Thirty Things on Thursday -1

As I was stumbling around on blogs that I've discovered from Friday's Letters, I found someone posting about Thirty Things.  I think I'm a bit late on this, but I loved the concept. More info about the original Thirty Things is located here. 

I don't typically take time to evaluate things too heavily.  But, this could be fun.  A new game for Thursdays, if nothing else. :)  Here is this first question:

1.   List 20 random facts about yourself.

Wow. That's a lot. Here goes nothing: 

1. My family is awesome. I am so very blessed to have the family I do and I try not to take it for granted. 
2. I am very thankful to have God in my life and have made an effort to become closer to Him. I am no where laughably near being where I need to be, but I'm praying and working on it. :) 
3. Our military are heroes in my book. I pray for them and their families.
4. Being an aunt is one of the best things I've ever accomplished in my life and not really had to do anything to claim the title! Love it! My nieces are great. 
5. I'm a chunky monkey. I haven't always been a chunky monkey and I'm taking baby steps to change it. Please say a prayer that God gives me the strength I need because this is not where I should be in life. It's not easy to change bad habits! 
6. Speaking of unhealthy...I'm a beefaterian. The only meat I eat is Beef. 
7. Yes, this means I don't eat bacon. Or fish. Or chicken. (Keep asking, I'll keep saying nope.)
8. Writing is a passion of mine. Love it. Have three pen pals across America and two guys I'm sending letters to overseas right now. 
9. I write a monthly column for a local "magazine." It's not glossy - it's newsprint - filled with nothing but columns from writers covering topics from the law, car care, internet tips, cooking, politics, storytelling, history, etc. 
10. I honestly enjoy people, what makes them different, special, their stories, talents, skills and so on. 
11. I am VERY PROUD to be Southern. I was glad to get my Southern accent back once I lost it in college. It makes me mad when people portray us as uneducated just because we have a drawl. 
12. I really enjoy quotes - quotes about any and everything.  I look up quotes for inspiration frequently.
13. Every Monday, I post a new picture of my furbaby, Muffin, who has been my sidekick for about 11 or so years. She's my companion, my buddy... 
14. I do wonder sometimes what's wrong with me that I haven't found my mate yet. I laugh when people say, "We'll, if he's in his 30's and never married, something must be wrong with him!" but really, those types of comments kinda hurt. Because I'm 36 and never been married. 
15. Everything makes me think of a song, a cheer, a marketing jingle... the girls in the office just love it. I sing and cheer all day long - whenever someone says something that sets off a song in my head. 
16. If I don't know the words to a song, I'll substitute the word, "Meow." So I meow a lot, too. My niece, Macy, will end up saying, "Meow," as her first word since that's how I sing to her all the time. 
17. There is a special place in my heart for people with disabilities. 
18. I'm very blessed with friends in my life - I just wished some of them lived closer. My friends range in ages from their mid-20's to their 60's and I think that's awesome. 
19. Christmas is my most all-time favorite season. Love it love it love it. I used to love my birthday, but I'm loving it a little less. 
20. I didn't realize how hard it would be to come up with 20 things to say about myself. Not that anyone is still reading because seriously, who finds this interesting? OH! but I thought of one more - I enjoy photograhy! So there, a true 20! 

Wow. I'm kinda glad that is done.  I'm really sorry I have bored you with this. Next Thursday, I guess I'll try to work on the next question.  Here is the complete list below.  

2.   Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3.   Describe your relationship with your parents.
4.   List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5.   What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6.   What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7.   What is your dream job, and why?
8.   What are 5 passions you have?
9.   List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

Friday's Letter - 1.

I discovered this fun concept from my friend, Paulene, located here.

Dear Macy - I could hold you for hours every day and still find something different about you minute by minute. I'm so thankful God blessed our lives with you!
Dear Sherry - THANK YOU for bringing your joy into my home, if only for one night.  My entire family glowed from just being around you that brief amount of time. I'm thankful for your wonderful friendship. 

Dear Petition - I am cross-eyed from reading all your signatures. Although, it's kinda cool to see all the different types of signatures in this world. But I cringe thinking of all the germs floating around on your paper... 


Dear Rosebud - I'm so thankful for MiMaw, who read the directions and finally figured you out. Granted, you still need ears, but I'm sure that will come in time. If I ever buy another Sock Monkey Kit again, it will be too soon.  

Dear America - I'm so proud to be one of your citizens.  I'm thankful to your many troops and their families who have fought throughout the years for your freedoms and way of life.  Happy Birthday!














You can do it too! :) 

Land of the Free.

What a blessing to live in the United States of America. What an honor to tell those who fought for our freedom, those who continue to do so today, thank you.

"This country will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." - Elmer Davis

God bless you and your families, may He give you strength and safety.

And Happy Birthday, America!

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#300 post! :) Muffin Monday!

300 posts!! It's a milestone, a miracle! I've managed to stick with this for 300 posts. :)  So, I figured the best way to honor my 300 post is to do it on MUFFIN MONDAY!  Muffin was in a mood this night, she tried to BITE my FACE (obviously she didn't want to be snuggled).  I thought the moody shades of gray would be appropriate for her mood.

Thanks for sticking with me for this long. :)  Hope your week is a good one!

PS - MANY THANKS to our veterans and their families, for their service to each and every one of us. You are not forgotten and are prayed for often.  Thank you so much.

Salute!

Today one of my coworkers and I attended a Family Readiness Event for a Army National Guard unit deploying from our hometown.  Working in the elections business, I feel so strongly about these folks having the opportunity to vote, should they want to, no matter where they may be station in this world.  After all, they are the ones putting their lives on the line to protect this freedom.

We didn't know what to expect, really, but let me just say, OUR MILITARY PEEPS ARE AWESOME. You couldn't ask for nicer guys and gals, all thanking us for taking our time to be there for them.  Here we are saying - No THANK YOU!  It was so humbling and made is so thankful we were able to attend.

It's so sad how many military personnel and their dependents didn't realize they could vote by email.  We were really encouraging people to sign up while we were there, however, if you know someone they can also sign up for absentee ballots at www.fvap.gov.  Really good website.

The Command Sergeant Major gave both of us one of his coins for attending. I am so excited!! I've never received a coin before so I'm tickled red, white and blue! :)  I'm not sure what all it means - I just take it as a sign of respect and honor, which blows me away. I know it's a big deal, let's put it that way.

It does make me sad that I'm not sharing this with my Air Force friend... tough decisions were made on my part... I feel they were the right decisions but so difficult, too.

Anyway, I'm exhausted and heading home to get some dindin. Hope you are having a great weekend!

Gobbles from the Heart

An Etsy item found here...

As we continue to march right into November, that special day of thanksgiving approaches closer and closer.  The blessings we each have are numerous - way too many to count.  For me, my faith, family and friends rank at the top of my list, with many material blessings (my house, that I love), my job & co-workers, the skills and talents that have been given to me ... the list goes on beyond forever.

Another wonderful blessing is also being celebrated this weekend:  our veterans and their families. Our freedom, this great nation and those who have fought for these freedoms. 

I'm asking you to revisit my birthday wish, because this wish hasn't changed:
It can be found here. 

Please take a moment to drop a line of Thanksgiving to my guys.  Or adopt your own at www.anysoldier.com.  They appreciate it. I appreciate it. And you will be blessed by reaching out to these heroes in harms way. 

My Birthday Wish



Click here for a cupcake blog!!

 TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY! And I adore my birthday! For the past two years, I've used my excitement and aging to promote a very worthy organization to raise funds for - The USO.  Follow the link if you'd like to learn more about this awesome group.

This year, however, I know we are all broke. So I'm asking for another Birthday Wish, please.

*Beth's Birthday Wish* 

Please take a moment and send a card to my two guys I've adopted overseas.  The thoughts of our troops in harms way with no letters from home to keep their spirits high just rips my heart in two.  PLEASE, just jot a note down that says - "HEY, you are thought of, prayed for, cheered for - we appreciate you, you are a hero and we hope you come home soon". Or "HEY, Clover beat York last night - love that high school rivalry, my cat is awesome and supports our troops, too and the movie Thor was pretty awesome."

Seriously, it isn't rocket science to send a letter. And it take regular stamps, nothing expensive or fancy.

(For whatever reason, people are googling one of these addresses a little too much, so I'm removing the addresses from the web.  Also, these troops' addresses change frequently, therefore they may no longer be up to date. If you would like to send letters, cards, etc, please visit www.anysoldier.com and adopt your very own troop!)

Thank you for participating in my wish.  It will make me HAPPY, will mean the WORLD to a serviceperson overseas, and will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Promise. :)  Now, I'm blowing out my candle so the wish will come true!

These are Treasures.

Yesterday, my friend MJ and I attended the funeral of a very smart, funny, community-minded gentleman - the husband of a dear friend of ours.  He fought a courageous fight with ALS and through their combined efforts as a couple, raised funding for research and awareness of this disease.

The service was beautiful. The church is so peaceful, nestled close to the ocean and you just feel at peace like watching the ocean waves. The flowers, mostly red, white and blue, honored his service to and love of our country.  Graceful grapevine wreathes with delicate flowers seemed to represent his gentle nature so perfectly.  The service was truly wonderful. His son was so strong as he spoke on behalf of the family, telling stories that had us all laughing through shimmering eyes. The military honors at the cemetary were so moving, the presentation of the flag to our friend made you catch your breath. Truly a beautiful service honoring a beautiful life.

During the ceremony, my friend's son performed a song he wrote around a poem his mother had written to her husband about six months ago. It is a tribute to their life together and what sounds like her way of saying goodbye.  It's a tearjerker. It's beautiful. It makes your heart ache and soar at the same time. I wish you could hear it to understand how it tugs at your soul, but here are the words. (Please don't use them without her permission.)

 Love the music

Humming a favorite tune

Love the story

Takes you far from your room

Love the rhythm

Of a cherished poem

These are treasures

We’ve always known

These are treasures

 We’ve always known

Love the power

Of the ocean waves

Love the majesty

Of the mountain range

Love the beauty

Watch as natures grows

These are treasures

We’ve always known

These are treasures

 We’ve always known

Love our country

The land of the free

Love the stars and stripes

In a  gentle breeze

Love our children

Protect our own

These are treasures

We’ve always known

These are treasures

 We’ve always known

Love life

And these moments together

Love me

And always forever

Take my hand now

But let me go

And thank God for Treasures

We’ve always known

Thank God for treasures

We’ve always known.

I have the notes stuck in my head it's just so beautiful.  They had such a lovely relationship, which is very obvious in their actions towards each other, and how their family blended together. She's such a special person and I hope she knows that.

Firecracker, Firecracker, boom Boom BOOM!

 

Gary and I enjoyed some BEAUTIFUL fireworks for the Fourth of July - I thought I'd share a few pictures with you! :)  Funny - I've had this camera for about three or four years, only to discover that night that the camera has a fireworks setting! Along with an aquarium setting, beach setting and a few others. You know, settings that would have been great to know about during our recent vacation. Oops! Oh well, I'll have to try them out next year.

I do love me some fireworks. I noticed that when I was taking pictures, I wasn't really seeing the fireworks, but trying to capture the perfect shot instead! So at one point, I just had to put the camera down and enjoy the show.  And it was nice to have another shutterbug sitting beside me, so we could be dorky photographers together. :)

Muffin Monday & Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day from Muffin and me. We are very thankful for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. Especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Never think freedom is free...it comes at a great price.

We hope all of you have a great week and remember or veterans on more than two holidays. :)

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For America

Red White and Blue! The Stars & Stripes. Waves of Amber Grain. Old Glory. I love it all. 

I'm a freaky Patriotic person with few outlets to show my love of country.  I *heart* our troops and pray for them and their families.  I *heart* the USO and promote and support them. And I make cards and send them to veterans and current service persons both. It started my sophomore year in high school when we went into Desert Storm.  Our class adopted several soldiers and I sent letters to two. I made friendship bracelets of red white blue and yellow.  One guy actually received special permission to wear his with his uniform, which made my heart swell! I have the matching one I made for myself here somewhere, along with the letters we wrote back and forth.

I was in the dollar store this week and I always check out the books - you never know what you'll find in that random assortment. I found "For America. Simple Things Each of Us Can Do to Make Our Country Better."  I've enjoyed reading it. Not that I believe all of these things - I think there could have been some better options than a few that were chosen - but it's awesome to see someone take the time to think of ways (simple ways) we can improve our country.

I recommend it - by Sacha Zimmerman, although to look at the dust jacket you'd think it was written by Presidents GH Bush and W J Clinton - but nope, they only did a forward.  Regardless, it's a pretty decent book for a buck!