Couple of thoughts!

So today is the day we honor the Veteran's of the past wars and salute our soldiers for the hard work and dedication they have to fight for the freedoms that we have living here in America. I want to give a shout out specifically to a few people that make that a bit more personal and immediate for me. My Dad: National Guard Airborne (Green Beret), who has been to places that he still can't talk about or he'll be court marshaled. My Step-Dad: Retired National Guard Engineer Sargent Major who has seen many of his guys come back from the Gulf War(during the 80's), the 2nd Gulf War (1990-1991) and this most recent STUPID war the "War on Terror" in body bags. My Dad's uncle who lost his hand at Pearl Harbor while he was serving on a submarine off the Hawaiian Islands. My Mom's brother Ron who served in the Navy. Becky's brother that is a Black Hawk Pilot in the Marines. And last but certainly not least my little nephew Timmy(see photo)
who joined the Navy 333 days ago today. I am very proud of him, he's been #1 in his class and even though he missed being able to go to Navy Seal school by 1 pull up (I think, or sit up) he's going to be a sonar tech on Submarines. Tristan calls him Popeye and he wears a Navy hat that Timmy gave him just before he left, all the time. In fact friday we went to Walmart, and there was a veteran sitting out front collecting money in a can. Tristan took some change to give to the man and as the man said thank you and handed Tristan a little flag as his token of appreciation he tapped Tristan's hat and said I wore one of those hats, I was in the Navy when I served. And Tristan goes, he's like Popeye too Heidi. It was so cute. Last night as we were headed to the Turkey Dinner at the Center for the GLPU November get together, we saw a few "soldiers". Tristan goes, "Look it's soldiers". And I said, yep, like Timmy. Well, let me back up a minute...Tristan has seen my step dad in his uniform, 'cause he still works for the military even though he is retired, and he calls him a soldier. He has yet to see Timmy in his uniform, so I'm not sure he understand the concept of the different uniforms yet. Anyway, so he goes "NO Heid, not like Timmy, like your Dad"! "Soldiers carry guns." This kinda baffled me, because #1 my dad doesn't carry a gun, nor would he if he ever went to war, 'cause he was an engineer, they build things. But where did he get that idea? So I said "not all soldiers carry guns, some are doctors, some build bridges like my step dad, some jump out of airplanes with parachutes like my dad (knowing full well he did carry a gun, but not mentioning that to Trist) and then there are those that carry guns". His response...? "Yeah I know, (with a little shrug) only some carry guns, the others have Tanks!" Patrice laughed out loud and goes, sounds like your step dad is "under armed then!" He needs a tank! :) Oh, kids...how cute they are, shaking my head. :)

THANKS TO THOSE THAT SERVE AND HAVE SERVED! AND FOR THEIR HUSBANDS, WIVES, MOTHERS, FATHERS, AND KIDS AT HOME WHO PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY EACH AND EVERY DAY! HERE'S TO YOU - WITH A RAISED GLASS OF CHEERS.

My birthday is in 10 days, oh yeah, and so is my favorite holiday! THANKSGIVING! I am really looking forward to it. In fact the thing I am most looking forward to (but still not trying to have to many expectations) is that someone (my fishin buddy) actually is putting forth effort to make my birthday special. I have never had that in the past. I have pretty much always had to spell it out with big bold letters as to what I wanted and how I wanted it and it still got all f'd up. So it's hard for me to just let it be without wanting to dictate how and what and when and where, but I am really holding back the reigns on myself to let her take control of making me happy! It's a bit exhilarating to say the least. We'll see how it all turns out.

Did I tell you I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year. Yep, Tree's family is all coming to my house and I am taking on the role of my mom and am going to prepare my families traditions (well, some of them...I can't compare to my mom quite yet...she's the master of Thanksgiving dinner at her house, I am not quite there yet oh Obi-wan). I am really excited about it though. I love making people happy, and as you can tell by my size and weight, in my family happiness is surrounded with FOOD. And I love me some food! :)

Wish me luck with my lifestyle changes, eating healthier and better size proportions, and staying on my gym schedule over the next few weeks.

Guess I will go for now...Hope you have a great couple of days...

AND last but not least, Karen is a Disneyland hater! I can't even tell you how sad that makes me for her soul!

TTFN