ORLD IDE EB IRCLE OF RIENDS

elcome to our Last January 2005 Issue Online Newsletter Hello everyone! Thought I would start this last issue for January, 2005 off with a quote: Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be. .....Fannie Brice Sophisticated, self-assured, smart ... we all try to project a certain image to others. Yet as scary as it can be to let others know you as you are, the real you is too precious to hide. Your sense of humour, your tenderness, even your little flaws make you more lovable -- because they give others the freedom to be themselves too. Just being who you are is the real gift you give to the world. Just for fun how about taking the World Wide Web Circle of Friend's Personality Quiz - "How does spring fever affect you?" Tsunami Relief Challenge Share what you are doing with us with regards to the Tsunami Relief. If you have not already donated and would like to help out with Tsunami Relief please join our humble efforts to raise funds for this good cause. Until February 28th, 2005 we will be collecting funds to contribute to the disaster relief organizations to help with the re-building process. A list of donors will be maintained and listed in the newsletter. Individual donation amounts will not be disclosed but an update total of all donations combined will be announced weekly in the newsletter as well. Please take a moment to visit our Tsunami Relief Challenge websites. Every little bit will make a huge difference to the victims of this disaster! To the Top Planet Kryzys Recycling Crafts Picture Frame - Found this great idea the other day .. a way to make a picture frame using a square tissue box. Simply cut off the bottom, then using the opening as the frame for the picture, cut the box along each seam to create four flaps. Tape the side ones behind the opening to create a backing. Cut a slit in the bottom panel 1 inch from the edge, fold it up, taper the topflap so it fits in the slit and fold it down. Hat Boxes - cover papier-mache boxes with a cheery array of fabric scraps, top them with little straw hats, then accent them with dainty trim scraps and silk flowers. 4" Diameter x 2 1/4" High box - To cover sides of box bottom, cut a 4 1/4" x 13 1/2" piece of fusible web to fit and fuse to wrong side of fabric. Cut out. Place box bottom on paper side of web and trace outline with pencil and cutout. Wrap fused rectangle around box, having 1" extending at top and bottom edges and 1/2" overlap at side seam. Fuse to box. Clip extending fabric edges at 1/2" intervals. Turn clipped edges to inside and underside of box and fuse in place. Fuse fabric circle to underside of box. To line box, cut a 9" Diameter circle of fabric. Fold edge 1/2" to wrong side and make running stitches 1/4" from edge. Gather edge to fit inside circumference of box. Pin top edge of lining around top edge of box, distributing gathers evenly. Hot-glue gathers to inside rim; remove gathering thread. To add a handle, tie each end of a 10" length of 1/8" Diameter satin cord. Trim ends close to knot; dot knot with tacky-glue. Hot glue ends to each side of bottom, 3/4" from top edge. To add a swag, fold a 36" length of cord in half and make an overhand knot at center. Repeat the same knot every 4". Hot glue knots to box 3/4" from top edge. Paint all but top of lid with 2 coats acrylic paint. Finish with 2 coats water-based varnish. Fuse a circle of fabric to top of lid. Add a trim along sides of lid, if desired. Bend up hat brim. Tacky-glue a ribbon hat band in place. Hot-glue small sprays of silk fowers, as desired. Hot-glue hat to center top of hat. 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. 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 Last chance to nominate someone for our January, 2005 Member of the Month so be sure to cast your ballot here today! To the Top FEATURED SITES Hot website for Bargain Shoppers Niagara's Freedom Trail the Mothers site has a new poem by Charla dedicated to Mothers Ruby has sent a message and her site is also updated. Does any one else want their name on the list for this weekend's draw to be the next person to recieve her? The Geeks page has several fresh articles in many of its sections. 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!!! You will see some changes with the Celebrations calendar. At the bottom of the page are Next and Back buttons, that you can use to navigate through the months. The calendar has gotten so big, that when I was doing work on it, it would take forever to load in. So broke it down into smaller "pieces" so that each month is on a separate page. Hopefully this will make it easier for you as well. Thanks Bigsis Pat's from Ontario, Canada Be sure to visit Bigsis Pat's January Trivia Pages Birthdays and Anniversaries for January include: Jan 31: Alan DeFraia (Pami's hubby) pdefraia@hvc.rr.com Jan 31: Woody Wood (Loretta's hubby) galowood@earthlink.net Please take a moment to send your best wishes to these folks. And when you get a chance visit the Department of Vital Statistics where you find links for the Trivia Page, The Celebration Gallery, and the calendar Page (with a slightly new look). Also, you will find instructions there to view the Circle of Friends Photo Albums. To the Top Swaps The Valentine's Swap is underway. It is going to be so much fun as it is some what like the Christmas swap except this time we are to take the word VALENTINE and it will be up to us to find something that goes with each letter of word Valentine and it can be any thing that go with the theme of Valentine. So you all have a free hand in what you choose. If you can't find anything that go with a letter then just send something else as long as it stick with the theme of Valentine. It will be a neat swap as we won't have a clue what we are getting till we get it. So let's get busy and have a great time with this swap. Questions? Need additional information? Please feel free to email me, your Swap Queen, Ruth. I always love hearing from all of you. 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 To the Top Crafts Craft of the Month January 2005 - Valentines' Cards Crafty Jayne from Kansas, USA and Loretta, aka Angel Patch from Texas, USA have put their heads together as to what to start the New Year with for the new "Craft of the Month" and have decided that since Valentines is approaching why not make Valentines Cards to give to our sweetheart, best friends, or our children. It doesn't matter if you have ever been a paper crafter or not. It is so much fun to learn so join us in doing it together and see what we can do with paper, stamps, buttons, lace, etc. There are so many items we can use with paper. 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 Fun Tests & Quizzes & Games WWWCOF Spring Fever Survey Okay enough of winter right? Time to turn our thoughts to Spring! Take a moment please to complete our Spring Fever Survey. Results will be published in next week's newsletter. To the Top Let's Do Lunch What for exciting news about the next member lunch! 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. 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 Messages from Members I am sending this to all of you who responded to my prayer requests for my son. I can't remember who I answered & who I didn't. A lot of phone answering during reading my emails from all of you. I didn't want to miss anyone. Thank you so much for your prayers. I talked to the doctor today. Alan had surgery last night and is having a whirlpool therapy 2 X a day and lots of IV antiobiotics. He is in a lot of pain. He has to have another surgery on Thursday to get down to the bone in his hand. The doctor said it looks better that he might be able to save his hand if he keeps responding to the treatment. I know God will heal Him. We just have to keep praying. Thank you to ALL of you and may God Bless you each one. Love Charla from Florida, USA How are you doing with this weather? Our church (and many many others) was cancelled this morning because of it. Since we don't get that much snow, it is hard for us to drive in it. Today it is supposed to get worse and then nice on Monday. I received Shane's postcard. The card that Shane sent me showed someone frozen in snow with "you" on it and others on a sunny beach with "me" on it. She sure is right. Have a great day, Christine from Delaware, USA - I will not be home for e-mails between Jan. 29th to Feb. 6th. Bahamas here I come!!!!!!!! Hoping to meet a wwwcof.......Sheena Grant there in Nassau. Will let you know when I get back. DISCLAIMER: Isn't that prefect timing and the perfect postcard -- Just one more great reason to sign up for our Post Card Club! HI Been down all week with the flu, this is first day on computer, it seem the flu is going around here at full speed. Bea from Florida, USA To the Top Just for Fun The computer swallowed Grandma. Yes, honestly it's true. She pressed 'control' and 'enter' And disappeared from view. It devoured her completely, The thought just makes me squirm. She must have caught a virus Or been eaten by a worm. I've searched through the recycle bin And files of every kind; I've even used the internet, But nothing did I find. In desperation, I asked Jeeves My searches to refine. The reply from him was negative, Not a thing was found 'online'. So, if inside your 'Inbox,' My Grandma you should see, Please 'Copy', 'Scan' and 'Paste' her, And send her back to me! ~~ Author Unknown ~~ submitted by Charla from Florida, USA 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 One of Jeanette's friends from Australia did this graphic for her. Isn't it lovely? CONTEST Remember Charla from Florida's site - You Are Not Alone? Well this site comes with its very own adorable mascott -- the red striped zebra you see in the picture above. This little fella is an orphan and does not have a name. Please help us name him. Complete the entry form which follows but please do so before the end of the month as the contest closes on January 31st, 2005. Voting will follow with the winner being announced in the newsletter's first February issue. Carla has emailed me to remind everyone that this little zebra is a boy! So far we have the following suggestions from our membership: Zink should be his name. The reason being .. read below Zink's Story - "The message Kelly sends, through her story Zink the Zebra - A Special Tale, communicates the importance of being kind and sensitive to others who appear different from us. The life skills of understanding, respect, compassion, and acceptance of others are the fundamentals of true friendship. This young author knew that we are more alike than we are different, and that those very differences are what make us special!" I would like to call her Candy Cane, as she was found around Christmas, and seeing her pic she looks very much like one. Zachary, cause I like putting words and sounds together so they flow. hence Zachary Zebra RUBY is my name suggestion since each one here is a jewel Smiley. When I took a look at this cute Zebra, he made me smile and it was such a good feeling. Today had been cold and windy day and looking at him also warmed my heart. My Name My Email I vote for Zink Candy Cane Zachary Zebra Ruby Smiley To the Top

News & Announcements Washington Monument Memorial Stones Loretta from Maryland, USA emailed me a story about the Washington Monument and I found it most interesting to discover that a unique feature of the Washington Monument is the 193 memorial stones that adorn the east and west interior walls of the monument. Starting in July 1848 the Washington National Monument Society invited states, cities and patriotic societies to contribute Memorial Stones. The Society listed some requirements to be followed. They asked that the stone be durable, a product of the state's soil, and meet the following dimensions: four feet long, two feet high and 18 inches thick. These stones pay tribute to the character and achievements of George Washington. These traits are not only admired by Americans but by people the world over as exemplified by the number of stones donated by foreign countries. Due to resource protection and security concerns, the memorial stones are no longer accessible to the public. The National Park Service is proud to make these stones available through this website. You can see the list of the stones donated by states, territories and the District of Columbia here. By selecting ALL STONES you can see the complete list of stones located in the monument. To the Top Tips & Recommendations GOOD CONDENSED SECURITY ADVISE Make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! 1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks. 2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED". 3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it. 4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it. 5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case your wallet/purse has been stolen or lost: 1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them. 2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). 3. Call the 3 national (USA) credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen: 1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289 4) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271 submitted by Christine from Delaware, USA 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 Do you want to create your very own website? Help will soon be on the way! 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 We have a busy weekend coming up. The Salta residents club, of which Gustavo(Charito's hubby) is president and Leo is Vice, have been doing a lot to make a folk ballet troupe from Salta feel comfortable in this city. They have been given board in the Navy Base, and they will be doing a few shows for the general public over the weekend. On Sunday there is a BBQ in their honour in a sports club(the club Romina turned down for her wedding party) where all the people connected with the Salta residents club will attend. The group is called "Los Mayuatos" taking its name from ariver duck, found in the northern provinces. I hope to get some pics. You can read about Argentina, the country I adopted here Love from Daphne To the Top Recipes Have you ever wondered what you can do with watermelons? Check this out!!!! My friend just sent me this link .... It's totally breathtaking! I only wish I could be so talented. Pamifrom NY, USA 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! Ruby has enjoyed her first Christmas, New Year and snow fall all at Becky's house in Maryland. She has helped make chocolate chip cookies and has been on hand to help Becky back to health. But she knows it is time to move on again, and wants to broaden her horizons, have a chance to meet as many members as she can. So if you would like to add your name to the list for the next draw, please do so. You have time till the 30th Jan when all the names on the list by then have equal opportunity of getting picked. 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? 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. HAVE A GREAT WEEK