Yep, the Patriots pulled another win, their last of the regular season, out of the cap! Yep, I wore my cap all through the game. (Thanks, TBD!) This one was broadcast nationally for all of us Pat fans to watch while the Pats ended a perfect season, 16-0. I passed out on Nyquill for awhile, but woke to watch Tom Brady and Randy Moss do what they do best.... 38-35 was almost to close for me.
Let's go to the Super Bowl!
The soldier was wearing two wedding rings. He took them both off. One was newer, meant as a replacement at some point. The one he received many years ago at his wedding is worn thin from years of constant wear.
He looked me in the eye, holding up the older, thinner ring, and said, "This ring saved my life."
Me: "That thin ring saved your life?" (Always doubtful.... I should have been from Missouri, the 'show me' state)
Yep.... Turns out, he was scheduled to go on patrol one night. Another soldier, not married, was looking at his ring and said, "Louis, you're the only married man in this platoon. I'm going on patrol for you tonight." He never came back... breathing, that is. He was killed that night.
This soldier was in WWII in the Pacific. The soldier with the wedding ring is in his late 80's and is the father of a very good friend. This was the story he told on Christmas morning.
Here it is, Christmas Eve. This is the day kids all over wait for all year long. What will Santa leave this year?? Or does he only remember the trouble caused the last time visitors were at the house?? It is so difficult being good, isn't it? I still have that problem at 48 years old......
The first annual Christmas cook-off went off without much of a hitch. Daddy's girlfriend couldn't come and he was disappointed about that. They have plans for Christmas Day and he's looking forward to that. However, he did mention other night that Mom would be gone 9 months on Christmas Day. I know, I said. We both sat there and tried not to bawl like big ole babies. (You must read that with a southern accent. I'll wait while you go back and read it again.)
Oh yeah, back to the Christmas dinner. Sister came over from Atlanta and Daddy came over from Huntsville. I even decorated this year. It's the first time in absolutely years I have pulled out ornaments and stuff. However, I did buy a purple tree (complete with lights) after the holiday season last year ($1.60 after all the markdowns) and looked forward to seeing it lit up. Nice. I put out the snowman collection and added a couple of new pieces. One was from an aide in my room, the other, an Auburn Tiger football with a snowman head that blinks. I sent one to my secret Santa ornament person. And speaking of the secret Santa exchange, I got 3 snowflake tealights and an apple spoonrest. My 'Santa' is from New York. So beautiful! I put tealights right in them and put them on the coffee table.
I'm headed over to Bo's house after awhile to spend the night and then, we are headed over to his parents house for Christmas breakfast. We had planned on driving down to Orange Beach for a few days, but it didn't work out this year. After breakfast, I'm headed up to McMinnville to see cousin for a couple of days. We are going to have the traditional Christmas dinner at the Chinese restaurant. (actually, it's the only restaurant open tomorrow night!) Does make you think of the 'Christmas Story' movie, doesn't it??!!???
I hope you all have a warm and snuggly Christmas!!
this morning. The temps have been dropping all day and now, here in my dot on the map it's 55 with the temps still dropping. They are also predicting we might get some snow this Saturday night. Where else in the world would it be 77 one day and a few days later, get snow?? It's weird. I like it colder this time of year. It's wacky weather! 
Dad is on his way out to get me for dinner since his girlfriend is sick tonight. It's always good to see him, but he sounded kinda down. He is doing his best to keep going. It must be really hard for him during this time of the year.
School is almost over for the first semester. It has flown by!! We must be having to much fun for it to be passing this quickly. Perhaps, I need to re-analyze everything? Perhaps, it's best this way.... 
With time passing quickly, it is bringing the holidays closer and closer. Next weekend, Dad, maybe his girlfriend, Sister and maybe a couple of other people will be here for the 1st Annual Jackie's Christmas Dinner Cookoff. Check with me on Sunday to see who has checked into the hospital. Will be mighty interesting! Let me know if you want to take a chance.... 
here in north Alabama it was a record-breaking 77 degrees yesterday. Pull out the sweat-o-meter! I'm just glad I've not put up the summer clothes since I've had to pull from that rack!
I have been getting ready for the end of the semester at school by trying to get in all the areas I seem to have over-looked, etc. Our kids last day is next Tuesday. We have to get in the important parts too, like the Christmas Party. I've tried to talk a friend into dressing up like Santa, but he said his HO HO HO's are not up to Santa standard. I have to laugh at that one....
Happy hump day, everyone!! The weekend is coming up soon!
I got this link in my e-mail today and think it's a great idea for each of us to do.
What it is: It's a way to send a 'Thank You' to our troops overseas via Xerox. The company will print it and send it at no cost to you. It only takes a couple of minutes. I have spent that long trying to remember why I had walked into a room.
No matter how you feel about our troops being overseas or the job they are doing, lets boost their mail bag!! You just never know who needs a little extra attention or to feel appreicated!
Rarely do I watch Oprah for any number of reasons, but today the moon and stars must have been lined up in just the correct "Watch Oprah" order. That brings me to my question.
A woman named Elizabeth Gilbert was on the show today. She wrote a book by the name of "Eat, Pray, Love". My question is, has anyone read it? and if you have, another question is, what is your opinion? 
There were so many women and even a man or two that seemed to 'testify' that this book has changed their life for the better. I have to say, I don't feel that I am missing very much and when I begin to feel that way, I think I have a few ideas about how to 'fix' things. However, I say that but also know if there is something out there that is eye-opening and wonderful, I don't want to miss an all new fix in a book!
