The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee

A dear friend emailed me this article and I'd like to share it with ya'll.  It's a great reminder about how we should spend our time!

The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee
When things in your life are almost too much to handle, when 24 hours is just not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar, and the coffee...

     A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.  When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
     He then asked the students if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was.
     So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.  He shook the jar lightly.  The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golfballs.  He than asked the students again if the jar was full.  They agreed it was.
     The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of course, the sand filled up everything else.  He asked the students once more it the jar was full.  They responded with a unanimous "YES".
     The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.  The students laughted.
     "Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.  The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends, your faith, and your favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
     The pebbles are the other things that matter like you job, your house, and your car.
     The sand is everything else - the small stuff.  "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
     The same goes for life.  If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important.
     Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.  Play with your children! Take time to get medical checkups.  Take your wife/husband/lover/friend out to dinner.  Maybe even play another 18.  There is always time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
     Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter.  Set your priorities.  The rest is just sand!"
     On of the students raised her hand and enquired what the coffee represented.  The professor smiled.  "I'm glad you asked.  It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there is always room for a couple cups of coffee with a friend!"

~David Jones - Dispatcher

It's so good...

to be able to relax and have family time.

Wednesday night, the Leman family got together for thanksgiving.  Lots of people in a small house--little bit crazy!  Had a yummy supper of Dave's Chicken (actually I'm not a huge fan) with a bunch of side choices.  After supper, I found myself in a toy throwing war with Caleb and Shannon.  (Pretty sure I about gave Shannon a goose egg on her forhead... :S Sorry Shan!) ;)  It was good to spend time with the family.

Thanksgiving morning, Dad got ambitous and decided to make us pancakes for breakfast.  Just as a side note... I cannot remember the last time we have ever had normal, pancake mix pancakes for breakfast as a family. Litterally, it's been forever! Oh, and it wasn't just pancakes, we had cloth napkins too.  For BREAKFAST! AND there were cute turkey holders around then.  We ate in class for sure. Yea... and this was breakfast. ;) I will spare you the horendous picture of us... we look like zoombies who just finished fighting a war... it was a tad bit early for me! But you must see the adroable turkey's...

and those are the pancakes in the background...

After church we had the Eisenmann thanksgiving and let me tell ya... I cannot remember the last time I've ate such delicious food, and soo much at once!  I. Was. Stuffed.  Actually, more than stuffed. Ballooned.  We had turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed taters n gravy, sweet potatoes, cheesy carrots, lettuce, fresh fruit, fruit jello salad, dinner rolls, and 6 different kind of pie(I only tried 4!).  And then I had to leave and go to work.  Depressing.  But it was a good night.  Everyone was in the holiday happy mood and so was I, so it was great!  (However I don't recommended trying to work too hard after eating soo much... it's quite challenging!)

 Just getting ready to head to Latty, OH for a friends wedding.  Have a blessed weekend!



So Thankful

For my wonderful, loving family.
For a day of blessings.
For a warm roof over my head.
For the deliciously tasting food I take for granted everyday. (Even when it's not deliciously tasting.)
For a brother who willingly gives backrubs (but for one in return, of course!)
For time to spend with those I love.
For kids who make me smile.
For the best mother and father anyone could wish for.
For friendships that last a lifetime.
For green grass, blue skies, and sunlight.
For clouds, rain, and storms.
For answered prayers and unanswered prayers.
For God's undying love.
For life, in times of joy and in times of trial.
For smiles, and laughter, and hugs.
For stubborn residents at work.
For stressful days.
For life, and breath, and peace.
For a God who is All-powerful, Omnipotent, All mighty.
For the Hope I have in my heart.
For Christ, who willingly died, for me and for YOU, that we can be free, and sinless, and joyful.

 For ALL that I have been blessed with.

Hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Much love.

Big 5 Results

I had to complete a personality test for my online PSY class for extra credit.  Incase any of you are interested, here are my results.  I could also choose a person that I wanted to compare my personality too, so I filled out my answers and the other persons.  Just for kicks, I decided to choose Karla.  We actually are quite alike... :S but she is a bit more outgoing and um...(I  really don't want to say to this... but...) more organized than me?! :S Actually... I think the results for me turned out to be more like Karla...(Minus the extroverted part) I mean, Karla is totally the queen of doing things haphazardly. (I was totally way too nice to Karla when I filled this out!) ;)  And Karla RELAXED?! For real?! I think I totally messed something up filling this out! JK Karla... I Love You! ;)  Oh... and I guess we are extremely close minded people so don't even try to change our minds once they're made up!

(Sorry this is so confusing to read... the dots are on a line... the words on each end are the personalities that are being described)

	My Results Karla's Results
Closed-Minded		Open to New Experiences       I prefer traditional and familiar experiences.       Karla prefers traditional and familiar experiences.
Disorganized		Conscientious        I tend to do things haphazardly.        Karla tends to do things somewhat haphazardly.
Introverted		Extraverted      I am relatively social and enjoy the company of others.      Karla is extremely outgoing, social, and energetic.
Disagreeable		Agreeable      I tend to consider the feelings of others.      Karla is good-natured, courteous, and supportive.
Calm / Relaxed		Nervous / High-Strung      I am not particularly nervous, nor calm.      Karla is generally relaxed.