Single Guys/Single Ladies

So today in Sunday School I was teaching my kids about the afterlife and the three degrees of glory. I explained that in the highest degree of glory, the Celestial Kingdom, it is divided into three areas. One for married couples, the other two for single men and single women. So I went on with the lesson, and as we were talking I asked them if we were to be judged today, where do they think they would go. One of my cute boys raises his hand and says, "Well, I guess I'd be with the single guys." It struck me funny. An innocent and honest answer.

As I later thought to myself as to where I'd go if I were to be judged today, I pray it would be to the Celestial Kingdom. And then I began to laugh thinking that I would be with the 'single ladies' at which time Beyonce popped into my mind. Guess it's my new theme song for this life and the next!

Happy 57th Birthday Peggy

Happy 57th Birthday Peggy!

Today we celebrate your big day and say we are thankful that you were born. You bring much humor to those around you. If it wern't for you, we wouldn't have words in our vocabulary like "Flampin Tube", "Bean Chip", "Hanged Out", "Nibbles", or "Text-eses". And we wouldn't know that "Rectum" is a part of your eye-ball, or that we need to put "Ranch Dressing" on our wounds. You are a funny one, Peggy Kapp Perry. Here is to 57 more fun-Febreze-filled years!

(As a side note:This picture was taken when she was 25ish and she gother ears pierced for her birthday. Best picture EVER.)

'Edit'

So last night my brother and I were up talking. I was relaying a story in which I was repeating what someone said, and it just happened to be profanity. (Now don't think that I am saying that I would only 'repeat' profanity. We all know I use it plenty on my own. But for the point I am trying to make Im declaring that the word wasnt even a bad one. Its one you hear on a daily basis. Oh no, here I go justifying cursing which would totally defeat the point of this whole story and new plan...) Anyway, he laughed and asked me to please 'edit' the story. He is getting ready to leave on a LDS mission, and is trying to purify himself the best he can before he goes.

And so I carried on with the story and in place of each 'bad word' I said 'edit'. It struck me funny. I ran the idea past some friends at lunch today and they enjoyed it and found it to be as funny as I did. I think that it just could be a trend that catches on! At first some of them had a hard time catching the concept...Like 'Oh S-edit'! Or 'Go to H-edit! I had to explain that there was no need to declare the first letter of the word. Folks are gonna know what you mean.

So next time you hear the word 'edit' just know that they've probably heard the new "Help Ted Be Good Before His Mission Edit Plan" and they're restraining from using profanity...

Del Taco+69=Funny

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Del Taco+69=Funny

For a little background, you must understand that there is much humor that surrounds the number sixty-nine, among me and my family and friends. I don't even know when or where or how it began, but it did. And now, somehow, whenever anyone sees that number they think of me. I must declare that there is truly no inuendo behind it. No perverse meaning. Nothing like that. It has just become a longstanding joke. It is even there with my grandparents. Whenever they get a receipt or a coin or anything at all that has the number 69 on it, they save it to give to me. Cracks me up.

So tonight my ma and I went through the Del Taco drive-thru for dinner. I pull up to the window to pay and get my food, as I take my order what do my eyes behold?...the order number on my receipt is #69! I immediately dial up my G~Ma and share with her my glad tidings. With true joy in her voice she says "Oh dear, that is wonderful! I'm so happy for you! Good for you!" This made me laugh and made my heart smile. Here was my 80 year old G~Ma sincerely happy for me and my 'good fortune.' Oh how I love that woman!

So pick a number. Make it your lucky number. Let the world know. It will make for some good times!...

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Blanche's Birthday

Happy belated Birthday Rue McClanahan (or should I say Blanche Deveraux)!!!

For any die-hard Golden Girls fan, this is a must to remember this day. The actual date was February 21st. But it wasn't until today, that my co-workers and I celebrated the big occasion. The party was complete with old lady attire, cake and ice cream. I think Rue would've enjoyed the shin-dig had she been able to fly in for it. Maybe next year...

Every day is someone's birthday. Make sure that on that day, you tell the birthday boy or girl how glad you are that they were born and how they've made your life more complete and brighter by being in it...

And so I say to you Ms. McClanahan...Thank you for being a friend, traveled down the road and back again. Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant...oh wait, that is the theme song...

You've given me hours upon hours of enjoyment as I've watched your show. Not to mention the priceless memories I have of watching you and 'the girls' with my G~Ma as a little girl. (Yes, it is perfectly normal for a six-year-old's favorite show to be about 4 old women living together...) Here is to wishing you 70 some odd more years of life!

What Makes You Feel Alive?

What makes you feel alive?

This last weekend, some friends and I did a 'polar plunge' fundraiser for Special Olympics.


It made me stop and think...

As I came up out of the frigid water, struggling to catch my breath, I felt very alive. My lungs sucking in and out air and water. I was alive! No, this thought didn't come to me just because I was thankful to have made it out alive, though it is what initiated the thought process.

The shock of the ice cold water...sucking in air...feeling my heart beat...looking at the smiling faces of the Special Olympians that were there...watching them plunge...knowing I was being of service to someone else...being surrounded by friends...laughing hysterically at ourselves...the hugs that were shared...the love of those that supported us... These are the things, the things that made me feel alive in that moment in time.

I have come to see that each day is truly a gift. It does the soul well to stop for a moment, whether it is 30 seconds or 30 minutes, and realize that you are alive! You have been given the gift of another day. Use that gift. It is a hope of most, that the world and the people in it, will be better because you lived. So live. Go out and jump in a frozen lake. Learn how to tap dance. Go for a walk and soak in the beauty of that which surrounds you. Preform a random act of kindness for someone. Sieze the not just the day, but the moment! Most importantly, LIVE!!! Live while you're alive. For we never know when it will be our time to 'return Home.' Make the most of your days. As the following poem relays this message: It will not be the dates on your tombstone that will matter, it will be what you did with the dash that will really count.

THE DASH

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years. (1934-1998)

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on the earth...

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;

The cars...the house...the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what's true and real,

And always try to understand

That the way people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read

With your life's actions to rehash...

Will you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

~Linda Ellis~