Monday, May 25, 2009

Happy Memorial Day 2009


Last year on Memorial Day, I wrote about the history of the holiday and yesterday, a friend of mine also wrote an awesome post about a military hero whom he never even met. But this year, I'm thinking about funerals, military funerals to be exact.

Recently my paternal grandfather passed away. Unfortunately, I didn't know him as well as I would have liked to. Although he was a vet of the Korean conflict, he did not have a military funeral, but the flag was neatly folded there in his casket. As a sailor in Hawaii, he created maps for those on the ground out of the pictures the spy planes took.


I hate funerals. Even when you believe that the deceased has had a wonderfully full life and is going on to a better place, it is a sad event for all. The worst funerals though, for me at least, are military funerals. Even if I did not know the fallen, as soon as I hear the guns and Taps, I'm lost in a flood of tears.


Tears of sadness, and tears of pride. Pride in my country and my country's military men and women who have all volunteered and are out there standing guard to help protect me, my family, and my friends, often at great risk to themselves.


I'm afraid of many things, spiders being one of them, but my biggest fear is having to hear Taps at my husband's funeral while a sailor in a crisp dress uniform hands me a folded flag "on behalf of a grateful nation."


Unfortunately, due to my husband's chosen career path, wills and funeral arrangements are something that we have been forced to talk about at an age much younger and sooner than many. He wants a military funeral with a big party afterwards. A party, not a reception; complete with alchol and music, dancing and laughing. He wants those left behind to celebrate his life and remember the good, rather than mourn and be sad. I've often laughed (half heartedly) and told him that I'm not sure I can pull that one off. He usually just hugs me and tells me that "Teddy, Abdul, and the guys will take care of it, don't worry." Then he laughs and reminds me of the promise I made him make that he can't die until after I do anyway :)

I've gone off on a tangent again and let this post get away from me, so I will just simply end it with the lyrics of Taps, a heartfelt "THANK YOU" to all who have ever worn a military uniform and put their life in danger for the sake of me and others, and a wish for everyone to have a wonderful Memorial Day.


Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest;
God is nigh.

Then goodnight, peaceful night;
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright.
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, goodnight.



(and all other branches)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Stupid Joke Thursday

A little while back, my school had our annual talent show. One of the jokes that the 5th grade MC said has stuck in the minds (and apparently the hearts) of ALL of the kids so I thought I would share it. I doubt it will be as funny written as it is orally - especially when you see the kids who have added a little dance to the punch line - but maybe, just maybe, by posting this I'll get it out of MY head!

Ok...

Ready?

What do you get when you cross a brown chicken with a brown cow?

Brown-chick-n-brown-cow (said in the same manner as "Bow chicka wah wah")

Now...as I said... imagine first and second graders saying this and adding a little disco style dance move to it. Just picture it...and try to get it out of your mind! haha

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tuesday Teaser


Here's the deal: I open my current read to a random page and find two interesting (consecutive) sentences to share with you.


This week's read is an old one that has been read numerous times; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I'm compulsive. I admit it. Everytime a new book or movie came out I went back to book 1 and read them ALL all over again. The next movie is coming out this summer so here I am, starting over again and giving myself plenty of time to get through them all before the movie comes out, because well... I do have a life after all!


So here are my teaser sentences from page 201:


"'I've heard of those," he said in a hushed voice, dropping the box of Every Flavor Beans he'd gotten from Hermione. "If that's what I think it is - they're really rare, and really valuable.'"

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Oops...I was wrong... :(

Well, my last post may have been a while ago...and a bit hopeful. Unfortunately, since then, I have learned that I now have high blood pressure. Although running would be a great way to help combat HBP normally, being pregnant, it isn't allowed. The doctor does not want me to do anything that would raise my heart rate unnecessarily as it could harm the placenta and in turn my unborn child.

So I guess my running shoes will be taking a bit of a longer break than I planned. I have however bought a Yoga for Mommies DVD to try. I haven't tried it yet, it's kind of a let-down from running to yoga but I'll give it a shot.

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