The World Needs More Heroes

I think we, in general, use the term Hero, MUCH too loosely these days. The true definition of a hero is:

Hero [heer-oh] noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros.
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Classical Mythology .
a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.
Origin: 1605–15; back formation from Middle English heroes (plural) < Latin hērōs (singular), hērōes (plural) < Greek hḗrōs, hḗrōes

The true meaning of a hero isn't met by actors, musicians, gang leaders, or the bully in school that needs your attention. The TRUE meaning of the word can be found, however, in many places in society. I feel as parents and grand parents, we owe it to the future by making sure our the children know who and what heroes are and what they stand for.

Our children had heroes in many places. There were heroes in church, family, and friends. They were surrounded by true hero's and probably didn't even realize it. I challenge you to instill respect in your children and grand children by pointing out true heroes when you see one. They are everywhere - you just have to look. I'm going to show you a couple of mine.

First is my husband. DH served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970. He saw things that he shouldn't have, he didn't things that he didn't have. He didn't complain. He didn't even talk about it, until recently. He went about his days, living life to the fullest, and continues to do so today. He's a hero. Definitely distinguished ability,courage, bravery, and noble qualities.

Another Hero for me, is my BFF Yvonne. I could take a week and tell you all this woman has been through in her life, but that's not the point. She's my hero because of her unselfish giving heart. She is an RN in a large hospital emergency room- WOW. If that weren't enough, she also does on mission trips, several times a year, giving of her time and talents freely and unselfishly. Amazing, simply amazing. Definitely shows her special strength, courage, and abilities!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I love having visitors.

You can't miss this blog! It's Christmas already!

I follow Teresa's Treasures at http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-thought-and-prize.html, and she has the most interesting job. She is a "professional" Christmas tree decorator from October until Christmas every year. She works 12-15 hours per day every day until she get them all done. BUT, the great thing is how generous she is about her hints and ideas for decorating.
Now I know it's early to think about Christmas - but she's giving tutorials on her blog, every day. It is very informational and it starting to make me think about what I'm going to do. She's going to have a special giveaway, or two, during this instruction time and you might want to go NOW to look her up. She is a grandma, and all around great person, and be sure and tell her that I sent you when you go!

Once again, her blog is:

http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-thought-and-prize.html

Tell her Sandi said hello!

My 100th Post Giveaway!!!!

Here's what I have in my giveaway! Clock wise =an outdoor thermometer that has attitude. There is so much detail! Next is the dress shaped notepad - it even has a hanger! bottom right is some crocheted pieces with a beautiful pin, a white milk glass tea cup and saucer, a package of Ice Breakers, a wall vase, and a refrigerator magnet. I wanted to get several things, and make them all mean something special. Hope the winner agrees.

I got a tea cup and saucer that are milk glass, and actually match my dinnerware at the antique store in Colby, Kansas. Hopefully, the winner will think of me when they use it.

How about some sugarless gum? It's one of those things that you slip in your purse and when you go junkin' next time, pull out a piece and think of me.......

There are 3 separate pieces of crochet work and a beautiful pearl and white sparkly diamond-like stones with gold. I think the winner will like these.....

A magnet for the frig, to help the winner remember me!!!

I fell for the dress shaped note pads immediately! I knew I had to have one for ME and my blog winner. I kept the matronly one and gave away the "little black dress". The winner is going to LOVE the back of the dress - it PLUNGES to the waist and has a slip up the back, quite racy! And of course what dress is complete without pearls!

Here's the detail on the thermometer. I hope the winner never sees the arrow point at THAT number! Brrrrrr......

This is the detail on the wall vase, see the hearts?

I hope whoever wins this is someone who likes old, vintage things as much as I do.

I fell in love with the pin, it's so dainty and will be a beautiful accent, where ever the winner decides to use it. So, now it's time to find out who the winner is......

Thanks to Terry from Lady Liberty Patriot for pointing me in the right direction of the "random number generator". If I had good penmanship like some of the other ladies, I might have taken the time to write 210 names on little slips of paper, but nahhhhh....not gonna happen. Thank you Mr. Random Number Generator, looks like it's number 85. I had gone through and numbered each blog however; and it looks like the winner is ...................

It's CATE AT "FROM LITTLE THINGS"!!!!! YEAH CATE!!!!!!So now.... I gotta find her!!!

Cate left a comment on my Rodeo Tablescape a couple of weeks ago.

Cate's blog is "fromlittlethings-cate". What a cute PINK background on her blog. She had written one on making homemade cards for your children's teachers. It has some great ideas of where to get the poetry or sayings to go in them and the kind of supplies she uses. They were adorable!! I have written her a note to let her know she won, and hope to hear from her soon. It's been a very busy weekend, with the kids home and cleaning house was needed badly. 2 Grandsons spent the week with Pa and they kinda let things go. I have been buying stuff for the giveaway, and had some with me, and some at home.

I finally have gotten the stuff all in one place and got some photos taken this p.m. I hope it meets everyone's approval. I KNOW there are some people out there who critique the giveaways by how "cheap" they think the givers are! Thanks to everyone who came over and became followers of my blog, posted my giveaway, and gave me so many nice comments. I really can't express properly how much fun it is for me!

Metamorphosis Monday- How I change an ordinary cheap Motel room into Home each week.

If you aren't aware by now, I am a traveling PTA. I go where the company I work for needs me, sometimes requiring me to be away from home. My recent place to be is in Colby, Kansas, in the middle of the flat, dry part of Kansas. It has it's own appeal, but is 2 hours from home. I leave every Monday morning at 8-8:30 and drive 2 hours to get to Colby. I work a 6 hour day, and then check-in at the local Super 8. There are other motels in the area, but this is the one the company has struck a "deal" with. After work, I unload all of my things and do my best to make this stark, plain, cheap motel room into my home for the week. They do give me a room on the ground floor, since I tend to bring a lot of things to do. It takes me 3 or 4 trips to the car to get it all. I think I need to drag out my old luggage carriers that we used BEFORE the suitcases had wheels on them. I think I have 2-3 of them at home. Here's what I do to make my home away from home, a little better. I hope you never need to do this, but these are my suggestions. First, though the "closet" is a rod hanging by the window.
I'm lucky to have a recliner, and a lamp/table. They are always pushed up against the wall. I think to make it look bigger!

The desk, tv, table, microwave, refrigerator all on one wall.

Just your standard, boring, bedside table with alarm clock.

This is my dining table, work table, desk, etc. I have brought along photo albums this week, one that needs to have the wedding order removed and ordered - the other to have the proofs put in so they can pick them up next week. I also have bills to pay - (yuck) and so I have to bring them along too.

The bedside table here is shown with a bowl of apples and lemons. I take an apple to work for lunch every day, and the lemons will be explained below. I don't use the alarm clock, it will be unplugged later, and I will use my cell phone to awaken me.

I pull the chair out from the wall so that I can put my feet up while blogging(!) and put out my throw from home. Not only is it a comfort from home type thing, but it helps when the air gets a little chilly. As with all Motel rooms, it is either hot or cold. Seldom any inbetween! The small table holds my bible for my morning studies, and there is room for my cup of coffee or water too. The bedside table holds my aromatherapy lotion, and English Lavendar Linen Spray that I use every night before I go to bed. I love the smell of both, and really feel like they help me rest better in a strange place. The room itself doesn't smell BAD, it just doesn't smell great. I would love to use a candle, but didn't think the smoke alarms would like it, so I use the spray.

I unpack my garment bag, hang up the clothes that need it, and put out my dirty clothes bag. Of course it's PINK! The first week I was here, I packed the dirty clothes back into the bag, and then decided that I needed a sack to hold the dirty ones away from the clean ones. Duh.... The big striped bag is what I carry my magazines, books, bible, things that I want to carry with me every week.

After unloading the car, turning on the tv, unpack the groceries, it starts to feel more like it's MY place.

I picked up a plastic cup at Dollar General, and always get a bucket of ice. The lemons come in handy for adding it sliced to the water so it tastes better, has a fresh smell for the room, as well as being brightly colored.

I went to the Dollar General here in town and got one dinner plate, one salad plate, and one bowl, plus forks/spoons/knives that came 4/1.00. They can transform any meal I chose to have into something a little more "HOMEY", whether it's a burger and fries, or a frozen dinner from the microwave.

I add a little color to every corner of the 2 rooms that I have.

I set out my makeup, so it's all ready to go. If you have never tried this makeup, you HAVE to. It's call Arbonne, and I think it is worth every penny. I love the way my skin feels now, and I think I'm looking younger every day! Ha!

Last, but certainly not least, I bring my dollar store coffee cup - decorated with roses, of course, to place in the coffe pot furnished by the Motel. It's a good 1/2 cup more than the paper ones provided, I hate using paper cups with hot drinks.

I love my job, just don't always love being away from home so much. But, the money makes it a lot less difficult, DH is great about it, and I guess they are right when they say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Every Friday morning I load back up, check out, and head home around 2:00 p.m. The good thing is, I've always wanted to know more about my home state, and this has given me a chance to learn more. I made the comment about 5 years ago that if I could just find a way to combine my 3 favorites in the world, therapy-travel-photography, that it would be the perfect job. Well, I guess dreams do come true, because this is the best of all the worlds, except with DH being left at home. I guess once again- you better be careful what you ask for, God just may give it to you. I pray that I can leave a positive influence for my profession wherever I go, hoping that people who know me want to know Christ also. Have a wonderful Met Monday, joining Susan and all the other wonderful people at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ !

Pink Saturday

Pink Saturday is one of my favorites. I do however, get a lot of flack from my son and son-in-law about it. So, to pay them back here's my pinks----their DAUGHTERS!!!Ha! Make fun of THAT guys! The two favorite "pinks" in my world are my granddaughters. They each had some special days just recently and they were enjoying their pink in their own way.

Greta got her first doll! You can tell she's lookin' her over good!

And a few days later, Emma found her toes for the first time! She LOVES them!

See more pink Saturday blogs at http://howsweetthesound.blogspot.com/ and tell Bevery I sent you! Thanks for stopping by! Sandi

Happy May Day!

It's a beautiful spring day in Kansas. We finally have green grass, and the leaves are starting to show on the trees. I took the day off to get ready for Emma's baptism that will be held in our church this weekend, and we will have a house full of visitors. I've cleaned all week in preparation for that, and decided that today I would spend the day relaxing (?) and enjoying the Kansas weather. I woke up to 45 degrees this a.m., but decided not to let that stop me. I took my time getting ready, and went to town to check out the thrift shop since it's open on Friday's and Saturday mornings, both which aren't good for me to get there. I got to a see a good friend, who always provides me with a laugh. She was working SO hard selling things though. I was tickled to find a few treasures like the mirror for $1.00, and the hand painted butterfly stemmed glasses that were 4/$3.00. Aren't they pretty?

I also got a soup tureen for $1.00 too, but will not complain about wanting to use it until fall. It appears to be handmade. So now I'll have to find a ladel to go with it.

After the thrift shop, I headed down to the nursery to buy my plants and this afternoon when it finally reached 65 degrees, I filled up my pots, and started to get out the furniture for the deck. I planted deep red petunia's in my hanging baskets, and yellow and white mums in our flower bed on the west side of the garage. DH "accidently" killed everything in the bed last year by using the wrong sprayer (he learned to mark which ones have the bug spray in them) so they needed completely replanted. I also bought red/white/blue petunia mix that will go in our planters at our place at the lake when we get there in a couple of weeks.

I'm so excited about the Porch and Patio party to be held this week. I'm sure I'll find some great ideas, and of course some that I can only dream of.

DH has been working on the treasures we found at the Junk Day a couple of weeks ago, and the table is done now too, so it will make it to Met Monday post. He's a doll about helping me get ready for when the kids come home.

Our dear son (who just happens to be a landscape architect) is coming home to plant my front planter at my photography studio tomorrow, so I'm excited about that. It used to have evergreens in it YEARS ago, and since we bought the building it has had nothing in it - ever. That's been 6 years ago. I'm thinking that will make a good Met Monday post too.

Well, guess I should be thinking about supper. DS is always happy when Mom has a meal for him. Carla and Greta are headed to DesMoines this weekend for a "girls weekend" with her Mom and sister. We're gonna miss them! Happy May Day!