wish wish wish

SusieQ says--Christmas can be bamboozling folks.  Sooooo be careful.  It can get in your head.  SusieQ, I hate to tell you, but you are very venerable and you don’t even know it.  Ho Ho Ho!  AverageJoe says--Be careful from whom you get your advice. Make sure they are where you want to go or at least headed there. For sooner or later, their advice will take you where they are. Make sure you want to go there.

Cheap Advice—Last Saturday a couple of friends and I went out for breakfast. They happen to be both farmers.  I asked them if they get good advice at the grain elevator (i.e. farmers like to go there and talk).  They said the advice they get there isn’t the truth; farmers lie a lot; at least only tell half truths.ha ha They don’t share many of their things that work.  Surely don’t share any of the things that don't work for them. What!  FarmerHendrick says--They do that on purpose to impress each other or something like that! ha ha  Such if life.

Self evaluation seems to be soooo hard to do, at least objectively.  Sometimes we are tooooo hard on ourselves and sometimes we aren’t hard enough.  I read the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed (i.e. suggested to me by my couzLois).  Here is a little of it—Why hadn’t I thought of that?  Of ripping the guide book into sections?  Because I was a big fat idiot and I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, that’s why. And I was alone in the wilderness with a beast of a load to carry while finding that out…I have been a arrogant asshole and, in the midst of that, my mother died...It's reality.  And reality is what we have to accept, like it or not. Saturday question—What kind of person are you at Christmas? I really enjoyed this book (i.e. national best seller).  I think she’s a very good writer—thought provoking and entertaining non-fiction—my opinion!!!  My advice is you read it.  If you do, let me know what you think of it. Oh for you non readers, Carrie told me at church that a movie is being done on the book.  I goggled it and yes, it's opening December 5.

Crazy, just crazy.  ItchieBitchie says—erv, I’m not saying you are crazy but it’s just that you have crazy ideas that I’m not crazy about.  Maybe ItchieBitchie, your crazy idea that my ideas are crazy is just crazy.  ItchieBitchie, crazy folks won’t listen to other folks’ crazy ideas ‘cause they think that their ideas are crazy. Crazy, huh! OneSmatGuy says—Even a broken clock is right twice a day!

Big butt gift!  SlickWillie (i.e. has to be one smart guy as he has a lot of credentials behind his name) says—I have the perfect gift suggestion for your wife, girlfriend or significant other, unless she already has a big butt.  I didn’t say she was a big butt or she has a big butt, I’m just saying here is a good gift for her if she doesn’t have a big butt but would like one.  It’s the new style (i.e. I read in the paper soooo it must be right) to have a “fuller rear end” or some call it a big botty trend.  It’s stylish now to have a curvaceous figure.  Soooooo here is the gift idea.  Buy her padded panties that give the appearance of a rounder rump.  The paper says they are selling fast, soooo quite your squawking about what you are going to buy her and get on the Internet and get some padded panties early.  You will be a hit or get hit!  If she already has a good enough butt (i.e. your opinion), well, go to plan B!  Plan B is (i.e. my suggestion) is activewear.  But then again she might think you think she has tooooo big of a butt and that could be a problem.  It’s a guessing game guys.  Have you ever guessed wrong like buying for her a skimpy pair of sleep wear?  I did one time; Arlene took it back and bought flannel pjs with feet in them (i.e. I don’t remember if it had a hood or not).  She probably said—You’re killing me Smalls!  Such is life.

I wish I wish I wish!  ItchieBitchie says--Some folks are never happy, they are always wishing and wanting and complaining.  Joesixpack said--We gain nutten when we are consistently comparing.  Christmas can do that to a guy.  Comparison either makes us think we are on top or on the bottom.  What!  Isn’t that pride or despair?  GeorgeTheCrook says--Neither one is any good folks.

Golly gosh! I asked a friend who was sitting next to me in Sunday School last Sunday if she likes Christmas.  She gave me a very neutral response.  Then said, I wish it wouldn't be sooooo commercial (i.e. toooo much Christmas hoopla).  She said she really enjoys part of it but not many of the other parts of it.  She is hosting an open house in her house for us.  She likes entertaining and having friends over.  CasualCal says--Much of Christmas is chasing after the wind (i.e. sorta kinda middle school); it's missing what we are shooting at. Ya CasualCal, Christmas has many things that scream for your attention and affections. Such is life.

I saw friends the other morning who I haven't seen for some time.  It was soooo much fun laughing about old times.  We have had some good ones alright.  My friend reminded me of the time we were hunting ducks in the marsh.  There was a lot of hunting pressure but we had our boat in the right spot.  Maybe 30 ducks circled and circled and came right into our decoys.  We both emptied our guns but not one duck dropped. We very humbly sat down in the boat and didn't say a word (i.e. ducked down).  Some smart guy in a boat near by hollered--You guys couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a scoop shovel.

Gee whiz! I had breakfast with a friend Monday before we left.  This guy has never liked Christmas as long as I have known him.  Why!  Well, he has an xwife and remarried to a gal who also has a family.  Just a lot of confusion and moving parts and stress and unhappiness and messes.  And then there is the gift giving he says.  He always just can't wait until Christmas is over. He says--Holy-blogny-I-can't-wait-for-Christmas-to-be-over! MyFriend, I suggest you put some gook on it and live with it!  It's going to happen no matter what kind of attitude you have.  Such is life.

A mind stretcher folks! China has consumed more cement in 3.5 years than United States did in 100 years. There are 62,000,000 new, vacant apartments in China.  One out of five houses are vacant.  What is going on?  There are entire cites built but there are no people called ghost cities.  Reason—to stimulate the economy.  China’s population is 1.39 billion and the United States’ population is 324 million.  All in about the same land space.  Now if the U.S. retailers
can get all those Chinese to buy one Christmas present—Bingo!  When we were in China, the folks I talked

tooooo all claimed to be atheists.  Soooo the retailers would have to take Christ out of Christmas.  But, that shouldn’t be much of a problem.  This idea is rather hazy, much like the haze that is constant seen in China!  

Christmas commercial advertising has a face of a choir boy and a disposition of a pit bull.  Sooooo Can’tControlYouShoppingBetty be careful.  Do you remember your actions last year?  LuckieEddie says—I suggest you learn to appreciate and enjoy the free stuff and the small stuff.  Quite your wishing wishing wishing but do something for someone. Use your time for others—that is a great gift that will make you feel, oh soooo good.

 BigLipBoooBirds!  As a kid we would get the “wish catalog” out
and wish and wish for the perfect Christmas gift.  It was really fun.  Now the store ads do the same.  I think the “wish catalog” was more fun.  Maybe the Sunday paper ads are the same.  It’s fun to wish for what you want for Christmas.  As we get older, of course, that process changes.  Reality sorta kinda comes to play. Kids and immature adults can become “BigLipBoooBirds” when they don’t get what they want. Those “BigLipBoooBirds” put a lot of pressure on parents, grandparents and friends, etc.

I was at a store recently when the check out clerk asked me about Christmas.  We had a nice little talk and then she said—Our Christmas isn’t going to be very big this year.  We just plain can’t afford to do toooo much for our kids; we will do what we can.  I know this family a little and you know what, they will be okay with that.  They will do just fine.  They are good folks, with good hearts (i.e. real folks—my kind of folks).  I find it interesting how some families go way over board on gift giving and others don’t.  It isn’t always about the money folks.  I really don’t know for sure why some folks are sooooo different than others.  I have my thinking though.  I don’t want to hurt any of your feelings sooooo I won’t express it.  My opinion isn’t probably right anyway.  ItchieBitchie says—If you have a room full of toys why do you need another room full of toys?  Such is life.

Throw away extravaganza!  Soooooo how many Christmas presents are never used.  They are just thrown away or sold on a garage sale next summer.  Really.  SusieQ says—Yabut you got to buy them something or they think you don’t like them.  Besides, they give you a gift.  Crazy!  A friend told me—It seems that many folks don’t remember the first part of Christmas-----Christ.  Moderation folks, moderation.  Jesus said—The greatest are determined by the humility of service.  Our greatest Christmas gifts were pretty special.  We received our daughter, Heather, on Christmas Eve day 40 years ago.  Then three years later during the Christmas season, we received our son, Chet.  Gifts that were the greatest and will never be forgotten.  Never! The best presents money can't buy folks.

CadillacJack says—If you have a ship load of money like I do, things are way different.  Christmas isn’t tooo stressful.  You buy them whatever they want.  Maybe even two of what they want.  Personally, I can’t imagine being a multi-billionaire.  I’m sure some of these folks are good folks.  Talk about needing a shipload of money—A friend told me that her husband and her sat down and counted up their number of gifts they need for Christmas.  It is a second marriage for both (i.e. divorce and death).  Both had large families from their first marriages.  There are 144 kids, spouses, grand kids and great grand kids.  She said—The gifts are going to be small, very small!  I can’t imagine doing that.  Just can’t.  These folks are good folks with good hearts and very innovative and creative.  They will do it.  Yes they will.  But I still wish them luck though! Now that would drive me crazy! 

Naive with confidence! Sometimes it maybe better to be naive with confidence at Christmas.  Isn’t that the mentality of children.  They have such wonder, excitement, enthusiasm, vigor etc.  It’s really a great, fun attitude.  Besides, it all comes from Santa anyway, sooooo what’s the big deal about getting what you want.  A friend told me that he was a sole proprietor business owner for several years.  He said--If you have never owned a business, folks, you don’t know how challenging it can be.  He said—I think many folks have to go into owning their own business being naive with a lot of confidence.  Maybe if they would have known after their experience before they started, they might not have done it.  Could be friend.  Usually everything looks better from the outside than it is from the inside. I wish that your Christmas experience isn’t that way!

AverageJoe, don’t be a Cheap-O-Von Scrooge. Get her the best gift.  She deserves the best. Soooo what is the best gift that you like to receive?  What is the best gift you can give?  I read in the paper (i.e. soooo it must be right) that a newspaper nearly always has an article and pictures of dogs.  Why?  It sells papers!  A paper is 2.6 times more likely to be read if it has something about dogs in it.  It’s called merchandising folks.  Many folks like dogs.  Sooooo maybe a dog might be the best Christmas present.  BUT don’t give me one, please!!!!! CommonSenseFred says--I have done the math...we can't afford a dog!  Such is life.

Lesson of life.  ItchieBitichie sys--Ya gotta produce at Christmas folks!  Ya got tooooo!  If you don't, you’re toast!  Will Muschamp, the fired football coach at FL, told his players after getting fired—"A great example in life. You can work really hard and you can be diligent in what you do, but you've got to have results in life, whether you're in the business world or in the coaching profession.  It doesn't matter.  You have to produce.  Players tell me all the time, 'I'm tryin' hard.' I know, but you're not producing, so we've got to go with somebody else.  So that's the message I had for them.  Learn the lesson that you've got to produce in life.  If you're a salesman you've got to sell.  If you're a football coach you need win."  Soooo you better produce at Christmas folks! Such is life.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says—Living is like licking honey off a thorn.

PS Here is one of the response from my last publish--I just read It's Saturday. I had round glasses many, many years ago. Wore them for a long time until some friend, I think it was the female half of one of the couples we hang around with., told me that they weren't in style anymore. I did not go run out and get different ones to get back to being "in style", but I did change to what was perceived to be in style at my next scheduled eye apt. It's funny to me again how things go in and out of style. I am not sure what I will get next time I need glasses now. I look at old pictures of me with round glasses and think I look like a dork...........but most  people probably think I look like a dork no matter what glasses I am wearing.........I can't wait for long orange shag carpet to come back in style......always liked that.   

pilgrims

Fill my bucket!  I recently had the opportunity to have breakfast with a friend.  We both agreed that we fill each other’s bucket.  Wow!  PilgrimJake says--When folks are thankful, they fill their own bucket and the buckets of others. 

This guy was sorta kinda a pilgrim of ALS (i.e. they named the disease
after him).  One of the greatest speeches in sports history was given seventy-five years ago. It was short -- 277 words, spoken by a shy man whose head was bowed in modesty. He held his baseball cap in one hand and wiped tears with the other. Those in the stands knew Lou Gehrig was ill, but didn't know the nature of his disease. He didn't tell them. He simply began: "Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." For the next few minutes, he told the crowd how thankful he was for his life, his wife, his parents, his teammates, even his mother-in-law. The simplicity of his words earned him the title, "The Luckiest Man."  “So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.”  ~ Lou Gehrig 

When I think of Thanksgiving, one image I think of is of the Pilgrims eating turkey and pumpkin pie.  And giving and showing thanks.  The pilgrims were just lettin’ ‘im know they were thankful! Soooo who are they thanking anyway? What are they thankful for?  If folks don’t thank God, whom do they thank?  And how can anyone not be thankful.  Oh I guess you can thank your boss if you have one, your spouse if you have one, your parents, the government, Obama, your teachers, your dog, your neighbor, your lover, your friend, etc.  I guess you could do that.  Sooooo this Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for and who are you giving thanks tooooo?  I ain’t no pilgrim sooooo don’t try to fool me folks!  SmartyPantsTilie says—Maybe you aren’t a pilgrim erv, but maybe you're more like a turkey!  Ouchy ouchy! AverateJoe says--Thanksgiving is all about the bird! 

GeorgeTheCrook would just as soon punch ya in the nose as tell you the time of day.  He can be that way at times.  Even at Thanksgiving.  GeorgeTheCrook ain’t no pilgrim folks.  He’s been around the block a lot of times and is as crusty as a week old slice of toast!  GeorgeTheCrook is sorta kinda set in his ways.  Like he says--"I am not wearing a diaper, so don't try to change me". Suppose you were exactly the same now as you were ten years ago? No, not physically but mentally? Suppose you had not grown? Good change is good. When we cease to change we stagnate. When we fail to realize that we all need change, we become self-righteous and blind to our own errant ways. LuckieEddie says—If you are not a thankful person, consider changing (i.e. even if you don’t wear diapers).  You will be way happier.  Yes you will.  Such is life.

Heather was telling us that our little grand boy, Jimmer, is getting reaty to be potty trained.  She asked him he thought it was about time for him to give up his diapers.  LittleJimmer said--I love my diapers!  But Heather said--He goes in the closet to poop!  He's figuring it out.  LittleJimmer, I go into the closet tooooo to poop but it's the water closet.  

Some seem to treat me like a spare tire.  Some folks and organizations don’t say thank you for your gifts.  They don’t seem thankful.  Maybe they are but just don’t say thank you.  Ya wonder if they just expect it.  It does make a person wonder if you want to give to them again.  Many times we say, no, I don’t think sooooo.  Showing thankfulness is important I think.  Recently we got a thank you from good old Northwestern College (i.e. one of our Alma Maters) thanking us for our support.  It was very well done (i.e. my opinion).  Part of it said—Thank you for your…it makes a huge difference…we are grateful! “We are grateful” was personally underlined.  On the bottom of the letter was a small hand written note.  I don’t think this letter was manipulative but a sincere thank you (i.e. but they know what they are doing).  But, it makes us want to give again next year.   Then we get a hand written note form a student thanking us. Pretty neat we thing. My opinion.  SusieQ says—erv, you are soooo easily taken advantage of soooooo…you are way easy!  Joesixpack says—Money raising is interesting.  That is why there are professional money raisers.  Don’t kid yourself, they know what they are doing.  They ain’t no pilgrims folks.

Thank you erv!  It was crazy.  Just crazy.  This happened probably 20 years ago at a Walk to Emmaus weekend.  I was a table leader at a men’s weekend.  After one of the discussions, a big burly senior guy, JohnFromSE-IA (i.e. a pilgrim) at our table came up to me and gave me a hug and said thank you erv—what’s this all about I asked.  He said he was taught never to cry and never has.  I cried during our discussion.  Wow!  And, he said, I have never hugged another guy before either.  Wow!  JohnFromSE-IA (i.e. anybody can be a John) said, both felt sooooo good!  Wow!

Talking about hugging.  At church recently, I had two gals come up to me and hug me (i.e. spontatiously—they weren’t told to do soooo and it wasn’t part of the program).  I have to admit, it felt very good.  They didn’t really say anything but just hugged me.  It was a great expression to me.  As Hans and Frans say--It sorta kinda pumpedmeup!  I was told second hand (i.e. but I think it is right) that a gal who has some family problems said—I would rather have folks just give me a hug instead ask about the situation.  Sooooo there you go.  Think about that folks! 

Thank God I ain’t like them!  Arlene and I were having breakfast at one of local restaurants when a long time friend, walked by.  She didn’t acknowledge us when she walked right by us.  When she left, she again turned her head and walked right by us.  What! She seemed to ignore us.  Snubbed us! What!  Our first thought was that we decided that she maybe thinks – she has arrived  and is now part of the elite huddle and is toooo good for us (i.e. a different class).  Could be.  Or maybe there was another reason.  Could be—We hope soooo! We think sooo after giving it some thought. It's easy to say "Thank God we aren’t like her".  A Pharisee once prayed—God thank you that I am not like that other guy!  But the other guy stood at distance and prayed—God have mercy on me for screwing up.  Soooooo God have mercy on me for even thinking that bad thought about our friend! Thank you for understanding my evil thoughts.  I would guess I have given others that same feeling (i.e. that is bush league folks) .  Ouchy ouchy!  In the Book it says in red (i.e. soooo it must be very important_--For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.  Do you believe that?  Or is that just said to make the folks who think they are not of the elite group feel better (i.e. blowing smoke)?

Flipthepancake!  I didn't have the opportunity to see a long time family friend much this summer (i.e. many good reasons).  He called this week and wanted to go out for breakfast before we left.  Bingo!

Always the same but maybe not!  ItchieBitchie says—I think I’m always thankful but probably am not (i.e. become ho hum).  Some days I’m probably more thankful than others, but I feel like my approach is always the same.  I have read that humble and thankful folks are neat folks.  From my life’s experiences, I agree with that statement.  What do you think? 

A smart man said to me recently--When we were kids all we had to play with were cardboard boxes, and we were thankful.  Always the same but maybe not.  Everything is relevant isn't it.  Huh, interesting.

DopeyDope says—If you are not thankful you have a problem.  It’s like seeing the light and flying right by it.  You ever do that?  Like miss the boat!  Fall asleep at the wheel!  Forget what’s important!  Get your priorities all screwed up! 

He ain’t no pilgrim!  Al re-stretched part of our carpet in the hall of our house recently.  Al is a great fisherman and just got back from a trip to the Rainy River at Baudette, MN.  Fishing wasn’t very good.  One of the reasons was that there was winds were from the NW at 30 mph.  He said—After winds from the NW, fishing isn’t good for 2 to 2.5 days.  I have been going to the same place since 1980 and it’s always that way.  Ya might just as well go home.  It’s very predictable!  Bingo! Some things are very predictable.  Oh ya!  Such is life.

Idea! A Giving Thanks Idea!  We often neglect to thank those closest to us. We take them for granted. Take time right now to call, text, email, or write to tell someone how much you thank God for them. A gesture of gratitude might be unexpected, but it will never be unappreciated. Be a pilgrim! 

Another idea.   An idea as to how to be thankful is to look for an opportunity today to serve someone in your life.  Serve them as Christ would serve—sacrificially and unconditionally.  Ya can’t be DuaneTheWorm (i.e. he only cares about himself).  It just doesn’t work.  Such is life.

Aristotle made the following observation about friendship: "My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake." MissPerfect says--Do you have a friendship that needs tending? Mulch it with thanksgiving.

Tough Pilgrims! Pilgrims must have been a tough bunch of folks or crazy or something.  That adventure was not for the shy.  They had to be some real horses. Some real stray cats. They had to be a lot tougher than old erv let me tell ya! There are a lot of tough folks (i.e. and some not soooo tough) who are going through some tough times.  How can we make their life a little better?  Have any ideas? Or is it easier to just be a DuaneTheWorm and just care about ourselves (i.e. pretend those folks don't exist).  Could be! I am not a tough guy even though I might look tough (i.e. semantics)! Arlene and I had breakfast the other morning and a gal who we taught with 40 years ago came and talked to us. She said--I see you have facial hair for NoveberTheFacialHairMonth.  I didn't know that.  Went to get me new glasses and the pretty, young gal says--I like those round lenses; they are really in now.  I didn't now that.  I'm not tough and don't know much.  I'm a real pilgrim all right! Such is life.

On the road.  We will be in CO eating turkey and pumpkin pie celebrating Thanksgiving with James, Heather, Erin and Jimmer! From there we will head on to AZ for the winter.  Family and friends always make us thankful.  We have really been blessed folks.  Unbelievable!  Thank you God.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

Novem--brrrr-erv

MyFriendJean says--Call someone who will be glad to hear your voice.

over the top

LuckieEddie says—My wife, Grub, is as ugly as sin but can she cook!  Years ago, that was very important for a guy—to find a woman who could cook.  That’s a little over the top in our world today. 

Soooo what do guys look for in a woman in today’s world?  What did you look for guys?  Or didn’t you just look at anything other than what you looked at (i.e. they say guys are very visual)?  Or did you look at the wrong things?  Or did you look toooo long and missed many good ones (i.e. missed MissPerfect).

A woman with a deal!

Girls, what did you look for in a guy?  Where you surprised when you couldn’t shape him up?  Did he fool you?  He maybe ended up much better than you thought he was.  You ended up “one lucky gal”. Surprise of all surprises!  Bingo!

SloppyJoe says—My wife, Goulash, after 50 years still can’t cook but she’s good at other things! Let me tell you, she’s stronger than an onion; she can out work me!  I think her demands on me are a little over the top but I learned to get around that.  I don’t like to work as hard as she does (i.e. I'm a slacker).  Sooooo I just let her do most of the work and we are both happy!  Such is life.

A friend was telling me that when they were touring Africa, a guy would tell them a story every night.  One story was about marriage.  He said—If a son wanted to marry a girl, his sister was to make friends with the girl.  That way she would be exposed to her family.  After getting to know her and her family, she would report back to the family and the decision would be made.  That seems a little over the top but, hey, it probably works.  Ya know what you are getting (i.e. no surprises). Huh, interesting. 

For some of you this might be “wayoverthetop”!  Paul was a man killer.  When he was walking along a road to Emmaus one day, BINGO he changed.  Why?  I have no idea.  Something happened.  They say he saw the light!  Some folks never change and some do.  Bingo, it happens. 

I read the book, The Colonel about the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colonel Sanders.  He was not born with a golden spoon in his mouth folks.  Why did he change—Part of it was that some one gave him an opportunity and he decided, for some reason, to jump on it.  Or maybe he was just lucky.  He also said, he married a very good woman who taught him much (i.e. particularly about parenting as he had no positive example). 

DishpanHandsWillard says—As I was out walking this week end…worrying about all the crap going on in Washington, London, Aplington, Moscow, Ukraine, the Middle East, etc, and how America is falling apart, I saw a yard sign that said:  NEED HELP?  CALL JESUS 1-800-005-3787  Out of curiosity and desperation, I did…A Mexican showed up with a lawnmower.

My favorite transformation story was a client, Larry.  He told me he was the town drunk and had a serious auto accident.  He was taken to a hospital that took folks who had no money.  They treated him like they were going to just let him die as he was just an old drunk.  Then, one night, he said he saw Jesus.  The next day he had a way different attitude that even the nurses noticed.  He told them his story.  Everything went better for him.  He got better and never drank again.  I asked him if he goes to church.  Hell no, I don’t like those blankety blank folks at church but I will always believe in Jesus.  Huh, interesting. This might be a little “overthetop” for some of  you.  But, he told me his story with great conviction.  Maybe his brain got dinged in the accident.  Could be! 

Am I a person who is over the top?  How does a person know when they are “overthetop” kind of person.  ItchieBitchie says—Let me tell you how you can tell erv. Here are 5 ways:

1.  When you talk mostly about yourself or your grand kids.

2.  When you only think about money, sex and power. 

3.   When you are obnoxious and no one wants to be around you.

4.  When you complain all the time.

5.  When you watch sports all weekend or shop all the time or eat the whole pie at one sitting.  Moderation my friend, moderation!

Skip,TheOverTheTopTalker.  A friend/businessman was telling me that he and Skip were selling their product of their company to another company.  Skip had the sell secured but kept talking and the guy changed his mind (i.e. over the top talking).  He resold it again and then my friend said—Let’s go Skip.  Skip didn’t know that he was talking “overthetop”!  Bingo, the sale was made ‘cause of someone who recognized it.  Such is life.

AverageJoe says--Folks who can drive me crazy are the ones who think they know everything.  To me they are “overthetop” (i.e. my opinion).  ItchieBitchie says—Don’t ask me for all the answers as I don’t know a whole lot.  If you want answers, ask the school board or the church board; they seem to be experts. 

I asked a professional about improving the style of “It’s Saturday”.  She suggested giving the readers a break.  Maybe like great speakers who give the listeners a break with a story or something funny (i.e. less snooze-inducing).  I think she is saying that your attention span isn’t very long in a nice way.  ANYWAY  I told her I would pay her as soon as I sell hogs.  But, I haven’t let the boar out yet! You city folks might have to ask a rural person about that.

She might be on to something.  I received an annual report from one of the charities we give money tooooo.  They must be talking to the same young professional.  Snappy!!!  Short!!!  To the point!!!  Like bullet points!!!!  Many folks get their news on Tweeter--Snappy and fast!  It makes me laugh that it takes the weather person about 7 minutes to tell us about the weather.  I can go in my iPhone and get it all in 10 seconds.  Church can be that way to me sometimes tooooo.

Huh, I got this from a OneSmartGuy.  Here’s another good WSJ article on money and relationship to happiness.  Seeeee, he's making it snappy and short and to the point.  Bingo!

http://online.wsj.com/articles/can-money-buy-happiness-heres-what-science-has-to-say-1415569538?mod=trending_now_5 

It’s got some great points:

how you spend money is important,

experiences are more lasting than ‘things’,

appreciate what you have

give it away.

WorldClassLarry says--It's hard to retrofit an existing mentality.  Change is hard for many folks.  It just is.  I was talking with my optometrist's assistant recently about progressive bifocals.  She told me that some folks have trouble adjusting to them and other don't.  How come?  Usually folks who have trouble adjusting are the ones who don't like change.  Bingo!

LawyerJoe asked MissPerfect--Have you ever been banged up?  I mean banked up like being banged up physically or mentally!  Of course you have, everyone has to some degree.  Do you always get your way?  erv, what are you saying?  I’m just saying!  Some times when we get banged up, we loose sight of the big picture.  It’s easy to do folks.  We seem to over react at times (i.e. go overthetop).  Soooo where is LaywerJoe anyway?  LawyerJoe is off to see the higher judge. 

ChangeManOnSteroids says--I've already changed from my summer bathrobe to my autumn bathrobe with the flying mallards. Before you know it I'll have to get out my winter bathrobe, the one with the Frosty the Snowman motif. I like change!  ChangeManOnSteroids can be a little over the top folks but he's interesting.  I like him.

Eating breakfast at a local restaurant!  I asked our waitress if she believes this sign that was on the wall.  She said--somewhat--You can't believe it somewhat--but I do!  Is that saying "overthetop"?

When leaving I talked to Bill and Shirley, old business clients.  I asked them how the election was going to go.  Bill said--I don't know but we're tired of the negative campaigning; but it must work otherwise they would do it. They never say what they are going to do but how bad the other guy is.  He went on to say--Soooo what does that say about us who they are targeting! And remember erv, you live amongst 'em!!!!!

Bill might be right in his evaluation.  I read this in the paper and it was on TV (i.e. soooo it must be right)-- ObamaCare architect Jonathan Gruber apparently doesn't think much of the intelligence of the American people. A new tape has surfaced showing Gruber, once again, claiming the health care law's authors took advantage of the "stupid" American public. He said that stupidity was basically really, really critical to getting the thing (Obamaacare) to pass.  Ouchy ouchy!

WackyWilma says--It's really funny when Truth trtots out the door before Oops can catch him!

Wiffle Seed has an advertisement on TV that sorta kinda trails that thought (i.e. my opinion).  It has a lady's hands opening a bag of seed and it says—folks want less about the bag and more innuendo!  Now that is how you sell seed corn I guess.  That is funny to me.  But they hire professional advertisement consultants and they know what works with the Americans.  Such is life.

Technologyandstuff!  Who are the commercial advertisements targeting?  Advertisers use what is the most effective with the group they are targeting.  That group is the one where they can make the most money (i.e. everything is driven by money folks).  They know what they are doing. Don't kid yourself.  They use certain angles for the different life styles, ages, classes, etc.  They know where they can get the most bang for their buck (e.g. older folks look at things differently than younger folks).  Political ads do the same.  Sooooo that is why my professional help (i.e. who is young) would see a snappy "It's Saturday" more effective.  You see what I'm trying to say?

Ya, I might be a little over the top.  We had our first snow here in IA this week and it’s cold.  I’m sitting here in my recliner drinking hot coffee with a little Irish Cream in it.  Got the fireplace going and life is good (i.e. I have TheLifeOfRiley).  I told Arlene that it feels festive (i.e. sorta kinda Christmassy). She wonders if there is something wrong (i.e. like I ate some bad oatmeal) with me (i.e. a little over the top).  Could be folks. Could be.  

Over the top was a phrase used during World War I to describe men climbing out of their trenches to attack the opposing trenches.  Before running into a wall of rifle and machine gun fire, the attackers were usually given a warm meal, a bit of rum, and said potential goodbyes to each other before facing almost certain death.  It was considered the greatest test a man could ever face. WWI started a 100 years ago and it was the war to end war.  9 millions combatants and 7 million civilians died as the result of the war.  I hate war.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--Don't be troubled by trouble.

BaaaZaang

SusieQ looked at me cross-eyed.  It was like saying to me—erv, do you know anything?  BaaaZaang!  Soooo folks, she might be right. 

There is more to life than the score!  I found myself in an interesting situation recently.  BaaaZaang! I sat there a while listening and analyzing the situation.  I decided it was not where I wanted to be in the future.  I will take measures to not be there again (i.e. modify my direction—tweak my direction a little).  It’s not where I wanta be; it’s not me.  Telling you my feeling is like “being a little schoolgirl squealing during recess”.  ItchieBitchie says—C’MON erv, buck up, get over it.  I’m getting over it.  It’s not a problem, really; it’s just my decision in which I will make myself more comfortable.  Soooo I’m going to move a little.  According to the 2011 U.S. Census, a typical American moves his place of residence 11.7 times in his lifetime -- about once every seven years.  BaaaZaang! During the different seasons of our life, I believe, we need to be in different places of our lives.  Maybe, we need to reevaluate our place and move somewhere else.  Those different places can be different work, recreation, relationships, etc.  It can be mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.  Maybe I need to change my place.  I think sooooo folks.  I think from the result of my experience, I just realized that.  Bingo!  Saturday question—Where are you this season of your life (i.e. physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally)?  Are you where you want to be?  Where should you be?  MerlinTheMagician says—The middle of the road is a poor place to walk.  It is a poor place to drive. It is a poor place to live.  Ouchy ouchy!  This is pretty much a World Tour of my mind folks. 

Well BaaaZaang!  I just wrote the previous paragraph and looked at my emails.  Got one from GovtManKen, one smart guy (i.e. he’s very intelligent in an analytical way).  His email basically confirmed my thinking and feeling in a good way. Bingo!  Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooooo.  He reminded me as to what is important and sorta kinda grounded me again a.k.a. refocused me.  Thanks GovtManKen.  It feels sooooo good to be reassured. Some things that are not sooooo important to others, are important to me.  But folks can sometimes draw me into thinking they are.  Does this make sense to you?

The story behind the score.  This is not a toe-to-toe confrontation situation, folks.  Not a verbal slap fight like the political campaigns are and were.  Oh no!  The golden rule is—Treat others as you would want them to treat you.  My mentor said to me—The world’s golden rule is, the one who has the most gold rules!  I can be competitive but can also not be.  In some things and at some times, I don’t want to be competitive. I think it takes the fun out of the game or situation (i.e. my opinion).  Sooooo if some folks are playing very competitively (i.e. the score is the by far the most important part of the event and their life) and I don’t’ want it to be, I will find others to be around. Most of the time, the score is of little importance to me; the other stuff is much more important.  Does that make any sense. 

BucketheadEd says—I seem to have a brain worm that surfs my brain and eats part of my brain and tunnels to other parts and deposits crazy thoughts.  I thought that everyone had brain worms. I asked my doctor and she looked at me rather puzzled.  Soooo I wonder what she was thinking.  Am I normal?  SusieQ says—You might be normal unless you’re nuts!  BaaaZaang!  TheStoreLady says--Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and you have to blow you nose.  Such is life.

A cool mil!  Talking about being where folks don’t want to be.  I read this in the paper soooo it must be right—Can you retire on a cool $1 million?  It went on to say—If you read any financial advertising, you know that your savings are inadequate, and you’re likely to freeze to death in the dark a few weeks after retirement.  For this reason, most Americans’ retirement planning involves keeling over at their desks or, failing that, starting a bomb-disposal unit as a retirement business.  The article says you can retire on a cool $1 million if you are careful.  But it said—The largest problem with living off $1 million is, of course, is getting the $1 million. 

MyMindSpillethOver!  I had a dream recently and I said I was going to remember it.  I didn’t.  A couple of days later, Arlene was watching golf and it triggered my mind.  The dream was about my cousin Lowell Slagter.  Lowell, Sandy, Arlene and I got reacquainted maybe 6 years ago at the Fountain of the Sun in Mesa.  We were renting a condo and just down the street they were toooo.  It was maybe 45 years since we were around each other.  We had the best of time together for several years as we wintered down there.  Then Lowell got sick and passed away.  Sooooo, the dream was Lowell, Mike my ex-business partner (i.e. who knows every ones’ golf score when you play with him), and Lowell’s grandson.  We were on the 18^th green.  Lowell just made a 20 foot putt.  Mike said to him—Lowell, you just shot a 78.  Lowell just gave us a Lowell Slagter smile.  End of dream.  I think I smiled in my sleep!  ANYWAY sooooo when I remembered the dream, I called Sandy to tell her about it.  That day it was exactly one year to the day that Lowell died.  BaaaZaang!

Happenstace, na I don’t think sooooo folks!  Our daughter told us this story this week.  She was running her 7 miles Sunday and was listing to contemporary Christian music on Pandora.  A song was played that triggered her past.  It was nine years ago and she was a nurse in the Denver Children Hospital in the child ecology department.  She worked with a little boy and his parents.  During this period of time his parents gave birth to his little brother.  The little boy died of his cancer.  This was the song that they played at his funeral.  Sooooo, Monday morning, she was going over her charts at a Denver Children clinic where she works.  The last name of a little boy she was going to work with was the name of that family.   Yep, it was the family and the little 9 year old boy was him.  She told him that she knew his brother.  She told his parents about the song she heard running and how she thought of him and them.  It was a great opportunity.  A crying opportunity! BaaaZaang

Avoid Complacency Joesixpack (i.e. a wiz noticing the wizardry of life) says--I’m no Einstein BUT it appears to me that folks who are constantly downtrodden miss a big part of life. If you are always worried about what others are thinking of you and what you are always wishing for, you are going to be one tired and unhappy person (i.e. it just whacks the heck out of a guy).  Ya never get the red carpet thrill!  And gadget plays won’t do it folks. That is why a guy has to put himself in the position he wants to be in (i.e. not the position that others want you in).  That is what I think folks. BaaaZaaag!

All right, listen up! IthchieBitchie says—I’m confused as what I want.  One day I want this and another day I want that.  I’m a mess.  Hey Itchie Bitchie, your neighbor is confused. Your uncle is confused. Your dog is confused.  Everyone is confused.  ItchieBitchie, I’m not recommending.  I’m not saying.  I’m only suggesting that you get your head out of your…and start thinking.  And you know what ItchieBitchie, you will still probably be confused.  FashionablyLateBetsy says—There are many extra-ordinary good folks, ya just got to get around them and pick their minds. Tell the extra-ordinary bad folks to take a hike (i.e. mentally).  SusieQ says--You gotta move to what you want and believe is good; don't listen to LessThan AverageJoes who are riddled with problems much like Swiss cheese.  BaaaaZaang!

Don’t be overwhelmed folks!  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Don’t be overwhelmed about all the evil in the world.  It has been around since the beginning.  Yes it has.  Remember, the times have always been evil. In Noah's day it is reported, "Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Moses described his people as, "this evil generation". Isaiah called the people of his day "a brood of evildoers". Jesus referred to His generation as evil. Paul told people in his age to redeem the time "because the days are evil". Perhaps the evil is worse now; we're closer to the end than we've ever been before. But evil has been around since the Garden of Eden and probably will be around tell the end of time.  BaaaZaag!  Yabut, I also read—Fear no evil for I am with you! 

She's not toooo shabby to look at!  Joesixpack says—I want to be important and make a lot of money toooooo!  Well, most often those folks take risk, have a lot of pressure, work hard and perform.  WildWillie says--Another way is to become a trophy wife!  SusieQ says—Don’t kid yourself, I’m a trophy wife but I still have a lot of pressure; I have to perform all the time.  LuckieEddie says I want a job where I make a lot of money, don’t have to work hard and have no pressure.  Da!  If ya can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.  There is heat in the kitchen folks.  You can’t have your cake and eat it tooooo!  Businesses like the NBA are cut throat folks; it’s about winning a.k.a. money.  Spock, an unfeeling robot machine, says--you are not performing (i.e. bottom line) and you’re done.  Ya gotta go! You’re a liability.  He’s cold and calculating and doesn’t have a heart.  It’s performance based.  It’s not Kumbaya time.  It’s about winning, and it is a cold and calculated business.  CrazyMarvin says—I still don’t understand why many of the NFL players need to act sooooo crazy when they think they do something good.  You don’t see tooooo many business folks act that way!  BaaaZaang!

Out of position!  JoeTheDo-Gooder, you are out of position (i.e. behind the 8 ball).  BaaaZaang!  Your chances are about 1 out of 100 to do well soooo don’t be surprised when you don’t succeed.  You need more than luck, you need a miracle; a huge massive miracle.  Ya, luck is good but you can’t expect luck to last for ever.  No way!  BUT if you have ability, a good attitude, a good work ethic and have a good heart, it seems like a lot more good stuff happens to ya (i.e. you become luckier).  Ya gotta put yourself into position to succeed.  You will be much luckier if you do.  BUT it appears that some folks are luckier than others.  What do you think? 

We all have a brand!  LuckieEddie says—The mark you made when the game is over is maybe more important than your score.  Huh, interesting. 

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFreindJean says--Speak well of your enemies--after all, you made them.

 

freebies

Disclaimer—Do  you really want to go down the road in an old jalopy like “It’s Saturday”?  If you do, well, hokey-dokey.  Well, hang on and mind the bumps!  It’s a freebie so that will make it more doable folks!

You are free to believe what you want (i.e. you have that freedom).  I'm not always right as most of you know.  My mentor use to say—erv, when investing, if you are right more than you are wrong, you are doing pretty good.  I think I have the elixir of life.  My friend doesn’t agree with me.  I asked him to go to church with me.  He responded—"I'm not a believer in anything other than what I have seen so I wish all religious folks the best.... but I should have been born in Missouri I guess.. I think that’s the "show me" state  ha ha.  I respect every one's right to believe in whatever... but I think it's a real longshot that what you believe in, erv, is true.  Sorry but I'm just a dumb realist!"  That is an idea my friend.  I hope my idea is right and your idea is wrong!  Maybe when we find out, it will be like getting hit with a 100 mph fastball between our eyes.  Goggle says (i.e. soooo it must be right) that 32% of the world population claim to be Christians.  I’m in the minority.  I guess there are others who don’t agree with my idea.  Huh, interesting. 

When we toured in England, we learned that Henry VIII was very instrumental in forming the Church of England.  I think they told us that at The Tower of London (i.e. an old prison where Anne Boleyn, one of his wives, was beheaded).  Ouchy ouchy.  Henry VIII wanted his marriage to his first wife of 24 years annulled.  The Pope wouldn’t do it sooo he started his own church.  Now that will do it folks!  There are new churches started all the time.  It ain’t something new as you can tell.  If the church doesn’t agree with you, you just start another church.  Henry VIII had six wives—annulled and died while detained, annulled and beheaded, annulled and died in child birth, annulled and beheaded, survived.  Now that is quite a marriage record. I guess we can see why he needed a new church!  

Here we go on a “jet sweep”.  “Jet sweep” is a new term in football.  Lippy is a jet sweep folks.  Oh ya.  Joesixpack asks—Is Lippy always this way?  Yes, he is!  More than you can imagine. He’s a regular motor mouth with an attitude!  But, ya gotta give him credit, he’s consistent.  Well, flip the pancake.  A friend (i.e. she is unassuming) brought us some lasagna for dinner (i.e. free lunch).  I told her she has a good heart.  She said—I try!  Joesixpack asks--Why do some folks have better hearts than others (i.e. and some seem soooo pertinacious)?  Joesixpack, you sure have a lot of questions!  LucyGoosey says—Three things in human life are important:  the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind. Such is life.

Talk about free lunch.  I went down to get some bread recently at our variety store.  It was customer appreciation day.  They were serving hot dogs, bars, cider, etc.  Sooo I had a hot dog.  I was talking to LaVern and he said—When folks hear the letters F-R-E-E in Aplington, they seem to show up!  Bingo!  Maybe so and maybe not for everyone.  Some folks like the free stuff better than others.  Some will drive for miles to get a free hot dog.  Oh ya!  CrazyMarvin says—Yabut, it’s free!  You can’t turn down something free.  Soooo there you go.  Free is a great advertising tool.  Folks seem to be suckers for “free”.  I’m not saying our son was a sucker but he married a Free (i.e. that is Jessica’s last name--she's a sweety). 

DuaneTheWorm is always excited to get a free lunch.  But he doesn’t jump into anything tooooo fast.  Oh no, he deliberates first to make sure he is making the best decision to toot his horn the loudest.  DuaneTheWorm’s definition of ddeliberation: The art of examining one's bread to determine which side it is buttered on (i.e. what’s in it for me). DuaneTheWorm is always for the cause.  His cause! Ouchy ouchy!

Some of those folks who always are looking for something free might be out of their gourds.  ItchieBitchie says—Some folks have big gourds folks (e.g. CockyBigGossipHilda is an epic gourd!  Then there is unassumingsweetMary who is just the opposite.  She is really something.  Unbelievably nice (i.e. 10+).  Well GordyGourd!  A gal in our church during “joys and concerns” said—I would like you to pray for my sister who is going to have surgery this week.  I don’t know if she wants folks to know she is having surgery sooooo keep it to yourself!  Don’t tell anyone.  The church just broke up!  WellGordyGord!  A state senator once told me that if he wanted to spread a message to benefit himself, he would tell another senator standing next to him at the urinal and say—don’t tell anyone!  Such is life.

Maybe there are others who think like I do.  I think sooooo folks.  I said in our adult growth group recently—when we get closer to death, things seem to to look differently.  We are a little more receptive to stuff.  ToughManFrank says--On Friday I had a heart attack. The ambulance took me to the hospital where they did a procedure of a cut in the groin to insert a tube with a camera going up to the heart to see where the blockage was. Well, they don't put you to sleep. I could feel, and the feeling was terrible. To occupy my mind, I tapped my left foot, and the surgeon said "Hold your foot still." Then, I tapped my left hand, and again he said "Stop tapping your fingers." Well it looked like I ran out of things to keep me busy, so I started, "Our Father which art in heaven..." I recited the Lord's Prayer three times with a loud voice and very pronounced. By the third time, I heard the surgeon's voice, "Please, breathe through your nose and close your lips." Well, there was no way he could say, "Just shut up and be quiet!" not with the Lords Prayer! The story made the rounds on the cardiac unit and soon a lot of nurses came by just to say hello.

TheStoreLady says--When the blind lead the blind---get out of the way!  You are free to vote for who every you want if you live in America.  Are political ads teaching our kids how to get their way?  Ouchy ouchy!  Just bad mouth the other guy.  MyNeighborBrian said to me—I don’t think it makes much difference who gets elected (i.e. doesn't make diddly squat). They seem to be trying to be buttering us up (i.e. rear end us)  Hah hah! Then comes the verbal fumble after they get elected.  It’s all about the money folks.  Holy Bbacccooon!  They all have a line now don’t they.  CrazyMarvin says--After all the stumping I heard, I am still stumped! We played some golf the other day and one of my golf buddies was telling us that he thinks that folks who support one of the political parties always seem unhappy (i.e. always mad and frowning and look unpleasant).  Do you think that is true.  Are folks of one party happier than the folks who support the other party?  What do you think? Huh, interesting.

Non assuming folks are sorta kinda easy not to notice and we sorta kinda just forget about them (i.e. that is what they want).  It’s easy to forget how special those folks are.  Some folks just give others a lift and some are a drag.  I think, non assuming folks are lifteruppers!  My opinion folks.  They seem to do great things some how some way and many folks don’t even realize it.  I really admire those folks. It has been recorded that OneSmartMan once said--The greatness is determined by the humility of service. 

No smoke and no mirrors folks.  Is there anything that is really free? I mean really free?  Sure there is, many things.  I can’t count them all.  But there are many, many.  I’m reading Louie L'Amour's book Long Ride Home.  He says--"With a woman," the Cactus Kid said, "it ain't the original cost.  It's the upkeep! I guess Cactus Kid is saying, a woman ain't fee!  Joesixpack says--Life on earth is free folks (i.e. a great gift).  Some might not agree that it is a gift.  Then what is it?  MI-MusicManJim says—Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change.  Life is too short to be anything…but happy.  And don’t worry about old age.  It doesn’t last long!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it.  These 10 PRACTICAL decisions will shape your life and future. Adults and youth need to know these 10 most important decisions and the impact they will have on YOUR life (i.e. they are free for the reading folks). 1. Who your friends are. 2. Who you become romantically involved with. 3. How far you take your education. 4. Your career. 5. Where you invest your money. 6. To be healthy. 7. To forgive. 8.  To be happy and thankful. 9.  Your level of spiritual involvement. 10. Your priorities.  MissPerfect says—I have the opportunity to wake up and make a choice every day!  Now that is exciting. And that decision is free!

It's hell folks! SusieQ says—erv, if you have in your head the idea that Jesus Christ died for your sins, rose from the dead and who ever believes in Him will have eternal life a.k.a. heaven (i.e. a free gift by His grace—a freebie), I wonder what other crazy ideas you have in your head!  Ok SusieQ, assume the Christians' idea is right and assume Goggle has their numbers right, there are going to be a lot of folks in hell.  I would assume all those hellions at some point are going to raise some hell about being in hell. Hell yes, that could be one hell of a mess! 

WorldClassLarryWithTheScoop says--We perceive our surroundings through a worldview formed by parental influence, religious upbringing, and life experiences. When we encounter something new, we compare it with what we already know. Pretty deep! 

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life.