Girl on the Blog

It's So Hard To Say Good-Bye...

2005-12-15T22:02:00.000-05:00

I want to make one thing VERY, VERY clear. My personal information, life, etc... is mine!!!! If I want anyone to know this information I will give it to you personally.

I took on blogging as a way out from the "Real World". At the time it all began, I was a stay at home mom and needed some sort of outlet. I never really expected to have a lot of people reading my blog. I started this blog for myself... no one else but me.

While blogging I have given each of you all I want to give you about my personal life, opinions, pics, etc.... Now I am forced to make the decision of "Not to blog". Why? Because I was contacted by a blogger who frequents my comment box. Who frequently emails me... who today crossed the line and found out "who I am". Yes, he found the real me. I am taking down all pics of me and my son. This is TRULY a shame!!!!!

While I have enjoyed blogging... I cherish my personal life and do not want to put my family in harms way.

I want to take this time and thank each of you for "reading" me. You all are a great group of people... and if I decide to continue to blog somewhere else... I'll let you know! ;)

I hope each of you have a wonderful holiday season and wish you nothing but the best in the New Year. You guys and gals have been a blast!!!!! Cheers to each of you!

***THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR HEART-FELT COMMENTS. I SHALL RETURN ONE DAY... AND WHAT A GOOD DAY THAT WILL BE FOR ME!!!!***

Until we meet again....

Red Ryder - Weekend

2005-12-15T20:00:00.000-05:00

This will be my last post until next week... I have a busy weekend ahead.

My best friends are coming into town. We are going out to one of the pub's in Franklin to do a little Karoaking... I am excited... It's been a while since I did the ole' karaoke. Tonight! Tonight! It's coming Tonight! Tonight! Tonight! Tonight! Hot Damn, Tonight! My friend is turning 41... he doesn't look a day over 30. I think it's his Hawaiian blood. So, we will be "partying" it up. I feel a little bit of Cher, little bit of Shania, little bit of Nancy Sinatra will do the night some good. Or maybe a little "Deck the halls with boughs of horry, ra ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra." Got to get those ole' vocal chords ready... LOL!

Since, I didn't get to do my Christmas/Holiday shopping this past weekend... How about a nice football? I guess I will have to get it done this weekend. Oooh fuuudge! So there goes my relaxing weekend before the BIG HOLIDAY... BIG CHRISTMAS... What ever you prefer to call it!

Can't wait for Christmas/Holiday... the only reason being... "The Christmas Story" will be playing over and over again on TNT... That is the best Christmas Gift EVER.... thank you, TNT... :)

"No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! "

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid. "
__________

Re-Post

Let us not forget the children that will be going without a Christmas/Holiday. It's good to take care of those in other lands but it's even better when we take care of the children in our own land... there are so many children in the USA that will not have a Christmas/Holiday.

9:00 p.m. Saturday, December 24, 2005

While waiting at the bus stop, Gina saw him lying underneath a newspaper on the cold hard pavement. She couldn't help but stop and stare. He was dressed in green and was covered in dirt.

As she stood looking down at him, she thought to herself "He looks like he needs a good home."

She leaned over and pulled the newspaper off of him and asked, "Would ya like to go home with me?"

He did not respond, but the look in his hard brown eyes told her that he did.

On the bus ride home, Gina and he never spoke a word. She just held on to his soiled hand. The thoughts of her little boy, Thomas, kept running through her head. A tear came to her eye.

The bus stopped in front of a dingy apartment complex on the out skirts of the Lower East Side.

She and he made their way to apartment 3B. While thumbing her keys around to try to find the right key, she never let go of his hand.

10:30 pm Saturday, December 24, 2005

She ran water in the rust stained sink.

"I suppose a good scrubbing will get you clean," she assured him.

She took off his green tattered clothes and laid them on top of the toilet seat and proceeded to scrub him clean, the best she could.

"I am sorry I have no clothes for you to wear. But I know that a soldier is always comfortable in his uniform." She whispered with a smile.

She placed the tattered green clothes back on him.

6 AM Sunday, December 25, 2005

"Mommy, mommy!" Thomas yelled while swinging Gina's bedroom door open.

"Look what Santa brought me."

He held up the tattered green clothed "GI Joe" his mom brought home the night before.

See, I told you Santa would come this year." He giggled with excitement.

The Salvation Army

Hope each of you have a great and safe weekend!

Until we meet again....

Play it again, Sam Continued...

2005-12-15T00:31:00.000-05:00

I have decided to continue my Play it again, Sam post... one reason being, I don't think it is fare that I only picked a select few of my "Those Who Rock" ... the other being, I have really nothing to post today...

This time I am not only posting what song reminds me of you I am also putting a little twist on the whole concept... I will be including a description of what I think you look like and what kind of person I think you are... :)

So.... this shall be my Thursday post... even though I am actually posting it on Wednesday. "Hey, I am always ahead of the game"...

Esoteric Wombat ... I hear the Batman Theme running through my head... and where they say BATMAN... I hear WOMBAT!!! Perfect song for you I do believe! Okay I have seen a pic of you... well just your head. Do you still have the long hair? I picture you around 6 ft tall. Brown hair brown eyes. The artsy type. Funny as hell in a dry sense of humor way!

Sgt Hook ... I hear the Billy Ray Cyrus Song "Don't Break My Heart My Achy Breaky Heart"... No, Just Kidding... I actually hear his song... "All Gave Some"... It's actually a really good song and I have performed it several times. Okay let me give you a much sexier song... "Soldier" by Destiny's Child... :) I picture you being a brilliant minded, sexy soldier... (Guys in uniform...nothing like them) in your 40's. Between 5'8 - 5'10. Brown Hair Blue Eyes. A damn fine man who is loyal to his job and his country.

Courting Destiny ... I hear "Wonderful Tonight" Eric Clapton... the first song that popped into my head when reading you! I picture you as a fiery red head with green eyes. Tall and slender... what every woman wants to be and then some. A New York Yankee fan and a classy but riskay woman.

Alice: In Wonderland or Not ... I hear "Down Home Girl" The Rolling Stones ... why? I don't know... first song that popped into my head. I have only seen half your head in your little profile pic... So... I am going to say you are around 5'6. Brown Hair, Brown Eyes. Sexy school girl nerd. You do not take things to heart. You are a spunky girl that doesn't take any crap!

Leigh... The Lab "Your Every Color" Train... sounds like you... I could be wrong... but from what I've read... I think I am right! You are definitely a surfer chick full of life... I have only seen your profile pic and your child hood pic. I say your dark brown hair is medium length and you have dark brown eyes. I picture you to be like you have said before a "Nora Jones" look a like. A Cool surfer chick that I would gladly catch a wave with anytime (if I knew had to surf... remember I have to teach ya how to cow tip).

Afriend: Individual Thoughts a hard one for me... I have just started reading you just this past month... hmmmm... "If Tomorrow Never Comes" Garth Brooks... just because by reading your post I picture a man who is grateful for life but often wonders if he has done enough to make everyone happy. One who, I believe, has realized that making himself happy will make the world around him happier...alcohol and cigarettes.... I picture an older man with salt and pepper hair, green eyes and a long will to live many more years!!! ;)

Amy's... Brain Droppings "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" Cat Stevens... why because I think of Cat's when I am clicking on the link to your blog... so I had to throw in some Cat Stevens. I picture you with shoulder length brown wavy hair. Around 5'5 . I see you maybe wearing your heart on your sleeve... you have a great love for animals... a little clumsy, I do believe... falling down the steps... :)

AverageBusinessMan "You're So Square (Baby I Don't Care)" Buddy Holly... I just picture you to look like Buddy Holly... a great love for your wife and kid... a laid back, fun loving type of guy who gets along with everyone!

Bee "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" Cyndi Lauper... I picture you being the life of every party... the pretty girl... Blonde Hair Blue Eyed California Girl... Everyone likes and loves.

CaliValleyGirl "Good Enough For Me" Tiffany... I picture you being the fun loving, soldier girl friend... brainy and a lot of fun to be around. I picture you with sandy brown hair, brown eyes and a personality to die for. A person who is open minded and loves life... but loves her soldier more.

Eli Blake's... Deep Thought "FOOT OF PRIDE" Bob Dylan.... I picture you as a man full of knowledge and are compassionate in what you believe in. You are a one who speaks his mind and gets respect every where you go. A man people look up toooooo!!!

Chris Sapp's Many Faces "Panic Song" Green Day... I picture you as a very caring person and longing for the love and compassion you give out to be returned to you. I see you being high-strung and always wanting to get the job done. I see you as 6 ft, bald, and with the "chester" cats grin... :)

Graham's... The Cognoscenti "We didn't start the fire" Billy Joel... I picture you as a handsome man... driving the girls wild with your looks and brains... I picture you with light brown hair and blue, blue eyes... around 6 ft tall... men want to be you, women want to be with you... :)

MJ... Political Notio "Country Boys And Girls" Tim McGraw... Actually when I first started reading you,what you wrote sounded like one of my best friends. So I picture you as 6'1 brown hair and green eyes... country boy tan... cowboy hat sometimes when you are not on the job... love for your wife... true-blue to your job... You like your job but sometimes you wished you were doing something else... a perfect man to say the least... ;)

SnoopDonnieDon "Leap of Faith" Michelle Branch... I have seen some pics of you... so I will say brown hair and a goatee... You have great faith, but sometimes question the way you feel... you are searching for so many answers on why you feel the way you do... Realizing you are a normal human being will be in your future...

Miz BoheMia... "Bohemian Rhapsody" Queen... it's your name that gives it away... I picture you as the cool chica... the cool mom... you don't take any crap from anyone... you could kick my ass if I let ya...LOL! Just started reading you so... my image may change... :)

The Info. Bounty Hunter "Hard to Handle" The Black Crowes... I picture being Mr. Nice Guy but when the moment is right... you can be "Mr. I'll Kick Your Ass"... you are the type that all the ladies long for... the teacher image comes to mind... except for you it would be librarian... ;) Also, I picture you as looking a little like Mark McGrath and that is not a bad thing!!!!

Sooooo... this is my picture of each of you... am I right or am I wrong? Let me know how close I am to the real thing.... Also, if you haven't already... let me know what song reminds you of me and what you picture me to be like... ;)

UPDATE: My sexy, older, perfect, laid back, no ass hubby was not amused by my "Monkey" picture of him... so I thought I better make a mends... If I don't... my whistling nose and I will be sleeping in the dog house... literally...

Until we meet again....

Permalink... http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/play-it-again-sam-continued.html

Play it again, Sam

2005-12-14T00:34:00.000-05:00

"Play it again, Sam" has to be one of my all time favorite lines. I always wanted to say that line... and six years ago I did, when I was performing in Franklin at a local pub (Bunganut Pig). My keyboardist name was Sam... so I couldn't help myself... "Let's play it again, Sam"...

Throughout my life music has been my "outlet"... From the time I was 3 years old until I was 23... I lived, breathed, ate and slept music. It was my passion. I came so close to making my musical dreams a reality... but I digress.

Everyone that has made a "deep impression" on my life I have "graciously" given each of them a song. So... anytime I hear a song that I have "graciously" given out... I always think of them. For example...

My ex-hubby... "I Don't Wanna Fight" Tina Turner

An ex-lover... "I Will Remember You" Sarah McLachlan

Old Spanish Teacher... "Livin' La Vida Loca" Ricky Martin

My son... "I Hope You Dance" Lee Ann Womack

My grandmother... "Wind Beneath My Wings" Bette Midler

My sisters... "Girl You Know It's True" Milli Vanilli (LONG BUT FUNNY STORY)

SOOOOO.... I thought about what song comes to mind when I read some of my fellow bloggers...

Esoteric Wombat ... I hear the Batman Theme running through my head... and where they say BATMAN... I hear WOMBAT!!!

Sgt Hook ... I hear the Billy Ray Cyrus Song "Don't Break My Heart My Achy Breaky Heart"... No, Just Kidding... I actually hear his song... "All Gave Some"... It's actually a really good song and I have performed it several times.

Courting Destiny ... I hear "Wonderful Tonight" Eric Clapton... the first song that popped into my head when reading you!

Alice: In Wonderland or Not ... I hear "Down Home Girl" The Rolling Stones ... why? I don't know... first song that popped into my head.

Leigh... The Lab "Your Every Color" Train... sounds like you... I could be wrong... but from what I've read... I think I am right!

I would go on... but I am so tired. Ask me what song reminds me of you in my comment box. Also... tell me what song reminds you of me.

Until we meet again....

Being Called Out...

2005-12-13T01:05:00.000-05:00

The past few days I have had an on going discussion with Snoop Donnie Don: "Rent" Part 2. He misinterpreted a comment I wrote... he assumed something, that at the time, I thought was flat out stupid!

Just like the person who decides or discovers that they are gay, I have weighed all aspects of what I know and believe at the moment in order to carry out what I do in my daily life whether people like it or not. They have done the same thing whether I like it or not. But, I hope the homosexuals I meet in the future can be as gracious as those I have met in the past and are able to agree to disagree, to share their tears with me as well as a drink or dinner and my tears with them as I have been able to do. But, knowing what I know today as an expression of who I am in this part of my journey, I can't see how I can change my mind. I still don't think that it is the way God intended. But, the response of most people who subscribe to the "Judeo Christian" ethic is most often equally not as God intended. But, I could not sacrifice a relationship with one if given the opportunity, by harping on their choice or condition in life. Because I truly believe that the differences we share with others challenge and refine us and make us better if we have enough concern for the person and not just the label we have on them. But really, we cannot help in this life do anything but wrestle with the labels when we are confronted with them.

My comment: I look at it like this... I may not prefer the same sex, married to a different race, etc... but it doesn't mean it is wrong. Just because I don't prefer the situation doesn't give me the right to disagree with their total outlook on life. It's their life, I am not the one living it and as long as they are happy... that's all that matters. (I hate using the terms "they" and "them" so please forgive)

D.Rad's Response: I don't disagree with their total outlook, just part of it. We all come to conclusions about right and wrong. The world would not function or progress without some code of right and wrong. I find it interesting you brinterracialracial marriage into this discussion. What does that mean? I think there are some metacognitiive messages in your writing. I think it may be possible that you see yourself judgmental and really don't want to deal with that part of yourself because you hate it and want to avoid it. There is a difference between judgmental and truthful. Is it truthful to say that murder is wrong or the sky is blue? No. But if I were to say the murderer is bound to hell and everybody should love blue or they have bad taste, I am being judgmental... Just food for thought.

My Comment Back: No... that is not it at all!!!! I am nowhere judgmental in any since. I was thinking back to my post that I did regarding homosexuals and prejudice, bias and racism. That is why I tied in interracial marriages. I guess I should have referred in my comment back to my post. For you to say you think that I am judgmental and do not want to deal with it... is just flat out stupid!!! YOU are judging me! I thought you were better than that!
Oh and maybe you need to read my post Moving at the Speed of Life...

Today I question myself... and realize... yes, I am judgmental to a degree.

Bush... I do not like him. Never have, never will. I do not trust the man. Every time he opens his mouth... all I hear is the teacher off of the Charlie Brown cartoons "Wa, Wa, Wa, Wa..etc". I feel as though he has brought this nation in to a deep sea of crap and I do not ever see him being known as "One of the Greatest Presidents Ever". He and his whole administration will go down as a big RED mark in history. F written in RED!

So by me stating these words... am I being Judgmental? Am I being prejudice against the "Stupid"? I think I am.
_____
On to... Stanley Tookie Williams

My thoughts on the death penalty... fry the bastard. He has supposedly turned his life around. I do not believe this. From an interview I saw with the warden of death row, he has been in trouble starting fights and joining fights. Why show him any sort of remorse... he didn't show any remorse for those he killed. Just because you write a few children's books doesn't make you a "changed" man. BUT THEN THERE IS THE LINGERING QUESTION... should we play God? Well, I believe this... God gave Williams a brain, a life. Williams destroyed it by destroying someone else... he was caught... sentenced to death... and now Arnold has made it clear that Williams shall die. God works in mysterious ways.

Again am I being judgmental against "born again" murderers? I guess I would have to say... Yes, I am.

____
Here we go to the Rapist...

Rapists are, in my eyes, the scum of the earth. Anyone who can take something so precious from a man, woman or child by force... should live in eternal hell FOREVER. There is no excuse for rape... none! When a woman, man or child says NO... screams NO... mumbles NO... whispers NO... NO MEANS NO!!! I swear before each of you ... if any man or woman were to ever lay a sexual hand on my son... they will never live to see another day. I rather be damned to eternal hell for murder than to let the bastard roam free tormenting others. I have been put in a few situation where, at any moment, I felt as though the situation would have led to rape. Fortunately for me... they never got that far. I did have a friend that committed suicide after two of our "friends" ganged up on her and raped her! No one believed her (I did... but a majority of people did not) The bastards are still walking free to this day!!!! How can anyone do this to another human? How can you take something from your victim that is not yours? How????

YES... I am being judgmental when it comes to the dirty bastard rapist!
_____

My judgmental prejudices do not regard homosexuality, bi-racial marriage, racism, gender bias, etc... BUT... My judgmental prejudices do regard stupid Politicians, Murdering the Innocent and Raping of the undefiled.

So am I judgmental? I have to say... Yes, I am.

Am I proud of it? No, I am not!

__________________

I called your bluff D.Rad... and you made me realize... I was the one bluffing in a certain since... I am not as PERFECT and opened minded as I once thought I was...

D.Rad said... I apologize if I overstepped my boundaries in the blogosphere, but I think it is okay to challenge and I know you are able to handle yourself, as you can feel free to challenge me anytime. But, I have a tendency to get caught up in the moment and the words and let that get in the way of what other things I read from you. When you brought interracial marriage into the same list as homosexuality, I looked at it and responded with my filters rather than yours. Now that I can rethink it, I see that it is from your open heart and love for others that you put those on the same list for good reasons while others usually don't. I think interracial marriage is a great thing. The voices (not crazy voices) I heard saying this as I was reading your comment were saying it negatively which led me to accuse you of what I did. So, I am glad you felt free to respond back to me the way you did.

Until we meet again....

Tag Your It!

2005-12-12T21:19:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Sgt Hook I have been tagged...

My tag mission is to post 5 Weird Habits of mine. But you see Sgt... I really don't have any weird habits. (Although my hubby disagrees)... He has so kindly reminded me of my weird habits.

These are my hubby's top 5 Girl on the Blog weird habits... I don't find them that weird!

5) I eat cheese on everything... I mean everything!!!

4) I make up songs for my son... such as "Wake up you sleepy head, hall your hiney out of bed", "Clean up, Clean up, let us all clean up", "Tingy, tangy, tee, Wingy, wangy, wee", "Yummy, yummy, yummy let's put this goody in your tummy", "I'm going to change your diaper, cha cha cha, I'm going to change your diaper, cha cha cha" and etc...

3) When I snore (I am not aware that I do... this is just hear say from my sexy, older, perfect, laid back, no ass hubby) my nose makes this cute little whistle... Whatever!

2) I belch after taking the first drink of a soda. (okay this is true and soooo unattractive)

1) I sit around in my bath towel as long as I can before I get ready for work, play... life. (this isn't that weird... I just like to be dry before I put on my clothes... that's all! :)~ )

It has been brought to my attention that I have never posted a pic of my sexy, older, perfect, laid back, no ass hubby... So here he is... Isn't he cute?!?! That's what he gets for saying I have weird habits... specially the nose whistling thing!

Part II of this assignment is to tag 5 others with it. Sorry folks, you've been tagged... blame it on the Sgt!!!!!!

The Info. Bounty Hunter
Leigh... The Lab
Alice: In Wonderland or Not
AverageBusinessMan
Bee

Until we meet again....

Permalink: http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/tag-your-it.html

How Well Do You Know...

2005-12-12T00:38:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We had a blast at our Christmas Party. My visit with Eugene was a very good one. I didn't get to go shopping on Sunday. My son had a tummy bug. I am not one on cleaning up vomit... but I will do anything for my son. So... all-in-all my weekend was great... except the vomit part!
_____________

It's Monday and that means another Contest. This one is a little different (Nope, no music contest here today). You can't google the answer... (cheaters...lol)! You have to know your fellow blogger. Check out my navigation bar under "Those Who Rock". Your answer is there.
Who ever wins gets their blog posted under my "Weekly Blog Winner".

Who is this fellow blogger? Give Blogger name and blogger URL. Must have both correct to win!

*GOTB asked: Why blog?
Blogger Guest answered: Good Question I ask myself that all the time when I'm biting my fingers because I haven't posted in couple of days or gotten to read any of my usual blogs due to other pressing concerns. It's better than smoking I guess. I don't really know why I do it. I never meant to have a blog that people actually read...aside from the old dead journal and blurty things I started in high school that is. I started the blog as a place to write personal stuff and slowly over time it changed I started reading others blogs, I am a bit of a voyeur in that way, and then ...well like I said it's better than smoking.

*GOTB asked: Who is your favorite blogger (besides me...lol)?
Blogger Guest answered: That is a hard one. The blogs I read are all so different I can't really pick a favorite. The only one I go to every day without fail is Waking Ambrose. I go to Wombat daily as well but he doesn't post that often. Put it this way I try to click on everyone in my sidebar daily or read them through my yahoo but if I could only check one before leaving it would be Waking Ambrose... that way I can mull the word around in my head all day. lol

*GOTB asked: What is your life like outside of the blogging world?
Blogger Guest answered: I'm a junior in college taking six credits, two majors at two different schools within one school so ..basically that is my whole life. I go to a concerts and plays and participate in a couple of school clubs..mostly human rights related. I walk around the city a lot.

I don't go clubbing. I eat a lot of sushi, have three really good friends at school and two other really good friends in the city. I have a decent family whom thankfully do not bother me all that much, which sounds funny but I prefer to be left alone by them at this point in my life. I hang out most often with "the violin man" who is actually a film and political science major and owns a kick ass apartment; he was my first friend at this school and my saving grace freshman year of college when my roommate used our room as a freshman bordello.

I try to run at least three miles four times a week which is hard to do here in the winter unless it is on a treadmill. I snowboard, read a lot, do not talk all that much unless I know someone fairly well. I study all the time.

I take a lot of pictures all of which are currently in a private web forum maybe soon to be public haven't decided yet. I live in a dorm but am rarely there, am looking for an apartment although this school I attend may not let me out of my housing contract. I am pretty anal and like things done a certain way, prefer to get good grades and like to be right most of the time. I snowboard, spend a lot of time in bookstores, am not much of a shopper but love shoes and prefer nice
things. I just don't need a lot of anything.

I drink gin and tonic..when I drink...which is pretty rare although I do spend time in bars with friends.

I can be fun though.

*GOTB asked: If you asked an "8 ball", what your future holds, what would it say?
Blogger Guest answered: Future noble prize winner of course for what I don't know but I'm almost certain of it.

*GOTB asked: Quote a favorite lyric.
Blogger Guest answered:

Go lightly from the ledge, babe,
Go lightly on the ground.
I'm not the one you want, babe,
I will only let you down.
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who will promise never to part,
Someone to close ~~his~~ her eyes for you,
Someone to close ~~his~~her heart,
Someone who will die for you an' more,
But it ain't me, babe,
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe,
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.

Go melt back into the night, babe,
Everything inside is made of stone.
There's nothing in here moving
An' anyway I'm not alone.
You say you're looking for someone
Who'll pick you up each time you fall,
To gather flowers constantly
An' to come each time you call,
A lover for your life an' nothing more,
But it ain't me, babe,
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe,
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.

It's a great lyric for this time in my life.

*GOTB asked: If you could have lunch with any blogger, who would it be?
Blogger Guest answered: Can we just throw a luncheon and invite them all?

*GOTB asked: I picture you loving "Conspiracy Theory". What is your favorite movie?
Blogger Guest answered: American Graffiti, any old Hitchcock, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte.

*GOTB asked: Vanilla or Chocolate?
Blogger Guest answered: Chocolate

*GOTB asked: Thoughts on Bush, (George Jr. that is)?
Blogger Guest answered: I didn't vote for him. Seriously maybe people will actually get out and vote next time. People in this country are fairly apathetic overall when if comes to things like presidential elections I'd be happy if people would actually know something about the issues prior to voting.

I think he and his administration are a travesty.

*GOTB asked: Describe a perfect day.
Blogger Guest answered: Right now it would be sleeping all day. In less academic prone times it would be snowboarding in the West on a sunny day, with a few good friends and sitting around talking to people all evening. The other option would be taking pictures all day while my non existent assistant carried around all my equipment.

*GOTB asked: Is there anything you would like to say to the bloggers who read this?
Blogger Guest answered: Hey come on over to my place. .......it's messy but the floors are
clean.

*GOTB asked: If you could be me (GOTB) for a day what is the first thing you would do?
Blogger Guest answered: Probably play with your son all day letting him do anything he wanted. Then I'd sneak into your closet to see if you had any shoes I liked.

Good Luck!

Until we meet again...

Permalink... http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/how-well-do-you-know.html

...the pocket watch, the dirty gold star and me

2005-12-11T13:59:00.000-05:00

To understand this post you will need to know Eugene. Please refer back to "His Name is Eugene" and "...his girl named Sue."
___________________________________

I had a brief encounter with, who I kindly refer to as, the heavyset lady. She let me know Eugene was in the wreck room/ study. Wreck room/ Study????

"It's round the corna and at the end of the hall." She agitatedly roared.

As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but notice that there were no pictures, paintings or anything on the walls, just the brilliant shade of grey. I couldn't help but feel a little depressed. I can only imagine how Eugene and his fellow comrades feel everyday living in this sea of "greyness". No wonder Eugene roams the streets. He needs to have a little color in his life.

I walked into the Wreck/ Study room. It smelled of sweat and body odor. As I looked around the room, I saw a white haired, elderly man sitting on an old discolored green couch in front of a 25-inch TV, watching what look to be some sort of western. There was an African American lost soul standing in front of a grimy window, gazing into his Never land. A dark haired middle-aged man sat on a drab red chair reading a magazine. Sitting behind a beat-up metal desk sat Eugene; his arms and head were lying on the desk as he faintly snored.

As I made my way over to Eugene I could feel his comrades eyes watching me.

I didn't want to startle Eugene so I tenderly patted his back and I softly echoed "Eugene. Eugene."

He raised his head and confusingly looked up at me. While looking at me he wiped the dribble from his mouth and chin.

"I'm sorry to wake ya, Eugene." I embarrassingly professed.

"Uhhh... that's okay." He answered back with sleepiness in his voice.

"Do ya rememba me?" I asked.

"Yes, mam. Yar the one with the boy."

I was so happy he remembered me I almost cried. "Yes, Eugene, I'm the one with the boy. I brought ya some Macaroni and Cheese for your lunch, like you requested."

He looked at me with a smile and said, "Ya remembered."

"Yes, sir, I did. I also brought ya a little somethin' else."

I handed him a small box.

"My wrappin' ain't the greatest. I'm good at a lot of things, but wrappin' ain't one of 'em." I lightly chuckled.

He looked at me with disbelief. "I...I...I..." he stuttered.

"Go ahead, open it." I encouraged.

With that his shaking fingers tore the horrible wrapping job off the gift.

He looked up at me and then back down at his gift. He got up from his chair and walked over to a window in the corner of the room. He left me standing at the desk not knowing what to say. I didn't know if he was happy, sad, angry, what have you. He just left me.

I walked over to him and distressingly asked, "Are ya okay, Eugene?"

He didn't respond. He continued to stare out the window. I didn't know if I had insulted him or if I had embarrassed him or if I had made him happy. He had retreated to his land far, far away and I didn't know what I had done to make him close his door.

With a deep sigh of awkwardness I avowed, "Okay, Eugene, I'll go. Merry Christmas."

As I was turning to walk away he raised his voice "Miss!"

I stopped in my tracks and turned towards him.

He reached into his left pocket and pulled out something very small. He extended his hand towards me. I walked over and picked up the tiny gesture out of his hand. It was a small dirty star pin. I'm not sure if it was his or something he collected off the street.

I smiled at him and he bashfully hung his head and timidly retorted, "I never had a pocket watch before."

"Well, now ya do Eugene." I softly replied.

With that he turned his head back towards the window and disappeared to his far away land. I stood there for a few minutes thinking he may start talking again. He never did.

This time he knew who I was "Yar the one with the boy". Next time I may be "his girl named Sue". All I know is that for one instant he traveled outside of his Never land and had a Merry Christmas with the pocket watch, the dirty gold star and me.

If anyone knows what this gold star represents please let me know. If it has anything to do with his rank, uniform, anything pertaining to his military career... I want to give it back to him. If it is just a pin... I'll keep it. It is not just a pin to me.

Until we meet again....

Permalink... http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/pocket-watch-dirty-gold-star-and-me.html

Weekend Ahead

2005-12-09T05:13:00.000-05:00

Busy weekend ahead... I will be attending a Christmas party (free cocktails I hope) on Saturday night and last minute (damn-it *!&$@) Christmas Shopping Sunday afternoon. I am buying Eugene a gift tomorrow and taking it to him on Sunday morning. I am excited to see him again.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Until we meet again....

Pick a Topic...

2005-12-09T00:05:00.000-05:00

This week there has been a whirl-wind of news...

Woman Allegedly Hires Hit Man for Cheese

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In an unusual case of mistaken identity, a woman who thought a block of white cheese was cocaine is charged with trying to hire a hit man to rob and kill four men. The woman also was mistaken about the hit man. He turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Talk about some "KILLER" Cheese! It is really sad when one does not know the difference between cheese and cocaine. This is when you know YOU REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM!
________________

Journal: Bad Vioxx Outcomes Not Disclosed

TRENTON, N.J. - Authors of a study funded by Vioxx' maker Merck & Co. failed to disclose in a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine' in 2000 that three additional patients in a clinical study suffered heart attacks while using the now-withdrawn painkiller, the journal wrote in an editorial released Thursday.

I had a very bad experience with Vioxx... My doctor gave it to me after I had inflammation set up in my right foot. Thirty minutes after taking it, I had past out and was rushed to the hospital. An allergic reaction? It's evil I tell you!
________________

Sky marshals fatally shoot passenger who made bomb threat on jet in Miami

MIAMI -- Federal air marshals noticed the man was acting strangely even before he boarded an American Airlines jet scheduled to fly from Miami to Orlando on Wednesday.

Then Rigoberto Alpizar, 44, of Maitland in Central Florida, threatened nearby passengers aboard the jetliner that he had a bomb in his backpack, officials said.

Two air marshals confronted him, and he tried to flee. He got as far as the jet bridge, which connects the plane with the terminal, before the marshals ordered him to the ground.

That's when Alpizar made a fatal move, officials said: He reached inside his backpack. The marshals opened fire.

I don't know about you... but if a "crazy" man or woman claims they have a bomb/gun/ whatever and reaches into their bag... I will be opening fire. Granted the man might have been Bi-Polar... but he wasn't taking his meds (his wife did know this) that is his own fault as well as her and anyone else that knew of his situation. I believe the marshals did the right thing and if it were a true "bomb" situation... they would be commended right now, not criticized or questioned.
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Narnia film triggers book rush, more tie-ins seen

Whichever way you look at it, the relationship between film studios and publishers is getting closer, particularly in the children's fantasy sector which has produced the hugely successful Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings screen franchises.

Now it is C.S. Lewis' turn, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe."

I just can't wait to see this movie! I loved the book, even though I was forced to read it when I was a pre-teen. C.S. Lewis... I love you!
_________________

Fans Mark Anniversary of Lennon's Murder

NEW YORK - Some met John Lennon in person, others knew him from the television, still others never knew him at all. On Thursday, they gathered by the hundreds in Central Park's Strawberry Fields to remember the pacifist rock star murdered 25 years ago by a deranged Beatles fan.

When John Lennon was murdered... that was truly the day the music died!
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WIDOW REALIZES THE PERFECT GIFT IS GIVING LOVE TO OTHERS

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I were married for 35 wonderful years, and Christmas was our favorite time of year. As I sit here this morning, I remember all the time we wasted worrying about getting the "perfect" gift for everyone, when in reality the most perfect gift you can give is yourself and your love.

We had seven beautiful kids, 23 beautiful grandchildren and five adorable great-grandchildren, so it took a lot of time to shop for everyone. I realize that the most perfect gift would be to have my darling husband here with us. He passed away Oct. 10, 2003.

I now understand that the perfect gifts were the love and closeness we shared together, and you can't buy that in any department store.

So, Abby, please suggest to your readers that when they're agonizing about finding the perfect gift, they should look right under their own noses. They may find they already have it. --

MISSING HIM IN OHIO

DEAR MISSING HIM: Thank you for the poignant reminder that too often we take for granted those intangibles that are the most precious. You and your darling husband shared a life together filled with an abundance of riches. I hope that knowledge will bring you comfort during this time and for the rest of your holiday seasons to come.

In a blink of an eye your life could be changed forever... this is why I try not to take my life for granted... I have everything I have ever wanted... and yes "it's right under my nose" daily.

Until we meet again....

Can I get a 'Snob' ?

2005-12-08T21:42:00.000-05:00

It has been brought to my attention that evidently I am, lack of better words, a snob! I have never intended to come off as a braggart, pretender, upstart, parvenuer, elitist... but SOME people in the past three months have made me aware that "obviously" I am (no sarcasms in my writing at all...noooo).

For Example:

The day before my son's birthday, I went to the balloon store and bought 15 helium balloons. While buying these balloons I never thought of "HOW IN THE HELL WAS I GOING TO GET THEM IN MY MALIBU?!?!" Since then I have purchased a Damn Fine Ride that would have held the mass of balloons just fine... but I digress. While I was trying to cram the cluster of balloons into my car, a kind older gentleman asked if he could help me. I guess I looked like a fool in desperate need of aid. I took him up on his offer. During our struggle of pushing and pulling the balloons into my "clown car" a red Ford Bronco pulled up beside us. A thin woman, with long black hair got out & blurted "SHAYNA!" I turned to her and said "Hello" and then turned back to the balloon fight. The lady proceeded to get her child out of her vehicle. She, I guess, decided to have a conversation with my back side. My back side was sticking out of the passenger side. This woman carried on a conversation that consisted of her job, her child, her mother, her husband and then she went into questioning me. She wanted to know what I was doing... was it not obvious?She wanted to know who I married, how old my child was, where I was living, who my in-laws were, what size panties I wore (okay... she didn't ask that but I wouldn't have been surprised if she had). The whole time this conversation was going on... my response most of the time was uh-huh, really, wow, etc. FINALLY, the older gentleman (my hero) and I got the damn balloons into my ride. YES... the woman was still talking.

I believe the expression on my face must have said it all because her next question was... "You have no clue who I am do you?"

NOPE... I had NO CLUE!!!

"Well, you look so familiar, but I am not good with names." I tried to cover up.

She gave me a "GO TO HELL" look and exclaimed, "What did I expect? You didn't know me in high school either."

With that outburst she quickly snatched up her kid and walked away. Leaving me with my 15 balloons, my clown car and EGG all over my face. I felt horrible.

BUT... after months of thinking about this incident... I am just ticked off!! If I didn't know her in high school, why in the hell did she think I would know her 10 years later?
_______________

ANOTHER EXAMPLE:

At the diner where I was having lunch today, my waitress knew who I was. Granted, she did look a little familiar, but that was it... just a little familiar.

She also questioned me about my life. I answered every question and tried to eat my meal. I guess she was hoping that I would ask her about her life, but I didn't... I DIDN'T KNOW HER.

Out of no where I heard the dreaded words, "DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO I AM?"

... NOPE... I had no clue...

I felt like I was reliving the previous incident!!!

I tried so hard to be as nice as I could "You look familiar. I am just not good with names."

Again, I got the "GO TO HELL" look. She explained that she and I had Music Lit. together in 10th grade. BIG WOOPIE!!! So what!!! I barely remember who my friends were back then... How am I suppose to remember someone I sat next to in Music Lit. years ago.

I acted like I remembered "Cindy" (name was on her name tag)... and this incident ended better than the previous. She actually gave me a free piece of pecan pie.

_______

Until we meet again....

The GOTB's...

2005-12-06T20:33:00.000-05:00

I am beginning to wonder... am I or aren't I a Democrat? I have been disgusted here lately with the outburst of some officials in "our" party.

For example:

I am on the Democratic Blog emailing list... I received in the past 2 wks emails regarding the Murtha incident.

Clips from the 1st email from Tom McMahon:

Ten days ago Governor Dean asked Democrats to stand up for decorated combat veteran and Democratic Congressman Jack Murtha, who was under attack for speaking up about Iraq. More than 115,000 of you sent Murtha notes of encouragement, letting him know you would not be silent as Republicans try to score political points by attacking veterans.

Granted I do believe that the way Congresswoman Jean Schmidt went about "eluding" such crap was atrocious... BUT... I am not so sure I like the way the Democrats are trying to go about "getting back at her"...

You asked what you could do to turn the heat up on Jean Schmidt and show Republicans that questioning the service of our veterans isn't fair game. One great idea that many of you suggested was placing billboards in their home districts. So, at your suggestion, here's the proposal.

From this day forward, the Democratic Party will commit to putting up a "Shame on You" billboard in the home district of any Republican who attacks a veteran's service in order to score political points.

The first billboard will go up near Jean Schmidt's district office in Portsmouth, Ohio. The message: "Shame on You, Jean Schmidt: Stop Attacking Veterans. Keep Your Eye on the Ball -- We Need a Real Plan for Iraq".

Granted Murtha deserves nothing but respect... After all he did serve 37 years in the Marine Corps, he received the Bronze Star, two purple hearts, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. BUT... this whole billboard campaign has become a serious "cat fight", if you will... I feel as though I am back in high school and I am sitting back watching my football team and the opponent team fight over the football... Name calling and "calling one out" is not going to save face...

Clip of Second email from Howard Dean:

Jean Schmidt is only the latest Republican leader to cross this line of civility and respect for our veterans -- it's time to say enough is enough.

Republican leaders use these tactics to distract people from the simple fact that they have lost credibility on national security and foreign policy.

They abandoned the hunt for Osama bin Laden. They manipulated intelligence to sell the war in Iraq, and failed to plan adequately for the war before it started. They destroyed the moral authority America built up over five decades of Democratic and Republican presidents, and they alienated the universal support for our cause after September 11th.

Americans deserve to hear an exit strategy in Iraq and a plan to restore our moral leadership in the world. And questioning the patriotism of those who demand these things is absolutely out of bounds.

Although I do agree with most of this email... I still hate the "name calling" and "he said, she said" philosophy... It is so damn childish to me...

Clip of the Third Email from Tom McMahon:

This is it -- your last chance to help place billboards in Jean Schmidt's district sending her a clear message:

Granted I never did respond... I just couldn't... even though I think Jean Schmidt was way out of line... I do believe that we Democrats were going a "little over the top" with this plan...

Clip of the Fourth Email from Tom McMahon:

Unfortunately, at about 10 AM, we got two phone calls -- the first came from Lamar's Cincinnati office informing us that because of the content of the ad, they are refusing to continue to work with us. The second call came a few minutes later from Lamar's Huntington, West Virginia office, informing us that despite our signed contract, they were also rejecting our ad. This reversal came more than 24 hours after the DNC had signed a contract with Lamar, and 48 hours after they had accepted the artwork for the billboards you helped pay to put up.

So... I guess the old saying goes... "Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones"... Sure it's okay to be angry, sure it's okay to confront your "enemy"... but do it with class... DO NOT bow down to "their" level!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Politics has turned into a colossal disfuntional virtual squabbling cycle. Control or influence of the truth, tell half-truths and unhesitatingly lie, execute the character of anyone who happens to disagree with you or your views, falsify reality to fit the storyline we want bestowed upon us. Each Political Party is Guilty of all of the above. They all have turned into behemoths. The sad thing is that any politician who speaks any sort of genuineness truths would be persecuted in today's society of animosity and hate. I guess it has turned into a "Game of Survival"... all men for themselves... What a freaking shame!!!!!
___________

Maybe I'll start up my own Political Branch...
The GOTB's
("Getting Over The Bullshit" Party)

___________

Also, Please Welcome one of the newest members of my "THOSE WHO ROCK" category THE INFORMATION BOUNTY HUNTER.

Until we meet again....

All I Want For Christmas...

2005-12-06T14:01:00.000-05:00

I got off work a little early... I am headed to the dreaded Doctor this afternoon (yes, I'm fine so don't panic)...

I found a blood boiling story over at Sgt Hook's... check it out and tell me if your blood doesn't boil... The whole story had me angry and then I read an idiot's response (Ricland) in Hook's comment box... that made my blood boil even more!!!! ;(
_________________________

On to my "Happy" Place...

I have been working really hard on my Christmas Wish List this year... So, if you love me like I think you do... feel free to send me any of the following...

By the time I get home from a long day at work, I would love to slip into these socks... You can buy them for me here.

I really need this for my reck room... PLEASE!!!! You can buy it for me here.

(No it's not a "jock strap"... it's for the women or feminine men who like to wear dental floss... You can buy them for me here Sgt Hook's Supply Room) Okay maybe this is to much to ask... so for those I have offended... sorry!

My life would be "EVEN MORE" complete if you would be so kind and give me the best Christmas present EVER.... AeroSmith and Lenny Kravitz Concert... PRETTY PLEASE!

Knabe Grand Piano in Burled Circasion Walnut Satin Finish Circa 19295'2" Long 5-Year Warranty 100% 2-Year Exchange PrivilegeReNewed - This piano was fully rebuilt and refinished.

You have to admit... I would look really, really good sitting on a bench playing one of these beauty's... A little bit of Bach or Beethoven, anyone?? Well, It doesn't hurt to dream!!!!!!

AND FINALLY....

Diamonds are always a "Girls Best Friend".

Simply spectacular ...glamorous diamond necklace is a breathtaking 13-5/8 carat total weight. 105 brilliant round-cut diamonds, graduated in size, are prong-set to consummate perfection in lustrous 18K white gold. Shimmering necklace is 16-inches long and has a hidden-box clasp for added security. The PERFECT GIFT FOR "GIRL ON THE BLOG"... :)

______________________________

Okay... so I may be in "YEAH RIGHT VILLE" but it doesn't hurt to hope for a special gift, RIGHT?

Until we meet again....

A Bigger Bang

2005-12-05T22:53:00.000-05:00

Well I'm a little mixed-up ba-by
I don't know what to do...

Yes, my life is finally complete...

Congrats to Alice for guessing my "All mixed up" contest question correctly. She is a true GOTB reader... ;)

YES, I saw the greatest band in history "The Rolling Stones" at the FedExForum in Memphis, TN. It was the best concert I have EVER been toooooo! Ya know... if Mick Jagger was a few years younger... ;) WOW!!!

If you start me up
If you start me up I'll never stop
I've been running hot
You got me ticking gonna blow my top
If you start me up...

Mick (first name bases here) is a remarkable, eminent, exalted, renowned, celebrated, majestic, dignified entertainer... the whole group is "bow down" worthy!!!! I can not believe that Mick is 62 years old (he is the same age as my father-in-law... and my father-in-law can't move like that and there is "no way in hell" I think he is sexy!!!) Mick was clapping his hands over his beautiful head, swiveling those yummy hips, strutting that righteous body and running from one end of the stage to the other. He is just amazing!!!! Keith Richards was just as amazing... he was kicking his legs, bending down on his knees, jumping up in the air and "making love" like a man should to his guitar... the greatest guitar performist I have seen in a very long time!!! I believe Keith (yes, on a first name bases here, as well) is around 61 or so... still damn sexy!!! To only have been a groupie back in the day... :)

You can't always get what you want, mmm!
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find, that ya
Get what you need

The show ripped open with "Start Me Up." Then the brilliant masters of rock belted out "You Got Me Rocking," "Shattered," "Tumblin' Dice," "Rough Justice," "Some Girls," "Satisfaction," "Honky Tonk Woman," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Sympathy for the Devil," "Brown Sugar," "You Can't Always Get What You Want".... I know I have left out quite a few... they played between 20 to 25 songs.
Brown sugar how come you taste so good
Brown sugar just like a young girl should

I could go on and on... but I'll shall refrain from rubbing it in to much. Let's just say... I had the time of my life!!!

BRILLIANT, WONDERFUL, AROUSING, ENTERTAINING, SEXY, BEAUTIFUL, MUSICLICIOUS.... :)~

But baby, I can't stay,
You got to roll me and call me the tumblin',
Roll me and call me the tumblin' dice.

______________________________

On to reality....

The whole Saddam Trial is really getting to me. I do not understand why they are letting Saddam throw his "fits". PUT A DAMN MUSSEL ON THE MAN!!!!! I am sorry, but this man does not deserve a fair trial... why give him one... he never gave a fair trial to anyone he brutally killed or ordered to be killed. He deserves death immediately... a death as remorseless as the deaths he threw upon so many innocent people. To allow this man to belt out horrific outburst during this trial is a shame. He says he is not afraid of execution... then get it over with already!

The judge "is trying to be more just than justice itself. He should be putting some restrictions for the defendants and their team," Razzaq said, adding that the session only boosted Saddam's morale. "He is stronger and even looked healthier."

_________________________

Back to morality...and my "TIPS OF THE MONTH"

OKAY...

After the breath taking concert... my friend and I went to a dive bar... and I met so many men lacking in intelligence and manners.

We had guys buying us beer after beer after beer...

TIP: Men... just because you buy a woman a beer... doesn't mean you are going to get lucky and doesn't mean that you are entitled to a dance... Just so we are clear!!!!

So... I had one guy come up and look straight at my breast and shout out "DAMN"!

TIP: Guys when trying to hit on a woman... do not talk to her breast!!!! It gets you no where very quick. We much rather have you look us in the eyes! ;) Our breast don't talk!!!!

The big question was "Are you here with anyone?"

TIP: It doesn't matter if a woman is at a bar with anyone or not. Look at her hand and if she has a wedding band on... stay the "HELL" away!

TIP: Just because a woman is at a bar with another woman doesn't make her a lesbian.

Tip: If a woman is out for a "good time"... she'll come up to you and ask! If she doesn't, she is obviously not interested... again, stay the "HELL" away.

And my number one TIP of the Month...

Tip: There is no need to be all up in a woman's space... we can hear you and see you just fine a foot away... No need to be all up in one's grill... Why must you insist on inching so close!!!!

It is amazing how many "God's Gift To Women" I met Saturday night in that tiny bar. What egos some guys have... they came off as such jerks...

Gosh... I don't miss being single at all!!!!!! (okay...maybe just a little...but just a little...)

Until we meet again....

Permalink: http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/bigger-bang.html

All Mixed Up

2005-12-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

Are you ready?????? It's time for the weekly Music Blog Contest... Whoever wins will be featured in my Navigation area under "Weekly Blog Winner"...

***What rock group did I go see this weekend?***

Hint: My life is now complete. (You have to be a GOTB reader to know)

Good-Luck!

Until we meet again....

What say you for 2006?

2005-12-04T17:58:00.000-05:00

I went out of town yesterday and had sooooooooooo much fun!!! I can't go into a lot of detail, as of yet, because this weekend has to do with my "Blog Winner Contest" question (which will be tomorrow)... Stay Tuned!!!!!

By the way... the TITANS truly suck this year!!!! So I am now dropping them as "my team" and going for my hottie quarterback, Peyton (former UT Vols man)... GO COLTS !!!!!! You say... "You can't switch teams like that!"... Watch me!!!
________________________

The New Year is quickly creeping up on us. If you are like me, every year you ponder on the thought of the New Year's resolution and eventually come up with a lame one. My past resolutions have consisted of I'll give up chocolate, I'll give up biting my nails, I'll give up men, I'll give up chewing gum, I'll give up my road-rage, I'll give up sex for 1 year, I will lose at least 10 lbs, etc.... While my resolutions were always well intentioned, unfortunately I failed at keeping them. New Year's resolutions are made to "better a person". We leave perverse demeanors behind and try to adopt new behaviors that will help us become "a better person". With all the hoop-la surrounding these affirmations, it's easy to get caught up in it without really taking them to heart.

So I have decided to be serious this upcoming year.

My resolution for 2006... Drum Roll Please...

To stay exactly the same!!!! I vow not to change. When midnight is upon us New Year's Eve...I will remain "Girl on the Blog". I have a wonderful son, husband and family. We are completely, absolutely happy and healthy. There have been events in my life that have taught me to appreciate who I am and what I have become. Besides a few vanity pounds, I like who I am and Damn-it, I love my life! So... my resolution is to continue to "dance" every minute, every second, every hour of every day. Why change a good thing? So as I fell short of my past resolutions, this one I know I'll be able to keep.

What say you for 2006?

Until we meet again....

Just a Girl \ E.Webscapes

PS... It's always nice to have a "weekend to myself" but it's nice to come home to someone who missed me as much as I missed him!

My little "cheese head"....

_______________________________

Permalink: http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/what-say-you-for-2006.html

One Tin Soldier...

2005-12-02T23:55:00.000-05:00

9:00 p.m. Saturday, December 24, 2005

While waiting at the bus stop, Gina saw him lying underneath a newspaper on the cold hard pavement. She couldn't help but stop and stare. He was dressed in green and was covered in dirt.

As she stood looking down at him, she thought to herself "He looks like he needs a good home."

She leaned over and pulled the newspaper off of him and asked, "Would ya like to go home with me?"

He did not respond, but the look in his hard brown eyes told her that he did.

On the bus ride home, Gina and he never spoke a word. She just held on to his soiled hand. The thoughts of her little boy, Thomas, kept running through her head. A tear came to her eye.

The bus stopped in front of a dingy apartment complex on the out skirts of the Lower East Side.

She and he made their way to apartment 3B. While thumbing her keys around to try to find the right key, she never let go of his hand.

10:30 pm Saturday, December 24, 2005

She ran water in the rust stained sink.

"I suppose a good scrubbing will get you clean," she assured him.

She took off his green tattered clothes and laid them on top of the toilet seat and proceeded to scrub him clean, the best she could.

"I am sorry I have no clothes for you to wear. But I know that a soldier is always comfortable in his uniform." She whispered with a smile.

She placed the tattered green clothes back on him.

6 AM Sunday, December 25, 2005

"Mommy, mommy!" Thomas yelled while swinging Gina's bedroom door open.

"Look what Santa brought me."

He held up the tattered green clothed "GI Joe" his mom brought home the night before.

"See, I told you Santa would come this year." He giggled with excitement.

Holiday Angel Tree Program

The Salvation Army

Until we meet again...

P.S.... I'll be out of town this weekend... so no posting until Monday...
FYI... The "Blog Winner Contest" will be on Monday! I can guarantee that you will not be able to google the answer. You will have to be a Girl on the Blog reader to know the answer to the question. :)

Permalink: http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/one-tin-soldier.html

...wind beneath my wings

2005-12-01T21:46:00.000-05:00

"As I put my pen to paper I was instantly struck with the difficulty I was having in referring to my Grandmother, Ruth ****, in the past tense. Her strong presence is still so vibrant, so alive. My Grandmother was a passionate woman. She was passionate about everything. She worked passionately, disciplined passionately and loved passionately. She was a simple woman with grand tastes and grand desires. She died with the family she loved so dearly, by her side."

These are the words I wrote and read at my grandmother's funeral. It's been THREE years and it is still hard to think of her in the past tense.

The disease that took her life was, Adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer. This disease effected my life deeply. I lost my best friend. She had NEVER smoked a day in her life... BUT... she worked in an office for 30 years that allowed smoking (thus she endured the second hand smoke). My grandmother fought this disease for 6 years... 6 of the hardest years of her life. The last 2 months of her life she spent in the hospital and nursing home. I spent those 2 months with her... almost every moment. I gave up my job, my personal life... she was all that mattered. I saw this disease take the most beautiful woman in the world and turn her into a pile of bones.

"When I conjure up a vision of my Grandmother, I see a beautiful woman... a lady. Even just a few months ago, although visibly more frail, she was still a very lovely, gracious, and beautiful woman. As she proudly showed off her silver collector spoon my husband and I brought her back as a souvenir from our honeymoon in Charleston, SC. Her intense will to live, was astoundingly evident. She showed me all of her prized possessions. She walked me down her hallway and pointed to the pictures on the wall. As she pointed to my grandfather, my dad, my mom, myself and my sisters she stated, "These are my best gifts of all." As I awed all the marvels of her endeavors, I couldn't help being struck by the sheer will of this woman... my Grandmother."

There is one moment that will not stop echoing in my mind. It was a week before her passing, she was going out of her mind. She was tearing the clothes off of her body and I was trying to stop her. She looked me dead in the eye and said "Please help me, Shayna, please." I have never felt so helpless in my life.

I did things for my grandmother that I never thought I could do for anyone. I gave her a bath, I fed her, I helped her to the rest room, cleaned her mouth, combed what she had left of her hair, cleaned her opened sores, cleaned up her vomit. I loved her and never thought twice about doing any of those task because I knew she would have done the same for me.

I witnessed her last breath... and to this day it still haunts me.

"I'm reminded of her sense of humor. An inner hilarity not always appreciated by those around her. As I've grown and matured, it was my Grandmother's humor that I most enjoyed about her. She always teased me about staying out of trouble. She would state, "I know it is hard but try." So, in her dying day I teased her the same. I told her to try to behave and stay out of trouble and she would reply with a beautiful smile on her face, "I know it is hard but I will try."
Here I am, twenty-five, a breath ago a child myself, and I feel as if I barely knew her. All my memories are kaliedescoping in my minds eye. How I wish I had many more years with her to share so many more memories. But... the memories I have are joyful and full of glee."

PLEASE HELP FIGHT CANCER BY MAKING A DONATION TO CANCERCARE.

"I think what I inherited most was her passion and that's not so bad. Her passion for life, for music, for friendship, and for family.
I'm sad that her great grandchildren will never know her and will forevermore miss all this amazing and wonderful woman had to offer. I'll miss her eyes, full of love and compassion, her youthful exuberance in playing the piano; I'll miss her saunter, I'll miss her appreciation of the finer things, I'll miss her joy over a great bargain, I'll miss her genius of things too numerous to count...of things wiser women and men study years and still never grasp. I'll miss the warm, soft, tight grip of her hand intertwined in mine."

I have been smoke free for 5 years. It was hard to kick the habit... but well worth it. I am a huge advocate of Cancer Research. I am a supporter of RELAY FOR LIFE. I have done a number of walks. There has to be a cure out there... Please help spread the word!!!

"Two years ago, my Grandmother asked me to sing at her memorial. I just agreed because I new she was not going anywhere. Now that day has come and I can't bring myself to utter a single note. But, I will say the words that I would love to sing to her, Did you ever know that you are my hero? You are everything I would like to be. I can fly higher than an eagle, because you are the wind beneath my wings. Grandmother I love you so... you are now with the angels... teach them how to fly."

Until we meet again....

Permalink: http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/wind-beneath-my-wings.html

Oh yeah....soooo sexy.

2005-11-30T18:55:00.000-05:00

Sorry guys and gals... I really don't have anything to write tonight...

__________________________________

But I will leave you with a post I found over at CaliValleyGirl's blog ... go check her out!
While reading it I laughed my ass off... because it is so true and I have been there and done that and, on some occasions, still do it.... Hold on to your ass... you may laugh it off toooooo!!!!

Girls Gone Wild

I found this at AFSister, and was screeching with laughter at recognizing myself in some of these:
WHEN WE GIRLS DRINK TOO MUCH...
We believe that dancing with our arms overhead and wiggling our butt while yelling "WOO-HOO!" is truly the sexiest dance move evah.
In our last trip to pee, we realize that we now look more like a homeless hooker than the goddess we were just four hours ago.
We drop our 3AM sub sandwich on the floor (which we're eating even though we're not the least bit hungry), pick it up, and eat it anyway.
We get extremely excited and jump up and down every time a new song plays because "OH MY GOD! I LOVE THIS SONG!"
The urge to take off articles of clothing, stand on a table and sing or dance becomes strangely overwhelming to us.
Our eyes just don't seem to want to stay open on their own, so we keep them half-closed, thinking it looks exotically sexy.
And drumroll on this one:
We begin leaving the buttons open on our button fly jeans to cut down on the time we're in the bathroom away from our drink.
Oh yeah...soooo sexy.
Until we meet again....
Permalink: http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/11/oh-yeahsoooo-sexy.html

...his girl named Sue

2005-11-29T21:32:00.001-05:00

To understand this post you will have to know who Eugene is. Please refer back to
"His name is Eugene"

_________________________

"May I help ya?" the heavyset lady screeched while folding a white towel.

With a nervous twitch in my voice I answered, "Yes, mam. Ummm... I'm lookin fer Eugene."

"Which one?" she annoyingly huffed.

"Eugene Johnson."

With her 'southern hospitality' she snapped, "What da ya want with him?"

I held up a brown bag, "I'm here to feed em suppa."

"He's already eaten" she hastily snapped as though I had offended her.

I shrugged my shoulders and hung my head, "Well, I guess he can have this food fer lunch tomorra."

She sat down on an old blue ragged couch and grabbed a tattered washcloth out of a laundry basket, "He's up the stairs. First door on ya right."

While creaking along the rickety stairs, I couldn't help but notice the walls had been freshly painted a deep depressing grey. The cigarette burned, drink stained carpet was a hideous shade of green. I laughed to myself, "I wonder if the heavyset lady chose these colors?"

I made my way to the top of the stairs and as luck would have it, Eugene's door was open.

I tapped on the side of the door.

"Eugene! Eugene?!?" I quietly bellowed.

I caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my right eye. He was sitting in a large dingy leather brown chair in front of a foggy window, a window in much need of a good cleaning. He was chewing on the end of a cigar, gazing into an unknown land.

He never said, "Come in." So I invited myself into his room. The walls were a brilliant shade of the same depressing grey and the carpets were just as bad, if not worse than the stair way.

"Eugene, I don't know if ya rememba me. I met ya this past Friday in front of Beasley's. Ya picked up my keys for me." I timidly explained as I bent down on my knees one foot from the right side of his chair.

I laid my purse down and sat the brown paper bag in front of me.

"I brought ya some suppa, but the lady downstairs said ya've already eaten. Maybe ya can have it for lunch tomorra. It's just some grilled chicken, brown rice and a baked potato I bought from the Heritage House. I didn't know if ya liked ya potato with butter or sour cream so I had em put it on the side."

He continued to stare out the window into the darkness with his hollowed filled eyes.

"I brought you a Christmas card. It has a picture of my son on the front. I thought ya might like to have it." My voice quivered, as I kept getting more and more nervous because he wouldn't respond.

I was in mid-sentence when he took the chewed up cigar out of his mouth and declared, "I don't like chicken."

Startled I replied, "Well what do ya like?"

"Macaroni and Cheese"

I chuckled out loud, "Out of all the foods I can't cook, Mac and Cheese is about the only thing that I can! Next time I come I'll have to bring ya a big bowl full, huh?"

He didn't answer. Instead he stuck the chewed up cigar back in his mouth and continued to stare into 'Never land'.

For ten minutes I rambled about everything and anything. Finally, after realizing he wasn't going to talk, I decided to give up. I proceeded to stand and leaned towards my purse that I had placed beside his chair.

Surprised, I felt a hand grab my arm. I looked up and there he was looking me straight in the eye. His hollowed filled eyes were now twinkling.

He smiled and whispered, "It's been a long, long time, Sue."

In the midst of being startled and not knowing what to say I blurted out "Oh, no sir, no sir! I'm not Sue. My name is Shayna. I met you this past Friday."

He stared at me, almost in disbelief, and then slowly turned his head back towards the window. He stuck the chewed up cigar back in his mouth and returned to the 'land far, far away'. The twinkle was gone and the hollow returned.

I grabbed my purse; almost embarrassed I assured him "Eugene, I'll be back before Christmas. Ya take care."

I walked out the door and down the stairs and left him in his own little world.

I started to cry on my way home. I didn't know if I had done the right thing by trying to befriend this lost soul. But... I kept on seeing his twinkling eyes. He was so happy when he thought I was the girl named Sue. Whoever this woman is/was, she obviously meant a lot to him, because I have never been looked at that way before.

I suppose that maybe I brought him a little happiness. His eyes did twinkle and for one brief moment he had left the land far, far away and I... I, momentarily, was his girl named Sue.

Until we meet again....

Permalink... http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/11/his-girl-named-sue.html

Moving at the Speed of Life...

2005-11-29T00:23:00.000-05:00

We are Bound to Collide with Each Other....

"I will understand you. I will judge you. I will berate you. I will help you. I will need you. I will comfort you. I will abandon you. I will love you. I will kill you." - Crash

RACISM, BIAS, PREJUDICE, PRECONCEPTION
...we are all victims... and we are all guilty of it...

As a human race our assumptions most often prevent us from seeing the actual person(s) standing before us.

We judge one by skin color, one by gender, one by sexual preference, one by occupation, one by social status, one by class, one by beauty, one by education, one by religion and the list goes on....
Do we not all share the same world? Do we not share similar fears and hopes? If you prick yourself will you not bleed as if I pricked myself and bleed?

Until several hundred years ago, most people everywhere in this world never saw anybody who didn't look like them. They were not racist, bias, prejudice because, as far as they knew, there was only one race... the human race.

Most people in this world are genuinely good people... but it's their behavior and attitude that will determine whether or not they are actually good or bad people.

Tomorrow is yet another day for you to begin to become who you want to be. People use their past experiences, their upbringings or anything "external" to explain their behavior and shit, but the truth is that YOU have total control of yourself and YOU make every single decision in your life every single day. -Berge Garabedian

To say you think this way or act this way because it is the way you were "brought-up" is a bunch of bull. You have your own "brain" and your own "thoughts"... you are the only one that can make yourself who you are.

I grew up in the town home of the KKK. We never embraced these idiots. When they would come to town to do their Klan marches, my town would turn their back on them. The entire town would shut down. My mother-in-law was quoted in USA today stating, "The KKK is a disgrace to this community and we do not want their hate here." For this statement she ended up receiving hate mail from all over the USA. From prisoners, from Klan members, from Skin Heads. They all stated horrible things... such as... what they would like to do to her and how could she turn her back on the "white power". Her first name and last name was given in the paper. Most of the envelopes addressed to her only had her name, city, state and zip code... no physical address. Scary!!! (Cowards who stand behind hatred... I say... WHATEVER!)

Gender Bias - Although I do believe that women are becoming more and more accepted as equal in the "man world"... I do think we have a ways to go. Just because you are a pretty face doesn't mean you don't have brains. To many times this comes to be an issue.

"I am not an idiot you fool. Do not talk to me like I am a child. Even though I was born without a dick and with a vagina doesn't mean I am an idiot! Believe it or not... I can make rash decisions on my own, I can live on my own, I can pay my own bills, I can feed myself, I can pump my own gas... wow... I may be just like you! I will not be bare-foot and pregnant, serving you 24 hours a day... those days are over!"

I really like this...

Unless governments move quickly to combat gender bias in subsistence economies, rapid population growth will continue unabated. To date, however, far more emphasis has been put on curtailing women's fertility than on improving their health and productivity.

If women in subsistence economies are the major suppliers of food, fuel, and water for their families, and yet their access to productive resources is declining, then more people will suffer from hunger, malnutrition, illness, and loss of productivity.

Investing in women is the fastest way

Dang... makes me feel important... makes me proud to be a woman... INVEST IN ME!!!!

The fact of the matter is... Prejudices exist! It is an unquestionabe force within our world, the acceptance is so widespread that it can be discovered within the most broad-minded people and enlightened organizations, subtly taking its toll in spite of the best of intentions.

Take Eugene... he is a perfect example of preconception...

Our soldiers... men and women, heterosexual and homosexual, black, white, yellow, brown, purple green... are fighting for peace... fighting for the good in the human race... they have hope and faith in this world!

I am a caucasian, I am a woman, I am a Methodist, I am a Democrat, I am a mother, I am a once college drop out, I am a heterosexual, I wear short skirts, I dye my hair, I have homosexual friends, I have African American friends, I have Japanese friends, I have Latino friends... are these reasons to be Racist, Bias and Prejudice towards me? If so... you obviously have nothing better to do with your time... shame on you! And shame on me.... if I lower myself to your level!

Until we meet again...

Permalink... http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/11/moving-at-speed-of-life.html

And I will write you a song

2005-11-28T18:46:00.000-05:00

A very short Blog-Roll...

Alice her take on raping bastards!

Graham has a great post... regarding JFK

CaliValliGirl supports JLO...

Courting Destiny's love for the Miracle on 34th Street...

D.Rad embraces his feminine side...

Leigh is surfing it up...

The day in the life of the AverageBusinessman...

THE CONTEST...

(The first person to get the correct answer will win an all paid trip to my side bar under "Weekly Blog Winner")

Two part question... must answer both correctly!

What Singer-songwriter, who took home five Grammys with her break-out debut, Come Away With Me, is the daughter of what equally accomplished musician and onetime Beatles guru?

Good Luck!

Until we meet again....

Help Eugene...

2005-11-28T05:59:00.001-05:00

I want to thank each one of you for your kind words regarding Eugene. I have received several emails on how you can help Eugene. There are so many Eugene's in this world. I am going to try my hardest to help take care of him. I request that you do the same for the Eugene's in your community. Just a friendly hello, a meal every now and then, a shirt, a fresh pillow, money to your local vets organization, etc...

www.soldiersangelsnetwork.org is a great organization that is helping prevent "Eugene's". I have adopted a soldier a little over a month ago. You can do the same.

www.gi-bracelet.org is a great organization. Many military families fall into financial hardship when the breadwinner is injured or killed. The entire purchase price of each GI Bracelet is donated to support our troops and their families!

http://www.v-r-a.org/ Veterans Rights Advocates

There are tons of organizations... if you feel you must help (which is wonderful)... please help the thousands of "Eugene's"...

Thank each and everyone of you, again. I will keep you up to date on my adventures with Eugene...

Until we meet again....

His name is Eugene...

2005-11-26T15:32:00.000-05:00

Was everyone's Thanksgiving as tasty as mine? I do believe I will be working out at the gym every day next week to get the 5 lbs, I gained this holiday, off. Gee Whiz... I was definitely not worshiping "my temple"... I was torturing it by stuffing Turkey, Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Ham, Cranberries, Broccoli Casserole, Bread, Stuffing, Deviled Eggs, Cheese Ball, and Cherry Pie down my throat. I hope the "weight fairy" is not punishing each one of you.

---------------------------------

Ever since I was a little girl, there has always been one man who really scared me. Eugene wanders around our town square. Coffee in hand he talks walks and shakes to himself. He never will look anyone straight in the eye... he is in a land far, far away. He has always been a sort of "icon" in the community. He is one no one talks about and no one seems to befriend... but everyone knows him.

Friday I was in town and I witnessed a miracle. One, I do believe, I helped create.

"Damn-it Eugene! I can't keep taken ya pennies. Ya gonna have to start bringin dolla' bills and silva coins to pay for ya coffee and donuts. This is my thurd time tellin ya this." Ledia stated with a southern tone that would make anyone feel two-inches tall.

Eugene looked past Ledia's right shoulder with hollow eyes. It was a look of one who had no soul.

Ledia looked down, the tone of her voice lowered, shaking her head, "Eugene, just rememba next time. Okay?"

She handed him his steaming hot black coffee and one glazed donut.

The afternoon went by and I ran into Eugene again. This time he was sitting on a bench outside of Beasley's clothing store.

I walked by him with my son in my arms. I noticed his eyes were following me. For some reason I stopped and turned and looked at him. Our eyes met. The once filled hollow eyes were now glistening.

To my surprise the soft-spoken 'scary' man whispered, "I had me a son once."

Startled, I smiled "Ya did? There is nothin like 'em."

While stealing a glance of my son his voice quivered "Yeah, nothin like 'em. It's been 62 years since I seen him."

My heart dropped and I didn't know what to say. Before I could really think I sat down beside him and blurted out "Would ya like to hold my son?"

He looked at me with deep desire and then slumped down and hung his head. "No, mam."

I sat with him for a few more minutes in silence. I finally stood up to walk away. While in the mist of standing I dropped my keys. Eugene bent over and picked them up.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"No, miss, thank you for talkin' to me," he stated while handing me my keys.

He leaned back on the bench and his brief glistening eyes turned back to hollow.

Eugene is a WWII vet. I asked my mother-in-law what happened to him. She says his wife left him while he was over seas fighting. When he returned she had taken his only son and all of his possessions. He has never been the same. Wandering the streets for years... with a lost soul. I wonder if his "lost soul" is from what he saw during the war or from a broken heart. My mother-in-law said she never knew of him having any family except a brother, a brother who is now dead. It really didn't matter; he never came to see Eugene in the first place.

Eugene lives in a veteran's home near my residence. I do believe I will be seeing him again real soon. The man who once scared me as a child, in my eyes, is now a man who needs a friend. To bad it has taken years for me to realize this. To bad no one else has tried to befriend this lost soul.

I am so thankful for my freedom and for those who fight for us. I salute each one of you. Let us never forget those like Eugene. Even after the war... he is still fighting in a land far, far away.

Until we meet again....

Update... http://girlontheblog.blogspot.com/2005/11/his-name-is-eugene.html.
This is the permalink for this entry. Since changing my blog skin... my permalink icon has been taken off. I can't figure out how to get it back on. At the beginning of the year I will be changing my blog address. I will let everyone know when this happens.

Okay!!!!

2005-11-24T23:56:00.000-05:00

Gee Whiz...

My Inbox has been bombarded with emails... okay 13 to be exact... but it's the most emails I have had in one day sent to my "Girl on the Blog" account. Guys and Gals... how am I suppose to know that you read my blog if you do not comment? All the emails I have received have been from bloggers I have never heard from before... bitching at me about my decision to not post my rants about the war... (Bitch on... I love to be bitched at every now and then... keeps me thick skinned)...

Few of the emails... (I will not post them all... if I did, this post would be a mile long...)

"I think it is a horrible idea that you are going to stop writing regarding the war. I come to your site almost everyday and enjoy your thoughts and spunk. You say you do not understand this war, but who really does? It will be a great shame if you stop writing about your feelings of the war. Do not let one soldiers outlook on the war be your demise."

I have spunk? I want to make one thing clear... it was not Sgt Hook who made me come to the decision... all he has done (not intentionally) is make me rethink the "soldiers view" and rethink my slandering. ALSO... the good Sgt sent an email stating that I should "write what feels right"...

Another email...

"It is your God given right to oppose anything you want to oppose. If you want to oppose the war, you have that right. Do not stop your writing. This would be a shame to all that read you."

Yes it is and thanks...

Update... Received another... a special one... from a dear old friend...

"There are always those who feel they have to justify what they write. You do not. You have said time and time again that you always have to justify yourself. Get over it! You are an American and your right to Freedom of Speech is yours. Having been a soldier, I do not support this war. You of all people know this. *****, you shouldn't do this. Do not give up on your writing. Tammi and I love your site! The men and women who read your journal do not know how lucky they are. To know you is an honor and to read your works is a privilege. - "Ben"

A dear friend of mine from Hopkinsville, KY (near Ft. Campbell, KY). He always knows how to suck up! ;)

MY FAVORITE OF ALL THE EMAILS...

"It's about time you decided to have a decent post. Your bitching about the best President ever has really gotten to be annoying. Screw you and screw those who agree with you. B-I-T-C-H!"

Thanks for being honest, Daniel... and here is my honest response to your comment...

See... even your dear President agrees with me. Oh... and I don't know what President you are talking about when you stated "The best President ever"... get real!

________________________________

SOOOOO... my dear readers... I have come to this... I WILL WRITE ABOUT THE WAR... but I will try not to bash its entirety as much as I have been and if I don't understand any incident regarding the war... I will be keeping my mouth shut. OKAY... is everyone happy now? :) Gee Whiz... you guys are pushy... but I truly appreciate each one of your comments (via comment box and via email)... it's always nice to know that I have readers who appreciate my "so called" writing and I also appreciate those who think my writing "sucks" (at least your being honest).

________________________________

By the way... Hope you all are not in Turkey Coma....

Me and my Turkey...

Until we meet again....

UPDATE: OH... I will be having my "Blog Winner" contest on Monday... so be prepared... I expect each of you to study up on your "musical" knowledge...

One more thing...

2005-11-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

Just one more thing before I go off to enjoy my Happy Thanksgiving...

I WILL NOT BE WRITING ANYMORE REGARDING THIS WAR...
Sgt Hook was interviewed yesterday on WTIC News Talk 1080. After listening to his interview... I feel that I cannot justly write about something I really do not understand. I am not there, in Iraq, to know exactly what is going on and I am sure our media "blows" a lot of it out of proportion. I know there is good being done there... all we hear of is the bad.
I encourage each of you to listen to the interview,
http://oscdn.com/direct/4157530/VICEVICH-20051123.wma .

Oh... and Sgt... it was good to hear your voice!
(It's always nice to put a voice with the writer)

Until we meet again....

Happy Thanksgiving...

2005-11-23T05:04:00.000-05:00

I am going to be busy the next few days... as are we all. I will not be blogging that much... Sooooooooooo, I wanted wish each one of you a Happy Thanksgiving... Try not to eat to much, enjoy your family and friends and, most of all, stay safe.

"Most of my relatives prefer their cranberries in cranberry sauce or cranberry bread, but Thanksgiving for me is a time for loading up on cranberry schnapps." General Lee Moody- Cusson, Minnesota

Read through some of my most recent entries... stay a while is you like... it may be this weekend before you get to read a new post from me. ;) Better yet, visit some of my favorite bloggers over in my "Those Who Rock" navigation area... they are the true writers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until we meet Again....

What are you thankful for...

2005-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Those of you who wonder why I am such a Sgt Hook fan... wonder no more...

(you may need a tissue)

11/23/2005

Home for Thanksgiving

He meticulously checked his team's weapons, just as he always did. Two of the seven were pissed off but cleaning their M-4 carbines nonetheless. He wasn't considered the most poplular, but he was thorough. He then checked the vehicles. Three up-armored hummers riddled with pock marks from IED shrapnel. At his displeasure, two more soldiers scrambled to find a fuel can to top off their vehicle.

Gottdamned complacency was setting in, he thought to himself, a knot forming in his stomach, he spat on the desert floor just before walking to the CP for an update while his team squared away the deficiencies he had found. "Get your shit together gottdammit, I'll be back in five and you'd better be tight," he had barked. They were good kids. Kids, he thought, he was only a few years older than them himself at 26.

He stepped into the CP for the brief from the S2. This was their third convoy this week and their 113th since arriving in country some 8 months ago. Three of the seven had been with him from the start. They had lost two to IEDs, one fatal and one bad enough to buy a ticket home. Another of the original seven went and got himself promoted and now had his own team. They often passed each other on the road heading in opposite directions. The fourth left on emergency leave and never came back.

He sat in his seat, staring out the window as the trees went by at a rapid pace. "Mom," he asked, "when are we gonna get there?"

"In just a few minutes honey," she answered stealing a glance in the rearview mirror. "Are you excited to pick up your sister from school?"

"Yeah mom, cause I wanna go buy the Turkey for dad for when he comes home for Tanksgiving," the four year old with sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes strapped into his car seat matter-of-factly answered.

She smiled, almost unable to contain herself. She too was excited.

He smiled at the sight of his team standing at rigid attention in front of their hummers, weapons at the position of present arms as he approached. OK smart asses, let's get to the brief. He shared with his team the intel he got from the 2. He went over procedures for contact as he always did, the more seasoned members his team rolling their eyes as they always did. "Let's go," he quietly yet firmly said. They climbed into their chariots under the roar of two CH47 Chinook helicopters passing overhead.

She was frustrated with the traffic trying to get on base. The gate guard was checking every driver's ID causing the line of cars to move at a snail's pace.

Traffic was unusally light on the road. From the lead vehicle he keyed the mic, "keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious, my spidey sense is up today."

"And why should today be different from any other day spidey?" came over the radio in a tinny encrypted voice, followed by a few chuckles. He looked at his driver who was beaming from ear to ear. "You leaving tomorrow on R&R sarge?" the driver asked without taking his eyes off of the road ahead.

"Yeah," he said wiping the sweat dripping down from beneath his kevlar helmet.
She tipped the commissary bagger two bucks she really couldn't afford, buckeld the kids into their seats, and slid behind the wheel of their SUV, her skirt hiking up exposing her shapely left thigh. A thigh that longed for his touch. A thigh she missed feeling his hand on as he fell asleep next to her. A thigh she covered pulling her skirt back over while closing the heavy door.
The explosion lifted the right rear of his vehicle into the air, flipping the hummer onto its left side.

The crash slammed her head into the steering wheel. An old red pick-up truck had slammed into the SUV's rear as she was backing out of the parking spot. She immediately checked on the kids thanking God they were alright, albeit crying loudly. She took a second to collect her thoughts noticing blood trickling down her cheek.

He immediately checked on his driver cursing his death but not pausing a second, struggling to free himself from the half-overturned vehicle as bullets struck the now exposed underbelly. He could taste the salt of his own blood as he began kicking out the windshield. Squeezing through the frame where the windshield had once been, he rolled onto the ground keeping the hood of the truck to his right for cover, his M-4 in hand he immediately started returning fire. His heart and mind were in a horse race as he fought the enemy and the urge to get up and run to his trail vehicles to check on his soldiers.

He yelled, "mommy! mommy! mommy! what happened?" She wiped the blood from her forehead and unbuckled he and his sister, leading them from the SUV to the shade of a nearby tree, comforting her scared children with words of reassurance, "It's OK babies, just a little accident."

He low crawled from his upturned hummer to the second vechicle where both occupants had dismounted and taken up defensive positions fiercely engaging the enemy with all they had. He cut off a scream as the burn of a 7.62mm AK47 round struck his left thigh. "You guys alright?" he yelled over the report of automatic weapons fire. He was answered with a quick pair of nods. "Cover me!" he yelled and stood up to run to vehicle number three.

He held tightly to his mom, not understanding what had happened. His 7-year old sister attempted to comfort her little brother with words and a hug.

He fell to the ground partly from the pain in his thigh, and partly from the explosion of vehicle number three as a rocket propelled grenade slammed into it killing three of his men. His heart broke just before a bullet struck his right shoulder shattering the bones within. "Sarge!" he heard from behind him as another explosion sand-blasted his face. Rolling to his right, he winced in pain, desperately trying to pull the trigger. He barely felt yet another hot round hit his left foot as he faded out of consciousness.

She layed in bed with their daughter on her left, their son on her right, all wearing one of daddy's flannel shirts, each pretending he was hugging them with arms of the shirt. She kept their minds off of the events of earlier with planning daddy's welcome home Thanksgiving dinner just a few days away. Her heart warmly swelled as their children giggled and smiled and anticipated trading in their flannel shirts for real hugs. As did she.

His eyes closed, drifting off to dream world. His sister had already fallen alseep. She was dozing herself as David Letterman came to an end when the ring of the doorbell startled her. She nervously walked down the steps wrapped in his flannel shirt and peered out of the peep hole in the locked door. Her legs buckled and she fell to the floor at the sight of an Army officer and a Chaplain standing outside under the porch light dressed in their green class 'A' uniforms adorned with medals and such.

The Army officer and Chaplain awash in the porch light could hear her wailing through the door, "but he was supposed to be home for Thanksgiving in just three days."

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Sgt Hook out

Unti we meet again....

...more to this world than politics

2005-11-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

The past few months I have been receiving emails from people I never knew read my blog. They never comment in my comment box... instead they email me... which is always welcome. I received the following email a few weeks back and have received a few emails like this one. So... I thought I would answer this question.

"Why are you not writing more about the affairs of our government? You really should. I have read your comments at Political Notio's and your comments are really well written and right on the money. I keep coming back hoping you have written something other than about your son. There is nothing wrong with this, I just would like to read your views a little more."

I believe there is more to this world than politics. I throw in my two-cents once in a while. I am no expert and do not claim to be one. I have my opinions... and they are my opinions. When I started this blog I never intended for it to become a "POLITICAL BLOG". I will continue to write about any thoughts I have for the day... be if my thoughts are about my son, my car, my dog, or my nation. Thanks for reading and thanks for the encouragement to write outside of my box.

Thanks to everyone who read with comment, those who read without comment and those who read and post their comments via email to me.

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Today I could have jumped out of my ride and bitched slapped the woman ahead of me. She was swerving all over the road. As I made my way up closer to her vehicle I noticed that the stupid winch was putting on her make-up. If you leave home without your face... no one else wants you to risk their life while you "put it on". STUPID!!!

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Talk About Not Having an Exit Strategy... Sorry, I couldn't resist!!!!

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I have been blessed to have had men in my life that could cook. My husband is an EXCELLENT cook. Everything he makes is superb. My high school sweet heart is now a "Big Time" chef in Atlanta... he is also a gay, witch (but that's another story). I dated a soldier that could cook up anything mouth watering delicious. My best friend "Ben" can grill a mean "steak".

Gee whiz, I'm getting hungry!

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I never knew George Clooney was a Kentucky boy!

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Cheney Slams War Critics, Praises Murtha

You know "Dick" is the perfect name for this man...

Murtha has the Bush administration in fear... I do believe... In fear that America may be listening and agreeing with this war vet.

"He's a good man, a Marine, a patriot Â and he's taking a clear stand in an entirely legitimate discussion," Cheney told the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. Cheney, who represented Wyoming in the House of Representatives in the 1980s, called Murtha "my friend and former colleague."
Bush and other administration officials toned down their criticism, fearful of a backlash in support of Murtha. Bush on Sunday called Murtha "a fine man" and longtime supporter of the military.

___________________________________

PLEASE...SAY IT ISN'T SO...

Cowell's Uncertain "Idol" Future

I am in LOVE with Simon Cowell and yes... I am in the closet American Idol fan... If Simon leaves the show... it will not be the same...

Now I shall go to bed in tears....

Until we meet again....

"I Walk the Line"

2005-11-20T13:00:00.000-05:00

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds

Because you're mine, I walk the line

____________________________________________

"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash"... now I understand why women melted in his presence and why men wanted to be him.

Last night I was blessed to see the reincarnation of Johnny Cash. Joaquin Phoenix was Cash. He walked, talked, acted and his musical voice... oh my goodness... his musical voice was Johnny. There were times I didn't see Phoenix... I saw Cash. Reese Witherspoon did a wonderful job portraying June Carter... although, I do believe Witherspoon was a lot cuter than Carter was... I always thought Carter was a little "homely". Witherspoon almost reminded me of a cute and free spirited "Minnie Pearl"... but Carter so often reminded me of Pearl as well. I loved Johnny Cash... the man and the entertainer. Phoenix said it best in an interview regarding Cash... "Johnny Cash met with kings and royalty, but also with prisoners. He found the nobility of the human race in both." This movie shows Cash's lows and highs... It is Cash's landmark 1968 performance at Folsom Prison that bookends the film. This movie is first and foremost a love story. It follows the roller coaster love affair between Cash and the woman who would eventually become his wife of 35 years, June Carter. All-in-all this movie is a must see if you are a Cash fan... even if you are not... I do believe you will walk a way a fan. The fact is... Cash was the voice of rebellion that altered the face of music. He was a rebel and an icon that many others and I will never forget.... "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" will echo forever in my musical soul...

Harry Potter was great as well... probably the best one yet. A lot like the book... some parts were left out and some were a little embellished... but all-in-all a great and entertaining movie!

____________________________________________

Go and vote for your favorite Bloggers...

My personal favorites...

Military Blogger... Sgt Hook ... agree or disagree with the man... he is a wonderful writer.

Political Blogger... Political Notio ... oh wait... he is no longer with us... BOOOOOO! So I will have to go with Graham at The Cognoscenti... Great...Great writer.

Young Wisdom, Humor and Sass goes to... Alice: In Wonderland or Not

I could go on but I don't want to give each of you BIG HEADS... Although the ones I mentioned above... their heads are probably about to explode... :) LOL!!!

I hope you all know you are all winners in my book!!!!

____________________________________________

Although I HATE TO DO THIS... I have to give a little...just a little credit to Bush for trying to lower a little of the "hellish" heat that has been stirred.

Bush came to the defense of Murtha, the hawkish congressman who has been denounced by Republicans for advocating withdrawal. Bush's own spokesman had compared the combat-decorated Vietnam veteran to war critic-movie producer Michael Moore and suggested Murtha was counseling surrender to terrorists.

On Sunday, Bush called Murtha a "fine man and a good man."

"I know the decision to call for the immediate withdrawal of our troops by Congressman Murtha was done in a careful and thoughtful way," the president said. "I disagree with his position." Murtha told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday he hoped the administration would take his proposal seriously and the president would "get a few of us to the White House and talk to us about this very difficult problem which the whole nation wants to solve with a bipartisan manner."

Although I am not sure how sincere he really is...

"People should feel comfortable about expressing their opinions about Iraq," Bush said, three days after agreeing with Vice President Dick Cheney that the critics were"reprehensible".

Read full story here.

Thanks to Lizzy for the Blog-Roll over at Night Bird's Fountain!

Well... I must get off to my studies... fun, fun, fun!!!

Until we meet again....

Sex, Lies, Rock & Roll and Politics...

2005-11-19T08:38:00.000-05:00

Sex:
Nothing really to write here... just wanted to get your attention. Did it work? Sex sells...right? I'm really not a tease... really!

Lies:
I really could tie in Politics here... but I shall refrain from doing so. I found this a little funny... I almost feel guilty that I thought this was funny... but I love Sarah Silverman... although I do not think it is funny to accuse a man falsely of rape no matter what the cause... her justification for this "it's all in the name of comedy"...

Full story here.

Silverman has a gift for inspiring absurdly instructive public controversy. Her most notorious fiasco occurred in 2001, when she told a joke on Late Night With Conan O'Brien that unapologetically hinged on the word "chink." This summer, she got into trouble in a venue that was supposed to be trouble-proof: The Aristocrats, a documentary that challenged 100 comedians to offend its audience as ingeniously as possible. While most of the comics went straight for the "piss-sh*t-suck-f*ck" paradigm, which very quickly became about as offensive as a newborn koala, Silverman turned the old-school joke against an iconic old-schooler. She implied, via an emotionally supercharged soliloquy full of loaded pauses, that she had been sexually abused by the 79-year-old show-business institution Joe Franklin. At the end, she looked straight into the camera and said, dead seriously, "Joe Franklin raped me" an anti-punch line that completely paralyzed the theater I was at. Instead of laughing, we were all stuck trying to decide whether this was some new species of joke or just plain old slander. When Franklin threatened to sue soon after the movie was released ("I didn't like the nature of that wisecrack"), it made the joke strangely better. Silverman was the only comic in the film who met the challenge of the joke: She pushed it too far.

Okay I lied... I have to throw this in...

In the Bush administration "the negation of truth is so systematic. Dishonest accounting, willful scientific illiteracy, bowdlerized federal fact sheets, payola paid to putative journalists, 'news' networks run by right-wing apparatchiks, think tanks devoted to propaganda rather than thought, the purging of intelligence gatherers and experts throughout the bureaucracy whose findings might refute the party line -- this is the machinery of mendacity...The point here is not the hypocrisy involved, though that is egregious. The point is the downgrading of truth and honesty from principles with universal meaning to partisan weapons to be sheathed or drawn as necessary. No wonder the Bush administration feels no compunction to honor the truth or seek it; it conceives truth as a tactic, valuable only insofar as it is useful against one's enemies." Russ Rymer

Rock & Roll:
I wish I had a lucky penny that would bring me enough money to buy D ylan Poems, Hendrix Jewelry at Auction .

On Monday, the rare cache of Dylan poems goes on the auction block in Christie's Rockefeller Center location, with an anticipated value of $60,000 to $80,000. It's the top item in a rock and pop memorabilia auction that also features a medallion worn by Jimi Hendrix at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, rare lyrics written by Jim Morrison and an assortment of Beatles' items.

Wow... how great would this be to own one of the rare cache of Dylan poems... or to even own some of the "bling, bling" Hendrix wore... I would do anything to own a piece of paper Morrison wrote his lyrics own... the Beatles' were great musicians but I am not a huge fan like most...so who ever wants their items... they can have them (I will not be excepting hate mail for this comment).

Politics:
My favorite past time... well, to read about politics. I don't consider myself a political woman or an expert... but I do have my opinions... take them or leave them... feel free to agree or disagree anytime.

House Rejects Iraq Pullout After GOP Forces a Vote

Differences over policy on the Iraq war ignited an explosion of angry words and personal insults on the House floor yesterday when the chamber's newest member suggested that a decorated war veteran was a coward for calling for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.

This pisses me off more than the following words can ever say... I wish I had been there... this "newest member" needs a fat lip and so does the "officer" who asked her to send congress a message. If they think he is a coward then all of the following links are cowards too... I dare for this "newest member" and "officer" to call these heroes cowards... Go ahead... look them in the eye and say it! I didn't think so....

http://www.veteransforpeace.org/
http://www.ivaw.net/
www.veteransforcommonsense.org/
thanks to Barbi at Eli Blake's blog for giving me these links

Like I have said before... "I honestly do not think we should pull our troops out all at one time. We need to clean up what we started. We need to gradually pull ourselves away. There are Iraqi people who are in dire need of us and we need to show them how to help themselves... and yes other countries need to help do their part, as well."

Murtha galvanized the debate as few others could have. He is a 33-year House veteran and former Marine colonel who received medals for his wounds and valor in Vietnam, and he has traditionally been a leading Democratic hawk and advocate of military spending.
...It was past 10 p.m. when Murtha addressed a relatively subdued House. Hunter's resolution "is not what I envisioned" because it avoids a broader debate of the war, which "is not going as advertised," Murtha said. "The American people are way ahead of us" in wanting a strategy to bring the troops home, he added. "It's easy to sit in your air-conditioned offices and send them into battle."

Brilliant man... enough said.

BTW... I have a date tonight with my "perfect man"... no not John Edwards or MJ (sorry I just had to throw you in)... my hubby. We are going to the movies to see a double feature.... "Walk the Line" and "Harry Potter"... I can't wait.... not only has it been a while since we had a "date"... I have been looking forward to seeing these movies for months. I'll let you know my reviews later on.

Until we meet again....

Blah day...

2005-11-17T18:30:00.000-05:00

Today has been a very "BLAH" day... I have a head cold... the weather in Tennessee is about to kill me. It was was 78 degrees on Monday and Tuesday... and then it dropped into the 30's and 40's yesterday and today. We had several severe tornadoes around these parts... scary. I have only been in one Tornado and that was when I lived in Clarksville, TN back several years ago (I climbed in the bathtub and held on to my dog for dear life...the tornado hit 5 houses down...and yes it really sounds like a train)... looks like poor Clarksville got hit again, but not as bad.

*Two months ago my brother-in-law had a Land Rover until it was smashed by a tree. Severe winds came through. Luckily the tree fell on his "Pride and Joy" and not his house.

*Sgt Hook has written up an interesting post... There are always two sides to every story and he has proven one of those sides... Although, I still have a hard time excepting the fact that all soldiers are for this war. Several of the ones I know are not in favor or will not say. Who's right and Who's wrong? Is there really a Who's right and Who's wrong when it comes to supporting this war? Is there really a Who's right and Who's wrong when it comes to supporting our troops? Will the I'm right... Your wrong... war ever end? Who knows!!!!

*Found a blogger I really like... Pia Savage with her blog Courting Destiny . Check her out... very good writer and great thoughts...

*Found another penny today... I didn't pick it up... I thought I would let some other person get a little lucky...

*I really need to stop swearing... My son has picked up the "sh*t" word... I am so embarrassed. I guess the little guy does listen to everything I say... I am so ashamed... I have to break him of this rant of "sh*t, sh*t" as he toddles around the house... I'm a baaaadddd mommy... I guess I am the one that needs to stand in the corner... am I grounded?

Well guys and gals... I am totally out of creativity and any thoughts... I think I will call it an early night... Sweet Dreams....

Until we meet again...

Don't disappoint me....

2005-11-16T18:45:00.000-05:00

Below is the chorus to my weekly "CONTEST"... If you are the first one with the correct answer... your blog will be featured in my Navigation area under "Weekly Feature Blog Winner"...

You must list the song title, group who originally sang the song and the movie it was included in.

Come on... it's not that hard... You can do it!!!

Don't disappoint me... this is one of my favorite songs...

"Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgment day,
On the bloody morning after...."

Hint: The band members were Satan worshipers (wow...I didn't know this) and this song was their only hit.

Until we meet again....

UPDATE: Congrats to Chris Sapp... for more information regarding the song, group and movie see Left of Centrist.

My lucky penny...

2005-11-15T18:49:00.000-05:00

The start of this week has been amazing.

***A little info you will need to know to lead up to this story. My grandparents past away two years ago. They left my sisters and myself all their belongings. They left my parents their house, which I have now purchased. My grandparents were well off folks, but you would never know it as tight as they were with their money. In the end, they have made my family's lives a lot more comfy in more ways than one. Which is great... but I would give everything back just to have one more moment with them. ***

I found a penny on the floor of Home Depot yesterday... I picked it up and put it in my pocket... I never do this... I mean NEVER... but for some reason this penny was calling my name.

Last night I was re-arranging my study. I was moving a small cherry roll top desk that had belonged to my grandmother. As I was pulling this heavy piece of furniture... the top came flying open... it was a secret compartment. The only thing inside the compartment was a piece of foil that was folded in half. I picked up the foil and to my surprise there was $1***.00 inside the foil. "Holy, crap!" I yelled.... I am actually still yelling... My lucky penny is going to stay in my pocket for a while.

Until we meet again....

...in mourning

2005-11-14T19:05:00.000-05:00

I am in a state of mourning...I can't blog tonight.... Political not: But You Can't Stay Here

Stop by and wish MJ a fare-the-well... He has been one of my favorite bloggers and I will miss his writing, humor and brains! Did I mention he is democrat? A damn perfect man!

Until we meet again....

...honest, truthful, and virtuous

2005-11-13T18:46:00.000-05:00

I was reading the Washington Post today and came across one of my favorite men, John Edwards (he is damn good looking and smart and democrat and older... a great recipe for a GOTB man). He has written an article "The Right Way in Iraq" that says everything I have ever wanted to say about this war...

"Almost three years ago we went into Iraq to remove what we were told -- and what many of us believed and argued -- was a threat to America. But in fact we now know that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction when our forces invaded Iraq in 2003. The intelligence was deeply flawed and, in some cases, manipulated to fit a political agenda."

Honestly, when 9/11 happened... I was ready for us to have bloody revenge on those accused of this massacre. I still believe those who stand accused (Bin Laden and Hussein) should fry in hell. I, as many Americans, fell for the "weapons of mass destruction" lie... I hate being lied to by anyone... I usually have to whip some ass when I am lied to in a manner such as this. Want a fat lip? Lie to me again.

"The world desperately needs moral leadership from America, and the foundation for moral leadership is telling the truth."

AMEN...
"The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous" (Frederick Douglass).

"While we can't change the past, we need to accept responsibility, because a key part of restoring America's moral leadership is acknowledging when we've made mistakes or been proven wrong -- and showing that we have the creativity and guts to make it right."

Can I get a "Hell, yeah"!!! I would have more gratitude and more respect for our government if they would get some balls and say "yes, we did make a mistake...let's fix it"... Instead we get a "but, but, but"... How am I suppose to have respect for this?

"The argument for going to war with Iraq was based on intelligence that we now know was inaccurate. The information the American people were hearing from the president -- and that I was being given by our intelligence community -- wasn't the whole story. Had I known this at the time, I never would have voted for this war."

Lies of men will make this country weaker. Honest men who acknowledge their mistake make this country stronger... An honest man is a hell of a lot sexier than a man full of poo!

"George Bush won't accept responsibility for his mistakes. Along with Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, he has made horrible mistakes at almost every step:
failed diplomacy; not going in with enough troops; not giving our forces the equipment they need; not having a plan for peace.

Because of these failures, Iraq is a mess and has become a far greater threat than it ever was. It is now a haven for terrorists, and our presence there is draining the goodwill our country once enjoyed, diminishing our global standing. It has made fighting the global war against terrorist organizations more difficult, not less."

Truer words have not been spoken... I love this man!

"What is success? I don't think it is Iraq as a Jeffersonian democracy. I think it is an Iraq that is relatively stable, largely self-sufficient, comparatively open and free, and in control of its own destiny.

A plan for success needs to focus on three interlocking objectives: reducing the American presence, building Iraq's capacity and getting other countries to meet their responsibilities to help."

I honestly do not think we should pull our troops out all at one time. We need to clean up what we started. We need to gradually pull ourselves away. There are Iraqi people who are in dire need of us and we need to show them how to help themselves... and yes other countries need to help do their part, as well.

"First, we need to remove the image of an imperialist America from the landscape of Iraq. American contractors who have taken unfair advantage of the turmoil in Iraq need to leave Iraq. If that means Halliburton subsidiary KBR, then KBR should go. Such departures, and the return of the work to Iraqi businesses, would be a real statement about our hopes for the new nation.

We also need to show Iraq and the world that we will not stay there forever. We've reached the point where the large number of our troops in Iraq hurts, not helps, our goals. Therefore, early next year, after the Iraqi elections, when a new government has been created, we should begin redeployment of a significant number of troops out of Iraq. This should be the beginning of a gradual process to reduce our presence and change the shape of our military's deployment in Iraq. Most of these troops should come from National Guard or Reserve forces.

That will still leave us with enough military capability, combined with better-trained Iraqis, to fight terrorists and continue to help the Iraqis develop a stable country.

Second, this redeployment should work in concert with a more effective training program for Iraqi forces. We should implement a clear plan for training and hard deadlines for certain benchmarks to be met. To increase incentives, we should implement a schedule showing that, as we certify Iraqi troops as trained and equipped, a proportional number of U.S. troops will be withdrawn.
Third, we must launch a serious diplomatic process that brings the world into this effort. We should bring Iraq's neighbors and our key European allies into a diplomatic process to get Iraq on its feet. The president needs to create a unified international front."

See... I told you this man is the perfect man... he just needs a big bow tied around him and put under my tree....

"Too many mistakes have already been made for this to be easy. Yet we must take these steps to succeed. The American people, the Iraqi people and -- most important -- our troops who have died or been injured there, and those who are fighting there today, deserve nothing less."

I take these words to heart... Too many mistakes have been made and we do need to take these steps to make this situation right. Everyone involved in this war... be it if they are here or there... are worthy of the above statement. We do "deserve nothing less"....

"America's leaders -- all of us -- need to accept the responsibility we each carry for how we got to this place. More than 2,000 Americans have lost their lives in this war, and more than 150,000 are fighting there today. They and their families deserve honesty from our country's leaders. And they also deserve a clear plan for a way out."

Our soldiers and their families should NEVER be forgotten. They do deserve a "clear plan"... as do we all.

John Edwards, in my book, doesn't get any better than him. Do you want to argue with me? I didn't think so....

Until we meet again....

Can I get a "Freak"...

2005-11-12T06:38:00.000-05:00

Cindy Jackson was born in 1956 on a farm in Ohio and like most little girls, said "Barbie was her idol". It was during those years she got the idea that she "wanted Barbie's life, not her body". "I wanted to be an astronaut or a doctor, not a farmer's wife". When Cindy's father died in 1988 and left her a nice sum of money (why do the vain always fall into money?) she finally had the chance to make that dream a reality. So, she started a $100,000 + plastic surgery hobby which continues to this day. She decided she was going to make herself look like her idol, Barbie.

BEFORE

Her Wish List from 1988 she wanted: larger, less tired-looking eyes, small feminine nose High cheekbones, fuller better-shaped lips, perfect white teeth, a smaller more delicate jaw and chin, to have just the one chin, to eradicate premature facial wrinkles and acne scarring, a flawless, unlined complexion, a defined waistline and flat stomach, to lose her love handles, saddlebags and cellulite, thinner thighs and slimmer knees, to get rid of flab left over from being 50 lbs. overweight in the '70s. Not to have to wear a lifetime of hardship etched on her face.

Her Procedures She Had Done: Eye lifts, Nose jobs, Cheek implants, Lip enhancement, Cosmetic Dentistry, Chin reduction, Jaw reshaped, Facelifts, Breast implants in,
Breast implants out, Dermabrasion, Chemical peels, Fat transfers, Liposuction, Filler injections, Laser treatment and much more...

It was during these years that she realized she had indeed managed to attain her childhood dream and chose the Deep and Meaningful Barbie Life of starting her own plastic surgery referral service, the Cosmetic Surgery Network.

Cindy is fast to add that no, she is not a freak but a designer woman ahead of her time.

AFTER

****Give me a freaking break... Granted, there are a few cosmetic changes I would "LOVE" to make to myself (ie... stretch marks from pregnancy) but why in the world put yourself through torture... I just don't get it!! I wonder if she is as "Happy" as she thought she would be by making a "FEW" changes to her outer self. I have to ponder on the question... Is her inner self the true ugly duckling?****

How funny is the above pic... "Two peas in pod"...

Until we meet again....

Feature You?

2005-11-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Weekly competition...

Name that Tune and Artist...

The FIRST person who answers correctly will get their BLOG special prominence, attention, publicity in my "Feature Blog Winner" section for the week.

Come on... You can Do It...

Artist Hint.... born Matthew Shafer on June 6, 1974 in Michigan, gained notoriety as a DJ and rapper with Kid Rock's entourage.

Provided by VideoCodes4U.com

Until we meet again...

...not just another holiday

2005-11-11T05:49:00.000-05:00

How appropriate that we celebrate Veterans Day during this month dedicated to giving thanks. Our children are living in a time when the movement of our armed forces (Army, Air Force, Marine, Nay and Coastguard) are the topic of almost every news topic and daily conversation. I am sure that each one of us has been touched either directly or indirectly by the events following September 11th. Take time today to remember and honor our veterans. Set aside time for reflection related to this important day. It's the least we can do... they sacrifice/sacrificed their lives in order for us to live a better life....

Veteran's Day is not
Just Another Holiday.

Until we meet again...

...its great being a smart woman with a DAMN fine ride

2005-11-10T00:19:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago I bought a NEW 2006 Suzuki XL-7 Grand Vitara... It is a very sharp ride and ohhhh so roomy.

I have been in heaven riding in this "metal cloud" of a vehicle... Needless to say, I am still working out all of the "newness" of this gorgeous ride. What I am trying to say is... this sexy SUV gets a way from me... before I know it I am doing 65 in a 45 or 45 in a 15...

Today, while on my way to work, I was driving down the same highway stretch I do everyday. At a certain intersection the speed drops from 65 to 35 with no notice. To my surprise, two cops jump out and motion for me to pull over. YES... these idiots were on the side of the road pulling people over by just making a stop motion with their hands and then motioning to pull over. An officer, who looked a little like Barney Phife, asked me did I know how fast I was going. I helplessly stated, "Why no officer I don't know... I honestly don't know". Which I think I was doing around 55 but he cut me some slack and said I was going 45. His 'partner' comes over (goof ball looking jerky) and asked, "Do you know why we post speed limit signs?" I looked at him with what I know had to be a "GO TO HELL" look... I handed him my driver's license, registration, and Insurance Cards. He then proceeds to ask me about my " babelicious" ride... I proceeded to "bat" my eyes and give him the same spill the dealer gave me about this "man magnet" of transportation. I am a great sales person... I can sell a bag of poo to you and you would think you were getting gold. So... we talked awhile and shared a smile and a laugh. Letting my old school "flirting" and my sales experience do all the talking... they let me off with a warning. They took the bate so I lured them into my web.

TIP: A guy will not pass up an 'okay' looking female and a HOT/SEXY/MANLY MAN of a ride... I knew I had them so I went with it...

I ran into a guy friend at the store tonight. He proceeded to tell me that he got a ticket today at the same police stop. I laughed and told him what happened to me. He was a little perturbed. He said, "It must be nice being a woman"... I replied, "Well, sometimes... but better yet... its great being a smart woman with a DAMN fine ride"....

Moral of the Story: If you know you got something going for you... take advantage of it... hence the 'stellar' motor vehicle....

Until we meet again....

Republicans Anonymous...

2005-11-09T12:45:00.000-05:00

I LOVE this post from American Politics Journal...

cartoon by Mo Paul

Republicans Anonymous
Keep coming back...Democracy works!
by Alan Bisbort

Nov. 5, 2005 / HARTFORD (apj.us) / Welcome to the first meeting of Republicans Anonymous. I'll be your monitor for this session. Before we start, though, I'd like to say, wow, there sure are a lot of you here today in the Astrodome...what's that? Two high school gyms in the area are also packed to the rafters, watching by closed circuit TV? Incredible! And a simulcast in Spanish is being piped down to Argentina? Hey, this is better than the PTL Club before the hairspray fumes got to Tammy Faye. We didn't even have to advertise. We just told a couple of ex-Enron execs' ex-wives down at the homeless shelter about it yesterday morning and I guess that's all it took.

It strikes me that you're all here today because you no longer want to be republicans. But, for whatever reasons, you are afraid to take those first steps away from the party of corporate thugs, common criminals, perjurers, inside-traders, cat killers, racists, misogynists, money launderers, treasonists, pedophiles, wife beaters, hypocrites, and other assorted major league axeholes.

Fear not, my friends. The diehard Republican is, at his/her core, a bully and a wanker and a bullywanker. Show him some spine and he is reduced to twitching like a bug sprayed with Raid, spewing stuff about Vince Foster and the Clintons, whining like Dr. Bill Frist, seeking comfort in Big Gulps filled with OxyContin, or, in the case of Bill O'Reilly, turning to phone sex, even with his own wife who refuses to have any other kind of sex with him.

One of the most common reasons I've heard from women who are recovering Republicans is that you are afraid of your husbands' reactions when they find out you've switched sides. Two words of advice: withhold sex. No matter how hopped up on Viagra he is, no matter how many Libby Dole pin-up calendars he's gazed at, do not give it up. Chances are you've secretly loathed him all these years you've been married to him and been forced to listen to all those horrible unsolicited soliloquies about liberals and Chelsea Clinton. Get out of that sick relationship. NOW. Rather than dwell on the past, and the reasons for not having made this leap of faith sooner, let's concentrate on the present and future. To that end, Republicans Anonymous has come with its own 12 Steps that can help guide your footsteps.

Step 1: I admit that my life has become unmanageable due to my powerlessness over my untreated and chronic Republicanism.

Step 2: I believe that a power greater than Republicanism, alternately called facts and truth, can restore me to sanity.

Step 3: I have made a decision to turn my will and my life over to facts and truth.

Step 4: I have made a searching and fearless moral inventory of the Republican Party, and found it to be despicable and without any redeeming values whatsoever.

Step 5: I am admitting, in front of all these thousands of other anonymous Republicans, that I was wrong and deluded, and I am now sick and tired of the fear and the shame and the HIDING from my better instincts.

Step 6: I am entirely ready to have the impeachment process remove all the defects of character possessed by the Demon Republicanism.

Step 7: I humbly ask the people of the world who are not Republicans to forgive me and help me remove this terrible stain upon my character.

Step 8: I began to compile a list of all the people that my Republicanism has harmed and then gave up because I realized it has harmed all 6 billion people on the planet and I'd get writer's cramp trying to write all of their names down and, besides, the names from India and Solomon Islands are really hard to spell.

Step 9: I resolve to make amends to all of them, somehow.

Step 10: I will continue to monitor my latent Republicanism, knowing that, like all addictions, it may never fully leave me and thus I must be vigilant to catch myself before I start thinking like Newt Gingrich or one of those other helmet-haired white pundits who will be forgotten five minutes after the dirt and sod is kicked over their miserable bones.

Step 11: I have sought through meditation on the U.S. Constitution to improve my conscious contact with Democracy, as the forefathers designed it.

Step 12: I will try to carry this message to other Republicans and to use the newfound principles of facts and truth to counter the delusional race-baiting and fear-mongering that divides people rather than brings them together.

Keep coming back. Democracy works!

In all seriousness... Something has got to give... (I am taking this from a comment post I posted on MJ's blog) "This has become a country with no sympathy and/or humanity and a country up to their eye balls in decadence that we no longer have any right to chastise other countries on the way they run their governments." I am beginning to wonder if we will be able to "dig ourselves out of the hole" we have been put in. Democrats 2008 save us!

Until we meet again....

I thank my lucky stars...

2005-11-09T12:27:00.000-05:00

While growing up... I never imagined that my sisters would eventually become my best friends...

All the hair pulling... name calling... and fights... seemed to be a daily ritual at our house. My poor dad never stood a chance in a house full of women... PMS "ruled the roost"!

******************************************

I thank my lucky stars... daily... for my sisters...

******************************************

What is a sister?

She is your mirror shining back at you with a world of possibilities.
She is your witness who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway.
She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark.

She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.
Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child.

~Barbara Alpert~

Until we meet again....

...need I say more

2005-11-08T00:15:00.000-05:00

I was going through some old pictures tonight and found the following picture and couldn't stop laughing... I am so "hoarse" now... there for a moment I couldn't catch my breath...

Please feel free to do the same... laugh it up...

Early 90's of the up and coming "Girl on the Blog"... need I say more...

Gee Whiz... What was I thinking?!?!

I wasn't the only one who had the big hair and tight rolled pants...

...I know you are out there...

Until we meet again...

...far out names

2005-11-07T00:03:00.000-05:00

I have to say that I am getting annoyed more and more by stupid people. Especially when it comes to naming their children. I have three incidences that truly "boggle my mind".

1) My mother is an elementary school teacher. The stories I hear from her are so unbelievably idiotic and scary. It amazes me that some people are able to be parents. For example: Every year before school starts the teachers get a list of the children's names that are going to be in their class that year. On my mother's list there were some far out names but nothing like one child's name. His name was pronounced Shatheed... BUT... spelt SHITHEAD. Who in their right mind would spell their child's name S-h-i-t-h-e-a-d? This parent needs to be strung up by their toenails and beaten with a wet noodle.

2) My best friend is also a teacher. A very similar story... she had twin girls in her class... their names were pronounced Reginna and Veginna... BUT... spelt Ragina and VAGINA. Oh my goodness... VAGINA... The parent of this child should have every last pubic hair pulled out individually with a set of scalding hot tweezers.

3) I heard this story from my boss (don't know how true this is). A lady was registering her child for kindergarten. The individual helping this parent register asked her how she pronounced the child's name. The parent stated "FaMolly". The individual then proceeded to ask where did she get the name. The parent stated "The hospital named her for me. They wrote it on her hospital arm bracelet". The child's name was spelt FEMALE. Now this parent should be dropped on her head several more times and then tossed around and then dropped on her head some more.

Is our society this stupid? How can people get away with "scarring" their children for life just because they are so ignorant? Boggling... isn't it?

Oh... and don't even get me started on celebrity baby names. 1. Moon Unit (Frank and Gail Zappa)2. Fifi Trixibelle (Paula Yates and Bob Geldof)3. Satchel (Mia Farrow and Woody Allen)4. Apple (Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin)5. Daisy Boo (Julia and Jamie Oliver)6. Rumer (Demi Moore and Bruce Willis)7. Peaches (Paula Yates and Bob Geldof)8. River (Arlyn and John Phoenix)9. Rocco (Madonna and Guy Ritchie)10. Nell Marmalade (Helen Baxendale and David Eliot)11. Maddox (adopted by Angelina Jolie)12. Tiger Lily Heavenly Hirani (Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence)13. Dweezil (Frank/Gail Zappa)14. Brooklyn (Victoria/David Beckham)15. Eugenie (Sarah Ferguson/Prince Andrew)16. Zowie (Angie and David Bowie)17. Rolan (Gloria Jones and Marc Bolan)18. Phoenix Chi (Mel C and Jimmy Gulzar)19. Coco (Courtney Cox and David Arquette)20. Romeo (Victoria and David Beckham)

What ever happened to George, Jane, Henry, Linda, Ann, William, James, Bob, etc?

Until we meet again....

..."Music Highway"

2005-11-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

I didn't make it to the award show... damn stomach virus... but all is well... it is suppose to be on TV the next couple of weeks. There is always next year. Seriously, there was no way I could have gone... no matter how bad I wanted too.

I did take a quick trip this weekend to West TN. Sang one song at a college and turned right back around and came home. It is really beautiful countryside...

On my way back home I noticed I was on "Music Highway"... a great name. "Music Highway" leads you right to the heart of music... Nashville, TN. The air in Nashville is like no other... you can hear the music and smell it too. Every time I return to "Music City" I am hypnotised by the "beauty" of the art. To only imagine how many dreams came true and drowned in "Music City" only boggles my mind. Listening to the music from the world's throbbing heartbeat gives me great pleasure every time.

Where would we be without the musical composition of Bach, of Beethoven, of Mozart? What would we do without the folk ballads of Dylan, Joni, Buffett, and Bruce? Who could dance, sing, laugh or cry without The blues of B.B., the jazz of Miles, the rock guitarists like Jimmie, Eric and George? Where would Nashville be without Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Sr., Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, Chris LeDoux (my list goes on and on)?

If you think long and hard about it... music is a language that everyone speaks. Without divisions and barriers it brings us together as one. No matter what type of "music" you prefer... it is "music". Maybe "Music" should run for president... sorry I had to throw that in.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all could ride down the "Music Highway" ... just to know that we, for one moment, could have a sense of togetherness?

And the music plays on....

Until we meet again....

It's the least we can do...

2005-11-03T12:15:00.000-05:00

I have a damn stomach bug... oh my gosh... I feel like crap. Just hope I can make it to the award show tonight.

I was checking my email and got an email from a great guy... He asked that I spread the word about the following... Hats off to you Sgt Hook... also to BlackFive where most of the information came from...

WHAT: Friendly fundraising competition for Valour-IT.
WHEN: November 2nd through Veterans Day (the 11th).
WHERE: Based in the blogosphere, spreading everywhere else.
WHY: Because giving wounded warriors with hand and arm injuries access to a computer supports their healing and puts them back in touch with the world.
HOW: Blogger teams will be divided along military branches, with civilians "up for grabs."

I donated... now it is your turn!!! It's the least we can do...

View All who have donated!

Until we meet again...

... don't talk to "my child"

2005-11-01T22:11:00.000-05:00

When I was in high school and college I remember recruiters from different branches of the military always having a table set up somewhere on campus. I never thought much about it. I did get several calls from the Army and Air Force, but I never pursued it. It wasn't for me... little did I know I would eventually marry a military man.

NOW it seems that recruiters are not welcome in schools according to the Washington Post...

...a visit this fall to the Bethesda school by recruiters had parents firing off frantic missives on the school listserv. They demanded to know exactly what recruiters were doing on campus and why the parents had not been told in advance. Goodwin was puzzled.

Recruiters "have been allowed on campus for as long as I can remember," Goodwin said. "But maybe people are more sensitive about it now because of the war."

This, to me, is a little crazy. It was okay for the recruiters to be in the schools when there was no war but when there is a war it is not okay?

I asked my teenage neighbor when I said the word "military" what was the first thing he thought of... Surprisingly he said "Death". I was a little floored. I think of "heroes". He thinks of "death". I believe this has been drilled into his head by his parents and the media. He is getting ready to decide on his future path and the military is not an option... due to a little encouraging.

But the military is spreading its own word -- about the benefits of a career in the armed services. This month, the Pentagon launched a $10 million marketing campaign aimed at encouraging parents to be more open to allowing their children to enlist. Although officials say the effort is not tied to growing antiwar sentiment, the commercials feature kids broaching the topic of enlistment with apprehensive parents and urge mothers and fathers to make it a "two-way conversation."

Regardless if the parents of the high school or college age students try to protect their children from the "military" (sounds so crazy) it is really a great option for a lot of young men and women. With all great things there are risk. You can't keep your children in a "hole" forever. If "spreading their wings" means joining the military neither you or anyone can stop them from making that decision. At least the recruiters can lead them in a good direction.

Still, these are different times. With the Army having difficulty meeting recruiting goals and rumors about a draft continuing to circulate on the Internet, people are anxious.

What I am getting out of all of this is... it was okay to talk to "my child" when there was no war... but sense there is a war going on now... don't talk to "my child". So, parents are saying... "let it be someone else's child but not mine." If this continues... there possibly may be a draft. Like it or not WE have to have a military and the recruiters are doing their jobs to insure a secure future for us all.

Read the full story "Military Faces Parental Counterattack".

Until we meet again....

...life will be complete

2005-10-31T22:27:00.000-05:00

I am headed to the The 10th Annual Christian Country Music Awards at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Thursday night. I still have my Nashville connections. I am not real sure if I am going to know a lot of these muscians...BUT... I am sure I will have a good time. I do know that Josh Turner is going to be hosting it... and that is good enough for me. Just to see him will complete my night. ;)

Have I mentioned that I will also be going to see THE ROLLING STONES in Memphis, TN the 1st weekend of December. EXCITEMENT!!! My life will be complete... LOL!

Oh and by the way... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

My Little Spook...

Until we meet again....

...indulged more on his death

2005-10-30T12:15:00.000-05:00

Sgt Hook has posted a blog that really has me thinking...

In this entry, the one you are reading right now, I am not by any means "supporting" the reasoning behind why we went to war. I do still believe that there was not enough "truth" to even get involved with the Iraqi situation... (ie WMD's) BUT... after reading the following Sgt Hook entry... I can understand Hook's complaint on why some people say they support the troops but not the war. My Track Back ...imbecilic war mongers

This is Hook's complete entry titled "The Rest of the Story" .

In brief... the entry is about Marine Corporal Jeffrey B. Starr who was killed this past May on his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq. The 'Times' did a story about him this past week and indulged more on his death than on his personal cause of fighting for the Iraqis...

He had written a letter to his girlfriend and left it for her in case he died in the fight... The 'Times' only posted a little portion of the letter....

Sifting through Corporal Starr's laptop computer after his death, his father found a letter to be delivered to the marine's girlfriend. "I kind of predicted this," Corporal Starr wrote of his own death. "A third time just seemed like I'm pushing my chances."

The complete part of this paragraph Starr actually wrote...

"Obviously if you are reading this then I have died in Iraq. I kind of predicted this, that is why I'm writing this in November. A third time just seemed like I'm pushing my chances. I don't regret going, everybody dies but few get to do it for something as important as freedom. It may seem confusing why we are in Iraq, it's not to me. I'm here helping these people, so that they can live the way we live. Not have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators. To do what they want with their lives. To me that is why I died. Others have died for my freedom, now this is my mark."

I do believe that "we", through out the world, deserve to know a little more than just the bad... we need to be reminded of the good that is actually going on in this War. Yes, our soldiers are being killed... but they signed that dotted line to protect and serve all Americans and others no matter what. When they are "Called" to fight... They will always be there. This is what are men and women are fighting for... a better future for the Iraqi people... a better future for us... a better future for our children... a better future for Peace.

Again, I stress that I am not in support of this war because of the lack of truth behind it... BUT... we are in this War no matter if we like it or not. I am glad that some good is coming out of this situation... thanks to our soldiers.

Thanks Sgt Hook for bringing this to our attention.

Until we meet again....

...back home safe and sound

2005-10-28T22:56:00.000-04:00

Welcome Home 278th!!!

They have been been fighting insurgents, helping Iraqi children by building schools, baking in sweltering heat, and gagging on desert sand... our 278th National Guard Unit have finally made it back home to their family and friends.

Share your thoughts and appreciation for the 278th on Nashville, TN Channel 4 Discussion Board!!!

Watch Videos From Their Return Home.... YAY!!!

1st Video

2nd Video

3rd Video

4th Video

5th Video

It is so wonderful to have these men and women back home safe and sound... My love and support goes out to all of them and their families. WELCOME HOME!!!!

Until we meet again...

...pulled an "Ashley Simpson"

2005-10-27T22:48:00.000-04:00

Gee Whiz... today was a day that I should have gotten back in bed and prayed that I could start it all over again. I do believe I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning because I had my grumpy "pants" on. My shower was to short... I didn't get to feed my son breakfast because I was running late (daycare had to feed him)... I had a bad hair day... my boss left for Vegas and put me in charge of "well...hell if I know" I'm new... and to top it all off... I pulled an "Ashley Simpson"...

How Girl on the Blog Pulled an Ashley Simpson...

When I got home from work I got my rump in gear and headed to the gym. Once at the gym I started sweating to the tunes of "It's My Party", "I'm a Barbie Girl", "Mony Mony", and the "cheese list" goes on and on. I was about to pull my hair out because the music was getting on my nerves.

Could the music get any worse?

Out of no where... "These Boots Are Made For Walking" comes on. Not the great version by Nancy Sinatra... the trashy version by Jessica Simpson. AHHHHH!!!!!

What else could go wrong with this day?

WELL, IT HAPPENED!!!

I was running in place on a 2 inch tall pallet. I was getting my "groove on" with this great inspirational song. SUDDENLY..... Stumble, Stumble, Stumble. I stumble my way off the pallet. I quickly tried to recover... and I danced a little jig... hoping everyone watching me make an ass of myself would really think this was a part of my exercise program.

I know I didn't fool anyone... but what a great story they can tell for a bunch of laughs. One time at the gym, I saw this girl and she...made an ass of herself...

Fortunately, I wasn't on Saturday Night Live in front of millions.

Another classic move by the smooth and savvy Girl on the Blog.

I pulled an aerobic "Ashley Simpson"...

How was your day?

Until we meet again...

...imbecilic war mongers

2005-10-26T23:46:00.000-04:00

When I first read "Sgt Hook's" entry on Milestones and Support I totally agreed with him... then I started reading his last paragraph of his entry... I had to step back ... I disagreed.

"Support the Troops but Not the War.

I've heard this mantra many times and I can understand where some might see nothing wrong with such a statement. From a soldier's perspective (mine), supporting one without the other doesn't work. A soldier goes to war believing in what he or she is doing. We don't pick up arms to fight an unjust war, ever. It is the core of the American soldier and what makes our Army the greatest in the world. By supporting the troops but not the war, you are discounting our beliefs, our values. We don't like war. We aren't a bunch of brainwashed, imbecilic warmongers. We are warriors who believe that when our nation calls, it is for a just cause. And we answer that call for we will always support America and defend our way of life. Always. So when Americans don't support what we are doing for them, then from a soldier's perspective (again, mine), they aren't supporting the troops either. Sgt Hook out"

I know that the great "Sgt Hook" is a true soldier and hero. I would never say anything to offend him or any soldier on purpose. I was around Army and Air force soldiers for 6 years and know how proud they are of their job. Their fight to protect our Freedom and us is their job. I would never intentially belittle their beliefs or values. And... I have never once thought that the American soldier were "a bunch of brainwashed, imbecilic war mongers". BUT... I, being an American, do not believe that my choice to not support the war is taking away from my support of the troops. I have family and friends who are in this WAR... and I, for one, support them and love them so much. I have lost 2 friends in this war, so I know what the hardship and grief war brings...nevertheless, this doesn't stop my support of the troops. These friends and family members (soldiers) in this war ... have different views from the great "Sgt Hook". As do we all have our own opinions. I will continue to Support Our Troops but not this war... I will continue to place my "Welcome Home" Signs in my yard, fly my American Flag, keep my yellow ribbon magnet on my car, my yellow ribbon pin... and will do this proudly... because I am proud to be an American and I am proud of our troops no matter what someone thinks of me for my political views, opinions or values. I suppose the war of words and views will out last us all....

Until we meet again...

...life's little pleasures

2005-10-26T21:52:00.000-04:00

Click on "Play Video" to see/hear my favorite little pleasure in life...

I didn't know how much "life's little pleasures" meant to me until I went back to work. Not being able to hear my "little man's" laugh all day has been killing me. On the upside, seeing his face light up when I walk in the door from a long day of work... Priceless....

Until we meet again...

One small woman...

2005-10-25T23:59:00.000-04:00

This morning I awoke to the news of Rosa L. Parks death. Mrs. Parks has been known as the "Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement". I bet she never imagined that by not giving her seat to a white man... on a bus in Montgomery, AL... would end up changing the course of America.

Mrs. Parks' determination, self-possession, and her exertions to make Americans aware of the history of the civil rights fight serves a strong message. The past indecent segregation laws... remind us that the struggle for civil rights, racial discrimination and freedom are not completely over. Even though Americans have come a long way, Mrs. Parks' deeper impregnability, guidance, and political independence... against all likelihood... inspire us.... and cause us to remember... there are a lot more improvements to be made. Mrs. Parks' was a true roll model for all and has left behind a legacy that will not be forgotten.

"Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others." Rosa Parks

One small woman... changed history.....

Until we meet again...

...best laid plans of mice and men

2005-10-24T23:34:00.000-04:00

I have to say that I have come across a lot of great bloggers. MJ, blogger of Political Notio, is one of my favorites... not to take away from the great Sgt.Hook. MJ's entry "The Support" ... is one of his best.

My favorite part of this entry...

"Oh the best laid plans of mice and men...

At a time when those on the left who supported this war are scrambling to save face, and those on the right are in complete denial of a presidency unable to produce, what are we to offer that can say yes America we still believe in thee? Can we not in the least say somehow there has to be a better way?"

How true are these words? His entries always leave my mind hungry for more...

So... do yourself a favor and check out his blog... Political Notio...

Until we meet again...

Troop Homecoming Signs...

2005-10-23T19:40:00.000-04:00

Friday night I was laying in bed watching WSMV Channel 4 news out of Nashville... Dan Miller was reporting on the following...

Group Sells Troop Homecoming Signs

A family readiness group in Warren County is selling homecoming signs with the anticipated return from Iraq of the I-Troop division of the 278th Tennessee National Guard unit. The signs sell for $5.00, and their goal is to have one in every yard in Tennessee to show support for the returning soldiers.

The signs can be purchased through the McMinnville Armory in Warren County or by calling ***- ***-*** or e-mailing ********* .

The group is also setting up various locations in several other counties to sell these signs so look for them in Rutherford, Coffee, and Warren counties. Families from all over the state of Tennessee are a part of I -Troop.

The Full News Broadcast... Watch It Here...

If you watch the full broadcast regarding this topic... I wonder if you will be as floored as I was when Dan Miller stated... "she says that alot of people have refused to buy the $5.00 signs because they do not support the war"... FIRST OFF... the signs are not about the war... they are about the soldiers that are having to fight in the war... I just don't get some people!!!!

To not support the war is one thing... but to have a "slap in the face" like the above is ridiculous... Just because you do not support the war doesn't mean you can't support the troops... and if you think like this... open your mind. I am not that closed minded and supporting our troops is not even a question for me... and to not buy a $5.00 sign... is a shame. So... I have placed an order for 2 signs. YAY!!!!

What is so "SAD"... I have read that there are signs coming up missing out of people's yards. I dare, whoever it is, to try and take the signs out of my yard.
Give me a break....

Until we meet again...

Joke...

2005-10-21T17:36:00.000-04:00

Today I awoke to a phone call at 6 a.m. ...

"I am calling in regards to the 1966 Mustang add you had on the "Swap and Shop" (it's local) website." I said "I am sorry you must have dialed the wrong #"... He stated "Is your number ***-****?" "Yes it is" I replied, yawning. Then he stated, "Is your name *****?" Startled, I shyly stated "Yeah"... "Well the add says you are the one to contact" he replied, with a little anger in his voice. I told him "I am sorry but I have no clue about a 1966 Mustang and I know I am not selling one". He hung up...

I started getting calls one right after the other... OH MY GOSH!!!! Every time I had to explain they had the wrong number... Some of them continued to call back... I went on the website... SOMEONE HAD PUT MY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER ON THIS ADD...

1966 Mustang Convertible
Mint condition
20,000 miles
Like New (has been kept in storage for years)
Owner of the car has past away and family must get rid of it.

$2,000.00 obo (Must sell)

Contact: *****
Phone: ***-***-****

I called the owner of the website and had them take the add off...

WHO WOULD DO THIS? Probably some of my crazy friends that have nothing else better to do than aggravate me on my very last day home with my son before I start my job in the "real world" on Monday... Track Back "The One..."

The kicker is... I am still getting the DAMN calls!!!

Until we meet again...

Oh...Delay!

2005-10-21T06:45:00.000-04:00

I am on The Democratic Pary mailing list... I received this email today...

__________________________________________________

Dear *****,

Republican leader Tom DeLay surrendered to police yesterday and was arraigned this morning on charges of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

To show the Democratic Party's commitment to doing things differently, we set out to raise $340,000 -- double the amount of money that Tom DeLay is accused of laundering through the Republican National Committee.

So far over 8,000 people have contributed $324,423 towards that goal. Join them now and you could be the one to push it over the top:

http://www.democrats.org/doubledelay

And, don't forget, until midnight tonight every dollar raised will be matched by committed Democrats who want to encourage grassroots donors to grow the fundraising base of our party.

Tom DeLay is just the tip of the iceberg. You can send a message that you're fed up with him and the entire Republican culture of corruption - let's show that ordinary people contributing whatever they can afford can double the most notorious money-for-influence machine in politics.

Thank you so much.

Tom McMahon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

P.S. -- Don't miss Governor Dean on ABC's 'This Week' with George Stephanopoulos this Sunday morning -- check your local listings for the air time in your area.
_____________________________________________

Is this not the cheesiest mug shot? Why isn't he holding a number sign? When I print this picture off and hang it on my wall...no one will know this is a mug shot... LOL!!!

"Even if DeLay is acquitted, it will be hard for Republicans to stomach the mug shot and it will be harder for Democrats not to overuse the picture in campaigns."

What is really sad about this is... He really looks like he is having a good time...

Until we meet again...

Pick Up Lines...What The???

2005-10-20T23:56:00.000-04:00

Today, on my way home from the gym, I noticed that I was getting very close to "E"... So, I stopped at a gas station. As I was pumping gas, a car pulls up with two guys in it... One of the guys got out of the car and started to pump gas... he kept looking at me... ugh, CREEPY!!! Then the passanger gets out and proceeds to come over to me and my pump... He asked if I smoke... I told him "No, I don't smoke" (smoke free for 5 years)... He said "There is no need of you to smoke because you are 'smoking' "... What the???? First off... My hair is wet from sweat, I am in work out shorts and a T-shirt and a knee brace... YEAH THAT'S SMOKING!!! I just looked at him with disgust on my face. He walked away and went into the store. CRAP... I had to pay for the gas... I had to follow him into the store. I went to the back of the store to get some cold bottle water... As I turned around... BAM... there were the two guys. The guy that had been pumping gas said "you know you look like Daisy Fuentes"... WHAT THE??? First off my hair is shoulder length and I have blue eyes and I am white as snow... Yeah... I really look like her... I wish!!! The 'pick up line guy' said "No man... She looks like that girl off of 'Planet of the Apes' "... okay so now I look like an ape... even better...

Some guys just KILL me... Needless to say, I got the heck out of there as fast as I could...

Why do some guys feel like they need a pick up line? At least the old geezer who hit on me in WalMart was straight to the point on what he wanted to know... Blog Trackback "Flattered or Disgusted".

Pick Up Lines You Shouldn't Use

You make me melt like hot fudge on a sundae.
Do you believe in the hereafter? Well, then I guess you know what I'm here after.
Are your legs tired, because you've been running through my mind all day long.
Do you have a Bandaid? Because I just scraped my knee falling for you.
Girl, you better have a license, cuz you are driving me crazy!
Hey baby, you've got something on your butt: my eyes.
Damn, if being sexy was a crime, you'd be guilty as charged!

Classic Pick Up Lines (Okay to Use)

"Was that cannon fire, or is it my heart pounding?" Ilsa in "Casablanca"
"Everything wrong with you I like," Captain Randall in "A Guy Named Joe"
"We're going to know each other eventually, why not now?" Rick in "Across the Pacific"
"Here's looking at you kid," Rick in "Casablanca"
"Mind if I get drunk with you?" Vantine in "Red Dust"
"Oh, now don't turn ordinary on me, I get tired of ordinary dames. And I don't want to get tired of you," Johnny in "Johnny Eager"

Until we meet again...

...another hotdog

2005-10-20T06:05:00.000-04:00

My ex-husband was/is in the US Air Force... Every now and then I go on a particular website to see "The Lost and Fallen" that were in his line of service... This morning I did just that and have been in tears sense...

I was aware of a friend "SSGT Jason Faley" that past in March 2001 while performing night CAS training in Kuwait. I will never forget when I found out... I was sitting at my computer, putting items on eBay... the news was on... and Faley's (that is what I always called him) face appeared on the screen... "Holy crap... there's Faley" I thought to myself with a smile... I was expecting them to tell what great things he was doing (stupid me)... Then Demetria Calidimos (the reporter) went on to tell the heart wrenching news... Read more here... My ex called me 2 weeks later... telling me of the news and to tell me he was getting married... I remember Faley being such a kind soul... goofy... and loved hotdogs... I would have hotdogs ready for him when he came to the house... I can't eat a hotdog without thinking of him... I hope that his son will be told of what a great father he had... what a hero he was... what a great man...

I wasn't aware of "Chief Warrant Officer Dennis P. Hay"... that is my shock for today... I can't say to much right now... I just wish I had known earlier... Read more here...

To these guys... I took advantage of knowing them... I guess I pushed aside the reality of their job... To them I owe so much... I just wish I could make them another "hotdog"...

Until we meet again...

The One...

2005-10-19T18:41:00.000-04:00

Okay... I took the New York job last month... and I have enjoyed it... working at home and being able to be with my son. Reference to Blog Entry "I need to think about it" . I was also offered a job to manage a Doctor's office. But... I thought the New York opportunity would be a lot better for me. NOW... I have taken a job with a company that designs/resells/ markets/ websites. It is 30 minutes from where I am living. GREAT opportunity and is so close to home... (I am still going to school to finish up some medical courses... I really shouldn't have started taking the courses... I just did it when I thought I would be working for the Doctor.... oh well... I will have something to fall back on)

PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG: I love my son... but I have been getting a little anxious to get back around adults. I love to baby talk every once in awhile... but "baby talk" has become my 1st language this past year. I catch myself talking to my family and friends in this "language". It is time, I do believe, to expand my language skills to my 2nd language... "English"... I guess I could throw in some Spanish "Me pongo nervioso cuando hablo espanol" or Italian " Tu sei sempre nel mio cuore" ... I am not very good in either of these but I could get by, I suppose... I will be putting my son in private daycare... I will take him for about 2 hours on Friday just to see how he does... I am a little upset about living him... but I knew this day was coming and I have to let go sometime...

I start Monday... and I am so excited... My on office... my on clients... my on employees... EXCITEMENT!!!!

I am laughing as I write this. What is so funny? I feel like I am "Job Dating"... Dating around to see what "Job" is right for me... The other two were okay... but maybe this is "THE ONE"... LOL!

Until we meet again...

...who protect

2005-10-19T06:04:00.000-04:00

Every once in awhile I come upon a "blog entry" that really makes me think... I was reading Sgt Hook's entry, last night, "Not Alone In This Fight" . Regarding the families of the men and women soldiers... It just reminded me of a poem I had come across about a month ago... (I have a list of poems that I keep... I love poems and anytime I can share one... I am happy too.)

Tribute
by Beka Joy (Pearl) Anast

To the Women Who Protect Our Country - by letting their men go
Every morning when I wake up with my husband sleeping peacefully beside me,

I think of you.

Every time the phone rings and I pick it up without fear,

I pray for you.

Every time I pick up dirty underwear, socks and work boots,

I am grateful for you.

Every crisis that I face is less of a crisis,

when I remember you.

Every time we bicycle to the park and talk while the kids play,

I sigh for you.

Every time something breaks and Daddy fixes it,

I admire you.

Every night when the kids are tucked in bed, kissed and prayed for by their Daddy,

I thank God for you.

When you start to complain... just remember how good you have got it...

Until we meet again....

...if I had signed the contract

2005-10-18T12:25:00.000-04:00

My whole life I have lived in Tennessee. Although, I have visited almost all 50 states, there is nothing like home sweet home...Tennessee. Growing up so close to Nashville, I grew up with country music roots. I can remember when I was a little girl... dancing on my mothers feet to the "rocking" tunes of Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Hank Williams Sr. and I could go on and on...

I grew up with my family pushing me to be a musician. I took professional singing lessons and piano lessons from the time I was 9 years old until I was 18 years old. I traveled from state to state singing at churches, conventions, reunions, etc....

One of the best memories I have from my singing tours... is when the "Gulf War" was going on... I, and a group I was singing with, were standing on the steps down below the "Lincoln Memorial" in Washington D.C. .... Straight in front of us was the "Washington Monument" and to the left of us was "The Wall"... No one was paying us that much attention ... UNTIL... we started singing "Battle Hymn of the Republic"... A crowd of people...black, white, yellow, brown... surrounded us... Women and Men crying... tears filled my eyes... I just knew we were not going to get through the song but we did... As long as I live I will never forget that feeling I had at that very moment... I was so proud to be an American....

At the age of 16 years old a life long dream came true... I performed at the Grand Ole Opry. I sang back up for Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Gary Chapman and Michael W. Smith... I also performed with the Nashville Symphony. I cannot describe to you how terrified I was. I knew from that day forward my life would never be the same... and it was not.

I went on to do back up for Donna Summers on her 1995 Christmas Album. I did a few back up tracks at Amy Grant's studio on her farm. I was offered a recording contract with a "Big Name" record label in 1999... BUT... life has a funny way of working out. The music world is a cruel world if you do not want to play by their rules. I began to realize, the career that I had worked so long for was not what my life had in store for me. I was 22 and my dreams were crushed just because I wanted rights to my songs and wanted rights to the way I looked...

Needless to say, I walked away from the world of music and have not looked back...

Okay, okay... Yeah... sometimes I wonder what might have been... but "what might have been" is not "what is"... and "What is"... is wonderful! I continue to sing in my hometown and surrounding cities... I haven't given up music completely. The memories I have of all I have accomplished with my music is something I am very proud of... but I wouldn't trade my life now for what might have been if I had signed the contract.

Until we meet again...

Care to Comment?

2005-10-17T10:45:00.000-04:00

I have today off... and I decided to start reading my blog comments... the blog comment in my Blog Entry "The Older Woman... The Younger Man" had my blood boiling. Granted everyone has their right to Freedom of Speech but they don't have the Freedom to bash. I can take criticism on my political views... but when someone starts to criticize my personal life... then that is another story...

Care to Comment?

Watch what you say... you could end up with a black eye... LOL!

Also, have the balls to sign your name and not ANONYMOUS...

Until we meet again....

The Older Woman... The Younger Man?

2005-10-16T02:45:00.000-04:00

Obviously I can't seem to get to sleep... I have become an insomniac... My hubby has crashed on the sofa so I guess there will be no snuggling tonight... I was laying in bed reading several different magazines... all seem to be about Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher... I am not one that gets caught up in the Hollywood Gossip... but this relationship between the two of them is just to weird but interesting for me... So... I decided to get up and blog while this is fresh on my mind...

* Granted if I was in to chicks and digg the older woman... Demi Moore would be in my top 10 picks... Demi is a sexy older woman... What younger woman doesn't wish they could look like Demi when they are in their 40's? I know I sure hope to heck I do... ;)

* Okay... Ashton is a sexy guy... BUT... and I mean BUT... I think after awhile he would just get on my nerves... His lack of maturity just turns me off... I am still picturing the pothead from "Dude Where's My Car"... the worse movie ever....

* Then we have Bruce Willis (Demi's ex-husband... just in case you didn't know)... this guy goes on vacation with Demi and Ashton... parties with them... went to their wedding.... OKAY... first off... my ex-husband is just that, my ex-husband... I don't want him around me or my husband... I couldn't imagine me hanging out with him on a day to day bases... we didn't get along while we were married and I know we wouldn't get along being "just friends"... They say they do this because they all like each other and it's good for the kids... Granted I get "getting along for the Kids"... but come on you don't have to be "bosom buddies"... This is way to weird for me!

* Then there is the whole age thing... I have always been attracted to older men... I think the older a man gets the sexier he is... I have dated several older men and ended up marrying an older man (6 years difference)... My best friend would agree... she married a man 12 years older... BUT... I just don't get the older woman wanting a younger guy or a younger guy wanting to be with an older woman... Maybe it is just because I can never picture myself with a younger man... The youngest guy I ever dated was 1 year younger... and I only went out with him once... so immature... and that is what turns me off of younger men... immaturity! The thoughts of being 12 years older than my stud... yikes!!! I wonder, though, if Ashton will get bored with her and look for a younger woman in a few years.

* Oh well... I guess, as long as they are happy... who am I to judge....

Until we meet again....

He's Back!!!

2005-10-15T21:52:00.000-04:00

For all of you who are fans of the military bloggers... a damn good blogger is back...
Sgt Hook has returned! I am sure he will continue to do us all proud!

Until we meet again!

Raj Bhakta...

2005-10-12T06:59:00.000-04:00

Raj Peter Bhakta, a former contestant on the TV show "The Apprentice," is considering running for Congress. If he runs he will try to win the 13th District seat of Pennsylvania. He would be running against the now "owner" of the seat Democratic State Senator Allyson Y. Schwartz.

I watched "The Apprentice", when he was a contestant, and admit that I was a little taken back by Raj good looks and savvy ways (although his bow tie was a little to much and kind of dorky in a sexy way... can you be dorky in a sexy way?) ... BUT... he is Republican and that ruined it for me.

Raj lost the chance to win "The Apprentice" when he was leader of a renovation of a house where he took a 4 bedroom and changed it into a 3 bedroom house. He also hired back contractors that ate more than worked and his course of action over all was questionable. Some say he is a ladies man but others, say he has a lot of work to do. He did squeeze a date out of Trump's Secretary but it was just coffee, so she says. Whether Raj will make it in Congress is very uncertain, as he is a strange and horny guy who just can't seem to get the girls to love him. In the end all of this was enough to get Trump to say to him "Your Fired".

If he does make it to Congress, heaven forbid... will he be another "play boy" in politics... I can hear/see him now... "Barbara ( Senator Barbara Boxer) would you like to go for coffee?" / "Olympia (Senator Olympia Snowe) my place or yours?" / "Kay (Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson) I think you've got something in your eye. Oh nevermind, it's just a sparkle." and his "Play Boy" list could go on and on... :)

Lord help us if we get another "Celebrity" in politics...

Until we meet again...

30 Years Ago in 1975...

2005-10-11T06:21:00.000-04:00

I have always found interest in history. Today, I looked up information on the history of 30 years ago... 1975 (2 years before my birth). Alot had happened and alot has changed in 30 years...

Check 1975 out!

A country without a history is a country of madmen.

George Santayana

Until we meet again...

What Might Have Been...

2005-10-10T23:00:00.000-04:00

I think about my past now and then. My failed marriage, old jobs, high school, college, ex's, when I first met my husband, my miscarriage, the birth of my son...etc.... Sometimes I think of what might have been if I had done this or that differently.

Where would I be if my ex-husband and I didn't get a divorce when we did... would I still be living the military wife roll?
I dream of my child that never was... the most difficult moment of my life losing my child... were they a boy or a girl? She or he would be 7 years old this year.
Where would I be now if I had finished college when I should have?
Why did I date this guy and that guy... what was I thinking?
What about the one that got away... wonder how life is treating him now?
If I had continued with my music "career"... where would it have taken me?
Sometimes I wonder if my husband and I never met... where would my life be? How horrible my life would be without him...
How empty my life would be if I never experienced the birth of my son...

Then... I begin to realize that "What Might Have Been" is just that. My life has turned out for the best and looking back... I wouldn't change a thing!

Until we meet again....

Oh...Harriet!

2005-10-06T06:47:00.000-04:00

I just have to say a little something about Harriet!!!

**The reasoning behind Judicial Nominee Harriet Miers**

I am starting to believe that Bush knows that after his final term (inadequately as it has become and I am afraid it will be getting worse) is over there will be people, who were formerly his "pals", will be disparaging him. They will do what they have never done before and actually be honest about his pitiful administration. He does not want any legal forms of any kind of relevance to his ignorance (his Presidency) to be available to any of them or any of us. This is where she comes in to play... David Frum in National Review wrote: "Keep an eye on Harriet Miers, White House counsel. Miers was the first woman president of the Texas Bar Association, a co-managing partner of a 400-lawyer firm in Texas, a one-time Dallas city councilor, and by the by, the personal lawyer to one George W. Bush. She joined his staff as governor, served as staff secretary (Richard Darman's old job) in the first administration, and now oversees the White House's legal work."

It's all beginning to make sense now... ;)~

Until we meet again....

Old "Blue Eyes" Himself...

2005-10-05T07:26:00.000-04:00

I usually listen to a small and tight group of artists and my media player confirms this.

* At the top of the play list I have my brigaide that consist of Matchbox Twenty, AeroSmith, The Rolling Stones, Sarah Mclachlan, Harry Connick Jr. and Edwin McCain. There is no clear leader because the order changes.

* My second brigaide incorporates Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Keeney Chesney, Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban.

* My third brigaide features Limp Bizkit, 50 Cent, Nelly, Lil' Kim, Greenday, Gwen Steffani, John Legend and Eminem.

* The fourth brigaide are"my little secret listening pleasures" the 'IDOLS' Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Ruben Suddard, Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood and Season Idols 1-4.

Looks strange now that I sublimated this list... kinda mixed category of artistic composition... some of the names shouldn't be there... Besides, the fact is that from time to time I need a little dose of various musical talents. The most popular for me is Alternative and Country. BUT...TODAY... it is Frank Sinatra. Old 'Blue Eyes' himself... sometimes I wish I could have been apart of his "Rat Pack".

(pic by Tim Williams)

Until we meet again....

Getting Away...

2005-10-04T23:13:00.000-04:00

When I started this blog, I started it just to ramble about anything and everything. It has become more of a political outsource for me. I want to try to get away from that a little. I will continue to speak my Democratic mind occasionally but will also continue just to "blurt" out anything I think is worth "blurting" out.

Me and Politics...

2005-10-04T05:31:00.000-04:00

I found the following "Poem"... what great political satire... BUT... Ohhhhh, how true!!!!

The Whos down in Whoville
By DougGoodkin

The Whos down in Whoville liked this country a lot,
But the Grinch in the White House most certainly did not.
He didn't arrive there by the will of the Whos,
But stole the election that he really did lose.
Vowed to "rule from the middle," then installed his regime.
Did this really happen or is it just a bad dream?

Continue Reading the Rest Here.

_____________________

Like I said before in one of my previous blog entry's...

"Those who know me know that I am and will always be a card-carrying Democrat. I do have family and friends who are card-carrying Republicans and I do respect their opinions. Do I support our President? I did not vote for him... but he is our President and a majority of my fellow Americans did cast their ballot for him. I do not agree with most of the things our President does and I can't stand to hear him speak. After watching these videos Bush on sovereignty and Bush's One Finger Solute I had to hang my head in shame. I have to say I do not agree with the war in Iraq... BUT... I will and forever "Support our Troops" no matter what. Our Troops chose to defend and serve our country... they have to abide by the Commander in Chief's "ruling". That was their decision when they signed the dotted line. I respect that whole heartily and give them Cudos. The "American Soldier" are the true heroes of our country, not those who sit behind the desk in the Oval Office, be if the "Oval Office" is Republican, Democrat, Liberal, etc...."
*Blog Back Track*
_________________________

I am adding a Great Blogger to my THOSE WHO ROCK category, Political Notio. MJ is a great writer and I was fortunate enough to cross his blog just by accident. I have truly enjoyed his writings... anyone that can make me think and smile at the same time deserves a THOSE WHO ROCK *star*! Check out his writings on nomination of Harriet Miers "Pandering Base".

Until we meet again....

First Steps...

2005-10-02T05:52:00.000-04:00

My son took his first steps today... I literally cried... I can't believe he is growing up so fast...

*He is talking all the time... he says mama, dada, duck, bye-bye, dog and ty (our dog)

*He is waving bye-bye, giving kisses, clapping his hands all the time and giving '5'.

*He is into everything... I mean everything...

*He loves books... he can sit for hours just looking at books and when I read to him...well...he is in heaven.

*He is dancing now... He dances to any music that happens to be playing... shaking his little bum up and down/back and forth.

*He shakes his head no when I tell him "no sir"

*He laughs at himself all the time... he thinks he is so funny... He is such a happy child...

He is the love of my life... my heart... my soul... my angel... my son....

Until we meet again....

Soldiers have to BUY own Body Armor?!?!?!

2005-10-01T06:44:00.000-04:00

When I read the following article I couldn't believe after one year of Congress demanding the Pentagon to pull their heads out of their a$$...that these 'Pentagonians' have not done a thing!!! What is so hard about taking care of the AMERICAN SOLDIER by reimbursing them for buying body army to help protect them in the WAR that our government insisted on? I have read several articles regarding this issue and I am dumbfounded...

September 30th, 2005 5:58 am
Pentagon still not reimbursing troops who buy own body armor
By Lolita C. Baldor / Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Nearly a year after Congress demanded action, the Pentagon still hasn't figured out a way to reimburse U.S. troops for body armor and equipment they purchased to better protect themselves while serving in Iraq.

For Marine Sgt. Todd Bowers that extra equipment — a high-tech rifle scope bought by his father for $600 and a $100 pair of goggles — turned out to be a life-or-death purchase. And he has
never been reimbursed.

Bowers, who is from Arizona but going to school in Washington, D.C., was shot by a sniper during his second tour in Iraq, but the round lodged in his scope, and his goggles protected his eyes from the shrapnel that struck his face.

"We weren't provided those going to Iraq," he said yesterday. "But they literally saved my life." He and other soldiers and their parents are still spending hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for armor they say the military won't provide. One U.S. senator said yesterday he will try again to force the Pentagon to obey the reimbursement law it opposed from the outset and has so far not implemented.

Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said he will offer amendments to the defense appropriations bill working its way through Congress to take the issue out of the hands of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and give control to military unit commanders in the field. "Rumsfeld is violating the law," Dodd said. "It's been sitting on the books for over a year. They were opposed to it. It was insulting to them. I'm sorry that's how they felt." Dodd said men and women in uniform "are serving halfway around the world. And they shouldn't have to rely on bake sales and lemonade stands to raise money" to get them the equipment they need.

Pentagon spokeswoman Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke said the department "is in the final stages of putting a reimbursement program together and it is expected to be operating soon." But defense officials would not discuss the reason for the delay. Krenke said the Pentagon's first priority is to ensure that soldiers "have all they need to fight and win this nation's wars."

Others don't see it that way.

"Your expectation is that when you are sent to war, that our government does everything they can do to protect the lives of our people, and anything less than that is not good enough," said a former Marine who spent nearly $1,000 two weeks ago to buy lower-body armor for his son, a Marine serving in Fallujah.

The father asked that he be identified only by his first name — Gordon — because he fears retribution against his son.

"I wouldn't have cared if it cost us $10,000 to protect our son, I would do it," said Gordon. "But I think the U.S. has an obligation to make sure they have this equipment and to reimburse for it. I just don't support Donald Rumsfeld's idea of going to war with what you have, not what you want. You go to war prepared, and you don't go to war until you are prepared." Under the law Congress passed in October, the Defense Department had until Feb. 25 to develop regulations for the reimbursement, which is limited to $1,100 per item. Pentagon officials called it "an unmanageable precedent that will saddle the DOD with an open-ended financial burden."

In a letter to Dodd in late April, David Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel, said his office was developing regulations to implement the reimbursement, and would be done in about 60 days.

Soldiers and their families have reported buying everything from higher-quality protective gear to armor for their Humvees, medical supplies and even global positioning devices.

Jesse Berney (with one of my favorite Blog Sites The Democratic Party Blog) has said it best... Read his Entry.

"It is a crime -- literally -- that the Pentagon has not reimbursed the troops for their body armor and other vital equipment. It is equally reprehensible that our troops and their families are still purchasing this equipment themselves.... We can do better than this."

Until we meet again...

What about it, R-Frist?!?!?!

2005-09-30T05:15:00.000-04:00

Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist, and HCA, the hospital founded by his father in Nashville, TN, are under investigation. This all comes about due to R-Frist ordered his stock shares in HCA sold this past June when they were at their peak and in July they plummeted around 9 to 10 %, after it went public that HCA wasn't meeting financial expectations.

Will R-Frist become the next Martha Stewart? Will he not be able to call his dream of a life time "The Oval Office" home? Or... will he be watching his P's and Q's while showering in a overcrowded Davidson County jail? Hmmmm... I am curious to see if R-Frist can get out of this.

I will definitely stay tuned to see if... He hears the words stated off of Martha Stewart's Apprentice..."You just don't fit in"... Or the words of Donald Trump's Apprentice "You're Fired"... Or the words of a "gal pal" in the cell next door "Pass the soap"!

Read More about the Investigation.

Until we meet again....

"I need to think about it"

2005-09-29T18:20:00.000-04:00

It seems that my life has become... "I need to think about it"... or ... "another obstacle to jump over"... or ... "another damn stinky diaper"... or ... well, I could go on....

Today I have had a "I need to think about it" day. I have been offered a job with a company out of New York. The job is an assistant to the President of a Marketing Company. I will be able to work at my office from home. We will correspond via email and by phone. I assume that I will eventually have to go to New York. I have done a lot of research on the company and it is a fantastic company. They have great clients and I am an idiot if I do not take this job. BUT... "another obstacle to jump"... what about school, and the job that I have already been promised in my hometown, my son, my family... etc... Will this be the best move for me? If I don't take this job will I eventually kick myself in the a$$? This is the job that I have wanted for awhile now. It has fallen in my lap and I am having to think about it!!!! I have a conference call with the President of the company on Monday at 9:00 am. I guess, I will get a better feel for the job then. I am excited, concerned and overwhelmed. This could be the job of a lifetime...

I guess I will go and clean my kitchen and ponder over this "obstacle". I also have to change "another damn stinky diaper".

Until we meet again.

5 Soldiers...

2005-09-25T05:01:00.000-04:00

I slept on the sofa last night... still haven't gotten a new mattress... like I said before "hubby can sleep on a slab of rocks"... I think he is just fine without me in the bed... he likes the bed to himself...the last couple of nights I have slept with him... I have been elbowed in the head... uggg!!!!

My life has been so crazy this past week... a lot of personal things... this morning I had to stop and realize that my problems and sorrows are nothing compared to the family and friends of those soldiers lost in the Chinook crash that happened this morning.

I woke up this morning and heard the newscaster announce another Helicopter down in Afghanistan. And there before my eyes I saw a Chinook... I got a tremendous pit in my stomach... I have to wonder do I know any of the 5 lives lost... Being stationed at Ft. Campbell with my ex gave me the chance to get to know a lot of the Chinook guys. I was friends with wives and the soldiers. Even though some I do not keep in touch with... each one touched my life... I think about Darren, Jason, Mac, Jim, Charlton (who I left on bad terms with) and so many others... I have to wonder how they are and pray that they are all safe...

My prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of the soldiers lost.

Until we meet again...

Awareness...

2005-09-21T01:37:00.000-04:00

October will be Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is something that is very serious and needs to be brought to everyone's attention. Women are more prone to this cancer... BUT... men are at risk as well! It doesn't matter what age or sex you are... get a mammogram!!! It could save your life!

The following came from and more information can be read at http://www.healthsearches.org .

"What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

In many cases, there are no outward signs of breast cancer. If there are outward signs and symptoms of breast cancer, the most common include any of the following:

* An abnormal lump in or near the breast
* An enlarged lymph node under the arm
* An area of thickening in the breast
* A dimpling (i.e., presence of a dimple) or puckering in the surface of the breast
* Scaly, puckered skin on the breast or other changes in texture of skin of the breast
* Swelling of the breast
* Other distortion in shape of the breast
* Changes in color (i.e., appearance of redness or rash) on the breast
*Changes in color or texture of nipple or aerola (pigmented area around the nipple)
* Abnormal discharge (blood or other fluid) from the nipple

Other possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer include any of the following:

* A nipple that has changed position
* An inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
* Soreness of the breast

A woman who experiences any of the signs and symptoms in either of the two lists above should see her doctor as soon as possible. Remember that most of the signs and symptoms in the two lists above can occur with breast cancer or certain conditions other than breast cancer. Therefore, most of the time, such changes result from conditions other than breast cancer, but it is always best to determine the cause. Before you are evaluated by your doctor, never assume that any change you notice is nothing to worry about, and never assume that the lump, rash, or other symptom will just clear up on its own. Keep in mind that breast cancer is most easily treated when it is detected in the early stages. Therefore, it is important that your doctor rule out any possibility of breast cancer as soon as you detect or notice any abnormal changes." Read

Until we meet again...

Long weekend...

2005-09-18T01:17:00.000-04:00

It has been a long weekend... my son's party was a blast!!! The party started at 1:00 pm yesterday and ended around 5 pm. It seems like the day just flew by... Thank goodness we could capture the day on video... so much was going on... I didn't get to enjoy it all...

He really didn't care about his birthday cake at all... he wouldn't touch it... I had to stick his hands in it and even after I did that he still wouldn't play in it... it was very cute to see him make the funny faces when I put the cake icing in his mouth... I don't think he is going to be a "sweet" eater... *he takes after me on that... I hate sweets*

He received a lot of nice gifts... clothes, books, toys...toys... did I mention...TOYS... I have no clue were I am going to put them all!
His favorite part of the gifts was the paper and ribbons... his little girlfriend loved that part too...

All in all, it was a great day!!! Now that it is all over with... I can get back to studying, reading, sleeping and relaxing!

Until we meet again!

Flab... Flab... Flab...

2005-09-15T22:50:00.000-04:00

I have started back to the gym to get rid of the excess "baby flab". (When losing the weight... you have to tone it... or you begin to look like the Michelin Man.) I am SOOOOOOoooooo... sore!!! I love it! I feel great! I am working the flabby excess skin away. GROSS... I know... but "girls" you know what I am talking about. Now... all I need to do is get rid of the stretch marks on my belly... and my bod will be back to the way it was. Yet... I fear that I will have to wear the stretch marks for the rest of my life... I guess I should wear them as a "badge of honor"... I did carry a child for 8.5 months and I did give birth... so.... I guess, these are my "scars of life" and I should wear them proudly.... :)~

When I look in the mirror now... I am liking what I see! Girlish Figure... oh how I have missed you!! Welcome Back!!!

Until we meet again...

P.S. If anyone knows what a Blogging "Pipe Break" error is... Please let me know...

Son...

2005-09-12T22:18:00.000-04:00

This week has started out being such a hard week for me. My son will be turning one on 9-19-05 and we are having his 1st birthday party on Saturday, 9-17-05. I do not want to give my child up to "age". I want him to stay a baby forever. I know this is not possible... but I can always wish... can't I? He is "talking" all the time now... carrying on conversations with me... I have no clue what he is saying... I just agree with everything that comes out of his little mouth. Sometimes I feel as though he might be swearing at me... :) Specially when I am changing his diaper... or when I tell him "no".

I can never express how much my son means to me... how happy he has made my life. I thought I knew what love was... but I didn't... until I looked into the eyes of a 6 lbs 6 oz tiny angel the Dr. had placed upon my chest... that kind of love is the best love I have ever experienced.

My son teaches me abundantly more each day . There is more to life to appreciate than I ever imagined . The simplest things in life such as a hug, kiss and a hand held in mine are some of the most heartfelt moments of my life . He teaches me to laugh, have fun and truly enjoy life to the fullest . I would have never thought that my child would be teaching me ... how ironic .

Motherhood has introduced a lot of different emotions . Joy, love, fear and admiration are just the tips of the emotional roller coaster I have discovered with my son . The instinct to protect him comes naturally . There is nothing I wouldn't do to protect my son . I have become more aggressive and courageous than I ever knew I could be .

I thank God everyday for giving me the pleasure and honor of being my son's mother. The hardest job I have ever had to do in my 28 years of life... but the best job I have ever had in my 28 years of life.

So... I drag my feet... cussing his birthday... this year has flown by so fast. Before I know it he will be a grown man.

Until we meet again...

A Somber Day... Where was I?

2005-09-11T19:33:00.000-04:00

Where was I when I heard of the attacks on 9-11-2001? My then boyfriend, now hubby, and I were listening to the radio on the way to work. A frantic DJ came on the air in disbelief stating a plane had hit one of the Trade Centers. My hubby and I didn't think anything about it. We just thought it was a small plane... we had no idea of the shock to come. When we got to work, we walked into the brake room... 120 employees were standing around a 19 inch TV... everyone of them looked like they had seen a ghost. As we all stood there in a fog... the 2nd plane hit... screams... tears... anger... emotions were flying. That was a day I will never forget... I saw grown men crying, women sobbing... everyone calling their loved ones. I remember calling my grandmother (God bless her soul)... she was sick with cancer and was overwhelmed with emotion. I can hear these words she stated to me... "What is happening to our world? We now know we are not indestructible. God Bless the people... oh my goodness... people are jumping to their deaths... Oh, dear Lord, God Bless them...God Help them." I know on that day... I was so angry and devastated and didn't understand the reality of it all... on that day... my life changed forever... as it did for all Americans. That day... we all lost "brothers" and "sisters".

A great 9/11 website is http://911digitalarchive.org/ .

9/11 Poem

Two thousand one, nine eleven

Three thousand plus arrive in heaven

As they pass through the gate,

Thousands more appear in wait

A bearded man with stovepipe hat

Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat"

They settle down in seats of clouds

A man named Martin shouts out proud

"I have a dream!" and once he did

The Newcomer, said "Your dream still lives."

Groups of soldiers in blue and gray

Others in khaki, and green then say

"We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine"

The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain."

From a man on sticks one could hear

"The only thing we have to fear."

The Newcomer said, "We know the rest,

trust us sir, we've passed that test."

"Courage doesn't hide in caves

You can't bury freedom in a grave,"

The Newcomers had heard this voice before

A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannisport shores

A silence fell within the mist

Somehow the Newcomer knew that this

Meant time had come for her to say

What was in the hearts of the

five thousand plus that day

"Back on Earth, we wrote reports,

Watched our children play in sports

Worked our gardens, sang our songs

Went to church and clipped coupons

We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we fought

Unlike you, great we're not"

The tall man in the stovepipe hat

Stood and said, "Don't talk like that!

Look at your country, look and see

You died for freedom, just like me"

Then, before them all appeared a scene

Of rubbled streets and twisted beams

Death, destruction, smoke and dust

And people working just 'cause they must

Hauling ash, lifting stones,

Knee deep in hell, but not alone

"Look! Blackman, Whiteman, Brownman, Yellowman

Side by side helping their fellow man!"

So said Martin, as he watched the scene

"Even from nightmares, can be born a dream."

Down below three firemen raised

The colors high in ashen haze

The soldiers above had seen it before

On Iwo Jima back in '44

The man on sticks studied everything closely

Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly

"I see pain, I see tears, I see sorrow-but I don't see fear."

"You left behind husbands and wives

Daughters and sons and so many lives

are suffering now because of this wrong

But look very closely...You're not really gone

All of those people, even those who've never met you

All of their lives, they'll never forget you

Don't you see what has happened?

Don't you see what you've done?

You've brought them together, together as one."

With that the man in the stovepipe hat said

"Take my hand," and from there he led

three thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven

On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven

Author UNKNOWN

___________________________________________________________________

Also thanks to Ingrid for sending me this Link from "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo". FIVE DAYS WITH KATRINA... has over 197 pics and fascinating captions of the before and after Katrina's wrath...

Katrina Donations can be made to:

United Methodist Committee on Relief

(This is the one I really recommend)

Convoy of Hope

Salvation Army

Operation Blessing

Americas Second Harvest

American Red Cross

Until we meet again...

Flattered or Disgusted?

2005-09-08T21:52:00.000-04:00

I am not sure if I should be flattered or disgusted... just creepy....

I was in the chips isle at my local Wal-mart store. In the same isle there was an elderly man, had to be at least 70 or 80 yrs old, in a scooter cart. I noticed he was looking at me. I smiled at him and glanced back down at the Doritos I was thinking of buying. The elderly man says... "everything is getting so expensive"... I responded, as nicely as I could, "yes, it has." He started looking me up and down and said "how expensive are you?" I looked at him and said "excuse me?" He again asked "how expensive are you"... I said with a silly smile... "Very." Needless to say... the old guy wanted to get a little more personal with his questions... I shall not tell the rest of the conversation... but lets just say... my mouth fell to the floor with questions he asked and comments he made about my skirt I was wearing. Nevertheless... the comment I made to him, to shut him up, wasn't one he would have expected to come out of my mouth either. As I snatched up my Doritos and hurried out of the isle... I could feel his eyes watching my every move. Creepy... I wonder if he even knew what he was saying... who knows....

Should I feel flattered or disgusted that I had the "wheels turning" of an old geezer? This, I can honestly say, has never happened to me before. A 70 something year old man trying to pick me up in the chips isle of a Wal-mart store.

Until we meet again...

Home Alone...

2005-09-07T15:15:00.000-04:00

I am sitting home alone today while my hubby is at work and my son is with his grandmother. I am so disgustly in need of a shower. I have been cleaning the house like a mad woman. My son will be turning one in 2 weeks and I am trying to get the house in perfect shape for all the party guest. We have only invited close famiy and friends. Yet, the number is to be 20 to 25 people that will be coming. "My son is going to be 1"... this is what keeps echoing in my head. How time has flown. It seems like yesterday that I was telling everyone "I'm pregnant". Will there be another baby soon? Not for awhile... I am going to let my son enjoy being an only child for at least another year. I truly believe that being a parent is the hardest job of all... but the most rewarding. I have enjoyed every moment with my son. He is the reason I get up in the mornings. He has completed my life in so many ways.

I have also been watching TV while cleaning... Hurricane Katrina... I am still having a hard time "swallowing all of this"...

If you wish to donate cash and/or volunteer here are some great places to do so...

United Methodist Committee on Relief
(This is the one I really recommend)

Convoy of Hope

Salvation Army

Operation Blessing

America’s Second Harvest

American Red Cross

There is a family that is moving from LA to my community. A local person has donated some land and a trailor to this family. We are going to try to furnish everything for them. I just wish we could do more for more people. If I was a rich woman... I would be donating land and homes for all those who lost their homes.

Until we meet again...

Can't Sleep...

2005-09-05T02:06:00.000-04:00

I have been up all night... Needless to say, I am still not sleeping well. The mattress is still crap... even after being flipped. I guess the sofa is going to be my new best friend. I have a lot going on in my life right now... STRESS... I had a great 'stress free' moment this morning at 1 AM when I read the following email... I laughed out loud... There were times in my life where I should have had a great come back like this one...

The ULTIMATE WOMAN

It has long been contended that there are male jokes and there are female jokes. And there are unisex jokes. Here is a joke I consider a true female joke. I offer it to you in the hopes that women will love it and men will pass it along to a woman who will love it.

A woman was sitting at a bar enjoying an after-work cocktail with her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, extremely sexymiddle-aged man entered.
He was so striking that the woman could not take her eyes off him. The young-at-heart man noticed her overly attentive stare and walked directly toward her (as all men will).
Before she could offer her apologies for so rudely staring, he leanedover and whispered to her, "I'll do anything, absolutely anything, that you want me to do, no matter how kinky, for $20.00......on one condition."
(There are always conditions!)
Flabbergasted, the woman asked what the condition was. The manreplied, "You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three words."
(Controlling, huh?)
The woman considered his proposition for a moment, then slowly removed a $20 bill from her purse, which she pressed into the man's hand along with her address. She looked deeply into his eyes, and slowly and meaningfully said.. .
"Clean my house."
Until we meet again...

Sad... Isn't it?

2005-09-04T16:54:00.000-04:00

Today, while getting ready for church, I stopped for a moment to watch "Meet the Press with Tim Russert". One of his guest was Jefferson Parish President Broussard. Here is one part of the interview that had me in tears.... (You can read the complete transcripts here.)

MR. RUSSERT: And we are back.

Jefferson Parish President Broussard, let me start with you. You just heard the director of Homeland Security's explanation of what has happened this last week. What is your reaction?

MR. AARON BROUSSARD: We have been abandoned by our own country. Hurricane Katrina will go down in history as one of the worst storms ever to hit an American coast, but the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina will go down as one of the worst abandonments of Americans on American soil ever in U.S. history. I am personally asking our bipartisan congressional delegation here in Louisiana to immediately begin congressional hearings to find out just what happened here. Why did it happen? Who needs to be fired? And believe me, they need to be fired right away, because we still have weeks to go in this tragedy. We have months to go. We have years to go. And whoever is at the top of this totem pole, that totem pole needs to be chain-sawed off and we've got to start with some new leadership.
It's not just Katrina that caused all these deaths in New Orleans here. Bureaucracy has committed murder here in the greater New Orleans area, and bureaucracy has to stand trial before Congress now. It's so obvious. FEMA needs more congressional funding. It needs more presidential support. It needs to be a cabinet-level director. It needs to be an independent agency that will be able to fulfill its mission to work in partnership with state and local governments around America. FEMA needs to be empowered to do the things it was created to do. It needs to come somewhere, like New Orleans, with all of its force immediately, without red tape, without bureaucracy, act immediately with common sense and leadership, and save lives. Forget about the property. We can rebuild the property. It's got to be able to come in and save lives.

We need strong leadership at the top of America right now in order to accomplish this and to-- reconstructing FEMA.

MR. RUSSERT: Mr. Broussard, let me ask--I want to ask--should...

MR. BROUSSARD: You know, just some quick examples...

MR. RUSSERT: Hold on. Hold on, sir. Shouldn't the mayor of New Orleans and the governor of New Orleans bear some responsibility? Couldn't they have been much more forceful, much more effective and much more organized in evacuating the area?

MR. BROUSSARD: Sir, they were told like me, every single day, "The cavalry's coming," on a federal level, "The cavalry's coming, the cavalry's coming, the cavalry's coming." I have just begun to hear the hoofs of the cavalry. The cavalry's still not here yet, but I've begun to hear the hoofs, and we're almost a week out.
Let me give you just three quick examples. We had Wal-Mart deliver three trucks of water, trailer trucks of water. FEMA turned them back. They said we didn't need them. This was a week ago. FEMA--we had 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel on a Coast Guard vessel docked in my parish. The Coast Guard said, "Come get the fuel right away." When we got there with our trucks, they got a word. "FEMA says don't give you the fuel." Yesterday--yesterday--FEMA comes in and cuts all of our emergency communication lines. They cut them without notice. Our sheriff, Harry Lee, goes back in, he reconnects the line. He posts armed guards on our line and says, "No one is getting near these lines." Sheriff Harry Lee said that if America--American government would have responded like Wal-Mart has responded, we wouldn't be in this crisis.
But I want to thank Governor Blanco for all she's done and all her leadership. She sent in the National Guard. I just repaired a breach on my side of the 17th Street canal that the secretary didn't foresee, a 300-foot breach. I just completed it yesterday with convoys of National Guard and local parish workers and levee board people. It took us two and a half days working 24/7. I just closed it.

MR. RUSSERT: All right.

MR. BROUSSARD: I'm telling you most importantly I want to thank my public employees...

MR. RUSSERT: All right.

MR. BROUSSARD: ...that have worked 24/7. They're burned out, the doctors, the nurses. And I want to give you one last story and I'll shut up and let you tell me whatever you want to tell me. The guy who runs this building I'm in, emergency management, he's responsible for everything. His mother was trapped in St. Bernard nursing home and every day she called him and said, "Are you coming, son? Is somebody coming?" And he said, "Yeah, Mama, somebody's coming to get you. Somebody's coming to get you on Tuesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Wednesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Thursday. Somebody's coming to get you on Friday." And she drowned Friday night. She drowned Friday night.

MR. RUSSERT: Mr. President...

MR. BROUSSARD: Nobody's coming to get us. Nobody's coming to get us.
The secretary has promised. Everybody's promised. They've had press conferences. I'm sick of the press conferences. For God sakes, shut up and send us somebody.
MR. RUSSERT: Just take a pause, Mr. President. While you gather yourself in your very emotional times, I understand, let me go to Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi....

I have read all of this has gotten so bad that some of the people that have been trying to help (cops, firefighters, etc...) have committed or tried to commit suicide. WHAT? Read it here.

Times like this makes me sit back and reflect on "why things/disasters like this happen"... is it to make "us" stronger or to make "us" realize we are not as strong as "we" think "we" are. "We" are the first in line to help every other country but when it comes to "our" own... "we" are in the back of the line. Sad... isn't it?

Until we meet again...

Sinking Feeling...

2005-09-03T00:37:00.000-04:00

I have been glued to my TV the last few days. I have been watching stories unfold regarding Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath. I am trying to understand why our country has lost its creditability. My heart has that same sinking feeling like it did when 9/11 happened. I have been watching heart breaking pictures, video and pleads for HELP from innocent adults and children! Scientists at Louisiana State University say their computer models now suggest as many as 80,000 people may have perished. Hopefully this is not true.

A statement given by Jack Cafferty, who is with CNN news, let his views be known on one of Wolf Blitzers shows, The Situation Room. He sums up how a lot of Americans feel. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Jack Cafferty: "The thing that's most glaring in all this is that conditions continue to deteriorate for the people who are victims in this, and the efforts to do something about it don't seem to be anywhere in sight. I want to read you something, Wolf. This is a quote from an editorial:"

'A better leader would have flown straight to the disaster zone and announced the immediate mobilization of every available resource. The cool, confident intuitive leadership Bush exhibited in his first term, particularly in the months following 9/11, has vanished.'

"Now that's not from some liberal rag; that is an editorial from one of the most conservative newspapers in the country, New Hampshire's UNION LEADER. THE NEW YORK TIMES, not unexpectedly, kind of chimed in. They said the president showed up a day later than he was needed and they excoriate him for appearing 'casual to the point of carelessness.'Harsh words coming from FEMA's former disaster response chief, Eric Tolbert: 'The government was not ready and shifted its attention from natural disaster to fighting the war on terror.'

" The questions we ask on The Situation Room every afternoon, Wolf, are posted on the website 2 to 3 hours before we go on the air, and people who read the website often begin to respond to the questions before the show actually starts. The question this hour is: How would you rate the response of the federal government to Hurricane Katrina?"

"I've got to tell you something, we got 500-600 letters before the show even went on the air. NO ONE --- NO ONE--- says the federal government is doing a good job in handling one of the most atrocious and embarrassing and far-reaching and calamitous things that has come along in this country in my lifetime. I'm 62, I remember the riots in Watts, I remember the earthquake in San Francisco. I remember a lot of things. I have never, ever, seen anything as badly bungle and poorly handled as this situation in New Orleans.

"Where the hell is the water for these people? Why can't sandwiches be dropped to those people who are in the Superdome down there? I mean, what is going on -- this is Thursday. This is the government the taxpayers are paying for, and it's fallen right flat on its face, as far as I can see, in the way it's handled this thing."

This has to be a dream and someone will pinch us all and everything will be okay... right? How in the world did America get like this? In a drop of a hat we were there to help those in the tsunami relief. We can help every other country but our own? How is this possible? Why is this possible? As an American this is the biggest slap in the face. I can not imagine what our fellow Americans with out food, water, clothing, etc... are thinking or feeling about what is suppose to be the "Greatest" country in the world....

Also, the Louisianians, Mississippians and Alabamians are not refugees... They are victims. Victim means one who is harmed, one who is made to suffer, or one who is taken advantage of.

Until we meet again...

Be Kind to Your Fellow Nerd...

2005-09-02T12:22:00.000-04:00

I received this email today from my sis... I love it! Thought I would share it with you....

Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 8:35 AM
Subject: Fw: (no subject) (this is great!)

Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this!

To anyone with kids of any age, here's some advice.

Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Until we meet again...

Sniff...Sniff...

2005-09-01T23:04:00.000-04:00

I haven't felt that great today. I have had a headache and I have been so tired. Is it flu season yet? I have been ill as a hornate. First thing this morning, I bit my hubby's head off for not kissing me good-bye when he was leaving for work. Poor guy! He was probably cussing me all the way to work. :( I haven't slept well for the past week. I am constantly waking up at 4:30 a.m. and cannot go back to sleep. I do believe we need a new mattress. I wake up so stiff jointed in the mornings. My hubby says we just need to flip the mattress. He sleeps fine... course he could sleep on a slab of rock and wake up "bright eyed and bushy tailed". I like a soft mattress... but our mattress is anything but soft. Maybe I will sleep on the sofa tonight... it is soft and so comfy... we will see how I feel tomorrow.

Hmmm...maybe if I continue to sleep on the sofa my hubby might decide to get a new mattress...

Until we meet again...

Fahrenheit 9/11...

2005-08-31T12:58:00.000-04:00

Last night I was in bed watching ShowTime and noticed Fahrenheit 9/11 had 45 minutes left. Okay... I have watched half of this movie before and got so ticked that I had to turn it off. I decided, last night, if I could stay awake that I would try to make it to the end.

Michael Moore has balls. His greatest points in the movie were how he pulled back the bloody veil of the bloodshed of a war that has been censored for the American publics consumption. I loved when he asked several congressman to sign their children up for the military. I didn't know that only 1 congressman has a child in the military. This documentary is hilarious, heart renching and devastating. When he interviewed several of the soldiers over in Iraq, most of their comments were they really didn't understand why they were there. Those scenes really got to me.

Those who say Moore hates the USA are idiots. Moore shows more support for our troops than any other filmmaker I have seen. I was expecting this film to be more of a "bullet through the heart" of Bush's presidency. In fact, the documentary doesn't have that much dirt on Bush or his government. The documentary, itself, was more focused on our troops and how they are doing in the war. Very emotional stuff.

Those who know me know that I am and will always be a card-carrying Democrat. I do have family and friends who are card-carrying Republicans and I do respect their opinions. Do I support our President? I did not vote for him... but he is our President and a majority of my fellow Americans did cast their ballot for him. I do not agree with most of the things our President does and I can't stand to hear him speak. After watching these videos Bush on Sovereighnty and Bush's One Finger Solute I had to hang my head in shame. I have to say I do not agree with the war in Iraq... BUT... I will and forever "Support our Troops" no matter what. Our Troops chose to defend and serve our country... they have to abide by the "Commander in Chief's" ruling. That was their decision when they signed the dotted line. I respect that whole heartly and give them Cudo's. The "American Soldier" are the true heros of our country, not those who sit behind the desk in the Oval Office, be if the "Oval Office" is Republican, Democrat, Liberal, etc....

Until we meet again...

The Wind is Blowing...

2005-08-30T22:18:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Katrina...

Hurricane Katrina has brought a lot of rain to our area and caused the National Weather Service in Nashville to issue an Inland Tropical Storm warning for southern middle Tennessee, which is in effect until 1pm today. Wind speeds are/were expected to reach 39 - 73 mph in our area, with 50mph gusts possible. Last night it was hard to sleep because the wind was so bad. None of our trees were blown down but some of our neighbors trees were. I have not heard of any tornados touching down any where near by. The National Weather Service has also issued a Flood Watch for our area. Schools are out in most of southern middle Tennessee today. I do not think the storm, for our area, was as bad as everyone thought it was going to be... thank goodness!

Nature and It's Upset...

USA TODAY's editorial page devotes its space this morning to Katrina and examines the hurricane issues driven by people and nature. "Katrina is the latest reminder that in a world of natural and manmade dangers, not every place can be secured against the worst-case scenario. Some forces of nature exceed the rational limits of human preparedness."

If you would like to donate to the Victims of Hurricane Katrina... Here are some links...

American Red Cross

United Way

The United Methodist Church

Convoy of Hope

The Salvation Army

Cudos goes out to all those who are donating and helping in this disaster relief.

Until we meet again...

Losing "The Baby" Weight

2005-08-29T15:30:00.000-04:00

One of the hardest things I have ever done in my life is trying to lose "the baby" weight. It has been a very depressing "adventure" for me. I am addicted to soda, Coke or Pepsi. I got really bad after having my son. Soda was my coffee. Of course, when drinking 6 cans of soda a day I was never going to lose weight.

I gained 30 lbs when pregnant with my son. THIRTY POUNDS!!!! It has taken me a year to get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight. In the last month I have lost a total of 9 lbs... count them 9 lbs. This was the last 9 lbs I needed to lose to be at my pre-pregnancy weight. ;)~ My secret... I have not put ANY fast food in my mouth in 3 weeks... AND... I have one glass of soda and six 12 oz bottles of water a day... AND ... I am exercising with my FIT Channel.

I went with my sister almost 2 months ago and bought over $200 worth of new clothes. Everything I bought is now to big. My jeans hang off my booty and my shirts are to loose. My mother-in-law said she would fix them for me. She is a sewing genius.

I just wonder if my "skinny" clothes have missed me as much as I have missed them.

Until we meet again...

New Girl on the Blog!

2005-08-28T03:45:00.000-04:00

For the past month or so I have found interest in the "blogging" world. There are some really great blog writers. Gosh... people with all that talent... maybe our society is not intellectually crippled. I have found interest in a lot of blogs... the military bloggers, military wife bloggers, the parenting bloggers, the PCOS bloggers, and so many more. Being the New Girl on the Blog... I will try not to be a bore and hope to bring something new, something old, something fun to the "blogging" world.

As I have gotten older "28-years-old" I am finding myself becoming more anal. The things that use to not bother me... get under my skin now. Does this come with age? Am I really turning into my high school librarian... now she was anal.

For example...

* When we age, why do we women think we have to start dressing like we are 16 years old again? There are some really great looking older women out there... but the mid-drift shirts and the daisy dukes... or better yet... going bra-less...doesn't leave much to the imagination... WOW... Those of you women that do this... leave this to the younger girls. You can still look attractive without looking... well... "Yes I am 40 but I want to be 16" look.

* The English language has taken an incredible beating the last few years with the advent of "liketalk". What I thought was a passing fad - the typical American teenagers faddish interjection of the word "like" into every single sentence -- has become so rampant it is a disease. Even thirty and 40 year olds and business executives talk this way! "Like" is used not only as "um" is used, a chronic and useless interrupter - it actually takes the place of adjectives, nouns, imagination, intelligence, etc. etc. etc. For example, you no longer have to say,"Sally was mad at me." You just say,"She was like "oh my gosh I am so mad at you!" No need for such tedious sentences as "Harry said, I'll take care of it." Now it's "Harry was LIKE I'll take care of it" So you see there's no past tense any more, there's just the pea-brained characterization of any event, any shade of meaning, past, present or future, relevant or irrelevant, as "LIKE". Now when you combine that with the word "ALL" and ever-rising popularity of the word "sh_t", you have something approaching the deterioration of our daily discourse to the most atrocious and stupid sounding toilet talk...For example: "Sally told me, yesterday, how much she loves Justin Timberlake's voice and his moves. She said she could listen and watch him all day. Now we can say, "Justin Timberlake?" Sally was all like, 'he's the sh_t!" I confess... I catch myself talking this way from time to time... it is such a shame. WHAT HAS HAPPENED???

* Greeting cards that throw sparkles, sequins or confetti on the hapless recipient. This has happened to me on more than one occasion. Now when opening cards I get in the mail... I open them over the trash can.

* The expression that "Nobody can hurt you unless you let them." Really gets under my skin... I guess because I know it is true.

* Being put on the speakerphone without warning. This has happened to be a number of times.

* Adults who still blame their parents for their problems... get therapy if it is that bad!

I could go on and on... but... "like" I got to go it's time for "Weeds".....Goodnight...

Until we meet again...

**Girl on the Blog**

It's So Hard To Say Good-Bye...

Red Ryder - Weekend

Play it again, Sam Continued...

Play it again, Sam

Being Called Out...

Tag Your It!

How Well Do You Know...

...the pocket watch, the dirty gold star and me

Weekend Ahead

Pick a Topic...

Can I get a 'Snob' ?

The GOTB's...

All I Want For Christmas...

A Bigger Bang

All Mixed Up

What say you for 2006?

One Tin Soldier...

...wind beneath my wings

Oh yeah....soooo sexy.

...his girl named Sue

Moving at the Speed of Life...

And I will write you a song

Help Eugene...

His name is Eugene...

Okay!!!!

One more thing...

Happy Thanksgiving...

What are you thankful for...

...more to this world than politics

"I Walk the Line"

Sex, Lies, Rock & Roll and Politics...

Blah day...

Don't disappoint me....

My lucky penny...

...in mourning

...honest, truthful, and virtuous

Can I get a "Freak"...

Feature You?

...not just another holiday

...its great being a smart woman with a DAMN fine ride

Republicans Anonymous...

I thank my lucky stars...

...need I say more

...far out names

..."Music Highway"

It's the least we can do...

... don't talk to "my child"

...life will be complete

...indulged more on his death

...back home safe and sound

...pulled an "Ashley Simpson"

...imbecilic war mongers

...life's little pleasures

One small woman...

...best laid plans of mice and men

Troop Homecoming Signs...

Joke...

Oh...Delay!

Pick Up Lines...What The???

...another hotdog

The One...

...who protect

...if I had signed the contract

Care to Comment?

The Older Woman... The Younger Man?

He's Back!!!

Raj Bhakta...

30 Years Ago in 1975...

What Might Have Been...

Oh...Harriet!

Old "Blue Eyes" Himself...

Getting Away...

Me and Politics...

First Steps...

Soldiers have to BUY own Body Armor?!?!?!

What about it, R-Frist?!?!?!

"I need to think about it"

5 Soldiers...

Awareness...

Girl on the Blog