Memorial Day Memories

Today actually turned out to be a pretty nice day - after the early morning rain, it warmed up nicely and I'm actually sweating as I type this. The AC is off and Mark made some chili so the place is pretty toasty. I was glad that the rain held off for the Memorial Day Parades and Ceremonies - it's a really important tradition that I'm glad hasn't gotten totally lost in the commercial-ness of the world today. Not that I mind the cook-outs and beach parties and all of that - that is really cool as well, but it's also important to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy. It's like Easter - love the chocolate bunnies and colored eggs, but I need to stop to recognize the true gift God gave of his Son to give us our eternal freedom!

It's been another busy month and I can't believe (well actually with my track record I CAN believe) that I haven't posted since early May. Mother's Day was really nice -we actually went to Blackberry Corners, which is not a usual Mother's Day place that we go to, but it was yummy! And the place was packed - looks like others had the same idea we did.

Last Saturday some of us from our old Supply Warehouse Days at Camp Perry (like 12 years ago) got together to visit our former boss. We had a ball telling stories and showing pictures and generally reminiscing.

My Sister had to have surgery on her birthday - doesn't that bite? Thankfully everything went well and she is home from the hospital. My folks went to Florida to visit and help take care of her for a few days. I wished I could've gone as well, but I might try to visit in a month or so when she's able to be up and around before she goes back to work. Mark and I mowed the folks' place yesterday and wow - I forgot what a chore mowing can be. The weather was so nice though, so it was actually a perfect day for it. I just can't believe that the folks still do it and do it so well - Dad's mowing lines are arrow straight - my lines are crooked as heck and I swear I hadn't been drinking!

I had to post a picture just for grins and tickles - this is one I took near Tucson when we were there last month. The picture doesn't even do it justice, but it's pretty neat just the same.

Time to walk the dog and then get ready for bed - another interesting day lies ahead at work tomorrow.

I really am still alive

Can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted. I have been back for a few weeks now, but there's been such a hodgepodge of funny things going on that I've been falling into bed each night saying I've got to get on my blog. Now I'm waiting for my uniform to dry so that I can iron it for tomorrow's big meeting and I finally thought that this will be the perfect time to post. The Arizona trip was a blast - I'm going to try to post a few pix from it - simply beautiful out there. The following weekend we ended up going to Charlotte, North Carolina, and back, in two days, with a truck full of people - what a hoot. Then last weekend was drill and that is always a ton of fun and activity. Today is the first day in over a month that I've taken time to slow down and breathe. It's been a heck of a ride but I can't complain a bit. Life is good - hectic and stressful - but good!

Slackin' Again

What is it with my continued sporadic posting? Work has been extra-special busy lately and I've been taking a taped course as well at home after work so it just seems that I have less and less time. I have great respect for families with two jobs, children, pets and college classes - I truly don't know how they do it. I can barely keep up with one job, one fiance and one dog. I'm not complaining though - life is good and there is never a dull moment for sure.

I took today off for my birfday - we're meeting the folks for an early dinner at Biaggi's in Levis Commons today - can't wait! I'm also going to be offline for a few weeks - making a run for the border as part of Operation Jump Start - our unit is building roads along the border fence. We'll be in Arizona at the perfect time of year - nice and warm but not Africa hot.

Thank God we're starting to see the sun again and seeing some warming of the weather - I absolutley love snow but I must admit I'm ready for spring for sure. Mom and Noah and I went for a walk last Sunday in hopes of soaking up some spring weather but instead we encountered muddy walking trails and rain, but we had such fun. At one point we had to traverse a "river" - we took big branches and put them down to make a bridge of sorts - we ended up wet and cold and muddy - the dog looked like a junk yard dog but we laughed and laughed and realized that we still had quite the sense of adventure left in us - too bad we didn't take some pictures - what a memorable day!

I'm hoping to be able to post while I'm gone but knowing me and knowing the fast-paced deployments we have I'm not sure it will be possible. When I return I'll hafta describe this latest adventure. I've been to Arizona before but never for this type of work. I guess there's an Ostrich Farm - Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Farm - somewhere around where we'll be so maybe I can check it out too . . . . the excitement never ends

He Is Risen

Happy Easter! The snow is slowly melting but we got a "punch" Friday night. It was some heavy stuff too but it sure was pretty! I remember a few Easters in my lifetime where it snowed and I remember a few where it was almost hot. Either way, the ham is in the oven and the house smells great - Yum Yum!

It was another busy week but last weekend was great! Last Sunday we went to see Mark's daughter Heather at BGSU - we had lunch at EasyStreet Cafe. I LOVE that place! We used to go there all the time when I went to BG and it was like returning home. Heather showed us her apartment - very nice - and she seems to be really enjoying school. I can't believe she's almost done with her first year already!

Mark and I then headed over to Levis Commons in Perrysburg to meet up with Mom and my niece Staci. She had surprised us by flying in on Friday to spend the weekend with the Folks. We met at Books A Million - love that place too! Then we went to Johnny Rockets for an early dinner. Yep, we did a lot of eating that day - that always makes me happy!

No Fake

I've been trying to post for at least a week - I don't know if it's something with my service at the house or blogger or Google or what, but I've had a helluva time even getting to the sign in page. Been meaning to post about so many things but now I'm at a loss because I'm stunned that I actually got on to post. As always, many things are going on, especially with work, but overall, all is well. Can you believe last Tuesday's ice storm and then the almost blizzard on Saturday? Too Cool! We went to the Country Keg in Graytown on Sunday and they were packed with sleds - made me homesick to ride again.

Now that I'm finally on to post, I'm finding myself too tired and lazy to say anything of importance. Actually, I've very rarely said anything of real importance on this thing. I just like to "hear" myself ramble I guess. If I'm not too lazy tomorrow I might just post about this germ fear issue I've been having - betcha can't wait for that!

Pray for me - gotta go to the dentist in the am - I've got a really great dentist but I've got something wrong with a filling, I think, and I've never gone to this guy for anything other than a cleaning. Thankfully I've not had a cavity in several years. I'm a little nervous about the visit. I'm just hoping they don't have to pull a tooth or do a root canal - I'm good with just about anything shy of that . . . .

Snowy Day

Susie took these pictures at work yesterday - wasn't the snow just absolutely beautiful? It was so cool that I just wanted to stay home and play in it all day. Today it's just too darn cold to hang outside for any length of time . . . .

A Treat for the Senses

Not only are they beautiful to look at but they smell Incredible! It was such a lovely surprise for Valentine's Day because Mark was out of town in another time zone - Guam - where it's actually almost tomorrow already - and I just thought that with him being so busy there that he might have forgotten the big day. Since he did such an excellent job over Christmas I figured he'd get a couple of freebies if he forgot a holiday or two for a while. But he didn't forgot - he did an awesome job! And here I thought I was the sneaky one for putting a card in his luggage without him knowing. He has outdone me again!