Perhaps the best song ever written for driving in the car is performed by Dire Straits - Walk of Life.

When my son, nieces & nephew were small, they'd be in the car with me and just hearing the opening notes would start them giggling...they knew what was coming.  Suddenly our car would start "dancing", especially if we were coming to a stop...Mom/Aunt Terri tapping on the brake to the beat.

They are now 24, 23, 18 & 13 and still call this our Happy Song...

Enjoy and have a happy weekend!!

....when I saw this....

hehehe...it's a sick, sick world!

....that when you ordered nipple jewelry it didn't come in pairs?   

To My Son

My Dearest Darlin Nate,

Today is the first annual Silver Star Day.  A day set aside to honor our Wounded, of which you are one.

I will never forget that Saturday that the recruiter first came to our home.  I was sick that day, and didn't know you had been talking to him and when he told me who he was I asked why the hell he was there, you weren't going into the Army.

Remember how I cried and hollered at you when you showed me the signed contract?  And how, the second time the recruiter came, I was putting away groceries, banging the canned goods on the countertop and demanding that he guarantee me that you weren't going to Iraq?  He said the chances were pretty slim...I could still punch him for that lie.

When you were deployed to S. Korea I was so relieved.  We haven't deployed out of S. Korea in 53 years, my son was safe for a year.  But no, on vacation in S. Dakota I heard on CNN that the 2ID were being deployed to Iraq...and yes, you were 2ID.

Remember when you came home on leave before going to Iraq...you would be sitting in front of the computer and I would  stand behind you, wrap my arms around you, and sob on your neck.  I was so scared.

When the phone rang at 6AM on October 19, 2004, I knew it couldn't be good.  The Washington Casualty Office, SSgt. Rozell, informing me that my baby had been blown up with an IED the night before.  He just kept repeating "He's alive, Ma'am, he's alive".

And you are alive.  And you are doing so well.  And I am so very proud of you.

I have for months fought along side my friends from Silver Star Families of America for the states to proclaim this special day to honor you and all of our other precious wounded.  The men and women who have unselfishly given all they had to protect and guard our freedoms over the years.  You all will live forever with your scars and your 'disabilities' and hopefully from this day on, with the knowledge that America salutes and honors you and will never forget your sacrifices.

I will end this the way I ended countless letters to you during your service....

Always remember and never forget that I love you with all of my heart.

Mom.

To all of our Armed Forces who have been wounded in war, today we honor and remember you.  Thank you for your sacrifices, WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

Terri Rager
Silver Star Families of America
Proud Mom of Spc. Nathan Behra

....time sure flies when you're having fun  um...when you're busy well...um...when...well, it just flies.

So, what have I been doing, you ask....well...let me think...

April 7th Nate & I were at the Canfield Ohio War Vet Museum presenting a Silver Star Flag

As you can see, the Spring that I was dancing around about in my last entry went south for a while.  She seems to be back though.  The Canfield Town Crier did an article about the flag presentation.  I'd tell you to go see it on line, but when I went to their website they had 2 links, one was to report news to them, the other was to request they show up at your event.  Yeah, Baby, I've made the big time at last   A nice lady did mail me a copy though, and it was a nice write up.

This past Saturday & Sunday were spent cleaning up my front yard and flower beds on the side of the house.  All day, both days.  7 very large bags of debris.  Everything was so neglected from last summers long episode with my back, but it sure feels good to do all that work, stand back and see how perty everything is going to be this summer.

Been busy with Soldier stuff, as usual.  The Myspace page that I maintain for Silver Star Families has really taken off and keeps me busy, along with giving me some great new contacts.  This Saturday I'll be setting up a table for SSFOA here:

I met the lady who has organized this show through Myspace and she's really been a blessing for me in many ways.  Drops & TNuts, if you're not doing anything Saturday this will be fun!  5 Comedians for $10? Where are you gonna ever find a deal like that?  And supporting the families of the Fallen to boot...what a deal! *L*

Sunday will find me here, hopefully not fainting, although I know I'm going to cry when I do my speech:

5th ANNUAL

RALLY FOR THE TROOPS

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2007

CLEVELAND PUBLIC SQUARE

11:00 AM to 12:00 NOON

Free Parking will be provided by Forest City in the Tower City parking lots off Huron Road.

The RALLY is open to the PUBLIC.Plan on arriving around 10:00 AM to greet the procession of motorcycles arriving into downtown Public Square.JIM MANTEL of WGAR will MC the ceremony.MONICA ROBINS of WKYC will sing the National Anthem. THE RALLY WILL TAKE PLACE REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER.

Motorcycles will begin to stage at 8:30 A.M. from

Cleveland Harley-Davidson Sales Company; Lake Erie Harley-Davidson, Avon ; Southeast Harley-Davidson; Bedford Hts.; Western Reserve Harley-Davidson; Mentor. Motorcycles will depart for downtown Cleveland at 9:30 A.M.

Post RALLY food and entertainment will be available at Cleveland Harley-Davidson Sales Company located at 14450 Lorain Road from 12:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Rally Patch $10.00- Proceeds to Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial

Then I get a break from public appearances for a while.  Didn't I sound just like a celebrity there?  Someday you're all going to say "I knew her when".... 

Nothing really going on in my personal life.  Go to work, go home, clean something, look something up on the computer, go to bed.  Sadie is getting very bored with me and insists we start doing something more, or adding other people into the mix here and there or she's moving to a more exciting family.  I'll sure miss her.

Nate is doing well.  He's pretty much in the same go to work, come home rut that I am in.  I'm thinking once summer really hits he'll find something else to do with himself.  Hopefully to include finishing some of his "projects" such as the basement that he tore up a year ago January.  Not that it's bothering me or anything.....

Wow, you guys' thought I was boring before...*L*

Want to read my speech?  Ok, I'll close with it and the hope that you are all doing well and that I soon have the opportunity to come around to see how you're all doing....I be missin ya.

You kids have a wonderful evening  ~  You know I will!! 

Hi, I’m Terri R(like who doesn't know my last name by now??)  and I’m here today because, like all of you, I support our Troops.

A couple of years ago I was one of those people who slapped a magnet on the back of my truck to show that I supported our troops, but I didn’t actually do anything. And then, in exchange for my Son the Army sent me some Proud Parent of a Soldier decals and I slapped them on beside the magnet.And started to support MY troop.

Nate was deployed to S. Korea and I was feeling pretty safe, after all, we were there for 53 years without ever deploying one soldier. That was of course, until my son got there and somehow managed to be one of the first 3800 Soldiers that were.Four months into his deployment to Iraq he was hit by an IED.

The Army flew me to Walter Reed, and for 3 days I waited for my boy to arrive from Germany.  Etched forever in my memory is the sight of my son, struggling against the morphine to open his eyes and sigh “Mom, I knew you’d be here”.Prior to his arrival I was blessed to be given the opportunity to talk to some of the most amazing men I have ever met.What they had in common, besides their injuries, was an unbreakable spirit.Their positive attitudes and joy for life were very humbling.Those 2 weeks at Walter Reed changed my outlook on life.Coming home I knew how very fortunate I was to have my son sitting there on the plane with me.

Shortly after getting home, I started supporting our troops.For real.I joined Soldiers Angels and adopted a soldier who I wrote and sent care packages to.I got very involved with the Living Legends Team of SA, which supports the families of our Fallen Heroes.

Meanwhile, Nate was stationed at Ft. Carson in Colorado on Med Hold. He wasn't doing very well, he was depressed, homesick and physically hurting.  I searched online for something that would show him how proud of him I was and how much his service was appreciated, not by just his Mom, but by America.  I found this Silver Star Families of America website.  They had Silver Star Banners and Certificates of Appreciation to honor the wounded so I emailed and asked how I could purchase one for Nate. They responded that they would be honored to send him one, free of charge.  When he got that package he called and told me about it, he had already ran to Walmart for a frame for the certificate.  It was the happiest I had heard him for quite a while...So I emailed Silver Star Families again, this time to see how I could join.

Today I am the Ohio State Coordinator for SSFOA.Our mission is to make every wounded Hero, from any war, feel the way my son did when he opened that package.You wouldn’t think that this little thing would make a difference to anyone.But I’ve seen first hand that it does make a difference to know that people do care and do appreciate the sacrifices you have made for your country.

One of the biggest tasks we’ve undertaken to date is to have May 1^st proclaimed Silver Star Day – a day to honor our wounded.As I stand here today, 44 Governors have signed proclamations to name this special day.And we are working with the Federal Government to make this a national day of honor.

You all being here today shows where your hearts are and I am proud to be sharing this event with you.Thank you for being here.May God bless and keep our troops safe until they are able to come home to us.

Time.  What an amazing thing.  Or maybe it's just the act of releasing a problem by writing it here.  I dunno, all I do know is that I am not feeling so weak and tender over Mr. Ed today.  As a matter of fact, all I am feeling in that direction is OVER, DONE, FINISHED.  All good feelings.

I am, however, feeling tender and weak after coughing/sneezing/scratching my itchy nose all weekend long *L*  My body feels like I've done millions of crunches.  Too bad it doesn't look like I have been.  Oh well.

Went out with the "girls" Friday night, despite the feeling of the cold coming on.  Had an excellently fun time, telling stories, arguing with liberal strangers, laughing loudly and frequently, and it wasn't all because of Tequila *L*  I was quite evil to the married man who's been on my tail...him asking repeatedly for "a birthday kiss", me knowing I was coming down with something finally giving in, kissing him everytime I walked by, hoping to spread my germs *g*  That'll learn him!  (probably not)

I've never really been a "girlfriend" kinda girl.  I've usually held one or two women as close friends, but usually don't like dealing with females.  But I'm in a great group right now, my friend Lesa keeps bringing in women she knows from where ever and they're all great and great fun.  There was 7 of us Friday night and we did have a blast.  And they're all probably going to join me at the Comedy Show next month which will be great.

Spring is here!!  76º today!!  I am aching to get outside and cut things back, pull things up, turn soil over, get the garden party started.  I have SO much to do to make up for last years back problems, I don't even know where to start.  Probably the front yard would be good, since that's what everyone see's when they come up the street.

Getting a new roof on the house in a couple weeks.  My garage has a new roof, Ed put it on about 5 yrs ago, but my roof guy wants to go over it and blend it into the house with the 3 dimensional shingles, and even though it's not necessary, I am going with it because of the warranty and just because I think it will look really nice all blended together.  Now, what color roof would you put on a brick house?  All suggestions are welcome, as always.

I do sound better, don't I?  I can feel it while I'm typing.....good deal.

Ok, one of the guys just came in & apparently wants to converse with me so off I go...I did get to read you guys today (your current entries only) so I feel less guilty on that quarter too.  Life is grand *g*

You kids have a marvelous evening ~ You know I will!!!  

I don't really like being boosted.  All these strangers leaving their footprints all over me, I feel violated. 

I have been taking the Ed disappearance a lot harder than I thought I would.  I think maybe I've pulled out of the depression I was sinking into, Spring-like weather is helping, but I still find random tears running down my face at odd moments for odd reasons.  At least I've come far enough to realize it's nothing personal, him leaving, it's the alcohol.  Always the alcohol.  I believe he means it when he tells me he loves me.  Love is just never enough. That's really sad.  And so am I.

His sister was in from Texas for the past two weeks, just going home this past Tuesday.  I've remained friends with his sister, Nan, who lives in Akron, we usually get together for dinner once a week.  So the other sister that lives about 2 hrs away came up & I was invited, and accepted, a few nights of dinner & fun with them all.  Originally Ed was suppose to go with me, but when the time came he could not be found and he returned no phone calls from them or me.  The Texas sister hasn't been here in 6 yrs, and who knows when she'll be back, and he didn't show up.  See, it's not personal, directed at me.  Alcohol.

I reckon I'm a really bad breaker-upper.  That fact alone makes me want to just go to work, go home, don't deal with any other men at all.  Ever.  Add all the games I don't understand, all the lies that I don't see the point in, all the not being able to trust another person farther than you can throw him, the married men who have forgotten their vows....I'm probably going to be seeing a lot of myself...and no one else.  Yep, I'm thinking I'm ready to throw in the towel.  God knows I have enough to keep me busy as it is.  Why look for complications.

There's probably some really nice guy with a pension plan & a Harley out there riding around searching for just me. 

In Asia or something. 

Otherwise............

Nate turned 23 last Tuesday.  Where does the time go?  He's doing well...but lonely...seems to be a theme in my house.

I've been working towards being ready for the Rally April 29th.  I've also been invited to set up a table at a Fallen Hero Family Support comedy show on the 28th of April.  I've been printing a ton of pass-out stuff and trying to write my speech.  Want to hear what I have so far?  Ok.

Hi, my name is Terri R and I'm here today representing the Silver Star Families of America.  I'm not a public speaker, so I'll try not to fuck up too badly.

Pretty good, huh?

Momma Meeeeaaaaaaa the shit I get myself into.

Next weekend will find me in Georgia for the Memorial Garden dedication one of the mothers of a Fallen Hero is doing.  I can't wait to meet her, she is one of those strong people who turn a tragedy into a good thing.  I like people like that.

Sunny, I'm probably coming to Branson the first week of May.  If you're available I'd love to hug you in person.  Just a friendly kinda hug, though, I know you think I have a sexy phone voice but I've not been driven to that yet. 

I am way behind in reading you guys.  I don't believe I'll ever catch up.  It makes me feel guilty when I see you've been here, but I haven't been to your place.  Sorry.  All of my free time seems to have been swallowed up.  By what, I don't know, but I don't have any. 

Ok, got work to finish up.  You kids have a lovely evening ~ You know I will.  More than likely. 

The Bone Yard

For those of you that have never seen this, it is something to see.

The precision in the way they are parked is impressive.  It is difficult to comprehend the size of the "Boneyard" and the number of aircraft stored there.   Of course the important thing to remember is that they are all capable of being returned to flying condition if the need ever arises.

If you are ever in the Tucson area, the weekly tours of the boneyard are still given through the Tucson Air Museum, located just south of Davis Monthan AFB.  Both the museum and the boneyard are very popular attractions in the Arizona desert.

It is difficult to comprehend the number of military aircraft in dead storage until you see these photographs!

Even if you have seen this before, look again. The 3rd largest Air Force in the world is sitting on the ground here. It's the only unit in the U.S. Air Force that actually makes a profit.

Hi Kids.

28º and gloomy in Ohio today.  Yuck.  But on the bright side, every morning when I take Sadie out, there are more and more birdies voices lifted up in song...so I have faith that Spring is right around the corner.

I've been really busy, too busy, but then it always runs in spurts for me, either so busy I can't think straight or so un-busy that my soul cries out with boredom.  No happy medium for this girl, no sirree.

Finally got the year closed at work, all the taxes filed, the W-2's sent out, the information to the accountant.  It's always delightful to be working in December bullshit when you're actually in February, trying to work with the January bullshit *L*  Now it's March and I'm wondering what happened to Christmas, for cryin out loud.  Older people always say that the older you get the faster time moves past you...I'm rapidly becoming one of those older people.

I closed on a home loan last week, which was nice.  I've been buying my home from my parents land contract for the past 10 yrs...finally decided to take out a loan and pay them & some credit cards off, with enough cash back to get a new roof this spring.  This is going to save me thousands in interest on those stupid credit cards - Evil things, I tell ya.  The monthly payment will save me close to $1,000 a month...breathing should be a lot easier from here on out.

The Ed thing is done.  Again.  I'd like to say that I found my sanity and put an end to it but that would be a lie.  Ok, I did find my sanity and was trying to come up with a way to end it without hurting him...but he beat me to the leaving this time.   Either way, it's all for the good.  He hasn't changed, not for the better anyhow (surprise, surprise, huh?) and doesn't seem too interested in changing his path, so...God love him, I hope he figures it out some day.  (Yes, I am sad about this...but...~shrugs~)

So all this week I am committed to spending a bunch of time with his sisters *L*  The one that lives in Texas is coming up for 2 weeks and Nan, who I've remained friends with since our divorce, has us scheduled to go to dinner, have a slumber party, blah, blah, blah.  Ed is suppose to be participating, it'll be interesting to see if he does.  I'd gladly bow out if my being there bothers him, they're not my sisters, afterall.  He hasn't seen the Texas sister for 6 yrs and who knows when she'll ever come here again.  I hope he doesn't miss the opportunity.

Hmm...what else is going on...My nephew placed 2nd in the Regional Spelling Bee in February and is now competing in the Akron Beacon Journal Regional tomorrow night.  Smart kid.

Nate is doing well.  I took him to the VA a couple weeks ago for a nerve block in his back.  He say's it's working so that's good.  He's not seeing anyone and is spending a lot of time bowling.  I'm not sure what that means.

I bought a treadmill Thursday and I love it.  It has the arm things, kinda like skiing, and 2 calorie burning programs that you just set & it automatically changes your speed & incline through a 30 minute set.  My brother set it up in my living room for me and I've hit it every night while watching TV.  I'm still down 30lbs..hopefully this will help take off some more.

At the end of this month I am driving to Georgia with my Soldiers' Angels friend, Cathy, to attend a dedication of a rock garden one of the parents of our fallen has invited us to.  The dedication is April 1st, so we'll be taking off on Friday the 30th, I believe.  Cathy lives in Indiana so we're meeting at the Cincinnati airport, where I will park my truck in the long term parking deck & go on in hers.  Hopefully that works out as smoothly as it sounds, things rarely do *L*

April 29th I am speaking at that Rally.  

Nothing else to report.  I'm hoping that I soon have an opportunity to catch up with you all...I miss ya and wonder what's going on in your lives.

You kids have a marvelous Monday ~ You know I will!!! 

Ok, who boosted me? *L*  Where I come from when someone boosts something they are stealing it.   How could this possibly be a good thing?   

Comment left on the GI Joe/Squirrel entry: