Jonathan's buck

My brother in law got his first buck recently, I was very excited for him and posted the pic's he sent me. Wish I was in Texas for some venison steaks! Way to go Jonathan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

Please watch this video, its amazing.
Alice

TAG!!!

Unspectacular

6. I love Hot Cocoa with marshmallows.
5. I would rather sit and read a book about the birds of North America, than read the newspaper.
4. When I catch the rainbow through the spray of water coming from my garden hose, I smile.
3. Writing is NOT by best subject.
2. If I have a passion about a subject, then I can write about it.
1. I secretly love hats, even though I never wear any, save for the occasional baseball cap.

http://tatijoy.blogspot.com/ Sis Crystal, http://debbiepryor.blogspot.com/ Sis Pryor,
http://rainbowreflections.blogspot.com/ Sis Philana
http://dogsbark150.blogspot.com/ Madison

Meme terms & conditions
1. link the person who tagged you
2. mention the rules on your blog
3. list 6 unspectacular things about you
4. tag 6 other bloggers

Hurricane

Hurricane Ike

An alligator is seen crossing a road in Sabine Pass, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, as the area recovers from the effects of Hurricane Ike.



A church reflection

Beauty

Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter.
Ansel Adams

Someone once told me that "If we do not remember history, it WILL repeat itself" Let's never forget, because if we do, then we are bound to repeat.

Life's a voyage that's homeward bound.
Herman Melville

Camp Meeting

There was so much that was gained by going to camp meeting this year. We had an awesome time. One of the last services we went to, this story was told, I thought I would retell it today...just something that has stuck with me.

A gentlemen was given a tour of an asylum for the criminally insane. After walking through the tour, he questioned the warden, "Why are there not more guards, guarding the prisoners? If they ever got together, it wouldn't be good." The warden replied "That would never happen, lunatics never unite"

The preacher then said, We as apostolics need to band together, get together, DON'T BE A LUNATIC!

I don't want to be a lunatic off by myself and unable to band together with my fellow apostolic, unable to witness, and grow. Thank God for Godly fellowship.

NEW BLOG

Check out my new blog...
http://chowhoundalice.blogspot.com/

People are always asking me for my recipes...Death by Chocolate...Alice's chicken salad...Olive gardens Toscana soup...Marie calenders Potato cheese soup...Christmas sugar cookies with frosting, etc, etc,...

I hope to slowly list my favorite recipes on this blog, I hope I have time to update it frequently enough, if you have any suggestions on what you would like to have posted next let me know!

Happy eating!

Radio classics

The radio/TV comedian Jack Benny was quoted in a magazine, I got a little laugh and I thought I would share it. He is speaking about a Golden Globe award he recieved:

"I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either."

Jack Benny, 1969

Listen on the computer to these old time radio classics at:
http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?genre=old+time+radio
http://www.xmradioclassics.com/

Orange Count Fair

Madison and I went to the OC Fair on Friday night. We really had a girls night. We watch some Motorcycle Derby, and then shopped and ate snacks. Ofcourse the best we seeing the animals. This picture of a steer (which is a neutered bull) is the cutest picture I took all night. I was kind of far away an nobody was around this steer. He had his head o the window sill and looked very board. HOW CAN YOU BE BOARD AT THE FAIR? He was! Joe said I should have entiled this post "The board Bovine!" We had a good night at the fair.

LOVE

1 Corinthians 13
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Charity:
1: benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity
2 a: generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering

FYI

Emergency Telephone Numbers
These are more effective than 911
When -
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27< /A>
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone < /B>Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is b igger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone < /I>Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone M ark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small comp ared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

Father's day

Well I thought about father's day and a story came to my mind. I was in the second grade, or maybe even the first grade. I walked to school with my aunt who was in the fifth grade. We went to the same Elementary school for a couple of years. She is the youngest of my mother's siblings, my mother being the oldest of 6 children, my aunt and I are just 4 years apart in age.

We were walking to school and my mother came driving up in our car. She should have been at work a long time before this. She yelled at us, "Your not going to school today, get in the car! We are going to the beach!" This had never happened before and I don't ever really remember it happening after this. Some things you never forgot no matter how young you are.

I played "Hooky" this day. Along with my parents and aunt, there came along, my 2 uncles, and one of my uncles girlfriends who is know also my aunt.

I never forgot this day. It was so memorable because after just arriving at the beach, I stepped out into the sand and immediately stepped on a piece of glass. My uncle Micheal, then carried me all over the beach for the rest of the day. With a bloody bandage on my foot. I remember a sea lion, the tide pools and shells. I never forgot this day.

Just yesterday I told my mom about this memory. The cut on my foot, the sea lion we got so close to, and getting out of school that day. She told me that it was all my Dads idea. I never knew that, since she picked up up on our way to school. I always thought it was her idea. It wasn't. My parents have been divorced since 1980, the year my youngest brother was born. I don't get to see my real dad very often, and I have a wonderful Step dad, that I love very much. But I am glad that my dad had the idea of getting out of work and school that day. We all made memories that can never be taken away from us. I thank God for our fathers. Some of us are lucky and have more than one father figure, and if you don't have any, GOD is there to help us make memories, with him, we will never forget.

Happy birthday to Madison!!!
Today Maddy turned 12 yrs old. My baby is going to middle school next year! I had the idea of taking her whale watching for her birthday. I told her 2 weeks ago we would go today. At first she was nervous. Neither she nor Kevin have ever been on a ship, or boat. Our adventure started at 1:30pm. We got to the dock at Dana Point Harbor today at 12:30pm. We had a hard time finding parking today. We ended up parking very far away. About 20 minute walk. Once we got there, we checked in, and the boat was almost ready to go. When we finally boarded, we were filled with excitement and nervousness. Once we got out of the harbor, we started to open it up... it was very choppy... very windy today. It was like being on a roller coaster. It's funny how time flies. We were out for 3 1/2hours. It seemed like 30 minutes. We had the times of our lives. The kids loved the choppy water and no one on our boat got sick. There was about 25 people. We even felt good enough after seeing the whale, that we ever ate snacks, before coming back in. This was a great birthday for Maddy, abut a wonderful day for us all.



Kevin and Maddy before their first whale watching adventure.



This Blue whale was 20 feet away from our boat. His estimated size is 70 feet long. We got upclose and personal with this creature. God largest creation. He is the biggest of all whales. He is even larger than any dinosaur that ever lived.



Some happy Sea Lions, resting in the sun!



Maddy and Kevin, just before getting off the boat. We all had a great time. Madison's first words as we were walking off the dock ramp, were "When can we go again?!"

MORE PETS!

Some might liken their family to a circus, but I think our family is more like a zoo... Everywhere we turn there are more and more creatures that find are way to our family. Last Thursday I took in a Kitten and another Chinchilla. I found a home for the Chinchilla, right away with a co-woker. The kitten found a home with another co-worker within 24 hours. The very next day Joe found the spider at work. On Tuesday Kevin found a Lizard at school and brought it home. What will next week bring? ...LOL



Enjoying a mid-afternoon snack...



I ate my first cricket Tuesday...
Sceloporus occidentalis
Western Fence Lizard

PHRYSONOMATIDAE

Sceloporus from the Greek skelos, meaning leg and porus, meaning pores in reference to their femoral pores located along the underside of the leg. The name occidentalis refers to their western distribution. The species as a whole (S. occidentalis) is called the Western Fence Lizard. These lizards are more commonly called "Blue-bellies" or "Swifts."



"Bubbles", having a good time in his new tank.

The new spider Part 2

This is a picture of the first cricket we gave the spider to eat. Before this he had eaten a fly we caught. He much preferred the crickets I think. In this picture the cricket is almost the same size as the spider. The first time I saw him eat I wasn't prepared for the amazing show it was going to put on. He stalked the cricket like a cat stalking it's prey. Keeping the one he wanted in front of him at all times. When it finally came into reach he would jump at it with lightning quickness, bite and jump back. Then as the cricket became paralyzed it would take it into it's mouth and climb or walk around with it. The spider did this with all 3 of the crickets we gave him back to back, within 12 hours he had eaten 3 crickets. This was on Sunday, so on Tuesday we gave him another 3 crickets, and Tomorrow he will go to his new home. I can't say that I will be sad seeing him go. I know I will sleep much better knowing he is elsewhere. I did really well the first several days of after his arrival, but the longer he's here the more creeped out I am becoming. I think it has something to do with seeing him eat. I am sure there will be more spiders, as long as I have a friend, whose son marvels at them, there will always be a place for them to go, and we will always pass them along.

New Spider

I know I haven't blogged recently... I have a lot I have been thinking about blogging but this couldn't wait. I have a new spider.

Phidippus audax, or jumping spider. I have a good pic of this one. I think it is a male. I read a discription of this spider and the males have green eye brows. This one does, but you can't see it well in the pic I got. They are common throughout the United States and Canada.




They are very hard to catch since they "Jump" and are not posionous. Their bite can sometimes be irritating however. They do jump on their prey.



Ofcourse, I will be forwarding this spider to my friend. Her son (who is now 18 yrs old, I think) is very excited about this one...Then again they are always excited by any new creature that comes along their path.

When God ordains, He sustains

I read this in an email today and all I can say is I was encouraged. I hope it encourages you. When GOD ordains his child, no one can stand in the way of GODS purpose or will.

Another thought for today:

Psalms 57:6
They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

Two different emails, but GODS knows what we need to hear and when we need to hear it. My GOD is so awsome.

GOD confirms his word

Mark 11
1And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

2And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

3And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

4And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

5And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?

6And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

7And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.

8And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:

10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

11And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.



Dose this passage of scripture sound familiar? Well it should, because Pastor preached this passage of scripture on Sunday night. The funny thing is, I taught on this same scripture sunday morning in Sunday school. We had a lot of teaching going on the sundays leading up to Easter, I didn't get a chance to teach this lesson before Easter and since it was prepared I figured I would go ahead and teach it. "The triumphant entry" I have been using the "Search for truth" Bible study chart for my teaching and the kids love it. They especially liked the chart with a map of Jerusalem, and Jesus' last days and were they took place on the map.

I understand that God will confirm his word for many different reasons. Sometimes it's so we'll just have faith that he is real and that these things are not a coincidence. Sometimes it's so He can show Himself, or increase our faith. I know one thing, my students are paying attention because when this passage was read on Sunday night they looked at me with bewilderment in there eye, and if I could read their minds they were saying, "Hey, that's the scripture from this morning!" If it can touch one child and bring this scripture to their minds sometime in the future, then this seed was sown on fertile ground. Hallelujah!

"It's a Battle for Your Attention!

In our media-driven culture we are being bombarded daily with contradicting messages. On TV, in movies, in print publications and online, men and women of faith are told they're inadequate in the workplace or at home, as spouses or as parents.

And our children are even bigger targets. TV, films and video games offer gratuitous violence, teen programs with provocative clothing and situations, pop-ups on the Web ... they're all fighting against the virtues and values you hold most dear and strive to instill in your kids." Focus on the Family

I read this today in an e-mail and it was thought provoking. Secular religion understands the the ploys of the devil to win your children over to the ways of the world. This message is true, but how much more discernment we have as "Holy Ghost filled Apostolic Christians." We need to be parents first and friends to our children second, or we do them a great injustice.

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." KJV, 1 Corinthians 13:11

Me Colored?

[This Poem Was Nominated By United Nations As The Best Poem Of 2006, Written By An African Kid.]

“Me Colored?”

When I Born, I Black
When I Grow Up, I Black
When I Go In The Sun, I Black
When I Scared, I Black
When I Sick, I Black
And When I Die, I Still Black
And You White Fellow…
When You Born, You Pink
When You Grow Up, You White
When You Go In The Sun, You Red
When You Cold, You Blue
When You Scare, You Yellow
When You Sick, You Green
And When You Die, You Grey
And You Calling Me Colored??

The rainbow bridge

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Moses

Sis Bernice had to put Moses to sleep yesterday. It is a very hard decision to make, but knowing that he truly is not suffering anymore gives you a great peace in your heart. One of the worst feelings in not being able to breath. Animals can not understand this, so they panic. You can not explain to them that the more they stress out the worse it becomes, so you are left with an important decision.

Bull dogs are Brachiocephelic breed of dogs. They have a shortened nose and sinus passage. For this reason it makes it very difficult if they get any kind of respiratory problem, or inflammation. I saw a bull dog that was in distress once, that had a windpipe the diameter of a straw, when it should have been about the diameter of a quarter.

I remember Moses loving to play with his water bottle. I wish Sis Bernice had sent me a picture of him with his water bottle. The first time I saw him go crazy over that bottle was several years ago, but just like children they find the package is more fun than what came in it.

I know Moses is at peace now and we all have a place in our hearts that can never be filled. I know that the Rios family and the Peavey family will miss him dearly. Rest in peace....Moses

Golfer kills hawk

Tripp Isenhour, of Orlando, Fl…

AP - Mar 6, 1:49 pm EST
Golf Gallery ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—PGA Tour player Tripp Isenhour faces charges for hitting a hawk with a golf shot because it was making noise as he videotaped a TV show.

Isenhour was with a film crew for “Shoot Like A Pro” on Dec. 12 at the Grand Cypress Golf course. The 39-year-old player, whose real name is John Henry Isenhour III, was charged Wednesday with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and $1,500 in fines.

Isenhour apologized in a statement released Thursday and said he was only trying to scare the hawk away.

According to court documents, Isenhour got upset when a red-shouldered hawk began making noise, forcing another take. He began hitting balls at the bird, then 300 yards away, but gave up. Isenhour started again when the hawk moved within about 75 yards, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer Brian Baine indicated in a report.

Isenhour allegedly said, “I’ll get him now,” and aimed for the hawk.

“About the sixth ball came very near the bird’s head, and (Isenhour) was very excited that it was so close,” Baine wrote.

A few shots later, witnesses said he hit the hawk. The bird, protected as a migratory species, fell to the ground bleeding from both nostrils.

“As soon as this happened, I was mortified and extremely upset and continue to be upset,” Isenhour said in a statement issued through his management company, SFX Golf. “I want to let everyone know there was neither any malice nor deliberate intent whatsoever to hit or harm the hawk. I was trying to simply scare it into flying away.”

Isenhour said his family has adopted three cats from a local shelter.

“I am an animal lover,” he said. “We ask that everyone accept my sincerest apology, and please be respectful of my family’s privacy.”

Humane Society executive vice president Michael Markarian said Isenhour should face charges.

“Americans have no tolerance for cruelty to animals. Such a petty, mean spirited act against a wild bird is inexcusable and prosecutors are right to hold Isenhour accountable to the law,” he said in a statement released Thursday.

Isenhour has spent two full years on the PGA Tour, both times failing to keep his card. He has won four times on the Nationwide Tour, including twice in 2006.

“He just kept saying how he didn’t think he could have hit it, which I think is a stupid thing for a PGA Tour golfer to say,” said Jethro Senger, a sound engineer at the shoot. “He can put a ball in a hole from hundreds of yards away, and here he is hitting line drives at something that’s, I don’t know, a couple hundred feet away?”

Senger said it was “basically like a joke to (Isenhour).” He said no one in the roughly 15-person crew intervened, and many later regretted it.

“It was one of those cases where there’s some trepidation on whether or not they should speak up and do something,” Senger said.

Senger said the killing was not captured on video. The bird was buried at the golf course and later dug up by Florida investigators.

Ladies Retreat

What a wonderful blessing it was going to Ladies retreat this year. We all got a mighty blessed from the Lord, and being there we great fun. We laughed, we cried, we stayed up late and work up early. We shopped, (some more than others LOL) We witnessed healings, and our faith has been built stronger for that. I Cherish the memories that were made and the friendships that are built stronger. What an awesome time. If you didn't get to go, I highly recommend you try next year, you will be blessed.



On our way home we noticed this dust storm in the horizon, it looked threatening. Once we were in it it wasn't so bad, but just stay away from the big rigs on the highway!




We all made it back home safely to our families that were very glad we all were finally home. It is a long time to be away from your family, 3 and 1/2 days. My husband did very well and everything was just fine when I got home, Thank you Jesus.

Testimony

I have been thinking for a while now about giving my testimony here on my blog. My husband and I have been through some trying times in our marriage. I know that God has always kept his hand not only on me, but on my husband as well. We both had been through a lot before coming to know each other.

I haven't told my testimony to many people. My husband and I meet each other in a bar. Neither of us were in church at the time, and when I think back to how God saw me, and how I need him, he put Joe there to help me, while I was in a very sad lonely place.

After we met, Joe told me about God. I think I was really drawn to him because he knew about God and wasn't afraid or ashamed to talk about Him. I have always believed in God. I was born and raised Catholic. I went to Sunday school, and learned some about God. I think that sometimes I went to church and Sunday school because it was expected of me. I was constantly watching the clock, waiting for my hour to be over. As I reached my 20's I didn't go at all to church, but I have always believed in one God. The Catholics as a rule don't use the word "trinity" and God had given me then, a Revelation of "one God"

Starting a life as a young couple and drinking and going to bars all the time is not a very good start to a marriage. My husband and I struggled with a lot. We lasted about 6 months of this life style before the party ended and we realized we need more in our marriage.

I had the idea of going to church, because if God couldn't help us then, nothing could. I figured I would look for a church, but Joe had told me he would not go to a Catholic church. There was a large church in the area we lived, a "Christian church" The first time we went there was a disaster. I left there very discourage and feeling like there was no hope. Joe was trying to be supportive. He wanted to try to make our marriage work, and he also knew that only God could fix it. We drove home from that very cold, informal, church service (that neither of us got anything out of) and he looked at me and said, "If we are going to go to church, then we are going to got to the right church, a pentecostal church. At this point I said OKAY, I need something, GOD, and at this point I didn't care what church we went to as long as we went somewhere.

Joe called Bro Driscoll, in Texas, and ask him to find us a church in California. He called us back and gave us Bro. Bookers number in Rialto. At the time we lived in Garden Grove and I explained to Joe that Rialto is very far away. He called the Rialto church and Joel Booker gave Joe the name and number to the church in Orange.

I got the Holy Ghost in the middle of January about six weeks after we started to attend the UPC of Orange. I remember the service. It was a missionary from France preaching. He talked a lot about the Catholic church in France, since mostly everyone is France is Catholic. The service hit home. I got the Holy Ghost and Joe and I got baptized together that next week. (Joe had been baptized in Jesus name when he was 12 yrs old, but wanted the be rebaptized) It was very special to me that we were baptized together.

When I meet Joe he told me, "I never thought I would marry someone I met in a bar". No one knows what God has in store for them. My husband was a backslider, and came back to God to save our marriage. He lead me to the right church, so that I would know the truth. Some other men could have just PLAYED church to appease their wives. I know men who do that, just to keep "The peace", but I am so very glad that Joe didn't do this. I feel like God really knew what I needed when I needed it, he also knew that my heart was ready, and that I was desperate for him. When I think back on what my life could have been I am so glad God chose me and that I answered his knocking on my hearts door.

Valentines Day

Valentines Day. Some may say it's commercial. Infact I think almost every man you ask would say it's commercial. My husband has said this in the past. I have a couple of Valentine stories I am going to tell here.

One year while I was still a newlywed. Joe bought me roses. I was so excited, they were beautiful, and I was young and in love. We got married in January, and this was our first Valentine as husband and wife. Well I went to work the next day and while I was gone, Joe placed my new roses outside in the sun!!! I walked up to our apartment and to my suprise, my flowers were sitting on the pourch! 1 day! I had my flowers for 1 DAY! I was very upset, as you can imagine. Joe said he thought they needed some sun! ugh!!!

The next story that comes to my memory is about Br. Saul. My husband worked with him while we were living in Colton. This man has a very, VERY conservative nature. He could be discribed as very thrifty. I have met him and his wife, and they are very much in love. He is a great provider to his family and his wife is a stay at home mother to their 3 children. Joe asked him what he was getting his wife for Valentines Day. I am sure they discussed the topic over their eight hour shift, many times, but it came down to this one statement, that my husband thought was very clever. "I love my wife everyday of the year, I don't need a special day to show her." When he came home and told me this I yelled "What a cop out! I can't believe someone would say that!" Bro Saul's wife recieved a beautiful Valentines gift that year. Joe was later quoted as saying that Bro Saul said, "That comment about Valentines day was just a cop out!" Can you believe it? We have laughed about this story many times, and acutally are both laughing about it right now. LOL

My next story isn't so funny, but more romantic. Have you ever heard of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas?" Well, I had the three days of Valentine, last year. My wounderful husband brougt me flowers to work 3 days in a row. A different flower every day with the Roses coming on Valentines Day. I have a beautiful picture of my roses that I will try to add to this post at a later time. By far the best roses I have ever recieved. They were saved from a day in the sun too! (I acutally said that to him, DON'T PUT THEM IN THE SUN!) They lived beuatifully for 14days, when one by one they slowly died away, the last one at day 18.

This year was different. I was at work anticipating what would happened on this special day. Some of the other girls I work with recieved there flowers by 9AM. I didn't recieve any. I wasn't sad, because of the flowers that I recieved last year, and the romantic I know my husband to be, I knew there would be something coming. When he came home I was already making dinner, and he came in and there was nothing in his hands, I felt a little crushed. It didn't help that I was starting to feel under the weather. But true to form, he went and got the gift he had already bought me. A box of my favorite candy, SEE'S Truffles. We have been married nine years and he got it just right today. But no flowers. I wasn't mad, maybe a little disappointed. Then he gave me another bag. I pulled out "Garfield-large and in charge!" I had told him weeks ago that I wanted it, but until then I had forgotten. I was so excited, I jumped up had hugged him and yelled, "You just redemed yourself!", "From what?" he said. "I was sad I didn't get flowers this year, but now I AM HAPPY!" I was very excited. I guess men do listen sometimes, huh?

The moral of the story is, some men MAY treat there wives like they are a queen year round. But to be truthful to you, I like being treated like a queen on Valentines day, for one reason. If I was treated like every day was Valentines day EVERYDAY, then it wouldn't be special. I love my husband, he's a great provider, soul mate and friend. I wouldn't trade him for anyone else. God knows what we all need, and when I needed him, God sent him to me. GOD saved me, but he used this man to point me in the right direction. I thank GOD for my husband.

RESPONSIBILITY

"Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility"
Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Judgment-A formal utterance of an authoritative opinion.
Responsibility-Moral, leagal, or mental accountability.

This quote caught my eye today. It was on (of all things) my box of caffeine free tea I was making. I started to think about the things we are responsible for. The things that I am responsible for I am accountable for, but to who? Morally I am responsible to the people around me. Leagally I am responsible to follow the laws of the state and town I live in. Mentally I am responsible for the chocies I make in my life.
I want to be sure that morally I am doing the things that will please God. God lays down the foundation for our Moral standards in life. Without God in my life where would I learn a standard of living? Does not the bible teach us that we are to abide by the laws of this land? Are we not to give the rulers of our nation support and prayers? Legally I need to be a responsible citizen.
Now what about mental accountability? I have a personal responsibility to God to exercise my "free will" in a way that will please HIM. Everyday, I have to make a choice to follow his way, and live my life in a way that I can be found "Holy and acceptable" in his sight.
God is at the very essence of the aspects of responsibility. You can turn everyone of these aspects selfishly inward, and someone who doesn't believe in God, can find that very easy to do, but for a child of God, our responsibility needs to be focused on HIM.

I want to be able to focus on what God wants me to focus on and not what others are doing/not doing. I want the Judgment in my life to be self focused, and I want to be responsible and accountable for my actions. In this way I will find strength in God.

Starbucks

Today is the first day of our church wide caffine and sugar fast. I thought a lot about it last night. I even thought about going to starbucks last night on the way home from church, since the fast starts today. We didn't go, but I thought about it.

This morning I woke up and had a thought about coffee, like I do every morning. Then I remembered the fast, no Starbucks this morning. I got the kids to school and as I was driving a thought hit my mind, or should I say revalation hit my mind. DECAF-SUGAR FREE LATTE!!!! I laughed out loud, Starbucks here I come.

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

Having fun at California Adventure, and getting ready to get on "Sreaming" Kevin, Jose, and Ariel. Not picutred Sis Cathy and Alice and Madison. It was very cold and tears were running down my face as we got off the ride, but we all were laughing, and had great fellowship.

Toby

On friday I came home and "Toby" who is my 14 year old cat, started acting funny. I didn't even have time to take my shoes off, and still in my work clothes, I rushed him to my work. He seemed to be batting in the air at nothing. His eyes glazed over and I picked him up and he was really stiff. I thought he was choking because his neck was bent downward, and he wouldn't straighten it up. My thoughts were, seizure, brain tumor, kidney failure (which can lead to a buildup of ammonia in the brain), neurologic disorder of some sort. But there is a reason I am not the doctor. These were all logical differentials of possible problems only running more tests would tell us what was wrong.

By the time I got him in the car he was acting normal again, just a little groggy and weak. His doctored ordered a blood test, everything was normal. Then we did a blood pressure which was also normal. She ordered an EKG, here was the diagnosis. My cat has HCM/Hypertrophic cardio-myopathy. Heart disease. We gave him some medication/beta blocker and he hasn't had another episode that I am aware of.

This is a very bad prognosis long term, and you just keep them comfortable until you put them to sleep. I have seen several cats die of this. My cat will never die of this disease. I will put him to sleep long before he begins to suffer. They do suffer at the end stage of this disease.

My co-workers and I always laugh that if it's sick and it's an orange cat then it's either, kidney disease or diabetes. It just seems they are more prone to those diseases. I really was not prepared for this. I really thought him would end up with one of the other two diseases. HCM is much more common in exotic breeds like persians an himalyians. I have a co-worker that has a 4 yr old persian cat that was diagnosed with the same thing last week. I guess it's not that uncommon.

There is acutally a funny end to this story. My doctor decided on medication for Toby and gave it to me. I took a look at it:

Atenolol 25mg.

I looked at her and said "Huh, thats funny this is the same exact medication that my husband is on." she looked at me and started laughing and said, "Well if Toby ever runs out of medication he can borrow a pill from your husband!"

When I got home I told Joe what medication they put Toby on and he said "Well, I know who's gonna get the last pill if we ever run out!" Of course he was just playing. So Toby will have an Echocardiogram done on Friday, and a repeat EKC, we will monitor his progress and keep you all updated.

Toby's nicknames: Tobis, Tobie-wobbie, McTobe(his Irish name, he is a red head), Handsome boy, Handsomest, Tobis dias(Thats his latin name) and many more.

Why paint cats?

I have several of these pictures on my computer. You will all be pleased to know that no cats were harmed in the making of these pictures. They are all computer generated. I thought I would share a couple because they are interesting to look at.

Just some thoughts

I was working on some stuff for school, and I came across some quotes throughout the text. They are applied to business, but it's funny how you can apply it to church.

"Change is inevitable-Growth is optional" As time goes by, you will change, but whether or not you have spiritual growth with your change is up to you. I think it has a lot to do with your out look. People don't grow with change, if they are not mature. I want my growth to transform into a mature relationship with Christ. I want to grow with HIM.

"Competition is not how you compare to others, but how you compare to your potential" Sometimes we get caught up in what others are doing or with what others have, etc. We must all realize that we are not in competition with our fellow saints, but rather struggle within ourselves to obtain our ultimate potential. I want to be productive, to my ultimate potential.




"Winds of change can bring oceans of opportunities" In my work text, it explained that you can have plenty of wind around you, but when you are on dry land (spiritual or otherwise) You are relatively unchanged by the wind. It may even feel good. You need to get out there on the OCEAN, where you can move with the water. The wind may make it choppy water, with high waves, but unless you are in a situation where you can be moved around, you will not find the opportunities that change brings into your life. You need to be in a FLUID environment, which may be harder to steer. You can't navigate as well. Adapting to a new environment (the sea/water) is necessary as things change. I want to be able to adapt to new changes in my life. But one thing that was left out in my work text is, who is really steering my ship? My work text says you are but I know from a spiritual stand point who I want steering my ship!