I Got Good News And Bad News...!

The good news is that my AC is fixed and running fine (for now ) and the house is starting to get back to a comfortable temp again. Jesse, the AC repairman, got here around  6:40 PM and in no time had it cooling like it is supposed to.

For those that don't know, I write my post ahead of time and set them to publish at 12:00 AM  This is where the bad news starts! I'm sitting here at my computer about 9:30PM or so Wednesday night, when I hear this loud CRASH coming from one of the spare bedrooms. Scared me enough to make me jump, 'cause it was fairly quiet at that time!

Long story short, when I went to check where the crash came from, I found a large portion of the ceiling sheetrock and insulation on the floor! I was pretty certain that wasn't where it was supposed to be, know what I mean?

Oh well...things could be worse. I'm still in much better shape than so many others here in the city and surrounding areas. I must be living right, or something. Just counting my blessings and thanking the Lord for the good stuff, ya know?

Coffee out on the patio this morning, where the temps have cooled off thanks to a cool front that came through  early Wednesday!

Some Good News About Sears...!

I will be the first to admit that I had no idea about this information.

My baby Sis sent me this and, with the approaching holidays, I thought you might like to know it as well!

Sears - Christmas shopping this year.

I know I needed this reminder, since Sears isn't always my first choice. It's amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and Sears hasn't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one thing at Sears this year?

What commitment you say?

How does Sears treat its employees who are serving in our military? By law , they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being on active duty.

Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all employees who are serving.

I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears at least once this year. Be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement & feedback it well deserves.

Pass it on.

I decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:

I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If it is, the internet may have just become one very good source of advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's cheaper at that store.

This is their answer to my e-mail:

Dear Customer:

Thank you for contacting Sears. The information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback. Sears regards service to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our men and women can make. This is the " least" we can do for them.

We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time.

Bill Thorn

Sears Customer Care

http://us.mc1810.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=webcenter@sears.com

Please pass this on . Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our Military!!!

It's verified! By: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp

It's always nice to find out that some of the larger retailers are not all about the money from time to time, don't you think?

Coffee on the patio this morning. I'll set out some brownies to share!

A Cause For Celebration...!

This following story from the Houston Chronicle is one that can't help but make me grin!

When we think we have seen a lot of trials and hard times in our lives, it would behoove us to visit with and talk to some of these folks. I can only imagine what a wealth of stories they could pass down to us...if we would only take the time to listen!

Gathering of Houston's 100-year-olds could set world record

There were more than 104,754 centenarians in the United States on Nov. 1, 2009, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

Results of the 2010 Census should reveal the number of 100-year-olds in Texas down to the city level, according to the Texas State Data Center.

In the meantime, Clarewood House is hosting a celebration of centenarians from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on June 17. The Houston facility at 7400 Clarewood Drive has its own incredible number of residents who have to use all 10 fingers to count the decades of their lives.

"Celebrating a Century of Sunrises" will honor folks from across the Houston area who have three-digit ages or will turn 100 this year.

The annual "Over 90" party at Clarewood House on Aug. 21, 2009, paid special tribute to residents 100 or older. The retirement community and nursing home may have Houston's richest concentration of the super-old. On hand were centenarians Sylvia Burr, Thelma Royalty, Mary Kerley and Selma Dawson. Burr, left, died in September at 106, and Royalty, 105, passed away this month.

Area retirement homes and convalescence centers are encouraged to bring residents who belong to the centenarian club.

The United States and Japan have the largest concentrations of 100-year-olds. Centenarians are among the fastest-growing groups in the nation and worldwide, thanks to improved nutrition and health care. By 2050, the United States is expected to have 601,000 people who are at least 100 years old and there will be nearly 6 million "veterans of life" on Earth.

Because the Clarewood event could become the largest gathering of 100-year-olds in history, organizers have notified Guinness World Records. And because this rare occasion could lead to a "Hallmark moment," the nation's largest greeting card manufacturer — founded a century ago in 1910 — has been invited.

Invitations also have been extended to houses of worship, Gov. Rick Perry, Mayor Annise Parker and other dignitaries. Also asked the attend: the Boy Scouts of America — another organization celebrating its centennial this year — and Willard Scott, who continues to wish centenarians "Happy Birthday" on the air, even though he's no longer the weatherman on NBC's Today show.

Clarewood could throw a well-attended party even if guests didn't show up. At last count, six residents were at least 100 and five more are 99. (Since January, three centenarians have passed away.)

I've said this before...and I'm sure that these folks would be among the first to agree, that it isn't necessarily the quantity of your years, but instead the quality of your years that makes everything worth while!

Why not take the time to visit with an elderly friend or neighbor, just to let them know that they are not forgotten?

Who knows, someday we all might be looking forward to a visit from someone...just to tell us "Hello..."!

Now, how about some coffee on the patio this fine morning? Already in the 80's, but the roses smell great!