Fri Nov 11 - My obsession with catching up on the Yarn Harlot archives is starting to creep up on me in a detrimental way. So although I was able to read four months a day when I was in a classroom with nothing to do but listen, take notes, and read at the same time, I clearly cannot do that and *work* at the same time. So, I limited myself to only two months of archives today and tore myself away painful at the end of Sep-Oct '04. Yes, I =clicked= on November and started to skim the first two entries, but my real life was calling and I reluctantly copied the URL, pasted it into the email draft where I'm keeping my bookmarked place, and have done what came naturally: Started my journal draft for myself for today, of course.
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First, Happy USMC Birthday Yesterday and Happy Veteran's Day today. For a while I started taking Veteran's day to phone all the veteran's in my life. Last year, when I phoned my step-dad, he was mildly amused but shared with me that the USMC birthday (the day before) was actually more important to him. So yesterday I spent my entire evening phoning all the Marines in my life to wish them "Happy Birthday, Ooh-Rah!" and the ever present, "How old are you today, Marine? 230!"

(I know. I'm silly. And I'm not even a veteran. Just a proud friend and family member.)

Anyways, let's see, yesterday's shout-out went to: Larry, Sgt; Troy, 1stSgt (active); Jade CWO3 CWO2 (ret.) [thanks, Jade] (married to Troy); Nick, Sgt; True, Sgt; Ron, SgtMaj (ret.); Thomas (not sure, he didn't mention on his post); Eric, Sgt; and even an email to Dale, Capt (ret.).

Nick was really surprised to hear from me, and I wish him and his wife well—they're expecting their third child in 4 weeks. Eric got a huge laugh out of me remembering. Larry chatted my ear off about the re-modeling going on at the house (and I was thrilled to hear about it all). Troy definitely laughed at me remembering, and Jade too. Of course, Jade and I will have to meet for dinner again soon. (Hint! Hint!) Ron's message went to voicemail, and I'm *positive* he's going to be shocked I called. True was really impressed I would call, and even made a comment about going to the USMC Ball. *giggle* Thomas was ecstatic, but then again his post was enthusiastic, and was just an extra reminder in my day that I absolutely could NOT forget to call my Marine friends & family. And Dale wrote back a short email thanking me, which is funny since I only know him as a radio personality and I'm just a fan. But since I was wishing every Marine I could think of happy birthday, I couldn't leave him out.

And now today, my thanks go out to: Dad, Sgt Army, Vietnam veteran, Ohio Nat'l Guard, and ret. Akron Police; Grandad, Air Force Major (ret.), WWII veteran (even flew in the Berlin Airlift); Uncle Dennis, Air Force Major (ret.), flew the injured out in the aborted rescue attempt for the hostages in Iran (79-80); brother-in-law Brad, Sgt Army Reserves (active), veteran 14 months in Fallujah; and even Mom for having been a civilian Red Cross volunteer in Vietnam with the Donut Dollies.

And to all my friends: Bill, Army; Jared, Army; Daniel, Navy; Ronda, Navy; Richard, Air Force; Parker, Air Force; Rich, Air Force; Clark, Navy; (I'm sure I'm forgetting tons more, feel free to comment on others I've left out)...

THANK YOU ALL, FOR ALL YOUR SERVICE

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And the rest of my day is taken up with a really long (and growing!) to-do list to make certain I finish my laundry, pack for the weekend, enjoy gaming at the Dudley's tonight, stay over with Aliskye, enjoy Coronation tomorrow, enjoy church and choir Sunday, and stumble home safely at the end of it all.
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Recently Listened to: Gravity Willing Requia
Recently Watched: SNL, Young Blades

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Today's Blessing That I'm Thankful For: All our veterans, all my friends and family who have served. Thank you!! Hoo-ahh! Oo-rah!