Patti Katter

Dear Diary,

I just realized… my parents may read this someday.  My mom likes reading my diary, she used to “sneak peak” read it… now, I share my dairy with the world – go figure.  I’ve been keeping an online diary since 2007… and, it occurred - I don’t think I ever told my mom.  That was dumb. LOL

Anyway, today is Christmas…. and, here’s how it’s been so far:

0700 – my son tries to sneak in my room to turn the internet on (yes, I turn it off during certain hours so the kids don’t veg out on it all the time)…

0705 – I tell him no way, then – it hit him… “It’s Christmas, wake up!”

0706 – Everyone gets up, and heads to the living room where the Christmas tree is.

After that, it was on.  Wrapping paper flying everywhere.  Gifts open, kids disappeared for quite a while as they were consumed with their new toys.

I made a video of the ciaos this morning, it was lovely ciaos. LOL

Now, to check on the Christmas turkey…

Love,

PK

Dear Diary,

The past couple of days have been a little hectic.  I finished shopping this morning.  I decided to go to Meijer to purchase cookies and snacks to take to my grandmas tonight.  I had intended to make homemade cookies, but since time was short – I stopped at the bakery.  I picked up M&M cookies, Snickerdoodle cookes, powdered donuts (they reminded me of snowballs) and white yogurt covered pretzels.  As soon as I made it home from the store, I took the cookies and snacks out of their containers and placed them in one of my favorite “to-go” dishes.

We packed up the van with snacks and gifts, then drove an hour to grandmas.   Once there, it was very relaxing.  My Uncles and Aunts were there, some of my cousins and my grandma.  It’s different now that Grandpas not with us. He passed away a few years ago… sometimes seems like just yesterday.  You would have liked my grandpa.  He loved Swiss Cake Rolls and Tootsie Rolls… he would tell stories about when he worked on the railroad and about their experience during the Great Depression.

For several years, grandma has ordered pizza to make it easier on everyone.  So, everyone ate and then the kids ripped into their presents.  Everyone had an amazing time.

Guess what I did?

I was sitting on the stool next to grandmas chair.  She said I didn’t look too comfortable so she moved over in her rocker and patted it… she asked me to come sit by her.  I didn’t think I could fit in the chair next to her, the last time I did that – I was a young kid.  To my surprise, we both fit…. of course, I had to sit a little funny… on one cheek

We rocked for a few minutes, I could have sat there much longer – but my hubby and kids wanted to get going.  At that point it was around 8pm.  I reluctantly got up out of the chair, not knowing how many more times I’d actually be able to sit by grandma in her chair and made my rounds telling everyone good bye.

The drive home wasn’t bad.  Here it is, already almost 11 o’clock… the night before Christmas…

Love,

PK

Dear Diary,

Last night – my old youth pastor made a post on his Facebook page.

From the World Dictionary…………. “Bikini–A women’s very brief two-piece swimming costume.( So-named after Bikini Atoll, from a comparison between the devastating effect of the atomic-bomb test and the effect caused by wearing bikinis.)” Ladies, what “effect” do you suppose parading around in a bikini in public has? I submit it is not a Godly presentation and illicits no Godly response–so, I ask you why?

This post created a whirlwind of conversation.  It was an interesting conversation, listening to everyone talk about what they interpreted the Bible to say.  I for one don’t believe wearing a two piece swim suit is appropriate to wear in a restaurant, however if you are at the beach – it’s okay.  You are not going to catch me in a two piece these days though. LOL

This video sums up what God says in the Bible – and how, we as Christians should be there for everyone - regardless of the way someone dresses/looks or their family background.

Click here to watch video: Does Anybody Hear Her, by Casting Crowns

Dear Diary,

I went to Sams Club with my daughter last night.  I had to pick up snacks for the kids.  While I was there, I was in awe of the Christmas goodies that lined the isles.  First, you had the Christmas cookies and cakes.  Then – gift calendars, clocks, Christmas decorations.  Finally, book deals.  I try to read books, but its not often I have time to read an entire book (unless its about military history/war and readjustment within the military).  A book caught my eye.  Snow Angel, by Glenn Beck.

The cover caught my eye because recently, my son went outside in the snow.  T-shirt and shorts, making a snow angel – the first snow of the year.  So, I did a double take – the photo brought back the memory of my son who was so excited to run out into the show to make a snow angel.

I picked up the book and read the back cover which has a quote from Richard Paul Evans (whoever that is?).

“Snow Angel is a moving, emotional tale that left me wanting to reach out and hug those who I love most.  It makes you realize that, just as a blank canvas of snow can be turned into something beautiful like an angel, so can my life.  I can’t recommend this highly enough.” – Richard Paul Evans.

The book is small, something I should be able to read by Christmas.  I’ll let you know what I think.

Love,

PK

Dear Diary,

Sometimes I have coffee – sometimes tea.  This morning, I am having a cup of tea.  Right now, the morning news (The Early Show) is talking about Iron Mountain.  A cold storage vault where millions of photos and negatives are stored in 150 acres underground.  Ken Johnston works as a historian at Iron Mountain.  He said that he thought about 99% of the photos were actually taken by annonomys photographers.  Photos of celebrities, Presidents, media coverage are all storied at Iron Mountain.  I think this is interesting and important to preserve history.

I started writing in my online journal in 2006… and have continued on to this day, although I admit I went through and deleted some of my entries as I thought I gave a little too much information on my private life to the world.  I regret deleting some of the entries, but can’t do anything about that except for move on.

I wonder how long my online journal will last.  How long will the internet as we know it exist? I hope my diary lasts a long time, so my kids can go through it someday.

Love,

PK

Dear Diary,

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a button you could push that would set up your Christmas decorations? Or, what about pushing a button like George Jetson – you would be taken from your bed to the shower… and then Rosie would hand you your coffee.  Away you’d go to work in your programmable car.  Everything right at your finger tips, with little work.

Sounds good at first, doesn’t it? I have a feeling people would take those things for granted over a little while though.  Just like kids who have pretty much everything they need.  Christmas rolls around, kids play with their new toys for a day or two and then the toys lay on the floor.

I’ve been thinking.  People expect too much.  I think our society is beginning to expect that they should be offered free health care, free food, free cell phones and other freebies from the government.  The thing is, these things are not REALLY free.  My dad always told me, nothing is really free.

What are your thoughts? Do you think the government gives out too many hand outs, or do you think the freebies are worth your tax dollars?

Waiting to hear back,

PK

Dear Diary,

Here are a couple military quotes I made up today:

“Everyone has the ability to reach out to our military veterans and their family members by doing a kind deed for them or offering a simple thank you…”

“Many of our combat veterans struggle on a daily basis, trying to readjust to civilian life.  Please help make their adjustment a little easier by educating yourself on PTSD and other invisible wounds of war.  Education and understanding will help you help your friend or loved one who has been to combat.”

“War does not only effect our veterans, it effects their family members who are on the home-front trying to hold it all together.”

“You can reach out to our military veterans you come into contact by helping with simple things.  If you live near a disabled veteran who cannot shovel their drive way in the winter, take a few minutes out of your time to shovel their driveway.. or maybe you know someone who served in war, a simple thank you goes a long way.  Not everyone has it in them to sign up for the military, but we need to remember to be thankful to those who do.”

“People take small things for granted.  When you go to McDonalds and they give you the wrong order, you might get upset.  This happens while our soldiers are sleeping in the cold mountains of Afghanistan and who have had little to eat during life threatening missions.”

“Veterans coming home from war have sleepless nights and often feel alone.  Adopt a veteran today, take them out to lunch… tell them you care and you are there for them.”

Dear Diary,

I love getting new pictures of Marcos.  I love seeing how much he’s grown – and how he does in school.  If you’d like to sponsor a child in Guatemala – visit http://www.mayanfamilies.org – they do a terrific job, updating you on your students progress/needs and they even send photos of your child receiving donated goods.

I can’t wait til someday when our whole family can go visit Marcos, Oscar and their families.  It’s been almost four years already since we met! I’m so proud of Marcos and Oscar.  I always wonder if they know someone in America really loves them and thinks of them every single day!

Love,

Patti K

Snow covers the ground.  I woke up this morning, not wanting to get out of bed, but should be thankful I did wake up to another day.  I took my son to school and now here I sit, at my favorite coffee shop – sipping a hot chi tea on a winter day.

The coffee shop workers are singing to “Somewhere over the Sea.”  They actually sound really good.  Its a young man, I bet he’s not yet 20 and a young woman… around the same age.  A nice surprise at 0736.

I’m getting ready to write an article for Voice of Warriors.  I think I know what I’m going to write about.  I watched a documentary last night.  It was about two young Michigan National Guard Unit soldiers 2 years before they joined the military, eventually deployed to war and the aftermath of their lives after deployment.  The name of the documentary is Where Soldiers Come From.  The documentary followed two young men on their deployment.  It touched my heart.

Follow Where Soldiers Come from on Facebook or Twitter.

Check it out, and spread the word.

Dear Diary,

This year, Thanksgiving was nice.  My husband and I went to my grandmas – where it was low key.  Just grandma and my Aunt were there.  It was good to be able to spend time with Gram without lots of commotion going on.  Don’t get me wrong – I love my family, and I love it when we get together… but it was nice to spend time with JUST her.

To Grandmas House We Go…

I only have one Grandma left.  I’m thankful for her.  She taught me about giving, and helping others.  She said something once a few years ago that sticks in my head.  ”A parent/grandparent always wants to see their child (and grandchildren) grow up to be able to take care of themselves.  As a parent of teenagers, I totally get it.

My grandmas house is cozy.  It’s not fancy, its a little dusty – but – its where I feel most at home.  My parents have moved a few times over the course of my adult life… so, I can’t go back to the home I was raised in as a kid. Therefore, I feel most at home at grandmas.  I feel like I am far away from all the stresses of the world when I’m at her house.  I forget the war, I forget that mean people live in the world and I forget the past 6 years that has effected my life… and the life of my family.  The time before Thanksgiving when I was at grandmas, I took a few pictures and I even went for a swing on the old swing set that’s still standing tall and Grams.

My youngest daughter and my niece played down the creek bank on Troll Island…

and I walked around outside in the crisp fall air, reminiscing…

This is the rock where I made “stone” soup growing up.  See the little dip in the rock? When it would rain, it would fill up with “broth,” I would throw dirt, leaves and anything else I could find in the “soup!”

Aren’t these chairs so cool? I think they are *so* retro.

Well, enough reminiscing for now….

~PK