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12/24/2008
The Gift
T'was the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of
plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney
with presents to give,
and to see just who
in this home did live.
I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought
came through my mind.
For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured
a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world,
the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate
a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve
in a land far from home.
The very thought
brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.
The soldier awakened
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is my god,
my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over
and soon drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave
on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on Santa,
it’s Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night."
12/23/2008
As cute as he looks in his Christmas hat, he some how reminds me of the Grinch dog…
I guess that makes me Grinch, LOL.
![grinch_cartoon[1] (2)](https://hr4b1a.bay.livefilestore.com/y1m24q_Nz0I286fgv0LY-te4wG7w1D35l8tFjMtMkNvvd8x5cVegvE0aZU322qJOvmAjSLDy6IjxftP_zqlssh9yftnudXCThdmsD6fdj4FlbODCB8kYyQa7GvB6DWLUvuIelGBp4gVUtU/grinch_cartoon[1] (2)_thumb[1].jpg "grinch_cartoon[1] (2)")
Here’s some entertainment for you…
Maxine's Night Before Christmas
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!!! 12/17/2008
1. Clear large space on table for wrapping present.
2. Go to wardrobe and collect bag in which present is contained, and close door.
3. Open door and remove cat from wardrobe.
4. Go to cupboard and retrieve rolls of wrapping paper.
5. Go back and remove cat from cupboard.
6. Go to drawer and collect transparent sticky tape, ribbons, scissors, labels, etc.
7. Lay out present and wrapping materials on table, to enable wrapping strategy to be formed.
8. Go back to drawer to get string, remove cat that has been in the drawer since last visit, and collect string.
9. Remove present from bag.
10. Remove cat from bag.
11. Open box to check present, remove cat from box, replace present.
12. Lay out paper to enable cutting to size.
13. Cut the paper to size, trying to keep the cutting line straight.
14. Throw away first sheet because cat tried to chase the scissors and tore paper.
15.Cut second sheet of paper to size by putting cat in the bag the present came out of.
16. Place present on cut-to-size paper.
17. Lift up edges of paper to seal in present, wonder why edges now don't reach, and find cat between present and paper. Remove cat and retry.
18. Place object on paper, to hold in place, while cutting transparent sticky tape.
19. Spend next 20 minutes carefully trying to remove transparent sticky tape from cat with pair of nail scissors.
20. Seal paper down with transparent sticky tape, making corners as neat as possible.
21. Look for roll of ribbon; chase cat down hall and retrieve ribbon.
22. Try to wrap present with ribbon in a two-directional turn.
23. Re-roll up ribbon and remove paper that is now torn, due to cat's enthusiasm in chasing ribbon end.
24. Repeat steps 12-22 until down to last sheet of paper.
25. Decide to skip steps 12-16 in order to save time and reduce risk of losing last sheet of paper.
26. Retrieve old cardboard box that you know is right size for sheet of paper.
27. Put present in box, and tie down with string.
28. Remove string, open box and remove cat.
29. Put all packing materials in bag with present and head for lockable room.
30. Once inside room, lock door and start to re-lay out packing materials.
31. Remove cat from box, unlock door, put cat outside door, close door and re-lock.
32. Lay out last sheet of paper. (Admittedly this is difficult in the small area of the bathroom, but try your best!)
33. Seal box, wrap with paper and start repairs by very carefully sealing down tears with transparent sticky tape.
34. Now tie up with ribbon and decorate with bows to hide worst affected areas.
35. Label, then sit back and admire your handiwork, congratulating yourself on making good of a bad job.
36. Unlock door, and go to kitchen to make drink and feed cat.
37. Spend next 15 minutes looking for cat, before coming to obvious conclusion.
38. Unwrap present, untie box and remove cat.
39. Retrieve all discarded sheets of wrapping paper, feed cat and retire to lockable room for last attempt, making certain you are alone and the door is locked.
40. At time of handing over present, smile sweetly at receiver's face, as they try and hide their contempt at being handed such a badly wrapped present.
41. Swear to yourself that next year, you will get the store to wrap the darn thing for you.
||Author Unknown||
12/13/2008 Making a list and checking it twice…
So I shamelessly stole this from here
Love it though and wanted to share.
#1. Your dog sees you naked, but still respects you.
Honestly, how many people can you say that about? Seriously. Your dog sees you at your worst, pre-shower, pre-makeup, pre-everything that makes you look presentable, and still looks at you like a deity. Or at least, keeps the chuckles to a minimum.
#2. Your dog is content with being your fallback.
Who is always there for you when you’re date doesn’t show? Who is waiting for you happily after he or she's been ignored because of your busy social life? Who else would be thrilled to have you show up even though you’ve done everything in your power to find something else to do? Even when you come home after a horrible break-up, vowing to never love again, your dog is happy to teach you to do just that.
#3. Your dog keeps you from getting a fat butt.
That’s right. If you didn’t have to spend all that time taking your dog for walks, you’d likely be sitting around on your lazy bum. Sure, it seems like a drag when it’s ten degrees outside and your pooch is scratching at the front door, but your 24-hour personal trainer knows what’s best for you. Get moving!
#4. Your dog helps you to think about someone besides yourself.
Ever spent much time with someone who doesn’t like dogs? What do they all have in common? Complete self-absorption. I don’t like dogs because they’re messy. They smell. They take work. They always want attention. I’m too busy. Thanks to your four-legged friend, you’re not like those people. Your dog is a living, breathing reminder that the world is more than just you.
#5. Your dog is impossibly cute.
Sure, you sometimes take it for granted. Sometimes you forget it. Memories of your dog's puppyhood may seem thousands of miles away, and you often find yourself too busy to notice. But then you happen to look down from whatever “important” thing you’re doing and see those adorable eyes staring up at you, and you just can’t deny it. Your dog has more cute than a thousand Bambi movies.
#6. Your dog takes you places.
How often have you been introduced to a new experience just because of your dog? I’ve met lots of new friends, seen tons of new places and found scads of new activities merely because of my friendship with my dog. There’s nothing like starting a conversation with a complete stranger in a park because your dog is vigorously sniffing said stranger’s privates, is there? (It’s true! How many romantic comedies use that exact same scenario?)
#7. Your dog is your excuse.
Just as your four-legged friend gives you a reason to get out and see the world, your dog also can be your excuse to stay in. “I have to rearrange my sock drawer” just doesn’t cut it anymore. If you claim to have an obsessive-compulsive dog at home who will eat through your refrigerator door if you don’t feed him by precisely 7pm, that is strangely more plausible.
#8. Your dog reminds you that there is still good in the world.
It’s easy to forget. People cut you off in traffic. Some creepy guy stares at you non-stop in the subway. Your boss is a jerk. Your cab driver overcharges you. It’s enough to want you to shut the world out and hide on your couch all day. But when you get there, you’re greeted by someone who thinks the world of you, and who only wants to make you happy (oh, and maybe a nibble of whatever it is you’re eating).
 #9. Your dog always gets the shaft.
Sure you may have nabbed the milk-bone with the bow on it at the supermarket checkout last year, but is that all that your constant companion is worth? You’ve spent more on a random holiday gift pool at the office than on gifts for your dog, haven’t you? What about a warm dog bed to get him up off the floor? Maybe a new dog collar and leash that doesn’t look like every other one? Some cute dog clothes that (almost) match your dog's level of cuteness? How about a new dog toy that will remind your best friend (and you) what it’s like to be a kid again?
#10. Life is too short. Especially in dog years.
Though your pup’s in it for the long haul, it always seems too short. If you’ve ever lost a beloved dog to old age, you know that no matter how long you’ve been together, it seems like you could have done more. More walks. More playing. More doting. When it’s all over, do you think you’ll wish you’d spent more time working and worrying? Not likely.
You know what you need to do? Go home and spend time with your best friend. Thank your dog for everything. Your dog may not understand every word, but he or she understands your heart.
Wet puppy kisses to you all… Have a good weekend. 12/10/2008
 On the first day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
The Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the second day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the third day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me 
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
 On the sixth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
 On the ninth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me 
Eleven unwrapped presents
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
A dozen puppy kisses And I forgot all about the other
Eleven days.
 11/26/2008 To: God.com
Dear Lord,
Every single evening
As I’m lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:
God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm
and safe from harm
For they’re so close to me.
And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don't mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too.
Now I know that it's unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.
You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.
I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scraps of metal
Takes me in to where they live.
By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.
Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless my Space's friends list
That's filled with so much love.
Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each friend's Space
And each person who hits 'comment'.
When you update your Heavenly friends list
On your own Great CD-ROM,
Bless everyone who says this prayer
Sent up to God.com
Amen
http://www.areyouthankful.com/
Happy Thanksgiving! 10/9/2008 The Halloween costume album has been added. There are LOTS of pictures and all so cute.
Every year my niece uses her Birthday to participate in Paws on Parade. She invites a few friends for the night, they have a lemonade stand to raise money for the SPCA. Then in the morning they dress up the dogs and join the parade. This is her Birthday party. This year will year 4 and they are hoping to get a prize. I think she already won with her generous spirit.
Enjoy the pictures!
2/14/2008
is... A good dog.
12/24/2006
The gift
T'was the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of
plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney
with presents to give,
and to see just who
in this home did live.
I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought
came through my mind.
For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder,
not how I pictured
a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world,
the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate
a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve
in a land far from home.
The very thought
brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.
The soldier awakened
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is my god,
my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over
and soon drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave
on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on Santa,
it’s Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night." 11/9/2006
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
My deepest gratitude to all that serve our nation.
10/23/2006
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Happy Birthday to Steve
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And the number one sign you're getting older:
Birthday blogs like this
are a little too true
to be funny anymore.
Happy Birthday!!! |
| | 10/13/2006 
Since this is the month of Halloween, my videos this month will be pranks. Puppies and kitties will return in November. Also, watch for the pictures in the photo album with pets in costume.
For today, don't walk under any ladders, don't break any glass and watch out for black cats. Have a great wekend. 10/6/2006 
Happy Birthday Denise!
What?! You are 21 AGAIN!!!
7/24/2006
Tell us what your opinion is about ________________ (fill in the blank).  7/21/2006
Happy 43rd Birthday Wayne!!
Well folks, it's Friday again. Monday my work partner comes back from vacation (thank goodness- I missed you Glenda). I've slacked on blog visits this week I've been sooo busy. I will be by to see you all next week.
6/28/2006 Everyone go visit Diane and say Happy Birthday!!! As she would say:
KEEP YOUR STICK ON THE ICE
6/23/2006
So according to American Greetings, it is Take Fido to Work Day. Well today I have a guest in my office. Jaegermiester, my dachshund.
I joked on Wednesday when I was leaving work that I would bring my dogs to work today. Little did I know... Yesterday while getting ready for work, I hear lil dog chewing on something. I knew I hadn't fed him breakfast yet so I checked to see what he was eating. To my horror, he was chewing on a block of rat poisoning. My heart dropped. Well of course I took it away from him, got dressed and put him in the car. So here I sit, dog in car, panic just under the surface and ... where's the keys? I needed the keys to get in the car. No keys (still haven't located them). I grabbed the spare set and set off, but where was I going? To a vet, somewhere. I called the vet I went to on previous occasions, no answer. So I remember another one and just drove there.
When I walk in the nice lady behind the desk greets me and I told her I think I have an emergency. She kindly told me the doctor was busy, surgery and appointments until after lunch. I took the little baggy with the block out of my purse and explained that I just took this from the dog. Not a second passed before they had him back in the office. The vet explained to me how the poison works and that there are two types, one he could save the animal, the other there is no hope. He asks me where is the box? Box? No box. So the vet tech (nice lady that greeted me) called the store where I bought it, had someone read to her the ingredients then called the manufacturer for poison treatments.
Fortunately, it was treatable. They had to induce vomiting and give him Vitamin K shots. I took him this morning for his final vitamin shot and the vet said he will be just fine. The lil dog was just as happy to go back to the vet so I guess it wasn't that bad. More of a trauma for me than him.
So lil dog is here with me today. And I'll be keeping a very close eye on him.
Have a great weekend all!
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