Paula's Place

Day 14 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-14T12:29:00.003-06:00

When I say that I am thankful for my husband, it just doesn't say enough.
He came into my life when I was divorced and trying to raise two little
boys all by myself.
He became their father.
He supported me while I went to nursing school.
(I couldn't have passed Algebra without him)
He is a good father and a wonderful grandfather.
His little granddaughters especially thinks the sun rise and sets of their Papa.
And so do I!

Day 13 of 30 Days of thanksgiving

2009-11-13T11:38:00.002-06:00

Keate

“It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

―J.K. Rowling
I am thankful to live in a country where I can make choices

Day 12 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-12T13:51:00.003-06:00

Today I am thankful for the simple things in life.
Life Kleenex for my drippy nose.
And Tylenol cold and sinus for my stuffy head
and achy body.

11th Day of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-11T12:57:00.003-06:00

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae

(1872 - 1918)

I know that I have already said that I am thankful for the soldiers.
But today I am thankful to those who came before.
Thank you Chuck, Fred, Denny, Calvin, Howard, Richard, and John.
The vets of my family.
Both living still and gone on ahead.

Day 10 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-10T22:15:00.001-06:00

The First Thanksgiving

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans. Although this feast is considered by many to the very first Thanksgiving celebration, it was actually in keeping with a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops. Native American groups throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America.

I am thankful for that first Thanksgiving!

Day 9 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-09T08:54:00.004-06:00

Ingredients: Juice from 1 lemon 1 lb. fresh cranberries 1 1/2 c. sugar 1 c. orange marmalade Directions: Combine cranberries and sugar in a shallow baking dish. Mix lightly and cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. . Add marmalade and lemon juice to cooked cranberries and mix well. Chill and serve as relish.

Today I am thankful for cranberries......yep just that simple!
And the above recipes is one of my favorites and it is so easy.
We have it all year round.
We love cranberries!

Day 8 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-08T13:12:00.002-06:00

Today, my grandkids and I are going to work on making a Thanksgiving
Banner to hang on the fireplace for Thanksgiving.
Yesterday we were out shopping and I couldn't believe how Thanksgiving
is mostly forgotten by the retailers. Christmas is everywhere.
I love Thanksgiving!
It is my favorite holiday.
So today I will sort through the scrapbook paper
and try to find what we need to make a banner
for Thanksgiving.
And while we work on it, we will talk about all the
things we are blessed with
and what we have to be thankful for.

Day 7 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-07T10:35:00.005-06:00

Over the River

(Thanksgiving Day)

Over the river and through the wood
To Grandmother's house we go.
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the wood
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring,
Ting-a-ling-ling!
Hurrah forThanksgiving Day!

Over the river and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go
Extremely slow~
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood~
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

By Linda Maria Child

I remember this poem from my childhood days!
What are you thankful for today?

Day 6 30 Days of thanksgiving

2009-11-06T12:25:00.003-06:00

A Thankful Thanksgiving

The America we witness today has seen much sacrifice
This sacrifice for many, has meant a total giving of life for liberty
Do all truly realize what the human cost of freedom is
All citizens should understand what has kept us whole

Should it not be the duty of each American to know this
To become familiar with the reasons of why we exist today
The notion that "that’s the way things are" is ludicrous
When a firm explanation is so easily understood

We’ve survived because of faith, determination, and great sacrifice
The backbone of this country is the strength of its good citizens
Each true American is worth more than all the gold found in history
Selfishness does not rule their home, nor does it drive their thought

And don’t just look at our military as a magnificent force
Rather look at each member of our soldiered family with pride
"Ready, willing, and able" have been the finest of each generation
Whether in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other place of danger

Whenever an American military presence moves into action
Behold the continuation of an outstanding tradition
Formed through freedom, it bravely faces all adversaries
And the flag under which it stands will always fly in freedom

We are and always will be one nation under God
He is the strength we have turned to time and time again
If we did not have Him, we would have perished long ago
God Bless America is more than a song, it is our national prayer

Finally, I wish each fine American a thankful Thanksgiving Day
May you truly realize what we are, and pray to Almighty God for continuation
Be ever thankful for our Armed Forces, and give them the total support they need
And please pray for all American families who have paid the price for freedom

by Roger J. Robicheau

Day 5 of 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-05T14:11:00.004-06:00

I am thankful for the job that I have!
I know, I know I grumble about it everyday. Especially if it is
a day that I would really rather stay home. But I am thankful to have
a job. Especially in these times of people losing their jobs and the economy
being the way that it is.
I work At Pleasantview Home In Inman, Kansas.
It is a 124 bed skilled nursing facility.
We have transitioned into the culture change type of
giving care.
Our residents have choices.
They get up when they want, eat when and what they want, and go to bed when
they want. We have gotten away from the institution style of care.
We have won many awards.
And we had zero deficiencies last year from our State inspectors.
In fact we are often deficiency-free.
I am proud to work at PVH.

4th Day-30 Days of thanksgiving

2009-11-04T12:31:00.008-06:00

What I am going to talk about today is the weather.
I am thankful for this beautiful fall that we are having.
Anyone who knows me very well knows how much I LOVE summer.
But our fall has been so nice, who can complain.
Today the sun is shining and it is 61F.
A beautiful fall day.
I will be even more thankful if this continues

Day 3 of 30 Days of thanksgiving

2009-11-03T17:01:00.003-06:00

I am very thankful that I am getting to participate in the raising of these two beautiful children. Harley and Darian have been with Papa and me for almost a year now.
They bring us many struggles but so much more joy.

Day 2 30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-11-02T12:48:00.002-06:00

I am thankful to have my good health.
While others around me suffer....I enjoy good health.
I pray each day to continue

Today I am Thankful for.....

2009-11-01T00:27:00.004-05:00

Here it is the first day of November.
The beginning of one of my favorite months.
Well, besides summer, that is.
I love November.
I love it because this is the month that I will
get together with most of my family.

But today is the first day of my 30 days of Thanksgiving Challenge.
And I am here to tell you what I am thankful for today.
I am thankful for the extra hour of sleep
I will get tonight because of Daylight Saving Time.
An whole extra hour of sleep.
Can you think of anything you are thankful for today.
If so....click on the picture below.

30 Days of Thanksgiving

2009-10-31T12:59:00.003-05:00

I haven't been here much lately.
Life has just gotten in the way.
I vow to change.
I know that I have a lot to be thankful for.
Sometimes I see my glass as half empty.
Okay.....more than sometimes!
I will be doing the 30 Days of Thanksgiving.
If you would like to join me....click on the picture above

2009-10-30T23:19:00.002-05:00

I plan to check this out.....

In Memory

2009-10-13T22:25:00.001-05:00

An angel opened the book of life
and wrote down my baby's birth.
Then she whispered as she closed the book
"too beautiful for earth".
~author unknown

In loving memory

My daughter Elaine

October 14, 1974

Saturday Nine

2009-10-03T12:57:00.003-05:00

Saturday 9: Let's Go to Bed

1. Has a relationship been effected by how one of you slept?
Now that is an interesting question.....my dh snores so I sleep in another room

2. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
the whole bed....it is all mine

3. Do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?
on my right side

4. Describe the bedding on your bed right now. How does it change with the seasons? Are you particular about your pillows or linens?
I have Egyptian cotton sheets...tan... with a comforter and three pillows I am particular about my pillows

5. When sleeping with someone, do you hog the bed, steal covers, or snore?
My dh says that I steal covers, but that is only to cover my ears to block his snoring

6. What do you wear to bed? If it varies, explain.
same thing....shorts and tee

7. No matter how much you love someone, would you rather alone?
You bet...sleeping alone is the best way to sleep. I always say that if God had wanted us to 'sleep' with someone he would have joined us at the hip

8. Tell us about a time when you awoke in bed, saw the person next to you and thought, "Oh, no..."
LOL....went on a bowling tourney once (three girlfriends and myself) back in the day when you need memberships to get into clubs that served alcohol. We stood in the parking lot of one called the Red Pussycat and waited for some guys to come along and asked them to take us in with them. Once inside they insisted on buying us a drink. We drank with them and then ditched them. Later that night when we had returned to the motel I woke up with some frizzy hair in my face and thought it was the beard of one of those dudes. I woke up yelling only to find out it was my girlfriend's hair. We all had a good laugh. oh those were the days!

9. Tell us about a time when you awoke thinking it was a different day than it was.
I used to do that all the time when I was in nursing school....I would wake up on the weekends thinking I needed to get to school or to the hospital

Welcome October

2009-10-01T17:06:00.000-05:00

“October” by Robert Frost

(from A Boy’s Will, 1913)

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow,
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes' sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—
For the grapes' sake along the wall.

RIP Brian

2009-09-29T00:04:00.002-05:00

A sad day for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department.
A fine young man gunned down.
RIP Brian Etheridge.
He graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy with my son.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-09-28T13:15:00.003-05:00

FOR TODAY.....
September 28, 2009

Outside my window...
The sun is shining brightly but it is cool at 67F. You can feel fall in the air.

I am thinking...
That I will soon be leaving for another day of work.

I am thankful for...
the fact that my deputy sheriff son was home sleeping when the shooting took place in his county.

From the kitchen...
Not much cooking has been going on.....I am not in the mood

I am wearing...
My usual on Mondays....scrubs

I am creating...
space!

I am going...
I am going to get the pool put away this week if it is the last thing I do.

I am reading...
Harvesting the Heart...Jodi Piccoult

I am hoping...
today goes by without a hitch.

I am hearing...
All my Children in the background

Around the house...
I am tackling the enormous amount of clothes we have accumulated.

One of my favorite things...
is sitting outside and enjoying the cool weather; even if I prefer summer.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.....Parent/teacher conference on Thursday

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Sunday Stealing

2009-09-27T17:57:00.004-05:00

Sunday Stealing: A Fall Meme

It’s not really fall in until...

All the leaves on the trees have changed colors...

What did you need to do in the waning days of summer for it to feel complete?

Swim and bask in the sun

A person I know was wrong for me but about whom I frequently thought after a break-up was...

if they were wrong for me then you can bet I didn't think about them later.

If you could only attend one major sporting event what would it be?

It would be none cause I am not the sports type person.

Assuming that you write an anonymous or partially anonymous blog, by what non-physically identifying characteristics might you be identified in a bar?

My amazing sense of humor!

Most blogs cover some sort of niche – personal, political, dating, culinary, etc. What topic, if any, would you like to address on your blog but doesn’t fit into your niche?

I won't discuss anything too personal on my blog

If you could manipulate the time space continuum and give as many as three pieces of advice to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give and to what age of you?

1. Don't get married before you are 30.
2. Save more of your money for your retired years.
3. Don't be so serious!

Who among your friends do you really wish had a blog because their stories, or perspective on something ought to be shared?

Rozanne

If you were to take an e-cation (vacation from the trappings of our electronic world,) and assuming that employment obligations would allow it, how long of a break could you take? What would you miss the most, the least?

A couple of weeks would do it and I would miss my computer the most and my cell phone the least.

On September 11th of this year, I attended a couple of parties and was somewhat conflicted by the fact that this ignoble anniversary shall pass with it being just another day in the eyes of many (and in some ways my own eyes as well.) Thoughts?

Unfortunately it is just another day....what happened, happened and we will move on!

How high are your walls? Who was the last person to scale them? What tools should would-be climbers have on their belt?

My walls are pretty high. My husband has scaled them. He needed plenty of patience.

The sexiest thing a man or a woman can say to you (or has said to you) is:

You look pretty good for a granny

Saturday Nine

2009-09-25T22:30:00.002-05:00

Saturday 9: I Call Your Name

1. If you could have named yourself, which name would you have chosen, and why?
I always wanted my name to be Connie....I just thought it sounded better than Paula.

2. If you could relive a year in your life, what age would it be, and why?
I would do 40 again....my kids were 20 and 16 and I hadn't yet discovered how they can break your heart.

3. If you could go back and change one friendship in your past, who would it have been, and why?
I wish that I could have met my friend Nanne sooner and that she was still alive.

4. If you could have dated one person in your past that you did not date, who would it be, and why?
Whoa.....I just don't think I will go there.

6. If you had the opportunity to live in another country, which one would it be, and why? If you choose NOT to live in another country, why do you want to stay in your current country?
I would not live in another country....there is not another country like the USA.

7. If you could choose your dream job, what would it be, and why?
I would like to be a landscape designer.....what would be better than working all day outside?

8. If you could wish a wish and it be guaranteed to come true (other than riches) what would it be, and why?
I would wish all of my family would be in the best of health.

9. If you could meet two blogger friends (you may choose more, if you wish) who would they be?
I would like to meet Nurseexec......we could talk for days about our jobs.
And I would like to meet Budweiser......just so he could keep me laughing.

Football

2009-09-25T22:27:00.001-05:00

Football Season 2009

Darian taking the field at his first game in Sedgwick Kansas On Saturday, September 12, 2009

Sunday Stealing

2009-09-19T23:51:00.002-05:00

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger called Yellow Jacket from Foma. He explains that "I found this clunker on Impetua's blog.". But, it was probably stolen at that blog as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: One Long Meme (Part Two)

27. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?.........gads this one is hard...I love to do both

28. Do you look like your mom or dad?...........my mom

29. How long does it take you in the shower? .........as long as it takes

30. Can you do the splits?........gads, no

31. What movie do you want to see right now?......I am not a movie person, so none

32. What did you do for New Year’s?.....worked

33. Do you think The Grudge was scary?...........I don't even know what The Grudge is

34. Do you own a camera phone?....yes

35. Was your mom a cheerleader?....oh good Lord, no

36. What’s the last letter of your middle name? E

37. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?....not nearly enough

38. Do you like Care Bears?.....no I am 58 years old

39. What do you buy at the movies?......nothing, I don't go

40. Do you know how to play poker?.....you bet I do

41. Do you wear your seat belt? most of the time

42. What do you wear to sleep? shorts and tees

43. Anything big ever happen in your hometown? The movie Picnic was filmed here

44. How many meals do you eat a day? 2

45. Is your tongue pierced? God no! And I don't understand why people would do that

46. Do you always read My Space bulletins? nope

47. Do you like funny or serious people better? funny.....

48. Ever been to L.A.? yep

49. Did you eat a cookie today? not yet

50. Do you use cuss words in other languages? I know some in Spanish

51. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads? pay...I wish someone would tell me how to steal them

52. Do you hate chocolate? nope I love it

53. What do you and your parents fight about the most? they are both dead so they don't fight anymore

54. Are you a gullible person? nope

55. Do you need a girlfriend to be happy? What???????????????

56. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what what would it be? I would be a landscape designer

57. Are you easy to get along with? Nope

58. What is your favorite time of day? getting off work time