MERRY CHRISTMAS

Well it's that time of year again to hear "Happy Holidays", "Happy Hanukkah", Happy Kwanzaa", and everything but "Merry Christmas"! Maybe I'm overly sensitive to this national omission of the two words "Merry Christmas" every Christmas season. I'm well aware that we must be politically correct now, but if the newscasters are going to wish people a Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa, which I hear ALL the time on the national news, local stations, CNN, or whatever, why can't they just say Merry Christmas as well? It makes my blood boil when I hear the blanket "Happy Holidays". I'm a Christian and I would like my holiday recognized with two little words. I wish my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukkah and most of my black friends don't celebrate Kwanzaa, but if they did I would certainly verbalize that holiday to them. I don't care who celebrates what or what other religious holidays are called, just don't wish me "Happy Holidays" as I only celebrate ONE holiday this time of year and that is CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Veteran's Day tribute

My father proudly served his country during WWII. He was stationed in North Africa and Italy with the 5th Army and he assisted the commanding officers with their transportation. My father was a proud and courageous soldier who always remembered his days of service to the United States. In later years my father was a Commander of the VFW Post 9400 in Phoenix, AZ. Thank you, Dad, for serving your country well during and after the war. You will always be remembered as a fine soldier and wonderful father.

VOTE! So proud to be an American

"I voted" button from Delaney Gates' blog. Thanks for the lovely choice! Her blog is delaneygates.typepad.com

I woke up today with great anticipation knowing that it would be a historic day. Histoy would be made on many levels, i.e. there is the possibility that an African-American man will be elected president, the oldest man to ever run for president might be elected, a woman could possibly be elected the nation's first female vice-president, and a record number of American citizens will be voting. From all accounts, polling places have NEVER seen so many people in line to cast their vote. When I voted today, I was in line for about 5 minutes. The whole process took about 15-20 minutes including marking my ballot which took up most of the time. I was so proud to walk out of my local polling place with my "I voted today" sticker on, and I was happy to see so many more people in the short lines waiting to vote, too. I went shopping after I voted, and I saw so many people with their stickers on as well. What a good feeling! I've been voting for many years, and I don't ever remember another time when so much emotion has been stirred up and so much has been at stake. Our local propositions have also proven to be hot button issues for so many involved. I'll watch the national and local news coverage tonight awaiting the outcome of yet another major historic American event. God bless America and may we all be at peace with our decisions.

Halloween, 2008....what a difference a year makes!

Brandt just kind of went with the flow when he was 8 months old for Halloween, 2007.

Brandt wants no part of being a frog for Halloween, 2008.


Karen, Brandt and Joe celebrating Halloween, 2008. My daughter, son-in-law, and my darling grandson take in the neighborhood festivites on Halloween night.