Thursday, November 26, 2009

What I am thankful for

I am thankful for: (in no particular order then when they pop into my head)
1) My brother TJ and the greatness he turned out to be and his kind heart
2) My brother David. I am so incredibly thankful we made it another year and he is well
3) My precious babies are my heart and soul and the reason I live
4) For the fond, loving memories of my guardian angels, my grandparents
5) My parents for being the rock, heart and soul of the family
6) Jim for his dedicated partnership and unshaken love
7) My sister in law for her patience, kindness, and love she has showed my family
8) To have made it another year
9) My new found faith I found the day I lost my grandmother, it keeps me strong
10) To have the means to provide for my children
11) The soldiers who are away from home this holiday fighting to keep my children safe
12) My brother in law leaving that junkie bitch, may God guide him down the straight path
13) Reuniting with my Godfather
14) My cousin Jack making it another year and he is well
15) Having the opportunity to go to Disney World, not once, but twice this year!
16) For growing a year older and ten years wiser
17) And last but not least: The advice my grandmother gave me before she passed.

My prayers go out to:
Cancer victims (especially the little guys), soldiers, the homeless (humans and animals alike), children who will lose the dream of Christmas this year over this fucked up economy, my babies, Falco & Chet, David, people who lose their love ones, people who lose their homes and jobs, my aunt (for my uncles sake), and every single day of my life I pray to God for strength to keep going and to make it through

Happy Thanksgiving Be thankful for what you have

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

My family remembrance

Whether George Kelly was helping to raise his siblings, working to educate his children or fighting for his country, it was in keeping with the tenets of his Christian faith.

"Dad never did anything half-way," said his daughter, Janice Kugler. "His commitments were always 110 percent. It was part of his Methodist upbringing of reaching out to others."

George William Kelly, of White Oak, a member of the board of trustees of Wesley United Methodist Church in McKeesport, died Friday, June 16, 2006, in UPMC McKeesport. He was 81.

"Dad was one of 10 children," Kugler added. "My grandfather, Calvin Kelly, died when my father was 16. Dad dropped out of school and up until he entered the Army, he was helping to raise his younger brothers and sisters.

"He even volunteered to stay behind so one of his brothers, who had the opportunity to attend college, could attend.

"And even after my grandmother, Lillie, died, Dad continued to be the one his brothers and sisters could call up for help and advice."

In 1942, Mr. Kelly enlisted in the Army and as a member of the 4th Armored Division, he saw action at the Battle of the Bulge.

"Dad often recalled how proud he was to have participated in a war against oppression and tyranny," said his daughter. "He was a patriot who loved this country."

Following his discharge in 1945, Mr. Kelly was employed by U.S. Steel as a production scheduling supervisor. He retired in the late 1970s.

Kugler recalled her father's commitment to his Methodist faith as another milestone in his life.

"As a boy, Dad, along with his family, attended the Free Methodist Church in McKeesport, which is a very strict Methodist denomination," said his daughter. "It was here that he began his desire to serve an important tenet of his Christian faith -- that of reaching out to others."

In 1948, George Kelly married Doris Rebecca Oyler, a resident of McKeesport, who was employed in the offices of Westinghouse Air Brake Corp. in Wilmerding.

"Both Mom and Dad were active members of the Wesley United Methodist Church in McKeesport," recalled Kugler.

Mr. Kelly served on the building committee when the congregations of the Ballantyne and Coursin Methodist churches merged to become Wesley United Methodist Church and a new building was erected in 1968.

Mr. Kelly was also an active on the board of trustees of Wesley United Methodist and Wesley United Methodist Men.

"Dad understood the importance sports had in the development of young men and he coached the McKeesport Knights softball team, besides the softball and baseball teams at our church," said Kulger.

Mr. Kelly is survived by his wife, Doris Rebecca Oyler Kelly; children, Joyce Heady, of South Pasadena, Fla., Clifton Kelly, of Beavercreek, Ohio, and Janice Kugler, of White Oak; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters, Annabelle Haidle-Tomak, of Dayton, Ohio, and Jeanne Carlson, of Milton, Del.

Mr. Kelly was preceded in death by his sisters, June Whitehead, Dorothy Stumme-Pishko and Lillie May Walsh and brothers Clifton, Calvin, Charles and Glenn Kelly.

Homemade Pecan Pie

Homemade Pumpkin Praline Pie


Monday, November 23, 2009

Homemade Cranberry Sauce


Even though I was exhausted today, I'm still trying to keep on track. I have to say it turned out really really good too. My first homemade batch, proud of myself.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Friday, November 20, 2009

Make A Wish

Dear Santa Claus

Macy's Make A Wish

For every letter that gets dropped off in Santa's Post Office Box at your local participtaing Macy's, $1 will be donated to Make A Wish foundation! Please write!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Time to Start Baking!



Now starts the holiday baking. So today was Pumpkin Cookies!
Bake then freeze, bake then freeze. These particular ones are for Boyscouts and Thanksgiving. But don't think I haven't included Christmas.