betrayed by the guiding forces whom we expected to map out our senior years and leave your ranks with a great sense of regret. We mitigate that disappointment with the relief of knowing that we are not contributing to the problem anymore by renewing our membership. There are numerous other organizations which offer discounts without threatening our way of life or offending our sensibilities.

This Presidential Administration scares the living daylights out of us. Not just for ourselves, but for our proud and bloodstained heritage, but even more importantly for our children and grandchildren.Washington has rendered Soylent Green a prophetic cautionary tale rather than a nonfiction scare tactic. I have never in my life endorsed any militant or radical groups, yet now I find myself listening to them. I don't have to agree with them to appreciate the fear which birthed their existence. Their borderline insanity presents little more than a balance to the voice of the Socialist mindset in power. Perhaps I became American by a great stroke of luck in some cosmic uterine lottery, but in my adulthood I CHOOSE to embrace it and nurture the freedoms it represents as well as the responsibilities it requires.

Your website generously offers us the opportunity to receive all communication in Spanish. ARE YOU KIDDING??? Someone has broken into our 'house', invaded our home without our invitation or consent. The President has insisted we keep the perpetrator in comfort and learn the perps language so we can communicate our reluctant welcome to them.

I DON'T choose to welcome them.
I DON'T choose to support them.
I DON'T choose to educate them. I DON'T choose to medicate them, pay for their food or clothing.

American home invaders get arrested. Please explain to me why foreign lawbreakers can enjoy privileges on American soil that Americans do not get? Why do some immigrants have to play the game to be welcomed and others only have to break & enter to be welcomed?

We travel for a living. Walt hauls horses all over this great country, averaging over 10,000 miles a month when he is out there. He meets more people than a politician on caffeine overdose. Of all the many good folks he enjoyed on this last 10,000 miles, this trip yielded only ONE supporter of the current administration. One of us is out of touch with mainstream America. Since our poll is conducted without funding, I have more faith in it than one which is power driven.

We have decided to forward this email to everyone on our mailing list, and will encourage them to do the same. With several hundred in my address book, I have every faith that the eventual exponential factor will make a credible statement to you.

I am disappointed as hell.
I am scared as hell.
I am MAD as hell, and I'm NOT gonna take it anymore!

Walt & Cyndy
Miller Farms Equine Transport

Happy Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:23:28 PDT

A woman was asked by a coworker,

'What is it like to be a Christian?'

The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.'

God picks you from the patch, brings you in,
and washes all the dirt off of you.

Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.

Then He carves you a new smiling face and
puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'

Thank you to my wonderful mother-in-law for passing this on to me! Have a blessed and wonderful Thursday! That's my youngest grandson in the photo by the way! Now isn't he too cute?

Semi Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:58:18 PDT

My handsome grandson, Ezekiel!