5 reasons for not even mentioning Halloween!

This past week the Los Angeles Times reported Halloween sales were up over last year--obviously beating all expectations. The conclusion was "people need a little fun in hard times."

Fun? Oh we're a long way from fun! Check out any Halloween web site and you'll find witches with ulterior motives, Jack-O-Lanterns representing an ancient symbol of demonic superstition and ghoses--well, ghosts, you know? And in this morning's paper, an article on the front page of the Health section (not sure what that's about) citing young girls' Halloween costumes that have become more and more risque while young boys are going macho.

In the search for fun--what I discovered instead were "alternatives to Halloween." In my opinion--"5 reasons for not even MENTIONING Halloween!"

1/trick or treat alternatives (like what?)

2/candy alternatives containing no sugar (it's just wrong)

3/making Halloween "green" (unless it's Kermit--count me out)

4/alternatives for making Halloween safe (I promise to wear a helmet)

5/alternative names for Halloween! (okay I'm done)

As much as we've tried to bring spirits and saints together for this admittedly ignominious holiday--and with safety of body and mind important issues--still, alternatives just don't make up for the "bee" costume, and the grocery bag filled with candy--so much candy I was sick for a week!

BB

What's your dream Saturday?

If you ask a "boomer" (which Hartford Financial Services Group did) their top choice of four celebrities they'd most like to share a dream Saturday with is. . .Tiger Woods? Number 2 is Rachel Ray, followed by Barak Obama and in number 4 spot, our favorite home improvement guy,

Ty Pennington. I'm thinking Senator Obama's not all that delighted to know he was trumped by a cooking guru!

For me, it's getting up early on a Saturday morning, enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee, some reading--and about 7:00AM talking to my sis, Sharon. We've been doing our Saturday morning "chat" for 40 years--and we rarely miss. Our touch point not only anchors my day--it's been anchoring my life for a lot of years.

So what's your Saturday fav?

BB

Let your donors know!

Hope combats fear!

As ministry leaders we, of all people, understand hope combats fear. It just makes sense to be proactive in letting donor partners know you understand and care, and that this financial catastrophe is a shared journey.

To say. . .we get where you're struggling--we're in ministry to reach out to those we care about the most--YOU

To say. . .thank you more loudly than ever before--and because it's always the right thing to do

To say. . .we're achiving results (be specific) with the support you're sharing with us each month

To say. . .your smallest gift of even $5 is meaningful--and we commit to using it faithfully and efficiently in ministry

To say. . .we're the ministry where you can be encouraged, informed and engaged!

It makes sense!
BB

Doughnut or donut--it's Friday!

Whether it's doughnut or donut--at Ambassador it means--it's Friday!

As a child I watched my grandmother make "fried cakes" nearly every day. Sizzling hot, the ones with powdered sugar sprinkled on top were my favorite. And donut holes? To die for! Now nothing short of a buttermilk with chocolate frosting an inch thick satisfies my Friday morning craving.

It's understating it to say we're "waiting" at the door when Jim arrives with "the box." If you're old enough to remember, think, "Mom it's the Good Humor man!"--and you've pretty much got the scene nailed.

Ode to Dough!

How do we love thee--let us count the ways.

Chocolate, jelly filled, crueler or glazed,

Sprinkles--coconut or sugar topped,

Once we start--we never stop!

What's YOUR fav?

BB

Boss Day--Birthday--we got it covered!

It's been a crazy week! We celebrated our two bosses--Peggy Campbell and Jim Sanders, and Jim's birthday--before either event was official! Jim was born--that IS official, but not on the day we celebrated. Bosses Day is Thursday--but we partied on Tuesday. Don't ask! It's an Ambassador thing--and we like it the way it is!

Any way/any day, there's no catering like Ambassador staff catering--so the grill was sizzling and the salads, sides and dessert--totally awesome!

If you're in the area--stop by for leftovers! Who're we celebrating?

Oh yea, Jim's birthday IS today!

BB

Barak Obama's--on the phone!

It was quite a surprise this weekend when an Ohio woman answered the knock at her door and discovered Barak Obama standing on her porch! She rushed to get her camera. . .no wait. It wasn't her camera. It was her cell phone. In 2008 the primary use of cell phones is to do everything but call!

Today marks the 25th anniversary (sorry Chris--no Columbus Day tie in)

of the first cell-phone connection. It was a media event in Chicago when the president of Ameritech Mobile Communictions made the first commercial cell-phone connect. He called Alexander Graham Bell's grandson on a handset that weighed 2-1/2 pounds and sold for $3,995. (Ameritech was absorbed into what are now AT&T and Verizon Wireless.)

This year we sent more text messages on cells than we made calls.

Up next? You'll be talking to family and friends while watching a video of them at the same time, taking photos of Barak or whomever in higher resolution and browse the Internet faster than your computer with its DSL connection.

Smile for the camera!

BB

Today in Lancaster PA

Living and working here in Lancaster PA has been a whole new experience, especially in comparison to my life in So Cal over a year ago.

Today, was no exception. While my co-workers in the AAA-Irvine office are enjoying much warmer weather and lunch in the AAA Cafe, I spent my lunch time up the road checking out my neighbor's auction where his dairy cows (depending on their pedigree and age) are averaging a price of $5,000 to $25,000--per cow! It was fun listening to the auctioneer speak a language only buyers can understand. But boy, don't every scratch your head at an auction or you could be taking home a prize calf for $25,000!

So how did you spend your lunch today?

True Woman '08--6,000 of them!

On a morning when headlines are screaming the worst day ever on Wall Street--more than 6,000 women are gathered in Chicago for today's opening of True Woman '08 conference hosted by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Revive Our Hearts radio ministry.

Whatever definition you might have for a "true woman"--these women have been invited to embrace God's unique design for their lives.

The worst day ever? Not for the 6,000 women who're encountering God in a whole new way!

See what being a True Woman '08 is all about!

BB

Project Runway--it's debatable!

If given the choice, one wonders which reality show would fare better if up against one another tonight--the highly touted McCain/Obama network debate or the Klum/Gunn cable juggernaught, Project Runway.

One might argue the reality factor in either case--but both are products

of the television age, drawing millions of viewers.

We didn't have major parties debating until 1960. Remember? Vice President Nixon went up against the dashing Senator Kennedy with devastating results for the Nixon campaign.

In 1976 it was Carter and Ford. In 1980 Reagan was at the podium. In 1984 RR's back debating Walter Mondale. Michael Dukakis was up in 1988 and in 1992 Bill Clinton became an overnight sensation.

A bit of history! From 1960-1976 the equal-time provisions of the Communications Act scared off candidates. But in 1975, the FCC ruled that debates were news events. And if sponsored by organizations other than the networks, they were exempt from any equal-time requirements. The League of Women Voters volunteered to sponsor the debates. In 1988 that position was taken over by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

It's highly debatable, but there you have it!

BB

The First Monday of October!

Here's a little test on a Monday morning--the first Monday of October--the opening day of the United States Supreme Court!

How many Justices are required by the Constitution?

Can you name three?

How many on the current court were appointed by a Republican/Democrat?

How many women currently serve?

How many African Americans?

How many Hispanic Justices?

What's the breakdown of religious backgrounds?

In an election year the question--"Who will appoint the next Supreme Court Justice?--becomes an interesting one! The Constitution says each Justice must be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate and typically hold the position for life.

It's a life sentence worthy of a "writ of certiorari!"

BB

How did you do?

1/9

2/Chief Justice Roberts

Alito

Breyer

Ginsburg

Kennedy

Scalia

Souter

Stevens

Thomas

3/7/Rep; 2/Dem

4/1

5/1

6/none

7/5 Catholic;2 Jewish;1 Epis.; 1 Prot.

Sarah who?

George Clinton, George Dallas, Hannibal Hamlin and Schuyler Colfax!

WHO?

All were Vice Presidents of the United States--and the list of other unknowns goes on and on! Which makes Sarah Palin that much more interesting, wouldn't you say?

It may be more difficult to forget her if, indeed, John McCain wins the presidential election November 4.

I thought it would be fun to find out a little more about "Sarah"--stuff you don't get in the general media. For example, I didn't know she was born in Idaho although she's lived in Alaska almost her entire life. She was born in 1964! 1964? Yikes! In high school she was head of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was captain of the girls' basketball team.

Okay, here's something you probably haven't heard yet. Her popular nickname in high school was "Sarah Barracuda" because of her intensity on the basketball court. Before heading for a political career she graduated with a degree in communications and journalism and was a sports reporter for KTUU-TV in Alaska.

Just thought you'd like to know--in case you forget!

BB

Bailout--or Burnout?

It happens--not just in financial institutions but in churches as well!

Dear pastor:

This is Pastor Appreciation Month--and the question is why would anyone want to be the pastor of a congregation that included me?

I pretty much slide by the crowd shaking your hand at the door. (I've got things to do and places to go.)

You cause me to think during your message (often it's actually about what you're saying.)

I'm never shy about expressing my point of view in committee meetings. (Not sure how often I've asked yours!)

When was the last time I sent you a "thank you" note?

A gift certificate?

I pray for you--but not all the time. (Okay so once in awhile.)

You've got a great family. (Have I told you that?)

Your social activism drew me to the church. (Was I supposed to let you know that?)

Every service has your touch added to it--it makes worship that much more meaningful.

Maybe I should be telling you all of this? DUH!

BB