Temple Theater's "A Christmas Carol Delivers"
Only five performances left--act now!
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As a supporter of the Temple Theater's contributions to our community and in appreciation of readers, make reservations for 2 for one of the performances this week and we will pay for one--up to the first 10.
Only five performances left--act now!
The Wake-Up Call
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The Wake-up CallIt’s 11:18 pm Sunday night and I just can’t seem to get my thoughts together. I should, as the title of my column states, be discussing “fresh-brewed conservatism.” But for some reason I just can’t.You’d think this would be easy for me – the loud mouth who writes a letter to the editor every other week or so protesting the ridiculous spending by our elected leaders or their blackmailing of the Lee County citizens into voting for a sales tax increase OR property tax and anything or anyone else who tramples on my individual rights. But not this week! Nope, can’t seem to focus.You see, I’ve been swamped with a project due for Stat class, a house that desperately needs cleaning, clothes to wash, Christmas cards to write, gifts to buy, etc, etc, etc. Seems like Thanksgiving was just a few days ago. Where has the time gone? Wonder if I can fit a good night’s rest between all the tasks? Keep dreaming!
Whatever! Where’s the coffee? No matter how tired I am, it’s always a good time for a cup of joe. It’s never bothered me to drink coffee late at night. And I just happen to have enough grounds left of Southern Season’s Harvest Blend. Sorry, hubby, I’m going to finish it off tonight.I’m watching Christmas Shoes. The song tears me up so I can’t imagine what the movie’s going to do. I know you know the story! But I’ll sum it up: a little boy tries to buy a pair of shoes for his dying mommy. Why? He wants her to look beautiful, in case she meets Jesus tonight. Oh my. The tears are falling. Would my kids do that for me?
I know. I’m a Christmas freak. I talk and write about it a lot. But I’m like a kid this time of the year. By August, I’ve probably already bought 3 or 4 gifts. The Christmas music starts in October. And I’m begging my husband for the tree to go up before Thanksgiving. Ha. That one doesn’t come true. Can’t blame him though.
I sit nightly in my Laz-y-boy rocker recliner (it’s the best view) and watch the lights on the Angel at the top of my tree with all other lights off. It’s my time. My time to reflect and thank God for all the blessings in my life. Oh the tears are coming fast. The little boy just told a stranger he didn’t have enough money and he really wanted his mama to have those shoes. Miracles never do cease. The stranger helped.
I said it last week - We get so caught up with the hustle and bustle of the holidays that we forget all too easy what Christmas really means. It’s not the XBOX 360s, Wiis, iPODs, and other stuff. It’s not the shopping at Walmart, Target, Southpoint Mall, or Best Buy. It’s not even dependent on Santa making it through fog, snow, rain or hail. Even though I know he will with Rudolph’s help. It’s something else.
Earlier this week I was traveling back home after dropping off my grandson in North Wilkesboro, when I fell asleep at the wheel and ran off the road. I was on 421 South going about 65 miles per hour. I woke up with my RAV4 beeping loudly and swerved back onto the road and straightened up. As I looked in my rear view mirror, the cars behind me were getting in the next lane. What if a car had been within a car length behind me? Would I still be here? Or would I have met Jesus much sooner than expected?
This incident, dear friends, has given me a wake-up call. You see, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Running a rat race. Working way too many hours (50+ a week for months). Looking and looking for the perfect present for everyone on my list. Trying to be all to everyone. And failing miserably at that, I might add. Cranky (Dean’s nodding his head right about now). And not practicing what I preach – that is, to savor every minute, every second, even every nanosecond of every day. This incident scared me to pieces.
I worry too much about what would happen to my family if something happened to me. Would Dean be ok? Ok, there’s enough life insurance to pay off the house and other stuff. But would he be ok? And what about Kayne, his mommy, and Chad? I can’t imagine not being here watching out for them and doing whatever I can to make their lives better. You know what I’m talking about, right?
My family means everything to me. Start to finish. Notice: I didn’t say government.
I hope I don’t ever forget again that when the work piles up, or a cross word is said between me and Dean because we’re tired or that the laundry isn’t done or the morning coffee isn’t ready, to smile, to slow down, to breathe in the fresh air and know everything’s going to be ok. But I’m human. I will forget. I will get cross. Will my family still forgive? Statistics show (hey I’m learning something) that we hurt the ones closest to us the most.
I promise…the conservatism brewing in me will simmer again and boil over to get out.But for now, I’m going to kick back (it’s now 1:55 am), have a cup of hot chocolate and watch the Christmas lights on my angel.
All the while, I’ll be thinking of the words my husband wrote in a song titled, The Light, when the kids were little:
Verse #2:
Now I watch the blinking lightsupon my Christmas treeTelling tales of the birth of Jesusmy children on my knee
Looking at ‘em we’re mesmerizedby the colors dancing there
A million lightsand on the top an angel still appears
It stands apart from the restand that’s the way that I should beA single light shining brightfor all the world to see
Let us strive to be that lightand proclaim it to the world
Fear not for beholdI bring you tidings of great joy.
Goodnight. And please, leave the lights on.
Sheila
(P.S. email me at qgirl232@yahoo.com and I’ll send you the mp3 file!)Missing But In Action --See Editor's Comentary
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The editor has been in the midst of a move and minor remodeling, frequent discussion with a growing number of attorneys on issues of public information, amidst an annoying minor medical condition that is supposed to keep him in bed rest. (Ok, I cheat.). An I am getting use to my new lap tap. But we are staying on top of some big stories.
In the meantime, check the Editor's Commentary Link below. The so called Economic State of Lee County will be covered today and copies of the E-Lee Dispatch's assessment will be distributed. If you want to brush up for some future developments in another area you might want to read this publication (click here) from the North Carolina Attorney General's Office.
Click on the Editor's Commentary Link For Interesting Articles Based on In-depth Research From The Web and Brief Commentary From The Editor. Also sign up to follow eleedispatch on Twitter for alerts and short posts.Need only just ask....
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Need only just ask…. Today has been awesome. We took my grandson to the New Hope Valley Railroad Museum, Bonsai, NC (right off of Old US 1) and rode the Santa train! (http://www.nhvry.org/)Yes, Santa really was there. I just know he made the trip from the North Pole because he knew Kayne was on the train today. Everybody else just benefited from it. Ha! I think the same thing about lattes and cheesecake. They were created with me in mind. You get to enjoy them!So Much for These Arguments
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When I first heard commissioner Linda Shook say "We are prepared to accept the outcome of the tax referendum", I did not know what it meant or who the "we" represented. I did not expect her to to actually vote for the tax. She is a signer of the no tax pledge, but signed it as a highly unsuccessful candidate for the state house. It is not clear if "deal" involved the rest of her commissioner's term or political career.
Arguments against the tax vote that can be dispensed with now.
Littiken Writing Memo Because He Was Mad
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Superintendent Releases Sheriff's Report On Littiken Email
Last week the Lee County Board of Education opened the minutes of a November 10 closed session called by Chairman Bill Tatum to consider serious charges leveled at school personnel by Richard Littiken, a member of the Jennings-Adams-Stone cabal (check out Snappy Words for some context of this word's meaning.) in an email during the tax referendum. Littiken disavowed charges saying he was just upset with school board.
NO JOKE! GARAGE SALE: Saturday, December 5th
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NO JOKE! Garage Sale:Saturday, December 5th
7 until. Used country with abundant oil untouched due to environmentalists; overburdened local and state governments; over taxed citizens; over-bearing tyrannical government that doesn’t remember that America was founded on faith in God and belief in individualism. Bonus: (1) teleprompter President who apologizes that America exists, and (2) an over bearing, in your face, we don’t care about the Constitution Congress. $17,000,000,000 or OBO.Thanksgiving 2009
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Thanksgiving 2009
Ummm, coffee’s good today. I don’t know what it is about Monday mornings, but it seems the brew is the best! I’m having Moka Java. What’s in your cup?
It’s been another tough week. My grandson is visiting his other grandma in Tennessee. And I miss him. A lot. Every corner of my house has a toy, ball, or something in it that reminds me of him. But I don’t care. If I step on a wayward toy, I don’t care. It’s my grandson. That’s what he does to me. I completely forget my worries and troubles when I look into those blue eyes and see that smile.
Hmmm my husband and I even find ourselves making “big truck” noises when we see a dump truck or tractor. Even when he’s not around! It’s just habit. You see, if it’s big and it makes noise, he loves it.
You wouldn’t know what I’m thankful for, would you? It's obvious. But it never hurts to thank God for such a wonderful creature that’s made in the image of Him. This Thanksgiving season, I think we all need to stop and look at the blessings we have.
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