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February 21, 2011

I want to wish a very happy birthday to Hector Amaya, Jr. of Nixon! Hector is an avid reader of Yole's Rincon so I thought he would enjoy a picture we took when we were at a family wedding in my column. Hector is a man of many talents, he is also Facebook's local weatherman doing a good job of his daily forecast, plus he helps many people with his job at Human Services. Thank you for all your good deeds and I hope you had a wonderful day with your year ahead fully blessed! Your Tia

PEOPLE ON THE GO

I was so happy to hear from my old chum Nora Tamez Gaytan from Edmond, Oklahoma and I was so excited! Even though the call was to inform me of the sad news of her nephew and ask for prayer, I was so glad to hear from her. Nora and I attended school together and I have always thought of her as a good friend, she told me she has retired and plans to move back to Texas to be closer to her mother Fina Tamez Bustamente and family of Nixon. In school, Nora used to be the one we could count on if we had a problem and wanted to talk, she was a good listener and advisor. I told Nora when she moves back home we definately have to get together for retail therapy and lots of coffee, she agreed. We are sorry to hear about her nephew Fred Tamez, Jr.'s bad car accident and we certainly will keep him in our prayers. Fred is at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Our condolances to the family of Simona DeLeon of Smiley. Mrs. DeLeon lived a long and good life and left this world quietly like my mother. They were the pilars of the family and such strong women who endure many hardships in life but kept the family entact with their love and strength. I just saw Mrs. DeLeon about a month ago at the Nursing Home and I am sorry to hear that she is gone but happy that she is rejoicing with our Lord. I remember once when her and my mother were at a Cinco de Mayo Mother's Day Celebration and my mom won the trophy for the oldest mother there with Mrs. Deleon getting second place and she told my mom, "yo soy mas joven!" (I am younger than you). Our love, thoughts and much prayer to the Deleon family on the lost of this wonderful lady.

We are happy to hear that Lupita Zuniga is out of the hospital and resting comfortably at home. Her daughter Diane and son Jimmy do an excellant job of taking care of her....its rare to find children now that will care for their elderly parent/parents and that is a blessing for Lupe. I pray that she will continue good healthwise. Love you Lupe!

I got tickled the other day, this new aquiantance that I did not know recognized me at HEB in Gonzales, and told me, "You are the the lady that write's Yole's Rincon aren't you?" I told her yes, thank you for reading it." She then told me, "Do you know the whole world?" And I answered, "No m'am, just three-quarters of it!" I guess if you really think about it, I really do interact with alot of people and there is not too many places that I go that someone does not know me or I do not know them. Gotta love it!

From the Texas 2010 Census:

The

new 2010 Census data confirms what the Lone Star Project and many others predicted – the dramatic population growth in Texas over the last ten years is driven almost entirely by minorities. Nearly 9 out to 10 of the new residents in Texas are non-Anglo. In every part of the State – urban, suburban, exurban or rural – the new growth is dominated by Hispanics, African Americans and those of Asian descent. Clearly, as new districts are drawn by the Legislature, special attention must be paid to make sure that the increased population growth and voting strength of minority Texans are protected and respected. Minority residents are most responsible for Texas’ dramatic population growth since 2000, the Texas population has grown by 20.6%. 89% of that growth was from non-Anglos. The Hispanic population grew at a phenomenal rate of 41.8% and the African American population also grew at a very strong rate of 22.1%

The Anglo population growth rate lagged far behind at 4.2% - lower than the national growth rate of 9.7% and the lowest of all races in Texas.

If the Texas Legislature follows the law and protects all existing minority opportunity districts AND respects the new minority population growth in new District lines, then Democrats should be positioned to pick up ground in the Legislature and in Congress.

From my friend, Marie: Taste My Jesus

Each year at the University of Chicago Divinity School they have what is called 'Baptist Day.' On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every 'Baptist Day' the school could invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center. One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr.Tillich spoke for two and one-half hours, proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.

After about 30 seconds, an old, dark-skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly, white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium. 'Docta Tillich, I got one question,' he said as all eyes turned toward him. He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it.

'Docta Tillich. (CRUNCH, MUNCH) My question is a simple question. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...) Now, I ain't never read them books you read (CRUNCH, MUNCH), and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...) I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...) He finished the apple. 'All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate... Was it bitter or sweet?

Dr Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: 'I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple.' The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, 'Neither have you tasted my Jesus.' The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers. Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform. Have YOU tasted Jesus?

ENLIGHTENED PERSPECTIVE: by Andy Rooney

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day. I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned..... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned..... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. I've learned..... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned..... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost, someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his or her little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned..... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done. 　

JURY Duty Scam
Pass this on to your grown children and anyone else you can think of. This has been verified by the FBI (their link is also included below). Please pass this on to everyone in your email address book. It is spreading fast so be prepared should you get this call. Most of us take those summonses for jury duty seriously, but enough people skip out on their civic duty that a new and ominous kind of fraud has surfaced.

The caller claims to be a jury DUTY coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the Scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo, your identity was just stolen. The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma, Illinois, and Colorado, AZ and more. This (swindle) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they are with the court system. The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.

Check it out here: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm; http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm; http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

PRAYER

Please pray for Fred Tamez, Jr., Josie Pena, Lupita Zuniga, Bessie Amaya, Maria Rodriquez, Nancy Perez, Carla Mangum, Peggy Hewell, Marilyn Byrd, Don Chesser, Candy Bustos, Reyes Torres, Cindy Perez, Mamie Kennedy and our own Military heros: Anthony Delva in Afganhstien, Josh Abuata-US Army, Mason Alex-US Navy, Chistopher Ester-US Marines, Thomas Medina-US Marines, Patrick O'Neal-US Army, Charles Almarez-US Army, Calvin Randall-US Air Force, James Sanders-US Army, and Ben Wilson-US Army.

Rise Above The Storm
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come.

When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it high above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring high above it, gliding with ease. The eagle does not escape the storm, it just simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm into its world.

When the storms of life come upon us, and all of us will experience them, we can rise above them by setting our minds and faith toward God! The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that brings sickness, pain, tragedy, failure and disappointments in our lives, and make something good come from it. We can soar above the storm. Remember, it is not the burdens of life which weigh us down, but it is how we handle them that counts. "But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)　
LAUGHS OF THE DAY

Old Timers Bar

Four old retired guys are walking down a street in The Villages, Florida. They turned a corner and see a sign that says, 'Old Timers Bar - all drinks 10 cents. They look at each other, and then go in, thinking this Is too good to be true. The old bartender says in a voice that carries across the room, 'Come on in and let me pour one for you! What'll it be, Gentlemen?' There seemed to be a fully-stocked bar, so each of the men ask for a martini....In short order, the bartender serves up four iced martinis....Shaken, not stirred, and says, 'That'll be 10 cents each, please.' The four men stare at the bartender for a moment. Then look at each other...they can't believe their good luck. They pay the 40 cents, finish their martinis, and order another round. Again, four excellent martinis are produced with the bartender again saying, 'That's 40 cents, please.' They pay the 40 cents, but their curiosity is more than they can stand. They have each had two martinis and so far they've spent less than a dollar. Finally one of the men says, 'How can you afford to serve martinis as good as these for a dime a piece?'

'I'm a retired tailor from Boston,' the bartender said, 'and I always wanted to own a bar. Last year I hit the Lottery for $25 million and decided to open this place. Every drink costs a dime - wine, liquor, beer, it's all the same.' Wow!!!! That's quite a story,' says one of the men. The four of them sipped at their martinis and couldn't help but notice seven other people at the end of the bar who didn't have drinks in front of them, and hadn't ordered anything the whole time they were there.

One man gestures at the seven at the end of the bar without drinks and asks the bartender, 'What's with them?' The bartender says, 'Oh, they're all old retired farts from the phone company waiting for happy hour when drinks are half price.'

Blind Rabbit

One morning a blind bunny was hopping down the bunny trail and tripped over a large snake and fell right on his twitchy little nose. "Oh please excuse me," said the bunny. "I didn't mean to trip over you, but I'm blind and can't see."

"That's perfectly all right," replied the snake. "To be sure, it was my fault. I didn't mean to trip you, but I'm blind too, and I didn't see you coming. By the way, what kind of animal are you?"

"Well, I really don't know," said the bunny. "I'm blind, and I've never seen myself. Maybe you could examine me and find out." So the snake felt the bunny all over, and he said, "Well, you're soft, and cuddly, and you have long silky ears, and a little fluffy tail and a dear twitchy little nose. You must be a bunny rabbit! The bunny said, "I can't thank you enough. But by the way, what kind of animal are you?"

The snake replied that he didn't know either, and the bunny agreed to examine him, and when the bunny was finished, the snake asked, "Well, what kind of an animal am I?" The bunny had felt the snake all over, and he replied, "You're cold, you're slippery, and you haven't got any balls.... You must be a Republican. "

Are you looking to make some extra money in 2011? Sell Avon and you can make that extra money, and its a rewarding way to earn money! Call me to Buy or Sale Avon @582-1680! To order online visit my store at www.youravon.com/ymessman. You are already beautiful to start with, by enhancing yourself with Avon products, you will be gorgeous!

February 15, 2011

The picture is this week of two people that I truly adore and am very proud of! It is of my beloved "Madrina" Minnie Pena of Corpus Christi who celebrated her 86th birthday and our adored grandson Zack who celebrated his 9th birthday! Both of these individuals are very special in my life and I am blessed to have them. As many of you know, Zack is truly a miracle, this little guy suffered more his first year of life than any of you will suffer in a lifetime. He was in Intensive Care for about three months and then on oxygen for a year after that, he had about three surgeries as a one pounder but he was a strong one, he kept fighting, we kept praying and HE delivered. Happy Birthday Zack and Madrina! I can never thank our Lord enough for giving Zack the gift of life and for my Madrina who is always there for me. We love you!

HAPPENINGS

If you would like to know more about the ESL Rosetta Stone Language Course that is being offered by the Nixon-Smiley CISD please contact Maggie Gaytan at 582-1536.

The family of the late Frances "Tita" Pantoja Garcia is hosting a two day Pantoja/Garcia/Valenzuela Family Reunion on June 18th and 19th in San Antonio, Texas. They have all kinds of activities planned and entertainment for the children will be provided. They will also have a church service at San Fernando Cathedral on Sunday the 19th and they will end thier day at Breckenridge Park with a picnic. For more specific details and cost, please contact Johnny Cisneros, Jr. at 210-725-2804 of email him at jhcisn@sbcglobal.net if you are a member of the above families and would like to attend. Johnny is the son of the former Rosa Garcia of Nixon.PEOPLE ON THE GO

Lanie Wells of Smiley was training in Dallas last week for her new job. She missed home but was learning the pros and cons of her new job in Gillette. We are very proud of you, I knew you could do it, girlfriend!

Happy birthday to Vicky Franco! We hope you enjoy a wonderful day and keep on making good food at the Donut Hole in Gillette! Bottom of Form 1

We appreicate you.

We were sorry to hear that Maria Rodriquez, the "matriche" of the Rodriquez family was hospitalized last week but are very happy that she is doing much better. Our prayers are with her at this time and that her recovery will be prompt.

Also, please continue praying for my cousin, Bessie Amaya of Nixon, she remains in a Victoria hospital, however her son, Pastor Rene Amaya told me that she is doing much better and all the prayers are appreciated. We miss you Bessie!

Our deepest condolances and love to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wheat, formerly of Nixon on the death of her daughter, Avis Wheat. May we never know the pain of losing a child but if it is the Lord's will, may we have the strength. Our prayers and love are with the Wheat family and may the find comfort in God's love.

I was asked to attend a "Discharge" meeting for one of our residents at one of our Nursing Homes last Friday. This was a sad case because the elderly individual had no place to go but wanted to leave the facility due to negliance and fear. I listend ernestly in awe of how much some of our elderly suffer and endure when they get a certain age and cannot do for themselves, such was this case. The State cannot forced resident to stay in a Nursing Home if they do not want to, however they need to have a place to go, they can place them in another nursing home or in the home of a relative. I honestly have to say that the Nursing Home does care as to where and what will happen to this individual. Sometime, I think, why am I doing this and why do I go through this heartbreak on seeing an elderly's agony, but then I console myself everytime we make an effort to correct the problem and thank my Lord everyday that my mother never had to go through this!

Okay, folks, we were back in Belmont this weekend, seems we cannot stay away from the Belmont Social Club. There was half of Nixon there, so I will not name them all but it was packed and the music was great. If you have not been there, you really need to attend. On Friday and Saturday nights, it is packed, so call ahead and make a reservation or you will stand for awhile.

I visited with Mamie Kennedy today and I really enjoyed seeing her. Even though Mamie has been ill, she looked good. She told me she is doing much better and clings to her faith. Mamie has been a strong believer of our Lord and I always respected her opinion. I pray that she will regain her strength and that our Heavenly Father grant her healing.

I recieved the following letter from my friend Beth of the Communication Workers of America Union:

Dear Yolanda,

The open Internet rules that we all worked so hard to achieve are suddenly in jeopardy.

This week, members of the House of Representatives plan to introduce a proposal to invoke a little-used law to strip the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of its authority to protect the open Internet.

The FCC's open Internet rules are common-sense protections that will prevent broadband providers from blocking access to online content, discriminating among their customers, and restricting online speech.

These rules were developed after an extensive process that included input from all sides of the debate.

Repealing these rules would negate all that hard work -- leaving consumers without any safeguards for an open Internet and putting jobs at risk.

Take two minutes to use our simple tool to email your representative and make sure they are committed to preserving the FCC's open Internet rules.

House members are attempting to repeal the FCC's open Internet rules through the Congressional Review Act. Using this law to block a rule or regulation is extremely rare. In 2008, a study found that since it was enacted, the CRA was only invoked 47 times -- during a time period that saw more than 47,000 rules become effective. In only one instance was a rule actually repealed. But now there's a very real chance this rarely-used law could be used to scuttle the open Internet rules and take away the FCC’s authority to protect broadband consumers.It's time to move on.

The Communications Workers of America are working with a coalition of labor and consumer groups to make sure the FCC’s authority to protect the open Internet is clear. We need to settle this debate once and for all -- and focus on the fact that the United States is 15th in the world in broadband adoption and 25th in broadband speed. That's the only way we're going to create good jobs, grow our economy, and make sure all our communities are connected to the digital age.

Help protect the future of the open Internet in America -- write your representative today:

http://action.cwa-union.org/c/26/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1449

We'll keep you posted on further developments in the coming days and weeks.

In Unity,

PRAYER

Please pray for Josie Pena, Bessie Amaya, Helen Bauman, Carla Mangum, Peggy Hewell, Marilyn Byrd, Heath Anders, Don Chesser, Candy Bustos, Reyes Torres, Cindy Perez, Elizabeth Posada, Mamie Kennedy and our own Military heros: Anthony Delva in Afganhstien, Josh Abuata-US Army, Mason Alex-US Navy, Chistopher Ester-US Marines, Thomas Medina-US Marines, Patrick O'Neal-US Army, Charles Almarez-US Army, Calvin Randall-US Air Force, James Sanders-US Army, and Ben Wilson-US Army.

LAUGHS OF THE DAY

"TENJOOBERRYMUDS.."

In order to continue getting-by in America (our home land), we all need to learn the NEW English language! Practice by reading the following conversation until you are able to understand the term "TENJOOBERRYMUDS". The following is a telephone exchange between maybe you as a hotel guest and call room-service somewhere in the good old U S A today......

Room Service : "Morrin. Roon sirbees." Guest : "Sorry, I thought I dialed room-service."

Room Service: " Rye. Roon sirbees...morrin! Joowish to oddor sunteen???" Guest: "Uh..... Yes, I'd like to order bacon and eggs."

Room Service: "Ow July den?" Guest: ".....What??"

Room Service: "Ow July den?!?... pryed, boyud, poochd?"

Guest: "Oh, the eggs! How do I like them? Sorry.. scrambled, please."

Room Service: "Ow July dee baykem? Crease?"

Guest: "Crisp will be fine."

Room Service: "Hokay. An Sahn toes?"

Guest: "What?"

Room Service: "An toes. July Sahn toes?"

Guest: "I... don't think so."

RoomService: "No? Judo wan sahn toes???"

Guest: "I feel really bad about this, but I don't know what 'judo wan sahn toes' means."

RoomService: "Toes! Toes!...Why Joo don Juan toes? Ow bow Anglish moppin we bodder?"

Guest: "Oh, English muffin!!! I've got it! You were saying 'toast'... Fine...Yes, an English muffin will be fine."

RoomService: "We bodder?"

Guest: "No, just put the bodder on the side."

RoomService: "Wad?!?"

Guest: "I mean butter... just put the butter on the side."

RoomService: "Copy?"

Guest: "Excuse me?"

RoomService: "Copy...tea..meel?"

Guest: "Yes. Coffee, please... and that's everything."

RoomService: "One Minnie. Scramah egg, crease baykem, Anglish moppin, we bodder on sigh and copy ... rye??"

Guest: "Whatever you say."

RoomService: "Tenjooberrymuds."

Guest: "You're welcome"

Remember I said "By the time you read through this YOU WILL UNDERSTAND 'TENJOOBERRYMUDS' ".....and you do, don't you?

Are you looking to make some extra money in 2011? Sell Avon and you can make that extra money, and its a rewarding way to earn money! Call me to Buy or Sale Avon @582-1680! To order online visit my store atwww.youravon.com/ymessman. You are already beautiful to start with, by enhancing yourself with Avon products, you will be gorgeous!

February 8, 2011

The picture this week is of a first class and appetizing place to eat, The Belmont Social Club! We have been there a few times and each time the food was great. Katie Abrameit is the daughter of owners, Johnny and Julia Abrameit and Courtney is a Waitress at the Social Club. Also, part owners are Johnny and Sandie Zoboroski. They have a live band on Friday and Saturday evenings and the music was superb, last Friday a band called Best Friends played old time country favorites and they sounded so Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Elvis and other favorites! Among the Nixon people there were Cindy Box and Linda Warzecka and Bob Peck, Ronnie and Maggie Gaytan, Sam, Jo Lyn and Kelby Henderson, Wanda Guerrero, Vicky Griffin and family from Smiley, also our friends from Dewville, Frances Randell and family. The place is huge and they serve all kinds of American food, along with their famous barbeque and chicken plates, also they have all you can eat catfish plates. Go by and check them out, I betcha you will return! Oh, I forgot to mention, they have good waitresses that keep your refreshments filled, what more could you ask for?

PEOPLE ON THE GO

One day last week, I came home and found a green sticker on my mailbox that read, "The Gonzales Constable's Office was here to see you." Yikes! what have we done?" But as I read on and it was from my cousin and our Constable Johnny Moreno who was doing his duty patrolling our neighborhood on Highway 97. Thank you Constable Moreno, we appreciate you taking the time out of your hectic schedule and checking our turf!

I visited with Pastor George Bradley and wife Audrey last week and he told me that they are planning a real good Easter program for the community. It was great to see them since it has been awhile but I am glad to say they are both doing great and keeping busy.

A very happy birthday to Candy Bustos of Nixon, please continue praying for Candy as she had a second surgery but she is at home now and doing much better. She said she appreciates all the calls and get-well wishes and prayers for her recovery.

PFC Patrick O'Neal, Ashton and Dakota of New York are here visiting his parents Brenda and Wayne O'Neal of Nixon. Patrick had surgery so he is home recuperating from surgery before heading back to his Army base in New York. Also, we want to wish him a belated Happy Birthday and we hope he had a wonderful day!

Our condolances to my friend, Shirley Hester of Dewville on the loss of her brother Edward Woehler last week. Shirley is the awesome secretary at Tres Hewell Morturary in Seguin, we have been friends for a very long time. Shirley, thinking of you, our love and thoughts are with you.

Thanks to Shirley for the following, these are really neat! Adult Truths

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history when you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

From my friend Karen: Valentine Traditions

Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:
Good morning to you, valentine; Curl your locks as I do mine - Two before and three behind. Good morning to you, valentine.

In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together... but not too closely!

Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.

Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.

If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

PRAYER

Please pray for Josie Pena, Bessie Amaya, Helen Bauman, Carla Mangum, Peggy Hewell, Marilyn Byrd, Heath Anders, Don Chesser, Candy Bustos, Reyes Torres, Cindy Perez, Elizabeth Posada, Jerry Esperza, Mamie Kennedy and our own Military heros: Anthony Delva in Afganhstien, Josh Abuata-US Army, Mason Alex-US Navy, Chistopher Ester-US Marines, Thomas Medina-US Marines, Patrick O'Neal-US Army, Charles Almarez-US Army, Calvin Randall-US Air Force, James Sanders-US Army, and Ben Wilson-US Army.

LAUGHS OF THE DAY

We're preparing our hearts for "Love" day next week. With only 7 days left, I hope these love stories are helping you get your mind right.
Love Thoughts
Throughout history, man has expressed his thoughts on this thing called "love," sometimes, perceiving it as something wonderful, beautiful, and intense and other times, expressing the sorrow and anger caused by love scorned. Whatever the case, no one can deny that love is a powerful energy and emotion, so intense in fact, that mothers have immediately been overcome with Herculean strength to lift a car or huge boulder off their child. Let us read what a few past authors had to say on love:

"Love is not what makes the world go round. Love is what makes the trip
worthwhile." -Franklin Jones

"When two people are at one in their innermost hearts, they shatter even the strength of iron or bronze, and when two people understand each other in their innermost hearts, their words are sweet and strong like the fragrance of orchids." -I Ching

"Love should be a tree whose roots are deep in the earth, but whose branches extend into heaven." - Bertrand Russell

"Man has no choice but to love. For when he does not, he finds his alternative lies in loneliness, destruction, and despair." -Anonymous

"Loving people are happy, and happy people are loving." - Ken Keyes

"Who would give a law to lovers? Love is unto itself a higher law." -
Boethius

"Love is the only gold." -Tennyson

Man may try to understand love and all its effects, but unless he knows the love of God, one can never fully know love, for God IS love, and the gift He gives to us, its foundation, is constructed in love. It is nice to show our affection to those we love by sending them flowers and candy, or doing kind deeds for them, but true love is not about fleshly desires, or emotions that make our physical bodies feel good, but it feeds the spirit as only God and His son, Jesus Christ can do. Love has one source and this source is God.

My friend Cheryl sent me a License Plate cover that reads, "Blessed" and I love it! To you I dedicate the following: Too Blessed To Stressed

I'm Too Blessed To Be Stressed, Too Anointed To Be Disappointed, I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry. I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why: I have a God who is almighty; who is sovereign and supreme; I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team. He is all wise and powerful; Jesus is His Name; though everything else is changeable, My God remains the same. I refuse to be defeated! My eyes are on my GOD! He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod. I am looking past my circumstances, to Heaven's throne above. My prayers have reached the heart of God. I am resting in His Love. I give thanks to Him in everything. My eyes are on His face. The battle is His; the victory is mine; He will help me win the race! I repeat, "I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!"

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