Just like a rose...

Just like a rose,
so precious and rare,
is the forever friendship
the two of us share.

Planted with kindness,
it's warmed by the sun
of caring and sharing,
laughter and fun.

It's grounded in trust
and nurtured by love,
with a sprinkling of grace
from God up above.

Tears of sadness and joy,
like dew, renew this friendship
I share with you.

And in the heart's garden,
we find the room to be ourselves,
to grow and bloom.

A blessing of beauty unsurpassed,
our friendship's a flower
that will always last.

What is Kitty?

A three-year-old boy went with his dad to see a new litter of kittens.

On returning home, he breathlessly informed his mother, "There were two boy kittens and two girl kittens."

"How did you know that?" his mother asked.

"Daddy picked them up and looked underneath," he replied. "I think it's printed on the bottom."

It's time to

Patricia B

Into our Weekly Spotlight of Friends

I was born in the 50's in Oregon and that's where I still live. I'm the eldest daughter and have one sister 4 years younger than myself. I attended Milwaukie High School, Clackamas Community College and PSU.

In 1987 a friend set me up on a blind date with "Steve". He and I met under the "umbrella man" and went to MUSIC By MOONLIGHT concert. After that date, we kept on dating and were married a year later. We have lived on a "floating home" on the Columbia River in Oregon for 20 years. We don't have children, so our cats are our 2 kids.

Hubby is in Recycling & construction and am his office manager. Some of the time we've been married, I've been his construction "grunt" -- helping him in demolition, recycling etc. It is a challenge! I was a tomboy pretty much as a girl and never feel like I'm too prissy to pick up a hammer and slam it into an old building. Exercise is what keeps us young and vital!! Luckily Steve doesn't think that a woman can't "do a man's job!"

For fun we go to festivals like farmers markets and little town craft and collectibles sales. We go to Estate, antique sales and flea markets a few times a month. We have collected so much stuff that it overflows our house. I have Disney "PLUTO" collectibles, old buttons, demitasse tea cups, vintage "salts", shot glasses, vintage hankies, doilies and vintage Christmas glass ornaments. I love "ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS" and when I find Angels, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Snowmen and Santa items -- I add them to my collection. It seems like our little house is wall to wall Christmas during the holiday season.

My favorite hobbies throughout the years has been arts and crafts. I sew, make wreaths, scrapbook and my favorite activity is making cloth dolls. I've used recycled vintage items: old fabrics, buttons, etc. that I found in my dolls. I made cloth dolls until 2001 when I hurt my right hand. I fell on concrete stairs and landed on my right hand. I've got pretty severe nerve damage and it's lasted for years. Because of hand pain, I had to cut down on my doll making and crafting.

I like to garden and have pots and pots and pots and pots of Flowers and a few veggies. This year we grew the tiny sweet cherry tomatoes. I have 4 tomato plants in BIG pots. We have tomatoes nearly every day!! I also grow lettuce and lots of herbs. The basil has taken over and I'm lucky we like PESTO!!

The cats and I watch my husband fish. He just loves to "throw a worm in the river". It's very relaxing after a day beating the keyboard to take a good book out on the deck with Sophie and Snickers and watch the ducks! I have never seen a cat who loves to fish like Snickers does!! When hubby catches the squaw fish, Snickers is nearby. She picks the small ones in her mouth and proudly carries them into the house. We pick them up and throw them back in the river.

After I got hurt, I learned about computers and was introduced to networking a few years ago. I want to learn how to put some of my pictures that I have taken with the digital camera in some of my forums! I also am going to get back to selling on ebay. I was a very successful ebay seller!! Hubby and I have TONS of of "treasures" in our sales. Also my husband inherited a stamp and postcard collection that I will be putting on ebay this year.

I'm hoping my networking and some programs I'm involved in pay off soon. I want to earn enough money to donate money to the schools. Children need a good education. I'd also like to get involved in something like a "Big Sister" program because you stay young......being around the young.

My favorite networking businesses are Tri-Unity, Club Galleria, Eco Energy and Adland's new venture $7 Miracle Matrix and Bring Your Buddy. You can see my forums that discuss my businesses here: http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/13043/ShowForum.aspx

One of my favorite forums is my "fun" one: Humor, Friendship, Romance and Inspiration - Please post all your favorite LOVE poems, Inspirational stories, Jokes, Humor here and even Recipes! Love is the most powerful emotion! Cry LESS, Laugh MORE, Smile OFTEN! My forum is here: http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/13228/ShowForum.aspx

I would love for folks to read and post - there is something for everyone (the only thing I ask...is "keep it clean"! God is looking over my forums!

Congrats Patricia for your Spotlighting and

for letting us know you better!

The Spotlight Gazette Team

Parents and Children

God the Parent

Whenever your kids are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to God's kids. After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing He said to them was: "Don't." "Don't what?" Adam asked. "Don't eat the Forbidden Fruit." God replied. "Forbidden fruit? We got Forbidden Fruit? Hey, Eve..we got Forbidden Fruit!" "No way!" "Where?" "Don't eat that fruit!" said God. "Why?" "Because I am your Creator and I said so!" said God, wondering why he hadn't stopped after making the elephants. A few minutes later God saw the kids having an apple break and was angry. "Didn't I tell you not to eat that fruit?" the 'First Parent' asked. "Uh huh," Adam replied. "Then why did you?" "I dunno," Eve answered. "She started it!" Adam said. "Did not!" "DID so!" "DID NOT!" Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own...thus the pattern was set, and it has never changed.

This week we invite into the
Spotlight of Friends

Jo Matthias!

What a great honor it is to be selected for the Weekly Spotlight. I don't have a great story to tell, but here goes....

I was born in Daviess County Hospital in Washington, Indiana, Sept 8th, 1954. My mother was Bette Sterling, she was the oldest of 9 children, I was her oldest of three girls. I have had no contact with my sisters or others in my family since 1988. Long story, and no comment. I am officially '52'.

I was raised on a farm in Odon, Indiana. It was a great learning experience. We had everything, Cows, Pigs, Chickens, Horses, Ducks, Goats, Cats, Dogs, you name, we had it. And if we had it, we ate it!(we didn't eat the cats and dogs of course!!!) My grandfather also hunted and trapped and fished, we ate that too!!! We had gardens that would be envied today, we canned all kinds of vegetables, meats and fruits. We froze things too when we were able to afford freezers. I also remember burying apples in boxes covered with hay to use in the wintertime.

I was always called 'a little Democrat' by my greatgrandfather, so as I grew up I associated myself with the Democratic Party, only to learn at the ripe old age of 24, that my greatgrandfather was a Republican! Can you imagine the blow that was???? However, I still associate myself with the Democratic party today. I am very Liberal though!

At age 10 we moved to Bloomington, Indiana and I attended school there at Central High and Bloomington South. We moved to Florida when I was in the 9th grade and we were on "vacation" from Christmas through June. I once had a teacher ask what my parents did for a living.... I said "Nothing" He asked me where they got their money, I said "from the bank", Needless to say he was flabbergasted.. My parents didn't work when we lived in Florida. I told him that when they needed money they just went to the bank and got it. Which was true, because my parents owned their own business in Indiana. I attended school at Immokalee High School in Immokalee, Florida for 4 years off and on, where I subsequently graduated.

I have two children, my son Jerrett, age 30 and my daughter, Jo Rae, age 26. I have 5 grandsons, 2 granddaughters and a granddaughter on the way, due any day. My children and my grandchildren have been my life and my inspiration. I have no desire to relive my marriage.

Jerrett is a member of the Texas National Guard, and has been a member of the National Guard since 2004. My daughter has been a CNA since she was 16. Both are high school graduates.

I am a U.S. Army veteran, I was active duty with the Army during the Vietnam Era Conflict, and was a member of the Indiana National Guard after that.

I have been an avid reader and book collector all my life. I have a personal library of over 2000 hardback novels, not to mention the reference books that I have accumulated. I am moving again in the next month or so, and my daughter would love to burn all my books!!!
She hates my library....She likes to read, but can you imagine all the boxes of books that we have to move!!!

I love springtime here in Indiana, because I get to walk in the woods and hunt mushrooms. I love to find them and I love to eat them. Mushrooms are so wonderfully delicious!!! I have a "mushroom stick" that I have had for at least 10 years. I consider it my 'lucky stick', a person has to have a "stick"!!! Cannot hunt mushrooms without a stick!!! I also love to be outside and in the woods alone. This is my favorite time of the year!

I have been a member of the AdlandPro Community since October of 2004. This community has been great to me and for me. I have met so many wonderful people from all over the world. AdlandPro has been a haven of friends for me ever since. I am homebound and rarely talk to anyone outside my immediate family and HERE, you, AdlandPro friends have really been a blessing in disguise.

I am in the $7 Miracle Matrix... http://www3.telus.net/rmc/opfm.htm The $7 Miracle Matrix, an Adland success story, was started by Adlanders to help each other create a long term residual income by working together. We have 100% participation by all members with a daily support forum here at Adland. To get more information on this Adland success story, go to: http://community.adlandpro.com/forumShow.aspx?ForumID=15055 If you would like to come on board with us, please go to: http://www3.telus.net/rmc/opfm.htm and request a link.

And Bring Your Buddy...Another Team here at Adland
http://bringyourbuddy.net/ro.php?id=584

I am not a fan of using personal messages here at AdlandPro for advertising. I am however ready and willing to read most all forums. At times, I am very surprised at the variety of subjects in the forums. We truly have a great group of people here. I can make posts that are controversial to say the least. I am not a person that wants to be in the spotlight and I have no idea how I came to be here.

It would be nice if everyone would participate in all the wonderful forums provided here at AdlandPro, like this one and the POTW(GO VOTE!!!!)among others. There are so many activities for everyone to enjoy and for everyone to participate in. Everyone benefits from participating in activities here at AdlandPro, we gain friends and prospects....I'm always surprised that more of us are not involved in the community of AdlandPro.

Thank you all,
Take care,
Jo

Jerretts first daughter, Aaliyah Celene, was born on September 11th.

Congratulation and thank you Jo for joinig our
gallery of friends here in our Spotlight!
The Spotlight Gazette Team.

The Treasure in us

Treasures in You

There are treasures in life,
but owners are few
Of money and power
to buy things brand new.

Yet you can be wealthy
and feel regal too,
If you will just look
for the treasures in you.

These treasures in life
are not hard to find
When you look in your heart,
your soul, and your mind.

For when you are willing
to share what's within,
Your fervent search
for riches will end.

The joy and the laughter,
the smile that you bring;
The heart unafraid
to love and to sing;

The hand always willing
to help those in need;
Ones quick to reach out,
to labor and fee.

So thank you for sharing
these great gifts inside;
The caring, the cheering,
the hug when one cried.

Thanks for the energy,
encouragement too,
And thank you for sharing
the treasures in you.

Let's

into The Spotlight of Friends

Mary Hannan

Here is her interesting BIO!

I was born 9 miles north of Athelston, Iowa, at home of coarse. I have three older sisters, 2 older brothers and a younger Peggy Sue. Mom let us name her and it was unanimous by the way. She was the only one of us born in a hospital.
My Dad was a farm hand he worked for a few different farm owners. In 1960’s living about two miles from Roland, Iowa where Peggy was born, he was making $30.00 per week. In the fall his boss would purchase 250 Hybrid chicks and in the summer the roosters was in our freezer and the hens where laying eggs in the henhouse, which meant that last years layers were now in the freezer marked ‘Old Hen’ that added flavor to Mom’s home made noodles.
Dad and my brothers would kill and skin the fryers and pluck the roosters. Mom and my sisters and I would prepare them for the freezer, cutting up the fryers.

From the time I was old enough to us a knife, at the ripe old age of nine, on my kneeling on a chair, I helped with preparing the chickens for the freezer.
Dad would gather the eggs. Mom would stand for hours carefully washing them. She would put some in the fridge for us and crate up the rest for Dad to sell at the local produce.
In the spring and again in the fall Dad’s boss would let him butcher a hog. I still remember getting sick when Mom rendered the lard, but I did enjoy eating those Cracklin Cookies she made.
I remember when my oldest brother got his first job. When he got his first paycheck he stopped at a grocery store and bought two five-pound canned hams. Mom said she would cook one and put the other one in the fridge. my brother said, “You’re cooking both of them. We’re gonna get full tonight.”
I grow up listening to Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Gene Pitney, Del Shannon, Rickie Nelson and of coarse Elvis. Watching movies of The Marx Brothers, Abbott & Costello, Laurel & Hardy and my all time favorite, Red Skelton.

I never had a chance to know my Dads parents. They died before I was born, so had my Mom’s Dad. The only Grandma I knew died when I was eight years old. So I guess that’s way I enjoy helping the elderly, kind of like replacements for grandparents I never knew.

I never really did to good in school. I was a sickly child. As the doctor put it, I had rotten tonsils. I had a hard time concentrating. I also get headaches from fluorescent lights. I attended grade school at Roland Community School.

In the summer of 1968 my Dad got a job near Atlantic, Iowa. There was just my parents myself and younger sister. My other brothers and sisters had already flow the coop, so to speak. Dad was making $500.00 per month there. Compared to the $30.00 per week, we

it was a big step up for them. I attended Atlantic Jr. High and barely squeaked by on my grades. Needless to say I have learned more on my own than I did at school. I was into crossword puzzles and word games because it was something I could do without too much effort. Two months into the ninth grade, I quit school.

My Dad’s last job took us to rural Indianola. I got my first job staying with a sweet lady in Indianola for $60.00 per month. My Dad would drop me off on Sunday evening and pick me up on Friday night.

Then I just bounded around, mainly baby setting with my nieces and nephews. I guess that was a trait I got from my Mom. She loved children period. She often told me, “When I look at a child I don’t see race or color, I see a child.”

In 1978 I had an Aneurism burst in head. It was in the left frontal lode of my brain, causing a stroke with effecting g my right side of my body. The doctors said if I was alone and my sister I was staying with at what time, had not have acted so fast I would have died within five minutes. It felt like my brains where frying. She got a pan of ice water and some dishtowels and she said steam was rolling off the towels. She would no sooner get one rung out and she burned her fingers taking the other on off my head. She did this until the burning stopped. Then she and her husband took me to the hospital. The doctor on call gave me a shot for pain and didn’t keep me. Sometime during the night I had a stoke. The next morning I they took me back to the ER. I was then taken to the University Hospital in Iowa City. I remember my family gathering in my room and the doctor saying that the medication that they would have to give me to get the dried blood out of my head could kill me. If I survived, the paralysis could last three weeks, three months or indefinitely. I would her to have some rehab after I was released. Three weeks

and for days later I was released from the hospital. I did not require any rehab.

I got married in February 1984 and a month later my Dad died of a heart attack. A few days after his funeral I was standing in the kitchen and cursing God for taking him for me without me having a change to say goodbye. All at once I felt firm hands on my shoulders and proceeded shaking me so hard I passed out. No one can ever convince me take there is no God. I got the message real quick! I had always believed, but I crossed a lines and he just let me know about it!

My daughter was born in 1987 and my son in 1990. My daughter won some awards in school from perfect attendance to the Presidential Award of Academic Achievement to being in the Who’s Who in High Schools Book. See is also on the Dean’s List at the college she attends. I am home schooling my son. This year he is in ninth grade.

I work in housekeeping at a nursing and rehab facility.

I have been a Deacon at our church for going on five years now. The minister tells us we are known as a praying church because of the stories told by people whom we’ve activated a prayer chain for and was miraculously heeled.

I sort of accidentally found this wonderful community of friends. It was a happy accident. I really enjoy being a part of it. Other sites say they are so great, but they can’t hold a candle to Adland.

My opportunities I am involved in that I have gotten results from:

http://www.myalright-site.com

http://www.programhoppers.com/7394/

http://www.affiliatemarketingformula.com/?ref=soretoe48

http://websites.ws/soretoe

http://www.100000usd.com/?afid=AF57C646395

http://freeaddepot.com/?aff=7694

http://topsurfer.com/newuser.cgi?referer=soretoe

http://www3.telus.net/rmc/opfm.htm

This link is just for fun. I like to watch children with this, especially five and under:

http://topsurfer.com/camera.cgi?soretoe

God Bless,

Mary

Enjoy Mary your Spotlight!
Congratulation!
The Spotlight Gazette Team!