Veteran's Day

Everywhere I've gone this morning, I've heard or read the words "Happy Veteran's Day!" "Happy?" Really? I thought that today was a day of remembrance, a day of somber reflection, a day for saying 'thank you' to those brave souls that served our Country and to our Allies, who fought alongside...but is it or should it be considered 'happy?'

I don't know how to answer that. I understand the PRIDE behind the words and I feel them, as well, so I know why some folks say it. But I've seen so many broken and damaged souls and bodies come home from wars and have a hard time wrapping my lips around the happy part. The things they've seen, the friends they watched die, the strangers they watched die, the ugliness that is war. The memories. The nightmares.

These men and women left their families, their jobs, their lives behind to protect us. To protect freedoms that we take for granted every day. Like me writing in this blog or on my FaceBook page. I can say whatever I like, whatever I'm feeling, what I'm thinking, sometimes what I probably shouldn't say, whenever the mood strikes me, because they fought for that. I can protect my family with my firearm skills because they fought for that. I can pray, anywhere, anytime, to any deity I choose, because they fought for that. They bled for that. Some died for that. Happy? For my freedoms, yes. For my right to pursue happiness as protected by American soldiers defending our Constitution. But I'm not sure I'm happy that they HAD to.

These people are doctors, lawyers, firemen, pipe layers, drillers, professional athletes, farmers, truck drivers, bikers, bankers, store owners, CEOs of corporations, auto mechanics, secretaries, nurses, and teachers. Some have limited education (like my grandfather who never made it past the 2nd grade). Some have PhDs, but they all had one thing in common....the call to serve. To defend what we've been given and make sure that it was never taken away....from those on the outside AND from those working within. They don't do it for the money, they don't do it for the thanks, they don't do it because they can. They do it because it's the right thing to do.

For that, I'm grateful & I will never forget them.

Happy Halloween

Halloween in Utah happened yesterday....wonder how many other states do that? If you're taking your little ones trick-or-treating tonight, be safe & have fun! We didn't get out last night - it was too cold and rainy. Just stayed in and had a SpookFest...popcorn, chocolates scrounged out of Mom's she-cave stash {mental note to self: move choccie stash again so the sneakly lil boogers don't find it!}, and scary movies...*sigh* well, as scary as an 8yr old can handle, which translates to Transformers, Harry Potter, & Doctor Who. I didn't mind too much. I'm not a slasher flick kinda gal. I get off on a good psychological thriller or ghost story more than blood n guts.

It's cold, windy, & rainy here again today. I'm pondering...avoiding the washing machine at all costs (sick to death of doing laundry) and FOOD. I woke up ravenous today. I can't decide between a crockpot full of my buffalo chili with homemade cornbread muffins or a mega batch of buffalo shepherd's pie with a crunchy green salad. Decisions, decisions.....

Thanks for stopping by & have a great rest of your day!!

My last Halloween treats for the year

Here are some more Halloween freebies that I just finished stirring up...hope they're tasty enough for ya! (right click, choose open in new tab or window, right click again & save to file)

And now for a little giggle...I just love Tim Hawkins (Christian comedian). This is from his new DVD "Insanitized." He reminds me so much of my kids...must be the ADHD thing they all have in common! Enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great rest of your day!!

Images used are from The Graphics Fairy (thank you, Karen!)

Fonts used: A Charmed Font, Alice in Wonderland, Rebuffed

I've linked this to

Blog candy

Do you love pillows? I mean LOVE them? I do...I've always looked at pillows as an "affordable extravagance." All shapes, all sizes, colors, textures...they're versatile & great for layering or finishing a look. I REALLY love pillows covered in vintage fabrics. Kristine over at The Painted Hive is having a giveaway. She has this gorgeous grain sack with pretty charcoal stripes for a grown-up treat. Giveaway is on the 31st.

Click HERE to enter & good luck! While you're there, have a look around...you might enjoy her blog enough to become a follower...I did.

Thanks for stopping by & have a great rest of your day!!

Blog Candy

Chrissy has a wonderful candy offering that runs till the 31st...click HERE to hurry over & sign up!

More treats for ya!

Hope everyone is doing well. I've been a bit busy around here with the boys, but I did manage some computer time to play & unwind. Here are a couple of freebies for ya. {right click, open in new window or tab, then right click again & save file to your computer}

Next treats will be Thanksgiving themed. Thanks for stopping by and have a great rest of your day!!

Blog Candy

My online friend, Maddy, has a wonderful blog candy giveaway going on right now. Her boyfriend, Calv, who happens to be a very talented crafter and another online friend, carved this AMAZING door for you to put in your home for the fairies to come in, play, & leave little gifts (you know how fairies are!). She's leaving the candy open till 22October (my Aidan's birthday) and if you'd like a chance to win this beauty, run over and sign up! While you're there, look around her blog...she's an amazing card maker & her creations in clay are to die for.

Thanks for stopping by & have a great rest of your day!!