Pants or No Pants?

Published on by Sandie D1 Comment

I was talking to Chanda on Facebook about this article that was posted in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Mormon Women plan “Wear Pants to Church Day”

Image

For many reasons this struck a nerve with me. I’m not LDS and I don’t personally have a issue with women wearing pants to church or dresses. My thought is that the main reason you are at church is to hear the message. God loves us no matter how we are dressed. Some people may not have dresses or can’t wear them for one reason or another. But that shouldn’t stop people from going to the church of their choice.

Chanda was sharing with me about how a family came to their Ward Christmas Party. For those who don’t know what a Ward is, I will see if I can explain that sometime. In my simple terms it is what I would call a congregation like I would go to and most live in their area. So they go to church with their friends and neighbors. OK! So now, back to our conversation. This family sat down with them and they were dressed in tattered cloths and they weren’t dressed for a party, but they were welcomed with open arms and wasn’t turned away. This family returned the following day for church. I think all people should practice treating one another in a loving, welcoming manner.

Chanda was telling me that when she that when they went home they were talking among themselves about this humbling experience. They were talking about how not everyone is as blessed as they are and they don’t have all the nice things they do. This year has been a especially tough year for Chanda and her family and yet they feel blessed and display the true and honest love for people no matter what they look like.

Now, back to this article. As I was reading this article the thing that came to mind is how it seems like they are trying to draw more attention to themselves and their plight to wear pants to church than what the message of our Lord should be. I have never been to any of the services at at LDS Church, so I’m not sure on all the legalities  But if they are wanting to really be taken serious instead of walking into the church service knowing that all the attention would be on them, then they are going about it wrong.

If I was at the service, I would think that they are the ones wanting to be the center of attention and saying “Look At Me”. That may not be their intention, but as a outsider or a none member, I would be wondering what the heck is the problem and why is there this division over pants. I don’t think that Jesus Christ would be impressed with the public display or disrespect. And I think this type of a stand is a sign of disrespect on many levels.

I would think that the experience that Chanda and her family had with the guests at their party would be more important than a battle over pants or no pants!

Closing Thought: Whether you wear dresses or pants to church, remember that what really matters is that God loves you no matter what you look like. If you don’t or can’t wear a dress, then wear what you have. I do think for church, funerals and special things there should be a level of respect. So now I will get off my soapbox and leave this topic alone, lol For now that is…

Christmas Traditions and Memories

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment
Grandma Grace
My Grandma Grace

Today I was thinking about Christmas traditions and memories of when I was younger.

One of the things I remembered the most was with my Grandma Grace. I was thinking of her this week since she earned her wings on December the 5th of 1973 I believe.

Christmas at Grandmas was the best. She didn’t wrap our gifts like I do for my family and most people do. She would put all the toys and gifts in the middle of her bed and then we got to choose what we wanted one by one. We each took our turn and would hope that the sibling before us didn’t pick the toy
we wanted. I wanted this pink stuffed poodle and was hoping and crossing my fingers that my sisters wasn’t eyeing the same prize I wanted. My turn came and I got the poodle.

We didn’t fight over what we got, we were happy getting anything that Grandma and Grandpa gave us. I loved my other grandparents, but there was nobody like Grandma Grace. And this week I have been thinking about her and what a positive influence she had on my life.

Grandma was very stern, but we knew she loved us. I had such a great time at my grandparents house. My grandma and grandpa didn’t have power until the 70’s and that was only going to a small TV in the living room or should I say the one and only room in the house. Grandma loved Gunsmoke.

Image

When we went to see Grandma and Grandpa we always had fresh veggies and fruits. They also raised their own meat, so I guess that was fresh meat if that’s how I would put it. e there was no power, we had wood burning stoves and one was coal. If Grandma and Grandpa had coal, we would use that. The water came from a water pump. They had a huge garden and
During Christmas, I don’t remember her putting up a tree, but it still seemed like Christmas. Now at my house we always did a tree. And even though we didn’t have alot of money my mom would do her best to give us what we wanted. There were a number of Christmas’s growing up that people would put our names in for the Salvation Army and we would get gifts and coats that way. I don’t know how my parents got us gifts when they had nothing else, but they did and they did the best they could.

One Christmas and I’m sure my mom wouldn’t remember, all I wanted was this little doll that would eat and of course pee. The doll came with little packets of food that you had to mix up and a bottle that I could put water in. All my friends wanted that same doll and I wanted it too. I knew since my mom and dad didn’t have much money that I wouldn’t get that doll. But on Christmas morning as we all waited for my parents to get up. Really, I think I was the last one getting up. Mom and dad woke up before the roosters woke. But we unwrapped our gifts and I was shocked that I got the doll. Nothing else mattered to me on that Christmas either.

I have a grand daughter named Kora and she is the cutest little grand daughter in the world. No arguing needed on this topic please, lol. But I want to give her one of the little babies in a couple years that act like a real baby. Beckiah shook her head and told me no. But, and this is a BIG but, I will have to persuade her. I know Kora would love it so much like I did. If she doesn’t, she will have to keep it to herself. If you see this blog Beckiah, you didn’t read this, lol.

I think back to those Christmas’s and how little my parents and grandparents had and I know that they did the best they could with what they had. The only money my grandparents had was from her Social Security and I think that was at the most $300.00 a month and that was it. And she always made sure we had what we needed when we came to visit. Oh, one other things she made sure she gave us was a candy bar. She didn’t have much for herself, but she still gave as she could.  There was some pretty rough years and I won’t go into those. I’m thankful for the fond memories and the memories of my Grandma Grace and the first doll I ever had.

I have often wondered about what our life would be like if Grandma Grace didn’t pass away when we were so young. Then I think about the greatest reunion that is going to take place in Heaven one day. I can’t wait to introduce Grandma to my daughters and my grand kids. They will love her.

This picture is from when we lived in Indiana… My brother is the one in the front with the striped pants, then there is my sister Joyce, Me and my sister Brenda is the taller one, In the back is my sister Denise. I would say this was taken back in 1972 or 73

Not always were times great back then, but I have chosen to focus on the good times and not the bad.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and that everyone focuses on what is important and not what you get or don’t get. For me, the memories are more important than any tangible object. It wasn’t the poodle or the doll that I got, but that I got them from someone who cared and loved me. The memory of that special morning with Grandma and Grandpa will be with me always and so will the moment that I opened the one gift I really wanted. One of the things I remember too is that when we opened the gifts, there was a look of joy on m grandparents face and on my moms. They truly was happy that they were able to give from the heart.

End of the World as We Know It?

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

ImageIf you haven’t heard the news about the end of the world is going to happen on December 21st, 2012, then you must live in the dark ages or have no form of communication with the outside world.

Everybody has their own beliefs about what will happen on December 21, 2012. The Mayan calendar seems to indicate that there will be changes happening on earth and in our way of life.

So here is a little bit of history over the whole end of the world as we know it thing.

2012 prophecy has taken the world by storm and nowhere has there ever been so much excitement and theories associated with this prophecy. Many people are of the opinion that in the year 2012 or 21 December 2012 to be more precise, the world is going to end or a major part of our earth is going to be destroyed with widespread havoc and death all over the globe.

Most of the doomsday enthusiasts seem to draw their conclusions from the fact that the Mayan calender is going to end on that day. 11.11 am on 21st December 2012 is a solstice and brings an end to the Mayan 5,125 year long calender.

Now my thoughts on this is that there have been many people throughout history who has proclaimed they knew when the world was going to end. And what I think is that it will end when it ends. Only God knows when that will happen. We are given the signs of the end of days in Mark, Luke, Revelations and many other places.

Should we be sitting around and focusing on the end times only? I don’t think so. We are told to be alert, but we must still go on about doing business and doing what God intended us to do. We shouldn’t be focusing only on when Christ will come again. We need to be going about the Lords work and bringing people to Him. We need to be witnessing and sharing the gospel while living in a world that is far removed from peace.

None of us know when the last day will be and Christ comes to take the believers home. There are so many theories about that whole topic and I feel that God already knows when it will be and I won’t be changing His mind. I will just be ready.

On a note , is that these people who proclaim they are believers in Christ and they say they know the exact day and time of the second coming of Christ makes those who are true believers look like a joke. This type of prophesier can be harmful to those who are new Christians or are non believers now. We are accountable for our actions and deeds and we need to make sure what we are telling others is accurate.

When people ask me if I believe the world will come to an end, I answer yes. But if they ask me about this prediction, I can’t say no since I don’t know for sure. Christ could come any day  minute or second. All I know is that no matter when that time comes, I want to be ready and prepared.

A Little History On the Birth of Christ

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment
What we think the Birth would have been like
What we think the Birth would have been like

When I think about what the night was like when Jesus was born, it is far from what we see on TV and Christmas cards. We have commercialized the birth of Christ. I decided to go check out how things were done back then. Things can change with translation, but history proves itself. Here are some of the things I found out about what it was like during the time of Jesus’s birth.

Jesus is born

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

Now, lets logically take a look at this passage.

In the month of Tishri was the Feast of Tabernacles. It lasted for 8 days. (Lev 23:33-36) And every male from all over Israel was supposed to come to Jerusalem for it. (Deut 16:16) Bethlehem was like a suburb of Jerusalem, only a few miles away. So it would have been packed with people staying there. As a side note about the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, there is no mention of a donkey used in the trip. So, no donkey for Mary to ride. Maybe there was one. Maybe there wasn’t.

  • The Greek word (kataluma) that is usually translated as “inn” in English is probably not properly translated. The only other situation that it is used is in the New Testament it was translated “guest room” or “upper room” in describing the place where the Last Supper took place
  • Also, notice that there is no mention of a stable. What!? No stable!? Right. No stable is mentioned. And no animals are mentioned either. And no hay. A manger is mentioned. A manger is an animal’s feeding trough.
  • What has been found archaeologically in that area of the world is stone mangers in the lower floors of homes. Apparently they would sometimes keep animals in a lower room where there was a manger made out of stone. These rooms were often almost like caves instead of what we would think of as a room. (In today’s terms think of a basement/garage combo that some people have in their homes. It’s not exactly inside and not exactly outside. You might bring a pet or an injured or pregnant animal in there to be warm.) Sometimes the manger was free-standing and sometimes built into a wall. Then they could also use that room as a guest-room for people to sleep when necessary. However, it is possible that if the family that they were staying with was rich (unlikely), then there could have been a free-standing building for their animals. Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible translates Luke 2:7 as “she brought forth her son — the first-born, and wrapped him up, and laid him down in the manger, because there was not for them a place in the guest-chamber”. What we have is Jesus being born in a house that was apparently packed with people. Maybe there was a guest room upstairs that was so full that they ended up down below where the animals were.
  • They gathered up some cloths and swaddled him with them. Babies loved to be swaddled. It keeps them warm and calm. The climate in the area of Jerusalem and Bethlehem is fairly warm anyway. Swaddling was and is the normal thing to do with babies in many parts of the world even today.
cribforjc3
This is what the manger would have looked like in those days
Actual Stable/Manger
Actual Stable/Manger

Judging Others

Published on by Sandie D2 Comments

ImageI know I shouldn’t be overhearing other peoples conversations. But there are times it can’t be helped. This is how it went down.

I was at a restaurant and there was this lady and her friend talking rather loudly. She was talking about how horrible it is that a young lady made the choice to not keep her virginity. And because she decided to do something that was a sin, she didn’t want this young lady to be at her home or to be around her kids.

Now from my understanding this woman and her friend must be Christians because of the way they talked. But when listening to them I also didn’t hear anything that would show Christian love and concern towards this young lady. If she did, she would understand that the flesh is weak and that ALL of us have come short of the glory of God. I couldn’t help but wonder if they thought they were beyond sinning and have ever made a bad choice in their life.

“JUDGE NOT, THAT YOU BE NOT JUDGED. FOR WITH THE JUDGMENT YOU PRONOUNCE YOU WILL BE JUDGED, AND WITH THE MEASURE YOU USE IT WILL BE MEASURED TO YOU. WHY DO YOU SEE THE SPECK THAT IS IN YOUR BROTHER’S EYE, BUT DO NOT NOTICE THE LOG THAT IS IN YOUR OWN EYE? OR HOW CAN YOU SAY TO YOUR BROTHER, ‘LET ME TAKE THE SPECK OUT OF YOUR EYE,’ WHEN THERE IS THE LOG IN YOUR OWN EYE? YOU HYPOCRITE, FIRST TAKE THE LOG OUT OF YOUR OWN EYE, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE CLEARLY TO TAKE THE SPECK OUT OF YOUR BROTHER’S EYE. MATTHEW 7:1-5

I know I made many bad choices. I left home when I was a teenager and became pregnant when I was 17. My husband and I got married and we are still married to this day. I knew I was doing what I shouldn’t have been doing. But what was great is that the pastor at my church in my home town showed nothing but love and concern for me. He never lectured me or treated me like I was beneath him. I have a feeling that if I had these two women in my life at the time, I would have looked at myself in a different way. But because Pastor Randy knew what I needed was someone to be there for me and to help me. He told me that I made a mistake, but God doesn’t. Now we had to make the right choices.

It gets me that people think that just because they are Christians that they are better than others. They have no right to look down on others. They should be lifting them up and being there for them. Not one of us is perfect.

I have known many people and some were those who I thought were friends that thought they were better. Just because a person does things different or has a different life, doesn’t mean they are lesser than anyone else in God’s eyes. It bugs the bajilbbers out of me when people put themselves up on a holier than though pedistal and look down on others who have less or who made choices that they never would have made.

I have had my fair share of bad choices in life and in friends. But I can tell you that if this young lady that was being shunned and looked down on came to me, I would tell her that no matter what, God loves her. She has made bad choices, but we all have. If someone treats you like a lesser person, you don’t need them in your life. They aren’t friends, but Jesus is the best friend ever. Don’t let some snob or holier than though person ruin your day. They aren’t worth it. Love yourself, pray and do the best you can do. You don’t have to please this person or persons. Besides, you never know what skeletons may be in thier closet.

And to these ladies that were bad mouthing this young lady. I would hope they get a grip and know that what they are doing is hurting this young lady. They aren’t showing the true love of God and it isn’t right to be talking about someone else in public like that. I was able to overhear the young ladies name and her circumstances because you decided to be loud mouths in a public restaurant. I would say, shame on you both.

I know I shouldn’t have been listening to what these ladies were saying. What I say about that is that they shouldn’t have been talking so loudly and gossiping about another. 

Christmas Season is Officially Here

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

Image

With Christmas just around the corner, everyone is wanting to get into the Christmas spirit. You will find Christmas goodies and aisles lined with toys and all the things to wet our appetites  Lifetime and Hallmark TV Channels have switched over to continuous feel good Christmas programs that offer messages of hope, love and sharing with one another. Why shouldn’t they, that is what this time of the year is about, right?

ImageLooking back in time, the first Christmas was void of these items. They had no Santa, Frosty the Snowman, red and white striped candy canes and no TV’s to watch programs like Christmas Shoes to help set the mood for Christmas. What is more amazing is that the very first Christmas involved a young couple by the name of Joesph and Mary that had nothing, who gave birth to the most precious child of all in a manger. (Luke 2-4-7)

When I think back to Black Friday, I can’t help but be reminded of how far we have come from the real meaning of Christmas. Christmas isn’t only about showing kindness  helping others and giving, it was about true love. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. God gave us the first gift… The Messiah, born in the manger. Jesus was God’s gift to everyone  not just the deserving. (Colossians 3″11)

On Black Friday, while Jessica and I were standing there and watching the crowds trample others to save a few dollars here and there. It seem’s to me that people have forgotten that love isn’t hurting one another in order to give their child or another person exactly what they wanted. They have also forgotten that Christmas isn’t only about showing love for those we care about, but also for those who are undeserving. We don’t have to know the person to show love and compassion for them.

During this Christmas season, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas… Peace on Earth, Good will toward Men. (John 15:13) Instead of going out and spending all your money on those expensive toys and items that you don’t really need, how about helping others that are less fortunate. How about showing the true meaning of Christmas, and the gift of God’s love, and love others as God first loved you. This Christmas open up your heart. Let God’s love in. Receive the Gift of God’s love – “Jesus Christ.”

FYI- The word “Christmas” occurs nowhere in the Bible. It is an old English word that means “Christ’s Mass” which refers to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, i.e. the Mass. The earliest occurrence of the word on record is 1038 A.D. Christians at this time considered the Mass (Lord’s Supper) to be the most important part of the celebration of Christ’s birth, hence it came to be called Christmas.

Black Friday Madness in St. George, Utah

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment
Image
Bloomington, Utah Walmart

Click here to view a video of the madness in Bloomington Utah. 

With Christmas is coming around the corner Jessica and I decided to venture out into the mad world of Black Friday. We were only wanting a couple items so we didn’t think it would be that bad. Boy oh Boy were we wrong.

Since I had to take Craig to work on Thanksgiving evening and kill some time, we decided to go to the Walmart in Bloomington, Utah. For those who don’t live in Southern Utah, it is normally filled with great people that are willing to help anyone in need. This is a wonderful community. But , and I say BUT strongly, Black Fridays the bad comes out in people.

The normally great people that is filled with love and care for their neighbors and willing to offer a helping hand stopped at the door of the Walmart. The bad evil side could be seen all around. As people were guarding their find and waiting for the clock to strike 8 pm, it was a winner take all approach.

 

 

My first item I was looking for was a Brother Sewing Machine for my daughter Beckiah. She has been wanting one for a long time and there was a sweet deal on them. I went over to the pallet that had what seemed like about 50 of them and waited for the time. The person on the intercom was announcing when it was time and the holders that work for Walmart had watches in hand. The time arrived and so did greed and hate. Once the tape was cut on all the goodies strung throughout the store, it was a mad dash. People were kicking, punching, elbowing and literally throwing themselves on the items so nobody else could take the prize they came for. I never did get the sewing machine that was for under 50 bucks. One the pallet holding them was cut, there was only about 5 sewing machines. They made it look like there was alot of them, but it was a very small amount. Police had to be called in and people had to be treated for their battle wounds.

The next items we wanted was a cell phone for my husband and I wanted the 10 dollar tri-pod for my camera. Jessica had the phone covered and I had the tri-pod. It was like people were guarding their items of choice like they were about to loose their lifeline. There was only about 15 tri-pods and maybe about the same. Jessica was able to get the cell phone after someone tried to take it out of her hands. She just about lost a nail over it and was scratched. I did get my tri-pod. I was a little devious on that one though, lol. I have a piccline in my arm and the big burly guy that had his hands on the pallet of tri-pods helped me get one. He asked why I had an IV in and I told him. He asked me how many tri-pods I needed. There was only one left and this girl had her hands on mine and the guy was between us, and he took it from her and handing it to me. I was thinking SCORE!

Everyone was saying how long the lines were at check out and yeah they were. But Jessica seen one line and the area where our stuff was at was close to the front. She secured a place in line and we were out of there in less than 5 minutes. Everyone else started charging the check out stands behind us.

OH! And I will apologize before I write this paragraph. I wish I would have taken my camera so I could post this on People at Walmart’s website. Most people came dressed warm and how a normal person would dress. But I have to say that some people should think twice about going out in public when they dress like this guy did. I actually felt bad for him. This very heavy gentleman was pushing a cart. He had to have been close to the 600 pound range. He was wearing a tshirt and grey shorts. The thing that got me and Jessica and we were right behind him is the streaks down the middle of his shorts. More than likely this guy wasn’t able to wipe himself or clean himself back there because he couldn’t reach. He walked around with no conscious and it was more than just nasty. I think someone should have told this poor guy that he needed to change or something. Maybe he has become use to it and doesn’t think anything of it, but it was just nasty in our opinion. I wanted to tell him he needed to change his pants, but I didn’t want to embarrass him more.

Some of the things that was running through my brain as we were watching the greed of people  is that they are wanting to get that perfect gift for their loved ones at a good cost. They were willing to almost kill to save a few bucks. But I had to think about what Christ would do. I wasn’t willing to risk my life for a materialistic item. Jesus paid the highest price so I could be saved. He had people trampling Him and doing whatever they could do to get what they wanted. The true meaning of Christmas was NOT found at Walmart or in the electronics department. Is this fiasco and display of greed and hate what people really think Christmas is about? I hope not.

Tomorrows post will be on a much better topic about the Church of Jesus Christ’s Temple Lighting here in St. George Utah. Even though I’m not LDS, they sure did a much better job when it came to the true spirit of Christmas than the feeding frenzy at Walmart.

Happy Thanksgiving and Week Of!

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment
Image
Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless

First off, I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I will be covering a few different topics in this blog that pretty much involves things that happen the week of Thanksgiving.

  1. The first thing is the most important thing and that is what I’m thankful for. I could name alot of things I’m not thankful for but there are even more things i am.
  • I love my family even when I get grumpy and go on my venting sprees. Sorry all. It is who I am. I have my imperfect moments like we all do.
  • I’m thankful that I can worship God in a country that lets me have that freedom.
  • I’m thankful for the rain, snow and the bright sunny days.
  • I love to wake up to the birds chirping and singing a new song each morning.
  • I’m thankful for my dogs, bird and fishes.
  • I’m thankful that I have a freedom of speech. Even if others don’t like what I think or say.
  • I’m thankful for the friends that God has put in my life, even if some are for a short time.

2. Thanksgiving should be a time to spend with your families if you choose to do that. It is a national holiday and in my opinion businesses should be closed. But there are some stores that will be open on Thursday and Friday.

ImageIf businesses choose to be open that is because usually there is a demand from the same public that is yelling about them needing to be closed. For example, when I worked at a local grocery store, I volunteered to work on Thanksgiving. They would only be open if they had enough employees volunteered to cover shifts. I usually had no problem.

But there would be no need to be open if the very same customers that were grumbling about us having to work would do their shopping before Thanksgiving. On the average of 1 in 3 customers would tell me each year how sorry they are that I had to work and that the store should be closed. But yet, here in front of me is the customer who decided they forgot something and needed last minute items. It goes back to supply and demand.

This goes for the restaurants that remain open and serve their customers who choose not to cook or have no other place to go. Most of the people that work have families too. Businesses such as Walmart and Kmart are open on Thanksgiving. The reason for that is because they know that customers will shop and someone has to wait on them and to be there to open the store. I know I sound cynical, but it is what it is. If someone is upset or angry that a business is open and making their employees work, then don’t shop there. If people stopped shopping on those days, there would be no need to have people work it.

I had to admire the way Lins Marketplace was with us. That’s the grocery store I worked at for a long time. Everyone has a choice to work or not work on Thanksgiving. They show how much they appreciate their employees in many ways. You will see them open part of the day because the employees are giving their time to serve their community.

Image

 3.  During the week of Thanksgiving, there is alot of focus on Black Friday. I normally don’t do Black Friday, but there are a couple items I can’t pass up on this year. My grand-kids are only getting one gift (toy) each and one outfit. I want to get them all at the same place. Since I have been very limited health wise this year, I will do it all in one day and in one swoop. But there are things that drive me crazy about this whole Black Friday and shopping on Thursday (Thanksgiving).

The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. And I understand why businesses offer good deals and it is a time to boost their sales. I dread Black Friday and I don’t look forward to it. If people are doing Black Friday all I ask is that people be considerate of others. This is suppose to be a time of thanksgiving and celebration of the birth of Christ. It’s too bad that it has turned into a commercialism extravaganza. People will gouge each others eyes out for a bargain. It’s a mad dash of craziness and you have to watch out or you will be trampled in the process.

Every year people are hurt, walk over, beaten, slammed and sometimes killed on Black Friday. I  guess I would have to ask myself if that bargain i really worth someone else’s life.?

Question: Why Is Black Friday Called Black Friday?
Answer: Black Friday is the name given to the shopping day after Thanksgiving. It was originally called Black Friday because so many people went out to shop that it caused traffic accidents and sometimes even violence. This was first recorded in 1966 by Earl Apfelbaum, a dealer in rare stamps. In his ad, he said “‘Black Friday’ is the name which the Philadelphia Police Department has given to the Friday following Thanksgiving Day. It is not a term of endearment to them. ‘Black Friday’ officially opens the Christmas shopping season in center city, and it usually brings massive traffic jams and over-crowded sidewalks as the downtown stores are mobbed from opening to closing.” The Police Department coined the phrase to describe the mayhem surrounding the congestion of pedestrian and auto traffic in the Center City downtown area. (Source: The Chicago Tribune, “Black Friday – Why and When?)You can continue reading the history of Black Friday if you follow this link… Black Friday- What Does It Mean?Stores that will be open on Thanksgiving in my area.  You may want to call the stores to verify the hours. My source is from the Huffington Post and Retail Industries website and the companies websites. Not all places may be listed. Just what I could find info on.

  • Wal-Mart: Most stores will be open 24 hours on Thanksgiving.
  • Kmart:  -6 Am-4:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day, Kmart will re-open at 8:00 PM and stay open through 3:00 AM on Black Friday (and then re-open again at 5 AM…
  • Sears: 7 a.m. until noon on Thanksgiving
  • The Gap: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
  • Old Navy: noon to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
  • McDonald’s locations across the country will also be open on Thanksgiving
  • Golden Corral® has special Thanksgiving and Christmas hours. Hours vary per location.
  • Denny’s is open on Thanksgiving and they have a Thanksgiving meal.
  • Black Bear Diner is open on Thanksgiving
  • Not sure if Chuck A Rama’s is open or not.
  • Cracker Barrel will start serving Turkey Dinners at 11 A.M. They will be open at 6 AM and close at 10 PM.
  • Harmons will be open from 6 AM – 4 PM and the pharmacy will be open from 10 AM-2 PM
  • Lin’s Marketplace will close at 1PM
  • Smith’s will be open until 6 p.m.
  • Albertsons is open from 6am to 5pm
  • Kohls is open, but check the store for the hours. They are going to vary depending on location. Most will not be open until midnight though…
  • Family Dollar is open from 8am-5pm
  • Michaels is open from 4pm-11pm
  • Walgreens Drug Store– They are open Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • Some Chinese restaurants are open on Thanksgiving as well. Call around to see which ones are open.

Places Closed… I may add to this list… 

  • Targets will be closed on Thanksgiving and will reopen on Friday morning… I don’t know the time they open. Shoot, I may have to do some of my shopping there just because…
  • Carlitos Mexican Restaurant in the Albertsons Plaza on Sunset is closed…
  • Banks and there will be no mail delivery

As I did this list, it seems to me that commercialism and making the almighty buck is more important than family. I choose not to go out on Thanksgiving. I will go to my daughters house. And people shouldn’t grumble about businesses being open if they are going to go shopping there. Someone does have to be there to wait on you.

Hateful Thoughts During This Election

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment
Image
President Obama and Mitt Romney

I know this is going to strike a nerve for many. But this is something that gets me going every-time I hear all the posts on Facebook, Yahoo and Twitter.

Each of these types of social networks have people that post the most hateful and demeaning messages about the political parties. Most of the comments coming from people who I always thought were Christian and they are calling those who didn’t vote for Romney idiots, entitled, satanists and lowlifes. And these are just a few of the lesser of the mean ones.

Today in our local newspaper there was a vent that went like this;

I would like to know when the GOP decided that Social Security was an entitlement. I have had the government taking Social Security taxes out of my pay check ever since I began working.

This quote from whoever sent it in says exactly what I think. Since when is Social Security an entitlement? What gets me even  more is that I know a WHOLE lot of people who are Republicans that get Social Security, Food Stamps, Unemployment, State Medical and so on… Does that mean that there is a difference in the assistance  they get over the ones a Democrat gets? I would think not. But I guess there must be since so many rude and hateful comments are coming from those who think it is an entitlement only if a person is a Democrat.

This is one of those other things that gets me and I think is one of the most hateful things going out there. Some people have posted in comments on social networks and yahoo comments that if a person is really a Christian, they would never vote for a Democrat. They aren’t really Christians and are working for the devil. I have seen some friends loose friends because they voted for Obama  They told a couple of my friends on my friends list that they only allow Christians as their friends and since they voted for Obama, they are fake Christians. REALLY!!!

There is For those who need direct links on Snopes to the Lies… There is alot of  the mentality of  this good -bad mentality going on from both parties. I don’t vote based on party affiliation. I vote for the person. I read and study all things, not just what is on Fox News. They are pretty one sided from everything I hear. I don’t listen to the photo-shopped pictures that is spread all over Facebook and beyond. I’m registered Democrat but I don’t always vote that way. I’m not stupid or uninformed. I never post a picture of something unless I have checked it out on Snopes and find out if it is real or not. 95 percent of the time, it is someone making it into something it isn’t. Here is a link to a news station on Fox in Phoenix. This is a good place to go to listen to all those things that people are listening to and passing to others.

  • Claim– Obama wasn’t born in the United States- Thank you Trump for this crap…  Read More
  • Claim- Obama didn’t put his hand over his heart during National Anthem… Read More
  • Claim-  Obama’s campaign was funded by Hugo Chavez… Read More..
  • Claim- Hundreds are healed by touch from Obama... Read More.. . 
  • Claim- Obama was a foreign  exchange student… Read More… 
  • Claim- Obama is Muslim.. Read More… 
  • Claim- Obama goes to Columbia… Read More... 

I don’t understand the hateful messages and uniformed messages posted by many of his supporters though. These posts were the turning point for me to not vote for him. If his followers had so much hate and was being so judgmental  I wanted no part of it. In actuality, I did a write in. I didn’t vote for either one of them. When Billy Graham put out his statement, only one name came to mind that fit that description of who our president should be. I choose Jesus Christ. He is the only one that has my best interest our all of our best interest at heart. He isn’t affiliated with any of the political parties. He is already on the winning side and I know this. I know that my vote counted with Him.

Here are some lies about Romney… Not many, but I will provide links to those pages so people can read them…

All of the links above and the comments have created alot of hate messages and behaviors from others who don’t vote the way they want someone to vote…

Crazed woman who ran over husband who forgt to vote…

Then this last week on Yahoo, there is a story about a woman who runs over her husband because he didn’t vote… He is in the hospital in critical condition and she is in jail. Read More…

My final thought and I’m pretty sure by now, you are all ready for that is, that no matter who people voted for, We are America.! We are One Nation Under God.! America Will Survive! We all should pray for our nation and our leaders!Everyone should be respected no matter what party they belong too! God will Prevail no matter who is in office!

These are the issues I find important:

  1. Healthcare
  2. Education
  3. Jobs/Econmy

Cell Phones and Outsourcing..

Published on by Sandie DLeave a comment

ImageMy day started off pretty much the same as usual. Well, I have been sick, but that is what it is. But then I had to go get my niece so she could go to work. First we had to stop off at the cell phone companies office..I bought a new droid and I was giving her my old one…

We went through the whole process. The lady reactivted the old phone for Bridgette and got her the number for it. I didn’t think I would have a problem. Should have been simple enough since I have upgraded my phone a number of times. Instead it turned into a nightmare from hell!

I dropped Bridgette off at her work and I was not in a pleasant mood at that point since my car was empty and I had no money for gas. I get home barely and I noticed something was going on with my phone. I tried to call my friend Lisa and she was gone out of my contacts. There wasn’t anyone under my L’s. I didn’t think a whole lot about it till a little later when her husband came over.

I tried to call someone and all my contacts were gone. And in thier place was my nieces contacts. Let me tell you all one thing, she has some not too good language that she stores her friends names under. I was shocked and was wondering what the heck happened to my phone. The only contacts I had was about 10 of them. All my settings and ringtone were gone too.

I called the boost store and asked him and I have to say that I was not very pleasant at all! I’m livid over this whole thing. I know it isn’t Brigettes fault, but still, I had her not so good friends in my contacts.

I tried for over an hour to get ahold of customer service. If I could have reached out and chocked someone I would have. By now, I’m not just ticked, I’m at the point of wanting to torture someone. The kind of torture where you want to pull thier toenails out. Ok,well maybe not that bad, but close enough.

ImageI finally got this woman on the phone who could barely speak english. I tried to tell her what the problem was. She told me ‘I understand you are upset, I never heard of this before”. She kept apologizing and I kept wanting to jump through my phone and touch someone. She wasn’t making it any better. Finally after about 30 minutes of explaining, she puts me on hold to talk to her supervisor. Click! This is all I heard. After 90 minutes on this stupid phone that has none of my contacts, she drops my call. Thankfully she called me back 30 minutes later. But in that time, I got to stew some more while trying to contact a person again.

She told me she had a solution. Yeah, a solution finally after 2 hours of this ordeal. She told me to get a different google account since my phone is sync’ed with my email. Now let me tell you, I wanted to choke her all over again. I was having a very anti- Christian moment with this woman from whatever country she was from. That is a whole other topic for me to go on a rant about.

The last thing she told me is that she is sorry about the inconvenience and that she understands. That is something that gets me everytime. Don’t tell me you understand or know how inconvenient this is unless you know me personally.

Bridgette is going to come over with the SD card in her phone to see if she may have something on that. I sure hope so. And this woman was NO help at all.