Hammonds, Clevengers, Woodhouses, Smiths..

It occurred to me after hearing from a distant family member that this is a good place to insert a call to all those long, lost relatives I've been tracking for over 30+ years. Our family tree has roots stretching over many miles, but most of the above settled in and around North Central Arkansas and Southwest Missouri. I'm particularly interested in the Dockett (Doc) Hammonds and George Grant Woodhouse lines, especially their parents. If you think you might be interested in attending our annual Smith-Hammonds Family Reunion, it's held the first Sunday in June in the Marionville, Missouri Park. This will be our 47th year. There's usually 100+ in attendance with a lot of good food and entertaiment. You all come!

I Just Liked This Picture...

It's a beautiful ice sculpture and someone was very talented. I'm assuming it relates to 9/11.

To Eat Or Not To Eat...That Is The Question

I have just come from the grocery store where I spent over $128! In that total was a package of hot dogs, bacon and lunch meat. There was no milk either. If you don't believe it's time for a change in politics, you better think again.

Going hand in hand with that statement, I was reading the newspaper this weekend and a savvy gentleman pointed out that the American public will be looking at $3.75 a gallon for gas by this summer because we have not taken seriously the need to start watching our consumption. When you see gas prices going up and down, the oil companies are "feeling" us up to see just how far they can rake us over the coals and still keep us out there burning it up. So I started setting my own limits on how much gas I would buy per week to get to work and take care of necessities. I plan my trips to make my driving as efficient as possible and eliminate running to the store two or three times a week to pick up a couple of items. Most of my family lives 20 miles out of town, so I will probably start making trips less often. I'm wondering if I can convince them to all to meet once a month in one location, so we can get all our visiting in at one time... ya think? ; )

In a discussion with a co-worker today, he said something that made real sense to me. Where most countries like England and Japan utilize mass transportation our country bought into the use of automobiles which are based on a limited commodity that we will never be able to produce ourselves. We will NEVER be able to produce enough alternative fuel to meet our needs! Now how near-sighted was that? Still wonder why we got into Iraq? We are inefficient and spoiled....

On the lighter side, I got an email today that had me laughing, but you have to give the Japanese and A for effort when it comes to reaching for new ideas.... check these out.

Movie: The Golden Compass...subliminal garbage

Truthfully, I've not seen this movie, but from what I've heard and read it's very troubling to me. The author is an admitted atheist which is his choice, his business. However, when he writes a trilogy of books with the soul purpose (no pun intended) to implant doubts among children there is a God and wants to see the idea abolished, he becomes a real symbol of evil to every religious person.

Check it out here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

It's important for those who haven't heard or think the books and movie are another Harry Potter series to know there's nothing similar between them. In fact, they are quite the opposites. I've read all the Harry Potter books and found nothing telling children they must kill a phony God, nor an ex-nun character who tells them God is a mistake! The Potter series talked of spirits and demons, but was based in good overcoming evil. This author makes no bones about his intent or reasons for writing his books! I also find no favor with Nicole Kidman for taking a part in it.

It never ceases to amaze me how people will lash out at religion when they can't deal with the existence of God because He doesn't fit in with their lifestyle. God tells us to love each other and have enough faith to believe He will be there for us. Why is that so threatening to some? I find it comforting to know there is someone larger then myself I can rely on. I've not always been a church member, but I've never doubted there is a God. He's gotten me through more then a few times.

I will watch the movie...though I'm not being a hippocrite. Yes, I know I'm adding to his pocketbook, but I want to know exactly what kind of nonsense the movie portrays. I don't intend to stand silent and I believe ill gains can be quickly taken away. Know your enemies, then pray for them. (Janieism #17)

God bless him, he's going to need it. Love and hugs...

God Bless America... We Need It!

In light of the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, I must state my opinion. As a registered voter who exercises that priviledge religiously, I have that right. Besides this is my blog. I've said it more then once that campaigning should be banned. We hear the same rhetoric every time, at every election and people still fall for it. I propose a non-political, third party be established and put in charge of publishing every candidate's political records for public view. That's it! No opinioned news shows or ads allowed. No more people being lead to the polls for slaughter.

Some people, depending on their dedication to a particular party, would vote for a party's candidate even if told he'd traveled to Uranus! Which is no doubt done regularly. Those voters simply don't notice it until they try to sit down after the election! It amazes me how many people will cast a ballot because their grannie's cousin's mother was a Republican or Democrat since birth.... Oh, for the love of goat dip!

Was our last election not enough of this malarky! Bush stood up in front of America and pitched his moral and value campaign while Republican's licked the oil off his boots. We were scammed! Bush Jr. couldn't run a company let alone a country. He should never have been put in office the first time, let alone a second term!

We can't be lead down the garden path with empty words again. We are facing one of the most historical elections seen in this country for many years. As citizens, we must make a monumental decision. There is too much at stake to be blind-sighted. America has become a laughing stock. We no longer have the respect or trust we once commanded. This time around we can't afford another mistake! So before you cast your ballot in this election make sure you believe in that candidate as a person and not a party.....

Car 54, Where are you...when we need you!

Two days into the New Year and already I have new material. Working in Risk Management, one of the things we get are complaint calls whenever someone notices one of our delivery people driving irresponsibly. I'd say 2 out of 3 are legitimate complaints, but the other one third would be comical if it wasn't indicative of the number of ignorant people driving cars! We get numerous calls saying "I'm behind one of your drivers and he's driving too slow!" When they're asked how fast he's going, it never fails for them to say, "He's only going 30 and the speed limit is 35!" Now I ask you....when did they change the speed limit signs to mean the speed minimum? I can't began to count the number of times I've bitten my tongue to not ask them to define the word, limit! Then there are those driving from an approach ramp onto an interstate highway and believe they have the right of way. They get very upset because another driver didn't move over for them. Granted, it's a courtesy to allow another driver to merge onto the highway when possible. There may even be some high traffic areas which route you in differently, but folks....come on! You're merging into oncoming traffic! You DO NOT have the right of way on most highways!

On the other hand when I'm out among the populace driving, I've noticed there is a major lack of courtesy among drivers. It's not unusual to meet car after car with their headlights on bright. It's so prominent anymore that it leads me to believe most drivers don't even know what it means when someone blinks their headlights at them. For that matter, many tailgaters have no clue when you tap your brakes at them. We get a lot of callers who'll say, "He keeps hitting his brakes like he wants me to run into him!" .... Lord, help us!!!

Highlights of 2007.....

This has been a full year. Some of it good, some of it better, but the best part is we're still here to talk about it! Chuck and I are very fortunate to have a multitude of family and friends who live close and we're able to spend time with. You know who you are, so I won't start naming names. I look back and I realize we've been pretty busy and much blessed. We're still working on our remodel, but we're finally getting to a little of the fun part...paint and tile. Chuck has enlarged his cleaning business with several new clients. We did a couple of postcard shows, hit a stamp auction, took a trip to Wisconsin by train and our church bought new land to build on. With God's help, it will materialize this year. Most everyone we know and love is in relatively good health, so we are thankful for all we've received. Therefore, I speak straight from my heart when I wish all of you a great 2008! I pray God blesses you with good health, good fun, much love and the ability to keep on dancing!!!

Love and hugs, Janie and Chuck

What A Way To Start The New Year!

For whatever reason I decided to start a blog and you decided to read it is probably beyond both of our imaginations. Perhaps I mistakenly think someone will want my opinion, advice, ideas, criticism or maybe just a laugh. So I've appropriately chosen to start this "journal" on January 1, 2008 at a time when I'm skidding into 59 in a couple of months. If you're 80 years old (like my dad or even as young as my kids), you're probably wondering where does she get these ideas. On the other hand, if you're 2 years old as my youngest granddaughter, Korey, is today you may believe I'm a fountain of wisdom... or candy. It's all in the perspective, you know?

So I'll tell you up front there won't be any dirty pictures, a lot of nasty words, nor will I bore you with a bunch of (well, maybe a few) love and peace signs because this is basicly all about me. It's how I think, talk, live and move about in the world... so change channels now or take care, be aware and enjoy.....

By the way, you may think the guy with me looks familiar. He was dubbed "The Chef" much to his dismay after our S-I-L looked in his kitchen cabinet one day and said it appeared Chuck was looking back at him. If you have a can of Chef Boy-Ar-Dee, grab it and imagine Chuck in a Chef's hat and whites. It's amazing!

Happy Birthday, Korey....Grammy loves you!