Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving--wherever and however you are celebrating it.

Received an e-mail note that this is also National Friendship Week. So here are some thoughts from the life member committee to all our IEAFCS friends.

They're written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy.......

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned.... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned..... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned..... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Southern Region to Meet in Freeburg Area

Southern Region IEAFCS will hold their December meeting at the home of Carol Schlitt near Freeburg on Thursday December 8th.

The group will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning snacks and a business meeting. Lunch will be at Eckert's Country Store and Restaurant, which is nearby.

There will be a $10.00 gift exchange for those who wish to participate. RSVP to carolschlitt@charter.net before noon on December 5th. 

Looking forward to an enjoyable day. Hope everyone can attend.

Updates from FYI

Shotgun deer season is this weekend, and bow season has been in for a while. There is lots of activity gearing up for this. It seems at times that we can see more deer in the fields around our house than the hunters do.

The 7th issue of For Your Information for 2011 was issued recently. Thought you might be interested in a list of new Extension employees.

Bobbie Lewis-Sibley - County Director, Livingston/McLean/Woodford Unit
Lisa Wait - County Director, Bond/Clinton/ Jefferson/Marion/Washington Unit
Dana Woods - Educator, SNAP-Ed Northern Region
Trinity Allison, - Educator, SNAP-Ed Southern Region
Julie Munoz-Najar - Educator, EFNEP, Champaign/Vermilion Unit
Andrew Holsinger – Educator, Horticulture, Christian/Macoupin/Montgomery/Jersey Unit
Chris Konieczka – Educator, Local Foods/Small Farms, Livingston/McLean/Woodford Unit
Laurie George – Educator, Local Foods/Small Farms, Bond/Clinton/Jefferson/Marion/Washington Unit

 There were also a couple of condolences. Here is information on those.

Nye Fulton Bouslog. Condolences are extended to the friends and family of Nye Fulton Bouslog, 91, of Macomb, Illinois who passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 29, 2011, at OSF Saint Francis Hospital in Peoria. His death followed a short illness.

Nye served as the farm advisor for the U of I Extension Service. He later worked for the Union National Bank of Macomb, rising to the position of executive vice president. It was during his tenure he earned distinction as a business man, agricultural leader and a community volunteer.

Following his banking career, he worked for the U of I and was active in the Macomb real estate market, having ended his real estate career at the age of 90.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Macomb Rotary Club Park Project on West Jackson Street in Macomb or to St. Paul's Catholic Church. Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guestbook or leave condolences at http://www.dodsworthfh.com
  
Margaret L. Esposito, 88, of Normal died at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 14, 2011) at her residence in Normal. She was the Extension adviser home economics for the McLean County Extension Service from 1962 until her retirement in 1992.

She authored the book "Places of Pride," which was a pictorial history of the founding of Extension in McLean County.Words of sympathy can be sent to her daughter, Linda Lambrecht, at 805 Apple Street, Normal. IL 61761, and to her son Stephen Esposito, at 811 Division Street. Normal, IL 61761.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Poulton-Mitchell Scholarship Fund at Heartland Community College, Normal; The Salvation Army, Bloomington; the Community Cancer Center, Normal; and the Humane Society of Central Illinois.

The full obituary may be viewed at: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/obituaries/article_ba75995e-f86b-11e0-9e0c-001cc4c002e0.html

Time to Fall Back

The last day of Daylight Savings Time--unfortunately. Well, now maybe we'll get more work done inside the house.

A reminder--I have received notice to renew my net ID for campus e-mail. I'm sure those of you who still use campus e-mail are all on a different schedule for renewing the net ID. But don't forget to renew when you get the notice or you will lose the e-mail access.

M & M's melt in your mouth, not in your hand. That was the answer to Seniors Memory Test question number 20. Hope you enjoyed these memories over the past several weeks. If anyone would like a list of all 20 questions and answers, let me know. Send a note to ieafcslife@gmail.com.

Have a Great Halloween

Hope your day is filled with treats rather than tricks. Have a good one!

Pretty intricate carving job on this pumpkin don't you think? I can't claim any credit, but the designer did a lot of work.

The answer to the senior's memory test quiz #19 is Smile: You're on Candid Camera.

And the last question is:

20. What do M&M's do?

    A. Make your tummy happy
    B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
    C. Make you fat
    D. Melt your heart
    E. Make you popular
    F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
    G. Come in colors

It Was a Really Big Cheeseburger!

Here are a couple of other photos from the IEAFCS KY/W.VA. trip. This cheeseburger was on the menu at the Marshall University Hall of Fame.

And some members of the group gave it a try. I'm sure it was delicious!

Thanks to Martha Speir for the photos.

To get back to our memory test for seniors--the answer to question 18 was: I'm strong to the finish because--I eats me spinach.

Here's the next one:

19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today...

    A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
    B.. Smile, you're on Star Search
    C. Smile, you won the lottery
    D. Smile, we're watching you
    E. Smile, the world sees you
    F. Smile, you're a hit
    G. Smile, you're on TV

It Was a Good Time!

Here is the group of IEAFCS Life Members and friends who were on the recent Kentucky/West Virginia trip. Looks like everyone was having a good time.

Thanks again to Carol Schlitt for all her efforts in planning and leading this latest expedition. There will be more. Watch this blog for details on a possible spring outing.