A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said, "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my dut y to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

"My Gramps died at Pearl' on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ,'
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Twas' the month before Christmas when all through our
land, Not a Christian was praying nor taking a stand.

Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a " Holiday ".

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X-Box, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Target was hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was nowhere to be found.
(side note - that has changed!)

At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your
ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, now Darden, now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Not Happy Holiday.

BLACK FRIDAY

It is claimed that this is one of the two largest retail day of the year. The other is the day after Christmas. Today is the largest selling day, and the 26th of December being the largest return day. On Thanksgiving day, the gas prices dropped to $3.07 per gallon, and now will continue to rise up to Christmas. I imagine it will go up to around $3.50 per gallon. This all happens with the price of crude oil staying the same and the refineries taking a holiday. The reason I bring this up is to show the gulability of the american people. We will listen to all the excuses for rising prices, and continue to buy. The longer we hold off on buying Christmas presents, the lower the prices will drop. Hold back on your travels and the gas prices will drop. Why do you think retailer drop prices on these days. 1) To get you into the stores 2) To get you to come back and play full retail, (you won't buy everything in one day). 3) What profit they lose out on black friday, they will gain back and more before Christmas. What profit the gas retailers lose on The holiday they will gain back. Black Friday is called that because of the wool pulled over your eyes.

THE LAW IS THE LAW


So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words "under God" to be on our money, then, so be it.


And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.


I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions.


I would like to think that those people have the American public's best interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot post His Commandments in Government buildings , I don't believe the
Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.


I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter.

After all, they're just another day.


I' d like the " US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays."
After all, they're just another day.


I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break."
After all it's just another day.


I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good
Friday & Easter .

It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct."

In fact....


I think that our government should work on Sundays
(initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day ....

What do you all think????


If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop
giving in to the "minority opinions"

And begin, once again, to represent the "majority" of ALL of the American people.

SO BE IT ...........


Please Dear Lord,

Give us the help needed to keep you in our country!

'Amen' and 'Amen'

Hang on to your boot straps, it's another Christmas holiday shopping season. Retailers have geared up to bombard to with everything. Every commercial break will have Christmas ads. Every store you walk in will have Christmas music, and Bing Crosby singing, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas". Contrary to John Lenon, God is not dead. Bing is dead and his music is still being played. We use to be thankful at Thanksgiving that there were no Christmas commercials until after Thanksgiving. There are many things that I am thankful for on Thanksgiving.
1- I will not be getting lead painted toys from China.
2- Instead of the same old Christmas lights on the houses, we can look at for sale signs and foreclosure notices.
3- We won't have to worry about those long lines at Christmas. Most people can't afford Christmas. If you miss the lines, you can stand in the food lines, I understand they are getting longer
4- They decided not to have a turkey in the white house at thanksgiving. To many turkeys already
5- With gas prices skyrocketing, that sleigh ride to grandmas house might be the way to go.

I am thankful that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Santa may be struggling, but I'm sure that God is busy listening to prayers this Christmas season.

Well I guess that I have a way to go to get into the Christmas season. I guess I will work on Thanksgiving first.

The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in Washington DC this Christmas season. This isn't for any religious reason; they simply have not been able to find three wise men and a virgin in the Nation's capitol. There was no problem, however, finding enough asses to fill the stable.

I am posting this because it definitely works, and we could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace. Dr. Phil proclaimed, "The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished." So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos and a box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel. Please pass this on to those whom you think might be in need of inner peace.

No Pun Jobs

My first job was working in an Orange Juice factory, but I got canned - I couldn't concentrate.

Then, I worked in the woods as a Lumberjack, but I just couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.

After that, I tried to be a Tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it - mainly because it was a sew-sew job.

Next, I tried working in a Muffler Factory, but that was too exhausting.

Then, I tried to be a Chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme.

I attempted to be a Deli Worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn't cut the mustard.

My best job was being a Musician, but eventually I found I wasn't noteworthy

I studied a long time to become a Doctor, but I didn't have any patience.

Next, was a job in a Shoe Factory. I tried but I just didn't fit in.

I became a Professional Fisherman, but discovered that I couldn't live on my net income.

I managed to get a good job working for a Pool Maintenance Company, but the work was just too draining.

So, then I got a job in a Workout Center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.

After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a Historian - until I realized there was no future in it.

My last job was working in Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.

SO, I TRIED RETIREMENT, AND FOUND I'M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have "the best" of everything;
they make the best of everything they have and abide in gratitude"


>>> >>>>This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor's wife),
>>>>>>and I want to share it with you. She was over recently for coffee and
>>>>>>smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and counter tops.
>>>>>>This is what she told me...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little ole
>>>>>>bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store.
>>>>>>What does bleach cost? My husband has been in the medical field for
>>>>>>over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have
>>>>>>you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO!!! Why? Because it
>>>>>>smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's
>>>>>>offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and
>>>>>>know better!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Did you also know bleach was invented in the late 40's? It's chlorine,
>>>>>>Folks! And it was used to kill our troops. Peroxide was invented
>>>>>>during WWI in the 20's. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs
>>>>>>of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle)
>>>>>>and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do
>>>>>>it when I bathe.) No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter
>>>>>>without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.
>>>>>> 2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free
>>>>>>of germs.
>>>>>> 3.. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs
>>>>>>and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you
>>>>>>wipe, or spray it on the counters.
>>>>>> 4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it
>>>>>>to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
>>>>>> 5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50
>>>>>>mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every
>>>>>>night and let dry.
>>>>>> 6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten
>>>>>>minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would
>>>>>>not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
>>>>>> 7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water
>>>>>>and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic
>>>>>>system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture
>>>>>>whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to
>>>>>>kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose
>>>>>>into a tissue.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right
>>>>>>away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten
>>>>>>minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
>>>>>> 10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray
>>>>>>the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it
>>>>>>through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the
>>>>>>hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light
>>>>>>brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's
>>>>>>not a drastic change.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils,
>>>>>>fungus, or other skin infections.
>>>>>> 12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load
>>>>>>of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on
>>>>>>clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a
>>>>>>minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
>>>>>> 13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing,
>>>>>>which is why I love it so much for this.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be
>>>>>>without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there's a
>>>>>>way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner!
>>>>>>

Today is November 13th. My favorite day of the year. It is my wife's birthday. This women has been by my side for over 20 years. I have never had the need to doubt her love for me and her faithfulness. I could not imagine my life without her in it. Since I can't give her the world, I hope my love is enough.

Welcome to Waltons Mountain. This is what I lovingly refer to as our home. This past weekend Sean and Cat moved in. They moved into where the office was, and the office was moved into the den. We are truely blessed because our kids know that they are always welcome. This also bring more life to the house, and Liz feels more comfortable with someone home with me. The reference to Waltons Mountain is from the TV show "The Waltons." In this TV show everyone moves back to Waltons mountain after they have moved out. If this still doesnt make sense, then you are too young to remember and the reference won't mean anything to you. We are now back to a household of 5 people and 3 cats. If Donald comes home with Akiko and Lindsey has her friends over, we turely have a full house.

Recipe for the perfect marriage...

For those of you old enough to remember Red Skelton, I think you will enjoy this e-mail. For those of you not old enough you will see what you missed!! Either way, his humor was always clean and he was a great entertainer. A rerun of great one liner's from the man who was known for his clean humor. I hope you get a chuckle or two reading them once more.


l. Two times a week we go to a nice restaurant, have a
little beverage, good food and companionship
She goes on Tuesdays; I go on Fridays.


2. We also sleep in separate beds.
Hers is in California, and mine is in Texas

3. I take my wife everywhere....
but she keeps finding her way back.

4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go
for our anniversary.
'Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!' she said.
So I suggested the kitchen.

5. We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.


6 She has an electric blender, electric
toaster and electric bread maker.
She said 'There are too many gadgets, and no place
to sit down!' So I bought her an electric chair.

7. My wife told me the car wasn't running well
because there was water in the carburetor.
I asked where the car was. She told me, 'In the lake.'

8. She got a mud pack, and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off.

9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, 'Am I too late
for the garbage?' The driver said, 'No, jump in!'

10. Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.

11. I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her
first name was Always.

12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months
I don't like to interrupt her.

13. The last fight was my fault though.
My wife asked, 'What's on the TV?'
I said, 'Dust!'

Can't you just hear him say all of these?

I love it........these were the good old days
when humor didn't have to start with a four letter word. It was just clean and simple fun.

And he always ended his programs with the words,

'God Bless'

A drunk walkin down the river bank runs into a preacher baptizing people in
the river. the preacher sees the guy, says "you there,
do you want to find Jesus?"The drunk says OK. The preacher grabs him
pushes him under the water, pulls him up, says "did you find
Jesus?'The drunk says no, I didn't find Jesus. The peacher pushes him under the
water again, pulls him up, says "did you find Jesus?"
The drunk says no, I didn't find Jesus. The preacher pushes him under the water
again, this time holds him under like a minute and a half, pulls him up, says
"did you find Jesus?"The drunk spits sputters, catches his breath, says "are you
sure this is where he fell in?"

Why do we love children?

1) NUDITY

I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, "Mom, that lady isn't wearing a seat belt!"

2) OPINIONS

On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents."

3) KETCHUP

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. "Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle."

4) MORE NUDITY

A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?"

5) POLICE # 1

While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, "Are you a cop?†Yes," I answered and continued writing the report.†My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?" "Yes, that's right," I told her. "Well, then," she said as she extended her foot toward me, "would you please tie my shoe?"

6) POLICE # 2 It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. "Is that a dog you got back there?" he asked. "It sure is," I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, "What'd he do?"

7) ELDERLY While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced m yself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!"
8) DRESS-UP A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo , she warned, "Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit.""And why not, darling?""You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning." 9) DEATH While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer tha t nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: "Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goooes." (I want this line used at my funeral!)
10) SCHOOL A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk!"
11) BIBLE A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found," the boy called out."What have you got there, dear?"With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!"

I receved this prayer from a Friend and thought I would share it.

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees
it.

This in the Oakland Press.


To all those who would like to see a Democrat, pro-choice, big spending, union backed, anti-gun, anti-business, anti-war, anti-capitalist, pro-government, liberal, socialist, female lawyer for president (Hillary Clinton), just ask the people in Michigan, home of (Gov. Jennifer Granholm), "HOW'S THAT WORKIN' FOR YA???