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All Over The Map
ABOUT  RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS,   AND PROBABLY A WHOLE LOT OF NOTHING,   MARINADED IN HUMOR.

December 30, 2007 5:45 AM

A Very Happy 2008

Another year over. I don't know about you, but it is my experience that time flies, especially when you are getting older.

It wasn't like that when I was a teenager, which seems to have been in the stone-age, haha. A week felt like a decade then, now it's like a day. Poof, gone before I know it.

I wonder why that is. Is it because I have more responsibilities? Because I have a family to take care off and look after? Because more people depend on me? I have no clue. Inquiring minds..., one day I will know in full. huh?! :-) I sure would like to hear your opinion on this.

As for now:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Be careful handling fireworks, I like to see y'all back in one piece, literally! :-)


POSTED BY corryc AT December 30, 2007 5:45 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 29, 2007 6:43 AM

The True Spirit

This came in the mail. It takes a little time to read but is well worth it. May we all have that true spirit, not just for Christmas, but all year long:-)

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas.We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside.I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see.We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this.

But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled.Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short,quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load.

Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said."Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" You been by theWidow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "Why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out ofwood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait.

When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand."What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence.I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy?

Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it.

She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children---sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned tome and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last a while. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too.

In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference.I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared.The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us."God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs.wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough.

Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, Whenever I saw any of the Jensen's, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.
~by Rian B. Anderson~

Happy Holidays everyone!!!:-)

POSTED BY corryc AT December 29, 2007 6:43 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 28, 2007 11:51 AM

A Cart to Shop

I see so many online entrepreneurs these days. Five out of ten blogs I come across offer something to sell. I always wondered how they got that little shopping cart icon on their site, that makes it so easy for their customers to order directly from the site. It looks very professional. Now I know why!



You can't go wrong with the right shopping cart software. Especially if you don't have to install anything! This ecommerce software has got you up and running in no time. Even if you already have a small or medium size store, this is a good upgrade that can help you make more profit. The look of your storefront can be fully designed and customized to your requirements.

What I like most about this shopping cart software is the fact that there is an around the clock tech support and customer service standing by to help with any given question. This software allows any  technological deprived person, like me, to have a fully operational store without any hassle, in the shortest amount of time. That's great!

So easy, a caveman can do it.

POSTED BY corryc AT December 28, 2007 11:51 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 28, 2007 7:15 AM

Never A Dull Moment

I hope y'all had a very Merry Christmas!

We did, but now we are exhausted. Between shopping for Christmas presents, seeing to all the festivities surrounding the Holidays, taking care of our daughter, her husband and our little grandson, who all stayed with us for almost an entire week, helping our other daughter move back in with us, our energy is totally gone.

Yesterday was the first day in a while, we actually got to ourselves. Even though I had wanted to do some fun stuff, I just couldn't muster up the energy. Hubbie was in the same condition. We spent most of the day sleeping and recharging. Or at least trying to.

I still don't feel up to much, but I know from experience it will get better in a few days. And yeah, as soon as our energy level is back up, something else will come along, haha. I guess that's the spice of life. Never a dull moment. :-)

POSTED BY corryc AT December 28, 2007 7:15 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 28, 2007 7:08 AM

Shopping Cart

Like I told you in my previous post, I tried a couple of e-businesses before. One of them was and still is, selling my drawings. This is only a very, very small business and not really worth setting up an entire independent site with it's own shopping cart. I went with services offered. That has it's pros and cons though.
A pro is: all the work was already done for me. All I had to do was sign up.
A con is: The setup is not entirely the way I would like it. However, there is nothing I can do about it.

Should you be considering setting up an online business, you may want to check out Ashop Commerce before you do so. They offer web based shopping cart software that does not require any installation. That is a plus in my opinion, since I am technically challenged! It is easy to use, has lots of features and the design is fully customizable.

Another advantage of this ecommerce software, you can test it before buying. There are demo-stores available to try out to see how you like it. When you decide to buy, you get a 10 day free trial. The monthly fees after the trial are low and full tech support and customer service are included.

All of this gives me a lot of confidence in the software and should I ever become an e-shop owner, this would be my route to go.

POSTED BY corryc AT December 28, 2007 7:08 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 27, 2007 7:00 PM

Paid Hobby

Since my Rheumatoid Arthritis has been a stumbling block for getting a job, I have been looking for some home business. I tried a couple, which didn't really work out. More people had that same idea. Too much competition, haha.

I didn't give up though and kept my eyes peeled. Not too long ago I came across blog advertising. Now here is something I can and definitely love to do. I enjoy writing and what is better than to get paid for blogging?!

You can blog for money as well. All you need is a live blog where you post regular and that has acceptable content. Curious? Go to Smorty, read the rules and see how easy it is to advertise on blogs and receive payment on a weekly basis. All you have to do is write opinion articles about advertiser campaigns that are available. You don't even have to check whether there are articles available. Opportunities are send directly to your account and e-mail address.

How much easier can it be to get paid to blog?!

POSTED BY corryc AT December 27, 2007 7:00 PM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 27, 2007 4:42 AM

Bursting Bubbles

If you still think the Netherlands is all about windmills and wooden shoes, then you better catch up. A while back it was, but not anymore. Sorry to burst your bubble:-)

The windmills are still there, but sporadically and mostly kept for historical reasons and tourism. A few are still fully operational, but even for the Dutch that has become a rarity and an attraction.
 
The old ones are prolly more attractive because of their nostalgic value, but I have seen the new ones painted in different colors so they make a rainbow, which was a pretty sight as well.

As for the wooden shoes, my Mom grew up wearing them. Lots of people did, mostly farmers, which was a huge chunk of the population at that time. And there were a lot of advantage to them. They were cheap, warm in winter, water-resistant and long-lasting. Plus, since they didn't take on the form of the owner's foot, they could be passed on to the next kid in line. That was, if you didn't break them in the meantime, haha. Apparently, that was a rarity because the Dutch have a saying when it comes to something astonishing: "That breaks my wooden shoe!" But, the wooden shoe was replaced by the fashion industry with more adorning footwear:-) And just as the windmills, there are still some wooden shoes around, sporadically, fully operational, (mostly worn by farmers and yes, those are still around as well, haha) and another rarity and attraction.



Nowadays you buy wooden shoes, use them as planters and hang them outside. Or...since the tourist-industry got hold of them, sell them as souvenirs.





There are many Christians around and yet, it seems like they are being looked upon as a rare attraction, people that haven't kept up with modern society's evolution. I am not sorry to burst that bubble. God's Word is just as applicable now as it was then. It is timeless. It's the Living Word:-)

POSTED BY corryc AT December 27, 2007 4:42 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 26, 2007 5:04 AM

Look What The Cat Dragged In Part II

So, that little kitten found herself a home and daughter was so happy with her Ruthie. Then one day, while she was playing with her, I noticed something strange about the cat. Something a girl-cat shouldn't have! Ehhh.... someone check the cat again, I think we may have made a mistake. Yep, turns out she was a he!

Most of us thought it was hilarious, daughter didn't. She was quite upset because she had grown so used to the kitty being female and now what was she going to call it? Surely Ruth wasn't a boy's name. Okay, call him Ruthless, he sure is, hahaha.

So Ruth became Ruthless, overnight. No operation needed! And slowly but surely his name changed from Ruthless to Rufus. And yeah, he is a real tomcat and at times still in touch with his feminine side. grin.

POSTED BY corryc AT December 26, 2007 5:04 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 24, 2007 9:05 AM

Merry Christmas!

Hey y'all!!! I have seen Santa Claus! Mom, Dad and I went to the mall and there he was. Such a friendly guy, although I didn't really know what to do with him. Mom was afraid I would pull his beard, but I behaved. There was so much to see and I got to sit on his knee. Nothing scary about it. I was like "That's cool....., whatever!"

I am doing well. We stayed at Opa's and Oma's almost all week since Mom wasn't feeling too well. Something about her ligaments hurting really bad. She could hardly get up or down. It was nice to stay with Opa and Oma. I got to try them out, grin. They didn't really go for it. Oh well, I had a no and could get a yes, huh? grin.

I learned some new words. I said Oma real clear, but can't get Opa out yet. I say Aba instead. Coming pretty close though. I do say bye, hehe. I was sitting in the office on the floor. Mom tried to get me to come out and said she was gonna close the door on me if I didn't. She kept urging me out. Then she said bye-bye and closed the door. Okay Mom. "Bye". That surprised her so much, she opened the door right back up and told everyone I said bye, hehe.

Here is a close-up from me and Santa. It was over before I knew it and I didn't get to tell him what I would like for Christmas, but he knows, right?! God knows too, even when I can't talk yet. He knows my every need and sees to it. :-D
That is so cool!

I wanted to wish y'all a very Merry Christmas on behalf of all the family and all the best wishes for the New Year. May God bless y'all abundantly!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

POSTED BY corryc AT December 24, 2007 9:05 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 23, 2007 8:07 AM

Look What The Cat Dragged In

In addition to the small "petting zoo" we already had ( 1 dogs and a cat ) came this little kitten. It sat next to Blake, our cat, in the yard one day. Our suspicion was, that Blake is the "Daddy", since he has been roaming around and the kitten looked just like him, haha. Possibility is that the kitten followed him home as soon as it was strong enough to do so. Blake abided it and Mia, always playful, thought it was a new toy and chased it under the building, where it stayed the remainder of the day.

The next day we thought it had left and we got in the car to leave. We pulled out the drive way and stopped to get the mail before hitting the road. While I got the mail out of the mailbox, the loud miaowing could not be ignored. I couldn't see the kitten anywhere, but it sounded real close. Hubby heard it too. We looked under the car...nothing. Then hubby popped the hood, and there it was...sitting on top of the battery. He picked it up, carried it back to the house and sat it down near the bushes, and we left.

Several months ago our oldest daughter's cat died. She was heartbroken. When we told her about the kitten, she went outside to look for it and found it under the grill of the neighbor's car. She fed it and played with it and the next day announced she had been thinking about naming it. Which meant...she wanted to keep it:-). We all were fine with that, as a matter of fact, I already had a name in mind myself, haha. The only concern was, that it might get itself killed by the preference it had developed for car-engines! Solution: it went in a large cage till it was bigger and we would go from there. After closer examination we found out it's female. Daughter picked a name for her. Her name is Ruth:-)

That was for that moment. But there was more to it then just this! Wait till you read how "she" turned out to be a "he". grin.

POSTED BY corryc AT December 23, 2007 8:07 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 22, 2007 3:50 AM

Time Out, Time Off

Some off the wall thought that ran through my mind. Yes, I have those many times, too many times in my opinion, haha.

I was thinking about another hobby. I used to read, make cards, sew everyone's clothes and tried to be creative with clay, yarn and anything else usable to be creative with.

Well, the reading has gone out of the window for I can not concentrate on it for long anymore. I got bored with making greeting-cards and I do some sewing, but not nearly as much as I used to. I still am creative every now and then with the other stuff, but ran out of inspiration. What I do for a hobby right now is drawing and I love it, but it's is not something I would like to do all day, every day. Soooo.... I am open for suggestions:-)

What are your hobbies? And if you like, maybe share a pic or two of the creations on your or my blog? I may get some inspiration for a new hobby. Thanks, I would appreciate it. And my husband as well, haha!

POSTED BY corryc AT December 22, 2007 3:50 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 21, 2007 8:41 AM

Prescriptions: The Price Is Right

Prescription drugs are expensive enough. Here is an excellent article on how to save some bucks.

By: Amy Allen Clark

"Prescription medication is an expense that many families cannot afford. If you do not have an insurance plan that will cover your prescriptions and are a low-income family, then you are not alone. Fortunately, there are programs available to assist you with your medications, but finding them can be a struggle.

Here are a few options that could help to afford medicines:

Communicate With Your Doctor:
If you are without prescription coverage your doctor can truly be your greatest alley and can help you in a variety of ways.If your doctor starts you on a new prescription drug, there are a series of questions you can ask to make sure you get the best deal. Begin by asking your doctor if he has any free samples you can have, to try the medication. Explain your insurance situation and see if your doctor will offer you the medication for free. If your doctor does not have any samples for you to take home, ask him if he could call the drug representative from that company to send some samples to you. These drug representatives stop in regularly to restock their supply and are happy to get more clients under their belt. This can be a win-win situation for all the parties involved. If samples are unavailable, ask your doctor if you can have a "trial prescription," so you can buy fewer of the tablets at first. This can be a good way to find out if a medication will work for you and also to see if you can tolerate any nasty side effects. If the drug does not work for you, you will not have invested in a month's supply that you will be unable to use. There are also specific questions that you can ask about the medications you are taking. For example, ask your doctor if there is a generic equivalent to the medication you are taking because you are exploring less expensive alternatives. If there are no generic equivalents to this medication, you can also ask about over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Sometimes, there are OTC medications you can take that will achieve the same results as the actual prescription drug.Another question you can ask is if you could buy a double dosage of the medication, in pill form, and split the tablets in half for your regular dosage. There are many prescriptions you can purchase that can easily be halved. This can result in a fifty-percent savings on your medication.Your doctor may also know about specific aid from the drug manufacturer. Many prescription companies have programs to give medications to patients who have no way to pay for their prescription drugs. Programs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but all require your doctor to submit the application for you. Explore this route with your doctor and see what the company requirements are and if this type of aid is available to you and your family.Finally, check in yearly with your doctor to see if cheaper versions of your medications have become available. Many of us review our bills and insurance policies yearly, so add this to your agenda and you may reap the rewards of a few dollars saved.

Buy Online:
Online stores can offer a lot of savings for their customers, particularly Canadian pharmacies where drug prices are much cheaper (savings of up to half on many prescriptions). Whether you buy American or not, you must make sure that you research the company well to ensure that the company is not a fake.Examples of things to look for are a toll free number, real operators who answer their phone, a physical company address, and a secure website to do your shopping. You will also want to make sure the pharmacy is approved by the organization that governs the state/country where the pharmacy is located.

State Assistance:
Make sure to investigate what your state offers in assisting with the cost of your prescription drugs. These programs are typically available to the elderly, disabled, and low-income families. You can obtain information about these programs through your state's website or by calling the office of your state senator or representative.

Additional Resources:
These are a few sites that you can check for additional information, for free, on medical assistance programs:

  • Needy Meds ( http://www.needymeds.com/) is designed to provide information about patient assistance programs which provide no cost prescription medications to eligible participants.

  • Rx Outreach http://www.rxassist.org/) is a new Patient Assistance Program developed by Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc. (ESSDS). The program provides qualified low-income individuals and families with access to generic versions of brand name medications.

  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance (http://www.pparx.org/) brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible.

  • Together Rx Access http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/) is a card that has been created to help qualified individuals and families without prescription drug coverage to save on brand- name prescription drugs and other prescription products, as well as save on a wide range of generic drugs. This card is available to those who are ineligible for Medicare, have no prescription drug coverage (public or private), and families who meet certain income requirements. This program is only available to legal US residents."
And don't be afraid to ask your doctor, the drug company, or your pharmacy about assistance programs. There are great savings in asking and exploring for cheaper alternatives. May these "two cents" worth of info save you many dollars:-)

POSTED BY corryc AT December 21, 2007 8:41 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 20, 2007 8:08 AM

Expectations

"Dwelling on past expectations will hide present blessings and prevent future happiness".
~Corry.

This is a brian-strainer, but think about it. It makes more sense then meets the eye at first look. :-)



POSTED BY corryc AT December 20, 2007 8:08 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 19, 2007 9:22 AM

Spring Cleaning

As soon as the weather gets cooler, I get the cleaning- and fixing up-disease. Yeah, normally that illness is caught in spring! I guess I am a backward person, or just weird, haha. The house usually gets attacked before Thanksgiving by doing all those things that have been put off for so long and once clean, made a major difference. I guess y'all know those tiny little things that need doing, but you dread and keep putting off. I justify it by saying:" I will do that sometime, but there are more pressing things to be done at the moment." They just seem to be such a hassle to do. Actually, they are done quicker then you think. At least...then I thought, haha.

All that cleaning got me thinking about myself. My "house" needs a daily cleaning as well. Things to get rid off, to be replaced, fixed, or just a good scrubbing. To clean up my heart and mind so God's love can shine in every corner and reflect His love and grace. It's not something I can put off or justify not doing. And it is so simple! All I have to do is turn my will in the right direction and commit to it. Not easy, agreed, but worth it. A daily routine which results in wonderful consequences:-). Thank You Lord, for washing and polishing my heart, sweeping my mind and fixing my will.

POSTED BY corryc AT December 19, 2007 9:22 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 16, 2007 7:18 AM

Research to the Rescue


This certainly is a step forward in the right direction! Plus... now we know where some of our tax money ends up at, haha.


"Researchers funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Arthritis Foundation, the Cancer Research Institute and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, report that they have discovered the molecular roots of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. A "T helper" cell is the culprit for initiating chronic inflammation and autoimmunity in a variety of body tissues such as asthma, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS). They say their findings may point to ways to effectively treat these diseases - if not stop them before they start. "
Read more...

Even though it still may take years before a cure is found, it is good to know that at least the next generation may not have to suffer from these diseases anymore.
That fills my heart with joy. Thank you Lord. Please keep blessing their work.

POSTED BY corryc AT December 16, 2007 7:18 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 14, 2007 7:33 AM

Sick

Our little grandson is sick. He had diarrhea for a couple of days now and although Mom tried to keep him hydrated, she didn't really trust it.

She called the doctor yesterday morning and he suspected little critter might be lactose intolerant and told her to switch over to another brand of milk, that would have decreased lactose in it. He seemed to be doing a bit better at first. Not really though and they took him to the hospital.

Good thing they did. He was getting a bit dehydrated and they put him on an IV. Just the thought of that makes me shudder. Our 10 month old grandson being poked with needles! I can so imagine how his Mommy must have felt. But it's all for the best and hopefully it hasn't been too traumatic for him.

Maybe now his little tummy will clear up and he will recover quickly. I am so grateful his Mom took action as soon as she suspected something was amiss. Moms seem to instinctively know when something is wrong with their babies. Those feelings shouldn't be underestimated or neglected, they are usually right!

Get well soon, my little buddy!

POSTED BY corryc AT December 14, 2007 7:33 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 13, 2007 8:38 AM

About Patience



"Patience is a virtue. I can't wait to have it!"
~Corry.







POSTED BY corryc AT December 13, 2007 8:38 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT





December 12, 2007 5:31 AM

Loving Care and Caring Love


I may have offended some of you readers with the statement that I made in my previous post: "So please, don't be offended when someone declines your help saying they can do it themselves. Be encouraged and grateful."

If/When I did, I like to apologize. It was by no means made to tell you what to do or how to behave. It was given as encouragement and understanding to both people in the same position I am in, and people who are around us or have "dealings" with us.

I know it all has to do with feelings. They cause us to assume or belief things that may not be true and therefore we act upon what we belief. Often things are not the way they seem. And more often, we don't ask for understanding or what we need to know because we trust our feelings. That makes a full circle that only we ourselves can break. Instead of assuming, we can ask for what we need to come to a better understanding and resolve feelings and not take on false beliefs.

We often blame the person that "gives" us those feelings and look at them to resolve them for us. Actually, we are the ones that have the feelings and should reason whether they are valid or not, and certainly not blame or associate them with someone else. After all, they may mean well and we don't know it unless we ask.

It is a two way street though as well. We have the right and even the obligation to tell someone when we are being hurt. Give them too understanding. I know that is difficult for it means to expose yourself, which makes you vulnerable. But it is better to give them the truth as well, so they can get rid of their false beliefs.

Communication is essential. It is reaching out to eachother. It is care and love.:-)

POSTED BY corryc AT December 12, 2007 5:31 AM  |  0 THOUGHTS  |  GIVE YOUR THOUGHT