Ann

On Friday night, I did my usual version of Turkey Shepherd's Pie. In a baking dish, I layer dressing, turkey, mashed potatoes and cover with gravy. I heat at 350 for about 45 minutes.

Please remember Dennis' Dad in your prayers. About 4 years ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He's had his ups and downs during chemo and radiation and was even believed to be in remission for a while. For the past months, he has been failing and had to discontinue chemo. For most of the last 4 years, he had been fed through a feeding line. He went into the hospital last week to have the stent changed. They found that he has many problems that require surgery and he is not strong enough to endure any surgery. He is being sent home today and will be under Hospice care. He is 79 years old and extremely fragile. He lost his son (my Dennis) on December 15th, almost 6 years ago and has never been at peace since then. He is very close with his 3 grandchildren (my boys) and reliving all this is so very hard for them. It is so painful knowing they lost their father and will probably lose their grandfather during this time of year. Please say a prayer for us.

So...how many leftover dishes did you create from your Thanksgiving dinner?

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is already here. I think that Thanksgiving is great. There are so many things to reflect on that we are grateful for and we have a day to remind us to do this. This year I am grateful that I have a job and that we are able to make ends meet for the most part. We are like a lot of others and still struggle a bit but I know that it could be worse. I am so thankful for the country that I have to live in. We have a lot of changes that are going to be taking place. This does make me a little nervous , as we have so many challenges to face but I do know that change can be good. I am l proud to live in this country and to have the freedom and rights that I have, thanks to all of the men and women that have served in our military to keep those freedoms safe. But most important I am so grateful for my family and friends. As years go by you seem to loose contact with friends. There are some that you may not hear from for awhile, but when you do talk to each other it seems like there has not been any time lost, these are the true friends. I am so grateful to have them! I am so grateful for my children and the things that they have taught me and the support that have given me! I am also thankful for my husband and all he has done to help our "broken" family find happiness once again. I found this little saying that fits real well! Having someone to love is family Having somewhere to go is home Having both is a blessing! I hope that each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are able to take the time to reflect on the things that you are grateful for! I know this time of year is such a challenge for so many of us, as we try to deal with life without a loved one. I hope we can always remember that we have each other to help us through this journey called life. Thanks you, my friends, for being here and truly caring!!!

I'm missing my big guy so bad today. Guess it's just the time of year when things hit me so very hard. Dennis always told me this was "my" song from him and that he always thought of me when he heard the song. We were both big Beatles fans and it turns out that this was the first album we bought with our own money. We were worlds apart, he was in New York, I was in Tennessee....yet I think our souls were always joined. I just ran across this song and thought I wanted to post this link..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQzlIKen2aw

I really like this one!!!

Deb....I'm so glad to see your post. I was asking Randy about you the other day. I know how hard this all is for you right now. Holidays and special days are the absolute worst when we are missing a loved one. I wish you were on this coast and I'd have you over for dinner!!! I know how much your family loves you, so try and find some comfort knowing you have such a caring family. I'll send you an email.....Ann

I always have to make green bean casserole for my oldest son. A holiday meal just isn't the same for him if you don't have that dish. I'll also have candied yams, corn casserole, gingered carrots and macaroni and cheese. I'm not a huge turkey fan, so I'm just going to load up on veggies. I usually buy a small ham but since the turkey is a big one, I'm passing on the ham this year. I love veggies and can make a meal just fine with no meat on my plate.

What side dishes do you like for veggies on Thanksgiving? green bean casserole sweet potato pie corn squash peas green beans

Great co-workers that really care My pets.....that always cheer me up with wet noses My doctor...who always treated me , when I had no insurance or money My grandchildren....who give me a reason My best friend, Sue....for always listening

Nick....so very sorry for your loss. When it comes to losing someone we love, age never makes a difference, as we never have them with us long enough. I'm keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

I don't think I would really change the style of my wardrobe....I'd just buy some new jeans and tees....lol

I love reading these stories. Great post Becky Snowflake!!! I actually have two Thanksgiving tales of horror. Dennis and I were spending our first Thanksgiving together. I was pregnant and kept getting a little ill every time I came into close range with that turkey but I was determined to make this the best Thanksgiving ever. Dennis loved my "country cooking" and had invited several friends over for dinner. I knew that my mom had always taken a bag out of the turkey....1 bag. But, I didn't know there were two. So, we put this beautiful, perfectly roasted turkey on the table and everyone was oohing and aahing and complimenting. Then, Dennis began the carving, only to find an intact bag of innards inside the bird. I was embarassed but everyone loved the turkey and ate like crazy. A few years later, I had a beautiful turkey cooked. I sat it on the table while I finished dishing up the side dishes. Well, my son's siamese cat who was always full of it, grabbed the turkey off the platter and onto the floor. Needless to say....it's good my gang liked vegetables...lol!

If money was no object, would you change your wardrobe?

The economy, coupled with being unemployed for six months of this year, has really changed my spending habits this year. I haven't even been thinking much about gift giving but have been concentrating on paying bills. I think our family will buy gifts for the grandchildren, as little ones and toys just seem to go hand-in-hand. If I do have money left over for gifts, I can assure you they will be very practical ones. Like my friend, Ginny, I have been doing quite a bit of volunteering and trying to make the holidays brighter for those less fortunate than I am. For months, I have been working on various fundraisers to raise money for the children in our community that will have little or nothing for Christmas. This party will be held on December 13th and I hope we can bring a lot of joy into some little hearts.

A game warden was driving down the road when he came upon a young boy carrying a wild turkey under his arm. He stopped and asked the boy, "Where did you get that turkey?" The boy replied, "What turkey?" The game warden said, "That turkey you're carrying under your arm." The boy looked down and said, "Well, lookee here, a turkey done roosted under my arm!" The game warden said, "Now look, you know turkey season is closed, so whatever you do to that turkey, I'm going to do to you. If you break his leg, I'm gonna break your leg. If you break his wing, I'll break your arm. Whatever you do to him, I'll do to you. So, what are you gonna do with him?" The boy said, "I guess I'll just kiss his rump and let him go!"

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake." "Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her daughter. "How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!" To which the mother replies, "Yes, all those things seem bad all by them selves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! "God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful! "God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. "Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

How has the downturn in the economy affected your holiday plans?

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Copy and paste, erase my answers, enter yours, Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things. nothing made up! Try to use different answers, if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. 1. What is your name?-------- Ann 2. A four-letter word------------- Aunt 3. A boy's name----------------- Aaron 4. A girl's name------------------ Adeline 5. Occupation------------------- Accountant 6. Color----------------------------- Aqua 7. Something you wear-------- Ascot 8. Beverage----------------------- Ale 9. Food--------------------------- Artichoke 10. Something used in a bathroom --- Antiseptic

My New Parrot > > Recently I received a parrot as a gift. > > The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse > vocabulary. > Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, > obnoxious and laced with > profanity. > > I tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by > consistently > saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything > else I could > think of to "clean up" the bird's > vocabulary. > > Finally, I was fed up and I yelled at the parrot. > > The parrot yelled back. > > I shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even > ruder. > > So, in desperation, I threw up my hands, grabbed the bird > and > put him in the freezer. > > For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and > screamed. > > Then suddenly there was total quiet. > > Not a peep was heard for over a minute. > > ;Fearing that I'd hurt the parrot, > > I quickly opened the door to the freezer. > > The parrot calmly stepped out onto my outstretched arms > and said > > > "I believe I may have offended you with my rude > language and > actions. > > I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate > transgressions and > I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude > and > unforgivable behavior." > > I was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. > > As I was about to ask the parrot what had made such a > dramatic > change in his behavior, the bird continued, > > "May I ask what the turkey did?" > > > > HAPPY THANKSGIVING! >

So very proud of you, Katie!!!

I have long black POW beads that I got when the Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall was here and last month, I added some long black and orange Budweiser beads at Halloween.

What, if anything, do you have hanging from your car's rear view mirror right now?

Taller...definitely taller!!! I would love to be model tall....with long. long legs!!! Instead, I'm 5'5" tall with short legs.....boohoo!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper for most things; bags for bottles 2. Real tree or artificial? real 3. When do you put up the tree? the day after Thanksgiving 4. When do you take the tree down? usually New Year's Day 5. Do you like eggnog? yes....with lots of rum 6. Favorite gift received as a child? doll with tons of clothes my mom sewed 7. Hardest person to buy for? husband 8. Easiest person to buy for? grandaughter 9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes 10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail 11. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Bath set from Walmart (from my boss) 12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life 13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Christmas 14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes 15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? peppermint fudge 16. Lights on the tree? Yes 17. Favorite Christmas song? I'll Be Home for Christmas 18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home with family 19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? On Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. On Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer