February 28, 2018 Wednesday #taketherightway#alwayssomething!#B&O#Luleburgaz!

Get Faith
Proverbs 4:11-13  "I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."  God can't say it much clearer.  He guides us in the way of wisdom.  If you know what he says about the right way then, you know all you need and all the rest will fall into place.  Be taught in the way.

On this day
1987  Parenting is like Pandora's box, sometimes you have a day totally out of context and you have no idea where it comes from.  Nicole was an easy going, well mannered child 99% of the time.  On this day she threw a 15 minute temper tantrum.  If it happened all the time you would take it less seriously and deal with it but I was at a loss.  It became clear a few hours later when she threw up.  It was a learning experience.  She would go from 1-20 if she got sick.  I learned the signs after a while.  Do you have any advisc for mothers about unusual behavior patterns to watch out for?

1827 - The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad became the first railroad incorporated for commercial transportation of people and freight.  The good ole B & O

Leaving Poland for Luleburgaz Turkey!
 This will set us up for our trip To Greece next month!!

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Katelynne Nicole!

February 27, 2018 Tuesday #shegotlegs#Lifeingrace#Godfather#Youbetyourdupa!

Get Fit
Worked out the legs this morning.  Go to Google leg exercises and pick one!  With weights if you are intense or not if you just want to remain strong.  Nice day for a walk!

Get Faith
Romans 6:4  "When God the Father, with glorious power, brought (Jesus) back to life again, you were given his wonderful new life to enjoy."  In Jesus's resurrection we are rejoined with him in the life He wants us to have.  It includes loving one another to enjoy better relationships, it includes joy in life and all creation that God gave us, it includes peace that we are loved and will have eternal life with our God and nothing can take it away.  Your power is in your faith - which is yours through the grace of God.

On this day
1986  Nicole was not yet one and I was happy to announce she was standing on the outside of her playpen and walking while hanging on.  My brother Mark was still with us and spent a lot of time here with Mom enjoying his niece and God daughter.  He bought her a big plastic tennis shoe on wheels, with a handle to ride on.  She loved it and him.  We went to Eastland Mall this day, walked around a bit and had lunch at Olga's.   The days final entry was Nicole cut her 5th tooth.  What a great memory.  It is  the little things that will bring you joy.

1986 - The U.S. Senate approved the telecast of its debates on a trial basis. I don't think this caught on at the time but I think cable tv picked it up.

Poland 
  Here is a must have souvenir!

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Mary H.  

February 26, 2018 Monday #Staystrong!#keepyoureyeonthprize#historyrepeats#beautifulPoland!

Get Fit
Pilates today.  I think an important way to combat depression is to move - exercise.  What do you think?

Get Faith
Philippians 3:13 -14  "One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  I do consider the past everyday.  I like to remember my loved ones that are gone and the times I have shared with them.  Unfortunately this means I often remember the bad as well.  But as  this reading says - I try to "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  It is the more important thing and what keeps me focused and positive in life.  Reminds me of the camp song "keep your eye on the prize!"

On this day
1985  There are times when some things are good and others, not so much.  On this day in 1985, Andy and Alice were still at my house, they had gone out the night before to Bobbie Moore's to celebrate their one year anniversary.  They were waiting to move into their own home.  I was expecting Nicole in May.  But, my brother Mark was up north and taken to the hospital.  He was living with Mom and was suffering all the ill effects of his juvenile diabetes.  This year Andy is in the hospital.  Deja vue.  Thirty three years later - same but different.

1863 - U.S. President Lincoln signed the National Currency Act. 

Act that imposed federal regulation on banks, the first such control since the dissolution of the Second Bank of the United States in 1837.  Just so you  know!

Poland
I think on these last few days here it is important to remember what struggles this centrally located country has gone through and how they have responded and kept their culture and faith alive.  It is a beautiful country!




Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Keyanna!

February 25, 2018 Sunday #Newlife!#bathingsuiteready#BeaChristian!#InclusivePoles!

Get Faith

2 Corinthians 5:17  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (they are) a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  When you make a change in  your life for the better you begin to see things in a different way.  If you are dieting - you see a weight loss, if you quit gambling - you see money in your pocket and have a relief from stress.  If you quit drinking you begin to realize feeling better and getting healthy makes your relationships better.  In the same way when you become friends with Christ you adjust to a new peace and rest in your life.  The things that made you anxious or stressful start to become - not so important.  It is a blessing from God that we become new in our new life with Christ - life is calm and purposeful - the peace in understanding. God is good - God is love.

On this day

1983 - For you Christina --it was a Friday and Chris was going on vacation to Florida.  We celebrate both of our birthdays in February so on this day I went to her house, make dinner and I think we did that wax-thing that us women do before putting on a bathing suit.  It said birthday treatment, I think that is what it was.  You can fill me in Chris - did we do your hair and nails, etc.??

1570 - England's Queen Elizabeth I was excommunicated by Pope Pius V. I see a lot of these posts about the Popes of the past and can't help but wonder if "my way or the highway" was a great approach in Christianity.?  Don't remember Jesus being this EX clusive.

Poland

Just a few more days til we move to a new location.  Lot's of souvenirs I think.  The food at our polish celebration the other night was AMAZING!  

  Smart people, ahead of their time!  Inclusive!

The Warsaw Confederation was an important development in the history of Poland, which extended religious freedoms and tolerance, and produced a first of its kind document in Europe, 28 January 1573.

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  

February 23, 2018 Friday # fitbitfritz#Isaiahknew#arcticgirl#kielbasa!

Get Fit
My fitbit is on the fritz.  I just put a new battery in it but the time is wrong.  Now at the end of the day it only registers 320 steps.  That is not right.  I have been on the move all day.  Something else to exercise my patience.

Get Faith
Isaiah 53:4-5  "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows....He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed."  This is Isaiah in the Old Testament referring to the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ prior to his murder on the cross.  Do you understand that his knowledge of the future, of the Messiah means that God told him the story of Jesus all those years before the story ever happened.  Everything from the creation and the fall points to Jesus.  It is a beautiful story and an amazing plan that God has for you and me.  His love is eternal.

On this day
1982  The journal says I chopped ice and cleaned the garage.  That doesn't sound like the girl I knew who didn't go outside if it was below 32 degrees - let alone chop ice and clean the garage.  I often surprise myself.

1792 - The Humane Society of Massachusetts was incorporated. Wow!!!! Good for them! 1792?

Poland
  Tonight!  its whats for dinner!

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!    Happy Birthday Kris!!

February 22, 2018 Thursday #EasyasABC#Jesussaid#Neonaura#Casimir!

Get Fit
Love dancing to the Oldies!  Soul Man, Think what your trying to do to me,  Some Michael Jackson tune!  What a great way to start the day.  Don't judge!

Get Faith
I read a text from a Lenten devotional this morning "(Jesus said) "I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep."  I had a preschool group at VBS one year and this was the verse they were supposed to learn one day.  It was a large group and my daughter and a few other adults were with the group.  The lesson suggested to do an exercise type thing to help the children remember.  Hands on head "Jesus said"  Hands on shoulders- "I am the Good Shepherd"  Hands on waist "The Good Shepherd lays down" Hands on knees - "His life" hands on feet "for His sheep."Neonaura  Repeat 6 times.  They learned it and so did we.  Anytime either of us hears this verse our hands go to our heads.  One day at church our music bell director walked up to me and recited the verse with the motions.  I guess she was in the class too. 

On this day
1980  Chris was off on vacation - in Acapulco, lucky her!  I worked and then my friend Linda came over and her and I went down to the Ren Cen - which was still pretty new then and we had dinner at Dionosios in celebration of Neon Aura her cousin.  We met Al. (?)  Ok, Linda do you remember this?  Fill us in.

1819 - Spain ceded Florida to the United States. Thank heavens!  Where would we go when we retire if not to Florida?

Poland

The Golden Liberty of the nobles began to develop under Casimir's rule, when in return for their military support, the king made a series of concessions to the nobility, and establishing their legal status as superior to that of the townsmen. When Casimir the Great died in 1370, leaving no legitimate male heir, the Piast dynasty came to an end.

Casimir III the Great is the only Polish king to receive the title of Great. He built extensively during his reign, and reformed the Polish army along with the country's civil and criminal laws, 1333–70.  Impressive!

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Kristina, Bill & Samatha!

February 21, 2018 Wednesday #springtraining#youcan#workworkrelax#SmartPoles!

Get Fit
Worked out with the Pilates ring this morning, legs, arms, back and abs.  After not doing anything for a week it was nice to get back into the routine.  Hope you are getting into your spring training routine!

Get Faith
2 Timothy 2:15  "Do your best to (study and ) present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  I have not to my memory read or thought about this verse before.  I understand it to be a reassurance that you are able to spread the word of God, without concerning yourself whether you are capable or used to doing this.  Don't be "ashamed" to share the word.  You can take a verse like this and ask someone what they think and let the conversation open them up to the word of God, like I just did.  I'm not seminary trained - I only want to share the Gospel with people that need it.  God works through us to love and help one another.

On this day
1979 - I worked at Quality during the day and sold Amway products on the side.  I have worked multiple jobs most of my life, even if just a border in my house.  When you are constantly busy it is nice to have a relaxing distraction.  I always like jigsaw puzzles and had one set up in the house most of the time.  Until I had cats.  Now I do them on line, Ha!  What do you do to relax?

1842 - John J. Greenough patented the sewing machine. What a smart worthwhile thing!  Thought it would be Singer but I guess not.

Poland
In the middle of the 13th century, the Silesian branch of the Piast dynasty (Henry I the Bearded and Henry II the Pious, ruled 1238–41) nearly succeeded in uniting the Polish lands, but the Mongols invaded the country from the east and defeated the combined Polish forces at the Battle of Legnica where Duke Henry II the Pious died. In 1320, after a number of earlier unsuccessful attempts by regional rulers at uniting the Polish dukedoms, Władysław I consolidated his power, took the throne and became the first king of a reunified Poland. His son, Casimir III (reigned 1333–70), has a reputation as one of the greatest Polish kings, and gained wide recognition for improving the country's infrastructure.^[37][38] He also extended royal protection to Jews, and encouraged their immigration to Poland.^[37][39] Casimir III realized that the nation needed a class of educated people, especially lawyers, who could codify the country's laws and administer the courts and offices. His efforts to create an institution of higher learning in Poland were finally rewarded when Pope Urban V granted him permission to open the University of Kraków.  Contrary to what the public think of Pollocks, I see that they were concerned with the people of their country, they were highly intelligent and not good at defending themselves.  They were smart enough to bring in Jewish lawyers.  What about that! huh?

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!    RIP Billy Graham, I'm sure you will.  Job well done!

February 20, 2018 Tuesday #Keepitup#Sendme#adventuresinskiing#USPS#autonomous

Get Fit
Nicole got me those new resistance bands.  The are a 2" wide band and come in different strengths.  I can use the tightest one on my legs but the arms I need the easier ones.  Nice addition to my routine but I would really like to get myself into the habit of going to the Y and using the treadmill too.

Get Faith
Isaiah 6:8  " Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"  And I said, "here am I .  Send me!""  Have you been called?  I have had many calls and have answered some and unfortunately dropped some.  I am getting, not just called but pushed lately with the children's musical and children's services that keep popping into my head at random times.  Now I have even been sent the person that I should be working with on that.  I am here Lord, I will go for it!

On this day
1976  This was my first day of adventures in skiing.  Pete and I drove up with a gang of people to Boyne and stayed in a Chalet.  Of course this was the Friday night and late when we got up there so it was reasonable that the first thing to do was  - go to the bar.  I found out it is an important part of the sport.  It gives you courage to start and comfort when you fail.  When I see the Olympics now I wonder if I could have been a better skier if I had had the money.  I doubt it, but this first time was fun.  Do you ski or snowboard?  How about cross country?  Great exercise! and fresh air.

1792 - U.S. President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act that created the U.S. Post Office. What a great idea!!!!

Poland
In 1109, Prince Bolesław III Wrymouth defeated the King of Germany Henry V at the Battle of Hundsfeld, stopping the German march into Poland. The significance of the event was documented by Gallus Anonymus in his 1118 chronicle.^[35]In 1138, Poland fragmented into several smaller duchies when Bolesław divided his lands among his sons. In 1226, Konrad I of Masovia, one of the regional Piast dukes, invited the Teutonic Knights to help him fight the Baltic Prussianpagans; a decision that led to centuries of warfare with the Knights. In 1264, the Statute of Kalisz or the General Charter of Jewish Liberties introduced numerous right for the Jews in Poland, leading to a nearly autonomous "nation within a nation".<sup>[36]  Interesting history.

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Stephanie!</sup>

February 19, 2018 Monday #newbands#completejoy!#supportwithlove#Lusatian

Get Fit
I have to work today but promised myself I would work out with the new resistant band that Nicole got me for my birthday.  It came with suggested new workouts!  I love trying something new - like the kettle balls - until my neighbor moved and took his.  darn it.

Get Faith
John 15:10-11  " (Jesus said) "Remain in my love...so that my joy may be in  you and that your joy may be complete."  We have a tendency to be dissatisfied with our lives.  We worry about losing our looks, getting old, carrying extra weight and not gaining all the things we want out of life.  That is what the Peace of the Lord means to those in the faith.  You gain an acceptance of what we know is inevitable - moving ahead in our life.  For us in the faith - our joy is in the Lord.  God tells us not to worry about we wear or what we will eat - He provides all for us.  Let God clothe you in the joy of our salvation in His son Jesus the Christ.  It really takes the pressure off and makes your joy complete.

On this day
2017  Last year on this day, I was still getting a lot of company and phone calls after having my lung cancer surgery a couple weeks before.  I am blessed with loving family and friends.  You heal so much faster with people around you that care.  My sister Alice is in the hospital up in Traverse City today and has to have another surgery.  My heart is heavy that I can't be up there as I was last week with the first surgery.  If you have someone with health problems or having difficulty - reach out to them with a visit or phone call.  We are the best solution for keeping people from having extreme mental and emotional problems.  Be there for someone today.

1807 - Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr was arrested in Alabama. He was later tried and acquitted on charges of treason. See there IS a pattern.

Poland

Prehistory and protohistory

Main articles: Bronze- and Iron-Age Poland, Poland in Antiquity, Early Slavs, and Poland in the Early Middle Ages

Reconstruction of a Bronze Age, Lusatian culture settlement in Biskupin, c. 700 BC

Historians have postulated that throughout Late Antiquity, many distinct ethnic groups populated the regions of what is now Poland. The ethnicity and linguistic affiliation of these groups have been hotly debated; the time and route of the original settlement of Slavic peoples in these regions lacks written records and can only be defined as fragmented.^[32]

The most famous archaeological find from the prehistory and protohistory of Poland is the Biskupinfortified settlement (now reconstructed as an open-air museum), dating from the Lusatian culture of the early Iron Age, around 700 BC. The Slavic groups who would form Poland migrated to these areas in the second half of the 5th century AD. Up until the creation of Mieszko's state and his subsequent conversion to Christianity in 966 AD, the main religion of Slavic tribes that inhabited the geographical area of present-day Poland was Slavic paganism. With the Baptism of Poland the Polish rulers accepted Christianity and the religious authority of the Roman Church. However, the transition from paganism was not a smooth and instantaneous process for the rest of the population as evident from the pagan reaction of the 1030s.^[33]

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Abel and Bob!

February 18, 2018 Sunday #Bechangedrepent#Olympics#Michelangelo#ChristianPoland.

Get Faith
Romans 12:1-2  "Give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living sacrifice, holy - the kind he can accept.  When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?....Be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think.  Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you."  This is a perfect time, Lent, to realize what in your life is destroying you instead of building you up.  It is a time to return to the Lord because He is our help in times of trouble.  He is our strength to overcome the things in our lives that hold us back from enjoying the wonderful promises that are ours in Christ.  When you have God in your life it makes everything better!  He loves you and wants you back.

On this day
2014  This year was the big snow!  Every morning we woke up and had to clear snow, on this day my neighbor Barb did mine before I got up.  I laid in bed at 7 am and watched her out the window.  Nicole came home and we went to the mall so she could buy me my birthday shoes.  Very often that is her gift to me.  Hey!  they are expensive!  And, it was 4 years ago so we watched the Olympics, we are big fans, well maybe not watch ALL of the cross country, but a lot of it.  We love the skiiers, snowboarders, skaters and the luge.  What do you like?

1564 - The artist Michelanglelo died in Rome. I wonder if  at that time they realized what a great artist they lost.  Check out some Michelangelo today.

Poland
Poland began to form into a recognizable unitary and territorial entity around the middle of the 10th century under the Piast dynasty. Poland's first historically documented ruler, Mieszko I, accepted Christianity with the Baptism of Poland in 966, as the new official religion of his subjects. The bulk of the population converted in the course of the next few centuries. In 1000, Boleslaw the Brave, continuing the policy of his father Mieszko, held a Congress of Gniezno and created the metropolis of Gniezno and the dioceses of Kraków, Kołobrzeg, and Wrocław. However, the pagan unrest led to the transfer of the capital to Kraków in 1038 by Casimir I the Restorer.<sup>[34]  

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Nicole B!</sup>

February 14, 2018 Wednesday Ash Wednesday and Valentine! #hearts and ashes

Get Fit
A lesson in patience today.  Stress is your worse enemy.  For your health tip of the day!

Get Faith
Isaiah 53:6  "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way,: and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."  We all sin, and are called to think of that the next 40 days and repent - return to the Lord for forgiveness because in God's great love - Jesus - we ARE forgiven and are saved from eternal death.  God is love.  Happy Valentine and don't forget to repent - go get your ashes.

On this day  
2013  I called everyone (or texted) Happy Valentines day then went to the dentist and had a wisdom tooth pulled.  How are you celebrating?

1803 - Moses Coates received a patent for the apple parer. big news for him, hope he made millions.

Poland
Poland is a developed market and regional power as well as a possible emerging world power.^[17] It has the eighth largest and one of the most dynamic economies in the European Union,^[18][19] simultaneously achieving a very high rank on the Human Development Index.^[20] Additionally, the Polish Stock Exchange in Warsaw is the largest and most important in Central Europe.^[21] Poland is a developed^[22] and democratic country, which maintains a high-income economy^[23] along with very high standards of living, life quality,^[24] safety, education and economic freedom.^[25][26] According to the World Bank, Poland has a leading school educational system in Europe.^[27][28] The country provides free university education, state-funded social security and a universal health care system for all citizens.^[29][30] Having an extensive history, Poland has developed a rich cultural heritage, including numerous historical monuments. It has 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 14 of which are cultural.^[31] Poland is a member state of the European Union, the Schengen Area, the United Nations, NATO, the OECD, the Three Seas Initiative, and the Visegrád Group. I am proud!!!

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Jackie and Sue V!!

February 13, 2018 Tuesday #strength#LOVE#derailed#DNAunderstood

Get Fit
Couldn't fire up my CD on the laptop.  I am so handicapped when it comes to electronics.  So, I worked out with the weights in stead.  Going up north for a few days so I won't be able to write my blog from there this time. 

Get Faith
1 Corinthians 13:7-8  "(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails."  I'll be going to a ladies Valentine lunch today and remembered the song Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.  I feel like women always have their arms open to their parents, children, grandchildren and friends - anyone who needs a hug and an extra measure of love.  On Valentine Day love is celebrated - earthly love, which is powerful.  God's love is an example of what our love for one another should look like.  So be those arms for one another to lean on and remember those arms that stretched wide open in love for you, on the cross.

On this day
2012  I always plan an organized day of activity for myself but most days that doesn't work.  I had to take Mom for a CT scan.  Mom had been in the hospital and rehab already this year but it seemed the hits just kept on coming.  Then I had to meet Nicole out at Dee's house to pick up a few boxes of sports cards that Nicole was working on at home.  Neither of these two events ended well but you don't know that at the time and just have to trust that whatever is - is.  In hind sight we always thought things would work out and they did, kind of.   We have to be the leaning arms and help out where we need to - even if the outcome is not what is hoped for. 

1633 - Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome for trial before the Inquisition. I feel like that didn't go like he planned either.

Poland
The first sign of humans in Polish lands was 500,000 years ago. The Bronze Age started around 2400-2300 BC. The Iron Age started around 750-700 BC. At that time the Polish lands were under the influence of the Lusatian culture. About 400 BC Celtic and Germanic tribes lived there. Those people had trade contacts with the Roman Empire.

Over time, Slavs came to Polish lands. Some of those Slavs, now commonly referred to as Western Slavs (though in reality a diverse group of tribes with shared ethnic and cultural features), stayed there and started to create new nations. The most powerful tribe was called the Polans, who united all of the other Slavic tribes living there, and this is where the name "Poland" comes from.  Wow!  now I have a better understanding of my Scottish/German/Polish history, all related.

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Reggie and Joe!!!

February 11, 2018 Sunday #fixorfail#wait#IM?#gerrymandering#rebirth!

Get Fit
I am not fit today.  We worked the lunch for a funeral yesterday, maybe 160 people, more than we have ever done before.  It was unexpected and only by the grace of God did the food last.  Thank heaven for the beginning of the year diets.  Anyway, when I am on my feet a lot, (in bad boots) I often have leg cramps at night.  Last night was the worse.  I finally got up to look on line to see what I could do, eat, rub etc. to get rid of them.  Magnesium (which I already take) is the consensus.  After looking further this morning I discovered a site that told about the best foods to eat and worse for leg cramps.  Two foods on the list of no no's were pizza and beer, which is what I had for dinner last night.  So,  if you suffer from this as well - take a look at what you should and shouldn't eat for this - I want you to find out for yourselves so you don't hold me responsible.  (It said you can counteract the beer with a glass of water for each beer you drink.)  Now I'll be up all night going to the bathroom.

Get Faith
Psalm 119:111-112  "I have inherited Your testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart.  I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end."  Once you have the Word in your heart, well, it is in there.  Everyday a prayer or verse or psalm, a hymn will come to mind that reminds you of who you came from, who is ever present in your life and where your future is.  This time and place is a waiting room, use it wisely.

On this day
2011  Amazing!  The first line is - 'slept bad, bones and joints ached all night". (Must have had beer and pizza for dinner!?)  But I still had to go to work.  I dropped off my neighbor girl, Jacquelin, at school on the way. (I wonder how she is doing.  She was in middle school then - so she might be turning 21 now)  It mentioned I changed my phone service from caller ID to voice mail.  Mom couldn't see the names and seldom made it to the phone in time to answer.  It seemed like a solution.  It says I IM ed with Nicole, she lived in Chicago that year I believe.  It is interesting to see the changes in phones etc, glad I have kept a record to remember.  Were we not texting then?  Question for the day.

1812 - The term "gerrymandering" had its beginning when the governor of Massachusetts, Elbridge Gerry, signed a redistricting law that favored his party.  Another political power tool.

Poland  
As a result of territorial adjustments mandated by the victorious Allies at the end of World War II in 1945, Poland's geographic centre of gravity shifted towards the west and the re-defined Polish lands largely lost their traditional multi-ethnic character through the extermination, expulsion and migration of various ethnic groups during and after the war. By the late 1980s, the Polish reform movement Solidarity became crucial in bringing about a peaceful transition from a communist state to a capitalist economic system and a liberal parliamentary democracy. This process resulted in the creation of the modern Polish state: the Third Polish Republic, founded in 1989.  The need to survive with your traditions intact is apparently strong.  With my own ancestry here, I'm proud of their strength and fortitude!

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Merri! Pam S, Christine & Sue!

February 8, 2017 Thursday#Bekind&pray#Snowball#formedforwho?#Polishchairs

Get Fit
Some days your exercise plan gets derailed.  Get back on asap!

Get Faith
Ephesians 4:32  "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."  In Bible study this morning we talked about prayer.  We are a group of solid hard core Lutherans, (I looked around the room when I thought this) that are believers in prayer.  We talked about how we hate to bother God with little prayers or don't want to seem like we are whining or not appreciative of what we DO have.  We wanted confirmation about our prayers being heart felt and not bargaining.  These are prayer of a people that believe firmly, that God hears prayers (and critiques them as well).   We are blessed.  What of those who don't have this deep firm belief in God, that He is always there, listening.  Be kind to someone who has lost or never had this great gift.  Pray for them to get the gift of prayer for themselves.  Love your neighbor.

On this day
2003  Nicole was very active in high school.  On this morning her and friends went to school to decorate for the dance that night.  She got her hair done and picked up a boutonniere for Craig.  Nicole, Maddy Craig, Laura and Brandy went to the Olive Garden and then to the Snowball dance at school, followed by bowling.  Wish I had the photo to share, they were a sight to behold - they found a really good dinner jacket for Craig for the evening and a dapper hat.  They had so much fun, not sure if they changed from their finery to go bowling or not.  lol.

1861 - The Confederate States of America was formed. 

1861 - A Cheyenne delegation and some Arapaho leaders accepted a new settlement (Treaty of Fort Wise) with the U.S. Federal government. The deal ceded most of their land but secured a 600-square mile reservation and annuity payments.   Read these again and tell me what you think.

Poland
Welcome to Essential Krakow, a city guide and information portal for Krakow - Poland's capital of culture. Essential Krakow provides you with everything you need to know about visiting Krakow in a light hearted and informative manner and is the perfect travel guide from which to plan your trip. Whether you need to organize Krakow hotels and accommodation, Krakow tours, or just to find general tourist information, our travel guide is packed with relevant and up to date reviews, news and facts about Krakow. Interesting!

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Don M, Christine and John!

February 6, 2018 Tuesday #Routine#Alwaysonmymind#moreroutine#SavePoland!

Get Fit
I love being retired but I hate being broke.  I love my regular morning routine and hate to get up and go to work.  What about you?  Are you still working?  When I worked I got up at 5 AM and worked out before I went to work.  I have to work and am trying to keep it to one day, now they want me 3 days.  I'm looking for someone to fill the open spot in their office.  Today I enjoyed my regular routine and did my daily dozen.  If you don't do the plank for a while you almost go back to scratch.  What about you?  What is your routine and is exercise part of it?

Get Faith
Psalm 40:5  "O Lord, my God, many and many a time you have done great miracles for us, and we are ever in your thoughts.  Who else can do such glorious things?  No one else can be compared with you.  There isn't time to tell of all your wonderful deeds."  Can you imagine that you are always on God's mind?  He is always thinking of you.  He loves you that much. Our God is an awesome loving God.

On this day
 2002  Was a Sunday.  Do you try to keep your life relaxed and quiet?  Do you occasionally have an event, family occasion or guests over?  Do you hope no one calls so that you don't have to go out in the cold winter days?  Do you call anyone to check up and see how they are doing?  "They" say that an active social life is good for you but then they say to beware of crowds so you don't get the flu.  Lol  This day in my journal looks like a nightmare to most people.  After church, my day of rest went to hell, literally.  I do like to be busy.  I was working on an 80th birthday party for mom at this time and tried to drag everyone I could into it.  It turned out great but I had to send formal apologies out to my family after the party.

2002 - A federal judge ordered John Walker Lindh to be held without bail pending trial. Lindh was known as the "American Taliban." I have no recollection of this guy. Do you?

Poland
The Second Polish Republic, established in 1918, existed as an independent state until 1939, when Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union destroyed it in their invasion of Poland at the beginning of World War II. Millions of Polish citizens perished in the course of the Nazi occupation of Polandbetween 1939 and 1945 as Germany classified ethnic Poles and other Slavs, Jews and Romani (Gypsies) as subhuman. Nazi authorities targeted the last two groups for extermination in the short term, deferring the extermination and/or enslavement of the Slavs as part of the Generalplan Ost('General Plan for the East') conceived by the Nazi régime. A Polish government-in-exile nonetheless functioned throughout the war and the Poles contributed to the Allied victory through participation in military campaigns on both the eastern and western fronts. The westward advances of the Soviet Red Army in 1944 and 1945 compelled Nazi Germany's forces to retreat from Poland, which led to the establishment of a communist satellite state of the Soviet Union, known from 1952 as the Polish People's Republic.  We see how a single regime of hate can destroy an entire population.  It has happened in so many histories of so many countries.  We need to prevent this hate from replaying this scenario, we have a couple of possible hate groups that could breed this at this time.

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!