---- Original Message ----- From: "Spring" The Top 10 Things to Do When You are Feeling Overwhelmed 1. Make a list of all the things you have to do. Just writing them down helps. 2. Prioritize the list. Have a must do list followed by an important to do list. 3. Delegate! Eliminate any job that someone else can do. 4. Say no! Eliminate jobs that are not going to move you to your goals quickly. 5. Look at your list and select the jobs that you are best at. Do these first. Success is energizing. Find someone else to do the jobs you dislike or are not very good at. 6. Schedule your tasks in your day planner so that you stay focused. Leave plenty of time so you do not feel rushed. Make sure you can finish the job in the time you allot. 7. Take some deep breaths between tasks. 8. Schedule some free time to just relax and/or be creative. 9. Work out regularly to clear your mind and stay fresh. 10. Stay in the moment. Sometimes you get so overwhelmed by work that you think about what you are not doing while you are doing a necessary task. This can be paralyzing.

A monastery had fallen upon hard times. Once a great order, cultural changes over the past few hundred years had sapped its strength. All of its branch houses were closed and there were only five monks left in the decaying mother house: the abbot and four others, all over 70 years of age. Clearly it was a dying order. In the deep woods surrounding the monastery there was a little hut that a rabbi from a nearby town occasionally used for a hermitage. The monks could always sense when the rabbi was in the woods, and during one such visit it occurred to the abbot to pay the rabbi a visit and to ask if he might have some advice that could save the monastery. The rabbi welcomed the abbot at his hut. But when the abbot explained the purpose of his visit, the rabbi could only commiserate with him. "I know how it is," he said. "The spirit has gone out of the people. It is the same in my town. Almost no one comes to the synagogue anymore." So the old men wept together. They read parts of sacred scriptures and spoke quietly of deep things. When the abbot finally rose to leave, they embraced, and he asked again: "Is there nothing you can tell me to help me save my dying order?" "No, I am sorry," the rabbi responded. "I have no advice to give. The only thing I can say is that one of you is the Messiah." When the abbot returned to the monastery, his fellow monks gathered around him to ask, "Well, what did the rabbi say?" "He couldn't help," the abbot answered. "We just wept and read holy scriptures together. Although, just as I was leaving, he did say something rather strange. He said that the Messiah is one of us. I don't know what he meant." In the days and weeks that followed, the old monks pondered this and wondered whether there was any possible significance to the rabbi's words. The Messiah is one of us? Could he possibly have meant one of us monks here at the monastery? If that's the case, which one? Do you suppose he meant the abbot? Yes, if he meant anyone, he probably meant Father Abbot. On the other hand, he might have meant Brother Thomas. Certainly Brother Thomas is a holy man. He surely could not have meant Brother Eldred! Eldred is always so crotchety. Though, come to think of it, Eldred is virtually always right. Often very right. Maybe the rabbi did mean Brother Eldred. But certainly not Brother Phillip. Phillip is so passive, a real nobody. But then, almost mysteriously, he has a gift for somehow always being there for you when you need him. Maybe Phillip is the Messiah. Of course the rabbi didn't mean me, each of them thought in turn about themselves. He couldn't possibly have meant me. I'm just an ordinary person. Yet suppose he did? Suppose I am the Messiah? O, God, not me, each thought. I couldn't be that much for the others, Could I? As they each contemplated in this manner, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that one among them might be the Messiah. And on the off, off chance that each monk himself might be the Messiah, they began to treat themselves with extraordinary respect. It so happened that people still occasionally came to visit the monastery, to picnic on its green lawn, to wander along its many paths, even to sit in the old chapel to meditate. As they did so, without even being conscious of it, they sensed this aura of extraordinary respect that now began to surround the five old monks and seemed to radiate out from them and permeate the atmosphere of the place. Hardly knowing why, they began to come back to the monastery more frequently to picnic, to play, to pray. They began to bring their friends to show them this special place. And their friends brought their friends. Then it happened that some of the younger visitors started to talk more and more with the old monks. After awhile, one asked if he could join them. Then another. And another. Within a few years, the monastery had once again become a thriving order and thanks to the rabbi's gift, a vibrant community of spirituality and light. This version of "The Rabbi's Gift" appeared in Peck MS. The Different Drum: Community Making and Peace. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster; 1987:13-15.

Oh Grannie, What a treasure chest you found. Glad to hear things are going good. Thanks for sharing with us. Mary ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ann Thompson" <[email protected]> Today among the many things I done, I helped my mother in law put up her tree. She said she hadn't put one up since going blind, and now has it put her in a good mood. What a wonderful feeling it was to me to think just a little thing like that could make one feel so good. Now to my story, like many other things we do she has to tell where she bought the things, when and how much they cost, imagine to my suprise when we opened one box it was the glass ornaments. One bought before the war, for .47 cents yeah and it was a full dozen. Little sized shaped like bells, balls, spheres. Shaped on the back and sunken in on the front and painted so they still sparkled just like new. All wrapped in tissue and in the box they came. Than there was a box of plastic ones they were bought during the war and were .99 cents. Some bought at Woolworth's, Murphy's, some from Germany which a friend brought back to her. Than there is a box I'd love to have, made in Poland, I can't remember the cost but for less than fifty cents. She has little Angels, fairies, Noah's Arch. snowmen, Santa's, and elves, I've seen them dozens of times but never paid any attention to them. Must be getting old as I really seen the beauty in them for the first time. There is a pine tree out on the side of the house that is taller than the house, it is one they bought for a tree in the house one year. The branches and pine cones I've been using for decorations in the house in baskets, and bowls with glass bulbs. So pretty and I love the smell of fresh pine. We put up our icicles today on the bushes, no way Jim or I were climbing up on those peeks in the roof. Tomorrow going to Benton Harbor to take my computer in so I can get to use it, I'm getting tired of switching back to Jim's all the time to get my mail. Haven't written much been too busy with the move and all. Still have boxes in the garage yet. Well hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season. I'm just so excited this year and more relaxed than in years. Maybe loosing some weight has given me more energy, hope I don't put it back on now, I didn't only for a couple days during Thanksgiving. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love Grannie Annie

> SANTA CLAUS - 'The Real Story' > > I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma. I was just a kid. I > remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big > sister dropped the bomb: > > "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!" > > My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day > because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told > the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier > when > swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns. Grandma was home, and > the buns were still warm. Between bites I told her everything. She was > ready > for me. > > "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor > has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad. Now, put > on > your coat, and let's go." > > "Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second cinnamon > bun. > > "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that > had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, > Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. > > "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. > I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's. > > I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but > never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and > crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For > a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, > wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of > everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, > the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I > suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker. > > He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in > Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. > > Bobbie Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for > recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the > teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn't > have a cough, and he didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill > with growing excitement. I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat. I settled on a > red > corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like > that. > > "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter > asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. > > "Yes, "I replied shyly. "It's ... for Bobbie." The nice lady smiled at me. > I > didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry > Christmas. > > That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and > ribbons, and write, "To Bobbie, From Santa Claus" on it -- Grandma said > that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobbie > Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially > one of Santa's helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie's house, > and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. > > Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus", she whispered, "get > going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present > down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the > bushes and Grandma. > > Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. > > Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie. > > Forty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, > beside my grandma, in Bobbie Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that > those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: > ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. > > ..Anonymous > > Hope this fills you with the Santa Spirit! Love you all very much! > > > > > > »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§« Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends. Richiele 'Marie <*}}>< MSN [email protected] »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

> Here are some excerpts of letters to Santa...hope you get a bang out of them! > > > Please help out the people that cannot have a decent Christmas. Help the > homeless find homes, help the starving find food and shelter. Christmas is > really about helping others and celebrating the birth of Jesus and being > with family and friends. Its not just about toys! > - Justin, 7, New York, New York > > Do you know JESUS is the real reason of Christmas? Not to be mean but he > is. > - Rosanne, 11, Wrens, Georgia > > Thank you for the remote control car last year even though it broke the day > after. I know you tried and that's what counts. > - Alex, 8, Richfield, Utah > > I really like the red suit, but when I saw you in the mall the other day, > it was lookin a little too small. Maybe you should ease up a little on the > milk and cookies. > - Conrad, 9, Calgary, Alberta > > Please remember the children who are not as fortunate as me. I will leave > your snack in the living room on the table by the tree. > - Hannah, 6, Georgetown, Kentucky > > What type of fuel do you use for your sleigh or are your reindeers just > hyper? Either way, I hope you won't miss our house. If you are tired of > cookies and milk we could leave you some candy and pop. > - Matt, 11, Greenfield, Ohio > > My bestest friend wants a car for Christmas. But she's not been that good! > But don't tell her that I told you. > - Nicole, 9, Topeka, Kansas > > Enjoy your milk & cookies. I helped make them! Try not to wake up my > grandma, she'll be sleeping in the living room and she can be a grumpy bear! > - Kelsey, 7, Calgary, Alberta > > I really don't believe anymore, but send the presents anyway > - Ben, 18, Werribee, Australia > > Dear Santa, I will spray down the fire plase so you do not burn your butt > and i will leav you cookes and milk. > - Nick, 5, Oskloosa, Kansas > > I am going to try to remember to wear my undies every day and not go > commando to school. > - Braedon, 8, Werribee, Australia > > Did your really run over my grandma? > - MacKenzie, 11, Plainville, Kansas > > > (not connected to the one above)P.S. if I don't get what I want I am going > to kidnap your elfs, burn down your factory, and steal all those yummies > you and your fat wife baked > »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§« Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends. Richiele 'Marie <*}}>< MSN [email protected] »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

Today among the many things I done, I helped my mother in law put up her tree. She said she hadn't put one up since going blind, and now has it put her in a good mood. What a wonderful feeling it was to me to think just a little thing like that could make one feel so good. Now to my story, like many other things we do she has to tell where she bought the things, when and how much they cost, imagine to my suprise when we opened one box it was the glass ornaments. One bought before the war, for .47 cents yeah and it was a full dozen. Little sized shaped like bells, balls, spheres. Shaped on the back and sunken in on the front and painted so they still sparkled just like new. All wrapped in tissue and in the box they came. Than there was a box of plastic ones they were bought during the war and were .99 cents. Some bought at Woolworth's, Murphy's, some from Germany which a friend brought back to her. Than there is a box I'd love to have, made in Poland, I can't remember the cost but for less than fifty cents. She has little Angels, fairies, Noah's Arch. snowmen, Santa's, and elves, I've seen them dozens of times but never paid any attention to them. Must be getting old as I really seen the beauty in them for the first time. There is a pine tree out on the side of the house that is taller than the house, it is one they bought for a tree in the house one year. The branches and pine cones I've been using for decorations in the house in baskets, and bowls with glass bulbs. So pretty and I love the smell of fresh pine. We put up our icicles today on the bushes, no way Jim or I were climbing up on those peeks in the roof. Tomorrow going to Benton Harbor to take my computer in so I can get to use it, I'm getting tired of switching back to Jim's all the time to get my mail. Haven't written much been too busy with the move and all. Still have boxes in the garage yet. Well hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season. I'm just so excited this year and more relaxed than in years. Maybe loosing some weight has given me more energy, hope I don't put it back on now, I didn't only for a couple days during Thanksgiving. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love Grannie Annie

Folks found a great utility that backs up your current dll files and will restore them if they get clobbered. The link to get the free download is below the info. Only works for Windows 98/98SE Sorry. Fred How many times have you clicked on a "shortcut" only to get an error message that says "such and such DLL is missing", and the only way you could get the program to work was uninstall and reinstall the software? That problem doesn't exist with "RZDLLBackup". Once "RZDLLBackup" is installed, run the program and "RZDLLBackup" will scan your system for all existing (latest copy) DLL's. The next time you receive an "ERROR" message saying the program won't run, open "RZDLLBackup" (leave the error message open), fill in the path name (from the error message) and the name of the missing DLL and "RZDLLBackup" will restore the missing DLL. RoamerZone "RZDLLBackup" Version 1.0 Beta is a "Self-Extracting" zip file. Simply download RZDLLBackup to the desired location on your hard drive, when the file has completed unzipping, locate the RZDLLBackup.exe and install "RZDLLBackup". This is the Windows95/98 version. http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/roamerzone/index.html

NASA Science News for December 3, 2001 This weekend a flurry of sensational fireballs startled sky watchers in western Europe and parts of the United States. Traffic stopped. Airline pilots gaped from cockpit windows. Emergency telephone lines were jammed. What was it? Read this story and find out. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast03dec_1.htm?list489379 ---

THE CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE St. Boniface Story Why do we have a decorated Christmas Tree? In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. He did many good works there, and spent much time in Thuringia, an area which was to become the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity. The first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. In the last quarter of the 16th century, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small Christmas Tree with candles, to show his children how the stars twinkled through the dark night. Christmas Markets In the mid 16th century, Christmas markets were set up in German towns, to provide everything from gifts, food and more practical things such as a knife grinder to sharpen the knife to carve the Christmas Goose! At these fairs, bakers made shaped gingerbreads and wax ornaments for people to buy as souvenirs of the fair, and take home to hang on their Christmas Trees. The best record we have is that of a visitor to Strasbourg in 1601. He records a tree decorated with "wafers and golden sugar-twists (Barleysugar) and paper flowers of all colours". The early trees were biblically symbolic of the Paradise Tree in the Garden of Eden. The many food items were symbols of Plenty, the flowers, originally only red (for Knowledge) and White (for Innocence). Tinsel Tinsel was invented in Germany around 1610. At that time real silver was used, and machines were invented which pulled the silver out into the wafer thin strips for tinsel. Silver was durable, but tarnished quickly, especially with candlelight. Attempts were made to use a mixture of lead and tin, but this was heavy and tended to break under its own weight so was not so practical. So silver was used for tinsel right up to the mid-20th century. The First English Trees The Christmas Tree first came to England with the Georgian Kings who came from Germany. At this time also, German Merchants living in England decorated their homes with a Christmas Tree. The British public were not fond of the German Monarchy, so did not copy the fashions at Court, which is why the Christmas Tree did not establish in Britain at that time. A few families did have Christmas trees however, probably more from the influence of their German neighbours than from the Royal Court. The decorations were Tinsels, silver wire ornaments, candles and small beads. All these had been manufactured in Germany and East Europe since the 17th century. The custom was to have several small trees on tables, one for each member of the family, with that persons gifts stacked on the table under the tree. The Victorian and Albert Tree In 1846, the popular Royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were illustrated in the Illustrated London News. They were standing with their children around a Christmas Tree. Unlike the previous Royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at Court immediately became fashionable - not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The English Christmas Tree had arrived! Decorations were still of a 'home-made' variety. Young Ladies spent hours at Christmas Crafts, quilling snowflakes and stars, sewing little pouches for secret gifts and paper baskets with sugared almonds in them. Small bead decorations, fine drawn out silver tinsel came from Germany together with beautiful Angels to sit at the top of the tree. Candles were often placed into wooden hoops for safety. Mid-Victorian Tree In 1850's Lauscha began to produce fancy shaped glass bead garlands for the trees, and short garlands made from necklace 'bugles' and beads. These were readily available in Germany but not produced in sufficient quantities to export to Britain. The Rauschgoldengel was a common sight. Literally, 'Tingled-angel', bought from the Thuringian Christmas markets, and dressed in pure gilded tin. The 1860's English Tree had become more innovative than the delicate trees of earlier decades. Small toys were popularly hung on the branches, but still most gifts were placed on the table under the tree. Around this time, the Christmas tree was spreading into other parts of Europe. The Mediterranean countries were not too interested in the tree, preferring to display only a Creche scene. Italy had a wooden triangle platform tree called as 'CEPPO'. This had a Creche scene as well as decorations. The German tree was beginning to suffer from mass destruction! It had become the fashion to lop off the tip off a large tree to use as a Christmas Tree, which prevented the tree from growing further. Statutes were made to prevent people having more than one tree. Just as the first trees introduced into Britain did not immediately take off, the early trees introduced into America by the Hessian soldiers were not recorded in any particular quantity. The Pennsylvanian German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. America being so large, tended to have 'pockets' of customs relating to the immigrants who had settled in a particular area, and it was not until the communications really got going in the 19th century, that such customs began to spread. Thus references to decorated trees in America before about the middle of the 19th century are very rare. By the 1870's, Glass ornaments were being imported into Britain from Lauscha, in Thuringia. It became a status symbol to have glass ornaments on the tree, the more one had, the better ones status! Still many home-made things were seen. The Empire was growing, and the popular tree topper was the Nation's Flag, sometimes there were flags of the Empire and flags of the allied countries. Trees got very patriotic. They were imported into America around 1880, where they were sold through stores such as FW Woolworth. They were quickly followed by American patents for electric lights (1882), and metal hooks for safer hanging of decorations onto the trees (1892) High Victorian Trees The 1880's saw a rise of the Aesthetic Movement. At this time Christmas Trees became a glorious hotchpotch of everything one could cram on; or by complete contrast the aesthetic trees which were delicately balanced trees, with delicate colours, shapes and style. they also grew to floor standing trees. The limited availability of decorations in earlier decades had kept trees by necessity to, usually table trees. Now with decorations as well as crafts more popular than ever, there was no excuse. Still a status symbol, the larger the tree - the more affluent the family which sported it. The High Victorian of the 1890's was a child's joy to behold! As tall as the room, and crammed with glitter and tinsel and toys galore. Even the 'middleclasses' managed to over-decorate their trees. It was a case of 'anything goes'. Everything that could possibly go on a tree went onto it. By 1900 themed trees were popular. A colour theme set in ribbons or balls, a topical idea such as an Oriental Tree, or an Egyptian Tree. They were to be the last of the great Christmas Trees for some time. With the death of Victoria in 1903, the Nation went into mourning and fine trees were not really in evidence until the nostalgia of the Dickensian fashion of the 1930's. The American Tree In America, Christmas Trees were introduced into several pockets - the German Hessian Soldiers took their tree customs in the 18th century. In Texas, Cattle Barons from Britain took their customs in the 19th century, and the East Coast Society copied the English Court tree customs. Settlers from all over Europe took their customs also in the 19th century. Decorations were not easy to find in the shanty towns of the West, and people began to make their own decorations. Tin was pierced to create lights and lanterns to hold candles which could shine through the holes. Decorations of all kinds were cutout, stitched and glued. The General Stores were hunting grounds for old magazines with pictures, rolls of Cotton Batting (Cotton Wool), and tinsel, which was occasionally sent from Germany or brought in from the Eastern States. The Paper 'Putz' or Christmas Crib was a popular feature under the tree, especially in the Moravian Dutch communities which settled in Pennsylvania. The British tree in the 20th century After Queen Victoria died, the country went into mourning, and the tree somehow died with her for a while in many homes. While some families and community groups still had large tinsel strewn trees, many opted for the more convenient table top tree. These were available in a variety of sizes, and the artificial tree, particularly the Goose Feather Tree, became popular. These were originally invented in the 1880's in Germany, to combat some of the damage being done to Fir trees in the name of Christmas. In America, the Addis Brush Company created the first brush trees, using the same machinery which made their toilet brushes! These had an advantage over the feather tree in that they would take heavier decorations. After 1918, because of licensing and export problems, Germany was not able to export its decorations easily. The market was quickly taken up by Japan and America, especially in Christmas Tree lights. Britain's Tom Smith Cracker Company which has exported Christmas goods for over three decades, began to manufacture trees themselves for a short while. In the 1930's There was a revival of Dickensian nostalgia, particularly in Britain. Christmas cards all sported Crinoline ladies with muffs and bonnets popular in the 1840's. Christmas Trees became large, and real again, and were decorated with many bells, balls and tinsels, and with a beautiful golden haired angel at the top. But wartime England put a stop to many of these trees. It was forbidden to cut trees down for decoration, and with so many raids, many people preferred to keep their most precious heirloom Christmas tree decorations carefully stored away in metal boxes, and decorated only a small tabletop tree with home-made decorations, which could be taken down into the shelters for a little Christmas cheer, when the air-raid sirens went. Large trees were erected however in public places to give moral to the people at this time. Postwar Britain saw a revival of the nostalgic again. people needed the security of Christmas, which is so unchanging in a changing world, as one of the symbols to set them back on their feet. Trees were as large as people could afford. Many poorer families still used the tabletop Goosefeather trees, Americas Addis Brush Trees were being imported into Britain, and these became immensely popular for a time. But the favourites were still real trees. The popular decorations were all produced by a British manufacturer, Swanbrand. and sold by FW Woolworth in Britain. Translucent plastic lock together shapes, Honeycomb paper Angels, 'glow-in the -dark icicles; also Polish glass balls and birds In South Wales, where real trees were often difficult to find in the rural areas, Holly Bushes were decorated. The mid-1960's saw another change. A new world was on the horizon, and modernist ideas were everywhere. Silver aluminium trees were imported from America. The 'Silver Pine' tree, patented in the 1950's, was designed to have a revolving light source under it, with coloured gelatine 'windows, which allowed the light to shine in different shades as it revolved under the tree. No decorations were needed for this tree. Decorations became sparse. Glass balls and lametta created an 'elegant' modern tree. Of course, many families ignored fashion and carried on putting their own well loved decorations on their trees! America made a return to Victorian nostalgia in the 1970's, and it was a good decade later that Britain followed the fashion. By the at first this was a refreshing look, and manufacturers realising the potential created more and more fantastic decorations. Some American companies specialised in antique replicas, actually finding the original makers in Europe to recreate wonderful glass ornaments, real silver tinsels and pressed foil 'Dresdens'. Real Christmas Trees were popular, but many housewives preferred the convenience of the authentic looking artificial trees which were being manufactured. If your room was big enough, you could have a 14 foot artificial Spruce right there in your living room, without a single dropped needle - and so good that it fooled everyone at first glance. There are even pine scented sprays to put on the tree for that 'real tree smell'! The late 1990's tree has taken the Victorian idea, but with new themes and conceptual designs. The Starry Starry Night Tree, The Twilight Tree, The Snow Queen Tree..... These trees are still with us - what will the new millennium bring? Well, I do have some inside knowledge - but its a secret! Watch for the future developments. he History of the Christmas Tree

> Today's Refdesk Link of the Day is: Send Service Members Holiday Greetings > at: http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/ > > Those interested in sending messages of support or holiday greetings to military service members will find a simple process for delivering messages at this site. Concerns about mail delivery have prompted the Department of the Navy to suspend this year's letter-writing campaign. However, LIFELines and the United States Department of the Navy have provided this private and secure online service that will allow you to send a Sailor, Marine, Soldier, Airman or Coast Guardsman a holiday greeting.

Hi Erick Thank you for the computer tips you posted to Folklore I have found them most helpful. One question though why did you not write the manual that camwith my computer! Regards Jean MerryBarnett NZ

In a message dated 11/12/01 2:11:05 PM Eastern Standard Time, BradLin000 writes: > Lyrics to Christmas carols. Both of these links take you to the same page. > If you can't get there using one link..use the other. > > Linda Bee > > > <A HREF="http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ai251/xcarol.html">Christmas Carols Page</A> > http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ai251/xcarol.html > <A HREF="http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ai251/xcarol.html">http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ai251/xcarol.html</A> > > <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/uncledozer/christmas.html">Christmas Corner</A> > http://www.geocities.com/uncledozer/christmas.html > <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/uncledozer/christmas.html">http://www.geocities.com/uncledozer/christmas.html</A>

It Has Begun... \ | / \\ \ | | / \\\ \\ // /// \\\ ######### /// \\ ### ### // -- ## ## -- -- ## squish!! ## -- -- ## ## -- // ### ### \\ /// ######## \\\ /// // \\ \\\ // / | | \ \\ / | \ You have just been hit with an e-mail snow ball! The first one of the winter. It's the start of..... Snow Ball Fight 2001-2002 !!!! One rule to this game.... You can't hit someone who has already hit you! Now... go out there and get as many people as you can, before they get you! I got you first! and you can't get me back! We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. Happy Holidays!!!!!

Sorry but I didnt write these. They came from another list I'm on. One of the members of that list has been getting all kinds of differnent kinds of tips together. Erick ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean and Stan" <[email protected] Cc: <[email protected]> > Hi Erick > > Thank you for the computer tips you posted to Folklore > > I have found them most helpful. One question though why did you not write > the manual that camwith my computer! > > Regards > > Jean MerryBarnett NZ > > >

In Germany they call Christmas Weihnachten! Germans call Santa Claus St. Nicholas. On December 6,is when St. Nicholas day begins.On December 6 children place a shoe or boot by fireplace.St. Nicholas leaves candy in their shoes if they are good. If they are bad St. Nicholas leaves twigs in their shoes. Marcia Get a real job, be a housewife Outgoing mail is Certified Virus Free. F-Secure protected McAffee protected Norton protected

The miracle and Humiliation of the Virgin Birth are etched clearly in Joseph's Letter Home A CHRISTMAS STORY by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson Dear Mom, We're still in Bethlehem--Mary and I and little Jesus. There were lots of things I couldn't talk to you about last summer. You wouldn't have believed me then, but maybe I can tell you now. I hope you can understand. You know, Mom, I've always loved Mary. You and dad used to tease me about her when she was still a girl. She and her brothers used to play on our street. Our families got together for supper. But the hardest day of my life came scarcely a year ago when I was twenty and she only fifteen. You remember that day, don't you? The trouble started after we were betrothed and signed the marriage agreement at our engagement. That same spring Mary had left abruptly to visit her old cousin Elizabeth in Judea. She was gone three whole months. After she got back, people started wondering out loud if she were pregnant. It was cloudy the day when I finally confronted her with the gossip. "Mary," I asked at last, "are you going to have a baby?" Her clear brown eyes met mine! . She nodded. I didn't know what to say. "Who?" I finally stammered. Mom, Mary and I had never acted improperly--even after we were betrothed. Mary looked down. "Joseph," she said. "There's no way I can explain. You couldn't understand. But I want you to know I've never cared for anyone but you." She got up, gently took my hands in hers, kissed each of them as if it were the last time she would ever do that again, and then turned towards home. She must have been dying inside. I know I was. The rest of the day I stumbled through my chores. It's a wonder I didn't hurt myself in the woodshop. At first I was angry and pounded out my frustrations on the doorframe I was making. My thoughts whirled so fast I could hardly keep my mind on my work. At last I decided just to end the marriage contract with a quiet divorce. I loved her too much to make a public scene. I couldn't talk to you. Or anyone, for that matter. I went to bed early and tried to sleep. Her words came to me ove! r and over. "I've never cared for anyone but you.... I've never cared her! I don't know when I finally fell asleep. Mom, I had a dream from God. An angel of the Lord came to me. His words pulsated through my mind so intensely I can remember them as if it were yesterday. Joseph, son of David," he thundered, "do not fear to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." I couldn't believe my ears, Mom. This was the answer! The angel continued, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." The angel gripped my shoulders with his huge hands. For a long moment his gaze pierced deep within me. Just as he turned to go, I think I saw a smile on his shining face. I sat bolt upright in bed. No sleep after that! I tossed about for a while, going over the words in my mind. Then I got up and dressed quietly so I wouldn't wake you. I must have walked for miles beneath the moonless sky. Stars pricked the blackness like a thousand tiny pinpoints. A warm breeze blew on my face. I sang to the Lord, Mom. Yes, me, singing, if you can imagine that. I couldn't contain my joy. I told Him that I would take Mary and care for her. I told Him I would watch over her--and the child--no matter what anyone said. I got back just as the sun kissed the hilltops. I don't know if you still ! recall that morning, Mom. I can see it in my mind's eye as if it were yesterday. You were feeding the chickens, surprised to see me out. Remember? "Sit down," I said to you. "I've got to tell you something." I took your arm and helped you find a seat on the big rock out back. "Mom," I said, "I'm going to bring Mary home as my wife. Can you help make a place for her things?" You were silent a long time. "You do know what they're saying, don't you, son?" you said at last, your eyes glistening. "Yes, Mom, I know." Your voice started to rise. "If your father were still alive, he'd have some words, I'll tell you. Going about like that before you are married. Disgracing the family and all. You... you and Mary ought to be ashamed of yourselves!" You'd never have believed me if I'd tried to explain, so I didn't. Unless the angel had spoken to you, you'd have laughed me to scorn. "Mom, this is the right thing to do," I said. And then I started talking to you as if I were the head of the house. "When she comes I don't want one word to her about it," I sputtered. "She's your daughter-in-law, you'll respect her. She'll need your help if she's to bear the neighbors' wagging tongues!"" I'm sorry, Mom. You didn't deserve that. You started to get up in a huff. "Mom," I murmured, "I need you." You took my hand and got to your feet, but the fire was gone from your eyes. "You can count on me, Joseph," you told me with a long hug. And you meant it. I never heard another word. No bride could hope for a better mother-in-law than you those next few months. Mom, after I left you I went up the road to Mary's house and knocked. Her mother glared at me as she opened the door. Loudly, harshly she called into the house, "It's Josep! h!" almost spitting out my name as she said it. My little Mary came out cringing, as if she expected me give her the back of my hand, I suppose. Her eyes were red and puffy. I can just imagine what her parents had said. We walked a few steps from the house. She looked so young and afraid. "Pack your things, Mary," I told her gently. "I'm taking you home to be my wife." "Joseph!" She hugged me as tight as she could. Mom, I didn't realize she was so strong. I told her what I'd been planning. "We'll go to Rabbi Ben- Ezer's house this week and have him perform the ceremony." I know it was awfully sudden, Mom, but I figured the sooner we got married the better it would be for her, and me, and the baby. "Mary, even if our friends don't come, at least you and I can pledge our love before God." I paused. "I think my Mom will be there. And maybe your friend Rebecca would come if her dad will let her. How about your parents?" I could feel Mary's tiny frame shuddering as she s! obbed quietly. "Mary," I said. I could feel myself speaking more boldl be my wife. I'm going to take good care of you. I've promised God that." She looked up. I lowered my voice. "I had a dream last night, Mary. I saw an angel. I know." The anguish which had gripped her face vanished. She was radiant as we turned away from the house and began to walk up the hill together. Just then her mother ran out into the yard. "Wait," she called. She must have been listening from behind the door. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. "I'll get your father," she called, almost giddy with emotion. "We," she cried as she gathered up her skirts. "We," she shouted as she began to run to find her husband. "We ... are going to have a wedding!" That's how it was, Mom. Thanks for being there for us. I'll write again soon. Love, Joseph ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

It's an old German tradition for parents to hide a pickle ornament on a Christmas tree for good luck. "The first child to find the pickle ornament gets an extra gift from St. Nicholas," Willis said. "This teaches kids not to dive right in and open their Christmas presents. They learn to appreciate the other ornaments on the tree first." A carrot ornament is a symbol of good fortune and also has a lesson for children. "In Germany, a wooden or glass one would be given to a young bride so that she and her family would never go hungry," Willis explained. "In Holland, Dutch children would leave carrots and straw by their wooden shoes at the fireplace. This provided nourishment for the horses that pulled St. Nicholas's sleigh, urging the children to remember animals at Christmas time." Breaking open a pink peppermint pig on Christmas Eve is another German tradition for good luck. "The oldest child in the family would be given a small hammer and would break the pig open into many pieces of peppermint candy," Willis said. "The child would earn a year of good luck for each piece broken. The lesson here, though, is that the child would then be told to pass around and share the peppermint pieces and the good luck with others." Marcia Get a real job, be a housewife Outgoing mail is Certified Virus Free. F-Secure protected McAffee protected Norton protected

Source: Forwarded by Carol Brooks to the Candyman List. Sunday Afternoon RockingNo Accidents (from the "Sunday Afternoon Rocking" series) Nothing could begin until they all arrived. By this time, it appeared that all were at least in the same country, but nothing could begin until they all converged upon the same place within it. In 1801, most all were in North Carolina/Virginia area, many near one another, but no marriage records indicating they yet knew one another. Some were in Pennsylvania. Some were already in Tennessee territory and some were in route from Maryland. Some would be in the right spot within a few short years, and some would not arrive for forty more years. Most would come for the same reason: to own a spot of land they could call their own, to coax a living from the soil. Some would come for other reasons, to find a "safe" place out of the impending storm of white settler and Native American clashes, or to bring their trade and talents to a rapidly expanding frontier. In 1801, there would have been more than thirty of them in various stages of their lives. All of them were my direct ancestors, but nothing could begin until they all arrived. Until these ancestors of Irish, Scotch, English, French and Native American roots could converge on a small area known as "Land Between the Rivers" there was no chance for my birth or the birth of my descendants. And obviously, they all arrived. I have often wondered on that. In that time period the chances of survival were not high anyway. The world would have been fraught with health dangers, regardless of the intensified dangers of travel through a wilderness and homesteading a frontier. If only one of those ancestors had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, met with the wrong untimely disaster, a family line would never have been, and hundreds of descendants never have drawn breath. It is a wonder to me to think of it, to even realize the miracle of being. It is a wonder to me to realize that this "happen chance" has been, not just since 1801, but since the dawn of civilization and the creation of humanity. A very long time ago, when my son was having a very hard time of things, I did a little homework and a little research, and I wrote him this little piece to remind him in yet another way how very special he was. I was astounded myself at what I learned. It became a lesson for myself, as well as a lesson for him. This is how special you are... If you had been born in this country 200 years ago, you would have had less than a 20% chance of reaching the age of ten. If you had been born in most of the world today, the same is still true. But this is not the most wondrous part of who you are. Listen... For only a few hours of one week of one month in a certain year was it even possible that your conception could even occur. There was one in 450 million chances that the sperm that created you did so. Had it not you would have been another child. When you were conceived you received 23 chromosomes from your mother and 23 from your father, but all of those were a toss up from millions. If one chromosome had been different, you would be a different child. Theoretically, any one of 64 trillion children could have been born...yet it was YOU. Add to that the fact that even after you received the chromosomes that led to your creation, they have a quirky little habit of "crossing over", changing pieces and parts of each other and this made for eight million MORE possibilities of you being someone different from who you are. If one chromosome had switched one part with another...you would not exist... And yet you do. You were born in this country in this time to this family. You were conceived within the only few hours that were possible for you to exist. You beat the odds of one in 450 million to receive a particular sperm, you beat the odds of one in 64 trillion to receive just the right mix of chromosomes, and you beat the odds of one in eight million that no switching was done afterward except that which produced YOU. Have you any doubt that you are meant to be, meant to exist? Have you any doubt that there is some very special purpose for you on this earth? Just a thought, jan Copyright ©2000janPhilpot; Copyright ©1995janPhilpot ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Note: Afternoon Rocking messages are meant to be passed on, meant to be shared...simply share though e-mail as written without alterations...and in entirety. If planned for a publication, permission must be granted by the author. Please forward sufficient information concerning the nature and intent of the publication. Thanks, jan) Sunday Afternoon Rocking columns are distributed weekly on the list Sunday Rocking. This is not a "reply to" list, and normally only one message per week will come across it, that being the column. To subscribe send email to [email protected] Comments about the content of these messages can be sent to [email protected]

Little told stories of history.<G> Linda Bee A lot of people asked me where the saying "You gotta be shittin me" came from. It so happens I know. Way back during the American Revolution, George Washington was crossing the Delaware River with his troops. They were packed into the boats. It was extremely dark and storming furiously. The water was tossing them back and forth and General Washington feared they would lose their way. Finally Washington grabbed Corporal Peters and stationed him at the bow of the boat with a lantern. He ordered him to keep swinging it so they could see where they were heading. Corporal Peters stood up, braving the wind and driving rain, swinging the lantern back and forth. A while later a big gust of wind hit and threw Corporal Peters and his lantern into the Delaware. Washington and his troops searched for hours trying to find Corporal Peters but to no avail. All of them felt terrible for the Corporal had been one their favorites. An hour later Washington and his troops landed on the other side, wet and totally exhausted. He rallied the troops and told them they must go on. Finally Washington and his men could go no further. One of his men said,"General, I see lights ahead." They trudged towards the lights and came upon a huge house there in the woods. What they didn't know was this was a house of ill repute hidden in the forest to serve all who came that way. General Washington pounded on the door, his men crowding around him. The door swung open and the madam looked out to see Washington and all his men standing there. A huge smile came across her face to see so many men standing there. Washington spoke up, "Ma'am, I'm General George Washington and these are my men. We're tired and exhausted and desperately need warmth and comfort for awhile. Again the Madam looked at all the men standing there and with a broad smile on her face said, "Well General, you have come to the right place. We can surely give you warmth and comfort. How many men do you have?" Washington said "Well ma'am, there are thirty-two of us without Peters." The madam said, "You gotta be shittin' me.

This one is for Kath.<g> It's addicting. Linda Bee <A HREF="http://www.funny-funny-pictures.com/new-game">Kill Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan</A> http://www.funny-funny-pictures.com/new-game