a visit to FL, and Wreaths Across America

ND and I left last Friday to head home to visit mama and visit dads grave for Christmas. My sister and I knew the 17th was "Wreaths Across America" day, but we had no idea of the extent it entailed. I just thought it would be volunteers putting the wreaths on and that was it well It was amazing.They do a simultaneous ceremony across the country, here it was at 11:45. The crowd was quite overwhelming, there must have been hundreds of people there. So many cars that it took us an hour to leave and to get back out to the main highway...normally its about a 10 minute drive...

Things got emotional when "Taps" was played and the Navy did a 21 gun salute. I play the piano and took formal lessons for years, my dad would sometimes sit down on the bench and play Taps...it was the only song he knew. So whenever I hear it, Taps has an extra emotional aspect for me. 

If you live near a national cemetery, and you have the chance this Christmas, go by pay your respects. The wreaths on the graves are absolutely beautiful and very touching....

Merry Christmas 2015

To all of my blogger friends far and wide, from my family to yours:

 We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. 

And to our Troops who can not be home this holiday, Thank You. 

frequent flier kindness

Right when you think you have lost your faith in humanity, something happens to reignite that faith. This is a true story, it happened yesterday on a domestic flight.

A friend of mines husband, we will call him "J" works for a paper company. Friday, he was returning home from a three day business trip. As it is the weekend before Christmas his flight was crowded with holiday travelers, one being a soldier who was going home for Christmas who was seated next to him.  The two struck up a conversation, the soldier was entertaining J with some of his experiences being overseas. Just after take off when the "stay in your seats" light when off, the stewardess approached them and told the soldier that a man in First Class wants to trade seats with him. The soldier, politely said its okay, that he was fine sitting in coach.
The stewardess said the man in first class was being a bit persistent, and insisted the soldier have his seat.
The soldier then agreed, got up, shook "Js" hand and moved up to first class. J sat there for a bit with a smile on his face, that is when the first class passenger came back to the seat in coach. J looked at him for a bit, and asked "Why"
The passenger was an elderly man, obviously wealthy, and explained that his son had died in Afghanistan, and he has made it his mission to give back: when he could and as much as he could for our military- including something as trivial as a airline seat "The sacrifices they make, giving up a seat to say Thanks, is the least I can do"........

When I first heard this, I thought about the true meaning of Christmas: "Giving, instead of Receiving" ....   With things the way they are in this country, with this "Me, Myself and I" generation. Its good to hear that there are still people out there who do nice things for others....  

Christmas traffic...ugggg!

 

We hit the road early Friday morning for Florida. It had been a month since I saw my parents and longer since I last visited with my sister.

Words of wisdom: Never travel to Florida after Christmas and Prior to New Years. I forgot about all the darn college football bowl games. OMG!!!!!  Every one and their mother was going to Florida this past Friday.
Three miles from 95 on 26 the back up began. We first thought it was a major wreck. But no! From there on to the SC/GA stateline traffic maybe moved 10mph. We should have been there around 2ish. It was after 3 when we finally got to our hotel. *Sigh*
Then we were off and running to first visit old friends, then we decided to stop in and surprise my parents. No real change-Mom is still bad. But she was happy to see us, and I can tell the grandkids being there cheered her up a bit.

Saturday, Senior dropped the kids and I back off with my parents and went to visit our buddy Stephen. While they hung out, I tried to do things for my parents around their house while the kids were driving my mother wonky with their remote controlled helicopters, so much so that she insisted we leave. She was becoming agitated and was ready to rest. So, Senior picked us up and the four of us took off to some of our old stomping grounds. One place was to go crazy buying fresh shrimp to bring home and boil.

That evening, we all met at my sisters for dinner and to have "Christmas" with my family. Mom was not feeling well and only stayed for a short time. I kissed her and hugged her and hoped it was not for the last time.

The boys made out like bandits with my sister-ND got two Star Wars Lego Sets, and NW got 2 models. plus gift cards for shopping. She is a good Auntie!

Sunday we left to head back home. Only we were smart and once we crossed in to SC we got off 95 and took an alternate route. No traffic except the occasional old lady driving her buick to church. It was a peaceful drive and actually turned out to be a really nice weekend.
You know its always good to get away, but there is no place like home and no bed like your own. And as for that shrimp...yea we threw down last night with low country boiled shrimp and grits...

-JUGM

it was a good Christmas

Why is it the holidays without a load of family end up being the best ones? Santa brought the boys remote controlled helicopters. It was no time before ND had his stuck up at the top of  50 foot tree. After Senior lobbed multiple footballs and arrows tied with string, it finally came loose.

Santa brought me this really cool pink camouflage pellet gun. Mainly to have fun shooting with the boys...

 ND had wanted these battleship targets since the summer, so he used alterior motives and got them for his dad as a present

It is a fun shooting game, but with little kids you better bring your patience because with the way they shoot it will take all day..lol

A nice Christmas topped off with some shooting is always a plus in my book.

Got all your wonderful Christmas wishes on my previous post..thank you all and we
hope your Holiday was just as blessed.

-JUGM

Hey Guys!

Sorry for my silence, Christmas came and NW gave me and Senior a bad cough..what a thoughtful gift.
I did get a fancy new camera from Senior,  Its  a Fuji with 42x zoom.  I was so happy I cried.

Santa was good to the boys , they got BB guns and RC off road cars from a local hobby store.
And Senior got a new holster and other gun accessories.

We are  currently at the estate. And with this trip comes lots of work- Senior burnt leaves and I have started cleaning out old paperwork.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. And Ihope every one has a blessed New Year

Because Christmas is on Wednesday....

 

 

 

 

We wish you all a very Warm, Merry and Blessed Christmas !   

Yesterday We....

 

Took our boys and visited our local National Cemetery. The nation wide campaign for the wreath laying was done. And it was beautiful. We have a good friend buried here, and the dad of another friend is as well. When the time comes even my parents will be laid to rest here.

 

Except for a few workers, we were the only ones there.. Standing on this sacred ground it was quiet, and very serene. A person can experience lots of different emotions. All these good Americans that loved their country and fought to preserve its freedom. On the front of the head stone was the service member, and on the back was his or her spouse that had deceased.

 

As I stood there reading some of the stones, I remember the recent post by Sandy At Oklahoma Transient.. She posted the poem by LCDR Jeff Giles. If you get a chance go over and read it. But make sure you have a box of Kleenex.

 

-JUGM



 

 

 

 

 

Saturday...

 Today is December 7th. A day for reflection and to remember those who gave their life at Pearl Harbor. If you get a chance, just stop and give a moment of silence...let us never forget.

 

 

Also for us it is the Liberty Bells ( Libby) 1st Birthday. We first  thought to name her "Pearl" given her special birthday, but I looked at our Safe, and really like "Liberty" All though throughout the year she has been given many names : "Princess of Poo", " Libbidy McFibety", "Little Libby Lu-Lu" "Cruella" ... lol .

 

This was her a couple of days after we got her: 

Now at 1 years old, she has grown to be the queen of the house, and protects her family. While she still does things that warrants a puppy time out, she is apart of our family. And we love her dearly.

 

On another note it is very hard to feel festive when the temperature map looks like this:

 

That would be us just under the 81 in Florida. I have tried to get the Christmas Spirit, but it was awfully hard when I was hanging blankets out to dry and I started to sweat.
The cold weather the rest of you are having is slowly inching this way. Honestly the map looks almost comical- People always think it is automatically 80 when they cross the state line, so now here is the proof. 

The kids have wanted to decorate, but I have not been able to do it. It doesn't feel right putting up the tree when it feels like June outside. I did  manage to put up my "Snowy Village" . Fortunately Libby has not chased the cat in to it yet.

I know some of you are wondering what the outcome was with the Christmas Party issue. I got some excellent advice, but in the end, My Auntie showed up for her monthly visit and she had other plans for me today. Yes I am feeling crummy.  "Blah"

-JUGM

Our Christmas

Our Christmas was wonderful..the day really did go well, all thought it actually started on Friday night when Senior gave me a early present. YEP! A Smith and Wesson .380 Bodyguard, with a built in laser. Its very light weight, small and compact. Fits right in to your pocket, so its perfect if you are out doing yard work, or going for a walk. I do like it a lot.

So very early Friday morning..and I mean around midnight to the 1am hour, my Brother popped in to town. This time without the Raleigh Party Girl. and Yes they are still moving to Washington.  : (
Anyways, he has made some purchases himself. He got 2 ARs and couldn't wait to go out for a day of shooting. So we met up with our buddy Shooter Steve, and went to an awesome outdoor range. Bit of a drive but was well worth it. And Yes, even the kids could come. ND and NW were in their delight to shoot the little Cricket, and even did a few rounds on Mamas Ruger 10/22 Archangel.

 

 

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Christmas day was a bit warm, but nice. The boys got lots and lots of Lego's, and now we are faced with the heavy task of building all the sets. They also got much needed new bikes, and helmets. NW also got a Vintage Millennium Falcon, Toysrus has brought back a reproduction of the 1978 version of the Star Wars toys..Senior had the same one when he was that age..it is Enormous!

Then it was off to my sisters for dinner with the family... Senior and I were a bit apprehensive, with my mother suffering from dementia, and my father being a complete horses butt all month long, we were prepared for a rough day, but it wasn't like that at all.. everyone was in great spirits and the day was lovely.

One of my highlights was a special gift from my mom...I have waited YEARS for this. Cried TEARS over it, and finally GAVE UP!  I knew I would NEVER get my grandmothers antique 5 stone diamond wedding ring. Many times mother would tease me with it, by letting me try it on, only to ask for it right back...So I quit. Told the whole family I didn't want the damn thing.  My mother wore it all the time,  it worried me if she were ever mugged, that some low-life would rip it off her finger and we would never see it again.
 Until yesterday, when I noticed at dinner it wasn't on her finger. She gave me a large box, and said "Open" I did and at the bottom was a ring box, inside was the wedding ring..  I CRIED ! She Smiled..and my sister knew about it all along.  I looked at Senior who Said "Damn! "
What a Christmas!   And When SHTF, my plan is to secure it and my own wedding/engagement set and bury them in my yard.

 

 

Our Christmas ended on a lovely note and gift from God...Take a look at this brilliant sunset:

 



And then it was back home, to continue building more and more Legos...  : )

-JUGM

Your Elf Name ?

Merry Christmas Eve everyone..  Have some fun today, if you were an Elf figure out what your name would be and share with all of us..  If I were an Elf my name would be:
" Happy Floppy-Feet"...lol 

Off here now to do lots of baking, got chocolate chip cookies to make, and bread loaves to knead... Enjoy your day and all the wonders of that Come with Christmas,Celebrate the birth of the Savior and as always say a prayer for our Country...

-JUGM

Christmas's Past...

As Christmas approaches, memories of Christmas pasts always enters my mind I am asking my blogger readers to feel free to share a special Christmas memory that they may have.


 I was was Christmas 1977, and I was 7. My maternal grandmother "Nana"  had just been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. She was only given 3-6 months to live.
She and my grand dad came over on Christmas Eve, My mother had gone overboard cooking our Traditional Italian dinner: Rigatoni's, Spaghetti, bread, and lots of Italian desserts. It was also the one time of year my siblings and I were allowed to drink wine. As sad as the adults were that year, they all tried very hard to keep it happy and jovial.

Christmas came the next day, and so had Santa.. My Aunt brought her and my grand dad back over. She was sitting in a chair and I next to her on the floor, I laid my head on the arm of the chair, she started rubbing my head, and talking to me in Italian:
"Buon Natale piccola, ti amo e sarà sempre con te"
 (Merry Christmas Little one, I love you and will always be with you)

Three months later in March she passed away peacefully. That Christmas was so very
long ago, but after all these years I remember it so clearly. She is still with me, I see her in my children, and In some of their mannerisms or facial expressions. They look at her picture and I tell them stories of her. And she is there every year on Christmas eve, when I and my own family sit around the table having our Italian celebration...


-JUGM

Fears and Nervous

This morning was a typical Monday in the house. I stumbled in to the kitchen, turned on the coffee pot, only no coffee is brewing..."What the heck" I thought. I put fresh coffee in last night...only my dumb butt forgot to add the all important water...yea that would make a difference..

ND was up, he always is. NW was still snoozing. I had to shake him.

Sausage biscuits and chocolate milk was the breakfast menu, both boys almost swallowed them whole. ND is concerned with his class Christmas party on Wednesday. We have to make a batch of cookies for him to take in.
NW is having his tomorrow, a hot dog party. The classroom "mom" thought that up... I must shop today for small teachers gifts.  And of course the countdown to Christmas has started...They know that this time next week is Christmas Eve, and mom makes her traditional Italian dinner. A childhood custom I like to try to carry on.

I won't lie..I soaked in all the conversation, trying to memorize the moment. That pivotal "What If" question has been in my mind since Friday. I have sat with them, snuggled with them, watched them sleep, and said over and over how much I love them. I always want them to know that..

Senior and I have tried to keep all the news coverage at a minimal, they know there was shooting, and kids their same age died. They said how sad the parents might be, that its Christmas time..ND said it best though:  " I  know! They will be having Christmas with Jesus"  

This mornings car line was a bit backed up. Again I kiss their little cheeks repeatedly, squeezed extra hugs...Said one more "have a good day, and I LOVE YOU". Then they were out of the car headed to class. It was the rare occasion that traffic was still backed up..I was able to watch the boys walk off. Then as if he knew, ND turned before walking through the gate, and gave me a last smile. He never does that .Again, I try to memorize that moment..he little face so round and sweet.
 "God " I said..."please protect my boys and all the school children today"

From the traffic I am seeing on my facebook, lots of my other friends are dealing with the same fears this morning... All of us moms are trying to comfort one another. I know to trust in God, they are in his hands, and he will  keep all our babies safe.  But still, its all there in my mind, and I watch the clock. The three days until Christmas vacation  will be long, I just know it.

-JUGM

You can't see the Elf for the Tree....

 

Our day started with the boys up and searching every where for Herman McCookie. They couldn't find him anywhere...but he was there, right in front of them. Hanging out Incognito among the branches of the Christmas tree. Sneaky little Elf, finally they found him. He has those eyes that seem to follow you anywhere...CREEPY.  I saw the over on Happy Hollow Homestead that Kellys Elf.."Snowball" had a much needed soak in the bubble bath...  Herman stinks,and might need one of those himself soon.
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I bought a small 2ft table top tree. I figured that if Moochelle Obama can have 54 of them in the white house, then I could certainly have another small one on the top of an end table. The boys liked decorating it with mini-ornaments and lights. They said little presents can go under it.  
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We are working diligently to transfer the boys school for next year. The drive will be a bit longer,
but worth it. The school we want them in is A-rated and  non Title-1 - however the leg work I am doing to make this transfer happen has given me a headache. But all paperwork is done, and now it is up to the Principal of the New School we want them at, hopefully he will sign off and accept them. The school also has after school programs such as art and music, the local ones don't do that. and NW loves drawing and artwork. The waiting game for it has begun, it is all in Gods hands now...

The other headache today came from my Dad...he chose to act like a juvenile...and inundated me with nasty emails... He was such a child that he also chose to delete me off his FB friends list...what a "blankety blankety blank".!!!!!!!!!
Yes when the family acts like this, must mean that Christmas is right around the corner.. 

It is now 9pm on Tuesday night, time for my weekly dose of humor and "Doomsday Preppers" on Natgeo.. 

-JUGM

Today....

 

 

This was the sky last night. A friend of mine took this from her dock. Looks like God took a paint brush across the sky.  Very Awesome indeed. 



Thanks to every one and all your kind words over my post about my brother moving. I really do appreciate it, and all the virtual hugs sent my way really did help cheer me up.
He and the GFIL left Sunday morning.  Boys are back in school from Thanksgiving break and we are resuming a schedule again, until Christmas comes along.
My brother is suppose to be back during December, not sure if he is bringing his Raleigh party girl or not. I am hoping for the NOT , just so we can all have some quality time with him before his big move to the NW.

The weather has warmed up here, we are in shorts today. This is after a major frost hit us yesterday morning. little ND thought it had snowed. Both boys pray every night for the white stuff this Christmas. They prayed last year as well. It has happend here before, so you never know........
Senior and I have thought about a cabin rental in the mountains for Christmas, but right now its just to expensive. I am thinking about next year though-God willing.
My Aunt did actually offer her mountain home to us, however..she has all ready had it "winterized" and its un-usable until the spring. Since my Uncle died, she rarely goes anymore. So in October she had it all shut down. Atleast she made the offer which floored me.

Well off here now..going to make a loaf of "Beer Bread" to go with dinner tonight...perhaps I will blog about it later.....

Assault on Christmas Village

The fun part about raising boys is you never know what to expect when the house suddenly gets quiet. I worked to set up my lighted Christmas village that I got from my Mother n Law after she passed. I thought it would be nice to set out for our company this week.
I then went to the bed room to fold laundry. The house was eerily quiet. I could hear giggling and the words " lets pretend....."   When those words are whispered and soft laughter, a mother knows something is up.

They came in with those sweet little smiles and said "Mommy we have a surprise".. They told me to close my eyes and led me in to the living room.
When I opened them, my quaint little sleepy village and been over taken by transfomers and an enemy army : 

 

Every Soldier in the House had been drafted for the invasion:

 

Santa was taken hostage and held at gun point. Some how

a Stealth fighter was able to land on the top of the Post Office Super

KUDOS to that pilot:



 

 

Oh Look! even Megatron and Starscream were in on the brutal invasion.

I knew they were behind this! :

 

 

But fortuantly Optimus Prime and his troop of Autobots

came in to save Christmas Village and release all the hostages:

 

 

THANK YOU AUTOBOTS!

You saved the Village and Christmas for all the people  : )

 



 

I guess I should be thankful that this year it was the village that got hit...Last year

Batman and Joker took over the Blessed Nativity and Joker took

the Angel Hostage.

: )