Sunday, November 30, 2008

Wish List

My Wish List is:

That blogger would let you change your layout to the one of your choice without losing your widgets on the side bar and having to re-do everything!!!

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Something to Ponder

Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:

1) the bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce.

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to
present the present.

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail

18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.

19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

21) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

There is neither egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are
meat.

Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is
neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don’t groce and hammers don't ham?

If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth?

One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? Doesn't it seem crazy that you
can make amends but not one amend. If you have a bunch of odds and ends
and
get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it an odd, or an
end?

If teachers taught, why didn't preacher’s praught? If a vegetarian eats
vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what language do people
recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by
ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a
wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a
language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you
fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going
on.

People and not computers invented English, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all.


That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

P.S. Why doesn't "Buick" rhyme with "quick"?

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Saturday, November 29, 2008

Following my roots


I was sorting through some of my geneology stuff tonight when I ran across a photo of my great great grandparents. I have my great grandmother's lips amd mouth. It's pretty cool to look at someone and see yourself, and at the same time I find it so strange because I really don't know anything about her except for her name. It was Rosanna Martin (Apr. 1844- 29 Dec. 1929) She married my great grandfahter James Sanders Adair,( born Jan, 1837, in Madison County, Georgia) on 9 September 1860. He served in Company H, 19th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Army of Tennessee. He was wounded and permanently disabled at Ocean Pond, Fla. on 20 Feb., 1864. He died on 13 Sep. 1911, in Dallas Georgia, and they both are buried at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery, in Paulding County Georgia.

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Is It Over Yet

Oh my god I am in retail hell. The last two days have been horrid. Long lines, cranky people and one over tired ME. Both mornings at work have been super busy, and I honestly didn't see much that was on sale that I would have stood in line for.
I did manage to find two shirts for my own grandson on a morning special (at our store). One is of Spider man and the other of Wall-E (a robot). That finished up his gifts (I have toys already bought) and almost all of my holiday shopping.
My grand daughter is getting a toys r us gift certificate as I have no idea what she has or likes since her mother will not contact with me. I know what I am getting my niece and my daughter's boyfriend will also receive a gift certificate, since he is a pain in the butt and doesn't have much to do with the family anyway. My son will receive money (unless I find out he wants clothes) and my daughter got her gift early. I bought her a new jacket last week when we ran them on sale. My husband and I probably won't do anything for each other until after the first of the year when we will find something we want for both of us (I am thinking of a romantic night in a bed and breakfast) The rest of the family does not give to each other. As bad as I hate to say it, Christmas is my lest favorite holiday. I am always soooo glad when it is over. There is never enough time or money and I wouldn't bother with it at all if it wasn't for my kids and grandson.
I know, I know, your all shaking your heads thinking oh my gosh, how can she feel that way.
It honestly has nothing to do with the meaning of Christmas or religion or anything like that. I simply just do not like it. I think it all started when I moved from VA to TN in the early 1990's. I was living with the ex back then and I was unhappy living there and never got into the spirit when it came to decorating back then. We put the tree up, but we traveled every year but one out of the 7 I was there back here to VA to visit family. I was always unhappy to leave Va and go back home it put a damper on things..Then when my current husband and I first started living together it was in the month of Dec (our wedding anniversary is coming up on Tues and the anniversary of our living together a few days later) What should have been a happy time was not because the kids were so unhappy that I had left there dad a few months before and I was unhappy that the kids wouldn't come live with me..
It was just never the same after that, Then to top it off my dad passed away four years ago and was buried on Christmas Eve. Since then my mom's heart just hasn't been in it as far as doing gifts and things... So yes call me Scrooge, but really it is a pain and just a day I am glad to see come and go.
Well, that is about it on the home-front..Oh also if you are still reading this post (a bit long winded I know)
I wanted to tell everyone that I did reload what post I had saved back to my paranormal blog and the link is back on the side bar. I will probably post my ghost adventures on both blog, but after thinking about it I decided to redo the blog over there because sometimes people in my "real life" (family or co-workers) ask me about my ghost hunting. I want to have a place to direct them to without them reading this blog which I don't give he address to. Anyway if your interested in that type of stuff you can find the blog again..
Catch up with everyone later...

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Burp










Ugh, I am so full. I just finished a plate of left overs and I am stuffed. I'm was hoping the turkey would make me sleepy because I have to be up and at work at 4:45 in the morning. It's 8 pm and I not the lest bit tired. I know I am going to be over tired by the time I get off tomorrow afternoon. I suppose I shouldn't complain that we are opening at 5. Several stores are opening at 4 and the outlet malls in Williamsburg are opening at midnight tonight.
I personally think anyone who shops the day after Thanksgiving is nuts, but that is just me.
The day itself was nice. My daughter and I cooked a huge meal. The best part of the day was my grandson "helping" us cook and clean up. Then finding time to play.
I hope you all had a nice day with friends and family...

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish I didn't have to go to work today
I wish I had a job

This house is so small I can't wait until we move into a bigger place

I hope the kids are ok sleeping in the dorm, living in this shelter is so hard..

I just don't know where I am going to store all my shoes, I am out of closet space

These sandals are cold on my feet. I wish I could afford some sneakers


I am tired of cooking I think I will call pizza hut tonight

I wish I had more than these beans to feed the kids

This dog makes me so mad tearing up paper on the floor

I wish Billy had a dog I couldn't help but notice how his eyes lite up when he saw the puppy at the park..Maybe someday we will get out of this shelter and in a real home.

I can't believe I have to get up at 6 am to get all this food cooked for Thanksgiving tomorrow
Oh my goodness look at the long line at the food bank. I hope they don't run out before it is my turn

I wish my husband would turn off that stupid ball game I am so sick of sports

I miss my husband so much...I know he must be lonely so far from home fighting for our country. I wish he could be here today



Hi everyone
.
I was driving down the road complaining to myself about my tiny apartment when I passed a parking lot that had been set up by a local food bank to distribute food for the needy. The line was long and it got me to thinking about just how lucky I am...so I made this up and thought of what the other choice might be...
Here is it
As you sit down tomorrow for your Thanksgiving please remember those who have to do without..
Blessings to all

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Local Landmark


This photo is from the web..Mine is below. It is dark, so hopefully you can tell what she looks like






Norwegian Lady
From Wikipedia



On Good Friday, March 27, 1891, the Norwegian barque Dictator, whose home port was the coastal town of Moss, Norway, was lost in the Atlantic Ocean south of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay off Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Dictator had a crew of 15 and the captain's family aboard.

Johanne Jørgensen, the pregnant young wife of Captain Jørgen M. Jørgensen, and their 4 year-old son Carl Zealand Jørgensen, were among those who drowned in a final escape attempt as the ship broke up

After the breakup and sinking of the Dictator, the ship's wooden female figurehead had washed ashore nearby. Spotted by a young guest, it was retrieved by the manager of the Princess Anne Hotel. He subsequently had it placed in a vertical position facing the ocean near the boardwalk as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the shipwreck. Known as the "Norwegian Lady", it was a landmark at Virginia Beach's Boardwalk at 16th street for more than 60 years as the town became incorporated in 1906 and grew to become a small city in 1923.

In the brutal coastal weather, the figurehead gradually became weathered and eroded. Then, during Hurricane Barbara in 1953, it was significantly damaged and was removed to a city-owned building for safe-keeping. Subsequently, a few years later, city officials could not locate it, speculating that it had been stolen, or destroyed by accident. Figureheads had long-since been discontinued as a feature of most ships, but the Norwegian Lady had become more than a mere ship's figurehead to the people of Virginia Beach; she was a memorial and a community icon.


As the story of the lost memorial grew in Virginia Beach, community interest spread across the ocean to Moss. A drive began at both ends to replace the memorial. With a substantial contribution of the Norwegian Shipping Association, enough funds were raised to pay for not just a replacement for Virginia Beach, but two new statues.

Norwegian sculptor Ørnulf Bast was commissioned to create two nine-foot bronze replicas of the original figurehead. The Norwegian Lady statues were unveiled on September 22, 1962. One was presented as a gift to Virginia Beach, and an exact duplicate was erected in Moss, Norway to unite the two cities. Each statue faces the other across the Atlantic Ocean.

Moss and Virginia Beach officially became sister cities in 1974. Every year on the anniversary of the wreck, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Virginia Beach Volunteer Fire Department places a wreath at the base of the statue there. On October 13, 1995, during a state visit, Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway visited the Norwegian Lady statue in Virginia Beach, and placed memorial flowers.

The statue in Moss receives similar honors. Virginia Beach officials have traveled to Moss, and paid similar respects to the "other" Norwegian Lady.

On the pedestal of the Virginia Beach statue, these words are inscribed:

"I am the Norwegian Lady. I stand here, as my sister before me, to wish all men of the sea safe return home."

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Monday, November 24, 2008

Thankful


Thank you oh creator for the bountiful harvest you have given me this year
AMEN

I couldn't resist..It looks just like this little guy is praying. I love squirrels and this little guy was in our courtyard this week. I think I am going to buy him some peanuts.

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Sunday, November 23, 2008

My Sunday






Today proved to be interesting. My hubby and I were both off so we decided to go to VA. Beach. Even though it was cold we took a quick walk on the beach
I was excited to see that several people were there on horse back. In all the years I have lived in this area this was a first for me. I was able to snap a few photos before they road away.
We didn't stay long and went down the road to The Heritage Store which is a local "new age" store/health food store/book store/cafe, offering a variety of things. Several years ago I had a Kilian photo done there. It was very interesting and showed the colors of my aura at that time. When I saw that they were doing Chakra Aura photos today I decided to have one done.
A very nice lady name Lisa took the photo(s) and then sat down with me to talk about the colors and my aura and Chakra's. Basically what I did was place my hand on some kind of sensor pad which was interpreted by the program on the computer that produced the colors and showed a graph of the Chakra and the relationship of openness. I am happy to report that mine are all in full alignment and show that my Crown Chakra is fully open She was happy to see this once I told her that I had been ghost hunting. She said if it had been out of balance that the energy and feelings that are sometimes picked up when in the presences of spirits could cause problems with me being able to handle what was going on. This made sense to me because I really don't have any fear of the spirits. I don't believe they will harm me or came haunt me. (on the same note...I don't take any chances and usually do have some protection or sage an area like I did while in Gettysburg) For those of you who don't know The crown chakra is what we use for Intuition, imagination, vision, clairvoyance, wisdom, devotion, concentration, creative visualisation
Anyway it was a lot of fun and she did two photos. The first one has more rainbow colors in it. I was happy with it, but for some reason she said wanted to do a second one and it shows more yellow..
Below each photo is a short explanation of what they indicate about me. I could have had a full printed report with all my personality outlined and the colors explained if I had wanted to pay another 25 dollars, but I opted not to spend that for something I could look up on the net.
She did tell me that she sees some sort of change coming up in my life and that I have a lot of healing ability and am surrounded by a calm healing energy. (I think she gave me a free-bee reading because I showed her my ghost photo ha ha)
Anyway I am interested to know if any of you have ever had these kind of photos done before or if you can read the colors tell me what you think.



The above photo is the first one..
It shows ORANGE....adventurous, analytical, scientific, self-confidence

This is the second photo
It shows..YELLOW-ORANGE...creative, easy going, intellectual, philosophical, optimistic

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Recipes

Be sure and check out my recipe blog (see link on sidebar) for more like this...


Brownies In A Jar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts; chopped
1/2 cup white baking pieces

LAYER in a 1-quart glass jar or canister the following ingredients; Cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate pieces, flour, baking powder, salt, walnuts, and white baking pieces. Tap jar gently on the counter to settle each layer before adding the next. Cover the jar and attach baking directions.

BAKING DIRECTIONS: Use within 1 month. Heat oven to 350o. Grease and flour an 8x8x2-inch baking pan. Combine 1/2 cup melted and cooled butter and 2 slightly beaten eggs in a large bowl, Stir in jar contents. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from the pan. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 16.

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Thyme & Seasons Holiday Stovetop Potpourri

Thyme & Seasons Holiday Stovetop Potpourri
¼ cup whole cloves
¼ cup cinnamon chips
¼ cup allspice berries
¼ cup whole rosehips
¼ cup dried orange peel
¼ cup dried lemon peel
1 tablespoon cardamom seeds
1 tablespoon aniseed
6-8 bay laurel leaves

Combine all ingredients and store in lidded container. To use, bring 3 cups water to a boil in an old pan. Add 2-3 tablespoons of potpourri and a sliced apple, if you wish. Reduce heat to a simmer, and add water as necessary to keep it from boiling dry. Mixture may be stored in refrigerator between uses (don't drink it!) Makes about 1¾ cup potpourri, enough for the rest of the holiday season!

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Holiday Blend

Holiday Blend

5 drops Myrrh
5 drops Cedarwood Himalayan
6 drops Orange
5 drops Frankincense

This holiday blend of Frankincense and Myrrh has a warm, rich, spicy
aroma.
Add the oils to a glass bottle and mix well by rolling the bottle in
between
your hands. Use in an aroma lamp or electric diffuser

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Cinnamon Orange Soap

Cinnamon Orange Soap

This fresh, energizing soap is a good choice for a man's gift.
The palm oil makes the bar hard and long lasting and the almond oil makes
this a superfatted emollient soap. If you wish, add powdered cinnamon
to make an attractive speckled bar. Use a plastic container as a mold.

This recipe makes four large bars.
If you wish, trim the edges to make
an interesting shape.


Melt together:
2 cups grated pure vegetable soap
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup palm oil

Add after the soap has melted:
1/4 cup almond oil
10 drops sweet orange oil
5 drops cinnamon oil

Optional: 1/4 tsp.powdered cinnamon

Mix the fragrance oils and the extra oil into the melted soap.
Pour into the prepared mold.

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Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves

Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves
by Florence Holbrook
Winter was coming, and the birds had flown far to the south, where the air was warm and they could find berries to eat. One little bird had broken its wing and could not fly with the others. It was alone in the cold world of frost and snow. The forest looked warm, and it made its way to the trees as well as it could, to ask for help.

First it came to a birch tree. "Beautiful birch tree," it said, "my wing is broken, and my friends have flown away. May I live among your branches till they come back to me?"

"No, indeed," answered the birch tree, drawing her fair green leaves away. "We of the great forest have our own birds to help. I can do nothing for you."

"The birch is not very strong," said the little bird to itself, "and it might be that she could not hold me easily. I will ask the oak." So the bird said, "Great oak tree, you are so strong, will you not let me live on your boughs till my friends come back in the springtime?"

"In the springtime!" cried the oak. "That is a long way off. How do I know what you might do in all that time? Birds are always looking for something to eat, and you might even eat up some of my acorns."

"It may be that the willow will be kind to me," thought the bird, and it said, "Gentle willow, my wing is broken, and I could not fly to the south with the other birds. May I live on your branches till the springtime?"

The willow did not look gentle then, for she drew herself up proudly and said, "Indeed, I do not know you, and we willows never talk to people whom we do not know. Very likely there are trees somewhere that will take in strange birds. Leave me at once."

The poor little bird did not know what to do. Its wing was not yet strong, but it began to fly away as well as it could. Before it had gone far a voice was heard. "Little bird," it said, "where are you going?"

"Indeed, I do not know," answered the bird sadly. "I am very cold."

"Come right here, then," said the friendly spruce tree, for it was her voice that had called.

"You shall live on my warmest branch all winter if you choose."

"Will you really let me?" asked the little bird eagerly.

"Indeed, I will," answered the kind-hearted spruce tree. "If your friends have flown away, it is time for the trees to help you. Here is the branch where my leaves are thickest and softest."

"My branches are not very thick," said the friendly pine tree, "but I am big and strong, and I can keep the North Wind from you and the spruce."

"I can help, too," said a little juniper tree. "I can give you berries all winter long, and every bird knows that juniper berries are good."

So the spruce gave the lonely little bird a home; the pine kept the cold North Wind away from it; and the juniper gave it berries to eat. The other trees looked on and talked together wisely.

"I would not have strange birds on my boughs," said the birch.

"I shall not give my acorns away for any one," said the oak.

"I never have anything to do with strangers," said the willow, and the three trees drew their leaves closely about them.

In the morning all those shining, green leaves lay on the ground, for a cold North Wind had come in the night, and every leaf that it touched fell from the tree.

"May I touch every leaf in the forest?" asked the wind in its frolic.

"No," said the Frost King. "The trees that have been kind to the little bird with the broken wing may keep their leaves."

This is why the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are always green.

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Power of Smudging

The Power of Smudging
Jane Alexander

How can something be so powerful? The answer lies in the subatomic world of subtle or spiritual energy. Homes and bodies are not just made of purely physical matter; they also vibrate with quiet, invisible energy. Cleansing a space or our bodies with techniques such as smudging clears away all the emotional and phychic "garbage" that may have gathered over years or even hundreds of years. It's like spiritual spring cleaning.

The effects of smudging can be surprisingly swife and dramatic. Smudging can help you banish stress and attract love, soothe you, or give you energy. They can bring your family closer together and let you adjust to the healing seasonal rythms of the year. Above all, they can turn any space, however humble, into a soothing sanctuary - a place of renewal and happiness.


The History of Smudging
Jane Alexander

Smudging may seem a very modern practice: We read about city highgliers using it to sell their apartments or imporove their business luck, but smudging has been used for thousands of years. When you light a smudge stick you are connecting with a spiritual tradition that originated from the depths of time.

A Tradition From the Mists of Time

It is impossible to say for certain when smudging began. Perhaps early civilization came to realize, through sheer trial and error, that the smoke generated by setting alight particular herbs had beneficial effects for humanity. Certainly many cultures have an old tradition of driving animals through the smoke to kill off pests and diseases. Nowadays modern science has proven that certain herbs do indeed have cleansing powers, actina as stron pesticides. Aside from this beneficial and practical aspect of burning herbs, humans have become aware that smoke ascends to the heavens - to the world of spirits - almost as if it were acting as a spiritual messanger.

The idea of purification through smoke is certainly not the sole preserve of the Native North Americans. Most rituals have some element of cleansing, and incense or herbal smoke mixtures are burned around the world - from China, India, and Southeast Asia to Europe and the Western world.

The Native American Way

Originally mixtures of sacred herbs and resins were burned in a special bowl. Smoke was then wafted around the person or place needing purification and cleanisng. However, smudge sticks (bundles of dried herbs tied together with colored thread or a strip of hide) offer an easier way of smudging that is just as effective.

The herbs most often used in smudge sticks are sage and sweetgrass. Sage drives out any negative thoughts, energies, spirits, and influences. Sweetgrass is used to attract positive energy after all the negative energies have been banished by sage. Native North Americans see smudging as a way of shifting between various levels of reality - connecting us here in the material, physical world to the subtle realm of spirits.

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Friday, November 21, 2008

Revisting an old haunt

You may remember me posting last year about the young woman who haunts the Public Records Office in Colonial Williamsburg.
For some reason when I went then I did not photograph the family cemetery, so on Monday while we were there I stopped by to take some photos,
I am reposting the story again for anyone who missed it the first time.
I have never experienced any paranormal activity at this site, but do find the old graves interesting.


Public Records Office



Jones Family Graves



Jones Family Graves




Jones Family Graves

Public Records office

Is the oldest archival building in North America. It once housed important documents. In 1784 it was converted into a grammar school. From 1789-1824 was rental property. In 1824 it was the office for the clerk of Chancery Court. In 1855 was acquired by the neighboring female Academy, which was located on the grounds of the Capital building. And in 1862 southern troops took refuge inside.
Near the turn of the century David Roland Jones and family owned it. They had seven children, and none of the girls married or left home. One of the daughters Edna became restless and when she met a man named John Mince she fell in love. Her father forbids the relationship. They made plans to run away together and meet at the Governors Place, which had burned over a century earlier. . Edna waited until dark and hurried to the meeting. One the way she was struck and killed by a speeding couch. It is thought that her spirit rushed home so that her father would not discover her deception.
Since that night she has been seen roaming the property.. She has also been seen at the Jones family cemetery. Her ghost has been photographed indeed the graveyard where her body rest. Strangers have heard her calling out as they make there way through the property.

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Interesting read

I have found a wonderful new blog (new to me that is) called Blind Pig & The Acorn . The author talks about her Appalachian Heritage. She has a lot of interesting things on there and one of the fun things she does is a monthly give away. It is called Spread The Love Give Away All you have to do is stop by and leave her a comment and you are entered in. Be sure and check her back post. She has a great one on burial customs. You know me..I loved it. Old grave yards are a passion of mine.
Be sure and check her out.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is just one week away, and I have been busy planning my menu. We are cooking at my daughter's house because she has more room than I do, but being "mom" I am in charge of "helping" her. She wants to learn how to cook all the old family favorties.

We usually have the traditonal things

Turkey

Dressing made from cornbread and turkey/chicken broth, onion, sage, salt, pepper

candied yams

mashed potatoes

gravy

veggies (at lest 3)

cranberry sauce

apple salad

pies


I am already full just thinking about all that food.

What kind of traditions if any do you have?

Did you know that Most people think of the Pilgrims on Thanksgiving day: 1622, the Mayflower, Squanto and his tribe sharing a feast with the Puritans at Plymouth Rock



Here in Virginia we also have a claim to the holiday. Did you know that Berkeley Plantation was the location of the first Thanksgiving.They Gave Thanks for Their Safe Arrival to the New World
The first Thanksgiving occurred when Captain John Woodlief led the newly-arrived English colonists to a grassy slope along the James River and instructed them to drop to their knees and pray in thanks for a safe arrival to the New World. It was December 4, 1619, and 38 men from Berkeley Parish in England vowed:
"Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrivall at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God"



No matter where it started I am glad it did....Pass the yams please

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Ghost Photo

Remeber the photo I told everyone about of the "boy" on the bed in the mirror at the Jenny Wade house? I haven't realeased the photo publicly yet because I have it in a photo contest that ends on Dec. 1....

This is what the contest had to say about it.
Keep your fingers crosses that it will be good enough to win...
After the contest is over I will be submitting the photo to several paranormal sites to see what they think..




Thank you for the photo. After carefully reviewing we agree that there appears to be something in the mirror that doesn't belong there. I can't say with certainty that it is an image on the bed but it certainly is interesting

xxxxxxxxxx

Ghostly Images of Gettysburg

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Being a mom

Even when the kids grow up, we never stop being a mom. Take me for example. I have two great kids. My son is 28 and my daughter is 24. They both live on there own, they work, and lead fully functional lives. I raised them to think for themselves and be independent. Soooo why is it that when they don't get in touch with me I panic. After all they are doing exactly what I raised them to do. BE ADULTS.
Today was a good example of me still wanting to keep them little. My son is working out the area. He calls once in a blue moon. I think he should call more often...So I dial him up, get his machine and leave a voice mail. Hey son no one has heard from you lately, call someone in the family and let us know your alive. Several hours later, not only does my phone ring...my ex husband, my daughter and my mom all get a call..He just wanted to touch base...Ha Ha..
I pat myself on the back.

Now take the daughter. As you know if you read this blog at all her and I are pretty much joined at the hip even if she is Miss Independent.
We talk everyday. Or at lest I talk, but she proved today she doesn't always listen
Our conversation yesterday went something like this.
Bye honey, I will talk to you tomorrow, I am off so call me when you get off work..Ok mom night.
Ok so I go about my morning running errands, doing laundry and so on. I sit down about 2 and think..Well Rebecca should be off soon..(she is usually off between 1 and 2) a half hour passes and I dial her cell. It goes straight to voice mail..hmmm I wonder if her battery is dead. I leave a message. Hi, it's mom give me a call...
I wait about 20 minutes and try again..Same thing. So I figure she doesn't remember I am off and went home right after work instead of calling me. (Usually on my day off I go with her to the babysitter and get my grandson then we spend an hour or so thrift shopping or window shopping at the mall, run to walmart that kind of thing)
Anyway I call the house and her line is busy..This makes me go hmmmm but I know sometimes her boyfriend is sleeping so I figure maybe he is home.
Another half hour goes by and now it is 3. I still cant get her and the line is still busy so I turn into MOM...where is my kid..I call her baby sitter. I ask her to have her call me when she picks up my grandson..She reports to me that my daughter didn't come today..that she had called and said she didn't feel good..Now I am not only MOM I am NEROTIC SUPER MOM..you know the one who worries, panics and thinks all sorts of horrible thoughts..I have visions of her laying in the floor while my grandson is sitting in the floor in his underwear crying..
I rush out to my car and race the ten minutes to her house...Bang Bang, ring ring..Whew...She comes to the door. I forgot you were off today she says..and the phone wasn't working..
My heart returns to a normal beat and I go in and visit awhile...

Life is good..

(this is a true story..do not try this at home...this was written for dramatic purposes only..I do repeat however that this is a true story ha ha ha ha)

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Just for fun

If you want to play along just copy this and then bold the things you've done.

I HAVE….

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

And…

100. Ridden an elephant

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Monday, November 17, 2008

My Day



Today was one of those rare weekdays that found my husband and I both off. We took advantage of the time and went for a ride to the Williamsburg, Jamestown area. As you can see from the slide show above the leaves have almost reached there peak of color for the year. They are already falling and each time the wind blows more and more come down.

It didn't take long to complete our drive so we headed over to Colonial Williamsburg, which is one of my favorite places to go in the area.
Not many tourist are there this time of the year so it was fun walking around and taking photos.



On the way home I suggested that we stop at the Newport News Park and see if it was feeding time for the deer. Our park rangers go out about the same time each day and feed the wild deer. We must have got there a little early because none were about so I went down near the water to take a few more photos. (These are at the end of the first slide show and are the trees on the lake with the most color)

It was nice to have such a relaxing day. Tomorrow brings another new work week and we are heading into the Thanksgiving holiday and you know what comes after that..
Yep you guessed it..RETAIL HELL..Black Friday. We already have our work schedule for that day and I will have to be at work at FOUR forty five in the MORNING..I'm already tired just thinking about. Of course the alternative was staying until midnight, so I really consider myself lucky. Anyway I hope you have enjoyed sharing my day....

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Sunday, November 16, 2008

I wonder


Today at work a man and lady came walking past me. I looked up and did a double take. The guy was wearing a ball cap and dark sunglasses. I swear it was Toby Keith. He kept walking. I looked again and caught the eye of the lady he was with and quickly ask her. Did anyone every tell you he looks like Toby Keith?..All the time she said, and kept walking....
The more I thought of it the more I wondered if I was right.. Why would someone be wearing a ball cap and DARK sunglasses in the middle of a store in a mall..hmmmm
Sooooo, I took a little walk. I looked everywhere but couldn't find them, so I went to the mens department in hopes that he had gone there. When I questioned one of the women (who had no idea who Toby is) she remembered the man I described. Yep he had been there. Cool I thought. I asked her if he spoke and she said Yes, Did he have a southern drawl? Yes,....Did he have a deep voice....Yes..
My heart skipped a beat..I looked high and low..I even went into the mall..I never saw him again.

Sigh...
Of course it was probably just some guy..but..who knows...maybe...

I guess we will never know.

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Saturday, November 15, 2008

Around Town

Most of you know that next to ghost hunting one of my favorite things to do is visit sites of the American Civil War..Living in Virginia our entire area is rich in history. I wanted to show a few photos from my neighborhood. The first ones of the mill are about 1/4 of a mile from me. Across from where this mill is now is strip shops but during the Civil War the area was an encampment area. I am really surprised that we do not have any haunting where I am at but as far as I know there have never been any reports.








The earthworks located adjacent to this 1820 tide mill were the western anchor of Confederate Major General John B. Magruder’s first line of defense during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign.









This next set of photos are from a local cemetery. Buried here are the remains of men who died at the
Newport News POW Camp – Monument honors Confederate prisoners who died in the nearby Union POW camp at Camp Butler, April–August 1865.




This final set is of the
Warwick Court House, Newport News – Built in 1810, this building served as headquarters for Union Brig. Gen. Erasmus Keyes during the Warwick River/Yorktown siege. The gas balloon Constitution was deployed at this site.
The court house is not in use today, but they are doing some renovations, I am always excited when a part of our history is preserved.









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Friday, November 14, 2008

I've Been Tagged

Nydia of Bringing Up Salamanders has tagged me to do the following meme. I am suppose to tag others to do it, but am always bad about picking people, so if your interested please play along.


1. Where is your cell phone? Purse

2. Where is your significant other? work

3. Your hair color? brown

4. Your mother? getting older

5. Your father? passed away

6. Your favorite thing? Ghost Hunting!

7. Your dream last night? forgot

8. Your dream/goal? To be financial secure

9. The room you’re in? living

10. Your hobby? blogging

11. Your fear? losing my family

12. Where do you want to be in six years? working part time and traveling more

13. Where were you last night? playing with my grandson

14. What you’re not? Rich

15. One of your wish list items? new living room couch

16. Where you grew up? Born in GA. grew up in CA. and VA

17. The last thing you did? bought my husband a birthday card. Tomorrow is his BD

18. What are you wearing? dress pants and sweater. I am on the way out the door to work.

19. Your T.V.? off

20. Your pet? Two cats, one dog

21. Your computer? Old

22. Your mood? grouchy, I hate working until 10 pm

23. Missing someone? yes

24. Your car? Needs a bit of repairs.

25. Something you’re not wearing? eye makeup

26. Favorite store? Thrift Stores

27. Your Summer? To Short

28. Love someone? Yes

29. Your favorite color? aqua blue or purple

30. When is the last time you laughed? Last night..at my grandson

31. Last time you cried? about a week ago when I had the stomach flu..I was feeling sorry for myself.

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My Back Door









These photos were taken this morning from my back patio. As you can see the leaves are still changing. Not much red or orange in them, but the golden ones are pretty.
At lest we have some color this year. Last year I can remember the leaves were just turning and falling and everyone had up there Christmas decorations. On that note I wanted to let you know if there is a Macy's Department Store near you be sure and stop in. At every Macy's across the country there is a mailbox to collect letters to Santa Claus. Make sure you put a stamp on it and address it to Santa Claus at the north pole. For every letter that that goes in the box Macy's will contribute $1.00 to the Make A Wish Foundation up to A MILLION DOLLARS.
I've heard a lot of good things about this foundation so take time if you can to do this. You can read more about it at Macy.com

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Children of the earth

From: God/Goddess
To: Children of Earth
Re: Idiotic Religious Rivalries

Dear Children (and believe us, that's all of you), We consider ourselves
pretty patient folks. For instance, look at the Grand Canyon. It took
millions of years to get it right. And about evolution? Boy, nothing is
slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by
cell, and gene by gene.

We've been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and
schemes, and the countless ways you take Us for granted until you get
yourselves into big trouble again and again. We want to let you know
about some of the things that are starting to tick Us off.
First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Us up a wall.

Enough already! Let's get one thing straight: These are YOUR religions,
not Ours. We're the whole enchilada; We're beyond them all. Every one of
your religions claims there is only one of Us (which by the way, is
absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it's
Our favorite one. And each claims it's scriptures were written
personally by Us, and that all the other scriptures are man-made. Oy
Vey. How do We even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense?

Okay, listen up now. We're your Father AND Mother, and We don't play
favorites among Our children. Also, We hate to break it to you, but We
don't write. Our longhand is awful, and We've always been more of
"doers" anyway. So ALL of your books, including those Bibles, were
written by men and women. They were inspired, remarkable people, but
they also made mistakes here and there. We made sure of that so that you
would never trust a written word more than your own living heart.

You see, one human being to Us, even a bum on the street, is worth more
than all the Holy Books in the world. That's just the kind of folks we
are. Our spirit is not a historical thing. It's alive right here, right
now, as fresh as your next breath. Holy books and religious rites are
sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of you. They were
only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing
with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own
personal connection with Us.

Which brings Us to Our next point about your nonsense. You act like We
need you and your religions to stick up for Us or "win souls" for Our
sake. Please, don't do Us any favors. We can stand quite well on our
own,thank you. We don't need you to defend Us, and We don't need
constant credit. We just want you to be good to each other.

And another thing, We don't get all worked up over money or politics, so
stop dragging Our names into your dramas. For example, We swear to Us
smile::::, that We never threatened Oral Roberts. We never rode in any
of Rajneesh's Rolls Royces. We never told Pat Robertson to run for
president, and We've never, EVER had a conversation with Jim Baker,
Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgment Day, We
certainly intend to.... The thing is, We want you to stop thinking of
religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Us.

The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU can become more aware
of Us, not the other way around. Believe Us, We know you already. We
know what's in each of your hearts, and We love you with no strings
attached. Lighten up and enjoy Us. That's what religion is best for.
What you seem to forget is how mysterious We are.

You look at the petty differences in your Scriptures and say, "Well, if
THIS is the truth, then THAT can't be!" But instead of trying to figure
out Our Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature, which by the way, you NEVER
will, why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in all
religions.

You know what We're talking about. Love and respect everyone. Be kind,
even when life is scary or confusing. Take courage and be of good cheer,
for We are always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear Our
still, small voice. (We don't like to shout). Leave the world a better
place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are Our
Own Children. Hold back nothing from
life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that
can't, won't. So don't worry, be happy. (We stole that last line from
Bobby McFerrin.)

Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It's like you're
always looking for an excuse to be upset. And We're very tired of being
your main excuse. Do you think We care whether you call Us.... Yahweh,
Jehovah, Allah, Diana, Wakantonka, Brahma, Cerridwen, Father, Mother,
God, Goddess or even the Void of Nirvana? Do you think We care which of
Our special children you feel closest to, Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna,
Gerald, Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Us and Our Special
Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about Our business of
loving one another as We love you. How can you keep neglecting something
so simple?

We're not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions,
honor them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and learn
from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your
parents are better than theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may
always have the most special place in your hearts, We don't mind that at
all. And We don't want you to combine all the Great Traditions in One
Big Mess.

Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that
people can find the best path for themselves. Know that Our Special
Children, the ones that your religions revolve around, all live in the
same place, (Our heart), and they get along perfectly, We assure you.
The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there is
none. Our blessed children of Earth, the world has grown too small for
your pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The whole planet is
connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines,
rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns.

Get with the program! If you really want to help, then commit yourselves
to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your
abused, and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own
everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor. We've given
you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each
other and begin living, loving and laughing together.

We're not really ticked off. We just wanted to grab your attention
because We hate to see you suffer. But We have given you free will to
choose your own paths, and We just want you to be happy.

In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust,

Us

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Sunday, November 9, 2008

Playing catch up

I am finally feeling human again after having that really bad stomach bug last week. Now I should be getting my house work caught up and some laundry done. Instead of staying home and doing that this weekend I went out and played. Yesterday was a bit on the rainy side so my daughter and I took advantage of it and went shopping. We started our day off at the Williamsburg Pottery Factory. It really isn't a pottery factory any more but more of a discount store. They have a range of different things there, but mostly artificial flowers, baskets, and kitchen ware. I bought a wooden bowl which I really didn't need and have no use for other than I may put some potpourri in it. I also got a candle which I am disappointed in as it doesn't really have a smell once lit. My daughter found some really nice fake flowers and a natural wooden branch to put in a floor vase she has. We mostly looked around and enjoyed a few hours. The next stop was an antique store close by and I almost bought a strand of beads they had on display. They were not old and they wanted $18.00 for them. I really didn't need them and have more jewlery now that I can possibly wear so I passed them by but now they are calling to me. I may go back tomorrow and get them. After we left there we stopped at the Williamsburg outlet mall where we went shoe shopping for both my daughter and my grandson a pair sneakers. From there we started hitting the thrift stores between Williamsburg and home. I only spent a few dollars and managed to find my grandson a movie and a book. For myself I bought a plant stand (don't ask me why I got this I don't have any plants right now, but I am one of those I will use it later people) and also found a stuffed chicken. Now you may or may not know I LOVE chickens. I don't buy them as often as I use to because to be honest. I am out of room to display them, but this beauty caught my eye for $1.95 so she now proudly lives on top of my food pantry.




Today we went out to visit my mom in VA, Beach and on the way home stopped at the local Barnes and Nobel bookstore. For some time now I have been wanting to buy



Beth Brown's Book. I saw it several months ago and look at it every time I go to the book store. I kept holding off getting it becaue I knew Beth was doing some local meet and greet seasons around the area. I kept thinking I would get a chance to buy the book at one of them and have her autograph it, but it seems it isn't going to happen any time soon and I really wanted to read the book.
I am glad I got it and so far have read the first two chapters. I am already thinking hmmmm I need to visit these places. You know me and my ghost hunting.
Speaking of. I got the stuff transferred from wordpress over here and you can now find most of my paranormal post under the heading paranormal or ghost in the side bar. I did loose a lot but probably won't do any rewriting right now on those post. I am just going to move forward and post what ever the muse supplies me with.

Oh also I wanted to let everyone know that my brother in law finally got to come home from the hospital. He is still ill but doing well enough to be released. Thank you for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully the infection will continue to clear up and he can get on a good diet to prevent another flare up.

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Friday, November 7, 2008

The Blog

I good news. I found a copy of most of my paranormal stuff over on wordpress. For some reason I had played around when I first started that blog and double posted on there and blogger. It was a relief to find it and saves me hours of work.
So far only 8 people have been by but so far I think the majority will be just as happy if I do the paranormal stuff here. This is what I plan on doing. Over the next several days I will be moving what I do have over here. It will go by date just as if I had written it here. How you can find it will be by the labels on the side bar.
I have under things like. PARANORMAL, GHOST, LOCAL HUANTINGS..ETC.
I think this will work, and then as I add new things they will be on top just as any other post..
Catch you later

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Thursday, November 6, 2008

What do you think

Ok
So, I deleted the paranormal blog by mistake..grrrrr
I have sat here mad at myself grumbling about how dumb I am and about how BACK UP is a key thing to do..@$%^!!
soooo here is the question. Do I restart the blog or should I just add the paranormal stuff in here. I want an honest opinion. Do you think people are uncomfortable with my interest in the paranormal and would rather read everyday stuff and put those post somewhere else like I have been doing or should I kick it all into one big blog
I am going to let my readers help make the decision
For the next three days or four days I am going to leave this as my top post and ask for comments
Leave it here
Move it to its own space
If you are not comfortable telling me which way then please vote anonymous..
Tell your friends to vote I don't care. I just really want to know what people think

If you come to this blog and are not conformable seeing stuff on ghost and haunting and stuff will it turn you away?
If you do come and love that stuff is it a pain to have to go to another blog to read my adventures..
This is your time to shine..
Vote now

Keep it here
Put it on it's own space

(Leave one or the other in the comment area please)

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Delete....OHHH NOOO

@!$%!!!!d

Oh no!!!
I accidentally deleted my paranormal blog I was cleaning up what I thought was the old files from the blog when I had it under a different name and thought that is waht I removed from blogged. DAMN!!
Sorry to cuss, but that was a lot of work, it will take me forever to try and restore and of course I lost all of my comments..GRRRRRR

To top it off I am still no feeling that good..!$%^&*(())!@@@@%%

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Update

Just a quick update. They have changed my brother in laws meds, and hopefully this is going to help. Haven't heard anything new tonight.
I didn't mention it in my previous post because I wanted to center on him but I am very sick also. I have had a virus since Halloween night, It started with the stomach flu and once that was over I got very tired and weak. I went back to work yesterday, but it was to soon and now I have had a set back. Got up early this morning with the runs and have spent the day on the toilet. I wasn't even able to go vote today. I have spent most of the day sleeping and in between that and bathroom runs have been watching the ghost hunters live that my husband recorded for me.
We sure do need some good thoughts around here

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Please Pray

I am asking everyone to please say a prayer for my brother in law Tim. He has been in the hospital since Thursday with acute pancreatitis. The Dr. said this is a very very bad case. Tonight they told us he has fluid in his lungs and his bowels are swelling. It does not look good. He is only in his mid 40's and him and my sister just got married this past June. They don't deserve this. Please light a candle, say a prayer or send good wishes in what ever way you talk to our Creator for a healing

Thanks

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