Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Good News From Mary January 28, 2009

Waiting for Patience

Patience. It’s a tough word to swallow. Christians everywhere jokingly warn each other, “Don’t pray for patience! You’ll get it!” And we’ve all heard the joke,” I prayed for patience but I’m just not getting it fast enough!”

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Retirement Cash Flow Strategies


Turning a portfolio of stocks and bonds into a stream of regular income can seem complicated. It doesn't need to be. It can be as simple as telling your brokerage to sell enough shares of a particular stock or bond fund every quarter to generate a specific income dollar amount. By rebalancing your portfolio every year or so, you can make sure that your stock/bond allocation stays on track despite the periodic withdrawals.

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Debt may do what rain, heat, gloom can’t

Massive deficits could force the post office to cut out one day of mail delivery per week, the postmaster general told Congress on Wednesday.

Postmaster General John E. Potter asked lawmakers to lift the requirement that the agency deliver mail six days a week.

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Snuggie gets a warm embrace from pop culture

The Cult of the Snuggie threatens to take over America! Or at least, a substantial number — 4 million — of late-night couch spuds.

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House passes Obama economic stimulus plan

In a swift victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House approved a historically huge $819 billion stimulus bill Wednesday night with spending increases and tax cuts at the heart of the young administration's plan to revive a badly ailing economy.

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Good News for January 28 from Mary Beth

Giving Them a Pass: Pragmatism over Principle

"As I noted yesterday on BreakPoint, the inauguration of America’s first African-American President was one of the most moving moments in American history.

But now that the celebrations are over, it’s time to take a close look at how President Obama is planning to govern. And the closer I look, the greater my concerns. In his first week in office, he showed shown an alarming tendency to choose pragmatism over principle."

Read Chuck Colson's full commentary here.


MA Church to sponsor Winter Blast, invites people to Come In Out of the Cold

"Come in out of the cold to enjoy live music, fantastic games, crafts, face painting, and giveaways.

New shows have been added that include Micheal Flaherty the President of Walden Media, Paul Tavilla the Guinness World Record Holder for Grape-Catching, and members of the Boston Ballet Youth Troupe!"

The details await you here.


Big Daddy Weave's Mike Weaver going for 90 pounds in 2009

"Big Daddy Weave’s lead singer and guitarist, Mike Weaver, is resolving to lose 90 pounds this year by launching the '90 in ‘09 Challenge.'

That may seem like a lot of weight for a member of an active band, but fans know that Big Daddy Weave was named after brothers Mike and Jay Weaver, who both admit to having 'larger than average exteriors.'”

Join Mike in the challenge here.


Super Bowl Shirts, Hats and Towels Bound for El Salvador

"The winning team in Super Bowl XLIII remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — either outcome will spell excitement for children and families in El Salvador. Whether the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Arizona Cardinals win, shirts, hats, and towels will be given to people living in extreme poverty, as the National Football League and World Vision team up for the 17th year."

More on this super annual ministry awaits you here.


Chicago museum attendance healthy

"Despite last year's nose-diving economy, Chicago residents and out-of-town visitors continued to frequent the city's museums at a healthy clip, with attendance declining only by about 1 percent in 2008 from the previous year."

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Garden District house is perfect character in Oscar-nominated Brad Pitt movie 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

"One major character in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' won't be sitting expectantly in the audience when the 2009 Academy Awards are given out on Feb. 22, even though the movie received 13 nominations -- more than any other -- this week."

Get behind the scenes (including a video) here.


Sacramento - again - gets starring role in Disney painting


"The Disney Co. is once again giving Sacramento the star treatment. For the third year in a row, Disney is issuing a 'destination' painting showing some of its iconic characters against a River City backdrop."

Share the fantasy here.

Have a great Good News day!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Good News Posts from Margaret

Why you need to pay down your debts ASAP

“Waking up this morning, I heard the news of recent 50,000+ layoffs announced by a a few major companies (Caterpillar, Home Depot’s Expo, etc.). They reported that the current unemployment rate is at 7% and they expect it to be over 10% by the end of 2009.

It doesn’t require a PHD economist to know that when fewer people have jobs people spend less, causing businesses to make less and in turn cut jobs. The cycle then repeats itself.”

Read more of this article here…


Brief, Rigorous Exercise Cuts Diabetes Risk

“Rigorous exercise of short duration can significantly affect the body's ability to process sugars and fight diabetes, a new study suggests.

In research published in the journal BMC Endocrine Disorders, scientists from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, say they found that brief but intense exercise every day or two may help reduce the risk of diabetes.”

Read more about this study here…

Lacking Zzzs? 5 Ways to Get a Better Night's Sleep

“Tossing and turning all night long? Staring at the ceiling for hours, praying that sleep will come?

If you are one of the more than 100 million Americans who suffer from insomnia, sleep may be what you crave the most in your life.”

Read more of this article here…



Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
“As I squeezed down the narrow hall outside of Delaney's preschool room, I said hello to a mom-friend. ‘I love Julie's hair!’ I said as I noticed her daughter's hairdo—all twisted into cute spirals and fastened with colorful clips.

My daughter, eager as ever, bounced into the classroom and dove into her teacher's arms. ‘I love Delaney's smile,’ my friend said, rather graciously, I thought, as I looked at the back of my blonde beauty's head. Delaney was clean, but her hair revealed our morning battle—the most she'd let me do was to partially brush it. Put her hair up in clips or, for that matter, any style? Not a chance!”

Read more here…


Snow Day! How to make the most of the unscheduled time

Click here for some suggestions for keeping the children busy on these snowy days.

Shot of the Day for January 27, 2009

Apothecary Bottles

By Flickr Member Tina Lee Studio