I Am Thankful For.....................

My family

Family gatherings

Delicious food (A quick rundown of what we had today - I love reading what other people's menus include - ham, fried turkey, cornbread dressing, creamed corn, deviled eggs, green beans, squash casserole, sweet potato souffle,  cole slaw, cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese, broccoli salad, five bean salad, pecan pie, chocolate peanut butter pie, sweet tea, and lemonade!!!!)

My health

My home

The fact that my husband loves me and is trying to better our marriage

That my sister is safe, although it was sad not to have her here for Thanksgiving

My precious niece, and everyone that lends a hand in caring for her right now

Laughter

Friendships (and my j-land friends are as true of friends as any)

My BED - that I can't wait to curl up in tonight, after a long day of EATING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Stolen From Lelly.......

Got this from Lelly, and thought it too good not to pass along....

 "Never regret what you have done, because at one time it was exactly what you wanted"

Ugh

For the past twenty four hours I have been in my bed, on the couch, or on my knees in the bathroom.  TMI, I know.  If I don't die from dehydration, I will be back.  Brent just came in with the mail and tossed an envelope to me.  Why is he giving me bills when I am sick?  Oh, it wasn't a bill.  It was a birthday card from Lisa Jo that really just made my day!!

 

LJ, you are the best - even with everything going on in your life, you still take the time to be kind and thoughtful. Thank you so much!!!  You rock!!!!! ;)

I Needed This.......

Another Rant

My husband is a SLOB.  I thought he was one before I left, but he has given WHOLE NEW MEANING to the word, having had free reign of the house for six weeks.  I honestly DO NOT think he notices the things I do, I really think he is completely oblivious to living in a pig sty.  But holy s^%t, I'm NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No More Ambien for Ash

It is two o clock in the morning.  What am I doing up and online, you ask?  I took an Ambien about, oh, four hours ago and I am WIDE awake.   Not only did it not make me sleepy, I CAN'T sleep.  This is a girl who can take 1 tylenol p.m. and be knocked out.  Ever heard of anyone taking an Ambien and it having the opposite effect?  Nope, me neither.  So after two hours of listening to my husband snore, I ventured downstairs to leave this entry.  {{SIGH}}

Apparently, offense taken

Judging by a couple of emails I recieved (people reading my journal that I have never even heard of), my rant on the whole welfare situation "offended" a few.  This is AOL journals I am writing in ,people, not the New York Times.  Furthermore, I have a right to my opinion and I have a right to express that opinion in my blog.  See the X in the top right corner of the screen?  ;)

My Boring Life....Just How I Like It

Brent cooked dinner tonight.  And although I usually somewhat enjoy standing by and saying "you are putting too much of this, or you need to turn that down," tonight I went upstairs and took a long, hot shower.  Nice.  Came down to spaghetti.  I  cook EVERYTHING southern style, even spaghetti.  Brent cooks it somewhat more authentic, with ground beef, pepperoni, and Italian sausage. Mary would NOT appreciate our version of garlic bread - Colonial, thin sliced, plain old enriched white bread with spray butter and garlic salt (hey, I haven't REALLY bought groceries since I have been home). 

Now I am full, wearing my favorite jammies, and content.......my favorite way to go to bed ;)

Rant Continued (Warning-Not Politically Correct)

Continuing on with my disdain for politics (started by Roseanne).........

I hate to be so jaded, and I AM thankful that we DO have the freedoms we have in this country and the right to vote, but the bottom line is, whoever wins never seems to change the status of MY pocketbook....

Brent and I are both college educated, both get up and go to work every day, live a relatively modest lifestyle, and STILL have to write a check to Uncle Sam for a ridiculous amount of money (this year causing me to have to resist my urge to even WALK through the Coach purse section at Macy's).  My point?

I stopped in Kroger yesterday afternoon to pick up a couple of items.  I became aware that the woman in front of me was taking an unusually long time to check out.  She was relatively young, seemingly able-bodied, and had a small child in the cart.  The reason it was taking so long, is because she was paying with food stamps (vouchers, whatever they call them now).  Now before anyone gets offended, let me explain.  I have no problem with people getting government assistance when THEY NEED IT.  I am fully aware that there are many people in positions where they truly need assistance - disabled, injured, sick, elderly, etc. My point?

I got out to the parking lot about the same time this girl did.  She got into an SUV newer and nicer than what I drive, and off she went with her groceries, paid for by our tax dollars.

The way I see politics is, whether it is a Democrat or a Republican in office, I will continue to work, write my hefty check payable to the Internal Revenue Service, and carry last years Coach purse, while some lazy, able-bodied person collects money from the government and drives a new Yukon. 

Hmmmmmmmmm

Rant soon to come

Well, irritated isn't a choice of a "mood" with AOL, so I am making my own mood.  IRRITATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Trying to relax and hearing ROSEANNE BARR ARNOLD or  whatever the he$$ her name is screaming "I hate the President" just isn't working for me.  She nauseates me, to be quite honest.  But I will continue this rant in the morning.....................(Oh, and Roseannewhateveryourlastname is).........there is something to be said for doing things with a little CLASS.........(if you might know what that would be;)  But I seriously doubt that you do.

 

Quick Update

Thank everyone, again, so much, for all of your support.  It has really been a rough couple of months for me, and coming here and reading all  of your comments, emails, and journal entries always brightens my day a bit.

I am back at home with Brent, and together we are trying to save our marriage.  We have had a REALLY rough time, but like I said in a past entry, love doesn't just go away, and it hasn't, for either one of us. 

It is 53 degrees and raining here and pretty much just downright depressing outside.  That is about it for my sorry excuse of an entry ;)

 

 

Sunday Night

Lifetimetv.com: Movies - Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy

This was a really good movie I just finished watching on Lifetime.  Made me think of Kimberleigh and all other breast cancer survivors!!!

For Anyone Who's Interested.........

This was on my mom's refrigerator, and I thought someone may need or appreciate this..... I know I did.........

MORNING PRAYER

O God, this day free me from fear of the future, from anxiety for tomorrow, from bitterness toward anyone, from failure before opportunity, and from weakness when Your power is at hand.

But, fill me, I implore you, with love that knows no barriers, courage that cannot be shaken, faith strong enough for the darkness, wisdom to meet life's complexities, grace to meet life's perplexities, and the power to lift others unto You.

 

Realizations

There's something about Mary.  No, there really is.  Just Mary

I love her writing style and she is such a wise soul.  She left an entry last night that really just left me contemplating.  She said "What I know now, I can fit on a 3x5 card."  In my twenties, I thought I knew it all. The older I get, I realize the less I REALLY DO know.  But, as Mary said, what I do know, I hold close to my heart.

Some things I know today............

For the first time in my 32 years of life, I have noticed the beautiful colors of  fall.  The burnt orange, auburn, and gold treetops have taken my breath away, after going unnoticed for 32 years.The other day as I was driving down the road, crying my eyes out, I even stopped to snap a picture (albeit with my crappy camera phone) of one particularly beautiful tree. 

My family and those who have always been loyal to me, I will always keep close to my heart and close by my side.

You can't know true joy unless you know true sadness.

Strength comes quietly from unknown places.

My father will always be my biggest supporter and caretaker, and the thought of not having him in my life is unfathomable.

This is the first time in four years that Brent has not bought me the biggest pumpkin he could find, carved it, put a candle in it, and watched me smile as he roasted the pumpkin seeds. 

 Maybe next year I will be able to appreciate that pumpkin more than ever.