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    1/30/2008

    Birthdays and a great email

    Hi and welcome back!
    It is sunny out, but the sun is just a tease since it is only 14 F degrees.  We are supposed to be getting snow starting Thursday and into Friday.  They are predicting at least 4-6 inches, but we will see... I have heard that before and we got a dusting.  It would be nice to have a bit of snow for a change instead of just bitter cold.
    It was my brother-in-law Ed's birthday on Jan 28, and on Jan 31 my son-in-law Frank, his twin Geno, and one of my 'other daughters' Melissa celebrate their birthdays.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL!   Party   Birthday cake    Gift with a bow
     
    I hope you get your wishes and that you have a glorious year ahead.  I know one person got his wish already, but I can not say what it is yet.  I will just say "I am so delighted for you!"
     
    I received this great email from a co-worker today, and it is one that just has to be shared.
     
    Someone can love you, but you make yourself happy.
    Someone can teach you, but you must apply what you learn.
    Someone can coach you, but you must win the game.
    Someone can give you an opportunity, but you must show up capable and prepared.
    Someone can tell you truth or lies, but you must learn discernment.
    Someone can tempt you, but you must learn discipline.
    Someone can offer you advice, but you must learn to trust your own inner knowing.
    Someone can be selfish and withhold love, but you must learn how to give.
    Someone can pity you, but you must learn to bear your own sorrow.
    Someone can reject and leave you, but you must learn to feel whole.
    Someone can ignore you, but you must see your own value and worth.
    Someone can help you, but you must learn to do for self.
    Someone can hold a grudge, but you must learn how to forgive.
    Someone can show you a new way, but you must want the change.
    Someone can offer you love, but you must feel worthy of receiving love.
    Someone can encourage you, but you must motivate yourself.
     
    Have a great and blessed day!  See you soon!
    1/25/2008

    gosh it is cold outside!

    It was 11 when I was heading into work this morning. brrr! We have been having a very cold spell for the past week. I believe at least one record was broken for lowest on a certain date but I am not sure.  If we had snow instead of frigid conditions, I would be delighted!
    All is well in the family. The kids and grandsons are not sick (there are a lot of colds and stuff going around, so I am surprised), John is healing nicely and is back to work, and I am much better. 
    I thought you would enjoy reading this email that I received about the purposes of grandmother's apron. I still wear one at times (in fact I have a few hand-me-downs that still get used), and I can attest that it is a very good thing to have.  Enjoy!
     

    Aprons

    I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
    The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
    It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
    From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
    When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
    And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
    Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
    Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
    From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
    In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
    When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
    When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner
    It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes.

    REMEMBER:  
    Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
    Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. 

     

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    Have a fabulous day and if you are experiencing winter, stay warm with some hot tea - or hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course)!  If on the other hand you are where it is now summer, enjoy some iced tea and a fan!

    1/14/2008

    new year has begun...

    2007 seemed to fly by!  It is already well into January. 
    I have added a few new photos of Christmas week. 
    The pearl parties are going well.  There was an awards dinner this past weekend and I was third in sales for 2007! (I started in July, and most of the others had been in a year or more, so that was pretty cool).  I also received "most consistent demonstrator of 2007".  We will see what happens this year - maybe I will end up first or second place.  :-)  
    My brother Al and his family came into town during Christmas, and we had a great visit.  I wish they could come more often.  We spent a lot of time with the family this year, and had fun at my cousin Laura's for our traditional Christmas Day family reunion. 
    The ladies in the family are all going to get together next month at the St Louis Tea Room as well.  It is a wonderful place, nice and relaxing - I know the first timers will love it.  The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is delightful. 
    I am also starting my masters in computer education in 2 days.  Lots to do this year! 
    My diabetes is still well under control, so that is good too. 
    Chris is doing well with his leukemia.  They have started him on a new chemo drug (they have to switch from time to time or the cells will become immune and grow once more - we don't want that for sure!) 
    My nephew Tom and his wife Jenny have found out that they are going to have a boy (their second child - first one is also a boy).  Congratulations! 
    All my grandsons are doing well.  It is so awesome to be able to spend time with them when we can.  Keegan gets to stay the night sometimes, and Papa and I love that a lot!  It is fabulous to be a grandparent. 
    Our friends the Davenports had a wedding this past month.  Their middle child Phillip got married to Ruthie.  They made a very nice couple, and they have been best friends forever before they got married.  Best wishes for a long and happy life together! 
    Well, I guess that is it for now... more later (hopefully not so much later!!!)
    Hugs and enjoy a cup of tea!
    Coffee cup