Stole it from Brookie.......

62 Odd Questions-------
[1] What is your middle name? Marie
[2] What color is your mailbox:Black
[3] Last time you kissed somone:Um, around 9AM, when I put the baby down for a nap
[4] Have you ever hit a deer?Yes
[5] Do you have to drive over a bridge to get home? Yes
[6] Who checks the mail in your house?Me, for the most part
[7] how many tv's are in your house?3, I think
[8] Do you know anyone with the same ringtone as you?nope
[9] What do you do first in the morning? Um....go to the bathroom.
[10] What brand is your printer?Canon
[11] Do you enjoy fighting with people? Depends on if I am right or not, and if I think it's worth arguing over.
[12] Is your hair naturally straight or curly?straight
[13] Who was your kindergarten teacher? I don't remember
[14] Are you taller than your mother?oh yeah!!!
[15] Do you have a favorite word? Fucker (love ya, Chris!!!)
[16] Are you good?I've never had complaints......
[17] What do you do to get over a broken heart? Don't remember
[18] Do you have a deep dark secret? Um....hell, I don't remember.
[19] Drink of choice:non-alcoholic - dr pepper alcoholic - Sex on the Beach
[20] Do you enjoy writing in colored pens?Blue and Black are colors, right???
[21] Does anything on your body hurt?My lower back
[22] Do you often cry during movies?sometimes
[23] Do you hate your life?absolutely not
[24] Number of pets: 3 cats.
[25] Are there any animals that scares you?Snakes
[26] Do you get mad easily?sometimes yes, sometimes no.
[27] Can't wait for? Baby weight to go away, Toby Keith concert, winter....
[28] What is your biggest pet peeve? Ridiculous people
[29] Favorite song: I dunno, I have a few
[31] Weather outside:warm & humid
[32] Most attractive quality about you: I dunno, ask Ziggy
[33] You're in the mood for? Cold Stone ice cream....
[34] Do any of your friends have kids?Most of them do
[35] If you could have a threesome with any 2 celebrities, who?I wouldn't.
[36] Do you have any friends?very few who are actually friends
[37] Do you have any mean friends?no, but I do have some mean ass aquaintances
[38] What is the ugliest color in your opinion?Chevy's burnt orange. Looks like it came out of a baby diaper
[39] Have you ever liked someone who all your friends couldn't stand?Yes
[40] Have you ever felt like driving off a cliff? No, I have other methods
[41] Have you ever been fired from a job?yes
[42] What year was your house built?1969
[43] When was the last time you slept in someone elses bed? Last week, I was in the hospital
[44] What brand are the pant/jeans you're wearing?I don't have on jeans, I am have on jammies
[45] How tall are you?5' 3"
[46] What is the closest green object? extension cord, I think
[47] What is on your feet?nothing
[48] Do you always wear underwear?no
[49] Do you want to have kids? I have 3
[50] Who is the last person who you would expect to be gay?who knows?? to each their own
[51] Do you know how to draw? I can draw a mean stick man
[52] Whats your mother's middle name?Lynn
[53] Stupidest movie you ever saw:not sure, there's soooo many
[54] Do you collect comic books?no
[55] Do you look like your dad? Supposedly, yes
[56] Do you have any TV shows on DVD?Oh yes....
[57] Are you wearing make up?no
[58] Do you have a tattoo?yes
[59] You win the lottery and you:Get out of the Air Force, finish school, and invest money...and pay off all the bills
[60] How many pairs of underwear do you have?I've never counted, but now I'm curious
[61] Are you hungry at the moment? Mildly, yes
[62] Favorite movie of all time: It's a Wonderful Life.

1 week

Well, MiniMachine is 1 week old, and my 29th birthday has passed. I drove today, which was a first, so I don't have to be dependent on Ziggy for all transportation.

Juggling 3 kids isn't easy, and MiniZiggy is having a really hard time adjusting to having a little sister that takes attention away from him.

School has begun, and so has the battle to figure out when to do homework amidst kids. I'm thinking Tuesday will have to do, as Ziggy will be taking Scout and MiniZiggy to school/daycare, and I will be alone with MiniMachine. Ziggy lets me take naps, so I'm not totally wiped out, which is nice. MiniMachine sleeps for 4 hours at a time, so we're not up constantly like we were with MiniZiggy.

More updates later.....

Surprise, Surprise

Well, for those who keep up with me via the blog and no other means, here's the tale......

Saturday night, Ziggy and I go to bed around midnight. 3AM, sharp, I feel this bit of fluid escape me, thus I am awake. I go to the bathroom, thinking maybe my bladder let go a little. Nope....I lose a little more fluid. I'm thinking, "Uh-oh. Calling L&D, just to be on the safe side." L & D says to go to the Navy hospital, as the Langley hospital doesn't deal in premature baby care. Ok, that's fine, it's closer to the house anyways. So I wake up Ziggy and tell him that I have to go to the Navy hospital, that I think my water broke. I found this part amusing, he says"In bed?" I say yes. He says, " Did you leave a puddle??" I say no, and stifle a couple giggles.....

We get to the hospital finally(the place is a freaking labryinth), and they check me to see if my water had broken. The doc(visions of Doogie Howser, as this guy looked 19, tops - he was 27, with 4 kids, come to find out) says that he doesn't think my water broke, and the thought going through my head, is that he's wrong(cause I was leaking more at that point). So they wait about an hour and check again. Yup, water had broken, and I've dilated 2 cm more than I was the first time they checked.

MiniMachine was born via C-section at 1130AM on Sunday. 5lbs 7.5 ozs, 18 inches long. She had to stay in the NICU because she was so early, and they wanted to make sure that she was doing good with maintaining her body temp, and eating well, etc.......So far, so good, and she may get to come home tomorrow.

Early birthday present

Come to find out, my good friend Chris Daugherty is heading over to Iraq for his deployment. He's passing through Norfolk, VA, and I have an opportunity to see him. So, I'm taking leave next Wednesday and Thursday to hang out with him. That alone is birthday gift enough.

I went to my first Chemistry class last night, and I think that class is going to be a good deal easier than I had thought. That's good, as I can afford to concentrate a little more on Anatomy.

I am tired of being pregnant, and more than ready to be done with the whole ordeal......

Ziggy and Gramps, or why we end up with the person in our lives

After 58 years of marriage, Gramps succombed to leukemia and renal cancer, peacefully, in his sleep. I cannot fathom what it is to wake up knowing you will never see your spouse again. How Gram gets thorough each day, I can't imagine. Family coming by to see her, friends checking up on her, all of it is nice, I am sure, but I can't imagine going through every day thereafter and not going nuts without Gramps there.

Ziggy is my concrete reality in this crazy world, he is my rock. When we are apart, we call atleast twice a day. Sappy, I know, we are just that way. I can't go a night without hearing his voice before I go to sleep, he calls wanting to know how the morning went, was MiniZiggy fussy when he got up, did Scout get a move on like he doesn't like to do, etc. I know what it is to willingly do away with the married state, to electively be single again, as I have been divorced. But to lose the partner of your life, that you are happy with, I can't fathom that at all. I can't imagine the loss Gram feels, nor the disappointment of turning around in your own home, and not finding that person there, when they have been there for so long. I can't imagine my life without Ziggy, so I have no idea how Gram handles it everyday. I would crumple up and want to die right along with Ziggy, for the world pales without him in it.

Why do we end up with the person we share our life with? When I was 15, I met the man I figured I would end up with eventually. He was 18 at the time, and had just enlisted in the Marine Corps. As always, life is what happens when you are making other plans, and 4 and a half years later, we split up, and married other people. I still hear from him from time to time, we chat about our kids(he has a daughter by his ex-wife) and how work is, etc. I met Ziggy when I was 24, still married to Psycho, and fresh in the military. Little did I know that the man that was sitting 2 seats from me would be my husband in 2 and a half years' time. Gram and Gramps were childhood sweethearts, and the story goes that Gram told Gramps, at the ripe age of 12, "Douglas Sloan, I am going to marry you when we grow up." I can't say I had an inkling of that type of thought when Ziggy and I were dating. I wasn't so sure we were going to date for very long actually, for 2 reasons. 1, the man hated my dog with a passion. She was a lovely Siberian Husky, and would rub against his legs trying to get him to pet her. And left white hair on him everytime. 2. He was a bit rough around the edges, and I wasn't sure we'd last long before he'd tire of me. So why the man I met in the military rather than the one I met at 15 years old? Was Ziggy the man for me as an adult, rather than as a teenager? Possibly, I guess. Guess I'll never know......but I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Just when I thought things had levelled out

........I get thrown a curveball. So I'm at the office today, all pressed(ok, maternity BDU's look like ass regardless.....so I was looking a little less like ass today) and shiny boots, to go see TheMan today at 130. About 1230, his secretary comes over to my desk and tells me that the meeting is off, TheMan doesn't see a need for me to come talk to him(at which point WTF starts flying through my mind) at this point in time. So I'm going, "Hunh?!!?!?!?!" I'm officially lost at that point. About half an hour later, the Chief sticks his head in the office and asks if I have a few minutes to chat with him. So I troop into his office, and the whole conversation is over in say, 6 minutes, and at no point do either of us sit down.

The Chief tells me that TheMan has decided that now is no time to talk about my EPR( to which my thought process runs along the line of, "Well if course not, it doesn't affect him in the least!"), as, and I am quoting here, "There is no EPR." I tell the Chief that there is definitely an EPR, I have it on my desk. He looks mildly surprised and says, "Oh, so you've already got it?" At this point I am wondering what happened to the communications up to that point, since I felt pretty sure I had made it clear that I already had the filthy rag of a document in my possession. Yea, yea, digression, I know. What he tells me, in the way of it being a message from TheMan himself, is that I need to research any way to pursue my retraining without a 5 skill level. I get asked all these questions that I don't have immediate answers to, but I know where to go to get the answers. And I tell him all this. And for the most part, from what the Chief said, is that TheMan wants to find a way to go back and approve the retraining that I had been disapproved for 24 hours prior. At which point my WTF meter is pegged out.........so Monday I get to make lots of phone calls and go see people to find answers to questions.

More of the same

Yea, so I'm elbow deep(and that's pretty deep, considering I'm 5'3") in writing this whole package arguing why I'm not a referral 2 EPR. I'm polishing it all up, backing up my statements with documented facts, the whole nine yards, right? Everything is going swimmingly.........cue the JAWS music right about now. Well, before I can go talk to TheMan(squadron Commander) about it, pitch him my side of the situation, I have to go see 2 key people, a first seargent(hard to explain his function, other than a go-between for the enlisted corps to the officers), and the Chief of the squadron. The Chief is even harder to explain, since by his own definition, he's not in the chain of command. Ima leave that statement alone and continue with the days' events. So, like a good little Airman following the protocol, I troop into the Chief's office, folder of evidence in hand, ready to pitch my whole side to this man. I don't get the chance to open my mouth before I am told, and I am going to summarize here, that he is very loyal to TheTroll, who is a retired Chief himself, and that he fully supports anything that TheTroll has said, authorized, etc. He then goes on to tell me that pregnancy is a choice, that I wasn't hired to have kids, on and on. And then he drops the other shoe, saying in a nutshell, that nothing I can justify with all my documentation is going to change anything he already thinks. So, I sit back and let that rattle around in my head a moment, and then I ask him straight out if I'm understanding him correctly, that nothing I can say or show will change anything with the EPR outcome. According to Ziggy, I have, at that point, just called the man out on his own statement. All of a sudden, it's as though his whole mindset changed. He starts asking me questions about time frames and why I am doing such and such, and what the hold-ups are that are keeping certain things from happening, etc, etc. He starts giving me suggestions as to what to say to TheMan, what to show him, all of these things that 30 seconds beforehand, I am being told are null and void to the situation. All of a sudden, he's all helpfulness. I'm sitting there rather stunned, actually, at his transformation, all the while, trying not to let my thoughts cross my face.

So I walk out of the office and get my appointment to see TheMan tomorrow afternoon. Lunchtime goes by and I am on the phone with Ziggy, recounting the conversation with the Chief. Ziggy tells me that the Chief is one of those senior enlisteds(he's the highest paygrade that an enlisted can get to in the Air Force, the top 1% of the enlisted force) that is very used to people bowing to his stripes and not questioning what he says, regardless of if he's blowing smoke or not. From what Ziggy said, in my questioning him, it told him that I was really paying attention and saw through his smoke and mirrors, putting him into a position where he had to do something of substance rather than the company diatribe. I'm still a bit shocked by the encounter.

Then the bomb hits me after lunch, about 1PM. I get an email from the personnell agency of the Air Force, stating that my Commander has already recommended that I be disapproved for retraining, before I can get to see him and plead my case. So there goes my chance at retraining, straight down the toilet, more or less. It pretty much seals the coffin on my chances that I'll get it. Which has me rather down, since I was rather hopeful at the idea of pleading my case, having him hear my side of the story, etc. And here I am with this appointment to see TheMan tomorrow afternoon. Why am I still going to see him? The EPR, mainly, since the retraining bit has gone to hell in a handbag for the most part. Maybe I can fight that and come out a little better.

Oh I am so tired.......

MiniZiggy and I have been trading back and forth on a cold for a few weeks, and I think it's getting the better of the little guy. I went to pick him up from daycare today, and they told me that he's been a bit sad, fretful and cried a good bit today. Not like MiniZiggy at all. When we got home, it was more of the same, didn't want me far out of his sight, wanted to be held, etc, etc. So I think I may have to break down and take him to the doc next week some time.

The shots I was given on Monday and Tuesday have me feeling all flushed and very thirsty. I hope this wears off soon, as it's going to be more annoying than it already is.

I need a vacation.....

Quarters

I was in Labor and Delivery yesterday, for most of the day, having contractions. They gave me a shot of steroids to help mature MiniMachine's lungs, a shot to stop the contractions, and ran an IV through me. I had to go back today and get another steroid shot. Fun fun.

Ziggy left early this morning for Washington, for his grandfather's funeral. Hopefully MiniMachine will stay put atleast until he gets home. So, I have 2 days to do laundry, cleaning, and such. Fun. Ok, not really. I'm feeling a nap coming on....

Joe Lieberman

I'm sorry, guys, I have to comment on Joe Lieberman. Nothing about him losing the latest election, just a small commentary on the man's looks themselves. Why does he have that dumb-but-happy-and-clueless smile on his face any time you see him here lately? It reminds me of senior citizens without dentures in, and then they smile (cue the mental images of my mom)......

I'm sorry, but he just looks so dopey with that smile slapped on........had to comment, please continue with your day.

Thus it begins

...the end of my less-than-stellar Air Force career. 5 years into my enlistment, Vehicle Maintenance is giving me the nails that seal my coffin to kick me out. Within a year of my projected out date. Various things are cited, all of which I could answer, if I have my training records, which the Troll won't give me until he 'reviews' them. Pardon me if I don't wait with bated breath.


I am not going to Washington, and surprisingly enough, Ziggy's not arguing about it. I'd be an extra wheel anyways, and Kat and his family will be more than enough to help him through anything he may need out there.

Just goes to show more of what my parents told me as a kid is true........I've been worthless all my life, and always will be.

The remarkable inability to sleep

As though I don't have enough on my plate, I totally spaced and forgot to clean house today, since my uncle is coming to visit tomorrow. I took a nap instead. Didn't buy the plane tickets to Washington, either. Which means that they will cost even more as of tomorrow. Peachy.

So Ziggy and I troop to bed. Me to read, and him to sleep, as the last couple of days have caught up with him. I read, get drowsy, turn off the light, and my mind starts going a million miles an hour. Thus, keeping me awake. My week has been rather rough, even without Gramps dying and all that. Professionally, life sucks. Things are coming to a head to when decisions are being made, and as this is happening, I am supposed to be going to Washington for Gramps' funeral. And as things currently stand, I am going to have to participate in the fun of all this professional bit going on. My input is going to be critical, and on a time table that will be largely taken up by the trip to Washington, if it all comes down the way it's in the works to come down. Failure is not something I deal with well, and failing at the 6 years I have been in the Air Force is a serious blow to my self esteem, which has never been awfully high to begin with. I see this as yet another failure in a long stream of them, and it throws my equilibrium into chaos to think of the future. Ziggy keeps telling me to think positive, and I wish I could. After so long of being beaten down by a system, I have a hard time seeing any kind of positive in the situation, or seeing how I can convince my commander of anything else other than what is being said about me. It's happened in the past, and I just see it repeating itself all over again.

Part of me wonders if I should go to Washington or not. Ziggy's truck is in the shop, not due to be repaired until Monday, we have no one to look in on the cats while we are all away, all the work mess going on, plus baby issues, on top of school getting ready to kick back on for me, and Scout will be coming home soon. I don't do funerals, so all I'd be doing would be going all the way out there to watch MiniZiggy while everyone is at the funeral. And honestly, I can do that at home. That and part of me sees myself as intruding on the rest of them during all this. Ziggy is doing much better with the whole thing than I thought he would, and I don't think he's as dependent on me to get him thorough this as he may have thought in the first place. Plus, he will have Kat and all those who know him better than I do to be there for him. I always feel out of place when that happens, as though I am a 5th wheel and kind of forgotten until needed for something. I don't think Ziggy will need me for anything out there, anyways. I am not good at making folks feel better about death, nor am I good at making nice to people for the sake of their feelings, or my standing in their eyes. I'd do better to stay home, watch MiniZiggy, and go about work and such like normal.

Death of a good man

Doug Sloan, Ziggy's grandfather, passed away this morning, around 3AM, in his sleep. Ziggy has recovered a bit from basketcaseness, and we are probably going to Washington State next Tuesday, for the funeral.

So passes a good man, father and grandfather. He was a teacher, a sailor while in the Navy, and a community figure that folks looked to for wisdom, and a devoted husband. He taught Ziggy to be the man that he is, and I will always be grateful to him for that. May he rest in peace.

Here we go

Recall a bit back about Ziggy's Gramps? Well, Ziggy makes a phone call home today, and is surprised to learn that his Mom is home. My MIL is a workaholic. ANywhooo......

They've put Gramps on morphine now, and are installing an IV so that the hospice folks don't have to come give him shots, they can just do it in an IV drip. Being as I have a medical background, I know very well what all of this means. And I keep quiet, as I have to hold Ziggy together. Basically, it's very very bad now. Morphine is to keep patients comfortable at this point. And Morphine is bloody good at it's job. My MIL believes that tomorrow's dialysis treatment will be the last one. I can't argue that, I am not God by any means.

Ziggy wants his Mom to call the Red Cross at the crucial moment and have all of us sent to Washington. My MIL is worried that I shouldn't be on a plane, 7 weeks from my due date. Actually, it's more like 4 or 5 weeks, as the airlines have a restriction on how far a woman can be before they won't let her fly. So, that kinda puts Ziggy in a quandry. Does he call his dad, who does this type of thing for a living, or does he wait for his mom? Me? I say Ziggy calls himself and gets us pulled, but then again, what do I know, I am the wife that's been called home on Emergency Leave before, my experience counts nil at this point. So, I am seriously tempted to take matters into my own hands and call my FIL anyways. Ziggy is emotional, he can't think straight, this is where I come in as the stronghold. zSo I have Ziggy pretty much going to pieces on me(Gramps raised Ziggy), and saying that he can't go out there alone, he can't handle it, I have to be with him, cause I hold him together. Sweet, huh? I thought so, no sarcasm. No pressure, either, note sarcasm. I'm going to have the entire family on my hands, and me trying to hold them all together. Isn't there a disclaimer somewhere that says wives are only miracleworkers to their spouses and kids???? No?? Damn.....I could use that about now.....

The bad side of this, other than Gramps dying, is that my way of handling grief is bound the chafe my brother in law. I don't do funerals. I prefer to remember folks as alive, not made up in a coffin. Just my way. I have been to 2 funerals in my life, and I hardly knew either person, which also goes to say that I didn't especially care. This could bode badly for me and the BIL....

More to come, as always.....

Hazards of the paperless military

So I have my Tuition Assistance in hand and troop down to the Norfolk campus of Tidewater Community College to hand it in before the deadline of tomorrow. I hand in my TA to the Business Office and the woman tells me that all that form is, is the application for TA, not the approval. To which I politely show her the approval and the seal at the bottom of the page. Then she tries to tell me that the form isn't correct. (I'm starting to see a pattern here)....So I tell her that TA is done online now. She tells me that they can't accept that. To which I have to remind her that I'd just told her that online is the only way to get TA in the Air Force. She gives me this blank look, to which I give her a smug smile. Now, I am standing there at her window, in uniform, so it's not as though she could claim that I was trying to commit fraud or something. Then she informs me that they'll take it, this time, but that if there are any problems, they'll call me. To which I have to stifle laughter, as it was so ridiculous that I nearly laughed in her face. For crying out loud, you're getting money, DON'T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU! Never underestimate the power of human stupidity, it never fails to amaze.

Wheeew

Well, grades came out from summer semester. And, though I didn't make the C that would have ensured that I didn't have to take Chemistry next semester, I didn't fail. I made a D. And that was by fighting tooth and nail for it.....I am just very glad that the semester is over.......now I can concentrate a bit on getting ready for the new baby to get here.


Oh, and that 'Tax Free' sale that Virginia did this past weekend? Total rip-off. I bought a little over $1o0 in school supplies( list in hand at the store to prove it was actually required) and was told that the items(about 3) didn't qualify as 'school supplies' so I was charged sales tax regardless. What a total bogus deal. But then again, I have grown used to it from the Communist Commonwealth of Virginia.

A little update, and a little commentary...

So I go to the Radiology department at Langley AFB hospital yesterday, for yet another ultrasound. Still a girl, and still just one, much to Paul's chagrin. He'll get over it. Anyways,
my amniotic fluid(the cushion for the baby) is still low. So, I'm wondering what they are going to do with me now. This ought to be interesting.

Alright, my commentary. Being a servicemember, you're bound to get the occassional comment from folks(regardless, I might add, or whether or not you have spent any time in the war zone, OR whether or not the person commenting to you has a snowball's chance in hell of knowing what they are talking about) about The War. And I am sure that everyone is intelligent enough to realize that there are as many opinions on the topic as there are people commenting on it. Now, officially speaking, the members of the armed forces in the U.S. are not allowed to represent their own opinions as that of the military entity. But, I would like to educate the passersby to my blog, a little about the military, from a first-hand perspective, and a little insight into the minds of those of us who serve our country by wearing the uniform.

I come from a LONG, long line of military servicemembers. My grandfather served in the Army, in the calvary, when his primary mode of transport( a horse, yes, a living, breathing animal) was issued to him by the Army. My uncle parachuted into France at D-Day, and lived with his legs permanently blackened from being shot in the air on the way to the ground(that's illegal nowadays, but wasn't then). My dad was drafted during the Korean war and was stationed in Germany, and ran a grocery store that was on a train, for the Army. My oldest brother was drafted during Vietnam, and based on his looks(yes this is done in the military), was made an Intel guy. He was a Psychological Ops guy, meaning that he went in and collected intel in places that he blended in well with. For him, his area of the world was Central and South America. Anyone recall Panama in the 80's??? Yea.....my brother can't tell me what he did, or specifically where he was, but I know he was there, as he took his weapon with him, and let's just say that a 'visit' to Cancun doesn't include taking along uniforms and an M-16A2. My other older brother went into the Navy during Vietnam, and was a Corpsman(medical tech in the civvy world). I have 2 cousins in the military, plus me......so prick me, I bleed Army Green. So I joined up, and went into the Air Force.

I have been in the military, on active duty, for a little over 5 years. I have served in Iraq, at Balad AB/Camp Anaconda, something like 50 miles(depending on who's driving) from Baghdad. I was the first woman to go there and armor the trucks that go on the convoys. I've been shot at by people I never saw or met, simply because I was an American servicemember. I lived in fear of hearing the impacts of the mortars hitting the ground, and feeling the ground under my feet shake like an earthquake when those same mortars got close to where I was. I've sat in the bunkers outside the shop I worked, and talked with the guys I worked with about what meal I wanted to eat when I got home, and we'd describe it, too....in detail. What we wanted to drink, the things that we take for granted and complain about while home, those things are a source of comfort to those being shot at. Like mowing the grass, or pruning my rose bushes. It allows the mind to rest for a bit from the stress of hiding from the things that go bump in the night. I've woken up disoriented, as my mind would dream of home, and wake to the reality I wasn't there, and it becomes disorienting. I've been asked, by Scout, my 10 year old son, if I had to shoot anyone while I was in Iraq. I have a medal and the shellshock to prove I am a war veteran.

The American media, let me say, is terribly biased and terribly political. They report what they want people to believe, not what is happening. And most of the American people follow what they report, believe what they are told to believe, like cattle. It's no wonder that the public hates the war, believes that there's no good coming out of Iraq, etc, ad nauseum. So much for being able to think for one's self. Like animals led to the slaughter, the American media leads people to believe what they want them to believe, without the thought ever crossing their minds that the report might be biased, or not researched, etc. It's gospel truth cause it's on TV, right? Tommy Lee Jones was sooooo right when he talked about the difference between 'people' and 'a person' in the movie 'Men In Black'. I'll let you look it up and see what I am talking about. Talk to a servicemember, they can tell you what good is coming out of Iraq, you'll never hear it out of the American media.

My mother tells me on regular basis that we have no business sending 'our boys' into the Middle East. She neglects to recall her oldest daughter was there. But such is my mother. I've seen comments to servicemembers asking why we don't, for lack of a better way of putting it, negotiate our way our of going over there, why we go anyways, since 'we all know it's an illegal war'. Let me explain this a little bit. 2 May 2001, I put my right hand in the air, and took an oath that I would follow the orders of the President of the United States(regardless of my own opinion or what party he was from), and the officer and non-commissioned officers appointed over me. Meaning, that until my contract was up, or I was kicked out or killed, I would go where I was told, and do what I was told to do while I was there. nowhere, NO WHERE in there was there a clause for 'if I agree with the order' or 'if it's the right thing to do'. Let me make one thing very crystal clear......the elected officials, aka the politicians in the United States make the policy for the country. That is their job. The military is merely an enforcer/defender of that policy. THE MILITARY DOESN'T MAKE POLICY - IT'S NOT OUR JOB. So, 1 May of 2005, when I was handed orders sending me to Iraq, I had my opinions. And yes, I voiced them. But I went anyways. Why? Because it was an order. The military isn't consulted in whether or not we want to go to war. It's our job to fight the wars, that's why we are the military and there's no more draft. We volunteer for this job. We willingly sign up, wear the uniform, and go places others don't want to go. We don't have to like it, we just have to do it. The military falls under a whole additional code of laws and regulations, called the UCMJ, the Uniform Code of Military Justice. And violation of that code brings punishment ranging ffom extra duty and loss of pay to imprisonment, and in certain instances, death. Things like not paying your bills are punishable under that code, and you can be kicked out for that. In combat, we fall under the Laws of Armed Conflict, which dictate what we can bomb, who we can kill, and in what circumstances. For instance, your local church....in itself, according to the Laws Of Armed Conflict, can't be bombed, as it's not a military target. But, if folks use that church to store bombs and such, then game on....it's also policy that we don't represent our opinions as the opinions of the military. So that ought to tell you why we don't negotiate our way out, blah, blah, blah.....

My bottom lines for this are simple.....for one, know what the hell you are talking about before you start questioning servicemembers about why we do things like go to war. Research, know what you are talking about. Don't take everything on TV as gospel. It's not. Don't hate the military for following our orders. We do it so you don't have to. Think of it like that. Don't protest my fellow servicemembers who died. For one thing, they don't notice you, they are dead. For another, show some freaking respect for the dead. Protest the war to those who decide to send the military, not to the military itself, people are wasting their breath and time thinking that the military is going to change whether or not we get sent. Efforts are totally misdirected.

As one last little bit on this, let me say this......if someone breaks into your house, holds you and your loved ones at gunpoint, and you have a gun as well, are you going to negotiate your family loved ones out of harm's way? Not me, hell no. That person will die, and by my hands. I will defend my family as I havedefended my country, for we should love both the same way.

Funny, though true, things about pregnancy....

Dedicated to CrazyGirl!!!!!


Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough .

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will the baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth .

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Hot summer

And it's even worse when heavily pregnant.

Beefcake got here......crazy as ever. Gotta love seeing friendly faces from back home.

I got to talk to my friend Chris Daugherty the other day. Always good times talking to him, he makes me laugh so much. I miss him and his family so much.

Ziggy's grandfather is getting sicker, apparently. Ziggy got a call from his brother, talking about how they have started hospice care for Gramps, and that he's got about 6 months to live. Gramps suffers from 2 types of cancer, one renal, and the other is leukemia. The treatment for the leukemia is so brutal that Gramps opted out of it. Hoapice care is for those who are terminally ill, which we knew Gramps was, but there wasn't a timetable attached to it or anything. This is upsetting to Ziggy, as he was raised by his grandparents. Ziggy will be devastated when Gramps dies, and I will have a basketcase on my hands........I love Ziggy to death, but I don't know if I can hold Ziggy together through this. I'll try......

30 weeks down, 9 to go in this pregnancy. I can hardly wait to be not pregnant anymore. MiniMachine is showing signs of wanting to come early, and as long as she waits until after 36 weeks, things should be fine. I go to the doctor again on Monday, so we'll see if they shorten my work hours any more or not. I have another ultrasound next week, too, so we'll see.....

I applied to crosstrain jobs in the Air Force. Not holding my breath that it will happen, but we'll see....

That's about it for now....

Gracious I need to update

Well, since I've been dreadfully behind, here's an update....

1. 30 weeks gestation have arrived, 9 to go. I am very ready to get my body back.

2. 280 days left in the Air Force, barring some miracle.

3. Beefcake has made it to the Langley area, always good to see friendly faces from home.

4. Ziggy and I painted MiniZiggy and MiniMachine's room last night. Second coat to go on today, get them moved into the room by the end of the week.

5. I bought myself a little Jeep to ride around town in, go to beach and get sandy in. Ziggy already has plans for modifications. Nothing overly drastic, though.

6. I FINALLY passed a test in my Microbiology class. Made me feel so good. Also gives me a glimmer of hope that I may actually be able to pass, if only by the seat of my pants.

Memory Lane and an update

I'm not a big fan of class reunions. And for the most part, my reasoning in why, is pretty simple. If I had wanted to continue knowing certain people from that time in my life, I would still keep up with them. Hence why I don't do class reunions. So, I keep up with 2-3 folks I either went to high school with, or knew while I was in high school. And that contact is fairly sporadic. I'm just not into hanging onto all that, for some reason. Here is where Ziggy and I differ in a MAJOR way. Ziggy keeps up with plenty of folks that he knew and went to high school with. One of them is relatively famous, since he plays football in the NFL, and used to play defender to the one and only Peyton Manning. Hell, I think I know more of Ziggy's friends than he knows mine. I don't keep friends for long periods of time. And the few(I can count them on 1 hand) that I do still have, have my undying love and loyalty. I will drop everything and help them out, cause they have done the same for me in times past.

So why all that info?? Well, I was thinking about a friend of mine from high school, and hadn't heard from him in a while, so I popped him an email. Then I got curious about a few others I had known in high school, so I hit up MySpace and looked up those that had graduated the same year from my high school. That brought back lots of memories, but the one thing that stood out the most was that most of the 'popular' folks I knew in high school, are still in the area that we went to high school in. Now granted, I'm not originally from a small town like Ziggy is. I grew up in a suburb of Atlanta. I am not, in any way, sentimentally tied to that area. I hate Atlanta. I abhor all big cities. I don't go back unless I absolutely have to. In the 5 years I have been in the military, I have gone home all of twice. Ziggy has gone to see my folks more than I have. But I think it all boils down to me in a way.......I'm one of those people that lives very much in my own skin. I'm not into nick-nacks, I don't decorate my house all that much(Ziggy's WAY more into that than I am), I have memories and they serve me well enough that I don't think too much about displaying things. I'm not attached to my childhood home, nor to my family. I call home once a week to keep my mom off my back(doesn't always work, believe me). If anything, I am more attached to my in-laws than I am my own family that raised me. So I don't go to class reunions, nor do I still talk to everyone I knew in high school.......

As for the update.....I think I have a case of the blahs. I'm restless, and a bit down. I think I'm down cause of all the insanity that is swirling around my pregnancy and with school. It's all rather frustrating and can be depressing at times. I have started having terrible dreams, too. Last night I dreamed that Scout let MiniZiggy jump into a pool(the baby can't swim, neither can Scout) and just stood there watching his little brother start to drown. I come running outside and dive into the pool after MiniZiggy and haul him out, then procede to nearly kill Scout for not doing anything about his brother. I was shaken awake by Ziggy telling me to wake up, that everything was fine, it was a bad dream........

Watching Scout here of late, I see the patterns of things that have happened in the past with his father. With his younger siblings, he was useless. No common sense whatsoever. And I am seeing it come about in Scout as well, no matter how I try to combat it. And it's not just in relation to MiniZiggy. His whole way of conducting himself, and caring for himself is so unhealthy, I odn't know what to do to change it. He halfasses everything he does. And no matter what I try, nothing changes it. I am terrified that he will move out and end up a bum like his father, incapable of taking care of himself in the most basic of ways. It completely terrifies me.

Alright, I think that's enough for now.

So much for infinite sadness

Now it's infinite frustration. My patience isn't infinite, that's for sure. I am not known for being a patient person, not by a long chalk. Unresolved frustration combined with the insanity that has become this pregnancy, and I am not a pleasant person right now. Not sexual frustration, just frustration that I'm not getting into in this forum.

Wow

Well, since the initial shock has worn off, I can announce what shocked me in the first place.

So Friday, Ziggy takes Scout to the hematologist at the Navy base. He was referred to them because his pediatrician couldn't nail down what was causing all these nosebleeds (despite meds and humidifiers) and all these bruises that he was keeping for so long. Now as to the bruising, I understand that 10 year old boys are going to bang up their legs. He played baseball, so I didn't think anything of it while he was playing. But he no longer plays. And these bruises were staying for weeks at a time. Thus we ended up a the hematologist. And I got a serious blow.

Scout has hemophilia. My baby(yea, he's 10, but he's my baby) has a clotting disorder. Type A, mild hemophilia. Meaning that now I want to treat him with kid gloves, all delicate like. But I am trying not to do that. We were given medication that we have to take with us when we travel, in case he gets hurt badly. He was told all of these sports that he can't participate in because of potential injury to him, like Tae Kwon Do(which he wanted to try this fall, since he gave up baseball). Supposedly it's mild, so it's not as though he has to wear padding and such. He's not nearly to the severity of one of the most famous sufferers of hemophilia, Alexei Romanov, the tsarevitch of Russia. That gives me some comfort.

So now I have to have MiniZiggy tested for it when he goes in for his 2 year appointment. And MiniMachine when she makes her appearance, will have to be tested as well. Who knows what this means for my pregnancy. Or for any other children that Ziggy and I have after this one. What really gets to me is that mothers are most often the carriers of the disorder, though never affected by it. Males are the most common people to suffer from it. Yippee. Note sarcasm in my enthusiasm. So part of me feels terrible that I, unknowingly, gave this to my son. Peachy. Just what a parent DOESN'T want to do to their kids, right?

So there ya go.

Hooray!!

Someone smiled on me and I am no longer working in the flight from hell! I got hoisted out of there, much to the chagrin of the civilian I was working for. Heck, he even admitted that he wouldn't miss me, but was tired of getting people trained and then having them moved out of his section. Guess he forgets that the only thing constant in the miitary is change.

So I now do Ziggy's old job. Beats driving in the humidity all day!!!!

Less than 300

I have 298 days left in the US Air Force. That's the current count........

Aftermath

So Ziggy and I talked.......and while I am not 100% recovered from the whole experience, I do feel better.

Fourth of July weekend is a 4 day event for us this year, as we are off on the 3rd as well. This is allowing us to relax, sleep in, watch TV mindlessly for a while, and play with the kids. All good times.

So have fun guys......

Oh, and Eunuch, enjoy your last holiday in country, man!!!!

Marriage advice

In the spirit of CrazyGirl eloping, I offer to the masses my own marriage advice.....or atleast things that I have been told by others that have been married longer than I have:

1. From my mother, who has been married to Daddy for almost 57 years.....Never hang wallpaper with your spouse.

2. For wives, keep a HDD(Husband Discipline Device, i.e. marble rolling pin) in the kitchen, in plain view, and regardless of whether or not you actually use it in cooking.

3. Communicate, communicate, communicate....even if you know that you are going to totally botch what you are trying to say. Keep trying, it's bound to come out right sooner or later.

4. Girls, be a woman and put the toilet seat down your own self. You're a grown woman, and it takes longer to bitch about it than it does to actually do it.

5. Spend quality time together, not doing any kind of housework or home improvement.

6. No name calling in arguments.

7. Try to stay calm during an argument. I know, I know, hard to do.....but try anyways. May save you alot of trouble later.

8. Make an occassion of birthdays. Note I didn't say make a big deal. It doesn't have to be everyone showing up for a party. A simple card to the one having the birthday can be perfectly acceptable, reminding them that you remembered...

9. Be supportive of each other and your dreams.

10. Once people marry, lots of them forget how to be friends with each other. This is a fundamental thing. Because after a couple kids and a long day at work, passion is not the easiest thing to bring about. Passion is passing. Friendship can stand the test of time.

11. Do not, under ANY circumstances, marry to cover up something in the past. It will eventually resurface and blow things to hell.

12. Arguments will happen. You will not always agree with your spouse. This is NOT a sign that the marriage is in trouble. It's a sign that two people don't agree and need to talk out the issue and reach a reasonable conclusion.

13. Try not to fight over petty things. Marriage is hard enough without creating extra drama.

14. This one comes from the movie Forces of Nature....whenever you feel stressed out with your spouse, that they are grating your nerves and running you absolutely bonkers, keep in mind that at some point, they are dealing with the exact same feelings about you. It helps keep things in perspective.

15. Keep holding hands in public. I know, sounds rather silly, right? Believe me, after a while of being married, people stop doing the little things like that. They become roommates rather than long term lovers.

16. Try to take an interest in one of your spouse's hobbies. Even a minor interest can be better than total ignorance.

17. Work as a team. This comes from my experiences in having to work with Ziggy while AT WORK. Ziggy and I have only had to work directly with each other a handful of times(being as we're military, it's not allowed, but in this instance, it was a rare happenstance. We were the two that had the most experience, so we had to do the job), but we have a certain formula when we have to do it. Decide what the plan is, and then follow through it.

18. Do not try to change your spouse completely. Softening the rough edges, I can understand(and sympathize with). But to change who they are is just wrong. And remember, they are always thinking that there is something that could be changed about you as well.

19. Do not lose your self identity in your marriage. I am Mrs. Ziggy, yes. But I have my own interests, tastes and hobbies that are seperate from Ziggy. Being married doesn't mean that you have to assume a new identity, nor that you must be someone you are not. It just means that you have another hat to wear.

20. Something to remember in marriage, and it comes from the movie Shall We Dance(the Richard Gere/J. Lo flick).......in getting married, you are, essentially, saying that you will bear witness to someone's life. You will notice the small things that thrill and excite them, and remember them. You will know what they go through for different goals in life, because you have committed to be there for it. You will celebrate semmingly small victories with them because you have committed to them that it will matter to you. I agree that when you recite vows in the ceremony, it all sounds like alot of things you never think you'll ever do...but the bottom line is that you are promising to be there for them through it all....the good, the bad and the ugly. Big things and little things.

I think that'll do it for now......Congratulations, CrazyGirl!!!

Rapid descent

So ever since Ziggy got back, he's been different. Little things, like I've mentioned before. But it seems to be compounding, and progressively getting bigger. And when I asked Ziggy about one in particular(and a fairly personal one at that), I get this answer that boggles my mind. The answer was so completely opposite of every action that it threw me way off my bearings. To the point I am wondering something I never thought I'd ever suspect of Ziggy.......Could Ziggy have slept with Kat while deployed?

The very thought of it's being possible runs chills through me that I haven't had in years. Tears try to well in my eyes, and part of me feels as though everything that I have been holding dear and of value between Ziggy and I is unravelling with the speed of bullet train. I never ever thought I'd come to suspect this of him. But like I've said, there have been little things that keep adding up and pointing to it. I keep thinking that maybe I am overreacting, jumping to conclusions. I am trying to keep myself calm, but it doesn't seem to work. .......I feel as though my whole world has begun to crumble........

Quick disconnect

So since Ziggy has been home, I have noticed more and more of a seperatist movement with him. Little things, I suppose...we don't snuggle anymore, we don't watch TV together much anymore, things like that. Even when we sleep.....We used to go to bed at the same time, and not nearly as much anymore. Things like that.....and it's started to bother me a bit. Not sure if it's the transitioning from being deployed thing(I don't recall this from when I came home), or something deeper. Maybe it's me.........something doesn't feel like Ziggy used to, and I can't pinpoint what it is. Something deep down...I don't know......

Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness

Thanks to the band, Smashing Pumpkins, there's the title for this entry.

Melancholy, or by definition, low spirits, or depression. Yes, I'd say that's a fair description of me lately. I haven't been feeling entirely well here lately, and any time I mention it to Ziggy, he blows me off, saying that I am worrying too much. So I do my best to seem at my normal self. I'm not sure what has brought on the melancholy, but I sense it in myself, and am not altogether sure how to handle it.

As for Infinite Sadness, not too sure where this is coming from either, but have a underlying sense of sadness, for some reason. I haven't mentioned it to Ziggy, but have kept it pretty much to myself.

Be well...

Monday

315 days left until I am seperated from the Air Force. But who's counting??

25 weeks into this pregnancy, and I am so tired...........studying for a test tomorrow night is not coming easily. I studied, with my lab partner, for the last test, and I did horrible......my lab partner did 3 points worse than I did. That seriously shattered what little confidence that I had in myself with studying. I took a quiz in the lab section of the class, and managed 3 points better than I did on the lecture test. That was an instance in which better, well, wasn't. I am dreading the rest of this semester. But I am determined to pass this class.......but I don't think it will be by much.

Alright, I am too tired to be remotely entertaining, so I am going to say goodnight......

Sunny, you made this too easy for me

Name: AFeskimo, to the Internet
Single or Taken: Taken
Happy about that?
Siblings:3 sisters 3 brothers
Eye color:brown Shoe size: 7
Height:5'3"
What are you wearing right now? tank top and gaucho pants from Target, very comfy
Where do you live: Chesapeake, VA
Righty or lefty:Righty
FAVORITES
Kind of pants:Jeans that fit
Number:13
Animal:Dolphins, Siberian Tigers
Drink:Dr. Pepper
Sport:College Football
Month:Dunno
Juice:Pineapple Orange
Breakfast:Cereal, the sugary kind
Favorite cartoon character: Bugs Bunny forever, baby!

Have You Ever...Given anyone a bath: yes
Made yourself throw-up?no
Gone skinny dipping:No
Eaten a dog?not that Im aware of
Put your tongue on a frozen pole?no
Loved someone so much it made you cry?yes
Broken a bone:No in the traditional 'fracture' sense.
Played truth or dare:I was a band geek, we practically invented the game.
Been in a physical fight:yes
Been in a police car:yes, but only cause I was working on it.
Been on a plane:yes
Came close to dying:Yes
been in a sauna:yes
Been in a hot tub:yes
Swam in the ocean:Yes
Fallen asleep in school:yes
Ran away:No
Broken someone's heart:I've been told so, yes
Cried when someone died:yes
Cried in school:yes
Fell off your chair:yes
Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call?yes
Saved e-mails:yes
Made out/kissed JUST a friend?Yes, and ended up marrying him.
Used someone?Yes
Been cheated on?yes

What is...Your good luck charm?dont have one
New fav. song? Ummmm, I dont know
What's your room like:Messy
What kind of shampoo do you use?whatever is in the shower
Have you ever had:
Chicken pox?Yes
Sore Throat?yes
Stitches?yes
Broken nose?no
Do you...Like picnics?Not that into bugs...
Like school?Depends on what I am studying
Question:Who was the last person that called you?Um....Ziggy, I think....
Who makes you smile the most out of your friends?Chris Daugherty
Who knows you the best?Ziggy
Who:Did you last yell at?Scout
Broke your heart?I dunno
Who's your loudest friend?Kat.
Do you like filling these out?ehhh, nothing better to do
Do you wear contact lenses or glasses?Sunglasses......
Do you like yourself?Most of the time
Do you get along with your family?ummmm, parts of my family
Are You...Obsessive?no
Compulsive?Not really
Suicidal?no
Final Questions:
What are you listening to right now The video game that Scout is playing downstairs.
What did you do yesterday?Ran errands with the boys and Ziggy.
Hated someone in your family?Yes
Gotten any awards?:yes
Where do you want to get married?I got married in Alaska
Good Driver:Better than I used to be
Good Singer:Not anymore
How many remote controls are in your house?No clue, can't find them all
Are you double jointed?In my middle three toes on each foot
What do you dream about?weird things
When did you last shower?this morning
Scary or Funny movies?Funny, unless it's a M. Night Shymalan flick
Chocolate or Vanilla?chocolate
Rootbeer or Dr. Pepper?Pepper, baby!!!
Skiing or Boarding?neither
Summer or winter?Winter in Alaska
Silver or Gold?Gold
Diamond or pearl?Diamond
Sprite or 7-Up?neither
Coffee or tea?Sweet Tea
Phone or in person?Depends on who it is
Are you oldest, middle, youngest?Middle
Indoor or outdoor?Depends
Today did you...1. Talk to someone you liked?Yes
2. Bought something?Yes
3. Get sick?nope
4. Sing?Nope
8. Talked to an ex?NO!!!!
9. Miss someone?I always do!

Last person who....10. Slept in your bed?Ziggy
11. Saw/heard you cry?umm I dunno
12. Made you cry?no clue
13. Went to the movies with?Ziggy
14. You went to the mall with?Scout and MiniZiggy
15. You said "I Love You" and meant it?MiniZiggy, when he went to bed tonight
16. Ever been in a fight with your pet?yes, Charlie thinks it's affectionate to chew on me
17. Been to Vegas?no.
18. Been to Mexico?No
19. Been to Canada?yes

Random.....
21. Do you have a crush on someone right now? Well, Vin Diesel is still my top man to oogle.
22. What book are you reading now?I'm not, actually
23. Best feeling in the world?Being with Ziggy
24. Future KIDS names?Riley Marie, Henry Douglas
25. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?nope, just Ziggy
26.What's under your bed?nothing
27. Favorite sports to watch?College football
28. Favorite Locations:Anywhere other than work
29. Piercing/Tattoos:6 tats, 2 ear holes in each ear.
30. What are you most scared of right now: Being put on bedrest, and failing school.
31. Who do you really hate?My biological mother
32. Do you have a job?yes
33. Have you ever liked someone you didn't have a chance with:Yes and was shocked to find out he felt the same way.
34. Have you ever cried:yes
36. Are you lonely right now:no
38. Song that's stuck in your head right now:Mrs. Robinson
39. Ever played strip poker?well DUH
40. Have you ever gotten beat up?yes
42. Have you ever been on radio/tv?yes
43. Have you ever been in a mosh-pit:no
44. Ever liked someone, but thought they never noticed you?:Yes

Random
What color is your underwear right now?aqua
Your Favorite Food?edible
Do you smoke?no
Hair color?black/brown
Are you too shy to ask someone out?Not an issue, I have a permanent date.
Hugs or Kisses?:both
AIM? MSN?:dont use either
Butter, Plain or Salted popcorn?Buttered and salted
Dogs or cats?cats
Favorite Flower?Stargazer lily
Have you ever fired a gun?yes OHHHHH YEA!
Do you like to travel by plane as opposed to car?Depends how far I am going.
How many pillows do you sleep with?2 or 3
Who are you missing right now? Chris
Do you think your ex misses you?nope and I really dont care!

Informed Decision

The title is the name of a class that I 'had'(read: I was forced to go and would have gotten into trouble for not attending) to go sit through on Wednesday. The upper eschelons of the units here on base round up all the first term folks(meaning we are on our first contract with the military) who are about a year out from getting out of the military, and make us sit through all these briefings on how much money you won't make on the outside, how you won't be trained properly to stay in whatever job you get, etc, etc. It goes on and on. There was even a guy who comes in sporting a suit, tie, cuff links and a briefcase, and gives us this whole schpeel about how he's done the research(which, once he got into explaining things, was more like uneducated estimates) and has compiled all of these figures as to how much it's going to cost, per month, for a single person to get out of the military and live in the local area.......His definition of 'research' must be something along the lines of guessing the prices from 10-15 years ago, because he was WAAAAYYYYY off on anything he was stating as 'fact'. Such as he estimated that a single male, under 25, was going to be able to pay a car payment, pay for full coverage insurance and put gas in it for $400. Yeeeaaaaa..........under 25 and that cheap of full coverage insurance. Not bloody likely.
So anyways, they want to 'show' you what you're up against outside the miiltary, in the hopes that it will convince you(without them saying anything outright) to reenlist.......The general consensus of everyone that had said they were getting out??? Still getting out, they don't want to deploy anymore.....can't blame the reasoning, personally.

So the countdown is 318 days until my seperation day.........

A little church humor

I went to church yesterday
(yes, I darken the doorstep occassionally, just to see how flame retardant I am), and the pastor was talking about being a responsible parent and watching what your kids get into. He mentioned some politician, and I can't recall what his name was, but he was talking about how he'd actually be curious if his son wasn't trying to look up pornography on the internet. Why? Because that's what boys do when they hit puberty, they get curious.......Over my shoulder, 2 pews back, sits a group of 13-14 year old kids.....and I hear one of the boys say, "Exactly!!!" The pew they were sitting on erupts in laughter, so does the one in front of them, and myself, sitting 2 pews in front of the kids. It was funny, I thought I'd share.......

Ugh

School isn't going well. To the point that I am thinking of dropping one class, or both, and completely changing my major. This is throwing me WWWAAAAYYYY off kilter. Yea......

Ziggy is getting on my nerves. Let's put it like this......he could be deployed again, and it'd be ok with me.

Stretch is on leave for a week and a half(he's coming back early, sans family, since he doesn't think the office will run without him).....

MiniZiggy fell and hit his head rather hard this evening, and wanted to go to bed immediately afterwards(even skipped one of his favorite dinners, pot pies)......he screamed something awful, cried buckets of tears, clung to Momma like crazy.........I keep checking on him, I am a bit nervous...

I'm having a bad day.

Random utterings

Ok, so we killed that Al-Zarqawi person. Good. One less crazy that we have to worry about. Spare me the whole speech of how many will take his place. That one is gone, move on already.

That Army LT out in Washington state that is making a fuss over being deployed to Iraq. Ok, bottom line, you signed up, you follow orders. If you don't, you will be dealt with and the military will win, rest assured. He even joined AFTER the war had started, so it wasn't as though he wasn't aware that there's a war going on.........big hairy DDDDDUUUUUUUUHHHHHH. On top of that, he joined the ARMY........virtually guaranteeing that he spend no less that 6 months over in the hot desert. So we can deduct a few things about this person already......One, that he has no long-term foresight, or he would have known that by joining the military, the odds are that he would spend some time in the desert. Two, he ain't too bright, being as he joined the Army, who spends a minimum(or so an Army officer over there told me) of 6 months over there. This also ties in with number one. Three, he's oblivious to the world around him, since he apparently didn't take note of the fact that there's a WAR going on, and well, who fights the wars? The military.....and he joined anyways. Four, he thinks he is special because he doesn't want to go over there and do his job. Heck, he's probably a paper-pusher anyways, and wouldn't see any first line action in the first place. This guy is not special. Or even unique. There are PLENTY of folks who serve their country and don't agree with the orders that they recieve to go certain places. Whether or not it's to a war zone or not. That's the pure beauty of being American. We don't have to like what happens. And for the military, we don't have to like it, we just have to do it. That's our job. I didn't want to go to Iraq. But the thing is, it's not for the military to judge, that isn't our job. We are the enforcers of policy, and policy in America is made by civilians, not the military. Bottom line, he's going to make a fuss.....he's going to get punished under the UCMJ, the military's law code. He will be decommissioned, and will get his 5 minutes of fame. I hope it's worth it to him. He will be forgotten quicker than he thinks, and replaced even faster.

I have begun buying baby clothes......wow there are so many choices for a little girl. It's crazy. I hardly know what size to buy, since the ultrasound estimated her at weighing almost 2 pounds. I go back for another ultrasound on the 21st. We finally got a name for her........Ziggy came up with Riley (nice Irish name, to go with her Russian/Jewish last name), and her middle name will be Marie, which is also my middle name. I am not ashamed to say that I am a bit nervous about having a little girl. After 2 boys, I feel a bit lost with a girl. And none of the folks I know around here have a really little girl that I can babysit in order to 'practice' with. Ziggy has been wondering what kind of personality she will come with, if she'll be calm like her oldest brother, or moody and demanding like MiniZiggy. He wants her to have my hair color(Lord, I hope not, I hate my hair color) and curls like MiniZiggy, while I am hoping for another blonde with curly hair that I can put up in little pigtails when she's older. Ziggy wants to get her into softball and sports, and I just want to get her here before we start all that.

I have begun looking for a second job, as well. I won't start applying or anything until the first of the year, but I am trying to atleast get a lead on things so I'm not scrambling. I want to ease my transition out of the Air Force as much as possible.

Well, that's about all I have right now.......more to come, of course......

Yap yap yap

I just hate it when people come to work, and act all surprised that things worked despite their having been away. I have heard, over and over again this morning, about how hard it was to get out of bed to come to work (' I realized I have to work, OMG!'), and how much they missed their significant other and how they really hope that things will progress with them and they will 'be taken off the single market'..........this is someone who's been divorced twice, so it's not as though they are new to the whole 'married' scene, nor have they been on the single scene for a long time.

Bottom line, you know those little dogs that you see always yapping at their owners? The ones that if they had a broom stick up their butts could be used as a dust mop? Yea.............that's all I'm hearing out the office today.

Can I be out of the Air Force yet? It's crap like this that makes me yearn for bedrest so I don't have to hear any of it for a while.

Brutal honesty

I'm a fan of it, actually. What kind of amazes me is when people want to know 'the truth' and then are suprised when they find out how they are seen by others.

Case in point, Kat. Kat's a friendly gal. She really is. And the perception that others have of her is that she's the shop whore, and has been passed from man to man in the shop we work in. I made a comment to her today that, once stated, was rather cold and mean. I apologized to her for hurting her feelings, as that wasn't my intention, and explained to her why I said what I did. In this whole discussion, she learned what the others that work here really think of her. Which shows the hypocracy of people, but that's a bit of a moot point by now. Anyways, she was angry and blown away by people's perception of her. I didn't go into how people get their impressions of her, I figured that I'd said enough already by that point. She sat here and brooded for a while, and then left, still fuming mad, you could practically see the heat rising off her she was so mad.....

Here's something that has baffled me for a good while.......why are people suprised others get certain impressions of them when they only show themselves to be exactly what is thought of them? This incident isn't the first time I've come across it, either. If one isn't willing for others to see them for themselves, then they shouldn't be suprised that people get the 'wrong' impressions about them......

Bit of an update

Gotta love long weekends.......we went to the beach and were lazy all weekend. Nice break after the hectic lives we have.

Went to see Davinci Code.......good movie, I thought it was pretty close to the book.

May get slapped on bedrest, I have to go have another ultrasound to decide finally.

Eunuch will be moving to the area in the next few months, so it'll be fun to meet him in person.

335 days until I am out of the United States Air Force......

That's all for now.

Men and age........

LOL......one of the men I was deployed with was in my office today, and we were chatting about his haircut(this is a semi-joke between us, since he keeps his head shaved completely bald). I had mentioned that I could see his haircolor, and he remarked that it was only brown from a distance, and upon closer inspection, the numerous gray hairs he had would be seen easily. That got us talking about men, women's preferences, and age. This man is 37 years old, rather fit(he works out religiously) and not hard on the eyes. He made the comment that girls don't like men with gray.....we got to talking about it, and I voiced my own opinions(I'd rather havea man than a boy)....


I just thought it was amusing that he was so concerned on this topic.......

A few words on fitness fashion

I have noticed that women in particular have HORRIBLE fashion sense when it comes to fitness wear. Being in the military, we participate in regular fitness formations. And I have observed that many women lose all common sense when it comes to fashion in this area. Granted, the Air Force has authorized(but not yet required us to wear it) a PT uniform. But until it's required(1 October of this year, I believe), most folks will continue to wear their own choices for workout clothes. The advertising in fitness magazines tends to show thin, ideal body-type women(ok, models in reality) in the latest fashions for fitness..........and they are form-fitting items, I admit.

But OMG, if you are female and your beer gut stands out further than the rest of the men in the formation, then you REALLY don't need to be wearing a white, spaghetti strapped tank top that rides up your mid-section when you do jumping jacks(in front of the whole formation, BTW). I know I get grossed out seeing other women's post-baby bulge(and your kid is 9), and I can't imagine what the guys are thinking. Gross, ok.......and the lycra leggings combined with cottage-cheese thighs and butt are NOT the hottest thing in the gym.....or anywhere else. Wear that at home, on Saturday, when no one's watching, and you aren't in public......where it's safe. And please....please...PLEASE don't make the 25 guys you work with do lunges and squats to work their butts because you read it in the latest issue of SHAPE magazine and want to improve your own butt-profile for the summer. Men don't care what their butts look like.

Yes, I am hard on the females about fitness fashion. Being pregnant, there isn't a PT uniform for us preggos.......which is fine by me, one less thing I have to buy. But I am a bit more sensible on the PT wear......I wear maternity shorts or pants(PT variety, of course), and one of Ziggy's t-shirts to cover MiniMachine....and no one says a thing to me......no one is seeing my fat but Ziggy and a doctor and I like it that way.

It just grosses me out.........

School and new baby

Oh good grief, what did I get myself into with school this semester?? I went to my Lab class for Anatomy and I think I asked WAYYY too much of myself this semester. Maybe 2 classes was a bit much. Especially since there's a lab with both classes. I am going to have to study extremely much in order to do well, I know. Lots of memorization......I used to be pretty good at that, but that was long before I had kids, work and a household to take care of. Yea, so you could say that my life has gotten a bit full.....this is going to be a tough semester.

And Ziggy and I found out yesterday that the next baby is a girl!!!

Ziggy's Return

As promised to Eunuch, I fell off the face of the world when Ziggy came home. I didn't even check my email!!!! So I get an email from Eunuch last night asking if I'm coming up for air any time soon......

SO Ziggy has, in fact, returned, and all is now right and good in my world. I just love my husband to death, and I am rather glad he has returned. Our house just isn't quite home without him in it, too.

Today I go and have an ultrasound and see, hopefully, what the sex of MiniMachine is..........think pink!!!!

I'll update later with the news...

Ok, I'm taking the plunge....

Ok, not the marital one, cause I'm already married......

I'm going to dye my hair............black.

I'm a bit nervous.......

More questions

1) DID YOU SLEEP IN TODAY? Only if waking at 6 rather than 4 is sleeping in.

2) LAST TIME YOU ATE MEXICAN FOOD?
Tres Amigos with my boys.....last month

3) WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING TOMORROW?
Getting laid!!!!!! And taking kid to the doctor

4) WHO DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR LAST TEXT MESSAGE FROM?
spammer

5) LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED IN THE MOVIES?
Memoirs of a Geisha

6) DO YOU LIKE CHINESE FOOD?
yes

7) WHAT'S YOUR POISON?
Dr. Pepper

8) LAST GIFT SOMEONE GAVE YOU?
Picture frame from SCout for Mother's Day

9) HAVE YOU EVER SHOT A GUN?
heck yeah

10) AT WHAT AGE DID YOU MOVE OUT OF THE HOUSE?
22

11) LAST CONCERT YOU WENT TO?
Rascall Flats in Iraq

12) WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Ziggy comes home today!!!!!

13) WHICH OF YOUR FRIENDS DO YOU HANG OUT WITH THE MOST?
I don't

14) LAST TIME YOU WENT TO A BAR?
Um........January

15) NAME A SONG YOU DESPISE:
Talk by Coldplay.........they play it too much

16) FOOTBALL OR ICE HOCKEY?
football

17) DO YOU HAVE JUNK IN THE TRUNK?
I don't think so, but Ziggy likes it

18) WHO IN THIS WORLD LOVES YOU THE MOST?
Probably Ziggy or my kids......

19) WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE SEXIEST PERSON?
Vin Diesel

20) HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO HAVE STITCHES? IF SO, WHERE?
my chin, my gums, my abdomen, my foot....

21) HAS A BF/GF EVER WRITTEN YOU A POEM?
Yes

22) HAVE YOU HAD SEX IN THE RAIN?
no...I should though. That'd be hott!

23) RAP OR ROCK?
rock

24) DO YOU BELIEVE IN ANGELS?
Might as well, I believe in ghosts

25) LAST TIME YOU WERE ON A BOAT?
Um......um........*thinking*..........2+ years ago, Portage Glacier tour with Ziggy

26) LOVE OR LUST?
both

27) LAST TIME SOMEONE MADE YOU FEEL ''SPECIAL''?
Um......I dunno

28) DO YOU WATCH THE TV SHOW "LOST"?
no

29) WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Dark blue

30) DO YOU VOTE?
yes

31) WHO IS YOUR PERSONALITY MOST LIKE, YOUR MOM OR DAD?
Mom, by far

32) WHAT DO YOU DESIRE?
Ziggy...........I can do the rest

33) MOST EXOTIC PLACE YOU HAVE TRAVELED:
Tough call........Ukraine or Iraq

34) LAST TIME YOU WERE AT A BOOKSTORE?
Been about a month or so

35) LAST PERSON TO BREAK YOUR HEART?
Other

36) WHAT COLOR SHEETS ARE ON YOUR BED?
Flowery ones from Pottery Barn

37) NAME 5 ITEMS YOU USE DAILY:
toothbrush, phone, computer, hairbrush, soap

38) WHEN LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHAT ORDER WOULD THESE BE: LOOKS, PERSONALITY, BACKGROUND, HYGIENE
personality, looks, hygiene, background

39) FAVORITE CLOTHING TO WEAR?
Jammies!!!

40) HOW MANY OF THESE SURVEYS HAVE YOU TAKEN?
way too many

41) ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
Car accident

42) WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Candles, pocket watch

43) HOW MANY PiERCINGS DO YOU HAVE?
2 in each ear

44) WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO?
a little of everything

45) DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
9:30PM

46) WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
Sleep or food....or a maid

47) WHO DO YOU MISS?
My buddy Chris Daugherty (Not the American Idol guy)

48) WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?
My diamonds from Ziggy

49) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL?
Mama's home cooking, baby!!!!!!

50) DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
occasionally

51) DO YOU GET SCARED OF THE DARK?
sometimes

52) THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY & WHEN:
Brandie the other night, swapping drunken bar stories.....so funny I cried

53) WHEN DID YOU HAVE YOUR FIRST CRUSH?
elementary school

54) WHAT KIND OF HAIR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Facial

55) WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING AT?
I don't

56) COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS?
Sweet Tea

57) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING(S)?
Cheese!!!!

58) IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Mmm.....Shrimp

59) WHO IS THE LAST PERSON THAT MADE YOU MAD?
my son

60) WHO IS THE LAST PERSON THAT WAS MAD AT YOU?
also probably my son

61) DO YOU SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE?
Spanish, Russian, a bit of French and Italian....

62) WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU (OF THE OPPOSITE SEX, NOT FAMILY)?
I have no flippin clue

63) DO YOU LIKE ANYBODY?
yes

64) ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
In my toes

65) FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
Eh......New York and Company

66) WHAT'S YOUR DREAM CAR?
1957 Chevy Bel Air........or 1948 Tucker

67) Would you ever date a smoker?
Married one

68) WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR DREAMS?
to be a stay home Mommy

69) Did you play sports in highschool? Softball...

70) WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU? verbally

71) SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED: 13

72) BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
brunettes...

73) WHO DO YOU CALL THE MOST? My Mama

74) WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST? Oh geez.........too many to name

75) HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE U.S.?
yes

76) YOUR WEAKNESSES? MiniZiggy's little arms reached out to Mama.......and the pout face......I'm not so good at being a bitch as often as I ought to be.

77) WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE? Anywhere but California.....as long as the family is with me

78) FIRST JOB? Sold wedding dresses at Wendy's Bridal

79) EVER PRANK CALL? once or twice

80) WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS SURVEY? Checking my email

81) IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Breast reduction

82) WHY DID YOU FILL OUT THIS SURVEY?
I like them, and I'm kinda bored

83) WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
Juggling kids, work and school....while the spouse is deployed

84) WHAT WOULD YOU DO, IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL?
Drink more Dr.Pepper

85) WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I dunno

86) HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
4

87) DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
yes

88) WHICH FINGER[S] IS YOUR FAVORITE?
Ralph.......the bird one

89) WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Talkin to Brandie the other night, swapping drunken bar stories...think I said that already

90) DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Don't care

91) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Honey baked ham

92) ANY BAD HABITS?
Plenty

93) WHATS THE MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON YOUR SHELF?
who knows

94) IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
absolutely

95) HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL?
well yeah

96) DO LOOKS MATTER?
at some point they do

97) HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
Ride my 4 wheeler or throw things

99) DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY?
Not like I used to

100) WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
Don't recall

101) WHAT ARE THE FIRST THREE NUMBERS IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
757

102) HOW MUCH DO YOU HATE THESE QUESTIONS?
Some are rather stupid and repetitive

103) DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Not me, never............note sarcasm

104) HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT?
No

105) WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
personality and sense of humor

106) WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Chris, Christy, Blossom(my mother), Christabell, Baby Boo, Seigerwoman

107) Do you like to read?
LOVE TO!!!!

108) DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES, WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Nope

109) Favorite year in highschool?
senior

110) WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
chocolate

111) What type of smoothies do you like?
no clue

112) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?
Black

114) WHO DO YOU MISS MOST RIGHT NOW?
My buddy Chris Daugherty (Not the American Idol guy)........damn deja vu....

115) DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
don't care

116) WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
the birdies outside

117) THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
eyes & personality

118) FAVORITE THOUGHT PROVOKING SONG:
SHit, I don't know....

119) FAVORITE DRINK? Dr. Pepper.......deja vu all over again

120) FAVORITE ZODIAC SIGN:
Mine, of course.......I'm a Virgo, and the classic version, too

121) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO PLAY?
um..............dunno

122) HAIR COLOR?
brunette for now...

123) EYE COLOR?
brown

124) DO YOU WEAR GLASSES?
not anymore

125) SIBLINGS?
5

126) FAVORITE MONTH?
Um........

127) YOU LIKE SUSHI?
some of it's ok

128) LAST THING YOU WATCHED?
Something about the DaVinci code on the Discovery channel.

129) FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
The ones I'm not at work

130) ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT?
Not when I was single, no

131) SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter in ALaska

132). KISSES OR HUGS?
both

133) RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
When I was single, depended on who it was with

134) WHO IS THE MOST LIKELY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
No clue

135) WHO IS THE LEAST LIKELY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Chris Daugherty.....getting him to answer email is like pulling teeth!!!!

136) WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
DaVinci Code, again......gotta brush up before I see the movie.

137) IS ANYONE IN LOVE WITH YOU?
Yes, a few people in fact.....

138) HAVE YOU MADE LOVE TO AN ANIMAL?
Ick.....

139) EVER SEEN A REAL PEACOCK?
yes

140) KNOW HOW TO PRONOUNCE GYRO CORRECTLY?
Yes

141) Did you find this survey beneficial to your life, do you feel like others know you better now? Beneficial to me, not really.....to others, maybe.......

Ok, one more, and this one is very telling.....

***Your Job Dissatisfaction Level is 77%***
Your job is a total bummer, and probably the worst job you've ever had.Your co-workers stink. Your boss is a jerk. And your company is probably in trouble.Think about finding a new job quickly, even if it's just a not-so-great transition job.You've got to get out of there as quickly as you can!
Should You Quit Your Job?http://www.blogthings.com/shouldyouquityourjobquiz/

What mixed drink are you?

I got this off Blogthings.com..........seems entertaining.......

You Are a Mai Tai

You aren't a big drinker, but you'll drink if the atmosphere is festive.And when you're drunk, watch out! You're easily carried away.

What Mixed Drink Are You?

Yeah

So I took a week off of leave next week. Got it approved, too. And then this email comes down stating that I have to be in a class called Informed Decision in the middle of next week. It's one of those classes that they bring in people who got out and couldn't get work or anything on the outside, and they whine and moan about how they wish they'd stayed in the Air Force, blah blah blah, and otherwise talk you into staying in. Not that there's any chance that they'll change my mind.......but it's a mandatory thing.

So I called up my acting Shirt, and got out of the class because of the leave, and TheTroll and Stretch won't believe that I have been excused from the class. So without an email to confirm it, they require that I am there, thus cancelling my leave. Yes, this all bothers me. I had scheduled appointments for virtually every day next week, thinking to save myself the hassle of having to get bitched at for leaving work for various appointments. Yea, well, it appears that this is going to get really ugly and nasty, and by my management's own doing, despite my efforts.....

Peachy

Congrats CrazyGirl!!!

CrazyGirl has become engaged to TheBoy!!!! I just love weddings, or non-weddings in her case.......

Now I must share how Ziggy asked me to marry him......since CrazyGirl was telling how TheBoy asked her over the phone, here's how Ziggy asked me.........

I was over at Ziggy's house on night, and bad memory that I have, I don't recall the date. Anyways, we'd taken a shower, and had gotten out, and I was standing at the sink wearing a lovely dark green towel(very fashionable, huh?) and wet hair, and Ziggy had walked out of the bathroom for something. Anywhoo.....he walks back into the bathroom, and lays this fabulous kiss on me. Ziggy's a great kisser...digressing, ok.......Mid-kiss, he says, "Marry me." I was a bit surprised, but not totally, but of course, said yes...........

CrazyGirl, atleast you got the whole question..........lol

My WTF moment of the year.......

Ah yes, I had a WTF moment to beat all this past weekend. I was floored. This may shock everyone.....

I'm on the phone with my MIL yesterday afternoon, and Scout is on the couch, watching TV. He turns off the TV, and comes into the dining room and asks me if he can go ride his bike. I say yes....I'm still on the phone, mind you. So I get off the phone and go into the living room, plop down on the couch and flip the TV on. What comes on?? Pay Per View porn. I was floored. I scroll through the settings on my TV, and come to find out, this isn't the first time it's on my TV. Yea......I questioned Scout about it, and he said he had no clue.......I'm not so sure it was him, as some of them were ordered when no one was home.........

Yea......

Old school

I got this from a friend of mine on MySpace......figured it might be fun....

Your 8th grade year in Middle School is supposed to be "the worst year of your life." Let's see how much you remember. I know for some it might be hard for you to go back that far!
1. Who were your closest friends? Carol Radford and Chris Hurley
2. What sports did you play?none
3. Did you take your lunch? Not that I recall
4. It's Friday night, where were you?At home
5. Who was your crush? Michael Smashey
6. Were you in the "In Crowd"? No, not hardly
7. Ever skip school? No
8. School colors? Navy and gray, rather depressing
9. Were you a nerd? Band geek
10. Did you get suspended/expelled? NOPE
11. Can you sing the alma mater? Didn't have one
12. Who was your favorite teacher? Um.......Been a while, don't remember
13. Favorite class? Reading
14. What was your schools full name? Pine Mountain Middle School
15. School mascot? Didn't have one
16. Did you go to the dances?Yup
17. If you could go back and do it over, would you? Nope
18. What do you remember most about Middle School? Band and a very embarrassing talent show experience.
19. Favorite memory of your 8th grade year? Don't remember
20. Were you ever posted up on the 8th graders wall? we didn't have one!
21. Did you have a job your 8th grade year? No
22. Where did you go most often for lunch?The lunchroom
23. Have you gained weight since then? yes
24. What did you do after graduation? 8th grade? Went to Band Camp for high school
25. Did you like your eighth grade year? not really

I got this in an email and thought it was good.....

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the UnitedCaucasianCollege Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door. Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game. I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, that is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE? I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion. I have the right "NOT" to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off. When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling, it is the Law of Probability. I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English! My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours. I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word "freeze" or "stop" in English, see the above lines. I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business. We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations. I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor. I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them. I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building. It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say "NO!" I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries! I am sick of "Political Correctness." I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa; so how can they be "African-Americans"? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.

And if you don't like my point of view, tough..

My own little commentary

Each morning at work, I read the news on CNN.com and MSNBC.com. Some of the things that are considered newsworthy really make me wonder. So I feel compelled to comment on what is currently happening in the world.

Tom Cruise, his new movie, and his fiancee and baby: I'm so tired of hearing about these folks, honestly. And by they way, his new flick is a SEQUEL....and a third installment at that.....so there's only so much that can be done to that character, right???? Think Matrix, folks......people have kids every day, and go right on with work, life, etc. I don't see what makes these two any different.

The Moussaoui verdict.....Guys, our process of legal justice worked. The jurors did their jobs. While I can't say that I agreed that he got what was coming to him, it may be that the jail population may take care of the death penalty for us. Rest assured, the day will come that he is dealt ultimate justice, be it in this life or the next. I can't say that he was an Al-Qaeda operative, given that the organization has said that he wasn't one of theirs, and they considered him kind of a loose cannon. I think he will only be seen as a martyr in his own eyes, and not anyone else's.

Lethal injection being painful....now, if you are supposed to be dealt this particular punishment, it is likely that a heinous crime has been committed, death has occurred, and likely in some vicious manner. So in my mind, the possibility that an execution by lethal injection could be painful is a moot point to me. The person being executed is dying anyways, and in short order, so I'd say that justice is not nearly complete as they aren't feeling what they put someone else through. Bottom line, they're going to die regardless, so let them feel pain to remind them of the life they are losing.

Catholics and condoms.....alright guys, realistically here, how many Catholics have a houseful of kids and keep them coming in quick succession? Fundamentally, I think the case for birth control practices with the Catholic church is a bit arcane. I don't know that the average Catholic person considers the Church's teachings first off when they are sitting at their 6-week postpartum appointment and contemplating what birth control is to be used post-baby. I have a feeling that birth control is practiced and dealt with more on an individual basis and not on the administrative level that seems to be Church doctrine. How many priests address this when the newest baby is being christened?? Yea.......Much Ado About Nothing Really, or so I think.


Homosexual marriage.....I'm not going to get into whether or not I believe it's right or not. I will say this though - let them have all the *perks* of marriage like all the heterosexuals. Child support, alimony, divorce, all of it. Perhaps if the homosexuals are treated just like the heterosexuals, all will smooth over.......

See my post on the illegals in this country for my commentary on that.

The War on Terrorism.......oh my....let me see if I can consolidate some of this.....For those that claim this is a war of revenge - YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT!!!!!!! If someone busts into your home, kills all you hold dear and then has the balls to throw it in your face that you had it coming, wouldn't you want revenge??? Big hairy DDDDDUUUUUUHHHHH!!!!!!!! I think that sums up a lot on that topic.

Iran......Guys, we are damned if we do and damned if we don't with Iran. Can you say World War 3? Look at it like this.....if they attack Israel, we have war. If we attack them, we have war with them, Russia and China. World War 3, quick, fast and in a hurry. So just plan on war......and if not, then be pleasantly surprised and happy. A good warrior prays for peace, but trains for war.


Well guys, that's all for now........I'll update again, no worries...

The immigration rallies

Ok, let me slide my little soapbox over here and stand on it.....

For those who say we need a 'plan' to deal with the illegal in this country : We have one.....it's called come here legally or get deported. It's just not enforced.

For those who think we should give them amnesty: Get a grip. They disobeyed our law coming here, what makes you think they will abide anything new?

For those who want to close the borders: While a good idea in theory, how would you know who's legal and who's not? And is going to round them all up? Hell, you've got the Mexican President stating that he's not going to stop his citizens from coming here illegally.....what does that tell you?? Case in point - I worked in an ER at one point, and the town that the ER was in had ALOT of illegal immigrants. How'd they get around getting legal papers? They'd come here, hook up with someone who has a legal pass to be here, and make a fake ID with it......it had the name and ID number of the legal guy on it, but the picture of the illegal guy.......think about that when you want to document all of them...

I say they learn English and get a move on with the getting American citizenship if they want to stay here. Give them a timeframe, say a couple years, in order to get their acts together and provide proof that they are pursuing citizenship and learning proficient English. No proof, boot their asses. If they are pursuing citizenship, I can see them having limited rights.....but not the ability to vote unless they have their citizenship. No welfare, either unless they are pursuing citizenship. That's my idea for the immediate issue......it would be added to for the future folks who come here. Documentation, background checks(don't want any terrorists) and employment documentation would be required to stay here, and if not pursuing citizenship, only allowed to stay here for a certain amount of time. That's my idea.......I don't mind folks coming here, but do it legally, abide by our laws or get the hell out and stop wasting my tax dollars!!!!

****gets off soapbox and slides it back to the corner****