Ann

George Strait - so he could sing me to sleep every night. Richard Gere - for his smile. Emeril - I would gladly share him with Ginny

Kelly, I am so sorry for the loss of your friends father. I'm sure you have been a great source of support and understanding during his illness. I hope you are able to attend the service, but if not, I'm sure your friend will understand. From experience, it's much more important to be there for someone in the days after a service than it is to attend the service. Things seem to get quiet after the service is over and often people don't want to talk about it as they fear they will open wounds that may have closed. It's so wonderful to have someoone to talk with about your loss when things get really quiet!

Berisa....thanks for sharing this. I loved that book and remember reading that little story.

Oh Fay, I am so sorry that you're dealing with all these contractor screw ups on top of everything else. It's not like you don't have enough on your plate already. I'm saying prayers that your chemo will go well and there will be no bad side effects to deal with!

Malou, I'm saying prayers that Friday's news will be good.

Great answers, Ginny. The better I know you, the more I like how your mind works!!!

What three famous people would you combine to make the ideal mate ?

Amie...I hope someone can come up with something. I was the one that was looking for him. We usually get a post from him every day or so but there has been nothing for a while now. I am so hoping everything is alright with both of them.

Just feeling down and thought I would post the words to a song I heard a few minutes ago that holds such special meaning for me. This song always brings tears but also makes me realize that if there had been no pain, there would neither have been any joy. The Dance Looking back on the memory of The dance we shared beneath the stars above For a moment all the world was right How could I have known you'd ever say goodbye And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end the way it all would go Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the dance Holding you I held everything For a moment wasn't I the king But if I'd only known how the king would fall Hey who's to say you know I might have changed it all And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end the way it all would go Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the dance Yes my life is better left to chance I could have missed the pain but I'd of had to miss the dance

Cindi...I thought you might have caught one of these on one of your fishing adventures...lol!

These are too funny! I know Cindi will just love the octopus!!!

Saying prayers that you're feeling better really soon and are able to tolerate the treatment better. Isn't it great to have a patient and understanding family? As for the beer truck, tell it to make a u-turn before getting to you!

Bunny, this is so very true but something I too often forget. I seem to be the one that can't ever just start the beginning without worrying about the end. Thanks for posting this. I think I needed to hear this right now!

Rule #1 When in doubt ~ buy him a cordless drill. It does not matter if he > already has one. I have a friend who owns 17 and he has yet to > complain. As a man, you can never have too many cordless drills. > No one knows why. > > Rule #2: > If you cannot afford a cordless drill, buy him anything with the > word `ratchet' or `socket' in it. Men love saying those two words. > "Hey, George, can I borrow your ratchet?" > "OK." > "By-the-way, are you through with my 3/8-inch socket yet?" > No one knows why. > > > Rule #3: > If you are really, really broke, buy him anything for his car. A 99- > cent ice scraper; a small bottle of de-icer; or something to hang > from his rear view mirror. Men love gifts for their cars. > No one knows why. > > Rule #4: > Do not buy men socks. Do not buy men ties. And never buy men > bathrobes. > I was told that if God had wanted men to wear bathrobes, He wouldn't > have invented Jockey shorts. > > Rule #5: > You can buy men new remote controls to replace the ones > they have worn out. If you have a lot of money, buy your > man a big-screen TV with the little picture in the corner. > Watch him go wild as he flips, and flips, and flips. > > Rule #6: > Do not buy a man any of those fancy liqueurs. > If you do, it will sit in a cupboard for 23 years. > > Rule #7: > Do not buy any man industrial-sized canisters of aftershave or > deodorant. I'm told they do not stink ~ they are earthy. > > Rule #8: > Buy men label makers. Almost as good as cordless drills. Within a > couple of weeks there will be labels absolutely everywhere. Socks. > Shorts. Cups. Saucers. Door. Lock. Sink. You get the idea. > No one knows why. > > Rule #9: > Never buy a man anything that says "some assembly required." It > will ruin his Special Day and he will always have parts left over. > > Rule #10: > Good places to shop for men include: Northwest Iron Works, Parr > Lumber, Home Depot, John Deere, Valley RV Center, and Les Schwab > Tire. (NAPA Auto Parts and Sears' Clearance Centers are also > excellent men's stores. It doesn't matter if he doesn't know what > it is. "From NAPA Auto, eh? Must be something I need. > Hey! Isn't this a starter for a '68 Ford Fairlane? Wow! Thanks." > > Rule #11: > Men enjoy danger. That's why they never cook ~ but they will > barbecue. Get him a monster barbecue with a 100-pound propane > tank. Tell him the gas line leaks. Oh the thrill! The > challenge! "Who wants a hamburger?" > > Rule #12: > Tickets to a Red Skins or Nationals game are a smart gift. However, > he will not appreciate tickets to "A Retrospective of 19th Century > Quilts." > Everyone knows why. > > Rule #13: > Men love chainsaws. Never, ever, buy a man you love a chainsaw. If > you don't know why, please refer to Rule #8 and what happens when he > gets a label maker. > > Rule #14: > It's hard to beat a really good wheelbarrow or an aluminum extension > ladder. Never buy a real man a step ladder. It must be an extension > ladder. > No one knows why. > > Rule #15: > Rope. Men love rope. It takes us back to our cowboy origins, or at > least the Boy Scouts. Nothing says love like a hundred feet of 3/8" > manila rope. > No one knows why > >

Fruit Cake Ingredients: 1 cup water 1 cup butter 1 cup sugar 4 large eggs 2 cups dried fruit 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups of flour 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 cup chopped nuts 1 gallon wine Directions: Sample the wine to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the wine again to make sure that it is of the highest quality. Pour 1 level cup and drink. Repeat if you're not sure. Turn on the electric mixer and beat 1 cup of butter in a large bowl. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and beat again. Make sure the wine is still okay... (boy that wine is gooood) Cry another tup. Turn off the mixer. Break two legs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the wine again to check for tonsisticity. Next sift 2 cups of salt, or something. Who cares. Check the wine. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add 1 table. Spoon. Of sugar or flour or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the oven. Turn the cake pan to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Throw one bowl out the window. Check the wine again. Go to bed. Who the Freck likes Huitcake anyway?

NEVER LIE TO YOUR WIFE A man called home to his wife and said, "Honey I have been asked to go fishing up in Canada with my boss & several of his friends. We'll be gone for a week. This is a good opportunity for me to get that promotion I've been wanting so could you please pack enough clothes for a week and set out my rod and fishing box? We're leaving from the office & I will swing by the house to pick my things up." "Oh! Please pack my new blue silk pajamas." The wife thinks this sounds a bit fishy but being the good wife she is, did exactly what her husband asked. The following weekend he came home a little tired but otherwise looking good. The wife welcomed him home and asked if he caught many fish? He said, "Yes! Lots of Salmon, some Bluegill, and a few Swordfish. But why didn't you pack my new blue silk pajamas like I asked you to do?" You'll love the answer... The wife replied, "I did... THEY'RE IN YOUR FISHING BOX....

YIPPEE!!! Thanks so much for sharing this good news with us!

Sahron...so very glad you had a wonderful weekend that was filled with only happy thoughts. Isn't it amazing what a smile from our childrens faces can do for us? My boys are all grown but a smile from them still makes my day! I hope your life is filled with only smiles!

Jackie, what a beautiful friend you are. That is such a wonderful gesture! You are so very thoughtful!

Sounds like really good news and just in time for the holidays! Thanks for the update!

Janet, this sounds like really good news. Hope and pray this is the "magic bullet" that works wonders for Ron. Keep the faith!

Mary, I am so sorry to hear you're having such a tough time right now. I hope some of the advice you have gotten from other members will be helpful. I can send hugs, say prayers and assure you that you're NOT whining. Hey...listening is something I am always glad to do. What part of Florida are you in, Mary?

Jen, I am so sorry to hear that things have come to this point but am so inspired by the strength you are exhibiting in dealing with this tragedy. I totally believe that we should spend time alive living, rather than wasting time getting ready for death. That is one valuable lesson I have learned as a member of this group. When Dennis was ill, I think I wasted too much time worrying about his death and what I would do when that time came. I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers!

Like Ry, My co-workers were the first people to know that the doctor strongly suspected Dennis had cancer. Dennis called me on the phone (of all things) just upon leaving the doctors office. He thought he was just going to hear that he had a "bug" and leave with antibiotics.

Erica, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom and best friend. I will be remembering you and your family in my prayers. Please come to us anytime you need to talk!