It's Mine And More ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This one is a scorcher! It comes from a forward from our friend Vivian and I just got it done! The photographers did an awesome job with these! Check this out here... .-. [.-''-., | //`~\) (<| 0\0|>_ ";\ _"/ \\_ _, __\|'._/_ \ '='-, /\ \ || )_///_\>> ( '._ T |\ | _/),-' '. '._.-' /'/ | | '._ _.'`-.._/ snd ,\ / '-' |/ [_/\-----j _.--.__[_.--'_\__ / `--' '---._ / '---. -'. .' _.-- '. \_ '--.___ _;.-o / '.__ ___/______.__8----' Up Close and Personal! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/personal.html --- ...A really great one! Thanks Vivian! ============================================================== >-->from our friend Becky :) _,,,_ .' `'. / ____ \ | .'_ _\/ / ) a a| / ( > | ( ) ._ / ) _/-.__.'`\ ( .-'`-. \__ ) `/ `-./ `. | \ \ \ jgs | \ \ \ \ |\ `. / / \ >Awesome Mom Once you have been hit, you have to hit 5 awesome Moms.. awesome! Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night. Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom. Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom Send this to someone who you think is an awesome Mom. May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life --- ...Thank You Becky! ,-. ,-. __ ( )) \ )\ ,"::". ) ( ,-. \ \|::::::( )/%%/ \ \::::::/) (/%%/ `__\:::,-"-. )%/ ,####`'/88888\-' |#### #|\88888/ \######/)`.8,' `####'(.-'7\ `7`-().,'/) /)/`y( ( ( ( )\ ` ' ` ` hjw ,-. | | | "--. ,--.-.,-.--. ,-.--. ,-. ,-. | ,-. \/ ,-. || ,-. \| ,-. \| | | | | | | |\ `-' || `-' /| `-' /| `-' | `-' `-' `--'-'| .--' | .--' `--. | | | | | | | `-' `-' `-' ,-. _ ,-. ,-. ,-. | | (_) | |_ | | | | | "--. ,-.,-.--.| _)| "--. ,--" | ,--.-.,-. ,-. | ,-. \| || ,-./| | | ,-. \/ ,-. |/ ,-. || | | | | `-' /| || | | | | | | |\ `-' |\ `-' || `-' | "-'--' `-'`-' `-' `-' `-' `--'-' `--'-' `--. | | | hjw `-' HAPPY BLESEED BIRTHDAY BECKY!! HAPPY BLESSED BIRTHDAY BECKY!! (Twice It Is Established) Be Sure to wish our friend Becky A Happy Birthday here... tigger_46750 @ yahoo.com just put the email together - no spaces. ============================================================= >-->From Heartwarmers: ___,,___ _,-='=- =- -`"--.__,,.._ ,-;// / - - - -= - "=. ,'/// - - - = - ==-=\`. |/// / = `. - = == - =.=_,,._ `=/| /// - - \ - - = ,ndDMHHMM/\b \\ ,' - / / / /\ = - /MM(,,._`YQMML `| <_,=^Kkm / / / / ///H|wnWWdMKKK#""-;. `"0\ | `""QkmmmmmnWMMM\""WHMKKMM\ `--. \> \ hjm `""' `->>> ``WHMb,. `-_<@) `"QMM`. `>>> >BEHIND THEIR BACKS by Beth Fryer Talking behind someone's back is considered rude and mean. People say nasty things! Gossip, even slander. All kinds of criticism from looks to work habits to personality. The other day at lunch I was part of a whole group of colleagues, and we were talking behind our boss's back. She's the new principal of our middle school. It's her first year as our boss, though she was "one of us" for some years. Pretty awkward position! And we had quite a lot to say. We talked about how kind she is to us. She hand writes notes to wish us happy holidays, or to thank us for jobs well done. She checks on us when she knows we're facing difficulties outside of school with our health or with our families. We talked about the good role model she is for the young women in our building. The fair but firm way she treats students and parents. All this as she is replacing another well-respected boss. His shoes were hard to fill, and we talked about the fine job she's doing. I thought about that after lunch was finished and we had gone our separate ways. Sometimes we have the good fortune to be part of another kind of "talking behind their backs." All too often, when we talk NICE behind someone's back, they never know about it! I sent her a quick email to report the conversation. She replied saying how much she appreciated hearing about it, how it made a bright spot in a tough week of testing and a death in her family. I've done the same after such chats about the wonderful custodian we all adore. We often talk about how lucky we are to have her, but she's here after many of us are gone for the day. She was delighted to hear it when I told her that so many teachers are singing her praises. When I overheard conversations about the retirement of our superintendent -- an announcement that was met with sadness -- I thought he should know how we felt. So I made sure he did. I'm guessing a boss must be pleased to hear that his employees are sorry to hear he's leaving and that they respected him and appreciated the job he's done. Cards and emails are great, but maybe it's just extra heartwarming to know that kind words are being said even "behind your back." I like to do the same for my students. Of course I give them my own compliments, but I love to let them know when other adults have noticed their good behavior and attitudes. I want them to know that we aren't spending our lunch and meeting times complaining about them ALL the time! I want them to know that we often express our pleasure in working with this particular group of kids, and I want them to know why! I beam when someone notices how my teenage grandchildren are turning into such fine young people. Then it's absolutely necessary to let THEM know it too! I want them to know that people notice them, and that it matters when what they notice is good and praiseworthy. I've known from the other side how much this can mean. I often lack confidence in my own abilities as a teacher, so it gave me quite a lift when a friend who works with families in the community mentioned that he has heard several times from parents how glad they are to have their kids in my class. It just feels more important somehow to have the words said by people who don't know I'll ever hear them -- when they can be totally honest. Great to hear it. And great to share! Sure, it's pleasant when we can say nice things about other people. It feels good! And I think it's a special compliment for people to know of the times when others are saying nice things even out of ear shot. Watch for your next opportunity to be the reporter! Make sure to tell them about the nice things being said behind their backs! Because how will they know unless we tell them? -- Beth Fryer __________________________________________________ Beth says, "I'm at teacher in Pennsylvania and spend my spare time reading and loving my family -- both 2-legged and 4-legged!" ================================================================ >-->From Our Friend Sandi :) \ | / -- * -- / | \ /') ./') ('\. ('\ /' /.--''./'') (''\.''--.\ '\ :--'' ; ''./'') (''\.'' ; ''--: : ' ''./') ('\.'' ' : : ''./' '\.'' : :--''-..--'''' ''''--..-''--: dp >Grandma's Hands HERE'S A GOOD WAY TO LOOK AT YOUR HANDS. (MALE OR FEMALE) NEVER QUITE THOUGHT OF IT THIS WAY BEFORE >GRANDMA'S HANDS A must read thru to the end please!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear voice strong. 'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her. 'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really looked at your hands?' I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making. Grandma smiled and related this story: 'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.. 'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. 'They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. 'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. 'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.' I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another. --- ...Sweet one! Thanks Sandi :) ===================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Wesley :) ,--.,-"";-"-. .-;-/ / / .- `\ .-. ` ( ' ' ` ; `\/ \ \ / \ / (. C . ) | .-. | | _ / (` / | \ /}| | )(\ | `-> (____.| / ||| / \=====| | |\| | |====| \ _/ ` \__/=====| |` `-'======| \ |=======/ | |=======| | .--, ########\ |/ / jgs |_|__|| ` `--. ,---;-'--'\ `--. `---`-------'-.___,___.---' >It's Mine! (By Alan Smith) Someone ("author unknown") has composed the following list of "Toddler's Rules of Ownership": 1. If I like it, it's mine. 2. If it's in my hand, it's mine. 3. If I can take it from you, it's mine. 4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine. 5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way. 6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine. 7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine. 8. If I think it's mine, it's mine. 9. If it's yours and I steal it, it's mine. .----. _.'__ `. .--(#)(##)---/#\ .' @ /###\ : , ##### `-..__.-' _.-\###/ jgs `;_: `"' .'"""""`. /, JOE ,\ // COOL! \\ `-._______.-' ___`. | .'___ (______|______) We smile at the selfishness of young children who are struggling to mature and understand the concept of "sharing". Truly the sin nature can be seen even from the earliest ages. It's not a matter to smile about, though, when the same attitude manifests itself in our lives as adults. But we all struggle, I think, with the concept of what's "mine". If I earned it, it's mine. If I bought it with my checkbook or my credit card, it's mine. If I drive it or live in it, it's mine. But is it really? .o. | | _ , .', L.-'` `\ || __\___,|__--,__`_|__ | % `=` | | ___%_______________| | ` | | -------------------| |____________________| |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| jgs | ---------------| , \| | _______________| / / \. \,\\|, . . /, / |///, / As long as I believe that all that is in my possession is mine, I will struggle with feelings of selfishness. Once I understand the concept of stewardship, that it all belongs to God and He is merely letting me use it for a while, my perspective changes. "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share...." (I Timothy 6:17-18) .0. / \ ; \_/ ; | | | | | | _______; ;_______ `======='\ /`=======` \ / _ | | _ _( \____|=|____/ )_ ( .---. .---. ) `-' / \ '-' / HUG \ ; ; | .---.|__, jgs : / :--' .--\ \ | `" `"".-' < =""` `"== `""""""` =""` `"""===="""` =""` `""==="""` Praise be to God who "owns the cattle on a thousand hills" and is so good to share with us. --- ...Thanks Wesley! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' I had to look this one up. Found it here... Psalms 50: [7] Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. [8] I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. [9] I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. [10] For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. [11] I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. [12] If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Awesome scripture! It is folly to think you can hold your riches or land or your any thing when in actuality when the time comes, you have nothing but yourself to stand before Jesus Christ and God with. No car, no home, no silver, no gold, no clothes, nothing - not even a body. All belongs to God and you are just the steward of what He has given you to take care of for Him. Check Out this teaching... Overseer http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/overseer.html ================================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) .------------------------. | PSYCHIATRIC | | HELP 5¢ | |________________________| || .-"""--. || || / \.-. || || | ._, \ || || \_/`-' '-.,_/ || || (_ (' _)') \ || || /| |\ || || | \ __ / | || || \_).,_____,/}/ || __||____;_--'___'/ ( || |\ || (__,\\ \_/------|| ||\||______________________|| |||| | |||| THE DOCTOR | \||| IS [IN] _____| \|| (______) jgs `|___________________//||\\ //=||=\\ ` `` ` >~Shall We Agree? ~ Now this old World is a difficult World, A difficult World indeed, And We the People are hard to Suit, Of this I`m sure we`ll Agree, The man who plays the Violin, Is only a bore to Him that Plays the Flute, And some people wear only `Snickers`, While others prefers a `Boot`. So on and on, We are on the `Phone,` So much we truly Said, Mercy, me. We are never Free, We even take it to `Bed` I, myself, have often thought, How much better things `twould be, If every one, of all the Folks I know, Would only agree --`With ME.` But, since they will not, The best, I know to do, To make this Old World look-- "Bright"!! I`ll never to mind what others Say, I`ll just have my old way, And simply do what { i } Think is -- RIGHT! OOOOOO!!!! (`BIG` Smile)~~~John-Paul (Opening a can of Beans?) --- ...Wow! We do think alike! Ha Ha! Thanks John-Paul! ============================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: _ (_) | . . |L /| . _ _ . |\ _| \--+._/| . (_) / ||\| Y J ) / |/| ./ J |)'( | ` F`.'/ _ -<| F __ .-< (_) | / .-'. `. /-. L___ J \ < \ | | O\|.-' _ _J \ .- \/ O | | \ |F (_) '-F -<_. \ .-' `-' L__ __J _ _. >-' )._. |-' `-|.' /_. \_| F /.- . _.< /' /.' .' `\ /L /' |/ _.-'-\ /'J ___.---'\| |\ .--' V | `. ` |/`. `-. `._) / .-.\ VK \ ( `\ `.\ >THE WISDOM OF TODAY (© Eric Jordan 1985-1999) We often wish for more, without realizing that life's most precious treasures, are often within the palms of our hands. It is not success, but rather the journey there, that often makes our lives complete. We are most at peace with the world, when we accept the wonderful and amazing creature. . .that is. . .ourselves. When we give our all TODAY; and look forward to giving tomorrow the same, then there is no reason for regretting our yesterdays. Despise not the past, for in it lies the wisdom of today, and the hope of tomorrow. as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- __ /\/'-, ,--''''' /" ____,'. ) \___ '"""""------'"""`-----' pb >ORPHANED by Roger Dean Kiser, Sr. The other day, while I was going through some old photograph albums, I happened across a picture of a dog that I owned when I was much younger and not very mature. He was a large Cocker Spaniel and, BOY!, was he a handful. "Hyper" would be an under- statement. This big fellow could hear you unlocking the front door all the way from the back of the house, run into the living room and clear the entire couch with no problem, whatsoever. I mean, he could jump over that entire couch without even touching it. I could not do anything without this dog wanting to be near me. If I cooked something in the kitchen, he was there beside me. If I worked in the yard, he followed me. If I went underneath the house to fix a broken water pipe, he was there, and when I went to bed at night he was right there beside me wanting to wrestle. However when I look at his picture today, I am ashamed of myself. Even though I was very young at the time, how could I have been so heartless to gave Kibbles away to a friend who wanted to breed him? I didn't really think that being given away for the purpose of breeding and living on a big ranch out in the country would have been too bad a life for a male dog. But what about after that was all over? What then for Kibbles? I picked up the telephone and I called my friend, who still lives on that ranch in California and I asked him about Kibbles. He told me that Kibbles had died several years before, at age thirteen, but that he enjoyed a wonderful life running about the ranch, chasing cows and chickens and making the most beautiful little puppies that he had ever seen. The part that bothers me is that same thing happened to me as a little boy. I was quite a handful as a child. I remember I painted our fence with a paint brush and motor oil after seeing the neighbor paint his own house with paint. All I wanted to be was a painter just like him. After that happened my grandpa and grandma gave me away to the orphanage, just like I did Kibbles. I tell this story because I do not want anyone to ever make the same terrible mistake I made. I do not want anyone to ever have to feel as badly as I do right now, while looking at Kibble's picture. When one takes on and accepts the responsibility of a pet it must be done with total "unconditional love" and "all the circumstances" of the home, property, and other family members must be considered. I now have four cocker spaniels and a large chow named Cody. They have a big fenced yard and are very well fed and taken care of. No matter what they do they will never be sent off to the "orphanage" like Kibbles and I were. A loving home is where they are going to stay, safe and secure, for the remainder of their lives. as seen in This 'n That Again -<>- ,---,_ , _> `'-. .--'/ .--'` ._ `/ <_ >,-' ._'.. ..__ . ' '-. .-' .'` `'. '. > / >`-. .-'< \ , '._\ / ; '-._> <_.-' ; '._> `> ,/ /___\ /___\ \_ / `.-|(| \o_/ \o_/ |)|` jgs \; \ ;/ \ .-, )-. / /` .'-'. `\ ;_.-`.___.'-.; >LOOK FORWARD What is the most positive, wonderful thing you can imagine for yourself, for your life, for the ones you love, for the world in which you live? As soon as you can imagine it, you're well on the way to making it a reality. If it were impossible there would be no way you could even conceive of it. Live with the knowledge and the assurance that the best you can imagine is indeed available to you, and is indeed possible for you. You are filled with valuable experience. The things you've done and learned and seen and lived through have left behind a unique, powerful substance of experience that is yours alone. It would be a shame for all that to go to waste. It is yours to make use of, yours to build upon, and yours with which to grow. Though you cannot live in the past, you can draw from the value you created there. Invest today's actions with the wealth of experience you've accumulated, and that investment will immediately begin to pay dividends. Live your passion, do your dream, and feel wonderfully alive in each moment. This life is now yours, so experience in it every richness you can imagine. Ralph Marston To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ============================================================= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: ** Please Keep Our InspiredBuffalo Lady - NANCY- In Your Prayers Daily for a full recovery in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank You! >Does God Know You're Coming? (.,------...__ _.'" `. .' .' `, `. `. ` . .' .'/''--...__`. \ . .--.`. ' "-. '. | '' .' _.' .()) .--":/ ''( \_\ ' (()( ''._' ( \ ' ' `. `--' ' `.: . `-.___.' ' `. . _ _ .' ) .____.-' .'`. (--.. .' \ /\ / / `. .' \( \ /|/ `. .' \__/ `. / | o | \ | | | jro A little boy was riding the elevator at a breathtaking speed to the 40th floor of a skyscraper, accompanied by his father. While watching the display in the elevator climb toward the top, his eyes became as big as saucers. "Daddy, where are we going?" he asked. "We're going high up into the sky son," replied his father. A few moments later the little boy said, "Daddy, does God know we're coming?" --------------------------- Does God know you're coming? And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. -Revelation 20:11 Joe Cosity --- ...for more check this free audio teaching out: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Book Of Revelations http://tinyurl.com/yzslccp -<>- >JUST A MOM? .---. /_____\__ .===. _ _ `\/6.6\/--` / _/\ \ / )%.===.%( \ ( _ ) \/6.6\/ | // ,,, \\ | ,'---', ( _ ) \/ \/6.6\/ \/ .===. / _ \ _)---(_ /\ ( _ ) /\ / ,,, \ /\/ (_) \/\ / `~` \ ^^ /()-()\ ^^ ( /6.6\ ) \ | (_) | / /\/ \/\ / /o o\ \ )( _ )( \| |/ \ | | / (._\ Y /_.) (_/;---;\_) |_____| \|_____|/ (O_`&`_O) / `"*"` \ | | | | L | / / \ \ ( (_.@._) ) | | | |__|__| / ()/^\() \ /'._\|/_.'\ \__|__/ | | | /. . . . . . .\ /. . . . . .\ |_|_| |_|_| `"`"`|`|`|`"`"` `"`"|"|"|"`"` jgs _|_|_|_ _|_|_|_ _|_|_|_ _|_|_|_ (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ..?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom." "We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen inmidair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts " Associate Research Assistants." Please send this to another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, And other friends you know. May your troubles be less, Your blessing be more, And nothing but happiness come through your door! Be kinder than necessary. Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life. -<>- .--. .---. /:. '. .' .. '._.---. /:::-. \.-"""-;` .-:::. .::\ /::'| \/ _ _ \' `\:' ::::| __.' | / (o|o) \ `'. ':/ / .:. / | ___ | '---' | ::::' /: (._.) .:\ \ .=' |:' :::| `""` \ .-. ':/ jgs '---`|I|`---' '-' >Dogs know .... This really is a great story! Lucky Dog.... Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one! Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box. It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her....what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death. The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable. Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky. He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure. Remember.....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget...the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us. If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply.. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God . A small request All you are asked to do is keep this circulating. Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. IN JESUS CHRIST'S NAME. Amen All you are asked to do is keep this circulating, even if it is only to one more person, in memory of anyone you know that has been struck down by cancer or is still fighting their battle. -<>- Links for Your Enjoyment CCR Lorraine http://www.buffaloschips.com/1236.htm Cell Phone http://www.buffaloschips.com/1237.htm Chick Em http://www.buffaloschips.com/1238.htm Child Proof Drawer http://www.buffaloschips.com/1239.htm Children Fire Alarms http://www.buffaloschips.com/12310.htm Iceland's Volcano http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/volcano.html Political Humor 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/politics5.html Building Advertising Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buildingads.html Financial Stewardship http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html Picture This! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/picturethis.html Miniture Wonderland http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/modeltrain.html Whale Rescue http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whalerescue.html Wild Bear Farm http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildbearfarm.html World's Fastest Cars http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/fastcars.html Microsoft No More Keyboards http://www.buffaloschips.com/gbhjak.htm Monkey's helping Hands http://www.buffaloschips.com/gajskslla.htm Moose family http://www.buffaloschips.com/gmksla.htm More Fishing With Bill Dance http://www.buffaloschips.com/gahsjsk.htm Mortar Fire http://www.buffaloschips.com/gnjakaka.htm Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com =================================================================== /`. ___ /`. `.___ _.---'__ `./ `. O| ,' _.:-:-:`. `. `. | ,' ,':-:-:-:-:`. `. `. `. ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:`. `. `. > ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:`. `.__.-' ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:\ \ ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-| | ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-| | ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-/ | ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' / ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' ,' ,':-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' ,' <:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' `. `.:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' `. `.:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-;' ,' `. `.:-:-:-:-;-:-:-:-;' ,' `. `.:-;-:-:-:-;-;' ,' `. `.:-:-:-:-,' ,' `. `.:-:-,' ,' `. `-:' ,' `. ,' hjw `.,' >You're Normal, Sweetie Story Editor: by Eric Storm Joyce Schowalter California, USA In 1998 our first child suffered through months of colic. Every night from 6 p.m. until 4 a.m. we took turns sitting up with our daughter as she cried and wailed. Though neither of us got any real sleep, I at least was able to escape to work. My wife stayed home. Just as it looked like things were improving slightly I was faced with a four-day business trip. My understanding boss tried to get me excused, but her boss made it clear I must go or face being fired. Two days into the trip things went VERY wrong at home. My wife, Deb, took Amelia in for a pediatric visit. Our doctor had no children and little experience with colic. During the exam, my still exhausted wife was trying to explain our ordeal and commented, "I'm starting to understand why some parents snap." The doctor excused herself. Deb picked our baby up from the exam table, and Amelia let loose with a big bowel movement. Left alone, Deb tried to clean the baby, herself, and the room as best she could. A few minutes later the Doctor returned. Standing in the doorway, she informed my wife that she had called Child Protective Services (CPS) and they were sending someone over to take her to their offices to interview. My wife was floored but the doctor wouldn't discuss the issue. When she asked if she could go to the bathroom to finish cleaning up, the doctor said, "The police will be called if you leave this exam room." That was too much for Deb. She bundled up Amelia and pushed past the Doctor. She said, "I know where the CPS office is. I'm not waiting two hours for transport, I'm going there myself," and left. As she walked into the CPS office she must have looked a complete fright: upset, crying, covered in baby poop with a wailing baby in her arms. She was hurried into an interview room and a nurse sat down with her. Deb recounted her story. At the end, the Nurse asked, "So you've got a colicky baby, your husband's out of town, and your doctor doesn't understand?" "Yes," my wife answered. "You're normal, sweetie," was the nurse's reply. The understanding Nurse had also faced similar challenges with one of her kids. She told my wife how hard it had been for her, and how horrible it had felt at the time. My wife felt a great weight lift. Here was someone who validated her feelings and understood her. A year later, my best friend had her first child and went through the same struggles with colic. We sat down and told these new parents our story: that we'd felt the same feelings of anger, pain and fear, and that we understood their problems. Hearing they were normal helped them to persevere, too. We were privileged to pass on the gift the nurse had given my wife. =======HeroicStories====== >-->From SermondFodder: .-'''''-. |'-----'| /`-.....-`\ | <_} | | .-\-. | _,._ | /# ` \ | __.-` `"""-. | \ / | ..--' `"-. `)_,._ \ '-'-' / (` )--.-"``` `"-.`'-----'` '-----------' ( ) jgs `-------------` >A FAMILY MOMENT My grandson challenged me to a burping contest last night at dinner. I told him that we should wait until after we ate because we are polite and civilized. He was kind of bummed out, but he waited 'til after dinner. He's a good listener. So, we had the contest. The winner, yours truly, was praised by my grandson and I did the same for him. He said, "Nice game, Grampa." I almost cried, but I held it together until the non-smoking section of the Denny's Restaurant gave me a standing ovation. I balled like a baby. Family moments are so special. === As seen in Da Mouse Tracks via Cup O'Cheer. === This post is brought you in a spirit of good clean fun by way of the Sermon Fodder list. To subscribe drop a note to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or go to www.sermonfodder.com and click at the bottom to be added to our merry email list. Please leave this attached if you forward this to friends or post on the net. =============================== Worth Repeating...... What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family. - Mother Teresa ================================ What's interesting about this next item is that I have some Amish friends. They really really feel this way. Really. -The Sermon Fodder Guy ================================= ,--, |__ _ ___/ /\| :__|_|__/ __ ;( )__, ) /-\|__/-\_/ ; // '--; \'/ \'/ \ | ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The Phone Booth "As you probably know the Amish believe in living a simple life - no electricity, no telephones, no motorized vehicles. Yet in many of their communities there is a pay phone. When asked about this apparent discrepancy one elder explained, 'If the telephone were in our home it would control us. As long as it is out here we control it.' He went on to say, 'Most people drop everything they are doing the instant the telephone rings and run to answer it. In their lives the telephone takes precedent over everything. (Of course cell phones have only made this addiction far worse.) The pay telephone, on the other hand, is our servant. It is there if we need it but we do not allow it to intrude into our lives.'" - Richard Exley Wizard ======================================================================= >-->From AndyChaps: ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy >Ideas of a Good Friend **In first grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to the bathroom with you and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls. **In second grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the class bully. **In third grade your idea of a good friend was the person who shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus. **In fourth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who was willing to switch square dancing partners in gym so you wouldn't have to be stuck do-si-do-ing with Nasty Nick or Smelly Susan. (look how this changes for Sixth grade.) **In fifth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who saved a seat on the back of the bus for you. **In sixth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went up to Nick or Susan, your new crush, and asked them to dance with you, so that if they said no you wouldn't have to be embarrassed. **In seventh grade your idea of a good friend was the person who let you copy the Math homework from the night before that you had. **In eighth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pack up your stuffed animals and old baseball but didn't laugh at you when you finished and broke out into tears. **In ninth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who would go to a party thrown by a senior so you wouldn't wind up being the only freshman there. **In tenth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who changed their schedule so you would have someone to sit with at lunch. **In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend was the person who gave you rides in their new car, convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded, consoled you when you broke up with Nick or Susan, and found you a date to the prom. **In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pick out a college/university, assured you that you would get into that college/university, helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go... **At graduation your idea of a good friend was the person who was crying on the inside but managed the biggest smile one could give as they congratulated you. **The summer after twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you clean up the Coke and Pepsi bottles from that party, helped you get out of the house when you just couldn't deal with your parents, assured you that now that you and Nick or you and Susan were back together, you could make it through anything, helped you pack up for university and just silently hugged you as you looked through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories you were leaving behind, and finally on those last days of childhood, went out of their way to give you reassurance that you would make it in college as well as you had these past 18 years, and most importantly sent you off to college knowing you were loved. **Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the better of the two choices, holds your hand when you're scared, helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you, thinks of you at times when you are not there, reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that you have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for you, helps you clear up your mistakes, helps you deal with pressure from others, smiles for you when they are sad, helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you! ================================================================== Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket, and do not pull it out and strike it merely to show you have one. If you are asked what o'clock it is, tell it, but do not proclaim it hourly and unasked, like the watchman. - Lord Chesterfield, English Politician It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation. - Pearl S. Buck, author >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chrristian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->Pass this on as it should be of interestt to all who served. The study was carried out in Austrialia on their Vietnam Veterans. ABC Nat. Radio Health Report Autralian Vietnam Vets: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/HealthReportVV.mp3 VV ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DAARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************