What are you Thankful for?

So...what can I write about??? I think I am pretty much out of stuff. Ok, what about holiday traditions?!? I am not sure that we have any for Thanksgiving. I do remember that my Dad, before we ate and prayed sometimes would read a poem that related to Thanksgiving. One time we all sat down to find 5 kernals of Indian corn on each of our plates (or maybe it was 3, can't remember for sure). So we all had to come up with at least that many things that we were thankful for and share with everyone. As a child I would be really shy to do that (even around just family, I was very shy...guess I pretty much overcame that as I got older). I wonder what he will do for Thanksgiving next week, I like that my children experience the same things that I had. I want them to "think" about what they are truly thankful for. Not just the usual kid things, like all of their toys and stuff, but what are they thankful for that can't be replaced. I guess I would love to hear, "I am thankful that my mom homeschools me." Maybe a little early in their life to truly appreciate that though. So here are 3 things that I am thankful for: God Family Country But that is rather generic, why am I thankful for these things and more? God: The source of my exsistence whom without I would be nothing. The lover of my soul (why I do not know). And the only one to offer unconditional love and forgivess, not to mention his only son. Thankyou. Family: Love, the supporters of all that I do (usually) The only people on this earth that will be there for me if I need them. Country: I love my country. I am thankful that I have the freedom to worship whom I choose and when and where also. I am saddened to think that this could someday be taken away from us because so many out there take it for granted that they will always be able to do what they want. I am proud to be a US citizen and proud of the soldiers/airman/marines/sailors that protect our country. What a great place we have. So these are just 3 of the things that I am thankful for...I guess the most important to me; there are so many, many more... What are you thankful for?

My Earliest School Memory

When PBB posted this as our topic for today, I thought to myself, what in the world can I write about...then it hit me, and this one has to be rather two fold...a couple of different memories of school. First off, I am an only child...so I didn't have the brother and sister thing going on (which makes it difficult for me to understand mine sometimes). And in the neighborhood I grew up with there were mostly boys. So, when I was three my mom put me in a nursery school so that I would have some little girls to play with. This was maybe 2 or 3 days a week for a few hours a day. Ok, I really didn't like it and remember crying when my mom or dad would drop me off. Well eventually I guess they took me out and I didn't go anymore. I will tell you why I didn't like it, I got spanked there (I don't think I told my right way). Well, the reason I got spanked was because I flushed the toilet! I remember that we all lined up to use the bathroom, I think after we had playtime outside, I am not even sure if the door was closed between children. So we all lined up to use the bathroom and after every child was "done" after we were ALL done, then...they flushed the toilet...ONCE!! Can you believe that, I was only there for a few months and finally threw such a fit that my parents didn't make me go anymore. The lady there told my mom that she would have problems with me in kindergarten, which she didn't (except for the next story that I will tell you). I always loved to go to sunday school or anywhere else that they took me that had childcare while they were doing their thing so it was definitely this place. Shortly after I quit there it closed. Wonder if someone investigated them or what, the bldg is still around but it is a old dilapidated bldg. now. Ok...so my next memory would be in kindergarten, funny this also involves the bathroom (seems that would be my problem for a few years). My teacher, Mrs. Monticelli, was an older lady that DID NOT belong teaching anymore, especially to a group of little kids. One day, I guess I had an "accident" and went to the bathroom to try and clean myself off. Well, I used too much toilet paper and flooded the toilet. I didn't tell anyone, I was embarrased about it. (side note, remember the toilet paper they used, little tiny sheets that were smaller than a kleenex?) Anyway, somehow she found out and I had to stay after school, I got in trouble yet again for something to do with the toilet. Maybe at this point I just quit using them at school altogether, it would seem that they were bad luck to me. My Mom was not happy with her about that (why she didn't contact the school admin I have no idea, I would have been down their throats). Thankfully my neighbor who was a few years older than me had stopped to walk home with me and got me. Well, the next year someone got her back for me (well not on purpose but it just seems funny). The teacher tripped over her chair, fell and broke her arm. I know that isn't funny really but the fact that we have remained friends for years and years (about 35) was just funny. Like she was getting her back for being so mean to me. She retired after that (thankfully). Well...those are my earliest memories of school, all revolved around a toilet!

My Favorite Sweater

Well, I have made it this far, I think this is my 4th day of blogging if I manage to get this one posted. For those of you that don't know...November is National blog post month (or something like that). I have posted on another site that I am on, just haven't moved them over to this site yet...attemping to follow the post a day thing. So my subject is my favorite sweater. I received it quite a few years ago, but it was in perfect condition. It is 100% wool, a plum color with some white stitching on the edeges. I wear it all the time and used it more or less as a coat. It is so warm and comfortable, it is no doubt my favorite sweater. Well, for the summer it had been in the basement since there was no need of it. I actually had forgot all about it, like I do most of my winter clothes when the get packed away for spring and summer. So...yesterday I come home from dropping off my son for Sylvan (yes, I put him in for math again...although he is right at grade level, I want a jump start on some things and am hoping to get into Algebra next year) and I am on the computer putzing around. My daughter is jumping up and down and wanting to tell me something and my Mom keeps telling her NO! I have no clue what they are talking about...whatever just let me have 10 minutes to myself. My daughter proceeds to leave the room, I don't know what she's doing...just glad for some peace to myself and trying to enjoy it as it just doesn't happen very often. If it isn't my kids, then its my parents or the dogs. Well, she then comes in the room with something behind her back...my Mom is sitting there too not happy with whatever it is she has. She brings the "surprise" that is behind her back in front of her. At first I don't know what it is...then I look a little closer... IT IS MY SWEATER!!! I am so shocked, I just couldn't understand what in the world happened to my sweater. I wanted to cry, remember, it's my favorite. Well, my sweet mother, in whom I truly appreciate...washed it. I quite frankly don't know what she did (maybe it was in hot water-she says it was more lukewarm, or not cold enough water) but it is completely ruined. Basically it looks like she felted it (washing natural fibers in hot water will felt them really a pretty cool process when it is on purpose...but not when it is on accident ). I said, ok...whatever (remember what that word actually means when said by a woman?!?). I told her she could have the sweater, she is a very tiny woman...It shrunk so much and is in such bad proportion that it wouldn't even fit her!! So, I had to say goodbye to my favorite sweater yesterday, it is rather ironic I guess...the person that ruined it is the one that bought it for me