Hello, I must be blogging!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:33:00 +0000

Letter From Jesus about Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:49:00 +0000

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Important Information on Mammograms

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:51:00 +0000

Being the mammographer that I am, I would like to share some information about the new announcement on screening guidelines that was shared with me. Please read, it is very important to your life.
On Monday, November 16, the U.S.Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced a change to their mammography screening guidelines. Specifically, their new quidelines recommend screening mammograms every 2 years from age 50-74 versus their old guidelines which recommended screening mammograms every 1-2 years starting at age 40. The USPSTF is an independent panel of doctors and scientists in primary care and prevention that systematically reviews the evidence of effectiveness and develops recommendations for clinical preventive services. The Tast Force reports up through the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) and to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Since the announcement, many parties have issued statements, reiterated guidelines and have commented in the press that they are not in support of these new guidelines. Here are some more relevant statements with key parts highlighted in red.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Statement issued by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on November 18, 2009 and the USPSTF reports into the HHS....."There is no question that the USPSTF have caused a great deal of confusion and worry among women and their families across this country. I want to address that confusion head on. The USPSTF is an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists who make recommendations. They do not set federal policy and they don't determine what sevices are covered by the federal government. The Task Force has presented some new evidence for consideration but out policies remain unchanged. Indeed, I would be very surprised if any private insurance company changed it's mammography coverage decisions as a result of this action." What is clear is that there is a great need for more evidence, more research and more scientific innovation to help women prevent, detect, and fight breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. My message to women is simple. Mammograms have always been an important life-saving tool in the fight against breast cancer and they still are today. Keep doing what you have been doing for years...talk to your doctor about your individual history, ask questions, and make the decision that is right for you."
American College of Radiology - Statement issued on November 16, 2009..."If cost-cutting USPSTF mammography recommendations are adopted as policy, two decades of decline in breast cancer mortality could be reversed and countless American women may die needlessly from breast cancer each year. The recommendations - created by a federal government-funded committee with no medical imaging representation - would advise against regular mammography screening for women 40-49 years of age, provide mammograms only every other year for women between 50 and 74, and stop all breast cancer screening in women over 74. These unfounded recommendations ignore the valid scientific data and place a great many women at risk of dying unnecessarily from a disease that we have made significant headway against over the past 20 years. These new recommendations seem to reflect a conscious decision to ration care. If Medicare and private insurers adopt these incredibly flawed USPSTF recommendations as a rationale for refusing women coverage of these life-saving exams, it could have deadly effects for American women. The USPSTF recommendations are a step backward and represent a significant harm to women's health. At least 40% of the lives saved by mammographic screening are of women aged 40-49.
American Cancer Society - Statement issued by Chief Medical Director Otis Brawley on November 16, 2009...."The American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40. Our experts make this recommendation having reviewed virtually all the same data reviewed by the USPSTF, but also additional data that the USPSTF did not consider. When recommendations are based on judgments about the balance of risks and benefits, reasonable experts can look at the same data and reach different conclusions. We specifically noted that the overall effectiveness of mammography increases with increasing age, but the limitations do not change the fact that breast cancer screening using mammography starting at age 40 saves lives. As someone who has long been a critic of those overstating the benefits of screening, I use these words advisedly: this is one screening test I recommend unequivocally, and would recommend to any woman 40 and over, be she a patient, a stranger or a family member. With it's new recommendations, the USPSTF is essentially telling women that mammography at age 40 to 49 saves lives: just nost enough of them. The task force says screening women in their 40s would reduce their risk of death from breast cancer by 15%, just as it does for women in their 50s. But because women in their 40s are at lower risk of the disease than women 50 and above, the USPSTF says the actual number of lives saved is not enough to recommend widespread screening. The most recent data show us that approximately 17% of breast cancer deaths occured in women who were diagnosed in their 40s and 22% occurred in women diagnosed in their 50s. Breast cancer is a serious health problem facing adult women, and mammography is part of our solution beginning at age 40 for average risk women. And as scientists work to make mammography even more effective, the American Cancer Society's medical staff and volunteer experts overwhelmingly believe the benefits of screening women aged 40 - 49 outweigh it's limitations.
As a mammographer, I've seen many women 49 and under who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.....and most of their lives have been saved by early detection because of mammography. Please take all this into consideration when making a decision about your mammogram.

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:09:00 +0000

Wow, has it been a long time. I seemed to have become a little involved in Facebook. Have been neglecting my blog.
While following a few blogs, I ran across Inky Impression's...and wanted to share. There is a link on my sidebar to follow. I love her stamps!
We will be heading to Branson in a couple of weeks and I will have to share some fall pics from there...also heading to the Strange Folk Art Festival in our area this weekend. I'm sure I'll also have some to share from that experience.

Awwwww.......baby robin!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:15:00 +0000

They don't have their "red breast" at first. But they could fly without much tail feathers!!!

Butterfly House - Chesterfield, Missouri

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:17:00 +0000

Sunday we made a trip over to the butterfly house in Chesterfield. Was a beautiful day outside...the humidity was finally gone. But inside the butterfly house was another story....hot and very humid, had sweat rolling down my back. But oh how beautiful were the butterflies and flowers......quiet made up for it. Enjoy the pics.

My parents.

Not sure what exotic plant this was, but it's beautiful.

The Lunar Moth...the only moth in the butterfly house.

Hissing cockroaches.....very large as you can see by the relation to them and the orange. Don't want any of these at home!!!!!

The native butterfly garden out back.

Back view of the butterfly house.

I just love this picture....looks like the flowers are reaching up to the sun!

Happy Birthday Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:14:00 +0000

We celebrated Dad's birthday on June 27, 2009....one day after the actual day! Happy Birthday!!

Winterset, Iowa

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Just wanted to add a note to the blog addition below....Winterset, Iowa is probably one of the prettiest and neatest and quaint little towns I've ever visited. We drove around and every little home was impeccable and neat. A wonderful place to visit and see all the sights!

The "Duke"

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Okay, all you John Wayne fans get ready......

Here are pics from John Wayne's birthplace, Winterset Iowa. There is a picture in the home of him and his dog, Duke. We were told that's how he became known as "Duke". When workers in a place he used to walk by saw him, they didn't know his name, only the dog's, so they starting calling the dog (which was large), big Duke and John Wayne little Duke. John Wayne liked that name, instead of Marion; so he adopted the name for his own. That's why he was called Duke most of his life.

JOHN WAYNE....the mere mention of his name produces images of courage and patriotism. His life story began in this small central Iowa town of Winterset. He was born Marion Robert Morrison, the son of Clyde and Mary Brown Morrison and weighed a whopping 13 lbs! His father was a pharmacist and John Wayne described his father as "the kindest, most patient man I ever knew." His mother, Mary, was of Irish descent, and the Duke said "she was a tiny, vivacious red-headed bundle of energy." John Wayne actually set out to be a lawyer, playing football in college....but we know life takes mysterious turns, and the rest is history, they say.....!

Here it is......the Duke's house! All four rooms! Step back in time and picture the life of a young midwestern boy and his family near the turn of the 20th century. It's been restored to reflect its appearance in 1907, the year of Duke's birth. I wasn't able to take any pictures in the house, but it is filled with memorabilia! So much to look at and absorb. The memorablia includes unique items as the eye-patch worn in the movie True Grit, a hat worn in Rio Lobo, and a prop suitcase used in the film Stagecoach. Hundreds of rare photographs of the Duke are on display as well as letters from Lucille Ball, Gene Autry, Maureen O'Hara, Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan and George Burns. There is also the bib-style shirt worn by him in North to Alaska, two pair of pants and a leather vest which were worn in various television appearances during the late 60's and 70's....the list just goes on and on. Awesome stuff!!

Dad and JoAnn in the back of his house. Since it's opening, the childhood home of John Wayne has been visited by many celebrities and dignitaries. (Now that includes us...hehehe) On November 3, 1984, President Ronald Reagan commented during his visit that the Birthplace of John Wayne is an inspiring tribute to a good friend and a great American.

In May of 2007, Ethan Wayne and more than 30 members of the John Wayne family journeyed to Winterset to join in the celebrations surrounding the actor's 100th birthday. Among the weekend's highlights was the presentation by the Wayne family of a magnificent, larger-than-life bronze of John Wayne by sculptor David Manuel. This statue is in the museum and gift shop.

Pictures of the "public square" in downtown Winterset. One of these buildings house the pharmacy where John's Wayne's dad worked as a pharmacist when they lived here.

We visited a couple of covered bridges during our visit to Winterset. This town was basically where they filmed "Bridges of Madison County" with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. There was so much we wanted to accomplish on our trip we couldn't see all the places of the movie. Directed by Clint Eastwood, produced by Eastwood and Kathleen Kennedy, and associate produced by Tom Rooker and Michael Maurer, it is the visual representation of two people coming to terms with their own lives through each other. The film is a narrative about love and choices and consequence. "The Bridges of Madison County" was made on location in Madison County, Iowa. A reconstructed farm house provided the key set, with additional sequences shot in the towns of Winterset and Adel, along with the actual Roseman and Holliwell covered bridges. Locations were coordinated with the full cooperation of the Iowa Film Commission, Winterset and Adel Chambers of Commerce, and the Madison County Covered Bridge Preservation Society. This is the Holliwell Bridge, built in 1880 and located over the Middle River southeast of Winterset, and is the longest bridge, measuring 122 feet. It was renovated in 1995 for $225,000.

Another view at the bridge.

Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge greets visitors as they enter Winterset City Park. Built in 1871 , it is 79 feet long. Originally over the North River near Bevington, it was moved to its present location in 1970. It was renovated in 1997 for $35,000.

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:34:00 +0000

Our first stop on our Iowa trip was to Marceline, Missouri, Walt Disney's hometown where he spent his formative years. He moved here when he was five years old and was 11 when he left Marceline. But here is "Where the Magic Began".
Walt returned to Marceline many times throughout his life with fond memories of his boyhood. Once he addressed thousands of residents and said, "My best memories are the years that I spent here in Marceline. You children are lucky to live here".
Ensuring that the world never forgets....Walt Disney was a simple farm boy from Marceline who grew up to become the keeper of childhood magic.

The Walt Disney Hometown museum is the recipient of a unique collection of family effects, never seen elsewhere in the world. Personal belongings and artifacts from Disney family members, hundreds of personal letters written between family members and interpretive exhibits that focus on the Disney family and tell the story of Walt's childhood, family and friends are some of the things you will see in this museum. You'll even see his actual school desk that he sat in in grade school with his initials engraved into the top of the wood.

I took this picture before I knew that you weren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum. Oh well, at least I have one! This little car has been restored into it's original condition and there are more still to be restored.....these were a collection of the only "ride" from Disneyland ever to be disassembled and reassembled in the town of Marceline for all the children at that time to enjoy. A gift from Walt.

The main street in Marceline was the model for Main Street USA that Walt designed for Disneyland. He came back to the town quite a few times, unknown to the residents at the time, to make drawings and help with his memories.

Dad and JoAnn outside the Uptown Theatre.

Walt's original dreaming tree, which was hit by lightening quite a few years ago.

The new tree planted to replace the original tree. The "little dreaming tree".

The barn behind his home where Walt and his sister Ruth played in and he put on little plays for the neighborhood kids.

Walt Disney's home as a boy.

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:54:00 +0000

We had a storm yesterday evening that went through, and a tornado touched down about three miles from our house in this neighborhood off Lebanon Avenue and Greenmount Rd. It also touched down outside of Mascoutah, IL. These are pictures I took of the damage in the area of Greenmount Rd. We could not get into the subdivision where it touched down, but these are pictures we got from the road as we drove by. We were driving very slow by here because they were still cleaning up debrees off Lebanon Avenue in the roadway.

Debrees being stacked out front.

Channel Four "copter".

All the light poles in this parking lot were either leaning or c ompletely broke off like this one.

Huge sign completely bent over.

Very pretty sun after the storm.

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:47:00 +0000

These are pictures of Seymour, Iowa, where we went to on a recent trip up north. My G-G-G-G-grandparents on my father's side settled here from England in the 1800's. I had information on them and wanted to see the town and where they were buried in the local cemetery. We didn't find their original home, don't know where it was. But certainly would enjoy going back and spending more time in the area and take more time to go through the library info and find other local information on my family. I did get copies of their obituaries from the Seymour Library.

This is the cemetery where they are buried in Seymour, Iowa.

Samuel and Sarah Webb, my G-G-G-G-grandparents that came over from England in the 1800's and eventually settled here in Seymour, Iowa.

On down the road, outside of Adair, Iowa, we stopped at this historical site.

Me, standing at the marker of the "First train robbery in the West" that involved the notorious Jesse James....just outside of Adair, Iowa.

A part of the original tracks.

We visited Jesse James' home in St. Joseph's Missouri.

Dad and JoAnn on the backporch of Jesse James' home.

Picture of Jesse James' living room.

Jesse James was straightening a picture on the wall when Bob Ford shot him in the back of the head. You can see the bullet hold in the wall (gold frame) where it went through his head and into the wall.

Picture of Jesse James in casket; there's a small tie pin that was found in the chest area when he was exhumed for DNA testing.

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:53:00 +0000

We visited the historic town of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. All the historic homes you see face a natural perfectly round lake. It was a very cute little town with lots of fun history.

The Hotel Defuniak.....we ate lunch at a little restaurant inside here called Bogey's. It still functions as a hotel.

My dad said he learned to drive in a car just like this one.........wow he's old!

The Little Big Store.....just like the old-fashion general store. They had everything you could imagine from "way-back-when".....lye soap, parafin lips, clove gum, horehound candy....the list goes on!

The Magnolia Tree, such a stately tree with such beautiful blooms.

A cute little Methodist Church and a huge magnolia tree to the right.

Is this not the coolest thing? A fountain out front of your home. Next pic is of the saying that's above the fountain. Awesome.....

This is a beauty!

Saved my favorite for last........I just love this house!!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:15:00 +0000

Just got back from our Destin, Florida trip. Will be sharing photos with you over the next few days. This is a beautiful sunset in Destin. Breathtaking!!

Check out the website.....

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Okay, you crafters, you have to check out Ball's website.....they have all sorts of ideas of things to do with ball jars!

And they're made in America!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Finally got my scrapbook room painted. Since my all time favorite color is lime green and I wanted a cheery place to scrap, I chose "Chopped Chive" in Valspar paint for my room. If you've ever used Valspar from Lowe's, it is the best paint. I just love the coverage you get from it. Yes, it's bright! But I love how it turned out! Also, I keep my ribbons in mason jars (ball jars as some call them). They are new ones, but my sister has a "love affair" with ball jars and I found this interesting article on the history of mason jars...and wanted to share! Used for canning pickles and sipping iced tea, these wide-mouthed jars have been kitchen mainstays very since the Ball Corporation began producing them in 1884. Even now, the company continues to make 585,000 mason jars each day.
1858 - John Mason invents the first canning jar with a screw top; his patent expires in 1879, opening the world to competition.
1884 - Brothers Frank, Edmund, George, Lucius and William form Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing in New York State and start making mason jars. The company moves to Indiana three years later.
1909 - The first Ball Blue Book, a primer on home canning, is published. (An updated version can be purchased at www.freshpreserving.com.)
1918 - The Ball brothers bequeath a small college in Muncie to the state of Indiana; the school is later renamed Ball State University.
1933 - The Ball Company does not lay off a single employee during the Great Depression.
1972 - After 88 years as a family-owned business, Ball goes public.
2009 - The Ball mason jar celebrates its 125th anniversary. An exhibit, Can It! 125 Years of the ball Jar, can be viewed through August 23 at the Minnetrista Culteral Center in Muncie, Indiana. Visit www.minnetrista.net for details.
Now how cool is that?

This was a frame I bought in the clearance isle at Hobby Lobby for $1.60 and covered in paper and embellished. It's a picture of my sister and I in Indiana at the an orthopedic hospital where our mom had gotten a hip replacement. We bought our matching t'shirts at Cracker Barrel and wore them into our mom's room...she got quite a kick of out it! If you can't read them well, they say "Mom Likes Me Best"! LOL

Hi, Tinkerbell....she always has to be the center of attention!

My DH bought the table for me at Big Lots for $45.00 and then we got the 24" chair to go with it. It's just the perfect heighth. I love it.

Somewhere over the rainbow......

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:36:00 +0000

It's rained here all day, but around 6:30 this evening the sun came out and being the scrapbooker I am with my camera always handy, I ran outside and behold...a beautiful rainbow!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Beautiful new WTA ATC I received yesterday from Melissa Huber. How sweet!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:42:00 +0000

Wanted to share a new picture of my son, James, and his girlfriend, Jessica. The hospital I work for offered a free picture taking session with a free framed 8 x 10 and a CD with all the pics on it. So I let them get their picture taken since they didn't have a professional one together. Turned out quite nice.

Thought for the day....

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:58:00 +0000

When I hear somebody sigh, "Life is hard," I am always tempted to ask, "Compared to what?"
- Sydney J. Harris

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:40:00 +0000

Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

SIGNS OF SPRING

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Starting to look like spring and feel like it too outside. Yes, there's and end to this coldness!!!! Here's one of my trustworthy daffodils.

Hyacinth...and oooohh the wonderful scent!

Butterfly Bush

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:16:00 +0000

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Spent the afternoon in Alton, Illinois on Friday. Had heard about Fast Eddie's Bon Air for years, but never had eaten there. Quite good and cheap. Was originally owned and started in 1921 by Anheuser Busch. Food is the same price as it was 15 years ago. 99 cent hamburgers and fries, Big Elwood on a stick, which is steak and green pepper shish-k-bobs for $2.99, Chick on a Stick, Pork K-bobs and peel-n-eat shrimp, 29 cents each and they're huge and oh so good!! On weekends standing room only is at a minimum here.
Was second day without crutches, so was good to be out "walking" around and did very well. Was a little sore and tired by the end of the trip, but great exercise! Getting better every day.

I just love primitive!!!

These stone walls run up and down almost every road in historic downtown Alton and many homes are made of the stone....it is natural to the area. Someone has set a stone rabbit on top.....just love it!

Okay, they're not kidding here......LOL.....that would be the mighty Mississippi in the background. It can look quite serene on a clear, nice day! Don't let the look fool you, it can be quite mighty at times!

Found this in the cemetery.....fascinating....this old tree has engulfed some of the old stone fence that runs alongside the road.

Beautiful statuary in a cemetery.

Love the clock in this church steeple.

All the stone homes in Alton just intrigue me.....I love stone houses! And here's a stone church steeple.

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:11:00 +0000

Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles.
- Samuel Smiles