Happy November!!!

On the first day of November there is never a doubt, I always think of about a giant of a man.

R I P Papa 

You are missed by many...

Day 29 - Death

It's not a part of life that is enjoyable but it's still a part of ordinary life.

A man who played a very significant role in my formative years and remained a close confidant, spiritual mentor, financial adviser,all around be there for me kind of guy has gone on to be with his heavenly Father. He was my own father's best friend and since I was raised by my dad we spent a lot of time together with his family. He was a rare gem and he will be missed.

Some of my favorite memories are meeting for coffee. J.C. had a sweet tooth and he loved his treats. Donuts were definitely a treat and he always made sure he had one and me too! He knew my favorite kind and I knew his. In addition whenever we were at his house there was ALWAYS, always, always candy, usually boxed Russell Stovers. The chocolate with nuts or caramel were my favorite and he always knew which ones those were and would tell me which one to pick. He also always had divinity candy at Christmas too. The kind with walnuts or pecans were my favorite. His sister made it, it was the best! I also remember many a chicken dinner with him, he loved chicken, especially fried. Yep, we shared many a meal over the years.

J.C. was NOT just about food, oh my no. He was about life. He was a real guy who lived through some struggles, he was genuine and honest. He told you like it was but with so much love and compassion. He was truly one of a kind. His wife often said they broke the mold after J was born. He served in WWII, didn't talk about it much, but MiB did some research and helped locate some of his citations and awards, he had the purple heart. He flew over 30 combat missions, he was a belly gunner, that's no easy job and many did not come home! We made him a shadow box with his military items, it hung in his room in the Good Samaritan home! He was very humble about his military service.

When we were in Italy, he would say if you ever get to Foggia look up my laundry lady and tell her hi! He and A had hope to make it to Italy to visit us but their health was declining at that time and it just didn't work out. He was a character for sure! He was also a vocalist. Yes, he could sing and sing well. He was the song leader in my childhood church for many years and no one could lead the song service quite like he did. The two I remember the most that he really brought it for were Victory in Jesus and Up from the Grave He Arose. Those two songs hold incredible memories for me! I know he is singing them still. In fact he was singing still last time we visited him all from memory! Truly a joy to hear!

 R. I. P. my friend...

There is so much more I could say, in fact I could go on and on and on about this man...he was truly a man like no other and we lost a good one when we lost J.C. I'm saddened beyond measure but also rest in the assurance of knowing we will meet again someday and oh what a day that will be!

9-11-01 no words...

Thursday Thoughts

Hmmmm, what can I say? It's been a week...more death. Unreal the amount of deaths we have seen at this base. I am saddened over and over by these events. Hardest is the children, but loss of life, any life is still devastating. It's not anything you soon let go of, too many of those families faces still play through the video tape in my mind. I wonder about them, how they are doing, what their holiday was like, will be like as they move forward without their loved one.

Thoughts:

• Tired
• Ready for the weekend
• I have a sore left arm :/
• Eyes better, swelling down PTL!

Not so much from me today. Have many thoughts just haven't really been able to put them into words for the blog. Life is like that sometimes. There are so many emotions and thoughts running all directions in my brain this week I have literally felt exhausted. I even went back to bed yesterday morning for an hour after I had already been up. It was a bad idea, I think I felt worse. Next time I will just have another cuppa joe and keep going.

Have a good Thursday, I'm going to try that's for sure! And be thankful for whatcha got; every time we go through the whole death thing it makes me realize just how good we have it and I don't want to take it for granted. Life is truly fragile, I'm thrilled I have been livin' it this long and pray for many more years to come!

Sad Thursday Thoughts

It is yet again that I write Thursday Thoughts with a heavy heart as we have had another loss in our base community. As hard as losses are it is even harder when it is the life on one so young. There are no words that can be spoken in a time such as this. these parents are devastated, a true tragedy.

My thoughts are silent and still, please pray for the family of one so very young that is no longer with us as they seek to find peace in the midst of this terrible loss.

Thursday Thoughts

Positive and Productive...that's my main thoughts these days. Just keep it positive and be productive. Sometimes that is hard, REALLY hard. Press on...

Been an up and down week. Lots went on and is going on. I have met myself coming and going on the EastSide road. I know this drive often causes me to internally scream, especially if I am making it for the THIRD time in one day but other times it gives me a few quiet moments to reflect on where I've just been or where I'm going. I find myself in my car rather often as of late and as long as everyone drives the speed limit I am good!

I do get a bit out of sorts if I get behind someone going too slow! It's not easy knowing the speed limit if you don't make this drive very often but those of us who do know EXACTLY what the speed limit is and where it changes. It's also crucial to my timing to go the speed limit, it can make or break me. I hate getting on the main base too early and having to kill time, but I also don't do late! I know it's nuts but someone going 40 in the 50 then 25 in the 45 messes me up.

Anyway, today finds us attending yet another memorial...I tell you, I have attended way too many of those here. I find it depleting of my soul, I find I need to really take time to replenish myself after events such as these. I also find it really causes me to pause, to not take life for granted, I have been known to make more spontaneous decisions since we came here (I know most of you find THAT hard to believe, but it's true). I have been throwing caution to the wind, not often, but I have, I guess witnessing and being exposed to more death has made me loosen up a little. So there is positive from these events if you put the right perspective to it.

Thoughts:

• Thirsty Thursday tonight!
• Weekend w/o many commitments :o)
• New hair stylist may have been found...

Hope you day is positive and productive! 

Thursday Thoughts...

Nearly missed this week's thought! That just lets you know how messed up my days are and somewhat hectic it is; the travel I do enjoy but it causes me to lose track of the days. This week started fast and furious and has not let up. It continues to roll.

Thoughts:

• Back issues are NOT fun!
• Seeing the derm for my arm.
• Big fancy event this weekend : )
• Surgery for LilBlue is being scheduled.

Since the weather here has been gorgeous, I have been able to get a few walks in, the water in the lake is up and it is gorgeous down there. The grass is green, flowers are blooming and it's just been pretty much awesome. In fact the walks have been my saving grace so to speak this week, I am very thankful for that time to think, reflect and pray.

I have taken some time to get the house a bit more settled and put away but still have several more task to complete, funny how it's not really bothering me...maybe I don't care or maybe I realize it's just not that big a deal. Especially when we have had folks in this week who didn't care at all about the house but they needed a shared meal, a listening ear, a caring heart, a safe sounding board. They did not care, they were simply thrilled we had an open door.

There have been so many things going on in our little world this week. In fact this has been one of those week's that will stick with me for awhile. There are images that are etched in my mind; they will stay there for many, many, many days, perhaps years to come. There have been some later then usual nights just being there for those who need it. I have spoken aloud and silently vast numbers of prayers for those who are hurting, those who need wisdom, those who need peace. We have had a week to hopefully never to be repeated...I cannot fathom the loss of a child.

I am thankful for MiB and his strength, patience and passion. I know the days have been even longer for him.

Peace to you and yours...

Productive Monday!

LilBlue's taxes are D.O.N.E. I did the happy dance many, many times when this task was completed. She will sign them this weekend and off in the mail they will go. After figuring it all out it wasn't so bad, it just took much time, too much IMO. But next year will be a breeze!

Laundry is all caught up, I have even started "gathering" for our Easter trip. It's a quick up and back and hopefully will not require too much baggage! However, taking some things to LilBlue that she picked up on SB along with things for the egg hunt, her spring basket and the folks! I guess we will not be traveling light after all!

No long awaited for phone call from the "general manager" of the hotel...hmmm, this definitely requires follow up but must proceed with, well, I am not sure with what, but this definitely requires some followup!

Also got to chat with the USPS since we are not getting our mail through the forward...I know it's a bit odd to only move next door but I would still like my mail. I know the other men (and women) in blue can do it, I know they can!

Today was also PROMOday, which is always a great day in the USAF especially if you are one of the lucky ones that are being promoted. I remember every promotion day vividly. I know I am weird like that, but I really do. The promotions to SrA below the zone and Chief are the two that are the most memorable in my mind, but all the others are awesome no doubt. It is in fact a little sad that there are no more promotions for us. I mean he could move on to a NAF or MajCom but those are not promotions, just meeting the needs of the Air Force wherever called upon to serve and anyway that isn't likely to happen, not that he isn't qualified to do that, he just doesn't know the right folks to make that happen. Some say do a great job and you will move on, I tend to find that a bit naive; the farther we have gone the more it has come to light that it is not necessarily about  how good a job you do, it is who you know or who knows you. Almost sad...but also the reality and as long as you understand that and want to stay in then it's all good. We are still livin' the dream no matter who we do or do not know!

Besides we are such small fish in a big pond. We are as I have often said the easiest people you will ever meet to forget. Which, as my threedoorsdown neighbor said, just means that we aren't butt snorkelers...LOL, and that is personally not an issue for me or MiB.  Actually we like it. We have often wondered how he got to where he is, we know no one that has "taken us along" so to speak, so we just go with the flow and thank God every day that we are getting to do what MiB loves. MiB is not the "yes man" type and often will be overlooked or praised for that quality. Depends on the day, the person and the climate. Makes me queasy to think about.  Anyway those other positions that he thought he would one day like to have are not really considered promotions just career progression. At one point in time he wanted to be THE top guy. However, we know we have progressed as far as we are going, so that BIG R word is closer rather than farther away. It's been such a great ride it will be hard to move on but also it will be another adventure when it happens that will bring much to experience. As long as that is not unemployment I think it's all good :)

It really has been a good ride, but we know our time is coming to a close and others will be the keepers of the Blue. As much as dreams come and go we are the old news, the ones putting on those new NCO stripes today they are our future, they are the ones that will be leading our Airmen and keeping our Nation safe. The life in blue is wonderful but once you get to this point you know your days are numbered. We are smart enough to know we should be looking to the next chapter. And no complaints, we KNOW we are blessed no matter! Course staying on is still an option as we have a few years left on the plate however, we know it's closer rather then farther away!

On another note it was a one of those gatherings this afternoon; you don't so much enjoy but you endure. We attended a great event for one of our Airmen who was killed a few weeks back in a car crash in Tennessee. The family was so thankful for the opportunity to meet those their son worked with, to meet those who lived in and around the environment that made their son proud. It was a good day for them. Tomorrow at the memorial it will be hard...but necessary, they will be very grateful to those in Blue who were the family to their son, they will be able to hopefully start healing from their loss. It is one of those things you don't so much enjoy but you know it is so necessary and it makes you hold more tightly to the ones you love!

Tonight I am thankful for my own family. Also for my family in Blue. Both are very dear...in times like these we are more mindful of what we have and what we don't have.

Another loss...

We have lost another member of The Blue...it's such a sad day when we learn of these things.

I had to get out and do life today...to feel the warmth of sunshine on my face, to see the beauty around me. To get my body moving, my heart beating and my chest heaving to know how alive I am; to feel invigorated, to experience living. I had to, as there has been too much death...

Seeing a bright blue sky with just enough clouds to make it picture perfect did my soul good.

I came across this quote and thought how appropriate it seemed.

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.
-Robert Frost

Very sad day in the Blue...

These are not the days you want to live through, but you make it happen and somehow do.

We have lost a member of Team Barksdale. One of our elite EOD troops was killed yesterday in Afghanistan, it was a young one, with a young wife. My heart breaks for her...

After our visit with her this morning she has been constantly on my mind as I imagine the things she will have to face over the course of the next few days, weeks, months, years. You never think it will be you, I am sure this was not in her life plan, she is going to have some rough days ahead, I spoke this to her, and I told her nothing can prepare anyone to go through a situation such as this, but to please know that she is not alone. We, your AF family, are right here with you, for you, to help you in any way we can as you begin to navigate this unforeseen situation...what else is there to say? My heart is so very heavy. I CANNOT even begin to imagine what she is going through, I pray, that's what I do and I will continue to do so throughout the days, weeks, and months ahead.

There are no more words that come to me. I am still so very thankful for those who serve and so sad that this is the reality of that service...

Right Start/Hard Start

Today we attended RIGHT START. This is a mandatory brief for all active duty when they arrive at a new duty station, spouses are encouraged to attend. It was nice to see several spouses there with their AD member. The room was FULL, in fact the host for the brief was surprised at the number in attendance. The new Command here has added many people and this is high PCS season, so I was not that surprised myself. We were in good company. It was neat that one of our table mates just arrived from Aviano AND he lived in Maniago. Small world. We also had lunch at the club after wards and ran into a fellow PAFBer. Lunch was on the Club and not bad, transferring our club membership garnered us the free lunch :) Soup, salad and a vegetable plate made for a happy Mrs Blue!

Hard Start followed the morning of briefings as we attended the funeral for a young Airmen this afternoon. Airman Kyle Schunk lost his life a few days back in a motorcycle accident. It is never easy to attend events like this especially when it is a young person. I do not know all the details surrounding the event and I do not need to know them; what I do know is that it is a tragedy for this family. They are grieving, they are still in disbelief. The Barksdale family has done an excellent job of reaching out to this family. The service was well attended and thoughtfully done, it honored as well as celebrated the life of Amn Schunk. His family was thankful for those who came to the memorial service, they were grateful for the reception held after wards, they were glad that their son's life was recognized and celebrated.

Amn Shunk was just a couple years older then our own LilBlue...it makes me even more thankful for my own when I attend events like this. In an instant this young man is no longer with us, we do not understand it but I trust that He who created me and this young man does. I know that I trust in the one with the master plan, to that I cling...

Grandma Wheatley

It is with sorrow I share that Grandma Wheatley passed away today…

What a blessing and a treasure our recent trip was. It is good memories. Memories that will make for happy recollecting! The visit itself and the going and coming will be lasting good memories they will. . .

I can already recall in my mind her calling out requests to me to do this or do that. She was feisty! But she did not use the same tone with me or the other grandchildren as she used with her own offspring. No, it was a gentler summons when she called for one of us. But even the more firm calls for her own children were tinged with a love in her voice, a trust for them to come to her bedside when she beckoned for them.

One thing I recall from this last trip to see her was calling her from my cell phone a couple times while I was sitting right there in her room. I started talking with her until she realized it was me…the first time she hung up on me, smiled mischievously at me and laughed! By the third time she was giveing me the ornery eye, calling me a “poop” but still laughing!

RiP Grandma Wheatley 1924-2011

Thursday Thoughts!

The week here in FWB has been fun! We were sad to learn that our friends grandmother passed away so she had to head out of town as we arrived...yeah bummer! and she won't be back before we leave! But I am still enjoying the area and just having a slow pace without any commitments, it's pretty nice, actually... it's really nice :)

I have been "cooking" for us in the room...yeah, I am just that good with just a microwave! Baked potatoes one night, then different chips and dips another night and not just boughten jar dips, homemade ones! We love that, I prefer using veggies over chips to dip but either way it's yummers! I am trying to do every other night in the room, so on the two nights we ate out we did Mexican and Italian. The two places we tried were touted as "local favorites."

The Italian place came highly recommended by friends who used to live here. We were NOT disappointed!!! It was very good. Give Tradewinds a try if you are ever in this area, and ohbytheway, you WILL need to make reservations, they were packed from the time we arrived until we left. I was able to make same day reservations, but I wouldn't count on that so plan ahead. I ordered a margherita pizza, MiB had all veggie calzone (not on the menu but more then happy to make it). We also had an appetizer of brushchetta. The brushchetta while not presented in any way like we had in Italy was totally awesome! The tomatoes were diced and had been combined with basil, garlic, sea salt and cracked pepper then placed on top of toasted ciabatta bread. On top of that was diced mozzarella, (and while not buffalo mozzarella still very good!) then on top of that a smattering of more basil, cracked pepper, tasty indeed, the bowl was also rimmed in olive oil, more garlic, sea salt and cracked pepper!

The Mexican place was nice. MiB got fajitas always a favorite for him and he thought they were above average. He prefers the meat more seasoned but still said they were very good and an extremely generous portion. They had hotter then I like salsa but since I was trying not to eat the chips/salsa I did not even check to see if they offered a milder one. Our favorite place, Francisco's, in Melbourne offers a milder version if you ask. Anyway I had a tamal and it was average, the corn mesa surrounding the pork was a little too "formed" and gelatinized if that makes any sense, but the pork was nice, it was well seasoned and nicely shredded though I little skimpy on the amount. The enchilada was really good, it was beef and while I normally get chicken, I was happy with the beef. Usually in an enchilada it is shredded beef this was ground, nicely seasoned and not dry, I enjoyed it and the sauce on top was quite good as well. I enjoyed the rice too, I like a drier rice and this was, so if you are ever in this area and want something more local and not chain related these two places are definitely worth checking out!

We will also be dining at our all time favorite, Fat Clemenza's, before leaving town; this place is totally authentic in our opinion! Again, I would call for a reservation just to be on the safe side as they are very busy but oh so worth the wait if you do go without a resy! Most likely I will again have the pizza :)

Enough about the food already, geez, I am never going to get rid of these 7#'s at this rate!

Thursday Thoughts!

• I love pizza!!
• I don't like king size beds.
• Days are passing too quickly...
• I am thankful for such dear friends!
  
• Death is such a part of life but still not always easy.
  

Ahhh Thursday!

Since it's Thursday, that means tomorrow is F R I D A Y :)

I mean who doesn't like the weekend, right? MiB has been gone this week to "the Hill" and returned today, yeah!!! It was a good visit from the emails I got and I am sure I will hear more about it when we get to sit down and have dinner or lunch or coffee on the beach together this weekend. However, I just returned home and found MiB laid out in the bed...not good, he is feeling crummy, he is nauseous, severely nauseous, along with a headache. He doesn't have a temp to the touch but he says he is having episodes of sweating, then feeling chilled. Lord, please don't let it be the flu, especially the pig kind...while I don't want him to be ill at all, I pray that it is just a gastrointestinal viral bug that bit him and nothing more and it will pass on by quickly, very quickly. In Jesus name, AMEN. And really, I do not think at all it is the swine flu, but everyone seems to think that is what someone has the minute they hear anyone is sick. His symptoms at this point would lead one to believe it is a classic stomach virus.

I have many thoughts swirling around in my head this afternoon...this morning I joined others from the community to pay respect to a fallen soldier from Satellite Beach. It was a humbling, sobering experience. We held out our flags as the breeze made them wave while the black hearse made it's way down South Patrick Drive. They were waving goodbye. While the southbound lanes were closed, northbound lane drivers immediately pulled over and came to a stop when they realized what was happening. Some drivers even exited their vehicles to stand in silence as the family cars along with the Patriot Guard made their way to the funeral home. There was a long procession of vehicles, it was painfully silent as the cars continued to file by.



This makes me sad, he was so young. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country. I am so proud to be an AMERICAN, I am proud to be a military wife. I think about the fact that this time last year my own MiB was serving in the same country that this young soldier died in. It seems to get more dangerous by the day, I am thankful, I am grateful for those who continue to fight to keep our country free and to help others seek freedom for their countries as well, we are a great nation and today many were reminded we are a nation at war, a war that is deadly, a war that is costly in human lives. I am sad that many people in our country do not seem to realize we are at war. We live our lives with such careless disregard to this fact, it is not like the other wars we have been in, it is a feeling I find hard to describe.

On a different note here are my Thursday thoughts:

• Tomorrow is F R I D A Y :) TGIF


• I ordered more blueberry coffee :0)


• The youth group pumpkins arrive tonight :p


• I like dried cranberries, walnuts and raisins!


• There is a pink flamingo party this weekend!

Hope you have a fantabulous weekend! I plan to!

Thursday Thoughts!

Well, what a week we have had...the sad news is that one of our own has lost her husband to that horrible C word, a young couple, just starting to live their lives with a great future in the blue. It so saddens my heart. I hurt and yet, I did not know really know them, yet they are part of our family and we grieve with them.

The time we have is never certain, love the ones you love deeply and daily. I am so thankful for life, a healthy one at that, I think I take too many things for granted but I think that is true for many.

My thoughts...

• Be thankful
• Live life daily
• Never say never
• Take care of the little things
• Make life worth living, because it is

Thinking I have had some great moments this week, some down moments, some uncertain moments, but through it all I have trusted that He is in control. I pray that those I love trust that He is in control as well. I am so thrilled to know that even when life as I know it on this earth draws to a close I still have eternity to look forward to, and that is such an optimistic outlook that makes me smile to think of. And to one day be able to see again those fellow believers who have gone on before me how cool is that?