Patriot Day — Never Forget

I wanted to get this posted this morning, but was not able. Here are some links to video tributes.

We must never forget.

9-11 Tribute 2006

9-11 Tribute Video

Sandy 9-11 8th Anniversary Tribute

8th Anniversary 9-11 Video Tribute

ChrisCD :O)

What Really Happened on Thanksgiving

Caroline Baum publishes an annual column on what really happened with the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving. I invite you to check it out.

Thanksgiving Story Resonates in Year of Crisis

Happy Thanksgiving!!! May you and yours be blessed.

cd :O)

10-Day Give

I wanted to feature this in the newsletter, but I honestly don’t know when I’m going to be able to get that done. However, I still want to get the information out there.

In these scary times, sometimes it is helpful to take our eyes off ourselves, and look towards helping others. That is the premise of the 10-Day Give. It was started at a blog that I frequent.

Give it some thought and consider joining. We probably can’t directly affect the current crisis, but we can do small things that can have a ripple effect.

Go to it.

10-Day Give

cd :O)

Passing Around Some Link Love

Still working on the newsletter. We’ve been looking at bringing on some additional products and services, and that research has been taking up quite a bit of time. Hopefully, over the next months, you will see some fruits of that.

In the meantime, here are a couple of sites you can visit. Fighting Foreclosure is looking for honest ways to earn another $900 a month to avoid having the home foreclosed. Her latest post, Book Selling Online,looks to do just that. She is a single-mom and I give her Kudos for not just walking away. She is trying to do the right thing. Take a visit and see if you can offer some suggestions.

Another Blog can be found at Clever Dude. He started in 2006 and likes to share personal finance information based on the lessons he is learning from the misktakes he made. His latest post is a book review, A Million Bucks by 30.?

Neither of these blogs contacted me. I found them during my searches around the web. I hope you enjoy them.

cd :O)

Tough Call – To Post or Not

I really struggled with whether to make this post or not.?? It isn’t business related nor on topic for what the blog is usually about.? I even have other posts I would like to make. But, I just felt the need to express a few thoughts.?

Regardless of your circles, you probably heard that Steven Curtis Chapman and his family suffered a devestating loss yesterday.? Their five-year old daughter, Maria Sue,?was hit in the driveway by one of their other teenage children driving home.? The teenager didn’t see her.? I know the Christian community (of which I belong) is reaching out to them with prayers and looking to help anyway they can.?

Although, receiving prayers from all over the world I’m sure helps bring comfort this is probably a case where they really don’t want the attention.? However, that really isn’t the point of my post.

Tragedies like this happen everyday.? Families experience loss everyday.? Since I do have a large family, it just struck a chord.? I have a daughter that is the same age as?Maria Sue?was.? We don’t expect things like this to happen to us.? Nobody is immune from loss or tragedy.? No matter how many records you’ve sold, miles you’ve walked, or days you’ve taught.? No matter how many people know your name, how many hearts you’ve fixed, how many teeth you’ve repaired, or how many sermons you’ve preached.? No matter how many posts you’ve made, how many bad guys you’ve caught, how many wars you’ve fought, or how many fires you’ve put out.? Your next day is not promised.? Those around you are not promised another day with you.

Take time today to make sure those you love, know it.? Take time today to heal broken relationships.? Take time today to make sure things are in order.? Give your wife, your children, your friends, your boss, your pastor, your paperboy, whoever an extra hug today.

Finally, I have certain beliefs that allow me to not fear such tragedies.? I know there is a God who is bigger than I am, and He is in control.? However, I’m not going to beat you over the head?with those beliefs.? Sometimes, though, it takes a tragedy to ask the right questions and to seek the right answers.? I’ll leave you a link if you want to explore more.? On Tuesday, Lord willing, its back to business.

www.purposedriven.com/salvation

cd :O)

A Recommendation, A Ramble, and A Rant

First a recommendation.? A young man (Bruce Dickson) who I personnally know tried out for American Idol and on national TV explained his committment to purity.? He didn’t make the show, but has since received notice from shows like Hannity&Colmes in California and Fox News in Austin, TX.? He wrote a song which is available for download for 99 Cents.? I encourage you to check it out and support his efforts.? I’m not making any money from this endorsement, just trying to help him out.? We actually sang together in the church we use to attend, when he was about 9-years old.? Bruce Dickson Fans

The Fed is poised to lower rates again, next week.? Most believe they will cut 50 Basis Points, but I’ve heard the big 75 being thrown around.? The economy may be in worse shape than stastics are telling.? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses magic fairy dust to help with their reports on added or subtracted jobs.? One aspect they use as an outdated birth/death adjustment.? This added 134,000 jobs last month.? If it weren’t for that adjustment, the job market would have shown a -200,000 jobs instead of the -63,000.? Do you get the feeling we are being fleeced?? I do, but what can we do?!?

And now for my rants.? I received some emails asking for information on banks that accept immigrants that may or may not be documented.? I don’t have a problem with documented and legal immigrants.? After all, that is what our country was built on.? I have a problem with illegal immigrants who think we owe them welfare, healthcare, education, etc.? And?I realize it is easy for me to say?since I was born here.? But my great, great, great grand-parents were not.? They came to this country to be Americans.? They learned the language, our laws, our ways.? They taught their children to honor this great country.? If that is what people coming here are?endeavoring to do, I say come on in.? If not, I say keep them out.? Here are some words from the past:

In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or orgin.? But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegience here.? Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all.? We have room for but one flag, the American flag…We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language…and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people. — Theodore Roosevelt, 1907

The Dash

Most of the time?my?posts revolve around CDs and the economy.? Occasionally, I like to post something inspirational.? I’ve read this poem many times, but someone put it to music with photographs.? Remarkable!? Enjoy.

The Dash

cd :O)

Big Dog Passes On To Better Place

A True Big Dog passed?Wednesday afternoon.? Our dog Christy went to doggie heaven.? I’m dedicating today’s post to her.?

She wasn’t a big dog in size, but in heart.? She was a cross between a Bassett Hound and a Lab.? She looked like a Lab with no legs or a giant Daschund.

She was courageous, strong, and devoted.? Three qualities that one must have to be a big dog in my book.? She never complained, whimpered, or whined.? She always had a gentle touch with kittens and puppies, yet was strong and firm when necessary.

She accepted every child we had, every kitten or cat we rescued, and every other dog that we brought into the family.? She provided comfort through trials, companionship when we were lonely, and stood watch over us at night.

Christy, you were the best dog on Earth and now Heaven delights in your company.? Until we meet again, we’ll keep looking up…

Your memory lives on through our courage, strength, and devotion.?

Patroit Day – 9/11

A day we should all remember.

Blood of Heroes?

What Color Crayon Are You?

Here is some relief form the burdens of the up and down economy.?

You Are a Yellow Crayon

Your world is colored with happy, warm, fun colors.?? You have a thoughtful and wise way about you. Some people might even consider you a genius. Charming and eloquent, you are able to get people to do things your way. While you seem spontaneous and free wheeling, you are calculating to the extreme. Your color wheel opposite is purple. You both are charismatic leaders, but purple people act like you have no depth. ?

I was hoping for Orange as that is my favorite color