Getting ready for Christmas

I'm really feeling the Christmas Spirit. Oh wait maybe its just the stress, exaustion and too much to do. Well it sure feels like Christms to me. Wanted to show off my Crafting with my Cricut. I have my tree up with lights, but only my craft ornaments so far. Also wanted to show my beautiful Christmas quilt my sister Gay sent me just cause she loves me. I love it. I think it might make Shannon jealous. I promise I will take good care of it so you can fight over it when I'm gone.

Christmas Spirit

3 more things

Ok, I'm behind so I will do 3 things with one post.
I am thankfull for
Lilly
Max
Jack
Especially thankfull that In just over a week I will get to see them and hug them and kiss them.

Gratitude Cont.

Gratitude #10 A change in the weather. Even though the weather man says it will be up close to 90 again later this week, for right now it is cooler. I love Fall, even if it only hints at it. We haven't turned on the heat yet, but we had soup for supper.

Gratitude #11 This day falls on Veterans day. I'm greatful for a day off, but because of this reflection on blessings, I have remembered that I am most greatful for those brave men and women who have answered the call to duty and served our country and defended our freedom. Freedom isn't free, but I have not had to pay a price. I am in debt to those who have.

Gratitute Cont.

#8 Saturday
#9 Sunday

Gratitude Cont.

Gratitute # 6 and 7

#6 I missed yesterday, but thought about it. I'm greatful for my home. It's not really a great house, but It has been a great HOME. We had a yard and pool. A street to ride bikes and play ball. We have had some great times.
With the current economic situation It is our security. It has lost some value but it is almost paid for and is our biggest asset.

#7 This day falls on my aniversary. 33 years. I'm so greatful for Mario and what we have together. I'm glad we stuck with each other for all these years. It isn't always easy but it's worth it.

Ok I have been challenged to post a gratitude each day in November. I'm behind but it shouldn't be too hard to think of 5 things I'm greatful for.
#1 I'm grateful for a daughter that is so creative and challenges me to keep up with her.
#2 I'm grateful for the technology of computers and the internet and blogs. What a great way to keep in touch long distance.
#3 I'm greatful for the family I have been blessed with.
#4 This would have fallen on Election day if I had been up on things. If you've read my other post you should know that I am greatful Barak Obama will be our new President.
#5 Had a wonderful drive home from work thanks to my Blue tooth car assessory. Because of the time change, Laura and I are now stuck in traffic at same time and we can keep each other company. It was great!

This one is for Laura

Ok Laura here you go. I sat down to work on Primary, but had to do this challange. This is Lilly in the apartment in Burbank. Time goes too fast.

HOPE

I felt something Thursday night that I haven't felt in a long time. HOPE. Hope for this country and hope for our political system.

I know I'm gullible and I've been fooled by politicians before. "I am not a crook", "No new taxes. Read my lips"," I did not have sexual relations with that woman" "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction" No surprise that we have become cynical when we have been consistently disappointed with great men who have great power. My cynicism of our country's leaders has spread to cynicism of the process with which we elect our leaders. I'm sick of the disagreeable disagreements.

Talk radio and 24 hour cable news has been a breeding ground for blow- hards, talking heads, cynics, fear mongers, polarizing left-wingers and right-wingers. The louder and more outrages the better. With my values leaning mostly to the middle, I've been frustrated with both the left and the right. My personal values are very conservative, yet I believe that I can not force my values on others.

Four years ago I listened to a remarkable speech at the Democratic Convention by a man I had never heard of, with a funny name I soon forgot. I was impressed with his speech, but it was just a speech. Speech writers and political experts know how to turn a phrase, they know what the people want to hear. So I wished that it could be so, then filed it away as just another empty promise.

A couple of years later I heard that speakers name being mentioned as a possible candidate for President. Wouldn't it be nice, I thought, if he were the real deal and this crazy political system could actually get the real deal elected. So I started paying attention to what Barack Obama was saying. I liked what I heard. I read his book "The Audacity of Hope". I liked what I read. He was not running with the party of so called "Family Values" and "Conservative Christians" yet he values family and considers himself a Christian with deep faith.

So I am hoping. I'm hoping that this politician will not disappoint me. I'm hoping Barack Obama will become our next President. I'm hoping his plans are implemented and that our 2 party system will work out the differences with reasonable compromises so that everyone wins instead of ending in a stale mate where no one wins and nothing gets done. I'm hoping that if he looses the election it will be because the voters are well informed and vote on the issues not on manipulated emotions.

Most of all, I'm hoping that however this election turns out, our country and our world will be better for it. I'm hoping that my grandchildren will continue to have the freedoms and prosperity that I have known and hopefully more and better.

Go Obama!!! God Bless America!!!
That's all I have to say about that.

End of Summer

We had a happy sad week last week. A close friend passed away. We busied our selves with doing what we could to help with the funeral etc. I was so happy that Laura and John could come out for the weekend. I am always happy when people think enough of my singing to ask me to sing for a funeral, but when it's a close relative or friend it is just about the hardest thing to do. So difficult to controll emotions. So I was thrilled that Laura could come to my rescue and sing with me. She took the high notes and I took the low notes and I think we did pretty good. I'm twice flattered when people compliment Laura's singing, because I know how she came by it.
So a crazy sad weekend with a funeral, but because the grandkids were here it was happy and fun too. Love those kids. We even got a quick trip to poke a toe in the Pacific Ocean. Wish they weren't so far away. So now it's back to work Monday. Crazy, busy time of year in a school office, but I love when the days fly by.

I'm Blogging

Just a couple of years ago I didn't know what Blog ment. Now I'm doing it. This is one of the things I wanted to learn how to do this summer. I so enjoy checking the blogs of my kids. Especially when they post new pictures. Don't know how often I'll up-date this but hey, I've gotten this far.