A Flattering but Overwhelming Offer.......

Last night as I was leaving work my friend Dave stopped me. Dave is our fill-in Union steward. When our normal one isn't there Dave steps in, and he's really good. I told him that he needs to run sometime for a full time stewardship. Anyway, he was telling me that a lot of people on second shift has been complaining that we don't have a second shift chaplin. There's one on the two other shifts but ours. Dave, being the person he is, brought up my name. He then asked me if I'd be interested. I know IF I do this, I would be an "intern" until they think I can handle it on my own, and I'd be on the chaplin commitee. I told him that I have to pray about it, and he said "See? You just proved that you'd be perfect for it." I am still overwhelmed by this idea. I'm not a preacher, nor am I Bible College graduate.I'm just a quite, partly shy, backward, 32 year old 4,5, and 6th grade Sunday school teacher. I'm praying for guidence and wisdom in this situation...

Scared little girls turn into Brave Women...

My friend Lois and I realized the other day that we had some of the same fears as kids. The only difference is she was the youngest and her older brother and sisters were always scaring her.
She said that every night she'd go to her room and her brother would say "Watch out for the green eye." Even though she had NO idea what that was, it always scared her.

Even though I didn't have that fear,I did discover that we both were the champs at long jumps. I found out that she (like myself) would turn off the light and jump as far as she could to the bed. Why you ask? Because we KNEW there was something under our beds that would grab our ankles and drag us under the bed if we were caught. Once I did miss the bed and fell straight to the floor beside my bed. I thought for sure I was a goner, but I guess the under-the-bed-monster was off duty that night.

She was also scared of skeletons. She was so scared, that her parents bought her a little, tiny, plastic movable one that she slept with every night. She even named it, I THINK she said it's name was Scaley. But something sad happened to poor "scaley?" She thought he was cold one night, so she put him on top of her lamp. In the morning it was just a melted plastic pile.

It's so hard to believe that this person that was terrified of skeletons, green eyes, and things under the bed..... Grew up, joined the Air Force, and served in Desert Storm. Her job was to identify body parts after battles. She would go to the field, and when she found a body part, she'd put a flag by it, then someone else coming behind would know where the pieces were and put each piece in individual body bags. She told me that you NEVER stand there and try to figure out what body part it was. "You don't stand there and think 'that's an arm, or that's a leg' You just stick your flag in the ground, and move on to the next part. You don't waste time thinking about what you're really doing. If you did, you'd need counseling."

Her 7 (now 8) year old son, Philip, asked "Mommy why are you retarded?" She said "What do you mean?" "Why are you retarded from the Air Force?" Last April, Lois retired from the Air Force. So, now we refer to her as being retarded. Lois, you're my hero, and I salute you!!!!!!!!!


With Veterans day coming up, do me a favor and thank a veteran.

Great friends....

I have a friend, Lois ('Ello Captain!)who I work with and is my best friend.

We text each other ALL the time at work. One day I had over 80 text mess. from her and vice versa... Thankfully we both have the same service provider so all texts are FREE!!!!! Lately we've been on this pirate kick. We be textin' tryin' ta sound like pirates all day.. AARR matey. (By the way I can type/write piratey better than I can speak it.) I gave her the nickname Captain, and she gave me the nickname Poppet. (Okay family keep that in mind when we play Curses.... I am getting pretty good at piratey talk. ;)

Talking about pirates...One day I was trying to text Lois, and my mind was on pirate talk... My boss walks up and asks if skilled trades was working on my machine. Keep in mind that my brain was in pirate mode... I look up and said "Aye Captain.... AAAARRR." He looked at me VERY strangely and walked away. I was laughing so hard that of course I had to text Lois and tell her what I did, which she found funny as well.

A couple weeks ago we went plunderin' Starbucks after work, and didn't leave until close to 3AM. Gotta love 24 hour Starbucks. We were the only ones in there and the guy working there gave us free drinks.. That's how I got hooked on the Spiced Pumpkin Lattes.

She's always been there for me. After Grandpa T died, she called me to make sure I was ok.... I was at work when Grandpa M died, and she was right there letting me cry on her shoulder... Wonderful friend to have around.....By the way her birthday is.......... July 7.... So every year we do something to CELEBRATE...

Now skip to my other friend, Dave. He's Lois's boyfriend.... When my ex boyfriend, whom I don't speak of....(Aunt Carol knows who I'm talking about.)backed out of taking me to my 10 year class reunion, Dave is the one that spoke up and said "I'll go." Lois said "There you go. Go with Dave." I was shocked. I kept asking her if she was sure, and she said "Of course." Later when Dave wasn't around, I asked "Are you positive that you're okay with me going with Dave? If you're the least bit upset about it I won't go." She said "If you were anyone else, I'd be mad, but I know what kind of person you are and I know you're not out to "steal" Dave." So, I went to my reunion with Dave.

Okay so fast forward to last week...... The Monday after my birthday, Lois took me out for lunch before work (She gave me a book about pirates I thought I was very funny.) On the way to work I got to a stop sign and heard a loud Thud and then grinding noise. It sounded like the whole back end of my jeep fell off.

I made it to work, and told Lois about it. She told Dave, who in turn told me about this guy that fixes brakes at a really cheap price. Here's the problem, I wasn't going to have the money until the next (this) week. So, Lois took me to this guy's house, dropped off my jeep, drove me ALL the way home, and was willing to pick me up for work the next day. (I borrowed my mom's car. No reason for her to pick me up for work then take me home. That was too much.)

She drove me home (By the way does anyone know the words to the Silly songs with Larry about the caribou? We've tried our best to think of the tune. If I had the words I would know the tune.)

The next day I called the brake guy up (Dave gave me the number) and asked how much it was going to cost....... ALL 4 of my brakes were down to the metal and the brake cable in the back broke off... Was told that was the thud I heard, and it's a wonder I had any type of braking at all. So, I'm thinking ok this is going to cost a lot of money..... The guy said "Dave took care of it."

So, I picked my jeep up with a heartfelt gratitude for having such great friends..... So, I told Dave that I needed to know how much it was so I could pay him back.... He said it was $175. So, I was thinking $175 a brake, but no that's for the whole thing.... (I called the guy and asked. I don't want to cheat my friends.)

So now I have great brakes and WONDERFUL friends.....

A Day of nice surprises......

Friday night as I was driving home from work my cell rang, which in itself is quite surprising since hardly anyone calls my cell. So, I answered and it was no other than my wonderful, charming, and delightful little sister. No, I'm not sucking up either... I really mean that.

We talked for a few mins when I asked "Where are you?" (She's usually on her way somewhere when she calls me...Baskin Robbins, the mall, Walmart... You get the picture) Imagine my surprise when she said "Home". So I thought ok, she's at her dorm. "No, at home...in my room. I came home for the weekend".... So we talked for what an hour? She told me that Aaron and Chris invited the family over for dinner Sat. night....

Okay, here's the thing about that...... I VOLUNTEERED to work Sat.... Ashley, my dear sweet sister (being sarcastic now) decided to tell NO ONE but Aaron and Chris that she was coming home this weekend....

Now, skip to Sat. around noon.... Ashley and I decided to go out for lunch, and we were on our way when my cell phone rings.... It was Aaron, who by the way NEVER calls me, it's always Chris that calls.... He invited me over for dinner HIMSELF.... I told him that I had to work, and he told me to "get out of it" and that I "NEED to be there." Then he hung up and called Ashley asking if she thought he convinced me...

So, I was caught in a dilemma...... Go to work like a "loyal" employee or forget work and spend time with Ashley and the rest of the family...... I normally leave for work at 2:12, and there it was 2:10 and I was still trying to decide.... Finally I said "Ashley would you like to take a small walk with me?" We sat out in my jeep, and I called in and told them I couldn't make it in..... Yes, I, Angela Dawn M., played hooky from work.....

After I hung up, my wonderful (not being sarcastic here) sister and I went to the mall.. Which was fun.... Okay, waiting for Ashley to try on a million things at Old Navy, (well maybe it was more like 10)wasn't too fun, but spending time with her was.... Afterwards we went over to Aaron and Chris's.....

We got there the same time mom and dad showed up.... We went in and Chris said "We have surprises for you..... Her dining room looked like it was ready for a kid's Birthday party.... Each seat had a balloon tied to it, and each setting had birthday plates, cups, and party favors.... Also at each place was a gift.... Aaron and Chris bought gifts for the whole family. They said that since they can never remember anyone's birthday they decided to have a big party for everyone.... There was a birthday cake and ice cream..... I've never seen so many names on a cake in my life..... Everyone's name was on it.... It was great...

After mom and dad left, Chris cut mine and Ashley's hair and waxed our eyebrows.... The waxing wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it'd be, and I LOVE my haircut....

Let's just say I don't regret not going to work.

Katrina Rescue Story for Animal lovers...

I stumbled across this website and had to share it.. It's really something...

http://www.classicalliance.net/katrinastory/katrinastory.html

My Christmas "wishlist"......

Okay, so I was asked for my list. I was thinking why send this list to several people when I can put it one place and let EVERYONE see it..... So here it is.............
My Christmas List.....(just in case you care)

Books I want......................
Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado (Has a really neat cover I think)

slow cooker/crockpot cookbook(s)

By Wanda E Brunstetter
( I have the first book in the Brides of Lancaster County series.)
Looking for a Miracle, Brides of Lancaster County Series #2
Plain & Fancy, Brides of Lancaster County Series #3
The Hope Chest, Brides of Lancaster County Series #4.
Allison's Journey
Holiday Hope written with DiAnn Mills
Patchwork Holiday written with Renee DeMarco and DiAnn Mills
Kelly's Chance

DVDs I want

Love's Abiding Joy (will be released on 12/19)
ANY of the Victor Borge dvds.

Also, feel free to browse my Amazon wishlist.
Now, if you're thinking on gift cards.........
I also am a frequent Starbucks drinker, Walmart, Simon Mall AND now Meijer shopper, and a Steak N Shake milkshake sundae eater. LOL.


Word to the wise...... Since I'm giving this same list to EVERYONE (M. side of the family don't exchange gifts anymore) you might want to keep the lines of communication open and "discuss" it with each other.... Don't want the "embarrassment" of two people giving the same thing... Right?

Something to make you smile or even laugh....

I read this and found it very funny. Enjoy........

Things to do in an elevator
1. Make race car noises when anyone gets on or off.
2. Blow your nose and offer to show the contents of your kleenex to other passengers.
3. Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you just shut UP!"
4. Whistle the first seven notes of It's a Small World incessantly.
5. Sell Girl Scout cookies.
6. On a long ride, sway side to side at the natural frequency of the elevator.
7. Shave.
8. Crack open your briefcase or purse and, while peering inside, ask, "Got enough air in there?"
9. Offer name tags to everyone getting on the elevator. Wear yours upside-down.
10. Stand silent and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
11. When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act embarrassed when they open by themselves.
12. Lean over to another passenger and whisper, "Noogie patrol coming!"
13. Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you 'Admiral'.
14. One word: Flatulence!
15. On the highest floor, hold the door open and demand that it stay open until you hear the penny you dropped down the shaft go 'plink' at the bottom.
16. Do Tai Chi exercises.
17. Stare, grinning, at another passenger for a while and then announce, "I've got new socks on!"
18. When at least eight people have boarded, moan from the back, "Oh, not now - motion sickness!"
19. Give religious tracts to each passenger.
20. Meow occasionally.
21. Bet the other passengers you can fit a quarter in your nose.
22. Frown and mutter, "gotta go, gotta go." Then, sigh and say, "oops!"
23. Show other passengers a wound and ask if it looks infected.
24. Sing Mary Had a Little Lamb while continually pushing buttons.
25. Holler "Chutes away!" whenever the elevator descends.
26. Walk on with a cooler that says 'human head' on the side.
27. Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce "You're one of THEM!" and move to the far corner of the elevator.
28. Burp and then say, "mmmm... tasty!"
29. Leave a box between the doors.
30. Ask each passenger getting on if you can push the button for them.
31. Wear a puppet on your hand and talk to other passengers 'through' it.
32. Start a sing-along.
33. When the elevator is silent, look around and ask, "Is that your beeper?"
34. Play the harmonica.
35. Shadow box.
36. Say "Ding!" at each floor.
37. Lean against the button panel.
38. Say "I wonder what all these do" and push the red buttons.
39. Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope.
40. Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers that this is your 'personal space'.
41. Bring a chair along.
42. Take a bite of a sandwich and ask another passenger, "Wanna see wha in muh mouf?"
43. Blow spit bubbles.
44. Pull your gum out of your mouth in long strings.
45. Carry a blanket and clutch it protectively.
46. Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
47. Stare at your thumb and say, "I think it's getting larger."
48. If anyone brushes against you, recoil and holler, "Bad Touch!"

I feel like the America's Funniest Video Host!!!!!!!

Do you have a picture of a family member picking their nose? How about taking a bite out of a sandwich? If you do,or have similar strange photos I want them........

I'm asking my family to search their family photos and find those funny, unique, and hilarious family photos of the T. side of the family.

I need mostly the adults. I have Marlina's kids, and Carrie's boys. However, if you have funny photos of the kids that you want to send my way that's fine too. It will give me more variety. Oh, yes, and this also includes me....... I know Ashley you must have some funny photos of me. Right?

This also includes pictures of Grandpa T, and Aunt Ida.... These two don't have to be funny, but I'm trying to stay away from the traditional, smile-as-nicely-as-you-can-because-this-is-costing-me-money type photos.
It don't have to be pictures of your immediate family.... Cousins, aunts, and uncle photos count too. Just make sure it's the T. side of the family...

There's a couple ways to send them to me...........

1. My computer printer prints HORRIBLE photos. So, if you have a printer that prints good quality photos you can print them out. (I'll reimburse you for the ink.)

2. You can scan/email pictures you do have, let me pick,and then you make a copy....(I will pay you back for the printing.)

OR

3. Give me the original copy. I promise you will get the picture(s) back.

You can either mail the picture(s) to me,(I will pay for postage... Add a piece of cardboard in the envelope. It will keep the pictures from being bent.),

or if you're going to be in the area, give them to Aunt Carol (sorry to be drafting you) and she'll give them to my mom.......If you choose this "method", and you want the pictures back, put your name on the envelope, and I'll MAKE sure you get them back.


I can't go into detail WHY I need these, let's just say it's very important that I do get pictures.... You have two choices.....Hand over the pictures now or I get your picture MY way.... The choice is yours. Ha ha ha ha.....

What are you waiting for? Find those funny, and embarrassing (ok, maybe not TOO embarrassing) photos.

Christmas!!!!!!!

For some the thought of Christmas puts them in a panic. They don't know what to buy people, or what kids like, ext.... My mom falls into that category..... Then there are others that the mere thought brings the warm, fuzzy feeling, and aren't too concerned about gifts..... I fall in the last category........ I have over half of my gifts bought so far...... However, I need help.......... So, what I'm asking is................

Ashley could you email me a list?

AND

Carrie what are your boys into? What do they like? What do they want?
Feel free to email me privately.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!