Good Thursday morning, Everyfriend.  There's Western omelets to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!




Newspaper Classifieds
(Actual excerpts from classified sections of city newspapers)

10. Get rid of aunts. Zap does the job in 24 hours.

9. Man, honest. Will take anything.

8. Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.

7. Man wanted to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to travel.

6. Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom for efficient beating

5. For sale: antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers.

4. Tired of cleaning yourself. Let me do it.

3. Wanted. Man to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink.

2. We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by hand.

1. Our bikinis are exciting. They are simply the tops!



Why Are We Here?
By Arthur Schoonveld
Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:14-23

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!
Matthew 25:23
Several years ago two young women wrote a book, The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties. According to their story, they were disappointed with the way life was turning out for them. Instead of finding fulfillment after college, they found themselves disillusioned. In their own way they began asking, Why are we here? They were experiencing what they called “the quarterlife crisis.”
Whether it’s because of a quarterlife crisis, a midlife crisis, or a retirement crisis, the same question is asked by millions of people: Why am I here? or What is the purpose of my life?
Jesus’ parable about the bags of gold (or talentsâ€"measures weighing about 75 lbs. each) helps to answer that question. Each of us is created for a purpose, regardless of whether we believe or don’t believe in God. And to fulfill our purpose, the Lord has entrusted us with gifts and resources, to be used to serve him and to build his kingdom here on earth.
Each of us in our own way and in our own setting has been placed on the earth to love God and to love our neighbors. It’s up to us to use the gifts and resources we have been given to begin serving our Lord in our everyday lives.
When we use the gifts we’ve been given, we will someday hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Father, thank you for entrusting us with your gifts. Encourage us to use them in your service and in the service of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


“I cannot let the fear of the past color the future.”

~ Julie Kagawa

Good morning everyone. Here I am really early for me. Even with my shade down I woke to flashing red lights. The rescue truck was here. They come in quiet but those lights sure get through the cracks at the sides of the shades.
That doctor appointment was time wasted yesterday. I was taken in an hour late for my appointment. Then I did not see the doctor, one of his PA's saw me. All she talked about was surgery. Thanks but no thanks. She told me it would be about a month in rehab after. Then it might not help. I was worn out when I got home. Was in bed about 7 last night.

JANE  I made Jambalaya once, my ex asked if I was trying to kill him serving that to him. The kids and I enjoyed it. I made it often after that.

HAL  you did not mention the muddy yards when the ground starts thawing out. That can be a real mess. That must be some shot in your back to put you out. I pray it does help you.

JOAN  like you I like to watch local weather reports and local news. National/world news can get too depressing.

JUNE  thanks for the hugs, they are always welcome and feel so good.

AMY  how often do you do the dogs' nails? Hope the med helped your hubby.

CAROL  you are so right about having positive thoughts. There are a couple of ladies here everyone tries to stay away from because they are always so negative about everything.  I feel like telling them if they do not like it here to move but keep my mouth shut.

JOAN  breakfast looks good this morning. Love those classifieds. Why Are We Here, I think many of us have asked that question at one time or another. I know I did many years ago. Thank you for all today's goodies.

Good morning, Gloria.  Too bad you were awakened by those flashing lights.  Sorry your appointment yesterday was a waste of time--bummer.  I hope you were able to go back to sleep.

Good morning, Lloyd.

Good Morning everyone!
I had a good one for you all but when I posted it a err came up. (explain)
Coca-Cola hired a actor to ride a subway train and just out of the blue start laughing. before you knew it the whole train of people were Laughing. try it and see how good you feel. smile and the whole world smiles with you. the nic thing about a smile is (you can keep it and give it too everyone you see at the same time) Have a great smiley day.

Lloyd

Lloyd--I don't know why you got an error message. 

doesn't matter try the smile or laugh thing and see what happens today.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone.

No dancing this morning Temp is -16 C and a cloudy day so far.

Not sure what is happening today...just take it as it comes. I do need to chase dust bunnies  around .

Gloria, I do their nails every two weeks.

Joan ,thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  It's cold here but not as cold as Amy's weather.  I think I'll take mine!  The days are definitely getting a bit longer!  As Sandy says, "Spring is just around the corner!"  I, for one, can't wait!

The only two items on my agenda today are getting the rest of my tax stuff together so I can give it to my son when he picks up Kiran this afternoon; and dropping the doggies off at the groomer at 10.  Both of those things have a lot a prep before they are don so I better get started. 

Make today a good one!

Good morning, Amy.  If you aren't dancing, you're chasing dust bunnies.

Janie--Good morning.  I know those darling dogs will be proud when they are all spiffed up.  I need to get on the ball and get my tax stuff together, too.

Just walked over to the neighbours to clipped the dogs nails and oh my is it cold out!! Even though the sun is shining the wind is like a knife and cuts right though you!!! Going to stay in and hug the fire!!!

Hi everyone.  We have a beautiful day ahead getting up into the mid-60's.  Yesterday started out with some heavy rain but by the time Pat got to the PT at the hospital it had pretty well stopped for the day.  I had a great afternoon.  As planned we went to the Chop House for a delicious meal and as I went to pay the bill my son took it and paid the bill as my birthday present.  My granddaughter had baked a chocolate  Birthday Cake for me.  To top it off Pat gave me a big box of Russell Stover Chocolates for Valentine's Day.  I need to stop at the Credit Union to take care of some business this morning before I pick up my friend to go to coffee and after I take him back to his residence I plan on going back to the church for the Wisdom group.  That will be it for the day.

Hal, I will happily pay the insurance premiums and hope I never need any of it as that means something bad has happened. 

Joan, the Chop House food is very good and it is a beautiful restaurant.  They do have lunch specials in the $7 to $10 range.  They have a Del Monaco steak that was $42 and when my son saw that he quickly went on to something else.  I had a delicious bluefin crab cake and four large shrimp on pasta and a salad and bread and it was a lot of eat and very good. 

Amy, I hope your husband is feeling much better today. 

June, nice you have a quieter dining area available to you all. 

Joan, loved the humor for today.  I shared it with other family members.

Gloria, sorry to read that your doctor's appointment did not go well.  The soil here in South Carolina is a mixture of sand and clay so we don't have to worry much about mud.  Of course, I try to stay on the pavement. 

Lloyd, I try to smile at everyone and most often I get a smile in return. 

Amy--I'd stay inside in your weather, too.

Good morning, Larry.  Sounds to me like the Chop House is a restaurant one only goes to on special occasions.  How nice that your son treated you and your granddaughter baked you a cake.  I  am always glad when folks share some of the stuff I post.

Good Morning from the slippery and sloppy, Rocky  Coast of Maine.   

All is well here ! 

Looking forward for the weather to clear and the streets to dry off.   

Have a good day,  Everyone!

Sandy

Good late morning, sun is shining, but very windy

Joan, I got a laugh out of those classifieds.

Gloria, I am sorry after waiting, you did not have a good visit to the doctor. I had that happen last year, I saw one of the other doctors in the group, and she wanted me to go to so many more doctors.

Jane, my neighbor took me shopping to Target (sorry), but I always try to go to the check out that has a very friendly  lady, I always imagine she is like you, also helpful, when I have trouble seeing all the things I have push when using the credit card.

June

Good Morning dear hearts,
Woke to a deep fog this morning, and our day out here is to be partly cloudy, with heavy flooding forcast for the next two days.Just for So. Ca. though.

Either my brain power is improving, or God is feeling sorry for my stupidity, but my laptop seems to have adjusted to the errors I made and it letting me use it today. My desk top is fine, but I like to keep in touch with the lap top. It is called a MacBook Air, whatever that means.

Gloria de,I am sending :hugs:back to you my dear friend,and I pray your day will be all you  can need or hope fops

I am going back to the desk top now. But I am so happy I was able to use the laptop.

Sandy--Glad all is well with you.

Linedancer--Glad the classifieds made you laugh.

June--We had fog here this morning, too, but that burned off and now it's sunny.  Glad your laptop is working good for you. 

Joan, I did have a dance...but it was with the wet mop and I lead!! Floors are clean dust bunnies hidden.Nipped into town to pick up meds for hubby and now have beans on to soak to bake tomorrow...guess I can go play now 

Larry ,thank you he is feeling a bit better.

June, the nice things about hugs is one size fits all..

My mopping the floor is over today - Tucson sure does get dusty.  Amy:  you beat me to that chore. 

Our daughter had a business trip to Toronto and she did not even get outdoors -from the plane right to taxi to office to hotel at night -and same reverse the next day.  So sad when there was no chance to see any sights.  Anyway, she was told about a law at the border control - no one is allowed to enter Canada who has a DUI on their record - even a passenger in a car.  I just read it.  Why on earth can we not get a control like that? 

A couple we knew years ago has rented  a house here - he knew Don through his work.  We are trying to show them how to get around here - especially after noticing his mind is slipping.  Perhaps his latest surgery is still affecting him? 

Amy:  Do you quilt applique?  I am so stressed over this little project that it may have to wait until we get home. 

Off to a lecture on war in the mid-east this afternoon - Don likes to go and I am a history buff myself. 

Amy--I guess you just have the need to dance.  I think now it's time to rest.

Carol--My housekeepers do my mopping.  I just can't do that anymore.  As you know, my daughter also travels extensively and rarely sees any sights.  Enjoy the lecture.

Carol, I had no idea of that law...I had to google it and came up with this.

http://www.canadaduientrylaw.com/

I haven't done applique yet..maybe one day I will try it. My Triple Irish Chain has been sent off to the long arm and I can't  wait to see what she does with it.

Howdy everyone!  Been in the doctors office all morning.  Sitting and waiting.  What a procedure.  Anyhow got home, finally.  Now got to go to the grocery store for the wife and get some things.   I use the shopping cart as a walker.....

Hi Amy.

halkel--It seems the MO in most doctor's offices these days is hurry up and wait.  How nice of you to grocery shop for your wife.

Had a really good lunch with friends..a hamburger, macaroni, tomato blend that I used to make when I cooked. I really enjoyed. Then on to  Choir practice, and directly following that was the balance and stability exercises. Now I am home for the day, and enjoying it.

Had phone calls from both Dori and Gary today, and that is always a treat.I prefer when they call me, as I know I am not interrupting their busy life style, but leaves me knowing they care.

Hal, was this the day for the dreaded needle in the tummy ? They should NOT make you wait to be tortured, that is cruelty on top of cruelty. You are a good man to go shopping for your wife.

I haven't heard or read a tittle or a jot of any news so far today, so I will go let Google look for some for me.

No June, eye doctor.  She now wants to remove my cataracts.  I told her I would think about it.  Otherwise just a routine appointment.

Hello Everyfriend!  I accomplished everything I intended to do today except for picking up my mail.  I'm on a dead end street and my mailbox is down at the corner.  I was going to walk down and get it but it was too windy and cold.  It can wait until tomorrow when I go to work. 

I found myself with just under a pound of ground turkey already browned and decided to wing it.  I threw in an envelope of dry onion soup mix, a can of cream of mushroom soup, some shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a small can of shrimp, and a bag of that new riced cauliflower.  Added some salt and pepper and dumped it all in a casserole.  Then I shredded a little more cheese on top and baked it for 30 minutes.  It was delicious.  If anyone feels adventurous and wants to try it, leftovers are in the hidey hole.

I'm going to fold a dryer full of laundry and put the clean dishes away and then I'm going to rest for the remainder of the evening and then go to bed.

I live very near our local hospital and I heard the Life Flight helicopter come in early this evening.  Whenever I hear it I say a prayer of thanks that I don't need that kind of service and a prayer for whoever is on it that God will be there, too.

Hal, I had two cataract surgeries over ten years ago and I only use glasses for very small print. Surgery was a snap, recovery was so easy, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. But you will know when you need it.

Janie, I like the fact that you pray for those in emergency recovery...That is a very needful time for those being taken care of and for the care takers as well.

I have had a very lazy evening and it's time to heat up some supper, I think I will have some fish sticks and left over sides...like mac. salad and some Bushes' beans.

Supper has been eaten, my brain is weary, so it is time for book and bed.
May you all have a peaceful night and a great day tomorrow. Big Hugs. June

JANE S....
....our God has blessed you to have feelings and a caring nature....I often wonder when people are driving on the road, then get held up by a road accident only for the drivers to impatiently complain they are being held up...when in fact they should do as you do, say a prayer for the unfortunate person-people who are holding them up, and thank God that they are safe In their car, and not waiting to be placed into that waiting ambulance....

That is so true, Jackie!

Good Friday morning, Everyfriend.   There's Egg McMuffins to accompany your coffee or tea. Make it a good day!!





Fast Talker

At a country-club party, a young man was introduced to an attractive girl. Immediately he began paying her court and flattering her outrageously. The girl liked the young man, but she was taken a bit aback by his fast and ardent pitch. She was amazed when he seriously proposed marriage after only 30 minutes.

"Look," she said, "we met only a half hour ago. How can you be so sure? We know nothing about each other."

"You're wrong," the young man declared. "For the past five years I've been working in the bank where your father has his account."




The Stranger at Home
By Arthur Schoonveld
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:25-32

The older brother became angry and refused to go in. . . . He answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.
Luke 15:28-29
The older brother was upset! Of course he was. Ever since he was young, he had worked on his father’s farm, without ever asking for any kind of recognition. But when his good-for-nothing brother came home penniless after squandering his inheritance, his father not only welcomed him with open arms but even put on a banquet to celebrate. It was too much.
No matter how much the father pleaded with him, the older son refused to join the celebration. Like the Pharisees who served God out of a sense of duty, the older son had served his fatherâ€"not out of devotion but because he felt he had to. The Pharisees had complained that Jesus welcomed sinners and ate with them (Luke 15:2). Similarly, the older son griped about his father’s welcome of his decadent younger brother.
The response of the older son forces us to look at ourselves. Do we serve the Lord with gladness? Do we come to worship because we love the Lord, or out of a sense of duty? Do we give cheerfully or because it is expected of us? Are we willing, like God the Father, to forgive people in our lives who have hurt us? Do we understand that we are as much in need of forgiveness as the younger son, even though we may not have left for a distant country?
Lord, our God, help us to search our hearts, to serve you with gladness, and to truly rejoice when a sinner comes back to youâ€"because of Jesus. Amen.


“Go as far as you can see: when you get there you’ll be able to see further.”

~ Zig Ziglar