May 30th, 2008 by Del

So let me start off by saying that it’s been a crazy season for weather everywhere it seems! Last Tuesday Haley’s Brownie troop canceled their meeting due to possible bad weather headed this way. Well they did that twice before and it blew around us and we ended up pretty much canceling a meeting for nothing. This time however, lol… we got the message and then decided to go try Linens N Things and see what they had since we had a coupon for the place and well frankly hubby REALLY likes the place, lol. We get half way down Rivers and see the dark gray and somewhat black clouds up ahead… then we start seeing a few heavy drops hit the car…. and the next thing you know we’re getting pelted on by about 2 inch in diameter hail!!! Dude, lol!! We had to slowly make out way off the main road (along with everyone else) to the nearest shelter for fear of our windows cracking!! We found one of those do-it-yourself car washes through the haze of hail downpour and there were already people doubling up in those places, lol! So hubby quickly ducked up into the corner of the lot under their only tree and we stood there for a few minutes until the hail storm finally let up. We decided to just go home after that chaos, lol. Along the road you could see just how much the hair tore through some of the tree’s along the roads and the storm even knocked a few tree’s down and onto power lines. Should I be worried about the upcoming hurricane season? Me thinks so and to think it starts next week o.O!!!

This Tuesday I was sitting at home needing a nap BADLY (had an awful night trying to sleep) when I saw this bird come down in front of my house and had it not been for the fact that I thought this bird looked unusually large I wouldn’t have gotten up from where I was sitting. I went to the window and I swear to good God there was a flippin’ vulture on the sidewalk directed in front of my house!!! Holy heck man I was shocked and then disgusted when I realized why it had swooped down. This ugly ass bird was tearing apart one of Tiko’s family members (Tiko is what we call the squirrel’s in the neighborhood thanks to Dora, lol) I wanted to puke the way this fugly bird was tearing into this poor little squirrel I had to close my blinds because I didn’t want to even see this ugly thing happening in front of my house anymore… Michael got a good eyeful of the scene obviously because when he talked to his Nana & Papaw that night he told them “Big ugly bird ate the squirrel!!!”… great just what I like my son to see when looking out our front window *sigh*. I don’t know what’s going on, but the next day my friend Renee and I witness 2 more vultures on the main side of base too… one was circling the sky and another was sitting on the ground (probably waiting for a squirrel or tiny bird to hobble by). Ick is all I have to say, oh and btw my stomach was so upset about that stupid ugly bird that I couldn’t eat the rest of that day and still had trouble eating the next day. THIS is why I avoid those stupid hunting channels too… I just can’t handle stuff like that

Well, it’s Friday morning and I’ve been sitting here for about an hour now, lol! I guess I better get up and get my coffee started since I woke up WAY too early for my own good, lol! Going out for a few drinks with David and a few of our friends tonight, a birthday party tomorrow morning, and possibly over to another friends house for some girl time TTFN and I should be able to post tomorrow

OH and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pookie!!!

Have a fantabulous weekend!!

May 25th, 2008 by Del

Memorial Day History & Background

It’s a sacred day to all war veterans: None need to be reminded of the reason that Memorial Day must be commemorated.

But what about the general public, and more important, future generations? Do most non-veterans really recognize the importance of the day honoring their fellow Americans killed in war?

Judging from what Memorial Day has become—simply another day off from work—the answer is a resounding no. Perhaps a reminder is due, then. And it is the duty of each and every veteran to relay the message.

Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime.

Far too often, the nation as a whole takes for granted the freedoms all Americans enjoy. Those freedoms were paid for with the lives of others few of us actually knew. That’s why they are all collectively remembered on one special day.

This should be regarded as a civic obligation. For this is a national debt that can only be truly repaid by individual Americans. By honoring the nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice in the memories of future generations.

They came from all walks of life and regions of the country. But they all had one thing in common—love of and loyalty to country. This bond cemented ties between them in times of trials, allowing a diverse lot of Americans to achieve monumental ends.

We remember the loss of loved ones, a sense of loss that takes group form. In essence, America is commemorating those who made the greatest sacrifice possible—giving one’s own life on behalf of others.

Means of paying tribute vary. Pausing for a few moments of personal silence is available to everyone.

Attending commemorative ceremonies is the most visible way of demonstrating remembrance: Placing flags at grave sites, marching in parades, sponsoring patriotic programs, dedicating memorials and wearing Buddy Poppies are examples.

Whether done individually or collectively, it is the thought that counts. Personal as well as public acts of remembering are the ideal. Public displays of patriotism are essential if the notion of remembering war dead is to be instilled in youth.

As America’s older war veterans fast disappear from society’s landscape, there are fewer and fewer standard-bearers left to carry the torch of remembrance. Such traditions will live on only if there is a vibrant movement to which that torch can be passed.

Now, more than in recent years, the enduring relevance of Memorial Day should be clearly evident. With two wars under way, the public has no excuse not to remember.

This much is owed to the more than 4,500 Americans who have died thus far in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Courtesy of VFW Magazine