MY THANKSGIVING BLISS LIST

MY HUSBAND, MY THREE CHILDREN, MY TWO SON IN LAW'S, MY SOON TO BE DAUGHTER IN LAW, ALL MY GRANDCHILDREN, MY EXTENDED FAMILY, OUR FAITH, SIMPLE PLEASURES, TRADITIONS NEW AND OLD, TWO FAMILY THANKSGIVINGS, NUTS TO SNACK ON BECAUSE THE TURKEY IS TAKING LONGER THAN IT SHOULD (THANKS MELANIE, THEY SAVED THE DAY) LEFT OVERS FOR DAYS, GIGGLES A PLENTY, LOTS OF HUGS AND KISSES, TEASING YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE, CUDDLES, SNUGGLES, TICKLES, HAVING FOUR AND FIVE GRANDCHILDREN ON MY LAP ALL AT ONE TIME, HOMEMADE ROLLS WITH YUMMY FREEZER JAM THANK YOU HEATHER, GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE, JELLO, OLIVES ON FINGERS, GOOD CONVERSATION (THERE IS NEVER A DULL MOMENT), PASSIONATE DISCUSSIONS, BOYS WHO ROCK GUITAR HERO, GIRLS WHO SING AND DANCE, GOING TO A SOCCER GAME AND WATCHING BLAISE SCORE, PLAYING BARBIES AND PRETTY PONIES, MONOPOLY (AWESOME GAME BLAISE) , TIC-TAC-TOE EVEN THOUGH CAIDEN WON EVERY TIME, SHOPPING WITH THE GIRLS, MEETING THE BOYS AND LITTLE ONES FOR LUNCH, MOVIES, A GAME OF POOL, TURKEY AND STUFFING, GRAVY TO DIE FOR, SHARING SOME SECRETS OF THANKSGIVING COOKING WITH HOLLIE WHO CARRIED THE TORCH THIS YEAR AND DID A FABULOUS JOB, SAFE TRAVEL, LAUGHTER, LOVE, SILLY CRAZY FUN, TOGETHERNESS, READING BOOKS, PLAYING CATCH WITH URBAN (THAT BOY CAN THROW), SMILES, HUSBANDS WHO DO DISHES, HELP WITH THE CHILDREN AND KISS THE COOKS, MATCHING UP TRAITS AND PERSONALITY SIMILARITIES, SHARING OUR TALENTS, GREAT FOOD, GREAT CONVERSATIONS, GREAT TIME.

I AM BLESSED AND I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

TO ALL OUR EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WE LOVE YOU ALL, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE JOY YOU BRING TO OUR LIVES, SORRY WE WERE NOT ALL ABLE TO BE TOGETHER. HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING.

GO AHEAD, MAKE MY DAY

Today when Heather picked Caiden up from school, the teacher

greeted her with a big smile and said

"I have to tell you what caiden said today, it is the cutest thing".

The teacher was reminding the children that they only had

a half day of school tomorrow, then they would be off the rest

of the week. She asked the children who could tell her why

they were going to be off the rest of the week.

Caiden raised his hand and said,

"Because my Grandma is coming".

Oh, melt my heart. Love that little guy, he is the sweetest!

So thanks Caiden for making Grandma's day. I love you!

SIMPLE ~ INEXPENSIVE FALL DECOR

SIMPLE AND EASY WAYS TO DECORATE YOUR HOME TO BRING IN THE FEEL OF THE SEASON. USING MOSTLY WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE AROUND THE HOUSE, JUST LOOK AT IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY, AND USE IT IN A WAY OTHER THAN NORMAL. ACCESSORIZE AND YOUR DONE! SIMPLE ~ INEXPENSIVE.

I SAW THIS HAIRY YARN IN A SALES BIN, IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT,

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS GOING TO USE IT FOR AT THE TIME,

BUT I HAD TO HAVE IT.

I WRAPPED IT AROUND A BLACK PICTURE FRAME

FROM THE DOLLAR STORE THAT I ALREADY HAD,

PUT A THANKSGIVING CARD IN THE FRAME AND,

I AM CRUSHING ON THIS! SOOOO CUTE!

THE TWO LITTLE PUMPKINS ARE JUST CHEAP PLASTIC ONES

THAT WERE ON SALE AFTER HALLOWEEN AT WALMART

FOR .25 CENTS EACH.

I WRAPPED SOME PRETTY FALL FABRIC AROUND THEM,

TIED THEM UP WITH RIBBON, AND OF COURSE EVERY

PUMPKIN NEEDS IT'S ACCESSORIES,

AND THE RESULT IS SIMPLY ADORABLE!

I JUST TOOK A TALL GLASS CANDLE HOLDER,

POURED IN SOME SPLIT PEAS,

ADDED A CAT TAIL AND VIOLA!

NOW AFTER THANKSGIVING I CAN TAKE THE SPLIT PEAS

PUT THEM IN A JAR, ADD A RECIPE FOR SPLIT PEA AND HAM SOUP,

ALONG WITH SOME HOMEMADE CORN BREAD,

WRAP IT WITH CHRISTMAS FABRIC

AND GIVE IT TO A NEIGHBOR FOR A CHRISTMAS PRESENT.

JUST KIDDING................ HMMMM OR AM I?

I MEANT THE ONES LEFT OVER IN THE BAG,

NOT THE ONES I USED,

OOH, GROSS, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

REMIND ME NOT TO TAKE FOOD GIFTS FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE.

BOUGHT THIS FEATHER THING ON SALE AT JO ANN'S,

LAST TIME I WAS THERE, CAME HOME,

WRAPPED THE STEM WITH RIBBON

PUT IT INTO A TERRA COTTA POT

I ALREADY HAD, ADDED SOME MOSS,

AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A VERY UNIQUE TOPIARY.

I LIKE IT.

GRABBED MY CRYSTAL CANDLE STICKS,

AND BROWN CANDLES I HAVE, ADDED SOME

BEADED GARLAND AT BASE OF CANDLE,

AND INSTANT ELEGANT FALL BEAUTY.

THIS ONE IS THE CRYSTAL BASE FROM A HURRICANE CANDLE HOLDER,

WITH ONE OF THOSE CANDLES IN A JAR SET ON TOP OF IT

INSTEAD OF THE HURRICANE, AGAIN WITH SOME BEADED GARLAND

AT THE BASE OF THE CANDLE,

SIMPLISTIC BEAUTY.

FILLED MY LARGE APOTHECARY JAR WITH POTPOURRI,

WRAPPED A TASSEL AROUND IT,

FILLED THE SMALLER JAR WITH FALL COLORED WOODEN BEADS,

AND A LEAF.

THEN TOOK A FLUTED GLASS, TURNED IT UPSIDE DOWN,

PUT A LITTLE GLASS VOTIVE CANDLE ON TOP OF THE FLUTE BASE,

ADDED SOME RIBBON INSIDE THE FLUTE GLASS,

AND IT'S PERFECT FALL DECOR.

(I'M NOT SURE IF IT SHOWS IN THE PICTURE OR NOT

THE FLUTE HAS STERLING SILVER ETCHED AROUND THE

BRIM, MY PARENTS RECEIVED THESE AS A

WEDDING GIFT IN THE 40'S) DON'T YOU JUST

LOVE RETRO).

I HAVE THIS CLOCK AND WREATH UP ALL YEAR LONG.

I JUST ADDED IN A FEW FALL LEAVES, PERFECT AND SIMPLE!

THESE ARE CANDLES I HAD ON HAND,

AND BLACK WOODEN CANDLE STICKS,

AGAIN THAT I USE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THE CANDLE ON THE LEFT IS ACTUALLY TWO

SHORT CANDLES STACKED,

ADDED SOME RIBBON AND BLING

I HAD AROUND THE HOUSE,

AND TA-DA! BOUTIQUE CHIC!

I LIKE TO CHANGE THE COLOR OF MY TOWELS

FOR THE CHANGE OF SEASONS, HOLIDAYS,

OR JUST WHEN THE MOOD STRIKES.

I USUALLY KEEP THE TWO FRONT HAND TOWELS

EITHER IVORY/CREAM OR WHITE,

THEN I CHANGE THE BATH TOWEL

WITH A COLOR TO MATCH THE SEASON, HOLIDAY OR MY MOOD.

(NOT ONLY IS IT A BIT CHEAPER THAT WAY, IT IS ALSO

LESS TOWELS TO STORE IN THE LINEN CLOSET)

(IF YOU HIT THE "WHITE" SALES WHICH MOST

ALL STORES HAVE IN JANUARY YOU CAN GET

SOME GREAT PRICES ON THE BATH TOWELS)

THEN JUST GET CREATIVE WITH HOW YOU

TIE OFF THE HAND TOWELS DEPENDING ON THE

SEASON.

THIS FALL I WENT WITH A RICH DEEP COFFEE BROWN

AND IVORY CREAM TOWELS.

ADDED SOME BROWN SATIN RIBBON,

SOME BLING, AND GOT PRETTY AND SIMPLE!

(ALSO, IF YOU WATCH THE SALES,

YOU CAN PICK UP PINS AND OTHER JEWELRY

AT STORES LIKE; WALMART, K-MART,

BIG LOTS, SEARS, KOHL'S, ETC.,)

WATCH FOR THE SALES DURING THE

HOLIDAYS AND AFTER CHRISTMAS.

YOU CAN USUALLY PICK IT UP REALLY CHEAP.

GARAGE SALES, THRIFT STORES AND YOUR MOMS CLOSET

ARE ALSO GREAT PLACES TO LOOK.

THOUGHTS ON LIVING WITH . . . . . . .

YOU CAN MAKE A WORD CLOUD LIKE THE ONE ABOVE AT http://www.wordle.net/ IT'S FREE AND REALLY NEAT.

MUSCLE CRAMPS, LITERALLY HEAD TO TOE, MUSCLE CRAMPS.



I'M TALKING PRETZEL TWISTING, CRIPPLING, DISABLING, BRING YOU TO TEARS, EXTREMELY PAINFUL MUSCLE CRAMPS. FACE, NECK, HANDS, FEET, LEGS, RIBS (FRONT & BACK), BACK, CHEST. I'M TALKING PAIN SO INTENSE IT MAKES YOU SICK TO YOUR STOMACH, INTERRUPTS YOUR LIFE, KIND OF MUSCLE CRAMPS. ABSOLUTELY EXCRUCIATING!

I HAVE LIVED WITH THIS FOR WELL OVER TEN YEARS NOW, HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING MORE HORRIFIC AND FREQUENT. THE PAIN IS ABSOLUTELY UNBEARABLE,YET THAT IS ALL YOU CAN DO, TRY TO BEAR IT. IT'S NOT LIKE I HAVE ANY OTHER CHOICE. FRUSTRATION IS HIGH, DOCTORS CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT, THEREFORE, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP RELIEVE IT. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING I HAVE HEARD, OR READ, THINGS THAT HAVE SEEMED TO HELP RELIEVE IT IN OTHERS, TO NO AVAIL.

IT COMPLETELY RAVAGES MY BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT.

THIS IS MORE THAN JUST PHYSICAL, THERE IS AN EMOTIONAL SIDE TO IT AS WELL. THE FEAR, THAT ANY MOMENT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO ENDURE THIS PAIN. HAVING IT HAPPEN WHEN I'M OUT IN PUBLIC, AND THE PEOPLE AROUND HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHY THIS GROWN WOMAN SUDDENLY LOOKS LIKE A CONTORTIONIST AND HAS TEARS STREAMING DOWN HER FACE, WHY SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF DINNER, GAME OR A PERFORMANCE I HAVE TO GET UP AND LIMP AWAY WITH A LOOK OF SHEAR AGONY ON MY FACE. THEN THE JOY OF HAVING THIS HAPPEN MORE THAN A COUPLE DOZEN TIMES DURING THE NIGHT, UNTIL I AM SO EXHAUSTED I'M BESIDE MYSELF. ALL THE WHILE TRYING TO NOT DISTURB THE SLEEP OF MY HUSBAND.

LET ME JUST SAY, I'M NO WIMP EITHER. I HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH THRESHOLD TO PAIN. I'M TALKING GAVE BIRTH THREE TIMES, THE ALL NATURAL OLD FASHION WAY, (BUT IN A HOSPITAL), NO DRUGS, NO SHOTS, NO LIQUOR, AND ONE WAS OVER 36 HOURS LONG, I'M TALKING HARD LABOR. I'VE HAD TO ENDURE AN EMERGENCY D & C, IN THE ER, NO ANESTHESIA. SO BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THESE AREN'T JUST YOUR AVERAGE OH I HAVE A CRAMP IN MY FOOT KIND OF CRAMPS. I GET THOSE TOO SOMETIMES THOUGH.

I FEEL SO BAD FOR MY SWEET HUSBAND, AS HE SITS BY HELPLESS, SO WANTING TO EASE MY PAIN, TRYING TO DO WHAT EVER HE CAN TO HELP. I SEE THE PAIN IN HIS EYES, I KNOW THIS HAS EFFECTED HIS LIFE ALSO. THANKS, BABE I LOVE YOU FOR WANTING TO TAKE MY PAIN, I KNOW YOU WOULD IF YOU COULD.

I HAVE HAD A BAD LAST 24 HOURS OF THIS TORTURE, SO IT IS FRESH ON MY MIND.

I WRITE THIS POST NOT AS A PITY PARTY, AND NOT SEEKING SYMPATHY. INSTEAD I WRITE THIS AS A JOURNAL, A MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION OF ONE OF THE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES THAT IS A PART OF MY LIFE, AND THE EFFECTS IT HAS HAD ON ME. TO PROVIDE INSIGHT AND INFORMATION. I GUESS ALSO AS AN EXPLANATION, AS TO WHY SOMETIMES I CAN'T DO CERTAIN THINGS, YET I ALWAYS TRY, WHY SOMETIMES I MAY NOT SEEM MY SELF OR LEAVE SOMEWHERE WITHOUT A GOOD EXPLANATION. I RARELY TALK ABOUT MY HEALTH ISSUES TO ANYONE, NOT EVEN MY FAMILY, I TRY TO KEEP IT FROM EVERYONE AS TO NOT WORRY OR BOTHER THEM, THOUGH I RECENTLY FELT THAT TO BE A BIT SELFISH, FOR THEM TO NOT KNOW WHY, OR WHAT IS BEHIND SOME OF THE THINGS I MAY OR MAY NOT DO. I DON'T WANT MY FAMILY TO WORRY, JUST BE INFORMED. I KNOW ONE OF THE LAST TIMES WE WERE ALL TOGETHER I HAD A BAD ASTHMA ATTACK, AND IT REALLY TERRIFIED MY GRANDCHILDREN, I FELT SO BAD FOR THEM, SO I DECIDED AFTER THAT TO SIT THE OLDER ONES DOWN AND GIVE THEM A BRIEF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT, SO THEY WERE MORE FAMILIAR AND HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE IT WOULD NOT BE SO UNEXPECTED AND FRIGHTENING FOR THEM. COURSE I DON'T KNOW, MY POOR HUSBAND IT STILL SCARES HIM TO DEATH, AND SENDS HIM INTO A STATE OF PANIC AND HE HAS BEEN AT MY SIDE WITH THIS FOR ALMOST 25 YEARS NOW. SO I GUESS SOMETIMES, IT JUST SEEMS TO HELP TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, EMOTIONS OUT, TO VERBALIZE THEM OR PUT THEM IN WRITING. SO I GUESS THIS POST IS PROBABLY A BIT MORE SELFISH, MORE LIKE CATHARTIC THERAPY.

SO, FOR NOW, ALL I CAN DO IS CONTINUE TO BE HOPEFUL THAT SOME DAY THERE WILL BE A TREATMENT OR A CURE FOR THIS, UNTIL THEN I WILL PRAY FOR THE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH IT. MY HEART GOES OUT TO OTHERS WHO MAY SUFFER FROM THIS OR ANY OTHER DEBILITATING HEALTH ISSUES, I WILL REMEMBER YOU IN MY PRAYERS.

VETERANS DAY

To all the men and women who have served and secured our nation, you have my eternal gratitude. THANK YOU for your service and sacrifices.

We all should honor the service and sacrifice made by these brave men and women who proudly and selflessly serve in the military. Those who answered the call when asked to protect our Nation. Many of whom layed down their life so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today . Today is a day for us to show our gratitude by remembering all of these brave soldiers who have served and sacrificed much in the armed forces and to thank them for that service.

May God bless these selfless men and women, as well as their families. No matter what our stand on war, or our political views, we all owe a debt of gratitude along with our respect to those who serve and have served us and our country.

PUMPKINS TO {FALL} IN LOVE WITH

MY DAUGHTER FOUND THIS IDEA FROM YET ANOTHER TALENTED BLOGGER. THERE ARE SO MANY OF YOU OUT THERE. SEE HERE. (SCROLL DOWN TO PASSIONATE ABOUT PUMPKINS).


SO LAST TIME BOTH MY DAUGHTERS AND I GOT TOGETHER WE DECIDED WE WERE

GOING TO MAKE SOME OF THESE ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE PUMPKINS.

SO A SHOPPING WE WENT. WE HIT JOANN'S BARGAIN BINS AND RACKS FOR THE

UPHOLSTERY FABRIC, PICKED OUT OUR TRIMS AND HEADED BACK TO START

SEWING.


WE OF COURSE TOOK CREATIVE LICENSE AND CHANGED IT UP A BIT, TWEAKED THE DIRECTIONS SOME AND PUT OUR OWN FINISHING TOUCHES ON OURS.

HEATHER WAS THE FIRST ONE OF US TO GET HER PUMPKINS FINISHED. (SHOCK)
SHE ROCKS!

HEATHER'S TURNED OUT ADORABLE!


AREN'T THEY JUST "PUMPKINLISIOUS". SHE IS AN AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER, QUITE THE DOMESTIC DIVA, AND OH SO CREATIVE, AND CRAFTY. NOT TO MENTION AN AWESOME MOM OF THREE BEAUTIFUL KIDS. YES, I KNOW SHE IS MY DAUGHTER, BUT GO CHECK OUT HER BLOG FOR YOURSELF. YOU CAN SEE IT HERE.

(BY THE WAY, I HAD PERMISSION TO USE HER PHOTO, ONE OF THE PERKS OF BEING THE "MOM")

MY DAUGHTER HOLLIE MADE SOME TOO, I'M NOT SURE IF SHE HAS GOTTEN HERS FINISHED YET OR NOT. I KNOW THE ONE'S I DID GET TO SEE, WERE LOOKING SIMPLY ADORABLE TOO.

SINCE I HAD TO TRAVEL BACK HOME, I DECIDED TO WAIT AND MAKE MY WHEN I GOT BACK HOME. (IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET AROUND TO THEM)

ONCE YOU START TO STUFF THEM THEY DEVELOP AND TAKE ON A PERSONALITY OF
ALL THEIR OWN.

IT'S OFFICIAL, I'M IN LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. SUCH A CUTE LITTLE PUMPKIN PATCH.

I THINK I WILL CHANGE OUT THE RIBBON ON A FEW OF THEM THOUGH, I'M NOT TOTALLY IN LOVE WITH SOME. HOWEVER, SINCE I LIVE 2 HOURS AWAY FROM THE NEAREST FABRIC OR CRAFT STORE, I HAD TO USE WHAT I HAD ON HAND FOR NOW. (I KNOW, 2 HRS. IT'S MURDER)

I MUST CAUTION YOU SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO MAKE SOME, THEY ARE ADDICTIVE, ONCE YOU START, IT'S HARD TO STOP!

THEY ARE SUCH A GREAT ADDITION FOR MY FALLIDAY DECORATING. WHICH I'VE BEEN WORKING ON, I WILL TRY AND GET SOME PICTURES POSTED SOON.

UPDATE - TO THE POST BELOW

THE NEW PRESIDENT ELECT............ OBAMA

THE MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!

TO ALL THOSE WHO PLACED THEIR VOTE FOR OBAMA, YOUR EXCITEMENT AND ENTHUSIASM IS TRULY TOUCHING. TO ALL THOSE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM, MAY YOU BE REMINDED THAT HE IS GOING TO BE THE 44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, SO HE DESERVES YOUR RESPECT AS SUCH.

I FALL INTO THE CATEGORY OF DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM. HOWEVER, HE IS NOW MY PRESIDENT TOO. WHOM I WILL RESPECT AND SUPPORT AS PRESIDENT, WILL I ALWAYS AGREE WITH HIM AND THE ACTIONS HE TAKES, AND THE PLANS HE ENDORSES, I'M SURE I WON'T. I PRAY THAT WE CAN NOW PUT DIFFERENCES ASIDE AS A COUNTRY, AND COME TOGETHER AS A NATION, MOVING FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO MAKE IT THE GREATEST PLACE TO LIVE. I THINK OUR NEW COLOR SHOULD BE PURPLE, YEP, THAT'S RIGHT PURPLE, NOT BECAUSE I LOVE PURPLE, BUT BECAUSE, WE NEED TO STOP BEING RED, AND BLUE SEPARATELY, AND JOIN TOGETHER, YOU SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS, RED & BLUE MAKE PURPLE.

NOW WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TOGETHER, WILL EXPERIENCE THE "CHANGE" THAT WAS THE MAIN CAMPAIGN PROMISE OF THE NEW PRESIDENT ELECT. MAY IT BE A GOOD CHANGE FOR US ALL.

I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR GOD TO BLESS AMERICA.

POLITICALLY INCORRECT

"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. "

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America,
My home sweet home.

Author: Irving Berlin, 1918; revised 1938

To some, it may be politically incorrect to associate God with Country, however, not to this girl. I believe in God, I believe in this country, and I pray every night for this country, It's leaders and all those brave Men and Women and their families, who sacrifice much, by giving their service to protect and defend this country that I love along with all the freedoms I enjoy and sometimes take for granted. Like the right to choose my beliefs, to enjoy this freedom of speech, to have choices and the right to make them, the right to agree or disagree, I know without a doubt, that I live in one of the greatest countries in the world. So it is my right, my privilege, my duty to honor all the brave souls who fight every day for me, for those who gave their life, so that I might be able to enjoy those freedoms. So I for one will not be afraid to stand up and say it!

God Bless America, and all the leaders of the World, and all our brave soldiers.

This election has been a unique one, we have heard more opinions from the media and Hollywood, even though, most often quite biased and one sided. It has stretched out and attracted the attention of the world. It has sparked much talk and many a debate among the American people. Let's not forget the historical implications that seem to be all the buzz. We have one candidate who would go down in history as the first African-American President, and another candidate who would go down in history as being the first Women Vice President. Now as for me I'm not so sure about those claims. With regards to Sen. Obama's ethnicity, while he has the right to choose, which ethnic heritage he wants to embrace, I'm not sure that by Federal law guidelines, he can legally claim the status of African-American. His percentage breakdown is more, Caucasian-Arab-African, so really it is more along the lines of he is the first Presidential candidate to associate himself and embrace his African-American heritage. As for Gov. Pallin, I personally don't have proof she is a woman by birth, other than the fact that she has embraced the role and tells us she is a woman. Now, I don't mean to make light of this, it has sparked so much interest and excitement, and encouraged so many people who other wise might not have even registered to vote, and that is a wonderful thing. It also is a wonderful thing that as a people we are progressing and opening not only avenues toward a more balanced equality, but also our minds. It does however sadden me, that this has become the main focus for so many, that this has even been a major platform issue for some, and for some this is the only reason they are voting. It is my opinion that we are not voting for ethnicity, or gender, or even political party, or at least we shouldn't be, we should be voting for the best person to take charge and lead this country. We should be voting for the right person to stand up for us and be our voice. The person who will love, defend and protect this country. Someone who might not always make the popular choice, but instead the right choice. The right person needs to be someone who will say, "It might not always be easy, but in the end it will be worth it, we are all in this together." Someone who belives in rolling up your sleeves and putting your shoulder to the wheel, not in government bailouts. A person who will lead us and other countries by example. Someone who will pursue and implement future research and development of technology, especially in energy solutions. The person who will put the American people first, with issues like, a strong economical plan, employment, health, and education. We should be voting for the best "person" for the job, not for a "label". It is my personal opinion that the way this election has been billed in the media it has set us back as a country, it has weakened the progress we have made with respect to equality, because we are back to "labels". Labels of race, religion, party and gender. I for one want to be a country free from labels, were people are not described by the fact they are black or white, Muslim or Christian, Man or Woman. But instead by who they are not what. We need to be voting for the right person, the best person for the job, based on what they stand for, what their platform is, their ideas for the future of this great country, and their plan to carry out those ideas. The person we feel most closely reflects our views, and the issues that are important to us, and the one we believe will carry them out the best. Someone who believes in God, who isn't afraid to go to him and ask for his strength and guidance, to stand by their convictions and loyalty to this country and the people. It doesn't matter to me what party they are, what race they are or what gender they are, because I am a firm believer in we are one Nation under God, indivisible,with Liberty and Justice for all. That is what my vote will reflect. I love that as Americans we have the freedom to choose, the freedom to express our opinions and cast our vote to let our individual voice heard, the freedom to agree and even more importantly at times, just agree to disagree, that, is what makes this a great place to live. It may not be a perfect system but flaws and all, it is still in my opinion one of the best. God Bless America!

Today exercise one of your many rights, and get out and . . . vote!

Then tonight, thank God that you had the right to do so.

LAST HALLOWEEN POST FOR THIS YEAR

BOO HOO ! ALL THE GHOST, GOBLINS AND GOULS ARE GONE, THE WITCHES HAVE TAKEN FLIGHT ON THEIR BROOMS, ALL THE BLACK CATS HAVE SCURRIED AWAY, AND THE PUMPKINS HAVE GONE TO THAT GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH IN THE SKY.

NOW LAST YEAR WE WENT ALL OUT ON OUR EXTERIOR DECORATING, IT WAS TRULY AWESOME AND VERY GOULISH. SO THIS YEAR WE WANTED TO GO BIGGER AND BETTER, BUT.............. WELL, BETWEEN LACK OF WORK, NOT BEING QUITE TO PAR IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND JUST THE OVER ALL STATE OF THE UNION. THIS IS WHAT I DID FOR THIS YEAR.

I HUNG THIS SIGN ON OUR FRONT DOOR, THE SMALL PRINT ON THE ORANGE SIGN, READS "SO WE WENT MINIMAL ON OUR DECORATIONS THIS YEAR". THE PICTURE ON THE BLACK PART IS A SCARY LOOKING HAUNTED "WHITE HOUSE", AND THE SMALL PRINT ABOVE THE BOO SAYS, "THE WHITE HOUSE IS GOING TO BE A SCARY PLACE". NOW I'M NOT SAYING SO WHY EVEN VOTE, IT'S IMPORTANT, WE ALL NEED TO VOTE! NO MATTER WHAT THE RESULT, IT'S OUR RIGHT TO LET OUR VOICE'S BE HEARD. (OK, I'M CLIMBING OFF MY SOAP BOX NOW)

WARNING; PROCEED WITH CAUTION IF YOU HAVE ARACHNOPHOBIA!

WE DECIDED TO GO AS DESERT RED NECKS, SO ROBBY WAS YOUR TYPICAL RED NECK GUY, AND I WAS HIS TYPICAL RED NECK "BIMBO" TYPE GIRLFRIEND.

DON'T YOU LOVE THE MULLET?

UNFORTUNATELY, NONE OF THE PICTURES OF THE TWO OF US TOGETHER, TURNED OUT WELL, WE TOOK THEM AS AN AFTER THOUGHT, SO WE HAD STARTED TO GET OUT OF COSTUME ALREADY, IT'S HARD TO GET MY COSTUME FROM THE PICTURE, MY HAIR HAD GONE FLAT BY THE TIME WE TOOK THE PICTURE, ETC.... SO YOU WILL HAVE TO USE YOUR IMAGINATION. MY HAIR WAS BIG, I HAD ON LOTS OF CHEAP JEWELRY, BLUE EYE SHADOW WITH HEAVY EYE LINER AND OF COURSE LITTLE PEG HEELS.

ANY WAY, THAT'S IT FOR THIS YEAR.