May 12, 2009

Trapped!

Listen and laugh along…

TODAY’S LAUGH: We bought a bird feeder that was advertised as “ABSOLUTELY SQUIRREL PROOF”! Metal mesh and double-lidded, it had so many latches I had trouble figuring out how to get the bird seed IN; I was confident no mere squirrel could get it OUT. I hung it from the deck post and left for the afternoon.

Behold! Yes, that is a squirrel TRAPPED INSIDE the squirrel-proof bird feeder! The lidBusted! that couldn’t keep him out now wouldn’t let him out! (Hear my evil laugh? Mwah-hah-hah…busted!)

TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: Oh, the temptations of life. The squirrel saw the feeder and instead of just walking on by, thought he’d indulge. He figured he’d get away with it, but NOOOOO… before he knew it he was trapped.

Isn’t that how it is with temptation? A little of this (no harm done), then a little more of that (we’re not hurting anyone), and then just a little more (we can handle this!). Before we know it we’re overwhelmed–or worse. Addicted. Hooked. Trapped.

We need a rescue.   The squirrel needed help to get free. His need for help was obvious. For us, admitting we need help is hard, but it’s the first step in getting it.

We call out–to a friend, to family, to God–and help arrives.

What’s overwhelming you today? Call–YELL–for help. Rescue is only a holler–or a prayer–away.

birthday-celebrationMY BEST BIRTHDAY BASH GIVEAWAY: My birthday’s coming up and it’s going to be my BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! As a THANK YOU GIFT TO YOU, I’m giving away SIX books to SIX winners–your choice of When Did I Stop Being Barbie & Become Mrs. Potato Head?; Confessions of a Prayer Wimp; or When Did My Life Become a Game of Twister?

To enter the drawing, “CONTACT MARY” with “MY BEST BIRTHDAY” in the subject line, SHARE A STORY of YOUR best birthday and you’ll be eligible. (Was it your 20th, or your 35th, or maybe your 75th?) I’ll post your stories in the comment section of the Today’s Laugh blog.

This giveaway runs from May 12, 2009 to May 23, 2009. ONE ENTRY per verified email address and US mailing addresses only. I’ll draw the SIX winners on my birthday, May 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. CDT.


21 Comments »

  1. From Brenda B: “MY 29th. The annual DISCO CURES CANCER my sister and I go to together was usually the weekend of my birthday, this year it was ON my birthday. My sister and I got ready together which was the most fun of all. We get out the DISCO tote with all the clothes. Trying on outfit after outfit to to see what to wear. She told me we had to go pick up a friend of hers. This put a damper on my mood since I wanted to start celebrating my birthday at the DISCO where my friends all were waiting. We went to pick up her friend at a local bar along the way, in the back room were about 50 of my friends and family yelling SURPRISE. Still decked out in DISCO attire, including mettalic eyelashes and gogo boots. The pictures from that night are very fun to look at - I stayed in my outfit the whole night. I didn’t even mind the DISCO - since the friends that I was going to meet there were at my party instead.”
    (What a RIOT! Wish I’d been there! :-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 12, 2009 @ 12:39 pm

  2. Nancy can’t decide between 2 birthdays: “My sister took me and my daughter to a B&B in Door County and another was at one of her friend’s overnight for a girls weekend where they literally roasted marshmallows over my 40 candles! Celebrate life!!!”
    (Celebrate precious life, indeed! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 12, 2009 @ 12:44 pm

  3. From Rebecca: “Best Birthday was My Golden Birthday. My husband is terrible at keeping secrets and telling ‘white’ lies. He somehow managed to plan a SURPRISE party for me. Looking back there were a lot of clues leading up to it but I didn’t catch on to any of them. It was great!”
    (What a sweetie…sneaky but sweet! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 12, 2009 @ 12:51 pm

  4. A creative idea from Amy: “This was actually something I did for my husband. He is a teacher so I broke into his room (the janitor let me in) and I tied helium filled balloons to all of the desks in his classroom. I put a plethora of his favorite candy on his desk and wrote a happy birthday message on his board. The next morning when he walked into his room, he was baffled on how this could have happened. I couldn’t wait to hear his expression of surprise. He absolutely loved it.”
    (Another sweet-and sneaky-surprise! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 12, 2009 @ 1:22 pm

  5. And from Brenda R: “My best one was when I turned 40! I’m the party person in the family, so imagine my surprise when my husband arranged a surprise gathering of friends at a restaurant, with more to follow at our house afterwards! It truly was a great evening of fun and fellowship. I never believed all those things about the body falling apart after 40, but now at 51, I know them to be true:)”
    (Ah, yes, the gifts of time… ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 12, 2009 @ 1:24 pm

  6. From Sue W: “I have had so many good birthdays. When I was turning 18 yrs. old I was with my high school classmates in NYC!”
    (Ahh…18…New York City…can it get ANY better than that?? ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 12, 2009 @ 1:46 pm

  7. And Linda’s story: “When I was 16 my friends had a surprise birthday party for me. My mom took me to a restaurant to eat while they got the house ready. When we got home, she told me to go in first. I did and heard a noise which, of course, scared the bejesus out of me. It was just the kids “trying to be quiet”. They gave me the 33 record of Oklahoma - does that date me?”
    (Ha! I think I still have that record… :-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 12, 2009 @ 2:06 pm

  8. This would make a good Sunday School story, Mary!!! :-)

    Comment by Leza — May 12, 2009 @ 3:48 pm

  9. From Phyllis: “My best birthday was this year May 11. It is often connected to Mother’s Day because I was born on Mother’s Day in 1924. All our kids were here. We knew the ones closest would be here, but not the one grandson from CA. He came as a big surprise!
    It was cold, but a warm gathering. They had grilled tenderloin and baked potatoes plus enough snacks brought by all to last a week of constant eating.
    Sunday all went over to our daughter Doreen’s and had our traditional waffles. The children,(from 26 to 62 yrs old) gradually took off after that. Wonderful!!” (And may you have MANY more wonderful b’days! :-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:40 pm

  10. Marlene says, “I started working at a convent over a year and a half ago(and I’m not even Catholic). I have come to love and respect the Sisters and continue to learn a lot about their culture. Last year on my birthday,the entire day,I was acknowledged with a”Happy Birthday” or “God Bless You on YOUR Day”, or some type of greeting, EVERY time I saw one of the Sisters or staff members.They make such a big deal of Birthdays around here.I was overwhelmed.They made me feel so special.My Birthday is on April 1st,no less,and I experienced a lot of teasing while growing up(and still do by family). The Sisters made me feel like it truly was MY day!” (And it WAS! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:43 pm

  11. From Beth: “Here it is ~ my 50th (May 6). My husband is throwing me a ’surprise’ party which I know all about. I have a 3 1/2 yr. old whose mom towels him off after baths with Mr. Bubble while having several hot flashes. And a 10 yr. old girl who is the most beautiful thing in my eyes. The first-born is in college and calls occasionally. God does have a sense of humor! One-half a century… my cake better be huge!”
    (Wow! ENJOY, if you have the energy! :-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:46 pm

  12. Elaine says, “My best birthday was probably last year (June 24,2008) when our grandson returned safely from 15 month duty tour in Iraq in June. And we look forward to his wedding in August.”
    (What a blessing! Thank him for his service, and thanks to you–all his family–for serving our country as well! :-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:47 pm

  13. And from Becky: “Must have been late high school or early college. I don’t remember the number. Just that my great group of friends - who all got to celebrate their birthdays during the school year with decorated lockers and cupcakes for the class - surprised me with a trip to Comedy Sportz. Super fun!!”
    (And you continue to have fun! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:48 pm

  14. From Janet: “Though far away from home–from family & friends–my 24th birthday stands out as one of my best. Sept. 2nd was sunny & bright in Portugal in 1984 as I celebrated with new-found friends in Barcelos. My favorite song “I’m Walkin’ on Sunshine” made my spirits soar as I ran the pool table (something that I’ve never done before or
    since!) The evening surprise was fireworks–a perfect ending to a perfect day. My spirit glowed with the bursts of color in that clear sky that seemed somehow in honor of my special day.”
    (WOW! How many of us get fireworks?? ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:49 pm

  15. From Brenda J: “My best birthday was my 58th but that is because my twin grandchildren were born on that day. My birthday is Aug. 19th and my husband’s bday is Aug. 17th and we had a granddaughter born on that day also so in 2 days we had 3 grandchildren born!! How lucky is that!!”
    (A TRIPLE birthday blessing! How fun! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:50 pm

  16. From Terri: “It’s a little odd, but perhaps my best birthday was when I turned 40. My husband had surprised me with a party that surrounded me with church friends and family. Little did we know that when the planning was going on that I would be diagnosed with breast cancer that day. Now I celebrate 2 birthdays every year, this year will be 57 & 17 and those wonderful friends, family and God helped me get here to celebrate!”
    (Ah, yes, God DOES see “around corners”! Celebrating BOTH birthdays with you! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:52 pm

  17. And from Lisa: “I was 8 months pregnant with our first on my 30th Birthday. My Husband, who has been known to forget important dates, was duly reminded. (DO NOT SCREW THIS ONE UP!!) So I am as big as a house and my hormones are raging…(Again: DO NOT SCREW THIS ONE UP!! rinse & repeat) Well, I was at work and on August 28th, I recieved the most beautiful bouquet of flowers that I have ever received. GREAT HUH? ONLY problem was that my Birthday is September 5th. I received my Birthday Present exactly ONE week early. I was upset, but I couldn’t say he had forgot, he just couldn’t remember…. We’ve been married 12 years and have three beautiful boys.”
    (Yes, he’s a keeper! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 13, 2009 @ 2:56 pm

  18. Mary Beth remembers “My best birthday was my 40th birthday. As a single Mom at that time, I was working outside the home and trying to take care of everything inside the home as well, was not easy. But I asked God daily to help me get thru and he did.
    But on my 40th birthday, my two daughters, then aged 10 and 12 planned a surprised birthday party with family and neighbors in our garage. when I got home from work, SURPRISE! and after a long day at work, I did not look my best, but with all the love from family and neighbors…it turned out wonderful….and one more thing. It was one night I did not have to make supper! hee hee”
    (Not having to cook? Best gift EVER! ;-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 16, 2009 @ 6:59 am

  19. Paula’s best birthday: “My 33rd birthday–because nothing bad happened. For the previous 3 years either my sons or the dog was in the hospital around my birthday. It was so pleasant to have an uneventful birthday. They all three came out fine and healthy. My sons have celebrated their 33rd birthdays already.”
    (Glad they all came out fine! ;-) Wishing you uneventful birthdays from here on! MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 16, 2009 @ 7:01 am

  20. And Sharon says, “I would never have dreamt in a million years that I would be directing the Green Lake Christian Writers Conference, August 17-22, 2008, my birthday month. On August 23 I celebrated my 71st birthday.
    With this directing opportunity coming so late in my life, the whole conference was a celebration. On the final night, a day before my birthday, there was a banquet celebrating 60 years for the writer’s conference. The attendees shared their writing at the Writers’
    Showcase and 60 candles were lit for our conference. I was pleased and surprised when the group sang a rousing Happy Birthday for me during the evening.
    With the able assistance of Jan White, Administrative Coordinator of the conference, it was a success. I am grateful to the Lord for the opportunity I had at this time in my life. I’ll be directing again in 2009. This year the conference begins on my birthday, August 23.
    August 2008 was the best birthday ever. I’m looking forward to celebrating again on August 23, 2009.”
    (And I’ll be there celebrating with you! :-) MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 18, 2009 @ 6:16 pm

  21. And Cathie shares this memory: “At 66 my best b-day ever is still my 7th! My mother fussed a great deal for that b-day; new party dress, underwear, fancy socks & shoes for me to celebrate in style! She was making up to me for the fact that she had sent me to my friends b-day party earlier that summer dressed in play clothes instead of a party dress & I was broken hearted when I heard some girls at the party whispering that I was too poor to have a party dress. Well, on my 7th b-day I was far from poor!! :)”
    (You fashionista, you–and at 7! ;-) Love ya, Cuz! MP)

    Comment by Mary Pierce — May 18, 2009 @ 6:18 pm

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