THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Just thought I would share a saying I stumbled across...a thought for today!!!
PEACE

Tags: KISS, CRY, DREAM, QUOTE

TRYING TO WRITE

 I have no idea why--but I am finding it difficult to write most of the time now...and writing used to be my passion as far back as I can remember. I had a 10th grade high school english teacher-Ms Newman..who walked,talked and taught by the beat of a different drummer. That is probably why I listened to her more then others...she fascinated me. Anyway..she got me involved in some SERIOUS journal writing. I had been keeping diaries since I was little...but serious writing, questioning,probing, soul searching,don't hold back kind of writing. I have been hooked ever since.

So it breaks my heart and boggles my mind when I do not have that inner self motivation and desire to write. I used to be able to write about anything and make others think or laugh or cry or just enjoy what they read...now I cannot even get a solid thought down without struggling and stopping for long periods of time wondering if I should write what I wrote. Strange huh?

I know a lot of it has to do with me being so damned depressed...I have come to the realization that I can say that word..."DEPRESSED" , and not feel bad or awkward about it. That is a HUGE step for me...however...(don't you hate when there are those howevers that interfere)...it has really taken away my love of writing...yes I know you must be asking yourself..well she is writing a lot right now...but this is an entry that I have been writing and deleting and adding to for quite some time.

I am just so SICK AND TIRED of being SICK AND TIRED. If it is not something affecting my lungs which knocks me out for quite some time then it is being depressed...it is like banging your head against a wall (which I do not recommend because it hurts after a while).

 The news that I did want to get out before it gets tooo old is that my son who went into the army first has been called into active duty Jan 4th I believe. Gee...he will heading for Texas but not sure where and we have no idea what happens after that..but of course that has me going crazy. Then the other son (Eric) is at Fort Sill trying to make it through basic. PLEASE keep your fingers crossed and keep positive thoughts flowing because both my boys might be here for Christmas which is a HUGE deal to me...it will be the best gift ever. AJ will fly here or drive here from Tennessee around the 20th and Eric has exodus and will fly here on the 20th...right now the plans are that they will stay here until the 26th and then drive their sister down to see my folks and she is going to stay there till school starts in Jan and the boys will visit friends and such down there..and head back to wherever they need to go. Well those are the tentative plans right now..we will see what happens.

 I guess I should post this entry now before I change my mind..or it becomes old news...

Thanks for listening...PEACE!!!

Tags: depression, writing, journal, diaries, exodus, army, active duty

A CREATION OF MINE

I hope everyone had a FANTASTIC Thanksgiving!!! Here we had the ribs like I mentioned before and they were fabulous...falling off the bone soft and juicy...I loved it all!!!
Well I thought I would share some of the ATC cards I have been making while being absent from the journal world...believe it or not I did create all of these...Here is just one of them...as time goes on I will show you all more...
I hope you all have some great plans for the weekend..here we are NOT doing the shopping thing...crowds definitely freak me out...we will wait.
Here is the card:

A different kind of look--but I like it!!!! Also this card is only 2.5 x 3.5 so it is quite small...but so much fun to do.
Enjoy the day!!!

PEACE

Tags: ATC cards, art, digital

I AM THANKFUL

I am so very THANKFUL for everything in my life~~I know how very BLESSED I truly am...not a day goes by that I Do Not Stop for a moment and THANK GOD for everything and everyone in my life..because of these things and people...they have enriched my life..filled my heart with joy...and shared a piece of themselves with me!!!

Of course this means each and everyone of you that come by and read my journal--every comment you make, feeds into my life..lifts my spirit..and touches my heart!!!

I am blessed that you all have honored me with your friendship...my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours on this THANKSGIVING DAY!!

 

Tags: thankful, Happy Thanksgiving, blessings, friends

SHARING HOLIDAY HINTS

Okay---wanted to share something else I received in my email....

 

How to love the holidays without loosing your mind.

 

It’s that special time of year that everyone loves…and hates. We all look forward to the holidays, filled with special memories, tasty food and family gatherings. We want the season to be "flawless" and tend to drive ourselves crazy trying to achieve perfection! Before you reach for the antacid, grab a calendar, a pad of paper and a pen, and plan for a stress-free holiday season.

 

First be realistic. Don't try to cram every holiday tradition you've ever heard of into one season.

Plan activities that are meaningful to your family; sometimes the simplest times bring the best memories.

Go for the gold, not the glitter. Take time to establish a working plan, using your calendar. List everything that comes to mind. Be sure to include the family in your planning strategies.

Learn to delegate, and let others’ creative abilities shine.

You want the season to bring you together, not send everyone into opposite directions. The following helpful suggestions will keep you organized, calm and out of the running to be one more nut in the fruitcake! Be the shopping queen!

Don't let gift-buying get the best of you. Again, start with a plan.

 

Consider theme gifts such as gardening pails, food or book-lovers’ baskets, and get-away packages.

Scour catalogs for ideas and place orders early.

Avoid the malls on weekends and the day after Thanksgiving. Unless you love being in the crush of shoppers, leave “Black Friday” to the hard-core shoppers. Rather than spending hours in line to get a bargain, try internet shopping. You'll find just as many bargains, often with free shipping. Kick back with an eggnog and stock up on gifts…all in the comfort of your own home.

 

“He who hesitates is lost" and she who procrastinates is wrapping gifts at midnight on Christmas Eve. Wrap your gifts as you purchase them. It will eliminate a marathon wrapping session and keep curious eyes at bay.

Pare down the Christmas card list. If you haven't heard from your high school lab partner for ten years, it’s probably okay not to send a card this year.

Consider putting your card list in a database or spreadsheet. Printing the envelopes on your printer will save time and look very professional. All you have to do is sign, stuff and stamp.

 

Don't let the cookie crumble.

Holiday baking is a joy, not a chore. Make dishes that can be prepared ahead of time and frozen.

Prebake festive desserts  to serve to special guests. Many cookie batters can be refrigerated; whip up a batch or two during the week after dinner and refrigerate in plastic bags.

Mark cooking instructions on the bags. Then, plan an “all day bake” session with no muss and nothing to clean but the cookie sheets.

 

Spend some time enjoying the outdoors. Go for a walk in a nearby park.

Take a drive to admire the neighborhood lights.

Go sledding with the kids.

 

Remember why you loved the holidays as a child and re-create the fun.

Give peace a chance. Revel in the small, quiet moments.

Allow yourself at least 30 minutes of quiet time every day. You'll have time to recharge, and your outlook will remain positive.

Don't over-extend yourself or your plans.

 

Remember, Santa is the only one who gets everything done in one night!

 

When the holidays are over, sit back and breathe a sigh of relief.

But don't get too comfortable…New Year’s plans are just around the corner!

 

PEACE--

Tags: holidays, tips

SHARING PLANS AND A POEM

Going through a few things in my files....hopefully you all will not be bored with my little findings...in case I do not get on before hand...my plans for the holiday are as follows: we discussed it here...my boys will not be home this holiday and none of us wants to cook....we thought about going out...but none of us wants to deal with the crowds...so we have decided to use the bar-b-que and do ribs...yes thanksgiving dinner will be ribs and macaroni salad and garlic bread and some sweet desserts.... we voted and democracy has won over....to be honest--none of us are truly in the mood for turkey and all....not this holiday!!
PEACE--Ellie

Tags: thanksgiving, poem, menu, Bar-b-Que

JUST SHARING

Wanted to share this with you all....to top off how I have been feeling...I have the flu also...it seems every year it is harder and harder for me to get over the flu. Probably because I am getting older and older...it is really wearing me out.
I hope everyone is healthy...especially since THANKSGIVING is right around the corner...any special plans?
Hope to be back soon again!!!
PEACE--Ellie

Tags: sharing, quote, saying hi, thanksgiving

SEND A FREE POSTCARD TO OUR TROOPS

HEY DEAR FRIENDS....
This site was sent to me by a friend and I wanted to share it with you....you can click on the link and it takes you to a xerox sponsored site that has designs for postcards created by children...you pick a design you like and fill out just a couple of spaces and xerox will print out the postcard and send it to a soldier serving overseas...there are different greetings to choose from....you can send as many as you want and it only takes about 20 seconds to fill it out..... I think this is a GREAT way to show the troops that there are people at home that care and have their backs....

Here is the site...and thank you ahead of time for doing this:

SEND A POSTCARD

Take Care--PEACE---Ellie

 

Tags: soldiers, troops, free, postcards, support our troops

COMFORTING EMBRACE

I seem to be on a kick of SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS....
Well I wanted to share this article with you all....it really touched my heart.....I am starting to be able to stay online more...so look for more entries from me....just trying to keep an even keel.
PEACE--Ellie

Tags: iraq, soldier, embrace, supporting our troops

HAD TO SHARE ANOTHER ONE FOR TODAY

Soldiers

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155 mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark.

He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other.

He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle.

He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.

He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom.

Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot..

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets

Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer Wheel

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

Tags: veteran's day, support our troops, soldiers, troops

VETERAN'S DAY

11th DAY of the 11th MONTH
by Michael T. Smith

In the USA, it is known as Veterans' Day.
In Canada, it is known as Remembrance Day.
When I was a youngster, it was just another holiday -- a day
when stores were closed and more importantly, there was no school.
I knew about the war, but I was free to play. I knew people
died for our freedom, but I could sleep in. I knew my parents had
little when they were growing up because of the war, but I had food
on my plate and a day to watch TV. The real meaning of the day was
distant to me.
Years later, my daughter joined the Brownies. The first year
she was a member, I set the alarm to wake us on the morning of 11/11.
She had to participate in a parade. Every Brownie, Girl Guide, Cub
Scout, and Scout had to participate in the parade. It was a day to
remember those who died for our freedom.
My wife and I left our daughter with the Guide leader and
proceeded to the Canadian Legion, where we waited for her. The kids
paraded a mile along the coastal roads of Nova Scotia, carrying their
flags high and proud. We waited for their arrival. Veterans joined
them. Old men, long past the prime. They'd fought in the trenches
and watched their comrades die. Many came in wheelchairs. Some
limped. A few still stood strong.
They walked as proudly as they could to the legion, where a band waited.
The band played, speeches were made, and on the 11th month, the
11th day, the 11th hour, the 11th minute, and the 11th second there
began two minutes of silence.
I looked at the veterans. Their sacrifices allowed us to stand
there that day. They gave us our freedom. The cold seeped through
my jacket. I reached out and held my wife. A tear trickled down my
cheek. For years, I slept as those brave men marched in the cold
November air in remembrance for those who died in battle beside them.
It took my daughter to make me realize the importance of the day.
I never missed another Remembrance Day. Years later, because of
work, I was separated from my family. I was in another city. On
Remembrance Day, I heard there was going to be a service in the city
square. I was in Saint John, New Brunswick. I put on my jacket and
tie, pinned a poppy to my lapel, walked the mile to the service,
stood in the damp cold and watched those brave men once again march
for our freedom.
I don't know if it was because I was away from my family or the
sight of those old men still walking proudly, but the memory of that
service never fades.
The Veterans marched, wheeled, and limped to the city square.
The mayor gave a speech. The two minutes of silence began. At the
end, a bagpipe began to play "Amazing Grace."
After the first chorus, a second bagpipe joined in, along with a
small band. On the third chorus, more bagpipes joined and a brass
band began to play. The building of sound, the magic of the moment
is something I will never forget. The tears filled my eyes that day,
as the blood must have filled the trenches in battle.
That moment burned in my mind forever.
On November 11th, please take a moment to remember those who
fought for our freedom and those that continue to fight for it.
May God bless them all.

Tags: VETERAN'S DAY, SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, WAR

QUICK CHECK IN

I am sorry dear friends I have not been around....I have been so severely depressed that I cannot get my thoughts together enough to journal in once in a while...please be patient...I am fighting it all with all I have....it is just such a struggle!!!

I wanted to leave you with this nice graphic poem...came across it and wanted to share...Peace Always--Ellie

Tags: friendship, poem, depressed