J's Cafe Nette

Archive for December, 2008

Sue and I wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Thank you for hanging in with us during 2008 and we hope to have you around for 2009 and beyond.

If you go to a party tonight have a designated driver who is not drinking or spend the night in a motel or where the party is being held.

Many blessings to all our dear readers.

(Update) I hope ~J~ will forgive my intrusion on her post.

Just wanted to add this video of 13 European Boys Choirs performing Auld Lang Syne.

It just goes to show that no matter the language the sentiments are the same.

Happy New Year all! (Sue)

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Blagojevich needs to give it up. This afternoon he plans to name one of his cronies, Roland Burris, a seventy-one year old former Attorney General of Illinois.

The hangup is that Harry Reid and the Democratic Caucus in the Senate will not seat him.

Blago needs to resign, let the Lt. Gov. appoint a successor to Obama’s seat or hold a special election, which would be the fairest thing to do to insure no special favors are involved.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) said in a statement this afternoon that the Senate will not seat anyone Gov. Rod Blagojevich chooses to fill Illinois’ vacant Senate post, amid word that the governor is set to name former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris.

The statement also is signed by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who has repeatedly urged Blagojevich not to name a replacement for the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. The statement specifically names Burris, but applies to any choice the governor might make.

“This is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat,” the statement read. “Anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus.”

Link

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Once again Israel finds itself in the midst of a war it didn’t start and no one in the world is defending her.

The United States is giving lip service, but in the end it is up to Israelis to save their own country from being “wiped off the map”.

A so-called cease-fire was in effect for the past six months, during which Hamas built up weaponry and started lobbing missiles deeper into Israel than ever before.

Hamas has all their military targets and government targets in the midst of residential areas. This is done so they can use the protection of civilians and cry about the deaths of said civilians when Israel attacks these military targets.

For over sixty years now Israel has never had a day of real peace.

Some people claim Israel was given land not theirs. Archaeology has shown the Jewish people lived in that part of the world thousands of years ago. The Bible says God gave the deed to Israel to the Israelites and scattered them in 70 A.D.

It also says Israel would be reunited and it was after World War II when the Jews figured out living in other countries was not in their best interests. Being killed for being a Jew has been in style in the world for quite some time.

The Bible also tells us Jerusalem will be a contentious place for the rest of time as we know it.

When the land was carved up after the second world war, Jordan and other countries were also created. Jordan was also the ancestral home of the Palestinians but we don’t see them making war to get that land back.

Israel offered every Palestinian living in the new Israel the opportunity to stay where they were, keep their belongings and become a part of the new country—even to the point of being able to participate in the new government, which some Palestinian Arabs do.

Most found the thought of co-existing with the Jews so repulsive they decided to be the nomads they really always were.

Israel developed land Palestinians had neglected and allowed to be piles of dirt and rock. Pretty soon there was agriculture in this so-called barren land.

Israelis built homes in this barren land and thrived and the Palestinians and Arabs could not stand that Israel had done so well on land they thought was theirs, when in fact, they were the interlopers.

Every president since Carter has tried to get peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but every time the Palestinians have never lost an opportunity to lose an opportunity.

Ehud Barack lost an election because he offered Arafat 90% of what he wanted during the waning days of the Clinton administration, but Arafat didn’t even want that. What he wanted was the complete annihilation of the Jews in Israel so they could turn it into a pile of dirt and rocks again.

What he forgot is after the Holocaust the Jews vowed “never again” and they meant it.

This tiny nation is fighting all of the Arab world and Iran, which is Persian, in order to survive on that small strip of land given to them by God Himself ages ago.

I pray our new president will be friendly to Israel during his term in office, as that is about the only place we still get a blessing from God.

We have, as a nation, mostly turned away from God ourselves, but still He has granted us grace. He will bless those who bless Israel. You can figure out what He’ll do to those who do not. The Palestinians are finding that out at the moment…again.

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As a photographer this would be one job you would not soon forget:

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it’s an amazing position. Every day, even eight years down the road, it’s still just as interesting.”

What a job…what memories to carry the rest of your life!

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Enjoy

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Hi all!

Just wanted to wish everyone the best during the Holidays.

Sorry I did not get a Christmas post up but my modem has been on the fritz (hopefully replaced sometime tomorrow afternoon).

I hope this connection lasts until I publish this and just in case the problem is on-going, my you all have a happy, healthy New Year!

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If I were to name the blogger who did this, she would be so embarrassed and mortified that she probably wouldn’t call me her friend anymore, so she must remain anonymous in this post.

I tried to tell the story on her blog but she deleted it as she said she will get her reward in Heaven. Indeed she will.

During the past month I found out there were 48 children in my youngest grandson’s school who would not have any Christmas if people didn’t donate to help them.

I found this out through my daughter as the school was trying to keep this quiet and the teachers and other employees of the school were trying to do this by themselves.

On our grandson’s seventh birthday one month before Christmas his Dad had to take the goodies to the school for snack time. While there he told the office staff he had just cleaned out the coat closet and asked if any children could use coats. The answer was a resounding yes, and when he went back he took seven jackets that were in perfect condition, just too small for their children. They were given away that day.

The staff went to a store that was closing and loaded up on jackets for $3.00 apiece for all the other children. This came from their pockets.

Then we found out about the 48 needy children.

I called the school and spoke to the lady who was co-ordinating the effort and she emailed the name, sizes, wish for a toy etc. for a little first grade girl.

I was asked to get her toy, underwear, socks and shoes. When we checked the stores for a doll that swims we found exactly one left at Target and bought it after asking the man to hold it because it was for a needy child.

I mentioned on the other person’s blog that there were 48 needy children and how could I not help one of them. She had posted she was finished Christmas shopping and was tired of it.

She put a bold note inside my post and said she would like to help, and asked if there were an address.

When I read the note I emailed her and told her I would find out if all the children were taken or not, but if they were my daughter is a teacher in middle school and they had siblings of students who needed things also.

She replied that would be fine, and in response to my query as to whether she preferred a boy or a girl she said it didn’t matter.

I emailed my daughter, who emailed the first name of a little girl and her sizes. She’s a four year old who takes a size 3T. The other blogger remarked she was just a peanut, and asked if she could send the package to me and have us get them to the schools. No problem.

First came the toy from Amazon.com. A few days later came a large box with at least five and maybe more packages already wrapped with a tag that simply said for and the girl’s name.

She had bought her a jacket, an outfit and other things I don’t remember now. She said she had not bought for a girl in a long time because she has boys and enjoyed it.

These came from another state and she didn’t have to do this.

Somewhere in this bedroom community of Charlotte, NC, is a very happy little four year old girl, and siblings as those children were taken care of too.

Christmas Eve after church we took our granddaughter home and my daughter had a card from the school her son attends, thanking us for what we did.

No thanks necessary. The reward of knowing a little child has had a good Christmas is all the thanks we need.

Thank you, Blogging friend. I am proud to call you my friend.

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President Bush rescinded a pardon he had granted before Christmas because he later found out the extent of the crimes committed by the former prisoner.

The criminal’s father had contributed money to a lot of Republican people so he could get the pardon for his son, but political contributions are not vetted in the pardoning process.

When the president heard stories about the criminal he held the pardon until the Justice Department reviewed it and then rescinded the pardon.

The man will now have to carry his record with him until or unless some other president pardons him. Highly unlikely and just desserts for someone who scammed the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

President Bush on Wednesday retracted one of the 19 presidential pardons he granted just before the Christmas holiday.

The White House announced that Isaac Toussie, a Brooklyn developer convicted of fraud and making false statements to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, should not be granted clemency.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the new decision was “based on information that has subsequently come to light,” including on the extent and nature of Toussie’s prior criminal offenses. She also said that neither the White House counsel’s office nor the president had been aware of a political contribution by Toussie’s father that “might create an appearance of impropriety.”

“Given that, this was the prudent thing to do,” she said.

The new information came out in news reports, Perino said. The counsel’s office generally doesn’t include vetting of political contributions in its reviews on such matters, as that would be “highly inappropriate on many levels,” she said. The White House decision on Toussie had come without a recommendation from the pardon attorney, Ronald L. Rodgers, as Toussie’s request for a pardon came less than five years after completion of his sentence, so that eliminated another step in the review process.

Perino said she is not aware of any other instance of a pardon reversal, in the Bush administration or others.

Now if he would just pardon the border patrol agents, Ramos and Compean before his term is up it would be sweet.

Somehow I doubt he will do that though because he likes the US Attorney in that area and because the so-called crime involved a Mexican who was carrying drugs across the border. He seems inclined to do what Mexico wants him to do.

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Luke 1
1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

5THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

19And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

20And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

23And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

57Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

59And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

64And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

65And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Luke 2
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David: )

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord; )

24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

King James Version

Remember the Greatest gift of all when you celebrate Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all and a very Happy and prosperous New Year!

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I stole this from The Anchoress because it was the first time I had heard this hymn and I thought it was beautiful and peaceful, as well as reverent.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

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A young teen-aged girl in Charlotte, NC, a hop, skip and a jump from where I live, was dying. She had been born sick and every year got pneumonia.

This time the doctors talked to the mother and it was decided to remove the breathing tube. Chelsea continued to breathe on her own.

Then she got pneumonia in one of her lungs and asked for the oxygen mask to be removed because she was tired of it all.

While praying with her room-mate’s mother, the mother got a call from the nurse-practitioner to come to the desk and look at the monitor to the room.

The mother and room-mate’s mother both went out. What they saw was astounding. The room-mate’s mother tried to take a photo with her cell phone but it wouldn’t take, so the mother of Chelsea took one to no avail, and took another one. The second one took. This is an actual screen shot from the monitor:

It was a rainy and dark day when this happened. It looks like an angel to me.

Chelsea is now home and will celebrate her fifteenth birthday on Christmas Day.

Proof that God has angels guarding us.

Partial story. The rest I read in the local paper.

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One of the most impartial reporters I have ever had the pleasure of viewing, Brit Hume, signed off as anchor of “Special Report with Brit Hume” Tuesday evening.

Actually, he’s not one of the most impartial reporters; he is the most impartial reporter I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

Sure, when he’s a panelist on “Fox News Sunday” you know pretty much his political views, but when he’s reporting the news he does it the way I remember Walter Cronkite doing it before he made public his views on the Viet Nam War. You can’t tell which side he falls on, and that’s the way news should be.

Brit will be succeeded in his nightly spot by Bret Baier, who will do a great job in the seat.

Here’s a tribute to Brit from his co-workers:

I’m going to miss you, Brit, but I’ll be watching “Fox News Sunday” and those specials you plan to do.

Best wishes on your retirement.

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and a World War I Christmas Truce was observed:

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If you’re looking for political or any other kind of news on this site, please be patient.

Sue and I are taking down time from the everlasting election just past and are waiting for Christmas to be over before we post anything not having to do with Christmas.

We plan to do a joint post about the Presidency of George W. Bush before he leaves office.

We will include some of his mistakes, but in my mind at least, it will be a tribute to a man hated so much by so many for no reason.

We’re going to miss him and already I am beginning to miss him as our President.

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Footage of Marines performing a special reading of “The Night Before Christmas” to the families of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Provided by 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs.

To every member of our Armed Forces and their families,thank you for your service.

Please know that there are many thoughts and prayers with you.

Merry Christmas.

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Some things just beg to be shared:

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It’s not just about the children, they are wonderful..but their conductor just reels me in every time..what a delight

Enjoy the Soul Children of Chicago!

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Look no further.

Hey, at least the price is right!

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At 8:00 PM tonight my husband and I have officially been married for forty-one years.

Where has all the time gone? When did we each get old? Other than a few aches and pains neither of us really feels old.

We remember with loving fondness the summer we fell in love. We remember with love the times we found out we were going to be parents for the first, second (baby lost through miscarriage) and third times.

Special memories are those of the days we met our children for the first time and then watched them grow.

We gave our daughter away in marriage to a wonderful man and several months later our son married a wonderful woman.

They have each given us a grandson and a granddaughter. We see our daughter’s children every day because they live about ten minutes from our house.

Our son and his family live in Irving, TX, and we don’t get to see them as often. This past summer we didn’t go out because their daughter was invited to spend the summer with her other grandparents.

Next year we would like to take our older grandchildren on a learning trip to Washington DC to see the houses of Congress and all the memorials, plus the White House if we can get tickets to it.

Our son’s children’s great-grandparents are buried at Arlington National Cemetery and she was alive until after they were both born. We would, of course, take them to visit that gravesite.

Forty-one years. My husband’s family have all died; his mother, his brother and then his father. Most of the ones I loved the most when I was growing up are also gone, so now we are the patriarch and matriarch of our own little dynasty.

Who knows what will come of it? The name is carried on and will be if Patrick has a son. The children are all very bright and have good futures ahead of them. My fondest hope and prayer is that they will all do something that serves the Lord in a way that would make Him pleased.

Here’s looking forward to as many more years as the Lord will allow.

I love you more today, Don, than the day we were married. Thank you for putting up with me.

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At the time of this posting the video below was available. When I checked again I found the embedding code had been disabled.

Do yourself a favor and go here to view the video.

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Did your town make the list of the Top Ten Christmas Towns in the United States?

Christmas is a magical time of year, celebrated in unique ways across America. Travel to 10 different communities — from Alaska to Maine — each rich in its own culture and traditions, as they prepare for the holiday season. On the sea, on the shore, atop mountains and in underground caverns, join in each town’s heartfelt festivities as they share their glad tidings and Christmas stories.

I happened to see the actual show on the HGTV and it was a delight. If you have a few extra minutes, the videos at the link are well worth a view.

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This is the one Christmas song that gets me every time. I always wished I could be back home and with my grandmother for Christmas, but was unable to during her last years.

Whenever this song played on the radio I would get tears and a longing for home like no other time.

In memory of Grammy:

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Lots more “little ones”here…be careful your heart just might melt!

HT: Little Green Footballs

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“We can spend our way to prosperity.”

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Enjoy.

Amazing Grace Techno – Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.

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Now that the election is over and many Republican senators have nothing to lose anymore, the bailout package for the auto industry died Thursday night.

As a former union officer I always feel bad when a person loses his or her job or faces that prospect, but the American people are fed up with these bailouts. All that was being discussed was $14 billion of the $25 billion the auto companies said they needed to make it to the end of the year. I say all as though $14 billion is not much money, and with the sums of money being bandied about Washington these past couple of months it does seem small.

Lawmakers planned to move ahead with a procedural vote on a Democratic-sponsored bill negotiated with the White House that Reid admitted would not succeed.

“There is too much difference” between negotiators to reach an agreement,” the Nevada Democrat said.

The late night development followed intense discussions on a possible compromise that participants said fell apart over proposed wage concessions by the powerful United Auto Workers.

“We were three words away from a deal,” said Sen. Bob Corker, a Tennessee Republican who proposed the alternative and led the talks.

Sen. Christopher Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, said the main issue of disagreement was the date to require the Detroit autoworkers’ pay parity with foreign auto manufacturers.

The union may have negotiated itself out of business along with the companies that employ its members.

The companies need someone who can produce cars Americans want to buy. They need to create a need for their product, and so far they have just done the same old things, like when every Chevy looked like a block of cheese back in the late eighties and early nineties.

Because the union is so strong in Detroit they have been able to drive a hard bargain by taking people from one company out on strike while the other companies work. After the negotiations with the targeted company were completed they used the agreement as a template for contracts with the other companies or they would strike those companies.

Along with the mismanagement of the companies the unions and the workers need to be agreeable to some cut backs. Lord knows I hate the idea, but I hate people losing their jobs even more.

Maybe now the companies will consider Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which means they get a second chance to come up with a business plan, renegotiate union contracts, and hold off their creditors until a plan approved by the bankruptcy court and trustee are formulated.

It needs to be iron-clad in order to make the plan viable, but to also protect the workers as much as possible.

Yes, it’s nice if you get laid off to be able to collect up to 80% of your wages for a few months at a time, but it’s money that is being used for unproductive purposes.

As in any other business the workers need to save to be prepared for lay-offs and for strikes.

The management teams need to be replaced with real business people with common sense and new ideas.

This will trickle down to other businesses until the trickle becomes a broken dam.

People say no one would buy from a bankrupt company because buyers would be afraid the company would go out of business and they couldn’t get their warranty work done.

If a car company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy and I were in the market for a new car I would seriously consider buying from them. They are just reorganizing and not going out of business.

May God help America during these times and always. May a reasonable solution to a huge problem be found. Strikes and office shut-downs are no fun. I’ve been through both. Closing the entire business is even worse.

The federal government needs to stop giving away our money to save these companies when the unions won’t cooperate and give a little to save their jobs. It’s easy for the union presidents and other officers who work full-time for the union to be confident because they get their pay even if the members are out on strike or lay-off.

Except for workplace harassment the unions have become too big for their own good and the good of the workers they are supposed to represent.

There is no painless solution I can foresee.

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