Government Grant Scam!!!

Just wanted to warn everyone about a scam that is getting around the USA this year. It seems to be one guy that does all the calling. He has a middle eastern accent, and is pretty hard to understand. He is offering government grants and tries to get your bank routing number or wants you to verify your routing number. He wants you to agree to this so he can charge you a fee, but he isn't always upfront about the fee and it is from $50-130.00. The grant amount seems to be the same, $12,500 is the amount he is offering. Whatever you do, DON"T GIVE HIM ANYTHING!!!! The better Business Burrow in FL has over 300 complains about him, so people have fell for this. I sniffed him out and when it was all said and done we told him we were rich and we didn't need the money and to give it to the victims of Hurricane Katrina!

Two big points here why this not real. Number one the government is not, for any reason just going to call you and say, "Hey, we have this extra money laying around, do you want some?" And number two, a grant is FREE, it doesn't cost anything!!! Accept for the work that goes into hunting one down, because it isn't easy to get your hands on free money! I've talked to a few people that I know in PA and they all remember getting a call like this!! If you want to lead the guy on to try to get info out of him, so we can give it to the proper authorities, fine, but DON"T GIVE HIM YOUR INFO!!!!!

Four Brothers

Got a chance to see this over Christmas weekend, on DVD, and it was good! Not what I expected as far as the story goes, but good! I'm glad I waited to see this, instead of seeing it in the theater! I probably would have been disappointed. Some bad language is in it, and guns of course, but nothing real bad. Just a good story of how family should stick together and stand up for each other! If your planning on renting a movie this should definitely be on your list!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

We hope you all have a great day, and remember we are with you always! In your hearts, prayers, and memories. We know this, for it is how we get through all the special days out here, in CA. We'll talk to you soon and enjoy Christopher's company on Monday! He gets to play "SANTA" this year!

Sending him off!!!!

Here is where we'll be driving to at 3pm pst (6pm est) to see Christopher off to PA. We hope you all enjoy the time you spend with him over the next week. I'm sure this will be trip he will always remember, as it is his first trip by himself. We love you all and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

Contractor's Holiday Gifts

Over the past 2 weeks our department and floor has been flooded with gift baskets of all types! Most of them have all sorts of sweets in, and that means we get alot of repeat items! But some stand out about the rest, and this is by far the one that has been the best as far as presentation goes! I don't know if we will be tasting this one, but it sure does look good!

Certified Christmas Plan

Just in case you needed some help, here are the specs for Christmas!!!!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone. In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give, And to see just who in this home did live

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No Stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, A sober thought came and ran through my mind. For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, this room in disorder, Not how I pictured a United States Soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realized the families I saw on this night Wed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon 'round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, Becasue of the soldiers, like the one laying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, On a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice. I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more My life is my God, my Country, my Corps"

The Soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I contiuned to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, And we both shivered from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night, This Guardian of honoir, so willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, Whispered, "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas, all is secure".

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right, "Merry Christmas, my friend, and to all, a good night."

(Ed. note- I found the following attached to one versioon of this... This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable..... PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able To celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.) FOR OTHER VERSIONS CLICK HERE

The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe

We were able to go see this this week for Christopher's Birthday, which made him really excited! When we got there to see it at 7pm we were in for a surprise as it was sold out until 9:45pm. So we decided to get the tickets and do the shopping we had planned to do after the movie; though we were going to do it without the kids we firgured we usually shop for them when they are with us and they never notice, so why this time too. We just had them stand somewhere else when we were checking out, so they would see things going in to bags! It worked, cause today Ant asked if we could go shopping for Christophers B-day and I told him we did it last night! He was pretty surprised! We were done and back at the theater around 9pm. The movie is done very well, but if your looking for a action packed in your face type of movie DON"T GO! This movie follows the previous ones and the books very closely. So if you've seen those, your in for a boring ride, since you know what is coming next! But, if you looking to go see it for the graphics, or for your kids, do it! Ours loved it & they all stayed awake, more then I can say for Tina! The graphics are the best I've seen by Disney yet; outside the Pirates of the Caribbean! Oh there is a great trailer of the Pirates of the Caribbean: A Dead Man's Chest before the movie as well! So, there's our advice for this movie. Hope you don't mind that I don't go all out on telling the story on our reviews, but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christopher!!!

We had a great day over the weekend with him! From his quad ride from Uncle Jeff, that is something he won't forget anytime soon to the gift that came on Monday from Oma&Opa, we are happy to have been able to see him reach the halfway to driving mark with flying colors! Christopher's 8th birthday was a success and we were able to get him some truely great gifts! Some of the things he liked the most was the controllers & game for the 64 and his Farve figure from Ant! He likes his wristbands from MaKayla and his bike from Mamaw&Papaw, that he's had for about 4 months now! He also like the lure, and can't wait to use it! He got a chance on one of our fishing trips to use one like it that I have in my takle! He was also surprised by the stuff from PA and thought the JR PJs to be the coolest!!!!! Thank you all for helping make the memories of this day be ones for use to remember always! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTOPHER!!!!!

Hospital Interview!

Tina got a call alittle after lunch about a job she applied for over the internet at Fremont-Rideout Hospital, here in Marysville! This was the third job she put in for in as many months. When the lady was talking to her on the phone, it sounded like she was going to hire her right from the call. But, she decided to set up an interview for her this Thursday! So, thank you for keeping us in your prayors, it looks like she may be starting before Christmas! The position is for a Medical Records Admission Clerk and is from 2pm-11pm. This is something different then what Tina wanted to do, but right now she is happy to get her foot in the door with a hospital. They have a scholarship program for people who want to move up, just like LVH did!!!!!

Custom Creative Crafts

Tina came up with a brochure/order form for her craft sales. We will be at a Craft Fair tomorrow, seeing if we can gain some interest with people in the area. We would love for it to get to the point where we can be making money regularly with it, but we have to see how it goes! This is something she loves doing so it only makes sense to try it! We'll keep you updated with the interest and feed back we get. So, consider this CCC first "offical" brochure!