Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #68 visit with friends...

Laura, this one is the most precious I think...

The best inexpensive Christmas gift I ever received was from my son when he was in Kindergarten. The class took empty boxes (hair color, toothpaste, whatever) and wrapped them in wrapping paper and tied them with a ribbon. Attached to the box was this note

"I took an ordinary box
As empty as can be
I filled it with a special gift
And wrapped it carefully
But please don't ever open it
Just leave the ribbon tied
And hold it tightly near your heart
Because my love for you's inside!"

You could also change the ribbon line to read "just leave the bow applied" if you use bows instead of ribbon. This of course is easier than the ribbon for little ones. I loved this gift and will keep it FOREVER.)

Betty, Talk about tears in the eyes!!! That is the cutest thing I have ever heard of. I have several people that I would like to give one too. Thanks BEV

Just got the most beautiful sound track and moments of silence for our vets from my girlfriend...can't attach..d-mail me your e-mail and I'll forward to you..a must see...

Earth shattering news...got an appt. as promised with after hours clinic tomorrow at 6:00 so will leave 1/2 hr. early...oh happy days!

Good for you Betty on the app. send me that email. OK? BEV

Really Betty, What a heartwarming gift to be treasured forever!!

Hi Wonder...I am on switchboard...so will chat later.Soo, happy to see your post!

That was a real nice story of the pet love too...

Geesh i can't be sitting here with tears in eyes now, i have to answer the phone...LOL

Yay, Glad you made an appointment...woohoo.

It's not quite about Veterans, but I thought this appropriate today.

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the "dash" between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own
The cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
(you could be at "dash mid-range.")

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real.
And always try to understand
The way the other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while

So when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash.
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
Author Unknown

Loved the poem...
Bev...thought I e-mailed the link to myself but didn't so will e-mail it to you in the morning...

Judy, can't you see a little child giving a wrapped box to their grandparents with the poem attached to a ribbon..know there would be tears in this house...

I once did a project with children, must look for the poem..bought scrapbooking paper, put their hand on it but it was the poem that just brought you to tears...I'll be on the lookout for it...

Must get to bed, I know it's early but ..........

Good Lord willing we'll gab tomorrow~

Back already...do you know that the first place I thought of I found the poem..this poem with the fingerprint of a child's hand for mom or grandparent would be such a lovely christmas present..a Dollar Store frame..a sheet of scrapbooking paper, a photo and the poem...
What a treasure to receive...

Here it goes..

YOU ALWAYS CLEAN THE FINGERPRINTS
I LEAVE UPON THE WALL;
I SEEM TO MAKE A MESS OF THINGS
BECAUSE I AM SO SMALL.

THE YEARS WILL PASS SO QUICKLY I'LL SOON BE GROWN LIKE YOU'
AND ALL MY LITTLE FINGERPRINTS
WILL SURELY FADE FROM VIEW

SO HERE'S A SPECIAL HANDPRINT
AND A PICTURE OF ME TOO
SO YOU'LL RECALL THE VERY DAY
I MADE THIS JUST FOR YOU!

Hope someone will make use of this...

What cute poems and nice stories! Thank you for all of that, I'm horrible at celebrating things like today and what it represents for some reason. Maybe I just don't want to face the facts, I don't know. It is very selfish of me I know.

Oh good Betty! Get that ear looked at before a bunch of us show up at your door with a bunch of rope LOL!

I almost can't wait to get the paper back now, I'm going to LMAO in someone's face I have a feeling. Heck, I'll just draw devil horns on the stupid mountain and put red lava coming out of the top instead of snow and draw Satan's face in the middle of it. Here's a spiritual paper square for ya! I wonder how many heart attacks that would cause?
Ok, sorry for the little flail there. I'm not explaining myself to anyone. I might stir the pot though.

Way to go, Crissy! Give 'em what for! Laugh right back at them!

Hi there, OMG still haven't had my bath and still up, can't get away from DG...my adrenaline is going...ok..off to bed...hi Audrey, Hi Crissy...talk tomorrow...
You 2 got those santa's done..come on girls, no more playing around..lol

Gita, know you peeking in from time to time, photo's of the wedding please?

Shoot Betty, I was going to spend all day on it today since it's rainy and cold, I need new work clothes pretty bad so I went shopping, then visited with Dave while he was awake, and here I sit pondering over if I want to glue the other 2 corners of the dress down or if I want to sew them down. I found some new glue that works really well, it's called Fabri-Tac. The problem is it soaks through the material really fast. I have one corner sewn and the other one glued, I just can't figure out if I would rather have stitches showing or glue showing. hhmmmmm

Agh we cross posted Betty!

yum pb&j

OMG what a great idea withthe hand print!!

totally doing it!

thakyou

You are welcome Laura...I'll go in search of more ideas that I used to do with children at the center...

So many things can be made, given and appreciated sometimes more than the bought items..I have a few Christmas ones I've done for a few years with grandsons and their friends for gifts for parents/grandparents...running short on time this morning as I'm driving myself in, want to do a few things soooo must run, talk when I get towork..

This message was edited Nov 12, 2008 9:37 AM

Greetings to All - I was missing in action for a while and missed reading BWL for several days in a row last week. I spent a couple of hours yesterday morning reading and then only got through about one days worth. Yep, in Betty's words - we have some real gabbers here. ha-ha

This morning when I turned the machine on with every intent of beginning where I left off yesterday, another thought came over me. I decided to just begin reading with yesterday. So, I am sure there are things that I have missed that I would most likely respond to, but just know that you all are in my heart and mind a lot through out the days.

Crissy, your employment conditions sound awful. I think that each of us have experienced things such as this last little snippet. I don't have any great words of wisdom on how to handle the childishness but agree witht he p erson who told you that you get to go home in the evenings with a clear mind and conscience and those old snorts have to go home to themselves. haha

I know how very hard it is. I have been on the receiving end of some very hurtful things over the years. When I am in a forgiving mood, I can see that those who lash out the most are those who are feeling the worst about themselves. Misery seems to like to spread itself around.

I did some Christmas shopping yesterday for my older son Ben and also bought a few things for Tucker. I went in to Kmart to buy some women's long johns that I bought a pants bottom to while in New Jersey. This KMart didn't have them yesterday, but I was told to check back because they would be getting more in at some point. The long johns and Scrabble game board were the only thing on my list and I ended up spending $258.00. At least Benjamin is taken care of as far as gifts go. I was half way checked out when I realized that I forgot about the Scrabble game. I will find one somewhere or either order on line. This is a game that I used to really enjoy playing.

Cleaning lady was here yesterday, so everything looks good so far. I am thinking of beginning to wrap and organize some of my Christmas gifts today. I am also planning to make a big kettle of vegetable-beef soup for later.

Bev - that you son contacted you is such a special thing to hear. I hope that each and every one of you are going to have a great day.

Ruby

morning all,

ruby, thinking of you hope your good and well

gilli happy belated birthday sounds like you had a wonderful time

bev, wonderful news! lovely photo's

laura, glad your doing better can you contact this person with the clothing order?

jeannine great pic's of the dogs

carol, waving to you hope your good

crissy, what a awful thing to have to deal with good luck on that situation

waving to everyone else
cat nice to see you post to

judy, help me out! betty is giving me the bussiness on smoking lol

betty, hope all works out with your mom sending out prayers good luck with appt today
great stories love the dog story really made me smile! next time i take a pic i'll know better to hide things lol

well got to run everyone have a great day

This message was edited Nov 12, 2008 4:42 AM

Liz, it is wonderful seeing you posting as you once did. Trying to include everyone in to your post is a real talent. We have missed hearing from you.

Ruby

thanks ruby,

now im going to make you laugh!
i had finally gotten around to cleanning out the garage!
at the garage door i had a half wine barrel that i had some old blankets and things in there
just collecting dust, well as i had started to lift things out out jumped three small rats !oh this became a all out war! now bringing out more things out came a fourth...
three took off but the foourth one has been mocking me for weeks!

it even made it to the storage bin ate a big hole in the bag of grass seed made me furious!
so i hooked up the air compressor blew out the garage like a maniac i had the biggest dust bowl possible things were flying around, now during all this madness all the neighbors were watching me in complete laughter.
guess they thought i finally lost it! lol

well two weeks went by hadnt see the critter so i was doing the victory dance
well last friday yapping with judy and out it came looked at me and ran..

well now the war is on! got pest control comming out to put it in its place!
first the raccoon nonsence now this lol geeez cant win

I'm so laughing Liz, I've seen you in action at Judy's when it comes to cirtters..I can just imagine the hallaballloooo....should have had it taped, might have won on America's funniest video's..I sooo have a visual...

Ruby so glad you dropped by, missing you..
Nice feeling to get ahead of the shoppers re Christmas shopping isn't it..doesn't take long to go through $$$$$...nice to have at least Benjamin done..now on with the next right...at lunch I'll go pick up the bedset for Melanie..then Friday Suzanne and I are going to Samko-toy distributor, I've no young ones but they do have other things for sale cheap/cheap..then Sunday I'll go back shopping know exactly what to get Jeff to finish his list...$50. Chapters Card $25.00 Tim Hortons card, $100.00 e-bee(?) game card (know he's too old, but he does enjoy) lol..he's my little boy even at 39 this Dec. 8th...then a sweater, sweat pants and then with the Canada's wonderland 2009 seasonal pass he's done...these kids have everything so I buy them playthings just like the old days...lol, weekend after I'll finish the 4 grandchildren...

I was just on MSN with Sharon, told her I WILL be done by Dec.1st..offered to help her shop but she said she'll manage, some purchasing on-line etc.


LOVE scrabble..bought the game for my computer..forget the lady's name who plays with me (computerized of course) and she cheats..yep..she does..she challenges and there is no system that allow me to challenge her..and some of my words are indeed words..lol..not nice of her is it?

Have the disk here, really should play more, keep me occupied..hasboro is the company, all 3D...

How are you feeling Ruby, gaining strength? Nice to have a housecleaner..although I'm able to keep on top of things had thought that I'd pay Kathy who does house cleaning to go through mine one day..make life just a little easier...

Then a thought came to me...Suzanne want me to make a santa suit and Mrs. Claus outfit for mid. Dec. to kind of do the same tradition that Roger did and passed on to the boys...sooo she's a great cook..does lovely meat pies, stuffed peppers and cabbage rolls..sooo will trade her..I'll sew and she can bake..now if I find someone who does sweets I'll be in business....

Love it when a plan comes together...

OH/OH war is ON...Sharon said that Jim gave her the 'what for' because she had asked Sharon about $5 - 8 thousand for the dog operation...was made that she told me and I mentioned it to Jim..of course I did..when we were talking while mom was in emerge I said that I thought all the stress of worrying had helped contribute to her little stroke, he went on that worrying about Sharon didn't help either and he said she finds it difficult to talk to Sharon, they always seem to get into it...soooo I said (which cross my heart and hope to die) usually get into these kind of family squabbles, but I said well Jim guess Sharon was extrememely upset that here she was in the hospital very ill/on morphine for constant pain and mom would call/visit and only ask for $$$ for the dog...she just shook his head soooo guess he gave mom a speach yesterday about NEVER calling to borrow money..first of all she has money so why try to get it off of Sharon...then she says to Sharon, you've enough air mile points why don't you buy me a ticket to fly to Florida, Sharon says, mom I'm using them to fly to Paris in May..so she goes on about Sharon not sharring....you know what..I think the couple of strokes she had a few years back and now this one, IS playing havoc with her personality...oh oh....

I'm lonely here, where did you all go...

I went to play Solitaire, but it's time for me to go back to bed. I don't know if I'll get back on today; it's DH's day off.

Hi Betty. I am here. Getting ready to go to the grocery store which I hate. Gloomy damp day. Just saw our big Hawk after a cat out front. Got a pic of him. If it is good enough will post later. I don't have any pretty birds anymore since he came to town about three yrs ago. Oh! well I guess that is life. They take down all the trees for fields so not much habitat left for them. Wish I knew what to fix for supper. I am going to put the pics in the putr so CULATER HUGS BEV and HI ALL!!!!

Nice of you 2 to drop in...painting 12 santa faces again, don't mind telling you I'm starting to get tired of them...lol...

have a good rest Laura, and Bev they are ruining all their habitats aren't they...

Here he is right outside my window looking at a cat out there but he din't get it this time.

Isn't he a beauty.. do you often get them or is this a rare occassion?

Beautiful hawk! Before I left home, many moons ago, my exh and I raised chickens, He raised game chickens. Something was catching his expensive roosters, so he set a steel trap on top of a tall pole. After he left for work one morning early, I heard the chickens raising cain, so I went out to check. There was a HUGE owl, about 6 ft. wing span, caught in the trap! THIS was what was getting the chickens! A Great Horned Owl, I think! My bil killed him and got him out of his misery. He was a beautiful bird, but soooo destructive!

This Hawk has been here for about three yrs now.

Audrey OMG..are they on the endangered list? Know we have some in this area as well, used to see them when I was on the farm quite often...

We had chickens as well, the odd time we'd come out and find the heads missing off the chickens, believe it was the fox or racoon that ate them as they stuck their heads out of the chicken wire..silly things..you'd think after one the others were without heads they'd keep them inside...

Are they territorial...i.e. never migrate stay where they live year round...

GOOD DAY EVERYONE!!

Well, a major decision has been made, finally!
However it wasn't quite the decision we have been waiting to hear about.
LOL, so the good? news is We still have a job for the moment.
The bad news is, Our group(s) is back on hold as far as what "support"
will be needed. Which means, we have no idea when consideration will be given.
Basically, A new, "streamlining" starts all over again.



This is just my take on the situation.
On a professional, business part of my Brain, I have got to admit it is a very good thing that they did...but alot more people will probably loose jobs as far as I can tell.
Right now...I just might make it to 22 years afterall! And, the way i have to see it, is every year counts at this point...So, Now you have it, lol which isn't much. In the meantime, I will be at the office untill further notice....hahahah, got to laugh, because I am out of tears.
...LOL, i was concidering asking if i can work from home. if they need me here, i can be here in 30 minutes flat!...Then i figured, better just make the trekk in, to keep me on some sort of schedual, besides Betty, LOL I am openly working on Santa!

Ok well, wanted to tell you my news...Will make a post when I return from lunch

That is kind of a mixed blessing isn't it Judy..now when you say point system do you mean that you have a retirement plan and more months/years will bring you closer to retirement with pension?

When I worked for the municipality as Recreation Co-ordinator for so many years, our pensions were with OMERS..Ontario Municipal Retirement System..at the time they had given everyone I think it was 18 months not having to contribute, which was great, then they began lowering the age/yrs of employment factor and I retired at 50..or so I thought, here I am working for BIL...

Do you have same at work..

Working openly on Santa...got to laugh...her I am with a bag of velvet, gathering robes and sleeves, on the window sill are santa faces, sketch of the snowman, thread near computer, coffee on the right and Paul asked me how come I'm not doing crochet or knitting for an ear muff to stop the air above from irritating my ear......two of a kind we are Judy!

Do you now feel good about it, or now will you worry for months again..just think, extra $$$ for Florida trip..lol

wow talk about power shopping, ride to Vaughan Mills Center (10 minutes) Quilt shop, got Melanie's 7piece bed outfit..imagine, the other sales clerk the other day when I said her room was in green didn't even mention I could get green/bronze mixture) so got that..wouldn't you just know they had a beautiful quilted throw... a must have, not worth making for $29.99 and nicely quilted..oh happy days...then to the food court to pick up chicken souvlaki dinner, back to the office 5 minutes to spare...so now along with with being surrounded with crafts sit a dinner and Greek salad..lol

Judy forgot to answer your question..the view only thread is for viewing ONLY so that we can look at all the beautiful hand crafted Victorian Santa's in the works...

Then there is a Thread 6 which is for gabbing..

There's a view only thread? I'm going to find it.

Found it, that was difficult! LOL

Just ask next time Crissy and I'll post the link...how are you doing today?
Thinking Victorian Santa's I hope..lol..

How's work going? Everybody pleasant? Sure do hope so...