Giving Thanks

Today is veterans day so obviously, today I am thankful for my freedom and for all those who have served and are serving to protect my right to freedom. I come from a long line of military service men - from grandfathers, father, brother, uncles and son. I am thankful to them all.
I'm also going to go ahead and post for tomorrow since I will be gone on the annual Christmas shopping trip and won't be able to post. For the past couple of days I have been noticing that my car did not start right up when I turned the key. Last night I got off work and went to pick Biz up at his work and shut the car off while waiting for him. When he came out - nothing - dead - crap! I am not happy about having to buy a battery - especially not happy about having to use $100 of my Christmas fund to do it - BUT - did I tell you that Biz works at an auto parts store and gets a discount? Now, if the battery had to die- I must say that it couldn't have picked a better spot to do it - right there at the parts store with Biz and his co-workers right there to change it. I am thankful that it died where it did.

Giving Thanks

Today I am thankful that I do not live in Alaska! A snowicane? - With the pressure equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, "the potentially historic 'superstorm' will start a "parade" of storms in the Pacific Northwest later this week.

The powerful storm is unleashing 85 mph damaging winds, blizzard conditions, huge waves and coastal flooding. A coastal station measured ice accretion of 23.5 inches per hour Tuesday night.

Yes - I'm thankful that I do not live in Alaska. Hope everyone there stays inside and safe.

Giving Thanks

It is cold and wet here. Some of you may know that I was in a bad car accident when I was young. I spent 3 months in the hospital and the following 2 years in a wheelchair and then on crutches. Let me tell you that when you hear people talking about old injuries being able to predict the weather - they are telling the truth. My leg hurts and has since Monday. But today, instead of complaining about it, I will say that I am thankful that my leg still works and I can walk - even if I do have somewhat of a limp when the weather changes.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #16

Patrice from Everday Ruralty is right, it is a bit cool for spending too much time on her porch. I think we should all go inside to her kitchen. While we're there, is there anything you'd like done? We could make homemade noodles, pies, anything? We'll all chip in and talk about this week's questions while we're there.

Questions

1. Dreaming asks: What accomplishments make you the most proud?
2. Suzanne asks: When did your family first come to the country which you now live?
3. Wendell asks: What's your favorite way to serve carrots?
4. Do you decorate with anything that has Santa or Father Christmas when you prepare for Christmas?
5. Do you prefer big dogs or small dogs? Something in between, maybe?

My answers:

1. I am the most proud of the way my children turned out. Neither one of them could ever claim to be sporting a halo or wings but they are both awesome individuals. I must say that I was very lucky and did not have any of the MAJOR problems that some parents go through.
2. Scotch/Irish I believe but I have no idea of when we first came here.
3. I like cooked carrots only in roasts, stews or soups - or cake. I actually prefer them raw
4. No Santa's or Father Christmas here. I do  like snowmen - actually I LOVE snowmen - but my snowmen stay out all year so they don't count. Mainly at Christmas I like nativity scenes - it is what the season is all about - and I'm very picky about those as in I don't want to see the Wise Men at the manger because THE WISE MEN WERE NOT AT THE MANGER - THEY FOLLOWED THE STAR FOR 2 YEARS AND FOUND THE CHRIST CHILD IN NAZARETH.  Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house , they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
5. I like all dogs. I used to always have a little house dog but now my dog (inherited from my son) is a Husky mix. She's a good size dog and prefers the outdoors - although she does come inside every night for a treat and will sleep inside if the weather is bad. I kind of like having her around outside - she will let me know if something is going on out there that is not supposed to.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Vol 52

Wow - don't know how long I've been joining in but Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond has been doing this for 52 weeks - a whole year. Thanks Joyce, I know I've enjoyed it.

Here are the questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge....everyone is welcome to join the fun. Be sure you link your answers up!

1. Of all the tools and gadgets you own which do you most enjoy using? My favorite gadget is my breadmaker. I tried to make my own bread for years and never could get it to raise right. Now I just use the dough cycle of the breadmaker and it comes out perfect!

2. When (if ever) is impatience a virtue?I've heard the old saying that patience is a virtue but impatience? Let's see, I think it could be a virtue - I often have a hard time waiting for other team members to step up and take charge of one project or another and tend to just jump in with both feet. I don't know if you could call it a virtue - but at least things get done - once you start - others tend to follow.

3. What temperature do you keep your thermostat set to in winter? Do you have another way to heat your house besides a furnace of some type? Oh, this coming from someone who was used to wood heat for 10 years and now has natural gas - I freeze in the winter. But I'm also CHEAP. I keep the thermostat set at 67 - I'd rather freeze than pay high gas bills.

4. Do/did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents? Yes, very close with my maternal grandmother.

5. When did you last have a family portrait taken? 2008, the year before my kids got married- Son came home with future wife, daughter with future husband - so we all went and had them done.

6. What does the word patriotism mean to you? Freedom and the fact that it isn't free. Remembering all those who gave everything to protect those rights, those who have served and came home and those who continue to serve. We owe them all.

7. Do you like to play cards and if so, what's your favorite card game?I do like to play cards. Gin Rummy is my personal favorite and I also like poker - never really got into the pitch, hearts, or spades - for some reason, they just aren't as much fun for me.

8. Insert your own random thought here.It is cold and wet here. Winter is on it's way. It never ceases to amaze me how time goes by so fast - seems like just yesterday that I was planting the garden - won't be long till I'm doing it again.