CoCo's Corner

I had to have my mammogram the other day.  Because I'm now FIFTY, my doctor said I had to now have them every year.  I was having them here and there - like every couple of years.  My last one was two years ago. They don't hurt, they are uncomfortable.  It's four pictures - usually.  You put your right one on the metal type slab and they squish this plastic bowl down on it.  Then they do the left one.  No big deal.  They get you all settled into it and go to take the picture.  They say - "Hold your breath!".  I'm old, I'm fat, I'm out of shape, that ain't easy!! It's the next two that get a little weird. They turn the machine on an angle.  They are trying to get as much tissue as they can - so you have to scrunch up really close and give the machine a hug.  You have to get your armpit right into the corner, then put your arm up and around the machine.  Then comes the squish.  They squish it all into the machine....

Upon on the roof and in the tree There are times that my idiocy makes me wonder how I make it through a day.  This fall, when the leaves were falling from the trees, I happened to realize that we have these little pear berries on our trees.  I looked at them and wondered out loud where they go, because in the spring, they will be gone.  They are never there when the trees start to bud.  They are never there when the buds turn to blooms.  My favorite thing in the seasons is to see my little trees bud and bloom then later in the year to see the leaves turn orange and red then blow away (because I don't get to them quick enough for them not to blow to the neighbors house - OOPS). Anyway, back to my naivete.  A couple of weeks ago, KayeLynn mentioned that the trees were covered in birds eating the berries.  I think I literally smacked myself in the forehead with the realization that my question from this fall had been answered. Covering...

Today is just another day to me.  Christmas is over.  And that's fine.  I had an amazing day yesterday.  I was very happy to see that my family could all make it - even though Mother Nature tried to waylay our plans a bit with a crazy blizzard.  However, that crazy blizzard turned into a lovely, beautiful Christmas day. Ted has been pretty sick the last few days and doesn't want to do much other than sit and sleep.  I hope he starts feeling better soon. I have been busy cleaning up from the celebration yesterday.  Got my table down to an accommodating size for just two or three.  Got the dishes all finished up.  Swept up the floor.  Shoveled the end of the driveway where the snowplow had left us a small hill. I did go out to visit my local grandkids and see their Santa treasures.  It's fun to see that happiness and excitement. We had a nice breakfast this morning - but on the way home from seeing the kiddos, I stop...

Stocking hung and filled The stockings are hung and filled - waiting and anticipating the arrival of most honored guests.  My kids are coming to celebrate Christmas.  It's a day I look so forward to.  A day of family, a day of giving, a day of feast, a day of celebration.  It would be complete if all of us could be here - but, those out of town can't possibly make it.  But, they are in our hearts and they feel our love hopefully from here. Before presents opened Pies are made, potatoes and beats are on to boil, ham will be ready to go in soon.  The rest will all follow. It's a time of love and excitement.  It's a time of reminiscence and memories.  It's a time of happiness and care. Christmas Eve: Before presents opened -art two My family all made it here, in spite of the nasty blizzard.  I had quite the upset thinking that my boy and his bride would not make it here.  Mostly didn't want them to get into a hazardous s...

When Ted and I got married, he asked me to get the recipe for Christmas cookies that he grew up with.  They are called Chinese Chews.  They are rather tasty, I have to agree.  So, they have become our standard Christmas cookie every year.  Raja loves them.  Ted loves them.  KayeLynn loves them.  I love them.  Not sure about the rest of them - - but, they are now tradition.  AND WE KNOW how I feel about tradition. The recipe calls for chopped dates.  I usually buy the dates chopped.  This time, somehow, I ended up with whole dates.  Have you ever looked at whole dried dates??  They look like dehydrated cockroaches.  They are nasty looking.  And when you chop them up - they are sticky as crap. Just wanted to pass that along. HMMMMMMM.

Christmas wrapping mess I apologize for being negligent the last couple of days.  I've been busy and running.  I'm so tired I could just collapse.  And I still have so much to do.  My plans were to get bathrooms and kitchen cleaned, presents wrapped and then tomorrow all I would have to do is vacuum the living room, dust and cook. That's a lot of money!!!!! Today, I wrapped and I wrapped and I wrapped and I wrapped.  I already had a few presents under the tree, but, I've finished all the wrapping and now it's all done.  Plus I helped KayeLynn work on Brandon's present - which included a run to the store - AGAIN!!!  I don't care if I see the inside of a store for months!! Empty tape I have decided that scotch tape makers have found a way to make a lot of money by making the rolls of tape  shorter.  I swear - I don't think I have ever seen this many empty scotch tape containers in my life.  Plus I think I went through one o...

ELEVEN DAYS!!!  I am off for ELEVEN DAYS!!!! I am especially happy that Christmas is early next week - because the rest of the time I am planning on relaxing, doing what I want to do, catching up on some projects and doing NOTHING. Did I tell you I am off for ELEVEN DAYS?? I am in desperate need of this - I have not been too productive this last week anticipating that I am off for ELEVEN FULL DAYS!!!!

Today was the work Christmas party.  Ham and pot luck food.  I ate so much food I am sick.  Tasty treats, delicious salads, scrumptious rolls. I am burping potato salad.  Not complaining though - - tastes almost as good the second time.  Not quite - just almost. All I know is this - if the holidays don't get over soon, I am not going to fit into my uniform pants come January 2.

Tonight is the Monday night sitcoms:  How I Met Your Mother, Two Broke Girls, Mike and Molly.  They are all Christmas themed.  They made me giggle.  How I Met Your Mother made my cute hubby misty-eyed (ok, me too).  Hawaii 5-O is Christmas themed, too. Yeah - I watch a lot of television.  It's what we do around here.  DAMN IT!!!  We need a life. Anyway, the point is: I grew up in a time of Christmas specials.  Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Dean Martin.  I loved the Christmas specials.  Lots of songs, lots of skits, lots of fun.  It was the age of variety.  It was fun.  Carol Burnett, Donny and Marie.  I can't even bring myself to watch the ones now - they aren't fun. It was time of the classic cartoons.  You looked forward to them every year.  Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Charlie Brown (the message of the tree), How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frosty the Snowman. ...

Every year, with my Christmas cards, I send a Christmas letter.  Last year, I just didn't have any ideas, so I let Ted write it and I added my "edits". This year - I will share it here.  Just so you can see how twisted we really are: December 2012 As you are aware, there are claims out there that the world is going to end in a couple of weeks because the Mayan calendar goes kaput – so in honor of our last days on earth – here is our final update.  Some of you may be very pleased to hear that!! Theodore – whose Mayan name, Papa Ted, translates to Geeky Gadget King (a very high honor to be a king in the Mayan world).  Working until the last minute in the telecommunications field and is still active in the Civil Air Patrol.  He stepped down as Utah Director of Communications – though still active in that field (as nobody has the knowledge he does and can do what he does as the smartest man in the world).  He has been very busy going back and fo...

Two little squatters are here with me today.  We have had a busy few hours.  We went to the cemetery to see the luminaries - they weren't very impressed.  Then we saw a few lights.  Then on to Old McDonalds for dinner. When we got home, we made the most hideous gingerbread house ever.  Chelsea is very sure that we will be eating it soon, because she just knows it's going to be collapsed before she goes to sleep.  I'm pretty sure she might be correct.  It stayed together long enough to get a picture.  It just isn't jelling together very well. Now, we are watching shows and playing. Love spending time with my kiddos.

How do we deal with one more tragedy?  You hear of this and think about those families.  You think about those babies.  You think about life in general.  You start to compare and frighten at the possible parallels.  What if they were yours?   What if they were mine?  You can't imagine it, you can't even fathom it. What causes a young man, troubled by mental illness, troubled by life, to walk into a school and look into the eyes of innocence and take away the life behind those eyes?  What makes the evil take over?  We will never know.  We will never understand.  Sadly, it will happen again.  Sadly, we will have to wonder another day.  Sadly, we will never know the reasons. Sadness in my heart for those that will wake up tomorrow morning, Christmas morning, every morning and have to live with the senseless and evil act that stole the children.

Sorry.  Just too tired.  Been a horrible day.  Exhausted.  See you tomorrow.

My amazing son and my beautiful daughter-in-law came all the way down from Logan today to put my lights back up.  The roof was coated with snow and ice, so I told them they were not allowed on the roof.  So, instead they did my front trees and set up a beautiful scene for Christmas. Thank you so much!!  Sure love you both!!!

Taking a break from Christmas to give a bit of a ramble and rant. The other day, my daughter made a post on Facebook about how my granddaughter was coloring and cutting.  Along with that, she was complaining that she was making everything fat.  The snowman was fat, Santa was fat, why was everything fat?  Then my daughter made a disparaging remark about herself after that.  "How do I tell her that she made me fat?".   She was joking, but, she wasn't.  This is how she sees herself and with that, she feels that she is a little less than perfect.   My granddaughter, only five, is already knowing that to be "fat" is to be a little less than perfect.  My daughter and society has given her this image.  I am sure I have had something to do with it, too.  I and society gave my daughter this vision.  We aren't perfect unless we are a size two and built like a super model - the ones whose pictures we see are air brushed and p...

Today I went out again.  Alone.  Without my big helper, Ted. I got a lot accomplished.  I'm down to the last couple of gifts to get.  I'm exhausted.  My feet and back hurt. But, I feel as though I got a lot done. Now, all I can think about is that I have so much crap to wrap!!!

Yes, this is part one. Less than one minute ago, I submitted my very last answer to my very last final exam of my very last lesson of my very last class. I have finished. I am done. With semester one. I am proud. To say. That (without knowing the outcome of said last class), That I have passed each and every class. With grades between 95% and 100%. Meaning - that - (with exception of the last class and not knowing for sure) I HAVE STRAIGHT A's!!!!

I did more cyber than actual store shopping.  But, it was great, because I got Ted done, Aedynn done, Crystal and Brandon pretty much done, part of KayeLynn's and Lydia is done. WOOHOO. Now, Ted will sigh when he reads this.  Because we got a titch irritated with each other.  We went to get part of KayeLynn's present.  Went to one store.  I was trying to decide between one and another or another.   Ted was trying to help.  Made me walk to another store after I told him I already knew I didn't like it there.  Walked out started going back to the other store and he told me we should go to Shopko.  Didn't like what they had there.  I am going back to store number one.  Hopefully one of the ones I wanted to buy will still be on sale.   We communicate very well, just sometimes we don't. I still have a long way to go.

Christmas money.  In bank.  Christmas shopping.  Next up.

Today was Old McDonalds Day.  Once a month, my daughter and son-in-law have a meeting at the school. Usually, we go to McDonalds about a block from the school and Zach and Chelsea eat, run back and forth between the table and the playland. The last couple of times, I have gone over to their house and we sit and play games and hang out.  I take dinner and it's just a chill session - as much as you can chill with a seven and five year old.  This time Papa came with. While there, I was told about the elf on the shelf.  He apparently pops up a different place every day.  He is watching and reports back to Santa.  Apparently, you cannot touch him - if you do, he loses all his magic. The wonder of children.  To me, its what makes the holidays special.

I love Christmas cards.  I love Christmas letters.  I love getting them.  I love sending them. Ted and I spent the last couple of days getting our Christmas cards and letters ready to go.  Come Friday or Saturday, I'll mail them out.  Looking forward to getting them out. I'll pass along the Christmas letter after I know everyone has received their card.

I am married to a burly, big-shouldered man.  That and pretty bows don't always mix. In it's natural state At the bottom of my stairs is a bow.  It's part of a whole holiday ensemble.  I bought new bows this year, because the ones that I had the last few years had become rather rumpled and sad.  They are pretty - but, they are a little large. Let me preface this by saying, I like certain things to be in a certain place.  I can't stand for the cupboards to be left open.  I don't like for the drawers to be open.  Now, that doesn't mean I am spotless, because certain things can be out of place and until I really pay attention, it doesn't bother me.  I'm known to have up to three pair of shoes sitting next to where I sit on occasion - because I just haven't thought to pick them all up and take them and put them where they need to be. Does anyone really know how to spell skewompus?? Now - my bows fall under the same heading as m...

Well, as previously mentioned, I planned and did manage to get my Christmas tree up this weekend. Let me explain about my tree.  It's reaalllly, reallllly, realllly skinny.  I got it that way so that it would fit into the corner I put it in.  Whereas, I have a pretty large living room, it's not really functional to put a large Christmas tree into it.  So, I got my skinny tree. My Charlie Brown tree When the smartest, geekiest man in the world brought the tree up and set it in the living room, it sat there all dark and sad.  I just kept looking at it thinking how sad it looked - while sitting with Ted, the term Charlie Brown kept coming up. Like the Charlie Brown tree, when it got into it's assigned corner, lit up and decorated, it became a very beautiful tree.  It just becomes "our" tree.  It just blossoms into something very pretty. When Ted and I got married, we needed to start anew - he didn't have decorations and I had ALOT - we started...

The whole holiday season, from Halloween to Christmas, is my favorite time of year.   At Christmas time, I love Christmas lights.  I love to see everyone's lights up and how beautiful they all look. What a lovely thing - different colors, different kinds. My son and his bride spent a couple of hours on Thanksgiving putting up Christmas lights on my house.  I was so excited, it was our first step into Christmas.  They looked so pretty. Fast forward a week and a half.  The wind outside is horrible.  I've watched my lights kind of fall a bit.  Then fall a little more.  All the sudden we heard that whip and whir sound and we knew that they had come off more.  I went outside - half of them were dangling completely down.  I just pulled that set down.  But, the rest is now all screwed up.  When I tried to come back in the house, the wind was so freaking bad the door slammed into the side of my boob - and not tenderly. ...

When I married the smartest man in the world - the geekiest man in the world, he had been single for sixteen years.  One daughter across the country, living in Virginia and one daughter up north in Idaho.  There wasn't much of a reason to decorate at his house.  The first time I went to his house, it was December 12 (yes, there is a reason I know the exact date, but, I ain't gonna tell ya!!).  He had really no decorations, he did manage to find some lovely Christmas music to set the mood. We were pretty much a couple from that moment on - prior to that, I had been deciding if I wanted a relationship with him - and he was probably trying to decide if he wanted one with me.  We spent the next couple of weeks spending quite a bit of time together.  I went as his date to his Civil Air Patrol banquet - where everyone lauded him as a very important person in the organization - he was very appreciated and loved.  That's when I pretty much fell in love with ...

As I've said before, I have a horrible, nasty, disgusting habit.  I am constantly chewing and picking at my cuticles and around my nails.  It's insane how bad it is.  I was doing research on the subject and found that people who have this horrible habit tend to not do it if they get acrylic nails.  So, for the first time in my life, and only because of my nasty habit, I spent the dollars and got acrylic nails.  So far, I am so busy concentrating on rubbing the nails and getting used to the feel that I have no desire to chew and pick.  I hope it stays that way!!!

Last post and it's reserved for the thing I am the most grateful for, the most thankful for and so happy they are in my life!!! I am so thankful for my little family.  I adore each and every one of you.  You are the thing that keeps me sane, but drives me crazy. You are the thing that I adore.  You are the thing that I appreciate each and every day that I have you in my life.  So - here's to you!!  You are all amazing!!! Theodore!! Crystal and Brandon!!! Randi and Joe!!! KayeLynn!!! Jaja and Rustie!!! DeeDee!!! Aedynn!!! Zachary!!! Chelsea!!! Lydia!!! Gabriel!!! Little Bean yet named!!! You are my world, you are my everything, you are my sanity, you are the thing that makes me continue.  I love each and every one of you!!!

Today I am thankful for education.  I am currently taking pretty much a full load of online courses.  It keeps  me busy, busy, busy!!!  It is giving me options for my future. I have learned a lot - I have about five more lessons in one class and I will be done for the semester.  I have another full load next semester.  At this point, I don't know if I'll ever get to use it - but, I sure hope so.

Thankful for peace, quiet and sleeping in my own bed.

I got a big brother.  I got an amazing big brother.  I am so lucky to have the most amazing big brother.  I love my big brother.  Happy Birthday Big Brother!!!

You never, ever, ever thought you would hear this from me - I am thankful for work!!! I have been off for the last week - and it's been great - but I AM EXHAUSTED!!!!  Saturday, the 17th, I made one of the turkey and stuffings for my big family Thanksgiving.  Then I spent the next few days getting ready for my mother-in-law to arrive and then for Thanksgiving Day.   Then yesterday, up to Idaho Falls and back. I am exhausted - and looking forward to going back to work. Next up - Christmas.

I know this one isn't going to be people's favorite - but, here goes: I am extremely thankful for Christmas music.  Not just Christmas music, but the oldies.  Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald.  Madonna's attempt at Santa Baby ain't got nothing on the smooth and sultry Eartha Kitt.  Burl Ives singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is the only rendition that I believe in.  Nobody but Bing can sing White Christmas and Blue Christmas belongs to Elvis. I won't allow Christmas music to be played until the day after Thanksgiving - however, once Thanksgiving is over, its the only music I listen to (pretty much) until December 26.  On December 26, I don't listen anymore. My favorite singer at Christmas time is Dean Martin.  I love listening to Dean.  It wasn't until today that I realized why.  When I listen to Dean Martin he sounds like my dad did when my dad would sing.  That sweet baritone voice singing so cle...

Today - I am so very thankful for sleep aids. Because Ted's mom is spending the week with us, Ted and I moved to the upstairs guest bedroom.  Ted and I are used to sleeping on a king sized bed and never touching each other as we sleep.  One of the things we have in common is our desire to not have anybody touching us while trying to sleep - neither of us a sleep cuddlers.  We are sleeping in a queen sized bed right now - so less space.  Plus, the upstairs tends to get warmer than the downstairs - and neither of us like sleeping in heat.  Friday morning, I was awakened by the horrible snoring noises and Ted tossing and turning. I ended up going downstairs and watching television for a couple of hours.  I went back to bed when Ted left to go Black Friday shopping. I was so tired yesterday, I took a sleeping pill.  I have had them on hand because of the menopausal problems that makes it difficult for me to sleep.  I slept SOOOOO good.  I sle...

Today I am thankful for memories.  Having spent the last several days with my mother-in-law and time spent with my own mother, I love to hear their memories.  I love to listen to the memories of my children; a lot of time I don't remember anything about what they are talking about. Memories are what make us and I am thankful for them.

My feet hurt, my legs hurt, I'm exhausted.  It's been a full day and I had a full house.  I loved ever second of it, I love every ache and every pain in my body I've been up and moving since 6:00 this morning.  I actually had it pretty easy this Thanksgiving.  I had a lot of things already done.  The house was pretty clean, except I needed to sweep and mop the floor - so I did do a lot of sitting around today. I did have one bump in the road when I found out that the ham and rolls that were expected at the office were not there. I ran and got a couple of hams and some rolls - those kids that had to work today deserved to be fed.  I am so grateful that my BFF Elaine met me there with her roaster pan to warm up the hams. I am so thankful for the family that got to come and join Ted and I for Thanksgiving.  I love that all of my kids were here.  Dinner turned out pretty danged delicious, if I do say so myself.  And dessert was just as good...

Very thankful that my mother-in-law made it here safe and sound.  We've had a fun day together.  Made her breakfast this morning - then we went and did a little shopping.  Lunch and left her in Ted's care while I went to the bank and grocery store.  Went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse after I made a couple of pies.  She enjoyed her meal, but, she had to bring a lot of it home -  because they gave her a couple of ribs before dinner. I am thankful to have her in our home this Thanksgiving - Ted says it's the first time she has visited him in about 30 years.  He was actually a bit nervous about it - I was a lot nervous about it.  It's going to be a good holiday.

I'm having a hard time being thankful today.  I am overwhelmed and undermotivated.  I am trying to get everything into place that I can before Thursday - because Ted's mom will be here tonight.  I still have two bathrooms to clean, sheets to change, floors to sweep and counters to wipe down.  Probably about an hour and a half of work, but, very difficult making myself get up and do it. Well, I guess I can be thankful for the vacation time I had to use and the decision to use it this week.  Because of this, I can be off this entire week while Ted's mom is here and it gives me time to get ready for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Vacation time - paid time off - good thing to be thankful for.

I have an amazing family.  An awesome husband. Wonderful grandchildren. Amazing kids. One of those kids came to me 26 years ago today.  I adore him with all my heart.  He is so sensitive, yet strong. Funny, yet serious, professional and focused.  To those he loves, he loves with every ounce of his being.  I have never known someone who loves so fully. I am thankful every day that I have him in my life.  The bond between this mother and that son is undeniable, unbroken and solid.  I adore him and he reciprocates by letting me know that he loves me. Happy Birthday Baby Boy.  I am thankful every day that I was blessed to have you in my life. LUBBA LUBBA YOU!!!

I am thankful that my children - all of my children - have not irritated the bejeebers out of me by gauging their ears. I find the habit of gauging weird, odd and it makes my throat burn a little bit in the back of it when I see someone with really BIG gauges. I was at the grocery store and they must have a policy against wearing gauges - because I saw two different employees with their ear lobes dangling without the gauge in them.  That makes me a little more nauseated. I am not judgmental against the person - I know that it has nothing to do with person.  They are either good or bad and I know both kind of people with and without gauges.  There is just something about it that gives me the willys. Sure hope my grandkids are like their parents and don't do it.  Cuz I don't want to be weirded out by my grandchildren. :-) Thanks kids!!!!

Today, I am thankful for my amazing and wonderful huge Nay/Loebrick family. Today we had our HUGE family Thanksgiving feast and party.  It was much fun.  I wish everyone could have been there - sadly, there were quite a few who couldn't come.  But, we had a great time.  Here is a countdown of the legacy my mother and father have left this world: MOM AND DAD + FIVE KIDS - FOUR GIRLS AND ONE BOY (I'M THE BABY) + ALL OF THE KIDS HAVE SPOUSES + TWENTY GRANDCHILDREN and THEIR SPOUSES/PARTNERS + 43 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN Waiting for everyone and hanging out Patiently waiting for dinner and coloring Waiting for food!!! Gonna eat soon - I swear!! Almost time to eat Pretty Princess Chelsea Master turkey carvers in action More cooking dinner!! My adorable daughter and her handsome son This was the vision from the clouds on our drive over There is just something very ethereal about it. I am s...

Today I am going to be thankful for work bingo. Every year, the Police Mutual Aid Association hosts a bingo night.  I started going about eight years ago.  The nice thing is, I have come home with my family Thanksgiving turkey every year.  Usually because whoever I am with wins it for me - Crystal, KayeLynn or Ted. This year, Ted won my turkey.  However, he won my Christmas ham, too!!  So excited about that!!

What to be thankful for. What to be grateful for. What to be happy that I have in my life. What to be amazed at that I have attained. I am very thankful, grateful and happy to have the beautiful house that I call home.  Though there are things I would love to change about it - I am not fond of the kitchen set up; though I have a lot of beautiful in my kitchen.  I want to put in laminate wood floors in my living room. But, I have a lovely home, that is perfect for me and my honey.  And for that I am thankful.

Today I am very thankful for those that get me through the day.

This is getting harder and harder.  I must be an exceptional ingrate!!!  I am sitting on my couch, thinking "what can I write about today".  I can't force myself to appreciate school today.  I can't make myself be thankful about much of anything right now.  SO - here I go - SQUEEZE my eyes shut, think-think-think-think!!! I am very thankful for my cute little white sporty car.  I love to drive it.  I love to push down the gas on it.  I love to get in it and drive here and drive there.  I like that it gets warm pretty quickly.  I like that it's just fun. I am thankful that I get to drive a sporty and fun, adorable little white car - even though I would much rather have it be green or Vitamin C Orange. :)

Its the twelfth day and I have eighteen to go.  Its pretty bad that I have no clue what to be thankful for.  I have some things set aside in my mind to be thankful for later - so don't y'all be second guessing me. I'm not senile and wondering why I don't have anything to be grateful for.  So I'm going simple: I am grateful that I am able to sit, unwind, do homework, do nothing, eat dinner, throw the dishes in the dishwasher, watch television and actually have a moment in the day that all I have to do is worry about what I need to do.  I am grateful for me time - even if I am sharing it.  I am grateful that I get to sit on my behind and do what I need and want to do. I am thankful that I have time to just do nothing.

If my daddy were alive, he would be 90 years old.  He passed away in 1995 and when he died he was given full military honors at his burial site.  He was an infantry man who fought in the Pacific in World War II.  He was discharged when his hearing was damaged.  He didn't talk much about his experiences.  He did not want to go to war, he did not like going to war - it was something he and many young men like him did during that time seventy years ago - it was their responsibility   He was from a very strong and silent generation - the generation that built this country. My father-in-law, who passed away this last July, was a veteran of the Korean War.  Another man from that strong and silent generation.  He also did what he felt was his responsibility.  He was sure that the world was going to end because of the nuclear arms that were invented during the previous war - that the super powers would find a way to implode the world. ...

What would my life be if I didn't acknowledge the nerdiest, dorkiest man in the world.  It's his birthday today and it was kind of sucky.  He wouldn't tell you it was - he glories in every minute.  I say it's sucky because there was over a foot of snow on the ground, I have been freezing every second of the day and I have had no desire to do anything but snuggle into anything I can to keep warm. We went out for a bit for lunch - we had to take his rickety, ratty old Jeep Wrangler.  It smells horrible inside and bounces like crazy.  When he applied the brakes, the snow would slide from the roof into the front of the windshield.  At one point, we stopped at an intersection and all of the snow landed in front of the windshield.  It was quite the treat moving from the intersection into a spot where he could get the snow off the front of the windshield.  The only place I was ever warm was this morning in my bed - from the moment I got out of it, I've...

It's been snowing pretty much constant since early this morning.  I drove to work in sleety snow, I drove home in huge snow flakes and slush.  It snowed all night.  It was cold.  It was wet.  I have been freezing all night.  I am thankful for blankets, sweaters, sweatshirts, fluffy socks and warmth.