~ STRESSED MOMS ~

Severe emotional stress during the first delicate month of a woman's pregnancy may permanently impair the neuro-development of her unborn child, leading to an increased risk of schizophrenia later in life, new research suggests. An article in Time magazine: Stressed Moms, Schizophrenic Kids points to factors, during the development of a child, that leads one to think back to what happened during pregnancy.

The link between maternal stress and fetal development is not new: A study in 2000 suggested, for example, that a mother's stress during pregnancy may increase the risk of congenital brain malformations in her baby. And it has been well established that severe maternal stress is associated with low birth weight and premature birth.

This is an interesting article to read, and made me think back during my pregnancy with my daughter who has Schizophrenia and the events that occurred during the first and second trimester of my pregnancy. Little did I know.......What is interesting though is, all the years my daughter went to therapy, none of the many mental health providers ever asked me for any input, and my daughter went for over 1000 documented visits. Depression often follows when a expectant mother has been abused, mentally, emotionally and physically. Being pregnant only heightens the experience, because the mother has the natural instinct to protect her unborn child as well as herself. Many times the mother feels hopeless and defenseless in her surroundings, and she will put up with just about anything and internalize the hurt, which is not the thing to do. Many years ago, the help was not available, as it is today, and mother's just suffered in silence.

A recent survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI indicates Schizophrenia is a chronic, but manageable disease of the brain. More than two (2) millions Americans and their families face the condition every day. Imagine fighting a health care system that is so fragmented that you can't get what you need to recover from a serious mental illness. Treatment does work, if you can get it. The survey results reveal major gaps between what the public believes to be true about Schizophrenia, what science tells us, and the real experiences and realities of individuals affected by the illness.

~ HAPPY FRIENDS DAY ~

Today is friends day. The definition of friend by Webster is: a person whom one knows, loves and trusts. One who is sympathetic, understands us, supports us (even when we are being jerks !!), accepts us for who we are, and doesn't judge, a favored companion. A friend is one with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause. A true friend to me is one who knows our faults, but loves us anyway. A true friend is someone who will let you know you are alright.

Among my very best friends are my husband, and five (5) daughters. They are the ones that know me best, and know what makes me tick. I feel very fortunate to have my family that I can call 'friends'.

My other friends are my cyber-buddies and my e-mail buddies. They are the ones that visit me routinely and leave comments that boost my spirits. But.....

"WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS"

DIFFERENT DRUG PROBLEM

The following letter has appeared on the Internet, and was viewed by many readers. Think it very appropriate to share.

The other day, someone at the store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of a teacher, or the preacher, or anyone else, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's and grandma's garden and flower beds and cockle burs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the cotton fields in Texas to pick cotton, so I could earn a little spending money. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help some poor soul who had no one else to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had ever known I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us !!!

P.S. This is what I was taught as a child, and I really thought I had it rough. Every day I thank my parents for the lessons they taught me. Their love and encouragement is what has gotten me some very tough times. I find the older I get, just how smart my parents were. Love you Dad and Mom, and Thank You for drugging me.

ONE FLAW IN WOMEN

Women have strengths that amaze men, they bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream, they sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up for injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have. The go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. The give moral support to their family and friends.

They bring hope, joy and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

MISERY

A small child outside a tent city during the Great Depression !!

• Use "I" as often as possible.
• Always be sensitive to slight.
• Be jealous and envious.
• Think only about yourself.
• Talk only about yourself.
• Trust no one.
• Never forget criticism.
• Always expect to be appreciated.
• Be suspicious.
• Listen greedily to what others say about you.
• Always look for the faults in others.
• Shrink your duties whenever you can.
• Do as little as possible for others.
• Never forget a service you man have rendered.
• Sulk if people are not grateful for your favors.
• Insist on consideration and respect.
• Demand agreement with your own views on everything.
• Always look for a good time.
• Love yourself first.
• Be selfish at all times.
  

IF GOD SHOULD GO ON STRIKE

How good it is that God above has never gone on strike, because He was not treated fair in things he didn't like.

If only once He's given up and said, "That's it, I'm through! "I've had enough of those on earth, so this is what I'll do.

"I'll give my orders to the sun~cut off the heat supply! "And to the moon~give no more light and run the oceans dry.

"Then just to make things really tough and put the pressure on, "Turn off the vital oxygen till every breath is gone!" You know he would be justified.

If fairness was the game, for no one has been more abused or met with more disdain than God, and yet he carries on, supplying you and me,

With all the favors of his grace, and everything for free. Men say they want a better deal, and so on strike they go, but what a deal we've given God to whom all things we owe.

We don't care whom we hurt to gain the things we like; but what a mess we'd all be in, if God should go on strike.

THINGS YOU CANNOT RECOVER

Be thankful and look to every new day with a positive hope.
Take time to pull yourself away from all the noise and just look around you.
Take inventory. Appreciate those who have enhanced the quality of your life,
and remember that they have been a gift to you.
And remember that you're an gift to them too.

Be grateful for the choices you've made, both good and bad.
Accept your mistakes; you can't change them anyway.
Apply what you've learned and go on.
Use these lessons to help you with your other decisions in life.
Appreciate yourself and your own uniqueness.

Go outside and look at the sky. Soak in the atmosphere.
Enjoy the colors of the landscapes.
Feel the textures of every place you are that you are thankful for.
Smile at the world.
Don't allow any negative feelings to creep into your consciousness.
Feel the power of your own acceptance.
Put a positive spin on every thought you have.

Make every day special. Own it. Enjoy it. Bask in the glory of life.
Appreciate the gift of your own life

~Doris Fargo~


So many times in my life, I have met people that have tried to make me feel less than I am. Now I try very hard to understand them, and I realize they may be the one with the problem. Many, many times, these are the people that judge when they shouldn't be judging. Criticize when they shouldn't be criticizing, and not tell the truth. These are the things I have now found out, that bug me. Insecure people are simply insecure people. My Mom used to tell me I wore my heart on my sleeve. Now I know what she meant. Thanks Mom and Dad for raising me with an open mind, and a loving and trusting heart. Our family has had some very traumatic hits, but now I am finding out, we just don't go around and dump our heartaches and troubles on others. I would guess that would be where the pride we have as a family comes in. We were always taught to take care of your own, make your own way in this life, and not take from others. It is a comforting feeling to know "I did it my way".

Seussism's !!!!

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss~

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you want. You are the guy who'll decide where to go. ~Dr. Seuss~

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple. ~Dr. Seuss~

Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way. ~Dr Seuss~

And when they played they really played. And when they worked, they really worked.

~Dr. Seuss~

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lots, nothing is going to get better. It's not, It's not. ~Dr. Seuss~

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try !! ~Dr. Seuss~

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Help us do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good;
In all we do at work or play
To grow more loving every day.

LEADERSHIP

The things that will destroy us:

politics without principle...

pleasure without conscience...

wealth without work...

knowledge without character...

business without morality...

science without humanity...and

worship without sacrifice...

by: MAHATMA GANDHI

LESSON WELL LEARNED

A young couple moved into a new apartment. The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap".

Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "look dear, she has learned how to wash correctly". I wonder who taught her this".

The husband said, "I got up this morning and cleaned OUR windows."

So as it is with life. What we see when watching others, depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

From an e-mail buddy of mine.

MEMORIES

A little house with three bedrooms and one car on the street,

a mower that you had to push to make the grass look great.

In the kitchen on the wall we only had one phone

and no need for recording things, someone was always home.

We only had a living room where we could congregate,

unless it was at meetings in the kitchen where we ate.

We had no need for family rooms or extra rooms to dine,

when meeting as a family those two rooms would work out fine.

We only had one TV set and channels maybe two,

but always there was one of them with something worth a view.

For snacks we had potato chips that tasted like a chip,

and if you wanted flavor there was Lipton's onion dip.

Store-bought snacks were rare, because my Mother loved to cook,

And nothing could compare to snacks in Betty Crocker's book.

Weekends were for family trips or staying home to play,

we all did things together-even go to church to pray.

When we did our weekend trips depending on the weather,

no one stayed at home, because we liked to be together.

Sometimes we would separate to do things on our own,

but we knew where the others were without our own cell-phone.

Then there were the movies with your favorite movie star,

and nothing can compare to watching movies in your car.

Then there were the picnics at the peak of summer season,

pack a lunch and find some trees and never need a reason.

Get a baseball game together with all the friends you know,

have real action playing ball-and no game video.

Remember when the doctor used to be the family friend,

and didn't need insurance or a lawyer to defend?

The way that he took care of you or what he had to do,

because he took an oath and strived to do the best for you.

(and sometimes that meant coming to your home)

Remember going to the store and shopping casually,

for when you went to pay for it you used your own money?

Nothing that you had to swipe or punch in some amount,

remember when the cashier person had to really count?

(why I think they even knew the name of everyone on every bill)

The milkman used to go from door to door,

and it was just a few cents more than going to the store.

There was a time when mailed letters came right to your door,

without a lot of junk ads sent out by every store.

The mailman knew each house by name and knew where it was sent;

there were not loads of mail addressed to 'present occupant.'

There was a time when just one glance was all that it would take,

and you would know the kind of car, the model and the make.

They didn't look like turtles trying to squeeze out every mile;

they were streamlined, white walls, fins, and really had some style.

One time the music that you played whenever you would jive,

was from a vinyl, big-holed record called a forty-five.

The record player had a post to keep them all in line,

then the records would drop done and play one at a time.

Oh sure, we had our problems then, just like we do today,

and always we were striving, trying for a better day.

Oh, the simple live we lived still seems like so much fun,

how can you explain a game, just kick the can and run?

And why would boys put baseball cards between bicycle spokes,

and for a nickel red machines had little bottled Cokes?

This life seemed so much easier and slower in some ways,

I love the new technology, but I sure miss those days.

So time moves on and so do we, and nothing stays the same,

But I sure do love to reminisce, and walk down memory lane.

Much credit to the person who put this together, whoever it was-you should have signed your name.

ARE YOU GOING TO FINISH STRONG !!

Are You Going To Finish Strong? Awesome video! If you watch only one video today make sure it is this one! Nick Vujicic has no limbs but he leads an incredible life!

This video is one that will really make you think about life as it really is. When I watched it, I thought to myself, " and I complain" about some things !!

DREAMING OF A GOOD 2009

Let's all dream this new year will be good to us. Let's all dream the stock market turns around, that peace will come to the Middle East. Let's all dream that President Obama will be able to settle down all the graft, greed and dishonesty that has been going on. Let's all dream we all have good health and loads of happiness. Let's all dream for peace and contentment for everyone.

THIS CHRISTMAS

Mend a quarrel, seek out a forgotten friend.

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

Write a love letter.

Share some treasure.

Give a soft answer.

Encourage youth.

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise.

Find the time.

Forego a grudge.

Forgive an enemy.

LISTEN.

Apologize if you are wrong.

Try to understand.

Flout envy.

Examine your demands on others.

Think first of someone else.

Appreciate.

Be kind - be gentle.

Laugh a little more.

Deserve confidence.

Take up arms against malice.

Decry complacency.

Express your gratitude.

Go to church.

Welcome a stranger.

Gladden the heart of a child.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Speak your love.

Speak it again.

Speak it still once more.

And last of all, remember the mentally ill need our love and support.

God bless you all and have a wonderful 'Christ'mas and the happiest of New Years.

LETS PUT CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR

Only Tammy Wynette can sing this song. And yes, let's try to put Christ back into Christmas, but have the feelings we have at Christmas spread over 365 days.....not just one day. Right now our new leader needs all the prayers we can give him. He has such a huge task ahead of him. I pray Heavenly Father is with him every day.

This is my Christmas wish for you and yours this holiday season. Let us all pray that our new President will succeed in the daunting task that lies before him and his administration. Please pray that Heavenly Father looks over him, guides his steps, and holds him in his loving arms.

A CHRISTMAS STORY

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone. In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this house did live.
I looked all about a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures of a far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary. I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping silent, alone. Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States Soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play. and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more, My life is my God, my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night, this Guardian of Honor so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure, whispered "carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Please remember our troops in far away lands this Christmas. And also, please say a prayer for the military that have come home with so many serious injuries. These are the brave ones that have given their all for this great country, and are now slowly, trying to rebuild their lives.

THANKSGIVING ALL YEAR

Oh, God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;

When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;

When I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless;

When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer;

And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion.

Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out
for what we take for granted.

Samuel F Pugh

WHEN PRETTY THINGS GET BROKEN

My life was just like china

a lovely thing to me,

Full of porcelain promises

of all that I might be.

But fragile things do slip and fall

as everybody knows.

Ane when my life came crashing down

thoses tears began to flow.

But Jesus is no porcelain Prince,

His promises won't break,

His Holy Word holds fast and sure,

His love no one can shake.

So if your life is shattered

by sorrow, pain or sin

His healing love will reach right down

and make you whole again.