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Veterans Day 2013 Meals, Deals & Support
Veterans Day 2013 is less then a month away and it is time to acknowledge the companies that will take the time to appreciate our deserving US Veterans. National Meals, Deals and Support: Many of these Restaurants and Businesses are Franchises and Participation may vary. Be sure to call ahead to insure they are participating. Applebees (meal) on Monday, November 11th during business hours will give Veterans and Active Duty service members a signature entrée. (Participating locations only, identification required – see their website for list of supporting documents) Bar Louie (meal) is offering a lunch or dinner on Louie for all Veterans & Active Duty on Monday, November 11th. (Up…
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Happy Birthday, Kiddo
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11Dad and Josh: Makes me smile 18 years ago a boy was born. He would forever change my life, influencing the mother that I am today, yesterday and tomorrow. He’s a brother! (and he will be again and again)Joshua, Josh, Kiddo. What an amazing young-man he has come to be. A stellar student, a strong athlete, a friend to many, a rock in a sea of turmoil. To say I am a proud mom would be an understatement. I…
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Friends: Partnerships in Growth, Understanding and Enjoyment of Life
ChiTown: city of lights; waterfront; museums; skyscrapers; fabulous food; frothing fountains; multiple museums and friends. Chicago: bursting with art, star light, the philharmonic symphony pulsing in the park The Loop rumbling with near mile wide highways, rumbling with trains and full of the drum of the ‘L’s”… a beautiful noise. Overload of joy, memories, shopping and walking. Long ago, and in a far away time… Dale and I went to college 20 miles north of the big city. Too poor to travel into Chicago often, even though the intrigue of it called We dreamed of knowing this city like our own. We knew we wanted to stay on a…
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It’s Not a Question Of Do They Get It
Summer is fast approaching, schools are closing, heat is rising, sports are triumphant… or winding down. Life in the home front is sweet. Routine does have it’s advantages especially with gas prices out the ceiling. Then the mail brings in high school open house invitations, wedding announcements, family reunion picnic plans. Most are from out of state, half are from out of time zone! But that desire to see Momma, hear Dad’s laughter, show off your youngsters and rest for a few moments being the child again at home sucks you in like a powerful vacuum cleaner! Time has this funny way of trimming connections. Stronger ties develop with others,…
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10 Tips for a Healthy Marriage … on Facebook
A Very Happy Valentine’s Day to our military-families! I will honestly tell you hubs and I have no plans. I am a little sad about it but not terribly over-worked. It is hard with a young family to get out in the middle of the week as a couple. We certainly find time to ‘date’ each other but this Valentine’s Day does not entail a dinner out, fine dining and dancing. I am thinking it will involve a homemade pie, chocolate, wine, and most hopefully some candles, backrubs, lights down low … and a sleeping six-month old.. There is more to a healthy-marriage though then time alone. What about time…
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Stand up and notice this: “Salute Soldiers with the Spirit of America” from Jim Beam and Operation Homefront
Are you ready to tell the story of your hero? Or heroine? The “Salute Soldiers with the Spirit of America” contest is sponsored by Jim Beam and partnered with Operation Homefront and has some great prizes! Read below to find out more and get ready to tell them about your friend or family member! The goal of this contest is to recognize and salute the men and women of our armed services and recognize their sacrifices with four special packages for their entertainment and pleasure at very special events! The selected essay winners will receive a Jim Beam® VIP Experience Package for both the winner and the service member described…
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Planning a “Road Trip”
We are in the process of planning a military road trip! You know one of those multipurpose trips where you see the relatives, attend a military function and end up at another installation! Ours is going to be long one but we learned a few things during a 30 year military family career! We are going to first attend a welcome home for our soldier son in law, Paul, from Iraq near Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio; then visit family in Kentucky (a much loved aunt and uncle with cousins nearby); and then head to Ft Sill in Oklahoma to attend Tara Crooks and Star Henderson’s Field Exercise . During…
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Vices and Grace
I was guilty. Zooming down the country roads of Michigan about 30 miles away from any major highway I was on my way home. I had visited my parents for the weekend. It was a GREAT weekend. I met my newborn niece for the first time. She was one-week old; beautiful, sweet, and as perfect as they come. I watched my boys, 6 and 3 play with their cousins, age 3 and 1 1/2. I laughed and smiled, enjoying the time with my two brothers and sister-in-laws. I thoroughly enjoyed being with my mom and dad. Going ‘home’ is always a funny thing for me. “Home is where the heart…
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Keeping our Head Above Water
Everyone has bad days… but wow we had a doosey on the way home from seeing Hubby. He had been training at Ft McCoy in Wisconsin for two months in preperation for deployment. I am fortunate to have family live right in that area so when his four-day pass started we were there to get him & enjoy our own family vacation. I flew with my boys into O’Hare airport, cutting about 6 or 7 hours out of our drive. My aunt picked us up and then we drove the additional four hours up to Wisconsin borrowing her van. It was a WONDERFUL four days. We went canoeing; did some…