ORLD IDE EB IRCLE OF RIENDS

elcome to our First 2005 February Issue Online Newsletter Hello everyone! This first issue for February, 2005 starts off with a dedication to my Mother-In-Law, Emma Irma Graf, who passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, January 30th, 2005 at the age of 91. You can read her story on the Motherhood Site . My mother-in-law was one of the most special mentors of my life. She taught me to cook, to crochet and so much more. We shared so much in our time together and words can not express how much I will miss her. The Dash copyright 1996 by Linda Ellis I read of a reverend who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears. But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; the cars...the house...the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. A Memorial Service for my mother-in-law, Emma Irma Graf, will be held on Wednesday, February 9th, 2005 @ 2:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Nanaimo. To the Top Planet Kryzys Gardening Last Monday I was chatting to Ruth from Michigan, USA on MSN and the subject of gardening arose. George has some bean plants growing inside of empty pop containers; an idea he got from this kids gardening site. Here is a 2005 goal for each of you: Every individual knows someone in his or her circle of influence who will benefit from gardening. Pick up a potted plant, flat of plants or get creative with your own container project and share the joy of gardening with someone in your community. Teach respect and enjoyment of gardening where dirt and water are the stuff of magic, and surprises lurk between rows. Anyone can succeed under the sun. "I did it myself" is a powerful thing. Remember: One of the best things you ever grow may be a gardener. How about a theme for your garden? An Alphabet Garden is just one fun idea if you have room for 26 plants. Simply choose from asters to zinnias, and make signs for each plant. For inspiring theme ideas do be sure to check out the 4-H Childrens Garden at Michigan State University. DISCLAIMER: Be sure to check out Jeanette's Garden Room Be sure to check out our Recycle Message Board on our MSN Community. Raising awareness is always the first step to action. Join our Planet Kryzys" (Crisis) Team today and come forward with things about your own area. We start off with awareness, and follow up with what we can do about it. Together we WILL make a difference. PLANET KRYZYS TEAM MEMBERS: Site manager, Daphne (BA,Argentina) Western Canada Coordinator, Sharon (BC,Canada) Eastern US Coordinator, Becky (Maryland, US) Would you like to be the representative from your corner of the globe? Please complete and submit the form below: My Name My Email I would like to represent: Please leave any comments or suggestions you may have here: The Planet Kryzys" (Crisis)site has been updated. Be sure to check out the article on electronic junk in the Recycling section. Hope you are busy finding or designing a suitable banner for the Planet Kryzys" (Crisis)site. Contest closes February 28/05 and the winning design could win a prize (one of the Circle's CD books) Entries are to be sent to Daphne from Argentina and will be included in the newsletter, and on the site. Good Luck! Daphne from Argentina. To the Top Mystery Member Peachy Marie has correctly guessed Charla from Florida as our Mystery Member. Be sure to email these two gals and get to know them somewhat better. As this newsletter goes to press I am still waiting to hear from Peachy Marie to see who she wants the next mystery member to be. Hint hint Marie!!! Help me out here everyone and email Peachy Marie to remind her to get in touch with me with a name for the Mystery Member Contest! Remember, at any time you think you know who the mystery member is please email me! The clues can be found throughout the Circle of Friends Members site and elsewhere on the many online sites. If you think it might be you..........you never know it could be!! Good Luck and......... Have Fun! If you have not completed your WWWCOF Survey yet please take a visit over to the Survey Page where you can easily complete and submit it online. To the Top Member of the Month Nominations The voting has closed for the January Members of the Month and the winner is Rebecca Lewis from Maryland. Please join me in congratulations to Becky! Becky hosts the postcard swap for the World Wide Web Circle of Friends. She is originally from Texas now living in Maryland in the United States of America. Time now to nominate someone for our February, 2005 Member of the Month so be sure to cast your ballot here today! Just in case you are wondering I do not qualify to compete in the Member of the Month competition. To the Top FEATURED SITES Fran from Tennessee, USA would like to alert all USA Members to the Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill and the importance that Congress ban "drive-through" mastectomies — the practice in which women are forced out of the hospital sometimes only hours after breast cancer surgery. If you agree that women require more than one night at a hospital after undergoing a mastectomy, you should sign this petition -- your chance to make your voice heard. With the strength of these petition numbers behind us, we will get this legislation passed. Do you have a favourite site that you would like to share with the members. Please let me know and I will be happy to put it in the newsletter. To the Top NOTICE!!! Well here we are into the second month of 2005, and I thought I’d se the old adage “K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Sadie, hey it sounds better than stupid!), and only give you one link to find all the interesting and exciting news and information. All you have to do is go to the Vital Stats Department where you will find all the links you need. Here are the Celebrations for February 2005 BIRTHDAYS February 1 - Melinda Carr February 5 - Garnet Duquette February 6 - BigsisPat February 7 - Gustavo Escribas and George Hokanson February 11 - Susan Herring February 13 - Charla Linder/Simmons February 16 - Ignacio Escribas and Janet Lockhart February 17 - Graham Lane February 20 - Patricia Gomez February 23 - Victoria Escribas and Billie Simmons February 25 - Darrell Melstrom February 27 - Carol February 28 - David Rhodes ANNIVERSARIES February 15 - Charla & John February 20 - David and Linda Rhodes celebrate 41 years February 24 - David and Janet's celebrate 48 years To the Top Swaps Keep your eyes on this section of the newsletter for announcements on upcoming swaps. In the meantime if you have any Questions? Need additional information? Please feel free to email your Swap Queen, Ruth. She always love hearing from all of you. To the Top Movie Reviews Jeanette Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne - Australia would like to say hello and remind you to be sure to visit the Movie Reviews from "The Land down under". She is a keen movie goer and has been for many many years, Graham and her used to go to the Movies once a week before they married and have continued being regular visitors to the movies for the past 44 years - so you can see that she has seen many many movies. They go now with the Probus Club that they belong to once a month to see the latest movies and she shares some of the good ones with us on her Movie Reviews site. love to you all - To the Top CONTEST The adorable mascott, pictured above, for Charla from Florida's site - You Are Not Alone is now officially known as Zachary Zebra. Congratulations to Bigsis Pat from Ontario, Canada for submitting the winning name suggestion. Bigsis Pat suggested Zachary because she likes putting words and sounds together so they flow ... hence Zachary Zebra To the Top Crafts Did anyone have a picture of the Valentine Card they made for the January craft of the month? If so send it to me please and I will post it here in the newsletter. Be sure to check out all the wonderful craft ideas in the WWWCOF Craft Site and add your own favourites or email Crafty Jayne from Kansas, USA, who will be happy to add them to our ever growing collection. To the Top

In this issue... Messages from members News and Announcements Lets Do Lunch The Great White North The Argentinean Chapter Ruby's Journal Tsunami Relief Challenge Planet Kryzys Post Card Club Tips & Recommendations Fun Tests, Quizzes & Games Swaps Recipes Crafts Reunion 2006 Members Questions & Answers Fun Featured Sites Health Watch Mystery Member Member of the Month Department of Vital Statistics Beefs & Bouquets Movie Reviews To the Top Let's Do Lunch What for exciting news about the next member lunch! To the Top Beefs & Bouquets The newsletter this week is interesting to put it mildly, I was fastinated by the Falls in winter article and pics Bigsis Pat sent in. The watermelon carvings sent in by Pami was out of the world, never seen art like that before. One thing though, the spring fever survey didn't work for me, since I could only click on one pair in each part.. clicking on another pair removed the one before. Daphne from Argentina To the Top Fun Tests & Quizzes & Games Test for Dementia It's that time of year to take our annual senior citizen test. Exercise of the brain is as important as exercise of the muscles. As we grow older, it's important that we keep mentally alert. The saying; "If you don't use it, you will lose it" also applies to the brain, so... Below is a very private way to gauge your loss or non-loss of intelligence. So, take the following test presented here and determine if you are losing it or are still "with it." Please don't look at the answers until you have made your answer. OK, relax, clear your mind and... begin. 1. What do you put in a toaster? Answer: "bread." If you said "toast," then give up now and go do something else. Try not to hurt yourself. If you said, "bread," go to Question 2. 2. Say "silk" five times. Now spell "silk." What do cows drink? Answer: Cows drink water. If you said "milk," please do not attempt the next question. Your brain is obviously over stressed and may even overheat. It may be that you need to content yourself with reading something more appropriate such as Children's World. If you said "water" then proceed to question 3. 3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from? Answer: Greenhouses are made from glass. If you said "green bricks," what the devil are you still doing here reading these questions????? If you said "glass," then go on to Question 4. 4. It's twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany. (If you will recall, Germany at the time was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany.) Anyway, during the flight, TWO of the engines fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure. Unfortunately the engine fails before he has time and the plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of "no man's land" between East Germany and West Germany. Where would you bury the survivors? East Germany or West Germany or in "no man's land"? Answer: You don't, of course, bury survivors. If you said ANYTHING else, you are a real dunce and you must NEVER try to rescue anyone from a plane crash. Your efforts would not be appreciated. If you said, "Don't bury the survivors", then proceed to the next question. 5. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales. In London, 17 people get on the bus. In Reading, six people get off the bus and nine people get on. In Swindon, two people get off and four get on. In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16 people get in. In Swansea, three people get off and five people get on. In Carmathen, six people get off and three get on. You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver? Answer: Oh, for crying out loud! Don't you remember your own name? It was YOU!! Now pass this along to all your "smart friends" and hope they do better than you did. Jeanette from Australia. To the Top Reunion 2006 Time to start thinking about the where and when? Reunion Proposals are now being accepted and will be accepted up until the end of June, 2005 following which a vote will be taken and planning will commence. Jeanette from Australia would like us to consider her corner of the globe as our destination for Reunion 2006. She recommends springtime. She brings to our attention that Australia will be holding the Commonwealth Games there in Melbourne in 2006 - the Melbourne Garden Show is held in April - 2nd in the world to the Chelsea Flower Show. Melbourne show is held in September and at Easter time the Sydney show is on. Markets are held each Saturday on the Mornington Peninsula. They also have flea markets and the wonderful Victorian Market in the city and South Melbourne. In Sydney there is the market at the Rocks which is wonderful as well. Melbourne is the shopping capital of Australia amd fashion house. Jeanette would love to have us all come on down there and would involve the Probus Club that she belongs to in welcoming you and making you feel at home - they have 125 members in the Club which is a mixed group of people. Do you want to host Reunion 2006? -- if you do please get your Reunion Proposal in as soon as possible! A special request for proposals has been set up here. Do be sure to check it out!! Bigsis Pat from Ontario, Canada has undertaken the position of Reunion 2006 Coordinator and she will need help so please watch this space for updates and more talk about the who? what? where? when? and why? I also created two new albums on the Photo Album Site so that anyone considering submitting a proposal to host the reunion can see how much fun it is meeting other members. The two new albums are Reunion 2003 (at Ruths) and "Let's Do Lunch". Be sure to check out the Reunion 2006 website. To the Top Just for Fun Marilyn from Nebraska, USA sends us some Church Humour There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady. "Somebody has well said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning." A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses." When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation." There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets." While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign.. "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust." A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God? A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy. "Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked. "You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... " A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business." People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention. A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?" The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay, said his father. "So, son, what does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy. It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'" Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming." The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to, ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances." During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up." At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner." And that is how the substitute became the regular organist! Give me a sense of humor, Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, And pass it on to other folk DISCLAIMER: Do you have a favourite joke or funny story to share with us? Be sure to visit our Computer Humour site! Email Daphne from Argentina with any computer jokes you have and she will happily add them to this collection. To the Top News & Announcements Pami from New York would like us to make our community sweeter one dessert at a time by visiting the "Random Acts of Sweetness" site and downloading free recipe and gift cards that will help you spread the sweetness. To the Top

Messages from Members I'm not doing to bad I guess. Just no energy at all. Last Fri. Night as I was finishing up supper I got a bad case I thought of indigestion, then started getting hot then sweating. Changed my shirt as I had long sleeves on but by then was having exstream pain between my boobs. Sat in my lounge chair and couldn't handle the chair, went to bed were I couldn't get comfortable on left side or back went to right side when I passed out; I thought for a few seconds when my husband came and asked if I had pain. I came too as the pain was easing up. Charlie said it was one half hour to three-quarters of a half hr. Monday when I went to my family Dr. they was sure I had a heart attack. He sent me to a heart doctor. He thought I had a heart attack as Charla did. Went to 2 Drs. Mon. back to heart dr. Wed and Fri. I've had all tests even Nuclear stress test. Now I'm in a waiting game till Feb. 17th when I'll get the results. I've had a Cold since Christmas and it has really run me down. Tell you one thing if that was a heart attack It really the way to heaven. Pain for a while and then you're gone. Which I Know I BELIEVE in Jesus Christ and going to heaven. Thanks for your concern, Love Marie Linder from Florida, USA I was at the hospital with my son. He is going to keep his hand Thank GOD! A home nurse will be going to his house to change the dressing & packing & administer IV antiobiotics for 10 days. So at least he will be ok. Love Charla from Florida, USA Vicki from Vancouver Island, Canada sends us this Alarm System My Mother in Indiana ( Margie Linder) needs prayer once again. Her lung cancer is out of remission. My brother called me today. We don't want chemo but they will do radiation once again. With all the prayers 1 1/2 years ago God allowed the radiation put it into remission. I know with all the prayers God will do it again. She is in no pain Praise God! But the mass is slowly growing. I will keep you informed. May God Bless you Charla from Florida, USA To the Top Tips & Recommendations Coping with the loss of a family pet Pami from New York, USA would like to share her experience. She clips a piece of fur off and writes a letter when a pet leaves her and seals it in an envelope ... She bawls as she writes her letter but it is her final closure ... and she puts their name on it and seals it ... and puts it in her top drawer ... this way she feels they never totally left her. Pami also highly recommends that you visit the Rainbow Bridge website. Having some computer problems? Be sure to visit our Geek's Corner - This is the page where Circle members can help each other solve problems with their computers, web pages, design and related articles. Questions? or do you need additional information? Email Daphne from Argentina and she will be more than happy to help you out. Do you have any tips or recommendations that you would like to pass along to the other members. Email me and I will get it published. DISCLAIMER: Tips reflect member suggestions and are not verified by the WWWCOF. To the Top Questions & Answers I was just wondering why every day we are getting messages from WWCOF craft page, soliciting home loans and refinancing Rosina from Nova Scotia, Canada DISCLAIMER: Is anyone else having this problem? To the Top Health Watch Have you or someone you love been prescribed a new prescription -- be sure to research the medication -- there are lots of drug information sites online but one I highly recommend is Drugs.com To the Top The Great White North Bigsis Pat, our Canadian Correspondent, has prepared a new website for our enjoyment entitled "Falls Winter". Enjoy! To the Top The Argentinean Chapter Jan 29/05 - Last night we went to the first public show of the folk ballet troupe " Los Mayuatos." Leo already attended one in the Navy Base where they are staying for the weekend, but the show we saw, had special scenery hitched up and was really really beautiful. Part of it was the Christmas Nativity scene but with a north Argentina attitude rather than the traditional. Then it went on to show the life circle in the mountain area, and ended up with a really neat dance routine that showed a young girl who wanted to leave those surroundings, cut off her tradtional plaits, wear high heels and modern clothing. "mama" indicating she was crazy and all the other folk ignoring her. But off she went on a "horse" to Mar del Plata. Then her "brothers" went to visit her in their gaucho attire and found her totally different, so that's why the "troupe" came to mar del Plata. Then they ended up dragging the public into a modern disco type dance. It was wonderful! You can read about Argentina, the country I adopted here Love from Daphne To the Top Recipes Quick Veggie & Beef Noodle Bowl Ingredients 1/4 cup Kraft Light Done Right! CATALINA Dressing 1 lb. boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into thin strips 2 cups each: sliced carrots, bok choy and red peppers 1 can (10 fl oz/284 mL) beef broth, undiluted 1 tsp. each: ground ginger and garlic powder 2 cups hot cooked angel hair pasta Procedure Heat dressing in large frying pan. Add steak strips and carrots; stir-fry 5 to 7 min or until cooked through. Add broth, bok choy, peppers and seasonings; bring just to boil, stirring occasionally. Serve over pasta in bowls. Prep Time: 10 min Ready In: 25 min Serves: 4 Do you have a recipe for us to enjoy? We would love for you to add it to all the wonderful recipes being collected in the WWWCOF Cookbook or email The Recipe Lady aka Claudia who will be happy to add them for you. To the Top Travelling Mascott Ruby's site has been updated! Read all about our globe trotting mascot in her journal by clicking on the picture of her logo! Also please enjoy this site which has been set up for people who have met Ruby to tell us what they think. This goes for all who have met her - not only those who have hosted her visits. This is the type of thing you will find published -- enjoy! When I entered this competition I thought about what everyone would have affection for, and appeal to, even if you are a teenager (at heart) or someone like me who is retired. What came to mind was a teddy bear and there is no doubt throughout the world people love Teddy Bears, I myself have a wonderful collection of bears and books on bears. The moment that I saw Ruby I fell in love with her - there she was sitting in the window of the Newsagents in Mornington and somehow she said to me "take me home Jeanette - I am for you". Ruby is so beautiful - my grandchildren just loved her and want to hear about her travels when we go into the computer to see where this lucky young lady has been to. To me Ruby is a symbol of our friendship and caring for one another - since I joined this group - now nearly 3 years ago I have made many wonderful friends - I live here a long way from you all in the Land down under (Australia) amd although I am so far away I feel as though I know each and everyone of you, from my talking on MSN to you and also Skype. The great emails and the friendship and caring for one another is something out of this world, and something that I could not do without now. So in Ruby I see each one of you now - and just see what she has done for all of us in World Wide Circle of Friends - love to all - Jeanette Melbourne - Australia. p.s. give her a kiss from me (her mother). Ruby is moving on again. She is off to next, and TAZ (Karen) of Indiana To get your name on the list for Ruby to visit you, just drop a line to Daphne from Argentina and she will add you. Who knows, yours just might be the name little Agos picks out.... as she is the one in charge of the draws or complete the simple form that follows: My Name My Email Location Please add my name to the list. Comments/Suggestions? Ruby has her very own email address too so be sure to email Ruby and don't be surprised when you see your message in her online journal! I know she would love to hear from you. To the Top More Photo Albums for your enjoyment! Member Albums To the Top I hope you have enjoyed this issue. Remember that the three most difficult things to say are I Love You; Sorry and Help Me and what is most difficult for you to say or do is more valuable than anything that you can buy with money! HAVE A GREAT WEEK I would like to close this week's issue with this poem sent in by Jeanette Melbourne - Australia: Net Friends I consider you my friends Although we've never met You've managed to touch my heart Through this thing called 'The Net' You've been there for me When I've needed someone How can I ever thank you For all that you've done When I've needed a shoulder A prayer, a hug or an ear You have been there for me Like we've been friends for years I don't quite understand it Us meeting as cyber-friends But I feel God had a hand in it In order for me to mend I prefer not to use it This term 'cyber-friend' I'll leave off the 'cyber' And just call you friend I feel I must thank you For showering me with love My angels right here on earth Sent from Heaven above Author Unknown. Punxsutawney Phil: Saw Shadow Wiarton Wee Willie: Did not see Shadow - More information about Groundhog Day