I can't wait until Spring. It was snowing heavily when I woke up, an hour later the snow had turned into small, wet flakes, and about two hours later, the sun was out, the wind had died down, and it was warm enough to go without a coat. It had to be about 35 degrees!!! Yay!!!! Now, this slight upturn in the weather department has made me yearn all the more for Spring. Flowers. Green grass. Birds chirping. Mud. Flooded basement. My beagle/basset Jill finding the smallest escape possible under the fence and running away (she always returns about an hour later after scouting the neighborhood). More mud. Tons of potholes (caves, really). Frost heaves settling down. Who doesn't love Spring???? I can't wait. I bought some paint today for touch-ups around the house, I bought some mini blinds for my room to replace the ugly OLD shades, and I even bought some new curtain rods to replace the bent and broken ones in various windows.
I'm so ready to get started. This has been a very hard winter, both emotionally and health-wise. I always feel as though spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings. I'm ready. I have so many things to look forward to, and so many goals to be met. I know I won't be able to accomplish all of them, or even get close; however, just choosing a few of the more important ones, or even having them "chosen" for me because of circumstances, makes me feel like I'm still in the Game of Life.
The four feet or more of snow will slowly but surely melt; the little buds waiting under the ground to spring forth will emerge in a blaze of glory; the trees will start to reach even higher to the sky, and my windows will stay open longer and longer each day to allow the beautiful breeze to dance through the house and kiss us all with its beauty and promise. I'm ready. Even with some of the downsides of spring (see "list" above...ha ha), it's still a glorious time. With every mud season comes the promise of enough rain to keep us hydrated; with the wet basement comes the reminder that I have tons of stuff down there to be sorted and thrown away, but I've been blessed enough to have been able to buy; potholes and frost heaves are nature's way of giving us the assurance that the circle of the seasons still holds true; and worrying about my precious Jill means that she is still alive to drive me crazy and worry about her, which I wouldn't trade for anything.
I'm ready. A few more snowstorms--spring storms as we call them here--and we will be done. Another year of possiblilities is upon us. Every day a new blessing to be thankful for.
I'm ready.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Now, the truth about the Feb 3 entry..
Just to clarify, the post from Feb 3 is only partly true. I did NOT have to work on Feb 4. That, as you can tell from the previous-to-this entry, was just in case Katie read my blog; I wanted her to think I was working so she'd have no clue whatsoever that I was coming up to visit her. It worked!!! Well, she hadn't read my blog, but because Alex and I told her I was working, she believed us!!! I'm so, so happy she was surprised. She is absolutely, without a doubt, the most wonderful daughter anyone could ever hope for. I love her so extremely much. I'm so proud of the young woman she has become. She has blessed my life beyond measure, and I'm so grateful to God everyday that He allowed her to be my daughter. That He trusted me that much to "loan" her to me on earth. That I am the humble recipient of an exquisite gift from God. It astonishes me that I could be so blessed. Katie, we have been through more than most people can imagine in your lifetime here on earth, but we have always gotten through it with love, laughter, and tons of prayer. God has always been there when we needed Him, as He's always there when we are "coasting along". He has raised you; I've just been the fortunate soul who has tried to do what He wanted with you. I hope He is as happy with how I've raised you, as I am with just having you in my life. I love you more than you could ever imagine. My pride in you, respect for you, and love of you has no bounds. You are truly who I want to be when I grow up. I love you. Humbly, MOM. Happy Birthday.
Katie's 22nd Birthday... A recap of fun and surpises
(Note: I wrote this on Word while at the college, but once home this program wouldn't accept the copy and paste miracle, so I am doing the copy and paste the old fashioned way...I printed it, and now I am re-typing it. So, pretend this is written in "real time", then copied and pasted on Katie's Real Day, Feb 5!!! Enjoy....)
Katie's Surprise....Phase I Feb 4, 2009
This is so much fun!! I'm sitting in Alex's dorm right now, at his desk, while he is in the chow hall having dinner. The first phase of "Katie's Surprise" is complete--I've made it to their college with time to spare. (I am writing this on Microsoft Word, then I'll copy and paste once I get home tomorrow and can get online to access my blog. *****see note above****)
I spoke with the Administrator/Leader of the Christian Fellowship group today, and he is ready to assist us with Phase II of our Plan. Alex has Worship Team Band practice before the meeting, so once he is finished at the dining hall (he and I call it the chow hall because we are so used to Civil Air Patrol stuff!!), he will come back to his dorm to pick up his guitars and we will head over to the Student Hall where there is another dining hall; that's where they hold their meetings. Anyway, I'll go into a room off the dining hall and wait until the middle of the meeting, at which point the Admin/Leader (Chuck) will tell Alex he has to talk to him about a Bible Study Alex is leading, and they will come in, get me, the cake, the flowers and my little present for Katie, and we will go back in the meeting and surprise her!!!!!! YAY!!!!! I can't wait. There has been so much planning going into this, and for quite a few weeks now. We were going to surprise her on her actual Day, but since she is so pressed for time, and Alex is so pressed for time, and what little bit of time either of them had free on her Day didn't coincide, then the next plan was to surprise her a day early!!!!!!! I'll spend the night in her room, and in the morning it will be her actual Day, so I will still have been with her on her Precious Day!!!!!!
I tried to be convincing when I told her I had to work an overnight at Walmart. She also knows I hardly ever miss a squadron CAP meeting (in addition to being on the Wing staff, I am still very actively involved in my local squadron, where I started my CAP "career"), so I hope, hope, hope she doesn't suspect anything tonight. I also had to call the RA (Resident Administrator) of her dorm to let him know I'd be staying overnight. He hasn't called me back yet (cell phones are great), so I hope it's OK. I'll sign in once we get back from the meeting. I've done this before, so I'm sure he knows me.
My mother, who lives with me, stayed up until 4AM to make Katie her famous, made-from-scratch homemade (I know that's a redundant statement) cake. Then, she had to double the recipe to make sure it will be enough to feed everyone. It's a huge cake!!!!!!! Since there can't be any open flames on Campus, in order for Katie to have "flames" on her candles, I bought shiny star confetti and glued a star on either side of the candle wick, so they would "shine". Sometimes the glue didn't want to work right away, so I had to sit there and hold it until it "set". I did this when I came home from a three hour Wing Staff meeting last night, plus the driving time. Katie knows how much I am NOT a "crafty" person, and to sit there and do that took extreme will. But, my sweet girl is so worth all of this and so, so much more. The cake looked delicious this morning when I put it in the car, and it smelled heavenly!! My mother went through so much to do that cake for her. Between her making the cake in spite of severe arthritis pain, and me gluing those stars on the candles one by one by one by.......well, Katie knows she's loved, and that's why we do these things. It's 1735 (5:35), and Alex will be back from chow any minute. So, I'll continue this posting/writing once Katie's Surprise is finished. I hope she's surprised. This is so much fun. I think I've said that already. Ha ha.
Katie's Surprise Phase II--Complete!!!! Still Feb 4
To say she was surprised would be an understatement. She was speechless!!! It was awesome. Alex and I went over to the Student Center and into one of the small lecture rooms where they hold their meetings. Since we were early, of course, Katie wouldn't be there for about another 45 mins or so. Chuck took me to the end of the hall where there was a small alcove with a tall round table and two chairs under a coat rack (an open closet type thing built into the wall)....which was right across from a bathroom!! Keeping in mind that this was a very small alcove/hallway off the main hallway which led to the meeting room. Also keep in mind that right across from the little hallway/alcove where I was perched was a glass door leading to the road that Katie would travel to get to the main door of the building. However, from looking out of this doorway, I could look up the street and across the intersection to her dorm, so I knew once her light was out she'd be heading to the meeting. That created a dilema and a lot of anxiety....if she didn't use the main door, but chose instead to get out of the cold faster and use this particular glass door, then she'd come in and see me. Well, being legally blind she'd have to know she was looking for me, but it would have been just my luck that this one time her "spidey senses" would kick in and she'd somehow know I was there, tucked in a corner, hiding from her. However, I watched as she passed by "my" door and continued on to the main one. Whew!! That crisis was averted. Also, I just had to hope she didn't have to use the "little girl's room" before we were able to pull this off.......
Now, I just had to wait for Chuck to come out of the meeting. He had said it would be about 20 mins after the meeting started, so I just waited. Well, I didn't "just wait". I had my camera with me, of course, so I did what I always do when I'm bored....I took pictures. This time the cake, flowers, and present were my victims. As I was waiting, though, every time someone came down the hall, they looked at the cake, and I was so worried that it was someone from her Fellowship meeting and they'd go back and say, "Hey, cool, there's some crazy lady hiding out down the hall under the coat rack and she's got a really cool birthday cake!!!!" Fortunately, that didn't happen. I don't know everyone in her group so I couldn't warn them within an inch of their lives not to say anything.....since I don't want to threaten the innocent!! Ha ha.
Finally, the time came for the Plan to be put into action. Ahhh....here comes Chuck. I get up from my chair, ready to hand Alex the flowers, cake, etc. Ummmm....where's Alex?? The answer? "I didn't want it to seem obvious if we both left at the same time, so I came out to get you." No. That's not how the script was supposed to go. Oh, my. This is not good. As I write this, it's been a few hours, and my mind has been saturated with cake, so I can't remember if he said Alex was going to follow in a minute or if he had to go back in and get him. Oh, I'm pretty sure he went back in and got him. Anyway, Alex eventually landed, somehow, in the main hallway with us. I handed him the cake and the flowers. Cute pictures. Then I handed him the present. Even cuter picture. Then, we went in as everyone was finding their seats after an "ice breaker" game. They all looked at Alex and me as we came in...well, I think it was more the sight of a 6'2" man carrying in a bunch of pink and purple wildflowers and a cake that they focused on!!!!! Then, they saw me and before they could say anything (you know, "Strange woman invading" or "Hey, she doesn't have cake, throw her out!!") I put my finger to my lips in the centuries-honored motherly tradition, also known as "if you say anything after all my hard work and secretiveness, I'll throw you head first into the biggest snow bank I can find and make sure they don't find you until Spring!!!" It worked. No one said a word (ahhhh......the power of motherhood), and Katie was blissfully unaware of us even being in the back of the room/in the doorway because she had been finding her seat when we entered and would have no reason to look toward the door. She likes the meetings, so she generally has no reason to plan an early escape.
Once everyone was pretty much settled, I led Alex (for anyone who doesn't know him, he is also legally blind, but more so than Katie--well, in a different way--so him heading up an aisle by himself carrying cake instead of his white cane would NOT be a good thing...) up the middle aisle, to where she was sitting in the middle of the middle of the middle (got that?). All eyes were upon Alex and me, and she still had no clue (lack of peripheral vision has its advantages when executing surprises!!) we were there until I started singing Happy Birthday. The whole Fellowship "congregation" joined in, and after the first note, she noticed me, with camera and therefore flashes going off, and she noticed her dear brother standing near her with a huge cake and flowers. She was so red!!!!!! It was great!!! She was smiling and trying to talk at the same time...."you...he.....what.....you....you....you're here!!! At the meeting....I can't believe you're at the meeting....you....you..." I think she was trying to tell me something!! ha ha. It was wonderful. I've never seen her that speechless. Alex handed her the flowers, cake, and present, and we went to the back of the room to put everything on a table, ready to be cut and served after the meeting. We had a few worship songs, which is where Alex and the other two guitarists (he plays the bass in the "band", but he can also play all three types of guitars..bass, acoustic, and electric), then the guest speaker, who gave a presentation on the power of prayer and why it's so important, etc., then we cut and ate the cake. It was delicious!!!!
Now, I'm sittng in Katie's bed while the poor baby sleeps on the floor, so I'm still going to be with her on her actual Day. Hey, it just turned 12 midnight--excuse me for a moment while I sing Happy Birthday to her!!! Be right back......
So, now my world is complete. I just sang my precious, sweet, darling, God-given angel of a daughter Happy Birthday while she sleeps on the floor of her dorm. A lifetime away from where we were 22 years ago, but what a wonderful journey it's been. After I sang to her, she barely mumbled, or groaned I should say. It sounded an awful lot like: mmmm....mm.....mmmmmm.. then a thank.....you....mmmmmm. I think she was actually saying, "Mom, PLEASE turn off the light so I can get some sleep!!! I have classes tomorrow!!" Yup, I know, Katie-girl. I love you, too.
In the morning, she, Alex, and I will go down to Dunkin Donuts with real candles and a real lighter, order bagels, donuts, etc (and COFFEE!! YAY!!). I'll put the candles in her bagel, light them, she'll make a wish (probably that she can get some sleep sometime during the day). blow out the candles, and we will have concluded with the time-honored festivities that make up every one of their birthdays. Candles in the breakfast food, wax dripping onto the edible parts, while I take tons of pictures. Ahhhh...traditions--gotta love 'em!!!!
Happy birthday, my sweet angel. I am so much more than blessed to have you as my daughter. I love you. MOM
Katie's Surprise....Phase I Feb 4, 2009
This is so much fun!! I'm sitting in Alex's dorm right now, at his desk, while he is in the chow hall having dinner. The first phase of "Katie's Surprise" is complete--I've made it to their college with time to spare. (I am writing this on Microsoft Word, then I'll copy and paste once I get home tomorrow and can get online to access my blog. *****see note above****)
I spoke with the Administrator/Leader of the Christian Fellowship group today, and he is ready to assist us with Phase II of our Plan. Alex has Worship Team Band practice before the meeting, so once he is finished at the dining hall (he and I call it the chow hall because we are so used to Civil Air Patrol stuff!!), he will come back to his dorm to pick up his guitars and we will head over to the Student Hall where there is another dining hall; that's where they hold their meetings. Anyway, I'll go into a room off the dining hall and wait until the middle of the meeting, at which point the Admin/Leader (Chuck) will tell Alex he has to talk to him about a Bible Study Alex is leading, and they will come in, get me, the cake, the flowers and my little present for Katie, and we will go back in the meeting and surprise her!!!!!! YAY!!!!! I can't wait. There has been so much planning going into this, and for quite a few weeks now. We were going to surprise her on her actual Day, but since she is so pressed for time, and Alex is so pressed for time, and what little bit of time either of them had free on her Day didn't coincide, then the next plan was to surprise her a day early!!!!!!! I'll spend the night in her room, and in the morning it will be her actual Day, so I will still have been with her on her Precious Day!!!!!!
I tried to be convincing when I told her I had to work an overnight at Walmart. She also knows I hardly ever miss a squadron CAP meeting (in addition to being on the Wing staff, I am still very actively involved in my local squadron, where I started my CAP "career"), so I hope, hope, hope she doesn't suspect anything tonight. I also had to call the RA (Resident Administrator) of her dorm to let him know I'd be staying overnight. He hasn't called me back yet (cell phones are great), so I hope it's OK. I'll sign in once we get back from the meeting. I've done this before, so I'm sure he knows me.
My mother, who lives with me, stayed up until 4AM to make Katie her famous, made-from-scratch homemade (I know that's a redundant statement) cake. Then, she had to double the recipe to make sure it will be enough to feed everyone. It's a huge cake!!!!!!! Since there can't be any open flames on Campus, in order for Katie to have "flames" on her candles, I bought shiny star confetti and glued a star on either side of the candle wick, so they would "shine". Sometimes the glue didn't want to work right away, so I had to sit there and hold it until it "set". I did this when I came home from a three hour Wing Staff meeting last night, plus the driving time. Katie knows how much I am NOT a "crafty" person, and to sit there and do that took extreme will. But, my sweet girl is so worth all of this and so, so much more. The cake looked delicious this morning when I put it in the car, and it smelled heavenly!! My mother went through so much to do that cake for her. Between her making the cake in spite of severe arthritis pain, and me gluing those stars on the candles one by one by one by.......well, Katie knows she's loved, and that's why we do these things. It's 1735 (5:35), and Alex will be back from chow any minute. So, I'll continue this posting/writing once Katie's Surprise is finished. I hope she's surprised. This is so much fun. I think I've said that already. Ha ha.
Katie's Surprise Phase II--Complete!!!! Still Feb 4
To say she was surprised would be an understatement. She was speechless!!! It was awesome. Alex and I went over to the Student Center and into one of the small lecture rooms where they hold their meetings. Since we were early, of course, Katie wouldn't be there for about another 45 mins or so. Chuck took me to the end of the hall where there was a small alcove with a tall round table and two chairs under a coat rack (an open closet type thing built into the wall)....which was right across from a bathroom!! Keeping in mind that this was a very small alcove/hallway off the main hallway which led to the meeting room. Also keep in mind that right across from the little hallway/alcove where I was perched was a glass door leading to the road that Katie would travel to get to the main door of the building. However, from looking out of this doorway, I could look up the street and across the intersection to her dorm, so I knew once her light was out she'd be heading to the meeting. That created a dilema and a lot of anxiety....if she didn't use the main door, but chose instead to get out of the cold faster and use this particular glass door, then she'd come in and see me. Well, being legally blind she'd have to know she was looking for me, but it would have been just my luck that this one time her "spidey senses" would kick in and she'd somehow know I was there, tucked in a corner, hiding from her. However, I watched as she passed by "my" door and continued on to the main one. Whew!! That crisis was averted. Also, I just had to hope she didn't have to use the "little girl's room" before we were able to pull this off.......
Now, I just had to wait for Chuck to come out of the meeting. He had said it would be about 20 mins after the meeting started, so I just waited. Well, I didn't "just wait". I had my camera with me, of course, so I did what I always do when I'm bored....I took pictures. This time the cake, flowers, and present were my victims. As I was waiting, though, every time someone came down the hall, they looked at the cake, and I was so worried that it was someone from her Fellowship meeting and they'd go back and say, "Hey, cool, there's some crazy lady hiding out down the hall under the coat rack and she's got a really cool birthday cake!!!!" Fortunately, that didn't happen. I don't know everyone in her group so I couldn't warn them within an inch of their lives not to say anything.....since I don't want to threaten the innocent!! Ha ha.
Finally, the time came for the Plan to be put into action. Ahhh....here comes Chuck. I get up from my chair, ready to hand Alex the flowers, cake, etc. Ummmm....where's Alex?? The answer? "I didn't want it to seem obvious if we both left at the same time, so I came out to get you." No. That's not how the script was supposed to go. Oh, my. This is not good. As I write this, it's been a few hours, and my mind has been saturated with cake, so I can't remember if he said Alex was going to follow in a minute or if he had to go back in and get him. Oh, I'm pretty sure he went back in and got him. Anyway, Alex eventually landed, somehow, in the main hallway with us. I handed him the cake and the flowers. Cute pictures. Then I handed him the present. Even cuter picture. Then, we went in as everyone was finding their seats after an "ice breaker" game. They all looked at Alex and me as we came in...well, I think it was more the sight of a 6'2" man carrying in a bunch of pink and purple wildflowers and a cake that they focused on!!!!! Then, they saw me and before they could say anything (you know, "Strange woman invading" or "Hey, she doesn't have cake, throw her out!!") I put my finger to my lips in the centuries-honored motherly tradition, also known as "if you say anything after all my hard work and secretiveness, I'll throw you head first into the biggest snow bank I can find and make sure they don't find you until Spring!!!" It worked. No one said a word (ahhhh......the power of motherhood), and Katie was blissfully unaware of us even being in the back of the room/in the doorway because she had been finding her seat when we entered and would have no reason to look toward the door. She likes the meetings, so she generally has no reason to plan an early escape.
Once everyone was pretty much settled, I led Alex (for anyone who doesn't know him, he is also legally blind, but more so than Katie--well, in a different way--so him heading up an aisle by himself carrying cake instead of his white cane would NOT be a good thing...) up the middle aisle, to where she was sitting in the middle of the middle of the middle (got that?). All eyes were upon Alex and me, and she still had no clue (lack of peripheral vision has its advantages when executing surprises!!) we were there until I started singing Happy Birthday. The whole Fellowship "congregation" joined in, and after the first note, she noticed me, with camera and therefore flashes going off, and she noticed her dear brother standing near her with a huge cake and flowers. She was so red!!!!!! It was great!!! She was smiling and trying to talk at the same time...."you...he.....what.....you....you....you're here!!! At the meeting....I can't believe you're at the meeting....you....you..." I think she was trying to tell me something!! ha ha. It was wonderful. I've never seen her that speechless. Alex handed her the flowers, cake, and present, and we went to the back of the room to put everything on a table, ready to be cut and served after the meeting. We had a few worship songs, which is where Alex and the other two guitarists (he plays the bass in the "band", but he can also play all three types of guitars..bass, acoustic, and electric), then the guest speaker, who gave a presentation on the power of prayer and why it's so important, etc., then we cut and ate the cake. It was delicious!!!!
Now, I'm sittng in Katie's bed while the poor baby sleeps on the floor, so I'm still going to be with her on her actual Day. Hey, it just turned 12 midnight--excuse me for a moment while I sing Happy Birthday to her!!! Be right back......
So, now my world is complete. I just sang my precious, sweet, darling, God-given angel of a daughter Happy Birthday while she sleeps on the floor of her dorm. A lifetime away from where we were 22 years ago, but what a wonderful journey it's been. After I sang to her, she barely mumbled, or groaned I should say. It sounded an awful lot like: mmmm....mm.....mmmmmm.. then a thank.....you....mmmmmm. I think she was actually saying, "Mom, PLEASE turn off the light so I can get some sleep!!! I have classes tomorrow!!" Yup, I know, Katie-girl. I love you, too.
In the morning, she, Alex, and I will go down to Dunkin Donuts with real candles and a real lighter, order bagels, donuts, etc (and COFFEE!! YAY!!). I'll put the candles in her bagel, light them, she'll make a wish (probably that she can get some sleep sometime during the day). blow out the candles, and we will have concluded with the time-honored festivities that make up every one of their birthdays. Candles in the breakfast food, wax dripping onto the edible parts, while I take tons of pictures. Ahhhh...traditions--gotta love 'em!!!!
Happy birthday, my sweet angel. I am so much more than blessed to have you as my daughter. I love you. MOM
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Almost 22 years ago on February 5.....
My darling, sweet, precious baby girl was born almost 22 years ago. February 5 is one of the greatest dates in the world to me!!!!!!!!!!! Now, she's all grown up, attending college, but still just as wonderful and adorable as she was all those years ago. Every year that she has been at college, I have gone up to surprise her. However, this year it's going to be different--and very, very hard on me--because I won't be able to go up there on her birthday. Her time is so extremely limited this year, and my time is taken up with work, that I won't be able to make the drive up to surprise her. I'm so, so sorry Katie, if you are reading this before your birthday. Because I stayed home to raise my kids until they went off to college, I didn't have a "real job" until this past year. Last year, I happened to have the day off so I could run up to her school and surprise her, but this year I have an "overnight", which is where I go in to work overnight (hence, the name...duh) to get certain sections of the store ready for new merchandise. We are getting ready for the Lawn and Garden section, and I had joined the team to do that, so I have to go in tonight at closing, then work all night til 8AM, then go home and sleep for a little while, get some other stuff done around the house, then sleep some more to go in again Thursday night. I couldn't drive over there if I wanted to after work in the morning because I'm so exhausted I'd fall asleep at the wheel. This would be the first year I haven't been with my precious Katie since she was born. I feel like a part of me is missing.
So, Happy Almost Birthday my darling girl. I will call you on your Day....sniff, sniff....(falling tears here). Darn work. As much as I love working there, I wish the overnights would have waited one more week, or even a few days!!!!! I love you, girly-girl!!!!!
I'll be so busy trying to "bank" all the sleep I can, then rushing in to work, with a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts for that large coffee, that I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to write about my special sweetheart by waiting until later to write. I am so absent minded that I'd forget, then I'd forget what I forgot!!!! Or, something like that. I'll write more on your actual Day.
I'm so sad.......
So, Happy Almost Birthday my darling girl. I will call you on your Day....sniff, sniff....(falling tears here). Darn work. As much as I love working there, I wish the overnights would have waited one more week, or even a few days!!!!! I love you, girly-girl!!!!!
I'll be so busy trying to "bank" all the sleep I can, then rushing in to work, with a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts for that large coffee, that I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to write about my special sweetheart by waiting until later to write. I am so absent minded that I'd forget, then I'd forget what I forgot!!!! Or, something like that. I'll write more on your actual Day.
I'm so sad.......
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Civil Air Patrol
I love belonging to the Civil Air Patrol. CAP is the official auxiliary of the US Air Force. The website, in case anyone is interested (if you know me and are reading this, then you already know about CAP; if you are wandering around and happened upon this post then more than likely you have no clue what CAP is), the website is www.gocivilairpatrol.com CAP is the best volunteer organization that anyone could belong to. It follows the structure, customs, and courtesies of the Air Force. My son got involved when he was 12 years old, back in 2002. I joined a few months later just because I was staying at the meetings anyway, so I figured, why not? Little did I ever dream that I would stay as involved as I am, attaining the rank of Captain AND becoming the Director of Cadet Programs for our Wing. Alex is still involved; he is a C/2Lt (that's Cadet 2nd Lieutenant for any non-CAP people :) ) He will become a Senior Member when he turns 21.
The Air Force sends us out when they receive a "hit" and don't know where it's coming from. That's when we send out search teams (ground or air) to find the ELT that is going off so we can silence it. A beeping ELT can also mean a downed plane, so it's important to send out Teams who know what they are doing in case it becomes a search and rescue mission. We train on a monthly basis, having SAREXs (Search and Rescue Exercises). Our crews have to be trained and certified in whatever position they are in. Every state in our Nation has a CAP "group". (it's late and I have a huge headache so it's hard to concentrate and write correctly.)
CAP is part of Homeland Security now. In fact, right after 9/11, when all other planes were still grounded, CAP planes were the only ones sanctioned to go up and do some recon. When we were founded during WWII, the members/pilots would go up in their planes and search the Atlantic Ocean for enemy subs. If they found any, they were allowed to drop actual bombs on the subs!!! We aren't allowed to do that anymore, but the basic premise is still the same....defend our Country, help when needed, and grow our young people into wonderful adults.
The three main missions of CAP are Aerospace Education, Emergency Services, and Cadet Programs. I am the most passionate about the Cadet Programs. I believe all teenagers have something to offer the world, and if they are given a chance sometimes that's all that is needed to turn their lives around. Of course, there are some real idiots out there who won't grab any life ring, but the majority of them will excel if someone just believes in them. Then, there are the other teens who are good, true young adults, but they get lumped in and stereotyped just because they are teens. That's not fair. I will go to great lengths to make sure "my" cadets are accommodated and can succeed. They know they can come to me with a problem or a question and I will listen to them. These young adults are going to be leading our world some day. They need all the help and encouragement there is while they are still young and impressionable.
I'm exhausted, and it's late (about 1AM, or 0100). I'll write more about CAP later.
The Air Force sends us out when they receive a "hit" and don't know where it's coming from. That's when we send out search teams (ground or air) to find the ELT that is going off so we can silence it. A beeping ELT can also mean a downed plane, so it's important to send out Teams who know what they are doing in case it becomes a search and rescue mission. We train on a monthly basis, having SAREXs (Search and Rescue Exercises). Our crews have to be trained and certified in whatever position they are in. Every state in our Nation has a CAP "group". (it's late and I have a huge headache so it's hard to concentrate and write correctly.)
CAP is part of Homeland Security now. In fact, right after 9/11, when all other planes were still grounded, CAP planes were the only ones sanctioned to go up and do some recon. When we were founded during WWII, the members/pilots would go up in their planes and search the Atlantic Ocean for enemy subs. If they found any, they were allowed to drop actual bombs on the subs!!! We aren't allowed to do that anymore, but the basic premise is still the same....defend our Country, help when needed, and grow our young people into wonderful adults.
The three main missions of CAP are Aerospace Education, Emergency Services, and Cadet Programs. I am the most passionate about the Cadet Programs. I believe all teenagers have something to offer the world, and if they are given a chance sometimes that's all that is needed to turn their lives around. Of course, there are some real idiots out there who won't grab any life ring, but the majority of them will excel if someone just believes in them. Then, there are the other teens who are good, true young adults, but they get lumped in and stereotyped just because they are teens. That's not fair. I will go to great lengths to make sure "my" cadets are accommodated and can succeed. They know they can come to me with a problem or a question and I will listen to them. These young adults are going to be leading our world some day. They need all the help and encouragement there is while they are still young and impressionable.
I'm exhausted, and it's late (about 1AM, or 0100). I'll write more about CAP later.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Superbowl--I can't be serious!!!
Every year I say I am not going to watch the Superbowl. Especially if the Ravens, Colts, or Patriots are not in it. Then along comes the hype about the commercials. OK, fine. I'll watch for the commercials (kind of like eating ice cream for the nutritional value of the milk). Of course, once a commercial is over, the Game comes back on, and, well, I have to see what's happening "just for a minute". Rats, there's a touchdown. Now I have to watch some more to see if the "other team" will make a comeback. Uh oh, someone got knocked down...ouch!!! Is he hurt? Hey, I recognize that name from the news. I definitely have to watch to make sure he's fine, but while I'm watching, yup...you guessed it....another commercial comes on.
It's a vicious circle. Every year. Without fail. The worst part is, I don't even understand the game!!! I have no clue, other than the ball is oval, what they do out on the field. I thought in order to score, there had to be a touchdown. AND, in order to have...I mean, kick....a field goal, there had to be a touchdown. In order for anything to happen and get points, there had to be a TD. Guess not.
This was a good game. The Steelers, who were trying for their sixth SB trophy, and the Cardinals who, I believe, were the underdogs this year. Arizona almost made it. That last TD by the Steelers was incredible. And, I CANNOT believe I am rambling on about football!!!
I'm glad someone won and they didn't have to go into OverTime. I was very disappointed in the commercials. I did not see any Budweiser commercials. That's too bad because I love those horses. They are so beautiful. Overall, the commercials did not impress me this year. Some were just downright stupid.
I'm reading more and more about this site, and all the gadgets and gizmos I can put on here. I really like this. I knew if it's from Google, it would be good. They seem to have brilliant minds over there, since they can get a computer-geek-wanna-be-but-never-will like me to understand how to work it. Yup, a 5 year old's brain in a 48 year old body!!!! ha ha. I can understand a lot of things, but anything to do with computer-speak, well, I'm gone.
I'm trying to figure out how to post my own pictures to the slideshow on the sidebar. I wonder if I can go through Kodakgallery.com. Well, I have photobucket, too, so I guess I'll put some pictures on there, then get them to my slideshow. If I can understand how to do that. Yes, I went to the FAQs. I have a basic understanding, but I think if I keep working at it, I'll understand it. I learn by doing, not necessarily by reading. My brain cells turn to ice and the information can skate right over them if I have to read something as boring and as dry as technical instructions. Show me once, maybe twice, and I'll catch right on.
Well, now that I'm finished writing about, of all things, football (!!!!!!) I will end this note, post it, and continue exploring. I did, however, see something about putting music on here. I'll have to get back to that information and learn how to import it.
We'll see. Now, back to Facebook to read comments about my status and the outcome of the game!!!!!!!!!
It's a vicious circle. Every year. Without fail. The worst part is, I don't even understand the game!!! I have no clue, other than the ball is oval, what they do out on the field. I thought in order to score, there had to be a touchdown. AND, in order to have...I mean, kick....a field goal, there had to be a touchdown. In order for anything to happen and get points, there had to be a TD. Guess not.
This was a good game. The Steelers, who were trying for their sixth SB trophy, and the Cardinals who, I believe, were the underdogs this year. Arizona almost made it. That last TD by the Steelers was incredible. And, I CANNOT believe I am rambling on about football!!!
I'm glad someone won and they didn't have to go into OverTime. I was very disappointed in the commercials. I did not see any Budweiser commercials. That's too bad because I love those horses. They are so beautiful. Overall, the commercials did not impress me this year. Some were just downright stupid.
I'm reading more and more about this site, and all the gadgets and gizmos I can put on here. I really like this. I knew if it's from Google, it would be good. They seem to have brilliant minds over there, since they can get a computer-geek-wanna-be-but-never-will like me to understand how to work it. Yup, a 5 year old's brain in a 48 year old body!!!! ha ha. I can understand a lot of things, but anything to do with computer-speak, well, I'm gone.
I'm trying to figure out how to post my own pictures to the slideshow on the sidebar. I wonder if I can go through Kodakgallery.com. Well, I have photobucket, too, so I guess I'll put some pictures on there, then get them to my slideshow. If I can understand how to do that. Yes, I went to the FAQs. I have a basic understanding, but I think if I keep working at it, I'll understand it. I learn by doing, not necessarily by reading. My brain cells turn to ice and the information can skate right over them if I have to read something as boring and as dry as technical instructions. Show me once, maybe twice, and I'll catch right on.
Well, now that I'm finished writing about, of all things, football (!!!!!!) I will end this note, post it, and continue exploring. I did, however, see something about putting music on here. I'll have to get back to that information and learn how to import it.
We'll see. Now, back to Facebook to read comments about my status and the outcome of the game!!!!!!!!!
So. This is a blog, huh? I've had very little experience with these things, so I'm going to take some time getting used to this. However, I absolutely love to write, so this is a good spot for me. This site in incredible!!! It's so, so easy to use, the "lines are clean" (no banners, ads, whatever), and it's sponsored by Google, so I feel like I'm on my homepage!!! Especially with the Smileys. I love smiley faces!!! They are so cute. I remember when they become really popular back in the 1970's. We had Smiley belt buckles, posters, notebooks, stickers, and on and on. It seems so long ago, yet I can still remember so much about that time. As much as I love Smiley Faces, I think I love ice cream even more. I dearly love ice cream.
So, a little about me. Ummm....let's see. What first....I am 48, female, and I have two incredible children, both of whom are in college. Yes, I know, everyone in the world says they have the best children, but in my case it happens to be true!!!! Yup, they say that, too, but, well, you know what I'm going to say next......I have the best!!!! ha ha ha
I am a Christian. That's extremely important to me. Having a relationship with Christ is the only thing that gets me through this life. I am so grateful for what He did, and for being a part of my life. Have I made mistakes in my life? Absolutely. Am I perfect? Not a chance. However, I know I'm forgiven for being so stupid in my life because I have Him in my heart. It's a great feeling.
I can't wait to get used to all the fun things I can do with this blog page. I'm not very smart when it comes to technology, and yet I love it and I'm fascinated by it. Hmmmm.....I wonder if I will be able to change the layout/page/background to something from my own computer. I'd like some pretty pictures. Maybe of, hmmm, oh maybe flowers!!! ha ha Close ups of flowers with bees on them!!! Friendly bees from Scotland!!! ha ha ha Honestly, Scotland has the friendliest bees!!!!! I have some incredible pictures to prove it. I loved visiting Scotland. It's so beautiful over there. More on how and why I was over there at another time.
Right now, I think I'll post this so I can get an idea of what it will look like. Thanks, my "baby" Katie for letting me know about this site!!!!!
So, a little about me. Ummm....let's see. What first....I am 48, female, and I have two incredible children, both of whom are in college. Yes, I know, everyone in the world says they have the best children, but in my case it happens to be true!!!! Yup, they say that, too, but, well, you know what I'm going to say next......I have the best!!!! ha ha ha
I am a Christian. That's extremely important to me. Having a relationship with Christ is the only thing that gets me through this life. I am so grateful for what He did, and for being a part of my life. Have I made mistakes in my life? Absolutely. Am I perfect? Not a chance. However, I know I'm forgiven for being so stupid in my life because I have Him in my heart. It's a great feeling.
I can't wait to get used to all the fun things I can do with this blog page. I'm not very smart when it comes to technology, and yet I love it and I'm fascinated by it. Hmmmm.....I wonder if I will be able to change the layout/page/background to something from my own computer. I'd like some pretty pictures. Maybe of, hmmm, oh maybe flowers!!! ha ha Close ups of flowers with bees on them!!! Friendly bees from Scotland!!! ha ha ha Honestly, Scotland has the friendliest bees!!!!! I have some incredible pictures to prove it. I loved visiting Scotland. It's so beautiful over there. More on how and why I was over there at another time.
Right now, I think I'll post this so I can get an idea of what it will look like. Thanks, my "baby" Katie for letting me know about this site!!!!!
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