Thanksgiving for me is a time to reflect on what I am truly thankful for in my life. The one constant thing I have been thankful for, well for the past 27 years, is my children. They are my constant, my pride and joy, at times my heartache, at times, most of the time, complete pride. I am so thankful when I look at them and see all that they are accomplishing in their lives that I had a small part in it. I am so thankful that God chose me to be a parent to these particular humans.
I am ever thankful for a roof over my head, food on my table, electricity lighting my home and cable television. I am thankful for a good job that enables me to have these things. I am thankful for a job that gives me the opportunity to work Thanksgiving and the day after to make extra money for Christmas.
I am thankful I have had such wonderful animal companions in my life, starting with Whiskers, my parents dog, Suzy my cat, Mickey, Arthur, Nocona, Chewie and many others. Animals teach us so much about ourselves, they are our first real responsibilities if we have them as children. They are more dependent than our children, as children grow up and learn to take care of themselves.
I am thankful for being able to reconnect with my cousins, and getting to see a favorite uncle again before he went home, and two beloved aunts, I’ll be forever thankful for that happening. I am thankful for reconnecting with my favorite cousin Cindy, she was my first friend in life, I am happy to report we are still like kids together. Giggling at silly things, confiding hopes, dreams, reality and so much more.
I am thankful for my friends, friend is such an odd word, it can describe so many different facets of friendship, I have FRIENDS, and yes they are all capital letter worthy. From my bff Tammi, from those days in Owasso, to my bbff Jess, I have too many to name, Jan who stuck with me during a trying divorce and bitter custody battle, she never left my side. The friends I have made in the phone company, people I would never have met if I had not started working there. When I say am thankful for my job, it is so much more than a monetary gratefulness. I have met so many good people in this company, so many I am proud to call friend.
I am thankful for the Irishman, he has shown a belief in me that I really didn’t know a human could have for another. He encourages me when I am down, he tells me he is proud of my accomplishments and lets me know they are bigger than I think they are. I am thankful his health continues to improve daily.
I am thankful to my friend Shanon J, for asking me to be on the air with her, create a show out of nothing and see so much from it. We are growing and taking on topics that are difficult and controversial and doing it with dignity.
I am thankful that I have a God who never abandons me, even when I am at my worst, He is steady, true and approachable. He is there to listen to my praises, He is there to listen to my laments and there to comfort my tears.
These are the things I reflect on today, in America, land of the free, home of the brave, I am ever hopeful, ever optimistic, ever joyous. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
An Only Child
So, Stormie thinks she is an only child, or at least she behaves that way, apparently sharing is not coded into her DNA. Russ has come to visit, as he does every Thanksgiving, when Jeffrey is out of town. At first Russ ran around whining, the Irishman said he was looking for Nocona. Nocona was his buddy and I know he must be confused.
Once he settled down, he decided to get to know Stormie, they have been playing, Stormie seems happy, however, I noticed this morning she gathered all of her bones and was lying with them in front of her, with her front paws around them. She was letting Russ know she will not share her bones.
It was so funny, she is truly an only child and not built for sharing, she also slept with us last night, the first time she has done that, I think she was establishing her rank.
Dogs are funny to watch, they have human qualities, Stormie definitely shows signs of humor, loyalty, wanting to please, stubbornness and a loving heart.
We are moving Saturday, so everyone pray it goes smoothly, I am already stressed, I will be working 5 days this week, no Friday off for me this week, then moving on Saturday, coming back to the apartment to clean on Sunday.
I hope you all have a great week, a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember if you do go shopping on Black Friday, be kind to the workers. They have given up their time with their families to make your life a little easier.
Great News
I have not written in a while, I admit, since Nocona went home I have been having a hard time. I really miss her, I think I am getting better, today, for the first time since she passed I had scrambled eggs. Yes, I shared them with Stormie, it evoked bittersweet memories, but it was good.
I have amazing news, The Irishman and I are moving to McKinney! for the first time since 1987 I will not be a Planoite, so strange to think that. Plano has been the place where I raised my children, made friends that will last me a lifetime and where I have seen my greatest heartaches.
The move will be great, it will put me closer to Jeffrey, Elizabeth, Alex and Tessa, which makes me incredibly joyous. It will be about the same distance to work as we live in far west Plano now.
The house itself is total greatness, a huge living room that one can roller skate in (wood floors) a nice size kitchen and a two car garage. It is all very exciting and I feel overwhelmed with the amount of work that has to be done in order to make this happen in a short amount of time. But we will get it done and by this time next week we will be firmly ensconced in our new home. Just in time to decorate for Christmas, I cannot wait to put the tree up and light the lights.
This will not be a long post as I have a ton of things to do today. I did take time off yesterday to go buy a new refrigerator and watch Day of the Doctor. I am a huge Dr Who fan, just in case you didn’t know. I have been watching since I was 12, I love it, the stories, the thought of a Time Lord, going from not only planet to planet but through time. The thought is thrilling indeed, meeting different races on different planets. I am one of those people who believe there is only one race here, the human race. We are different colors, different ideologies, different ethnicities, but we are all human. Made by God, and yes, I believe Adam and Eve started us all off. So there you have it in a nutshell.
I hope you all have a great day, remember, we are never alone, we always have the Great Comforter through it all.
Working on Thanksgiving
With all of the news stories regarding stores opening up on Thanksgiving I thought I might weigh in here. First and foremost let me start by saying I don’t see anyone posting anything about how horrible it is that tech support is open on Thanksgiving. Or, how horrible it is that radio stations are playing music, and DJ’s are on the air.
I work Thanksgiving and the day after, I have worked those days since being in tech support. My children are with their dad and his side of the family on Thanksgiving. That is the way we have done things since our divorce, it is the way it is, I am happy that my children can continue that tradition.
But here’s the thing, those two days, considering the holiday pay, pay for Christmas, it enables me to be able to give nice gifts to my children without breaking the bank. If stores are paying their employees holiday pay, and asking for volunteers, which is the way it is done, then I have no objections to this. People choose what they want to do on holidays, if they choose to work, then that is their right, some stores are open 24×7 anyway, I don’t see people objecting to this either.
As I stated before, I have never, in my entire life, seen anyone objecting to other people working and businesses being open. No one objects that the police station is open, that telephone operators are at work, or the gas station being open on this day.
I really do not see what the uproar is about, this is not a religious holiday, repeat, not a religious holiday, I have issues with stores being open on Christmas and Easter, however, have taken advantage of said stores being open. Does that make me a hypocrite? Possibly. I don’t really have an answer for that one.
If retail employees would like to make extra money on Thanksgiving by working, they have my blessings, as I will be doing the same.
Veterans Day
Today is Veterans Day here in the United States of America; it is a day we set aside to recognize the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform have made. Not just for us here in the United States, but around the world, we are known as the defenders of the downtrodden, the keepers of the gate, the ones that go where no one else goes and defends the defenseless.
Many of my own family have served this great nation; they have put on the uniform of the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines. They have given of themselves and in a couple of instances, their very lives to stand up for people who could not stand up for themselves.
I am proud to come from a family that recognizes service, servitude really, that gives of themselves so others can live free.
It all started with Thomas Testerman and just continued through the generations, I am a proud descendant of a brave man. One who gave his service to form this country, I often wonder if God grants him the vision to see the generations that came after him who have gone into service for the country he fell in love with.
If he knows that his beliefs have gone on, generation after generation.
I am in awe of the sacrifices that must be made to be a soldier, the sacrifices that the whole family makes. Some make the ultimate sacrifice with their life, I stand up today and salute the men and women of this country that put on a uniform and defend the defenseless. You are my true heroes, I might go on about Thor and Superman and all of the others, but you are bigger than they are. You have no magical powers other than your desire to serve.
You are truly appreciated by this family, one who understands honor, service and sacrifice. You exhibit those qualities daily, you and your families, the ones that are often forgotten.
On this day, I want to say a simple thank you, it doesn’t seem enough, but it is all I have to give you.
My Thoughts on Thor the Dark World
Last night at 12:02 AM the Irishman and I saw Thor the Dark World, it did not disappoint. Sometimes, with a sequel, there is disappointment, however, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston brought their A games to this endeavor.
I have loved the whole Asgardian mythology since reading the stories in elementary school. Marvel’s take on Thor’s exile to earth was legendary, living up to those expectations the first time was nothing short of awesome. Then bring in Thor in the Avengers, of course nothing Joss Whedon does disappoints.
With this movie expectations were high, I did not go into the theater expecting something bad. I was so totally not disappointed.
Tom Hiddleston as Loki is nothing short of a revelation; he goes from arrogance to pathos without missing a beat. This man can do no wrong in my opinion; I would watch Mr. Hiddleston read the phone book. He is that good, I need to buy every single thing he has ever been in.
Loki was always a favorite of mine, he longs for adoration and needs to be worshiped, the mother who raised him loves him unconditionally and it is not enough for him. Brotherly love is not enough; he needs the masses to worship him as a god. It would be so easy to play this character as a one-dimensional character, easily dismissed as the quintessential bad guy. Tom Hiddleston brings layers and understanding to the character itself. One understands Loki’s need to be feared and adored at the same time.
I won’t get into the plot lines, there are so many surprises, I was shocked some things did not get leaked that I felt were huge. Some things I didn’t see coming, some I did. All in all a wild ride from the get go, run, don’t walk to see this movie.
I myself will be going several more times.
Dream
Last night I had a dream that Nocona and I were in the country visiting a friend, I was carrying her and I had to put her down to open the door. She ran off and I couldn’t find her, needless to say I woke up in tears. I don’t know what she was trying to tell me, it’s time to really say goodbye and let her go to enjoy her country life or what. I just know that I miss her greatly.
On a happier note, today is my Friday and the Irishman scored tickets to the midnight showing of Thor. Assigned seating! I am so excited, 3D, XD and any other kind of special D you can think of. I cannot wait to see one of my childhood superheroes alive on the screen again.
Stormie is doing well, adjusting to her new, pampered life, she is full of energy and fun. She loves to play hide and seek with my slippers and the Irishman’s socks.
Today will be a Starbucks day, it is Friday and I have much to celebrate, God is watching out for me, stopping me from doing detrimental things and giving great joy to this thing we call life
Parenting
As a parent, when your children are grown, you look back and think is there anything I did right. Some things are obvious, my children all have a moral code that was instilled in them at an early age. They are all self sufficient at an early age. They are all loyal to each other and their family.
There is one thing that I am sure I did right, when they learned how to read I began making them look up words that they were not familiar with in the dictionary. I never dumbed down my vocabulary with them, before they could read I would tell them the meaning of words. When they learned to read the onus was on them.
They did look up those words, in fact at times it was not to my advantage because I used British slang as a way of venting my frustration at drivers instead of using other words. Elizabeth Anne looked those words up and boy was I in trouble.
Today, all of my children, are good at research, they are good at thinking for themselves and they are good at articulating their thoughts.
Since I have never dumbed down my vernacular with them they are now able to communicate with anyone, I am very sure I did one thing right.
I like to think I did a lot of things right, I know without a doubt I made mistakes, all I can do is pray I didn’t mess them up too badly.
Angie World 