I don't remember where I got this story, or who sent it to me, and sadly I have no idea who wrote it; but I've kept it in my reference files for this time of year so that I may share it with others...
May you, your family and all whom you hold dear to you have a wonderful, joyous holiday -- and always remember the spirit of the season.
Sue Crutcher, CMMSC, CPC, PHWC, RRPr, CPTN-CPT
+++++
I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"
My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything.
She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" She snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."
"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.
"Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.
I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church.
I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's second grade class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all us kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat.
I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.
"Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."
The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.
That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it (a little tag fell out of the coat and Grandma tucked it in her Bible). Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's helpers.
Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."
I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.
Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well and we were on his team.
I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.
May you always have LOVE to share.
And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!
When a person contracts the HPV infection, at times it can be difficult to diagnose it as such. This is due to the fact that some people might not display the physical signs of HPV warts, or they might not display the signs in a clearly visible area.It can also happen that some signs of HPV warts are mild and not visible to the naked eye. For all of these cases there are various testing methods which can help physicians to diagnose whether or not a person has genital HPV warts. The most common method of testing for genital HPV warts is through a visual examination. The physician will be able to determine through a visual exam whether a person might have genital HPV or not. If however, the person is not displaying the physical signs in the form of HPV warts, but displays some of the other more commonly associated signs of genital HPV, the physician will proceed to the next step.Depending on a variety of factors this can be a cervical smear, or a colposcopic exam. In some cases the physician will first daub some acetic acid over the suspected area. This in turn will turn white any HPV warts which may be present in the skin but which are not readily discernible to the eye. This state of being almost invisible can arise as result of the HPV warts being small, or even flat in size and appearance. For the most part though, HPV warts will be largish in size and sometimes have a cauliflower like appearance. Some HPV warts will be flesh colored lesions, while others might take on the appearance of an angry red rash at first. HPV warts come in all shapes and sizes, just as HPV warts testing methods comes in a variety of forms. These go from scientific medical treatment methods to natural, folk or home remedies. HPV warts are highly contagious though, so if a person displays signs of warts they should have a medical examination as soon as possible. Sexual intercourse should also be avoided with a partner who has genital HPV warts, and this includes vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex. HPV warts spread through skin to skin contact and so can spread to a partner if sexual intercourse is not avoided until the infected person is cured of HPV warts. It's also a good idea not to use or share the towel or other personal items such as clothing of a person who has genital HPV warts. This state of affairs should continue until the HPV warts have been cured or removed. Any toweling, clothing and linen which came into contact with the infected areas should be laundered separately for maximum effect.
If you are displaying signs and symptoms of male genital herpes, you might want to consult with you doctor to first confirm that you do indeed have male genital herpes and not a rash. And if you do indeed have male genital herpes you will also want to abstain from having sexual relations until your infection is cleared up. Male genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease and if you indulge in sexual intercourse whether it's anal, oral or vaginal sex, there is a better than even chance that you will pass the infection on to your partner if they don't already have it. This is due to the fact that genital herpes will normally manifest itself within the first few weeks of infection. You can also contract male genital herpes if you have multiple sexual partners, or you come into contact with someone who has the Herpes Simplex Virus. Male genital herpes is also called HSV, and there are two different types of the herpes virus. These are known as type 1 HSV, and type 2 HSV. You would normally get the type 1 HSV infection in and around the mouth and nose area, and the type 2 HSV infection in and around the genital area. Due to a number of circumstances however, one of which is the fact that more and more people are indulging in oral and anal sex, the two different types of herpes can more frequently be found in either area. Male genital herpes symptoms include sores and blisters on the genital area, and pain when urinating if the urine passes over the sores. Some people also experience additional symptoms of fever or a flu-like feeling, a burning pain, muscle aches, back pain, and headaches. Some people also find that they have swollen glands as well as a pressure in the abdomen and discharge from the penis. There is no cure as such for a male genital herpes infection, although there is medication available to help with the signs and symptoms of male genital herpes. For the most part though, you will need nothing stronger than painkillers to help you deal with the symptoms. Some people will also have recurrent male genital herpes symptoms. These can sometimes recur until the immune system has had a chance to fight off the herpes virus from the body. You can also get recurrent male genital herpes if you come into contact again with an infected person. However, some lucky people won't even know that have male genital herpes. Due to the mild nature of their symptoms they will most likely mistake their symptoms for that of a rash and not male genital herpes.
Born on 9th December
Humanitarian, Philanthropic, Generous, Sensitive to Others’ Needs
Friendly, helpful, considerate, affectionate, sincere, pleasant and attractive.
Examples of famous people born on November 9th: Felicity Huffman (1962); Donny Osmand (1957)
P.S. If you want to UNLOCK the secrets behind personalities & expedite the learning curve NOW or want to know yourself or love ones better, then contact me via PureNumerologyATgmail.com
Click HERE to Read the Standard Disclaimer to avoid misunderstanding of this Birthday Numeroscope
John Ho
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope
Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
© Copyright 2009 John Ho. All Right Reserved Worldwide
Born on 8th December
Intuitive, Highly Emotional, Intense Desire to be Materially Well Off, Supportive
Keen perception, ambitious, determined, lovable and energetic.
Examples of famous people born on November 8th: Kim Basinger (1953); Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925)
P.S. If you want to UNLOCK the secrets behind personalities & expedite the learning curve NOW or want to know yourself or love ones better, then contact me via PureNumerologyATgmail.com
Click HERE to Read the Standard Disclaimer to avoid misunderstanding of this Birthday Numeroscope
John Ho
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope
Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
© Copyright 2009 John Ho. All Right Reserved Worldwide
Born on 7th December
Discreet, Fastidious Tastes, Self- Reliant, Philosophical, Vivid Dreams in Colors.
Does not confide in others much and like to work out your plans alone and in your own way.
Examples of famous people born on November 7th: Edd Hall (1958); Tino Martinez (1957)
P.S. If you want to UNLOCK the secrets behind personalities & expedite the learning curve NOW or want to know yourself or love ones better, then contact me via PureNumerologyATgmail.com
Click HERE to Read the Standard Disclaimer to avoid misunderstanding of this Birthday Numeroscope
John Ho
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope
Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
© Copyright 2009 John Ho. All Right Reserved Worldwide
Bodybuilding can be intimidating to a beginner. You don't have to look on the internet for long to realise that everyone is preaching something different. So it's common to see people umming and ahhing before actually hitting the gym. After all, no one wants to waste their time in there. While bodybuilding is a very satisfying experience, it does require hard work. And even if the newbie does decide to enter the gym, it's still pretty intimidating. The sight of massive guys strolling around can be a bit hard to deal with for many insecure, young guys. So it doesn't really surprise me when I get the question "How to start bodybuilding?". It's pretty simple really, read on to find out the exact steps you should take when wanting to start your own bodybuilding journey. The first thing you need to decide is what you want out of it. Are you a skinny guy who just wants to beef up a little? Are you already pretty solid, but you want to maybe lean up a little? This is important because it determines your diet, which is a very important part of bodybuilding. Some would say even more important than training! The second is to truthfully acknowledge your level of committment. It's ok if you are not 100% serious about it. As long as you realise this and know that you won't have a body like a pro if you don't train like one. The third step is to educate yourself a little. This can normally be a pretty tricky exercise, but since you're already at this site, you're on the right track. You can be sure that I'm telling you the truth, because I'm not affiliated with any supplement companies or bodybuilding magazines. I have nothing to gain out of telling you lies, so why would I? Once you're educated, it's time to come up with a plan. You first need to get your diet in order. You can find lots of information on how to do this in other articles here. I'm not going to go into a good diet plan in this article. Next, you need to come up with a workout plan. Once again, if you've gone to the trouble of educating yourself, this should be a piece of cake. Once you understand the actual principles behind designing a workout program, you can make them all day long. The next and final step is obviously the most crucial. If you don't actually complete this step, then you'll never reach your goals. Can you guess what it is? Actually go to the gym and workout! If you can head into the gym knowing that what you're about to do is the best thing for you, then you will never feel intimidated at all. In fact, you'll be so pumped and full of confidence, you'll be unstoppable!
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Depression is much more common in children and adolescents than once believed. For reasons that are not well understood, there has been a trend toward an earlier age at onset of depression (and manic-depression) in people born since the 1940's. Also, clinicians are doing a better job of looking for and recognizing depression in these age groups. Quite often, depression in young people consists of the same symptoms as found in adults. At times, however, the diagnoses may be more elusive. The youngsters may not recognize the discomfort that they are experiencing is an illness known as depression. Although young children may not be able to express their sad mood in words, they often show it with persistent sad expressions. Other indications of depression in young people are loss of motivation and enthusiasm, fatigue, difficulty making decisions, social withdrawal, weight change (up or down), irritability and anger, deterioration of school performance, truancy, acting out and behavioral difficulties, and physical complaints. Families or teachers may recognize behavioral changes indicative of depression even though the youngster may deny being depressed. Whenever depression is suspected, the child should be evaluated by a doctor experienced in working with this age group. Just as in adults, depression in young people can have a number of causes, and recognizing these causes can lead to very effective treatments. Recognizing and treating depression in youngsters is especially important considering the critical stages of development they are passing through. Also, there has been a disturbing increase in suicide in adolescents over the last few decades, and although suicide is quite rare in children, it does occur. Treatment for childhood and adolescent depression are the same as those used in adults and include psychotherapies, medications, and combinations of both.
I don't recall the movie, but it was scary...
I've gotten my website cleaned up and my new blog working www.SueCrutcher.com/blog if you are interested in taking a look at it. Links are listed on the previous blog. We just got back from 5 weeks in Georgia and S. Carolina on Friday, the 11th ... still cleaning up from that.
More later. WARNING: Next year I have big plans...
Sue
In this day and age that is packed with indoor activities like video games, the internet, and endless television shows, a trampoline can be a valuable asset to the family. A trampoline allows your children to have an outlet for their energy - and to get exercise. By using an outdoor trampoline, children have a place to go relax, have fun, and get in better shape. It is not only children that can benefit from a trampoline. Adults can use it too, and it is a great method for exercise and enjoyment - bouncing on an outdoor trampoline can provide many benefits to people of all ages. Trampolining is an excellent way to get fitter and healthier. You can improve your strength, flexibility, balance, co-ordination, agility and confidence. Trampolines are a source of real fun for self and family. However, it is very valuable if one knows exactly what shape, size or type of trampoline, the different safety precautions one needs to take for a safe exercise routine. On top of that, the forces going through your legs and hips help to build bone density giving you stronger bones. Trampolines are not as dangerous as you might expect providing that you use them correctly. Trying to do too much too soon isn't a good idea... your body needs time not only to learn new moves safely but also to adapt to the new stresses being put through it.