objectives

Some of you might think I’m an aberration a.k.a. revolutionary and counter cultural.  Some folks might think you are an aberration.  And some folks might think we are both aberrations. It all depends what measuring stick folks use. That measuring stick is usually based on folks’ genetic backgrounds and their environmental backgrounds.  TomTerrific says—erv, yabut if they quack like a duck and walk like a duck, they’re a duck.  Don’t kid yourself! A friend and I share a thought often—If you think a certain way about a person’s actions (i.e. good or bad) and I think the same way about that person’s actions, others must think about that person’s actions the same way! Don’t kid yourself! We aren’t that much of an aberration!

Folks have different objectives (e.g. why do you work)—pay the bills, enjoy it, have no choice, don’t want to get bored, want to have a good retirement, really enjoy it, image, way of life, want to feel needed, pay for the kids’ education, pay for health insurance, pay alimony or child support, don’t know any difference, want a good standard of living, etc.).  You got it.  Soooo what is/or was your objective in working? 

A pickleball buddy's mantra

Saturday question--What is your objective in doing your hobby?  OhShoots says--Don’t do something that causes you anxiety (i.e. do something that makes you laugh, makes you happy and you just enjoy).  Like don’t do something competitive if it makes you unhappy, miserable, depressed etc.  Maybe think about doing an activity that is not competitive like reading or walking or any hobby that you enjoy but is relaxing and does not cause you to become an animal (e.g. some folks get frustrated in doing their hobby).  Soooo maybe it would be better that they quit that hobby and go and talk to their neighbors (i.e. much more enjoyable).  But if your objective is to be the best and to beat everyone (i.e. score is the utmost importance), well, you will probably always be frustrated (i.e. probably the objective is unattainable).  That’s my opinion.  I think we miss out on much enjoyment when we go “over board” on the competitive side.  But what do I know, I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN. If you are an ultra-competitive (i.e. winning is just very important to you) person, you won’t understand me at all; go get them guys, I hope you win.  A super senior friend told me that a gal in her card group just can’t handle losing (i.e. probably not the most fun person to be around). She gets all bent out of shape if she doesn’t win (i.e. goes ballistic).  And she’s probably in her 80s.  I doubt if she will get over it.  Well, maybe when she passes! Bingo!

Iowa’s basketball coach, Fran McCaffery recently wouldn’t shake hands with the North Dakota coach and instructed his players to not shake hands with their players.  And Iowa won!  McCafferry said he didn’t like a couple of things about the game!!!!  Grow up McCaffrey; how old are you?  I wonder if he has a uncontrollable temper?  Not a very good example (i.e. my opinion).  I was not a big fan of McCaffery and now even less; not my kind of person.  Such is life.                                                                                                                                                                

I was sitting in my chair early one Saturday morning in front of the fireplace and read this (i.e. it’s probably my favorite book of the Bible)—I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is a gift of God. Saturday question—Are you happy with what you are doing with your life?  What is your objective?  A friend asked me to read a book about significance in our lives. The conclusion he decided was—Significance means something different to each person.  I agree; this guy is smart; if you have questions, this guy has the answers.  Oh ya!

I had an old Mesa neighbor (i.e. old in ex-neighbor) email me and tell me that her/their life is crazy!  Have you heard that before?  Is your life crazy?  I asked her why her/their life is crazy.  She responded that she/they have a just a lot of stuff going on besides spending a lot of time doing her passions and spending a lot of time doing her hobbies; it just makes her/them very busy; a crazy life. To me that doesn’t sound like fun at all (i.e. to have a crazy life).  But listen folks, different strokes for different folks. Maybe folks have reasons why they have crazy lives—maybe some folks have no control over whatever is making their lives crazy or maybe folks want their live to be crazy for some reason (e.g. it makes them feel good or important). Folks have different objectives for their lives.  I have friends/acquaintances who are always way busy.  I asked a friend about it.  He said—I love it.  I could never live like that (i.e. way toooo busy).  BUT he is he and I am I!  Some folks probably think I’m lazy. And they could be right! I maybe have a 5 horse power motor compared to their 50 horse power motor! Such is life.

ItchieBitchie says--My drive for success, and the lack of time, not only made my life less enjoyable, but it was also making me an asshole... One of the best things about having more of my time is the ability to share it with others. Remember folks, that is his opinion. And the world is changed by examples, not by opinions. If you are not a Christian, this next sentence doesn't apply to you sooo just skip it.  ~  A non-serving Christian is a contradiction.

I was at a funeral of a friend’s father.  The pastor asked how is a person judged when they pass?  He said--The world usually judges a person’s life by the 3 Bs (i.e. brains or brawn or bucks).  But God judges a person’s life by being meek, humble and having faith (i.e. high achievers). Saturday question—Soooo what criteria do you use to measure a person’s life?   I have friends who have had great success with the 3bs and at the same time with the other stuff.  Those are special folks (i.e. it appears very few can handle all those at the same time).  If they can do it for a long time (e.g. most of their life), they are really special folks.  CadillacJack says—I don’t know if that is possible; I will need to think about that!  

MissPerfect says--If you are burning the candle at both ends, you aren’t as bright as you think you are.  Now that is MissPerfect’s opinion folks.  Saturday question—Are you calm; can you wait; can you be still?

This is a person’s opinion (i.e. objective) that I read in the paper.  You might not agree, I understand.  I sorta kinda agree with him.  You might not.  I understand.  I’m not saying he is right.  He might not be.  But here it is------If you desire a good economy, a prosperous and happy people and a stable culture, here is we have learned. Unfortunately, it will sound odd to some of you (i.e. I understand).  Here it is:  Get married. Stay married. Have children. Take yourself and your children to church.  Give them the best education you can. Work hard. Be honest, Speak truthfully. Treat people with kindness and respect. Editor and Catholic apologist Scott Richert adds several others: Read. Share novels, poetry and art with your children and spouse.  Take the long view beyond your own lifetime.  That’s it.   Seee, I knew that some of you would not agree with those guys. But some of you might or should or will.  Such is life.

TheOtherWarrenFromOmaha says—In 2017 may you always have Love to Share, Cash to Spare, And Friends who Care. 

HotShotKelly says—Celebrate your accomplishments of 2016 and be innovative and thrive in 2017.

a real aberration

Happy New Year folks. WorldClassLarry says—If you do it the same in 2017 that you have being doing during the last 5 years, you are probably going to get the same results.  Such is life.

An old golf buddy who winters in Mesa (i.e. a Marine who enlisted in 1945 and spent a year in the Koren War--injured--a really good guy with a good heart--my kind of guy) but previously from Rushmore, MN ended his email to me with--Adios and Vaya con Dios.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—There are some things you learn best in calm and some in storm. 

P.S.

"I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer." - Jim Carrey

Here are some objectives that JoeBlow tries to live his life by. MissPerfect says--But they all take time; I'm toooo busy!

• ·         Make GOD part of your daily life
• ·         Stay close to your FAMILY
• ·         Seek and nurture worthy FRIENDS

nostalgia/real time

Christmas has many memories for all of us.  Some very good and some maybe not soooo good.  I think of my very special parents, Chester and Anna, and our family's Christmas traditions (i.e. I miss them and always will).  I have very good memories of some very simple Christmas activities growing up on the farm a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.  I had a very simple, humble but happy childhood.  Our Christmas celebrations were the same. 

We would always go to the Christmas Eve church service at Roseland Reformed.  The service was the Sunday School program with all the kids performing etc. Yes, we got our bag of goodies.  Then we would go home and see what was under the tree for us. My dad, Chester, was usually always the first in the car waiting for us.  But not on Christmas Eve, he was always the last one out to the car.  I was maybe 12 and wanted the semi-automatic Remington 22 rifle that was in Ammerman Hardware.  I would look at it all the time when Dad and I went in there.  I wanted it sooooo bad.  Sooooo when we got home, I looked under the tree and there was a box the size of a shirt.  I fought tears very hard.  I opened the box and there was a note in it that said—look behind the couch.  There was the rifle. 

Maybe when I was about 8, I decided I was going to get some of the glitter and glamour that Donnie always got at the Christmas program.  He always sang the loudest and the old ladies would all pat him on the head and say how great he was (i.e. he always stole the show).  Soooo I sang as loud as I could and he sang even louder.  The difference was, I was a terrible singer and he was a good singer.  I don’t remember any of the old ladies patting me on the head and saying how good I was.  Maybe I embarrassed Chester and Anna but more than likely I gave them a good laugh! 

I wonder what our children, Heather and Chet, will talk about their Christmases growing up.  And they are now developing memories with their children and spouses.  I realize that not everyone has the same memories (i.e. some good and some maybe not soooo good).  But that was the past and now is now.  I guess we are all in charge of Christmas memories to some degree. I wish you the best in making those memories.  I hope that we all can get over memories that maybe aren’t sooooo gooood. 

My cousin Luther lived in Roseland growing up and emailed me this (i.e. printed with his permission) --My favorite Christmas memory is going to church in Roseland Christmas Eve and getting a bag of candy, peanuts and an apple. We would than go home and have a simple meal and open one present. Life was good! I Walked into the spare bedroom this weekend and it looked like the Toys-R- Us store. Our simple meal is king crab legs and twice baked potatoes and way too much food. What is Christmas without wine? Oh yah way too many gifts! The one thing that has not changed is going to Church Christmas Eve and getting a bag of goodies. I love Christmas Eve and now we have grand children to share it with. Luther Dykema

REAL TIME Our Christmas will be different this year; every Christmas is different which produces different memories.  But the real meaning of Christmas will always be the same for us. Christmas to us is the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

More real time (i.e.suggestion only)--Try to bring gratitude and compassion into every interaction you have at Christmas where ever you are and where every you go and whoever you are around. Hey, even make someone laugh if you can.  Those are great gifts (i.e. my opinion).

Merry Christmas from our home to yours and wishing you a Merry Christmas touched with wonder and filled with love.

erv and Arlene

P.S. Thanksamillion for all your cards, pictures, and notes.  We really enjoyed them.  It’s just amazing how families grow and mature.  It’s fun to see that. 

wax and wane

 “Serenity now!” Yes, Christmas can be “Serenity now!”  I said it can be but it might not be toooooo.  To some it might be a lot of yada yada yada or blah blah blah!  And for some it might be a lot of waxing and waning.  Folks, take it into account that the bad pizza I ate last night might be doing the talking here. I have to warn you that I wax and wane. And you have no idea where I am with my mind today. ItchieBitchie says--I'm going to sit on it and let it boil!

Yabut, Facebook says--This "It's Saturday" is not "fake news." BUT can you trust Facebook? Saturday question--Do you believe Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus as The Savior or is it just "fake news?"  If you think it's pretty much "fake news", well then, Christmas is pretty much a moot point.  But don't tell all the littlekids and all the turbochargedretailers.  

NotforsureMary says--Each day your actions affirm or convict you of your belief system. It reveals who the central focus of your life really is - you or God. It reveals who you place your ultimate trust in - you or God. It is one of the great paradoxes for believers. One day we can believe Him to move mountains. The next day we can question His very existence. That is a lot of waxing and waning folks but probably pretty human. WildWillie says—That blows my Christmas cap off!

SusieQ says--"The what-the-hell effect is the feeling you get when you’ve already exceeded your preset limit and feel that since you’ve already failed, you might as well fail spectacularly." BigSpenderJane says—That is just my attitude with Christmas spending; we will worry about it in February – July!  My husband, TightBillie, doesn’t have the same philosophy.  We go around and around (i.e. wax and wane) but I usually win.  A happy wife is a happy life TightBillie and don’t you ever forget it!  If you don't shake your head vertically, you probably won’t get a kiss when the clock strikes 12 New Year’s eve TightBillie. You will.be treated like the Siberian Vortex!  Ouchy ouchy!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--The writer of Proverbs was called the wisest man who lived. He was quite possibly the wealthiest and most powerful too. But Solomon was human, and he knew what it was to be heartsick. Unfortunately, it is part of our human experience. Neither wealth, power, fame, nor wisdom can stop it. Ouchy ouchy! I read in the paper, sooooo it must be right, that one out of four folks are heartsick at any given time.  Saturday question—Are you heartsick?

I sometimes get bored doing the same thing all the time (i.e. after you have been having steak for a long time, beans beans taste fine).  Certain things, no matter how much I enjoy them, I need a break from them to really enjoy them again (i.e. absence makes the heart fond or something like that). I wax and wane (e.g. I like to play pickleball but I can play toooo much—I lose my enthusiasm).  I need to play a limited amount or take a short break.  Does this make any sense to you?  Some of you won’t understand this.  You won’t.  Here is another example--Winter is ok. I like the change of seasons but winter just lasts toooo long—it gets boring. But winter does give me the opportunity to burn our fireplace (i.e. I really enjoy doing that).  We are ready (i.e. probably will use more)!!!! It's cold in IA; I'm thinking about AZ (i.e. I'm waxing and waning here folks). But even how much I enjoy burning the fireplace, after I do it soooo long, it seems to lose some of its clamor for me.  Maybe I just get bored easily.  I think sooooo. I think I get easily tired of hearing and seeing the same stuff and need to hear and see something new. Such is life.

A birthday greeting that made me laugh. 

MuffinTopLori (i.e. she might be a chestnut roasting on an open fire) says--Folks wax and wane as to who they are or pretend who they want others to think they are.  OneSmartPerson said this--How do you feel when you suspect someone is not being authentic or genuine, when it appears that individual is putting on an act - a "facade" - to make a desired impression with the people he or she is with at the time? Such behavior can sometimes be described as "hypocrisy." However, witnessing such behavior in everyday life is not as defensible. We want people to be authentic - to say what they truly mean and be who they really are, not to present themselves falsely for a desired effect (e.g. DuaneTheWorm). Of course, this also occurs in the business and professional world. People can tell when you're authentic and when you're not. MagicPete says—“Putting on a mask" in real life can have very detrimental consequences. LuckieEddie says—We all wax and wane, especially at the Christmas time. It’s probably has always been that way and always will.  Such is life.

A pickleball buddy (i.e. my partner for the game) missed a shot and said -- oh shit.  This gal just doesn't seem to a gal who would say that. I laughed and she said that she can be a real potty mouth!  I laughed again. I told you about a gal who was part of our support team at the office years ago.  I was complaining about how things weren't going my way.  She said Ervin (i.e. she always called me Ervin) shit happens. She made me laugh. Zookeeper Friedrich Riesfeldt ( Paderborn, Germany ) fed his constipated elephant 22 doses of animal laxative and more than a bushel of berries, figs and prunes before the plugged-up pachyderm finally got relief. Investigators say ill-fated Friedrich, 46, was attempting to give the ailing elephant an olive oil enema when the relieved beast unloaded. The sheer force of the elephant's unexpected defecation knocked Mr Riesfeldt to the ground where he struck his head on a rock as the elephant continued to evacuate 200 pounds of dung on top of him. It seems to be just one of those freak accidents that proves... 'Shit happens.' 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Some people come into our lives, make foot prints on our hearts and we are never the same.

P.S. Saturday question--What is your TopMustHave for Christmas.  Now don't wax and wane folks.  I want the truth.  No bull shit either!

sincere

Inside this “It’s Saturday” there are 7 reasons (i.e. plus on bonus reason) why you want to be a good person.  Warning, they might be subliminal. LuckieEddie says—For some folks they could be as bold and glaring as Santa Claus and they wouldn’t catch on.  Ouchy ouchy!  And others folks, they are already such good folks (i.e. beyond believe).  Such is life.

I have a friend who has shown me a soft side of her that I really have never seen before (i.e. I have known her for a long time folks).  She has shown me her very good heart but she seems to have a struggle going on within herself.  I think she is a good person but also wants to be part of the social elite.  It seems to be a battle for her.  I think she exposed herself to me in a very sincere way.  She seems to be a mugrumper—her mug on one side of the fence and her rump on the other side.  She wants it both ways. I really think she has a battle going on in her heart.  I wish her the best in her struggle (i.e. image vs. what’s really important). 

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. "One is Evil -  It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. "The other is Good -  It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." 

I was eating our Thanksgiving feast at Heather and James’ place.  I commented several times as how good the food was.  It was really good.  Then Jessica, our daughter-in-law, said to me—erv, maybe you have been eating your own cooking toooo long!  She made me laugh.  After you have been having beans for a long time, good food tastes fine. 

This is shared with his permission. I was putting my street flip flops on after playing pickleball the other day.  A pb buddy was also doing the same.  I asked him what he was going to do today—going to take care of my 4 grand kids (i.e. ages 9 and below).  Their mother, my daughter, is having hysterectomy and having her ovaries removed at The University of Iowa Hospital.  Then he told me the story (i.e. very sincere).  He said his first wife died of breast cancer in her 40s.  Her mother also died of breast cancer in her 40s.  His daughter was tested and they found she tested positive for an abnormal BRCA gene.  The doctors told her she would die also in her 40s if she didn’t take some ‘forward looking’ action.  She had a double mastectomy and now had the hysterectomy.  The doctors said that she increased her chances to life by about 75%  Sooooo that sorta kinda made me think about them.  I prayed for her and her family.  The next time I played pb, he and I were putting on our gym shoes at the same time (i.e. happenstance, na, I don’t think sooooo), I asked how his daughter was and then told him how I thought of them and prayed for them.  He was very appreciative of my prayers. 

ItchieBitchie says—Maybe if we are sincere with ourselves, we might feel like this at Christmas time—Sometimes we wish God would make use be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us along.  Sounds crazy to ya? I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—While it is true that knowing helps our faith, God cannot be fully known (1 Cor. 13:12). Hebrews 11:1 tells us faith is the evidence of things not seen. What we do know is that Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger; what we cannot fathom is why God loved us enough to be wrapped in flesh to begin with. To fully embrace that mystery requires faith. To children, awe comes naturally, for there is so much they do not know. The fact that they are vulnerable and trusting leads Jesus to point to them as examples of the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, Solomon concludes that increasing knowledge brings increasing sorrow (Eccl. 1:18—the footnote in my Bible says this—humanistic wisdom—wisdom without God—leads to grief and sorrow). We lose our sense of wonder as we grow older. The residue of the fall can speak more loudly than our hope. There is no medicine like hope, no incentive soooo great, no tonic soooo powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow. 

SusieQ said that the speaker at our Christmas woman’s club gathering was lecturing on marriage and asked the audience how many of us wanted to “mother” our husbands during the Christmas season. One member in the back row raised her hand. ”You do want to mother your husband?” the speaker asked.“ “Excuse me” the woman echoed. “I thought you said smother.” Now that is being sincere folks. MissPerfect says—Frank, we have a problem; it would be a lot easier if I would lock you up in a cage for a couple of weeks during Christmas.  But of course, leave me the credit card.  10creditcardDebbie says--Now, that makes sense to me! Now that knocks my Christmas socks off.  Oh ya!

Christmas shopping is funny to me. GeorgeTheCrook says—It’s basically a scam.  It’s what marketing and retail is really good at.  They figure out how to fleece the Christmas giving mentality folks.  Some are a little easier to fool than others.  Like a three day sale only—BUT there will be another sale next week; there is always another sale folks (i.e. mattresses are always on sale—Kohls and Yonkers always have a sale).  I’m not knocking sales; I think you can save a lot of money by watching sales; but sometimes sales make folks buy stuff they don’t need just because it’s a sale.  My mentor use to say to me (i.e. facetiously I think) about some folks’ Christmas buying—Folks buy stuff they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress folks they don’t like! 

Our daughter, Heather, told us at Thanksgiving that she bought their kids their Christmas presents from Target. She recently got a text that all toys are 15% off.  Soooo she calls the store and asked if she can get the 15% discount.  No, was the reply.  Soooo she ordered them on line again to get the 15% discount/delivered to the store and then took the original ones back.  Most folks wouldn’t do this.  Marketing knows this (i.e. gottcha).  Heather maybe wouldn’t have either other than it was like $50.  Lalalalala-lalalalalala!

Some folks are sincere and others are not. That sure was a good talk pastor—real or fake. Your dress is really pretty—real or fake.  Boss, you are such a good person—fake or real. Thanks for the great time at the company Christmas party, boss—real or fake.  Thanks for the nice Christmas present mother-in-law—real or fake. Christmas is soooooo much fun—real or fake.  You get it folks.  Folks always don’t say what they mean.  Sometimes they are just being politically correct; sometimes they are just smoke blowers and sometimes folks are very sincere. CrazyMarvin says—Sometimes it’s hard to know what they are. 

I went and saw my 89 year old friend this week. I said, you don't have any Christmas decorations up--I do; here is my glass Christmas tree (i.e. a 10 inch glass tree that she turned on and it made different colors--it was pretty)--no big tree--no no, we never had one; I use to put candles with red lights in my windows; you remember them?--yes I do--but I haven't put them up for several years; maybe 6 years ago you said those red lights look like the red light district; soooo the next day I switched them all out with blue lights?  What a hoot!  I was just kidding her. Funny! She makes me laugh soooo many times.  She was sincere folks.

Sooooo when you do something for someone (e.g. give someone a gift) and don’t get a response, what does that mean.  I asked a friend what he thought why some don’t respond.  Here are some of his responses. They just aren’t response type folks. They really expected more; disappointed. Was humbled and don’t know how to respond. Just expect folks to give them stuff (i.e. are takers). BUT if gift givers give to be recognized or self-glorified, they have the wrong motive.  It’s not a business transaction (i.e. a gift doesn't have strings attached).  SusieQ says—That is why I like to give gifts anonymously.  My mentor would say to me—erv, it says in the Book—don’t let the right hand know what the left hand is doing.  Huh, interesting.  WorldClassLarry says—It’s such a great feeling to give a gift and have no one know you did it; just your good feeling (i..e. humble and sincere); and then just forget about it and look for the next opportunity. 

WildWillie says very sincerely—At this Christmas time, give a unique gift (e.g. be extremely open-minded, particularly when listening to somebody with whom you mostly disagree).  Psst! Now that will be interesting if we give it a try.  We just need to be humble and ask questions; we don’t have to agree.  Try being 10X more open-minded.  And do it sincerely; when people speak with sincerity, other folks can tell.  When it’s boiler plate, folks know that tooooo. CadillacJack says—Don’t let the giant step in front of you; just sincerely love someone. 

Are you sincerely contented?  Or are you faking it? How do you know when you are contented? What is the feeling? What makes you content? Will you ever be content? Does Christmas make you more content or less content? 

What is your first sincere thought about the picture on the left?  I took it off

a wall in the visitors’ center in Georgetown, CO this summer.  It just made me feel good.  What is your first reaction of the second picture I took of some Christmas decorations in Aplington (i.e. it made me smile).  What are your thoughts of it?

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

erv

MyFrieandJean says—Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

holly jolly

Our little grandson, Jimmer, was on my lap last weekend.  He was looking at my face and running his fingers over it.  He said—Grandpa, you have a crack in your head.  Well holly jolly! 

I hope you plugged your mouth with another piece of pumpkin pie.  I hope that none of you guys lost your family’s inheritance a.k.a. got written out of the will by discussing the Presidential Election over Thanksgiving dinner. Some of you might have lost millions!!!! Ouchy ouchy!! Young LollipopFranky said—I managed to keep my mouth shut even though my father-in-law, the old coot, doesn’t know anything and has a big mouth; I thought it was good business (i.e. zipped my mouth for a return of millions)! I hope this isn’t a precursor!  MissPerfect says—Folks, get over the acrimony! CadillacJack says—You can learn a whole lot by listening to ours telling how much they know or don’t know.  It can be a holly jolly time. Oh yes. 

I heard over the radio on the way to CO for Thanksgiving that 81% of folks say they are going to not eat soooo much during the holiday season. But, 70% have no plans to do it!  Sooooo they say they want tooooo but don’t.  Well holly jolly! I congratulate you folks who can do it (i.e. throw those chips away and get your butts off the couch). You are giving yourself and your family a holly jolly gift.  ProfessionalCounselorIffy says—Stop defending yourself, you must stop deceiving yourself. You’ve got to take an honest look at your life, face the truth, and deal with the issues. What is it in your life you’re pretending isn’t a problem? You are not going to get healing until you first acknowledge the root of your problem. You don’t have to hit rock bottom before you really change. There are wake-up calls going on all around you right now, and you’re not listening to them. Instead, you’re headed on the path toward destruction. But you don’t have to go that way! What’s the biggest problem counselors encounter? They say over and over--People wait too long before they ask for help. Then it’s almost impossible to turn around. There will be warning signs all over the place. Most people are in denial and wait until it’s too late, and they go through unnecessary pain. WorldClassLarry says—That wasn’t very holly jolly! 

Sergeant Walter Ehlers, who died last year at the age of 92, was the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor winner. He was among the first wave of troops that stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The Allies sustained more than 10,000 casualties that day, but Ehlers lost not a single soldier from his 12-man squad. Why? Because he and his men kept advancing directly into the face of enemy fire to avoid getting pinned down on the beach. Sometimes it’s like that in the Christian life. In Bunyan’s classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian sinks in the Slough of Despond but finds his footing on the promises of God and exits the far side of the swamp. His companion, however, quits the journey.

THIS SECTION IS FOR ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS AND OTHER CAREGIVERS.  YOU OTHERS CAN READ IT TOO IF YOU LIKE. I, being a Alzheimer’s caregiver, at times can bend over with my hands on my knees with my eyes closed ready to throw up on my shoes.  It’s no holly jolly time folks; it’s a ridiculous disease. The medical options for Alzheimer's are "none"; not anything to discuss; pretty easy folks. I went to an informational meeting put on by our local library.  Sally from the Alzheimer’s Association put on a presentation.  It’s a disease that has no cure and all folks will die from it. Yuck! Average life expectancy after being diagnosed is 4 to 8 years. It just progressively gets worse (i.e. it lives up to it's reputation).  It’s like sledding uphill; a real head scratchier folks! I heard a caregiver say—Caregiving is not my Christmas model; I didn’t sign up for this! Ouchy ouchy!

My advice/suggestion/opinion to caregivers of folks who have Alzheimer’s--Friends, we need to work on 4 areas: attitude, exercise, humor and faith. WorldClassLarry says—Yabut erv, that is challenging. Yes it is.  But without a positive attitude, we're gonna be dead in the water. So, we must work at finding ways to maintain a positive attitude. ItchieBitchie says—erv, you make me smile inside and laugh outside; it ain’t that simple; it’s ain’t that holly jolly.  Here is an idea, caregivers--Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

I just read Tim Tebow’s book Shaken--Discovering True Identity In The Midst Of Life’s Storms. Many of those football guy’s books are about touting their egos.  This one is not.  It is very uplifting, supportive, and encouraging.  He is very humble.  Yes, he promotes his Christian faith. I think it’s a good read for anyone.  Question—What percent of the American population claim to be Christian—about 82%.  Does that surprise you.  Ok if you knew that smartypants, try this question—What percent of the American population are Afro American?  About 12.2%  Now that surprised me tooooo.  And Iowa is about the same percentage.  That surprised me tooooo. AverageJoe says—We all need to be bold. Brave. Courageous. It’s good to read good stuff.

Spending Thanksgiving in CO with our family was fun but parts were not (i.e. the good and the bad).  Arlene can’t understand a conversation with several folks.  It’s just all confusing to her.  It’s just a lot of noise.  She has a hard time talking as well.  And she can’t do much. Sooooo it is very discouraging to her.  She wanted to go home the first night—pretty ugly. She became a trooper but again the last night she could not handle it anymore and emotionally begged me to just take her home. The next morning, she was again her sweet self.  We drove for maybe an hour.  She didn’t say anything—not uncommon.  Then she reached over and took my hand, started to cry and said, Sorry!  That’s my Arlene. 

Tip for you guys who are around folks with dementia—Just hold their hand.  Pretty simple but very effective. It makes their life holly jolly.  And it takes but just a minute and cost you no $$$$$$. 

A friend told me recently that we need to help folks that want help.  GeorgeTheCrook says--Ya can’t force it on folks (i.e. then it’s not a gift). They have to make the decision. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.  Recently I was humbled once again (i.e. it happens to me a lot).  I was trying to force something instead of just relaxing and letting it happen (i.e. was trying to answer my own prayer).  It seems like it never works when I force things. “No way, José!” I need to put myself in position and do what I can as an assist person but not forcing it.  Does that make any sense to you? Well holly jolly!

You ever laugh at yourself (i.e. sometimes it just comes out of nowhere).  I do a lot let me tell ya.  I am really funny to myself.  I thought I needed a new pair of paints besides my khaki and blue jeans.  I have a very limited wardrobe (i.e. don’t have a need for much).  Soooo I go and buy a pair of Dockers.  I get home and they are tight and short.  It’s the size I wear.  Sooooo I go back and this cute little gal helps me.  She says you have the "athletic fit" pants—I do—yes you do—you probably need the classic fit that is more spacy—are you saying my butt is bigger—you are just more mature!  She was sooooo cute and nice.  What a hoot!

Somewhere, sometime, someone said, “You gotta dance with the girl who brought you.” It is used today as a caution against switching priorities, values, methods, strategies, or goals. It is a call to remembrance, a warning against giving in (i.e. fighting the good fight). My Mom, Anna, always said to me—erv, always do what is right.  Of course I didn’t and paid the price for it sometimes.  Those times were not holly jolly! 

LuckieEddie asks—Have you ever expected and/or hopped folks would react or act in a certain way and they didn’t?  C’mon LuckieEddie, everyone has experienced that feeling! I read recently that we are not to take that personally.  There are reasons why they react or act the way they do.  We don’t know the whole story.  If we cut them some slack, we will enjoy life a lot more.  Like my brother-in-law Larry once told me after I gave our grandkids some stuff that they didn’t seem to get toooo excited about—erv, if you have a good time doing it, it’s a success (i.e. you got your holly jolly)!

I also heard on the radio going to CO, soooo it must right, that you should shop at Charlie’s Boutique in downtown Broken Bow, NE. The advertisement said--The more you buy the more you’ll will save (i.e. you get more holly jolly). That’s funny to me; a distraction of Christmas!  I read in the paper soooo it must be right that 91% of shoppers are willing to spend more money to qualify for free shipping. More holly jolly! Crazy folks, crazy! You really want to have some real holly jolly giving for Christmas?  Help a mentally or physically handicap person or their caregiver.  ItchieBitchie says—It’s a whole lot easier throwing some money at it.  AverageJoe says—We know what happens when we do nothing? Nothing!

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

erv 

MyFriendJean says—Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have too let them alone to do it.

P.S. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”