IT IS MY DECISION!!!!

I've tried not to interject my political views on this blog but for the past few weeks, I have almost thrown something at my TV when the news comes on.  So from now on, the TV goes off.  I can get my weather report from my computer and I will not have to listen to the constant barrage from the biased media that "I" along with all other Conservatives want one particular candidate.

Since when did the media decide that they know what the public wants or to be able to tell us how to vote?  I'm sick of it and I'm sick of their biased reporting and false polls and innuendos.  It is a known fact that when you consistently push an agenda such as a "favored" candidate, that eventually the people think, "well, maybe they are on to something I'm not seeing," and sadly to say, they go along.  Yes, the people are becoming sheeps and follow the leader, right or wrong.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!  This is still America and we do not have to listen to or be coerced by the media to choose the person they think is right for us.  Especially since they, the media, are on the liberal side of the coin and are going against everything a conservative thinks or feels.

We have had almost four years of tyranny because they pushed for the man who sits in the White House right now.  His phony promises were so vivid during the campaign and yet the media praised him and exalted him to a throne convincing several uninformed Americans to go along with him.  Yes, I said uninformed.  So many only listen to one or two of the news programs or channels and eventually they are literally brain washed to thinking that if the media says that is the right one, well, then maybe that is the way they should go.  I have some good friends who will only listen to what is referred to as "main stream media".  They believe everything they hear because it comes from the reporter and why would they lie.  They are uninformed as they will only listen to one side.

I was raised to believe that we are all equal and we all have the right to choose our elected officials based on how their values reflect what is best for me, for you and most of all for our country.  But now, everything is turned upside down and the values have flown out the window for so many.    Even our schools don't teach about the Constitution or how government works. 

So when our children are not being taught values, then what kind of future is ahead for us.  I worry about my grandchildren and the type of life they will be facing as they grown into adult hood.   Are they really going to be free to work and play or are they going to have to follow the leader and be led down the path to destruction.  The saddest thing is that when they don't know any different, they go willingly.  It is scary as well.

I'm not alone in this way of thinking.  I've talked with people all across this nation as well as my own friends and neighbors close by and it is amazing how different we think compared to what the media keeps saying how we are thinking.  Probably if anyone could do an honest poll, they would find out that a large percent of this country does not agree with what the media is saying or even who they are pushing at the "people's candidate".  Their pursuit is hogwash, pure and simple.

We have a process in this country where a candidate campaigns as to what his values are and it is up to us, The People, to make the decision if that is who we feel is capable of sitting in that chair and making the decisions for our country.  And during that campaign process, you have to listen closely as they often make promises they can't possibly keep and the ones who really make the strongest promises are the ones we need to run away as fast as we can from because they are only promises to get them elected and they could care less of what is good for the people.  We already have that now and have had it since 2008.

The President cannot do it alone.  He has to work with our Congress that is just about as tainted as the media is in their false reporting.  Our government is out of control and the only way to get it back on track is for the people to stand up and say, "Enough."  We elect those officials to work for us, to take care of the business of the country, not to enact laws that suit their needs or their interest or the interest of a few.  That old saying, "The wheel that squeaks loudest gets greased," comes to mind.  I guess the rest of us aren't squeaking loud enough and the few who are, are the ones who are getting the cream of the crop and getting what they want when they want it.

Well, I'm about to start squeaking loud enough to try to get some notice.  I'm tired of the way this country is being run.  I'm tired of the media telling me to turn the other cheek and to listen to them as they know best.  I'm tired of seeing my freedom slowly sliding away and being condemned for thinking any other way.

I haven't made up my mind who I think might be the best.  I am still listening and watching and when it comes to it, I'll make up my mind.  But I don't like someone telling me that I have to go with one particular one because that is who they think should win.  And the sorry thing is that should that individual be the candidate, I could not vote for him but I could not vote for the incumbent either so for the first time in many, many years I will give up that right.

I'll put it this way.  If you had to make a choice to go down a road that you knew would end suddenly and found out you were trapped and couldn't return or to go down a road that would lead you to a disaster, what would you do?  Would you want to be trapped for the rest of your life or face a disaster which could mean losing your freedoms or even death?  And with the current regime, yes it is a regime, if you are old, you are worthless and they would just as soon get rid of the older generation as to look at them.  HEY WAIT A MINUTE!  One day they are going to be old.  Have they thought of that?  No.  They are selfish and greedy and only want what they want right now.  Be damned with everyone else.

I'm mad.  I think I'm madder now than I was four years ago.  I also think I'm going to be mad for a very long time unless the people really wake up and see what is going on around them and to stand up and scream if you have to, but we need to start getting the rest of the wheels greased so that we can be the America that everyone knows.  I really don't want to live in the U.S.S.A.

But for now, I'll change the channel and not listen to the biased media trying to tell me how to make my decision.  I hope and I pray that however this primary selection turns out, that we will end up with a candidate that is capable and will help turn this country around.  But if it is a contest between Romney and Obama, I don't see a real choice and will let fate take its course as I couldn't vote for either one of them.

Happy 2012

Here we are ending the first week of the new year and already I can see that it is going to be a fast flying year.  It just seems like yesterday we were waiting for it to arrive and now it's a week old.

And I will say that with it has come some extraordinary weather for us.  We should be having cold weather and freezes but it has been warm.  It started out in the mid 40's and has slowly climbed so that yesterday we saw 67 for a high and today it got to 70.  But of course, that old proverbial other shoe is going to drop as tomorrow we start on a downhill slide and will see temps back to the 40's which is pretty normal for this time of year.  So far, we haven't had any precipitation and it is awfully dry but they are saying we could see a few showers after the first of next week.

What I'm waiting for is the precip that will come with the cold weather.  Not that I'm really wanting it to come but I know it will sooner or later.  And the worst of it is that I noticed my rose bushes are leafing out and the mums have new leaves and even some small flowers.  Just hope I don't lose them.

The Christmas decorations are all down and packed away and everything looks so blah.  It is a lot of work but I really do enjoy it all.  And I'm missing all the bright lights and pretty baubles and greenery.  So I'll put out some candles and floral arrangements to help overcome the vacant spots where the decorations were.

I'm a holiday nut and have something for just about every holiday.  Now, I'll have my red roses and carnations all out for Valentines.  They might be artificial but what the heck, they last forever.    Then I'll get the daffodils  and the spring knick knacks out for St. Patrick's day and of course, I'll have the Easter Eggs out for Easter and then it will be general spring time until the 4th of July when it all goes Red, White & Blue.  That will take me through Labor day and then it is fall, Thanksgiving and then back to Christmas.  Oh, what a variety and it makes it just a little special to have something to look at for all those special days.

So as we end the first week of January of the new year, I'm looking forward to what the year will have in store for me.  There are some things I want to do and places I want to go but time will tell if they will happen or not.   I just have one wish and that it won't go too fast.  I just want it to slow down so I can enjoy each and every day.

I hope you all have a great year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here it is New Year's Eve and it is hard to believe another year has gone by.  This one seems to have sped up and went way too fast.  But in one way, I'm glad it is behind me as it wasn't the best for me.

In January, Melanie and I had to make an emergency trip to Iowa to take care of my mother and got her safely settled into the nursing home where we knew she would receive the care she needed.

We also received a record snowfall after we returned and for a week were housebound, literally.  My car was in a 2 foot snowbank for almost a week as the cold temps wouldn't melt the snow.  Mail service was suspended for 4 days due to bad road conditions and Melanie and Zach were unable to get to work as the roads were closed.  We just aren't prepared for weather like that so it just crippled the whole area.  We received a total of 27 inches which was a record for a short time period as we got it over the span of 24 hours.

In February, there was chaos at the beginning of the month and controversy about the care my mother was receiving by her youngest daughter.  She was removed from the home after lies were told and promises made to her and then I received the sad news that she had passed away in March.  It was a blow that my brother and I were not expecting and has caused us both a lot of heartache but it has brought us closer together.   I think the hardest part is the Sunday phone calls between my mom and me.  It was our day to chat and for a long time I wanted to pick up the phone to call her and there are still times when something happens that I think I should call her.  I do miss her terribly.

I was glad to see spring come but Melanie's job grew precarious when they made some rather sudden and extreme changes so she began to think about moving back to Tulsa and when she found a job, she sold the trailer and packed up to move there.  It was rather lonely at first but I talk with her daily and she's been back to visit.

Then summer arrived and believe me, we thought we had it bad in the winter but summer showed us just how hot we can get too.  With temps of 100+ for 27 days and some days we saw 114 or 115 on the thermometer, it was HOT!  The yards died and we had the threats of fire so it wasn't an enjoyable summer but I think I appreciated it more than the cold and snow we'd had earlier.

The only nice thing about the summer and the heat, I didn't have to mow my yard each week. LOL!  But when the heat cycle broke and the rains came, it became a chore as I'd have to try to mow between the rainy days and hope the grass was dry enough to cut.  

In August, my friend Betty, suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.  We all knew she was having problems with her memory and suspected Dementia.  She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Alzheimer's and once she was stabilized from the heart attack she went to a nursing home. But the first of November she was moved back to the house and home health service came daily to tend to her plus Spike took care of her the rest of the time.  I would go sit with her so he could go to the store or Dr. appointments and it was so sad watching my friend slowly slip away to a world only she was aware of.

She was hospitalized after the first of December when she developed bed sores.  Even though she was being turned, she still had some and with her diabetes, they got worse so the doctor finally admitted her and they did surgery but the said the diabetes was affecting the healing and she grew steadily worse.  She had also become incapable of swallowing so had to have a feeding tube inserted.  But the week before Christmas, the doctors told the family that it was hopeless and they removed the tube and called in Hospice to take care of her. Sadly my friend passed away peacefully on Christmas morning.  I will miss her. 

We moved here in 2005 and made friends with Betty and her husband Spike and during the past few years we have been good friends as well as neighbors.  My husband Harold and Spike shared a lot of the same interest and Betty and I always found things to talk about and when the four of us were together, we had a good time visiting and laughing.  Spike and Betty continued to show me that friendship after Harold passed and now I hope to help Spike through this period.

As this year comes to a close, I want to put all the bad memories behind me and look forward to the new year.  I'm thankful that I have survived another year and I pray that my ailments will not worsen this next year so I might enjoy another year and hopefully one not so full of woes and pain and losses.

If all goes well, my brother Bob, will be coming to visit me in the spring.  We plan to just relax and enjoy the solitude and catch up on our visiting.  Of course, we will try to get some fishing in too. LOL!  And hopefully I can adjust my budget so that I can replace my old car with a new or newer one.  Got my eye on one kind but will have to see what I can get.  But the Taurus is getting old,  at 14 years and a lot of miles.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year ahead of them with all good things and blessings coming your way.  I thank God each day for the blessings I do have and try to look on the positive side if I can.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Every year I try to write a poem or short story for the family and this year I've been kind of lax but while working around the house this morning, I started thinking and came up with a silly little version of Twas The Night Before Christmas.  So for all my family and friends, enjoy and may that big old boy in the red suit visit you.  And when you are finished opening your gifts, remember this day and the real reason we celebrate.  Light a candle and sing Happy Birthday to our savior, Jesus.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas

And all  through the house.

Not a creature was stirring as

The cat’s asleep all curled up with the catnip mouse.

The stockings were hung with care,

But with no chimney,

They hang from the back of the chair

Hoping Santa will fill them there.

The kids were in bed

With dreams of presents swirling in their heads.

Momma was in her flannels, and me in mine.

Were all comfy and fine.

Just as I lay down, I heard such a clatter,

I jumped out of bed to see what the heck was the matter.

I peeked out the window to see the lights all aglow,

And a big ole sleigh sitting out in the road.

There was no runners but big wheels that

Crunched the gravel below.

The reindeer were pawing and

Munching on dry grass as there was no snow.

I heard noises coming from downstairs,

So quietly I tiptoed down and avoided the squeaky stair.

I heard the back door open and close,

There was a man all dressed in red from head to toes.

I watched and I waited to see what he was going to do,

I noticed a sack with packages in red, green and blue.

He placed them under the tree,

Oh, I hope there is one for me.

I missed the bottom step and fell

Sprawling all over the floor.

The jolly old man with his rosy cheeks

And a belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly

Took a look a me and turned to flee.

I started to yell but he ran out the door and

I could see him no more.

I ran to the window as he jumped in his sleigh

Yelled at those reindeer to be on his way.

But I did hear him holler as he drove down the street,

Merry Christmas to all.  Now get back to sleep.

Copyright (c) 2011 by Barbara Foster

May the blessings of this day be with you and your family all year.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Tis The Season

It is the season of holiday cheer and it is filled with excitement and anticipation, colored lights and decorations, shopping, parties and most of all, a time for families to gather to celebrate not only the gift giving but also the true meaning of this special day.  Whether you attend an evening service on Christmas eve or an early morning service on Christmas day, it is one where we all come together and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.

A few years ago, I ran across a little article about the symbols of Christmas.  It has stuck with  me and when I decorate, I look at the colors and decorations and it comes back to me.  I'd like to share it with you.

CHRISTMAS SYMBOLISM

Evergreens - Everlasting Life

Wreaths - Christ's never ending Love

Candles - Christ, Light of the World

Straw - The simplicity of the Manger

COLORS

Red - Blood

White -Purity

Green- Everlasting Life

I think everyone gets into the spirit of the holiday with the brightly wrapped presents under the tree and the secrets passed around and of course the fun part of the season with Santa Claus.

When my two daughters were growing up, we always had the traditional Christmas with presents from Santa and hanging of the stockings in anticipation of his visit, but we also had one other thing.  Each year the Nativity set was placed in a special place with an open Bible in front of it open to the story of the Jesus birth.  We always tried to let them know it was Christmas and it was fun with Santa but the real meaning of the day was Jesus birthday.

I remember growing up myself knowing it was a two fold day and my mother used to bake a cake or maybe  cupcakes so we could celebrate his birthday.  I did for a few years but as the girls got older, we eliminated it and now I wish I had kept up the tradition.

In the times we live in now, the true meaning of Christmas is getting lost.  But at the same time, I see little deeds being done that is keeping the true meaning alive.  The red kettles and bell ringers are still here and I see people putting in change and bills.  Which means that they know giving is better than receiving, especially for those who are in need.  And these days, there are many who are in need.  I see people giving gifts to those who are in need, whether it be food, toys for the children or money to help their fellow man.  It is another symbol of this day - Giving.  Just as God gave us his son and the wise men gave him gifts, we give gifts to each other and to strangers in need.

I cringe when I hear "Happy Holidays" and shout back "Merry Christmas."  This is Christmas and we shouldn't try to hide it or disguise it.  December 25 is the recognized day to celebrate the birth of Jesus and it should be revered just as any religious holiday regardless of beliefs.  No one should condemn another because of the way they celebrate the day or what they call it.  Politically correct does not apply here.  Just as Christians do not condemn or belittle another because they do not celebrate the way we do or respect this day.  We are not here to judge once another but to respect and honor each other and at this time of the year, we should all be peaceful and loving and giving and not spiteful or disrespectful.

Since when did the Christmas tree change to a holiday tree?  It is the tree that is set up for Christmas and decorated with Christmas ornaments, so therefore it is a Christmas tree.  The same thing for lights, although I know some use the colored lights for decoration all year.  But for the special displays and lights, they are Christmas lights.  They reflect Christmas, not a holiday. 

To me, holiday is a day that is a special day, a day off from school or work but it should not be used generically.  Each holiday has a name and should be called by that name.  I've never heard anyone say Happy Holiday for Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day or Labor Day or even Thanksgiving.  So why should they refer to Christmas as "holiday"?  It may be but it should also be referred to by the name of the holiday, not as a generic term because someone is afraid they might offend someone.  That is showing the ignorance of the person saying it and also very disrespectful.    I wonder if they also refer to birthdays the same way.  It is time for everyone to stop being so politically correct and to use common sense but mainly to respect the rights and beliefs of others.

So to those of you who do not celebrate the way I do, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa.  To all my family and friends I wish you a Merry Christmas.

My Favorite Time of the Year

Thanksgiving is over and I will say that even though mine was quiet, it was very nice.  Both of my daughters were unable to come home this year so I spent most of the day with my good friends and neighbors.  Spike and I split the cooking chores and between us put together a very good dinner.  We kept it simple with a turkey roast, mashed potatoes and gravy from the roast, corn, dressing, Waldorf salad and cranberry sauce and of course rolls.  Since we were only cooking for three, there weren't a lot of leftovers but I had my fill plus.  I don't know why our eyes are always bigger than our stomachs on these feast days.  So after a respectable time and some good visiting, I excused myself to come home leaving most of the leftovers for their late night supper.  I admit I took a nap which probably wasn't the wisest thing after a meal but I was sleepy and I admit I had a good nap and was feeling chipper when I awoke so got busy getting the tree set up so I could decorate it.

I had put the outside decorations up over the past couple of weeks when I could get a nice day to work outside.  The timers were set and as the sun went down, they clicked on the colorful display.  All the lights had been checked out and everything was working but naturally the night they were to come on for all to see, I had a couple of burn outs so today will have to make the repairs and keep fingers crossed they will work tonight.

Now one thing I refuse to do during this holiday frenzy that is up on us now is the "Black Friday".  It has been years since I've fought the crowds on this day to end up buying one thing on a list of several items and getting irritated at the shoving and waiting in line.  I decided I would go back to my idea of buying throughout the year and finding things on sale during the year and stay home during this day of so called "bargains".   Years ago I got up at 4 AM to get ready to go out with my daughters.  We had to drive to the nearest town about 30 miles away and then when we got there, stood in line, fought the crowds inside, lost each other and think we only came out with one item we were after since they were limited and we just weren't first in line.  I decided right then that this is not the way to shop and never went again.

So now, the frenzy is on as we head towards Christmas.  I'm sure there will be more sales and more enticements but for me I've decided to be old fashioned and make several of the gifts I'll be giving.  I have had to purchase a few but I'm still keeping it simple.  In these hard times, I really can't afford luxurious gifts plus most of my family have what they want so I think it will be a pleasant change to give them something totally unexpected and made with love.  Maybe we can all get back to the real meaning of Christmas.

So today I will be putting the finishing touches on the tree and decorating inside the house.  I will admit when it comes to decorating, I might go a little overboard but I just love all the colors and lights and sounds of Christmas and yet I always make sure that the real reason we are celebrating is prominently displayed.  

I have my grandparents Nativity which I put out each year and have bought or received other Nativities through out the years, so all will be displayed on the library table with the open Bible to the story of the blessed birth.  This has become a tradition with my decorating and always in a prominent area so it can be viewed and the story read.

I know for some this has been a sad and trying year and that there will be an empty chair at the table.  This is the second year of our empty chair but we have not forgotten and try to include him in our holiday celebration.  We have a special ornament on the tree and we have our memories of the past which we seek comfort from.   Fill that empty chair with your memories and know that our loved ones are watching over us and are with us in spirit.

I want to wish all my family and friends a very Merry Christmas and that you will find the love and comfort of this season and celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Remember he is the reason for this season and we shouldn't forgot him at this time.

11-11-11

11-11-11.  A memorable date in our history but also a very memorable one in my life.  It is Veteran's Day and I thank all the veteran's in this nation for their service and dedication.  But it is also the anniversary of the day I married my husband.

He was in the Navy and it just happened that he got a leave during this time and the 11th happened to fall on a Saturday in 1961.  Since he had just returned from a 10 month cruise to the east and would be making another long one, we decided we were going to be married.  We really didn't think too much about it being Veteran's Day until later.

We first met in 1957 and dated off and on for over a year.  Of course, I was only 14 1/2 when we met so was pretty young to his 16, almost 17 years, but we dated and we got pretty serious.  Maybe that is why we broke up as we both were too young to make that big commitment.  My family moved from the area in 1959 and I lost track of him.  

I went to visit my aunt and uncle in Wichita in September 1961 and I wanted to find out about him so contacted his family.  I learned that he had been looking for me as well before he joined the Navy.  I got his address and we began writing and he called me a couple of times and then he got a leave and came to flew in to Kansas City on November 7, where my dad and I went to pick him up.  It had been over 2 1/2 years since we had seen each other, even though we just recently started corresponding and talking on the phone, but there was something that happened when we did see each other that day.  It was if the time had stopped and we had been together always.

We talked and talked and decided since he would be making another long cruise, that we wanted to get married and when he got back we would move to Alameda where he was based.  He was 21 and I was 18 and I think both of our families knew that we were going to get married so really weren't that surprised but maybe because it was in such a short time.  We got our license and talked to the pastor of a church near by and on Saturday, November 11, 1961, we exchanged our vows with just our family present.

He left on November 16, so we only had a few days together but it seemed as if the time we had been apart was forgotten.  We felt as if we were just picking up where we left off.

I wrote a letter to put on the special flower that I will place on his grave today.  In that letter I wrote, "Years ago, the stars aligned and brought us together in ways we didn't know at first, but as we grew and after we met, we discovered how many times in our lives that our paths had crossed and how we both were set on this path to be together."

He was born in southeast Nebraska and I was born in southwest Iowa, not many miles apart.  Our families had made acquaintances before we were born and in later years, the families both moved to Wichita where we lived next door to one another.  Even the years we were apart, there was this bond that we would remember each other and when the opportunity came, I knew I had to find him just as he had looked for me.

I truly believe that it was meant to be that we would be together and for forty eight years we worked together to raise our two daughters, to love and support them and each other.  True, like any marriage, we had our little bumps in the road but the one thing that stayed true was our love for each other and our fidelity to each other.   We were soul mates from the first meeting until the very end.

His passing took a part of me with him and I only wish the fate hadn't been so cruel to separate us after all those years together.  He looked forward to this date as it was a milestone for both of us.  We would have celebrated our 50th anniversary with all the love we had for one another and looked forward to more years together.  He used to say that in this day and age, we were the unusual, we stayed together and honored our vows and fifty years is something to celebrate.

So today, I will celebrate, but it will be with the memories I have of the life we shared.  He was my first and my only true love and he was my friend and my confident, my rock but most of all he was my husband who loved me as much as I loved him.

Happy 50th Anniversary Honey.   ILYTMTYLTT  "Angel"