The Real Christmas Story
Luke 2
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.And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Handling the Stress During the Holidays
Suggestions for "Handling the Stress during the the holidays"
Plan ahead and organize.
Pace yourself.
Don't overspend.
Laugh a lot, especially at yourself.
Smile as much and as often as you can.
Hug people a lot.
Practice the "Golden Rule" (Matthew 7:12)
Remember, people are more important than things.
Remember the season is about giving out love.
Pray.
Meditate.
Study God's Word.
Enjoy Family.
Don't think about work...........
Plan ahead and organize.
Pace yourself.
Don't overspend.
Laugh a lot, especially at yourself.
Smile as much and as often as you can.
Hug people a lot.
Practice the "Golden Rule" (Matthew 7:12)
Remember, people are more important than things.
Remember the season is about giving out love.
Pray.
Meditate.
Study God's Word.
Enjoy Family.
Don't think about work...........
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Craig Arrives Friday
The big city kid heads home to Kansas on Friday. Then it will finally feel like Christmas!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Congrats Coach
I had the opportunity to play for a great college basketball coach at York Junior College from 1980-82. Dale Neal was a great coach who led us to a 19-9 season and a record 29-4 and a national ranking. He helped me become an even better player which led me to Wichita to play at Newman University my junior and senior year. He has won everywhere he has been.....................
Neal wins 400th at FHU as Lady Lions beat Lane, 76-37
MCKENZIE, Tenn. - The 400th win of Freed-Hardeman women's basketball coach Dale Neal's tenure was a bit anticlimactic.
The No. 7 Ranked Lady Lions opened the game on a 19-4 run and cruised to a 76-37 win over NCAA Division II Lane (Tenn.) College at the McDonald's Classic at Bethel University on Friday afternoon.
The win gave Neal his 400th at the helm of the Freed-Hardeman program, which he took over in 1994. In his 16 years, the Lady Lions have averaged 26 wins per season and have won over 20 games 15 times.
FHU (10-1) controlled the boards, particularly in the first half where the Lady Lions pulled down 34 rebounds as Lane shot just 18 percent from the field. Freed-Hardeman finished the game with 57 rebounds, one shy of its season high.
Freed-Hardeman, which led 46-12 at halftime, placed four players in double figures led by Meribeth Boehler's 18 points. Hannah Parsley had 15 while Jana Cross and Whitney Johnson added 14 and 10 points respectively.
Today's game marked the first meeting between the two teams since Jan. 30, 1993. Coach Neal’s record at FHU is not 430-136.
FHU heads to Honolulu, Hawaii, next week to take part in the Hoop-n-Surf Classic, where the Lady Lions will face off against NCAA Division III Pacific (Ore.) University on Sunday, Dec. 20. They follow with a game against William Carey (Miss.) College on Monday, Dec. 21.
Neal wins 400th at FHU as Lady Lions beat Lane, 76-37
MCKENZIE, Tenn. - The 400th win of Freed-Hardeman women's basketball coach Dale Neal's tenure was a bit anticlimactic.
The No. 7 Ranked Lady Lions opened the game on a 19-4 run and cruised to a 76-37 win over NCAA Division II Lane (Tenn.) College at the McDonald's Classic at Bethel University on Friday afternoon.
The win gave Neal his 400th at the helm of the Freed-Hardeman program, which he took over in 1994. In his 16 years, the Lady Lions have averaged 26 wins per season and have won over 20 games 15 times.
FHU (10-1) controlled the boards, particularly in the first half where the Lady Lions pulled down 34 rebounds as Lane shot just 18 percent from the field. Freed-Hardeman finished the game with 57 rebounds, one shy of its season high.
Freed-Hardeman, which led 46-12 at halftime, placed four players in double figures led by Meribeth Boehler's 18 points. Hannah Parsley had 15 while Jana Cross and Whitney Johnson added 14 and 10 points respectively.
Today's game marked the first meeting between the two teams since Jan. 30, 1993. Coach Neal’s record at FHU is not 430-136.
FHU heads to Honolulu, Hawaii, next week to take part in the Hoop-n-Surf Classic, where the Lady Lions will face off against NCAA Division III Pacific (Ore.) University on Sunday, Dec. 20. They follow with a game against William Carey (Miss.) College on Monday, Dec. 21.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Christmas Concert's Begin Tnight
We begin the School Christmas Concert's tonight as Highland Elementary has their program. Debbie and I always enjoy the kids and the many hours they have spent preparing to sing the holiday classics.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Weekend
I have appreciated all our friends and family praying for Debbie during her eye problems. She had a procedure on Friday afternoon that we hope improves her vision.
It was great Christmas shopping with Brian and Allison on Saturday evening in Kansas City, then worshipping together Sunday at the Overland Park Church of Christ. The lesson centered on celebrating Jesus.
It was a great surprise to hear from our Central Young Professional Group on Sunday evening. They surprised us with a call from their annual Christmas Party. It was very special!
With the busyness that takes place during this time of year we often forget the blessings we have in Christ.
It was great Christmas shopping with Brian and Allison on Saturday evening in Kansas City, then worshipping together Sunday at the Overland Park Church of Christ. The lesson centered on celebrating Jesus.
It was a great surprise to hear from our Central Young Professional Group on Sunday evening. They surprised us with a call from their annual Christmas Party. It was very special!
With the busyness that takes place during this time of year we often forget the blessings we have in Christ.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
School Finance Continued
Schools bracing for cuts
From Advocate Staff Reports
Published: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 1:06 PM CST
TOPEKA — Sweeping cuts required to balance the Kansas State budget announced by Gov. Mark Parkinson will impact Cherokee County schools in a powerful way.Baxter Springs, Columbus, Galena and Riverton school districts are all facing thousands of dollars in budget cuts — in some cases hundreds of thousands.Parkinson announced $258.9 million in budget cuts Monday, citing falling state revenues — K-12 education by $36 million and university funding by $2 million, leaving both at 2006 spending levels, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
“Unfortunately, we are now to the point of potentially making crippling cuts to state services. This latest round of budget reductions will mean that class sizes will again increase in Kansas schools. Some districts will be forced to lay off teachers and close schools. These cuts mean that our universities will have fewer professors, offer fewer classes and critical investments in our future are in jeopardy. These budget cuts will force us to reduce supervision of released prisoners, increase the number of disabled citizens waiting for services and reduce road maintenance across the state,” Parkinson said in the release.Columbus USD 493 superintendent David Carriger said that the spending cuts announced by Governor Mark Parkinson Tuesday afternoon will result in a loss of $350,000 to $375,000 to the district budget that has seen two previous cuts this year since the budget was set in February.Carriger said that the budget cuts will be a main topic at the December school board meeting and an announcement of what cuts in programs and personnel will be made in mid-December. Cariger said the budget in Feburary was set at $4,492 per pupil. It was cut to $4,218 in July and more recently to $4,068 before the announcement Monday which dropped it to $4,012.“A loss of $480 per pupil is a tremendous loss,” said Carriger.Baxter Springs was in some ways fortunate, only taking a little over $40,000 in cuts. Baxter was slated to lose over $349,000 in cuts but increased enrollment dropped that cut to the lower figure.“We were initially down $349,000,” Baxter Springs Superintendant Dennis Burke said. “But we’re going to gain a lot of that money back because of increased enrollment.”The district is up by 57 students this year and that was not figured into the projected budget published this summer.Burke said districts typically publish projected budgets during the summer and then republish after an audit is done mid-school year.According to Burke the state then sends any additional monies the district may be entitled to.“We planned on some contingencies last year,” he said. “We can handle ... (the budget cut).“Knowing last year we were going to face some budget cuts we put some money back for this.”Galena, alone of Cherokee County districts, is looking at more money than what was projected in their budget this summer, an increase of $99,000 because of an increased weighted enrollment of 80 students, but Superintendent Brian Smith stresses Galena is still down $265,000 over last year’s budget — and that the $99,000 was less than what the district would have been entitled to under the old funding scheme.Smith said Galena is still facing a tough year.“We’re part way through the budget year, and now you’re going to say ‘you don’t have this money you thought you were going to have?’” he said.Riverton is facing much worse — $223,000 in cuts.“Certainly these cuts are a little deeper than we’d hoped,” Superintendent Todd Berry said, adding the district anticipated these cuts last year and started to prepare for them.“We didn’t fill 3 1/2 positions this year,” he said. “To date we’ve been able to insulate students from the impact (of the cuts).“Inevitably it’s going to increase class size which is going to impact students. Ultimately we’ll do our best to keep it as far from the class room as we can.”Berry said the district would be initially looking at programs where the budget could be tightened and will try to avoid laying off staff, preferring to simply not fill vacant positions.Berry was particularly upset about the cuts which will impact special education.“All the districts in the area have made tremendous impact due to the increased funding over the last couple years,” he said. “The students we’ve been able to impact are the students who need the most assistance and require the most resources.”
From Advocate Staff Reports
Published: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 1:06 PM CST
TOPEKA — Sweeping cuts required to balance the Kansas State budget announced by Gov. Mark Parkinson will impact Cherokee County schools in a powerful way.Baxter Springs, Columbus, Galena and Riverton school districts are all facing thousands of dollars in budget cuts — in some cases hundreds of thousands.Parkinson announced $258.9 million in budget cuts Monday, citing falling state revenues — K-12 education by $36 million and university funding by $2 million, leaving both at 2006 spending levels, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
“Unfortunately, we are now to the point of potentially making crippling cuts to state services. This latest round of budget reductions will mean that class sizes will again increase in Kansas schools. Some districts will be forced to lay off teachers and close schools. These cuts mean that our universities will have fewer professors, offer fewer classes and critical investments in our future are in jeopardy. These budget cuts will force us to reduce supervision of released prisoners, increase the number of disabled citizens waiting for services and reduce road maintenance across the state,” Parkinson said in the release.Columbus USD 493 superintendent David Carriger said that the spending cuts announced by Governor Mark Parkinson Tuesday afternoon will result in a loss of $350,000 to $375,000 to the district budget that has seen two previous cuts this year since the budget was set in February.Carriger said that the budget cuts will be a main topic at the December school board meeting and an announcement of what cuts in programs and personnel will be made in mid-December. Cariger said the budget in Feburary was set at $4,492 per pupil. It was cut to $4,218 in July and more recently to $4,068 before the announcement Monday which dropped it to $4,012.“A loss of $480 per pupil is a tremendous loss,” said Carriger.Baxter Springs was in some ways fortunate, only taking a little over $40,000 in cuts. Baxter was slated to lose over $349,000 in cuts but increased enrollment dropped that cut to the lower figure.“We were initially down $349,000,” Baxter Springs Superintendant Dennis Burke said. “But we’re going to gain a lot of that money back because of increased enrollment.”The district is up by 57 students this year and that was not figured into the projected budget published this summer.Burke said districts typically publish projected budgets during the summer and then republish after an audit is done mid-school year.According to Burke the state then sends any additional monies the district may be entitled to.“We planned on some contingencies last year,” he said. “We can handle ... (the budget cut).“Knowing last year we were going to face some budget cuts we put some money back for this.”Galena, alone of Cherokee County districts, is looking at more money than what was projected in their budget this summer, an increase of $99,000 because of an increased weighted enrollment of 80 students, but Superintendent Brian Smith stresses Galena is still down $265,000 over last year’s budget — and that the $99,000 was less than what the district would have been entitled to under the old funding scheme.Smith said Galena is still facing a tough year.“We’re part way through the budget year, and now you’re going to say ‘you don’t have this money you thought you were going to have?’” he said.Riverton is facing much worse — $223,000 in cuts.“Certainly these cuts are a little deeper than we’d hoped,” Superintendent Todd Berry said, adding the district anticipated these cuts last year and started to prepare for them.“We didn’t fill 3 1/2 positions this year,” he said. “To date we’ve been able to insulate students from the impact (of the cuts).“Inevitably it’s going to increase class size which is going to impact students. Ultimately we’ll do our best to keep it as far from the class room as we can.”Berry said the district would be initially looking at programs where the budget could be tightened and will try to avoid laying off staff, preferring to simply not fill vacant positions.Berry was particularly upset about the cuts which will impact special education.“All the districts in the area have made tremendous impact due to the increased funding over the last couple years,” he said. “The students we’ve been able to impact are the students who need the most assistance and require the most resources.”
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
School Finance
Published November 26, 2009 09:25 pm - The latest round of Kansas budget cuts will hit hard in the school districts of Pittsburg, Columbus and Riverton. Statewide, cuts to school districts now total nearly $83 million, based on what the districts budgeted, according to figures provided by the Kansas Department of Education.Budget cuts, enrollment declines take toll at some Kansas schools.
By Roger McKinney and Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
The latest round of Kansas budget cuts will hit hard in the school districts of Pittsburg, Columbus and Riverton.
Statewide, cuts to school districts now total nearly $83 million, based on what the districts budgeted, according to figures provided by the Kansas Department of Education.
The base state aid per pupil was reduced from $4,218 to $4,012, the 2006 level. The cuts announced Monday by Gov. Mark Parkinson — a total of $259 million in statewide spending, including $36 million for public schools — follow two earlier rounds of cuts to school districts in the 2008-09 school year.
The Columbus School District will take a $351,558 hit from the budget cuts. The district’s enrollment declined this school year.
“With the reduced enrollment, it’s kind of a double whammy,” said David Carriger, Columbus superintendent, about the budget cuts. “Those kinds of cuts, it’s going to affect everyone across the district.”
Carriger declined to say what actions are being considered. He said the school board will make some of those decisions at its December meeting.
“We’ll have to make some tough, tough decisions in the next few weeks,” he said. “We’ve been discussing possible scenarios.”
In Riverton, where enrollment also declined, the cuts total $223,364.
“So far, we’ve been able to insulate students from the cuts, but I don’t know how much longer that can happen,” said Superintendent Todd Berry.
Berry said some positions have been eliminated by leaving vacancies unfilled, but continuing to do that or taking the further step of eliminating employees would affect students’ education.
“We’ll start looking at those programs we offer year to year that don’t impact the classroom a great deal, but those don’t add up to significant dollars,” he said.
Berry said the district has delayed buying needed uniforms, and a bus purchase also has been delayed, but he said those cannot be put off indefinitely.
“We either pay now or we pay later,” he said.
In Pittsburg, the school district lost money it never had, plus funds it will have to cut from its current budget.
“We were supposed to get $530,000 for increased enrollment, but we never saw a dime of that, and on top of that, they’re cutting what we already had another $273,000,” said Superintendent Destry Brown.
The district this year had an enrollment increase of the equivalent of 162 students, for which it had not budgeted.
But the enrollment increase came after the Sept. 20 counting date, so the district never received the funding, and this week’s cuts were based on the new increased count, Brown said.
The district has attempted to deal with previous rounds of cuts by eliminating the after-school enrichment program at four elementary schools — a program that was popular with students and “shouldn’t have been considered an ‘extra,’” Brown said.
In addition, he has not filled two positions in his office that opened when a staff member retired and another was married, instead dividing the work among the existing staff.
Outside of the office, eight positions that were open have not been filled, he said.
Ways to deal with the most recent round of cuts have yet to be determined.
“As for teachers … not yet,” Brown said. “We want to keep staff in place. We’ve hired for next year, and we don’t want to fire anyone in the middle of the year.”
What could help is the number of staff members, including teachers, who might retire in upcoming years. A total of 75 are eligible, Brown said. Whether the district could offer incentives to those who choose retirement is questionable.
“If a district offers $10,000 to that many teachers, then I have to ask myself, ‘What if they all took it?’” he said. “That’s $750,000.”
Teachers currently are eligible for 15 percent of their salary for five years, something Brown said is a “pretty good incentive.”
“Everything will be on the table right now,” he said. “We’ll be working pretty hard putting together ideas on what are things we can live without. We’ll be putting a price tag on everything, asking, ‘Is that worth that buck?’”
Enrollment increased this year in the Baxter Springs School District. Superintendent Dennis Burke said that prevented the cuts from being worse than they would have been. The cuts total $40,516 in Baxter Springs. Had the funding not changed, the district would have received an additional $268,484 in state funding instead of the $40,516 cut.
Burke said the cuts make planning difficult.
“We’ve saved for a rainy day, but our umbrellas are all out,” he said.
An enrollment increase in the Galena School District was enough to overcome the state cuts.
The district will receive an additional $99,586. Without the funding reduction, the district would have received an additional $364,647, based on its enrollment.
“We’re still well down from last year, but we were prepared for that,” said Superintendent Brian Smith. He said he is worried that more cuts could come.
“The unknown is very difficult,” he said.
Smith and other superintendents said they hope this will be the last cutback for schools this year.
“We just hope that the economic turnaround comes quickly and the state revenue starts to grow,” said Carriger, the Columbus superintendent.
By Roger McKinney and Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
The latest round of Kansas budget cuts will hit hard in the school districts of Pittsburg, Columbus and Riverton.
Statewide, cuts to school districts now total nearly $83 million, based on what the districts budgeted, according to figures provided by the Kansas Department of Education.
The base state aid per pupil was reduced from $4,218 to $4,012, the 2006 level. The cuts announced Monday by Gov. Mark Parkinson — a total of $259 million in statewide spending, including $36 million for public schools — follow two earlier rounds of cuts to school districts in the 2008-09 school year.
The Columbus School District will take a $351,558 hit from the budget cuts. The district’s enrollment declined this school year.
“With the reduced enrollment, it’s kind of a double whammy,” said David Carriger, Columbus superintendent, about the budget cuts. “Those kinds of cuts, it’s going to affect everyone across the district.”
Carriger declined to say what actions are being considered. He said the school board will make some of those decisions at its December meeting.
“We’ll have to make some tough, tough decisions in the next few weeks,” he said. “We’ve been discussing possible scenarios.”
In Riverton, where enrollment also declined, the cuts total $223,364.
“So far, we’ve been able to insulate students from the cuts, but I don’t know how much longer that can happen,” said Superintendent Todd Berry.
Berry said some positions have been eliminated by leaving vacancies unfilled, but continuing to do that or taking the further step of eliminating employees would affect students’ education.
“We’ll start looking at those programs we offer year to year that don’t impact the classroom a great deal, but those don’t add up to significant dollars,” he said.
Berry said the district has delayed buying needed uniforms, and a bus purchase also has been delayed, but he said those cannot be put off indefinitely.
“We either pay now or we pay later,” he said.
In Pittsburg, the school district lost money it never had, plus funds it will have to cut from its current budget.
“We were supposed to get $530,000 for increased enrollment, but we never saw a dime of that, and on top of that, they’re cutting what we already had another $273,000,” said Superintendent Destry Brown.
The district this year had an enrollment increase of the equivalent of 162 students, for which it had not budgeted.
But the enrollment increase came after the Sept. 20 counting date, so the district never received the funding, and this week’s cuts were based on the new increased count, Brown said.
The district has attempted to deal with previous rounds of cuts by eliminating the after-school enrichment program at four elementary schools — a program that was popular with students and “shouldn’t have been considered an ‘extra,’” Brown said.
In addition, he has not filled two positions in his office that opened when a staff member retired and another was married, instead dividing the work among the existing staff.
Outside of the office, eight positions that were open have not been filled, he said.
Ways to deal with the most recent round of cuts have yet to be determined.
“As for teachers … not yet,” Brown said. “We want to keep staff in place. We’ve hired for next year, and we don’t want to fire anyone in the middle of the year.”
What could help is the number of staff members, including teachers, who might retire in upcoming years. A total of 75 are eligible, Brown said. Whether the district could offer incentives to those who choose retirement is questionable.
“If a district offers $10,000 to that many teachers, then I have to ask myself, ‘What if they all took it?’” he said. “That’s $750,000.”
Teachers currently are eligible for 15 percent of their salary for five years, something Brown said is a “pretty good incentive.”
“Everything will be on the table right now,” he said. “We’ll be working pretty hard putting together ideas on what are things we can live without. We’ll be putting a price tag on everything, asking, ‘Is that worth that buck?’”
Enrollment increased this year in the Baxter Springs School District. Superintendent Dennis Burke said that prevented the cuts from being worse than they would have been. The cuts total $40,516 in Baxter Springs. Had the funding not changed, the district would have received an additional $268,484 in state funding instead of the $40,516 cut.
Burke said the cuts make planning difficult.
“We’ve saved for a rainy day, but our umbrellas are all out,” he said.
An enrollment increase in the Galena School District was enough to overcome the state cuts.
The district will receive an additional $99,586. Without the funding reduction, the district would have received an additional $364,647, based on its enrollment.
“We’re still well down from last year, but we were prepared for that,” said Superintendent Brian Smith. He said he is worried that more cuts could come.
“The unknown is very difficult,” he said.
Smith and other superintendents said they hope this will be the last cutback for schools this year.
“We just hope that the economic turnaround comes quickly and the state revenue starts to grow,” said Carriger, the Columbus superintendent.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thanksgiving Break
Debbie and I had a great Thanksgiving Break with our parents in Broken Arrow. Dad and I played golf on Wednesday at Emerald Falls a beautiful new course in East Broken Arrow. We had a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday and hit Bass Pro Shop Thursday evening. We headed back on Friday.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Education is Important
I shared this with my staff in the November Newsletter:
Mrs. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, purchased a brand new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, (from an OU football game), having driven onto the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's' seat to go into the back and make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the RV left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising her in the owner's' manual that she couldn't actually do this. The jury awarded her $1,750,000 plus a new motor home. The company actually changed their manuals on the basis of this suit (Being from Oklahoma I believe this story 100%).As we educate our students in the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic we teach other basic skills as well. We teach problem solving skills on a daily basis. It might of helped Mrs. Grazinski.
Enjoy the Thanksgiving break coming up, and please, if you do drive south into Oklahoma please watch out for recreational vehicles, you never know who might be driving.
Mrs. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, purchased a brand new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, (from an OU football game), having driven onto the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's' seat to go into the back and make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the RV left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising her in the owner's' manual that she couldn't actually do this. The jury awarded her $1,750,000 plus a new motor home. The company actually changed their manuals on the basis of this suit (Being from Oklahoma I believe this story 100%).As we educate our students in the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic we teach other basic skills as well. We teach problem solving skills on a daily basis. It might of helped Mrs. Grazinski.
Enjoy the Thanksgiving break coming up, and please, if you do drive south into Oklahoma please watch out for recreational vehicles, you never know who might be driving.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving
I still like this story.....................
I hope your Thanksgiving is better than this individuals Thanksgiving nightmare………………
My in-laws were in town 2 years ago and in addition my parents were coming over. It was the first time in our marriage that everybody came to OUR house for the holiday. That morning as my wife was making early preparation, our septic tank overflowed all over our basement. The smell was anything but festive and the mess was even worse. A $50 shop-vac and a $500 holiday septic service special helped clean up a little but nonetheless, it was not something I ever care to relive. We laugh about it now, but then…UGH!
May your blessings overflow this Thanksgiving!
P.S. I love this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYB9bC13ODw
I hope your Thanksgiving is better than this individuals Thanksgiving nightmare………………
My in-laws were in town 2 years ago and in addition my parents were coming over. It was the first time in our marriage that everybody came to OUR house for the holiday. That morning as my wife was making early preparation, our septic tank overflowed all over our basement. The smell was anything but festive and the mess was even worse. A $50 shop-vac and a $500 holiday septic service special helped clean up a little but nonetheless, it was not something I ever care to relive. We laugh about it now, but then…UGH!
May your blessings overflow this Thanksgiving!
P.S. I love this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYB9bC13ODw
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Branson
We had a great time in Branson. Silver Dollar City was beautiful. The Christmas lights were unbelievable. The coasters were great at night. The food was fantastic (of course we had to stop at Lamberts in Ozark).
Monday, November 23, 2009
Christmas in Branson
We took a quick trip to Branson on Saturday and Sunday with Brian and Allison to see the Christmas lights and visit Silver Dollar City. We had a great time. We will travel back to SDC on December 26 when Craig comes home for the holidays.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My Retreat in NE Kansas
I really enjoy living in Southeast Kansas, but I miss a special place where I could go to get away. My fishing spot at Lake Pomona. Now I'm not an expert fisherman, but I have learned alot about the sport in the past 5 years.
I needed to find a hobby other than golf so my boys decided I needed to give fishing a try. I decided on catfish because that's the only fish that I like eating and Pomona is one of the best L
lakes for catching channel and flathead. I have enjoyed it tremendously, especially our 4th of July Carriger Fish Fry's.
I need to find a new place where I can escape for a few hours...........................
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
It's In the Valleys I Grow
Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.
If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.
I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.
Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.
If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.
I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.
Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Weekend Visit
Herb and Alberta Kelly from Topeka visited us this weekend. A great surprise visit from two dear friends.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thought for the Day
I Cannot Do This Alone
O God, early in the morning
I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely,
but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart,
but with you there is help;
I am restless,
but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness,
but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.
Amen.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
O God, early in the morning
I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely,
but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart,
but with you there is help;
I am restless,
but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness,
but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.
Amen.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Thursday, November 12, 2009
New York City Trip Day 4
We ended our NYC trip saying goodbye to our new friends and a quick cab ride to LGA for our flight home.
Craig, we had a great time visiting you. You were a great host and look forward havng you home for Christmas.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Football Season Ends
The Columbus Titans ended the 2009 football season on Saturday night at Louisburg. The Titans lost 26-0 but played a great defensive game. They ended the season 8-3.
Friday, November 06, 2009
New York City Trip Day 3 Continued
A Sunday afternoon walk down Park Ave window shopping. We heard a beautiful choir sing in one of the oldest churches in NYC. We ended the day with a trip to the Empire State Building. A great way to end our last night in NYC.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Columbus Wins Bi-District Championship
The Columbus Titans won the Bi-District Football Championship last night defeating Coffeyville. The Titans (8-2) travel to Louisburg (9-1) for a Saturday night showdown.
Congratulations to the Osage City Indians as well. They host Galena on Saturday afternoon.
Monday, November 02, 2009
New York City Trip Day 3
We had a great Sunday in New York City. a beautiful sunny day. We started the day off with a subway ride to the Upper West Side for church. After church we went to the classic Shake Shack for hamburgers and fries. The shack sauce was unbelievable.
After the burger we walked down the street to visit where Craig works. Ugg Australia. we enjoyed visiting his co-workers. Deb really enjoyed Ugg. I bought her a pair of boots.
We spent the day walking around NYC and visiting the World Trade Center site. We also went to South Street Seaport where we had a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
We then headed to Greenwich Village for dessert at Magnolia Bakery. All I can say is unbelievable! I had Coconut cake.
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