Flaming liberal...

The visual definition of a 'not so bad' flaming liberal...

Untitled...

To my legion of faithful readers I'm saddened today. Ebyjo has some official school business to attend over the next couple of days out of town. I'm volunteering my pretty new laptop so that she has what she needs for her trip to git-r-done.

I'm not going anywhere however. But I will be stuck with my very old, very slow, very pain in the a$$ old PC to carry on my blogging endeavors during this very dark period of time in my life.
Ummm can you say windows 98? Paint dries quicker than that thing boots up. Oh well, it's just for a couple of days. :(

I'll be coming around visiting your blogs as usual if I don't crash and/or freeze in the process. There's nothing I won't do for that woman LOL. Ebyjo: I better still have all that purple space left on my memory pie. You might like the color blue but I don't....

Have a safe and productive trip dear. I'll probably still be trying to boot up the whole time you're gone. Don't worry about me... :) Hugz!

Memories Old and New...

See the picture? Gunz bought me the Gevalia Coffee/Tea set, because he knows I love Gevalia coffee. I got it a few days ago and I love it so much, I had to display it now.

Gunz had his girls this weekend and I had my son and daughter, so my kids and I decorated the tree. It brought back so many memories, both old and new. Listening to the Christmas songs, some that my grandparents listened to as they put up their own tree, and seeing things Gunz has given me, caused memories to flood my mind, while tears fell.

When I was in my 20's and I had my own apartment, I bought my own Christmas tree ornaments. They were pretty and they all matched. My tree had a "theme". You know, those decorator kinds in magazines that look pristine. The problem was, the tree had no soul.

In 1995, the Ohio River flooded and many people lost entire homes, cars, and even lives. I only lost my pristine and delicate Christmas ornaments. As I cried over the ruined tree, my mother remembered my grandparent’s decorations that had been left untouched in their house. I inherited their decorations, but more than that, I inherited their memories.

Christmas tree bulbs, ornaments, and decorations from different eras, different times and different lives were in those boxes. Some of the ornaments are from WWII. I know a few for sure are from the 50's. There are at least 6 hand painted glass ornaments from Bavaria.

I can remember as a child decorating the tree and handing ornaments to my grandmother. The stories, and memories she shared about her own life were being hung as she smiled at each one. Stories poured from her and misty eyes gazed upon the tree of love. Her tree not only lit up the room, but it lit up our lives.

Each year, and I can't explain why, I always buy one ornament. Not just any ornament, but one that “speaks” to me. Friday night, my children and I made one last stop and as we passed the aisle of ornaments, one set caught my eye. They were a replica of the hand painted Bavarian ornaments that I inherited from my grandparents. My hand shook, and tears filled my eyes as happy memories flowed and I could see my grandmother and grandfather lovingly adorn their tree. The love enveloped me, and I bought the memory.

My tree has WWII bulbs, hand painted Bavarian bulbs, paper decorations my children colored when they were younger, and decorations that I made as a child. There are now 6 stockings hanging on the rail of my staircase. Seasonal figurines are all over my tables, bookcases, entertainment center. Vases that Gunz gave me that were once full of flowers are now filled with glass balls and surrounded by lights. The love notes he wrote and placed on the flowers are hanging on my tree now as ornaments. Memories of a new love, mixed with the love already there will make this Christmas special.

My tree is not a decorators dream, but it has soul…

Just for S&G's...

Never ask a Gunny: For Jarhead

A young Marine officer was in a serious car accident, but the only visible permanent injury was to both of his ears, which were amputated. Since he wasn't physically impaired he remained in the Marines and eventually rose to the rank of General. He was, however very sensitive about his appearance. One day the General was interviewing three Marines for his personal aide. The first was an aviator, and it was a great interview. At the end of the interview the General asked him, Do you notice anything different about me?

The young aviator officer answered, why yes, sir. I couldn't help but notice that you have no ears. The general got very angry at the lack of tact and threw him out.

The second interview was with a female Lieutenant, and she was even better. The General asked her the same question, Do you notice anything different about me?

She replied, Well, sir, you have no ears. The General threw her out also. The third interview was with a Marine Gunny. He was articulate, looked extremely sharp and seemed to know more than the two officers combined (surprise).

The General wanted this guy, and went ahead with the same question, Do you notice anything different about me?

To his surprise the Gunny said, Yes sir; you wear contacts lenses.

The General was very impressed and thought, what an incredibly observant Gunny, and he didn't mention my ears. And how do you know that I wear contacts? The General asked.

The sharp-witted Gunny replied, Well, sir, it's pretty hard to wear glasses with no freaking ears.