Best Intentions by Johanna Hicks
Best Intentions
In preparation for an upcoming conference, I was researching some websites, looking over Extension resources, and making note of items that could be included. I ran across an interesting article which is totally unrelated to the conference topic, but I really enjoyed reading it. Many of you will enjoy it, as well. The article reminded me of my good intentions to de-clutter my office closets where all my teaching aids, resource manuals, fabrics, sewing supplies, and other goodies are stored. I keep telling myself that I will eventually get around to doing it, but the opportune time has never come about. My promise to myself is that I will do it before Spring Break!
The author of the article is unknown, but makes some very good points, so I wanted to share “Stuff” with you:
“Every fall, I start stirring in my stuff. There is closet stuff, drawer stuff, attic stuff, and garage stuff. I separate the good stuff from the bad stuff, then I stuff the bad stuff anywhere the stuff is not too crowded until I decide if I need the bad stuff.”
“When the Lord calls me home, my children will want the good stuff, but the bad stuff, stuffed wherever there is room among the other stuff, will be stuffed in bags and taken to the dump where all the other people’s stuff has been taken.”
“Whenever we have company, they always bring bags and bags of stuff. I move my stuff, so they have room for their stuff.”
This fall, I had an extra closet built so I would have a place for all the stuff too good to throw away and too bad to keep with my good stuff. You may not have this problem, but I seem to spend a lot of time with stuff…food stuff, cleaning stuff, medicine stuff, clothes stuff, and outside stuff. Whatever would life be like if we didn’t have all this stuff?”
“There is all that stuff we use to make us smell better that we normally do. There is stuff to make our hair look good, stuff to make us look younger, stuff to make us look healthier, stuff to hold us in, and stuff to fill us out. There is stuff to read, stuff to play with, stuff to entertain us, and stuff to eat. We stuff ourselves with the food stuff.
“Our lives are filled with stuff…good stuff, bad stuff, little stuff, big stuff, useful stuff, junky stuff, and everyone’s stuff. Now, when we leave all our stuff and go to Heaven, whatever happens to our stuff won’t matter. We will still have the good stuff God has prepared for us in Heaven!”
Now, I’m sure I’m not the only one with clutter issues! However, it can become a problem when we can’t find things or when things aren’t where they are supposed to be. There are actually several clutter personalities. Can you relate to one of these?
1) Hoarder – This might come in handy someday.
2) Deferrer – I’ll think about that tomorrow.
3) Rebel – I don’t want to and you can’t make me!
4) Perfectionist – Next week, I’ll organize everything- perfectly!
5) Sentimentalist – Oh, that cute little thing!
You’ve probably heard the ways to handle clutter, but let me reiterate – throw it away, recycle it, donate it, sell it, or keep it. The techniques to handle the items are really quite simple. Use a laundry basket for items to keep and a bag or box for each of the other categories. It might help to set a time limit – use a timer. Decide quickly which pile an item goes in. Be realistic. Having a spouse, work associate, or buddy might help. Still can’t decide? Ask yourself these questions. How long since I used this? Does it work? Do I have more than one? If I keep this, what will I get rid of to make room for it? Can I locate the information
somewhere else if I need it?
To be organized, EVERY item must have a home – one logical place to look. ‘Corral’ similar items – gather related items together. Dispose of duplicate or unneeded items. Choose containers (or shelves) for each group. Choose a home for each container and store items close to where they are used. Store most frequently used items in the most convenient area and label containers for easy identification.
If you are still having trouble making progress, start small! Clean out your junk drawer or a closet. Is clutter really a problem, or do you just worry about it? In my office closets, I know where most of my stuff is when I need it, so it really isn’t a huge problem – I just worry about it. The same theory applies to my desk. As Albert Einstein said, “If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, of what then is an empty desk?” By the looks of my desk, my mind certainly is not empty! Thanks, Dr. Einstein!
Wish List
The 6th Annual “Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness” planning team will be conducting an activity during the camp this summer that requires empty baby food jars with lids. If you or someone you know has a baby and would be willing to donate the jars, we will gladly take them! Jars may be dropped off at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston, in Sulphur Springs. We are usually here between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. If we happen to be out of the office for lunch or a program, you may leave them by the front door.
We still have some time, but I thought I would mention it now so you can be collecting the jars (preferably clean!) We’ll need about 45.
Closing Thought
“Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out” – Christian Larson
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
SSHS NTHS Inducts New Members
The National Technical Honors Society Geral Kennedy Chapter inducted 36 new members Monday, January 25. The Welcome was performed by President Evan Ost. The Pledges to the Flag were performed by Senior Member Molly Johnston. The History of NTHS was performed by Senior Member Spencer Bramlett. The Purpose of NTHS was performed by Vice President Lexi Moore. The Candle Ceremony was done by Sarah Scott, Lilibeth Gallegos, Brooklyn Moon, Austin Reyes, and Evan Ost. Sponsor Debbie Stribling gave the Membership Criteria, and Director of College and Career Readiness Jenny Arledge gave the Member Recognition. Evan Ost ended the night with the NTHS Pledge. Refreshments for the event were provided by the SSHS Culinary Arts students.
Returning Members
Spencer Bramlett
Lilibeth Gallegos
Molly Johnston
Brooklyn Moon
Lexi Moore
Evan Ost
Austin Reyes
Sarah Scott
Inducted Members
Cain Cody
Sofia Guerrero
Zachary Haywood
Jessica Martinez
Morgan Mayers
Logan McGraw
Mary McMillan
Mackenzie Moore
Emily Moran
Diego Perea
Joshua Robertson
Reyna Torres
Hannah Van Vleet
Cindy Arellano
Sarah Berning
Emma Boyette
Summer Brooks
Mathew Calhoun
Hannah Crowson
Jaye Doughtie
De’Ontae Dunn
Mandy Eckhardt
Carson Folmar
Ashley Franklin
Destiny Godbolt
Zechariah Jarvis
Abbey Martin
Tori Mattison
Tori Moore
Ignacio Orozco
Rodolfo Perez
Easton Silman
Faith Singleton
Story Thompson
Malarie White
Anne-Marie Winborn
SSHS UIL Academic Team Wins Sweepstakes at Whitehouse Meet
The UIL academic team attended the Whitehouse UIL Invitational this past weekend and returned with the overall sweepstakes trophy. The contest took place over two days, with L-D Debate, C-X Debate, and Ready Writing being held on Friday evening and the remainder of the contests conducted on Saturday.
In L-D Debate, Corban Philo won 2nd place, and Noah Hammons won 4th place.
In C-X Debate, the team of Sean Allemang and Joshua Robertson won 1st place, and the team of Dakota Soles and Felipe Alba won 3rd place. Catherine Knotek won top speaker.
Kayla Overly coaches both L-D and C-X debate.
In Computer Applications, Dylan Joiner won 3rd place, and Raynie Hooten won 4th place.
Ruston Pennington coachs the Computer Applications contest.
In Ready Writing, Steven Payne won 1st place, Jaspyn Johnson won 2nd place, Lydia Burleson won 3rd place, Keigan Lobin won 4th place, Lainey Whittle won 5th place, and Breana Wooten won 6th place.
In Spelling and Vocabulary, Lydia Burleson won 1st place with a perfect score, Carson McIllwain won 2nd place, Mandy Eckhardt won 3rd place, Chase Charlton won 4th place, and Emily Johnson won 5th place. The team won 1st place.
In Literary Criticism, Patricia Parks won 1st place, and Chloe Ross won 2nd place. They, along with Lucia Yanez, won 1st place team. Gail Herman coachs the Ready Writing, Spelling and Vocabulary, and Literary Criticism competitiors.
In Current Issues and Events, Christian Diaz-Deleon won 2nd place, Evan Ost won 3rd place, and Brayden Fisher won 7th place. The team placed 1st overall.
In Social Studies, Andrew Foster won 1st place, and Felipe Alba won 2nd place. Brayden Fisher completed the 1st place team. Beth Grafton coachs both Current Issues and Events and Social Studies.
In Number Sense, Austin Reyes won 2nd place, and Rudy Perez won 3rd place.
In Calculator Applications, Rudy Perez won 2nd place along with top Junior for his score, Naimishaba Parmar won 4th place, and Austin Reyes won 6th place. The team won 1st place overall. Gerald Grafton coachs both Number Sense and Calculator Applications.
In the journalism events, Steven Payne won 2nd place in Headline Writing, and Patricia Parks won 6th place. In Copy Editing, Steven Payne won 3rd place, and Skylar Shumate won 5th place. Steven Payne won 3rd place in both News Writing and Feature writing. In Editorial Writing, Patricia Parks won 2nd place, Steven Payne won 3rd place, and Lili Gallagos won 6th place. The team earned the 1st overall journalism award. Brandon Nelson is the journalism coach.
In Computer Science, Sean Allemang won 1st place, Trenton Brock won 2nd place, Mauro Basio won 4th place, and Timothy Charlton won 6th place individually. Winning 1st place team were Allemang, Brock, and Tim Charlton. Winning 2nd place team were Basio, Austin Reyes, and Joshua Synder. Gina Wilder sponsors Computer Science and serves as the UIL coordinator for SSHS.
CAUGHT DOING GOOD!
A group of young men from the First Baptist Church Freshmen Sunday School Class spent part of their weekend cleaning and raking the yard of a shut-in church member. About a dozen teens took part in Saturday’s “Disciple Now” volunteer project led by Andy Green.
Friday is Booking Date for Wildcat Orlando Trip
Wildcat Football Head Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens reminds fan the team has accepted an invitation to play the second ball game in Orlando, Florida this next season (Sept 2nd). He said, “Fans are welcomed to enjoy this experience by traveling with the team.”
The Tag Along package (team package) is $950 with an optional addition of $300 to fly with the team and fans. The Tag Along package includes: three (3) nights at team hotel, three (3) day Disney Passes, meal vouchers, game tickets, & private team functions. Friday, January 29th is the booking date & deposit of $200 for each fan (If deposit fee is an issue – please discuss when signing up). The players, cheerleaders, trainers deposits have all been made by Coach Owens. They are a part of the team.
Owens asks that those who desire to go on the trip or who are thinking about making the trip go to the school website for more information http://www.ssisd.net/default.aspx?name=ath.homepage (www.ssisd.net – Athletics Home Page) Information/Sign up Packet
To sign up, Please sign up with KSA contact:
Jamie Lunt
Account Manager
Cell: 407-538-6950
Office: 800-813-7193 x3109
Fax: 407-413-5110
Glass, Taylor File for Re-election to City Council
Sulphur Springs City Council Incumbent Emily Glass and Freddie Taylor have filed for re-election toon city council. Glass filed for Place 5 this past week. Incumbent Freddy Taylor filed for Place 4 Monday.
The last day to file for one of the two places available on the council is Feb 19th. The election is May 7th. Anyone desiring to file may pick up the paperwork for filing at the City Secretary’s office during business hours at city hall.
New Pedestrian Crossing Sign Based on Python Skit
Celebration Plaza has added a little more to the party with the addition of at least one new crosswalk sign. The sign is posted at the corner of Gilmer and Main Streets at the plaza.
The caricature of a businessman walking is based on a Monty Python skit–“Ministry of Silly Walks”. See full skit:
Winnsboro Police Seven Day Report
Three arrests, no accidents, 157 calls for service, along with 50 citations and 39 warnings were issued by the Winnsboro Police Department during the seven day period from January 18-24, 2016.
Justin Osborne, 33, of Leesburg, was arrested Sunday the 18th for two City of Winnsboro Municipal warrants.
Kenneth Cushion, 39, of Dallas, was arrested Monday the 19th on a Parole Warrant.
A Franklin County Warrant caused the arrest of 33-year old Kimberly Nelson of Winnsboro.
Third Arrest Made in All-Terrain Vehicles Theft at NorTex Tractor
According to Hopkins County Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum, Darrell Wayne Waites was picked up at the Rapides Parish, Louisiana Jail and transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident. Waites was picked up on a warrant for Organized Criminal Activity in connection with the November theft of six all-terrain vehicles from NorTex Tractor in Sulphur Springs. He is the third person to be arrested. Hopkins County Deputy Major Willis and Correctional Office Charles Duke stated Waites was cooperative and posed no problems during the trip. He is being held in Hopkins County Jail on a $200,000 bond.
On January 6th, Joshua Christopher Terry, age 34, and Laronda Kaye Reed, 29, both of Kemp, Texas were arrested on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity. A complaint filed with local law enforcement cited a November 23, 2015 incident in which Reed was accused of the theft of six all-terrain vehicles from NorTex Tractor in Sulphur Springs. The ATVs were valued at over $30,000 but less than $150,000.
The defendants may also be connected to similar thefts throughout Louisiana and Oklahoma. Criminal investigators divulged information on two different thefts at Rock Power Sports in Bossier City, Louisiana and the business confirmed the property stolen.
Now Waites and Terry are beign held on $200,000 bond while bond for Reed was set at $30,000.
Joshua Terry
Here’s the Real Reason Why Most Restaurants Fail
This article reprinted from CNBC
Around 60 percent of new restaurants fail within the first year, and most of the time, the location is to blame.
Around 60 percent of new restaurants fail within the first year. And nearly 80 percent are shuttered before their fifth birthday.
Often, the number one reason is simply location — and the general lack of self-awareness that you have no business actually being in that location.
Unfortunately, that hip new part of town with cool shops and lots of foot traffic also comes with a price tag. And while it might be nice to sell meatballs right in the heart of everything, those meatballs better be spectacular. Because the landlord doesn’t care if it’s your grandmother’s recipe. The landlord cares about rent. Specifically: that you pay it.
Poor reviews on sites like Yelp and Facebook can speed a new establishments demise as well. Even one unhappy customer’s report can reach potentially millions of people within hours. So called ‘soft openings‘ can be impossible once word gets out on social media.
Opening too soon because of capitol issues can also be a problem. Cash can be tight and mangers often rush to open before staff is ready for the crush of clamoring patrons.
If you’re not a risk taker, you should get the hell out of business.
— Ray Kroc
