Pup-N-Luv

Well, its been a while since I posted pictures of my Pup-N-Luv (dog and husband) so here is the latest. they we playing XBox and I was stitching one night last week and had to stop and take a picture. I find it funny that they have the same bored expression.

A Different Kind of Christmas Poem

I got this in an email from another military spouse and I thought, especially as Christmas draws near, you would find it appropriate.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December'
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?"
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

I just want to stitch ...

I just want to stitch. That's all. I'm not asking the house cleaning fairy to come, or pray pray for some neighborhood child to show up on my doorstep begging to wrap the gifts I haven't gotten to yet "just for fun!"
It was a weary weekend, and I brought my stitching along, but found very little time to do it.
I have been working on these cute ornaments for next year, but the gold thread that I used is hard to work with and keeps unraveling. Does anyone have a different suggestion?

I still don't know what days I'll have off next week. that will really suck if I have to drive to Houston this weekend, drive back here for work, and drive back to Houston for New Years. I am the only contract worker here and all the Army civilians get the week off. So if I do have to work, I'll be the only one in this heat-forsaken building.
Oh, well. Gotta get back to work now ...

I'll be home for Christmas ...

"I'll be home for Christmas ... you can count on me!"

Never were those words more true that last night, when at the stroke of midnight the Youth Services Gym shook with cheers as the announcement came that the Soldiers of the 814th Engineers had arrive. Moments later silence fell as these weary Warriors filed in the gym, formation strong as the day they left.

Steadfast and true, these Soldiers stood side-by-side, unwavering, as they did those long months overseas. The excitement could not be contained as the commander said, "Go to your families!" and tears ran faster than feet.

For me it was more so exciting than the events I had covered in my daily duties as a Army journalist, for today Brian came home ... friend and neighbor, my husband and I share more than a zip code with Brian and his wife Jenn. College memories, weddings and new babies are just the tip of the memories we will accumulate with them as our futures intertwine.

His daughter, just short of two years, fell silent as he picked her up and held her. Overwhelmed by the activity in the gym and having her daddy home had actually silenced this energetic chatterbox. His son, born shortly before he left, sat content on mommy's hip, smiling at his daddy, but not quite sure if he wanted to go to him yet.

Weary, but excited we all climbed into the car to go pick up his gear.

He left to gather his things, taking his daughter with him, not quite ready to put her down. "That's Da-Da" she informed us as he dropped her off with us in the car to get his last bag, but fell silence again when he returned.

"Are you sure she talks?" he asked us repeatedly.

Give it a few days Brian, you'll see ... you'll wonder how you even asked that question. But before the silence drifts away let me say ... "It's good to have you home!"

For the sake of others

My friend Jenn, military spouse and mother of two balls of pure energy, welcomed her husband home from deployment last night, yet she still took time to send my this "food for thought."

Cindy Sheehan asked President Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"
Another mother asked a chief of police, "Why did my son have to die in this city as one of your police officers?"
Yet another asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?"
Yet another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?"
Another mother asked President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"
Another mother asked President Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on a battlefield in France?"
Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"
Another mother asked President Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"
Long, long ago a mother asked, "Heavenly Father, why did my son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are simple -- that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom.

Welcome home Brian, we missed you!

Craft Corner: Finished Yet Unfinished

These are some projects I did when I was in high school, so they are about 10 years old. I found them when I was cleaning my craft closest and was tempted to put them back in the box to "finish later," but apparently that's what I've been doing for 10 years. So as part of my 2006 cross stitch resolution, I'll attempt to finish them.
I think I am going to put our anniversary date on this one and frame it.
I'll probably make a pillow out of this one for a gift for next Christmas. My husband's cousin will like it.

Craft Corner: Sad day for stitching ....

This weekend my puppy found out what the ultimate taboo was. He got made when Nikki (another military spouse) came over and we left to go see Ashley (military wife and stitcher!) and Matt's new baby, Walter Trevor. So he retaliated by pulling my black tote bag off the table. He hates the bag because I take it with me everywhere and he sometimes is jealous of the bag.

Well I came home and he had emptied the bag with all my cross stitch projects out and had chwed holes in the bag (Bulldogs have exceptionally strong jaws) as well as the Roly Poly Santas that I was working on (posted on my web page below). Thankfully only one was destroyed, so the other four Santas will be finished and I'll have to work on the fifth one once they are done. Of course, the one that he destroyed was the one that was mere hours from being complete.

He faced the wrath of momma and only felt safe when his daddy came home (George got called into work at the unit for something Army related!)

Needless to say he is still walking in wide circles around the bag and was happy that some of his toys were returned to him
this Monday ... FYI, I have brought the bag to work with me everyday this week!

Leave to women to do it right!

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer
each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Fort Polk Red Cross: Helping families through service, opportunities

Editor's note: This was an article that I especially enjoyed working on because I love to volunteer but have found that "real life" often leaves me without the time. So in using my talents to help, I wrote a feature about the Red Cross program here at Fort Polk. I know over the last 4 months, the organization along with others has received some harsh criticism for their work following Hurricane's Katrina and Rita. But to condemn an organization for response in one crisis, especially in a natural distaster beyond anyone's realm of understanding without seeing the good that has been done for nearly a century is wrong as well. So if you do hold a grudge against them, I am sorry for your hardship, but please remember that for our military families, they are often the first on the scene, and helps get answers when everyone else stands in silence.

-- Published Article (12.2.05) --

In the last year, Americans have seen a plethora of disasters. Hurricanes, tsunami, earthquakes and floods ripped communities apart throughout the world, leaving families homeless and in despair.

There to help them recover were American Red Cross volunteers. Passing out food and water or just offering a shoulder to lean on, volunteers were instrumental in helping disaster victims overcome adversity.

“Volunteers are an important part of Red Cross,” said Bob Lowery, Fort Polk Red Cross station manager. He added that nationwide, 96 percent of the Red Cross is volunteers with 68 percent females. Fifty-two percent of the volunteers are over the age of 55.

The Fort Polk Red Cross program does not handle disaster relief but rather, emergency notifications for military families and lends a hand to the community with volunteers in many areas.

“The Fort Polk Red Cross has two missions,” said Lowery. “The first is the emergency message system and the second is the volunteer program which serves Fort Polk but also extends to the (local) community.”

Lowery said that when it comes to the emergency message program, it's vital the family has all of their Soldier's information such as correct unit and deployment address.

“It's important that they keep this (information) up-to-date,” he said, adding that often the spouse has the information but extended family members are the ones initiating the message.

Lowery said that the volunteer program is equally as important because it directly impacts the family's community.

“Our greatest need for volunteers is in support areas. We need talent such as computer, writing and speaking skills.”

Lowery said a common misconception is that people think they have to commit to a large number of volunteer hours, but in reality they can make their own schedule.

“It's the number of volunteers, not hours, that makes the Red Cross a success,” he said.

He said another misconception is that people think they have no talent, but volunteering can help them discover skills.

“We are in need of volunteers,” Lowery said. “We need to capture the excitement of volunteering (that came in the aftermath of the hurricanes).

“Volunteering offers life experiences that you may not get otherwise,” he said, adding that many Fort Polk volunteers discovered the benefits after taking the initiative and signing up.

Volunteer Dina Torsell said volunteering has helped her meet new people and gain job experiences, opportunities she might not have had otherwise.

“I had never volunteered (with the Red Cross) before coming here,” said Torsell.

“I knew the job market was not suitable, so to keep busy I began volunteering (at the Red Cross). Someone had told me about it, so I applied, went to orientation and now volunteer 20 hours a week.”

Torsell is the Red Cross volunteer hospital coordinator at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, working three days a week assisting volunteers and volunteer organizations.

“I place people in volunteer positions such as administrative and clinical positions throughout the hospital, veterinary and dental clinics,” said Torsell.

“There is a major need for volunteers right now,” she added. “Volunteers help the community and offer spouses of military personnel and retirees the chance to provide assistance to the community. Volunteers also gain job experience.”

Orientation is held monthly. The next is January 10. There are positions throughout the community. Torsell sits down with potiential volunteers to talk to them about their interests and how much time they can commit to the Red Cross. Limited child care is also available to volunteers.

Shotoya Lewis is a Red Cross volunteer who works in the the BJACH Department of Pathology.

“Lewis has mastered the phlebotomy profession with 725 hours working (since arriving) March 1,” said Vernell Heard, Department of Pathology quality improvement technologist.

“She has been a tremendous help to the staff and (her assistance) helps provide faster customer service.”

As a phlebotomist, Lewis draws blood samples from patients.

“Lewis has received a thank you letter for customer service and the Hospital Commander's Award for a job well done,” said Heard.

Heard added that over the years, several Red Cross volunteers have given invaluable service to the department.

For more information on becoming a volunteer call 531-3260/3765 or stop by the office located at BJACH on the seventh floor. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Fort Polk Guardian is now online, to see more stories visit www.fortpolkguardian.com.

Questions to ponder, pt 2

Why is an alarm clock going "off" when it actually turns on?

If you mated a bull dog and a shitsu, would it be called a bullshit?

If an ambulance is on its way to save someone, and it runs someone over, does it stop to help them?

Why is Grape Nuts cereal called that, when it contains neither grapes, nor nuts?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

Why is it called a "drive through" if you have to stop?

Why does mineral water that has "trickled through mountains for centuries" go out of date next year?

Why are Softballs hard?

Do the minutes on the movie boxes include the previews, credits, and special features, or just the movie itself?

If the professor on Giligan's Island can make a radio out of coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but people don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?

Why is an electrical outlet called an outlet when you plug things into it? Shouldn't it be called an inlet.

Why do we scrub Down and wash Up?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

Can blind people see their dreams?

Why do most cars have speedometers that go up to at least 130 when you legally can't go that fast on any road?

Why do they call it "getting your dog fixed" if afterwards it doesn't work anymore?

Why do they call it taking a dump? Shouldn't it be leaving a dump?

Where in the nursery rhyme does it say humpty dumpty is an egg?

Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections?

Why do banks leave the door wide open but the pens chained to the counter?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Why does Donald Duck wear a towel when he comes out of the shower, when he doesn't usually wear any pants?

How come you press harder on a remote control when you know the battery is dead?

If an orange is orange, why isn't a lime called a green or a lemon called a yellow?

If a cat always lands on its feet, and buttered bread always lands butter side down, what would happen if you tied buttered bread on top of a cat?

If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why's it still #2?

What color would a smurf turn if you choked it?

Craft Corner: Christmas ornaments

This is the first year I have decorated a Christmas tree and I was very excited. Growing up in a family of 12, this was a difficult task, so my stepmother did it when we were asleep. My mom always had her tree up when we went to visit, so at 27-years-old, I excitedly pulled out my many homemade ornaments and my husband and I decorated the tree with a little help from Sgt. Major (our puppy).
When George and I first started dating I had decided to make a new "Victorian-style" ornament each year with a friend from college. Mine were all read, white and gold; Amy's were all blue, white and silver. Here are mine, i took pictures after hanging them up.
My husband thought the tree was a little bare, so I also hung the ornaments I made as a child, the ornaments I got in last year's ornament exchange (my first one) and the one made by my great-grandmother, who passed summer 2004.
Here are my "Victorian-style" ornaments, I'll have to photograph the others and post them too.
It wasn't until I started pulling out the ornaments that I realized I have given away all of my cross stitched ones that I made. I guess I'll have to remedy that in 2006.
I have more in the storage box, but alas we are out of hangers, so I'll post them later.

Rumors: The waiting and wondering

This suck! The rumors are getting way out of hand as our Soldiers and families prepared for the pending (?) deployment.

"They are pushing it back!, They are not going to deploy! They are going to Afghanistan/Iraq/Kuwait! They are not deploying them because they are still too new of a unit. They are only sending some!" Really at this point there is nothing that you can tell me that I haven't already heard. I personally think the rumors make it worst. The waiting and wondering is bad enough, but everyday there is always something new that "someone" heard "someone" say but "it is not being released yet."
Seriously people, this isn't stocks and bond people. Insider information gets you nothing but a headache. I don't believe anything unless it is sent by the commander or the Family Readiness Group leader. George and I talk about it of course, the options and how we'll plan for each one, but for now we are trying to focus on the holidays and spending time with our families.

As the craziness ensues, I am thankful I have a job, friends and school to keep me busy. Another thing that is driving me crazy is that people are still being moved around, but that's the Army for you.

So as I conclude this "minor" rant, to the people out there who love to be "the one in the know" stop with the rumors. You don't get brownie points or attention for "knowing" anything. Wait until the commanders and FRG leaders put it out, then its valid. Until then, don't you have some shopping or decorating to do!?!

Rush Limbaugh

Love him or loathe him, he nailed this one right on the head...

By Rush Limbaugh:
I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September 11 casualty and those who die serving our country in Uniform are profound. No one is really talking about it either, because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11. Well, I can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the entitlement mentality of this country.

If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.

If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable.

Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt.

Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough. Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers.

We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.

You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing. Make sense?


However, our own U.S. Congress voted themselves a raise. Many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month. And most are now equal to being millionaires plus. They do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system.

If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, they may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed them in harm's way receives a pension of $15,000 per month.

I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting.

"When do we finally do something about this?"

The Sands of Christmas

          I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh,
     and looked across the table where the bills were piled too high.
           The laundry wasn't finished and the car I had to fix,
       my stocks were down another point, the Chargers lost by six.

         And so with only minutes till my son got home from school
           I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool.
          The burdens that I carried were about all I could take,
            And so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break.

           I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust,
      No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just clouds of swirling dust.
      And where the reindeer should have stood before a laden sleigh,
              Eight Humvees ran a column right behind an M1A.

     A group of boys walked past the tank, not one was past his teens
    Their eyes were hard as polished flint, their faces drawn and lean.
    They walked the street in armor with their rifles shouldered tight,
      Their dearest wish for Christmas, just to have a silent night.

         Other soldiers gathered, hunkered down against the wind,
         To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home again.
       There wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at ease,
            They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MREs.

           They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see,
        They didn't need an ornament--they lacked a Christmas tree.
         They didn't have a present even though it was tradition,
           The only boxes I could see were labeled "ammunition."

           I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side,
         He asked me what it was I feared, and why it was I cried.
            I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near
         And kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his ear.

     "There's nothing wrong, my little son, for safe we sleep tonight
        Our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the right,
         To worry on the things in life that mean nothing at all,
           Instead of wondering if we will be the next to fall."

       He looked at me as children do and said, "It's always right,
     To thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we should write."
         And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a note,
        To thank the many far from home and this is what we wrote:

    "God bless you all and keep you safe and speed your way back home.
         Remember that we love you so, and that you're not alone.
        The gift you give you share with all, a present every day,
          You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay."
                             by Michael Marks

I loved this poem and wanted to share.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ... there I said it!

Finally, someone has had enough! I got this in an email today. I don't know who wrote this,  but more power to him/her!

I'm on a "Merry Christmas" mission and I'm in full throttle. My little yellow VW Beetle has turned into a Christmas billboard with Merry Christmas written across the back window. Yes, I've decided to trek off to work everyday on the public highways with a message that seems to offend people.

At stop lights, I even turn my music up a little louder, and to top it off, I sing along with it. Don't I know that stopping at a red light to roll my windows down only to share the joy of Christmas carols on public streets is a No-No? Don't I fear the Christmas Gestapo and those who would have me remove the written message from my car?

I'm sorry folks, but the only person I'm concerned about "offending" during this Christmas season is the Lord himself. LEAVE THAT MANGER ALONE! We've allowed the Baby Jesus to be kicked out of His lowly manger, and those offended by Christmas are still not happy.

I refuse to let this happen. I'm going to do my part to make sure "Merry Christmas" doesn't become extinct. Because like it or not, if the believers in Christmas don't take a stand now, it's gone forever.

Listen folks, the Christian community has been underestimated before; we will have to show ourselves again.

I walked into a Wendy's Restaurant the other day and was rather exuberant with my "Merry Christmas" greeting to the manager. He didn't have much of a response and I said, "Where's your Christmas spirit?" He said, "We're not allowed to use the words "Merry Christmas" when greeting customers. We can only say "Happy Holiday."

This morning I grabbed a quick breakfast at a Whataburger Restaurant. I noticed there wasn't a single decoration in the store. I asked the manager why they weren't decorated for Christmas. He told me the corporate headquarters decided not to send any decorations to any of their stores, and he didn't know why.

After I heard about all the Macy's and Federated Stores taking down their Merry Christmas signs, the Target stores not allowing the Salvation Army to "Ring the Christmas bells," and the many incidents of children, choirs, and bands not allowed to play or sing Christmas carols, I realized it was happening right here in my own little Texas town. How can this be? Not Texas!

We do, however, have a store, Hobby Lobby, that plays nothing but Christmas carols during the season. On Christmas Day they run a full page ad in our local newspaper. That ad is not to promote the store, but uses the entire page to tell the story of Jesus' birth. Now that's taking a stand. We need to thank them.

When I saw a news report the other evening of children being taught new words to a song we've sung for years - "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" - I was saddened to hear "We Wish You a Splendid Holiday."

I know now that it's just a matter of time that the "Merry Christmas" greetings will be gone. Look around your town. Notice the "Holiday" greetings and not "Christmas." It's happening right before our very eyes.

Start singing the songs; go down the streets of America singing to your heart's content. Get some of those wash-off markers that these kids use to write on their car windows when they're rooting for their hometown football team. It's easy to do, and if a torrential rain washes it off, write it on there again.

We've got to get this message out. "Go Tell It On the Mountain . . that Jesus Christ is Born." Sing it, speak it, be a billboard for our Lord.

The story of this "Baby Jesus" alone has brought about more goodwill at this time of year than any other day we celebrate. How can we sit back and allow Him to be snuffed out of our lives?

Is it Jesus, or is it His followers that the "offended" don't like? What kind of revulsion galvanizes one to campaign so vehemently against the mere mention of His name, the mere singing of a carol, or the mere visual of a sign that says "Merry Christmas?"

I can listen to my own boss at work use some of the vilest words and follow up with, "Excuse my French." I may cringe inside at his damning of God's name, but I tolerate it. So if you don't like me wishing you a "Merry Christmas," I'll say, "Excuse my joy." You may cringe that I celebrate the birth of Jesus, but just tolerate it.

I cannot be concerned that "Merry Christmas" offends you. If I'm not careful, the day will come when saying I'm a Christian will offend you. I'm offended that you're offended. How about that?

When we get to a point that we can no longer take part in a tradition we hold dear, we have no choice; we either defend that tradition or we give it up to those who say NO. That's it . . . period. So, which will it be?

I'm not giving up my "Merry Christmas" joy to anyone. If I know of someone that celebrates another holiday during this time of year, I will be glad to wish them whatever holiday they want. Just tell me what it is, and I'll shout it to the world and wish you a grand celebration.

Just give me Christmas. To you merchants: Stop being so hypocritical and "filling your tills" on the back of Jesus! Who do you think is the symbol of giving at this time of year? It was the wise men bringing gifts to the newborn Christ-child.

You want your coffers full, but have ordered your employees to take down all the Merry Christmas signs. If that's the case, I'll buy gifts at a place that understands my joy.

If you're worried about offending someone, you just did. The most recent Newsweek survey shows that 82% of Americans believe that Jesus is the Son of God. So, in trying not to offend a few, you've offended many.

It's okay to jump into the "Merry Christmas" spirit when it fills your cash register, but let's call it something else . . . and don't stop giving . . and don't stop buying. . . we'll just change the name and you'll never know the difference.

Well, I know the difference and I'm feeling it greatly. It's hard not to be aware that townships across our country have actually banned the singing of Christmas carols because it might offend someone. And it's not just the religious songs; it's the secular ones too. No more "Jingle Bells" or "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" because they're associated with Christmas.....Boy, aren't we getting sensitive?

If we're not celebrating Christmas for the hope it gives with the birth of our Savior . . . there is no hope!

I noticed a few years ago that we changed the name of Abraham Lincoln's and George Washington's birthday so as to be all-inclusive regarding the Presidents.  Hark, if we should recognize anyone as exceptional.  Now it's called Presidents' Day.

Well, if we're going to be so all-inclusive, next month I'll have to refer to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as Civil Rights Leaders' Day. We don't want to exclude great Americans like Rosa Parks or Cesar Chavez, do we? And to think that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton might be left out.

We might need to change Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Grandparents' Day to All Parents' Day. Just lump them all together.

It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? So what's the difference?

My freedom to celebrate Christmas in the tradition of the Christian religion is as much my right as it is your right to be offended by it. So what are we going to do? Did anyone hear me . . WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

Do we defend a person's right to go forward with a time-tested tradition (how about 2000 years?), or do we defend a person's right to end it all because they're offended? As long as we live in this great land and have the freedom to express ourselves and what we believe in, we will always offend someone.

If we try to make everything right for everyone, we won't have anything for anyone.

May you always have Christmas in your heart!

Craft Corner: Baby Ben ...

This was a gift I made for my aunt's baby shower last year about this time. Baby Benjamin was born in February. I have since made him a plethora of bibs too. Maybe I'll take photos when we go for Christmas. This was easy and quick ... I just used an alphabet pattern I had and centered his name on a bookmarker. Then I frames it with a mat board the same color as his name. My aunt loved it and the accompanying bib that said "Our angel" in the letters and color.

Craft Corner: WIPs ... current goals

These are the two cross stitch projects I am working on. Recently I decided to stop starting new projects and finish the 22 or so that I have ongoing. That does not mean however, that I will stop purchasing patterns, fabric or other "stash" items ... (shhh! Don't tell my husband!)

The top is the photo from the book. There are actually five "Roly Poly Santas" but i didn't start the fifth until after the picture was already taken. Usually I do one at a time, but this time I decided to do them all at once since they used the same colors, but didn't account for space between for cutting and sewing into ornaments. I'll figure something out.
This one I am really excited about. there are very few projects that I kept over the years. I gave most away to friends and family, because it was the fun of stitching that I enjoyed, but now that I have a home I decided to start decorating it.
This is a combination of two projects. The outer border is from a Christmas "stained glass" project and when complete will have ivy and poinsettia around it. I didn't like the inside so I took letters from a sampler on my Better Homes and Garden calendar and put our last name on it. The border book is currently being borrowed by a friend who is make a Christmas stocking for her first child, due next week. So this may not be finished until January, but I just completed the lettering at Thanksgiving.

Creatively altered tulip

So here is a photo that I took about the same time as the background, but I had a little fun with it in Photoshop .... what do you think! (BuccoTom, please enlighten me with your all knowing power and knowledge! I thrive on the knowledge I learn from you.) Below is the original.

PECANS IN THE CEMETARY

I absolutely loved this when I got it in an email. So I decided to share.

 On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence. Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. "Come here quick," said the boy,"you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the  Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls." The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk." When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me..." The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord." Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done." They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike!

Chris Rock's " Quote of the Year ...

"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance, Germany doesn't want to go to war, and the three most powerful men in America are named Bush, Dick, and Colon."

How's that for irony!

Craft Corner: Online community ...

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We went to visit our families in Houston an although I tried my best to get some homework done for the class I'm taking (working on my master's) I just couldn't concentrate, so I did some stitching.

I'm happy to say that I finished a "major hurdle" on a project I am working on with our family name on it. I think I have decided to put it in the kitchen when I'm finished. Now I just have to finish the border, which is not intricate, but has a lot of small stitching.

I also got my first "Secret Sister" this week and am very excited. I recently found an online cross stitch group and have been learning from the others. I decided to sign up for the "Secret Sister" because it sounded really fun.

Once a month for three months we send a package to our secret sister with $30 worth of treasures either stitching or other items. We filled out a questionnaire so we get to learn a little bit about our secret sister. It's kinda fun if you think about. For once the only in my mailbox will not be bills.

Anyway, I was hesitant at first with the whole online community thing, but its really fun. I was signed up on a Miribilia group as well, but they didn't have any activity, so I removed it from my list. I was really upset to because I enjoy Miribilia and Lavender and Lace designs.

Regardless I'm glad I found it. I really hope it will help keep me busy when my husband deploys in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Average American Soldier

The average age of the military man is 19 years.

He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country.

He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.  

He's a recent high school graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howizzitor.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher
and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.  He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other.

He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.  He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.  

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.  Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

New Look!

I promise I won't go crazy and start changing my blog every week, but I just discovered how to put a photo as my background, so I chose the rose that recently placed second at the installation level of the Army photography contest.

I really like it and think it's quite appropriate for "rose michelle."

I am already working on photographs for next year's photography contest, so maybe I'll post some here for a "preview." I think it would be fun to post them in a group next fall and let people vote and my entries and see what the numbers look like, but a lot can happen in a year.

I have to admit I am really getting into the whole blog thing.