My Special Friends! A Poem for You!

My Special Friends!

  My Friends you are like Sunshine that brightens up my day

You listen to my problems, and have helped me find my way

I will always be here too; and hear what you may say

It doesn’t have to be about the problems we are having,

It can be about the weather or just some jibber jabbing

Talk about your house or work or even do some bragging (HA!) 

We seem to know each other's thoughts that very few can share

It’s a lonely world without a friend without a thought or care

It’s unfortunate that many haven’t found this anywhere

What’s really strange about our friendships (that you already see)

We’ve never met in person, and that may never come to be

But as long as there’s a signal, there will always be you - and - me

Your friend ~ Dorene

Kids Views on Marriage

15 Kids Were Asked About Their Thoughts On Marriage. 

These Answers Are Priceless!

 When is it okay to kiss someone?

The rule goes like this; if you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them.  It’s the right thing to do.

-Howard, age 8

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.

-Curt, age 7

When they’re rich.

-Pam, age 7

 What is the right age to get married?

Twenty-three is the best age because you the person FOREVER by then.

-Camille, age 10

No age is good to get married at.  You got to be a fool to get married.

-Freddie, age 6

 How can a stranger tell if two people are married?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.

-Derrick, age 8

                       What do you think your mom and dad have in common?

Both don’t want any more kids

-Lori, age 8

 What do most people do on a date?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other.  Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.

-Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.

-Martin, age 10

 How do you decide who to marry?

You get to find somebody who likes the same stuff.  Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.

-Alan, age 10

No person really decided before they grow up who they’re going to marry.  God decides it all the way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.

-Kristin, age 10

 Is it better to be single or married?

It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys.  Boys need someone to clean up after them.

-Anita, age 9

 How would the world be different if people didn’t get married?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn’t there?

-Kelvin, age 8

 How would you make a marriage work?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.

-Ricky, age 10

How to Give Your Dog the Heimlich Maneuver

This is a picture showing how to give your dog the Heimlich Maneuver.  I think it's something important to know; especially if you dog loves to chew!  Be gentle with a puppy and get them straight to your veterinarian just in case there is still something lodged in his/her stomach.

My dog chewed on something while lying on a throw rug with fringe and an x-ray showed there was string wrapped around her intestines.  It could have killed her! Thankfully, she was in the hospital in time.

(Please skip "A" with puppies, a dachshund or any dog with the body shape of a dachshund and toy dogs due to their fragile spines.  It would be best to talk to your Veterinarian if you're unsure if you should use "A" on your pet.)

If this can save just one dog, I'll be happy!

What is St. Patrick’s Day About?

Much of what is known about St Patrick comes from Testimony, (which was allegedly written by Patrick himself). It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family.

At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland.   It says that he spent six years there working as a shepherd and that during this time he "found God". After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.

• According to History.com, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated by the Irish for over one thousand years. Wearing green became popular between the late 1840's and 1850's as many Irish people immigrated to America.
  
  According to popular legend, St. Patrick was originally celebrated because he drove all of the snakes from Ireland (there were no snakes there). 

St. Patrick performed many miracles during his lifetime.  While most holidays celebrate the birth of a famous figure, March 17th is the day that St. Patrick died in the 5th century.

One of the symbols associated with St. Patrick is the three-leaf clover or shamrock. According to popular legend, St. Patrick used the shamrock while ministering to the people of Ireland to illustrate the Christian Trinity.

St. Patrick's Day incorporates everything Irish and those pesky leprechauns. Leprechauns are mythical creatures who stem from Irish fables.

 They are commonly associated with St. Patrick's Day, not only due to the Irish connection, but they are also talked about whenever there is a rainbow, you will find their gold at the end.

It is is a day of Celebration with a huge Parade, Wearing of the Green, 
Corned Beef and Cabbage, and best of all... Green Beer!

Did you know???

Saint Patrick's color was blue, not green, say historians. It can still be seen on ancient Irish flags. Blue was used on armbands and flags by members of the Irish Citizen Army who attempted to end British rule in 1016.

The use of green began during the 1798 Irish Rebellion when the clover became a symbol of nationalism.  The "wearing of the green" (clovers) on lapels combined with Ireland's lush green fields made blue a thing of the past.

 Wikipedia, History.com and a little from here and there

Baby it's Cold Outside!

It’s been awhile since the New Year began and we are back into the Ice Age!

I've had Cabin Fever since the first of January and now I can’t get the front door open, let alone the car door.  I’d also like to keep my fingers and toes for a few more years.

What do you do?  I have plenty to do.  (Too much, actually.)  I’d like less, but I want to go OUT!  I don’t care where… the pharmacy will do.  If I make it that far, then I can make it across the street to one of those cheap department stores.  That will keep me busy a little longer.

I know what will happen next, it’s automatic when I’m out… hunger!  That’s when I’d better get out of the store… FAST!  I will purchase things I will regret.  I want real food.

Off I go… must drive a bit since there isn't much nearby and even if there were, I’d be tired of eating whatever it was.  So what do I want? 

Ohhh noooo… all I want is to get warm.  I’m going home, watch TV and snuggle under 10 blankets to try and stop shivering.

I hope you are all staying safe and warm.  Please take all precautions, and remember any neighbors who may need you… anyone with health problems, the elderly, or even a lost pet.

Let us also send our thoughts, prayers, well wishes, etc… to France. 

Countdown to 2015!

Here we go! Time to make resolutions again. Have you made yours? I haven't. I'm not sure if I'm going to. I make resolutions on a daily basis... set goals for the day... promise myself that I will or will not do this or that.

Sometimes it works... sometimes not. It's the same with resolutions, except those are made for an entire year! I can't predict if I can do something differently for a year, but maybe that's just me (or is it?).
I wonder how many people make New Year's Resolutions actually keep them for the entire year. Come on... raise your hands.

I did a little research and according to WebMd "Statistics show that at the end of January, some 64% of resolvers are still hanging in there; six months later, that number drops to 44%.

This is what The Guardian (Winner if the Pulitzer Prize) had to say; "Less than a Quarter of those asked for a university study had managed to stick to their resolutions.

Of the 78% who failed, may had focused on the downside of not achieving their goals; they had suppressed their cravings fantasied about being successful, and adopted a role model or relied on willpower alone.

On the other hand, people who kept their resolutions tended to have broken their goals into smaller steps and rewarded themselves when they achieved one of these.

They also told their friends about their goals, focused on the benefits of success and kept a diary of their progress"

I'm not going to get any more lengthy than this because I think you get the point. It's easy to "say" what you're going to do, but not as easy to go through with it without determination and planning.

Good Luck!

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

The Christmas Dinner Fiasco

By Dorene

Time to cook Christmas Dinner again

It’s hard work only once a year, AMEN!

Cook all the goodies and set the table

Get some rest when we are able

Dinner is done and the guests are late

I don’t understand… why I should wait?

So I grab a dish and pile on the food

I’m starving as I shovel it in

Just as I try to swallow it whole

Who should arrive?  Every single soul!

Here I sit, with food on my face

Not realizing it dripped on the floor

I take my plate, run to the sink…

And then I run to the door

There they are, from all over the globe!

I take their coats and glance in the mirror

I never got out of my robe! 

(I cried!)

Have a Merry Christmas, or However You Celebrate this Season... may it be Joyous, and Have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!