Thankful Thursday and Veteran's Day

Happy Thursday everyone.  I hope you're having a wonderful week so far.  Yesterday I had the day off due to it being an important holiday and all and due to the fact that I am lucky enough to work at a bank and get bank holidays. :)  I was EXTREMELY busy yesterday that I didn't even have a single moment to look (until late last night before bed), much less post, on the computer about anything at all, including Veteran's Day.  So, I want to take a quick minute to post what I posted on Facebook and Instagram late last night before I went to bed:

While I was so happy to enjoy the holiday off, it didn't keep me from remembering why I was lucky enough to have the day off and the freedom to do what I needed and wanted to get done yesterday, so the thought of the Vets, including my paternal grandfather, among many uncles who fought in the War, and my son-in-law, who fought 2 tours over in Afghanistan, were on my mind hot and heavy yesterday.  So, thank you to all of them, along with all of our other Vets who fought protecting our freedom and this Flag, including the ones who didn't make it home. I am eternally grateful for your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your families to protect me and my family.

Now, on to Thankful Thursday.  Today is already November 12th - wow, can you believe it? November is flying by already!  Here are just a few things I am thankful for on this 12th Day of November:

1.  The Vets I mentioned above - eternally grateful

2.  The cool, crisp air that is starting to blanket this part of Texas - bring on the cold

3.  My new car - it is one I know I will have for a long time to come

4. My daughter and the fact that she is about to bring another huge joy into our lives when she delivers our grandson next Monday

5.  The day off yesterday as I was able to get SO much accomplished, including my CHRISTmas tree fluffed and started decorating, laundry done, supper cooked, errands ran, 2 CHRISTmas shows watched, dogs played with and my pants hemmed thanks to stitch witch, just to name a few. :)  

6.  My family and friends whom I adore

7.  My bloggy friends that I've made here in the blog world

These are just a few things I am thankful for - what are you thankful for on this Thankful Thursday? Did you have the day off yesterday? If so, were you able to get a lot accomplished as well?  I could really use another day or two off to work around the house here, but, there is a grandson on the horizon in my very near future and we leave this Saturday to make our way to Missouri to prepare for his arrival and to meet the little guy.  I can NOT wait.... *giddy with excitement*

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by to say hello.  :)

Lots of love and hugs,

Thankful Thursday and my 100th Post!

Happy Thursday my friends!  Hope you are all having a great week so far! :o)  Today I wanted to post a different kind of Christmas poem to remind us to be thankful for all we have and to also say a BIG thank you to all of our service men and women and their families for all you do for us and for keeping us all safe and for all of your sacrifices.  I hope that all of you get home safe and sound very soon and I will be thinking of you during this holiday season.

A Different Christmas Poem:

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled...
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

That is one of my favorite holiday poems and I like it even more because it is not the traditional poem.  (I'm weird that way - just ask my husband - I like to be different - HA) 

This is also my 100th post today  - YAY!!!  I will be hosting a giveaway soon once I figure out exactly how to do that - LOL  So any help/advice anyone can offer I would really appreciate it.  I don't know anything about the random number, etc.  Also, if anyone can give me advice on how to italicize my titles, etc... I've tried to figure it out but have yet to do so.  Thanks in advance everyone! 

Have a great day!

Love and kisses,
Trac-:o)

Thankful Thursday and my 100th Post!

Happy Thursday my friends!  Hope you are all having a great week so far! :o)  Today I wanted to post a different kind of Christmas poem to remind us to be thankful for all we have and to also say a BIG thank you to all of our service men and women and their families for all you do for us and for keeping us all safe and for all of your sacrifices.  I hope that all of you get home safe and sound very soon and I will be thinking of you during this holiday season.

A Different Christmas Poem:

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled...
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

That is one of my favorite holiday poems and I like it even more because it is not the traditional poem.  (I'm weird that way - just ask my husband - I like to be different - HA) 

This is also my 100th post today  - YAY!!!  I will be hosting a giveaway soon once I figure out exactly how to do that - LOL  So any help/advice anyone can offer I would really appreciate it.  I don't know anything about the random number, etc.  Also, if anyone can give me advice on how to italicize my titles, etc... I've tried to figure it out but have yet to do so.  Thanks in advance everyone! 

Have a great day!

Love and kisses,
Trac-:o)

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday everyone!  I think I've seen this "Thankful Thursday" somewhere here in blogland before, though I can't recall where - so if you are reading this blog and you are the author of Thankful Thursday, please let me know so I can give you the credit. :o)

• I am thankful for Jesus Christ being my savior, for dying on the cross for my many sins, and giving me the many blessings that he has bestowed upon me.

• I am thankful for my wonderful husband who has taught me a lot over the last 12 years including that I deserve to be loved by someone who appreciates me and treats me as his partner in life and not a babysitter for his kids or a live-in maid.

• I am thankful for my 2 beautiful children who are unfortunately growing up WAY TOO FAST for my liking and will be out of the house sooner than we want them to be (even if they DO drive me NUTS at times - HA!).

• I am thankful for my health and that I can walk, run, talk, etc. and have no major health issues despite being in my 40's now.

• I am thankful for the closeness I have with my mom, sister and mother-in-law and feel very blessed to have such beautiful women to help guide me on a daily basis.

• I am thankful for my TRUE and BEST friends back home who still love me and think about me, and keep in touch - even if I am 2,000 miles from "home" - i.e.  Paula, Julie, Karen, Vickie, Kim AP and Michelle - I love and miss you girls tremendously and can't wait to see you again - hopefully in the very near future!

• I am thankful for my job in NYC despite the long commute and late hours.

• And last but not least, I am thankful for my new "blog friends"  that I have met here online recently.

Well, that's my thoughts on this "Thankful Thursday" - what are you thankful for today?  Have a wonderful and blessed day and thanks for stopping by to say hi!

Big hugs,
Trac~ :o)

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday everyone!  I think I've seen this "Thankful Thursday" somewhere here in blogland before, though I can't recall where - so if you are reading this blog and you are the author of Thankful Thursday, please let me know so I can give you the credit. :o)

• I am thankful for Jesus Christ being my savior, for dying on the cross for my many sins, and giving me the many blessings that he has bestowed upon me.

• I am thankful for my wonderful husband who has taught me a lot over the last 12 years including that I deserve to be loved by someone who appreciates me and treats me as his partner in life and not a babysitter for his kids or a live-in maid.

• I am thankful for my 2 beautiful children who are unfortunately growing up WAY TOO FAST for my liking and will be out of the house sooner than we want them to be (even if they DO drive me NUTS at times - HA!).

• I am thankful for my health and that I can walk, run, talk, etc. and have no major health issues despite being in my 40's now.

• I am thankful for the closeness I have with my mom, sister and mother-in-law and feel very blessed to have such beautiful women to help guide me on a daily basis.

• I am thankful for my TRUE and BEST friends back home who still love me and think about me, and keep in touch - even if I am 2,000 miles from "home" - i.e.  Paula, Julie, Karen, Vickie, Kim AP and Michelle - I love and miss you girls tremendously and can't wait to see you again - hopefully in the very near future!

• I am thankful for my job in NYC despite the long commute and late hours.

• And last but not least, I am thankful for my new "blog friends"  that I have met here online recently.

Well, that's my thoughts on this "Thankful Thursday" - what are you thankful for today?  Have a wonderful and blessed day and thanks for stopping by to say hi!

Big hugs,
Trac~ :o)