It's a good day to put on a pot of home made chicken soup. I just took a look outside and this time the weather service wasn't wrong. There is about 5-6" of snow out there and it's coming down hard right now.
Hmmm.. maybe just a good day to stay warm, get out a movie, and pull out my crochet hook and some yarn.. or maybe start my day with a nice warm bubble bath.. ahhhhhh.. . sounds lovely!
In the mean time, I'm watching the weather alerts come in.. here's the latest:
420 AM EST SAT JAN 10 2009
WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST SUNDAY.
A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE THROUGH THE OH VALLEY LATER TONIGHT & SATURDAY.
SNOW WILL INCREASE THIS MORNING.BECOMING HEAVY AT TIMES THIS AFTERNOON & EVENING BEFORE BEGINNING TO DIMINISH OVERNIGHT.
IN ADDITION.THE PRECIPITATION MAY MIX WITH SLEET & FREEZING RAIN THIS AFTERNOON & EVENING.TOTAL STORM ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES ARE EXPECTED.
WITH ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF AROUND ONE TENTH INCH POSSIBLE.
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHERCONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS.
ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL.KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT.FOOD.& WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
PLEASE REPORT HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS TO THE NATL WEATHER SVC BY CALLING TOLL FREE.1-877-633-6772.

Saturday January 10.. I just looked outside.. it's almost 1am .. I'd guess 2" now. UGH.
But it sure is pretty

Just a quick update.. it's 24 degrees, the wind is fairly still, but the snow is coming down hard. It's gonna be a wintry day tomorrow. Got about an inch right now.

NEW BILL OF RIGHTS

This was sent to me in an email.. thanks, Sandi! I thought it pretty much what I personally feel is needed (unfortunately). There are a lot of very confused people out there.

'We the sensible people of the United States, in an
attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance
of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote
positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free
liberty to ourselves and our
great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to
ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the
terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other
liberal bed-wetters.
We hold these truths to be self
evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill
of Rights and are so dim they require a
Bill of
NON-Rights.'


ARTICLE I:
You do not have the right to a new car, big
screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if
you can legally acquire them , but no one is guaranteeing
anything.


ARTICLE II:
You do not have the right to never be offended.
This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for
everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the
channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is
full of idiots, and probably always will be.


ARTICLE III:
You do not have the right to be free from
harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be
more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make
you and all your relatives independently wealthy.


ARTICLE IV:
You do not have the right to free food and
housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be
found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are
quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after
generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve
nothing more than the creation of another generation of
professional couch potatoes.


ARTICLE V:
You do not have the right to free health care.
That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing,
we're just not interested in public health care..


ARTICLE VI:
You do not have the right to physically harm
other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or
kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want
to see you fry in the electric chair.




ARTICLE VII:
You do not have the right to the possessions
of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or
services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the
rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where
you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV
or a life of leisure.


ARTICLE VIII:
You do not have the right to a job.. All of
us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you
along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of
the opportunities of education and vocational training laid
before you to make yourself useful.


ARTICLE IX:
You do not have the right to happiness. Being
an American means that you have the right to PURSUE
happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are
unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by
those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.


ARTICLE X:
This is an English speaking country. We don't
care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it
or go back to wherever you came from!


ARTICLE XI:
You do not have the right to change our
country's history or heritage. This country was founded
on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the
freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith
at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE
TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are
uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!!!!GET OVER IT !!!


ARTICLE XII:
You do not have the right to change our Flag or
our National Anthem!!

HERE WE GO AGAIN....

THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WATCH.WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRI NIGHT THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING.

SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 INCHES OR MORE ARE POSSIBLE FROM
FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SAT EVENING. SLEET & FREEZING RAIN MAY
ALSO MIX IN AT TIMES.

UGH! It's morning.. almost 5am..I'm on my feet and have my first cup of coffee in front of me.
Hopefully it will wake me up a bit. I have not slept well, and have to go to the office today.. I think there are 10 patients to infuse today. It'll be a long day. Pray for us please..

I saw the plow and salt truck going by last night, and my car is covered with snow again.. about an inch+ or so it appears. I'll be going out before 7am to start my car and try to get the excess snow off. UGH again.
I pray the roads are clean and clear.. there is school today, so the trucks should have them well under control.

I'm thinking about spring today.. it's a very dreary and cold one here in WPA. Dismal would describe it much better.. but it's quiet and peaceful, and we get along with our neighbors without argument.. It's not snowing, and the temperature is above freezing which means the ice is melted or melting.. I got up hurting so badly that I could bearly walk from one room to another. I finally hit the tub for a very warm bath with some mineral salts, and when I got out, I felt revived. I still ache, but I'm moving so much better. I am thankful.
I talked to the PA yesterday.. I either have tendonitis or carpal tunnel in my right wrist/arm.. it's very painful to do most everything, but I'm trying to do so anyway. My concern is that I won't have enough control to do my infusions. It's my 'educated ' hand that is affected.
We had plans to go to the Y today, but under the circumstances, it's best I don't try to drive at the moment.
I think how wonderful it would be to see the sun shine today.. I don't think it's gonna happen. It's one of those dark winter days that looks threatening no matter what.
I do have some ray of gladness here.. I'm warm, we have plenty of food, and I don't HAVE to do anything today if I'm not up to it. I'm not ill.. Yeah.. it's not so bad

"When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them;
for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.
When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people.
He shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today.
Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." (Deuteronomy 20:1-4)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO
NANCY
aka
KNEESOCKS

Potatoes aren't the only wonderful things from Idaho

WHERE IS SPRING????

Around 11am this morning, I looked out of the office window to see freezing rain dropping from the sky. Sure would love to send one of those global warming people out on this stuff. By the time I was ready to go home at 2pm, my car was encased in ice. Yes, we had an ice storm, and though I was able to chip off some of it to get in my car, I had to wait for the defroster to melt the majority of it from my windows. UGH.. I retired last January because I didn't want to EVER have to drive on this stuff again.. alas.. I had no choice unless I planned to sleep over in the office.
I got home safely. Walking in to the house was treacherous however, as it was ice everywhere. There were salt/cinder trucks out.. lots of them. School would be out shortly.
I'm ready for spring... how about YOU?
I felt really sorry for Mandy going out at 6pm tonite on the icy roads. Pray for her safety in travel please? And anyone else you know of who has to be out in these icy conditions.



Wendell and I had a great time in the warm water at the Y yesterday. Not too many folks stick around after 2pm, so we have the pool practically to ourselves. We want to go tomorrow, but those roads have to be dry before I'll go out again.

It's Annabelle's birthday
Today she is 2 years old!!!
Happy Birthday
Grand daughter

On the Road Again

As of about 20 minutes ago, the Valentines started their journey back home. Pray for their safety if you would please.

What will be your legacy?
His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him.
Luke 1:50 NLT

But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.
For you have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress.
O My strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
Psalm 59:16-17 NLT

A wonderful inheritance
What will your children inherit?
What about your grandchildren?
Would you like them to know God's mercy as you have or even more so?
What a wonderful inheritance to pass on from generation to generation.
If this is what we want for our children, we must help them to reverence the Lord.
Mercy is God's gift to us; reverence is our gift to God.
The two work together to leave a legacy of faithfulness to future generations.
Many people think of God as being angry and judgmental, pointing his disapproving finger at our sins and failures.
In reality, God is both holy and merciful.
In his holiness, he calls us to moral and virtuous living; in his mercy he is willing to forgive us, and he loves us even when we fail.
The psalmist is rejoicing that he can rely upon God's mercy, which becomes a protection against the destructive forces of evil.
How will you rely on God's mercy this year?

adapted from TouchPoint Bible with commentary by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers, Tyndale House Publishers (1996), pp 882, 500

Have you received God's mercy?
Praise the Lord, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives my sins and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender mercies.
Psalm 103:1-4 NLT

Having chosen [his people], he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory.
Romans 8:30 NLT

Pardoned
The essential act of mercy was to pardon; and pardon in its very essence involves the recognition of guilt and ill-desert in the recipient.
If crime is only a disease which needs cure, not sin which deserves punishment, it cannot be pardoned.
How can you pardon a man for having a gumboil or a club foot?
But the Humanitarian theory wants simply to abolish Justice and substitute Mercy for it.
This means that you start being "kind" to people before you have considered their rights, and then force upon them supposed kindnesses which no one but you will recognize as kindnesses and which the recipient will feel as abominable cruelties.
You have overshot the mark.
Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful.
That is the important paradox.
As there are plants which will flourish only in mountain soil, so it appears that Mercy will flower only when it grows in the crannies of the rock of Justice: transplanted to the marshlands of mere Humanitarianism, it becomes a man-eating weed, all the more dangerous because it is still called by the same name as the mountain variety.
C. S. LEWIS in God in the Dock

Quoted in The Quotable Lewis edited by Wayne Martindale and Jerry Root (Tyndale House) p 426

ELI

It's hard to believe that the Valentines will be on their way home tomorrow morning already.. Didn't they just arrive yesterday? Parting is such sweet sorrow...
Eli has been about the most entertainment anyone could ask for. Tonite he got into the plastic bowls under the microwave and decided this one made a mighty fine hat. Then he sat down behind his dad as Cory was doing a duet on the Singstar, and tried to pick his pocket!
As a grandparent, I am so thankful that the grand children could get together again today. They need this. They spent little time outside, but had a lot of fun playing with the PS2. The adults and kids all enjoyed the Singstar (yes, we got it going).. tonite. I love to sing and I love to hear my children and grandchildren sing too.
Pray for traveling mercy for them as they make their way back to the NY/PA border tomorrow.

NY DAY 2009

Wendy and Jane

It really was wonderful that the Blair kids could get together today with the Valentine cousins. They play so well together and have similar interests.
I was glad to have someone to play SkipBo again with me. Isaac and I played NY eve and it was such fun! Today Jane, P2, and Joyce joined in, and I really loved it all.

Paul 2 and Cory

PS2 SINGSTAR NY DAY 2009

Couldn't make the Singstar work today.. it just wouldn't cooperate

I thought it funny to see the children all gathered in front of the TV waiting for the first song to start, but it didn't.. Sort of reminded me of the kids sitting in front of my oven door watching the cookies bake this summer.. hehehehe

John tried to make it work..
Nope!

NY DAY 2009 Eli antics..

He had the mike and was singing.. but there was no music?

Singing his heart out..

NY DAY 2009 dresses

My beautiful grand daughters !!!

CONNECT 4

Isaac got Connect 4 for Christmas.. we've all challenged him, but he's the undisputed champion.. even Charlie only won 3 out of 10 tries.





The Blair boys challenged him too.. not sure whether they won more than once.












Keith tried...