Saturday, February 23, 2008

A Box Full Of Love.

Post 414 ~ ~ ~ Saturday, 23rd February, 2008.

Hi Everyone. ~~ I hope you are all enjoying your weekend and that
your weather is being kinder to you. It has been much cooler here I
am happy to say. I did some washing and got it dry and put away.

Yesterday I cooked a turkey roll with roast veggies, corn cob pieces
beans and tomato, peppers and onion. I have recently discovered
how yummy sweet potatoes are, either roasted or mashed, so have
added them to the meals.

Today, I am wearing the brooch that I received from Pearl, but on
a chain around my neck. Ever since my mastectomy 29 years ago,
I like to wear a necklace and have quite a few different ones.

I took a photo of a picture I have, but it is crooked on the table and
didn't turn out very well. I do like pictures of trees, an old fence and
a house in the background. Very Australian. Sorry it's crooked.


Here is a nice story to post for you. This is called "A Box Full of Love."

Todd was a sadly quiet 11 year-old struggling to adjust to the death
of his mother. His father had left long ago, and Todd was living with
an aunt who made it known she resented the responsibility.

On several occasions, his teacher Sheryl heard his aunt tell him, "If it
weren't for my generosity, you'd be a homeless orphan."

Sheryl took extra pains to make Todd feel valued in class and she
encouraged his interest in making things. Just before Christmas
break, Todd shyly presented her with a small decorated box that he
had made.

"It's beautiful !" Sheryl gushed.

Todd replied, "There's something special inside that my Mom gave
me before she died. She said it's the one thing I can give and still
have plenty left over. It helps you feel better when you are sad and
safe when you are scared."

As Sheryl started to open the box, Todd warned her, "Oh, you
can't see it."

"Well, what is it?" Sheryl asked kindly.

"It's love. You're the first person since my Mom that I love.

Sheryl hugged Todd tightly and said, " I'll treasure this forever.
It's the best gift I ever got."

She kept it on her desk until she retired and touched it whenever
she was sad or scared. It never failed to make her heart smile.

Years later, Todd sent her the tassel he wore during his graduation
from medical school. It's been in the box ever since.

In truth, Love . . .not diamonds . . .is the gift that keeps on giving.
What's more, love generates itself. The more you give it away,
the more you have left.
<><><>

Sorry to post two similar stories about boys whose mothers died
and their teachers. But it is a nice story. Time for jokes ~ ~ ~

This was sent by my friend of long standing ~ as opposed to an
old friend, Barbara. Thank you Barbara.

Three women died together in an accident and go to Heaven.
When they get there, St Peter says, "We only have one rule
here in heaven ; don't step on the ducks!"

So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over
the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and
although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman
accidently steps on one.

Along comes St Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw.
St Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment
for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this
ugly man."

The next day, the second woman accidently steps on a duck
and along comes St Peter, who doesn't miss a thing. With
him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together
with the same admonishment as for the first woman.

The third woman has observed all this, and, not wanting to be
chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful
where she steps.

She manages to go months without stepping on a duck, but
one day St Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man
she has ever laid eyes on, very tall, long eyelashes, muscular
and thin. St Peter chains them together without saying a word.

The happy woman says, "I wonder what I did to deserve being
chained to you for all eternity ?"

The guy says, "I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck !!"
<><>

Cameron was walking home after working late at the office when
a beggar made an impassioned plea to him that he felt unable to
refuse.

"Please, sir," said the beggar. "Please help me with some money.
I have a wife and family and a pet dog to support and all I have
are these ragged old clothes -- and this loaded gun in my pocket.
<><>

A ten year old Jewish boy was failing his math exams. His
parents tried everything from tutors to hypnosis, but to no
avail. Finally at the insistence of a family friend, they decided
to enrol their son in a private Catholic school.

After the first day, the boy's parents were surprised when he
walked in from school with a stern focused and very determined
look on his face. He went straight past them, right to his room
and quietly closed the door. For nearly two hours he toiled
away in his room with maths, books strewn about his desk and
the surrounding floor.

He emerged long enough to eat, and after quickly cleaning his
plate, went straight back to his room, closed the door and
worked feverishly at his studies until bedtime.

This pattern of behavior continued until it was time for tje
first term's report card. The boy walked in with it unopened,
laid it on the dinner table and went straight to his room.
Cautiously, his mother opened it and to her amazement, she
saw a large red 'A' under the subject of Maths. Overjoyed,
she and her husband rushed into their son's room, thrilled
at his remarkable progress.

"Was it the nuns that did it ?" the father asked. The boy
shook his head and said< "No." "Was it the one-to-one tutoring?
The textbooks ? The teachers? The curriculum?" "No," said the
son. "On the first day, when I walked in the front door and saw
that guy nailed to the plus sign. I KNEW they were serious."
<><>

A man and a young very beautiful woman walk into a posh
upmarket furrier. "Show the lady your finest mink !" the
fellow exclaims. So the owner of the shop goes in back and
comes out with an absolutely gorgeous full-length coat.
As the lady tries it on, the furrier discreetly whispers to the
man. "That particular fur goes for $165,000.
"No problem ! I'll write you a cheque !"
"Very good sir," says the shop owner, "Today is Saturday.
You may come by on Monday to pick it up, after the
cheque has cleared. "

So the man and woman leave. On Monday, the fellow
teyurns. The store woner is outraged. "How dare you
show your face in here ? There wasn't a single penny in
your cheque account."

"I know, but I just had to come by," grinned the guy, "to
thank you for the most wonderful weekend of my life !!"
<><>

Who understands men ?

The nice men are ugly.
The handsome ones are not nice.
The handsome and nice men are gay.
The handsome, nice and heterosexual men are married.
The men who are not so handsome, nut are nice men, have
no money.
The men who are not so handsome, but are nice men with
money think we are only after their money.
The handsome men without money are after our money.
The handsome men,who are not so nice and somewhat
heterosexual, don't think we are beautiful enough.
The men who think we are beautiful, that are heterosexual
somewhat nice and have money, are pigs.
The men who are somewhat handsome, somewhat nice and
have some money and thank God are heterosexual, are
shy and never make the first move.
The men who never make the first move, automatically lose
interest in us if we take the initiative. Now, who in the world
understands men?
Men are like fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and
it's our job to stomp on them in the dark until they mature
into something you'd like to have dinner with.
<><>
Please note, I don't write these jokes !!!
<><>

Ten top things only women understand. ~ ~ ~

10. Cat's facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts are not weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white
and eggshell.
4. Cutting your bangs between hair-cuts.
3.
Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.
AND the Number One thing only other women understand:
1. Other WOMEN !
<><><>

The blonde reported for her university final examination
that consists of yes/no questions. She takes her seat in the
examination hall, stares at the question paper for five
minutes and then, in a fit of inspiration, takes out her purse,
removes a coin and starts tossing the coin, marking the
answer sheet : Yes for Heads, and No for Tails.

Within half an hour, she is all done whereas the rest of the
class is still sweating it out. During the last few minutes
she is seen desperately throwing the coin. muttering
and sweating.

The moderator, alarmed, approaches her and asks what is
going on. "I finished the exam in half an hour, but now
I'm rechecking the answers."
<><>

Now for a few quotes ~ ~ ~

Brevity is the soul of wit. ~ ~ William Shakespeare.

Cowards die many times before they die. ~ Shakespeare.

There is no love sincerer than love of food,
~ ~ ~ George Bernard Shaw.

Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this
sun of York. ~ ~ Shakespeare.

Some days the diamonds, some days the stones.
~ ~ ~ John Denver.

Well, folks that is it for tonight. Enjoy the rest of your
weekend and be kind to each other. Love and best
wishes to you all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 414 ~ ~ ~ Saturday, 23rd February, 2008.
<><><>




14 comments:

SMA said...

Hello Merle! I'm glad you are well and in a good mood.
:)))So cool this one: " Who understands men ?" My husband laughed a lot about that with the three women:).Thank You !!
Have a nice week end and let me hug you again :),
Love, Sma

Carole Burant said...

Hello dear Merle,

I just love that picture of you in your previous post...your perm certainly did turn out beautifully! You sure that's not your halo showing??? hehe Congratulations for winning Pearl's giveaway...she always has such gorgeous items for her giveaways.

It's -5c here at the moment so that's milder than it's been in a while...will be nice when we start going up in the double digits, though!

I so loved the story of the Box Full of Love...it certainly goes to show that it's not the material things that really count!! Omigosh, I laughed so much when I read the joke about the 3 women in heaven and not stepping on the ducks..toooo funny!! hehe As always, a pleasure to visit you:-)

Take care my friend! xoxo

Lady Di Tn said...

Merle
The box of love was so true. Thanks for sharing. Now for the jokes I would have to give the little Jewish boy the prize. Have a good visit with the sandman and a wonderful Sunday.
Peace

Bob said...

Thats a nice picture Merle, I like the old barn in it. It sort of reminded me of a Bob Ross painting. Bob.

Patty said...

Good evening Merle, well once again I found some funnies here. In fact I am using the one about the little Jewish boy for my blogspot post tomorrow and I am linking your blog to it so they know where I borrowed it from. Hope you don't mind. Today was a busy day, our non blogging daughter and I went to a Fashion Show Luncheon, put on by The Noble Circle support group, they are all cancer survivors, well I can't say all, in fact this past year 2007 they did lose six members. So I am getting around a little later then usual. And I'm also very tired, since I got up two hours earlier then I usually do so I would have things done around here and myself ready by the time she came by at 10:00am to pick me up. Sleep well, I did last night and I hope I do again today.

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Merle,

The ten things that only women understand is so true. My husband says that it's all biege to him.

The stepping on a duck caught me by surprised! Lol.

Janice~

audrey` said...

Dearest Merle

Yeah!
I love sweet potatoes too.
Usually I boil them.

"The Box Of Love" is so touching.

Love you too =)))
Take care.
(((HUGS))) Merle

Puss-in-Boots said...

Hi Merle. Who understands men indeed? I like the one where only women can understand cat's facial expressions...it's so true, but only if the woman in question likes cats.

Glad it's cooler for you...it's cooled down here somewhat too, thank heaven. Although it's very humid and rains every now and then.

Hope this finds you well, Merle. Thanks for the jokes...I needed them today, got out of the wrong side of the bed, I think.

Hugs

auntpearl said...

I am so happy you are enjoying your
brooch. I get such a kick out of wearing accesories because they always bring up conversation.

Well you made me laugh once again...Love the duck story. I can't wait to share it with the hubby.

Your picture of the trees and barn is just lovely.

Hugs,

Jim said...

The third lady had the "some things we don't really want to know" problem.
Thanks for the blonde joke. Your picture reminds me of rural America also.
Cheers,
..

Deborah Wilson said...

A box full of love - given by a child - is the best present ever. My kids use to give me little things like that. I'ts worth more than $ could ever be.

:)

Unknown said...

Sweet potatoes are wonderful, especially with turkey! Now I want some, and it’s only 4:30 a.m.!

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

Your turkey roast and veggies sounds yummy! And your photo of the photo is lovely. A Box Full of Love is a sweet story. Gifts of love are always the best, aren't they?

The duck story was funny! Well, they were all funny. And it's true about only other women understanding women!

A good way to start the week for me, is with a chuckle or two. My weekend was a bit on the cool side, but at least precipitation free, for a change. Spring will be here soon, I hope. I'm glad it is cooler in your area. Since your area of the planet is heading
towards fall, the temperatures will get more and more pleasant.

Always a pleasure to visit with you, dear Merle. Have a lovely Monday!

Love and Hugs,

Renie

PS. Blogger has really given me a lot of trouble, this morning with error messages, before it would post this comment!

Jeanette said...

Hi Dear Merle, Love the story Box of love, A gift of love given by a child is the best present.
OOOhhh Your turkey dinner sounds so yummy especially with the sweet potatoe, I sometime Slice and cook sweet potato in the pan with Chops or chicken any meat its so yummy.Great jokes Hahaha she stepped on the Duck.Take care dear Merle .. Love Jan