Merry Christmas

Since I'm on here about once a month - if that - I figured I'd go ahead and say, "Merry Christmas!"  From my little family to yours, wherever you may be, we wish you the best this holiday season!

We're looking forward to spending Christmas Eve with those of my family who are in the area, then Christmas we will have my (18 year old) baby brother with us.  Only one week after that, my little guy will be 2 years old!  It doesn't seem possible that he could be 2 already!  I could swear it was just yesterday I was wondering if we would ever have children to love as our own, and now we have two!  Of our own flesh and blood!  How great God is!

Christmas is so much fun with a little one to enjoy it.  He's always looking for more Christmas lights when we're out and about, and gets excited to see Christmas trees.  We have an advent "calendar" that is the Christmas story broken down into 24 separate little booklets.  We read a little book before putting the little guy to bed, then he shows us where to hang it on our tree.  They are getting a little bit grouped together at the top, but I think it's fun for him to be able to point to the top, since he can't reach it.

I enjoyed doing a bit of baking, and have 2 more plates of cookies to deliver to neighbors before Christmas. It's funny how the scents of our traditional cookies make it seem like it's really Christmas time!

Speaking of scents, just yesterday we were at the local Arby's and as we were leaving, we walked past an older lady who smelled of old cigarette smoke.  I was surprised to find tears sting my eyes - not because she smelled bad, but because of the smell, I remembered my Grandma, and was struck again with missing her.  Are you affected by scents this way?

I finally completed the huge project I had undertaken to make drapes for our church building, so now find myself with a large list of sewing I want to do for myself and my family.  One of the things I have in my mental to do list, is to create a pattern for a dress shirt that will fit my beloved husband perfectly.  I'm looking forward to the challenge!  I also have fabric to make coordinating outfits for my girly and me.  Then there is still the list of UFOs that I need to work on...

Okay, my rambling seems to be drawing to a close, so I will leave you with this:

Merry Christmas!  

Confessions

I'll be honest, I have had several ideas for blog posts, but then think they're too controversial, or that they're too boring to share, or some other such reason why I shouldn't blog about it.  Then, there's the thought that there's really only one person that I know reads my blog now - Hi Sadie! - and knowing that, I don't want to seem like I'm preaching to her, and don't want to bore her with the same old stuff we've already talked about. 

So, all that, to say this:  I started the blog to be a little newsy thing, nothing too deep or intellectual, just ramblings and fun thoughts, and not too serious and somber.  Umm, I'll work on that!  :D  In the meantime, any fun thoughts for blogposts you'd like to read?

Randomness

My little girly - I'm pretty sure I've mentioned her on here before, though maybe only as baby #2 - anyway, my little girly is here!  (Well, actually, she's a month old now, so this is old news, even though it hasn't been shared here.)  We're finding a new normal, and settling in quite nicely as a family of four.  My little guy absolutely adores his little sister, and their Daddy is quite taken with both of them.  He's already wrapped around the finger of his little daughter, the first time I laid her down on a blanket for a short "tummy time", she was very unpleased, and let us know by crying rather hard.  My darling man found her crying to be heartwrenching, and wanted to fix her discomfort - a much different response to the crying of our little guy!  (He'll be fine, he's tough!)  I love to see how tenderly he interacts with our little lady, and how rough and tumble he can be with our little dude.  What a wonderful family I have! 

I'm now working on getting in better shape - walking primarily, until I get the okay for more vigorous excercise - and working on keeping up with the housework.  It's too easy to let it go, and I want to be able to teach my children - by example - to keep a good home.  Also, I realised that this is one area in which I can show my husband my love for him, and I had been letting it slide.  When I realised that, in not keeping the housework done, I was showing him that he wasn't very important to me, it broke my heart, and I've been working on keeping on top of it since.  Somedays it's really hard - especially the last few weeks of pregnancy, and the first 3 weeks of recovery - but I'm feeling pretty well healed now, and it's getting easier.  Please pray for me, that I can continue to keep up with things in this area. 

Another thing I'm working on is menu planning.  My menus are a little more relaxed than I'd originally thought of menus being.  I come up with dinners for the week, and then pick one of those each night, rather than assigning each meal a night at the time of the menu planning.  It seems to be working well, and I'm sure to have all of the ingredients for the meal I want to have.  Win-win situation!  :D 

Finally - for this blog post - I'm working on finishing some projects that I have started, and have really been working on completing a baby blanket.  If When I finish this, it'll be the first blanket I've knitted.  I've started a couple, only to "frog" them (rip out the knitting) after a few inches.  It's encouraging to have this one halfway to completion!  It's so tempting, though, to keep starting more and more projects!  There are so many pretty things I can make, and it's so tempting to have many things going so that I don't get bored.  However, I don't want to be one of those old ladies that ends up passing on a gazillion UFOs to my children and grandchildren.  Finished products are a much better inheritance, I'm sure. 

Okay, off to bed I go.  Goodnight all!

My Issue with Diet Books

You see them all over the place.  Again and again you see something like this - "This is the one that EVERYONE needs to follow", "It's the ONLY ONE that will help with the obesity problem in the USA", "SOMETHING needs to be done about the obesity problem as well as the problem of Type 2 diabetes: the answer?  Read MY book!"

Just recently, I've come across a few that seem intriguing.  The Paelo Diet, and the Metabolism Miracle, both of which tell you how to lose weight and keep it lost just by eating the way they tell you!  Then there's Eat Right for Your Type, which doesn't seem to claim to be the ultimate weight loss guide, but according to this book description, does claim that it has "The secret to healthy, vigorous, and disease-free living". 

The question I have is this:  If these authors truly have such information that will change the lives of everyone who gains it, why are they not giving away the information for free?  Wouldn't it be better - to turn around the obesity rates; to help fix the problem of Type 2 diabetes; to help everyone to be healthier, more energised, and less prone to disease - to give this information in a news interview, or put it on YouTube, or write a blog detailing the specifics, or SOMETHING? 

To put it a little differently, if I said I knew how to cure cancer, or the common cold, or eczema, etc. - and you could know too!  (For just $14.95 plus shipping and handling)  Would you believe me?  And, if there were 7 different authors claiming the same thing with 7 different books, which one would you buy?  All of them? 

To me, it seems simple.  Use up more calories than you take in, and you'll lose weight.  It won't be fast, probably won't be easy, but it'll work!

One guy ate nothing but potatoes for 60 days, and he not only lost 20 pounds, he ended his diet with better health all around.   It wouldn't be the best long term thing, but sounds good to me! 

I can't find the article now, but I remember reading about someone who ate nothing but fruit for a while, lost a lot of weight, but did end up diabetic after several years. 

Then, of course, there's the famous Jared of Subway.  I'm sure there are other examples, but these few show that it's not rocket science, it's really not even worth $14.95. 

It Only Took Six Years

Even though they were too tight - I took them off as soon as the ceremony was over - I kept the shoes I bought and wore for my wedding.  They've been in my hope chest ever since we got home from our honeymoon.  I pulled them out on Saturday, and tried them on yet again. 

They were still too tight - as was expected - but this time, I noticed something.  The strap along the back was buckled almost as small as could be.  In a fit of genius, I loosened the strap, rebuckling it on the largest setting.  Tried them on again, and they fit!  I can't believe it!  It only took six years to figure out I could loosen that silly strap. 

I'm a Hobbit

My husband and I have figured out that the Hobbits probably ate every 2 hours, starting at 7 am, and ending at 7 pm.  Here's our figure of their meal schedules:
7 AM - Breakfast
9 AM - Second Breakfast
11 AM - Elevensies
1 PM - Lunch
3 PM - Afternoon Tea
5 PM - Dinner
7 PM - Supper

I have Gestational Diabetes again, and have to follow a fairly strict diet.  However, I do end up needing more snacks throughout the day so that my sugar levels stay where they should.  So, here's how my eating schedule typically ends up:
Somewhere between 8 and 9 AM - Breakfast
2 hours later - Morning snack
Noon - Lunch
2 PM - Afternoon Snack
5:30 PM - Dinner
7:30 PM - Evening Snack
Somewhere between 9 and 10 PM - Bedtime Snack

So, you tell me - Hobbit? 

It's Been Awhile

A lot has been happening here, I'll try to catch up tomorrow, but wanted to put a post out there to say I haven't disappeared!  I'll be back with some fun topics - hopefully soon. 

I recently came across a question that prompted a good deal of thought.  It was an interesting question, and I've spent a bit of time thinking about it.  Here are my thoughts.  (No, you don't get the benefit of the original question. :D )

If I refused to submit to my father's wishes (in any area that those wishes did not go against Scripture) before I got married, what would that say about my willingness to submit to my husband in the future?  If I'm starting that relationship based on rebellion against my current authority, it only bodes ill for the future of that relationship. 

If I refuse to submit to the wishes of my boss at work (again in any area that those wishes do not go against Scripture), I will likely not have that job for very long. 

If I refuse to submit to the driving laws, I will likely get ticketed and possibly lose my license. 

There is no Bible reference telling me that I have to gain my father's permission to marry a certain man, and he may have irrational reasons for his disapproval, but if I go against his wishes I might end up marrying into an unhappy, possibly abusive marriage. 

There is no Bible reference that tells me to call in if I'm not going to make it to work, or to schedule my vacation days a month in advance, and it may be irrational to have to fold the fabric cuts into thirds and then quarters, but if I don't submit, it may cost me my job.

There is no Bible reference that tells me to stop at a red light and avoid turning left at an intersection until it's clear, and it may be irrational to have to slow to 50 for that half mile, but refusing to obey/honor/submit to those laws could cost me and others dearly. 

These are just 3 examples that popped into my head, but the concept can be taken into each aspect of life.  The simple truth is, we are always going to need to submit to those in authority.  There will always be those in authority over us, and it will be so much better for us all if we choose to obey the Bible references that clearly tell us to "Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves" (Hebrews 13:17)

UFOs

How many do YOU have?  I have far more than I should.  You see, I'm horrible about getting bored with a project, so starting another, getting bored with it, but not yet ready to get back to the previous one, and "Oh Hey!  That one looks cool!"  So, I start another...and another...and another.  So, my Un Finished Objects (UFOs) start piling up. 

Right now I have:

• one adult sweater I'm knitting
• one baby outfit that needs sewn together and the finishing work done
• four quilts in varying stages of completion
• one baby bonnet I'm tatting
• one knitted pillow that needs sewn together and stuffed
• one baby shirt that needs buttons and buttonholes
• one baby shirt that is cut out
• one macrame watchband that is about half done
• one fuzzy scarf I'm knitting
• one set of curtains that I need to revamp to fit my windows
• one afghan I'm crocheting

That's all that's actually in progress, then I also have materials for several other projects that I'm longing to start.  Specifically, I have:

• fabric for a Winnie the Pooh quilt
• fabric for a Christmas throw quilt
• yarn for a sweater for me
• yarn for a couple of pairs of socks - for me and others
• yarn for soft fuzzy mittens
• fabric for a baby quilt
• fabric for several little projects that I have in the back of my mind, waiting for the right time. 
• a few sewing kits I was just given that look like so much fun

While I'm letting my arms/hands/fingers have a little break from knitting and tatting, I think I'm going to finish the sewing projects that I have started, so that I can make the things from the kits.  Yup!  That's my goal for the next little while.  I'll keep you updated, and may even give pictures of finished projects!  :D

I Am Thankful

I have a goal of writing a list of 100 things I'm thankful for.  I thought I'd share it here. 

1. I'm thankful for my Salvation
2. I'm thankful for God's grace
3. I'm thankful that God deals with me as His beloved child
4. I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit working in my life
5. I'm thankful for my husband
6. I'm thankful for my son
7. I'm thankful for my brothers and sisters
8. I'm thankful for my church family
9. I'm thankful for parents who taught me well
10. I'm thankful that I have the Bible in my language
11. I'm thankful for the freedom to worship Christ openly
12. I'm thankful for a beautiful home
13. I'm thankful that my sister is cancer free for almost 4 years now
14. I'm thankful for my niece and nephew and the new one on the way
15. I'm thankful for AWANA and the firm biblical foundation it gave me. 
16. I'm thankful for my health
17. I'm thankful for entertaining yet clean, books to read
18. I'm thankful for heat and air conditioning in our home
19. I'm thankful for abundant, good food to eat
20. I'm thankful for good friends
21. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a stay at home wife and mother
22. I'm thankful for the 4 months I had the opportunity to love our foster children
23. I'm thankful for a safe neighborhood to live in
24. I'm thankful for the Police, Firemen and other emergency personnel
25. I'm thankful that my husband stands for the truth of God's word
26. I'm thankful for my independence
27. I'm thankful for transportation
28. I'm thankful that I got to see my Grandma again, and introduce her to my son before she passed
29. I'm thankful that my Dad was here with family when he had his stroke
30. I'm thankful that my Dad is still alive, and seeing improvement daily
31. I'm thankful for an electric stove and oven
32. I'm thankful for a washer and dryer
33. I'm thankful that I have the knowledge to fix some things when they break
34. I'm thankful for music
35. I'm thankful for a soft bed
36. I'm thankful for mail
37. I'm thankful for technology that helps me keep in contact with friends and family all over the world
38. I'm thankful for the soldiers and their families who sacrifice daily so that I may have freedom
39. I'm thankful for my sewing machine
40. I'm thankful that God is in control.  I don't have to worry
41. I'm thankful for modern advances in medicine
42. I'm thankful for thunderstorms
43. I'm thankful for creative people who write patterns and recipes
44. I'm thankful for my husbands good job
45. I'm thankful for clean water
46. I'm thankful for hot running water
47. I'm thankful for electricity
48. I'm thankful for indoor plumbing
49. I'm thankful for precise measuring devices
50. I'm thankful that I have all 5 working senses
51. I'm thankful for disposable diapers
52. I'm thankful for our furniture
53. I'm thankful for hangers
54. I'm thankful for pharmacies
55. I'm thankful for local stores
56. I'm thankful for farmers who work hard so I can have food to eat
57. I'm thankful for an electric steam iron
58. I'm thankful for my KitchenAid
59. I'm thankful for beautiful flowers
60. I'm thankful for boneless meat
61. I'm thankful for a refrigerator
62. I'm thankful for nice clothes
63. I'm thankful for shoes
64. I'm thankful for cameras
65. I'm thankful for memories
66. I'm thankful for sharp knives
67. I'm thankful for tools
68. I'm thankful for chocolate
69. I'm thankful for paper products
70. I'm thankful for doctors
71. I'm thankful for white flour
72. I'm thankful for pens, pencils, and writing paper
73. I'm thankful for written history
74. I'm thankful for logic and reason
75. I'm thankful for soap
76. I'm thankful for fluffy towels
77. I'm thankful for hair
78. I'm thankful for working drains
79. I'm thankful for plumbers
80. I'm thankful for year round produce
81. I'm thankful for truck drivers and freight trains
82. I'm thankful for pacifiers
83. I'm thankful for nice neighbors
84. I'm thankful for the ability and freedom to choose
85. I'm thankful that my Sr Pastor brings biblical messages and encourages me to live in accordance with the Word of God
86. I'm thankful for shopping carts
87. I'm thankful for synthetic fibers
88. I'm thankful that I can paint my walls
89. I'm thankful for the ability to read
90. I'm thankful for laughter
91. I'm thankful for games
92. I'm thankful for free time
93. I'm thankful that I am not alone
94. I'm thankful for the promise of a future without sin or pain
95. I'm thankful for plastic bags and containers
96. I'm thankful for my soft fuzzy robe
97. I'm thankful for clocks
98. I'm thankful for phones
99. I'm thankful for George Washington Carver
100. I'm thankful that my wish list was fulfilled in my husband

I may expound on some of these later on.  If there are any that you would like to hear more about, please let me know in a comment on this post.

Proper Use of My Liberties

Romans 14:14  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16  Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20  For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22  Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
1    We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Even though this passage is speaking directly of what foods we eat, it can be applied to all aspects of our lives.  Am I living a life that follows the principles contained in this passage? 

I've recently come across a discussion that got me thinking hard about this.  How many times do I go about my merry life, doing what I want because it is my right to do so, never caring about how my choices affect others?  I need to be careful to consider others in everything that I do.  If I am hindering my ministry to others by excercising my rights, I need to give up those rights.  It would be better for me to live a more constrictive lifestyle than to cause offense.

For example, I was having a conversation with my sister via text message the other day.  After several back and forth texts, I waited an hour or so before receiving another reply.  In that reply she explained that she had been with her husband's grandmother, who finds texting to be rude.  So, she'd refrained from doing so while visiting with her.  Certainly she has the right to text, there's nothing in the Bible saying that texting is a sin, even if you're with others - but she gave up that freedom to avoid causing a rift in that relationship. 

As a Christian, I should always be willing to sacrifice my freedoms to serve others. 

Just for Fun

Here's my little baseball player!

Isn't he cute?

Back in the Race!

When we left Oregon, we were both really hurting emotionally. The way our ministry out there ended was really painful for us, so we knew we needed a time of emotional healing. At first, we simply enjoyed being a part of a church that loves us, just soaking up the love. Then, after we'd been here about 6 months, we were contacted by a pastor who is looking for a young man for him to groom to take his place when he retires.

We met with him and his wife for lunch, and they set up for my husband to come preach for their church. As we made the plans, I realised that I wasn't yet ready to get back in the race. I still hurt. A lot. I wasn't yet in a place to minister well to those around me. Talking with my husband and our pastor and his wife, I said, "I DO want to get back in the ministry, just not yet. I feel like a runner that had to drop out due to a broken leg. I want to get back in the race, but not until my leg is healed."

Well, several things brought us to the decision that that particular church wasn't our next field of ministry. I was glad, as that gave me more time to heal. After we'd been here about a year, my darling and I realised that we were ready. We were starting to feel excited, and looking forward to our next area of ministry. We started looking for an opportunity to serve. I felt like my leg was healed now, I was just waiting for the next race to start.

Interestingly enough, two opportunities quickly presented themselves. One was with the church we are currently in. The other was back on the West Coast, in WA. I didn't have a proper attitude about the WA opportunity at first, but kept praying about it, and God worked in my heart so that I was submitted even to driving back across the country to serve in WA again, if that was what He had for us. I think it was only a week after I fully submitted to that possibility, that the email came.

"Thank you, but we found someone else" was basically what the email said. So, now we were down to the possibility that was right next door. (Literally!) We just didn't know what the church was wanting to do.

At our business meeting on Wednesday, the church decided to bring my husband on as assistant pastor! We are back in the race! We are looking forward to serving here, and ministering with the wonderful people already here. We are so thankful that God has made our paths so clear, and that He knows just what we need, and when we need it! We are also so very thankful for the people that allow God to work through them, and shine His love to the world. Isn't it wonderful to know that God cares for us?

Murder is Murder

I didn't watch the Casey Anthony trial, so I have no real idea what went on, and have no opinion of whether she is guilty or innocent. However, I'm rather puzzled, and slightly disgusted by the huge uproar that has been made over this, while there are thousands of babies being killed and thrown away each day by abortion. I'm struggling to understand.

Just a few months ago I discovered what is known as "selective reduction". This is where a woman who is pregnant with multiples (normally more than two) decides to kill one of more of the babies, (normally dropping the number to twins or a singleton) I just can't fathom or stomach the fact that this is really okay! What is the difference between these women and Casey Anthony?

Each day there are thousands of women who kill their babies in Government sanctioned clinics because having the baby would be inconvenient for them. What is the difference between these women and Casey Anthony?

As long as the unborn are being murdered and thrown away, we should not be surprised when the same is done with the born.

Friday Fill-Ins

I thought it might be fun to give this a try.  :D

1. Blue skies without a cloud in sight make me smile.

2. A trip down memory lane is an almost daily occurence!

3. Kids love my baby, and my baby loves them.

4. Having my husband nearby all the time, sleeping in, relaxing; these are some of the best things about vacation.

5. Love is defined by action, not feelings!

6. I have never heard of submarine races.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chili cheese fries for dinner, tomorrow my plans include looking at a house with a friend, tearing down wallpaper, and teaching a class on knitting, and Sunday, I want to enjoy the Sunday services!

Pictures! Long overdue.

I said I'd do a picture post next, so here goes! 



Boy! were those carrots good!



He fell asleep chewing on my finger.  Must have been tired!



I didn't think to get this picture before my other sister and brother left...

We're only missing 9 of my Grandma's grandkids!

And this is all 6 of her great-grandkids (not counting the 2 on the way)

I made this outfit for some friends.  Their daughter was born 3 weeks early, and has Trisomy 18.  She's doing remarkably well so far, but still needs our prayers.

 

I taught my little brother how to knit so I could test my instructions.  The cable on the circular needles was getting him frustrated, so he hooked it around his foot.  :D  Classic smile!

Okie Dokie

I'm finally getting around to updating.  It's been crazy!  I'm planning a picture post for the next update.  We'll see how that goes.  For now, on to some long thought out subjects.

         I have a keychain that reads "A woman who wants to be equal to a man lacks ambition."  When I saw it, I thought it was great and had to get it!  (It wasn't until several years later that I realised what it was supposed to be saying.)  I got it because it so well put into words what I'd been thinking.  The highest ambition I - as a woman - can have, is to be the very best woman I can be.  Anything else is less of an ambition.  God made me to be a woman, not a man, so being a man would not be the best I could be.  Therefore, to desire that would be to lack ambition. 

It still bothers me to hear women talk about how they can be just as good a man as the men are.  It's sad to me, because I know that as long as that is their goal, they will never reach their full potential.  It's so wonderful to follow the way God designed things!  It just makes life easier and so much better!

This should be good!

I have a few posts brewing.  Hopefully soon I'll take the time to sit down and write them out.  They should be pretty well thought out by the time I get that done.  :D

It's been awhile!

A lot has been happening the last couple of weeks.  Yet when I try to think of what we've been so busy with, it just seems like everyday stuff.  :) 

I'm missing my Grandma so much.  I keep thinking "I should call Grandma and tell her about..." then remember I can't.  It's really hard right now.

I'm really wishing my little sister lived closer.  There's so much I want to share with her right now.  It would be so much fun to go shooooooping with her again, go get some (non)coffee, and laugh at my son's antics, like we did so many times with my foster kids. 

While on the topic of missing, and foster kids, I miss those two sweethearts so very much!  I wonder how they're doing. 

The Relay for Life for our area is going on right now in the park just a block away from the house.  While I think it's really neat, and certainly a worthy cause, I really wish I couldn't hear/feel the music.  The bass is making me nauseous. 

I actually finished 2 different projects that I've been "working" on for the last year or so.  Three sweaters (2 cardigans and 1 pullover) and a knit overall for my baby.  The crazy thing is, the seeaters fit him perfectly right now!  (It's 80-90 degrees most days right now, so definitely not sweater weather!)  I have a feeling that by the time he could use them, they'll be too small.  The pants should fit him well, though. 

I'm excited about some possibilities that my husband and I are looking at!  I might go into more detail later on.  :D

I think that's all my randomness for today.  I hope you're all well, and holding up in this weather!

Why I Won't

I Do believe that:
      My  husband is a great husband
      My son is wonderful, and I'm proud to be his mommy
I enjoy being an Aunt to all of my nieces and nephew
I have sisters/brothers I love
I wish we could find a cure for:
       MS
       Diabetes
       Cancer
       Heart disease
I have lost a little one, and wish miscarriage wasn't so common
I DO put my faith in Jesus Christ, and in Him alone!  I'm NOT ashamed to say it!
I do support our troops, having "under God" in our pledge of allegiance, and "in God we trust" on our money.

However, it doesn't seem to mean much to me to just copy and paste this from someone else's status on Facebook.  I prefer to use my own words to say these things at times that it's really on my heart.  So, you won't see me copying and pasting any time soon. 

Then there are the other types of "copy and paste".  Those I check out on "hoax-slayer", "fact or fiction", and "snopes" before I even think about copying and pasting.  Most of the time, it ends there.