Ann

OT School answering machine > SCHOOL ANSWERING MACHINE > (This is hilarious - no wonder some people were offended!) This is the message that the Pacific Palisades High School (California) staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine. This is the actual answering machine message for the school. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children's failing grades changed to passing grades - even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough schoolwork to pass their classes. > The outgoing message: > "Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all the options before making a selection: > > * To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1 > * To make excuses for why your child did not do his work- Press 2 > * To complain about what we do - Press 3 > * To swear at staff members - Press 4 > * To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5 > * If you want us to raise your child - Press 6 > * If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7 > * To request another teacher, for the third time this year - Press 8 > * To complain about bus transportation - Press 9 > * To complain about school lunches - Press 0 > * If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child's lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day! > > If you can read this - thank a teacher! > If you are reading it in English - thank a veteran! > >

Saying lots of very special prayers for the entire Mynatt family. Also sending special Tennessee hugs for Tina.

Without going into too many details right now, I can certainly say that I sympathize with you. I thought I was the only one that had to deal with an extremely insensitive boss, but I see I'm not alone. You know, I don't think you even owe this man the courtesy of working one day more. Does he think he is exempt from illness and death? Of course these things cause attitude changes. But...in my opinion...he's the one that needs an attitude change...not you. All you need is a change in employment!

GAME: IF -- answer the "IF" then ask an "IF" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you could visit ANY country, which would it be?

(SORRY GUYS) 1. Men are like ........Laxatives ...... They irritate the $h@t out of you. 2. Men are like ........ Bananas ...... The older they get, the less firm they are. 3. Men are like ........ Weather ..... Nothing can be done to change them.. 4. Men are like ........ Blenders ..... You need One, but you're not quite sure why. 5. Men are like ....... Chocolate Bars .... Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips. 6. Men are like ....... Commercials ...... You can't believe a word they say. 7. Men are like ........ Department Stores ..... Their clothes are always 1/2 off. 8. Men are like ........ Government Bonds ..... They take soooooooo long to mature. 9. Men are like ....... Mascara ...... They usually run at the first sign of emotion. 10. Men are like ....... Popcorn . ..... They satisfy you, but only for a little while. 11. Men are like . Snowstorms ............. You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last. 12. Men are like ........ Lava Lamps ..... Fun to look at, but not very bright. 13. Men are like ........ Parking Spots . All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

One night I had a wondrous dream. A set of prints on the sand was seen, The footprints of my precious Lord, Yet mine were not along the shore. But then a stranger print appeared. I asked the Lord, "What have we here? This print is large and round and neat, But Lord it's just too big for feet." "My child," He said in somber tones, "For miles I carried you alone. I challenged you to seek My face, Take up your cross and walk in grace. You disobeyed. You would not grow. You would not stand against the flow. Your neck was stiff, your ears were shut, So there I dropped you on your butt, Because in life there comes a time, When one must fight, when one must climb, When one must rise and take a stand, Or leave one's butt-print in the sand."

THE LONELY BRAIN CELL Once upon a time there was a female brain cell which, by mistake, happened to end up in a man's head. She looked around nervously because it was all empty and quiet. "Hello?" she cried, but no answer. "Is there anyone here?" she cried a little louder, but still no answer. Now the female brain cell started to feel alone and scared and yelled at the top of her voice, "HELLO, IS THERE ANYONE HERE?" Then she heard a faint voice from far, far away............. "We're down here .."

Peggy...enjoy the dinner at Outback. I am so glad you have your family to go with you and support you! Just remember...every day is a new beginning. You're headed forward now. It's always OK to look back and remember all the beautiful memories.

Today, Dennis and I would have been married for 29 years. Although I am moving on, my heart still aches for Dennis and "what should have been" today. I know that all of you that have lost spouses will understand. Please say prayers for Karen to help her through Ken's memorial service this afternoon.

Linda...You have an absolutely WONDERFUL sister. Peggy has been such a good friend to so many of us here at this board. Peggy and I have gone through so very much together, as her Don and my Dennis were so very much alike. Peggy is so fortunate to have such love and support from her you!!!

As a member of this Lung Cancer Support Group, what do you feel you contribute most to the board? What do you feel you have most gained from this site?

Ginny...I agree with everything you have said and requested. I think that sometimes people feel that we no longer "fit" into any category here on this board. We are surviving spouses, sons and daughters of people that we have lost to lung cancer. We are also survivors. No...we have not personally felt the cancer grow inside our body but we have spent long nights holding bodies that are filled with lung cancer. We have not personally recieved chemotherapy to fight the disease but we have held the hands of a loved one while the drugs were administered to them. We have not felt the physical pain caused by lung cancer but we have felt the pain of a broken heart, shattered dreams and an entire sense of emptiness from being left behind. We have survived this and now our mission is to help others along this path of pain and loss. I,too, have continued to support this board by making small donations whenever possible. I was a part of this board with Estrea, long ago, when the board was known by a different name. I have often felt the pressure from people to move on from here, now that my life is taking shape again. I believe I belong here to help others along. That help may be in the form of listening, sharing a laugh, asking a question to help us know each other better, playing a word game to take peoples minds off their problems for a few minutes or sharing my experiences with other widows and widowers. We ALL have a place here. This thread started by Ginny is not a negative one. Her thread enabled us to state what we want and need from this board. Thank you, Ginny.

Springtime is almost here. Well, at least it feels that way in Florida. So.. tell us about some things you love about spring.

My Dear Friend Sue.... I am so very sorry that you are hurting. I wish I had the power to take all of your pain away. Losing Mike is still very new for you. It is way too soon to even expect yourself to feel any better. Right now, just focus on getting through one day at a time and the rest will fall into place when the time is right. After three years, I can still remember every feeling you are having right now. When we lose a soul mate, it is something that is very hard to cope with. Just try and focus on all the good memories you have of Mike and the life you shared. For a time, it seemed all the dreams I had of Dennis involved either his illness or his death. Now, the dreams are nicer and I love it when I dream about him. Please know that my heart is with you right now. Please PM me if you want to talk. I'd love to listen!

Good Job!!!!

WATER

Here's an unusual puzzle. Hope you enjoy. http://www.brl.ntt.co.jp/people/hara/fly.swf

How many opening windows do you have in your home?

I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.---" author unknown

Wanna play "First Word?" Pretty easy one You just respond with the first word that comes to mind and it goes on and on and on and on...... I will start with the word: Onion

Ginny...You are truly amazing!!! I have to confess that I asked this question in hopes I could get some really good tips to help me become organized. Ginny...I have bought a ton of those bins and drawers and it seems the more places I have to "hide" things out of sight, the more unorganized I become. I am now in the process of labeling drawers and bins...lol!!! If I had any good tips, I promise I would share!!!

Do you consider yourself an organized person? If so, have you always been organized or did you learn a system that helped you become organized?

Gosh, Maryanne...this reminds me of my new working conditions.

Muriel...thanks so very much for posting this for me yesenday. I will keep you posted as I talk with Karen. She is thinking of all of you and appreciates all of your prayers.

I'm shocked to read this news. Such a beautiful lady with such a tragic life. This is very sad.