Ann

Welcome Home Rich!!!!

Awesome job Randy! Thanks so much for all you do to keep us going!

Pose a popular saying but leave out a key word for people to guess. Too many cooks spoil the . After you have posted the word that fills in the blank, post another popular saying, leaving a word blank.

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box "Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma." As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green. Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite." "That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss. A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?" Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy; this is for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. Isn't God good? Are you holding onto things that God wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing. God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

Southern Folks Southern women appreciate their natural assets:Clean skin, A winning smile, that unforgettable Southern drawl. Southern women know their manners: "Yes, ma'am." "Yes, sir." "Why, no, Billy!" Southern women have a distinct way with fond expressions : "Y'all come back!" "Well, bless your heart." "Drop by when you can." "How's your Momma?" Southern women know their summer weather report: Humidity, Humidity, Humidity Southern women know their vacation spots: The beach, The rivuh, The crick, Southern women know the joys of June, July, and August: Colorful hi-heel sandals, Strapless sun dresses, Iced sweet tea with mint. Southern women know everybody's first name: Honey, Darlin' Shugah Southern women know the movies that speak to their hearts: Fried Green Tomatoes, Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias, and Gone With The Wind. Southern women know their religions: Baptist, Methodist, and Football. Southern women know their country breakfasts: Red-eye gravy, Grits Eggs, Country ham, Mouth-watering homemade biscuits with momma's homemade jelly, Southern women know their cities dripping with Southern charm: Charleston (Chawl'stn) Savannah (S'vanah) Fort Worth (Foat Wuth) New Orleans (N'awlins) Atlanta (Addlanna) Southern women know their elegant gentlemen: Men in uniform, Men in tuxedos Rhett Butler, of course! Southern girls know their prime real estate:The Mall, The Country Club, and The Beauty Salon. Southern girls know the four deadly sins: Having bad hair and nails, Having bad manners, and Cooking bad food, Wearing too much makeup in the summer. Only a Southerner knows the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption fit, and that you don't "HAVE" 'em, you "PITCH" 'em. Only a Southerner knows how many fish, collard greens, turnip greens, peas, beans, etc., it takes to make up "a mess." Only a Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder." Only a Southerner knows exactly how long "directly" is, ... as in: "Going to town, be back directly." Even Southern babies know that "Gimme some sugar" is not a request for the white, granular sweet substance that sits in a pretty little bowl in the middle of the table. All Southerners know exactly when "by and by" is. They might not use the term, but they know the concept well. Only a Southerner knows instinctively that the best gesture of solace for a neighbor who's got trouble is a plate of hot fried chicken and a>big bowl of cold potato salad. If the neighbor's trouble is a real crisis, they also know to add a large banana puddin! Only Southerners grow up knowing the difference between "right near" and "a right far piece." They also know that "just down the road" can be 1 mile or 20. Only a Southerner, both knows and understands, the difference between a redneck, a good ol' boy, and po' white trash. No true Southerner would ever assume that the car with the flashing turn signal is actually going to make a turn. A Southerner knows that "fixin" can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adverb. Only Southerners make friends while standing in lines,... and when we're "in line," . we talk to everybody! Put 100 Southerners in a room and half of them will discover they're>related, even if only by marriage. In the South, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural! Southerners know grits come from corn and how to eat them. Every Southerner knows tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee>are perfectly wonderful; that red eye gravy is also a breakfast food; and that fried green tomatoes are not a breakfast food. When you hear someone say, "Well, I caught myself lookin'," you know you are in the presence of a genuine Southerner! Only true Southerners say "sweet tea" and "sweet milk." Sweet tea indicates the need for sugar and lots of it -- we do not like our tea>unsweetened. "Sweet milk" means you don't want buttermilk. And a true Southerner knows you don't scream obscenities at little old>ladies who drive 30 MPH on the freeway. You just say,"Bless her heart" and go your own way. To those of you who are still a little embarrassed by your Southerness: Take two tent revivals and a dose of sausage gravy and call me in the morning. Bless your heart! And to those of you who are still having a hard time understanding all this Southern stuff, ... bless your hearts, I hear they are fixin' to have classes on Southernness as a second language! And for those that are not from the South but have lived here for a long time, all y'all need a sign to hang on y'alls front porch that reads "I ain't from the South, but I got here as fast as I could." Southern girls know men may come and go, but friends are fahevah! Now...... Shugah, send this to some girls who were raised in the South or wish they had been! If you're a Northern transplant, Bless your little heart, fake it. We know you got here as fast as you could

The Alabama preacher The Alabama preacher said to his congregation, "Someone in this congregation has spread a rumor that I belong to the Ku Klux Klan. This is a horrible lie and one which a Christian community cannot tolerate. I am embarrassed and do not intend to accept this. Now, I want the party who did this to stand and ask forgiveness from God and this Christian family." No one moved. ; The preacher continued, "Do you have the nerve to face me and admit this is a falsehood? Remember, you will be forgiven and in your heart you will feel glory. Now stand and confess your transgression." Again all was quiet. Then slowly, a drop-dead gorgeous blonde with a body that would stop traffic rose from the third pew. Her head was bowed and her voice quivered as she spoke, "Reverend there has been a terrible misunderstanding. I never said you were a member of the Ku Klux Klan. I simply told a couple of my friends that you were a wizard under the sheets." The preacher fainted, and the congregation roared!

Pirate in the Bar A man was sitting at a bar when he noticed a pirate walk in the front door. The pirate had a peg leg, a hook for one hand, and a patch over one eye. Feeling sorry for the pirate, the man said, "Come over here friend. You look like you've had a hard life and I'd like to buy you a drink." The pirate came over and ordered rum. "Just out of curiosity," the man said, "how did you lose your leg?" "Arrrgh!" said the pirate, "I lost that timber to a tiger shark in the Caribbean when I was thrown overboard for stealing a man's rum." "That's just terrible. How did you lose your hand?" the man said. "Arrrgh!" said the pirate, "I lost that fighting cannibals off Madagascar under Admiral Hawk." "Oh my!" the man said, "I can't even imagine! How did you lose your eye?" "Arrrgh! A seagull pooped in it!" said the pirate. "A seagull!" the man exclaimed. "Is seagull poop dangerous?!" he asked. "Nay, matey, it was me first day with the hook..."

OK, a new game. You will post three things deemed completely pointless or unnecessary for a place, which is provided by the poster above you. You will then post another place/event for the next person. For example: The place: The Sahara Three pointless/unnecessary things: Sand An empty ice cube tray Botox injection The next place: A football stadium

Great news!!! It's news like this that I love to read!!!

Ginny, this one is a keeper. Don't you just know that Frank would have loved this one!!!

Name a song, movie or television show that has a fruit or vegetable in it's title. I'll start...... Fried Green Tomatoes

1. candy bar 2. 6 pack of beer 3. roll of toliet paper 4. crossword puzzle Well, since Ginny kept the matches, my practical choices are dwindling. So, I guess I'll have to keep the beer. 1. candy bar 2. roll of toilet paper 3. crossword puzzle 4. battery operated radio

You are being shipped to to a far away Island in the middle of no where, with nothing but the basics...creepy bugs, wild animals, sand, trees, grass and water. What items would you want with you? How to play: From the list of 4 items pick ONE item (per post) Post the item you picked, then remove it from the list and replace it with a new item, and post the new list for the next person to pick from. You can put whatever you want on the list, can be anything, the crazier the more fun the game! Ok I will start the list...... 1. Box of matches 2. candy bar 3. 6 pack of beer 4. roll of toliet paper (Next person pick one, take it off the list and add a new item

So very sorry.

Heather, this is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man who was obviously very involved with life. I am so very sorry.

Although I believe he needs to hire some new writers, I still prefer David Letterman. Of course, no one will ever top Johnny Carson. He was the absolute best!

Amanda, I am so very sorry.

Melinda, I am so very sorry. Please know that I care.

Siberian Husky

Deb and Alan are celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary today!!! I know this is a very "sweet" day for them, as Alan just went through some very difficult treatment and is finally feeling better! So...Happy Anniversary to a wonderful and loving couple!!!

Who is your favorite late night talk show host/hostess?

I'm so sorry that you're having such a difficult time. I can definitely relate to how you are feeling. You know, my hard time of the year is around Christmas, as that was Dennis' favorite time of the year. He died 10 days before Christmas and never lived to see the holiday that he loved so well. As a result, I just hate seeing that time of year roll around. I love what Christmas is all about but I just can't handle all of the happiness and joy that most people experience at that time of year, because of my personal experience. I pray that things begin to feel better soon.

A Woman of My Age (By Theresa S) They say... A woman of my age should not let her hair Fall below the marks of her shoulder. It will bring the face down And make her look older. Further more, a woman of my age Should not were blouses without sleeves Because her upper arms Aren't what they should be. A woman of my age Should keep her skirts hem line at the knee Because as you age There are some things folk's should not see. A woman of my age Should wear sensible shoes! Because of corns and bunions It is the best thing to do. But I say... A woman of my age Should let her hair grow. When it gets too long I think she will know. A woman of my age Should wear tank tops when it is hot Whether she can lift fifty pounds, Or not. A woman of my age Knows personally best The length at which Her hem lines need rest. A woman of my age, How I hate the way it sounds! We listen to the media And in its images we drown. A woman of my age Is secure and finally sure of herself. She doesn't long to be nineteen, But she is not ready for the shelf. A woman of my age Should not wear tube tops. On that point I agree, But that is where it all stops!

What a sweet story. You're right. This is a very nice way of explaining what awaits us. Thanks so much for sharing this, Donna.