tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76910907908040300872024-03-13T13:21:41.401-04:00Glorious GalSharing my sanity savers: love, laughter, and inspiration.Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-1019329839713305552010-07-29T17:00:00.001-04:002010-07-29T17:01:54.907-04:00NEW BLOGI'd love to invite all of my readers to join me at my newest blog at <a href="http://www.coolbreezewalks.blogspot.com/">www.coolbreezewalks.blogspot.com</a>. <br /><br />My devotional articles will be presented in the new blog along with daily photos. It's an exciting new adventure I'm sure you'll enjoy! :0)Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-60854382917490416902010-07-13T22:49:00.006-04:002010-07-13T23:50:50.067-04:00MomSense 101<div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Dear Mothers Everywhere,</span></em></div><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;"><div align="center"><br />If you notice your preteen son </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">wearing swimming goggles </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">at approximately bath time,</span> <blockquote></blockquote><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;"></span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">TAKE MY ADVICE!</span> <blockquote></blockquote></span></em></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Put two and two together.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Scuba Mom<br /></span></em></div><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img border="0" src="http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/600/600562mkm830ossa.gif" width="74" height="85" /></a></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-65059257702546052432010-06-28T22:24:00.006-04:002010-06-28T23:04:53.632-04:00Salt at The Last Supper<div><br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yI23q6KOTlU/TClZpa9Wi6I/AAAAAAAAAQc/OOhfezBdGYk/s1600/last+supper.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488016189073820578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yI23q6KOTlU/TClZpa9Wi6I/AAAAAAAAAQc/OOhfezBdGYk/s320/last+supper.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Not only was Leonardo DaVinci a great painter, he knew some things about salt that I just discovered. Of all the times I looked at this "Last Supper Painting" I never noticed there was salt on the table.<br /><br />In Bible times, salt was used symbolically in covenants - in both Old Testament and New. Jehovah entered into a salt covenant with David that his seed would be on the throne forever. In Jesus' time, Roman soldiers carried pouches of salt, and when they made a covenant they would pour salt from their pouches into one container and shake it up. Then who could tell one man's salt from the other?<br /><br />A salt covenant symbolizes:<br /><br />Loyalty<br /><br />Honesty<br /><br />Friendship<br /><br />Preservation<br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Now, take a peek at this close up of Judas from "The Last Supper" painting.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488025064052656754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yI23q6KOTlU/TClhuA1MinI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/GpF9cNT3W34/s320/Judas_Peter_John_Last_supper_copy.jpg" /></p><p>Not only does he have a bag in his hand, while the other reaches toward the bowl, but the salt is spilled in front of his arm.... symbolizing the broken covenant between him and Jesus.<br /><br /><br /></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-46788158029581649002010-06-28T00:59:00.001-04:002010-06-28T00:59:00.435-04:00Right Idea...<object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JL4yxsAtWQs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JL4yxsAtWQs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="400"></embed></object>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-35950112712735646652010-06-24T23:53:00.002-04:002010-06-24T23:58:03.373-04:00When Time Drags.....<object width="440" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gy3J4I8fFtI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gy3J4I8fFtI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="405"></embed></object>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-5817526024027684202010-06-08T13:55:00.004-04:002010-06-09T14:22:00.563-04:00Redi or Not?<p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img style="WIDTH: 184px; HEIGHT: 179px" border="0" src="http://dl10.glitter-graphics.net/pub/2544/2544230hm6khf0trc.gif" width="100" height="100" /></a></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Redi or Not?</span></strong></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Four hundred years ago EVERYONE knew where flies came from. Rotting meat, of course! Every time meat started rotting, it wasn't long before flies began to buzz around it. Then along came Francesco Redi claiming that flies came from maggots. HA! What did he know? Flies had been coming from rotting meat since even the oldest person alive could remember.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">I don't know about you, but one of my least favorite things in all the world is to be the one to upset the applecart. I like the people around me to be pleased with me, but most of all to agree with what I'm thinking. Unfortunately the reality is that too often when we spend time thinking things through the conclusions we come to or the dreams we create go against the grain of those around us, and presenting a new idea or defying an age-old belief is the quickest route to rolled eyes and cold shoulders. Of course it's uncomfortable and awkward, but is it a bad thing?</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">Francesco Redi, doesn't have a long list of scientific accomplishments to his credit, but he was a true visionary. He saw past the known reality and understood something everyone else touted to be fanciful and impractical. But the difference between Redi and me (maybe you too?), is the fact that he didn't let go of the belief until he had proved it to be true. </span></p><p align="left"></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Are you "Redi" </span></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">to make your visions reality?</span></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong></p><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:180%;">Rember this......</span></em> <p></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Not everything is as it appears.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">~~~</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc00;">"A dreamer can find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world." Oscar Wilde</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">~~~</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Proof can't be refuted.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">~~~</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">"People only see what they are prepared to see." Ralph Waldo Emerson</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">~~~</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">No one is remembered for being ordinary.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">~~~</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">"</span><span style="color:#663366;">Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others." Jonathan Swift</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-works.org/" target="_blank"></a><br /></p><p align="right"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img style="WIDTH: 254px; HEIGHT: 213px" border="0" src="http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/2012/2012377n2ixg5w3xi.gif" width="145" height="154" /></a></p><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-works.org/" target="_blank"></a>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-3894478603324668832010-06-04T12:30:00.000-04:002010-06-04T12:31:04.326-04:00It's Time...<div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>...TIME TO DEFY GRAVITY!</strong><br /></span></span></em><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img style="WIDTH: 169px; HEIGHT: 124px" border="0" src="http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1295/1295323apwdj45ilx.gif" width="512" height="450" /></a> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">After all...</div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;">Life is zooming past at break-neck speeds<br />It's smart to either slow down or soar<br />Before I come to the end of the runway<br /><br />Wish me well!<br />...or kiss me goodbye<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img border="0" src="http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/436/436227peh2tec0ns.gif" width="69" height="32" /></a></div>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-78849366997032163872010-05-30T09:51:00.007-04:002010-05-31T09:13:14.696-04:00Perspective<strong></strong><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yI23q6KOTlU/TAJuTtCIU5I/AAAAAAAAAQU/9iDLNTSTNmo/s1600/100_1756.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477061381621044114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yI23q6KOTlU/TAJuTtCIU5I/AAAAAAAAAQU/9iDLNTSTNmo/s320/100_1756.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center"><strong>Why do Things Look the way they Do?</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong>PERSPECTIVE</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><p><em>It all depends on....</em></strong></p></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center">Where you're standing today</div><div align="center">What you've experienced in the past</div><div align="center">Or the things you haven't learned yet</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><p><em>It may be influenced by....</em></strong></p></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center">Something you've heard</div><div align="center">An item you've read</div><div align="center">A person you've met</div><div align="center">Even things you love, hate or dread</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><p><em>It will Effect...</em></strong></p></div><div align="center">Your destiny</div><div align="center">Your potential</div><div align="center">Your sphere of influence</div><div align="center">Every choice you make today</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em><strong><p>Every now and then it's good </strong></em><em><strong>to take a step back to see what we see....</strong></em></p></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-42564203549399239942010-04-09T21:09:00.005-04:002010-04-11T14:16:12.796-04:00Something on the Inside<p><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-8C-gydUbR8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-8C-gydUbR8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></p><p>There's a lot of religion in the world today, but I believe that when a home has real religion in it the evidence will show up in the children. There's nothing more precious than being able to look at your children and see the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperence -Galations 5:22-23) in them.</p><p>As a parent working hard to develop good character in the children, it's easy to focus on the fruits we hope to see and forget what produces the fruit. We can wear ourselves out trying to teach love and all the rest and forget that Jesus is the seed that brings forth all of those fruits. If we keep "planting" Jesus in our home, He will grow and the fruit will show show up after a while. </p><p><em><span style="color:#993399;">For let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galations 6:9</span></em></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-83787951498878528642010-03-01T23:59:00.000-05:002010-03-01T23:59:00.365-05:00Quick Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole<div align="left">At the end of a long day, this recipe is a godsend. It's a simple, no-frills dinner that either one of the kids or I can have on the table in under half and hour. AND it's a family FAVORITE!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img style="WIDTH: 79px; HEIGHT: 89px" height="329" src="http://dl8.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1894/1894418ffamg7qufl.gif" width="254" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-works.org/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br />2 cups instant rice<br />1 bag frozen broccoli<br />6-8 frozen chicken tenders (1/2 chicken breast may be used but needs<br />more cooking time)<br />1 jar salsa con queso (medium)<br /><br />Boil chicken and broccoli. Prepare 2 cups of instant rice according to directions. Cut chicken into small pieces. Mix rice, broccoli, chicken, and salsa con queso. May be served immediately or refridgerated in class cake pan to heat in oven for a pre-cooked quick meal.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="52" src="http://dl9.glitter-graphics.net/pub/2539/2539319svr4ox6777.gif" width="397" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-works.org/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mcklinky.com/blog_hop.asp" target="_blank"><img alt="MckLinky Blog Hop" src="http://www.mcklinky.com/images/MckLinkyBlogHop200.jpg" border="0" longdesc="http://www.brentriggs.com" /></a><br /></div><script src="http://www.mcklinky.com/linky_include_bloghop.asp?id=19007" type="text/javascript"></script>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-1356970397656051272010-02-12T18:11:00.003-05:002010-02-22T11:46:12.184-05:00Patrick Hughes - An Unforgettable Story<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9xwCG0Ey2Mg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9xwCG0Ey2Mg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Note: I have reviewed and approve <strong>this clip only</strong>. You Tube uses collected data from the Internet and the computer you are using to suggest other clips. Please use caution and common sense when exploring other clips they may suggest. I have no way of predicting these suggested clips.</span></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-33120168851562534822010-02-06T22:04:00.008-05:002010-02-22T11:47:16.092-05:00A Warm Fuzzy Love Story<p>So often it seems like the happiest couples look alike. Watch the anniversary notices in the newspaper and you'll soon agree with me. The 50th wedding celebration announcements sport two people who have grown to even look alike.... or maybe they've always looked alike. But every once in a while, you'll come across a Mutt and Jeff duo that seem to be at odds as a couple, and yet their relationship lasted a quarter or half a century.</p><p>What is the glue that ties people together for a lifetime? I've asked myself that question too many times to count. But until I've come up with the answer, I'll have to be satisfied with looking for clues in relationships like the one in this clip...<br /><object style="WIDTH: 453px; HEIGHT: 289px" height="289" width="453"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d79ArrL8VRg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d79ArrL8VRg&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Note: I have reviewed and approve <strong>this clip only</strong>. You Tube uses collected data from the Internet and the computer you are using to suggest other clips. Please use caution and common sense when exploring other clips they may suggest. I have no way of predicting these suggested clips.</span></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-10066154118147830322010-02-02T11:11:00.006-05:002010-02-02T17:55:47.608-05:00Band Aid Surgery<a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img style="WIDTH: 81px; HEIGHT: 72px" border="0" src="http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/495/495032t7g3zah26e.gif" width="350" height="350" /></a><br />Greetings!<br /><br />It's been a long few weeks for me. If you've seen a middle-aged woman shuffling around resembling a 90-year-old duck, that was probably me! I've been sick with gall bladder issues, and I'm now sporting the band-aid version of the gall bladder surgery. Just today (almost a week later) I managed to stand erect for the first time. And to be truthful, I have a new phobia - going to the local Chinese restaurant. I heard one of my friend's children broke their Buddha and with all the swelling and belly rubbing I've been doing there's a pretty good chance they'll kidnap me to replace it!<br /><br />What is band-aid surgery? For those of you who have never had it, and for those of you who may someday go through it, here's heads up on what Band-Aid Gall Bladder Surgery is all about.<br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img border="0" src="http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/923/923294henwg6pqx1.gif" width="42" height="46" /></a><br />1<strong>. Band-Aid Surgery means hire a nurse in a hurry!</strong><br />Look at everyone around you with one last look of love before you head to surgery. The next time you see them, you may have forgotten the hugs. Young 'uns turned nurse do things like jump on the couch to show they love you, hand you a full glass of Ginger Ale (Ever try to sip from a full glass while in a reclining belly up position? The results are generally disastrous.) and of course everyone tries to cheer you up.... make you laugh.... which makes your belly jiggle... which makes you want to cry.<br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img border="0" src="http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/923/923294henwg6pqx1.gif" width="42" height="46" /></a><br />2<strong>. Band Aid Surgery means it's all in your head!</strong><br />I told a friend I wasn't going to have a bunch of scars. He was pretty disappointed - said if he was going to get cut up he wanted the scars to prove it. I'm beginning to agree with his philosophy. There's something about a ragged, red, and bloody scar stapled shut that makes an impression. Four little bitty holes taped shut in various places around the belly just don't have the same effect and evoke only a small amount of sympathy. It seems impossible to believe there are hundreds of stitches hidden under the skin and the same organs were removed regardless of the visible evidence.<br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img border="0" src="http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/923/923294henwg6pqx1.gif" width="42" height="46" /></a><br />3. <strong>Band Aid Surgery means self-serve medical care is a reality.</strong><br />Okay, I'm guilty. I use the self-serve gas stations and check-out's at Wal Mart. But honestly, these Band-Aid surgeries are the health care's version of self-service at it's most painful! Maybe they're getting even with us for checking up on our doctors online and self-diagnosing our medical ailments. We're all guilty. But really, it's a cruel and unusual punishment for even that!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img style="WIDTH: 203px; HEIGHT: 183px" border="0" src="http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/493/493272abf71jgkr8.gif" width="287" height="228" /></a></p><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-works.org/" target="_blank"></a><br />So I'm home and surviving a surgery that will lay me up for 6 weeks regardless of whether it's the Band-Aid or open version of the surgery. The only difference: scars on my belly that won't show and several weeks of torturous recovery. Guess we'd all be smart to have at least one child train to be a nurse! And don't forget to invest in a hospital bed. It's a Herculean feat to extract yourself from a flat bed after surgery. My sweetheart daughter and I were both crying by the time we got me up the first and last time I made the mistake of laying flat on my bed.<br /><br />PS. My last bit of advice: Don't develop an allergy to narcotics! A band-aid surgery with just tylenol for pain is the pits!Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-266144036103707012010-01-15T10:51:00.004-05:002010-02-22T11:48:34.204-05:00Homemade Marshmallows<p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img style="WIDTH: 162px; HEIGHT: 155px" height="198" src="http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1726/1726182u7hov42w2s.gif" width="187" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">It's a hot chocolate kind of day here in PA. The view from my window is gray and white beyond the drip of melting snow falling from the roof. There's no sun in sight even though the weatherman promised some today. </p>While I'm sipping my hot chocolate, I'm going to write the ingredients for these homemade marshmallows on my grocery list. It had never crossed my mind to try homemade marshmallows until I came across this clip on You Tube. Now I can't wait to try :0)<br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p align="center"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zRjgJ_gUZHY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zRjgJ_gUZHY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Note: I have reviewed and approve <strong>this clip only</strong>. You Tube uses collected data from the Internet and the computer you are using to suggest other clips. Please use caution and common sense when exploring other clips they may suggest. I have no way of predicting these suggested clips.</span></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-38731210944469887062009-12-20T23:01:00.004-05:002010-02-22T11:48:52.098-05:00True Art Requires InspirationTo all of my loyal and disappointed followers, I extend sincere apologies for my absent blogs. You see, writing is an art and every artist must have inspiration to produce a masterpiece. I came across this clip, and I feel my inspiration juices starting to flow ;) Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dx4WLGa7GaE&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dx4WLGa7GaE&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Note: I have reviewed and approve <strong>this clip only</strong>. You Tube uses collected data from the Internet and the computer you are using to suggest other clips. Please use caution and common sense when exploring other clips they may suggest. I have no way of predicting these suggested clips.</span></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-86764832515755717982009-09-14T12:56:00.004-04:002009-09-14T22:29:51.201-04:00Questions Nice Kids Don't AskI read an interview with Dan Brown, author of <u>The Divinci Code</u>, in the paper yesterday. Who do you think turned him into the religious skeptic the book seems to portray? ...a bad friend, aetheistic teachers, unbelieving parents? Wrong! It was his minister.<br /><br />According to Dan Brown, at a very crucial time in his life he went to school and heard the Big Bang Theory. Being a very religious kid, he also went to church and heard that God created the heaven and earth. So what was the answer? He was struggling to fit all of the pieces of the puzzle of religion and science together in his own mind. When he asked the question, his minister's response was that nice boys don't ask that question. And guess what? The science teacher was only too happy to explain his theory in a way that made sense to his young mind.<br /><br />The truth is that kids have questions. The questions are big. At some point every human has to come to grips with how to interpret the world around them. The even scarier truth is that it's not always the person with the right answers who takes the time to answer those tough questions. When we avoid them, they find the answers somewhere. It might be in a book, from a friend, off a movie, or even a teacher at school. But the fact is that we won't have the opportunity to help them understand and leave them vulnerable to very slanted or even perverted viewpoints.<br /><br />We must never forget that our children will get an answer to their questions! It's just a matter of who or what is providing those answers.Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-47001612290229041232009-08-21T23:31:00.005-04:002010-02-22T11:49:09.410-05:00"The Heart of the Wood"<div align="left">Last week I came across this clip and fell in love with the song. So for the past week, I've been thinking of ways to convey the message it spoke to me. But just tonight it came to me that it would be presumptuous to superimposed my message on the gifted songwriter who has intertwined a great number of thought provoking messages into one song so beautifully.<br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><br /><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h9YWqjuJMkc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h9YWqjuJMkc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></p><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Note: I have reviewed and approve <strong>this clip only</strong>. You Tube uses collected data from the Internet and the computer you are using to suggest other clips. Please use caution and common sense when exploring other clips they may suggest. I have no way of predicting these suggested clips.</span></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-17626939124161034312009-08-10T09:49:00.004-04:002010-02-22T11:49:33.640-05:00Flying HighAh Monday morning. So far it's not a Garfield Monday, so that's all good. But the week ahead looks a little bit like this clip. I'm just hoping that I land as well. lol<br /><br /><embed name="tangle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" src="http://www.tangle.com/flash/swf/flvplayer.swf" width="330" height="270" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="viewkey=b254c26af82a010ddfd2" wmode="transparent" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Note: I have reviewed and approve <strong>this clip only</strong>. You Tube uses collected data from the Internet and the computer you are using to suggest other clips. Please use caution and common sense when exploring other clips they may suggest. I have no way of predicting these suggested clips.</span></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-86653266451772927522009-08-07T00:51:00.004-04:002010-02-22T11:49:51.147-05:00Comedian Daren Streblow<p><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ZOsrHpzzo8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_ZOsrHpzzo8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></p><p></p><p></p><br /><br /><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z8b50vf0AKw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z8b50vf0AKw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Note: I have reviewed and approve <strong>this clip only</strong>. You Tube uses collected data from the Internet and the computer you are using to suggest other clips. Please use caution and common sense when exploring other clips they may suggest. I have no way of predicting these suggested clips.</span></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-81324881653829858412009-08-01T15:49:00.006-04:002009-08-01T19:10:03.289-04:00Rocking out of the Rut.Do you ever get stuck in a rut? I do. Sometimes life just seems like a series of bursts forward, hanging on the brim at the edge of the rut, and then a slow slide backwards - right back to where it all started. I don't know what your rut might be, but I've got two - dieting and my writing. I loose 15 pounds and suddenly I'm right back where I started. I get my writing material ready for a book or an article, then something comes up and I lose steam.<br /><br /><br />But, once in a blue moon life hands out a surprise gift....<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365089030330341426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 177px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yI23q6KOTlU/SnSgDDEvWDI/AAAAAAAAAIk/HFkXondxOGY/s320/chair+001.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>About 10 years ago, on an irrational whim I decided to pick up a paintbrush and try to paint. And to my astonishment, I simply could. It was the biggest shock of my life. I hadn't expected it nor truthfully had I even hoped for success. Don't get me wrong, I'm no Leonardo DaVinci but my work is pleasantly recognizable and a great source of pleasure.</p><p>Just yesterday, I picked up a brush and painted the rocking chair that sits on my front porch as a reminder that life isn't ALWAYS the same old same old. And since it's my favorite place to sit and think, maybe reminding myself to try something new is just what I need to rock myself out of this rut! </p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-5747827739235832552009-07-22T13:35:00.004-04:002009-07-22T14:40:13.528-04:00It's a boy ThingI have a friend who has two daughters. Over the years I've tried to tell her that raising a son is different than raising a daughter. Usually these "lectures" come right after a comment about a mother being soft on her "little boy." Whenever I tell her that parenting a little boy is definitely different she rolls her eyes at me. "Parenting is parenting!" she says and shrugs her shoulders.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="100" src="http://dl5.glitter-graphics.net/pub/833/833725k7x21qvaxv.gif" width="100" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />But the truth of the matter is that boys are different than little girls. And I know, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cuz</span> I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">haz</span> one!<br /><br />If you ask a daughter to pick up laundry off the bedroom floor and put it in the laundry basket the process goes something like this....<br />Step 1 Use hand to grab laundry item.<br />Step 2 Raise arm and walk to laundry hamper (note two processes at one time!)<br />Step 3 Release laundry item into basket.<br /><br />If you ask a little boy to pick up laundry it's a much more intricate process...<br />Step 1 Use spacial reference to determine the path the laundry will take to the hamper<br />Step 2 Find a blanket<br />Step 3 Spread the blanket on the floor<br />Step 4 Put imagination into gear<br />Step 5 Allow arm to become a crane<br />Step 6 Operate crane to put laundry onto the blanket<br />Step 7 Look for rope to tie blanket shut<br />Step 8 Tie blanket shut around laundry<br />Step 9 Look for additional rope<br />Step 10 Rig a pulley system to hoist laundry<br />Step 11 Hoist laundry into air<br />Step 12 Swing laundry to basket (many attempts may be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">necessary</span> to get the arc just right)<br />Step 13 Attempt to untie knot on laundry bag<br />Step 14 Holler for Mom<br />Step 15 Watch Mom simply slide the rope off the edge of blanket before turning red and beginning the "you're just now picking up the laundry after I told you two hours ago" lecture.<br /><br />Never underestimate the creative powers of a boy. This morning I discovered several biscuits missing. Besides knowing that my daughter is out of town, I'm sure it was my son who ate them. I found the cutting board, two different kinds of knives and the meat cleaver... all covered with biscuit crumbs. Don't ask! The meat cleaver has been making regular journeys from the drawer since he discovered it. I'm just not sure why you'd need it for cucumbers, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">watermelon</span>, biscuits, or strawberries.Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-43593288939507786042009-07-10T16:06:00.005-04:002009-07-10T17:26:26.321-04:00Swine Flu Survival 101Well, if there's trouble to get into you can be sure that I'll find a way to get in on the action. You'd think a small city girl (just in from the country) wouldn't be so anxious to make a name in town. But alas, I now have the distinct honor of bringing the dreaded Swine Flu to our fair city (an honor equally shared with my two children and two children of a friend who traveled with us).<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356930283246406962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yI23q6KOTlU/SlejtdtvTTI/AAAAAAAAAIE/cpQXy4S0Y6o/s320/swine+flu.jpg" border="0" /></p><p></p><p align="center"><strong>How Did We Get It?</strong></p><p align="left">We went to a church camp. I was counselor to 15 thirteen-year-old girls. In one afternoon a third of them began to complain of a fever. I started getting a little concerned at that point, but wanted to pack my bags a run for the hills by the next morning. </p><p align="left">At lights out, one girl coughed softly in her bunk. Every time I rolled over in my cot (which by the way was 12 inches too narrow and rolling over consisted of rolling to one side, scooting to the center of the cot, then finishing the roll over process), I heard another cougher join the chorus. I literally seemed as if an unseen "thing" was walking from one bunk to the next infecting each child, and yes I wanted to pack up and run! But it was too late for me already...</p><p align="center"><strong>What to Expect!</strong></p><p align="left">1. <strong>A fever:</strong> Our fevers ranged from 99 to 105 degrees. They did respond quite readily to Tylenol and Ibuprofin for the most part. </p><p align="left">2. <strong>A cough:</strong> Absolutely the worst part of the swine flu is the cough. All of us have coughed excessively until we vomited. I swore I could've done 1000 sit-ups a day and not had sorer stomach muscles. To be honest, I had hoped for the same results! lol Unfortunately I'm not sporting a six-pack after a week of intense "work-outs."</p><p align="left">3. <strong>Variables:</strong> Sore throats were a given for each of us. Some of us have had the "hershey quirts" or "boot scootin' boogie" (whatever pet name you prefer), other's have vomited (mostly from coughing), or had a headache. These symptoms were more minor than others.</p><p align="left">4. <strong>The masked parade:</strong> We went to the hospital to be tested and were treated normally, UNTIL the rapid flu test results came back indicating that we were all positive for the Influenza A virus. This is the first indicator that you might be Swine Flu positive. That's when the doctor and nurses appeared clad in masks and carrying one for each of us to wear. The funniest part was when the doctor attempted to figure out a way to look at each of our throats without having us remove the masks! lol Since it's impossible, we removed the masks and he did a long distance peek routine.<br /></p><br /><p>5. <strong>Alien status:</strong> Armed with masks and clear instructions to stay out of the public as much as possible and prescriptions for Tamiflu, we marched from the emergency room, past an EMT who responded by fixing owl eyes on us and backing around the doctor's station as we passed. </p><p>Unfortunately Wal Mart needed an hour to fill the prescription. That meant two trips into the store (since I was too sick to sit there for an hour and suffocating in my mask). I have to say, people tend to stop in their tracks and stare when they see you walk into the store masked, and react even more violently if they ask what it's all about and you say, "Swine Flu."</p><p>6. <strong>500 Questions:</strong> If you don't know who you've come in contact with you will have recalled every minor detail by the time you've been questioned by the nurse, the doctor, the local health department, the state health department, etc.</p><p>7. <strong>The Waiting Game:</strong> Once you've been tagged as being likely to have swine flu, it's a waiting game for the final results to come in. Ours were very prompt. We were notified by the state health department that we were indeed positively infected with Swine Flu and again instructed to stay away from the public.</p><p>8. <strong>Smart Friends:</strong> Don't worry, your friends won't drop in for a visit. But email and text messages begin to roll. The smart comments are endless. I finally hushed them by saying, "It's a good thing it's the Swine Flu and not the Donkey Flu or you'd be the one laying in bed!" lol But maybe you choose sweeter friends than I ;)</p><p>9. <strong>Support:</strong> I was blessed with some wonderful people who brought groceries to my door, checked on us regularly, and a local restaurant even sent meals to my family. There really are some wonderful people out there who stand by you when the chips are down. I thank God for each and every special action of love and care (even my smart aleck friends who were attempting to make me laugh)! </p><p align="center">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</p><p>Tomorrow this little piggy who stayed home gets to go out into the world! And joy of joys, after being inprisoned with two other little piggies for a week I managed to not not turn into the big bad wolf! lol I was tempted a few times. My bedroom became the camping grounds for the week. One sick piggy clacked away at the computer incessantly chatting with online friends, and one little piggy ransacked my room putting face prints on all my mirrors and inventing new hiding places for everything I'll need to use for the next month! Meanwhile I tried to rest, and give the appropriate comfort Mom's give to sick children..... so glad it's over!<br /></p>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-37963734784614232372009-06-22T22:42:00.006-04:002009-08-01T16:37:38.855-04:00Parenting 411<span style="color:#000000;">I was given a precious gift today. A dear friend and former collegue stopped by and we began to chit chat about old times. During the conversation she told me that a comment I made when her oldest child was 8 or 9 totally impacted her parenting techniqes. It's wonderful to know that I was able to bless her relationship with her three children (one of whom was called home one wintery day three years ago.)<br /><br />The comment....<br /><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong><em>Screaming at your children i</em></strong><strong><em>s a lot like </em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">trying to steer your car by blowing the horn</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">You make a lot of noise, </span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;">but don't get where you're trying to go.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#000000;"></span></em></strong></div><p><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><span style="color:#000000;"><img height="110" src="http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/68/68552tl5qd0m1gg.jpg" width="120" border="0" /></span></a></p><p><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Now that summer vacation is here, I suspect that the average blood pressure for Mom's across the country is seeing an increase. Dirty little feet are tracking floors, bedroom clutter is mounting, and rules are being broken at alarming rates. Don't dispair! You are not alone.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">Here are some of my tried and true suggestions for getting the youngsters in hand without popping a blood vessel or stripping your vocal cords.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">1. Outline your expectations in a written format</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">2. Specifically list rewards and punishment for the behaviors you are hoping to inspire or discourage.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">3. Orally address the issues with each individual child and be sure they understand your expectations and understant the rewards and consequences.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">4. When a rule is broken: Ask the child which rule he/she broke, what the consequences are, and silently follow through. Follow the same procedure when a rule or chore has been carried out to your expectations and a reward is in order.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">Why? This helps the child to understand that reward and punishment is in his/her hands. It's earned, not something you are handing down at random or when you've "had enough!"</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">In other words, get your hand of the horn and onto the steering wheel and you'll get much better results.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"></span></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="124" src="http://dl8.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1170/1170338ets0vp2xnw.gif" width="225" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-works.org/" target="_blank"></a><br />Here's to a blessed and enjoyable summer to you and yours!</span></strong></p><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><strong></strong><em></em>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-46874231990840470422009-06-01T12:36:00.002-04:002009-06-01T12:40:14.346-04:00Menu Planning ToolI have one major shortage in life... time! So to keep this short and simple, I came across a great tool for planning my weekly menu and writing my grocery shopping list.<br /><br /><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2009/04/free-weekly-menu-planning-template.html/comment-page-2#comment-31503">http://orgjunkie.com/2009/04/free-weekly-menu-planning-template.html/comment-page-2#comment-31503</a><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="151" src="http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1325/1325012c6523fh4az.gif" width="200" border="0" /></a></p><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-works.org/" target="_blank"></a>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691090790804030087.post-28856867256888023492009-05-26T12:54:00.005-04:002009-05-26T13:35:58.222-04:00Country Music, My Liver, and a Rocking ChairI'm beginning to believe that I left my music in the country... literally. My piano still hasn't made it's way to my new city home. And to be honest, I'm feeling like I gave a child up for adoption. My heart has a big hole in it without my music!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com/"><img height="165" src="http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1866/1866242gfvs7kqpiv.jpg" width="250" border="0" /></a></p><br />I've had a few chuckles since moving to town. It's amazing how helpful male relatives are when it comes to moving. But as soon as I mention that my piano needs moved, their helpful smile slithers south and it's, "Uh.... groan.... yeah, let me know when you need me. How many guys do you think it'll take?"<br /><br />OKAY guys.... it DOES have wheels, and I move it periodically around the livingroom to vacuum and dust behind it. And guess what? I haven't been admitted to the hospital for a hernia yet! lol<br /><br />But my biggest laugh occurred in the middle of the night when I nearly had liver failure!<br /><br /><em>I was sound asleep and suddenly heard a loud truck go past my bedroom window. I immediately awoke thinking I was at my country home and for a loud truck to be going by my window there.... well, there's definitely something wrong with that picture. Some moron must've plowed through trees, grown wings or had a huge chain saw mounted to the front of the truck (sounded loud enough to! lol) So I laid there with my liver quivering like a bowl of jello in an earthquake for several minutes until I could put two and two together and realize where I really was.</em><br /><em></em><br />Overall I do believe I'm adjusting quite nicely to city life though.<br /><ol><li>I've found a wonderful bike trail down along the river to walk on. </li><li>I've been keeping an eye on a goose family nesting along the shore. </li><li>I moved the rocking chair that left a bruise the size of a small plum on my left foot in the middle of the night to the OTHER side of the living room.</li><li>I started locking my doors - both house AND car.</li><li>I've figured out that when I open my door at night and hear feet shuffling down the sidewalk I don't have to run back inside. There really are harmless people in the city too!</li><li>I absolutely adore the lack of mud :) </li></ol><p>To put it simply... I'm quite happy, content and at home here in the city!</p><p></p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.glitter-works.org/" target="_blank"></a>Angela Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084733219980965509noreply@blogger.com5