~Born In Burrwood~

We can never ever thank them enough for what they do for us. We owe so much to all the men and women who leave their families every day and go into harms way today and in the past. Because of them we live in a free world and not have to be afraid of what we say or do. I can’t imagine as a women living in a country where a man could kill me just because he thought I did something he didn’t like or tell me how many children I can have. Those of us who live in a free world are the luckiest people in the world. God Bless each and every one who has served or are serving. My gratitude has no bounds.

Bill is a veteran. He served 4 years in the Navy. He got out of the Navy shortly after Vietnam started so he was never there but his brother was. Al was a paratrooper and was right in the thick of things. I remember when he came home and how happy and grateful we were that he was one of the lucky ones who did make it home. He was a changed man though from what Bill tells me. Al was already in Vietnam when we met and married a year later so I didn’t know him until after he was discharged. We had a welcome home gathering at his parents house and I will never forget what a friend of theirs asked him. He asked Al if he ever had to kill someone. I was shocked! What a insensitive and terrible thing to ask someone who just got home and knowing he was in the mist of it all. Al just looked at him and said “It’s either them or you and I choose to live”  He lived with us for awhile and he had such awful nightmares. You didn’t dare try to wake him up by shaking him, he would come flying out of bed with fists flying. Some days when it was just him and me at home and the news was on I would watch him as he watched that. You could almost see in his face that he was right back there in the jungle again. I told him he could change the channel if he wanted but he would say no, that he was ok. Sadly All died at the age of 39 from agent orange. So thank you Bill and Al and my brother Leroy, my aunts & uncles my nephews and cousins, friends and  all of you wonderful and brave men and women who helps and helped keep our country safe.

I SALUTE YOU!

Wow, where has the time gone?! I can’t believe Eric is 11 already along with Josh who turned 11 in March. The girls are 9 & 8 and are such a joy. Then when I think William is going to be 18 just blows my mind. They are all getting so big and growing so fast. And then there’s our little Brody who will most likely be our last grandchild so I am going to savor every millisecond while he is still a baby. We were at our son’s yesterday for Eric’s party and had a great time. The kids all get along so well and love being together. Of course we had the Packer game on and that was the bad part of the day as they lost. Next weekend I will take Eric birthday shopping and out for ice cream. When I buy their savings bonds I always get a gift receipt to put in their cards so he thought it was a gift card for $50.00 lol. I guess they don’t remember from year to year that I get those for them.

I can’t get over what a grandma’s boy Brody is. Of course I’m loving it but when we are together and when he sees me he heads right for me. Yesterday he got his fingers pinched in a door and he started crying and came to me. instead of his mom. She held her arms out for him but he wanted grandma. It doesn’t bother her at all and in fact she thinks it’s cute and said when grandma’s around he’s her boy. It was just a little pinch and didn’t even leave a mark but, on those tiny fingers it had to hurt. I love it though and am glad that it doesn’t bother my daughter. I’d hate for her to be jealous but then she’s not like that at all.

Boy the weather sure was nice over the weekend and according to the weather man it will be nice for most of the week. We are finally having an Indian summer. I think it’s the first time in years we’ve had one. As much as I hate to think of it, now would be a good time to get the Christmas decorations put up outside. Last year we got snow and cold so early that I didn’t even put them up. I didn’t feel like standing out in the cold and freezing my tush off just for that.

Well, the carpets need vacuumed, the kitchen and bathroom floors need scrubbing and there’s some dust that needs to disappear so I better get at it. I want to take a walk later too as it’s such a nice day. I be around on and off during the day to see what you’ve been up too. Until then,

HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY!

We heard several fighter jets flying over our house and wondered why until we remembered the president is in Madison today. If I’d know what time I might have been able to see Air force One fly over head.  When I was in Seattle we went to the Boeing museum and in there they had Regan’s Air Force One plane there. I’m sure it’s a lot different then the one today is but it was very interesting to see. They had the red phone along with others, Computers that today they would be antiques. His chair of course was plush compared to the rest and the media room was pretty cramped. I’m sure security is pretty tight in Madison right now.

I’m going to make potato soup for supper tonight. I made a ham yesterday and I can’t let that bone go to waste now can I?  I love soup and could eat it almost everyday. When my mom was alive she loved home made soups too and she would get so excited when I made it and took some over to her and dad. Now days I can’t make soup without thinking of her. As I’m putting it together I always think what would mom put in it. She was a wonderful cook and I don’t even come close to her but I try. I still can’t get my spaghetti to taste like hers and I never will because she never measured. She’d throw in a dab of this and a dash of that and it always turned out perfect.

I remember the first time I was going to have Bill over for dinner when we were dating and I wanted to cook it. Mom was there to guide me through but when it was time to make the gravy I really blew it. I mixed a glass of flour and water together and stirred until it was smooth and then I just dumped the whole thing in all at once. Mom yelled but it was too late lol. She managed to fix it for me and never hinted to Bill that I almost screwed it up and that we might not have had gravy with our dinner.

Eric’s birthday is coming up so I went to the bank yesterday to to get him his savings bond. Now you have to show them your drivers license when you buy one. I wondered why and the guy helping me didn’t know either. Are they going to keep you from buying one lol. Maybe it’s a way to find people who they are looking for for some reason or other. That’s the only reason I can think of for having to show your license. We”ll be at their house on Sunday for his party and then probably next weekend I will take him shopping and out for ice cream. I don’t like to take  him before his party as he might pick something out that someone else planned on buying him. That wouldn’t be good would it?

Well I better get started on my soup. Just the thought of it is making me hungry, I love potato soup!!!! So have yourselves a great day. I’ve been around to a few of you and will get back to more of you later. Until then…take care!

The kids sure had a good Halloween and the best part is it didn’t rain. It was cold though and a little windy but they sure had fun. My son said something that I’d never thought of before. He said “I love Halloween. There is no other holiday that brings a stronger sense of of community. Halloween doesn't care about your religion or nationality or what's for dinner or what you are proud of. It simply wants you to have fun, meet your neighbors and get a treat. So simple and so unifying. Everything should be as simple as Halloween.” When you think about it what he said is true. I love how the kids get so excited to dress up in their costumes and go around getting loads of candy. We don’t have near as many kids as we used to. In fact I bet we didn’t even have 30 kids this year.

I’ve been somewhat busy around here doing some spring cleaning. Yes you read that right. I didn’t do all the things I wanted to do in the spring so I’m doing it now. I got all the windows washed, summer clothes put away and the winter ones brought out. Cleaning shelves is a big pain too. Having to take everything off and wipe them down plus wipe the things on the shelves take so darn long.  I still have to shampoo the carpet and plan on doing that this week one day. But you know what they say about the best laid plans don’t you With just the two of us here you wouldn’t think it would get so messy but it does somehow.

My Packers lost yesterday to the Vikings. Brett showed he still has it and he beat his old team like I was afraid he would. I was ashamed of the fans at the game though, they booed him and I thought that was awful. I had hoped they had more class then that. Even McCarthy the Packer coach asked them not to boo him but they did anyway. They not only booed him when he came on the field, they kept booing him for several minutes. The camera zoomed in on him and he was smiling. Before the game when they interviewed him he said he understands but he still loves the Packers and has much respect and great memories while he was with the team. But Rogers is our QB now and he’s good too. All  he needs is for the front line to get their act together and  start protecting him like they should. He sure came back in the second half though and I was hoping they could pull it out but no luck. Oh well, there’s always next week.

Sorry I haven’t been around but I am heading to your place now. I hope you are all well and doing great.

Big hugs to each and every one of you!

I think I might print this picture out and frame it. I love trees and this photo is pretty. I didn’t take it though, it was already on my pc under sample pics. I just bought a picture similar to this one but it is in 4 sections and I love it. I haven’t put them up yet but will be doing that shortly. In fact I think I might search for other photos of trees on the same order as this one and print those out too and place them around the ones I bought. I’m liking that idea the more I think about it. Trees and light houses are my favorite things to hang on my walls except of course pictures of my family. I also have a clock made to look like a tree made out of wood with 6 holes cut out around it for pictures. I call it my family tree. Someone Bill use to work for made it for us but I drew the tree for them to use as the design. I really should update the pictures in there as the ones in there now are of the kids with they were young. I bet Toodie could make a family tree like that and it would probably be awesome.

I started my Christmas shopping the other day. This is the earliest I think I’ve ever started my shopping. I hope to get it done early this year and not be shopping Christmas Eve. I bought 5 gifts so that’s a really good start for me. Thanksgiving will be easier on me this year. It is the year the kids go to their in-laws homes but I usually cooked anyway and had William and his dad here but this year our youngest son and his girlfriend invited us to have dinner with them. I will make a couple pies and maybe a salad to take along. I won’t know how to behave not having to cook on a holiday lol. I sure am happy they found each other. They are a good fit together and I really really like her.

Bill left hours ago to have the oil changed in my car. Whenever he goes somewhere that shouldn’t take more then a hour or 2 takes him 4 or 5. I keep teasing him that he has a girlfriend somewhere and that is why it takes him so long to do something so simple lol. I guess I’m going to have to start following him huh hehe. He wouldn’t dare, he knows the kids would kill him lol. Besides, he already has the best .

Ok, time for me to hang pictures. Take care my friends and have a fantastic weekend.