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MY COMPUTER DIED...
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Dec 16, 2006 12:24 pm
450 Views
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and I have been out of touch for days now.
I am missing all of you. Today I am on my daughter's computer to check email and let everyone know I haven't disappeared for good.
CALLING ALL BOOKBABES-I hope you have all gotten your first book "Dreams From My Father" by Barack Obama and are enjoying it. The first review will be posted January 14th here in the blogs. AneMac will present the first review.
Speaking of AneMac-is she ok? I have been seeing the weather news from her area and am concerned about her!
I am so happy to read about Paris' Glimmer Of Hope and continue to keep her in prayer while she undergoes this procedure
I can go to the library Tuesday thru Friday to stay in touch here but can't check my regular email from there so hope some of you will write to me on my SFF mail until I can get the computer up and running again.C-Ya Soon!!!
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14
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A HARD KNOCK LIFE.....
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Nov 29, 2006 7:24 am
Mood: peaceful,
536 Views
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Do you remember "Annie"?
Can you relate to that song?
From reading blogs and articles and the magazine I'm aware that MANY of us have had a hard knock life.
I've been encouraged to see how often participants have referred to their hard knocks, only to compare them to the better life they have now. (Or to motivate themselves to build one.)
Sometimes it is hard to quiet the angry, depressing voices and images that try to pull us back into those dark places.
Shedding a little light into the corners where the monsters dwell drives them farther and farther into the recesses and eventually they no longer have any power.
Shedding light...how is that done exactly? I guess each of us have a different approach.
I find that surrounding myself with beauty, especially the beauty of nature, tends to erase memories of scarcity, bleakness, ugliness.
Music of all kinds, but especially instrumental classics, soften voices that were so harsh, so demeaning.
Floating on still water, snuggling in a soft warm blanket or smoothing on fragrant lotion helps to heal the physically broken places.
Reading God's word and claiming His promises; promises to give me a hope and a future; take away the pain of contrary declarations by those who proclaimed otherwise.
Each of these things I can do for myself.
But the most healing moments of all are the ones when I receive the surprise of a heartfelt, encouraging word.
I value these above gemstones and gold. They are not locked away in a cold dark vault, but are stored in the treasure chests of my mind and spirit.
On days when situations, circumstances and/or people threaten to unleash the demons of my past I take out my treasures, hold them in the light, absorb their beauty and warmth. Soon my life is once again reflecting peace, love and joy.
One such diamond voice...my grandson Andrew, age 5. Already in my gown and robe I was reading Andrew a story. At its conclusion he said, "Nonnie, I think you are my angel. You have angel clothes and angel hair and and your voice is soft-like an angel."
Today I urge you to delve into your own treasure storehouse and soothe your own spirit with the balm of love.
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13
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Bookbabes
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Nov 17, 2006 7:05 pm
Mood: amused,
236 Views
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Once upon a time there was a bright, creative, literary minded lady who was interested in getting to know other women who also liked to read. She expressed this desire to a cyberfriend who agreed that it would be a fun way to get to know, support & encourage women.
Not being the sort of people to sit around and wish for something, these two ladies began contacting others to see if there were any who would like to participate in such an endeavour.
The response was amazing! In a day or two there were positive responses from 12 enthusiastic ladies and some suggestions for others who might like to be part of the club.
It was decided that the number would be kept relatively small so that each member could have an equal opportunity to be heard.
When others expressed an interest they were encouraged to read the same books and comment when the monthly review was posted in a blog.
Each member was encouraged to submit a list of titles they would like to read and discuss with friends.
They decided to look over this list and vote for the 12 they most wanted to read.
The list of the 12 that garnered the most votes would become the reading list for the group.
At that time a reviewer would be selected for each book. That person would do an in-depth study and write a review to be posted as a blog.The first one was scheduled to appear on January 14th.
Then on January 15th, the entire membership decided to meet in a private chat room (donated by one member)where they would have an open discussion of the book.
To make it possible to get pertinent information to each member, the group decided to form a "pass it forward" list. Each member would have the name and contact information for one other member. Anyone in the group could initiate news to pass on to the rest. She would call her contact person and one by one ladies would pass the information forward.
And the Bookbabes lived happily ever after!!!
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8
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Nonnie's Banana Bread...
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Nov 17, 2006 10:12 am
Mood: cheerful,
601 Views
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The fourth load of laundry in the dryer, the fifth in the washer; fragrance of apple pie, pumpkin pie and banana bread wafting through the
house I decided to take a break.
After several days of rain, today the sun is shining bright and the world looks fresh, clean, new.
I took a slice of warm banana bread and a glass of milk out to the front porch. When I stepped outside I frightened a covey of doves. They flew up in a swirl of silvery blue and decorated the black lace tree tops.
It feels so good to relax and just breathe...
As I sat there I thought of all of you and wished you could join me; munch on warm bread, quaff icy cold milk and talk about the things friends share on a T-shirt day.
Since I can't whisk you away from your worlds into mine I'll send along this recipe for
NONNIE'S BANANA BREAD...
Preheat your oven to 350.
Spray the bottom of 2-9x5x3 loaf pans (or 4 of the smaller foil ones like you get from WalMart)
with nonstick cooking spray.
Beat 3/4 cup of butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy.
Add 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of light brown sugar and beat well.
Beat in 4 eggs and 1 tablespoon vanilla.
Add 3 cups of mashed, very ripe bananas and beat until well blended.
Measure 3 cups of self-rising flour and 1 cup heavy cream in seperate containers.
Add them alternately to the butter/sugar mixture ending with the flour.
Add 1 cup chopped walnuts and mix well.
Pour the batter evenly into the loaf pans.
Bake about an hour and 15 minutes for the large pans. If you used the small ones it takes about an hour. That's with all of them in the oven at once. I place the foil pans on baking sheets to make them steady. Test them for doneness by pushing a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean they are done.
I can't decide if I like it better while it is fresh and warm from the oven or cooled, wrapped in plastic wrap and let it sit overnight for the flavors to develop.
Of course you can halve this recipe and just make one loaf. I like to make some to share and if I am going to do the work and the clean up why not make a little extra.
I hope you have a day as warm and sweet and nutty as my banana bread! LOL
Is it any wonder that I am such a plump morsel?
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8
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PLEASE HELP ME REACH MY GOAL.....
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Nov 5, 2006 1:47 pm
Mood: hopeful,
572 Views
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VOTE!!!!!
I have a new goal in life and you can help me reach it!
I want to be a trim-tabber!
What the heck is a trim-tabber you ask!
A trim-tab is the small rudder that turns a much larger rudder on a ship, steering it in a new direction.
When referring to people, the term trim-tabber is used for those who solve daunting problems through seemingly small acts. And small acts DO make a difference.
Rather than sit back and complain, Trim-tabbers choose to take action.
I have long borrowed a philosophy from Mother Teresa.."I may not be able to do great things but I can do small things with great love!"
I have tried to do that on a personal level and in my work...not perfectly of course but always refocusing and rededicating myself when I have failed.
Now, I am committing to take my efforts to a larger arena. And I am asking, even urging, you to join me!!!
No matter what is going on in your world on Tuesday - PLEASE VOTE!!! And do your best to encourage others to do the same.
BUT DON'T STOP THERE!!!
When the elections are over, no matter who is elected, begin a personal campaign to DEMAND action, honesty and integrity from those who take office. Write letters to those elected; start petitions; address your neighbors through conversation, letters to the editor and articles in your local newspaper; become a lobbyist for what is right and good; be a government watchdog.
Make it your business to know what is going on at every level of government and inform others. Confront every bastion of illegality and inhumanity-using legal and humane means to clean our "nation's house" from the foundation of the local community to the cupola of Washington, D.C.
Know what the issues are in your community, don't accept anything at face value, question everything, search out the facts, DEMAND improvement.
WE-you and I-can make a difference!!!
We can all be trim-tabbers!!!
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12
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AMERICA 2.0......Getting Involved!!!
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Nov 5, 2006 1:28 pm
Mood: optimistic,
531 Views
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Many of us have voiced our opinions in blogs, magazine articles and in the chat rooms on this site. Something we have railed against are the deficiencies and inequities in our country! In almost every post of this nature there is a statement-either by the author or a responder-"What can WE do? What can I do?"
This past week I read an interesting article that answers those questions.
I'd like to ask everyone in SFF who possibly can, to read the October edition of Reader's Digest magazine article AMERICA 2.0. This report has a number of ways that our country needs to be changed, but unlike most articles of that type it also gives well thought out suggestions for solutions.
What about a challenge to everyone in SFF to check out the suggested websites; select one or a series of solution ideas to take serious action on and commit to making a difference.
Perhaps you will choose to begin with the suggestions for individuals. But also, please consider holding government, business, sports, media and institution leaders feet to the fire on these issues.
I imagine that most if not all of you are familiar with the rule of 250. If the number of members on SFF were multiplied by 250 (an individual's circle of influence)and each of these took a proactive approach to life and government just think what a difference there would be in our communities, states, country and the world.
Come on friends, LET'S DO IT!!!
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2
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Breakfast On The Porch
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Oct 27, 2006 6:54 am
Mood: relaxed,
596 Views
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T-Shirt Temperature
Sky... Blue Grey
Mist Hanging In The Air
Oatmeal... Steamy Sweet With Raisins
Toast... buttery
Companion... Earl Grey
View...Leaves Of Orange,Gold,Russet;Purple Berries
Rocking Chair Moving In Lullaby Rhythym
Sounds Of Peace
Tiptoe On Over And Join Me
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12
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LETTING GO...............
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Oct 23, 2006 7:59 pm
Mood: thoughtful,
584 Views
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They say if it is meant to be
Love will return to me
So I open my clenched fist
And let you go
As I watch you fly away
I dream of another day
When I may hold you close
And then I'll know
You are what it's all about
All this furor and pain
The misgivings and the doubt
And I'd go through it all again
But first I'll have to let you go
The only way I'm gonna know
Beyond that cloud, across the moon
Is it meant to be......
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11
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Time to take my own advice...
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Oct 2, 2006 11:05 am
Mood: optimistic,
593 Views
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Some time back I posted a comment on a friend's blog about being hurt that said "We can only be hurt by our own perceptions and expectations."
And now I am having to live out that truth.
Everyone has feelings of sadness and disappointments at times I am sure. But when you come right down to it, the only reason we do is because we expected some person or circumstance or event to be something other than what it was.
This has happened to me in the past 24 hours.
To overcome the natural reaction of hurt I have had to come to the understanding that rather than continuing to react in a negative fashion I can adjust my perception of what has happened. I can also change my expectation of the person and the circumstances surrounding this.
Doing so has freed me to be happy once more and continue a friendship that I have treasured in the past.
I believe this is what is known as an attitude adjustment. Sometimes they don't come easy...but hopefully the results will be worth the effort!
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9
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The Next Step In Retirement Plans...
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Oct 1, 2006 3:45 pm
Mood: hopeful,
603 Views
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Those of you who have read my blogs for a while know that I will be retiring August 2008. And for once in my life I am thinking and planning ahead. To do that I have been following a plan suggested in a blog by Richard Johnson and it has helped me organise my thoughts tremendously.
At my last writing on this subject I had made a list of options and have been thinking seriously about each one, picturing how I could make them a reality, imagining how happy I would be in each circumstance.
I was so proud of being so organised and logical. Even tho I had to accept the fact that I was going to have to adjust my thinking in terms of what I could afford it really was satisfying to think I was making a truly well informed, well thought out decision.
Then I threw it all into the wind and did something totally ME; impetuous, spontaneous.
I bought a lot to build on in an area 10 hours away, sight unseen.
So Richard, I thank you for all the wonderful advice. It has been very enlightening. However there are some of us who appear to be beyond help!!!
My children have been encouraging in spite of acknowledging that their mother is more than a little nuts. The land is on a recreational lake, so if all goes well we should be able to spend some wonderful family times there. And if not, well, hopefully I can resell it and make my money back!
This brings me to the last step in Richard's advice...I am trusting my instincts, accepting the decision I have made, loving like I have never been hurt and dancing like nobody's looking.
P.S. If anyone is thinking of finding a roommate to share expenses about May of 2009, give me a call...OK?
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To link to this blog (1942CLASSIC) use [blog 1942CLASSIC] in your messages.
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