I GOT A LETTER, I GOT A LETTER

Oh yes I did... YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.... Do y'all remember when I posted the mutliple choice letter that I sent to Matt. Well, I've got not only that one but another one I sent. Here they are!!!! His answers are in red. He also wrote me a little note on the back. Hey Momma, Things here are going ok. We start BWT's A-line next week so you probably won't get any letters. Oh yeash, the Drill Instructiors can see what you write on the sites and they do know Dixiechick. HA ... It don't bother me that bad though because you are not the only mom. I've lost about 30 - 35 lbs. I weigh 170 or so now and I'm gonna loose more weight. So we will just have to wait and stop somewhere on the way home to get civilian cloths. But I gotta go for now. I'll write again whenever I can. Matt FIRST ONE... 1. What size jeans will you need? NO CLUE 2. What size shirt? ­ NO CLUE 3. When you made arrangements for getting home, you did tell them that you would be riding back with the family? Yes X No 4. Do you want me to send you a calling card for Recruit Liberty Sunday? Yes X No I’ll buy one on base 5. Did you pass your swim quals? Yes X No 6. Who is your rack mate? Sims Where is he from? Alabama 7. Do you want your tennis shoes too? No 8. Have you passed all of your written test? Yes X No 9. What was your rifle range score? 199 out of 250 10. What food do you crave the most? Cheese Dip & Bud Light 11. What’s the first thing you want to do when you get home? Sleep till daylight and drink sweet tea, oh yea and a beer and a dip 12. What was the highlight of your day today? Getting quarterdecked multiple times 13. After graduation, do you want to come straight home or can we go to the beach for a few days? Don’t matter as long as I’m off Parris Island 14. Your SDI’s favorite term of endearment for you is BITCH 15. How many times now have you been quarter-decked? A. ZERO – phew! B. I’ve lost count C. I volunteer to be quarter-decked on a regular basis, so probably about a hundred by now. D. OTHER 1,000,000 16. Which of the following is part of a General Order? A. To walk my post in a military manner B. To enforce all violations C. To quit my post when I am good and ready D. To engage in chit-chat with anyone walking by. 17. Describe the Sand Pit. A. A lovely beach area where we can sunbath, build sand castles and enjoy little umbrella drinks. B. Another word for HELL. C. Other (explain please) 18. Now that you are at the end of Phase II, if you could pick one word to describe your boot camp experience so far, what would it be? HELL SECOND LETTER 1. During swim qualification you had to: A. Properly execute a belly flop. B. Demonstrate proficiency at synchronized swimming while keeping your rifle above water at all times. C. Train in full combat gear, which includes a rifle, helmet, flak jacket and pack. - MINUS RIFLE D. Engage in a game of Marco Polo. E. Other (please explain)_____________________________________________. 2. During Pugil Stick exercises you: A. Successfully kicked your opponents butt. B. Your opponent successfully kicked your butt. C. Your instructor kicked all of your butts. D. Other (please explain) Pretty much a tie. 3. Recruits must qualify shooting in varied positions. Circle the correct positions. A. Sitting B. Kneeling C. Armchair D. Prone E. Standing 4. Zeroing-In is: A. The ability to hit the target dead center at 500 yards without using the scope. B. The ability to group all shots within a 9 minute angle. C. A board game. 5. Your rifle is your: A. Weapon B. Friend C. One more thing I have to lug with me while marching, eating, marching, sleeping, marching, drilling, marching………. 6. At the end of Firing Week, awards are given for: A. The most creative designs shot on the target. B. Hitting the target. C. Not hitting the SDI. 7. For the endurance course you had to: A. Prepare by getting 12 hours of sleep the night before. B. Stare nose to nose with your SDI for 5 minutes without blinking AND breaking a sweat. C. Suck it up and push through it ….. OOHRAH! D. Other (please explain)___________________________________________ 8. After taking apart your M-16A2 rifle, how much time do you have to put it back together? A. There is no time limit. B. 30 seconds. C. One minute. D. Other (please explain) About a heartbeat. 9. What is the purpose of a conditioning march? A. To increase the recruits stamina and confidence. B. To determine what kind of condition the recruit is in. C. It has absolutely no purpose what-so-ever other than another excuse for the DI’s to torture us. 10. Drill is mainly used to: A. Give the DI’s more excuses to yell at us when we screw up! B. Instill discipline, team pride and unit cohesion. C. Both A and B. 11. The Drill Instructor’s Highway is: A. A song. B. The aisle down the middle of the squad bay between the rows of bunk beds. C. The name of a road at MCRD. 12. What are the “daily sevens”? A. Seven more ways the DI’s find to make our lives miserable on a daily basis. B. Times a day we get to break for lattes. C. Sets of exercises. 13. What is the “daily 16”? A. Conditioning exercises. B. 16 more hours of the day the DI’s have to torture us. C. The minimum number of times we can be quarter-decked each day. D. A 16 minute power nap we take at 1PM each afternoon. E. 16 minutes of one-on-one bonding time with the SDI.

A few of my thoughts

First of all I want to apologize for not making daily blog rounds. I feel so guilty not visiting like I use too. This is a temporary setback ... I'll be back to my old self soon.... I hope. Someone told me the other day that I too have been in boot camp along with Matt. I know that I haven't had someone screaming at me every waking moment but I do believe that they called it "Marine Momma Boot Camp." Well let me tell you ... I DON'T LIKE IT!!!!!! What am I referring to? Well I'm going to tell you. As of today, it's been 2 1/2 weeks since I have received a letter from Matt. Yes, I KNOW that he is extremely busy. All I ask is that he drop a line or two ... something like this ... Momma, I'm still in the land of the living Love you, Matt Is this to much to ask for? I have found myself very depressed the last week or so. Actually, I do believe that it started the week of his rifle qualifications. I cry at anything ... a commercial on t.v., a song on the radio, just a simple thought. Last night, around 9:00, I was driving to the store. There was the most beautiful full moon. I stopped at the end of the drive, stared at the moon and cried. I was thinking of Matt at that very moment... what was he doing, was he ok, was his feet dry, did he have enough to eat, had he already turned in for the night? If he was sleeping, was he comfortable? Was he thinking of us? Just basically was he ok? I know he is ... and yes I guess I'm over reacting... and yes I know I'm going to hear from a lot of people ... this is a momma thing... he's ok... I know these things... but I still DON'T LIKE IT... and you can't make me like it either. Yesterday, I received an e-mail from a wonderful lady, who is a Marine Mother of 2 ... I visited her site and found a very long list of "You know your a Marine Mom when".... here a few that I pulled out that has been a part of MY boot camp training. Your last good night's sleep was 6 months before he left for bootcamp. You have finally resigned yourself to the fact that Marine mail is delivered seasonally rather than daily. You can't quite figure out what non-Marine mothers worry about You will get in a high speed chase just to catch up with someone's Marine Corps bumper sticker. You tear up every time you see someone in uniform. When the post office personnel know you by your first name. You have a bad day at work and your co-workers serenade you with the Marine Hymn and give you a red rose and the whole office is crying. When watching the West Wing you care nothing about the plot, you are just peering closely to see the Marines in dress blues at the White House. When you try to read aloud to others the "You know you are a Marine mom when..." list you can't because of the lump in your throat and the tears in your eyes. You go out to your mail box with your reading glasses and a letter opener. You sleep with your phone in your hand. You stalk a man at the grocery store in a Marine cap so you can tell him about your Marine. You find a way to work into every conversation that your son/daughter is a Marine. "Would you like to supersize that ma'am?" "No, but speaking of super, did you know that my son is a Marine?" Please forgive me for my venting today. I just had to get this off my chest. SMOOCHES~

Countdown continues ...

539 hours until Matt walks on the parade deck.... 24 days left before graduation! 23 days until I see my Marine! 22 days until I leave for PI!!!! Yes, it does only seem like yesterday that I... We.... sent Matt off to boot camp. I can't believe how time truly does fly. This is going to be a very hard week for Matt and all the other recruits. This is the week that you see many people mention that their recruits said was harder than the crucible even. Plus they get to sleep under the stars all week. Matt is in Lead Series so yesterday he had classes on target engagement (multiple, moving) and a review of snap in (in case they forgot) Today he will continue A Line- continue classes and preparing for combat firing- prequalification day for the combat firing that they learned yesterday. Tomorrow he will experience the Gas Chamber and qualification day for the combat firing. They will get a class on the gas chamber and the gas mask and how to properly wear it and use it. Then they all line up outside the gas chamber with their masks properly strapped to their waist in the pouch. Just before entering the gas chamber they will put it on and make sure they have a good seal around their face. Then they will file in to the gas chamber and watch as the NBC tech breaks open some tablets of CS gas (tear gas) on the little burner. Once the fizziling has stopped then they all have to take a deep breath and hold it and close their eyes and lift their masks up to their foreheads so that all the DIs and Series Commanders can see everyones eyes (closed still) sometimes this can take a little bit if one of the recruits has a problem. Once they see everyones eyes they allow them to "Don and Clear their masks" (put them back on and clear the gas out by making a good seal again). They then turn and grasp the shoulder of the person in front of them and play follow the leader to the outside of the chamber. Once outside they can take off their masks and air out a little. But meanwhile the CS has really opened their sinuses and they definitely are not a pretty sight as they come out of the chamber with tears and runny noses that are involuntary. Tomorrow, Land Navigation classes (how to use a compass, how to pace count, how to use their knowledge at night, etca Practical Application of Land Navigation during the daya Practical Application of Land Navigation at night. Friday, Continue BWT- Day Movement Class (moving about during the day without being detected) - Class on hand and arms signals- Day Movement Practical Application (crawl thru tunnels, under barb wire, crawl on their bellies, camoflauge and concealment, crawl over walls, thru woods, etc without being detected)- cass on different combat formations (i.e. fireteam formations)- Then the same course they did during the day under low light conditions. Saturday continues BWT for everyone- Combat Endurance Course (a 2.5 mi course which they have to use everything they learned in the last week, how to negotiate thru woods without making a sound as a squad, negotiate obstacles such as tunnels and walls and barbed wire and up and over obstacles such as cargo nets and monkey bars over a mud puddle -- to simulate going from tree branch to tree branch)- practice some drill in preparation for final drill. So please keep him in your prayers. Looks like he's going to be very, very busy this week.

Things Marines Never Say to a Drill Instructor

I really didn't have a post for today. I'm not really in any mood for one. I found this and thought that I would post it ... only 24 more days till I see my son ... I'm wondering if he ever said any of these things to his Drill Instructor? Things Never to say to a Drill Instructor * My recruiter wanted me to tell you to be especially nice to me. * I want my mommy. *Okay, you can stop yelling anytime you want. * I can't wait to graduate and be a real soldier! * I should've joined the Navy. * You want me to do what? * Dude. * My Mom (or Recruiter) said you aren't allowed to swear at me. * Where's my stress card? (I stand corrected, always associated with beinga "Army thing" but apparently actuallya "Navy thing" , had a very nasty guestbook entry because of this!) * I'm a reservist and I'm just doing this for college money. * I'm going to be an MP. * Yes, Drill Sergeant! (definite NO NO!)

28 days and couting

Can you believe it? In 28 days my son will be a United States Marine. Can you believe how time has flown by? When I let go of my little boy on July 23 I thought that it would be an eternity until I saw him again. I never realized how fast the time would fly. I would like to ask each and everyone of you to pray especially hard starting October 11 - 13 as this is when Matt and his fellow recruits will go through the crucible. What is the crucible, you may ask ... well ... The Crucible emphasizes trainee teamwork under very high stress. Matt and his other fellow recruits will only get eight hours of sleep during the entire 54 hour exercise. They get two-and-a-half MREs and they are responsible for rationing out the food to themselves. Then they are put through tough physical activities like road marches and night infiltration courses. They march about 40 miles in those 54 hours. Once they have finished, they will have successfully earned the title of United States Marine. Here is a prayer that I have found that I have already sent to Matt. I am hoping that he takes it with him when the embarks on this journey. A mom's crucible prayer When you awoke this morning to begin the crucible, Did you know I walked every step with you that was possible? When you humped all those miles over rough terrain, Did you know I was by your side again? When your rations were low and your belly was hungry, Did you know that I wished it wasn't you but instead it was me? When your feet ached and blistered from stress, Did you know that I was carrying you deep in my chest? When you were tired and sore and almost ready to fall, Did you realize I would have carried it all? When you had little sleep and your eyes were red, Did you know I would have given you my bed? When you had to push and pull for that extra mile, Did you know that I was so proud and so tall with such a big smile? When you went to boot camp, I went to one too, It is the one where mom’s worry over all you go through. I couldn't eat dessert, knowing that you had no treats, I felt guilty for wanting a pedicure, when you had tired feet. I anguished over every tough moment, I thought you had,I cried when I missed you, I cried when I was sad.I cried over your letters, that declared your love for "MOM" I cried over thinking about the day you would come home. I cringed if I thought someone was yelling at you Even though I knew it's what they do. I lost sleep just wondering how you are. I prayed and thought and even wished upon a star. Now you’re almost through and soon you will be one of THE FEW THE PROUD, a new Marine! I get an honor too, for going through the boot camp for MOM'S I get to hug and hold you in my arms. I get to see how handsome you really areI get my bright shining star No I don't get a medal or a pin to wear I don't get to sport that awesome Marine hair My reward is one that can't be seen It's called "Being the Mom of a U.S. Marine" ! SMOOCHES~

Peace Globe and a request...

I have finally finished my newest Peace Globe ... I sent it to Mimi, but will definitely make a new one once Matt has graduated from basic training. Graduation is October 19, 2007. I would like to ask a favor of each of y'all, please. For those who made those wonderful post to Matt and me as he was leaving for Parris Island, can you please e-mail them to me? I would love to put those in a scrap book that I am making for him. If you need my e-mail addy just let me know. Thank you ALL so very much for all the love and support that y'all have shown me so far. I have just began traveling this road of military life ... the road of a Marine momma ... but no way could I have ever made it this far without all my friends ... SMOOCHES~

When I am famous ...

I am 'borrowing' this from Toni over at Special K aka AIR FORCE WIFE, who 'borrowed' it from Dana who borrowed it from someone else: 1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Splash Ford 2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip 3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) (I had to put that apostrophe in there otherwise, it just looked funky)L'Caff 4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Det. Green Dog 5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Ann Lauderdale 6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) CaffLe 7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Purple Dew 8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Edward Lloyd 9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Victorias Secret Heavenly Starburst 10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Ann Lee (this wouldn't work for me as I'm already named after my mother & father ... 11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Nelson Naples 12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Christmas Daisy 13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Apple Pantie 14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Oatmeal Oak 15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) "The Sleeping Sunshine Tour" I'm not gonna tag anyone as Toni didn't ... but if you would like to do this, just let me know so I can read it. SMOOCHES~

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!!! My MOST FAVORITE time of the year! Happy Fall Ya'll this beautiful fall morning from the great State of Tennessee. The picture is from the Cataloochee Creek in the Great Smokey Mountains in East Tennessee. If you are planning a fall vacation, I highly suggest that you make a trip to the mountains. They are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! For more information, you can go to http://www.nps.gov/grsm What???? O. J. Simpson in the news again? This time for robbery? Does this surprise me? Absolutely NOT. Do I think he did it? From the reports that I have read, Yes I do. Hey, he has already gotten away with murder .... wonder if he will be able to get away with robbery? Time will tell... Still no word from Matt... I have learned to live with the mind set of "No news is good news". Yes, I had heard that if they qualified as sharpshooter or better on Friday that they would get a 5 minute phone call home. I did not get that phone call. I am not upset about it because I know that the DI's and giveth and the DI's can taketh away. They are a little like God in that you know. I WILL NOT talk about the Tennessee Volunteers game on Saturday other than they got their butts handed to them ... I am debating on whether or not to tell Matt in today's letter. I may just say that Florida beat them and not tell him the score till he gets home... he definitely doesn't need any depressing news ... well, that's all I'm going to say about that. Still auditing at work ... really busy this week. I will try to post every day, but can't promise anything. Oh, did I mention that the countdown has started till Matt becomes a US Marine ... 31 DAYS .... now let's say it together 31 MORE DAYS!!!!! WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO SMOOCHES~

Short post

Since I'm terribly busy at work and I may not get to post the rest of the week ... short post ... and it is FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!! ... so with my apologies to anyone who is a *cough, cough* Florida fan .... Three SEC football fans were out for a ride when one noticed a foot sticking out of the bushes by the side of the road. They stopped and discovered a nude female, dead drunk. Out of respect and propriety, the Georgia fan took off his cap and placed it over her right breast. The Tennessee fan took off his cap and placed it over her left breast. Following their lead, but with some grumbling, the Florida fan took off his cap and placed it over her ' daisy.' The police were called and when the officer arrived, he conducted his inspection. First, he lifted up the Georgia cap, replaced it, and wrote down some notes. Next, he lifted the Tennessee cap, replaced it, and wrote down some more notes. The officer then lifted the Florida cap, replaced it, then lifted it again, replaced it, lifted it a third time, and replaced it one last time. The Florida fan was becoming annoyed and finally asked, 'What are you, a pervert or something? Why do you keep lifting and looking, lifting and looking? 'Well,' said the officer, 'I am simply surprised. Normally when I look under a Florida hat, I find an asshole. GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!

I promised Lois that I would have pictures of Kaitlin up today for Wordless Wednesday... but the football game was cancelled last night because of that wonderful stuff called rain. Not much time for a post... starting an internal audit today ... boss is breathing down my neck... funny thing, I've been waiting on him for two weeks to get HIS head out of his ass.... Kaitlin will have a ballgame tomorrow night and Lois, I promise I will get them up. Since I don't have much time for posting, I've gone into my saved e-mails and here is a funny for ya... On their wedding night, the young bride approached her new husband andasked for $20.00 for their first lovemaking encounter. In his highly arousedstate, her husband readily agreed. This scenario was repeated each time they made love, for more than 30years, with him thinking that it was a cute way for her to afford new clothes andother incidentals that she needed. Arriving home around noon one day, she was surprised to find her husband in a very drunken state. During the next few minutes, he explained that hisemployer was going through a process of corporate downsizing, and he hadbeen let go. It was unlikely that, at the age of 59, he'd be able to find another position that paid anywhere near what he'd been earning, and therefore, they were financially ruined. Calmly, his wife handed him a bank book which showed more than thirty years of steady deposits and interest totaling nearly$1 million. Then she showed him certificates of deposits issued by the bank which were worth over $2 million, and informed him that they were one of the largest depositors in the bank. She explained that for the more than three decades she had "charged" him for sex, these holdings had multiplied and these were the results of her savings and investments. Faced with evidence of cash and investments worth over $3 million, her husband was so astounded he could barely speak, but finally he found his voice and blurted out, "If I'd had any idea what you were doing, I wouldh ave given you all my business!" That's when she shot him. You know, sometimes, men just don't know when to keep their mouth shut! Have a great day everyone!!!! SMOOCHES~

Blogaversary, Happy Birthday Daddy, Letter from Matt

One year ago today, I decided to jump on this blogging wagon. I've never been a writer ... still not a very good one, but the friends that I have made... This year, however the tragic events hold a different meaning to me. I believe that because of these events is one of the main reasons that my son wanted to be a Marine ... To fight for what he believed in ... our great country! Today is a very sad day for everyone. I can remember it like it was yesterday, I started my morning routine, called my Dad to wish him Happy Birthday and headed out the door for my 45 minute commute to work. I remember where I was when I first heard the news of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. I was sitting at a red light, listening to a local morning radio show, when Rusty Mac, who passed away a couple of years ago, said "A plane has just flown into the World Trade Center." I froze.... the light changed and I couldn't move. I remember someone honking their horn for me to go. The very first thought I had was, Oh Lord....how could this be possible. How could an experienced pilot not see the towers? Then I thought, could this be an act of terrorism? I rushed to work only to find those who had gotten to work before me already had heard the news and had the television on watching. As I stood there with the rest of my co-workers watching the first tower burn, I could not believe what I was about to witness. As the 2nd plane crashed into the 2nd building, my knees buckled and my heart broke. How could this be happening? Why? What monster is responsible for this? I cried, my heart went out to thousands of families and people that I would never know. I called my Mom and Dad that morning asking them if they were watching tv. They were.... I told my Mom and Dad that I loved them. Now as I sit here today, 6 years later, my heart still breaks. Not only is it a very sad day for the tragedy of 911, but a sad day for me. My Dad would have been 74 years old today. Daddy passed away Sunday, September 3, 2006. WE SHALL NEVER FORGET! I love you Daddy! Letter from Matt - Momma, Hey sorry I haven't wrote in a long time. I've been busy. I've either been working out during free time or getting ready for the next day. Tell everyone of your friends that I appreciate the stamps and letters. I've just forgot who sent what. Yea, I've got your questions I've just haven't had time. Tell Kaitlin I'm proud of her becoming a cheerleader and to stick int here. This week is Grass Week which is where they teach us how to shoot and next week is fire week where we actually shoot. I weighed 208 by the time I hydrated and ate and got here and now I weigh 185. I only gotta loose 4 pounds till I'm at USMC enlisted standards. Well I gotta go now. I gotta work out. Tell everyone I love them and tell Don Johnson I said Semper Fi and tell Kaitlin I lover her. ** Don Johnson is a retired Marine who lives in our small town.... If I had been home yesterday when the mail arrived I would have kissed the mailman... I do feel some better now knowing that he's still alive and doing good. I am assuming that he has passed everything so far as he didn't mention it... 5 short Wednesday's and we leave for Parris Island 5 short Thursday's and it's Family Day - I will get to see my son for the first time since July 23 5 short Friday's and my son will be a United States Marine!!! SMOOCHES~

Manic Monday Thank you Mo for CLUE. I didn't have a CLUE what I would do for Manic Monday. I did, however, think of one of my favorite board games that even today I still love to play. It's CLUE... CLUE Game by Parker Brothers/Hasbro GamesClue, the original mystery board game. The classic detective game as you wondering was it Colonel Mustard in the Conservatory with the Candlestick? Or was it Mrs. Scarlet in the Library with the knife... It is definitely a classic game of Whodunit? Where? With what? Solve a fascinating new mystery every time you play this classic detective game that relies on your sleuthing ability to deduce the culprit, the scene of the crime, and the murder weapon. A favorite for nearly 50 years.

What is a son

Because I am missing my son so very much ... Because it's only 6 more Friday's till Matt becomes a Marine ... Because I can... WHAT IS A SON? A son is a warm spot in your heart and a smile on your lips. In the beginning, he is charmingly innocent, putting his complete trust in you. He comes to you for a hand to hold and for the security only your arms can provide. He shares his tales of adventure and knows how proud you are of his discoveries and accomplishments. All his problems can be solved by a hug and a kiss from you, and the bond you share is so strong it is almost tangible... Time passes, and your innocent little boy starts to test his limits. He lets go of your hand to race into the midst of life without thinking ahead or looking both ways. His problems have grown along with him, and he has learned that you can't always make his life better or kiss his troubles away. He spends much of his time away from you, and though you long for the closeness you once shared, he chooses independence and privacy. Discoveries and accomplishments aren't as easy to come by now, and sometimes he wonders about his worth. But you know the worth of that young man. He is your past and your future. He is hopes and dreams that have made it through each and every disappointment and failure. In your heart, your son is precious and treasured. Together, you struggled through the years trying to find the right amount of independence for each new stage of his life, until finally, you had to learn to let him go. Now you put your trust in him, leaving that son whom you hold so dear totally in his own care. You hope he always remembers that you have a hand for him to hold and arms to provide comfort or support. Most of all, you hope that he believes in himself as much as you believe in him, and that he knows how much you love him. Have a great weekend!!! SMOOCHES~

One more day ...

I am so thankful that it's Thursday. One more day and it's the weekend!!!!! I don't have much time for posting this morning... just wanted to let y'all know that I'm alive and fairly well. I've got some physical things going on with me that I am going to have to find out about. I so physically tired... I'm tired to the bone ... so I'm going to make a doctor's appointment today and try to get in soon. It's been two weeks since I have received any letters from Matt. I know he's busy. They went on a small 6 mile march Saturday and are stationed in another squadbay for this week and next. He is learning the correct firing positions this week and will go to the firing range next week. Yes, we are at the half way point... only 6 more Thursday's till Family Day and 6 more Friday's until he becomes a United States Marine... Received this in an e-mail yesterday... here I am leaving you with a little funny today. An airplane was about to crash. There were 5 passengers on board, but only 4 parachutes. The 1st passenger said, "I am Kobe Bryant, the best NBA basketball player. The Lakers need me, and I can't afford to die." So he took the 1st pack and left the plane. The 2nd passenger, Hillary Clinton said, "I am the wife of a former U.S. President, a NY State Senator and a potential future president. And, I am the smartest woman in American history, so America's people don't want me to die." She took the 2nd pack and jumped out of the plane. The 3rd passenger, Ted Kennedy, said "I am a U.S. Senator, the Democratic Party needs me and my liver still has some good years left. So he grabbed the pack next to him and jumped. The 4th passenger, Billy Graham, said to the 5th passenger, a 10 year old schoolgirl, "I am old and frail and don't have many years left, and as a Christian I will sacrifice my life and let you have the last parachute." The girl said, "That's okay. There's a parachute left for you. America's smartest woman took my school bag." and one for the road... Just bought a new Lexus, you know the one that parks itself, but I had to go back to the dealer the next day because I couldn't get the radio to work. The salesman explained that the radio was voice activated. "Nelson," the salesman said to the radio. The Radio replied, "Ricky or Willie?" "Willie!" he continued and "On the Road Again" came from the speakers. Then he said, "Ray Charles," and in an instant "Georgia on My Mind" replaced Willie Nelson. I drove away happy, and for the next few days, every time I'd say, "Soggy Bottom Boys," I'd get beautiful bluegrass music. If I said "Beatles," I'd get one of their awesome songs. Yesterday, a couple ran a red light and nearly creamed my new car, but I swerved in time to avoid them as I shouted "Ass Holes!" Immediately the French National Anthem began to play, sung by Jane Fonda and Barbara Streisand, backed up by Michael Moore and The Dixie Chicks, with John Kerry on guitar, Al Gore on drums, Dan Rather on harmonica, Nancy Pelosi on tambourine, Harry Reid on spoons, Bill Clinton on sax and Ted Kennedy on Scotch. Golly, I LOVE this car. SMOOCHES~

Its' a Viral Thing

Mother's Home Story... Its a Viral Thing Rules: 1. Copy and paste the story below, and the rules, on your blog. 2. Find out who you're going to tag. (2-3 people, or more, if you wish) 3. Write one or two sentences to continue the story, and use the titles of the blogs you're tagging or any word(s) associated with them as keywords in the links you include in your part of the story. 4. Remember to tell your taggees that you've tagged them! 5. Feel free to use this and start your own viral link story. I'd very much appreciate a link back to Mothers Home! if you do. (Or a tag, if you prefer!) Mothers Home! the cave troll yelled. I have been out all day strangling chickens like CRAZY! for the evil Empress. All i want now is a MOment to myself, but i keep getting Linda talking Drivel, but that is better than a certain someone Mooing.Then suddenly what should appear but the NOT evil Empress and all her strangled chickens and Mags cooked them all up and made us a lovely cake to eat. Gracie wanted all the cake for herself but the NOT evil Empress was able to hack off a good sized slab for herself!!! ha ha ha Gracie belched loudly after eating all the scrumptious cake that Mags had baked and watched Callie scrappin' with Sarge about who was gonna win Big Brother 8. Sarge started humming "Dixie," and almost choked on the bite of cake in his mouth! So he got some coffee to go to wash down the cake. The coffee helped a bit but he had to vocalize before he started singing again so he began, "Mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi..." On the other side of the blogsphere, Dixie and TURNBABY were busy making plans to attend the annual Taylor Hicks concert in Birmingham. So many shoes.... which ones to take... After they had finally decided on what shoes to take and the packing, they just had to take a few minutes and relax ... BOND invited them to have a seat on The Big Leather Couch so they could call ANNDI and let her know what they were taking, where to meet and what time. All of a sudden there was a loud burst of laughter outside the couch area ... Dixie, Turnbaby, Bond and Anndi jumped from the couch and ran to the door to see what in the world could be going on. Why it was Sandee from COMEDY PLUS . She was laughing so hard ... she had just seen the movie with Linda, ARE WE THERE YET?

In loving memory of Kenneth Brush

09/11/1933 - 09/03/2006 MY DADDY My daddy ran a mom and pop type grocery store most of his life, 40 years to be exact. There was a lot of things that my daddy had to deal with in his life. My daddy was not only the best dad around, but he was the best man around. My daddy was known around our area for not only his grocery store, but for doing people honest, and doing no matter what the job was, he done it right the first time. My daddy would spend quality time with us kids even if it meant we could help him at the store. In his time away from the store we would take family vacactions, we would ride horses, go fishing, or hunting, but whatever we did we had fun together. Daddy always liked to play games and pranks with us. My daddy taught us kids our Christian values at our grocery store. My daddy never made much money at the grocery store, but we were always happy. My daddy always found a way to buy the things we needed if it meant staying open longer each day or opening up after church on Sunday but one things for certain he always made time for God. After 40 years at the store he one day he had to give it all up, for all those long hard days of work had caught up with his health. What I miss the most about my daddy was our talks, for he would tell me about when he was young. How he got played basketball as a young man, how he married the love of his life, how he worked so hard to start a wonderful family, how he prayed that God would send him the three children he had to make his life complete. For you see, my older brother was my daddy's natural child, but my younger brother and I were adopted. God knew what he was doing when he gave us our dad. Although my daddy is gone, he still lives, for he lives through us. There are so many things that he did or said that I find myself saying and doing. He made such an impact on our lives ... He made me the person that I am today.