It's beginning to feel a lot like winter.

My husbands two brothers and their families flew in on Saturday. 

Yesterday we went to his sister's house and got to visit with them all and their parents, their younger brother who still lives at home and all the cousins got to play.  (There are 16 now)

I don't know how they do it, but they always just fall back into their jesting, fun ways.  Even us in-laws can sometimes come up with a joke or two.  Nothing like them, they just have no fear of being goofy and it makes them all the more fun to be around. 

We laughed and ate and laughed until midnight when I finally caved and said we had to go.  That didn't stop the party, however, they were just getting going with margaritas and a game of rummy.

I'm excited because on Thursday we'll go back for a delicious Thanksgiving, but we're mostly looking forward to just being with the whole family all day long.

Today we were supposed to go make cookies at grandma's house with all the girl cousins, but it RAINED and turned into ice when it hit the ground, then kept raining all day.  The ditches were full of cars and people were encouraged to stay home. 

I decided to make the mashed potatoes I would bring on Thursday.  We also baked the rest of the cookie dough, made rice, heated up our left over beans, and made a few extra potatoes for us today.  I realized that if we were having an "ice" day we should celebrate with the caramel corn my mom used to make, so I made a double batch.  We watched a movie with the kids and after that we moved the piano across the room to give up that space to the new hearth that our friend is installing tomorrow.  The new wood stove is paid for and is still at the store waiting for me.  It has a sign on it that says SOLD and my name under it.  It makes my heart flutter.  I have wanted a wood stove for YEARS and we're finally so close. 

I forget sometimes how much I enjoy the winter, especially this time of year.  Thanksgiving has sometimes been a struggle trying to pinpoint our "tradition" because it really has been so different from year to year.  But if his brothers keep coming up for it, we'll be there.

I'm thankful for family, his and mine.  And for my own family.  God has really blessed me.

What have you done for me lately?

I just had that song in my head, but I guess it seemed appropriate.

I have not written in over two weeks.  I have not wanted to speak.  First it was for reasons I'd rather not go into, but second I just have this pit in my stomach and I figured I'd write about it and get it out and then move on like I always do.

I have not gone into politics on here yet, and I don't "like" politics.  I think, like many people, politicians are big headed buffoons who spend lots of money needlessly and tell us they're doing it for our own good.  They don't take the time to cut any costs, and they take out loans from China that our children will have to pay for.  It makes me sick, really.  I don't care if you're a Democrat or Republican...they all spend too much money.  Money doesn't fix everything.

I want a bunch of men who go to Washington to repeal all the bills that the previous men put into place and streamline the whole deal.  Yes, lots of government workers will loose jobs, but guess what?  If they actually cut taxes the smart businessmen will create more businesses and provide more BETTER jobs for those ex-government workers.  I know I'm dreaming, but I'm just getting this off of my chest.

Didn't Kennedy say, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!"  He was a good old fashioned Democrat, and he would be ashamed at our sorry state of affairs.  Everyone seems to be falling for the carrot dangling in front of our nose by "our country".  It doesn't matter if it's medical care, schooling, jobs, food safety, airline safety, etc.  Heck let the government give us some new houses!  Wait, they do that too.  It's crazy.  They want us dependent on them.  They give give give and we take take take.  Thank you, sir, may I have another?  It will only get worse from here.

The last "straw" for me (this month) has been the new TSA "naked" body scanners and "gropings".  Yes, I know I'm exaggerating (a little) but really?  Yes, I know every person there is not a pervert, but what about the guys who are?  And, honestly, does it matter?  I really don't want my kids going through them.  I'm sorry if you have made your decision that you will or have already.  I'm sorry if you're angry with me that I will choose not to comply.  I don't want to teach my children that they are merely cattle, because they are not.  I will not let strangers touch my children in places that I don't.  I know people are upset with us for our decisions and we have even been told to stop whining about it, and I realize it's because they feel guilty that they have submitted to it or plan to take their wives and their children and themselves to submit for the sake of "safe flying".  It's OK if you do that, but I just won't.  It's too upsetting to me.

If you choose to not follow me because I wrote this, I understand.  I know I am not in the norm, I don't go with the flow.  I'll try to leave politics alone for the most part, remember I'm just upset and had to get this off of my chest. 

I'll do what I do.  Feed the chickens, milk the goats, feed my family, go to church, try to pray.  That is the job that God gave me.  I have a great job and I would not trade it for the world.

Sunday

My friend, Melissa @ Finding Joy in the Journey just told me how to fix my comments posting.  YAY!  Thanks for the tip.

I also found out over the weekend that she's another kindred spirit when it comes to hiding out on Oct. 31.  It's not a super big deal to me, but we use our freedom of choice to not celebrate this day along with the Druids (witches) and it doesn't make us special or better than anyone else.  It's hard to explain to people who see nothing wrong with it...  For them it's just a fun holiday, they don't practice witch craft and I don't hold it against them.  They can sometimes get defensive and that's really hard to explain.  So I typically don't discuss it if I don't have to. 

Yesterday my sister decided to FINALLY have her little baby #3 at home after being over 2 weeks overdue.  It was a nice distraction.  We took the family over to see them after she had him at home around 3 in the afternoon on a cold and windy day.  Her house was so warm and her bed was set up in the living room near the wood stove.  He was wrapped in the softest blanket and was so tiny and warm.  Mine have never been that small.  I was so happy for her that she was finally done...I swear it's the best feeling in the world to know labor is over and you have a perfect baby to enjoy.  Our kids stayed in the car as they were just so tired after being up the day before then pretty much all night and then again that whole day.  I'm so happy for them.  I did get that little itch when I was holding him.  I wonder how long we can hold out not having to scratch it.