Time sure flies when you're having fun, huh? 

Life has gotten pretty hectic in Teriland the past few months...I'm not sure I see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but I sure hope I see it soon.  August 1st I sent a letter of resignation to the Living Legends team leader (Soldiers' Angels)  where I had been researching the families of our fallen Heroes in order for the team to send condolence cards...knowing that I was running for another position with another group (Silver Star Families) I informed her that I was not going to be able to do the researching as of December and that I would like to help her train someone to take my place so there would be no bumps in supporting our families.  So...as things always seem to happen to me...instead of a smooth transition to someone else taking my position,  the team leader was "fired" and the team and all of it's duties was dumped into my lap by the Big Boss Woman In Charge.  Take one step forward and two steps back, please. 

So...for the past almost 2 months, I have been pulling people from within the team and trying them in different positions within the team, trying to form a team within the team that can just run with it without me doing everything.  I think I've got a good team going and I've already got my "replacement" in place, but I will have to serve as like a consultant for a while.  Where it was just the team leader & I doing everything before, we now have about 6 people who are doing all the different things that just the two of us were doing before, and much more efficiently, I might add.  I want to have a clear conscience when I leave the team...I feel like we do a great thing for these families and I want to see it continue, smoothly.

As for Silver Star Families of America, I am running for Vice President there.  Since I am the only one running for that position, it's probably very likely that I'll get it *L* 

As for my personal life....what personal life??    I am two weeks into becoming a non-smoker.  I've cut it down to about 1/2 of what I formerly smoked and thinking by next weekend it's going to be done.  The girls of SSFOA have been praying for me...I think they're tryin to kill me.  I can't even smell someone else smoking without my chest getting tight and feel like I'm having trouble breathing.  I know they're praying that God will make me feel like I'm dying everytime I light one...and it's working *L*  Be specific, huh, Carol? 

Joe & I have come to some kind of weird arrangement where I let him hang out with me once or twice a week and he doesn't push anything boyfriend/girlfriend on me, we're more like buddies.  Thursdays he comes over and we either go to dinner or he cooks (yeah, HE cooks, I love it) and we watch the Indians or whatever on TV and Fridays we meet at the bar where we may or may not sit together and just socialize with everyone there.  I like having him as a friend to bounce things off of and get second opinions on things I'm doing.  He just likes having someone who likes having him around.  Ok, that's not entirely true, but since he wants to be in my life he accepts my terms.  I'm still looking for the Harley and the pension plan and he's well aware of that fact.

Nate is doing really well.  He's working 7 days a week, usually 12 hr days, but he says he loves it.  He's working for a trucking company for whom he keeps 7 semi's on the road.  He's not seeing anyone, I'm not sure if that's good or not...seems like he should have a little fun instead of always working...but if he's happy, Mom's happy.

I think I mentioned a month or so back that I had to have Moon put down, she was sick and dying and there was nothing else that could be done.  Last week we lost Kit, he got hit by a car.  Nate was/is extremely mad at me as I let Kit go outside, but he could open the screen of the patio door himself so how was I to keep him in?  Nate buried him in the back yard and didn't talk to me for over a week...now he's only talking to me when it's absolutely necessary.  Sheesh.....I'm missing that damn cat as much as he is.

Moon:

Kit:

I keep reminding Sadie that it's down to her & the bird now *g*

Well...today I hope to get some carpets scrubbed, and I reckon that's not happening with me sitting here.  I hope all is well with all of you...I so miss reading you but I just don't have time to come here anymore, if I'm on the computer I'm working....sucks.

Have a splendid Sunday, Kids ~ You know I will.     

 Day 4 - Sunday - September 2, 2007.

Got up and got ready to go meet Sunny & Wil.  Made a wrong turn but managed to not make us late for church *g*  Sunny is as wonderful in real life as she is here and I really liked Wil also.  A lot of times you meet the husband of a friend and he doesn't say much but Wil joined right into the conversation.  Sunny prepared a lovely lunch of brisket, cheese grits, salad & some really yummy homemade buns.  Too soon I had to leave to get to the ballgame.

Yikes! I hate pictures of myself *L*

Onward to the ballgame...What an awesome experience!  Silver Star Families of America sponsored and gave out 150 tickets to the ballgame.  We had Vet's from World War II, Korea, Vietnam & Iraq/Afghanistan attend from the local vet home, Vernon House.

We were able to get permission & arrange for a fly over by a military helicopter, which came over the baseball field as the National Anthem came to an end.  As it flew over the announcer told the crowd about the special guests who were attending the game and that we had sponsored them to be there.  Sunny called me around the 7th inning to let me know she had seen us on the news *g*  Today we are on the front page of the News-Leader, the local paper.  http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

A wonderful time was had by all *g*  My very first ballgame...what a blast!

Day 5 - Monday - September 3, 2007

Alrighty then, getting ready to go for lunch at the local Mexican place....I don't suppose we'll be back to the hotel till late tonight as it's our last night here & we'll be out at S&D's probably late.  They're really going to hate to let us go home.  Tomorrow starts the long journey home...for me it will be a 2 day trip more than likely.  I've had a great time but I am homesick and can't wait to get back home. 

Hope everyone is enjoying their Labor day weekend.

Day 3 - Saturday - September 1, 2007.

These girls are wonderful.  Support of our soldiers attracts a people of a different breed.  Sure, you'll get those goofy troop groupies, but these girls are ones who really support our kids....they are the salt of the earth.  Three of us have had son's deploy to Iraq, with two of our sons nearly killed there. Nate is the only one now out of the Army, the other two are on their second deployment.  I am so blessed to have had this opportunity to meet them face to face and share time with them.  There has been no awkwardness, we've blended together as if we've always known one another.

Saturday was started with a group brunch at the local Chinese restaurant.  From there we moved to Steve & Diana's where we spent hours talking business and the future of SSFOA, and getting to know each other more in depth. 

We keep forgetting about dinner, ending up at IHOP at 10 PM last night and tonight.  We've had the same waitress both times...poor girl *L*

Tomorrow is the baseball game!!

Day 2 - Friday - August 31, 2007.

Rinsed spider down the drain.

The Padre and Steff arrive at my hotel and we begin our journey to Missouri.  I am following them rather than ride with them because I like to have my own vehicle, I like to smoke, and I want to go see Sunny. 

Padre is funny to try to follow.  We'll be flying along at 70 mph and suddenly we're at 50 mph and I'll see her in the side mirror, laughing and talking, with her hands flying around.   Must mention cruise control to her *L*

I've been listening to the radio instead of playing cd's.  It's fun to hear what songs are being played that aren't being played in Ohio...such as -

"It's my time, I'll waste it if I want to"
"She aint right, but she's right for me"
"You know I love it when I can be a dirty girl"

I found this station playing OLD old gospel music...got a laugh when Take it to the Lord in Prayer suddenly became We'll go Honkey Tonkin, honkey tonkin *L*

It's interesting that we were 130 miles into Missouri before I saw a visitors Welcome Center.  It was at 172 miles that I saw the first Tourist Info Center.  I guess it takes Missourians a few minutes to decide whether you are indeed welcome into their state *g*  With all the Jesus billboards I'm seeing, I'm gonna say the ACLU aint going to be finding a welcome here.

Arrived at our destination around 3:30 pm.  Our girl Debbie from Texas arrived shortly after us.  We all piled into the Padre's truck and went out to meet Steve & Diana for the very first time.  It's really cool when you get to meet, say another Xagain who you've been "friends" with for 3 yrs, but to meet people you've worked with and built an organization with completely online & phone for 3 yrs...well, it was awesome.  We spent a few hours there just talking, laughing & discussing our "Kids" and the day we had planned for them on Sunday.

Went back to the hotel to meet the other two gals who've joined us for this adventure, Carrie from Arkansas & Karen from Louisiana.  Went for some dinner and then back for sleep....It's going to be a busy weekend!

Day 1 - Thursday - August 30, 2007.

Drive to Terre Haute, Indiana proves to be uneventful.  Except for picking up that stalker at the last Rest Stop...He smiled and spoke to me in the building, followed me to the vending area and waited patiently as my cup of coffee was brewed so that he could brew his own.  Then he proceeded to follow me (hence the stalker handle) for at least a hundred miles down I-70 West, every once in a while pulling up beside me, smiling & waving as if we were old friends traveling together.  He finally exited.  I'm sure that was just to throw me off and make me believe he wasn't following me but actually had a destination of his own.  He's not foolin me. 

I love taking road trips by myself.  Gives me the opportunity to think on things that need thinkin on.  Especially when your destination is 6 hrs away.  I didn't come up with a plan to save the world today, but there's still tomorrow's 6 hr trip.

Got off at Terre Haute and couldn't find my hotel.  Millions of hotels right there on the strip, except mine.  So I went to the local Walgreens and bought a couple of things I knew I had forgotten to pack and asked the cashier if she knew where my hotel was.  She calls over a very pregnant young lady who named off 20 hotels and their locations.  Hmmmm.....wonder why she knows all of those.....Hey, just sayin... *L*

Hotel was ok, fairly clean, and besides the 4 guys on the upper level loudly drinking beer and hanging over the railing, seemed safe enough.  Noticed a little spider in the bathtub and informed him he had about 6 hrs to figure out how to work himself out of there before I took a shower in the morning.

Went to bed and woke around 3AM with a charly horse in my ankle.  Yeah, no shit, didn't know you could get a cramp in a bone *L* 

Stay tuned, it's gotta get more exciting *L*

3.5 days until I get to meet Sunny!!

3.5 days until I get to meet some very cool Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom Vets!!

How cool is that?  *g*  I am so blessed.

No question about it, you ABSOLUTELY DO make us proud.   Thank you.

Please pray for these families.....

The Department of Defense announced today the death of 14 soldiers who were
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.They died Aug. 22 in Multaka, Iraq, of
injuries suffered when their helicopter crashed.

Killed were the following soldiers assigned to the 4th Squadron, 6th U.S. Air
Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.:

Capt. Corry P. Tyler, 29, of Georgia.

Chief Warrant Officer Paul J. Flynn, 28, of Whitsett, N.C.

Sgt. Matthew L. Tallman, 30, of Groveland, Calif.

Spc. Rickey L. Bell, 21, of Caruthersville, Mo.

Also killed were the following soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division,
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii:

Capt. Derek A. Dobogai, 26, of Fond du Lac, Wis.

Staff Sgt. Jason L. Paton, 25, of Poway, Calif.

Sgt. Garrett I. McLead, 23, of Rockport, Texas.

Cpl. Jeremy P. Bouffard, 21, of Middlefield, Mass.

Cpl. Phillip J. Brodnick, 25, of New Lenox, Ill.

Cpl. Joshua S. Harmon, 20, of Mentor, Ohio.

Cpl. Nathan C. Hubbard, 21, of Clovis, Calif.

Spc. Michael A. Hook, 25, of Altoona, Penn.

Spc. Jessy G. Pollard, 22, of Springfield, Mo.

Spc. Tyler R. Seideman, 20, of Lincoln, Ark.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

OMG I am so damn busy I can't believe it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Calgon....take me awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

I'm home.  No blockages, no stints, no open heart.  Doc is pleased with what he saw, all the "grafts" from 5 yrs ago are still open and look good, but I have a lot of cholesterol in my arteries which makes it hard for the blood to flow, which causes the angina.  So he's changing some meds and adding some and is optimistic that this is all the treatment I need.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts & prayers.  I do appreciate each & every one of you.  Jeff, thank you...We, my friend, are good to go for at least another 5 yrs!!

You kids enjoy your evening - You know I will!!