A Family Tradition

Exactly when did the Popcorn garland get started? It has been said that the Native American's discovered popcorn by accident. They were cooking it over the open fire when it began to pop.  Can you imagine the looks they had on their face the first time it happened!? Early American-colonial times.  


It became more popular during the great depression.  And it was cheap.


Do people still do the popcorn garland for Christmas?  Well, count me in every year!

Cute As A Bug's Ear

I have been told that 'I'm as cute as a bugs ear'.  Me at 40!  My first thought of this was flattering.  I mean who would have thought someone or anyone would call me that.   I was curious though, when and where did this saying get started.  And do bugs really have ears?

At least one source suggests that the phrase as cute as a bug's ear originated in Texas in the 1930's. If it truly derived from the phrase as cute as a button, the origin dates back to the 1800's. Saying something or someone is as cute as a bug's ear is saying that something is attractive. This phrase is most often used when referring to something small or of small stature.

Now, about a bug's ear. No, they do not have ears like we do. They use their body's to feel the vibrations all round. 

Paid to Volunteer? Really?

There is an awesome non profit organization in the US that relies greatly for their volunteers. Especially around the holidays. But then I see this add in the local newspaper...The ---- is now accepting applications for the position of bell ringers for the upcoming Christmas campaign. Employment will last from Nov 19-Dec 24, exclusive of Sundays. Applicants must be prepared to stand long hrs and be good at working with the public. All applicants must pass a background check. Salary is $7.25/hr. Applications may be picked up at -------. Really, people are that disparate that they want money to do something that should be an honor to help others. 
What is this world coming to...???


Each year many Corps of ----throughout the nation have partnered with VolunteerFIRST and this RingBells.org web site to make it easier for individuals find and register for volunteering opportunities in their local community.

Can you imagine?

Things are going really good in your life; good friends, good family, awesome job. Then something happens and it's all over.  Has life ever stopped you in your tracks? I don't get it sometimes.  But it does make a person think who really cares about the people this happens too.

You can only imagine what can be going through this persons mind right now. They want to hold onto everything they have because it is so precious to them; the house, the car, the job, the family, friends....It would be like their identity has crashed and un-mendable.  They wander around like an empty shell looking for anyone who will reach out to them just to talk to them. They hope the phone rings just to hear a voice speaking into them.  They are out in the town just hoping that the people they use to know will recognize them and say hello.

Sure they do attend Church and they are very stable in Faith.  But once the day is done...... Then What?

Serving Time

If a person works community service and their kids are out for early release on Friday, exactly what does that look like?

Really, what do you think?  Well, one thing for sure this looks like, not knowing the person in question is...
The parent is a convict working off money doing community work at a local work farm and the kids are only following in their footsteps. Why? They have a get out of jail card and are eligible for early release.

Now seriously would and could this really happen? In today's world yes. Today's world judges too quickly about people and they don't want to look beyond the lines and colors.  If they would just stop and look they would see that this person could be a single mom working for a Federally funded agency to support her family. The kids happen to only have 1/2 day of school on Friday, so they get out of school early.

So, I'm asking what story do you believe?

And She Said...

Ok, she said that he said that they did but what they did was WHAT!  This sure sounds like gossip doesn't it.  Does this get anyone anywhere when they do it?  If the word do go the wrong direction they can really hurt. 'Ya Think?'


So what does a person do? There is the old saying 'Stick and Stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me' But words can hurt they can even kill.  


The Bible said not to gossip.  'A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. Proverbs 11:12-14'  


But do people really listen?

Yellow Rose

I thought I would do some research today regarding my favorite flower. The yellow rose. 


For as long as I can remember I always received yellow roses from my parents on my birthday. Just the sight of them lifted my spirits and put me in a good mood. Every chance I can I have some setting in my home or I go to the park and just walk among the roses. 


So what does the yellow rose symbolize?  


A Single Yellow Rose Symbolizes: Expressions of happiness and love. A single yellow rose to your better half means that you are happy with your love and relationship. The meaning of yellow rose is also friendship; and the meaning of yellow rose represents joy, wisdom and power.  


I hope I have many opportunities to cherish my favorite flower.

Remembering the past

When people ask me where I'm from it's fun to see what their reaction would be.  You see I am from Maine therefore I am '007' (social security numbers start out this way).  What are people called when they are from Maine? So I decided to do some searching...

If I was a native american I would be a Micmac  I can also have 2 other names Mainer or a  Mainiac. So I guess you can either choose to call me CRAZY or Normal.  Majority does rule however, I am definitely a Mainiac.

What is it?

So does anyone really know how to work with a team?  My opinion of it is a team is a group of people who have the desire of accomplishing one goal.  Sure each member of this team has been taught differently, this makes the team unique.
A common definition is: You work with fellow members of the organization to produce these results. Even though you have a specific job function and you belong to a specific department, you are unified with other organization members to accomplish the overall objectives. The bigger picture drives your actions; your function exists to serve the bigger picture.

Wow, what a week!

Worry

Huh, What?

Ok, as I continue onto my 2nd year with my work, people ask me is it good pay? They don't seem to get what Americorp is?  What do I say but it pays the bills.
So what is Americorp?  AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.  Or a person can say it's community service.  Sure, I get money at the end of the month like the majority of Americans but it's not a salary.  On top of this there is a reward offered upon completion of my contract year.
For more information:  http://www.americorps.gov/about/ac/index.asp

Can I Go?

So, what does a person do ?

Here is an example of what occured 4 months ago. Person A was aked if she wanted to go this year. The reply was I have to see what my finances look like. The final reply was I'm sorry I cannot go this year due to finances.  Hey, but as much as person A wanted to go because of what it meant last year, she finds out there were scholarship given out and she didn't even know about it. Nothing was mentioned and she wasn't even asked.

So, againg what does that person do?

The 3rd Day

The 3rd day explains it. Tuesday is the 3rd day of the week, it follows Monday and is before Wednesday. Exactly what is Tuesday's purpose? It's only been around since before 1050 , it is the typical Voting day, there are limitless possibilities what a person can do with this day. People have even named their child after this day; Tuesday Adams of the Adam's family.

What does the word mean? There are many meanings behind it from Greek (Triti meaning "third", counting Tuesday as the third day of the week) Hebrew (Yom Shlishi (יום שלישי) meaning "third day", counting Tuesday as the third day of the week.) Quakers traditionally referred to Tuesday as "Third Day" eschewing the pagan origin of the English name "Tuesday". This has also been the custom in Iceland since about the 11th century when Jón Ögmundsson changed it to Þriðjudagur, meaning "Third Day"

There you have it. A bit more on a word that get looked over a lot! Tuesday

Monday is here again.

Happy Monday. The weekend was good and can I say I didn't have to fix dinner on Friday. Garlic Chicken pasta and tator tots. It was a definate kid combonation. Friends came over later and we had a good time. Saturday was 'makeover' day. Yesterday, a bunch of kiddo's learned about prayer by walkie talkies. Fun..

I am a strawberry

Take the What Fruit Are You? test by Ellen!

Wednesday

Today started off with a breakfast at Aspen Winds. Now, why would I go there? It's a Chamber of Commerce thing.  An introduction to there memory wing (dementia).  Very nice facility.  As for the rest of the day? who knows.

And it's Monday.

I'm ready for bed now! Please. 

Saturday.

Hello, today is Saturday.  I was at 'Book Feast' with work. It was to help raising readers.  I think I did pretty good explaining the Workshops and Parent Panel. However, I did notice some go by our table because they heard my co-workers talking about non-work related issues.  I'll be headed out on a date soon. Ft Collins here I come.  We'll see what comes of it.

It's Friday

The day everyone likes it finally here, FRIDAY. Everyone in my house wore their East Colors (Blue and Black) We are ready for homecoming tonight. GO EAST!  On a leter day note: East kicked butt like always-27 to 14.  Sorry Central.

Fall is definatly here.

Burr, between yesterday and today it has been rainy and cold.  What to do with that?  Feels like fall for sure.  Well, I think I'm officially back on the dating scene.  Wow, I've had 4 of interrest; 2 dates with 2 and 1 date coming in Colorado.  Maybe?