The creator behind the cartoon "Maxine".

John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who bought him art lessons when 'fill in the pumpkins' was about the extent of his art classes at St. John's Catholic School he attended in Leonia, N.J.

John remembers doodling as a preschooler, and says both his grandmother and his mother encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, and landed at Hallmark as part of a new artists group.

But it was the birth of the humorous Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and he created Maxine.

'Cartoonists are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to humanize them,' John says.

'If Maxine can get a laugh out of someone who feels lonely or someone who is getting older and hates the thought of another birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal relationships, then I'm happy. Putting a smile on someone's face is what it's all about.'

Those smiles have led to Maxine's becoming a bit of a celebrity. She (and John) have been the subject of media stories, including People, USA Today, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, St. Petersburg (FL) Times, and Las Vegas Journal-Review, and they have been included in a major Associated Press story.

Collector and trade publications have reported that fans nationwide are collecting Maxine items. Letters from consumers and fans to John and Maxine reveal a very personal connection to Maxine. Many people say they are just like Maxine.

Why the name 'Maxine'? 'People at Shoebox started referring to the character as 'John Wagner's old lady,'

And I knew that would get me into trouble with my wife,' John says. The Shoebox team had a contest among themselves to name the character, and three of the approximately 30 entries suggested 'Maxine.

' John says the name is perfect.

John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her.

Needed prayer.....

We have learned this morning that someone we know and love has leukemia. It is apparently a rare but treatable cancer that can be put into remission for years.

I'd like to ask that you please lift this friend up in prayer and that he be healed and placed into remission, protected from all infections and restored to good health.

Thank you and God bless you all this day.....

Motherhood....

Ah, motherhood....you see it everywhere. Mothers, even in the animal kingdom, care for their young. They're protective, loving, nuturing.....



giving warm hugs and kisses......



and held upside down for that warm, touchy, feely kind of mothering. Geezzzzzz!

Three Things in Life.....

THREE THINGS IN LIFE THAT, ONCE GONE, NEVER COME BACK
1. TIME
2. WORDS
3. OPPORTUNITY

THREE THINGS IN LIFE THAT CAN DESTROY A PERSON
1. ANGER
2. PRIDE
3. UNFORGIVENESS

THREE THINGS IN LIFE THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER LOSE
1. HOPE
2. PEACE
3. HONESTY

THREE THINGS IN LIFE THAT ARE MOST VALUABLE
1. LOVE
2. FAMILY
3. KINDNESS

THREE THINGS IN LIFE THAT ARE NEVER CERTAIN
1. FORTUNE
2. SUCCESS
3. DREAMS

THREE THINGS THAT MAKE A PERSON
1. COMMITMENT
2. SINCERITY
3. HARD WORK


THREE THINGS THAT ARE TRULY CONSTANT
FATHER - SON - HOLY SPIRIT

(Thank you sis)

Ocoee High School: We Are YOUR Future!

This video is about the school where I work, Ocoee High School in Ocoee, Florida. It's about the cuts that are coming next year that will possibly cut my job (which affects the Special Education students that I work for). It will affect the lives of all students as it cuts the jobs of their favorite teachers, their favorite electives, sports...it will possibly forever change the face of Ocoee High School and what it has become in just four short years.

"Ocoee High School's take on budget cuts. Be informed. Fight for your education. Fight for your future. Contact legislatures. 50th is NOT OK. Credit to: Ross, Emily, Jannelle, and Morgan for producing; all those interviewed for giving their input; and especially Principal Mike Armbruster, who cares about our school from the bottom of his heart and who has done so much for every single one of us."

What is a Brazilian?

The Dept of Defense briefed the president this morning and told OBAMA that two Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq.

To everyone's surprise, all the color drained from Obama's face. Then he collapsed onto his desk, head in his hands, visibly shaken, almost in tears.

Finally, he composed himself and asked, 'Just how many is a brazilian?'

This is especially enlightening since he obviously has no understanding of what a billion or a trillion is either.

My liberal friends were right!

I have to admit it. My liberal friends were right.


They told me if I voted for McCain, the nation's hope would deteriorate, and sure enough there has been a 20 point drop in the Consumer Confidence Index since the election, reaching a lower point than any time during the Bush administration.

They told me if I voted for McCain, the US would become more deeply embroiled in the Middle East, and sure enough tens of thousands of additional troops are scheduled to be deployed into Afghanistan.

They told me if I voted for McCain, that the economy would get worse and sure enough unemployment is approaching 8.8% and the new stimulus packages implemented recently have sent the stock market lower than at any time since the 1980's.

They told me if I voted for McCain, we would see more "crooks" in high ranking positions in Federal government and sure enough, several recent cabinet nominees and Senate appointments revealed resumes of bribery and tax fraud.

Well I ignored my Democrat friends in November and voted for McCain. And they were right.... all of their predictions have come true.

Here comes the bride.......

What a fun day we had this past Saturday! My niece, Kathleen (my sister's daughter), is getting married on August 1 (our 25th anniversary is the 4th, so lots of celebrating will be had by all). The bridal party met at David's Bridal down by the Millenia Mall. There was me and my two girls, Phyl & Kathleen, the soon-to-be mother-inlaw & grandmother-inlaw, sister-inlaw and 3 friends (5 bridesmaids).

First, we either stood and sat around Kathleen's dressing room while she tried on about 10 bridal gowns. For the most part, they all looked very pretty on her, especially 3. But she kept coming back to the very first one. It has.....sorry, Aaron, you're not gonna hear it here!!! But she did look beautiful in it.

We all clapped because she chose her gown, that she was very happy and in celebration of the day to come. And then the waterworks started. I looked at Laura and she had tears running down her face, then my sister, and it then went downhill from there. BUT happy tears, mind you.

It was fun too because you got to watch all the other brides with their wedding dresses on. And there were all sizes, designs, really no two alike. There was one that chose a Cinderella gown with fitted beaded bodice and layers of netting for the skirt. Another bride tried on a dress that was very pretty except the skirt had layers of silk material that looked like feathers..layers upon layers of feathers! Families and friends all over the store having a good time.

And lots of CHA-CHING at the register!!!

Remember....these people voted

IDIOT SIGHTING:
We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, 'NO, it's not.' Four is larger than two...'

We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, 'you gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back.' She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said 'We're sorry but they could not do that kind of thing.' The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change..

Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce

IDIOT SIGHTING:
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?' To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?' He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'

IDIOT SIGHTING:
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!' She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS

IDIOT SIGHTING:
I was at a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker. She was leaving the company due to 'downsizing.' Our manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun. We should do this more often.' Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare. This was a lunch at Texas Instruments

IDIOT SIGHTING:
I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.


IDIOT SIGHTING:
When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'its open!' His reply, 'I know. I already got that side.'

This was at the Ford dealership in Canton , MS

Jeff Foxworthy on School Employees

YOU might be a school employee if you believe the playground should be equipped with a Ritalin salt lick.

YOU might be a school employee if you want to slap the next person who says, 'Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off.

YOU might be a school employee if it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered.

YOU might be a school employee if you can tell it's a full moon or if it's going to rain, snow, hail....anything!!! Without ever looking outside.

YOU might be a school employee if you believe, 'shallow gene pool' should have its own box on a report card.

YOU might be a school employee if you believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, 'Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.'

YOU might be a school employee if when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior.

YOU might be a school employee if you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce.

YOU might be a school employee if you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the 'lounge.'

YOU might be a school employee if you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the U-HAUL boxes should they decide to move out of district.

YOU might be a school employee if you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.

YOU might be a school employee if you can't imagine how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public.

YOU might be a school employee if meeting a child's parent instantly answers this question, 'Why is this kid like this?'

YOU might be a school employee if you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference.

YOU might be a school employee if you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter!

YOU might be a school employee if you know how many days, minutes, and seconds are left in the school year!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2009 when...

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 4.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list

AND NOW YOU ARE LAUGHING at yourself.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit
the ground each morning the devil says,
"OH CRAP, SHE'S UP"!

Three Contractors

Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House. One is from Chicago, another is from Tennessee, and the third is from Minnesota.

All three go with a White House official to examine the fence. The contractor from Minnesota takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me ."

The contractor from Tennessee also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."

The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, "$2,700."

The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"

The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."

"Done!" replies the government official.

And that, my friends, is how the new stimulus plan will work.