Monday, December 27, 2010

Yay 2010 My favorite Year Yet



Merry Christmas...



So here it is, December 26. I did no Christmas letter, no Christmas cards, no family photo, I didn't even put gift tags on presents this year.
So, to sum up my year, here is a quick, down and dirty Christmas newsletter.
January ... Started anew and moved into an apartment with 3 other dudes.
February ... Continued my job as a 5th grade fill in for my good friend Sunny.
March ... Celebrated my 29th birthday on March 9th!
April ... Flyers went to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
May
... Really wasn't that special of a month !

June
... Started working at The Underdog
Wine Bar in Livermore.
July
... Started taking up Painting as a serious hobby

August
... Celebrated 19 years of being alive after being shot in the dome..

September
... Started new school year. Jobless.....

October
... Walnut Creek, here we come.

November
... Celebrated being thankful with three nieces, two Brother in laws, a new Sister in law and loving an amazing life.

December
... Completed my year in Walnut Creek with three new paintings.


Merry Christmas.
Happy New Year.
God Bless.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

My Christmas Tradition

Growing up in the Ruff House we had some strange traditions. There are too many to list on this entry that were either too awkward or too embarrassing to describe to you all. One of my favorite traditions out of the whole year was our Christmas celebration. We would all wake up at the crack of dawn, while waiting for my Dad and Mom to get up from the previous night of wrapping presents. Before we could touch any of the presents, we had to go "to Church". By "going to Church", I mean that we had a Ruff Christmas service in our living room. We all had our parts to complete the service. My brother Aaron started off the service with reading a bible verse. After he chose and read a verse or two in the Bible, my sister Rebecca said a prayer. Next up in the Church service was the song. Consequently, my sister Susannah chose a few songs for us to sing. Here comes the best part of the service, The Sermon. Seeing that I have followed in the footsteps of the best Pastor that I have ever known, I was never prepared. Who ever thinks about writing a sermon or even a speech before opening up presents on my favorite holiday! All that I can remember is that the sermons were short, but sweet. Usually prepared in less than 10 minutes and were based on thoughts and actions from the previous year in my life. Being alone for the first time in let's see my whole life on Christmas, I have had a long time to reflect on my life and where it is going and where I fit into others lives. I had a thought that I would reenact my Christmas tradition with my family, sans family. And this year, I researched, did my studying and for my sermon thanks to the gift of the internet will show a nativity video. One that touched my heart immensely. Welcome to the 4 siblings Church.

Aaron-

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.


Rebecca-

Dear Heavenly Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share this day with our family members remembering that the real reason for Christmas is for YOU. The last few years for all of us has been tough

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love for us all
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to in our stomachs and within our hearts,
Gifts isn't everything on this holiday. We celebrate our love for YOU and mom's Cinnamon Rolls
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.



Susannah-

Blessed Be Your Name- Matt Redman

Silent Night- Hymn book


Jonathan-

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Courage

God grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and
Wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.

God, grant me Forgiveness to know that
If I choose not to forgive others, they
Won’t lose near as much sleep over
It as I will.

God, grant me Prosperity to know that
If I work toward my goals with a more
Cheerfully creative attitude, and with
More enthusiasm for the process
Instead of the outcome, success
Will be sweeter.

God, grant me Wisdom to realize

That even though I only think I
Received nothing that I wanted….
I always received everything that I
Ever needed in order to grow at
The pace perfectly suited to my
Soul’s real needs.


Favorite All Time (good but hard) blogspots



http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2008/09/road-trips-siblings-best-of-timesthe.html


http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2009/11/u2.html

http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2009/11/introducing.html


http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2010/10/big-sister.html

http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2009/11/waiting.html

http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2009/03/remembering.html


http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2009/02/little-ms-surgery-day.html

http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-life.html

http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2010/10/goodness.html

http://goodbuthard.blogspot.com/2008/12/favorite-restaurants-this-year.html

Monday, December 20, 2010

Eye on the Prize

How are you doing? I'm sorry for being distant for a bit. I was just taking some time tonight to think about how thankful I am for my life and what completes it. I have a Chronic disease in which I will eventually fall victim to. It's a daily reminder to me that I have to take each day and treat it like it will be my last. I almost lost my life when I was thirteen. It is also a keen reminder that I need to love my life for what it's worth. My life has been pretty Sucky for a few years ending in my unfortunate separation from the only girl that I ever have truly cared for in my up and down life. It all comes to a head this week as I need to travel to Martinez and sit in front of a judge and argue dollars and sense. I've never been a fan of arguments as most people know. Arguing destroys relationships. It destroys healthy communication that is dire for people to grow within a community. I am very lucky that I have a healthy community of friends around me that can be there for me to talk life, push me towards the positive things that can make my life stronger than it has been and will hopefully be. Wednesday will most doubtingly be the toughest day in my life for quite a long time. It may be the last time that I see my former "everything" face to face. You never know how things will go after this. My heart still bleeds for us. It is now that I see that I need to fight my way through this quite the same way as I have taken other difficult obstacles in my life. I thank you for being there for me this past year. Each and everyone that I know I am thankful for you. You make me smile, which is very crucial as I enter this next step in my life. Thank You.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Tuesday






It's been a long week. I feel like days are running over into the next. I feel really tired.
I want to paint all of the time. I feel good about being semi employed. Round 2 of Judge Wapner hits me next Tuesday. I hate arguments with a passion. I wish having to go through the motions didn't exist. My Christmas Party at the winery is tomorrow night, that should be fun. Swingers Bowling starts 1st week in January, psyched about that. It's Christmastime and time for celebration. The Phillies signed Cliff Lee today, I'm super pumped
about this acquisition. Even though the Phillies are slowly turning into the National League Yankees, I still support my boys in Red. I'm tired and have a full day tomorrow. Have a great Tuesday!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Bombshell


I'm torn tonight, more than I have ever been in the past 2.5 years.
It is true that we are all betrayed by people in our life, but some examples are few and far between what others experience through their lives. I have been unaware and not informed about things in my life that are very pertinent with my maturation in life. They all knew it and I was blinded by the life. Blinded by a person that I thought did so much for everyone with his words and guidance in life. I have had plenty of people tell me that it was your choice, just deal with it. But no, that's not it. You haven't talked with me in almost a year now. Your life choice is now your life. I have said that I will keep praying for you, but just posting that you are an evangelical christian on your facebook doesn't do it for me. Man we've been through a bunch as a family and to hear what I heard tonight makes me more than sad..... it makes me disappointed. Piecing together my relationship for the past 15 or so years, within the last 5 months is tearing me apart. It would have been better if I was there with your other son to feel the shame he endured. You know I really feel left out on my Father's life. I should not feel that way. It's usually the other way around right. The estranged parent missing out on their son or daughters life because of life's misfortunes. Before typing this out I began writing out the words that came directly to my head. I've already been reminded tonight by one of my close friends in AZ that he has always been impressed by my control of my language, so I will refrain from the words that were typed out. I am just very disappointed with my 63 year old Father. Talking the life and living the life has never been included within a double life. So much to get out. Yes, so much however I will never get that chance. 1, even two was the extent that I thought. Hundreds makes my heart cry out Yahweh.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Playlist of Jon Ruff


Here are some songs that i've either discovered or re-discovered lately & that happen to be on repeat often while I do the daily stuff.

with or without you- Scala and Kolacny Brothers
The Call- regina spektor
Runaway (live)- Kanye West
Sigh no more- mumford and sons
How He Loves- David Crowder Band
apologize- pixie lott
The messenger- Linkin Park
Landslide-Tori Amos
Viva la Vida(cover)- Weezer
beautiful- Akon..... yes that Akon

Check these out, they are great songs that go unnoticed among the mass radio and satellite play.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Lyrics that hit the heart

I have never really been a fan of lyrics of songs. Pretty much the main reason I listen to music is for the sound and the tone or beat. Lately, I have been dissecting lyrics in songs as they come alive in certain songs. I write about certain songs on TDLML as if they are helping through certain situations in my life.

During my enriching marriage with Amy, I would find songs that I wished would remind me of our time together. I would listen to music and use that inspiration to help me plan special nights or use the lyrics to add to inspire my writing.

I like Coldplay. Chris Martin has a wonderful Prose while writing his songs. The song The Scientist has been a favorite of mine for a while. I used to dance with her to this because I thought that it was a great love song at the time.

Lately, I have been looking more into the lyrics as a cure to my consistent happiness. However as I was singing the lyrics to The Scientist the other day, the words hit me for a loop. It was just strange to me that we would dance to this song as a love song, when after 8 years of marriage the lyrics actually came to fruition. The bolded words were actually happening. It's weird how things happen like that sometime.



Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are.
I had to find you, tell you I need you,
Tell you I set you apart.

Tell me your secrets and ask me your questions,
Oh lets go back to the start.
Running in circles, Comin' in tails
Heads on a science apart.

Nobody said it was easy,
It's such a shame for us to part.
Nobody said it was easy,
No one ever said it would be this hard.
Oh take me back to the start.

I was just guessin' at numbers and figures,
Pulling the puzzles apart.
Questions of science, science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart.

And tell me you love me, come back and haunt me
Oh and I rush to the start.
Runnin' in circles, Chasin' tails
Comin' back as we are

Nobody said it was easy, Oh it's such a shame for us to part.
Nobody said it was easy, No one ever said it would be so hard.

I'm goin' back to the start.


Alge-i don't know-ometry




Middle School Math. The most difficult thing that I don't ever remembering how to do. I'm sure that there are plenty of other people that know how to do this, (my buddy Johnny Saleman) however I was never able to get the hang of it. It is true that I need these math skills in my everyday life, I just wish that I knew ore about trigonometry and the tougher Algebra standards. The first day that I started teaching in Hayward, I was thrown into an algebra readiness class with 7th grade students. The everyday teacher left me notes asking me to introduce reciprocals and factoring binomials and trinomials including using protection while factoring. No notes, no examples for me to be guided on, nothing to go by but my extremely positive strong middle school math memory. It was a very tough day! I just remember the students laughing and joking about how the teacher wanted me to instruct them about Protection. No joke....... He told me in the notes that if I used humor about protection then the students would remember how to use the FOIL method; which is pertinent to binomials. The day ended with 6th period refusing to calm down. I don't think that I was or will ever be cut out to teach middle school math or at a secondary level.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

What makes you depressed

If a sad feeling goes on for too long, hurts too deeply, and makes it hard for you to enjoy the good things about your life, it's called depression.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of depression: (from depression.org)

  • feeling empty or numb
  • feeling hopeless (like there's nothing to look forward to)
  • feeling guilty or worthless
  • feeling lonely or unloved
  • feeling irritable and annoyed a lot (every little thing gets on your nerves)
  • feeling like things are not fun anymore
  • having trouble keeping your mind on schoolwork or homework or getting bad grades
  • having trouble keeping your mind on things like reading or watching TV or not remembering what a book or a TV show was about
  • having less energy and feeling tired all the time
  • sleeping too much or not enough
  • not eating enough and weight loss or eating too much and weight gain
  • thinking about death or thinking about suicide
  • spending less time with friends and more time alone
  • crying a lot, often for no reason
Like myself, people who have depression may not even know it. Often it's a parent or teacher who notices behavior changes like the ones in the list above. Depression can run in families. Some people have depression after the loss of someone really close, such as a fruitshack parent; long-lasting problems at home, including divorce, or alcohol use. But people may be depressed for no apparent reason.

Depression has changed my life.

It's given me a chance to view my
life and change what I need to for my future. I'm trying to change these details in my life to better myself for the future. It's tough tonight. Sorry for this entry, but sometimes I feel like I'm 60 yr. old living with a 25 yr. old. My life decisions are getting so out of my age range it drives me to figure out what is pertinent in my life. I'm getting old. Ughhhh. Anyway, check out my latest painting at the top, derived from the thoughts and notes from my Grandfather.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Top 15 smiles of past years


I love to Smile


The smell of oil paint being spread on a canvas

A soft breeze on a beautiful Spring day.



Cheesesteaks fresh from Gaetano's South Philly

These are things that make me smile.



The slapstick comedy of Jack Black

Watching Chris Farley sing Fat Guy in a little Coat



Hearing songs that take me back to my childhood

These are things that make me smile.



The amazing taste of Fenton's CCAC ice cream

The sight of U2 performing 5 feet away from me




A dinner prepared for me by my mom.

These are things that make me smile.


Watching my best friend get married

while making his family so proud

Watching my best friends children grow up

These are things that make me smile.


An evening spent with family and friends

Streaming Sportscenter on the computer


Hanging out with my siblings

These are things that make me smile.


Serving in all facets of the word

and when Monrovia calls me Uncle Johnny


These are things that make me smile.


Strengthening my relationship with my Father

using that to strengthen my Core

knowing that I will be with HIM soon

These are things that make me smile.


Trying to be the best Jonathan that I can ever be

That makes me and a whole lot of other people Smile.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Untitled




Do you believe everything happens for a reason? Do you believe that when the right person looks at you just the right way, at just right the moment, from far across the room, is it possible to lose your breath? Is it possible to want to live more for someone else, than for yourself? Is forever love possible? Does it know no bounds? When you lose someone you love to cancer. When you say goodbye to your father for the very last time. When you fall in love so deeply you can barely hear the noise around you. When you touch the hand of the one who holds your heart. When you kiss the one you know you’re going to love, but don’t love yet.

When you do these things, does your heart drop?

Forever is only a concern if you reach it. No one chases love for forever, if we did, we’d all be disappointed. Right A? The actual feeling of love doesn’t hit us once and stay with us forever, it comes and goes. Just as anger comes and goes, happiness comes and goes, sadness comes and goes, love comes and goes. Which is why I would encourage you, hold onto the ones you love. Hold them as dear as you did the day you fell in love with them. Blow them kisses over the phone. Send them flowers just enough to send the message, not too much that they forget the thought. Touch their hearts with old stories, first dates remembered and key ones attached on the wall for a daily reminder. Write them letters. Kiss them. (I never kissed enough) It needs to be nurtured and honored, because only time can prove the worth of love.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Photo holiday






























Thankfulness


So much to be thankful for, even when I don’t feel like being thankful.

I’m am thankful that gratitude as a way of life, mind and spirit makes me happier and healthier.

But, gratitude as a way of life has hardly been a secret through the years.

Thanksgiving is the one holiday that rarely disappoints.

Doesn’t require much more than just showing up.

You just have to come with an appetite, invite friends and family, and then fall asleep on the couch.

But Thanksgiving actually is the most rigorous of all holidays — by taking the day at its word, its founding purpose, I can make it the most spiritual and potentially life changing day!

Kinda tough to be thankful when you still see too many friends and neighbors out of work including myself. When people are losing their homes. When Wall Street is rewarding Wall Street, as the rest of the country waits for the recovery, any recovery, to trickle down.

So, in a world where greed, divorce, employment can cause you to hang your head in despair, what’s there to be thankful for?

Thankfulness takes some discipline, admittedly, but it has a definite upside. And it's more than just positive thinking.

Some say grateful people are happier, more optimistic, less stressed, less materialistic, more physically active, more spiritually aware, more humble.

The principle has always been at work within my life: In everything, give thanks. When in doubt, give thanks.

Grateful people are often people who have suffered, experienced painful losses

Funny, isn’t it, how people who are showered with material blessings or gifted with physical beauty or superior talents often seem to take these things for granted, or just want more?

The Bible says, “For everything give thanks.” Counter intuitive and revolutionary — because anyone can give thanks when everything is going well.

Thanks …

For waking up.

For two eyes.

For a semi healthy life.

For a roof over my head.

Thanks for another day.

Thanks to my family, who puts up with me despite my many shortcomings.

Thanks for the gift of nieces, who are learning these things themselves from there solid parents.

For that small voice within, that chance again, no matter the circumstances.

For freedom of speech — and freedom to write something like this.

For living as long as I have.

For the solitude of late-autumn. The color of leaves. The color of twilight.

The opportunity to teach children towards their future.

For the freedom to worship Jesus.

For forgiveness and grace — because I need both every minute and every day.

And having both, why wouldn’t I be thankful?

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

Oh boy, What do we have here!!!!!


There are also a lot of [new songs]: four new albums' worth. In addition to Songs of Ascent -- a second set of tracks from the No Line sessions -- and Bono and the Edge's score for the Spider-Man musical (finally set to open on Broadway on December 21st), U2 are working on a "rock album," as Bono puts it, "and a club-sounding album." He expects U2 will release a new record, drawn from that body of songs, in time for their return to North America next year. "That's going to be great. Those people (meaning me to the Oakland and Anaheim show)are going to have tickets to a whole new show with new songs."
August 4, 2010: Just a couple days before the start of the 2010 tour, U2 did an interview with the Italian newspaper, La Stampa. In it, Bono says that U2 now has four separate album-related projects:
"an ambient album, Songs of Ascent"
"a rock album"
a "club music" album
"the soundtrack of Spiderman, the musical debuting on Broadway in November"
Looks like like we will have a great start to 2011! I love U2 and I can't wait to hear their new songs!

Time Flies......





Time.

Flies.

Stands still.

Wreaks havoc.

Brings healing and hope,
And causes all things to decay.
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