Just stopping by for a visit, Mamacita, and I'm bringing some to make your day that much brighter. Hoping you are blessed with laughter and the joy of loved ones around you.

Ah gee, Mamaccita, I'm blushing! Shosho

I received this the other day - thought you may appreciate it.


WHAT'S WITH THE FORK?


There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.

"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. something wonderful, and with substance!

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" Over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you,

Continued: THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

What a lovely gift to give a cousin, the gift of life. My niece rose is doing so well, she attends preschool. She has more personelity(sp) than any of her cousins or siblings. I think she is going to be in show business. Thanks for dropping by.

Hello Mamacita - I am stopping by to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. I have left some "Fall" flowers on your table for you.

Mama! your page looks GREAT!

Thank you for the visit and beautiful flowers, Mamacita, and I leave you with some flaky crust apple strudel! Holiday blessings to you and your family!

Hi Mamacita! Best wishes to you and your family for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Mamacita, stopping by to thank you for the visit and to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving. Wish I had a turkey smilie, but I guess this will have to do.

Mama - Last month my cousin that lives about 125 miles from me passed away, I spent 4 days with his wife. About 3 weeks ago I asked her if she wanted to cook or drive (the clarified - if the pass is not snowing or icy). So, she and her son (42 - w/brain damage and mentally about 14) are coming down - then driving down toward San Diego.

A friend of theirs has already taken their 5th wheel down there. He mom is in the hospital down there & she had been planning to winter (snow-bird) down in the sun.

She and her son are both on very strict diets - no carbs, no sugars, no seeds etc. (Not that I shouldn't be on one too.) Thus rather than the traditional Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings and deserts. I'm making a Prime Rib with lots of vegetables. Starting off with shrimp appetizers, salad then topping it off with apples and a cheese tort for dessert.

For breakfast before they leave- a fluffy Spanish/Mexican omlet - eggs, cheese, chorizo & salsa optional. (Even this requires an oven.) Should fill their tummies for a long, long drive (hope they stop for the night) and get in on Saturday afternoon. They can get heavy fog on the way south, but the weather looks pretty good.

Glad to have a working oven. Just got back from picking up the stuff for the meals. Now to finish straightening up.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving - my prayers are still with you and Sully.

Mamacita - Thank you for being such an inspiration to all of us. Your warm wit and wisdom has gotten many of us through some pretty rough paand willing for Sully's complete recovery. I know the operation isn't until next month, but we're getting the good vibrations going now to carry him through. Bless you for being an integral part of Sudokuland! Oh, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Something weird happened to my message. The second sentence was supposed to read: "Your warm wit and wisdom have gotten many of us through some pretty rough patches, and now we're praying for Sully's complete recovery."

Mama
wishing you and yours a wonderful day!

Mamacita - I hope you and Sully have a blessed Thanksgiving. I will continue to keep both of you in my prayers - both that the surgery goes well and that you are able to travel to California for the new baby.

Wishing you and your family a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving! Hope your day reminds you of all of the wonderful things we have for which to be thankful! Thanks for always being there! Peace!

and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Enjoy your day - Mary

Mamacita, wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving. Sully is in my prayers for a successful surgery.

Gday Mama, just passing, thought I'd drop in! All is well in my corner of the globe (touch wood). I hope this note finds you and yours well too. I believe you had a wongerful Thanksgiving, I am very pleased.
Cyber hugs to you and Sully, take care,
Gail

Mamacita what beautiful decorations.

Thank you for visiting. There are times I have to wonder if we like the girl, she has been a great joy to both of us since her surprise announcement.

About the post, I cannot keep up with myself and I hate not responding to my visitors so keeping my room clean helps me keep track. I leave the posts up for a while then one day I get a wild hair and clean my room. That way also I can say I did some cleaning when hubby asked what I have done all day.

Hello Mama thanks a lot for your b'day greetings in my page.
cheers

Ethan
Glad to have you with us on this earth.

Great decorations!!! I noticed you were now able to do lots of little doovies like musical notes and hearts - can you please teach me how?

I've only just caught up with the latest news, congratulations on the birth of your great grand nephew, Ethan.

Thank you for the birthday wishes for Amber.
Congratulations on the birth of your great grand nephew.

for dropping by. The concert was a hit all went well, and I'm relieved its over for another year. Sewing Machine has been packed away till Feb. I have put up some photo's of the costumes and a few props that we made, in my Photo gallery. These I took inbetween the offical photo shoot. As soon as I get the offical photo's then I'll put those up and let you know.
I really cant believe that this year is nearly over, where oh where has this year gone. My girls are now being pushed to help me tidy up so we can get our Chrissy decorations up and I havn't even started on my Christmas shopping. How are all your preperations going, and what will you be doing for Christmas?
Chat again soon.

See you are decked out for Christmas. Is Sully going in for surgery tomorrow? I thought it was the 6th he was slated for. My prayers are with the both of you.

Just visited your page, though I thought I had been here before.

You have a beautiful family, and Ethan is adorable. I a way I would love to have another little one, but then my darling wakes up and running all the way to nap time-either she crashes or I crash. Little ones are such a joy and you photos show that your family cherishes each other.
Have a great day

No problem with the prayers. My thoughts are with you. I want to hear of a quick recovery and your being in SF for the birth of your great grand child - pictures and all next year.

Hello Mamacita - congratulations on the new family member.
Sorry I didn't send the calendar e'mail to you. I only sent it to Mo and one or two here because I think people may get annoyed with the jokes I send them. I'm glad she forwarded it on to you and hope you enjoyed it.
Cheers
Anne

Hi Mamacita, I have been watching the date and I was wondering if Sully is still going in for the second operation on 10 December.(I have not kept up with all the comments lately). I have been thinking of you and if Sully is having that second op my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Also congratulations of the addition of Elthan to your extended family. Love his photo.
I also love the Christmas welcome to your page.

Oh, Mamacita! The fun never ends, does it? Two incapacitated beings for you to look after! Not fair! Here's hoping your fuzzy little sock eater has a successful surgery and a speedy recovery!
Sending a cyber hug to you! Have another rum and coke

Mamacita, I want to thank-you for your constant encouragement with my poems. It would be much more of an uphill struggle without such expressed approval.
As an early Christmamacita present I am having yet another very large Christmas tree delivered to you, as the ones you have are already 'full' of bright, twinkling, attractive ornaments.

I hope Jazz is feeling better now and doesn't snack on any more socks. Good luck to Sully, I hope his next operation goes smoothly.

Dear Mamacita,

I was so sorry to hear about Jazz. I've been so busy that I've only been flitting in and out the past couple of days, so I missed your post about the sock-eating episode. I'm glad Jazz is doing ok but worry about the toll on you. I know this has been a super stressful time. Please know that we are all thinking of you and hope things will be more or less back to normal soon. We'll all be praying for Sully's quick recovery from his next surgery. Keep your chin up, girl friend!!!

Mama - glad to hear that Jazz is home and healing. When he can have a treat, give him one from me & Tipper. I'm sure Sully wants to get this all over with and be back to normal again. Tell him when gets home, he has to follow the doctors instructions to the hilt - no cheating or figuring he knows better. Remember if your place isn't perfect - you have a darn good excuse. Just remember where you left whatever you put down - or take care to put it back after using it. What ever it may be. Otherwise, you will be taking time away from yourself - time you need. I know it is hard: the older we get, the harder it is to remember where we put something or if we haven't put it away, where we temporarily left it.

Keeping you in my thoughts & prayers.

Dear Mamacita - I haven't had much time on-line lately and wasn't sure why you were so down! I am sorry to hear that. My thoughts go to Scully, I hope he is doing okay by now. You have had your share of worry this year. I certainly hope next year brings brighter days for you! I will say a prayer for all of your family.

Oh! It looks like Christmas here! I love your cozy fireplace. I have left a plate of Christmas cookies on the hearth.

I wanted you to know that I was thinking of you, and praying for Sully. (I think I remember his second op was today.) I do hope all went well. Wonderful news about Ethan! Congratulations! Glad Jazz is on the mend, too. Just LOVE your page decoration. I tried to send you a private message, but it froze up on me twice. God bless.

Mamacita I hope the operation is successful, may God bless you both.