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The sweet feeling of accomplishment
You know that feeling when you put off a project, and put it off and put it off… and then you /finally/ get it done!? Ahhhhh… It is a joyous feeling. I am miffed at myself for not taking a ‘before’ picture. But who knew a couple hours of work would give me such a sense of accomplishment. But picture this: BOXES of clothes from my sister-in-law and mother-in-law. Boxes stacked in the corner of his room (and not very neatly). Some rummaged through, other boxes still closed. Hand me downs (some with tags still on them) for my 13-month old. Clothes ranging in size from 18 months to 5T. Summer clothes, winter clothes, in between clothes. I will…
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Rebuilding and Cleaning Up Iraq – “The Right Thing To Do” DoD Blogger Roundtable
American forces are preparing to leave Iraq on December 31st and in fact, some of our folks are “looking at their watches” but what have we accomplished after a war, the loss of too many American lives and huge expenditures of our national treasure? Brig. Gen. Rock DonahueThose thoughts ran through my mind as I talked with Brig. Gen. Rock Donahue , director of U.S. Forces Iraq J7, the senior engineer in Iraq during the DoD Bloggers Roundtable. Gen Donahue carefully went through the statistics, the huge effort, that, our men and women in the military community have made to clean up Iraq during and after the war. He was…
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A Moment Out of the Norm Cooking with GrandBrat
Her name is *E*. She has eyes that shine, a mind that zooms, a sea of energy and a steel trap memory. She is my grandbrat: child of my Brat. Military kids pass on the zest of life and love of challenges.*E* loves action and is at home in the kitchen.After a trip to the farmer’s vegetable stand it was time to put up some tomatoes. Every tomato was washed… 67 tomatoes… 78 gazillion gallons of water.Step one: clean the sink. Scoured and ready to go without a trace of anything left in the drain… good job. Oh how affirmation is uplifting! *E* tenderly sponged all tomatoes. I stood next…
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A Gift of Your Time
This weekend’s 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks brought a lot of reminiscing for America and individuals. “We Will Never Forget … “ Where we were, why did this happen and how we responded as a nation. The images just flowed through my head of the towers burning in New York, the Threat Condition Delta on our military installations, locked and loaded automatic weapons at the installation entry points, a command post full of very determined airmen and the President reading to a young group of children. So many to remember … As we were enjoying our coffee and breakfast this morning, I pulled out our calendar with special…
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From Military to Civilian
I just returned from a great visit to USAA in San Antonio and had the pleasure of meeting a lot of great people, seeing a lot of great things up USAA’s sleeve and doing some super networking with fellow bloggers, military spouses and financial gurus. (In fact, I frequently thought, “How was I so privileged to be invited seeing the room was full of such-experts.”) What a wonderful opportunity! The visit culminated with their 9/11 remembrance, “America’s Resolve”. Our emotions were tested and kleenex placed at the end of every row. Even saying the Pledge of Allegiance tugged at my heart and that was just the beginning. We listened intently to the keynote speaker; bated…
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We Will Never Forget – 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11/01
Why I will never forget … You can ask me where I was on Sept 11th, 2001 and I am instantly brought back to my apartment. (I worked from home); sitting at my desk; nursing a migraine headache. I can remember calling my husband; IMing my co-worker, Dan; learning that my dad, a colonel in the Air Force, was on high alert with a very long day (month … year…) ahead of him. Tears would stream down my face periodically throughout the day. For me life had changed. But what about my children? They weren’t alive. Ask the generations that are in high school and younger and they really may…
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10 Years Down the Road
Travel came to the forefront 10 years ago. Hubs traveled home from an around the world hop and stop flight with different crews, different planes and at that time a different mission. Friends drove out the gate of McChord AFB, drove down to SEATAC to fly off to attend seminars, visit family and find sunshine. Little thought was made going in and out the gate of an installation other than the usual identification that needed to be in the car, and on the person. As a child, I remember watching TV nonstop when JFK was assassinated. The very word was mesmerizing. TV anchormen were somber, music played all the time. …
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Afghan “Right”, Aghan“First” and Afghan “Like” DoD Bloggers Roundtable
I have to admit to being very impressed. A general officer in the US Army writing a blog about what is happening in Afghanistan! So maybe his public affairs officer is helping? Might be a bit of pessimism in my blood; confirmed by my bride of almost 40 years! Deb blames it on Harry Reasoner and his famous news commentary in 1971 about the Vietnam War including the line, “That’s why being a helicopter pilot is so different from being an airplane pilot, and why in generality airplane pilots are open, clear-eyed, buoyant, extroverts. And helicopter pilots are brooders, introspective anticipators of trouble.” USAF HH-60G in Afghanistan Since I flew…
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Army Suicide Prevention – One Family’s Struggle – DoD Blogger Roundtable
When you are in a boxing match the blows are tough but are felt less as you fight, it is not till after the match or the next day that you really feel them! What a great example to better understand combat stress! Major Jeff Hall, US Army and his wife Sheri, agreed to meet with the DoD Bloggers Roundtable to discuss their lives with combat stress and his struggles with suicide. Jeff’s comparison of boxing to the effects of combat stress and peace time fit the warrior ethos! We may not feel the pain of combat stress while engaged in combat or even combat support but it can kick…
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Writing One’s Own Check List
He is so punctual. Life’s ticks are on the calendar. The mileage is documented for the car. Emails are even spell checked before going to family members. “If you are going to do it, do it right!” He bends for others, dismisses gaffs that just up and happen, but his approach to his personal lifestyle: check list, counter check and move forward. My response: I couldn’t agree more, but let me do it faster, and I’ll check with it in a bit. Today a glitch occurred. An event entered the mix without being entered on the calendar. Nothing prohibited it from being terrific, but someone important to Dale was left…
