OH My, My

Our family Thanksgiving was shared with Tyler. Tyler is Kendra's boyfriend. They've been dating for a little less than 3 months now. Thanksgiving was Paul's first chance to meet him. He makes a good first impression.

We ate later than usual, so that Kendra and Tyler could eat with his parents first and then with us. I'm a nice mom... LOL.

So... Tyler and Kendra head back up to the school after dinner (Tyler had to work last night) and through a series of interesting events, Kendra had her phone and camera stolen from Tyler's car. Initially she thought her car keys had been taken as well, but she found them under the driver's seat this morning. Tyler also had some things stolen, but the thieves didn't find his laptop.

I'm very glad that the kids are safe, they were inside the apartment when things were taken. The car was not hurt (he'd left the door unlocked), so there is no damage that has to be fixed. I'm very glad that her keys were not taken. By chance, her car was not parked in the same parking lot... so if they did fiddle with the keys, they wouldn't have inadvertently found hers.

We had just upgraded and renewed our cellular contract in August. I didn't get replacement insurance because in 10 years we've never lost a cell phone. LOL... but we did keep the old phones as "back ups". So THANKFULLY, I don't have to replace her phone anytime soon. We can just re-connect her old phone and she can save up the money to replace the stolen phone if she wants.

Today Paul and I went out for some of the early sales. We were not out there so early that we had to stand in lines. We did manage to get some great deals and we are down to just two more presents needed. All the kids are done (YAY!), but we still need something for Paul's mom and dad.

Guess that's it for now.

You like me, You REALLY like me!

I want to thank Christina at The Uniboob Club: BREAST CANCER DOES NOT DEFINE ME AS A WOMAN,BUT MY BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER DOES! (Christina is inspiring with her honest words about her battle with breast cancer and how it affects her and her family. I admire her truth and I'm praying for her.)

and Lynne atI'M ON A MISSION (I started reading Lynne while we were still back at AOL journals. She and I are fighting the same battle of weight loss. I love encouraging her and being encouraged by her.)

and Jun at JUN-MIDNIGHT (Jun and I are both here in Alabama. I enjoy reading her journal. She writes about her family and real life.)

for awarding me the Marie Antoinette distinction. I appreciate being thought of and being given this opportunity to spotlight some of my favorite journals.

I write about three basic topics
1. my hubby, family and our life as seen through my eyes.
2. Our military service members and how we can support them.
3. My continuing battle to lose weight (although you haven't heard much on that topic as of late).
It's good to know that folks enjoy reading about these things.

The Rules:
1. Please put the logo in your blog
2. Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award
3. Nominate at least 7 more
4. Put the links of those on your blog
5. Leave a message on their blog to let them know

Many of the journals that I read are ones that I followed at AOL journals, but there are several that are new to me as well, that I have found through following links and/or comments on other journals. I wish I could give them all an award, but since I can't these are the seven I have chosen.

1. Heather at Tightening the Corset ... Again . I have always enjoyed Heather's journal, even when she was back at AOL journals. Currently she's recreating her life to be a joyous one.

2. Fried MSW at http://friedmsw.blogspot.com/. A new find for me since moving to blogger, I have enjoyed reading her accounts of her job in the medical social work field. A fellow Alabamian, she is not quite close enough to me to benefit from my powers over the price of gasoline!

3. Jason at ROAD TO RECOVERY. Another new find, Jason uses his journal to discuss his weight loss process. I get a real kick out of reading the male perspective.

4. Madison at Life's a learning process . Madison and I go way back. We have a lot of the same struggles and we are both moms of teenagers. I love reading about Madison's antics.

5. Rebecca at Latent Thoughts . A "new to me" blog. I enjoy reading her entries and since she also has two teenage daughters, I find we have a lot in common.

6. Erica at *Southern Comfort* . Erica is another one that I've been reading a long time. She is so funny and I just never know what I'm in for when I read her latest entry.

7. Emmi atHome Schoolin' in Jammies. I know Emmi received this award for her tag journal, but I love reading about the homeschooling hijinks of her and her children.

I read so many journals and enjoy every one of them. Thankfully most of them have already received this award and to check them out more closely, just follow the "follower" picture links to find their journals.

Operation Paperback

I want to talk about an organization I found this weekend called Operation: Paperback.
You can find out more about the effort here: Operation Paperback .

This group allows you to help in two ways. First, you can send monetary donations to them and through their sponsors they will purchase and deliver "high demand" titles to our military members deployed. Second, you can volunteer to be a shipper and send out many of your gently used paperbacks to the troops. Once you are approved for the progam, you list the genre of titles you have available (mystery, science fiction, etc) and they provide you with a list of names and the addresses so you can send your books on to troops that will enjoy these types of titles.

Besides the troops deployed, your books (and/or donation books) can be sent to the recovery hospitals that our wounded military members are at as well.

I hope that you will take the time to check out this website and maybe get involved with one (or both) of the ways that we can help support troops. They have a great FAQ section to cover any questions you might have.

Paul and I are already gleaning titles from our library for our first shipment!

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Busy, Busy, Busy

You know.. I function fine when Paul is gone. Things get done. Children are tended. Happiness is there for all of us. However, when he comes home it's like everything is just brighter. For all of us.


glitter-graphics.comYesterday I went to a spouse's luncheon. We met up at Ingrid's Castle. This spot is an interesting combination of jewelry store/fine gifts and German restaurant. The theme was "wish list" and part of our time together was spent putting together a wish list for our husbands so they could shop for us at this store. I chose three jewelry items that I especially liked. I met two new wives yesterday. One named Jen, whose husband works with Paul on Apache projects. They have no children. The other woman, Ronnie lives on post like we do and has three teens about the same ages as Mac and Kim. I exchanged numbers with both of them. I did that because I've been too isolated this move and it's time for me to branch out. I really liked these women and felt we could have some things in common. Ronnie is about to go back to college (as I hope to do this spring), plus none of us are working outside the home right now. I have to admit that as outgoing as I can be, I have been very reserved here.

Paul went to the gym yesterday with Mac and I. He ran on the treadmill while we did our usual strength training. Then we played some basketball. I so enjoyed watching those two play and be "father/son-y" together. Paul smoked both of us on points, but we had a grand time playing.


glitter-graphics.comToday my big chores are laundry and t-giving grocery shopping. Last time I was at the store, I was too focused on what Kendra needed for her pantry to think about the t-giving feast. So today it will get it's own shopping opportunity.

In other mundane shopping news, I am 50% done with my Christmas shopping.

Gas and Doctor

Quick update on the gas prices in local area. I filled up on Friday at 1.99. By Sunday it dropped to 1.87. I had to fill Paul's car Monday before picking him up. I'm watching the pumps now to see if it drops again. Ha ha


Doctor appointment today, two more tests. News keeps getting more interesting and yet farther way from a "final" decision. Test results will be back next week, I see the doc again on Wed. Two more planned procedures within a couple of weeks and then finally... decision time.

Let's Say Thanks

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

If you go to this web site, Let's Say Thanks you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.



How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.

Thanks for taking the time to support our military!

He's Home!

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I spent most of yesterday making room for Paul in our bedroom (things tend to creep into his empty places when he's gone). The kids helped me clean up the rest, which didn't take all that long.

I picked him up from our "local" airport at 10 pm last night.

When we finally were ready to go to bed, Smokey jumped up on the bed and was rather nonplussed to discover there wasn't all that much room for her anymore. LOL. I scooted my pillow down from the headboard so she could stretch out up there by my head. Paul says she would occasionally turn and give him baleful looks.

This morning I had to be careful to grab my toothbrush now that there is an extra one in the cup. I don't mind making these little concessions if it means he's home.

My heart just sings today "He's home, He's home, He's home."


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