A Time for Thanksgiving

There is a lot going on to be worried about in this country. I understand that. But Thursday is Thanksgiving here. So, I thought it would do me some good to make a list of all the things I'm thankful for...(I believe in being specific, so it's not your standard list)

• I'm thankful that I was born in the USA. Particularly in the Southern US. This is truly the best country in the world - even with all of our problems. We have freedom to speak and worship as we please. I love the south. I would never live anywhere else. We have seasons here, mountains, lakes, cities, country areas. If Tennessee had a beach, it would be a perfect state.
• I'm thankful that my dad quit his job in east Tennessee (30 years ago) because he wanted to be back in Nashville. Even though I don't think my mom spoke to him for several months. Not only is the city a great place to be, being in the same city as Vanderbilt Hospital saved my mom's life all those years ago.
• I'm thankful for Vanderbilt Hospital. I'm convinced that, second only to prayer, they kept my mother alive for 25 years. They are caring and understanding. Honest, but gentle. They treat patients and families with respect. I've taken my son to the ER and he's had eye surgery there. And I have never had a bad experience with that hospital or any of its employees.
• I'm thankful that my boss (at one of my summer jobs in college) found out through the grapevine I had broken up with my boyfriend. And that she walked in one day and announced to my entire office how sorry she was, even though at the time I was mortified. And I'm thankful those co-workers decided I couldn't spend the summer alone and decided to fix me up with Glenn. It's the only time I was fixed-up and it's worked out pretty well.
• I'm thankful that I have boys. I joke that I prayed for patience and God gave me boys. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't know what in the world I would do with girls anyway.
• I'm thankful my little one won't sleep in his own bed right now. He sleeps with his brother. I hear Garrett reading to Colby. I hear them say "Goodnight" and "I love you" and lay in bed & giggle.
• I'm thankful for the Cub Scouts. Let me tell you, this is the best organization for boys I have ever seen. They teach respect, loyalty, reverence, self-reliance, kindness, etc. I'm proud to be involved with them.
• I'm thankful for my job. Though I wish I didn't have one, I'm happy with the one I've got. I'm thankful for its flexibility, its generousity, its paycheck.
• I'm thankful for my neighborhood and neighbors. I live in a six-house circle and I may never move! It's amazing how much alike we all are and how much we get along. These people are my extended family.
• I'm thankful for the elementary school. It's almost directly across the street from my backyard. We have never been disappointed in any of the teachers. The parents are extremely active in the school and it is one of the best in the county.
• I'm thankful to be a Christian. I'm thankful for my church family. I'm thankful that I can go anywhere in the country and feel at home in worship service.
• I'm thankful for Freed-Hardeman. No, I did not meet my husband there. But I got my education there. I lived there for 4 years. No, Henderson isn't my favorite town - I'm more of a city-girl. But it gave me a chance to be away from home. To learn to be responsible. To make friends that I will always have.
• I'm thankful that almost 7 years ago when I announced it was time to move, my husband didn't blink. I know he would have been happy to stay in Smyrna forever. He knew I wouldn't. He knew I wanted to be closer to my parents - especially my mom. He knew I wanted our child (the only one we had at the time) to spend a lot of time with her. So, we moved.
• I'm thankful for Dave Ramsey. I found his show in graduate school and have never looked back. We've been debt free (except for the house) for just over 8 years. It gives us a peace of mind that a lot of people don't have.

This is in no way complete; there is so much more. I may have more tomorrow, who knows. My point is, we should always be thankful for what we have - especially in tough times.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

BOWL ELIGIBLE!!!!

For the first time since 1982!!!!!!

http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/111508aaa.html

I have nothing more to say...

I Was Born on Election Day

I was. Really. Tuesday, November 7, 1972. The day Richard Nixon was elected to his second term. You know, the "long national nightmare". At any rate, I'll be 36 tomorrow. I haven't figured out if that puts me in my middle or late 30's. I've really been blessed. But my birthday brings mixed feelings.

I've always been ALL ABOUT my birthday. It's the only day that's all mine. My parents always made a big deal out of birthdays. Even if we couldn't afford a lot, there was always something special they did for us.

Five years ago, November 4, my mother passed away. She was buried - you guessed it - on my 31st birthday. Now, in fairness to my dad, he asked me about it before the arrangements were made. He would have moved the funeral to a different day (probably the next day) if I had asked him to. But really, it wouldn't have mattered. And there was no reason to prolong everything just for that. Now, 5 years later, at 36, I know I made the right decision. The whole stinking week has been hard.

It's hard, because when my mother was 31, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Then when I turned 31, I didn't have her there to celebrate. And I've had 5 more healthy years than she did. When I turned 6, she had been diagnosed. My sister was 3. My kids are 8 & 4, and while I worry about everything, I haven't spent the last few years worried they would grow up without me.

It's a blessing, too. Because if anyone knows to cherish each and every day it is me (and my entire family). If anyone knows that birthdays and holidays are extra special it's us. We don't always remember that, but we always come back to it. It makes us celebrate even more with those we love. It makes me thankful for every day with my family. Even if they're getting on my last nerve.

It's also a blessing because my youngest child is a birthday present. That weekend, 5 years ago my husband was going to take me out while my sister kept my oldest overnight. She did, the next weekend. And nine months later? Colby. Poor child, he'll hate that when he gets older.

And it's hard, because this year, my husband has a training session for Cub Scouts at Boxwell. Yup, on my birthday. He's gonna owe me BIG next weekend. But at least I don't have to worry about another present nine months later.

Anyway, happy birthday to me. I cherish mine for so many reasons. Be sure you enjoy your days, too.

God Bless America

But we got it wrong. We (as a country) voted for style and not substance.

First, let me say that in one way, this country got it right. It was not about race. While there are still racists in this country and everywhere else, this is not a racist country. I did not vote for him, because his policies and values are not mine, not because of his color.

But his inexperience, his values, his economic policies are not good for America.

The first and second ammendments of the Constitution are in danger. Our military is in danger. Our borders will not be secured. Our national security is in danger.

Barack Obama is a supporter of the Fairness Doctrine and hate speech laws, both of which restrict free speech. He is a supporter of strict gun control. He, his running mate, and his supporters in Congress have all said the military budget will be cut. He supports amnesty for illegal immigrants. Even Joe Biden has said he will be tested in 6 months by other countries.

Barack Obama voted against care for babies born alive after an attempted abortion. He supports partial birth abortion. He supports gay marriage and making it mandatory that all states accept it.

He has said he will raise taxes out of "fairness" not necessity. He has said he will do so even now in the middle of a recession. He has said he will set standards that will "bankrupt the coal industry". Energy & gas prices will rise and people will lose their jobs so companies can attempt to remain in business. The DOW, S&P and Nasdaq are all falling today.

This country has survived worse. The Civil War, Reconstruction, the Great Depression. And it will continue to survive. We have survived bad presidents in the past as well. Most of those only lasted one term. I live here, so (unfortunately) he will by my president, too. I pray for the leaders of this country and will continue to do so - including Barack Obama.

I will also pray that we get it right next time and vote for substance and not style. We get someone that genuinely loves this country and wants to serve it, not for it to serve him. Someone that has ALWAYS been proud of his (or her) country, someone who has ALWAYS been hopeful and optimistic. Someone who KNOWS this is the best country in the world, not who thinks it can be.