Earlier while on Twitter, I found someone retweet a Washington Post on article about prayer. Honestly, I wondered to myself "what have they said this time?"
     But, I was surprised because I found that it actually gave prayer credit for making marriages stronger.
     The findings are based on marriages where both partners pray together. The idea is that when the couples believe in prayer and do so regularly together they form a stronger bond in their faith in it. The study does not site that religion is necessary, but the simply action of both people coming together to seek prayer for resolution or comfort creates a different level of bond.
     The study also states that often when one person does not believe in prayer, it may create adverse effects due to the fact that they are not united in the belief.
     However, many participant stated that they seek prayer in times of disagreement or discussion which helps ease tension in the marriage and create stronger unity.
     I am a strong believer in prayer and I think this study will open many people's eyes to prayer and how it can effect people.




 

---

Couples who share religious practices tend to be happier than those who don't, study says
By Donna St. George
Thursday, August 12, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/11/AR2010081101961.html

     Often times you come across large life decisions. Is it time to sell your home, should you buy a new car, are you going into the right career? These are things we all will encounter along our days.
     It's easy to jump into a decision to these questions, or any other and think that it is the right way to go.
     But, when you take a step back, have you really thought out all of your options? The pros and cons of where it could lead you? Most importantly have you taken the time to listen to people around you?
     For me the decision hinges a lot on prayer and trying to take the path that leads closest to what God wants in my life. It doesn't make finding the answer any easier, but it dose help from making a rash decision that I could possibly regret in the long run.
     So what can you do? Take your time and look down the road. You have time to think it through and weigh out the possibilities.

     I recently stumbled upon the website: Letters of Note
     The latest entry: http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/08/tiger-oil-memos.html
     It's a compilation of Tiger Oil Company Memos that were leaked and now roaming the internet. I found it interesting because of what the boss wrote in the 30-year-old papers.
      The first memo: "Effective now, employees will be docked for the time they are off sick, unless I authorize you to pay them. This is for Tiger Oil - Houston Office - employees.  (Signed)  EDWARD MIKE DAVIS."
     The 20 memos capture the mindset and tone of a company head that has clearly let the power overcome him. If you're not convinced read this memo excerpt: "In case anyone does not know who owns Tiger Oil Company or Tiger Drilling Co., Inc., it is me - Edward Mike Davis. Do not let anyone think they are the owner but me. "
     I'm glad I didn't work here. Some of these are funny, covering topics maybe you and I would find irrelevant. 
     But, I find it interesting how he inflates his personal perception but puts down many of his workers through these memos. How do we treat others? The same, do we know, do you ever think about it?
     "On days you have to work, and you think you should be off, you wear slouchy dress attire. That will not occur in the future. You will wear proper dress attire to work always. Also, all employees should have the proper attitude to coincide with proper dress, especially on those days when you're working and think you should be off."

     I don't know about you, but I am a MAJOR fan of Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. Every year around when kids are about to go back to school, the week of the fish begins.
     Now, if you haven't watched it before, Shark Week includes stories of shark attacks, bites, but also their behavior and educational shows.
     But, it's the feeding frenzy stories that stick with me. Of course, they to teach viewers about the tips and hints about how to avoid shark bites: punch their gills, eyes and kick.
     It's still the shark attacks that stick with me. Swimmers give their accounts of getting arms, legs and flesh being torn off. Some stories are inspirational, others an hour of intense drama as they recount the day they faced Jaws, but overall they're just amazing stories. I think these shows spark the interest in viewers that stories like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea did, an interest in the unknown and unimaginable.
     I thank God I've never faced an up-close shark situation like the ones they show during Shark Week, but I still enjoy watching stories about the elusive deep-sea creatures.

     It's hard for anyone to avoid the talk about Lindsay Lohan. News about her court appearances, jail time, and rehab have been all over the place recently on TV celeb news, radio, and flooding the internet.
     To my surprise while going to check my email today I see the latest news about the troubled star on Yahoo. She's outta jail!
     Of couse, I thought, another star out of jail faster than any "regular" person could ever get away with.
     OMG! on Yahoo said "The actress was discharged at 1:35 a.m. Monday after serving 14 days of a 90-day sentence for violating her probation in a 2007 drug case, a sheriff's spokesman said. She is now required to begin a three-month stint in rehab."
     According to the Lesser Crime Offenses website, a "regular" criminal faces " a sentence for drug possession [of] a 7 month sentence."
     Hmmm, so that's 14 days for Lohan and 7 months for Joe the Plumber?
     Something's not right here.

---

Lesser">http://social.jrank.org/pages/1286/Lesser-Crimes-Offenses-Sentencing-Drugs-Public-Order-Crimes.html">Lesser Crimes  Offenses - Sentencing: Drugs And Public Order Crimes

     "If you're not on a team, you'll play alone for the rest of your life."
     Sounds like an inspirational quote from a seminar or self-help book, maybe?
     Well, I actually heard this on Grey's Anatomy. Yeah, I was watching it today, and I was surprised to hear that. Somewhat deep on an overall superficial show.
     But, I actually agree with it.
     As a Christian though, my team is a family of believers and God. Maybe it sounds lame or corny, but think about how much better life is when your surrounded by people who love and support you through thick and thin versus going through life "alone" as the quote says.
     That's what I thought about when I heard that line on TV, of course, it was far from the intended meaning on the show.

     I know you've seen it, those times on TV when a character has to clean their room and the just shove all their dirty clothes and messes under the bed or the closet. I even saw a cartoon once where they put a pile under the rug and it magically was hidden, no lump or bump in the rug it just seemed to have disappeared.
     If you can't see it, is it gone?
     As much as we wish we could have these magical "under the rug" moments, we all know the answer is-- no. So, why do we like to act like that in real life, with our feelings, in situations, or with people we love?
     Simple answer, it is just easier to pretend that something is not there than dealing with the problem.
     We've all been there, in an argument where we know we've done wrong or said too much, but I say, instead of just shoving it "under the rug" let's just deal with it and have it behind us. Otherwise, we all know the lump will eventually show in the rug and as Ricky says in "I Love Lucy," you'll "have some splainin to do!"
    

     A few days ago I was at Ikea beginning my back-to-college shopping. It had been a good trip because the store was not packed like usual and I got many of the things I really needed to start school in little less than a month.
     It was one of those shopping trips-- ladies-- where you feel accomplished after getting a lot of things done that you really needed to. I got to the checkout line happy because even though I had bought a good amount of Ikea nic-nacks, I had held back from allowing the shopping trip from exploding into a splurge.
     But, it wasn't the fact that I shopped, it was what happened next that causes me to write about this.
     As I finished in the checkout line, I felt a burning on my arm. To my surprise I looked down and saw a cricket-sized green bug latched to my arm and leaving me with a mole-sized red wound. It flew  off, but I was left with the incredibly painful burn it left.
     I hurrily ran to the Ikea First Aid, but it was closed; to a checkout clerk, but they were too busy; another clerk and same response. Then finally I found a manager who, yet again, directed me to someone else. I finally got to talk with-- the person who was originally suppose to be in the First Aid office. Anyways, he took  my information and gave me my first dose of medication for what was, at this point, swelling to a quarter size. He assured me that he would stay on my condition and call the next day.
     Well, it has now been two days and no call. The swelling has gone down and I feel much better, but no thanks to Ikea.
     Don't get me wrong, I think Ikea is a fantastic store with great products, but their bedside manner needs incredible attention. What happened to the days when people took responsibility for what happened in their stores? Next time you check out the yellow and blue make sure you look out for their $7 side tables, but also those green stinging bugs.

     Today I faced the task of trimming my 12-year-old dog's nails. Yes, a 12-year-old diva!
     You got me, I'm one of those crazy dog parents, I love my Sugar. She is my kid basically. I buy her little outfits and always make sure her collar matches her leash. Maybe it sounds weird, but after you have spent 12 years with someone, or somedog, they grow on you.
     She hasn't always lived this pampered life, for half of her life she was an outside dog. Somewhere along the way, she became an indoor dog, and my pup princess.
     But, anyways, back to my story. I had to cut her nails today because when she would walk her nails would tap, tap, tap on the tile floor. So I used the new Pedipaws I bought and asked my younger sister to help me out. So, we faced the huge task ahead of us! If you know anything about my pup, it's that she HATES getting her nails trimmed. She's known for growling at the vet when they do it, and tensing up when I try.
     This time I researched every relaxation technique online for dog nail trimming. 
     So, when I began trying these out today, I was surprised that many worked. I got her on my lap, put on music and covered her eyes. She wriggled around because she didn't know what to expect.
     After we began she soon realized it wasn't as bad as she thought and relaxed. Once it was over, she walked easier and left wagging her tail.
     Why do I bring this story up? Well, how often do we act like this too?
     We think we know how a situation is going to be, but we don't know for sure. So, we refuse to go into something we feel can be at all unexpected. What if we take a risk once in a while. What lies for us ahead if we do? I don't know, but we'll never know unless we take a chance.