Heifer international ranch

The ranch is in Perryville, Arkansas and is a self-sustaining, non-profit ranch. It is an excellent learning experience.

Each December they have a living nativity, and this year, I think, it will be on the 7th and 8th from 6 to 8 pm. You can drive through and then they will be serving refreshments afterwards.

I have been there twice and learned something new both times. You can purchase livestock, to be sent to needy families throughout the world, and they give you a gift card, that you can then give to the person in whose name you bought the gift.

Once the family gets the animal(s) then they also get educated on how to take care of the animal, once that animal produces it's first offspring then the family gives that offspring to another needy family.

At the ranch they have several different animals, like, water buffalo, cows, sheep, camels, and more. They also have a gift shop that is stocked with products from other countries that they only get through free trade.

They have several different educational programs, you can learn more at www.heifer.org
There site is well worth a look, and check out the Global Gateway program.

Dopher.....

is what we sometimes call my big brother Chris. He hates it. Actually, it should be spelled with a t, and pronounced with a d, as in Christopher. I call it his love name, because we who love him are the only ones that can get away with calling him that. Although, Mom called him that and she didn't hear from him for 6 months. LOL

I read on my Amanda's blog, that Chris got laid off yesterday. I wish there was something that I could do, besides pray. My magic wand is broken, and has been for a very long time.

This is what I can do, Chris and Amanda, there is always room for you in my house, if it comes down to it. My neverending prayers are with you.

And Chris, you may not want to hear this, but there is always Now Foods, I'm sure that Dan and Elwood would not hesitate to give you a job.

Let me know if there is anything that we can do.

I love you,
Olga

time to fess up

My sinuses have been bothering me for about a week and a half now, and on Thursday I took 2 sinus pills before I went to bed, and slept right through the alarm clock that I had set to get up in time to attend the tops meeting. ooops.

My coworker said yesterday that her niece's boyfriend came up with the money, she is scheduled for an abortion today. Please pray for her. The coworker said that she was sorry that she mentioned it in the first place, because she didn't want to get my hopes up, only to have them dashed again. I told her that we would be ok, and that one of these days God will bless us with kids, just as he has in so many other ways. I am very sorry that her niece has choosen this path, when there are so many other options.

Joey is at deer camp today, deer season opened this morning. He is probabily now leaned up against a tree with his gun across his lap, sound asleep.

I hope all have a blessed day. Love, annabanana

today

Starts a new day in this journey to mo'bettaness. I am resolved, I will not fail. I will be a much better me.

My new goal will be in 5's. 5lb weight losses, 5 days worth of physical activity. Why 5's? Because next october I want to RUN in the race for the cure, I may finish last, but I will finish, and I will run the whole 5k.

Keep praying, and please keep encouraging me.

Jessica, anything, green or batiks, You know me.

Love you all, annabanana

Gentlemen, start you engines....

I have become inspired again. Will be attending meeting this week.

One of my co-workers told me this morning that her 19 year old niece is pregnant, she is considering abortion, co-worker told her that I would love to adopt, she is considering that as well. I'm trying to not get my hopes up.

Pray for me, please.

Love y'all, annabanana

my beloved Amanda

My sister in law Amanda has started a blog about her own weight loss struggles and triumphs, it is called amandagetsthin.blogspot.com. Amanda, you are fabulous! I love you.

So I have a few errands to run and I'll write an update later.

Much love to you all, annabanana

Still in park...more or less

So I haven't been to tops in awhile, because of timing, it is going on when I really like to sleep. I know that is a poor excuse.

Joey and I each got a bicycle last week, I haven't ridden in about 10 years, and I cannot believe how out of shape I really am. I can maybe ride a half a mile. Gone are the days when I lived in Villa Park and we were only 2.5 miles from the prairie path, where I could ride for 10 miles without getting even the slightest bit winded. We don't have anyplace like that near here, so we just ride up and down our rode, which is up and down hill. Joey can't ride any further than I can, he says he can't breathe, I tell him to quit the smoking, and soon he'll be able to breathe, and then ride further. Everyday, we go a little further. Everyday we get a little better.

Joey complains that he is fat, I disagree, I tell him that he is just a little out of shape. But, I love him. He never says anything about my weight, and so many of the people I know, their husbands and boyfriends are forever putting them down, calling them "fat slobs" and worse. I don't know how I would handle it if Joey ever did that to me? He really treats me like a queen.

As for mine and Mom's camping trip, why did I choose the hottest weekend in October? We had a good time though, and we are planning another campout for November 16-18 on Mount Nebo, in case anyone else wants to join us, we have an extra tent. Just let me know, and make your own reservation, and if you are not much of a tent camper, they do have some fairly reasonable cabins.

On a sad note, this past Saturday we buried my great-aunt Poll (pronounced like doll), Dollie Ruth Williams McDonald. She was a phenomenal woman. Robert Miller performed the service, and did a fantastic job, probabily the first Christadelphian exhortation many there had ever heard. I cannot express my gratitude enough.

So, with the bike riding, I'm trying to kick start my self once again. Please pray for me.

My love to all, annabanana