Poor Phil!

Groundhogs Day is coming up next week, and Punxsutawney Phil is in danger of entering the ranks of the unemployed. If PETA had their way, Phil would be replaced by a robotic groundhog. Now, we are in favor of EOE for groundhogs and we're not the only ones. Some of the perks of Phil's employment include food, water, climate controlled enviroment and annual health checkups. We all should be so fortunate. Locals in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania were polled and while 3 percent ranged from thrilled to totally bored with PETA's pranks, more than 90 percent were either totally torked or laughing histerically. One can only hope JQ's Koala McNutt will be left alone by the PETA folks this Groundhogs Day. Tune into the morning show to find out more about Koala McNutt!

Savings Angel Top 3 Deals - Every Tuesday!

Now Chris can wash his hair, slap on some deoderant, and flop on the couch with some crackers. What a life! You top 3 deals of the week: Pert Plus Shampoo Plus Conditioner For Men 12 oz Walgreens Retail: $3.99 Sale: $2.50 Use this coupon: $1.50 (SmartSource 1/24) + $2.00 on 2 (Register Rewards Limit 1) SavingsAngel price: FREE You SAVED $3.99 That's a savings of 100% Sure Antiperspirant Deodorant For Men 2.6 or 2.7 oz Walgreens Retail: $2.79 Sale: $1.50 (Limit 4 Mix & Match) Use this coupon: $1.50 (SmartSource 1/24) + Walgreens Store Coupon SavingsAngel price: FREE You SAVED $2.79 That's a savings of 100% Nabisco Ritz Crackers 14.5 - 16 oz Select varieties Meijer Retail: $3.19 Sale: $2.49 Use this coupon: $1.00 (SmartSource 1/24) or $2.00 on 2 Printable Coupon (I.E.) or $2.00 on 2 Printable Coupon (Firefox) + $1.00 on 3 Meijermealbox.com SavingsAngel price: $1.16 You SAVED $2.03 That's a savings of 64%

As the Pigskin Turns - So are the Days of Brett Farve

I woke up in the middle of the night last night to see Chris with his smokey bomb stained shirt sadly collapse into bed. His Vikes and the mighty Farve fell to the Saints and the sad ballad of the forlorn Viks played once again. But in those moments when you feel pretty low, isn't it good to know that victory - true victory - can always be found in Christ. No brawny line backer, no fumbling quarterback, or bias ref can keep you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Now that's true victory!

Today is a new day and a new debate begins. Will Farve retire after such a beating or will the illusive Vikings Super Bowl win spur him on to play another year?

Smokey Bombs

Move over Wolfgang! This is the best recipe ever for every football fanatic. I love it! Emilee hates it. Make it for yourself and you decide.

SMOKEY BOMBS

2 pkgs Little Smokeys
32 oz Grape Jelly (the cheaper the better)
24 oz Ketchup (the cheaper the better)
8 oz Mustard (the cheaper the better)

Dump in a crockpot and heat on low for 4 hours.

OR - Substitute the Little Smokey's with meatballs for killer Cannon Balls!

Rewards Dilemma

JQ announcers are charged with the task of picking prizes for Family Rewards Points. At first, I thought this was a GREAT idea. Then we really started thinking how to spend our $150. That's when the dilemma started. What would make a great prize for Family Rewards? So many choices and so little time!

Once again, Chris & I are in opposite schools of thought. Chris wants to spend his dollars on a huge selection of fun random stuff. Anything, from socks and breath mints to DVDs. I on the other hand, I am way too practical. I'm thinking my money would be better spent on one BIG thing. Something people would love to get through Family Rewards that might otherwise be tough on the family budget. Like a bread machine or a vacuum cleaner

We got with the program. We've got an overall idea. But now we need specifics. What should those items be? A juicer for that overall well-being or a digitally remastered Star Wars DVD. Got any ideas? Let us know what you think would be a great (totally random or totally practical) Family Rewards Prize?

Freedom of Religious Expression?

So what do you think? Should a private business be allowed to reference Bible passages in the serial numbers on the items it produces? And if the government contracts that business, do their rights go out the window? As if MI isn't troubled enough with it's economic condition, Trijicon in Wixon, MI is under fire for just that. It's been part of their business practice for years, but now people want them punished for it.

Before forming your opinion, read the first Amendment and study it for a while:

Ratified on Dec. 15, 1791
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the govenment for a redress of grievances.

Resting in the Lord?

You know how you don't realize how hungry you are til you sit down to eat, or you don't realize how bad your eyesight has gotten til you put on a pair of glasses. You don't know what you are really missing out on. This weekend we stayed at the Leonard At Logan House in Grand Rapids and I came to the realization that I have been missing out on rest. One night at the gorgeous B&B gave me a dose of reality again. We need rest because there are benefits to be found in it. Remember in the book of Exodus when Moses had such a huge task ahead of him and he didn't know how to get it all done, God promised Moses this: "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest".

Sometimes a little nap at home isn't quite sufficient. That brings me to my second point. We were made to serve one another. A weekend of rest for one is only possible after the hard work of many others. How many hours and how much care it must have taken to restore Leonard at Logan House to such a beautiful B&B. To walk in and really feel like you are stepping back in time. Warming up next to loved ones at the hearth of a crackling fire, and waking in the morning to the smell of bacon already wafting up the stairs. Tradition and modern convenience make a seamless blend and the Leonard At Logan House in Grand Rapids making it all well worth it.

What Do YOU Need?

All eyes have been on Haiti and will remain there for a while. But at what point will the story no longer make healines, A day, a week, a month? How long until a new scandal hits and the talking heads become white noise again? The struggle, devastation and desperate needs of Haiti are no longer the talk around the water cooler, yet the effects of the earthquake are sure to continue for a very long time. What is the emotional result? Do we feel guilty, overwhelmed, or do we just forget and move on?

It is so important to share the gospel of Jesus Christ while we help meet those physical needs. Some say meeting the physical need is enough. They will see God's love in us. But there really needs to be more. Here's why:

First, we cannot just assume others will make the same spiritual connects we do. Secondly, and more importantly, wherever you see an outward need, there is a much deeper inward need that we cannot always see. While we may not be able meet every need, we know the one who can. We must unmistakenly point people to Him. Only God can meet our inner most needs, and ultimately bring us to the life He intended. Not just the physical life of the here and now. It is eternal life with no more dying, no more tears through the grace and forgiveness of Christ.

Jesus tells us that we are to clothe the poor, feed the hungry and protect the weak. But when you do, don't forget to give them JESUS! He is our ever present help in time of need.

Winter Fun

Even though we don't get to compete in the Photo Contest, this weeks theme of "Winter Fun" we would totally win if we could. We had a bet between us as to who would end up in the ditch first, Chris or Emilee. It's been a few years since we lived in the ice and snow. Little did we know, MI long-timer Big Daddy, Troy West actually turned out to be the first one we noticed to end up getting hung up by the white stuff.

So far no one in the Danielson family has found themselves in the ditch, however, it is only January so time will tell. We knew it was floating around out there somewhere. Enjoy the picture of Big Daddy having a little too much "winter fun".

Show Your ID

Who you are and where you're from can be identified in a variety of different ways. There are always tell-tale signs that give you away. People in the northern states say "pop" when they desire that syrupy fizzle drink. Southerners say "soda". Alaskans refer to their snowmobile as a "snow machine" or "snow go". Few things distinguish us more than the climate to which we are accustom. At 65 degrees, Michiganders plant gardens while Arizonans turn on the heat and wonder if the hand of God is against them.

So what in our life identifies us as "belonging to Christ"? Do we stand out from the rest? Do others look at us and immediately see us as different? Even more importantly, do they know that difference is because of Christ?

IT'S FRIDAY!

The first week is under our belts. It's Firday and time to celebrate so we decided to make Saturday "Date Night". We haven't done the date thing for a little while cuz we have been so busy with moving and the holidays. But you can't let the business of the day let you forget the important job of keeping your marriage the best it can be. It seems, however, in just the past few weeks we actually forgot how to go on a date. The conversation is something like:

Chris: Wanna go on a date?
Emilee: I dunno, do you?
Chris: I dunno.
Emilee: Where should we go?
Chris: I dunno, where do you wanna go?
Emilee: I dunno, where do you wanna go?
Chris: I dunno.

And we just keep tossing "I dunnos" back and forth like a tennis ball. I know we are in a brand new community with tons of great things to do, but I think it's really more of a question of do we really want to get off the couch. It's already Friday though, and after the show tomorrow, we will only have a few short hours to get it all figured out. AAAAAHHH! Now there's a deadline.

Lesson Day!

We are learning so much since coming to western Michigan. Today’s lesson: Be careful of letting Troy West volunteer you for stuff. When he invited us to the “Spring Swim” he failed to mention the time frame. Having spent the last four years in Arizona, Emilee and I are always up for a swim, so we assumed it would be a pleasant day at the lake. But we learned 3 very important things today.

First: JQ listener...Lester...Informed us today just exactly what is all entailed in the much anticipated event.

Secondly: Come to find out Troy has already been busy convincing everyone to use their family reward points to put me in the lake.

Third: We found that of all his years of faithful service, Troy has NEVER been the one to take the dip. He has always manages to find a way to shift it off to someone else.

Okay, this calls for a counter strategy. Have YOU ever been the new guy? Time for us to rally together and get organized to “PUT THE BIG SHOW IN THE BIG LAKE”!

Fun Day!

What a fun day! I am one of those “weird” women who does NOT like to talk on the phone. There is one exception, and that is the calls we get from listeners. It’s the best part of our morning. It’s like being a part of huge family. A group of people who spend their morning together, day in day out via the radio. There is no other medium that gives you quite such an intimate feel.

That is what helped me get over my vision problem this morning. Leaving my glasses at home left me feeling a little like the Mrs. MaGoo of JQ. If you are showing signs of age like me, we had a couple callers who helped me see it in a little different light. I’m not growing old, I’m growing in experience – or- I’m not old, I’m chronologically gifted.

Also, the Josh from the Savings Angel let me know where I can get the three BEST deals that can be found. Best as in FREE! Light bulbs, cheerios, check it out at...SavingsAngel.com

Savings Angel

Here are your deals for Tuesday, January 5th:

#1. COFFEEMATE FLAVORED CREAMER (16 oz) or UNFLAVORED (Quart), All Varieties

Regular price: $1.69
Sale price: 99 cents at Meijer
Coupon:$1 Printable at $1 Coffee-mate.com
Final Price: FREE
SavingsAngel says: Enjoy your flavored coffee at home and stay warm this winter.

#2. GE ENERGY SMART LIGHT BULBS 40, 60, 75 or 100 WATT EQUIVALENT (1 pack)

Regular price: $3.99
Sale price: $2.99 at CVS
Coupon: $1 (January 3 SmartSource Sears Insert) PLUS $2 Extra Care Limit 1
Final Price: FREE plus 1 cent!
SavingsAngel says: Don't get left in the dark when you can get light bulbs for FREE!

#3. ELECTRASOL DISHWASHER DETERGENT (20 pack)

Regular price: $6.99
Sale price: $3.49 at Walgreens
Coupon:$2.50 (January 3 SmartSource Lays Insert) PLUS $1 Register Reward Limit 1
Final Price: FREE plus 1 cent!
SavingsAngel says: Make dishes sparkle while you smile about this deal.

First Day on the Job!

The good, the bad, and the ugly! It’s was our first ever morning show in snow laden Michigan. Thanks to everyone who called and emailed us with LOTS of encouragement.

After four days, 2000 miles, three kids, two cars, a dog and cat we made it from AZ to MI. My first mission was to buy a few pairs of warm socks. We celebrated a white Christmas, rang in the New Year, caught up on some much needed rest and wa-lah: Our first show. Mission accomplished!

On the show today we talked about what’s In and what’s Out for 2010. Like…

IN: Jeggings (combo of jeans and leggings) uuck!

Brewing your own coffee

Bargain Grocery Shopping

& Sarah Palin

OUT: Acrylic nails

Strange/Designer dog breeds (min pins & labradoodles)

Eating Out

Kanyae West – Sorry Dude!

The highlight of the day was giving away the 365 CDs. Jeremy (from Overnights) joined in on the fun to announce Cathy Tilburt from Grand Rapids as the winner.

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s show.