You'll love this....I had paperwork on my desk Thursday....A company fired a woman because she was deleting emails from her supervisor without opening them.....seems she didn't do that when she had a different supervisor. Somehow, when her supervisor changed, she decided she needed to see a policy that she should open them. She quoted a policy that she was to delete unwanted emails before they were opened.

For real???? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> Some people's kids!

May Valentines day be sweet for all of you. May you have peace of mind, and know that God loves you, even if things are not perfect.
God does love you, you know.

SS

As long as you're haunting the aisles, let me make my appearance as the Valentine Scrooge. Bah, humbug! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I'm off with Neak to Sacramento to help them rent a car for their trip. Why do I feel like a kid being told to cut his own switch, and then being made to pick out the biggest, meanest one on the bush for myself?! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> OtherSusan, closet masochist. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

t&l

I'm off with Neak to Sacramento to help them rent a car for their trip. Why do I feel like a kid being told to cut his own switch, and then being made to pick out the biggest, meanest one on the bush for myself?! OtherSusan, closet masochist.

What?
Does that mean you get to spend time with your sweet grandchildren while neak is on her trip?

As far as bah humbug for V day.....

Please don't give up. Note that this is a polite request, not a command or a DJ.

I know you still have dreams. They may be buried deep, but I know they are there. I am not sure why God often lets us wait so long. I am learning to trust him though.

Perhaps some of our problems come from our own decisions, and our own actions. I am sure thay do, but I also know that when we turn to God, and follow after him, he lightens our burdens, and looks after us. He holds you in his hands, he knows the yearnings of your heart. It has been said that he "will not fail us, nor forsake us." Trust that you are included in that statement.

It has also been said that "someone can take the peace from lives, but not the peace from our minds."

May peace of mind be yours.

Please (please??) don't quit dreaming.

You have the protection in place in your heart in case the dreams don't come true, but you also need to be ready for success when they do come true. My wish is that you keep hope alive in your heart.

The purpose of the Holy Ghost is to testify of truth. He does it in the hearts of the sons and daughters of men.

SS

Bye - smooch!

Eureka Springs! Been there!

A crusty old Sergeant Major found himself at a gala event,
hosted by a local liberal arts college. There was no
shortage of extremely young, idealistic ladies in
attendance, one of whom approached the Sergeant Major for
conversation.

She said, "Excuse me, Sergeant Major, but you seem to be a
very serious man. Is something bothering you?"

"Negative, ma'am," the Sergeant Major said, "Just serious by
nature."

"The young lady looked at his awards and decorations and
said, "It looks like you have seen a lot of action."

The Sergeant Major's short reply was, "Yes, ma'am, a lot of
action."

The young lady, tiring of! trying to start up a
conversation, said, "You know, you should lighten up a
little. Relax and enjoy yourself."

The Sergeant Major just stared at her in his serious manner.

Finally the young lady said, "You know, I hope you don't
take this the wrong way, but when is the last time you had sex?"

The Sergeant Major looked at her and replied, "1955."

She said, "Well, there you are. You really need to chill out
and quit taking everything so seriously! I mean, no sex
since 1955! She took his hand and led him to a private room
where she proceeded to "relax" him several times.

Afterwards, and panting for breath, she leaned against his
bare chest and said, "Wow, you sure didn't forget much since
1955!"

The Sergeant Major, glancing at his watch, said in his
matter-of-fact voice, "I hope not, it's only 2130 now."

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

OK, that was funny. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> After all, how much CAN you forget in 1 hr. and 35 minutes?

Neak and the clan are in Tucson, AZ right now, making a brief visit with Flard. They'll stay near Carlsbad Caverns in NM tonight and make their grand tour of the caves tomorrow, I guess. One nice thing is that the Dervish, and probably the 3 other trolls, too, should sleep well that night. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Which is good, because the Pa-trol, needed to keep them under con-trol, probably won't feel that chipper by then. And I'm not betting much on Ma-trol, either! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

t&l

Here's the latest from the travelers. Flyawa.org is the missionary flight organization they're going to visit to see about working for them. Haven't looked at it myself because I'm leaving for work. You can look for me. Tell me what they're getting themselves into...<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

So late after Flard 2 c bats so late we stopped in tombstone took lots of pix. Pileup just bhind us in tucson 1 killd. U shd look up flyawa.org and do a prepresent of awa and well do more next wk so dad can hear lots of mission stuff. Then see pix.

t&l

AW, I read your joke to my husband and he laughed so hard it made him wheeze. Old Army types... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

t&l

oh well thats me ..leave them wheezing in the aisles <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

of course you know WHERE it came from <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> but thats alright we dont talk serious stuff just happy jokes and old wheezers <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

You know when things get sucky, and lets face it they do for all of us at times expecially if we are here for one reason or another <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Do you notice how MANY posters here seem to use <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> a lot? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Well when things get a bit sucky I remember - if I can age and/or a mummy's sleeplessness permitting - some of those FANTASTIC moments like this one......(you blokes may want to go read Mercenary or something)


This was my Son Shiny Day

Smile awhile and when you smile another smiles and in a while there’s miles and miles of smiles-
My mum taught me that silly little saying along with lots of other quaint ditties and quirky expressions. She also taught me expressions of the facial kind the most important of which was how to smile. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don’t remember the first time she smiled at me but it was
probably just moments after I was born. I have no doubt though that she remembers the first time I smiled back at her as I’m sure it must have filled her heart with joy. I bet you TL you can remember!!
Now, as a new mother again myself, I can totally relate all over again to what a wonderful and precious gift it is to receive your baby’s first smile.

For me, it came on an seasonally cold and windy August day
around 5am. My six-week-old son woke me with blood curdling cries that would make one think he was being murdered. It was only three hours since his last feed but he cried as if he’d been starved for days.
Industrial earmuffs wouldn’t have silenced his high-pitched screams.
Cold and sleepy, I dragged my tired body from the warm bed.
I stubbed my toe on the dressing table as my feet searched for my slippers - never found them - and then tripped over the laundry basket filled with clothes so small - small being relative here for Mikey - you’d think they had shrunk in the wash. As I went to the baby’s cot, I knocked my elbow on the door frame while feeling for the light switch and then knocked my hip on the change table as I stumbled into
it.
Stupid switch, stupid change table!!

Baby could hear me (which wasn’t difficult considering the
mutterings of discontent - ok swearing - that had managed to escape my mouth) and suddenly he went quiet as he listened to me moving towards his cot.
Usually he was in cry-mode again by the time I reached him — neck arched, head thrust back, face red from exertion and mouth wide open revealing his tonsils as he screamed.
Mikey has a SERIOUS relationship with food. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Every mother will agree that a baby’s cry is very distressing, even after 3 previous kids and years of baby sitting the sisters little terrors, yes that cry gets to you like a hot knife through butter.
Clever thing is that it’s designed to be that way, we suck in it with our mothers milk, an ancient instinct, so that you the mum are prompted into action in an effort to pacify and comfort and meet your baby’s physical as well as emotional needs. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Thankfully all your care and attention is usually rewarded. If you pick him up he’ll stop crying and if you cuddle and walk with him he’s content and quiet. But, just in case these calmed responses to your devoted actions aren’t enough to keep you caring, every baby has a trump card still to play. And, in my case, my son dealt the winning card on that cold August morn. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

As I peered into his little bed his big blue eyes stared intently up at me. He looked calm and soft and, as I smiled down at him, his eyes scanned my face before settling on my mouth.
Then, in a moment of bliss, his eyes brightened and blinked with joy and his face began to flower into the small miracle of a wide toothless grin. A wave of love washed over me and I felt my heart drown in mummy emotion. In that moment l fell hopelessly in love, and I knew it was a love that would last a lifetime. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Any thoughts of loss of freedom, sleepless nights and dirty
nappies faded into oblivion. It didn’t matter that it was cold and raining outside I was now basking in a warmth that came from within.
Inside the room a tiny face was beaming.
Inside the room a son was Shining.

Mikey and I ‘saw’ each other clearly for the first time.
God gave me a blessing at that moment which shines through all the dark nights of doubt and fear.

I need only to think of him and it all rushes back to me and I know how lucky I am. It gives me strength. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Awww AW, you have me smiling. I remember each of my boys' first smile.

Aw...AW, that was beautiful! There IS no love like that of a mother for her child. Brings back sooooo many memories....

Oh, well, just popping in here for a minute to post a link to a few pics of the exterior of DS's new house:

Son's new house

Their cabinets are supposed to be installed on Friday, then the carpet. A few touch-ups, and they will be moving in! There's still more to do. DS is finishing the upstairs multi-purpose room with rough lumber on the walls (to make it look more like a rustic "honky-tonk"...he plays drums and guitar and often has buddies over to make music). I'm not too sure that DDiL will like it...as far as ease of cleaning goes, but I guess she could make DS vacumn the walls when needed.

Oops! Gotta go to work! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> TTYL!

B it is so special but it is hardly ever talked about I suspect because you think everyone will just think you are a gaga mum ..well I am <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I've just been finding it so helpful to keep perspective ..changing dirty nappies also helps a lot <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

LC those photos are great! what a home , is it 4 bed with a study over the garage? looks so nice.

we are so stuck in building in double brick here - which is good in some ways - but oh so expensive. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I have NO idea what you're talking about!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

t&l

AW - Everyone insisted that my first son just had gas, and wasn't smiling, but I know he was. With my second, he first smiled at his big brother. It was so sweet. They are still best friends, at 24 and 21.

They're at Carlsbad Caverns. I hope somebody has a leash on the Dervish! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> Neaksis, your sister wants to talk to you about a possibly-illicit Walkman that has managed to make it on the trip with them, along with an AC/DC CD (<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) which will now be discarded, and some other CD that your reprobate dragged along. Neak wants to know the facts, unfiltered by juvenile "explanations" <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />, before she decides the consequences.

t&l

When's the last time gas made US smile? Odd how the gas only makes them smile when someone's face is there for them to make gas-expressions at, isn't it?

t&l