A Real Friend

A real friend is one who will continue to talk
to you over the back fence even though
he's missing his favorite television program.

A Friend Of Mine

A friend of mine dropped by, dear God
For just a friendly chat
We sipped a cup of coffee
And we talked of this and that
Our visit was not planned at all
But as she passed my way
My friend just stopped to say hello
And pass the time of day.

You know how much I'm grateful God
For kind and thoughtful friends
It's folks like these that bring my life
Its richest dividends
Because they bring a friendly word
They share a smile or two
And skies that had a tinge of gray
Become a brighter blue.

The bricks of friendship are made of laughter...
But the mortar is made of tears.

Source: Internet

Doubt versus Faith

Doubt sees the obstacles,
Faith sees the way.

Doubt sees the darkest night,
Faith sees the day.

Doubt dreads to take a step,
Faith soars on high.

Doubt questions, "Who believes?"
Faith answers, "I".

Author Unknown

The Chosen Vessel

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many which one would He choose?

"Take me, cried the gold one I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like you, Master, gold would be the best!"

The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;

"I'll serve you, dear Master, I'll pour out your wine
And I'll be at your table whenever you dine,

My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment you."

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.

"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, I know I will do.
Place me on your table for all men to view."

"Look at me", called the goblet of crystal so clear.
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,

Though fragile am I, I will serve you with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in your home to abide."

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.

"You may use me, dear Master", the wooden bowl said.
"But I'd rather you used me for fruit, not for bread!"

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay,
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.

No hope had the vessel that the master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;

Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;

Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with my power and might

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.

Spoke to it kindly "There's work you must do.
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."

Author Unknown

The Mayonnaise Jar And Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...and the coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

~Author Unknown~

Source: Internet

Your Name

You got it from your Father
It was all he had to give,
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live.

If you lose the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased.

It was clean the day you took it,
And a worthy name to bear.
When he got it from his Father
There was no dishonor there.

So make sure you guard it wisely,
After all is said and done,
You'll be glad the name is spotless,
When you give it to your son.

Author Unknown

Source: Internet

Consider This

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can get going without pep pills,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,

If you can understand why your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you, through no fault of yours
something goes wrong,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can face the world without lies and deceit,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion, or politics,

then my friend...

You are ALMOST as good as your dog!

Source: Internet

Today's Quotes

"The best vitamin to be a happy person is B1."

"The biggest mistake you can make is continually fearing you will make one." ~ author unknown

"If you can't laugh, the days are just too long."

Always be grateful for what you already have(family, friends,work,health). Never let your will and drive for more allow you to forget, for these things are why you have will and drive in the first place.

"A baby is God's opinion that life should go on." Carl Sandburg

I'm not fat....I'm just blessed with abundance.

Helping kids grow up safe is a hard job. We must hang in there and do all we can to understand the challenges they face.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill

Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.

Source: Internet

10 Rules To Catch A Man

1. If you go out to eat with a gentleman, always order the cheapest thing on the menu.

2. Never eat everything on your plate. Always leave something and to this day, I do this.

3. Never be caught without your makeup and hair combed. Walmart wasn't invented in Mama's day.

4. Be frugal (always a good idea whether a man is involved or not)

5. Be a great cook (I don't know how my mama got my daddy because she was not a good cook.)

6. Smile no matter what.

7. NEVER be tired. (are you kidding me, Mama?!)

8. Keep your house spotless.(that worked pretty good until the twins came along)

9. Make sure you wear pretty underwear.

10. ALWAY BE CLEAN(that goes for men too !)

Source: Internet

God Forgive Me When I Whine

Today, upon a bus,
I saw a girl with golden hair.
and wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, she gave a smile.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 legs, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
And then I knew, he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 ears, the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

Source: Internet

A Few Quirky Facts

George Washington had numerous sets of dentures, including a pair made out of hippopotamus bone. He never had wooden teeth though, that is just a myth.

Thomas Jefferson had a very populist, “common man” view of the presidency. He thought that his predecessors had acted too much like royalty and wanted to remove any pretentions from the office.
He would horrify foreign dignitaries by greeting them in his pajamas.

James Monroe was the last president who was part of the Revolutionary War era. He still liked to dress in late 18th century attire when he was president from 1817 to 1825. Many people found this bizarre.
It would be like Barack Obama wearing a 1970’s afro.

John Quincy Adams enjoyed skinny-dipping in the Potomac .

John Tyler had 19 children by two different wives. After his first wife died, he married a 24 year old woman named Julia Tyler (nee Gardner ) who was younger than his eldest daughter. Not surprisingly, relations between Tyler and his daughters were strained after that. Also, Tyler ’s own son had previously dated Julia. Awkward.

James K Polk hated shaking hands.

James Buchanan was the only president who was a lifelong bachelor.

Andrew Johnson was the first president to be impeached. He came within one vote of being removed from office.

Ulysses S Grant was extremely squeamish about blood. That’s right – one of the most famous war generals in American history had a weak stomach.

Rutherford Hayes and his wife Lucy hated alcohol so much that they banned all types of alcoholic beverages from the White House. They horrified visiting foreign dignitaries by serving them water.
The first lady was named “Lemonade Lucy”.

William Howard Taft was so large that he became stuck in the White House bathtub. (330 pounds)

Harry Truman was notoriously hot-tempered. He once sent hate mail to a music critic who had bashed his daughter (a wannabe singer) in a column.

Source: Internet

Presidential Quotes

“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
or our people, and neither do we.” – George W Bush

“This fellow they've nominated claims he's the new Thomas Jefferson.
Well, let me tell you something - I knew Thomas Jefferson.
He was a friend of mine, and governor... you're no Thomas Jefferson!”
– Ronald Reagan, talking about Bill Clinton in 1992.

“Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do.”
– Ronald Reagan

“I wish to see this beverage become common instead of the
whiskey which kills one-third of our citizens and ruins their families.”
– Thomas Jefferson, talking about beer.

“Labor disgraces no man.
Unfortunately, you occasionally find men disgrace labor.”
- Ulysses Grant

“Being president is like being a jackass in a hailstorm.
There's nothing to do but to stand there and take it.”
-Lyndon Johnson

“When a great many people are unable to find work, unemployment results. “ – Calvin Coolidge

Gentlemen, I can run the country or I can control Alice .I cannot do both.” Theodore Roosevelt, talking about his feisty daughter Alice.

“It’s true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?” – Ronald Reagan

“I am not fit for this office and should never have been here.” Warren G Harding (most historians agree with him)

“There is nothing left to do but get drunk” – Franklin Pierce, after learning he was not going to be nominated for re-election.

“No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.” – John Adams

“You lose.” - Calvin Coolidge, when a woman told him she had made a bet that she could get him to say more than two words.

“Be yourself. That proved to be the worst advice I could possibly have. And I’m going to be myself. Do it that way.” - George HW Bush’s incoherent response to an awkward question about how his administration would be different from Ronald Reagan’s.

“There’s an old saying in Tennessee – I know it’s in Texas , probably in Tennessee – that says, fool me once, shame on – shame on you. Fool me – you can’t get fooled again.” – George W Bush

It depends on what the meaning of the world ‘is’ is.”– Bill Clinton

“I know that the human being and fish can co-exist peacefully!”– George W Bush

Common-looking people are the best in the world - that is why the Lord makes so many of them."
- Abraham Lincoln

“I’ve now been in 57 states, one left to go.”- Barack Obama

Source: Internet

The Wonder Of You

When no-one else can understand me
When everything I do is wrong
You give me hope and consolation
You give me strength to carry on

And you're always there to lend a hand
In everything I do
That's the wonder
The wonder of you

And when you smile the world is brighter
You touch my hand and I'm a king
Your kiss to me is worth a fortune
Your love for me is everything

I'll guess I'll never know the reason why
You love me like you do
That's the wonder
The wonder of you

Source: Internet

A Valentine's Verse For You

Cabbage always has a heart;
Green beans string along.
You're such a Tomato,

Will you Peas to me belong?
You've been the Apple of my eye,

You know how much I care;
So Lettuce get together,
We'd make a perfect Pear.

Now, something's sure to Turnip,
To prove you can't be Beet;
So, if you Carrot all for me

Let's let our Tulips meet.
Don't Squash my hopes and dreams now,
Bee my Honey, dear;

Or tears will fill Potato's eyes,
While Sweet Corn lends an ear.
I'll Cauliflower shop and say

Your dreams are Parsley mine.
I'll work and share my Celery,
So be my Valentine.

Source: Internet

How To Be Happy

Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will allude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.

The place to be happy is here. the time to be happy is now.

Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Whoever is happy will make others happy too.

You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Money never did buy happiness, and credit cards aren't doing much better.

The heart is happiest when it beats for others.

For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.

Someday everything will make perfect sense. So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile
through the tears, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.

Source: Internet

Thought Of The Day

Kid's Wisdom

If grownups have trouble figuring out what love is and where to find it in the right places, then maybe they should seek the wisdom of wee bairns:

"When you fall in love, I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." (Harlen, 8)

"Yesterday I kissed a girl in a private place... we were behind a tree." (Cary, 7)

"On the first date, most people tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." (Mike, 9)

"It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need somebody to clean up after them." (Lynette, 9)

"Falling in love is like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." (Roger, 9)

"Lovers hold hands to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." (Dave, 8)

Source: Internet

Valentine Groaners

. The Valentine's gift of the farmer to his wife - Hog and kisses!

· The Valentine's gift of the French chef to his wife - Hug and Quiche!

· Result of crossing Odie with the God of love - A stupid cupid!

· The pigs give box of candies to their girlfriends on - Valenswine's Day!

· Skunks celebrate Valentine's Day because - They are very scent-imental!

· Chocolate syrup's love declaration to the ice cream - I'm sweet on you!

· Paper clip's love declaration to the magnet - You are very attractive.

· Elephant's love declaration - I love you a ton!

· Bat's love declaration - You are fun to hang around with.

· Pencil's love declaration - I dot my i's on you!

· Light bulb's love declaration - I love you a whole watt!

· The cannibal broke up with his girlfriend because - She didn't suit his taste!

Source: Internet

That's Love!

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of four-through eight-year-olds, "What does love mean?"

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think.

"Love is that first feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way."

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth."

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."

"Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings."

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

"Love is when my Mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."

"Love is hugging. Love is kissing. Love is saying no."

"When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more."

"There are two kinds of love Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them."

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

"Love is when Mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken." "Love is when Mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."

"I let my big sister pick on me because my Mom says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her.

"Love cards like Valentine's cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying."

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you."

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."

"God could have said magic words to make the nails fall off the cross, but He didn't....that's love.

Source: Internet

Bits Of Wisdom

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

Hold a good thought, feel a good feeling.

Life is not always as it appears, you have the power....to alter yours....and make a difference.

Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.

Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman...neither works.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.

There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.

After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

Source: Internet

Roses Are Red

(sometimes)

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I am a ram
And I love ewe.

Rose are red
Violets are blue
You can put your sausage
On my barbecue.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Do you fancy an African Grey?
Or a Cockatoo?

Roses are red,
violets are blue
God made me handsome,
what happened to you?

Roses are red
violets are blue
your passionate kiss
gave me the flu.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
That's what they say
but it just isn't true.

Roses are red
And apples are too.
But violets are violet
Violets aren't blue.
An orange is orange
But Greenland's not green
A pinky's not pink
So what does it mean?
To call something blue
When it's not, we defile it
But, ah, what the heck?
It's hard to rhyme violet"

Happy Valentine's Day

Source: Internet

Love Quotes

Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties.

Without love, what are we worth? Eighty-nine cents! Eighty-nine cents worth of chemicals
walking around lonely.

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots.

True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked.

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

I wanted to make it really special on Valentine's day, so I tied my boyfriend up. And for three solid hours I watched whatever I wanted on TV.

The woman cries before the wedding and the man after.

Marriage is a three ring circus: engagement ring, wedding ring, and suffering.

When a woman steals your husband, there is no better revenge than to let her keep him.

Sales Ad at a Store: 'You are my one and only' valentine cards, now on sale: 4 for $5.

Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell. ~ Joan Crawford

The best proof of love is trust. ~ Joyce Brothers

Love is not a matter of counting the years, but making the years count. ~ Michelle St. Amand

If you love life, life will love you back. ~ Arthur Rubinstein

Source: Internet

My Mind...,

My mind is a garden,

My thoughts are the seeds.

My harvest will be either

Flowers or weeds.

Author Unknown

Source: Internet

Using The Word Up

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meaning than any other two-letter word,
and that is "UP."

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we waken in the morning, why do we wake UP?

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

We call UP our friends, we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.

We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.

At other times the little word has real special meaning: People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.

To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.

And this is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.

We open UP a store in the morning, but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP. To be knowledgeable of the proper uses of UP,
look UP the word in the dictionary.

In a desk size dictionary, UP takes UP almost 1/4th the page and definitions add UP to about thirty.

If you are UP to it, you might try building a UP list, a list of the many ways UP is used

It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP.

When it rains, it wets UP the earth. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on and on,

Fess UP...you like this! One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP so I'll shut UP.....

Source: Internet

True Happiness

True happiness may be sought,
caught, or thought,
But never bought.

Happiness is the result of being
too busy to be unhappy.

No one can define happiness.
You have to be unhappy to
understand it.

Happiness does not come from
what you have.
But what you are.

Happiness is where you find it
and seldom where you seek it.

Happiness is home brewed.

The surest path to happiness
is in losing yourself in a cause
greater than yourself.

The place to be happy is here,
the time to be happy is now,
the way to be happy is to
make others so.

Source: Internet

Computer Friends

Somehow in this great big world
I found my way to you
My friend across the computer lines
My heart, my soul, that's who.


You try to make me smile
With the mail you send my way.
You never fail to drop a line
Each and every day.

Whenever I have hurried home
With something, I must share,
I find it just so comforting
That you are always there.

Encouragement you give me
And a friendship that is true.
I'm glad my soul while reaching out
Found someone just like you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Source: Internet