This sounds so simple, yet, applying it always seems so difficult – especially to hold off the negative thought patterns in order to rely on the positive thought patterns…
The Secret Scrolls
This sounds so simple, yet, applying it always seems so difficult – especially to hold off the negative thought patterns in order to rely on the positive thought patterns…
The Secret Scrolls
“Top Ten Things Overheard During Sarah Palin’s Bus Tour”
10. “Say, does this make me a Roads Scholar?”
9. “Make sure to drive slow enough so the reporters can catch up”
8. “99 hides of bear on the wall, 98 hides of bear…”
7. “No governor, you can’t get a chalupa at the Liberty Bell”
6. “Duh! Whining!”
5. “Anyone up for a side trip? Let’s go toilet paper Tina Fey’s house!”
4. “And that, of course, was before Paul Revere joined with the Raiders…”
3. “Hey, look, it’s Mount Rushmore. Which one is Limbaugh?”
2. “I’m going to love Air Bus One”
1. “I have half a mind to run for President”
I always seem to like what Joel Osteen has to say. He reminds me of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, and my all time favorite, Dr. Robert Schuller.
TODAY’S WORD
from Joel and Victoria
So many people today get down and discouraged because they only focus on their present circumstances. They’re constantly dwelling on their problems, what they don’t have, and what’s wrong with them. They don’t realize it, but they’re allowing the enemy to steal their hope. This negative frame of mind is what keeps people from moving forward in life.Understand today that faith is confidence and assurance about the things we hope for according to the promises of God. Like an arrow, your faith points to the target of hope. If you don’t have hope, that arrow of faith has nothing to aim for. It won’t accomplish anything. But when you keep your hopes up, when you keep expecting and believing, it’s like making that target larger and larger and easier to hit!
Choose today to live with an attitude of expectancy. Don’t focus on your circumstances; focus on your God! Get your hopes up! Take captive every negative thought. As you focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness, you’ll feel that hope inside of you growing. Give your faith a target and move forward confidently in the direction of your dreams!
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!
–Rudyard Kipling
The Kettering City School District partnered with Wright State University’s Nutter Center to present the 2011 Kettering Fairmont High School Commencement Ceremony via live streaming video on June 2nd.
This was a great way for family members and friends who may not have been able to attend the ceremony the opportunity to watch live as our 2011 Senior Class graduated. We have now posted the entire commencement ceremony to our website and it can be viewed via “video streaming” from the site.
You can access the video by clicking on the “Streaming Video” link that is located in the left-hand column of the home page (www.ketteringschools.org.)
You can also access the commencement video by clicking on:
http://ketteringschools.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=433fd8fd53e4df7c5232e4c108bd2604
If you would like to purchase a commemorative DVD of the Fairmont High School Commencement 2011, please contact Peggy Studebaker at the high school at (937) 499-1601 or at peggy.studebaker for more information and/or to order your copy. There is a nominal charge of $10 per DVD.
As my friend, Debbie Allen, said, “I get it, now!”
On the first day, God created the dog and said, “Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.”
The dog said, “That’s a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I’ll give you back the other ten?”
So God agreed….
On the second day, God created the monkey and said, “Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I’ll give you a twenty-year life span.”
The monkey said, “Monkey tricks for twenty years? That’s a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?”
And God agreed…..
On the third day, God created the cow and said, “You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer’s family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.”
The cow said, “That’s kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I’ll give back the other forty?”
And God agreed again…..
On the fourth day, God created humans and said, “Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I’ll give you twenty years.”
But the human said, “Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?”
“Okay,” said God. “You asked for it.”
So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family.. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.
Life has now been explained to you.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I’m doing it as a public service.
If you are looking for me I will be on the front porch!! LOL
Crossing the Bar (1889)
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound or foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell;
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
June 8th, 1987, my 35 year old uncle, Ronald Barmes, made a decision to move away from this world. For many years after, June 8th was always a dreary day for me. The uncle who was 12 years older than me, and much more like a big brother, would always be missing at all the family events.
June 8th, 2005, forever changed the tone of each anniversary. Parker Leroy Haas, the son of Destin & Stacia Haas, was born.
For me, it seemed fitting that this beloved nephew, Parker, soon followed by his younger brother and my godson, Frederick Lee Haas, would arrive on a day that had only known great heartache for 18 years.
So, Wednesday, June 8th, 2011, I celebrate the wonderful bond of uncles and nephews… remembering my uncles, Ron Barmes, and Garry Jolliff, and my beautiful nephews, Parker & Freddie.
(Photos)
Uncle Ron & Darin, 1965
Uncle Darin & Parker, 2006
These are incredible!!!
You can watch the attached video, or you can see them: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/7858939/Sculptures-of-Native-American-scenes-made-out-of-paper-by-Allen-and-Patty-Eckman.html
10. “I hope her retirement finances are in order”
9. “Here comes Cruise — hide the couch!”
8. “Hey, wasn’t she ten pounds lighter in the first half of this show?”
7. “Ready for a 48-hour retrospective of my most cloying moments?”
6. “Should we take up a collection for Stedman?”
5. “What kind of a name is ‘Oprah’?” (Oops, that was a thing overheard during Oprah’s first show)
4. “I always knew she would outlast the end of the world”
3. “This is more applause than Letterman gets in a year”
2. “One down, Dr. Phil to go”
1. “Woooo!”
I am heading to the park around 5:00pm to set up our chairs and to section out an area for those who wish to join us.
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Don’t miss this great event!!
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Around 3:15am Chief woke me by hopping off the bed, and sitting in front of the gate to the bedroom, occasionally turning around to look at me in the dark. Fortunately, I felt him get off the bed. After a few minutes I asked if he needed to go out and he came over and nudged my hand.
Navi stirred, but kept her eyes closed. As Chief and I were leaving the bedroom, Navi sleepily scooted off the bed and walked onto the front porch with eyes half closed.
This was a big night. I held their leashes, but allowed them freedom.
Like a good Haas dog, they both walked down the drive, turned right at the sidewalk, stopped to sniff at the tree, and went to the easement to do their business – Navi a little more than Chief. When I began walking up the sidewalk they followed me.
As we stepped onto the front porch, a neighborhood dog, way off in the distance, gave a faint bark. And Navi was responding, loudly, followed by Chief… I scooted them into the house where they bolted for my bedroom like good pups.
Here are the photos of their typical landing sites: Navi on my pillow, Chief waiting at the door for me to return.
“Top Ten Reasons Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger Are Separating”
10. She finally saw “Jingle All The Way”
9. Maria’s nightly refusal to “pump him up”
8. The 25-year cross-species study had concluded
7. Turns out Maria is actually a girly man
6. One of ’em kept leaving the cap off the Weider supplements
5. She got tired of the interpreter in the bedroom
4. Testing new tag line: “I won’t be back”
3. She wouldn’t lose that dang accent
2. Action hero on the silver screen. Action zero in the bedroom.
1. Shouldn’t we be trying to think of ten reasons why they were ever together in the first place?
A great argument on the subject of Natural Born Citizens
You who worry about democrats versus republicans–relax, here is our real problem.
In a Florida State University classroom, they were discussing the qualifications to be President of the United States.
It was pretty simple. The candidate must be a natural born citizen of at least 35 years of age.
However, one girl in the class immediately started in on how unfair was the requirement to be a natural born citizen. In short, her opinion was
that this requirement prevented many capable individuals from becoming president.
The class was taking it in and letting her rant, and not many jaws hit the floor when she wrapped up her argument by stating “What makes a
natural born citizen any more qualified to lead this country than one born by C-section?”
Yep, these are the same kinds of 18-year-olds that are now voting in our elections!
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James F. KingJames F. “Jim” King, 88, Elwood, passed away May 15, 2011 at Community Hospital in Anderson following an extended illness. Jim was born Sept. 16, 1922 in Frankton, the son of Chester and Ruth (Braddick) King. Jim married Dorothy Snipe Dec. 5, 1953. She passed away Aug. 22, 2003. Jim retired in 1983 from Delco Remy in Anderson. He was a member of the Frankton Masonic Lodge, Frankton K of P Lodge, Elwood Elks, Elwood Lions Club, UAW 662 and was one of Santa’s helpers for 56 years. James is survived by a son, Jeffrey L. “Butch” King of Alexandria; two daughters, Paula Mitchell Olson and husband, David of LeClaire, Iowa and Martisia “Marti” Osorio of Alexandria; two sisters, Betty Paddock of Frankton and Mildred Abernathy of Elwood; a granddaughter, Kinsey Christin and husband, Steve of Davenport, Iowa; three grandsons, James Benefiel and wife, Christina of LaGrange, Christopher Benefiel and wife, Marie of Fort Wayne and Ryan King and wife, Kacie of Lebanon; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a sister, Annie Swinford and a brother, Norman King. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Dunnichay Funeral Home, with Rich Leavell officiating. Entombment will take place at the Elwood City Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Elwood Lions Club or the Frankton Christian Church. |
“Top Ten Surprising Things Found On Osama Bin Laden’s Computers ”
10. “Welcome to Pakistan” letter from Pakistan’s president
9. Plans to attack Reading Railroad when passing Go
8. Amazon order for tea towels for Will and Kate
7. Al Jarreau
6. To Do List: Kill Osama (oh wait, that was on Obama’s computer)
5. DOS 3.1
4. Has become “Mayor of Hell” on Foursquare
3. Angry Kurds
2. Resume for “Two And A Half Men”
1. The Blue Screen of Death… To America!
Before we were taught to write in school, Mother worked with me on my penmanship. In first grade, Mother began teaching me how to write cursive so I’d be prepared for second grade.
In 1971 it was time to write the annual State Of The Union letter – my letter to Santa Claus – outlining my goodness for the year, and listing my wishes for Christmas. Mother thought it would be great if I would write mine in cursive to show Santa that I was ahead of schedule. I was uncertain that I could write an entire letter in cursive, but Mother devised a plan: I would print the original letter, she would copy my letter in cursive, and I would copy her cursive-letter in my own hand.
And this we did.
Christmas Eve, there was a knock at the door, and in walked the very familiar face of Jim King’s Santa.
Unbeknown to me, Mother had set a present on the porch for the “special delivery.” Mother had the 8mm movie camera rolling with the now-vintage Bell & Howell light bar blinding anyone within a 40-yard area.
After presenting me with my gift for good behavior for the year, he pulled from his pocket a very familiar looking envelope from which he pulled a letter. Santa began exclaiming how proud he was of me attempting cursive, and for the extraordinary penmanship for a first grader. While Cecil B. DeMom kept the camera rolling and the lights blaring, someone else snapped what would later become my infamous eye-roll.
Santa continued for what seemed to be an eternity, and finally departed, wishing one and all a wonderful Christmas… Jim King at his best!
The family festivities continued, and the room returned to a less blinding glow as Mother turned off lights that would have easily lit Wrigley Field. I was fascinated with one of my new gifts when I heard, “Darin Lee Jolliff….”
I looked up at Mother fearing the worst. I knew.
Mother was biting the corner of her lower lip. At age six, I knew this meant war. At age 46, I know this means Mother is trying to keep a straight face. What a difference forty years makes!
Mother shared with the rest of the family that I had not sent my copied letter to Santa… I had placed Mother’s hand-written letter in the envelope, and sealed it!
The 8mm film catches me turning my head slowly to peer at Mother as Jim King praised the penmanship. I, too, was biting my own lip, but out of “Oh shit! I got caught!” (And yes, that was probably my exact thoughts… little has changed in 40 years!).
I do not remember being reprimanded, but I am sure Mother shared a few thoughts at a later time. Uncle Ron and Uncle Tom, then 18 and 16, thought my deed quite classic.
That was an eventful Christmas Eve night… My uncles received fencing swords, Uncle Ron a brown leather coat, Mother a ring holder (from me) from Rhodes Jewelry Store (I bought Mother and Grandma Donna a collection of those plastic shapes with roses inside).
I got an electric train set which was promptly set up on the east side of the huge living/music room. Mother received a white hobnail lamp, packaged in excelsior packing, and I used some of the straw-like packing for the barn that went with my electric train set. I forgot to turn off my train when it was time to eat, and at some point the train ran off the track.
Someone smelled smoke…
It is a shame it was not the letter to Santa burning up on the track!
Merry Christmas, Mr. King, and thank you for fifty plus years of Santa-ing for so many of us in Elwood, Indiana…
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A man suffered a serious heart attack while shopping in a store. The store clerks called 911 when they saw him collapse to the floor. The paramedics rushed the man to the nearest hospital where he had emergency open-heart bypass surgery.
He awakened from the surgery to find himself in the care of nuns at the Catholic Hospital he was taken to.
A nun was seated next to his bed holding a clipboard loaded with several forms, and a pen. She asked him how he was going to pay for his treatment.
“Do you have health insurance?” she asked.
He replied in a raspy voice, “No health insurance.”
The nun asked, “Do you have money in the bank?”
He replied, “No money in the bank.”
“Do you have a relative who could help you with the payments?” asked the irritated nun.
He said, “I only have a spinster sister, and she is a nun.”
The nun became agitated and announced loudly, “Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God.”
The patient replied, “Perfect. Send the bill to my brother-in-law.”
From an actual email I received from Time-Warner Cable…. The company is probably a charter member of the media literacy board..
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USE OF BOTTLE TOPS TO SEAL A BAG….. WHO EVER THOUGHT OF THIS SHOULD GET A GREEN MEDAL
WHAT A GREAT IDEA. NO MORE TWIST TIES OR RUBBER BANDS. This method is WATER PROOF
AND AIR TIGHT. GREAT! The guy who first thought of the idea should be given an award for originality!!!Seal Plastic Bags with Old Bottle Caps
Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top, as in photo.
Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw the top to seal.
The bag is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak, the secret lies with the top and screw cap!
This is a great idea to share.
Good for us and the environment too.
Zip-top bags are great, but sometimes you buy something in bulk and you’re stuck with an unsealable bag. Home-centric blog Re-Nest shows us an easy way to give these bags an airtight seal with an old water bottle.
All you need to do is cut off the top of the bottle and take off the cap. Push the bag through the bottle neck, fold it over the edges, and twist the cap back on. Now, your bag has an air and water tight seal, and you didn’t have to waste the bag.
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I almost hate to see this weekend come to an end. I was so excited to see it arrive due to the hectic week; however, the fun I had with my sons Saturday and Sunday, spending time with them individually and together, was priceless.
This evening we walked the dogs to the backfield of Fairmont High School, and let them romp. Quintin was on his skateboard, and Jose entertained the dogs. The wonderful weather made it all the more enjoyable – yet, nothing could compare to the sound of laughter, yapping pups, the wheels of a skateboard on the pavement.
We walked back home, and headed to Taco Bell, joking, laughing and enjoying our time together. As we ate, I watched the boys interact. Last December 2nd they met one another for the first time, and watching them tonight, it was baffling to think that within four months they acted as though they had been raised together since birth. I wished I could have frozen time to enjoy the twenty minutes or so at Taco Bell forever.
We ventured on to Kroger, and the fun did not cease. Jose’s humor, and style of joking is identical to my younger brother’s, and I find I miss Destin, and his family, all the more each time Jose jokes with Quintin. Destin and Jose are definitely kindred spirits, and as long as Jose continues to resemble Destin, I am confident of the great future before him.
Back at home, we settled into our individual courses: the boys read, and I did more work around the house. Normally, I would not work after supper, but some things needed completing. Quintin read in the kitchen while I worked on the new shelving unit, stopping now and then to ask questions on word definitions. Quintin’s nickname, “Kitten,” seems so appropriate as he is much like Logan, and the pups, desiring to spend time close to Dad.
This week will be another hectic week. Jose will be busy every night with percussion ensemble, and my days will be spent working on taxes, the Wright Brothers’ musical, and several other projects. Along with teaching, I will also be attending a solo competition, musical orchestra rehearsals, playing for show choir auditions, working more around the house, and attending Jose’s final percussion ensemble competitions with WGI this weekend.
This coming weekend seems to herald the end of Jose’s high school career. The only extra-curricular life he had was marching band, and percussion ensemble. Within two weeks of the final competition, Jose will have prom, shortly followed by graduation, and then off to basic training. Two months from Tuesday, my son will leave for Fort Benning. I am excited for him, yet, the father’s heart within feels a little tighter as the days dwindle away.
Logan turns 17 years old on Wednesday. She has slowed down a little, but in many ways she is still as energetic as ever.
Sunday, Quintin turns 16 years old. Any day now we will know the court date of his finalization so that he will officially be Quintin Taylor Jolliffe-Haas.
Thus ends one wonderful week, and I am eager to make this approaching week just as fantastic.