The MO SHOW! Funky Town...

Something Very Special~~~

Sunday morning I checked one of my e-mail accounts and found an e-mail from Nancy Liedel, at The Goat Rodeo , directing me to her blog for a review! I must admit I was very curious but knowing she was a friend of Miss Bee's, I didn't figure she'd be too terribly rough on me!

Wow! What a lovely surprise!!! I want to thank you personally, Nancy, for your kindness. Oh, I offered to take down the music and was threatened, so it stays!

"Sunday, Blog DayJuly 29th, 2007
I seem to be making the rounds of the people who are regulars on Shipshape Gal’s blog (otherwise known as, Empress Bee). That’s because I go down a list on my, “blog’s to be read” list and her buddies are all at the top of the list. I found, Amazing Gracie’s blog, Echoes of Grace, on that list.
Gracie’s posts clearly show the life of a good woman who struggles with ordinary things. Just like we all do.
Her grandson is off to Navy boot camp and Gracie is bursting with pride, and concern. Her love for her grandchild, along with her obvious patriotism and her conflict of worry, all mingle into a genuine outpouring of emotion that tug at your heart. Gracie’s thoughts, at this time, are genuine and beautifully laid out in her carefully tended blog."
Gracie is a surprise at every turn. Just when you think you have her pinned into a neat little corner, she writes something that shows you the depth and complexity of her character and you’re fascinated, all over again.
Music does accompany her blog. Her music is beyond lovely, but it sucks my bandwidth more effectively than a Dyson sucks dog hair. I can’t have any other windows open when I’m looking at her site, or this piece of crap computer will slow to a dead crawl. Worth it, though. Like I said, the music is wonderful and peaceful, just like her Echos of Grace."

Deep Thoughts for Deep Days

This was one of those "rainy day" kind of days; introspective and weepy. The kind of day that will pass and be bright and sunny tomorrow but needs attention today. I found some quotes that were intriguing and pertain to a thought I was given by someone special: "Do Not Ever Let Anyone Steal Your Joy." It's a powerful statement because it contains truth. Once we relinquish our ability to be joyful in the present, we are allowing someone to have power over us. In order to remain in control of our lives we must not allow anyone to take our joy from us.

I worked for a woman who delighted in controlling everyone who worked under her and making us all joyless. I gave her permission to steal my joy and I was miserable for it. When I told her I had accepted a new position, she slammed back in her chair and said, "You didn't tell me you were interviewing!" I looked her square in the eye and said, "No, I didn't have to." POWER. Small bits and pieces, I know but I have always been so timid in the face of authority. I walked out of her office on a cloud. I wasn't rude or improper - I was honest! I remained in charge and it was a new feeling entirely!

Tools for living, they are just building blocks, but if we apply them properly, our journey is a lot easier.

Inner Journey*

Refuse to be a victim
"We focus on the negatives, losing ourselves in the ‘problem.’ We point to our unhappy circumstances to rationalize our negative feelings. This is the easy way out. It takes, after all, very little effort to feel victimized."
-- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Nothing and no one can make us a victim. We do it to ourselves when we allow external circumstances to hold power over us.
Although we have no control over what happens to us, we ALWAYS have a choice in how we respond. We hold our power when we accept complete responsibility for our thoughts, feelings and actions.

"A man may fall many times but he won't be a failure until he says someone pushed him."
-- Elmer G. Letterman

"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."
-- Steven Biko

*From Higherawareness.com

Manic Monday - Miss

IS IT A HIT OR A MISS?

I grew up on TV. It was a novelty, a brand new fad. Would it fly? Would it be a hit or a miss?

Skeptics didn't think it would last.

When "The Hit Parade" came along and we had the Top Forty list, a TV show became very popular in the UK, called "Juke Box Jury," hosted by David Jacobs, but it got it's start here in the US with Peter Potter. I remember hearing the catch phrase, "Will it be a hit or a miss?" as the celebrities would listen to a new single and rate it as a "hit," or "miss." Of course, like any other show, we at home would often disagree with them and that made it fun to watch!

Since I was unable to bring the UTube video over, I have the URL to the very popular theme song that accompanied the UK show, which coincidentally, was produced by Peter Potter (boy, I would've changed my name!). It was extremely popular at the time and reminds me a lot of something by the Ventures. Enjoy the 45's hurtling towards you!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFAbKp4jsPE

The following paragraph is from "I LOVE 1960 TV."

I LOVE 1960 TV
Jukebox Jury - The show in which assorted celebrities rated new single releases a 'hit' or a 'miss' -

began on US Television in 1948 starring Hollywood DJ Peter Potter. It came to the UK in 1959, presented by David Jacobs, but only became a 'hit' itself in 1960. One of the highlights of the show's history was when The Beatles appeared on December 7th 1963. They rated songs by artists including Billy Fury, Elvis Presley and The Swinging Blue Jeans - all of which became hits.

On that night, seven of the Beatles' predictions were right and three were wrong.

To Everything There is a Season...

I debated whether or not to post this but I feel in my heart that I must. Our blogs all relate our ups and downs, the good and the bad, the funny and the sad. Most of us pour out our concerns here and find it a safe haven.

So many of us have health concerns and I am anxious about several of you. This concerns a family member that I feel the need to bring to your attention. He's my number one cousin's son. His name is Mike, he's 41, has a daughter in college and one in high school. He's been in the hospital now for several weeks, with one of those "mystery" diagnoses. If treated correctly in the beginning it's more than likely he wouldn't have had to be admitted, let alone where he is now.

For all of you praying folks, I would ask that you please remember Mike and his family in your prayers. I ask everyone to please keep him in your thoughts - he really needs all the help he can receive. He had surgery today and remains on a ventilator to oxygenate his blood. They expect him to remain in ICU for at least another week. He's in Georgetown University Hospital in D.C.

There's a moral to this story: stay on top of your medical care. Ask questions and don't be afraid of getting another opinion. And don't take antibiotics for every sore throat, cut and scrape. Some time when you really need them to work, they won't.

http://idcrossroads.blogspot.com/2007/01/antibiotics-are-not-harmless.html

Sunday Blessings to You!

At Steven's send-off party, Hubman's grandkids were all part of the gang! You can tell that they're a really close knit group of kids. Emily idolizes Steven! I want to thank all of you for your well-wishes and prayers for him as he takes this huge step in his life. We so appreciate your support!!!

The Cousins

Steven and his dad, center; Nick and Emily left; Steven's sister, second from right; last but certainly not least, Hannah!

Friday Feast #153

APPETIZER

Describe a toy you remember from your childhood.
The one that really stands out is a doll house my dad put together Christmas Eve, after I finally went to bed. While he and my mom were working on it, I woke up and wandered down the hall and caught them at it. My mom whispered to me that I was walking in my sleep and to go back to bed. I must have fallen for it, too!

It was a really neat doll house and had tons of little people and little furniture. He built it on a wooden platform with wheels so I could take it all around the house. Cool.

SOUP

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how observant are you?

I'd like to think "very" since I like to paint and sketch! But as I get older I find more and more escapes me. I'm having to train myself to keep in the observant mode!

SALAD

Where would you rather be at this very moment?

Does "anywhere but here" count? Come to think of it, that's a stupid answer! I could get zapped to Iran or North Korea, or Heaven help me, Iraq! Let's be more astute and say on the beach at Princeville in Kaua'i, Hawai'i.

MAIN COURSE

When was the last time you learned something new?

Today. I'm working on my HTML skills - and it's a slow trip.

DESSERT

Fill in the blanks: I have SKILLS but I haven’t BEEN USING THEM.

Our Own Hero...

Anchors Aweigh...

You may have noticed on the left sidebar, I've added a badge with the name "Steven" on it. This is Steven, who left Tuesday for Virginia to attend Navy boot camp. He's my husband's oldest grandson and he couldn't be prouder of him. Granted, along with that pride goes some trepidation but we're trusting God to be with our boy and keep him safe.

This is proud papa, Steve, and step-mom Jill.

And come September, Sarge...we're sending off a new Marine!

Another Propaganda Movie Coming Your Way...

"Hollywood is set to release anti-war propaganda in the fall. It's their thank you to our soldiers for putting their life on the line to protect our freedom to even diss the very people who continue to lose their life protecting it. They are about to turn our soldiers into killers without a future:"

To continue reading this very eye-opening film review, please click here:

http://reformedchicksblabbing.blogspot.com/

Thursday Thirteen - Cars

Some people are freaks. And then there are car freaks. I think I fall into the second category!

Hubman and I've owned a lot of cars and had to sell some that we really loved. None of the photos here are the actual cars but I chose ones that were really representative. Here's my list:

1. I learned to drive on a '49 Plymouth. We called it the "Green Wienie," because of it's color! The real "wienie" never looked this good!!!

2. Would you believe I got my very first driver's license driving this boat? That included parallel parking and I did it the first time! The instructor knocked off three points of my total score because he said I swung too wide making a right turn. Well, yeah, I didn't want to wipe out the whole city block! (Isn't it funny how you can remember things like this? I got a 97% total score)
3. I drove this '62 Buick Skylark in high school and to work. It had an aluminum block engine and looked very innocent but it could take just about anything off the line. It had a neat little four speed and was hot to trot! It taught me how to throw a speed shift. It also gave me my first speeding ticket! (I've only had two!)

4. The first new car we owned after getting married was this one. I remember racing a Corvette on the freeway and backing off at 100 mph. Common sense kicked it, thank goodness!
5. When my mom passed away in 1992, she wanted me to have her '92 Cougar. Looks can be deceptive. It was a speedy little devil! My mom gave me me fondness for fast cars. She could drive circles around a lot of people... 6. The first hot rod hubman and I bought was a '32 five-window coupe. It was one of those garage affairs that wound up being "almost" perfect and made him pretty well decide against a another do-it-yourself job. It sure was gorgeous though...

7. If I ever get another classic car