Sheilajeanne

One Sunday morning, the pastor decided to shake things up a bit. With a mischievous grin, he addressed the congregation. "Today, we’re going to try something different! I’ll say a word, and you’ll sing the hymn that comes to mind." Excited murmurs rippled through the pews as the congregation prepared for the challenge. The pastor began. “CROSS.” Without hesitation, the church erupted in song: “On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross…” Nodding approvingly, he continued. “GRACE.” Immediately, voices filled the sanctuary: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…” Encouraged, the pastor called out, “POWER!” The response was just as strong: “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood…” Feeling playful, he decided to throw in a curveball. "S@X." Dead. Silence. The air grew thick with tension. Eyes widened. People shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Husbands avoided their wives’ gazes. The pianist looked like she wanted to crawl under the bench. Then, just as the pastor started to regret his little experiment, an 87-year-old grandmother in the back of the church stood up. With a shaky yet confident voice, she began to sing: "Precious memories… how they linger…"

How did you do the dye? Did you paint the background with a brush, or just put a resist coating on the knotwork to protect it when you dyed the whole belt?

A married couple was in a terrible car accident. The husband survived, but his face was severely burned. When the doctor reviewed his options, the news wasn’t good. Skin grafts were possible, but the husband was too thin—there simply wasn’t enough healthy skin on his own body to use. That’s when his wife stepped forward. Calm. Steady. Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Use mine.” The doctor examined her carefully, then cleared his throat. “There is one area where the skin would be suitable… but it’s a very delicate matter.” It was from her buttocks. The couple exchanged a look—no embarrassment, no jokes, just understanding. A quiet nod. This would be their secret. Always. The doctor agreed to the strictest confidentiality, and the surgery began. It was a complete success. More than a success—the man’s face was transformed. He looked healthier, younger, even more handsome than before. Friends and family raved: “Unbelievable!” “You look fantastic!” “Medicine sure has come a long way!” He accepted their praise with a polite smile, but inside, he carried a deep, private gratitude. Every compliment reminded him of what his wife had given—quite literally—so he could face the world again. One evening, overcome with emotion, he took her hand and said: “My darling… I’ll never be able to thank you enough. You sacrificed so much for me. Please… tell me how I can ever repay you.” She squeezed his hand, smiled warmly, and whispered: “My love… I get all the thanks I need every single time I see your mother kiss you on the cheek.”

A Florida State Trooper pulled a car over on US 19 in Clearwater, Florida. When the Trooper asked the driver why he was speeding, the driver said he was a magician and juggler, and was on his way to St. Petersburg to do a show for the Children's Hospital. He didn't want to be late. The Trooper told the driver he was fascinated by juggling and said if the driver would do a little juggling for him, then he wouldn't give him a ticket. He told the Trooper he had sent his equipment ahead and didn't have anything to juggle. The Trooper said he had some flares in the trunk and asked if he could juggle them. The juggler said he could, so the Trooper got five flares, lit them and handed them to him. While the man was juggling, a car pulled in behind the State Trooper's car. A drunken good old boy from New Port Richey, Florida, got out, watched the performance, then went over to the Trooper's car, opened the rear door and got in. The Trooper observed him and went over to his car, opened the door asking the drunk what he thought he was doing. The drunk replied, “You might as well just take me to jail, cause there ain't no way I can pass that test!"

This just about had me ROTFLOL!

My parents bought me a school bag almost identical to that one when I was in grade school. However, I think it was a combination of fabric and leather. The main part of the bag was a dark green and black plaid, and I think the flap and strap were leather. The bottom might have been leather, too.

Oh, that looks delicious! And that's great that you're going to use some of the elk leather. Will you tan it yourself, or get someone else to do it? I know the steps for brain tanning, and it's very labor intensive. Certainly not something I'd want to try!

Robert asked the televangelist to pray for his hearing. After 3 minutes of violent shaking and trying to push him over backwards, the preacher asked, "How's your hearing now?" "I don't know," Robert replied. "It doesn't take place until Thursday at the courthouse!" As someone who's seriously hearing impaired, a Christian, and has had numerous preachers pray for me, I find this seriously funny. I believe Jesus heals, but he did it without the shaking, yelling and pushing people over backwards!

LOL! Who would have thought they'd actually WANT the spuds?? Oh. Wait. You live in Ireland...

Just need to swap 'quilter' for 'leather'!!

Fred, we switch over next Sunday. I didn't realize you switched a week earlier. I sometimes suspect Halloween has something to do with the choice of date. If the switch happened before Halloween, it wouldn't be fully dark when the kids go out trick-or-treating. Although doing the rounds in daylight is safer, it destroys the ambiance of doing it in the dark!

Fredk, wow, just...wow! What an antiquated attitude! My grandmother was a ground breaker! Her father, a druggist, died of a heart attack in his 50's then his only son succumbed to the 1918 flu. That meant her mother had to take in boarders in order to survive, and my grandmother had to go out and get a job outside the home, which was not very common in those days for a woman. At first, she apprenticed to a milliner. However, she had poor eyesight, and the very fine stitches needed in hat making were too difficult for her. Then, a family friend heard there was a position open at the railway office for someone to learn telegraphy. She applied, and got the job! It was a very unusual job for a woman at that time. A station agent who worked nearby was curious about this woman telegrapher, and decided he wanted to meet her. Soon they were dating, and marriage followed! Mom says they used to send Morse code messages to each other by tapping on the table when they didn't want their children to know what they were talking about!

Missed the edit window - there are two places in my reply where I said 'full time' and meant to say 'permanent'. Probably it's obvious that's what I meant, just wanted to clarify!

For Chuck, and the other hunters on the board! The last one really made me laugh!

Tilda, your path in life so far brings back painful memories of mine at the same age. After getting a degree in environmental science, I was unable to find a job. Finally, just to bring in some money, I brushed up on my Gr. 9 typing skills, and started to get temporary clerical/secretarial work assignments at the university. Some of them were interesting enough that I wouldn't have minded doing them full time*, but every time I applied for a full time job, they'd say, "You've go a science degree. You won't stay - you'll find something in your field. And every time I applied for 'something in my field', I either didn't get an interview or was told 'you've only got your bachelor's degree. Go and get your masters, then maybe we'll talk!" Fortunately, no one told me to get married and have kids. I don't know what my response would have been, but it certainly would NOT have been polite! To make a long story short, finally I did find my passion, which was community nursing. I am happy for you that you have - hopefully - found yours! Wishing you all the best with this apprenticeship! I really hope it turns out to be everything you've dreamed about! *The most interesting, challenging job I had during this time was working at the Banting and Best Institute at the university. Yes, I actually got to meet Dr. Best, the co-founder of insulin! My work was mainly typing up scholarly papers for the professors for submission to scientific journals. Their handwriting was not the best, and they used complicated scientific terminology, which I had to spell correctly. There were also lots of scientific symbols that required a special 'ball' on my IBM typewriter. The job I was doing was open on a full time basis, and I did apply, but was not chosen. One of the professors, the one who was the most difficult to work for as he was very picky, was VERY upset when he found out I hadn't been hired. He said, "They just get someone trained to do this work, and now I'll have to start all over again!" It was the best compliment I had during the time I was doing this work. Yeah, it was not a time in my life I look back on with any fondness...