Pics from Florida Trip!~

We left home about 7:00 yesterday morning headed to Florida to pick up the truck we are buying from my nephew.  It was about a 3.5 hour trip.  We got messed up on a loop in Dothan, AL, but other than that, we got there just fine.

Our new acquistion~A Chevy Z71 Silverado

We first went through Eufaula.  I took some photos of Lake Eufaula, but they really aren't very good because I had to take them from a moving car.  For this reason, I am only posting one of them.  I also took photos of the beautiful homes on Eufaula's main drag from the car, so they are not as good either as I would have liked them to be.

After we picked up the truck (he lived about 45 minutes from Panana City), we went on to Panama City Beach, where we stopped at a Burger King and got food and had the great idea to have a picnic on the beach.  We learned real fast why you don't picnic on the beach,  you will too when you see the pics, although I am sure all of my friends who either live in Florida, or have lived in Florida, or even visited Florida probably know without looking at the pics, lol.

My baby girl said, "I could sooooooooo live in Florida!"

I thought to myself, yeah, it's nice on the beach today because it is December, living through the peak season one time and the hot climate would sure change your mind quickly!~

Anywho, we got the truck, went to the beach where we had a GREAT time.  None of us wanted to leave, but we were expecting bad weather to come through last night, so I wanted to get home.  If it did come through, I never heard it.  I feel asleep almost immediately after I laid down.  I was one tired woman!~

I have done some edits on some of these pics and will post them in my picture postcard journal as soon as I have time.  I will come back and post a link to it when I post them.

Hope you enjoy the pics and wish I could have taken you with me!

Happy New Year!~

Susan

We're Home!~

We made it safely back home from our Florida trip.  I got some beautiful pics of the ocean.  We had a blast.  I could soooooooooo live in Florida, except for the Hurricanes!  Will tell the story and post the pics tomorrow, too tired tonight.  Thanks to all for the prayers and good thoughts!~

Happy New Year!~

Prayers needed!~

Please hold good thoughts and prayers for me, my mom, my daughter, and her boyfriend as we travel to Florida today to pick up a truck I bought for my husband.

Many thanks in advance!~

Blessings!~

Susan

 

 

A Belated Merry Christmas!~

Sorry I didn't get out any Christmas cards this year.  Have been quite busy.  We pray this journal entry finds everyone doing well.

 

Just wanted to take the time to catch all of you up on the goings on in our household for the past year.  I went back to work for the hospital I worked for previously on January 16, 2006 doing medical transcription as I did for them before.  I worked for them prior to moving to Colorado.  I specialize in radiology and really enjoy my job.  I found working fulltime quite hard with all of my other responsibilities, so in October, I asked them to put me on parttime status.  It is working out much better.  Going back to work for the hospital has been a good decision, as it provides us with insurance and other great benefits once again.  My job has been a huge blessing. 

 

 

Hubby took a job with a salary, but is still in the construction field.  The money is good, so guess we will be staying in Alabama now after all, at least for a while because this is too good of an opportunity to pass up.  He, our daughter, and I were hoping to return to Colorado ASAP, but that has changed somewhat.  We feel we are where we need to be right now.  This job has been a huge blessing.

 

They had their company Christmas party in the capital city of Alabama.  It was in one of the high rise buildings on the 21st floor from which the view was spectacular.  I have never been in a high rise building in my life, so that was an experience in itself. 

 

 

The evening started out with introductions and with Hubby's boss giving the history of how he started his business.  He talked about how each person that worked for him had come to work for him and praised them all, including my Hubby and my BIL.

 

This was one of those dinners that has two glasses and six pieces of silverware and served three courses.  I had no clue what piece of silverware to use first, so I watched everybody else to know what to do.

 

The dinner started with a salad.  It was very good.  They brought out a small bowl of some kind of ice cream (one scoop), which was meant to clean the palate for the main course, which was filet mignon, something that I don't know what it was, a quiche of some kind maybe, and green beans with rolls on the side.  It was delicious.  I cleaned my plate.

 

After the dinner, they rolled out a desert cart that had like probably ten desserts on it.  I can't even remember what all it had on it, but some of it was cheesecake which came with strawberries and cream, red velvet cake, chocolate peacan pie, chocolate cake, apple torte, key lime pie, and the list went on................I chose the cheesecake because that is my most favorite dessert in the world.  Hubby got the apple torte with ice cream on the side.

 

After the dinner was over, we went to one of the main halls where it was decorated beautifully for Christmas.  We all stood on the stairs where we had our picture made.  I hope we all get a copy of it because for once I did not take my camera.

 

 

When Hubby took this job, it knocked our son out of a job because he was working with his Dad, so he had to start looking elsewhere for a job.  He finally landed one with a local electrician who runs his own business.  He had never done this type of job before and finds it really rewarding.  I find the fact that he is back working and is happy with his job a huge blessing. 

 

He has really been through the ringer since his now ex walked out on him on 11/15/2003.  I don't know that he will ever be the same, but I pray for God to heal him everyday.  I don't think I have ever had my heart as broken as it hasbeen over this situation.  She filed papers against our son in court in March.  We have had to go to court several times over that.  When she did that, we cut all ties with her.  It saddens both my son and I.  I had managed to maintain a good relationship with her up until that point.  They both had been able to talk and work things out and even become friends somewhat.  She had previously told my son when she first walked out that it could be worked out, but she didn't want to work it out (she felt the grass was greener on the other side).  It may be greener, but it still has to be mowed, and what I mean by that is relationships take a lot of hard work! 

 

Our son has not dated at all since their breakup.  He says he will never let another woman do to him what she did to him and put him through the pain she has put him through.  I pray for my ex-DIL and the choices she is making, and I pray for healing for my son and ask that you all do the same.  I no longer want them to work things out as I did for so long.  I do hope to see our son happy again.  I hope my ex-DIL can also find happiness, but at this point and time, after the immense pain she has caused our family, I do not wish to see her.  I don't hate her, I pray for her, but she is no longer a part of our lives, as she threw us away like garbage.  It caused my son, daughter,  and I to have major depression problems.  My daughter and I have been in therapy.  Son is too old for my insurance.  ::sigh::  Ithas taken some time in therapy for me to realize I need to let go for my son's sake, so he can move on, and we can also.  I do know now, it is truly for the best.  I bear my ex-DIL no ill will.  I hope she finds the happiness she so desperately seeks.  Our son has been through a lot to only be 24.

 

He has also been dealing with a pinched nerve in his back and been going to the chiropractor for that.  It is a recurring problem.  I pray for healing for him.

 

 

Our daughter is a freshman in high school this year.  She is on the newspaper and has enjoyed that.  She loves to write and is always writing something.  She had posted some of her writing on her favorite author's website.  This author emailed our daughter telling her that she really had talent and to let her know when she had something to publish, and she would help her get published.  I think that is quite an accomplishment for a 14-year-old. 

 

She returned to public school this year.  She grew tired of being homeschooled, as she really loves the socialization that comes along with public school.  She is a people person like her Dad.  I was quite shy when I was younger, but have grown to be more sociable as I got older. 

 

Our daughter also helped out at a church bazaar fundraiser this past Spring.  She helped with the dunking booth.  This was the first time she met the young man who is now her steady boyfriend.  He is a senior this year.  She went to her first dance at his school (his homecoming dance).  I don't think I am ready for this and I know Hubby isn't, but the kicker is that our son is worse about it than we are.  Who would have ever thought that? 

 

Most of my family thinks I am doing the wrong thing by letting her see her BF while she is so young.  Maybe I am, but I have my reasons and she is my daughter last time I checked.  It is up to Hubby and I to decide what is best for our daughter.  Since meeting her boyfriend, she has not been as depressed.  I think he is good for her.  I keep a close watch on them, believe me!!!!  

 

 

 

Hubby and I both have had some health issues this year.  He and I both have suffered from hypothyroidism.  We both have been on medication for it.  I have also been dealing with plantar faciitis and heel spurs in both feet.  It has been quite painful to walk and is worse when I first wake up inthe morning or anytime I have to be on my feet for hours at a time.  Thank goodness my job is a sit-down job!!!!!  My doctor has put several cortisone shots in my foot, which always gives immediate relief.  He made some special orthotics for my tennis shoes.  He told me to get some men's New Balance tennis shoes and wear only them, I am to wear nothing else.  He told me to wear the orthotics for 4-5 months and if my feet still are not better, they will require surgery.  Let's pray the orthotics work!!!!!! 

 

I also have tendonitis in my right wrist and left shoulder.  I had to go to physical therapy for that.  They are both doing some better, I just need to keep up my PT exercises.  I am quite happy to say I am finally beginning to feel better.  I even had to break down and go to a dermatologist for my rosacea (good old adult acne).  Those meds set me back $400.  I am in my 40's and I am suffering with acne?  What gives?  I thought I was done with that during my teen years!

 

 

Sadly on October 25th, we lost Hubby's Dad.  He would have turned 84 on November 6th.  He had emphysema from years of smoking and his lungs just finally gave out.  If ever it is my time to go, I want to go out peacefully like Dad did asleep in my own bed with my family around me.  I and another sister-in-law, and some of his grandchilren were around him singing one of his favorite hymns, Amazing Grace, when he stepped from this world into the next. 

 

Life has been different without him that is for sure.  Thanksgiving was hard.  We celebrated it with Don's Mom in light of the fact she had lost her husband one month before.  The first holidays after losing a loved one always are hard.  He is the one who always said the Grace.  This year, it fell on his next-to-oldest son who was the oldest son present.  Mom cried while he said Grace.  I knew it was because she was thinking that Dad always said it.  They had been married over 60 years when he passed.  She has really been missing him.  God answered so many of my prayers in this situation, there just isn't space or time to go into it here.  We know he has gone on to a better place.  He said to us to do what we can to make sure all of his family gets right with God because he wants to see us all again one sweet day.

 

 

Christmas this year was quite different.  My husband, children and I celebrated on Christmas Eve, because where I usually do my job from home, I had to go in and work on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th on site at the hospital. 

 

I got done early on Christmas day and we went to my cousin's to celebrate Christmas with my family.  We always play dirty Santa instead of buying gifts for everyone (much cheaper that way).  It was fun and the food was all wonderful.  We have some great cooks in our family!

 

 

When we got back home, I had more exams waiting to be typed and I worked until about 1:30 AM.  I was one tired woman when I went to bed!!!!  I slept till noon the next day!

 

 

My Mom has had to have rotator cuff surgery twice after an injury in an auto accident last November.  Would so appreciate prayers/good thoughts for her.  Don's Mom keeps having TIA's.  It is like mini-strokes, but with TIA's they only last for a few minutes and when it is over, she usually is back to herself.  Please keep both our Mom's in your prayers.

 

 

The year started out well, made several turns for the worse, and then seems to be ending on a good note.  God has truly blessed us in many ways.  Let us pray that 2007 will be good all around for all of us.

 

 

We pray for you a blessed, happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!~

 

 

P.S.  I had a hard time convincing Hubby I had bought him another pickup for Christmas.  It is a 2002 Chevy Silverado.  It has the camper top he needs to keep his tools dry and from being stolen.  I will take over driving the new Dodge Ram we bought back last March, and our son is taking over my Buick LaSabre, so everybody is happy.

 

 

 

 

For Gabreael!~

Per Gabreael's comment:  I have lots to update on just no time to update.  ::sigh::  Maybe after the holidays are over, I will have more time for journaling.  I don't even have my Christmas shopping done.  I think so far I have two gifts for my daughter and a gift for my son and that is all!  I am off tomorrow, so maybe I can get my shopping done as I have to work at the hospital the 23, 24, and 25th.  ::big sigh::

Merry Christmas!~

Time Spent With Nana J!~

I remember my maternal grandmother, whom we always called Nana, teaching me many things as a youngster.  You see, she operated a daycare center.  My sister, brother, and I stayed there with her all day while our parents worked.  She taught us the Lord's prayer, The Ten Commandments, bible songs, secular songs, poetry, how to write our first and last names, how to color and "stay in the lines", and how to write our numbers from 1-10, as well as our ABC's.  When she taught us poetry, it was always one of my favorite times.  I remember poems like The Purple Cow, The Spider and The Fly, as well as the writings of Robert Louis Stevenson.  Reading over these poems bring back wonderful childhood memories of playing with my friends at nursery school and spending time with my Nana J.

I remember Nana having us memorize some of the poems of Robert Louis Stevenson out of his book, "A Child's Garden of Verses."  Below are some of my favorites and the ones she helped us to memorize.

My Shadow By Robert Louis Stevenson 

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow--
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
And he sometimes goes so little that there's none of him at all.

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close behind me, he's a coward you can see;
I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

TIME TO RISE By Robert Louis Stevenson  

A birdie with a yellow bill
Hopped upon my window sill,
Cocked his shining eye and said:
"Ain't you 'shamed, you sleepy-head!"
 
 
THE SWING By Robert Louis Stevenson (another poem we memorized)
 
How do you like to go up in a swing,
     Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
     Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
     Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
     Over the countryside--

Till I look down on the garden green,
     Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
     Up in the air and down!
 
 
THE COW By Robert Louis Stevenson
 
The friendly cow all red and white,
     I love with all my heart:
She gives me cream with all her might,
     To eat with apple-tart.

She wanders lowing here and there,
     And yet she cannot stray,
All in the pleasant open air,
     The pleasant light of day;

And blown by all the winds that pass
     And wet with all the showers,
She walks among the meadow grass
     And eats the meadow flowers.
 
 
She closed the daycare everyday at promptly 5:00 PM.  Her woodframe house was behind the daycare.
She would take us, her three grandchildren, home with her.  She always had Coca-Cola in the small 
clear green glass bottles or sometimes even Dr. Pepper.  There was no such thing as canned drinks 
back in those days.  She always had some kind of sweets on her table.  Sometimes it would be orange
slices, or maybe Hershey's kisses, Hershey Bars, Mr. Goodbars, or maybe 5th Avenue.  She loved to 
watch the Lawrence Welk show on her black and white TV that was in her bedroom.  We seldom went into
the livingroom.  That was reserved only for special occasions.  Her house was heated with gas space 
heaters.  It had the really high ceilings and seemed like it took forever to heat up.  She had her full 
size bed, a chest of drawers, dresser, and what she called her chifforobe.  Some chifforobes had drawers
on one side, but Nana's had two doors that opened up and that was where she kept her hanging garments.
She had a twin bed in her bedroom also.  That is where we would sleep when we visited her.  She would 
always take us to town with her on Saturdays.  She had two rockers in her bedroom, an antique table in which 
she kept her telephone, telephone book, and a lamp on.  She also had a hope chest in her bedroom.  I inherited
the antique table, the twin bed, and hope chest.  I treasure them.
 
Her daycare always did very well, so she never lacked for funds.  She loved spending her money on us, her 
grandchildren.  I don't remember ever having to do without anything because of Nana J.  My husband grew up 
with four brothers and four sisters.  He tells tales of having to walk quite a distance to get to school in 
the snow.  He was born in Denver and lived there until age 11.  He tells of walking to school with holes in
his shoes.  I never had to go through anything like that.  My husband's Dad was the only working parent, where
both of my parents worked, as well as my Nana J.  I had a wonderful childhood and loved spending time with my
sister and brother and spending time with my Nana J.  I knew we were much loved by both sets of our grandparents
and my parents.  I always remember having great Christmases.  Hubby said their christmases consisted of fruit and 
nuts in a stocking and a toy to share with his brothers.  The girls might also get a toy to share.
 
 
I knowI have been blessed.  Now it is time to give back to those who are less fortunate.  I know I have raised
my kids right because my daughter asked that we take the money we are going to spend on her and give it to a 
family who might not otherwise have a Christmas.  That is when you know you have raised them right. Because of my 
wonderful memories, I can always revisit my childhood.  I hope I have left my children with some of those great 
memories as well.
 
Merry Christmas!~
 

A Nice Reunion Luncheon!~

My Mom called me one day last week and asked me if I would be interested in going to a reunion luncheon for the plant my Dad, sister, brother, and cousin worked for previously.  She said my sis and cousin were going with her and it would be a fun girl's day out if we could all go together.  It was going to be held at the Hotel Talisi (indian spelling) in Tallassee, AL.  I checked with my boss who graciously gave me permission to go.

I had spent many a Sunday afternoon in Tallassee during my childhood, as did my Daddy because that is where his grandmother lived.  Great-Grandma lived right on Barnett Blvd. which is the main street through Tallassee after you cross the bridge from East Tallassee into West Tallassee.

I had not been to Tallassee since October 11, 1995 when I attended the funeral for my great uncle.  We visited the cemetery where he and a lot of my Dad's family are buried.  I already have pics of that somewhere, so I did not bother to take any more that day, as it was so cold.  I was, however, quite distressed to realize that my great uncle was buried in 1995 and there was no foot marker of any kind to show he was even buried there.  He was a veteran and if I am not mistaken, the government would have provided that to the family free of charge.  There is a family headstone there, but nothing to mark my great uncle's grave.  His is a sad story that I will save for another entry.  I do not want to forget to check into that for him.  Our veteran's deserve to be honored for their sacrifice to their country, even in death.  He was never the same when he came back from the war.  I remember him shaking real bad, a nervous disorder.  My Nana (his sister) told me that he was shell-shocked during the war.

Anyway, my Mom, cuz, sis, and I visited an antique store in Tallassee while waiting for time for the luncheon.  I snapped a photo as we walked over to the Hotel Talisi.  I took pictures of the lobby, the room where the luncheon was held, and we got to tour the upstairs afterwards (my Mom, sis, cuz, and I).  You could look at the building, even the town of Tallassee itself, and know that a lot of history goes along with it. I looked up several sites online and found out some very interesting info on the history of Tallassee and found that they have plans for the old delapidated mill that my great-grandfather worked in as an overseer.  According to what I read online, the stones the mill was built from came directly from the Tallapoosa River and there are plans to make the old mill into condos.  I will provide the link, as I found it made very interesting reading.  Hope you do too.

Tallassee Mill Warehouse Fire in Alabama - Firehouse.com Photo Stories

 

al.com's Printer-Friendly Page

Please continue to pray for Uncle Jessie.  Last I heard, he still was not out of the woods yet.  I so appreciate your prayers.

Hope you enjoy the pics and the info that goes along with them.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!~

Susan

 

My Hero!~

She was born on December 17, 1942.  She was the middle child.  She had an older brother and a younger sister.  She was the one who was left in charge of things when her Mom, my Nana, had to go off to work in the sewing room.  She had to grow up fast.  She had an alcoholic father who was also a drifter.  He came in and out of their lives as he pleased.  She bore a huge responsibility on her slender shoulders from an early age.

She met and married the love of her life, my father, at the tender age of 15.  The road was rocky sometimes, but she taught me what it means to live up to your marriage vows, as I saw her go through all of it with my Dad, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, in health, for better, for worse, until death parted them just shy of their 33rd anniversary.  I was born on August 2, 1959, my sister, August 3, 1961, and my brother, August 21, 1963.  On May 3, 1976, she had a fourth child, another son who was the joy of all of our lives.

She lost him tragically to suicide on June 18, 1999 and my father, her husband of 33 years to a heart attack, May 11, 1991.  She has lost her mother, father, sister, and brother during her lifetime.  Although she has known a lot of sorrow,  she has also known a lot of happiness.

After my father's death, she became involved with my stepfather, Bill, whom I love dearly.  I am glad that she has someone to keep her company in her golden years, as she so deserves it.  They take tender loving care of each other.

To me, my Mom is like the energizer bunny, she takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin.'  She is responsible, for the most part, for the strong values that I have.  I know I have not always lived up to what she taught me, sometimes I had to learn the hard way, but one thing is for sure, I never had to go back and relearn those hard lessons, and in the long run, the seeds she planted took hold in me and are largely responsible for who I am today.  She was a wonderful role model as a mother, which in turn has made me a good mother to my two children, and I hope I have been as successful instilling in them the values that she taught me.

I just wanted to say thanks, Mom, and I love you more than words can say.

Your loving, devoted daughter,

Susan

 

Update on Uncle Jessie

I have been asked by several through email to update on Uncle Jessie.  Some of you I have emailed individually, so you already know, but for those of you who don't and want to know, Uncle Jessie had surgery for an aortic dissection yesterday morning between 4 and 5 AM according to his oldest son.  One of my SIL's told me he also has fluid in his lungs and some kind of inflammation in his stomach.  Uncle Jessie came through the surgery well and his prognosis is good, although with this serious of a surgery, I know he is not out of the woods yet, so please keep praying.

His doctor said if they had not found that when they did, Uncle Jessie would probably at the most have made it about another month.  We praise God they found it when they did and he got help pretty quickly.

If I remember correctly, the aorta is the main artery going into the heart.  He had a tear and it was causing him to bleed internally.  He had been so weak because his heart was not pumping all of his blood through his system.  They had to start at the base of the aorta down in his stomach if I understood correctly and replace quite a bit of it.

I thank God for watching over Uncle Jessie and putting him in the hands of the right doctors.  We already lost Uncle Robert to cancer, last March, I believe it was, and then my beloved FIL in October.  This would be too much.  Uncle Robert and Uncle Jessie were/are brothers of my MILs.  She still is not over Dad's death and now she has been quite concerned about Uncle Jessie.

She, on the other hand, has been doing much better since we got past the stress of the funeral.  Please continue to pray for her as well.

My Mom is still going through therapy for her last surgery on her rotator cuff.  I would ask that you continue to remember her too.

I got most of my Christmas decorations out and hope to get some pics to post soon.  I think the tree turned out rather nicely.  Hope you do too.

Must run, it is 8:00 PM, I just finished work and still have to do supper.

Blessings!~

Susan

P.S.  Please keep our troops in your prayers and good thoughts!~

Reminiscing............

I found these old pics I had scanned into my computer back some time ago.  They bring back a lot of memories.  My grandmother owned a daycare center.  She always had Christmas Parties around Christmas.  We were always part of that.  In the pic of my Dad holding my sister and me standing beside them, I remember my Dad fussing at me and telling me to get my foot off the rocker.  I think in the pic I have my foot on it.  After it was taken, I remember him clenching his teeth at me, as he did when he was angry (he was redheaded like his Mom, lol) and telling me to get my foot off the rocker.  Isn't it funny how we can sometimes remember certain details from our childhood and forget so many others and a picture or statement someone makes jogs a memory.  Seeing my foot on the rocker and my Dad's face in the pic made me remember that memory.

My Granddaddy J. was the meekest, mildest, kindest person you could ever want to meet.  He walked with a walking cane due to having polio as a child.  It left one of his legs slightly shorter than the other one.  I now own that walking cane.  I remember seeing his footprints and the print of his cane in the sand around their house while he waited for my Nana to get done working for the day.  He worked nights as a security guard for a local mill.  We would go out and sit in the swing and my grandparents in their rocking chairs on their front porch afterwards drinking soda and eating candy watching the traffic go by, as they lived in town.  We lived with them until I was about 6 years old.  Nana's daycare was behind their house.  She and my Granddaddy took care of us until my parents got home from work.

My Hubby called a little while ago to give me some rather bad news.  His Uncle Jessie was rushed to a hospital in North Alabama in pretty critical condition.  He had been admitted to the hospital I work for yesterday (Monday).  They ran tests and found out he is bleeding around his aorta, which is the main artery going into the heart, if I am not mistaken.  It has a tear.  This is a very serious condition, life threatening even.  He is my MIL's brother.  They lost a brother last March to cancer, Uncle Robert.  She just lost her husband of 60 years on 10/25/2006.  He would have been 84 on 11/06/2006, and now Uncle Jessie is in serious condition.  Please keep him in your prayers.  I would be so grateful.

We spent Thanksgiving at my MILs in light of the fact that my FIL had just passed away almost a month before.  Hubby's next-to-the-oldest brother was the oldest son there and the family asked him to say Grace.  Mom started crying while he said Grace.  I know it was because Dad always said Grace being the head of the family.  She cried again while eating her food, but for the most part, I think she did very well.  We enjoyed the day with the family along with some very good food.  We all pitched in together so all of it would not fall on her because she is not well either, although she has been doing much better.  I thank all of you for the prayers for her and for my Hubby's family.  The first holidays after a significant loss are always the hardest.

So many of my friends both online and off have so many prayer requests.  Please know I care and all of you are in my thoughts and my prayers.  I pray for the Holy Spirit to give you comfort where comfort is needed and meet your needs as only He can.

Hugs and prayers from our house to yours!~  Have a blessed Christmas and remember that Jesus is the reason for the Season!~

For Lavern and our Troops!~

Dear Susan,

 

I don't have a journal, but when I received this today, I really thought J-Land should be able to read about this--particularly the last entry concerning the wearing of Red on Friday, to support our troops.  Knowing from reading your journal that you have such a love for our men and women serving our country, I immediately thought of forwarding it to you, and perhaps you would see fit to bring it to the people who read your journal.  Thanks so much--if you think it OK to do so. 

**********************************************************

Dear LaVern,

 

I do see fit, as there are many families who won't be together this Christmas because their loved ones are serving their country.  There are many others who have lost their loved ones through serving their country who also won't have their loved one to celebrate with.  This is a time for remembering the sacrifice of our military, both past and present, and the great price of our freedom.  May we continue to lift them up in our prayers as they put themselves in grave danger every day so that we might have our freedom.  May we remember their great sacrifice during this holiday season.  God Bless America and God Bless our Troops!~ 

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Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
              Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
          Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family. 
 

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom: 

"Ladies and Gentleman,

 

We have had the honor of having Sgt. Steeley of the United States Marine Corps on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize thatI am proud to be an American. 
 

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do in freedom.

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"No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."

Red Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous, or overbearing.  Many Americans, like you, me, and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that ... every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If everyone of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is ...."We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!! 

 

Thanks so much,

 

LaVern (Purplehazebarn)

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La Vern, I am proud to do this for you since you do not have a journal and even more proud to do it for our men and women in the military, as I want them to know how much we here at home support them and thank them for their bravery and great sacrifice to keep us free, as well as their duty to our country, and their Commander-In-Chief.  They are all heroes.

 

Blessings, hugs,  and prayers going out for our troops!

 

Susan

 

P.S. Please note I have more editing to do on this entry, as well as pictures and graphics to add when I find out where I saved them on this computer!!!!! 

 

Thought for the Day!~

There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them.

Source unknown.

 

I have an update for all of you when I get the chance.  Please keep Hubby's Uncle Jessie in your prayers.  He was admitted to the hospital today.  They are running tests.  Can't seem to tell him what is wrong.  I pray they find out so they can treat him accordingly.

 

Blessings!~

 

Susan

 

IF MY BODY WERE A CAR..........

Thanks to my friend, M.W. for this cute email:

For some of us, this one may hit a bit too close to home...  Let's laugh about it anyway:

 If my body were a car, this is the time I would be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull, but that's not the worst of it.

 My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see
 things up close.  
  

My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and
skid and bump into things even in the best of weather.

My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins.
It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed.
My fuel rate burns inefficiently.
But here's the worst of it --

Almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter.....either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!

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Hope I made you laugh today!  Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!~

Blessings!~

Susan

 

I am thankful for........

I know it has been a while.  Sorry, have been very busy.

We had bad weather come through last week.  I believe it was last Wednesday.  Thunderstorms and tornado warnings plagued the southeast.  It rained so hard and for so long, our basement took on water.  I had to stop doing my medical transcription job that I do from home and start trying to keep the water from coming in.  I lost.  I used about every towel I had, including beach towels to help soak up the water.  The washer and dryer ran constantly for two days, as I kept loads of towels going.  I had to go out during the height of the storm to our detached garage to get the shop vac because it is a wet/dry vac to suck up the water.  It was coming in faster than I could suck it up.  I started doing it about 1:30 PM, just as the water had started to come in.  If I stopped for anything, whether it was to put on another load of towels, eat a sandwich, answer the phone, or whatever, the water would come in a little bit further each time.

My son's bedroom is in the basement, so it was his bathroom and bedroom, along with our laundry room that was getting flooded.  When he came in from work, he saw what I was doing.  He told me he knew the way it was raining that the basement would be flooding.  He tried to help, but he was so tired.  He had just gotten off of work (Did I say he finally found a job?  Woo Hoo!) and walked in and said, "Oh Lord!"

That was a backbreaking job, let me tell ya!  That shop vac probably doesn't hold but maybe 2-3 gallons, so I was constantly dumping it in the toilet every few minutes.  It finally stopped coming in at around 10:00 PM, so it took me approximately 8.5 hours.

My son had already gone to bed by the time I had gotten enough of the water out to start being able to use the mop instead of the shop vac, so I had to wait until the next morning to get the water out from under his bed.  After he went to work, I pulled the mattress and box springs off of his bed and got the shop vac again and got the water out from under his bed.

He also has a daybed in his room that he uses as a sofa/guest bed.  I had to pull it out and get the water out from under it too.  I finally got done washing all of the towels the day after the storm.

I had to work this weekend, so I sat all weekend.  Worked today, sat all day today.  My back is aching and I was so sore I could hardly move for a few days afterwards.  Did I say my back is still aching?  I had to stoop over for such a long time getting that water out.  I have a full body massager.  I think I will put that on my bed.  It has settings that you can change.  One sounds like water trickling, another is birds singing, one sounds like a waterfall and so on.  I think I shall turn in for the night and do that and relax for a bit.  Perhaps that will soothe my sore aching body some.

I still see the silver lining in this though.  I saw on the weather channel the areas of flooding and people losing everything they had, some even lost their lives.  I didn't lose anything, except a few hours of work.  Praise God!~

A tornado got close to my daughter's school, but turned a different direction.  I am thankful my daughter and the other students were spared.

I am thankful my whole house did not take on water and the tornado didn't come our way. 

Let us use this time to remember what we have to be thankful for and let us most of all remember our troops who will not be home with their loved ones because of their sacrifice to keep us safe and free.  I am so thankful for our military.

May the Holy Spirit comfort those who have lost loved ones this past year.  The first holidays are always the hardest.

I am thankful for a Commander-In-Chief who is not ashamed to let us know he prays.

I am thankful for my beautiful family.

I am thankful for my many friends.

I am thankful for such a beautiful Autumn this year.

I am thankful that despite those horrific storms, I still have a roof over my head, food on my table, and clothes on my back.

I am thankful to be employed.

I am thankful to have been married to the love of my life for the last 28 years.

I am thankful for my Mom.  She is my hero.

I am thankful for my sister, as she is my best friend.

I am thankful for my fur babies, all four, and the comfort they bring to me.

I am thankful my MIL is doing so much better.

I am thankful most of all, for my Heavenly Father, who loved me enough to send His only son to die for my sins that I might have eternal life.

So hard to believe the holidays are upon us.  Time flies anymore, doesn't it?  So may I say from our house to yours: 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!~

Susan and Family