LUNCH BEFORE A SURPRISE

Annabelle actually hopped right up on Papa's lap

Just moments before she was giggling and laughing..
but when I took the camera out, she looked at me like
I was bothering her.. I was.. she was looking at pictures on
her Mom's new cell phone.

David and his dad, Paul 2, after lunch..
There was a surprise for the kids today..

I was just thinking about how thankful I am that Jane talked me into going to exercise at the YMCA.. in the water! I can walk for long stretches there without pain or after soreness to any of my joints or muscles. It's been beneficial to me.. I've lost a total of 8 pounds for this month so far, and this Monday is weigh-in day.. there could be more. I won't be disappointed if there isn't more.. I'm just thankful that my pants are getting looser!

Today is the Sabbath.. we are planning to go to church this morning.. will we see you there?

12 degrees this morning.. not my favorite number.. but there is a chance we might get to 38 also.. that helps.

"My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27 NLT"

He knows our name, our nature
"Usually, when someone says, "God has been speaking to me lately," we get a little suspicious (justly so, in many cases).
Many who say God speaks to them are far too often what I describe as a few clowns short of a circus.
Yet as our Good Shepherd, Jesus promises that we can hear and know His voice.
This does not, however, need to be some mysterious, mystical process.
In fact, you may be surprised to learn that God speaks to you quite often.
You see, the Good Shepherd knows not only your name (John 10:3), but your nature.
Yes, God speaks—but we do not always like what He says.
Have you sensed the conviction of the Holy Spirit when you were in a relationship or a place you did not belong?
At times, God's Holy Spirit whispers in the stillness of your heart, "What are you doing here?" How else can we know when God is speaking to us?

God speaks to us through His word. (Psalm 119:105)

God speaks to us through circumstances (Psalm 119:67)

God speaks to through His peace (Colossians 3:15)

And once we have heard God's voice, what should we do?
We must follow. Jesus calls, we respond.
He whispers, we move.
We follow—and then we keep on listening.

from the Breakfast with Jesus by Greg Laurie (Tyndale) pp 243-45 "

It's this coming week.. boy it's coming fast.. and then 4 weeks later is Christmas! Anyone out there have their shopping done already?
It's going to be a lean one this year.. but all will be remembered for sure. I'm thankful for this time of year.. I do love holidays.
Rebel that I am, I will continue to wish others a Merry Christmas no matter what others think is politically correct. Tradition rules here.
All in all, the holidays bring back many treasured memories of my own childhood and the fun we had growing up.. how Dad got our tree on Christmas eve every year, and it was nearly always a nice one.. and then we'd go to bed and in the morning we'd wake up to a decorated tree and gifts.. not expensive ones.. but loved ones. I can remember getting new socks and clothes.. and then usually something I'd really wished for.. like my Tiny Tears doll.. that's an unforgettable one. What ever happened to her is beyond me. I know that she was used in a Christmas pageant one year.. and then I lost track. Alas!
The tree stayed up until New Years... and then was taken outside again..
Here at our house, the tree goes up right after Thanksgiving and stays up till the New Year and then some.. it does make things seem more festive.
I really love live trees or cut trees.. but they pose a fire hazard after a while even if one waters them daily. So we have an artificial one..
Holidays bring some bad memories too.. and that is sad.. it should be a happy time.. great get-togethers, family, friends, foods that we don't usually have around any other time of year...
What do you have for Thanksgiving? Turkey? What if you can't eat turkey?
How about for Christmas? Ham? Turkey? or just pot luck?
We always have had sauerkraut, pork and kielbasi for New Years.. along with traditional mashed potatoes..

THE BEAUTY OF MATHEMATICS

The Beauty of Mathematics

---

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432

123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111

123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888

98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And finally, take a look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=123456789 87654321

Now, take a look at this…

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to

GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here’s a little mathematical formula that might help

Answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
Get you there, It’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!

PETITION TO SIGN

Sign the petition to have Mr Obama's birth certificate revealed.

What a lovely day... it's 24 degrees right now and the high is to be 25. Not too encouraging for those who will be outdoors today, but I'll go outside anyway.. perhaps take a stroll.
Nothing pending here... enjoying my morning coffee and the non stress of the day.
This situation doesn't happen too often, so I'm making the most of it. I will be working inside today.. just cleaning up at my leisure.
I do have one responsibility today, and that is putting the ham loaf in the oven for supper tonite. I hope I don't forget, but I don't think I will.
I am thankful for this respite. It gives me time to do the little things and catch up on some projects that have been waiting for months. I may even do some reading.. ah... the day is mine and I won't waste it.

Just got another winter advisory, but this one is more encouraging.. they have downgraded the coming storm to include only 2-4" rather than 6". I'm just as pleased as I can be. It can be painful to clean off one's car with 6" of snow or more... it's the law in PA.. you HAVE to have every speck of snow off your car before you take it on the road. It's really a good idea and didn't change anything for me as I always did clean it off totally before getting in. No wonder I like the compact cars!

I've been pretty tired this evening and will be heading for bed pretty quickly here. I think it was the exercise in the pool. I do love it and recommend it to everyone I meet.

I have accomplished everything I've set out to do this week, though there were some things I could have done if there wasn't the threat of snowy icy roads. I'm staying in. I have waited for this day for 9 months! I'll either spend Friday cleaning the bedroom or crocheting with a movie for entertainment.
Or perhaps I'll set a chair up so I can look out the living room window at the squirrels and the birds now that we have seed in the feeders. Question... where do the birds get water in the winter? I mean when it's icy cold and no thaws.. hmmmm

GIVING THANKS

I really have so much for which to be thankful. I live in a warm and cozy home among family who cares for me, and I care for them also. I have healthy grandchildren and children. I am gainfully employed several days outside the home by a fantastic boss, and out of the many offers of employment I have had over the years for other doctors, God led me to this one. I have a church where I attend with a pastor who is excellent and preaches from the word of God faithfully.

I had believing parents who passed that on to me and my siblings.

I have the most wonderful friends whom I love dearly. I am blessed with abundance in everything I need.

No matter what the media says, I still live in the greatest nation in the world, and am protected by a strong military willing to fight and give everything they have for me, though we've never met personally. Though our freedoms are on the wane, I still have many and believe that God controls every facet of my life.

I am blessed.

Thanksgiving

snow alert

Here we go again... this time lots more snow!

COLUMBIANA-LAWRENCE-BUTLER-CLARION-JEFFERSON PA-BEAVER-ALLEGHENY-
ARMSTRONG-IN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.EAST LIVERPOOL.SALEM.COLUMBIANA.
EAST PALESTINE.WELLSVILLE.CALCUTTA.NEW CASTLE.
ELLWOOD CITY.BUTLER.ZELIENOPLE.CLARION.PUNXSUTAWNEY.
BROOKVILLE.REYNOLDSVILLE.BROCKWAY.ALIQUIPPA.
BEAVER FALLS.AMBRIDGE.MONACA.BEAVER.
PITTSBURGH METRO AREA.KITTANNING.FORD CITY.LEECHBURG.
FREEPORT.APOLLO.IN
254 AM EST THU NOV 20 2008

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
6 PM EST FRIDAY.


SNOW ACCUMULATION OF UP TO 6 INCHES IS POSSIBLE FROM
THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRI AS A COLD NW FLOW DEVELOPS
ACROSS THE LAKES IN THE WAKE OF A STRONG COLD FRONT.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS & LIMITED VISIBILITIES.& USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

28 degrees here in Butler... brrrrrr! A little too cold for my liking, but I would rather this than be deluged with snow and ice.

I'm thankful for my membership at the YMCA. I have a non prime time membership and I've been using it to exercise several times a week. Today when I went in, I had the pool to myself other than a gentleman at the deep end who spent his time swimming side to side. I walked for 30 minutes and then got in the hot whirlpool. The jets aren't working yet, but the promise is for Nov 24th. I sure hope so, but in the mean time, it's a nice body warmer.

I had a ton of errands to run today. I got most of them done including grocery shopping. I stocked up on some canned goods for the diet.. it's working.

Stay warm everyone..

Today is office day.. as per usual I'll ask for prayer for myself.. that my skills would be above par.. and for my patients that we would have no 'events'.
Prayer is effectual.. last week I had 21 patients in all and only one person had to be 'stuck' twice.

It's 27 degrees right now and the high is only predicted to be at 29.. so it's as warm as it's gonna get right now. UGH!!!! The travel advisory has me a bit in a tizzy.. I don't like icy snowy roads to drive on. If I didn't absolutely have to go, I wouldn't even go out today.
The advisory called for 2-4" by 10am today. So far we have about a half to one inch.. but even that much can be troublesome. I'll have to clean off my car this morning before I start out, and then I HAVE to get gas this morning.. the tank is at a quarter... I may get cancellations today due to cold and bad roads. Many of my patients aren't really local to Butler. Some come from up around I-80 where the snow will be a lot heavier.

I'm feeling a bit better this morning than yesterday. So much nausea and soreness and GI problems yesterday.. I'm pretty sure it was a bug. There is just the slightest bit of queasiness today.

We started the Zone diet yesterday. As anticipated, I may have to reduce my prescription to a '2' rather than a '3' due to the amount of food to be consumed. Wendell is a '4' and was still eating while we were cleaning up the table last evening. He's happy with the amounts.. He had steak on the grill, a side salad, peas, and grapes.
I have my lunch and snack packed this morning. If the reps buy lunch, I'll get a grilled chicken salad.. otherwise, I'm having ham slices and bread. My snack is 1/2 of a large apple and a cheese stick.

Time to get moving.. I don't have a lot of time to spare this morning since I have stops to make.

WEATHER ADVISORY TONITE

LAWRENCE-BUTLER-BEAVER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.NEW CASTLE.ELLWOOD CITY.BUTLER.
ZELIENOPLE.ALIQUIPPA.BEAVER FALLS.AMBRIDGE.MONACA.
BEAVER
709 PM EST MON NOV 17 2008

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST TUESDAY.

THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR ACCUMULATING SNOW.WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL
10 AM EST TUESDAY.

AN UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE OVER THE OH VALLEY
OVERNIGHT. UPSLOPE FLOW WILL PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATING
SNOWFALL THROUGH TUES AFTERNOON.

ACCUMULATION BETWEEN 2 & 4 INCHES IS EXPECTED THROUGH TUESDAY
MORNING.PRIMARILY ACROSS LAWRENCE.NORTHERN BEAVER & WESTERN
BUTLER COUNTIES.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS & LIMITED VISIBILITIES.& USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

FEELING GREEN

It's not easy feeling green... but that's how I feel this morning. Nauseated, GI upset, and sore. I guess it wasn't old age after all.. Wendell is also ailing and having trouble ambulating. Skipping the Y today and will resume Wednesday afternoon.

"There are a great many God-fearing, dedicated, noble men and women in public life, present company included.

And yes, we need your help to keep us ever-mindful of the ideas and the principles that brought us into the public arena in the first place.

The basis of those ideals and principles is a commitment to freedom and personal liberty that, itself is grounded in the much deeper realization that freedom prospers only where the blessings of God are avidly sought and humbly accepted.

The American experiment in democracy rests on this insight.

Its discovery was the great triumph of our Founding Fathers, voiced by William Penn when he said: 'If we will not be governed by God, we must be governed by tyrants'." -

--Ronald Reagan

White Thanksgiving?

32 degrees ... cold... and SNOW is falling! Oh, boy.. does this mean a White Thanksgiving? It appears that everything is covered with the white stuff this morning. It may stay. The high today is only 35. UGH.. I'm trying to cope here.

My friend Elsie sent this site to me this morning and I've been enjoying it to the hilt! Thanks Elsie. The site is called THE RADIO, and I have put in Michael W Smith, Kutless, Lee Greenwood, and WOW! Great listening. Try it out.

Wendell has been having so much joint and muscle pain .. not to mention chills. I think he's got a bug.. maybe. Between the 2 of us, I think we are just getting old .. hmmmmm
It is snowing here in WPA as I write this. It's cold and I've got my little heater going.

It's one of "those" days today.. it's raining. I could have predicted it without looking out the door. Asthma seems to get worse when it's raining. The allergist warned me of this. Today I've got a lot of wheezing and coughing up a lot of excess gluck. Wendell says he woke up hurting..joints respond a lot to the drop in barometric pressure. At least that's what I attribute it to. I wasn't so bad, and I think it's because I've started exercising in the arthritis pool at the Y. It's a great way to move all my joints without any discomfort (until I get out of the pool.. and then I feel as though all my weight is squarely on butt and legs...ugh!). I've also ended each session in the whirlpool where the temperature is nearly hot and the jets massage my back in just the right spots. The jets haven't been working (so they say).. but there is water being forced out in the several spots and I sit in front of those and the massage is heavenly.
I have plans to put Wendell on the membership Dec 1. He'll benefit from the pool as much as I, and we both need the exercise.
The nephrologist (kidney doctor) was more than blunt with Wendell this week. He said he HAS to lose 100# NOW, and get his diabetes under control NOW.. or else. Or else what? Or else he will be dead in a year. So he's been working on taking simple walks to the other side of the driveway and discovered that he can do so without losing breath.. he also swept the front porch yesterday.. good exercise and beneficial to us all.
I may have to go out today. Our coffeemaker has been taking longer and longer to brew coffee in the last several months no matter how often I clean it. This morning it was about an hour. Very frustrating. I may just go to Trader Horn, about 3 miles from here and pick out a new one. I'm hoping it'll fit into our already tight budget. I consider it a necessity.
I have plans to bake today and make more SF pudding and jello for us. I'm hoping to make a cheesecake for John.. his really really late birthday present.
Wendell wants broccoli cheese soup, and I think we may have enough left over broccoli from last night to make a small pot. I don't like to make it too often since it is high in calories and I don't really know how to make it less.. it's the fat in it that is the problem.
Better get started..

Psalm 94 Appropriate for the day

Psalm 94
1O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
2Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
3LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
6They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
13That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
16Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
19In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
20Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
21They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
22But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
23And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

STUPIDITY

I got this in my email this morning.. thanks Elsie
I thought it blogworthy to just show how far stupidity can go..

HIGH SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2007

Scenario 1:
Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.

1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario 2:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2007 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged them with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario 3:
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The school gets extra money from the state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 4:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.

2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario 5:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock.

2007 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario 6:
Pedro fails high school English
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.

2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario 7:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.

2007 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents -- and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario 8:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.