What's It Like Being Older?

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my
loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've
aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of
myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for
eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for
buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks
so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be
messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before
they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer
until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to
those wonderful tunes of the 40s and 50's, and if I, at the same
time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging
body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose
to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not
break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or
even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken
hearts are what give us strength and understanding and
compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will
never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair
turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched
into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about
what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free.
I like the person I have become. I am not going to live
forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time
lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will
be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like
it). In fact eat dessert first ...life is way too short.


MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

NO BAKE PUMPKIN PIE/ LYNN'S CRANBERRY-BLACKBERRY JELLO SALAD

This is a wonderful NO-BAKE Pumpkin pie that we had at our November W.O.W. luncheon. Just have to share it with you all.

Pumpkin Pie (NO BAKE)
Makes 2

2 packages Knox unflavored gelatin
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 large can Pumpkin Pie Mix
2 graham cracker pie shells
4 tablespoons water
1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Dissolve gelatin in water over low heat; add butter. Mix until melted. Mix in condensed milk and pumpkin pie mix; pour into pie shells; cool until set. DO NOT BAKE!

From Recipes for Creative Living
For questions: email Lynn Wolter at lynnwolter@comcast.net

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

Lynn's Cranberry/Blackberry jello salad
This has been a family favorite since 1978.
(I haven't been able to get the blackberry jello so have substitued with Blackberry Fusion, Wildberry or Raspberry jello instead.)


Ingredients:
1 Blackberry Fusion 6 oz jello
1 Ocean Spray Cranberry jellied sauce
1 1/2 cups hot boiling water
1/2 cup Martinelli's Sparkling Cider
Most of a SMALL jar of Marshmallow cream (I use two huge big mixing spoonsfull which I haven't really measured but it takes most of the jar all but a small amount left over.)
Mini marshmallows to cover top with.


In a square (Corning cake) pan 8x8 I think...
pour in the 6 oz Blackberry Fusion jello
Add hot boiling water and stir until desolved
Add cranberry jellied sauce and mash with whisk or spoon until blended
Add Martinelli Sparkling cider and blend
Then add the marshmallow cream and blend with whisk or spoon until blended
Then top with mini marshmallows and dip them under for color.

Garnish with whole cranberries and parsley or celery leaves and serve on leaf of lettuce or use as a condiment with turkey.



Happy Thanksgiving you all!
Love, Lynn

Thanksgiving Time

The year has turned its circle,
"Colors burst in wild explosions
Fiery, flaming shades of fall
All in accord with my pounding heart
Behold the autumn-weaver
In bronze and yellow dying
Colors unfold into dreams
In hordes of a thousand and one
The bleeding
Unwearing their masks to the last notes of summer
Their flutes and horns in nightly swarming
Colors burst within
Spare me those unending fires
Bestowed upon the flaming shades of fall."
- Dark Tranquility, With the Flaming Shades of Fall




For The Beauty of The Earth
by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour,
Of the day and of the night;
Hill and vale and tree and flow'r,
Sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight;
For the mystic harmony,
Linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child;
Friends on Earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy church that evermore,
Lifteth holy hands above;
Off'ring up on ev'ry shore,
Her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the martyrs' crown of light,
For Thy prophets' eagle eye,
For Thy bold confessors' might,
For the lips of infancy.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy virgins' robes of snow,
For Thy maiden mother mild,
For Thyself, with hearts aglow,
Jesu, Victim undefiled.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best Gift Divine,
To the world so freely given,
For that great, great love of Thine,
Peace on earth and joy in heaven.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.


Amen.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!!!

JOE LEGAL vs. JOSE ILLEGAL

JOE LEGAL vs. JOSE ILLEGAL

You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose
Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in
California .


Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security
Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.


Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social
Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".


Ready? Now pay attention...


Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week,
or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe
Legal now has $31,231.00.


Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per
week, or $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose
Illegal now has $31,200.00.


Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited
coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe
Legal now has $24,031.00.


Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through
the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal
still has $31,200.00.


Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food
stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or
$6,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.

Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for
food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.


Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00
per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00.


Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent
subsidy. Jose Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per
year. Jose Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.


Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for
insurance. Joe Legal
now has $7,231.00.

Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin'
insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.


Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay
utilities, gasoline, etc.


Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities,
gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every
month.


Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part
time job after work.


Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his
family.


Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend
the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose
Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children
have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.


Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and
fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.


Do you get it, now?


If you vote for or support any politician that supports
illegal aliens...

You are part of the problem!

It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and
Americans!

What are you waiting for? Pass it
on.

The AMERICAN WAY!!!!

I AGREE WITH THIS MAN'S VIEWS!
Lynn

On Dr. Charles Stanley's Sunday program "In Touch", the guest speaker was more of a historian than a Biblical speaker, but he is very famous for his knowledge of historical facts as well as Biblical truths.


Dr. David Barton is his name. He is an expert on the subject of whether or not the United States was founded as a Christian Nation.


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


Dr. David Barton - on Obama




Respect the Office ? Yes.

Respect the Man in the Office? No, I am sorry to say.


I have noted that many elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, called upon America to unite behind Obama.


Well, I want to make it clear to all who will listen that I AM NOT uniting behind Obama !


I will respect the Office which he holds, and I will acknowledge his abilities as an orator and wordsmith and pray for him, BUT that is it.


I have begun today to see what I can do to make sure that he is a one-term President !


Why am I doing this ?


It is because:


I do not share Obama's vision or value system for America


I do not share his Abortion beliefs;


I do not share his radical Marxist's concept of redistributing wealth;


I do not share his stated views on raising taxes on those who make $150,000+ (the ceiling has been changed three times since August);


I do not share his view that America is Arrogant;


I do not share his view that America is not a Christian Nation;


I do not share his view that the military should be reduced by 25%;


I do not share his view of amnesty and giving more to illegals than our American Citizens who need help;


I do not share his views on homosexuality and his definition of marriage;


I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend


and Israel is our enemy who should give up any land;


I do not share his spiritual beliefs (at least the ones he has made public);


I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system in America ;


I do not share his Strategic views of the Middle East ; and


I certainly do not share his plan to sit down with terrorist regimes such as Iran .

Bottom line: my America is vastly different from Obama's, and I have a higher obligation to my Country and my GOD to do what is Right !


For eight (8) years, the Liberals in our Society, led by numerous entertainers who would have no platform and no real credibility but for their celebrity status, have attacked President Bush, his family, and his spiritual beliefs !


They have not moved toward the center in their beliefs and their philosophies, and they never came together nor compromised their personal beliefs for the betterment of our Country !


They have portrayed my America as a land where everything is tolerated except being intolerant !


They have been a vocal and irreverent minority for years !


They have mocked and attacked the very core values so important to the founding and growth of our Country !


They have made every effort to remove the name of GOD or Jesus Christ from our Society !


They have challenged capital punishment, the right to
bear firearms, and the most basic principles of our criminal code !


They have attacked one of the most fundamental of all Freedoms, the right of free speech !


Unite behind Obama? Never ! ! !


I am sure many of you who read this think that I am going overboard, but I refuse to retreat one more inch in favor of those whom I believe are the embodiment of Evil!


PRESIDENT BUSH made many mistakes during his Presidency, and I am not sure how history will judge him. However, I believe that he weighed his decisions in light of the long established Judeo-Christian principles of our Founding Fathers!!!


Majority rules in America , and I will honor the concept; however, I will fight with all of my power to be a voice in opposition to Obama and his "goals for America .."


I am going to be a thorn in the side of those who, if left unchecked, will destroy our Country ! ! Any more compromise is more defeat !


I pray that the results of this election will wake up many who have sat on the sidelines and allowed the Socialist-Marxist anti-GOD crowd to slowly change so much of what has been good in America !


"Error of Opinion may be tolerated where Reason is left free to combat it." - Thomas Jefferson


GOD bless you and GOD bless our Country ! ! !


(Please, please, please, pass this on if you agree.)


Thanks for your time, be safe. "In GOD We Trust"


"If we ever forget that we're one nation under GOD, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan


I WANT THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE BACK.....


In GOD We Trust ! ! ! ! ! !

One and Only

“I, I am the Lord, and BESIDES ME there is NO savior.”—There is ONE God, and there is ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man CHRIST JESUS.—“There is NO OTHER name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Is. 43:11; I Tim. 2:4; Acts 4:12)

Autumn Leaves

Looking out my kitchen window to the beauty of fall! Pretty soon the mountains will be visable once all the leaves are off the trees.






And the colored leaves across the street.
When the leaves on this tree are gone, it disappears against the evergreens behind it. Only when the sun shines on it can one see the skeleton of the tree. How quickly the beauty fades as time goes on. Just like us as well. But when the SON of God shines on us we can still be seen through His eyes and we live on.

This tree is in its' Golden stage. Next it will be bare for the winter. Then when spring comes it will turn a lovely pink color and then when summer comes it will turn green. It truely is a four season tree. So fun to watch it change colors for every season. Like changing ones attire for each occasion. Isn't nature beautiful?

It's In The Valleys I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!





(This poem was written by Jane Eggleston who currently lives in Virginia. Her son Jeff states, "She is a wonderful person, loves Jesus and has been the best mother anyone could ever ask for." What a fitting tribute to any mother.)