Author: Sandie D

I always have a hard time explaining who am I. I resort to the I am a mother to 2 beautiful adult daughters I have the most handsome grandsons and the loveliest grand-daughters. I'm married to an amazing man since 1980. The most important thing about me is that I am a Born Again Christian. The Lord has gotten me through so much in my life. So, I want to give Him the credit for all of my blessings. I'm also a blogger and I enjoy writing. blogs about my faith, family, and food.

Why Do People Leave a Church

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

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I may have covered this topic a few years ago when I had my blog at another location. Every now and then I get to thinking about what stops a person from going to church or changing churches.

ImageMy family moved to St. George about 19 yrs ago. We have never regretted moving here and for the most part we have always gone to the same church. Or should I say I have gone to the same church. There was one time though that I stopped going to my church and that was because of the new pastor that came. His calling I must say should not have been to become a pastor. How he ever got voted on to be our pastor is beyond me. During the short time he was at our church, I did what some would call church hopping. This went on for 2 yrs until others at my church seen that something was wrong.

During those two years away from my church I did find a wonderful little church that met in an elementary school. It was a Christian Missionary Alliance Church. I really liked their church doctrine and the people there. It was like a second home to me. I enjoyed mostly everyone I met there and I still talk to them. I like Pastor Marc and his family. I actually learned quite a bit from him and how to be a better disciple for Christ and to witness to others.  I never had the need to move my membership from St. George Community Church to Oasis though. In my heart I knew St. George Community Church was the place for me.

ImageEventually they did get a new pastor and he was wonderful. I adored his wife and we got to know his family. He is the kind of pastor I would consider a healing pastor. Pastor Lary and Donna had a hard road ahead of them. There was a separation in our church and lot of hurt that needed healing. God knew we needed them at this time. They were with us for a number of years and then we were blessed with Pastor Dean and Ruth. It was a very easy transition when Lary and Donna left. God blessed our church in many ways.

My daughters are both adults and married. They have their own families and needs. Beckiah and Jason along with their children have chosen another church that best fits the needs of their family. I would love them to come to my church, but they are where God wants them to be. My other daughter Jessica still does things with our church  every now and then and everyone at church misses her and still asks about Jessica, Jason and JJ. JJ went with me to church the other day and everyone loved seeing him and made him feel like he was home. He started to cry because he was happy they were nice to him. But I know that no matter what I say or anyone else says, that people have to choose a church where they can grow and where God wants them to be. I’m very proud of my daughters and their families for still going to church, even if it isn’t mine. But they are listening to God and doing what God wants them to do in their lives. I couldn’t be prouder of them. I’m honored to be their momma.

ImageI asked my husband why he doesn’t like to go to church. And he was very honest with me. First he said that sometimes the music is so long or the pastor goes on for so long that he gets lost in the message. I then asked a friend of mine about the church she goes to. She said she feels like God isn’t part of the church. They do things and sing songs, but it is like going to church that is all about putting on a show or of hearing themselves talk. I had to asked about what they meant. They said when the pastor does everything and controls everything. It’s like they go on and on and their faith seems fake. They say the right thing, but it isn’t sincere. It’s all talk and no action. I didn’t want to ask who she was talking about since I know people from many churches.  I will have to do a blog on why people stop going to church all together.

One of my friends was going on about why she is having a hard time going to church. And she was saying that she feels like she is obligated to go. She doesn’t enjoy going because of issues that go on at the church. I didn’t go into the whys because I figured she would tell me why if she wanted me to know. But she doesn’t feel that she is where she needs to be. When she prays over her feelings and how she dreads going to church, she feels guilty by the answers she is receiving.

I can understand that because when I left our church for two years, I felt guilty and was made to feel guilty during that whole time. Not really by the pastor, but by some of the people. When I would go to church I had to breath before going into the church. I felt like I had this bitterness in my soul and that was really getting in the way of me enjoying the message for the day. During the sermon or the music, I would sigh to myself and I didn’t know how unhappy I was until one Sunday when I came home from church and decided I couldn’t do this anymore. This wasn’t where I needed to be at this point in my walk with Christ. When I started listening to God and checking out other churches, I felt like a boulder has been lifted off my shoulder. My bitterness was getting in the way of worshiping Christ. Many at my church didn’t understand where I was coming from, but I knew I needed something else.

If someone was to ask me what they should do if they were unhappy where they are going to church at or about checking out other churches. I would say to them to pray about it first. I would say that maybe God is the one putting it on your heart to go somewhere else. God may have other things in store for you that you’re not aware of. If someone gets upset because you are looking at other churches, then let them be upset. You have to go where God is leading you. If someone guilts you into staying at church and you are still unhappy, then you aren’t doing yourself, the church or God any good.

For myself, I love where I go. I have been there for 19 yrs and even though I went somewhere else for 2 yrs, I have always been a member. I may not always like someone who goes there and I may not like the message. But I know that God is the center of all things. And like all families, not all agree and sometimes we fight, storm out, but we come back. St. George Community to me is my family of God. I love the fact that they know me anywhere I go. I don’t feel like I have to be showy or someone I’m not. I don’t have to be politically correct. We are a melting pot of Christians that love the Lord and others. I can’t wait to see what is in store for our church when we get our new pastor.

I was looking for information on this topic so then it isn’t just my personal thoughts, but what the Bible says about leaving a church and looking for a new one…  So for any one out there looking for a new church or moving to a new area, here are some Biblical Scriptures to read and to see what God has to say about this topic.

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Reasons to Leave A Church

  1. Truth is not being taught
  • Acts 20:29-31
  • Rev. 2:12-16

2. Leadership is overly controlling and unloving

  • 3 John 9-11

3. Leadership is biblically unqualified

  • 1 Tim. 3:1-7;
  • Titus 1:7-9

4. Pastor and/or leaders are living in sin

  • 1 Tim. 5:19-21

5. Leadership does not deal with sin

  • Matthew 18:15-18;
  • 1 Cor. 5:1-13

What To Look For In A Church. On the positive side, here are some guidelines for choosing or staying in a church

Leadership

– are qualified

  • 1 Tim. 3:1-7;
  • Titus 1:7-9

– are godly examples

  • Hebrews 13:7;
  • 1 Peter 5:3

– are self-sacrificing

  • John 21:15-19;
  • Acts 20:31

Pastor

– teaches the Bible in depth

  • Nehemiah 8:8;
  • 1 Tim. 4:13;

– has passion to teach truth

  • 2 Timothy 2:2;
  • James 3:1

– has a passionate love for Jesus

  • John 21:15-17
  • Phil. 3:8

Congregation

– people are loving

  • Hebrews 10:24-25

– ministers together

  • Acts 2:42;
  • Hebrews 6:10

– supports the leadership

  • Hebrews 13:7, 13;
  • Hebrews 6:10
The church needs to be on fire for the Lord Jesus. Some churches are looking back over their shoulders at the years when their church was dynamic and growing. Now their church may not be growing and may even be decreasing in size. They may have a wonderful church building, successful leaders from the world, and a radio or a television ministry. But these are not the marks of God’s ideal church.
Ultimately, God is looking for biblically qualified leaders who are eagerly seeking an intimate relationship with Jesus, and as a result are shepherding the men and women in the church. One of the most significant functions of the leadership team is that they are good Bible teachers and they are teaching. The leadership team is training men and women to be the future leaders in the church. They are seeking to train others who will eventually take over their ministries. That is true disciples. Otherwise, the training is merely book study and empty activity without any fulfillment.
OK, so now I’m done with this topic. Not too sure why I posted this now. Maybe because our church is in the middle of a transition to a new pastor and I’m excited to see where our church is going and love the fact that the new pastor we are looking at believes in the Bible and is a Man of God.

Thinking on Christmas

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

nativity3-620x494I know this is a weird topic for this time of year. Christmas seems to come faster and faster each year it seems. I don’t think it is because there are less days, but that our lives are so busy and I hate to say it, but Christmas is expensive. It should be about Christ and while I think about Christ first, others may not.

I have been pondering this idea since last year. My idea is that instead of having Christmas on December 25th, we would have it on Easter Sunday.

There are many historians that believe that the birth of Christ took place in October or around there. And others say in the spring time. The Bible tells us that shepherds were staying out in the fields overnight when Jesus was born (Luke 2:8), but in that part of the world it would have been far too cold at night to do so in December. What is more likely is that He was born in the Spring, perhaps between March and May. Whatever the time of year, it is virtually impossible to identify the actual date. Some have also said that the birth of Christ took place during September or October. So let’s look at those times and why they say that.

birth-of-jesusThe typical story we hear repeated is:

“It’s about 2000 years ago, the evening of December 25. Mary rides into Bethlehem on a donkey, urgently needing to deliver her baby. Although it’s an emergency, all the innkeepers turn them away. So they deliver baby Jesus in a stable. Then angels sing to the shepherds. Afterwards, they all join three kings with camels in worshiping the quiet, newborn.”

The problem is, this story may be almost entirely wrong. The events surrounding the birth have been retold so many times and in so many ways—in plays, poetry, books and movies—that most people have a distorted view of the true events. The only accurate record is found in the Holy Bible, God’s Word.

Was Jesus born on December 25, or in December at all? Although it’s not impossible, it seems unlikely. The Bible does not specify a date or month. One problem with December is that it would be unusual for shepherds to be “abiding in the field” at this cold time of year when fields were unproductive. The normal practice was to keep the flocks in the fields from Spring to Autumn. Also, winter would likely be an especially difficult time for pregnant Mary to travel the long distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem (70 miles).

One of the more common — but still often overlooked — debates around Christmas time is ​when ​the wise men visited Jesus. While most nativity sets come complete with the “kings” to set next to a newborn Jesus, there is actually evidence to suggest they visited Jesus much later when he was a young “child” and not a “baby.”

camels3wisemenMatthew 2: 1-12 – The Visit of the Magi

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Additionally verse 16 notes that after the wise men told King Harod of their plan to visit the little “king” and they never returned, Herod ordered all children under two years old killed. That seems to suggest that Jesus was not a baby at the time, and that even Herod thought he could be older.

Many popular interpretations of Jesus’ birth show the baby sitting near farm animals in a stable. However, we’re not quite sure that this is how the events actually unfolded. Let’s start with the word “inn.” According to Witherington, in Greek (the word is “kataluma”) it can also mean “guest room.” The Biblical expert continues:

So what we must envision is that the holy family had to stay in the back portion of the ancestral home in Bethlehem, where they would have kept the beast of burden (hence the feeding trough referred to).

While the “where” question is certainly important when discussing Jesus’ birth, so is the “when.” Christians have been celebrating their savior’s birth for quite some time, but no one is really sure when it actually happened. Dec. 25 is merely the anniversary that has been chosen to commemorate Christ’s birth — not the actual date.

Happy_Birthday_Jesus_by_RSRKingdomStarsMy Plan: 

So this year after calling my daughters and family we are going to actually do a Birthday Party for Christ on December 25th. We will hold that day to celebrate the fact that Jesus was born to a virgin. We will be doing our Christmas on at the same time as Easter. We don’t know when Christ was born, but we know He was. And that’s what our December 25th will be. There will be no gifts for each other. My Christmas tree, cards and gifts will be done on Easter Sunday. We will have cake, ice cream and all things that would be used to celebrate a birthday. We will bring a letter or share with each other what we will do for Christ. I hope that everyone in my family will enjoy this because on Easter we will be celebrating the fact that Jesus came to us as a baby and he died and rose again so we can live forever. If people get Christmas cards at Easter time, please know this is the reason why we are doing this. I may still do them in December since everyone else won’t be on the same page as I am.

Living in the Past

Published on by Sandie D12 Comments

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What is the best way to get past the hurt of a bad childhood or life hurts? I have touched on this topic about 5 years ago when some friends and I were talking about our childhoods and what it was like growing up.

The best way to get beyond a bad past is to create a better future. No easy feat, for sure. Your childhood is what it was…no changing that. Your future is what you make it, no matter your age. This is fully what I believe. When it comes to some things, it may be easier said then done.

My friend made the statement that her family ruined her life and she will never be happy because of the abuse.  What struck me about this comment was that she was blaming them for everything that went on. She left home when she was young and had a number of failed marriages. Those failed marriages were her parents fault and the bully’s fault on the school playground. Was it really her parents fault and the bullies fault that her marriage failed and her life is falling apart? Maybe in part, but not entirely.

ImageWhen I was growing up I didn’t have the best childhood like millions of other children in this world. My parents had their problems and there was many things that went on. But do I blame them for what I do with my life now? I would say no. The reason I say no is because I have learned from those experiences, I believe I am a better person for the suffering… more tolerant of others, less judgmental. My parents made mistakes and did the wrong things just like any other parent does or has. Maybe not in the same way, but still mistakes.

I have learned to accept my differences and leave the past behind. We are not wearing big signs that say “abused” or “dysfunctional parents” so it is up to us to be what we want to be.

ImageEveryone is guilty of bad parenting at one time or another. I know I have my share of loosing my temper when my daughters didn’t do what they should be doing or snuck out the window. There was a time I grounded Jessica for eating my very last donut that I was very much looking forward too and in the heat of the moment she was grounded for a month, lol.  There may be others like me that grounded your child for something his sibling did, and never listened to their side of the story. I would like to challenge anyone that is angry at parents, family members and such to write a list of the things you have learned from those experiences. Not just the bad, but the good. If my parenting skills and past mistakes were held against me in the court of law, I think I would get life lol.I do have to say that my daughters turned out to be great parents and they will make their own set of mistakes I’m sure…

There are all forms of abuse, neglect and such that can make ones life miserable and make a person feel like they are worthless. But that doesn’t have to be. There is so much help out there  and living in the past brings nothing but tears and heartache.

For instance, someone I know ended up in a lot of trouble legally. Now this person has been out of the home for a very long time. She left the nest around 18 or so. Now she is right around 45 or so. But because of the drug use and in and out of jail they claim before the judge that they were abused and it was their upbringing that brought them to the point they are now. My reaction to her statement was a bit insensitive I guess.

When I asked my friend if her parents put that pot into her hands and made her smoke it, she said indirectly yes! Was it her parents fault that she was caught driving while intoxicated, she said yes! Was it her parents fault that she decided that she no longer wanted to be a parent and that it was more important to be with her friends, she said yes! I then proceeded to ask her why she thought it was her parents fault when she is the one who made those decisions to hang out with the wrong people and put her friends and such before her own family. She then went on to say that she was abused and her parents didn’t say they loved her all the time like some people do. They didn’t spend time with her because they were always at work or doing other things. They didn’t get alot of birthday parties because they never wanted to spend the money or couldn’t.

Well! As a parent who had to struggle paying bills and not always wanting to go out to work so we can provide a roof over my daughters head and make sure they had cloths and all other needs, I had no sympathy for her. My daughters didn’t always get a grand birthday party because it was hard enough to keep the power on. They were told I loved them and there were many days I would wake up in a very fowl mood. I told her that it is now time to start taking responsibility for your own life and stop blaming everyone else because your life is screwed up. I let her know that she was the one who made all those bad choices and why she lived on the street. She decided to smoke pot and drive drunk. Her parents may have been crappy but there is a time to get on with your life and stop living in the past and move forward.

Forgiveness I think is a big part of getting past the past and living in the future. I know from my own experiences that if I hold onto the anger and resentments of the past, I dwell on them alone and it is almost impossible to live my life the way I should be and as God intended me to. Many believe that in order to forgive someone that we must forget and that is far from the truth. We should remember and not let it happen again. But when I truly forgive someone I don’t bring it up again and if I find I do, I pray that God will help me deal with this. Forgiveness isn’t for the other person always, it’s for us. If we can’t forgive we are like a pot stewing. Eventually everything is going to blow up when it gets to a certain point. And that point could have all sorts of disastrous results.

I have had to ask for forgiveness many times with my daughters when I would fly off the handle and that is OK. They were usually very gracious about it. Not always, but usually. We would have family meetings if others in the family needed to talk about things.

For Parents: I found topic while searching for information for this post and really liked it.

“There are no perfect parents, and we all make bad parenting decisions from time to time. But if you feel that you’ve lost touch, don’t know how to handle your child, or you can’t control your own anger or problems and it’s interfering with your family life, it might be time to seek professional help.”

One last thing, I know some may be ready for my one last thing, lol. But there is a lot of power in the word forgive. I’m very thankful for those who have forgiven me of my wrong doings and transgressions. Also, if anyone is free from sin and making mistakes I want to meet that person. There is NOT one perfect person and parents included in this world. We can only do the best we can do and go forward. I have chosen to not live in the past because it really makes for a bad day. And not always do people know they have hurt or offended someone.

No one will ever have the perfect childhood. We all suffer embarrassment, humiliation, bullying and some form of abuse. But in order to have a peaceful and happy adulthood you need to move past the painful childhood memories, forgive whatever wrongs have been committed and ditch the blame. The current state of your adult life is not your parents fault…..it is up to your to take the bad and turn it into something good.  But we can all move on and make our lives better.

Here is a clip from the show Facts of Life… So now I’m done 🙂

Our Pets and Fireworks

Published on by Sandie D1 Comment

fireworksThe 4th of July can make for great times with our family and friends. But that is’t always the case for all family members. The ones I’m speaking of our our four-legged friends.

The reason I want to cover this topic is because of our own experience over 20 yrs ago when we lived in Phoenix, AZ. We had two dogs named Rick and AJ. My husband and I took our young daughters to the fireworks display that was close to our house. We put our dogs outside. We had an 6ft high perimeter fence so we thought all was good. Little did we know that things weren’t good.

As soon as the fireworks started going off the dogs must have gotten scared. AJ which was a golden retriever became so scared that he broke through the back fence. Rick was soon to follow. We came home and the dogs were gone. Shortly after we arrived home, we received a call that AJ was hit by a car. He was more scared of the loud bangs then he was of cars. They told us he was in bad shape.

AJ broke his leg and had to have surgery. They asked us if we wanted to spend the money to try to save him or should they put him down. We opted for trying to save him. We brought him and Rick home and AJ died anyhow a couple months later. There was just too much damaged with him.

The following day as I was heading to a bus stop. I noticed two dogs that must have been tied to leases in their back yards. These adult dogs became so scared that they tried to jump the back fence of their homes and ended up hanging themselves.

My husband and I have never left our dogs at home alone or unsupervised on the 4th of July or on New Years. This was such a horrific experience that I would never want to live through again and I would never want to put my dogs through again.

thDr. Marty Becker of Vetstreet.com points out that it’s perfectly logical for dogs to hate fireworks: “Fireworks are bombs, for Pete’s sake. It makes sense to be scared!” Marc Elias, principal officer of Pooch Pals LLC, agrees: “Simply put, fireworks, to your dog, is like an artificial lightning/thunderstorm times ten!” Humans may come to enjoy the explosive annual tradition, because of the visual payoff .

And many dogs’ method of coping — bolting at top speed, then hiding — is why animal shelters see such a big uptick in intakes right around the Fourth, Elias adds. “There are two directions they can take, flight or fight.

Not only are there the phobia dangers, there is the health risks to our pets if they should get into them. I found this list on petmd.com… Not all states allow fireworks unless they are done by the city. But if you live in a state like I do, this may help you keep your pets safe.

If you do store fireworks in your house, keep in mind that unused fireworks can be poisonous if ingested by curious dogs or cats. Fireworks contain hazardous chemicals such as:

  • Chlorates (these are potent oxidizing agents which are harmful to red blood cells and kidneys)
  • Soluble barium salts (these can cause a life-threatening drop in potassium)
  • Sulfur Coloring agents (which can contain dangerous heavy metals)

Clinical signs of firework poisoning include:

  • Vomiting
  • A painful abdomen
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Tremors Seizures
  • Acute kidney failure
  • Bone marrow changes
  • Shallow breathing
  • Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)

As with any poison, the severity of the poisoning is dependent on the type of firework, the amount ingested, and what type of coloring agents it contains. Thankfully, severe poisoning isn’t very common.

Finally, don’t let your dog near the backyard fireworks show you may be having. Fearless, unsupervised dogs may actually be curious enough to approach a lit firework, resulting in thermal burn injuries to the nose, face, lips and mouth, as well as eye irritation. Avoid any problems by keeping pets a safe distance from fireworks — lit or unlit!

I didn’t do this blog posting to stop you from having a nice fourth of July and enjoying fireworks. I did this so that everyone is aware that what is fun for us, isn’t always fun for our pets. We need to make sure our pets are safe.

Uncle John’s 4 ply Bathroom Reader

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

ImageOK! This is something we all do and I know it is a weird topic. But today my post is about going to the bathroom. I’m not talking about if you have to go number 1 or 2. I’m talking about that special time alone unless you have a young child. The restroom is the one place where you can tune the world out and have some private time.

Certainly, using the bathroom as a sanctuary rather than for its traditional purposes is not a new idea. The folks who publish The Old Farmer’s Almanac still embrace the annual’s history as a commode companion. Notice the hole punched through the spine. That dates back to a time when the magazine would hang on a hook in outhouses.

About 100 years ago, toilet paper didn’t exist. Folks resorted to old newspapers and catalogues for, er, hygiene. That just might explain how the tradition of bathroom reading started.

In my bathroom I have a variety of reading materials for those who want to rest in there and take a break without anyone bothering them. Education doesn’t end in the classroom you know? Recently I found a gem of a book for those of us who like to take our time and read in the bathroom and that book would be called Uncle John’s 4 ply Bathroom Reader. There are all kinds of nifty facts in there. It is a fact filled almost 900 page reader. Nobody can say there isn’t something interesting in the bathroom besides the kind of toilet paper we buy.

You can learn all kinds of things while sitting on the commode, lounging in the tub or hiding from those you want a break from. Here are some of the interesting things you can read about while on the pot;

Prime-Time Proverbs

On Politics– ‘When I was in third grade, there was a kid running for office. His slogan was: “Vote for me and I’ll show you my wee-wee”. He won by a landslide.” Dorothy from Golden Girls

It’s the Law

  • In Logan County, Colorado, it is illegal to kiss a sleeping woman.
  • It’s illegal to ride a camel on Nevada Highways.
  • You’re breaking the law if you are wearing ‘form-fitting” pants in Lewes, Delaware
  • Kansas law prohibits catching fish with your bare hands.

Myths America

The Myth; The Liberty Bell got its name when it was rung on July 4, 1776 to commemorate declaring independence.

Background: The take was invented by writer George Lippard in his 1847 book, Legends of the American Revolution.

The Truth: The Liberty Bell was installed in Philadelphia in 1753- 23 yrs before the colonists rebelled- and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Revolution. its nickname, “Liberty Bell,” was coined by abolitionists in 1839. They were referring to the end of slavery in America, not freedom from England.

Lunacy

  • “lunacy” refers to the Roman moon goodness, Luna.
  • More children are born after new and full moons than any other time.
  • The term lunatic fringe was coined by Teddy Roosevelt, who was describing some of his followers in the Bullmoon party during the 1912 presidential elections.

Tissue Talk

Of course I wouldn’t leave tissue talk out of this post. Since we are discussing our time in the bathroom. Here are some interesting and not so interesting facts about the very tissue we wipe our bums with.

According to a 1991 survey by the Scott Paper Company:

  • You can gauge a person’s education by whether they read in the bathroom, More than two-thirds of people with a masters degrees and doctorates read in the stall, the survey shows. Only one in two high school grads read while in the bathroom, and 56 percent of those with college degree’s do.”
  • Fifty-four percent of Americans fold their toilet tissue neatly while 35 percent wad it into a ball before using it.
  • 7% steal rolls of toilet paper.
  • More than 60 percent prefer that their toilet paper roll over the top, 29 percent from the bottom. The rest don’t care.

Left Out

According to Why do Clocks Run Clockwise, and Other Imponderables, here’s why toilet plus handles are on the left side.

‘Most early flush toilets were operated by a chain above the tank that had to be fulled down by hand. Almost all of the chains were located on the left side of the toilet, for the user had more leverage when pulling with the right hand while seated.

‘When the smaller handles near the top of the tank were popularized in the 1940’s and 1950’s, many were fitted onto the existing toilets than equipped with pull chains. therefore, it was cheaper and more convenient to place the new handles where they fitted standard plumbing and fixtures.”

if you are interested in getting your own copy of Uncle Johns 4 ply Bathroom Reader, you can get it at Barnes and noble or Amazon.

Here is what Amazon.com says about this book…

Here’s a potpourri of stimulating reading for moments when nothing but the most absorbing material will do! No more frantic searches at the last minute for that perfect magazine article. No agonizing choices between light reading and the serious stuff. This 4-ply reader has it all: entertainment, humor, education, trivia, science, history, pop culture…and more! Of course, it’s even divided by length—you can spend a minute with the Quickies, relax with Normal-Length articles, or really get comfortable with Long Items.

With UNCLE JOHN’S 4-PLY BATHROOM READER strategically placed in your home, you’ll settle in happily and read about:
  • The Origins of Common Words and Phrases
  • The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
  • The Real Difference Between Burger King and McDonald’s
  • Elvis’s Letter to Richard Nixon
  • The Curse of King Tut
  • What’s in a Twinkie
  • Bizarre Lawsuits

For years, the Bathroom Reader’s Institute has researched your bathroom reading habits in an attempt to understand and serve the interests of America’s forgotten readers. Enjoy

There is one last thing I want to add if you are at my house reading Uncle Johns Bathroom Reader, Please be sure to wash your hands and do not spread germs or other unmentionable things to others who may want to pick up some reading materials while sitting on the throne or trying to get a few minutes of quiet time.

Rough Night- Dogs and Pain

Published on by Sandie D2 Comments

I have been having a lot of problems sleeping at night. Mostly due to my medical problems. Between the not being able to breath when I sleep on the wrong side to the pain I have all the way through the night, it has been kinda rough. I think I’m going to talk to my Dr on Monday to see if we can do something about that. They have changed my meds a few times and have come out to try to bust up a blood clot. Tonight though I have more than the normal problems of getting to sleep. And that is three reasons. The reasons are my dogs.

Our boxer Patsy doesn’t usually sleep on our bed. Parker and Jasper will sneak on their throughout the night. For some reason I have all three on my bed and I have maybe 12 inches of my mattress where I can sleep. Patsy wanted to be right up next to where I am. I think she can tell when I’m not feeling good and having a difficult time. Now Jasper he is different. He thinks he is the king dog of the group. He is my pug and there are times when I go to sleep that I forget to turn off my TV. I did get to doze off for about an hour while my IV fluids was running and then a dog and food came on the TV and then Jasper started barking and scared the life out of me. So, it is 4:14 in the morning and I can’t sleep at all due to dogs, breathing and pain. Ughhh… I think I’m getting physically exhausted and not sure I can do too many more nights of not sleeping.

Now, I’m going to go back to bed and see if I can get some sleep. Not sure when I will get to sleep…

Really Wanting a Roadtrip

Published on by Sandie D2 Comments

ImageRoad-trips, aren’t they great? I love a good road-trip even if it is just for the day or a few hours.

When I go on a road-trip it doesn’t have to be across the country. It could be a short little jaunt to Zion or one of the lakes around my little town in the canyons. There are so many wonderful destinations that would take two hours or less. I don’t know many other places that have the beauty like St. George does. Here are some of the wonderful places around me that can be seen and enjoyed.

  • Zion National Park- 1 hour away
  • Pine Valley- 45 minutes
  • Snow Canyon- 15 minutes
  • Gunlock State Park- 20 minutes
  • Grafton Ghost Town- 30 minutes
  • Cedar City- less than an hour
  • Grand Canyon – 2 hour drive
  • Las Vegas, NV- 2 hours
  • Valley of Fire- Less than 2 hours

These are just a few of the great places that would make for a short road trip. Not always do I like to stick around town. I have yet to go to Valley of Fire. For me when I go on a road trip whether it is close to home or out of town, it is a time to get some me time.

Anymore due to my health problems, I have to take someone with if it is going to be too much of a drive. Which kinda defeats me wanting to get some me time. I’m pretty much at the mercy of others and since it is their time, I can’t always go where I want. There are times I have no idea where I want to go, I just go. OK, so off that pity party now, lol.

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This is a picture of the Supermoon that I took here in St. George, Utah on June 23rd, 2013

Since I got my new camera I have found that I love taking pictures of nature. Photography has opened my world up to new possibilities. I didn’t know I was fully interested in photography, but it has. From the time I got my camera, I have seen wonders and miracles that God created. The very first time I tried to shoot pictures of the moon, I was hooked. I had no idea my camera could shoot the whole moon and see the craters on the moon. I impressed myself and I am still amazed.

My intention with getting a better camera was to take pictures of my grand-kids, video them too. I do websites and thought it would be cool to take my own pictures and not worry about copy writes. It has turned into a pretty serious hobby and it is awesome that others are letting me know how good my pictures are.

So now I’m thinking on this road trip and wanting to go to someplace or anyplace that I haven’t been to. Even though I’m not a morning person, I think it would be awesome to take some sunrise pictures. My brain has been thinking on the Valley of Fire lately. Right now though Valley of Fire will be majorly hot. But it would be nice to just take time and take pictures of some place new. I know it isn’t feasible to do that right now. It isn’t like others would like to just take off and go with me on an adventure that may lead to an adventure in photography.

I did tell Chuck that I want to go to Vegas and look at some of the attractions that we normally don’t go to. We aren’t gamblers, but there are some interesting sites in Vegas. And not all things that happen in Vegas stays in Vegas. When we go, it is to go to a Dr’s appointment or drive through at 5 am to get out of the traffic as we head to Phoenix. There are many places that we haven’t explored. If we can get a good deal on a couple nights and he can get a night off we plan on doing that.

I have been hankering for a road-trip though. And as time goes on, it is getting stronger. I have talked to my daughter about going. I don’t think she likes it though when I pull off somewhere and I can spend hours taking pictures and waiting for that special moment or the right opportunity to get the perfect shot. Jessica would go and for the things close to home, she has been great about taking me or going with me. So I do appreciate ya Jessica in case you read this.

Eventually I will make it to Indiana. I really want to go back there and visit long lost relatives that I haven’t seen in almost 40 yrs. My husband wants to go with and I can’t go myself since I’m on home health and have to do IV meds, oxygen and such. Since he didn’t get his vacation time this year and pay, that is pretty much out of the question for him to go on any kind of vacation or road trip. This is really crappy considering it has been years since we have been able to take a real vacation. I’m guessing because of that me going to Indiana is going to be out of the question again this year.

My immediate goal is to go on a short road trip, with a fully charged battery for my camera. I want to crank up the music in my car and just go. I don’t want others to tell me where I can go and when to come back. Even though It can only be an overnight-er at best.

For me the best way for me to clear my mind and life is to just drive or go somewhere. I do hope I get to do this. I don’t know how reasonable it is though since someone would have to go with and as I said before, it isn’t like people have that same desire, objective, time and money to do this.

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This is the cross located at Point Loma Nazarene University in California… Simply beautiful

On my agenda when it cools off and Chuck can get some time off or some vacation pay, I want to go to Point Loma. It is by  San Diego California. They have the most beautiful college that over looks the ocean. There is navel yards, light houses, the ocean, and the Veterans Cemetery. Also while we are there, I would really like to go to the Holocaust Museum. I believe we need to remember what happened and the millions murdered by pure evil. This museum is in LA. I know someone with a time share there, so that would help. The only way this is going to happen though is if Chuck gets some time to do it and gets his paid vacations. I won’t even go into that whole mess, it ticks me off.

So, I’m going to sign off now and think about how I can go road tripping and who can go with me on it. If I don’t sign off on this, it will turn into a vent over vacation pay and no time off to do anything.

Firestorm for Paula Deen

Published on by Sandie D2 Comments

ImageYep! I guess I will join with the many others that are on the Paula Deen bandwagon. If ya all haven’t heard this she has said something in her past that is coming back to haunt her. She said the “N” word and some other things. Now, I really like Paula Deen and I really feel for her right now. She has apologized and was asked point-blank if she has ever used the “N” Word…

My personal feelings are that nobody should use the “N” word, the “F” word or so on. I think it is  terrible and just shows the mentality of the person using it.  I guess this is kinda personal for me because growing up we used the “N” word when we would go to the store to ask for Brazil Nuts. I never realized till many years later that they weren’t called “N” toes. Also growing up it was very common to hear others around me call fixing things with baling wire and string a way of “N” rigging. As I got older, I realized that it was wrong and hurtful to those around me and I made sure to correct myself.

Then there is the”F” word. The reason I bring this up is that in my past, I never seen anything wrong with using the “F” word or whatever else that would be considered cursing. My husband was in the Army and I worked at a truck stop and it was common to talk like a sailor and never thought anything of it. That was until I was in a restaurant and nobody else was talking like I was and God decided I needed to hear how bad it sounded. I made a decision at that point to not swear because it wasn’t the right thing to do.

I bring these things up because these are things from my past. And thankfully my past is my past. These things aren’t a part of my life now and haven’t been for almost 19 years. If I were to be judged on these times that I used this language, then I would be on the cross with Jesus Christ. I knew I was guilty and was in the wrong at some point. Now I did make sure to correct my way of talking and haven’t gone back to using this language. I find that I get pretty angry when people only know how to use the “F” bomb or other colorful language. Maybe that is because I know how wrong it is and how bad it sounds. At least for me it does.

Now, back to Paula Deen. She has asked for forgiveness and knew what she said was wrong. Should we condemn her or should we forgive her. I have chosen to forgive her. I have no room to judge her because I have made my own set of mistakes. The time Paula Deen was asked about using the “N” word was from the 1980’s. That was a long time ago and her shows came on much later than that. People do change and grow from the lessons they have learned. I know I have and Paula is a human who says things that shouldn’t be said and admitted to them.

One thing I never understood though is why is it OK for blacks to use the “N” word and not whites. I don’t mean this in a disrespectful way, but it does make me wonder why there is a difference. I do feel many times the race card comes out when it isn’t about race. Sometimes it is upbringing, peers, not knowing the difference or so on. I know there have been times I have said things and didn’t understand what I was saying. Of course I was much younger and have gotten better at knowing what to say and not say. I do still have my stupid moments though, lol

Then I wonder how many of us would have a job or friends if we were judged on every single thing we said in the past.

I guess I will end this post with this thought and hopefully half the world doesn’t try to condemn me like they have Paula. My final thought is that it is better to forgive then to hate. You can get further with forgiveness than being hateful.  I think awareness is very important, but is there really a need to have a lynch mob go after Paula Deen? I say NO!

Putting too much out on Facebook

Published on by Sandie D4 Comments

ImageFacebook, Facebook, Facebook- Facebook is an online social network that includes status updates, picture sharing, news feeds, and so on. The user controls who can see and not see what is put on their wall. They can block people they don’t want to have access and allow those they want. You can select the recipients and decide who to share what information with. You may be wondering why I’m doing a post on this and you will soon understand. 

On my Facebook page I have 409 friends and many pictures of my kids and friends. I have a number of groups set up that include my church friends, online friends, haveners and so on. When I post certain things that are meant for my church friends, those posts only goes to those I have listed under that group. If I’m playing games, or I should say my husband is under my name, all game posts goes to that group of friends. I know many on my facebook page, but not all. And not all of those on my Facebook would be interested in what is going on here in my home town or what funny little thing my grand kids may have said or done for the day. Even though I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to know, lol. 

The reason I say this is because of privacy and what I would call rage posts or anger posts. I have a number of friends on my Facebook page that will post pictures or make a status comment. And in turn they may get a negative response from others about said post. When you post things for all of Facebook land to see and all of your friends, there is bound to be responses and not always are they what you are looking for. 

If someone posts a topic or shares a picture and you have opened it up for all to see, then logically one would think that someone will comment. I know I will comment on pictures or status’s. I may not on all of them, but some I do. When I post a status or a picture I understand that people will say what is on their mind, even if I don’t like it. It is the same with my blogs. The topic of this post isn’t about one particular person or a group. It is a general topic of if you don’t want people to comment the way you want them to, then don’t post it. If it is intended for certain people, then send to only those people or in a private message. Facebook is a social network and one shouldn’t expect much privacy when they choose to share what is on your mind or in your life with those on Facebook. 

I made a comment on a article on yahoo the other day about sharing of photos. The woman was upset because her picture was shared with others without her permission. In my opinion if she didn’t want the world to see it, then she should never have posted it. There are guidelines you have to follow when signing up for Facebook and other networking sites. I’m pretty sure most don’t read the small print. My comment to the article was that people are too laxed. There are more times than not that I can find information out about someone I don’t know by looking up their Facebook page. 

There is critical information that you should never share on Facebook. Some of the main no brainer things would be telephone numbers, addresses, where you work, birthdays, social security numbers and so on. But sharing information has lots of risks including your name which can be accessed by others and your profile can be viewed. Anyone can get valuable information and private photos from your profile — ultimately getting you in big trouble. 

I was able to show a friend just how easy it was to find out information about one of her friends. She was up for the challenge. I went to her page and located the friend. Her friend had on her profile where she worked at and little fun tidbits about her kids graduations. Her date of birth was on the page as was her place of birth. There was information about her anniversary and her husband on the page. Her friend wanted another friend to reach her, so she gave out her telephone number on a post, not thinking anything about it and later gave directions to her house. I didn’t know this person and she lived in another state. If I was an online stalker, I would have it made. Her friend allowed anyone to view her information. She had no idea who I was, but I knew who she was. 

What I’m saying is that be careful what you put out there because you may not like what the reply or the outcome may be. 

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Things to Do to Protect Yourself; 

  • Always monitor pictures that other people put of you and tag you on. You can see the tagged pictures of you by going to your profile, click on “Photos”- you should see “Photos of You” and the number of tagged pictures.
  • Do not post pictures of yourself under the influence of any type of substance. This refers to pictures such as: Dancing-on-the-bar pictures or candid shots of the last time you got hammered with your pals on happy hour. Don’t be caught with drugs, especially if you’re underage because anyone can just print out the picture and show it to your parents or principal.
  • Be cautious of the statuses, photos, videos, etc. you post if your coworkers, colleagues, or even your boss is friends with you. If possible, avoid sending out or accepting friend requests from those who know you from work, especially your boss. Granting them full access to view your personal life will only have negative effects on your job.
  • Avoid putting your phone number, mailing address, or your home address in your profile. People often use words such as pet’s names or numbers as passwords, so it is not recommended to publish them on-line.
  • Never post information regarding an upcoming vacation or trip as your status. Doing so is just asking for your house to be robbed. If you must post photos and every detail of your two-week trip to France, do so after you return home, not before or during your vacation.
  • Change your password every so often. Don’t make your password something obvious such as your birthday or mother’s maiden name. Try to have at least one capital letter, one lowercase letter, two numbers, and a symbol. The longer and more complicated the password, the safer you are from getting your account hacked. Always remember to log out after you’re finished with Facebook, especially on a shared computer.

Bridezilla’s Encounter Bad Gift

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

ImageWhen it comes to giving gifts to those are I choose to or care about then that would be something I choose to do. Today I was reading an article on Yahoo about these two women who got married in Canada and threw a fit over a gift that was given to them. 

First off I want to give you the official meaning of a Bridezilla. Even though one word I bleeped out.  

  • Bridezilla One ridiculous spoiled b—- that thinks she is the center of the universe, just because her “show” (the wedding) is 18 months from now.

ImageThis is what the guest wrote on the card that she gave to the two brides;  “As a gift, my Girlfriend and I gave them a wicker box with a hinged lid, filled with food items, most of them PC Black Label, including: tri-color pasta, salsas, Balsamic vinegar and Olive oil, Gourmet croutons, Panko Breading, Pesto, some baking ingredients, Biscuits from Godiva and a few ‘Fun’ items like Marshmallow Fluff, Sour Patch Kids and Butterscotch sauce…On the card we wrote ‘Life is delicious….Enjoy.'”

In turn they got a nasty response and was ungrateful. They went on about how the brides spent $200.00 on the dinner for the guest and her boyfriend and so on. Because of the gift that the brides didn’t like they are no longer friends. If money was such a big deal to them, then they should have just run away and elope. They were obviously expecting much more than their friends could deliver on. I would have been happy with the gift and sent a thank you note. Who knows, one day those snacks would come in handy. 

This is what I feel is appropriate when I throw a party or reception. First of all those I invite are people I care about and I want them to be there to celebrate with me. No gifts are needed. I would much prefer them there than any gift. If a person is invited because they can give money or high end gifts, then they are at my party for the wrong reason. 

Now, If I’m going to a wedding, graduation or so on I will usually bring a gift. But that all depends on the person and what my financial situation is. If it is a young couple who doesn’t have much, I will always bring a gift and usually it is money, because I know they will need it. If I go to a graduation it is money too. They will need it for books and such if they are going to college. If they aren’t going to college, I give them a food gift card. For birthdays it will all depend. I have 5 grand-kids and it sure takes a lot of money to make sure they get what they want. If I go to a wedding and they have everything, I usually don’t bring a gift, but will get a card.

A gift is just that, a gift. it isn’t or shouldn’t be an expectation when invited somewhere. If someone wants to invite me to a party or reception because I give good gifts, then they aren’t interested in me being there. They only want my pocketbook and that is not what I would consider a real invitation. That would be a fundraiser. 

When my husband and I got married, we lived in Texas and we went to the Justice of the Peace. We spent $11.00 on the wedding license and had to pay like $10.00 to the JP. I was in jeans and a t-shirt and so was Chuck. One of our friends met us at the court so she could witness our marriage. We did want to get married with family around, but because of medical issues we couldn’t do that. On that day Lona made us a cake and we went to Sonic for lunch. I still remember the cake and the day. It wasn’t about money at all. If that was so, Chuck would still be a happy bachelor as he says and I would be married to a tycoon, lol. In October it will be 33 years that we have been married and thankfully there was none of the antics that came from these bridges. Even though my mom did send us money. Which was nice, but it wasn’t why we got married. 

When it comes to gift giving, it should be personal and I do think that the couple that put this gift together was thinking of the brides. Too bad the brides weren’t thinking of the quests. I would suggest to them on their next wedding and I’m almost willing to bet that they will have a next one that they have a cover charge or run off and get married. Everyone will remember how horrible they were and wouldn’t want to be dragged through the mud. 

Click here for the full article on Yahoo