First Day Of Winter.....Monday, December 21, 2009

Today, tomorrow and then two more tomorrows will be the Eve.
It's coming folks and quickly too. I don't think I have ever had the unfortunate occasion to have been sick during the days before Christmas and I don't ever want that again. I feel disassociated with the festivities .... and can't get interested. Bah Hambug! I really appreciate people's kind thoughts and wishes for my getting better....I'm coming along but still am not up to my best and cough-free self. But I'm getting there.....maybe by the time Christmas comes, I will be lots better.

SNOW's coming. Yesterday's forecast of flurries turned out to be a bit more than flurries in my estimation. It was slick even though the accumulation wasn't huge. The news today talked about horrible accidents on Interstate 55 yesterday afternoon. Now we have several more days of forecasted bad weather.....flurries, freezing rain, sleet and snow. The whole bag of tricks is up old man winter's sleeve but today is the first day of winter, so I guess it's to be expected.

I hope all of you have given your Christmas list to Santa. Grown-ups also need to get presents from Santa. Belief in Santa should never be given up as far as I'm concerned. We learned long ago that Santa existed and I think he should live on in our child-like minds forever and ever. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm still just a kid......it's only when I look in the mirror that I see a difference. But I think mirrors lie sometimes! So on Christmas Eve of this year, sit down by the tree and enjoy the cookies and milk you would otherwise have left for Santa. Leave the crumbs on the plate, just in case Santa gets time to stop in for a few minutes..... If the crumbs are still there on Christmas morning, you'll know that he really was there but was too full to eat the crumbs. If there is a present under the tree for you, then that's proof that Santa exists....your spouse and or children are really NOT the ones who gave you that gift....Santa did. Santa exists and don't let anyone tell you differently.

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Tomorrow is yet another day. May the spirit of the season be with you today, tomorrow and forever.

Happy Holidays.

Friday It Tis.....December 18, 2009

STOP! And Think About Where This Year Has Gone.
When I was just a mere child in Greenview, Illinois, the year would pass so slowly. It seemed it took a lifetime for the day to pass while I sat in the old elementary school, learning lessons to take me through life. For relatively new residents of Greenview, the old elementary school occupied the entire block between VanBuren and Douglas Streets, and I don't know the east-west cross streets, but it's the two roads which run along the east and west sides of the park. I lived in the big house kiddy korner from the schoolyard, and my house sat in the middle of the road where you can go no further south of the elevator. This old elementary school building had a date of 1913 on the top facade, so I'm guessing that's around the date it was built. I'm too lazy to research the actual dates, although my brother has a cow when a date isn't exactly stated.....I'm close enough so that's good enough for me.

When I started school in the 1950's, my first classroom was up the stairs and when you reached the huge next floor, the classroom was on the northeast side. Miss Flo's to be exact. I have always wondered if this was the first floor or the second floor since to get to there, one had to go up the stairs. There really wasn't a first floor, but both the north and the south sides had staircases, with a small landing room half-way up the stairs. On the south side, the Principal had his office and on the north side was what I will call an infirmary because I remember it having a cot like thing in it, but my memory fails at that point on the rest of the contents. These stair landing rooms were really pretty tiny. When I graduated to the second grade, I moved to the other side of the floor to attend Mrs. DeHart's class. While here, I remember thinking I can't wait until I get to the third grade so I can be on the top floor where the spiral fire escape was. I didn't want to burn up in this building and not be near the that glorious spiral fire escape which we all climbed up in the evenings and on weekends, holding our prized piece of wax paper to make the slide downwards a lot faster. I bet that fire escape had 8 inches of wax on its sliding floor, because almost every kid in town climbed up and slid down that fire escape for about 50 years, with wax paper in hand.

At the end of the second grade, I got the bad news. Oh yes, I passed, but my dream of going to the top was interrupted for a year. My next year's classroom would be Mrs. Tholen's room, which was located in the basement, just across from the girls' stinky bathroom. The first day I attended class in this basement classroom, daunted my spirits. I looked at the big dead bolt on the classroom door, then I eyeballed the closet at the back with the huge thick paddle hanging on the hook and then got a whiff of the sewer gas coming from the girls bathroom backup.....I knew I was in trouble. And when I got a look at Mrs. Tholen's physique, I knew her short squatty body probably couldn't chase us far, but her bulging biceps were probably from years of practice with that huge thick paddle. And yes, she proved herself when she took a couple of boys back in the closet and beat their butts....and broke that paddle on one I might add. (You know who you are if you are reading this!) Those were the days! Most of kids us minded after that.....and I mean we were quiet as church mice.

The year passed slower than molasses poured from a pitcher. The days inched by and each day was torture in that basement classroom which always stunk of the nearby sewer gas. The last day of class came and finally I'd managed to move to the top floor for what I thought was my remaining tenure at good ole Greenview elementary school (in otherwords I thought I was a top floor resident from now on). My top floor room was on the northwest side, and the teacher was Mrs. Eva Wilson. She was such a nice lady and the entire year was so great, I wouldn't have minded staying on another year, but that wasn't to come as I was now going to be a big shot 5th grader, almost ready to go to the high school for the middle school grades. But what I didn't know was, next year I was now going to be housed in the little building to the southeast of the building in Mrs. Buelah Smothers' class. This building had no covered walkway to the gym or the main building, so going to recess in the gym meant putting on coats, boots, hats and mittens just to have to take them off again in a couple of minutes. The kids in the main building were so lucky....they got to run through the underground tunnel around the furnaces and under the school yard to get to the gym. That darn underground tunnel was so warm because of the furnaces, but I remember one time I was in the tunnel when the lights went out and I had the poop scared out of me. I remember crying and crying until Paul Davis, the head custodian, came with a flashlight.

Finally fifth grade came to a close and I got to go back to the main building on the top floor, on the southeast side. Mrs. Agnes Ingham had just inherited the class of 1967 and our wayward antics. But, she took it in stride and had us kids make paper maiche planets which we hung by wire from the ceiling. I remember her making weird food all the time and her bringing it in to us was to taste test it I'm sure. One time I remember some weird concoction that had juicy fruit gum and cottage cheese. Oh icky! But she sure made good Amish cookies and later in life I had the occasion to ask her for her recipe....I wonder where that recipe is now!!

Finally, after all of this time passing me by, I was going to the high school to attend the remaining years of classes. Mind you, this period of time was long before the elementary section was built as an addition to the present day school. High schoolers and middle schoolers all attended classes in the same building (minus the non-existent elementary section). And for lunch, we all had to don our coats and hats and walk to the grade school cafeteria, where the lunch ladies did their magic. The food back then was actually good. Chili came with peanut butter and honey sammiches and until this day, I still eat these peanut butter and honey sammiches with chili. Goulash was my second favorite meal, with beef and noodles a close third. I really can't think of anything I didn't like back then. But when I look at the menus from current day school, I just shake my head....plastic meals nowdays....which must meet government standards and which was just discussed on ABC news a few days ago......fast food/chain food is more healthy than government approved standards for school lunches.....less fat, more vitamins and more charm and pizzaz I'm sure.

The passing of time still came pretty slow while in middle and high school. Especially until I was age 16 so I could drive legally, although I had been hauling corn in a huge grain truck since I was about 11 or 12 years of age....I could barely reach the pedals with a pillow behind my back. Stick shift gear box with dual low and the occasional double clutching mind you. Those were the days.

Christmas back then was celebrated at our house with presents and prayers and thoughts of Jesus and of course church at midnight on Christmas Eve. The Christmas meal was always at noon sharp and was at Grandma's or at my Great-Grandma's who lived with her daughter, my Aunt Marie. We stayed all day, while the men-folk and sometimes grandma, would play cut-throat pinochle. I learned how to play this game by sitting and passing the slow moving time and watching the menfolk play their wicked game. We always had an evening meal of reheated food and packed up the "Evening in Paris" toilet water we always got from great-grandma and the fold-up boxes of lifesavers from Aunt Marie and went home to play with our toys which we had left at home hours ago. The rest of the evening passed more quickly than I expected because it was fun time..... and then it was time for bed and visions of playing with our new toys passed time in our heads.

Time actually was still passing slowly back then because I was young and hadn't experienced the real world yet. But, I finally grew up and graduated from school, to be thrown to the real world, where time passed quickly and rough times began. The lessons of life were experienced in real time and in real person. Christmas time was still important to me, even after getting married but at first I didn't have children to buy for and Santa didn't make an appearance at my married life home. I waited several years before having children, but once the children came, Christmas seemed to be more commercialized....I guess because I was buying presents rather than concentrating on the real reason for the season. Life was bustling around and I had to make sure everything was bought and wrapped or hidden so Santa could put it under the tree. With the passing of each year, the kids got older and time began passing more quickly..... I guess because each year I was getting older and wiser.

The children grew until they were of an age where they went to school and for me time was passing pretty quickly. For them I'm sure it didn't pass quick enough, but my children's youth was passing me by. I couldn't stop it.....I couldn't slow it down. Time flew by and before I knew it, the children had graduated from high school and gone on to college and then their own lives and I was left with an empty nest with time passing very quickly. I reached my 40th birthday, then my 50th birthday and then the ultimate 60th birthday this past year. Time doesn't slow down, but I do. Christmas has become more important to me because of the real reason. It's just not the same as it used to be. No kids in the house on Christmas morning. It's get up, get dressed, get the breakfast/brunch related food ready to go to one of the kids' house. Then quickly the time passes....we watch the kids open their presents, eat and we are hurried out the door so they can go to the other parent's house to celebrate with the in-laws.

We go to the car and ask ourselves "what do we do now?" We have just eaten breakfast or a brunch so we don't want to go eat turkey and all the trimmings. And we don't have anywhere to go eat turkey if we stop and think about it. We really don't want to go home. So where does one go on Christmas morning, at about an hour before noon? We can't shop. We'll be lucky if we find a gas station open if we want to go somewhere......but where do we go? The time will pass by on this day of Jesus' birth so I guess we just need to stop and think about that. We will say our prayers and love that we had the opportunity to see our children's children smile and ooh and ahh over the commercial presents which were gaily wrapped and destroyed in a matter of minutes. Grandma and Grandpa will steer their car towards home and will later open a can of soup for a late lunch or an early dinner. Or, maybe we will check out some restuarants which have advertised "OPEN on Christmas Day". We might need to pass the time with some other Grandmas and Grandpas who have similar lifestyles as ours and are sitting in a restuarant thinking about time passing them by too quickly and probably wondering about what to do with themselves. . Time will pass. And quickly to boot because we have grown old and as I like to term it....put out to pasture. But for today and this week of celebration, I'm still alive and I have Jesus to thank for that. Amen.

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Have a Safe Weekend. And believe in the spirit of

Christmas.

Wake Up! Wake Up! It's Thursday. And December 17th.

For some reason this date has always stuck in the folds of my brain. I think because it was because I remember that Orville and Wilbur Wright did a first flight in Kitty Hawk on this date and I remember that from history lessons.....thank you teachers at Greenview Schools. I always loved history, but I actually liked world history better than American history. I hated that Jr. year American History when we had to memorize the presidents in order and take the constitution test. Jack Biggs did a good job though....fresh out of college and faced with our notorious class as one of his first for Junior class American History. I can't remember the complete order of the presidents, but I remember the first six presidents and then my memory fades until I recall that Abe Lincoln was our 16th president. I also remember that Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence. And I know that our current president is #44.

I don't think December 17 is known for much of anything else, except for this year being on a Thursday, and being 8 days from Christmas Day. That means 7 shopping days left and I really don't have my shopping done and the only thing I had to get was gift cards. HO HO HO Does that prove that I am a procrastinator or just not wanting to get out among the crowds to buy two more gift cards. I think it proves both.....I hate to get out when the stores are wall to wall people, but I can also be accused of being a procrastinator.

Actually I should get out today to "blow some of the stink off me" as my dear late mama used to say. I have cold germs all over me and maybe the outdoors air would get rid of some of the little buggers. But I sure don't want to give these germies to anyone.....they are awful critters.

I hope you all are now awake, sitting with a nice cuppa of java or tea or whatever is your choice. It's a good day to just sit and recall that we live in a nice town, in the middle of rural America, with the world all around us. At least we are all still in this world....for better or worse. Have a good day....and, if you have left Greenview behind, think of her often.....she still has some life left in her and even though she is getting old, the old town remembers you from the past.

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News is Pretty Slim Pickins These Days.

For some reason, the news in the old town is sporadic .... that's putting it mildly....it's almost non-existence. I do have one piece of news concerning a current resident. A few years ago a former Tennesseeian moved to Greenview with his wife. I got to know him in the cyber-world but haven't had the privilege to meet him in person yet. He lives in Denny and Terry W.'s house over on VanBuren Street. He decided to start a blog......just some ramblins.....and he really is a good writer. You might want to go over and read his blog, so here's his link (just tell him you're a Greenviewanite if you comment):

http://lordhesramblinagain.blogspot.com/

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This is me at about age 2 1/2

sitting on Santa's lap. I wonder if

I pulled his beard?? I still have this coat!

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Merry Christmas From Other Lands

Hawaiian

Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

Italian

Buone Feste Natalizie

Happy Holidays From Greenview!

Feel free to leave a holiday greeting to your former classmates or friends in the comment section.

Wacky Wednesday, December 16, 2009

It's Wednesday. All Day.
It's a cold morning here in Greenview land. There was scrapable frost on the windows this morning and right now it's 12 degrees. That's cold! I really can see why those of you former Greenviewanites, who moved to milder climates, did so....it's mornings like this that tell the story. Thank goodness there is no wind today or it really would be cold.


Here in Greenview-land, we put on another blanket, use a warmer hat and scarf and put on our mittens and long johns. Layering is the key.....and when it warms up, take off a layer. Keep warm today. And make sure the kiddies have their hat and mittens/gloves.

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History Of Poinsettia.

This month's issue of the Sangamon-Menard Extension News had a very interesting article about the history of Poinsettias. I thought I might paraphrase some of the article so that we all know how these pretty plants came about.

The plant was discovered near Taxco, Mexico in southern Mexico. In Mexico poinsettias grow to be large woody shrubs often reaching 10 feet tall. The ancient Aztecs Indians considered this plant as a symbol of purity before Christianity came to their land. Poinsettias were introduced to the US by Joel Robert Poinsett, the first appointed US ambassador to Mexico around 1825. He was a botanist so he cultivated it and presented them to many of his friends and botanical gardens. The plant was named Poinsettia after this ambassador in 1833.

The Poinsettia industry was pioneered and developed by the Ecke family around Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Current day the Ecke ranch is the major producer of poinsettia motherplants used for cuttings by commercial growers. Poinsettias are reproduced by taking a cutting from a stock plant, then rooted, thus a new plant is grown from the rooting. I saw a show the other day about how local area Buckley's Nursery is growing thousands of Poinsettias in a building in Taylorville. Buckley's uses the hot water produced as a by-product from the neighboring methane powered electricity generation operated by Waste Management, Inc. The hot water is channeled along hanging basket lines and in lines in the floor. The article about Buckley's is very interesting so I am including it as a link at the bottom of this post.

Poinsettias of today come in many colors but red poinsettias account for more than 70 percent of sales. It's also interesting to know that the poinsettia is the number one potted plant sold in the USA. December 12 was national poinsettia day. Brighten your home this Christmas .... in Greenview land, the one you purchase, might be from the Buckley operation.

http://www.greenhousegrower.com/magazine/?storyid=56

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Heavy Lifting.

With Christmas coming, you might be faced with lifting heavy items. The key to safe lifting is preventing back strain. From the American Acedemy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

~~ Plan ahead what you want to do and do not rush.

~~Position yourself close to the object you want to lift.

~~Position your feet at a distance of shoulder-width apart to give yourself a solid base of support.

~~Bend at the knees, tighten your stomach muscles and lift with your leg muscles as you stand.

~~Don't try to lift an object that is too heavy or an awkward shape by yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help!!

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Did You Know Christmas Has Superstitions?

Here's a few superstitions I found related to Christmas.

** A child born on Christmas Day will have a special fortune.

** Snow on Christmas means Easter will be green.

** To have good health through out the year, eat an apple on Christmas Eve.

** The gates of heaven open at midnight on Christmas Eve. Anyone who dies will go straight to heaven. (An Irish belief)

** In Greece, some people burn their shoes during the Christmas season to prevent misfortunes during the coming year.

After reading these superstitions carefully, here is how some of these will affect me and my family:

My husband was born on Christmas Day so I just know we are going to be rich because it says he will have a special fortune. With all of this money we're going to get, I can buy about a ton of apples. I'm going to eat at least 20 apples on Christmas Eve so that I can have good health during the coming year. But, because I will be eating all of these apples, I might have to burn my shoes because I might be afflicted with a chronic condition that requires the bathroom a lot. And if I don't make it to the bathroom, my shoes will need to be burned. But if I burn my shoes, I surely will get rid of all of the misfortune that might have been headed my way during the next year. I also know that if the snows come on Christmas Day, the shoe burning fires will be put out and I also will be sure to have green grass next year in my yard around Easter. So if all of you Greenviewanites see lots of smoke coming from the Sweetwater area, you will know the apples worked and my shoes are burning. Come by next year and see the grass if it snows on Christmas Day. You may want to buy some apples too, especially if you want a reason to get some new shoes. And pray for snow if you want green grass. The End.

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Dinner With the Shephard Tonight.

Be sure to check out the dinner tonight at the First Baptist Church.

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School Calendar.

The school calendar shows the winter break begins on December 23 and school resumes January 5. What a nice long holiday break. School dismisses at 1:57 on both December 21 and December 22 because of semester exams.

Anyone interested in the school daily bulletin, here's the website link (although I think it doesn't get updated early enough):

http://menard.k12.il.us/greenviewhs/dailybulletin.htm

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Merry Christmas Around The World

Galacian

Bo Nada

Icelandic

Gledileg Jol

Seasons Greetings

Feel free to leave your holiday wishes to friends or former classmates in the comments section below.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Sorry I Haven't Been Around.

Ooops....it's been one of those chicken soup, kleenex and aspirin weeks around my house. The cure for the common cold can't come soon enough for me.....and when I get one of those nasty bugs, it seems to linger longer that most. Dang immune system needs to be traded for a new one....or maybe a younger body would be better....then things maybe wouldn't break down so often. I could see my ad in the paper. Here's what I would say:

"For Sale: One used body for sale. Ravaged with time but not worn out; a few battle scars; doesn't use much fuel; still goes like heck when needed, but runs pretty slow when the idle goes from fast to slow. A little overweight but still can pass the roadside scales on the Interstates, so you will never be overloaded. Will serve your needs if you don't mind a slower running time clock. Can cook really well and can operate both the dishwasher and the clothes washer. Doesn't do windows, but most don't. Can follow directions and can read a map. Graying hair, sometimes bloodshot eyes, dentures come with this model. Is clean and ready to go. Call if interested. "

Wonder if I would have any callers for this body model!! I just don't forsee anyone wanting to trade for this old body, so I will continue to take my aspirin, blow my nose, lay on the couch and watch the daytime tellyvision. Chicken soup is ok but I like gumbo better.....and I happen to have some in the refrigerator.

My advice to you is don't get the common cold when you're old. It likes to visit for long stays and just doesn't want to move on!! Stay well!

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Previous Greenviewanites Say Hello.

Please go to the comments section on my Saturday, December 12 post to read the Christmas greetings from previous residents Fred and Debbie Schouten. Unfortunately I had moved to Springfield when Fred and Debbie were here, so I didn't get to meet them, but I feel I knew them as my husband has told me several things......Fred was his band instructor.

Fred and Debbie.....Greenview lives on and became a better place in history because of you residing here for a while. The old town wishes you the best of best Holiday Greetings.

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It Won't Be Long Before Santa Visits.

The town is getting ready. The Fireman's distribution of needy children's gifts is this coming Saturday.

Don't forget tonight's (Tuesday) Cheerleader half time Christmas presentation during the Varsity game. Take a canned good for a $1.00 discount off the ballgame admission .... to help the Honor Society meet their goal of raising 1400 canned goods for the Greenview CIA.

Dinner with the Shephard is Wednesday night at the First Baptist Church.

You have 10 days until Christmas. If your shopping isn't done.....get a move on. Christmas is coming folks....faster than you think.

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Christmas Poems.

As I grew older and wiser, I began to hunt for Christmas poems written by ordinary people. These seemed to tell stories of hard lives, sorrow, joy and every day living. I thought I might bring a couple of my favorites to you for your pleasure of reading on this cold Tuesday morning. These will warm your heart.

Merry Christmas Daddy ~~~ Debbie Tegtmeier

The Christmas lights twinkle and reflect in my tears,

as I suddenly realize it's been almost a year.

My daddy left us and his earthly home.

He's off in the heavens to eternally roam.

As luck would have it, he left his best in me;

From his sarcastic wit to his "evil eye" gene.

My sons' didn't know much of my dad.

Still they cherish what little time that they had.

But long before leaving his home here on earth,

we all gained from his values of pride and self-worth.

So my happy memories must dull the pain,

And soothe my soul 'til I'm with daddy again.

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True Meaning Of Christmas ~~~ Brian Walters

In todays' day and time,

it's easy to lose sight,

of the true meaning of Christmas

and one special night.

When we go shopping,

We say "How much will it cost?"

Then the true meaning of Christmas,

Somehow becomes lost.

Amidst the tinsel, glitter

And ribbons of gold,

We forget about the child,

born on a night so cold.

The children look for Santa

In his big, red sleigh

Never thinking of the child

Whose bed was made of hay.

In reality,

When we look into the night sky,

We don't see a sleigh

But a star,

burning bright and high.

A faithful reminder,

Of that night so long ago,

And of the child we call Jesus,

Whose love, the world would know.

May The Spirit Of Christmas Be With You Today.

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Christmas Around The World

Arabic

Milad Majid

Chinese/Cantonese

Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan

I remain your friend in words.

Please feel free to leave Holiday Greeting Messages to your friends in Greenview.... just go to the comments section.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Only One More Saturday For Shopping.
Chritmas is getting closer my friends. If you haven't done your shopping, rise up, put on your bib and tucker and be sure to find your cold weather hat and gloves.....find the car keys and get going. I had to pick up something from Gordman's last night and it was wall to wall people. Luckily I had coupons for $20.00 off my purchases from shopping there last week. I love saving money when I shop. I got one bottle of cologne for $2.99 ..... now that's savings!!! And the good thing was the cologne was for ME!

I thought Gordman's was still pretty well stocked, but the shopper carts of those shopping, seemed to be pretty full so if everyone who comes in there the next two days fills their carts, the supply will be depleted soon. I noticed people seemed to be paying cash too....just like the media has been saying....lots of people are leaving the plastic home. Yay for America!

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Dinner With The Shepherd At Baptist Church.

Don't forget that the First Baptist Church in Greenview serves a wonderful meal Wednesday evenings between 5:45 and 6:30 pm. There WILL NOT be a meal on December 23, but the meal will resume on December 30. Reservations are appreciated (968-7083), but if you forget it's still ok to come. Donations are accepted to help defray expenses, but not required. Good food, bible study and a night of friendship and commradery.

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Middletown Bible Church To Host Special Service.

The public is invited to a special Christmas Service on Sunday evening, December 20th at 6 pm. A dessert reception will follow.

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Greenview Cheerleaders To Perform.

On December 15th the varsity cheerleaders will perform at halftime of the Varsity game. This is to spread Christmas Cheer. "Santa Dog" will have gifts for children in the crowd. Don't forget to take a canned good to help the Honor Society meet their goal of collecting food for the CIA..... and get a $1.00 off admission.

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Merry Christmas Around The World

Scots Gaelic

Nollaig chridheil huibh

Vietnamese

Chuc Mung Giang Sinh

Around the world the message is the same. Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings means the same in any language....it may consist of different letters, but the meaning is the same. Celebration of the birth of Jesus! He came and had to leave us but he will return.

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Season's Greetings

Thrilling Thursday, December 10, 2009

Thursday Again.
Things happen on Thursdays. And, people don't seem to mind going into a Thursday, but they seem to like finishing up a Thursday better. I remember from my years of being young, Thursday was a bar night. The bar crowd in Springfield would meet for cocktails after work at Two Brothers Lounge on Monroe Street. You didn't want to go to bar night if that day was your birthday as they had this huge glass that everyone wanted to fill and see you drink. That glass must have held a 20 or 30 drinks. I was never much of a drinker but some of the attendees were, and I saw many people get mighty drunk on Thursday bar nights.

A really good current thing for Thursdays.....and I know I've mentioned it before.... is the Ten Dollar off deal at Shop-n-Save grocery store. If you buy at least $50, you get $10.00 off. In today's environment, it doesn't take long to put $50.00 in the grocery cart. No coupon necessary.

I love Thursday night television shows. Grey's Anatomy and CSI are two of my most favorite shows. I love Izzy and Dr. Bailey the best. Right now I don't really like the way the show is heading, but just like real life, there are always unexpected turns and twists which we always must face. Each of us in real life must face personal and professional challenges which are new to us. That's called reality! I read an article long ago that when the show was first named, the name Grey's Anatomy was derived from the medical textbook "Gray's Anatomy", but changed to the Grey spelling as that spelling was used for both Meredith and Lexie's last name of Grey. The article also indicated that right before the show aired they were going to change the name of the show to "Complications". They didn't change it....and I think that was wise.

Some people wash clothes on Thursdays and some clean house on this day of the week. It doesn't really matter if you're going to be busy or just laze around today, but just enjoy the fact that it's going to be Thursday all day. No one can take that from us.

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Did You Buy Your Spouse/Companion A Present?

Sometimes the other side of the relationship keeps putting off buying their mate a Christmas present. Men seem to be the most guilty party to this procrastination. (Sorry Guys!!) This year the media indicated that it might not be wise to wait as retail stores ordered lots less stock this year, so the shelves might be bare closer to Christmas. Believe me men when I say most women don't like to get the same box of cheap perfume or chocolates or the same dish towels or the same "Red Panties" or see- through negligee from Victoria Secrets year after year. We'd really like to get a great innovative gift. I know there are many things I would love to get that my man would never think of. A few examples would be: season tickets to the Muni Opera; an Ipod/MP3 filled with music; Gift Card For Nails or Pedicure; Gift Card For Day At the Spa; Southern Living Cookbook; Diamond Earrings/Jewelry; new wool rugs; a Gift Basket; Maid -for-a-day; a warm new long terry robe or a gift certificate from my favorite beauty salon.

My list might not seem approriate for the woman in your life, but you never know if you've never bought a gift outside the gift list you always use. Perhaps try something new this year.

Now let's talk presents for men. I will admit I find buying presents for men daunting, boring and beyond hope of ever being a fun thing to do. It seems to me that men can only use so many ties, shirts, screwdrivers, drills, saws, other tools and bottles of after shave or cologne. Perhaps the men in my life have been boring as these types of things have always been on their Christmas lists. These days, the list also contains Harley Davison gift cards, Sears gift cards, Walmart gift cards. Now that's a boring Christmas list. I want something to pick from when I shop. All of the men readers out there, give me some great ideas so I can actually enjoy shopping for a man's present!!

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Casey's Coffee.

If you've never tasted Casey's coffee, it really is tasty. I like to get there and when I walk in, see that a fresh pot is brewing, although they never let their coffee pots sit beyond an hour. After that time, they pour it out and brew some new. In Greenview, the coffee is always fresh tasting. I'm thankful from having a Casey's store in Greenview....it's the hang out for all of us Greenviewanites. Never a dull moment in the parking lot in our town as the parking lot is always full....no matter what time of day. Visit Casey's and see what I'm talking about.

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New Words For The Day.

Biome = a regional or global biotic community such as a desert or grassland characterized chiefly by the dominant plant life or climate.

Repudiate = shun

Obfuscation = deliberately making something difficult to understand; mental confusion

My sentence for the day:

"The dang biome caused me agony and great obfuscation with it's many hidden vipers and snakes so I just will repudiate until the snakes go away."

That was a horrible sentence, but it was the best this old mind could come up with on an early and cold winter morning. HA HA HA

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Merry Christmas Several Ways

Chile

Felix Navidad

Greek

Kala Christouyenna

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Quote For The Day

Christmas my child, is love in action. Every time we love,

every time we give, it's Christmas.

~~Dale Evans Rogers

Seasons Greetings

Wisdom Wednesday ~~December 9, 2009

Today is Wisdom Wednesday.
I decided that would be a good designation for today. It's the middle of the week, with the wind howling outside, so the wisdom of today as I see it is....stay inside and read something refreshing, a recalling incident or something just new to the old brain.

I know it is hard to believe a year has passed, but one year ago today was the arrest of Rod Blagojevich by federal officials for a number of alleged crimes, including selling the senate seat of Barack Obama.

In 1979, the eradification of small pox was certified. How wonderful that such a horrible disease was driven to extinction. I certainly wish a few more could become extinct....cancer, the common cold, alzheimer's and heart disease top my list.

Here's some trivia in it's finest....this type of trivia has no value....just fodder for the brain. In Sweden and Finland, today is called "Anna's Day". It recognizes everyone named "Anna" and marks the day to start preparation of lutefisk which is to be consumed on Christmas Eve. Lukefisk is a dried fish made from stockfish and soda lye. Oh icky!

I couldn't find any important people birthdays for today....so I guess that means it is a dull day. I hope your day is anything but dull. Dull days are just useless and should be banned from the calendar. Every day should be exciting and full of something or other. So here's to an exciting day for you.....take care and be careful if the weather is bad where you live....Greenview or psuedo-Greenview....because you know that if you were once a Greenviewanite, even your new place of habitat becomes a psuedo-Greenview. >>>giggle<<<<

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Learn New Words-A-Day.

I watch shows like Jeopardy and Millionaire and when I see some of the questions, I realize how dumb I really am. So, I'm always trying to learn something new. Many times I will see a new word in a book I'm reading or a word on a television show, so I write it down so I can look it up in the dictionary. Babies learn how to speak our language by learning new words each day. So if a baby can do it, I can too.

Gotta keep our minds sharp and clear so it seems to me that a new section called Learn New Words-A-Day is most appropriate. Many medical journals indicate that keeping your mind active, helps to reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease. So the more we learn, the better off we are. I dare each of you to use some of these words in sentences today....at work, at home, at play. You will most likely see the person you are talking to, squint up their face.....that's always telling....they don't know the word you just used.....and they think you are so smart!!! Try it!!

Words For Today:

engender = cause

harangue = noisy; attacking speech

abrogate = cancel; deny; repeal

lachrymose = tearful; sad

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Merry Christmas In Many Languages.

Except for our Native Indian friends, all of us in America have ancestory of a different country. It might be English or German or French or Irish or whatever. In order to further our education, I'm setting forth a section from now until Christmas with the words Merry Christmas being said in different languages. I'll do as many as I can from now until then, but if you want a special request, just indicate that request in the comments section. I will then try to find how to say "Merry Christmas" in the language of your choice.

German

Froehliche Weihnachten

French

Joyeaux Noel

(I remember this from High School)

Danish

Glædelig Jul

Dutch

Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast

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Blood Drive Saturday.
On December 12, a blood drive will be held at the Greenview Baptist Church from 9am to noon. Walk-ins are welcome or you can call 1-866-give-bld, ext 118 to schedule an appointment.

Give As Much As You Can.
The Honor Society is collecting canned goods for the CIA.....take a canned good to a ballgame and get $1.00 off. You can take donations directed to the food pantry to the CIA building each weekday morning. Check to see if any Angel tags still remain on the tree at Petefish. The AMVETS in Springfield on south 6th is collecting men and women's warm, new and gently used coats for homeless veterans.

The cold weather is horrible for the homeless and underprivileged. Not enough food to eat, no coat to wear and no money to buy a warm drink, must be horrible for any citizen on this earth. When I see a homeless person begging, my first thought isn't one of horror or hate, my first thought is compassion for mankind. I always give the person at least a dollar, or even more if I have cash in my pocket. And when I see the Salvation Army red buckets, I always give a little change. It doesn't matter that it's not a lot of change, little amounts will help too. Little amounts from a lot of people make big amounts.

Let the season bring out the love of mankind in your heart. Jesus is the reason for the season. He shared with the multitude. Many times we will stand among a multitude of hungry and homeless people. We should feed, care, and love thy neighbor. We need not worry that there will be enough to go around, as the story we learned as children, tells us that the leftovers from those love and trust will fill many many baskets.

Quote For The Day

Love Is The Triumph of

Immagination Over Intelligence

~~H. L. Mencken

Holiday Cheer To You!

Tuesday's A Sno Day....December 8, 2009

Sno's a coming peeps. Today and Tomorrow.
The track of the storm keeps changing. Sometimes the weatherman says we're going to get a lot of snow and then I hear from another weatherman that it might be a rain mix. But they all say it's going to be windy and blustery tomorrow.....Oh Goody! I just love blowing snow and drifts as high as an elephant's hip. Just kidding doncha know!

The danger of blowing and drifting snow is tremendous in the midwest farming community and with the fields harvested now, there is no wind break. A tiny bit of snow can blow from several places in a large field and start accumulating along the roadside into a very deep drift. Many people want to get to work, so they get out earlier than usual and find that the snow plows haven't been out. The deep drifts are hard to navigate unless you have a four-wheel drive....and even then sometimes it's impossible to get through hard packed snow even in a four-wheeler. My husband is one of those early people who always manages to get to work no matter what. He takes one of the higher stance four-wheel drives and makes a couple of passes down our roads so that the person who comes next down our road will make it......I call this "paying it forward". If you're reading this blog, most likely you've lived in the midwest most of your life and you are aware of the perils of the evil snow storm. I just wanted to remind you that if you have the liberty of staying home during a snow storm....DO IT! Your life is too precious to waste it on a trip to the store, or the Walmart or even to work if you have days you can use. Stay safe during the next two days.

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Pearl Harbor Day Yesterday.

Yesterday real life issues prevented me from posting and recognizing Pearl Harbor Day. The World War II veterans list grows shorter with each passing year. Some of these fine veterans are nearing their nineties or even a hundred years of age but the suvivors still commemorate this day. The Japanese attack on our US Naval Base will long be remembered in the history books. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said "a date which will live in infamy".

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Closely Guarded Recipe.

Just because I like you so much, I'm posting my closely guarded Toffee Recipe in case some of you might want to make it. During one of the very first Chocolate Sundays in Greenview, I won people's choice with this candy. Of course each time someone eats a piece of this, I win a smile and a comfort groan from the taster....it's that good. So happy cooking...you won't be sorry you if you make this fairly easy recipe. Be sure to store in a air tight container in a cool place.

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 tsp salt

4 Hershey Bars

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine water, butter, sugar and salt in heavy saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly to hard-crack stage, 300 degrees. Watch carefully!! Add the vanilla, stirring very quickly and immediately pour onto an ungreased baking sheet. Spread out to edges or as far as you can. (I like to leave mine at least 1/4 inch thick). Place the candy bars on top of the hot toffee and when melted, spread smoothly over the surface. Sprinkle with the chopped nuts and press down with a wide spatula. Let set until chocolate is hard .... about 2 or 3 hours. Break into bite sized pieces. Hint: You must work quickly when making this recipe.

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Looking For A Soft Caramel Recipe.

I have thousands of cookbooks and could just pick a recipe for caramels, but I want a recipe that someone has used for years. I also want it to be for a light colored, soft caramel. Anyone that can help, please post the recipe in the comments section so everyone can enjoy it.

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Famous Birthdays December 8.

Kara DioGuardi - 1970 (American Idol Judge)

Donny Osmond - 1957

Dick Butkas - 1942 (chicago bears linebacker)

Beau Bridges - 1941 (Actor)

Red Foxx - 1922

Kirk Douglas - 1916

Emmitt Kelly - 1898 (The Clown)

If today is your special day, Happy Birthday.

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Quote For The Day

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold,

everything is softer and more beautiful.

~~~Norman Vincent Peale

After today, 17 days before Christmas Morning.

St. Nicholas Day....December 6, 2009

Happy St. Nicholas Day.
In some places in Europe, the feast of St. Nicholas will be celebrated today. In Northern Europe, good little children receive candy, apples, nuts and other treats in their shoes (oh pee-u). Most of those who still celebrate are of German descent. These children put their shoes outside their bedroom door on St. Nicholas Day eve. I remember our German exchange student telling us all about this when she lived in our home. Her shoes were huge, so there was lots of room for lots of treats.

There are still celebrations of the typical German type St. Nicholas Feast Day in St. Louis and other cities with large communities of German, Polish, Belgium and Dutch descent.

If any readers of German ancestory still celebrates this feast of St. Nicholas, I hope your day is pleasant and enjoyable.

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Today December 6 and Christmas Is Getting Closer.

There are 25 days remaining in this month and in this year of 2009. The 340th day of the year. There are only two more Sundays prior to the celebration of the Jesus' birthday. Many people in America celebrate the advent season with a special calendar for their children. Typically a small door on the calendar is opened to expose the day so the children will have an easy time knowing how many more days are remaining until Christmas morning. Unfortunately, not enough people in America celebrate the real reason for the Christmas celebration.

A few days ago as I was driving in Springfield, a huge sign caught my eye. The words were written in script and told a very clear story. The words were simply "Jesus Is The Reason For The Season". Yes it is HIS special day. But, do we really recognize this or do we simply say, "yes, we know this is the reason for the season" and let it go at that? Many years ago, I saw the following poem and it made me cry. It brought to mind that I really wasn't celebrating Christmas for the right reason. My children were old enough to understand when I told them that we must start to really celebrate the birth of Jesus. I knew that they would not understand if Santa Claus no longer brought presents so I just incorporated the birth of Jesus into our Christmas celebration. I made sure our prayers included our dedication to the Lord and our thanks for giving his Son for our sins. Our prayer at mealtime always thanked the Lord for everything he does for us. We celebrated by giving gifts to the needy in Jesus' name. And we had a little nativity scene on our table where we could gaze and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. As you go through today and each day before the celebration of Christmas, join with me and give thanks for the opportunity to praise God and to recognize his son who gave his life for us. Enjoy the season. Amen.

"Happy Birthday, Jesus"
I had a birthday party, most everybody came.
They danced and ate and had a ball, But no one spoke My name.
They gave each other presents, as nice as they could be.
People came from far and near, But no one mentioned Me.
The stores were filled with shoppers, The restaurants crowded out,
But no one seemed to really know what the party was about.
They talked about a reindeer. I think Rudolph was his name.
Then someone mentioned "Jesus", And they hung their heads in shame.
You see, it was My birthday. They didn't even know.
That is why from heaven My heart is grieving so.
I came to earth from heaven on that first Christmas day--
Born in a lowly manger From sin to show the way.
I died one day on Calvary, on a cruel Roman cross
To save a world of sinners from a life of awful loss.
When you next have a party, with presents, friends and tree,
Remember Me, your Savior, whose birth has set you free.
-- Jesus
PS: I am coming again soon.

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For The Love Of Jesus

I remain your friend.

Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday ~~Dec. 4, 2009

Hello Friday. Goodbye Week.


Another week done gone.....as Marie LeVeau, the New Orleans voodoo queen, would say. I say let's boogie woogie....grab your chillin and let's get to partying even before the week is up!! The Christmas Season does that to a person....gets them in the mood to party hardy....spend money....and generally act in a manner unaccustomed to that person's nature. At least that's what happens to me in this grand old holiday season. Just a few more hours and the weekend begins. A time to get your heart racing and your pocketbook smokin' from pulling those dollars out to buy presents and good tidings. I proclaim this weekend the Greenviewanite HeyDown. Let's all have a good weekend and remember where we came from when we're having fun.

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Greenview FFA To Serve Breakfast Saturday.

A good way to start your weekend is to partake in the breakfast sponsored by the Greenview FFA. It's all you can eat and begins at 7 am and lasts through 10am. It's being held at the High School cafeteria. All the sausage and pancakes you can hold!! So get out and go!!

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Food Can Drive.

The National Honor Society is collecting canned goods for the Greenview CIA. When you attend a home Bulldog game, just bring a non-perishable food item to the game and the price of your admittance will be reduced by $1.00. Help the Honor Society exceed their goal of 1400 cans.

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Speeders In Rural Areas.

I don't know how the rest of you feel about speeders on our county roads, but it infuriates me. First of all I have to back out of our driveway at the top of a hill and many times a speeder will come up the hill and about hit me. I also have grandchildren, and dogs which might get away from me and get in the road. In my case, the rural subdivision is clearly posted 20 MPH. One resident has continually sped on the roads. This person also has a friend who speeds through the subdivision. I was in front of the friend one day and she about crashed into my rear bumper.... after stopping and going to this subdivision visitor's car, I asked them to hold down their speed. After that time, the speed of both the resident and the friend increased immensely. Even after a call to the county sheriff department, with a written complaint signed, it went nowhere as the resident has a relative close to the sheriff's office. Word has it the resident is thumbing his nose because of his relationship to the sheriff's office. Once before we had speeding problems with this same resident. We set up a sign in our yard at the side of the road which said "Slow Down". Our truck was spray painted with black enamel all down the side (about two years ago). I guess I can't win in this corrupt police county. My next step is to visit the Menard County State's Attorney and a letter to Larry Bomke, our state senator and a copy to Carol Pope, the circuit judge in the county and the county board (speeding resident has relative on county board too) with a side note requesting speed bumps for the subdivision roads. Just ranting because I can.

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Recipe From An Old Menard County Cookbook.

Since Christmas always means homemade candy, here's a praline recipe that will knock your socks off.

Christmas Pralines

In a saucepan, combine: 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 3 Tbs. butter. Cook stirring constantly to 236 on a candy thermometer (slightly under the soft ball stage). Add 1/2 pound chopped black walnuts and 1 tsp vanilla. Let cool to lukewarm 110-112 deg. Beat until creamy. While still soft drop in mounds on heavily buttered baking sheet. This makes 12 medium-sized pralines. When cold, wrap each praline in wax paper.

~~by Mrs. Raymond Primm, Petersburg.

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Famous Birthdays December 4.

Tyra Banks (1973)

Jeff Bridges (1949)

Happy Birthday if your today is your special day.

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Quote For The Day

A child miseducated is a child lost.

~~~~John F. Kennedy

May Your Day Be Bright

And Full Of Grace.

~~Peace ~~