The Truth

CH

New Year...New Do!

Hope your Christmas was absolutely wonderful. My wife, Meredith and I had a great time with family and a few friends.

Yes, believe it or not! The long hair that has been a part of me for almost two years has now made its way into several ponytails, and is currently being shipped to Locks of Love. It was long enough to donate, so I was very pleased. This is the second time, I've been able to help.

Here's what Locks of Love's website says about the organization:

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

I ended up getting the mane cut on the Thursday before Christmas. It REALLY surprised my family, but so far reactions have been good. In all honesty, my hair hasn't been this short since about mid-way through college after I had to shave my head from bleaching it platinum blonde. But that's another story for another day :)

Hope you're able to enjoy a little bit more time off before the New Year starts. YEAH, 2007!
CH

Cha-Ching!

You and the family might have gone down to Dollywood at some point this year, and if you are a roller coaster rider, you are familiar with the loud speaker saying about 100 times (depending on the length of the line for the ride)

"Welcome to (insert coaster name.) Please secure all loose article before riding, etc..."

However, sometimes it's hard to find all the loose change in your pocket, and thus the pennies, dimes, quarters that you have are lost forever in the abyss underneath your favorite rides track as you go through a loop or two...

Until now...

If you thought, that the park would keep the change...They don't... That is, if they follow the example of a park called Cedar Point. Cedar Point is taking all the change that they have found and are giving it to a local soup kitchen!

This year, they found over $7500!!!! Hope you had your chance to do your part at a local park :)

CH

101 Things

A different style of New Year's Resolution:

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:

1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

Gingerbread Man!

The holidays are always a wonderful time for baking cookies, and sharing our blessings with others.

Well, now you can create a cookie without worry of a mess in the kitchen...plus, for each cookie made $1 will be donated to Save the Children! So, get cooking...uh...virtually, and help some kids :)

The last one I made was No. 146707143 -- You can search for and see it!

http://www.caratfusion.com/holiday2006/


CH

You Did It!

Congratulations – you were named Time magazine’s "Person of the Year!!!!"

No, really...the magazine is on the stands with a mirror on the front cover, so you can bask in the glory of this prestigious honor :) So, how did you win?

Simply by using the resources we have been given.

The magazine writes: "For seizing the reins of the global media, for founding and framing the new digital democracy, for working for nothing and beating the pros at their own game, Time's Person of the Year for 2006 is you."

Time continues saying that things like MySpace, YouTube, and blogs :) helped make a change in how we get information and communicate.

Start writing your acceptance speech...You like me...you really like me...(sniff sniff, wipe a tear) I'd like to thank Time and the people in my Friendspace for this wonderful accolade...

CH

Another Extreme Makeover: Gingerbread Edition

Bloom supermarket (Part of Food Lion Stores) has built a life-sized holiday gingerbread house (Kids--it's made of Styrofoam, so it won't taste good, if you get hungry...)

The house is to be used as a collection point for a local Community Food Bank. The house is on Hwy 81 North in Anderson, SC, and welcomes visitors each weekend through Dec. 23.

The house is open from noon to 3 p.m. and besides dropping off non-perishable foods for the food bank, you can pose for a free photo with the gingerbread man and enjoy refreshments.

How far away is the house from Johnson City? Not too far...could be a fun road trip! Click Here

CH

Not Baaaaaaaaaaad

I am currently in the Johnson City Community Theater's production of Godspell, and there is a part where we are seperated as sheeps and goats. The whole cast (minus one-Jesus) is down on all fours being the best farm animals we can be...that's why I found this hilarious!

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A single featuring singing sheep is to be released for the second year in a row due to public demand.

The Baarmy Sheep's version of Jingle Bells received thousands of downloads last year. This year, the website has been inundated with requests for the song from around the world.

A Tourism spokesman said, "We really had no intention of releasing this single again and the plan had been to quietly retire the sheep for good. We have been amazed by the amount of people who have been in touch wanting to hear them, so we are making it available again absolutely free from our website.

___________________________________

Click Here to see the video or here the song!

CH

I Saw The Sign

There is a new book that has recently been published called The Great American Book of Church Signs. The author, Donald Seitz, traveled 20,000 miles and across 40 states to photograph his signs. I went around the world--wide web--to find mine. :) Enjoy!

CH

Adventures in Christmas

Ah yes, Saturday...a great day for shopping, cleaning, and those other loose ends that never seem to get tied during the week.

This past weekend is usually when my wife and I load up the dogs, and travel to Abingdon to Hannah's farm to find the perfect white pine Christmas tree. We have done this for the past 5 years...but this year, it didn't seem to be in the cards. Oh, breaking the tradition is driving us crazy, but we tried to make the best of it.

We were in Elizabethton doing some quick shopping, and we thought...hmm...wonder if there is a Christmas tree farm around that we could get a pine??? All the lots have Fraiser Firs...and we just aren't into those. Well, we had a man give us some directions to a tree farm on the outskirts of Carter County. Directions seemed easy enough, and it seemed it would only take us 20 minutes from where we were. So, we traveled...and everything was in order until...we started climbing the mountain...we climbed and climbed...went over some ice and snow...and climbed...45 minutes later...we were starting to come down the mountain!!! But no signs for the farm we were looking for...we saw some Christmas trees, but no entrance to the farm. Somehow, we missed it and we needed to get back to the house before company arrived!!! ACK! So, we kept going, because there was no way to really turn around...the road got really really tiny.

Finally, we came upon a place called Fairhaven Ministries. Beautiful place! I think we will return there to enjoy a weekend. Luckily, Meredith saw someone loading their truck up with some wood. We stopped, and kindly asked for some directions. Turns out this guy was one of the staff members, and he wasn't sure where this farm was that we were looking for...He apologized, but then gave us some good news. We didn't have to go back the way we came!!! HOORAY! We were only a 1.5 miles from 19E. We thanked, wished him a Merry Christmas, and traveled down the road some more. We made back home in time...but we still had no tree.

Oh well, at least we had a great and beautiful drive! I guess, it looks like we might have to change trees this year and either find a Fraiser Fir to our liking or invest in an artificial. (sigh)

It'll work out...some way or another. At least Christmas isn't all about the tree. :)
CH

Rush of Fools

A couple of guys, Wes and Kevin, from the new band Rush of Fools stopped by the station. They were hilarious and a lot of fun to be around. You can see why in this fantastic video blog.

Quick note: You might have to scroll down a bit...we are in the video that is labeled "WEEK 2 DAY 3 RADIO PROMO TOUR VIDEOCAST." Enjoy!

CLICK HERE

LOL! Thanks, guys!
CH

Extreme

http://www.newsobserver.com/1181/story/517087.html

This is a time lapse video of a house that was picked for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Raleigh, NC.

7 days, thousands of volunteers, and one deserving family...The episode is supposed to air in January.

Merry Christmas,
CH

Liliana

Thank you so much for your concern, thoughts, and prayers for the little girl named Liliana that was mentioned as having to be hospitalized a couple of days ago. She is a dear friend to Sarah Wells at Good Samaritan Ministries, and many in the community. It was Sarah who informed me of the situation.

The doctors have had a chance to see her and are now moving her to St. Jude Children's Hospital, because she needs the best of care. It has been determined that Liliana has a brain tumor at 11 yrs. old. Her family will be going with her, but this means many many extra expenses for them. This where they need you. There are several ways you can help:

1. PRAY --as Sarah has mentioned to me...pray for a Christmas miracle.

2. WRITE --Please send cards to Liliana to let her know that you are praying for her, and that God will strengthen her for this difficult journey.

You can send the cards to this address:

Liliana Tamayo
c/o Good Samaritan Ministries
PO Box 2441
Johnson City, TN 37605

3. GIVE --As in any family emergency, there is a need for your financial gifts. The emotional strain is hard enough without having a financial burden. They would appreciate your help. There are two funds set up for the family:

a. You can make a gift at Good Samaritan Ministries, and please mark it for Liliana Tamayo.

b. You may go to any local First Tennessee Bank, and make a gift to the Liliana Fund.


It has already been amazing to see all of this coming together. There have already been several who have been very instrumental in this effort. Thanks again for your generosity and support. The family thanks you, Sarah Wells thanks you, and so do I.

CH

Christmas Quiz

I found this little quiz about the Biblical account of Christ's birth...Don't worry about test anxiety, your score doesn't matter. After all, we're supposed to learn something new everyday :) My hope is that you enjoy taking in a quick survey about the "reason for the season."

CH
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1. Christmas (the day Jesus was born) probably actually occurred on:
a. December 25th
b. March 29th
c. April 1st
d. We do not know

2. A manger is:
a. a feeding trough
b. a barn
c. a stable
d. a room behind an Inn

3. How many wise men came to see Jesus in the manger?
a. two
b. the Bible doesn't say
c. three
d. none

4. When Mary was found to be with child, she and Joseph were:
a. married
b. companions
c. engaged
d. The Bible does not say

5. Where did the wise men find Jesus?
a. In the manger
b. On a donkey with Mary
c. In the field
d. In a house

6. Who told Joseph to go to Bethlehem?
a. an angel
b. Herod
c. The tax collector
d. Caesar

7. What animals were present at the birth of Jesus?
a. cows and sheep
b. cows, sheep and mules
c. cows, sheep and camels
d. unknown

8. How long was the trip for the wise men after they saw Herod?
a. Two years
b. Less than 1 day
c. A little less than two years
d. None of the above

9. How did Joseph and Mary get to Bethlehem?
a. walked
b. by cart
c. Joseph walked/Mary rode a donkey
d. The Bible doesn't say

10. What is meant by "heavenly host"?
a. an arch angel
b. greeting angels
c. an army of angels
d. an angelic choir or herald


Answer Key:

1. d

2. a

3. d*

4 . c

5. d

6. d (see Luke 2:1-3)

7. d (the Bible does not say what animals were present)

8. c

9. d

10. c

* - the Bible says they saw the young child in the house - they were not present at the manger - and no mention is made as to how many Magi there were - we often assume there were three because there were three gifts.

Article Source : ABC Article Directory
Author: Gary Kurz

One in a Million

If your husband is one that really wants to get the most out of your car and his...tell him to go by the book.

That's what Peter Gilbert did as he drove his 1989 Saab more than a million miles over the course of 17 years.

He recently donated his beloved car to an Automotive Museum after Saab verified it had driven 1,001,385 miles.

Just for details...The transmission was rebuilt at 200,000 miles and the hood and a few other parts replaced, but otherwise it has original equipment.Peter said he paid about $30,000 for the car in 89.

Then, thoughout the years used premium, synthetic oil in oil changes, changed the tires every 45,000 miles and strictly followed the maintenance schedule.

And believe it or not the exterior still looks good, but road salt has rusted its frame a bit. Never the less, Peter had it detailed, parked at the museum, then bought another Saab with fewer miles.

VAROOOOOM!!!
CH

Lights in the East

National Lampoon's Eat Your Heart Out!

Visit a fun website for your chance to spread some Christmas cheer ( in Winston-Salem, NC, and around the world :)


www.controltheshow.com


LOL! I spent almost an hour waiting in line late last night, but I did get my chance to "control the show "and watch many many others do the same. It's fun, but short lived...like a roller coaster.

The site is live from 5pm til midnight every night until New Year's.


CH