Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Carrots, Eggs & Coffee
Carrots, Eggs & Coffee
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high
fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs,
and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them
in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'
'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water.
Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside
became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with
a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance
that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy..
May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!
A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high
fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs,
and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them
in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'
'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water.
Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside
became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with
a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance
that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy..
May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace! That where there is hatred, I may bring love. That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness. That where there is discord, I may bring harmony. That where there is error, I may bring truth. That where there is doubt, I may bring faith. That where there is despair, I may bring hope. That where there are shadows, I may bring light. That where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort, than to be comforted. To understand, than to be understood. To love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. —Saint Francis of Assisi—
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace! That where there is hatred, I may bring love. That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness. That where there is discord, I may bring harmony. That where there is error, I may bring truth. That where there is doubt, I may bring faith. That where there is despair, I may bring hope. That where there are shadows, I may bring light. That where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort, than to be comforted. To understand, than to be understood. To love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. —Saint Francis of Assisi—
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
PRE REUNION GET TOGETHER FRIDAY NIGHT
The class reunion committee is getting together on Friday night just to go over those final details for the reunion on Saturday. You know.....what did we forget, who's doing what, who is supposed to do what, etc, etc, etc....
Well, we thought it might be a great opportunity for those who are in town for the holiday weekend or reunion or those who can't make it Saturday night to also try an informal, last minute get together the night before the reunion! Therefore we can only send this to those who we have an e-mail address for, but feel free to reach out to fellow classmates and make sure they know:
OPEN SOCIAL-GET TOGETHER FOR THE VINELAND GRADUATING CLASS OF 1974
COST---THERE IS NONE, BUT YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN FOR FOOD AND DRINKS.
FRIDAY NIGHT---NOVEMBER 27TH--- 7:30 PM TO ???
VILLA FAZZOLARI'S BACK BAR
(it's really nice and enclosed if there is bad weather)
821 HARDING HIGHWAY (RT. 40)
BUENA, NJ
Come on out and relax with other fellow classmates BEFORE the big reunion on Saturday night!!!
Well, we thought it might be a great opportunity for those who are in town for the holiday weekend or reunion or those who can't make it Saturday night to also try an informal, last minute get together the night before the reunion! Therefore we can only send this to those who we have an e-mail address for, but feel free to reach out to fellow classmates and make sure they know:
OPEN SOCIAL-GET TOGETHER FOR THE VINELAND GRADUATING CLASS OF 1974
COST---THERE IS NONE, BUT YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN FOR FOOD AND DRINKS.
FRIDAY NIGHT---NOVEMBER 27TH--- 7:30 PM TO ???
VILLA FAZZOLARI'S BACK BAR
(it's really nice and enclosed if there is bad weather)
821 HARDING HIGHWAY (RT. 40)
BUENA, NJ
Come on out and relax with other fellow classmates BEFORE the big reunion on Saturday night!!!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Homebuyer Tax Credit Info
President Barack Obama has approved the first-time homebuyer tax credit extension which will extend the tax credit until April 30, 2010.
The extension is part of a $24 billion economic stimulus bill that will extend the $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers who are purchasing their first home from the current November 30 deadline and expands the program to offer a credit of $6,500 to homeowners who have lived in their current home for at least five years and are seeking to relocate.
The following details apply to the homebuyer tax credit expansion:
Who is Eligible
-First-time homebuyers, who are defined by the law as buyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase, may be eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit.
-Existing homeowners who have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight and are purchasing a home to be their principal residence (“repeat buyer”), may be eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit.
-All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.
Income Limits
Homebuyers who file as single or head-of-household taxpayers can claim the full credit ($8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers) if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is less than $125,000.
-For married couples filing a joint return, the combined income limit is $225,000.
-Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000, and married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.
-The credit is not available for single taxpayers whose MAGI is greater than $145,000 and married couples with a MAGI that exceeds $245,000.
Effective Dates
-The eligibility period for the tax credit is for homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010. However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010, will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.
Types of Homes that Qualify
-All homes with a purchase price of less than $800,000 qualify, including newly-constructed or resale, and single-family detached, townhomes or condominiums, provided that the home will be used as their principal residence. Vacation home and rental property purchases do NOT qualify.
Tax Credit is Refundable
-A refundable credit means that if the amount of income taxes you owe is less than the credit amount you qualify for, the government will send you a check for the difference.
-For example:
-A first-time buyer who qualifies for the full $8,000 credit who owes $5,000 in federal income taxes would pay nothing to the IRS and receive a $3,000 payment from the government. If you are due to receive a $1,000 refund, you would receive $9,000 ($1,000 plus the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit).
-A repeat buyer who owes $5,000 would pay nothing to the IRS and receive $1,500 back from the government. If you are due to get a $1,000 refund, you would get $7,500 ($1,000 plus the $6,500 repeat buyer tax credit).
-All qualified homebuyers can take the tax credit on their 2009 or 2010 income tax return.
Payback Provisions
The tax credit is a true credit. It does not have to be repaid unless the home owner sells or stops using the home as their principal residence within three years after the purchase.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
I cannot change the wind
Today I am grateful for a new life, one in which my prayers are those of thanksgiving. My prayer time is more for listening than for talking. I know today that if I cannot change the wind, I can adjust my sail. I know the difference between superstition and spirituality. I know there is a graceful way of being right, and many ways to be wrong.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
35th Class Reunion VHS 1974 & Sacred Heart 1974
This will be your LAST e-mail update in regards to the 35th class reunion.
If you have forwarded your present home mailing address, you will be receiving a formal invitation in the mail in the next few days, maybe a couple of days longer for classmates living in the south, mid-west and west coast. We have tried everything feasibly possible to get the most up to date information on classmates and we are going to use the list we presently have compiled to mail from. Some of these home mailing addresses are from the 2004 reunion, some from 1999. If you haven't moved for some time, you should have nothing to worry about. If you have moved since 1999 or 2004, you probably will not receive the invitation if you did not advise us of your present address. And yes, there are quite a few who never replied to my multiple e-mails requesting this information.....
The Facts:
The Date: November 28, 2009
The Place: The Savoy, Union and Landis Avenues, East Vineland
The Time: 7:00pm to 12:00 midnight
The Cost: $50.00 per person
The Dress Code: Business Casual (no need for suits/ties or gowns)
What's Included: Great time in a casual atmosphere at a beautiful location.
Station Style Dining and Music provided by DJ John Reed
Please Note: Open Seating (no reserved tables), Cash Bar
Complete information is included in the formal invitation. The invitation must be returned with payment by November 24, 2009 to secure a reservation.
We are asking that even those who are unable to attend to return the invitation with up to date information. That is to help jump start the process for the 40th reunion in 2014. And if you are unable to attend and have a particular request for the 40th reunion, please note that on the returned invitation.
Thank you,
The Reunion Committee
If you have forwarded your present home mailing address, you will be receiving a formal invitation in the mail in the next few days, maybe a couple of days longer for classmates living in the south, mid-west and west coast. We have tried everything feasibly possible to get the most up to date information on classmates and we are going to use the list we presently have compiled to mail from. Some of these home mailing addresses are from the 2004 reunion, some from 1999. If you haven't moved for some time, you should have nothing to worry about. If you have moved since 1999 or 2004, you probably will not receive the invitation if you did not advise us of your present address. And yes, there are quite a few who never replied to my multiple e-mails requesting this information.....
The Facts:
The Date: November 28, 2009
The Place: The Savoy, Union and Landis Avenues, East Vineland
The Time: 7:00pm to 12:00 midnight
The Cost: $50.00 per person
The Dress Code: Business Casual (no need for suits/ties or gowns)
What's Included: Great time in a casual atmosphere at a beautiful location.
Station Style Dining and Music provided by DJ John Reed
Please Note: Open Seating (no reserved tables), Cash Bar
Complete information is included in the formal invitation. The invitation must be returned with payment by November 24, 2009 to secure a reservation.
We are asking that even those who are unable to attend to return the invitation with up to date information. That is to help jump start the process for the 40th reunion in 2014. And if you are unable to attend and have a particular request for the 40th reunion, please note that on the returned invitation.
Thank you,
The Reunion Committee
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Google 411
I found a new service today that is free and helps me out when I am traveling. I just tried it and it works.
ERA IBC
Hello and good morning from San Antonio Texas. I am at the 2009 ERA International Business conference. I spent the day yesterday exploring San Antonio took a tour of city. I went to the Alamo and to the Missions of San Jose. It was a very interesting day. I posted the pictures on my facebook page if anyone is interested. This morning I have just registared for the convention and I am ready to learn. I will be attending the work shops. Ready for some great networking and education on real estate.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Living Space
Just when you thought you saw all types of living space someone come up with a new one.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Grand Victorian Just Listed
This Grand Victorian located in the heart of Millville in the Arts District would provides a vintage investment. The possibilities are endless. Office to bed & breakfast to remain in house. Gorgeous high ceilings and wood floors and trim that make this truly a diamond in the rough. Beautiful historical property built in the 1800's. Heating and central air updated. MUST SEE!
217 N. 2nd Street, Millville, NJ | Powered by Postlets
This Grand Victorian located in the heart of Millville in the Arts District would provides a vintage investment. Gorgeous high ceilings and wood floors and trim that make this truly a diamond in the rough. Beautiful historical property built in the 1800's. Heating and central air updated. MUST SEE!
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
What the economic stimulus will do for housing.
Here is an interesting link concerning how the stimulus plan will affect housing.
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