I Have A New Puzzle For Thanksgiving !

I Have A New Puzzle For Thanksgiving !

A blonde calls her boyfriend and says, “Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can’t figure out how to get it started.

couple-2He asks, “What is it supposed to be when it’s finished?”

The blonde says, “According to the picture on the box, it’s a tiger.” Her boyfriend decides to go over and help with the puzzle.

She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table. He studies the pieces for a moment, looks at the box, then turns to her and says,

“First of all, no matter what we do, we’re not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a tiger.”

He takes her hand and says, “Second, I want you to relax. Let’s have a nice cup of tea and then…” he sighs…”Let’s put all these Frosted Flakes back in the box.”

dotted-lines

antie-acid-turkey

dotted-lines

Reflections:

Being thankful seems like a hard place to be when life is complicated. Many times I have listened as people share a heavy load they carry and admired how they survive the storms of life with thankful hearts. They press on with a confident determination, always seeing a brighter future and moving forward.

There have been many times in my life when I have been heartbroken, disappointed and saddened by life lessons that are hard to understand.

patientsThis last week I have was reminded that when we live our lives touching others we cannot always know the loads they carry or the loneliness they feel.

My husband Lyle had a doctors’ appointment on Thursday, I also needed to have blood tests. As we waited I took a number for the lab as the room was full of patients. After an hour I checked with the lab technician to see if I had missed her call for number 23. With a short snip, she told me to sit down and would let me know when she needed me!

As I walked back to my seat I told my husband the technician was a bag and rude; I prayed she would not do my blood work. I sat there and steamed a little, not nice I know but it felt justified. Lol. Do you feel like that some days?

Finally, my number 23 is called, “Oh no it was her, Mrs. Grumpy pants.”

I sat down and answered her relevant questions, where I lived, name, age and such. I smiled and tried to be nice, and thanked her for her time and effort. As I left she shocked me with a thank you for being so kind and considerate. She said it had been a rough day.

Boy did I feel guilty! How often do I need reminding, “Assumptions are shaky things to rely on: and situations are not always as they appear?”

I am so thankful that God has given me flash points in my life to remind me He is faithful to His love and promises. I may get upset, angry and emotional, but when I stand still and look up I know that God is always with me, and continues to love me. I am thankful every day He still teaches me new lessons about myself and others. Even when I fail He is not finished with me yet!©

For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11: 30 (NLT)

Yes, I can be thankful, I know I am never alone.

Thank you for dropping by and sharing your time with me.

Do you ever have doubts about God and his plans?

I would love to hear from you. Have a great week! Hugs to All!

Lovingly, Karan

If you have any Blonde Joke, stories, and funny cartoons,

please send them to me and I will share them.

We all enjoy a good giggle. Hugs happy-face

Thank You, Dear Friends

Thank You, Dear Friends

coffee-jesus

 

dotted-linesminions712

dotted-lines

 

 

Your Insights From my October 15, 2016 Survey

I promised to summarize my results from my survey, which I sent out on October 15, 2016. I want to share the conclusions I have as a result of the data. Thank you to each one who took the time to respond. It has helped me to understand who my readers are and to write what interests you.

serveyI love to write and laugh, but ultimately I want to bring a little sunshine and laughter to your world also.

As a point of reference, I had eight brave souls complete the survey so far. The survey was anonymous and each person was a number. I like surveys like that so people feel that they can give an honest opinion about the questions. If you haven’t taken the survey, I will add the link at the end of today’s blog and give you the opportunity to do so. It is not too late, and I value your thoughts.

Based on my readers’ comments, here are some of those conclusions:

Q 1. The average age of my readers are:

  • 45 to 54 – 12.50%
  • 55 to 64 – 00%
  • 65 to 74 – 00%
  • 75 or older – 12.50%

 

Q 2. In what country do you currently reside?

  • United States – 50.00%
  • Canada – 37.50%
  • Other (please specify) – 12.50%

Response:

  • 7 months in Canada…5 months in Arizona. 11/1/2016 5:12 PM

 

Q 3. How often do you log into social media networks (e.g. Facebook, Google+, etc.)?

  • Less than a few times a month 50%
  • A few times a month – 0.00%
  • A few times a week – 25.00%
  • About once a day – 25.00%
  • More than once a day – 37.50%

Q4. How did you hear about my blog and website?

  • Friends – 25.00%
  • Family – 37.50%
  • Other (please specify) – 37.50%

Responses:

  • I don’t remember. Maybe through someone in Stonecroft? 11/1/2016 5:12 PM
  • From you. 10/16/2016 8:43 PM
  • Saw it online & realized I knew you, Karan! 10/16/2016 12:24 PM

 

Q 5. Compared to our competitors, is our blog and website quality better, worse, or about the same?

  • A great deal better – 0.00%
  • Quite a bit better – 42.86%
  • About the same – 14.29%
  • Somewhat worse – 0.00%
  • Quite a bit worse – 0.00%
  • A great deal worse – 0.00%
  • Don’t know – 42.86%

 

Q 6. How likely is it that you would recommend our blog and website to a friend or colleague?

  • 96% – 11/1/2016 5:12 PM
  • 95% – 10/30/2016 3:20 PM
  • 85% – 10/16/2016 8:43 PM
  • 50% – 10/16/2016 12:24 PM
  • 99% – 10/16/2016 11:08 AM
  • 64% – 10/16/2016 8:04 AM
  • 73% – 10/16/2016

Q 7. What changes would most improve our blog and website?

  • I have sent it on or friends I thought would enjoy it. I can’t think of any changes. 11/1/2016 5:12
  • Results from readers when you ask their opinions. 10/30/2016 3:20 PM
  • Better proofreading – some grammatical errors and misspellings. 10/16/2016 12:24 PM
  • Maybe you could have encouragement to memorize scripture, a passage a week cause we all need to know Gods word, have it in our hearts and minds especially now when our Christian faith is being challenged in the laws of our country and persecution of our beliefs is rapidly becoming the norm. 10/16/2016 11:08 AM
  • Newer jokes. Have heard most of them. 10/16/2016 7:47 AM

Q 8. What do you like most about our blog and website?

Responses:

  • You’re down to earth anecdotes, the bible quotes, and Auntie Acid for a bit of humor. Also the blond jokes. 11/1/2016 5:12 PM
  • Bringing God’s Word into each situation. 10/30/2016 3:20 PM
  • The stories. 10/16/2016 8:43 PM
  • Uplifting and encouraging. LOW stress! Lovely Christian encouragement. 10/16/2016 12:24 PM
  • Your stories and encouragement, sharing your heart and applicable scriptures. Love the humor, things that make me laugh out loud. 10/16/2016 11:08 AM
  • Funny and inspiring. 10/16/2016 8:04 AM
  • Friendly, loving. 10/16/2016 7:47 AM

 

Q 9. What topics would you most like to learn about or discuss at our blog and website?

Responses:

  • Humor and Inspiration – 50.00%
  • Image and Fashion – 0.00%
  • Both = 50.00%
  • Other (please specify) – 0.00%

Q 10. Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns about our website, writer or content?

Responses:

  • Thank you for doing it! 11/1/2016 5:12 PM
  • Yes, the writer is such a pretty lady! 10/16/2016 11:08 AM
  • Refreshing. 10/16/2016 7:47 AM

 

I am praying that I will be able to make my blog posts, emails, and resources more interesting, and relevant to you. Thank you to each of you dear friends.

If you feel you missed out on the survey, you can still take the survey and add your comments. The results are completely anonymous, and I will not share your results with anyone. Just click below.

I Would Love to Help. Take me to the Survey!

Have a great weekend, Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Lost In A Snowstorm!

Lost In A Snowstorm!

A woman got lost while driving in a new England snow storm. However, she knew that if she waited for a snowplow, she could follow it and get to safety.
snow-storm

Before too long, a snow plow came by, and she followed it. In fact, she continued to drive behind the plow for nearly and hour.

Finally, the driver got out and asked her what she was doing. Upon her reply, the driver nodded and said, “Well, I’m done with Wal-Mart now. You can follow me over to Sears if you want to!” Author unknown

 

maxine32

 

Reflections:

On Thursday at about 7:30 am my husband was taken by ambulance to our area hospital with what looked like a mini stroke. Sometimes called a TIA-Transient-Ischemic-Attack.

ambulenceToday as I write the Dr. is still unsure what happened and what caused the episode. We are still waiting for more tests. As I have thought about the last few days I also remember the first stroke he had and how unprepared I was and how little I knew about them.

Would you recognize the symptoms of a stroke in your family, with friends or co-workers? Or is a stroke something that happens to others. I thought I knew all about the symptoms of a stroke, until the day 20 years ago when he had his first stroke.

On a hot day in July after spending the day on his horse, sorting and moving cattle Lyle came home tired, grumpy, and generally out of sorts.

I asked him if he was alright and he said he ached all over. I noticed he was walking a little slower but thought he had just had a rough day. He took a bath and went to bed without supper because he was tired.

The next morning he was out early to move more cattle and do some more sorting. He moved slower, his face was very red, he told me it was just a sunburn. He said he was fine, quit worrying

When he came home he didn’t look well at all. His face drooped, his speech was slurred  and he was dragging his left leg. He still insisted he was fine, but had a headache and blurred vision from the sun. 

After threatening him with his life I finally got him in the truck and off to the hospital as he argued all the way there, still insisting  he was fine.

At the hospital, his blood presser was up to 260 and said he would be going home in a few hours. He saw a Neurologist in Calgary who said he should have died. With two brain hemorrhages and one behind his eyes, his 20/20 vision had been damaged.

The DR. told me that when a person is in this state they don’t realize what is happening.

I have always felt that I should have been more aware of those symptoms sooner. Fortunately for our family, my husband has made a remarkable recovery.

Did you know that stroke is the # 3 death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in North America?

It occurs when a blood vessel brings blood and oxygen to the brain and gets blocked, or ruptures so the brain cells don’t get the blood flow they need.

They say, “Time Lost is Brain Lost.” The faster we recognize the symptoms the less damage is done.©

Psalm 139: 17 & 18 says:

Your thoughts are of great worth to me, O God. How many there are!

If I could number them, there would be more than the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

I thought I would share with you what I learned. I pray it will help others who find themselves in a similar situation. Check out the heart and stroke brochures at the website. Canada: www.heartandstroke.ca America: www.heart.org

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend.

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Coffee for Grandmother ~ The Election

Coffee for Grandmother

10A little grandmother was surprised by her seven-year-old grandson one morning. He had made her a cup of coffee. She drank what was the worse cup of coffee of her life

When she got to the bottom, there were three of those little green army men, and she asked him why they were there.

Her grandson said, “On television, they say, “the best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup!”

 

dotted-lines

acid-704

dotted-lines

Reflections:  The Election

This last year and especially these last few months I have found the election season very stressful.

votingAs an Americans living out of the United States, Lyle and I were excited to finally get our ballots and have the privilege of voting.

I am constantly amazed how everyone seems so invested here in Canada about this election. And like the US each person has their favorite candidate and a verity of opinions on them. No matter where I go people want to discuss the candidates.

I read an article a few month ago about the “election stress disorder.” It made me laugh, but then I realized I had many of the symptoms too. LOL. I had become distressed and anxious, always checking polls, twitter, and the news every morning and night.

I was telling my friend in South Carolina that I feared I had this “election stress disorder” and she laughed and reminded me I get like this every four years. What are friends for, to give us perspective when we can’t see the forest for the trees and our focus becomes small?

As I was reading my Bible this morning I was telling God how anxious I am  about this whole election process.

Luke 18:27 it says; …”what is impossible from a human perspective, is possible with God”

What a comfort to be reminded again that God is still in charge, and all is well.

Oswald chambers said it well, “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading.”

I am secure in knowing that in this world God is still on the throne.©

dotted-lines

Are you feeling anxious and stressed by this election like me?

No matter where you live, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you, Dear friends for spending your time with me.

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

 

I Need A Little Help From My Friends!

I Need A Little Help From My Friends!

images-65

2016 Readers Survey

As I write my blog each week I think of each of you as my friends. By doing this, it helps put a personal touch on my writing.

Instead of me writing and sending something out into cyberspace for just any random person to stumble across, I want to have you in mind. Offering real encouragement, thoughtful discussions, and transparent hope as we share together.

I am eager to make my blog better and more relevant to your needs and interests. But to do that, I need to know more about Y0u.

This is why I created my 2016 Survey. This short survey will help me to better know who I’m writing to. I will be able to make my blog posts, emails, and resources more interesting, and relevant to you.

Your input is very important to me. The survey is easy to fill out and will take less than three minutes to complete. The results are completely anonymous, and I will not share your results with anyone. Just click below.

I Would Love to Help. Take me to the Survey!

Thanks in advance for your help.

angel

Lovingly, Karan