To let it go isn't to forget, not think about, or ignore.  It doesn't leave feelings of anger, jealousy, or regret.  Letting go isn't winning and it isn't losing. It's not about pride and it's not about how you appear, and it's not about obsessing or dwelling on the past.  Letting go isn't blocking memories or thinking sad thoughts and it doesn't leave emptiness, hurt or sadness.  It's not about giving in or giving up.  Letting go isn't about loss and it's not defeat.  To let go is to cherish memories, but to overcome, and to move on.  It is having and open mind and confidence in the future.   Letting go is accepting.  It is learning, experiencing and growing.  To let go is to be thankful for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and made you grow.  It's about all that you have, all that you had, and all that you will soon gain.  Letting go is having the courage to accept change, and the strength to keep moving.  Letting go is growing up.  It is realizing that the heart can sometimes be the most potent remedy.  To let go is to open a door and to clear a path and to set yourself free.

Develop greater self-confidence and assertiveness

Assertiveness is a very necessary quality in today's world. It's not aggressiveness - we have enough of that already! It's more like a process of knowing you have a right to be in your place in the world, a right to occupy the space you are in, and a right to get what you want, or at least to negotiate it strongly, in the face of others' demands and expectations that you accommodate their wishes and desires.

If that sounds a lot like a definition of self-confidence, then you're right - it is. Assertiveness and self-confidence are inextricably linked together.

There's another important aspect to assertiveness, too, and that's about control. Confidence allows you to exert control over a situation - or at least to exert more control over it. Assertiveness does the same. All in all, therefore, confidence and assertiveness are different sides of the same coin.

Assertiveness does not come easily to most of us. That's because we are trained as children to be compliant and socially acceptable. Assertiveness puts a child in direct conflict with its parents: and, because the parents tend to be more powerful, the child usually loses that struggle. Fortunately, it is easy to train yourself to regain the assertive traits that you lost as a child.

You might at this stage be wondering if there's a difference between dominance and assertiveness. Very confident people are often seen as having the ability to dominate the room with their confidence, and dominance implies the ability to control people. But dominance is more about power, and it's a very different thing to assertiveness.

Leadership may require confidence and assertiveness, but it does not necessarily require dominance. Indeed, the best leaders are those who include people in their decisions and processes, seeking consensus, but being able to assert their authority through the quality of assertiveness.

It's also true that people who show too much dominance are essentially bullies. They may require that they get their own way, they may override the views and opinions of others, and they may be driven by a need for power and a sense of inferiority rather than a well-balanced sense of self-confidence.

Bullies are a classic example of a dominant personality that seeks to assert itself through force rather than confidence or assertive consensus. Their victims are people who obviously have less power than they do; their methods centre on aggression and fear. The desire for power, accumulation of wealth, and to see the fear they inspire in others is what motivates such people to seek to exert their power - yet, at its very root, the bully psychology is one of inadequacy and trying to overcome a victim mentality though dominance and power.

Assertiveness is a quality best used to develop your own confidence in your abilities to control your own life and destiny, rather than the lives and destinies of others. Used in this way it is a true adjunct to self-confidence. Assuming that you want to be sufficiently assertive to do this, rather than to be assertive enough to control others, the techniques you can use to become more assertive are actually rather easy.

How to develop greater assertiveness and self-confidence

• Have a code of values that you believe in and live by
• Know your facts before you enter into any new venture and use them effectively
• Anticipate other people's objections and behavior and prepare suitable responses
• Defend yourself with open questions that allow you to retake the initiative
• Practice responding to aggression so you are ready for it when it comes your way
• Use positive affirmations about your own strength
• Surround yourself with inspirational people and materials
• Have faith in yourself and the fact that you will ultimately triumph

More on some of the above suggestions for developing greater assertiveness

To be prepared is the best defense against those who would undermine you. And no matter what the situation you are entering, you can always do some preparation which will allow you to have the edge in the situation - that might be mental rehearsal, learning new strategies and tactics to deal with difficult people, going on a public speaking course, and so on.

Anticipate what others will do and say, and have a response prepared

You can always ask others to support you; you can prepare in your imagination for all the eventualities that may arise; you can learn to be assertive. Being prepared in this way will allow you to have full control and complete self-confidence.

Assertiveness requires that you know what to say

And of course this again means being prepared, both physically and mentally. So, for example, if you are presenting information to a group who may be unwilling to accept what you say, having a list of thorough, probing, constructive and incisive things to ask will help you to feel confident. Indeed, it's the key to feeling confident.

For example:

• Do you have any evidence for that assertion?
• Who have you asked about this?
• Have you measured that quality?
• How did you look for alterative solutions?
• How does this compare to other specific solutions implemented by (name someone)?

It's important not to be distracted, but to stick to what you're saying and what you believe to be true. You can say: "We are not discussing that now, We are discussing this." Keep your point in mind until it is accepted or you have been assertive enough to silence the ill-informed.

Reprogram your own reaction to aggression

There are many strategies for controlling the dominant and aggressive. First among these is delaying tactics which you can use to gain more time to think about something: "Wait. You have not explained that properly." "Wait, I need more time to think about that." In the end, this is all about being firm and decisive, and not allowing yourself to be distracted or deflated by the verbal or psychological strikes that the bully may make against you.

Have faith in yourself and your own confidence

The strengths of a non-assertive person usually centre on attention to detail, completion, thoroughness, research, co-operation and commitment. By developing a more assertive personality, these fundamental strengths combine with a level of self-confidence which can achieve great things.

May to day there be peace within
My you trust GOD that you are exactly where you are meant to be
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you
May you be content knowing you are a child of GOD
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love
It is there for each and every one of us.

Author:  Mother Theresa

Someone once noted that a Southern can get away with the most awful kind of insult just as long as it’s prefaced with the words, “Bless Her Heart” or “Bless His Heart.” As in, “Bless his heart, if they put his brain on the head of a pin, it’d roll around like a BB on a six lane highway.”

Or, “Bless her heart, she’s so bucktoothed, she could eat an apple through a picket fence.”  There are also the sneakier ones:  “ You know it’s amazing that even though she had that baby 7 months after they were married, bless her heart, it weighed 10 pounds.”

As long as the heart is sufficiently blessed, the insult can’t be all that bad.  I was thinking about this the other day when a friend was telling about her new Transplanted Northern friend who was upset because her toddler is just beginning to talk and he has a Southern accent.  My friend, who is very kind and, bless her heart, cannot do a thing about  those thighs of hers, was justifiably miffed about this.  After all, this woman had CHOSEN to move to the South a couple of years ago.  “Can you believe it?”  said her friend..”A child of mine is going to be “taaaallllkkin liiiike thiiiissss.”

Now, don’t get me wrong.  Some of my dearest friends are from the North, bless their hearts.  II welcome their perspective, their friendships and their recipes for authentic Northern Italian food.  I’ve even gotten past their endless complaints that you can’t find good bread down here.  And the heathens, bless their hearts, don’t like cornbread!

We’ve already lost too much.  I was raised to say “swanee,” not swear, but you hardly ever hear anyone say that anymore, I swanee you don’t.

And i’ve caught myself thinking twice before saying something is “right much,” “right close,” or “right good” because non-relatives think this is right funny indeed.  I have a friend from Bawston who thinks it’s hilarious when I say i’ve got to “carry” my daughter to the doctor or “cut off” the light.  She also gets a giggle every time I am “fixin’” to do something.  And, bless their hearts, they don’t eve know where “over yonder” is or what “I reckon” means!

My personal favorite was my aunt, saying, “Bless her heart, she can’t help being ugly, but she could’ve stayed home.”

Southern girls know bad manners when they see them:
1.  Drinking straight out of a can.
2.  Not sending thank you notes.
3.  Velvet after February.
4.  White shoes before Easter or after Labor Day.

Southern girls always say:
1.  “Yes, ma’am.”
2.  “Yes, sir.”

Southern girls have a distinct way with fond expressions:
1.  “Y’all come back! now ya heaah,”
2.  “Well, bless your heart.”
3.  “Drop by when you can.”
4.  “How’s your mother?”
5.  “Love your hair.”

Southern girls know their three R’s!:
1.  Rich
2. Richer
3.  Richest

Southern girls know everybody’s first name:
1.  Honey
2.  Darlin’
3.  Sugah

Southern girls know the movies that speak to their hearts:
1.  “ Gone with the Wind”
2.  “Fried Green Tomatoes”
3.  “Driving Miss Daisy”
4.  “Steel Magnolias”

Southern girls know their cities dripping with Southern charm:
1.  Hotlanta or Adlanna - {Atlanta as outsiders say}
2.  Richmon
3.  S’vannah
4.  Challston
5.  Birminham
6.  Nawlins’
7.  OH! And that city in Alabama?  It’s pronounced MUNTGUMRY!

Southern girls know the three deadly sins:
1.  Bad hair
2.  Bad manners
3.  Bad blid dates

G.R.I.T.S = Girls Raised in the South!

Remember:

“Just because your children were born in the South does not make them Southerners.  After all, if a cat had kittens in the oven, that wouldn’t make them biscuits.”

by Jessica

You live so far away
You are so close to me
I miss you everyday
I tell you all me secrets
I wish you could stay
I need you now in my life
I know I can't get my way
I think of you every night
My feelings I don't need to say
I need you so much
I'm going crazy today
You live so far away
You are so close to me
I miss you everyday

I have decided to embark on a new journey.  I wrote a letter to the Department of Social Services asking for the non-identifying information on my biological family.  All I have to do is get the letter notarized and mailed off.  Hopefully this is going to help me better in the search for my biological family.

Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia

How well do they work?

By Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

To get relief from fibromyalgia pain, more and more people are trying alternative treatments. It's often instinctive -- putting an icepack on a painful spot or reaching for the heating pad when muscles hurt. Or it feels good – like a massage. Even acupuncture is becoming a mainstream pain treatment, with endorsements from the NIH and the World Health Organization.

Now, researchers are honing in on how these various home remedies and alternative treatments work.

"In all these therapies, we're stimulating pressure points... we think there may be a similar underlying mechanism in how they work," says Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Pressure applied to the right spot triggers all sorts of changes in the body -- in a good way, she explains. The pressure points have nerve connections to major nerves in the body that affects physiological processes.”

This reduces flow of stress hormones and pain-inducing chemicals -- and ramps up production of mood-related brain chemicals such as serotonin, she says. The result: The body slows down, you feel calmer, sleep is more restful -- and you are able to tolerate the pain of fibromyalgia better.

Massage and Fibromyalgia Treatment

For the past three decades, Field has conducted more than 80 studies looking at massage's effects on various conditions. Her research team looks deeply at the underlying physiological processes involved in sleep -- especially as it relates to fibromyalgiapain.

Researchers tracked patients' sleep patterns, also measuring "substance P," a brain chemical that is central to fibromyalgia pain. People with fibromyalgia pain have higher levels of substance P in the spinal fluid. They also have lower than normal levels of mood-boosting serotonin.

When they get a massage, all that changes. Field's studies have shown less substance P in patients' saliva -- and they report less pain. They also have fewer painful tender points.

The studies typically involve 20-minute massages -- which is only practical if a significant other is trained to do it, she says. One bonus for the family masseuse: People who give massages have lower stress hormone levels, too.

To get the most benefit, it's important to apply moderate pressure. "It doesn't matter whether you're rubbing, kneading, or stroking -- it's the pressure that makes the difference," Field says. "You have to move the skin, actually see finger indentations in the skin. It doesn't hurt, but it's more than light stroking. We've found that light stroking doesn't help."

Massage also helps relieve depression, Field adds. "Depression is related to low serotonin, low dopamine, and increased cortisol. We can jazz that up with massage. There are a lot of positive benefits from massage."

Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia Treatment

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese treatment, also helps ease fibromyalgia symptoms. Acupuncture works on brain chemicals to decrease anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, and pain.

Anti-Stress Tips
Friday, December 19, 2008
By: Elisabeth Deffner

FMOnline vol. 8, no. 12

Work responsibilities. Family friction. Healthcare challenges. Economic tumult. We all know there are plenty of reasons to feel stressed out—and we all know that too much stress can impact our health: increasing blood pressure, disturbing sleep, even paving the way for a fibro-flare.

We also know the best ways to stave off stress: stay as healthy as possible by maintaining a good diet and getting enough sleep, exercising the body, and taking time to relax. But what to do when stress hits anyway? That’s the question we asked FM patients. Here we share their top suggestions.

Eyes and Ears
You may benefit from carefully considering what you watch and what you listen to. Karen Call relaxes every day with “Reduce Stress and Anxiety,” a DVD by Dr. David Illig, or Dr. Andrew Weil’s Mindbody Toolkit, which includes breathwork, meditation, guided imagery, and sound therapy. It’s not difficult to find soothing CDs of ocean sounds or bird calls; perhaps classical music is key to calm for you.

“When I am having a flare-up. I sip warm tea, curl up with my heating pad, cuddly throw and just close my eyes and listen to the ocean, the rain, and beautiful music,” says Suzanne Blaquiere.

Daily affirmations may be helpful for you as well. There are many books available, as well as page-a-day affirmation calendars. You may also want to search online for a website that can emailyou a daily affirmation.

Four-Legged Assistance
Study after study has shown that animal interaction benefits people physiologically—and Arlene LaBarre Kempf of Amity, Ore., has experienced this firsthand. “With everything I've been through, my love of my horses, my complete involvement in their care and training—as well as the high level of fitness and the amount of exercise I was getting—always so completely occupied my mind that it allowed me to de-stress, unwind, let-down, relax,” she says.

While maintaining a stable may be out of economic reach for many people, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to interact with animals—from renting a horse to go riding, to owning a small pet such as a guinea pig, to pet-sitting for friends and neighbors, to volunteering at an animal shelter or veterinary clinic.

“Relieving stress for me meant totally occupying my mind with the one thing that I loved more than anything else in the world,” says LaBarre Kempf. “Occupying my mind with something I felt passionate about … causes me to forget about the pain and the stress for those periods of time when I am on a horse's back.”

“I raise Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats and Chihuahuas,” says Claudia Mitchell of the southwestern Missouri Hoof Print Farm. “When I get that feeling of stress, I go to the barn and hug goats or just watch them. I feel so good when I go back up to the house.”

“I have a cat. She purrs and when I need some loving, I pick her up and she purrs and all things don't seem as bad,” adds Sandy Crary.

Focus
When Anne Kennedy feels stressed, she takes time out to sit comfortably somewhere and “center” herself. Then she begins to consciously relax her body, a little bit at a time, taking deep breaths as she does it, and focusing on the areas where she is experiencing a lot of pain. “Sometimes it'll work after one try; other times I keep at it until I relax,” she says.

Change Your Mindset
Family squabble got you stressed? Is your boss in a bad mood? Break your favorite piece of china? Take a deep breath and remind yourself that these are small bumps in the road. Few things are worth the pain of a fibro-flare, so don’t let small annoyances stress you out and put you in one.

“When I get up in the morning I actually do make a conscious decision to be happy and not let things get to me,” explainsAngie Phillips of Burlington, Iowa. “When things do get to me I ask myself one question: ‘In the big scheme of my life, does this really matter that much?’ A lot of times I discover that it doesn't and I'm able to deal more effectively with whatever is bothering me.

“I really think that the best first step to controlling stress in anyone's life is to recognize that the control is ours! We can make all the difference in the amount of stress that we have in our lives each day simply by paying attention to our attitudes.”

“I learned that when the stress gets out of control, I need to change the things I can, and it helps me to deal with the things I can't,” says Michele Stobbe Schenck.

Exercise
You don’t need to do aerobics to experience the de-stressing benefits of exercise. A leisurely walk outside may offer you a new perspective on the issues that are causing you stres and release some endorphins, raising your mood and even decreasing your pain levels.

“Exercise definitely helps,” says Gina S. “At first I didn't believe it. Exercise in the last thing you think you need when you are curled up in bed, especially on these lately cold mornings. But when I leave the gym and take a shower I feel so much more energized and happy. It has become a healthy addiction for me. I only hope I can keep it up!”

Get a Hobby
Studies have shown that different kinds of handwork—such as knitting and sewing—provides a “relaxation effect” that can sooth your stressed mind. Other hobbies you enjoy, such as painting, gardening, writing, or scrapbooking may provide a distraction from the issues that are bothering you, staving off stress. Christine Margaret Knox, who lives in North Yorkshire in England, makes cards and knits scarves—activities she enjoys, which result in products she can sell for funds to donate to her support group. 

Eliminate the Stress Source
Many of the tips above focus on managing stress, which is an important skill to develop. But big, constant stressors might be better dealt with if they were eradicated. Angie Phillips of Burlington, Iowa, only realized how intensely stress impacted her fibromyalgia symptoms after her divorce became final and she moved to a new community. “I was amazed, and still am, that within a few weeks of the finalization of my divorce and arriving in my new life, I literally felt like a whole new woman,” she says. “It was amazing how much better my pain levels were, how much clearer I could think, how much better my balance was, and I didn't feel like dying anymore!”

“The first thing I had to do was to distant myself from people that stressed me out (you could call them ‘high-maintanance’),” says Dionne White. “Then I would have to learn to say ‘no.’ I had to stop committing to things that I could not do. Believe me, it keeps stress at bay. You don't end up disappointing someone else or even yourself.”

“One of the hardest yet most important things I needed (and finally did learn) to help manage my stress levels was to give myself unconditional permission to step back, or even withdraw both emotionally and physically from stressful situations,” says one patient in Bend, Ore. “I give myself to permission to remove myself from a ‘toxic’ situation for whatever time I may need to get back in the saddle again.”

Laugh it Up
“Laughter is a great stress relief,” says Dionne White, who often watches funny movies to reduce her stress. “You feel better when you laugh and I'm convinced it fights depression.”

“Anytime I start to feel stressed I either pop in a funny movie (Blazing Saddles works every time) or I call a friend or one of my sisters. We always end up laughing, and I always feel better!” says Cynthia Mittel.

Consider Alternatives
Valerie Blake loves to cook big holiday meals—but she knows the toll that takes on her, so she has re-consideredher methods. She buys frozen mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes. Her daughters bake the holiday pies, and her grocery store cooks the turkey.  “It's a hard change to make,” she admits, “but time with my family is far more important to me than the food preparation.  I am thankful I have learned this lesson before I spent one more year suffering through it."

Happy days!

Santa and Sarah
Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at the
Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a
picture of a little girl.
"Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend? Your sister?'"
"Yes, Santa,' he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly.
Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her
dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
"She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child
exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.
Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking
him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. When they finished their visit,
the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.
"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.
"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but.." the old woman
began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the
little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
"The girl in the photograph... my granddaughter well, you see ... she has
leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said
through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa, any possible way that
you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."
Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information
with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do.
Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he
had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he
thought with a sinking heart, "This is the least I can do."
When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he
retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying.
He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.
"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.
Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that
day. "C'mon.....I'll take you there." Rick said softly. Rick drove them to the
hospital and came inside with Santa.
They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out
in the hall.
Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw
little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the
Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman
whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's
thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was
Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with a weary, sad look on her
face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and
closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.
Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the
room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!"
"Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run
to him, IV tubes intact.
Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of
his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement.
Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the
effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of
huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke
back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear
the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room.
As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one
by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "Thank
you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah
talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for
Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year.
As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for
Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in
agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands.
Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels.
"Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed.
"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you." he said. Laying one
hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that
God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that
angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying,
still with eyes closed, he started singing, softly, "Silent Night, Holy
Night.... all is calm, all is bright..."
"The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying
tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all.
When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's
frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you
have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to
have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at
my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!"
He knew it was risky proclaiming that to this little girl who had terminal
cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could --
not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.
"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and kissed
her on the forehead and left the room.
Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between
them and they wept unashamed.
Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to
Santa's side to thank him.
"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is
the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.
One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his
six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and
then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.
"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"
"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at
her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each
child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.
"You came to see me in the hospital last year!"
Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed
this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He
scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were
rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year
before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the
sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.
That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed --and been
blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious
little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven
and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"
If you believe in miracles you will pass this on..I did!

Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC 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 Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny'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 !*

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet during the

holidays a

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is 'The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!

Subject: FW: prayer

A  Pastor with GUTS!!
Thought you might enjoy this interesting
Prayer given in Kansas at
The opening session of their Senate. It seems
Prayer still upsets some
People. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open
The new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was
expecting the usual  generalities, but this is what they heard: 

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
Your forgiveness and to seek your direction and 
Guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those 
Who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we
Have done. 

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
Our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it
The lottery. 

We have rewarded laziness and called it
Welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called  it
Choice. 

We have shot abortionists and called  it
Justifiable. 

We have neglected to discipline our
Children and called it building self esteem..

We have abused power and called it 
Politics. 

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
And called it ambition. 

We have polluted the air with profanity and
Pornography and called it freedom of expression. 

We have ridiculed the time-honored values
Of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search  us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
Today;  cleanse us from every sin and set us free. 
Amen! 

The response was immediate. A number of
Legislators walked out during the prayer in
Protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian
Church,  where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than
5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls
Responding negatively. The church is now receiving
International requests for copies of this prayer
From India , Africa and Korea .

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on
His radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,'and
Received a larger response to this program than any  
Other he has ever aired. 

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep
Over our nation and wholeheartedly become our
Desire so that we again can be called 'one nation
Under God.' 

If possible, please pass this prayer on to
Your friends. 'If you don't stand for something,
You  will fall for everything.'

Think about this: If you forward this
Prayer to everyone on your
E-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be
Heard by the world.

How many people in your address book will  
Not receive this prayer.....do you have the guts to pass it on? 

Tex Mex Chicken and Rice Casserole

Rated by 9 people

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Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 25 minutes

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Ingredients

· 1/2  cup chopped onion (1 medium)

· 1  tablespoon olive oil

· 1  6.9-ounce package chicken-flavored rice and vermicelli mix

· 1  14-ounce can chicken broth

· 2  cups water

· 2  cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey

· 1  cup chopped seeded tomatoes (2 medium)

· 3  tablespoons canned diced green chile peppers, drained

· 1  teaspoon dried basil, crushed

· 1-1/2  teaspoons chili powder

· 1/8  teaspoon ground cumin

· 1/8  teaspoon black pepper

· 1/2  cup shredded cheddar cheese (2 ounces)

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan cook onion in hot oil over medium heat until tender. Stir in rice and vermicelli mix (including seasoning package); cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in broth and water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes (liquid will not be fully absorbed).

2. Transfer the rice mixture to a large bowl. Stir in chicken, tomatoes, chile peppers, basil, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. Transfer to a 2-quart casserole.

3. Bake, covered, in a 425 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.

Make Ahead Directions: Prepare as above through step 1. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Bake, covered, in a 425 degree F oven about 40 minutes or until heated through. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

I wanted to share this recipe with everyone.  My kids absolutely loved it!!!

I am adopted. The only thing I know for sure is that my Biological Mother
was from Mississippi. I was born at Seventh Ward General Hospital on April
26,. 1971.
I am searching for any family I may have out there. So if anyone can help I
would appreciate it.

by Cynthia Perkins, M.Ed. ©

Although there has been a great deal of recent interest and writing on the subject of Fibromyalgia and how to manage the painful symptoms, it is almost never suggested that avoidance of certain environmental triggers may be an important management practice. I learned slowly and painstakingly that this is indeed the case for me.

My Fibromyalgia was diagnosed after I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysregulation and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Many of the symptoms of these conditions overlap, but the characteristic painful tender points and extreme diffuse pain were a signal that my condition included something distinctly different from what other MCS and CFIDS patients typically experience.

Because medical practitioners did not tell me that environmental and chemical exposures could trigger or aggravate my FM pain, I did not assume that this would be the case. I only discovered this to be true because of being diagnosed with MCS and I had learned to pay very close attention to my body’s messages and to any possible environmental triggers of my symptoms. It was through this process that I discovered that my Fibromyalgia symptoms were aggravated by chemical exposures, certain foods, and hormonal fluctuations and I came to believe that all three diagnoses were actually one in the same with a different subset of symptoms for each syndrome. I unfortunately had all three syndromes symptoms.

The first thing I noticed was that at different times in my menstrual cycle, particularly at ovulation, menstruation, and right after menstruation my Fibromyalgia symptoms would flare. There was a definite and repeated patter. The tender points on my head, shoulders, legs and buttocks would become extremely painful. I would have accompanying headaches, diffuse body pain, and sleep difficulties. My neuro-cognitive difficulties, often referred to as “brain fog” would also worsen at these times in my menstrual cycle.

If I had been out in the world a great deal being exposed to common everyday chemicals in the days and weeks before my menstrual period, I would invariable notice that all these symptoms would be worse. I also began to see that my Fibromyalgia symptoms would be worse if I had been eating high levers of refined carbohydrates during my cycle.

I discovered that if I washed my clothes in water that was chlorine free and eat organic foods then that made an enormous difference in my Fibromyalgia pain. If I wash my clothes in chlorinated water then the pain is so bad I can’t function and I must take my clothes off. If I shower in chlorinated water I will feel comatose. When I have an exposure to pesticides or herbicides such as a neighbor spraying their yard or mosquito control then my all my symptoms flare severely. If I would sit in a room full of people with someone wearing cologne or an air freshener present then trigger points and widespread pain are excruciating and cognitive functioning is impaired severely. If I leave this room and take a shower in filtered water then my symptoms improve. If I stay in that same room for an extended amount of time then the next day I will be bedridden and barely able to walk or function because of pain and brain fog.

If I don’t have chemical exposures and if I limit refined carbohydrates in my diet then my fibromyalgia symptoms as well as my MCS and CFIDS will improve dramatically. The more exposures I have or the more refined carbohydrates I eat then the more severe my symptoms will be in each category.

Why this happens, we can only speculate, but I believe that the chemicals are upsetting my body’s natural hormonal and endocrine balance. Scientists are now aware that many of the air-borne and food-borne chemicals we are constantly ingesting are endocrine-disrupters. These chemicals mimic estrogen in the body and may contribute to many problems. There is also evidence that refined carbohydrates may interfere with proper endocrine functioning.

Some Fibromyalgia patients may feel that following a strict regimen of avoiding certain chemicals or following a strict diet may not give you enough improvement to justify the effort. However, there is recent evidence to suggest that chemical sensitivity can be the result of a liver dysfunction that is a component of a medical condition known as porphyria. Porphyria has been studied for decades, and it has long been accepted that it is often degenerative in certain types of porphyria, the disability can permanently worsen over time if the patient does not avoid the triggers of their episodes. Although this research is not yet conclusive, it creates cause for concern. If in fact Fibromyalgia, CFIDS, MCS and GWS are all related in some way or in fact really just one in the same and if all involve this typed of liver dysfunction, then avoidance of chemicals may be an important therapy for these patient groups. I would urge all FM patients to carefully evaluate the possibility that they are reacting to environmental triggers to prevent the possibility of a permanent worsening of their condition.

***************

You have permission to publish this article electronically free of charge, providing the entire byline at the end of the article is included and the content is left unchanged. If you use it, please notify me with a copy of your publication or a url to where it can be found. For print publications, please contact me to discuss and to obtain US mailing address to send a courtesy copy. cynthiap@frognet.net This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cynthia Perkins, M.Ed. is an author and holistic health counselor providing alternative solutions and life management and support for individuals living with chronic illness or chronic pain. She is also author of the inspirational E-Book “Finding Life Fulfillment when Living with Chronic Illness-A Spiritual Journey”. Subscribe to her FREE monthly Newsletter for inspiration, advice and support. http://www.holistichelp.net/ or send any email to this address to subscribe to the FREE Newsletter Holistichelp-Subscribe@Topica.com

In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have 'the rule

of thumb'

-------------------------------------------

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'...and thus, the word GOLF entered

into the English language.

-------------------------------------------

The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

-------------------------------------------

Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S. Treasury.

-------------------------------------------

Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.

-------------------------------------------

Coca-Cola was originally green.

-------------------------------------------

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

-------------------------------------------

The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work:

Alaska

-------------------------------------------

The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this....)

-------------------------------------------

The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age

of eleven:

$ 16,400

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The average number of people airborne over the U.S. In any given hour:

61,000

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first novel ever written on a typewriter, Tom Sawyer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:

Spades - King David

Hearts - Charlemagne

Clubs -Alexander, the Great

Diamonds - Julius Caesar

------------------------------------------------------------------------

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

------------------------------------------------------------------------

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?

A. Their birthplace

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Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?

A. Obsession

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A'?

A. One thousand

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common?

A. All were invented by women.

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Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?

A. Honey

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Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?

A. Father's Day

------------------------------------------------------------

In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.  When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase...'Goodnight, sleep tight'

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It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.'

It's where we get the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's'

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!

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-

Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

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YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2008 when...

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history lesson for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on!!
Author Unknown

I have taken many moments to find the right things to say,

When I think of how wonderful you are the words just slip away,

I really cannot begin to tell you how you light up the room,

When you enter into a place there is no sign of doom.

The smile on your face is as beautiful as the stars above,

You are a true expression of God’s creation and his love.

You are blessed with a spirit that is genuine and ooh so true,

Your personality is so awesome you keep others from being blue.

Always hold your head up and never look down,

Continue to trust the Master and stay on level ground.

You are like a colorful butterfly; the limit is truly the sky,

When you are faced with obstacles just spread your wings and fly.

Remember to trust the Savior and always bend your knees to pray,

And know in your heart that He will always make a way.

By: Chantal R. Lee 9/9/08

Labor analysis estimate that if a Canadian stay-at-home mom with two school aged children were paid for all the work she does, her annual salary would be $163,852.00 {Canadian}.  The figure is based on current market wages and a "100-hour work week consisting of six 15 hour days and one 10 hour day," says the Vancouver Sun newspaper.  Among the responsibilities of a stay at home mom are those of day care, teacher, driver, teacher, housekeeper, cook, nurse, and general maintenance worker.  The newspaper offers the following advice: "Appreciate your mother: She's probably underpaid."

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.
The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon,  when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by ..
Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present ..'
The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings good luck to everyone who passes it on.
Do not keep this letter.
Just forward it to your friends to whom you wish blessings.

     God doesn't make mistakes. He puts us where we are to be.
  They say there are no mistakes, for everything there is a purpose. Makes you think. Enjoy! We'll never know where our paths will take us!
   ***AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ**TRUST ME
   This is really beautiful...God is not sleeping.
   Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend-my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life.
     When mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her.
   I counted it an honor.. 'What now, Lord?' I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife's hand.
   My sister sat slumped against her husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child.. All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone.
   My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone. I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church.  Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor.
   An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed the them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle. 'I'm late,' he explained, though no explanation was necessary.
   After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, 'Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of ' Margaret ?'' 'Because that was her name, Margaret . Never Mary . No one called her ' Mary ,'' I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn't have sat
on the other side of the church He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?
   'No, that isn't correct,' he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, 'Her name is Mary , Mary Peters .' 'That isn't who this is.' 'Isn't this the Lutheran church?'
   'No, the Lutheran church is across the street.'  'Oh.'  'I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir.'
     The solemnness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs.
   The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious.
   I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing, too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing..
     At the final 'Amen,' we darted out a door and into the parking lot. 'I do believe we'll be the talk of the town,' he smiled. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee.
     That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor.
   This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.
   In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them , 'Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made in heaven.'
     Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father. 'Not ashamed? Pass this on. Only if you mean it. Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I would be nothing. Without him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)
   If you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things he has done for you, send this on to others.

Today is the day I started taking CHANTIX.  A prescription medication designed to help you quit smoking.  According to the paperwork, I should be completely smoke free by August 2, 2008.  I have decided to help myself out by blogging it on here!!!

I would like for my experience to somehow help someone else to quit smoking.  I'll be spending alot of time on my papercrafts.  I know it will be easier if I keep myself busy.  Therefore, I will be doing alot of scrapbook maybe, I will even work on my cousins cookbook for Christmas.

So, everyone lets see how many of you smokers out there are willing to quit with me!!!