So, I woke up this morning in a sour mood. Guess I didn't sleep too well, or maybe I slept too well. Who knows. I hate waking up and being in a bad mood. I'm guessing that the Dave person hates it when I wake up bad too.
As I enjoyed that first cup of coffee, and contemplated life ... our life to be exact, we turned on the television. First thing I saw, gas prices are going up. By a bunch. A busy travel time arrives and prices rise, hmmm. Even though I'm not traveling farther than Olive Hill this holiday season, it still means more money for gas. Even worse, it means our business expenses just went up. And why? Because of greed. We travel alot each month. Between Dave and I we put alot of miles each month on vehicles. And the daily expense of gasoline is dictated by greed. I hate it.
Can you guess that my mood isn't getting any better? Nope, not a bit. And the next news story involves our crooked politicians and the fight 'this time' over how much money we make each month. These crooked politicians who make MILLIONS of dollars themselves are dictating my bottom line. They've been fighting amongst theirselves for years now and get nothing done. Again, my life dictated by greed.
Maybe another cup of coffee will help. Surely can't hurt by this point. But, oh yes, in my bad mood I figured out a way to ruin that too. I put sugar and cream in my coffee .... chocked full of preservatives and junk that is killing me. Our conversation turns to how our food is slowly killing us all. Dave and I consume alot of our own food, grown out in our gardens. We have really only eaten beef off of the C2H2 Farm since moving to Kentucky, except for eating out. Yet, we consume alot of crap too! And our food is all approved by agencies that don't care about the consumer, they would lose their jobs if they spoke up. And goodness, they have big salaries. Greed, yet again.
Well, goodness. I poured the coffee out and headed to the back porch. What does the morning bring now? Fog, that's what! It's so darned foggy out there, I can't even see the neighbor's house. And there is rain on the way. More rain. Can nothing be beautiful this morning?
Yes, it can. You see, in just a few more days it's Christmas. It's a magical time of the year, at least for most. That is, if you see the true spirit of the season. It's not about the gifts and trying to have the next 'big thing'. It's about the music, the lights, the spirit of why we have Christmas. At least it is for me this year. I could spin this thing around and make it another bad part of my morning. I really could. Ad sales are non-existent this month. Between businesses being closed, some of them for good, and people taking time off during this time of year, the Dave person has had a hard time. Which makes his mood as raw as mine. Our book is printed each month through the generosity of our advertisers, so when we have no ad sales ..... it makes it pretty darned small. And realistically .... no paycheck for me!
But, even that isn't going to ruin my day. Nope. I can't do anything about it but to keep on working hard each and every day. As long as the good Lord gives me another day, I'll do what I can to justify being here. And for today, well I'm going to go with all my might. But as I go through my day, I'm going to listen to CHRISTmas music, enjoy my CHRISTmas lights, eat a few CHRISTmas cookies and keep in mind that I'm here for a reason and the man above has a plan.
Here is wishing each and every one of you the very best CHRISTmas yet. I appreciate that you've taken the time to read my blog and hope you'll pass it along. YOU have improved my day just by reading!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Blessings......Pam
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
I appreciate Kentucky even more!
Good morning everyone. I have just returned from a 8 day trip to the West Coast and although I enjoyed parts of my journey more than others, what I enjoyed the most was returning to Kentucky safe and sound. Well, as sound as I get anyway!
Our kidlet graduated with her Master's Degree in Special Education on December 10th from the University of Idaho, so my sister and I headed west for the special occasion. Unfortunately the Dave person had to stay behind in Kentucky to keep the farm and All Things Country running. Roben and I had a nice visit with our children and grandchildren, saw a few special friends and toured the Winter Spirit display in downtown Lewiston.
As much as I love visiting our hometown, I was pretty much ready to head home to Kentucky by day two. Well, maybe day three. But it didn't take long. I was kind of surprised. I hadn't been to the valley in over two years, so figured I'd enjoy catching up with what's changed and all. The sad part was, I would have to get out in the hustle and bustle to see all of it - and what hustle and bustle it was! The traffic, the stop lights, the POLICE!
I did most of the driving back there - and my daughter would constantly warn me about the police. On one occasion when I took Jen to work, we saw three different vehicles pulled over in about 10 minutes. The speed limit is 25 everywhere ... and police sit on every corner waiting for someone to go 27 miles per hour. I don't remember that many police. Is this how those cities pay their bills? By giving out tickets? Gosh, I could think of many better things for the hundreds of police I saw there .... hundreds of them in two towns that aren't that big. Yes, I'm probably inflating that number a bit, but it was a bit much.
The weather back there? No snow. Very little snow in the mountains even. There was a lot of it north of us, but I really expected to see more of it. What I didn't expect? The cold. I absolutely froze to death while I was there. It was a straight to the bone type of cold. Even to unlock the car doors froze you to the bone. It was actually pretty cold in Kentucky while I was away, but I was blessed to arrive home in Louisville Tuesday night to weather in the 50s! No coat was even needed to get to the pickup. And yesterday, oh my gosh! Over 60 degrees most of the day, bright blue sunny skies. And again, a day with no coat and gloves.
My sister and I talked all the way up to Spokane Tuesday morning to catch our flights home. We weren't sad and not ready to leave like I had figured when we headed out there. Of course, we miss our kids and grandkids, miss our friends and family. But we were definitely both ready to come home. Back to where we know that our cell service works .... even in the hills of Eastern Kentucky. Back to where we know to drive decently, but aren't fearful of a policeman on every corner just lying in wait. At least the speed limit is reasonable here. And it's more of a drive safe and prudent environment. But, heck, if I want to go slow here and there are cars behind me, I don't freak out thinking they are going to run me off the road or honk. We just know that sometimes there are slower drivers and we respect that. I'll never complain about it again.
I'm thankful to be back on the farm now, watching the serene wildlife out the front window. I'm thankful to be working on our January magazine and spreading the good that is in Kentucky. I love the people here, the many friends I've made and my very simple way of life. Sure, Dave and I stay very busy ... we like it that way. But, it's still a simple way of life compared to what I just witnessed in our old hometown. Note I said old hometown ..... I really think that beautiful Palmer, Kentucky is my new hometown. I think they'll have me now, after 9 years of being here. I'm not a native Kentuckian, but I call myself a proud Kentuckian!
Have a Blessed day everyone.
Pam
Our kidlet graduated with her Master's Degree in Special Education on December 10th from the University of Idaho, so my sister and I headed west for the special occasion. Unfortunately the Dave person had to stay behind in Kentucky to keep the farm and All Things Country running. Roben and I had a nice visit with our children and grandchildren, saw a few special friends and toured the Winter Spirit display in downtown Lewiston.
As much as I love visiting our hometown, I was pretty much ready to head home to Kentucky by day two. Well, maybe day three. But it didn't take long. I was kind of surprised. I hadn't been to the valley in over two years, so figured I'd enjoy catching up with what's changed and all. The sad part was, I would have to get out in the hustle and bustle to see all of it - and what hustle and bustle it was! The traffic, the stop lights, the POLICE!
I did most of the driving back there - and my daughter would constantly warn me about the police. On one occasion when I took Jen to work, we saw three different vehicles pulled over in about 10 minutes. The speed limit is 25 everywhere ... and police sit on every corner waiting for someone to go 27 miles per hour. I don't remember that many police. Is this how those cities pay their bills? By giving out tickets? Gosh, I could think of many better things for the hundreds of police I saw there .... hundreds of them in two towns that aren't that big. Yes, I'm probably inflating that number a bit, but it was a bit much.
The weather back there? No snow. Very little snow in the mountains even. There was a lot of it north of us, but I really expected to see more of it. What I didn't expect? The cold. I absolutely froze to death while I was there. It was a straight to the bone type of cold. Even to unlock the car doors froze you to the bone. It was actually pretty cold in Kentucky while I was away, but I was blessed to arrive home in Louisville Tuesday night to weather in the 50s! No coat was even needed to get to the pickup. And yesterday, oh my gosh! Over 60 degrees most of the day, bright blue sunny skies. And again, a day with no coat and gloves.
My sister and I talked all the way up to Spokane Tuesday morning to catch our flights home. We weren't sad and not ready to leave like I had figured when we headed out there. Of course, we miss our kids and grandkids, miss our friends and family. But we were definitely both ready to come home. Back to where we know that our cell service works .... even in the hills of Eastern Kentucky. Back to where we know to drive decently, but aren't fearful of a policeman on every corner just lying in wait. At least the speed limit is reasonable here. And it's more of a drive safe and prudent environment. But, heck, if I want to go slow here and there are cars behind me, I don't freak out thinking they are going to run me off the road or honk. We just know that sometimes there are slower drivers and we respect that. I'll never complain about it again.
I'm thankful to be back on the farm now, watching the serene wildlife out the front window. I'm thankful to be working on our January magazine and spreading the good that is in Kentucky. I love the people here, the many friends I've made and my very simple way of life. Sure, Dave and I stay very busy ... we like it that way. But, it's still a simple way of life compared to what I just witnessed in our old hometown. Note I said old hometown ..... I really think that beautiful Palmer, Kentucky is my new hometown. I think they'll have me now, after 9 years of being here. I'm not a native Kentuckian, but I call myself a proud Kentuckian!
Have a Blessed day everyone.
Pam
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Why I do All Things Country Magazine
Good morning everyone. Quite a few people ask me every month why I do what I do. Most comments revolve around 'why do you give it away free?', which amuses me. I guess I should ask these folks how much they would be willing to pay each month, huh?
All kidding aside, I do this magazine for a variety of reasons. I witnessed one of those reasons this morning on the Today Show. Kathy and Hoda showed today's copy of the New York Post on the show. The entire front page is covered with a story about Kim Kardashian and her divorce. Big news, isn't it? It just pains me to see that an entire front page of a newspaper is dedicated to a rich little girl, divorcing her second husband in just days. Who knows, the first marriage probably only lasted days too.
That's what newspapers do. They do whatever they have to on the front page to sell their product. I personally don't care who's getting divorced in this world, that's their business and not mine. I would rather hear about someone doing something good for our world than who's getting divorced. So, our magazine concentrates on only good news. And I'm not trying to bad mouth our local papers or anything else. They do what they have to. They are required to put in courthouse news and cover trials and such. I got my start in publishing at a weekly newspaper, then went on to a daily. But after so many years of publishing sadness and sorrow in people's lives, I decided to do something different.
I didn't come up with the whole idea of a free magazine. I got my inspiration from a little free monthly paper in Northern Idaho called the Country Courier. I'm not even sure she is still publishing it each month, but it was basically along the lines of what we do at All Things Country. I always loved to read the Courier each month, with it's earthy columns and dedication to the smaller businesses of the world.
So, back in 2006, I did the logistics of what it would take to do something like the Country Courier here in Kentucky. Being a graphic artist for so many years and with my newspaper background, I was sure I could do something similar to it. My dad paid for the first printing of the paper back then. We gave away the ads to those that would allow us to run something for their business. Our very first edition was 12 pages on newsprint. We managed to sell enough ads the next month to publish it again, and have been hanging on ever since!
I came up with All Things Country because I love living in the country. I learned so much after moving to Kentucky, about gardening and living in the country. It's not for everyone. But it's for me. So, I just wanted to spread the word about country life - offering stories on gardening, raising herbs, animal care and the like.
This leads me to the second reason I do All Things Country. The many wonderful small businesses in the area - and promoting each of them to the best of my ability. You see, the magazine is paid for by these businesses. Those that have enough faith in us to take out an ad. Small businesses don't have much money. We realize that. And it is really hard to go into a business and ask for them to advertise. We know they don't have much money because we are a small business with not much money either! But, from what I've learned over the years, you've got to advertise. Word of mouth is great advertising, but it only goes so far. Advertising in your local paper is good too, but in these smaller towns - if you think about it - the residents should know you are there and what you offer. The problem is, do the folks in the neighboring counties know about you?
With your ad in All Things Country, we cover many counties in our area. Between 20 and 25 each month. I see folks advertise in the local newspapers because they are cheaper. But if you advertised in the local paper in even 10 counties, how much would that same ad cost? If you figure it out, advertising in ATC is pretty reasonable. We aren't trying to get rich, just spread a little good news and promote small businesses. We particularly appreciate the folks that run an ad each month - even though they don't have anything to sell. They just want to help support the magazine and keep it free.
Heck, I've even received a $10.00 check in the mail once from a reader that just wanted to contribute. How awesome was that?
And the final reason I do All Things Country ..... for all of our readers. I've thought about just publishing my last edition and being done with it. You know, go out and get a 9-5 job like I had for the first 20 or 30 years of my working career. Heck, at least I'd know I have a regular paycheck. But, on the flip side, I love All Things Country. I just couldn't imagine our lives without it. The people we've met along the way, oh my! The friendships we've made. The businesses we've found in our journeys. And all the many readers we meet that tell us thank you.
So, we'll keep on keeping on ..... and hoping that people will continue to keep the faith in us and our magazine. Have a blessed day everyone!
Until next time..... Pam
All kidding aside, I do this magazine for a variety of reasons. I witnessed one of those reasons this morning on the Today Show. Kathy and Hoda showed today's copy of the New York Post on the show. The entire front page is covered with a story about Kim Kardashian and her divorce. Big news, isn't it? It just pains me to see that an entire front page of a newspaper is dedicated to a rich little girl, divorcing her second husband in just days. Who knows, the first marriage probably only lasted days too.
That's what newspapers do. They do whatever they have to on the front page to sell their product. I personally don't care who's getting divorced in this world, that's their business and not mine. I would rather hear about someone doing something good for our world than who's getting divorced. So, our magazine concentrates on only good news. And I'm not trying to bad mouth our local papers or anything else. They do what they have to. They are required to put in courthouse news and cover trials and such. I got my start in publishing at a weekly newspaper, then went on to a daily. But after so many years of publishing sadness and sorrow in people's lives, I decided to do something different.
I didn't come up with the whole idea of a free magazine. I got my inspiration from a little free monthly paper in Northern Idaho called the Country Courier. I'm not even sure she is still publishing it each month, but it was basically along the lines of what we do at All Things Country. I always loved to read the Courier each month, with it's earthy columns and dedication to the smaller businesses of the world.
So, back in 2006, I did the logistics of what it would take to do something like the Country Courier here in Kentucky. Being a graphic artist for so many years and with my newspaper background, I was sure I could do something similar to it. My dad paid for the first printing of the paper back then. We gave away the ads to those that would allow us to run something for their business. Our very first edition was 12 pages on newsprint. We managed to sell enough ads the next month to publish it again, and have been hanging on ever since!
I came up with All Things Country because I love living in the country. I learned so much after moving to Kentucky, about gardening and living in the country. It's not for everyone. But it's for me. So, I just wanted to spread the word about country life - offering stories on gardening, raising herbs, animal care and the like.
This leads me to the second reason I do All Things Country. The many wonderful small businesses in the area - and promoting each of them to the best of my ability. You see, the magazine is paid for by these businesses. Those that have enough faith in us to take out an ad. Small businesses don't have much money. We realize that. And it is really hard to go into a business and ask for them to advertise. We know they don't have much money because we are a small business with not much money either! But, from what I've learned over the years, you've got to advertise. Word of mouth is great advertising, but it only goes so far. Advertising in your local paper is good too, but in these smaller towns - if you think about it - the residents should know you are there and what you offer. The problem is, do the folks in the neighboring counties know about you?
With your ad in All Things Country, we cover many counties in our area. Between 20 and 25 each month. I see folks advertise in the local newspapers because they are cheaper. But if you advertised in the local paper in even 10 counties, how much would that same ad cost? If you figure it out, advertising in ATC is pretty reasonable. We aren't trying to get rich, just spread a little good news and promote small businesses. We particularly appreciate the folks that run an ad each month - even though they don't have anything to sell. They just want to help support the magazine and keep it free.
Heck, I've even received a $10.00 check in the mail once from a reader that just wanted to contribute. How awesome was that?
And the final reason I do All Things Country ..... for all of our readers. I've thought about just publishing my last edition and being done with it. You know, go out and get a 9-5 job like I had for the first 20 or 30 years of my working career. Heck, at least I'd know I have a regular paycheck. But, on the flip side, I love All Things Country. I just couldn't imagine our lives without it. The people we've met along the way, oh my! The friendships we've made. The businesses we've found in our journeys. And all the many readers we meet that tell us thank you.
So, we'll keep on keeping on ..... and hoping that people will continue to keep the faith in us and our magazine. Have a blessed day everyone!
Until next time..... Pam
Friday, October 21, 2011
Yes, Abby is really our dog!
We have a contest in our magazine every month. It's called "Abby Tracks" and is sort of like a 'needle in a haystack' kind of thing. You have to locate Abby's paw print in the book somewhere and then send in an entry, along with a paragraph or two about a favorite memory of some type, recipe, or short story. The instructions are in the book each month.
It still amazes me the number of people that talk about the paw print. Just last night at our Kiwanis meeting it was a topic of conversation between several of us. What also amazes me though, is the number of our readers that don't even know Abby is a dog, much less our dog!
When we started the contest in All Things Country, Abby was our only pet. She was just a puppy - and a big handful to us. I hadn't owned a bigger dog since I was younger - only poms and yorkies. So this 'someday 50 pound' ball of fire that joined our lives was a bit overwhelming at first. In fact, we tried giving her away a couple of times. The last time we tried, down at Green River during a camping trip, was about as close as we ever came. She was on their boat, just wanting to call it home. They had lots of kids! But, the mom on that very same boat vetoed the idea before the kids could even bat their big ole' eyes at her.
So, we came home from that camping trip with her - and remarkably, the very next day her whole attitude changed. She actually started to mind, somewhat at least. It was like she knew what we had planned and she figured she had found a good home, she may as well appreciate it. She is, of course, still a handful for us, it's the beagle in her. But she won't be here forever, so we'll just continue to put up with her.
We started the Abby Track contest after deciding the keep her for good. The contest is a real hit each month. I've only managed to forget to put the paw print in two editions since we started. Boy, did we get phone calls those months! One month I forgot to take it out from the previous month, so we had entries with two locations. I've definitely improved over the years, as it's been a while since I've forgotten it.
We've offered some pretty incredible prizes along the way too .... all thanks to our great advertisers! We've had cabin stays in the Red River Gorge area, jewelry from Dan's in Winchester, a gem mining gift package, dinner gift certificates, zip lining and paintball tickets. It's great fun to be able to spread a little fun around - and then present the winner with something fun to do!
If you are interested in sponsoring a prize one month, please contact us at 606-723-0478 for more information. You can even have the entries sent in to your business to see how many you get - and do the drawing from your business.
Thanks everyone - and have a great Friday!
It still amazes me the number of people that talk about the paw print. Just last night at our Kiwanis meeting it was a topic of conversation between several of us. What also amazes me though, is the number of our readers that don't even know Abby is a dog, much less our dog!
When we started the contest in All Things Country, Abby was our only pet. She was just a puppy - and a big handful to us. I hadn't owned a bigger dog since I was younger - only poms and yorkies. So this 'someday 50 pound' ball of fire that joined our lives was a bit overwhelming at first. In fact, we tried giving her away a couple of times. The last time we tried, down at Green River during a camping trip, was about as close as we ever came. She was on their boat, just wanting to call it home. They had lots of kids! But, the mom on that very same boat vetoed the idea before the kids could even bat their big ole' eyes at her.
So, we came home from that camping trip with her - and remarkably, the very next day her whole attitude changed. She actually started to mind, somewhat at least. It was like she knew what we had planned and she figured she had found a good home, she may as well appreciate it. She is, of course, still a handful for us, it's the beagle in her. But she won't be here forever, so we'll just continue to put up with her.
We started the Abby Track contest after deciding the keep her for good. The contest is a real hit each month. I've only managed to forget to put the paw print in two editions since we started. Boy, did we get phone calls those months! One month I forgot to take it out from the previous month, so we had entries with two locations. I've definitely improved over the years, as it's been a while since I've forgotten it.
We've offered some pretty incredible prizes along the way too .... all thanks to our great advertisers! We've had cabin stays in the Red River Gorge area, jewelry from Dan's in Winchester, a gem mining gift package, dinner gift certificates, zip lining and paintball tickets. It's great fun to be able to spread a little fun around - and then present the winner with something fun to do!
If you are interested in sponsoring a prize one month, please contact us at 606-723-0478 for more information. You can even have the entries sent in to your business to see how many you get - and do the drawing from your business.
Thanks everyone - and have a great Friday!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Deadline week approaches
Good afternoon, wherever you may be in this wonderful world. We are busy here in Estill County, Kentucky getting the November edition of All Things Country Magazine ready for the printers. We've had lots of Abby Track entries this month, the drawing will be held at the end of next week. So, if you haven't gotten your entry in, do it soon.....
We've also had lots of great entries in our photo contest. I'm getting them ready for the judges over the weekend, so we'll know what our front cover will look like soon. Some of the entries are simply gorgeous. Well, all of them are. Some are more breathtaking than others, hows that for diplomacy?
We're now leaving bundles of magazines at the Welcome Center in Williamsburg, Kentucky - so we're looking for a few good realtors to advertise. Get those listings out to more than just residents in our area! Who knows, maybe a few more good people will move to this state - and learn what an awesome state we live in.
We're also offering holiday greeting ads for November and December. If you are wanting to tell your customers 'thank you' for their business this past year, this is the way to get your greeting out to several counties. Give us a call if you are interested!
Another thought with the holidays around the corner .... a subscription to All Things Country Magazine makes a great gift! Subscriptions cost $27.00 per year and the recipient will get their own copy of ATC Magazine delivered to their mailbox each month. We currently mail out subscriptions to about 12 different states.
Well, I'm not getting any ads built doing this blog, so it's time to get to work. I hope each and every one of you have a blessed day! And give us a call if you are interested in helping to keep our magazine free by taking out an ad....... 606-723-0478.
We've also had lots of great entries in our photo contest. I'm getting them ready for the judges over the weekend, so we'll know what our front cover will look like soon. Some of the entries are simply gorgeous. Well, all of them are. Some are more breathtaking than others, hows that for diplomacy?
We're now leaving bundles of magazines at the Welcome Center in Williamsburg, Kentucky - so we're looking for a few good realtors to advertise. Get those listings out to more than just residents in our area! Who knows, maybe a few more good people will move to this state - and learn what an awesome state we live in.
We're also offering holiday greeting ads for November and December. If you are wanting to tell your customers 'thank you' for their business this past year, this is the way to get your greeting out to several counties. Give us a call if you are interested!
Another thought with the holidays around the corner .... a subscription to All Things Country Magazine makes a great gift! Subscriptions cost $27.00 per year and the recipient will get their own copy of ATC Magazine delivered to their mailbox each month. We currently mail out subscriptions to about 12 different states.
Well, I'm not getting any ads built doing this blog, so it's time to get to work. I hope each and every one of you have a blessed day! And give us a call if you are interested in helping to keep our magazine free by taking out an ad....... 606-723-0478.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Change is a'coming!
The weather is gorgeous outside. Not too hot, not too cold. But the trusty ole' weatherdude is telling me that change is coming. Not too sure I'm ready for full blown winter yet. I've got too much to get accomplished still before the cold chilly days of winter arrive. But, alas, what I want isn't exactly what the good Lord upstairs wants. He's got his plan - and at times it just doesn't jive with my plan. I'm good at changing plans in midstream though, so it's all good.
Our deadline week is just around the corner - again! Time just flies by anymore. Why is it when you are younger it drags on, when you are older - you wish it would drag on. I remember when I was younger and would be waiting for dad to get home from one or another of his military missions. His time in Vietnam seemed like years, years he was gone and we were in Idaho just waiting for news from him.
Long before the thought of internet. Long before folks gathered at airports to welcome home our soldiers from the war. No, when my dad came home they were just angry he was even there. Like he had a choice! It was certainly not his choice to leave his family for years at a time. I would have loved to have been able to video chat with him while he was gone. We waited for letters! Or the sporatic phone call. I could not have been prouder of my dad during his military years.
I continue to hold such a strong love of the armed services in my heart. The men and women protecting our country deserve every bit of our prayers and thanks for the job they endure every day while deployed. And the wives and husbands left behind. Goodness, my mom took on quite a job marrying a military guy - something I appreciate more every day.
We were hauled to Japan at a young age and didn't come back stateside for over five years. What my grandparents must have gone through during those years. I get to see Jocey anytime I want by logging onto a computer and chatting with her. My grandparents got to wait on letters.
Well, goodness, I don't know how my conversation went from the cold, chilly weather of fall/winter to talking about the military. Rambling along again I guess. I hope each and every one of you have the best day yet! And continue to keep our military in our prayers .... and the weathermen too....
Pam
Our deadline week is just around the corner - again! Time just flies by anymore. Why is it when you are younger it drags on, when you are older - you wish it would drag on. I remember when I was younger and would be waiting for dad to get home from one or another of his military missions. His time in Vietnam seemed like years, years he was gone and we were in Idaho just waiting for news from him.
Long before the thought of internet. Long before folks gathered at airports to welcome home our soldiers from the war. No, when my dad came home they were just angry he was even there. Like he had a choice! It was certainly not his choice to leave his family for years at a time. I would have loved to have been able to video chat with him while he was gone. We waited for letters! Or the sporatic phone call. I could not have been prouder of my dad during his military years.
I continue to hold such a strong love of the armed services in my heart. The men and women protecting our country deserve every bit of our prayers and thanks for the job they endure every day while deployed. And the wives and husbands left behind. Goodness, my mom took on quite a job marrying a military guy - something I appreciate more every day.
We were hauled to Japan at a young age and didn't come back stateside for over five years. What my grandparents must have gone through during those years. I get to see Jocey anytime I want by logging onto a computer and chatting with her. My grandparents got to wait on letters.
Well, goodness, I don't know how my conversation went from the cold, chilly weather of fall/winter to talking about the military. Rambling along again I guess. I hope each and every one of you have the best day yet! And continue to keep our military in our prayers .... and the weathermen too....
Pam
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
So thankful to live in the United States
I've been watching some of the coverage of Amanda Knox this morning. Quite the story, yes it is. Although I feel back for the young lady that died and her family, I was just so happy when they called the verdict. I really figured that they would still consider her guilty. All I know is, I'm sure darned happy to call myself a resident of the United States of America. I certainly don't want to visit Italy anytime soon, that's for sure.
I just can't imagine what Amanda's friends and family have gone through for the past four years. The trips to Italy must have cost them a fortune. I was thinking this morning, when they arrive back in Seattle, what a feeling they will have - knowing that the trips to Italy are no longer a part of their lives.
How do you just put your life on hold for four years? You do it for the sake of your children. Amazing thing ... that thing called parenthood. It so changes your life, forever. I'm thankful every day of my life for so many things - my wonderful husband, my adorable grandkidlet, my family from church, my family in general. But nothing makes me more thankful in life than having had a daughter almost 30 years ago. I wanted tons of kids, well maybe 10. That wasn't to be. God had other plans I guess.
I was always the one that said my job when I grew up was to be a mommy. I guess instead of being bummed that God only gave me one, I should be thankful that God AT LEAST gave me one! The alternative is unthinkable.
Thankfully I've never had to travel to a foreign country to try to save her butt! She's been a pretty good kidlet - and for that I'm additionally thankful. But, hey, I'd travel to the lengths that the Knox family did. Just glad I haven't had to!
Have an awesome day everyone. God is good, and gave us this day to do good for somebody - whether it's just for yourself or for someone else.
Blessings ..... Pam
I just can't imagine what Amanda's friends and family have gone through for the past four years. The trips to Italy must have cost them a fortune. I was thinking this morning, when they arrive back in Seattle, what a feeling they will have - knowing that the trips to Italy are no longer a part of their lives.
How do you just put your life on hold for four years? You do it for the sake of your children. Amazing thing ... that thing called parenthood. It so changes your life, forever. I'm thankful every day of my life for so many things - my wonderful husband, my adorable grandkidlet, my family from church, my family in general. But nothing makes me more thankful in life than having had a daughter almost 30 years ago. I wanted tons of kids, well maybe 10. That wasn't to be. God had other plans I guess.
I was always the one that said my job when I grew up was to be a mommy. I guess instead of being bummed that God only gave me one, I should be thankful that God AT LEAST gave me one! The alternative is unthinkable.
Thankfully I've never had to travel to a foreign country to try to save her butt! She's been a pretty good kidlet - and for that I'm additionally thankful. But, hey, I'd travel to the lengths that the Knox family did. Just glad I haven't had to!
Have an awesome day everyone. God is good, and gave us this day to do good for somebody - whether it's just for yourself or for someone else.
Blessings ..... Pam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)