Evidently my blog needed an update, or a change over or a something.  I didn’t know it…how would I?  There is no little light that comes on that says “YOUR BLOG NEEDS ATTENTION”…..see authorized dealer.  Kind of like the light on my car that tells me to have the car serviced or to check my oil or something else that I don’t understand.

 Anyway…Ian, my computer whiz kid said I did.  And, so he did something or other…and I did not even know it!!!

This doesn’t look like him, really……he doesn’t wear glasses.  🙂

So, he changed it to something.  And, it made it faster.  And, took out the bad things.  In fact, he did a great job on everything, except one.  The post that was up when he worked his magic was gone.  “Sure”, he said, “I can find it but it will take me hours and days because it is all crushed up with all kinds of stuff on top of it now.”  Now what would you have said?  I said, “Not to worry, it’s not that important.  I’ll either rewrite it or just let it go.”  And, I tried to rewrite it, but couldn’t remember all the details.  Because, if I don’t write the details down, I totally lose them in this brain of mine.  And, all the details I had written down were now all crunched up, with stuff and stuff on top.  So, I was gonna just forget it.  I mean really, now.  In the grand scheme of things, how much is it going to matter to world peace if I lose a post?

Well, that sweet boy…whom is so very like me, may I add…sent me an e-mail yesterday with the whole original post.  I was so excited…but, I surely didn’t expect him to go looking for it.   The only thing is that while it was up some friends had commented on it, and I thought to myself…”This is going to make them wonder what happened.  They will think they dreamed that post.  Then they will be all stressed out and in a bad mood.”  And, I would never do such to you, my bloggy friends!  So for those of you who didn’t read it the first time…here it is again…your second chance.  And, if you were one of the ones in a bad mood because it was gone…I hope I have (or Ian has) set things right again.

The original DWTS post follows………

This doesn’t look exactly like me either…….I DO wear glasses.

Does this picture make your mouth water? I’m a candy corn lover. When I buy a bag, I open it and pour it into a big zip-lock. Then, I pour in a big handful or two or three of peanuts. I shake it up well, and then, dig in! Yummy!

However, there are some other ways to use this confection. From Women’s Day magazine, check out these fun crafts.

Simply find a branch from the backyard and secure it into pot. Then just hot glue candy corn in groups of two or three. Simple. Cute.

This one takes a little more time. Purchase Styrofoam balls in your desired size. Spray paint with orange spray paint. (DUH…what else would you spray paint orange with?) Then hot glue the candy tightly in rows with the largest end next to the ball. Then pop into a flower pot or urn filled with more candy.

I’m quite sure I do not need to give any instructions with this one!

Now this one is just a little more difficult. Purchase a Styrofoam wreath and cover with wide black ribbon. Then begin hot gluing the candy on in circular patterns, alternating the direction of the candy. Finish off with another strip of the black ribbon to hang.

If you wish to save these to use another year…spray them with a clear acrylic sealer.

Today I was blessed with the most handsome little visitor. Sweet John Thomas came to play. Oh, he is such a delight! Just beginning to walk, and developing a personality all his own. Such determination! We ate breakfast together, then he took a little nap. Then we went for a ride. I don’t have a stroller, but I do have a wagon. So, off we went…down the driveway, up the street to the circle and back again. Then a stop to play with the pumpkins in the wheelbarrow, and finally a few minutes to rest in the swing. He had a little something to drink, and then we were able to go out and play with Finn and Alex a while. Such fun! His parents, Tara and Will are doing a wonderful job with him! Such blessings…God is good to us!

The next day, my friend, Lucy Jane, came to play. She was all dressed in fall colors, and was ready to have some fun. It has been a while since she had visited, so she had to get reacquainted with Finn. Oh! But Finn was happy to see her! We decided we would build a turkey…..out of a pumpkin and some wood cutouts. It was so beautiful outside, that Finn and Alex came out to help. Good thing they did. Cause Lucy Jane could not get the feathers in…and I could not get the feathers in, and it was hard for Alex to get the feathers in…but he did! And, soon…we had ourselves a very cute Tom Turkey!

Then later on that afternoon, Sweet John Thomas came back to stay for a while. He was rested and ready to play. So play, we did!

Always, ALWAYS, take time to play!

I’m not much of a Halloween person, but I couldn’t resist sharing these dog costumes! What about you? Is your pup gonna dress up to go Trick-or-Treating? Finn will have to be content to stay home and pass out candy. But, if this does happen to be your cup of tea…..

They could go as other animals……

Or, perhaps, they could go as food…….

Better still…how about as their favorite human……..

Maybe they they’d prefer to be their favorite fictional character……..

Whatever they decide on, please have some dog treats treats on hand instead of candy. If they have to go through this humiliation….they should be well rewarded!

Make sure you watch your dog so they don’t ingest any dropped candy or that other people don’t feed your dog candy. Aside from the fact that chocolate is toxic to dogs, the wrappers of even candy without chocolate can be harmful if ingested by your dog.

And, by the way, if this sort of things takes up a big part of your time………..

CHRISTMAS ! That’s right…..CHRISTMAS ! As of this minute, in 70 days, 10 hours,36 minutes……the big day will arrive. Wow! seems as if it just passed, doesn’t it? I was always told the years would move faster the older I got…and it’s true! They seem to fly by now.

When I retired after 20 years teaching music, I received many wonderful gifts from friends and co-workers (who are friends, as well). Some of the parents also shared wonderful kindnesses with me, too. All these ‘treasures’ are very dear to me. But, one of the most dearest was just a little card. But, inside, there was a note telling me that a lamb had been purchased, in my honor, and placed with a family in a South American country to help build their flock.

Since I was familiar with this organization…I was especially pleased. The organization is Samaritan’s Purse. It is run by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham. You my be familiar with it through one of it’s programs, Operation Christmas Child.

Have you filled a shoebox or two with supplies and toys to send to a needy child? This is the same organization. One of it’s other ministries is helping families become self sufficient. By building their flock of sheep, or goats, of even chickens…the family will have enough for food for themselves and enough to sell to buy other supplies. For just $14, the family can receive a starter brood of a dozen chicks. $70 will supply a goat or other dairy animal. For just $50, a pond can be stocked with 500 fingerling fish. Then another$50 will supply nets for fishing or a boat for $350. And $35 will supply all that is necessary for a family to get started in the beekeeping business. The bees will then help pollinate the fruit trees that can also be provided. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Before my Mom died, she encouraged us, as a family, to pool our money, and supply some of these needs. Our gift giving had gotten out of hand. We were all spending more than we needed to…on each other. We all were so blessed that we did not need a thing. And, there were so many others that did. So we followed her suggestion. And, the year after she died, we again contributed in her memory. This is becoming a tradition in our family that we plan to continue. We have just received our Christmas catalog. If you would like to have a catalog, you can see one at http://www.samaritanspurse.org. or find out anymore information you need.

This has not cut out our giving presents to each other, but what we give is just a token. The majority is now given to others through this organization. If they should receive more contributions for a project than can be used, our gift will be applied to a similar project where it is needed. They will gladly send a gift card if you would like to give a gift in honor of someone.

In our family, we made plans to take up money when we gathered for Thanksgiving dinner…..and then 1 person was in charge of selecting the areas we would support and they would bring a report to the rest of the family on Christmas Day. Our gifts were given in memory of Mom. You may choose to do your gifts individually or another way all together.

I realize this is quite different from my usual post. However, this is a program our family is fully invested in and I would encourage you to, at least, look at the information. Thank you for considering this worthwhile ministry.

“I tell you the truth,whatever you did for one of the least of these….you did for Me.” Matthew 25:40b