The Man Cold

During this Thanksgiving season, I am trying to forget about all the things in my life (my house) that don't work. I am trying to forget about the fact that I must go back to work tomorrow. I am trying to be thankful for the good things and dwell less on the problems that people in my life are suffering from. I am trying to be thankful for all that I have -- wonderful children, three great sisters (one who watches over me from heaven), wonderful friends, two great brothers-in-law, wonderful nieces and nephews and of course, my precious grandchildren. I am thankful that my children are healthy. I am thankful that my foot is better (I hope I'm not jinxing it by saying that). I am thankful that Bella's hair seems to be regrowing a little around her ears. I am thankful for the fact that Michael brought me a TV yesterday to replace the one in the den -- I sure was tired of watching Dr. Phil on a 3 x 19" stip. But, I just found one more thing to be thankful for -- I must stop and say "Thanks!" that I no longer have to deal with the Man Cold. This is just too funny.

Any Mom's "William Tell Overture"

OMG, I had no idea that someone had been writing down all the little things I'd been saying to my children as they grew up! This is just too dang funny! I hope this lady has gone back to her hotel room to rest. She deserves it! Enjoy!

Honeymoon Package

This video is so-o-o-o-o funny. A good friend at school, Heather, gave me a copy of this CD and I think I listened to it continuously for about a week. What a boost I got each time I listened to it. I found this on You Tube and thought I'd share it with y'all. It's a way to listen to some good clean laughter and I absolutely love Chonda's sense of humor. Hope you Enjoy!

A little early thanksgiving thought

I've been sitting here this morning thinking about my children. Aren't we lucky to have them? I am so thankful for mine. My son, Darrell, is the best son any mom could have. I must admit, though, there were a couple of years when I really didn't like him a whole lot. 13 - 14 were tough years for us. I guess he was busy trying to figure out how he wanted to act and he wasn't real successful at times. But, once he got things figured out, he became a really caring person. He's tough, (I guess that's what a soldier has to be, right) but he has a heart of gold. God truly blessed me when he sent me Darrell. My daughter, Marti, is a jewel. I laugh when I think about her growing up. I used to say that if I just got her dressed and put her on the bus, she would bring home an A. Marti has always been a hard worker and I always knew she'd be a wonderful woman. Marti's an Occupational Therapist and has such a good heart and really cares about her patients. Gina, my youngest, has always been my social butterfly. Give her an opportunity to have fun and she will go at it 100%. She has really surprised me, though, in the past 10 years. Although she still loves to have a blast, she has turned into such a responsible person. She is truly admired at her job at our local college and is always willing to go that extra mile to help someone. I am truly blessed that God gave me these three souls to be my children. Thank you for being there for me, kids. I truly love you.

Veterans' Day

Today is a special day in the lives of those of us who have freedom. In honor of our military, I salute all of our Veterans. A friend, Lorie, had this touching YouTube Video on her site, Live-Love-Laugh-Create, and I wanted to share it with all of you, also. Thanks, Lorie.



May God Continue to Bless all our soldiers and their families.

OMGosh! My baby's feet are hurting!

MANCHU March --
I wanted to share with y'all some pictures I just received from Darrell from a 25-mile road march that he participated in in Korea. Beautiful beginning -- lousy ending. If you have a queasy stomach, you might not want to look at the ending pictures. Bless his heart. Hope Denise and the boys are taking care of him. (Not sure what a MANCHU is, I'll have to ask him.)

From Darrell:
2-9 IN conducted our MANCHU MILE in honor of all the MANCHUs that have come before us and for their sacrifices. It is designed to be a 25 mile road march resulting in MANCHUs earning the MANCHU Belt Buckle. This time, we decided (or our BN CDR decided) to incorporate the Korean Terrain to give all current MANCHUs an appreciation of the sacrifices the 9th IN RGT MANCHUs endured fighting in Korea - earining 6 Medal of Honors throughout the Korean War. Attached are some pictures from it (both of the march, as well as results of the march on my feet). I can honestly say this is the most challenging foot march I've ever been on. 25 Miles - started at 0950 and completed at 1615 (6 hours and 25 mintues). The march had three rest breaks for 15 minutes each.

The Beginning:

(From Darrell)
Went to the hospital yesterday. They are treating them like burns - wrapped with dressings on them. On crutches to help walk now. 2-4 weeks to heal. (got to go back to work on Tuesday - going down to Camp Humphreys in the South for a NEO exercise next week, don't know how I'm going to do it now---)

The End:

Anyone up for a MANCHU March? Not me; that's for sure! I just hope that if this means that Darrell is now a MANCHU, he at least got the darn belt buckle! And to think, I've been complaining about some dad-gum broken bones. I'll hush now!

Today's Darrell's Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Darrell. Gosh, it sure doesn't seem like it's been 37 years since I first saw you. Lots has happened in those 37 years, hasn't it? Little did I know back then what a wonderful man you would grow up to be. I'm so proud to say you are my son. I just wish I could see you and give you a big birthday hug. {{{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}. I guess that will have to do until I get to see you again.

Love you,

Mom

UGH! I hate this new time!

Seems like I've been up forever and it's only 10:30. Had a busy day. Gina's significant's other, Chris, just became a granddaddy on Friday and they spent the day at the hospital with the new baby, Mary Elizabeth. So, Ashley spent the day with me. Late this afternoon, she came into the craft room holding Bella, my Chihuahua. Guess what Bella had on her head -- Duct tape. What in the world was Ashley thinking? She had put a piece of 3-inch duct tape across the top of Bella's scalp. I almost had a heart attack. I tried my best to get it off without yanking it, to no avail. Finally had to just yank it off. Well, of course, most of Bella's hair came off with it. So now she looks like a bald Chihuahua. After I got through scolding -- not really, I think I was screaming at her -- in walked Lex. And he had duct tape all the way across his nose. I almost went ballistic. What was that child thinking? I'm still mad that she did that. Dang, Lex almost ate me alive when I pulled it off of him. Thank Goodness she had not taped it all the way around his mouth. I think I need sedation next time she comes for the day!
When Gina got in tonight to pick her up, I told her what had transpired and the idiot just laughed. No wonder Ashley thought it was OK to duct tape a dog!
Hope everyone had a great day. Next time you need some excitement, give your 10-year old granddaughter a roll of duct tape and a couple of dogs and see what happens.