Italian "Gun" culture?

Ho! Wait a minute that should be "AMMO" culture. It seems EasyJet (a subsidary of Easy Group of the UK) is doing an investigation into how an elderly ITALIAN man (yeah, gotta stress that he ain't from the South) got onboard their aircraft with AMMO. NO GUN, just ammunition.

He was bording a plane in Naples (or about 100 miles outside it knowning EasyJet) for a trip to Stansted (an airport about 1 hour from London). They are investigating how he got past THEIR security folks...Um hello?!? HTF did he get past the ITALIAN airport folks to board that plane?? These people have Carabinieri on duty (Military trained anti-Terrorism Police - very heavily armed for European law enforcement).

Seriously man, thats like the French having a hissy that the US was pissed they let Richard Reid (the Shoe Bomber) on a US bound flight. HELLO??? We can check security when they GET to us, but you might want to use security to ensure dangerous EXPLOSIVES don't get on at YOUR end.


On a related note, the EU "Supreme" Court (asparations against the hated US even in their federal branches...) has ruled that it is illegal for airlines to supply data to the US about passengers coming from the EU.

Wonder just how many planes will not be allowed to enter US airspace, and are fined $6,000 PER passenger before the Eurowennies in Brussel realize we're not going to place nice? Yeah boys and girls, you have NO right to enter the US (no matter what the EU or the UN tells you about 'open borders') if we don't want you. So, how many more times will the Europeans shoot themselves in the proverbial foot before they take their airlines and it's safety seriously? I'm sure they'll shortly be applying for a Purple Heart due to "wounding" in battle...

Time is running short...VOTE!!

Yes ladies and genlemen, you have only two days left in which to cast a vote for the book of your choice. It's to be read next month, and reviewed, per my post on the blogging bookclub.

The votes as they stand now:

1 Dandelion Wine - Ray Bradbury
2 Inferno - Dante
1 The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert Anson Heinlein


So, if you want to vote - leave a comment or send an e-mail. You have until tomorrow night my time (CET - aka GMT+1) to get it to me. After midnight I'll place a post up with the title of the winning book, and author, and you'll have the whole month of June in which to read it. :D

What's is all about?

This American holiday of Memorial Day? It's not about 'family days' or BBQ, picnics, sunshine or a day off work. It isn't the get ready for summer, or when you can dig out the white shoes and be within the 'rules' of fashion. It's to honor those who have given their lifeblood so that you CAN do those things on so hallowed a day.







No mere words I type will ever surpass the great deeds that have made this a sacred day. What little eloquince I possess will never equal the honor and beauty of their actions, but I shall try...



The Unknown Soldier

There's a grave right near the White House
Where the Unknown Soldier lies
And the flowers there are sprinkled
With the tears of mothers' eyes.

I stood there not so long ago
With roses for the grave
When suddenly I thought I heard
A voice speak from the grave.

"I am the Unknown Soldier"
The spirit voice began,
"And I think I've got a right
To ask some questions, man to man.

Are my buddies taken care of?
Was their victory so sweet?
Is that big reward you promised,
Selling pencils in the street?

Did they really win the freedom
That they battled to achieve?
Do you still respect the Croix de Guerre
Above that empty sleeve?

Does the gold star in the window
Now mean anything at all?
I wonder how my old gal feels
When she hears the bugle call?

And that baby that sang
'Hello Central, give me to No Man's Land;'
Can they replace her daddy
With a military band?

I wonder if the profiteers
Have satisfied their greed?
I wonder if the soldier's mother
Ever is in need?

I wonder if the kings
Who planned it all are satisfied?
They played their game of checkers
And eleven million died!

Oh, I'd like to see their faces
When they reach the Devil's door,
But even down in Hell
There is no torture such as war.

I am the Unknown Solder
And maybe I died in vain,
But if I were alive and my country called
I'd do it all over again."




Semper Paratus
From North and South and East and West,
The Coast Guard's in the fight.
Destroying subs and landing troops,
The Axis feels our might.
For we're the first invaders,
On every fighting field.
Afloat, ashore, on men and Spars,
You'll find the Coast Guard shield.

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto, too.
We're "Always Ready," do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we fight for you.

From Aztec shore to Arctic zone,
To Europe and Far East.
The Flag is carried by our ships,
In times of war and peace.
And never have we struck it yet,
In spite of foe-men's might,
Who cheered our crews and cheered again,
For showing how to fight.

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto, too.
We're "Always Ready," do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we fight for you.

SURVEYOR and NARCISSUS,
The EAGLE and DISPATCH,
The HUDSON and the TAMPA
The names are hard to match;
From Barrow's shores to Paraguay,
Great Lakes or ocean's wave,
The Coast Guard fought through storms and winds
To punish or to save.

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto, too.
We're "Always Ready," do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we fight for you.

Aye, we've been "Always Ready"
To do, to fight, or die
Write glory to the shield we wear
In letters to the sky.
To sink the foe or save the maimed
Our mission and our pride
We'll carry on 'til Kingdom Come
Ideals for which we've died.

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through howling gale and shot and shell,
To win our victory.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our pledge, our motto, too.
We're "Always Ready," do or die!
Aye! Coast Guard, we fight for you.





The Caisson Song

Over hill, over dale, we have hit the dusty trail,
and our caissons go rolling along.
In and out hear them shout "Counter march! And right a-bout,"
and the cais-sons go rolling along.

Then it's "Hi, hi, hee!" in the field artillery.
Shout out your numbers loud and strong (one two!)
For where e'er we go, you will always know that the
caissons go rolling along.
that the caissons go rolling along.

In the storm, in the night, action left or action right,
see the caissons go rolling along.
Limber front, limber rear, prepare to mount your canoneer,
and the caissons go rolling along.

Then it's "Hi, hi, hee!" in the field artillery.
Shout out your numbers loud and strong (one two!)
For where e'er we go, you will always know that the
caissons go rolling along.
that the caissons go rolling along.

To the front, day and night, where the doughboys dig and fight,
and those caissons go rolling along.
Our barrage will be there, fired on the rocket's flare,
as those caissons go rolling along.

Then it's "Hi, hi, hee!" in the field artillery.
Shout out your numbers loud and strong (one two!)
For where e'er we go, you will always know that the
caissons go rolling along.
that the caissons go rolling along.





THE MARINES' HYMN

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country’s battles
In the air, on land and sea.

First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of
United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
from dawn to setting sun.
We have fought in every clime and place,
where we could take a gun.

In the snow of far off northern lands
and in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job,
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
which we are proud to serve.
In many a strife we've fought for life
and never lost our nerve.

If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes,
they will find the streets are guarded by
United States Marines.





Air Force Song

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
climb-ing high into the sun.
Here they come, zoom-ing to meet our thunder,
at 'em boys, give 'er the gun!

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame.
Nothing'll stop the US Air Force!

Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder,
sent it high into the blue.
Hands of men blasted the world asunder;
how they lived God only knew!

Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
gave us wings, ever to soar!
With scouts before and bombers galore,
Nothing'll stop the US Air Force!

Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
keep the wings level and true.
If you'd live to be a gray-haired wonder
keep the nose out of the blue!

Flying men, guarding the nations border,
we'll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry one.
Nothing'll stop the US Air Force!






THE NAVY HYMN (ETERNAL FATHER)

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.

Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Amen.

Eternal Father, lend Thy grace
To those with wings who fly thro' space,
Thro wind and storm, thro' sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.

Oh Father, hear a humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air! Amen.

Oh Trinity of love and pow'r,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e'er they go.

Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.





I am Thankful to be an American

am thankful to be an American,
To live in the greatest land of all.
In a nation blessed, it's the very best,
I can stand with my head up tall.

I am thankful to be an American,
To be born in a land that's free.
I am thankful to God for allowing me to be,
An American.





When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again

When Johnny comes marching home again,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The men will cheer and the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out
And we'll all feel gay,
When Johnny comes marching home.

The old church bell will peal with joy
Hurrah! Hurrah!
To welcome home our darling boy
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The village lads and lassies say
With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay
When Johnny comes marching home.

Get ready for the Jubilee,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give the hero three times three,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The laurel wreath is ready now
To place upon his loyal brow
And we'll all feel gay
When Johnny comes marching home.





Comin' In On a Wing and a Prayer

Coming in on a wing and a prayer (coming in on a wing and a prayer)
Coming in on a wing and a prayer (coming in a plane)
Though there's one who is gone, we still carry on
We're coming in on a wing and a prayer (a wing and a prayer).
Watta a show (watta show) what a fight (watta fight)
Yup, we really hit our target for tonight (hit our target tonight)
How we sing as we lift through the air (we lift while we are singing).
Look below, there's our field over there (over there)
With a full throttle on and our struts in a storm,
We're coming in on a wing .





Keep the Home Fires Burning

They were summoned from the hillside
They were called in from the glen,
And the country found them ready
At the stirring call for men.
Let no tears add to their hardships
As the soldiers pass along,
And although your heart is breaking
Make it sing this cheery song:

Keep the Home Fires Burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There's a silver lining
Through the dark clouds shining,
Turn the dark cloud inside out
'Til the boys come home.

Overseas there came a pleading,
"Help a nation in distress."
And we gave our glorious laddies
Honour bade us do no less,
For no gallant son of freedom
To a tyrant's yoke should bend,
And a noble heart must answer
To the sacred call of "Friend."

Keep the Home Fires Burning,
While your hearts are yearning,
Though your lads are far away
They dream of home.
There's a silver lining
Through the dark clouds shining,
Turn the dark cloud inside out
'Til the boys come home.





Over There

Johnnie, get your gun,
Get your gun, get your gun,
Take it on the run,
On the run, on the run.
Hear them calling, you and me,
Every son of liberty.
Hurry right away,
No delay, go today,
Make your daddy glad
To have had such a lad.
Tell your sweetheart not to pine,
To be proud her boy's in line.
(chorus sung twice)

Johnnie, get your gun,
Get your gun, get your gun,
Johnnie show the Hun
Who's a son of a gun.
Hoist the flag and let her fly,
Yankee Doodle do or die.
Pack your little kit,
Show your grit, do your bit.
Yankee to the ranks,
From the towns and the tanks.
Make your mother proud of you,
And the old Red, White and Blue.
(chorus sung twice)

Chorus
Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there -
That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Ev'rywhere.
So prepare, say a pray'r,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there.




There are those that now question why we fight, saying we should just "get out". They have forgotten the basic, and bloody, lessons of war. If we do not fight the enemy where he lives, we shall all too shortly be fighting him where WE live.







A few last images...remember the reason we honor this day...and those that fight for you still America.

Ack! Stop the World, I wanna get off!

Oh man, it's only noon and the day is NOT going good. The 5 year-old presented with hives, rash and swelling in her feet and hands this morning. CRAP!!

That meant a rush to the hospital in Pordenone, after backtracking to our house (there's some big bike race going on that blocked the SS13 - the road used to get to the hospital). So a trip that should take 10 minutes on a slow day took 30 including turn-around time.

By the time we got to the hospital the rash was gone, but the swelling was worse. There was no accompanying pain, just itchy while the rash was present.

Did actually see one of the interpetors today (YEAH!!) so I was able to 'talk' to the doctor and vice versa.

Turns out the kid apparently has a food allergy, that's most likely going to continue to make apperances. :(

So out of this list, guess what she doesn't USUALLY eat?
chocolate
tomatos
shell fish
fried food
eggs
strawberries
melon or cantelope
tuna
lunch meat
soda
cured/processed cheese

No extra points will be awarded for parents of small children. ;)


So, for the next week the child will take medication twice a day, plus be strictly limited on what she can eat.

Add to this her sister's birthday on Monday, and she ain't a happy camper to say the least. You know how hard it is to find items in Itlay that don't use tomatos? Pizza, most pasta, and many meat dishes use 'em. Most Chinese food is out as well - fried, shell fish and eggs.

Poor kid...Oh well, I'll schedule an appointment with the clinic on Tuesday to see the Peds folks (and hopefully get a referal to Allergy) about finding just what she's allergic to, and how to deal with it. Guess it's good we found out before she started school, in case she needs a supply of medication with her, or her diet permanently limited.

Still, I feel for the little heathen, she loves almost everything on that list, and I don't think this coming week is going to be a happy time in our house. Anyone got a guest room I can borrow? ;)

Book List

Okay, I submit the following books to be read for our first installment of the Blogging Bookclub (still need a name!):

Dandelion Wine - Ray Bradbury
Inferno - Dante
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert Anson Heinlein



I will accept ONE vote per person (via e-mail or comment) until 01 June! On 01 June I will list the WINNING book title (and author).

ANYONE may submit a review of the book. I will place the review post up on 01 July, along with the next month's book selection (there will be another "poll" to pick it).

Participation is VOLUNTARY. If you want to participate one month but not another, that's fine! This is purely an excercise in mental usage and discussion. I will NOT require you to participate if you don't want to. Book-burnout is NOT a good thing to a bibliophile and I am one.

If you want to submit a review for ME to publish, please do so NLT 29 June. (I will post a reminder...but feel free to "mark" your calanders.) IF you wish to publish a review on YOUR site, please make sure to leave a track-back ping OR a comment on the appropriate post.

Happy voting and reading, ya'll! :D

File Hosting!

I found a place to host my files for free! So, now I shall start uploading them. If there are any Sims2 players that want Roman walls and floors, let me know! :D

Party News

Well, the kids had fun yesterday at the oldest heathen's party. They actually REALLY liked the bite-the-apple game. (You tie one small apple per child into a tree and let them act like ponies biting at it.) I was quite suprised at that, what with it being a 'healthy' game. (It did make for some great pictures though.)

We did a water relay race, had cascarones (I still have 4 dozen here at the house), bean-bag toss and of course the Pinata! (No TEXAN born birthday bash is done right without a pinata - even if it does come from AAFES.)

If you're family and you're reading the blog you know the other page with the photos are. If not - well just use your imagination. :D

Free file hosting?

Does anyone know of a good location for FREE file hosting? I built another Roman villa (this time with garden and CUSTOM walls and floors) and MTS2 went from "conditional" acceptance to REJECTION on the basis that the house was too simple in plan.

It's Great Staughton (which I already made - AND they ACCEPTED without gardens and NO custom content). So I shall apparently use MTS2 to download items, but I won't be uploading anything (I'm fed-up enough to not even offer the walls and floors for download).

I'm loath to send my items to a pay site as everything I create I want to be freely available for other Simmers who want Roman stuff. That, and if somebody is gonna get paid for my stuff it damn sure better be ME! I never claimed to be altruistic. ;)

So if any of my readers know of a site with free hosting of files, I'd greatly appreciate it. I don't want to use my Yahoo! group for items such as houses with custom content as they're large and will suck the file bandwidth really easily.

Blue Screen of DEATH!!

Does anyone know how to trouble shoot a BSOD? Hubby keeps getting one but the stupid error flashes off the screen too quickly for him to read it and write it down.

Apparently he got a virus becase it won't allow him to run the Windows Updater (which is the suggested methond to ensure the drivers aren't the problem).

Any help is appreciated - and would be greatfully accepted before he destroys his computer due to repeat BSOD. :D

And WE'RE the rascists?

Mexico puts insane restrictions on it's "undocumented migrants" (aka ILLEGALS).

They can't reach the highest levels of government. Hell they're banned from LOCAL government - as well as the military, the cops (gotta keep that jewel of corruption for the "native born"), the firefighters and every other job you can think of.

While they whine that we're racist and xenophobic, they bar as many from entering as possible. Those that do want to stay in Mexico are

Speaking of the hundreds of thousands of Central Americans who enter Mexico each year, chauffeur Arnulfo Hernandez, 57, said: "The ones who want to reach the United States, we should send them up there. But the ones who want to stay here, it's usually for bad reasons, because they want to steal or do drugs."

"...because they want to steal or do drugs." - BWAHAHAHAHA WTF are you talkin' about Arnulfo? You're frikin' government is OWNED by the cartels, the military works to get their drugs into the US by firing on US Border Patrol agents, and you have the chihones to back a government that calls US racists?

I'd be laughing if it wasn't so f*ckin indicative of the way the US is treated. We're the f*ckin' world police until we take on the bad guys givin' illegal oil to our 'allies'. We're the "land of opportunity" until we expect you to respect our laws and come here legally. Everybody what the US to pay their f*ckin' way but won't tolerate the US demanding that we get some value for our dollar.

I wonder how long it'll take the ACLU to have the 9th Circuit deem "national language" & "common and unifying language" unconstitutional. They're already salavating at the thought of it...Californians have already weighted in calling it "cultural chauvinism" and "reactionary nativism". Hhhmm, no boys and girls that would be "mexicans" claiming the US is "occupied Mexico" and flying US flags upside down with the Mexican one on top. Yeah, you're little 'red pride' displays have right royaly backfired.

Just WTF gets to decide who STOLE what from whom? Clovis first has been roundly challenged with strong evidence that WHITE EUROPEANS immigrated to the 'new world' before the "land bridge". That would make those "natives" not quite "native", wouldn't it?

You want to come to the US? FINE! Do it legally. MY family did, many branches of my family did, so WTF makes illegals incapable of doing it? It's not like the f*ckin' forms aren't in Spanish (and French, and Hindi, and Arabic, and yada, yada, yada). It's not like they aren't catered to by people KNOWING they're illegal. It's not as though getting here is the f*ckin' hard. So why not come legally, GET A JOB and PAY TAXES??

If you're so all-fired set to come to the US, make yourself productive - and that means paying taxes mi ijo y mi ija, not sucklin' off the US teet and then wondering why the milk gets sour.


Oh, and I'm sure the Brits are having a right ol' laugh at the "English" wording in the Senate proposals. We don't speak English, we speak American. And some of us graced by God and Goddess speak TEXAN. :)

Simmer Romanus2!

Okay, I created my own Yahoo! group devoted to Roman Sims2 creations. I've uploaded some walls and floors in case anyone wants to play with them. :D



alt="Click here to join simmerromanus2">
Click to join simmerromanus2

Italian-American Sports and Music Day!

Are you in the Aviano area? You might be interested in:



You may need to click the photo to be able to read it all.

Bookclub?

So far I've had one response to the idea of a blogging bookclub. Due to that I thought I'd better explain what I meant by "bloggin bookclub" (still lookin' for a name, too) in case anyone thinks it may be labor intensive.




1. We would pick a book by majority rule. Anyone would be able to recommend, and vote for a book. One VOTE per blogger (or reader if you don't blog), but as many suggetested books as you desire.


2. The 'meeting' would be once a month at this blog for the forseeable future. Mobile hosting is a possibility, but not a requirement.


3. Anyone could write a review, or description of the book. You could opt to host your own post about it, or e-mail it to me and I would happily post it for you (with a link back to your blog if desired). I would prefer not to have annonymous reviews purely for the fact that I see this as a means to "get to know" you, and if we don't know who you are, then we can't rightly get to know you. ;)


4. I propose the post to be once a month, on the first or fifteenth (or any other date picked by consensus) so that there is a posting to look forward to, and a 'schedule' if you will. That should give ample time for any book that I can forsee reading.


5. There are no requirements to join other than reading the book and having something to say about it. "It was great." is something to say about it, though it would be more interesting to read a deeper opinion.


6. Any book may be reviewed, I have no problems with religious or political though I think novels would be more entertaining and less "realworld".


Some suggested books:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (aka the Sorcerer's Stone in the states)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The DaVinci Code
The Gunslinger
Interview with a Vampire
We Were Soldiers Once, and Young
Huckleberry Finn
The Canterbury Tales
The Inferno

These are all just suggestions, several of which I've read (and reread). There is no reason we can't revisit books already read and enjoyed. I personally think multiple readings of a book can add new understanding and insight into the work.

So if you're interested leave a comment or send me an e-mail.

Yoga Question

Do any of my readers, all 8 of you now (woo hoo! I've grown!) do Yoga?

I've done Yoga moves (really butteasy simple ones ya'll - like "family" style so the kiddos can join in if they want) 4 times in the last 6 days and have fallen asleep after every set. Fallen asleep on the floor, in the final relaxation position! Is this normal?

I've been getting the same amount of sleep and the movements aren't what I'd call difficult or excertive by any means. I'm just wondering if you're SUPPOSED to relax to the point of falling asleep, or if I'm relaxing TOO much. (Can you relax TOO much??) Just curious...being a Leo and all - curiosity killed the cat but knowing brought it back. ;)


Off to mow the yard now - what with one heathen recovering from a nasty stomach bug, the oldest just coming down with it, the dog still chewing himself but not nearly as bad, and the middle heathen just being - well - the middle heathen. :D

Deseo las líricas a Soy de San Luis

You know how damn hard it is to track those things down? I've got the damn CD they came from but Google and Yahell and Dogpile just keep askin' me to buy the damn thing! I want the LYRICS not the frikin' tabs, not the cords, the LYRICS - the WORDS.

Now I know not everyone is into Conjunto, but seriously ya'll it shouldn't be impossible to locate the lyrics for TEXAS TORNADOS songs! Shit, I'd a found the needle in the proverbial frikin' haystack by now!

I understand not everyone, even TEXANS, were raised like I was - thank the good god and goddess! But come on, I can NOT be the ONLY human on the face of the planet that likes the TEXAS TORNADOS! I get I wasn't raised all 'whitey' in South Texas, but seriously not one single lyric site in 10+ pages per search engine has turned up any lyrics other than "Hey Baby Que Paso", "Is Anybody goin' to San Antone" and the like. I want the lyrics for Soy De San Luis, La Mucura, Mentiras & A Mover El Bote.

SHEESH!! I'm not askin' the frikin' much!!

Text Change

Okay I changed my text color. Good, bad or otherwise? The white was beginning to 'blur' in my vision. You know the drill - e-mail me or leave a comment...

Poison Ivy?

Someone, who shall remain nameless, commented on my Mother's Day post about an annoying weed, so...

1. Do you want to eradicate the weed? If so, what is it's physical location (in tree growth, sandy soil outside of more dense growth, etc)?

2. Are you asking for help on treating a reaction to exposure to the plant? If so, for yourself, or an animal? Also, where on the body of the 'patient' is the outbreak localized to? Do you want medicinal plants to use, or what?

Answer these few simple questions, in triplicate, and the doctor will be with you after consulting her copious amounts of reference books on medicinal plants and gardening.

**NO I AM NOT A TRAINED DOCTOR - I'm being a smartass. ;)**

EDIS Anyone?

Well if you get assigned to Aviano and need EDIS services, we can vouch for them!

The oldest goes to Kids Yoga, as well as seeing one of the docs for "emotional outburst control issues" - yeah, she throws fits, but has always been HIGHSTRUNG imo. She's getting better, but we still have BAD days - but geared to others at school, not at home. Me thinks she can control herself IF SHE WANTS but enjoys pushing the envelope at school because she can get away with it until the teacher calls me...and even that little bit of getting away with it is it's own reward to an end.



The middle one used to see EDIS in the UK before transitioning to Dodea (Department of Defense dependent schools) at age 3. Now she goes to speech class twice a week at school and both she and MOMMY are VERY MUCH looking forward to all-day Kindergarten. Can you tell???

If anyone ever gets assigned to RAF Croughton, I personally can vouch for the childhood educators at the school and their superb skills in their job. She used to be unintellgible (by me) when she started school and by the time we left (2 years later) she could run races around you with her speech and could spell her first name. I'm only sorry I couldn't smuggle her teacher into our Household Goods shipment!



Now the youngest has the speech teacher at school worried - she doesn't use consanants (me = EE; please= eesee, mine = ine, etc.), so she had me drop over at EDIS yesterday and schedule an eval for her speech delay. 15 pages of paper later, and we'll take those to EDIS next week for her eval. (Her hearing and speech pathology test will be in June.)

Once they complete both of those items, they'll tally her score and forward that to Dodea (at age 3 they become eligible for school-age services in addition to EDIS). Dodea will then convene an evaluation board (the principal, the speech teacher, the proposed teachers (if different from just the speech teacher), the child psycologist, etc.) to use EDIS' scoresheet to determine if the youngest is able to go to school early for services.



Now, I went to a speech therapist as a child. Had issues with making S sounds (which gave rise to bizarre family nicknames - I ain't tellin' ya!). I don't so much remember working on my sounds as I do playing with the toys afterwards. But, I can say S now, so she must have been good at what she did.

Oh well, maybe we'll end up with another cavat on our PCS orders - the middle one needs services that limits where hubby can go overseas with us. Stateside isn't a problem, but the little shit might just end up with some of that paperwork too. :D



So next week I've got to go to EDIS on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - just to give a head's up my posting will be less that the prolific rate I have been doing. ;)

Yeah, what Rose said...

Obviously borrowed from Her Majesty - with all due irreverence. I, of course, added a few extra quiz results - once I start I can't stop!! :D

Rhianna -- [adjective]: 100% kinky 'How will you be defined in the sexual dictionary?' at QuizUniverse.com

Well I am votin' for him! ;)

a_texan_abroad -- [noun]: A master of sexual gratification 'How will you be defined in the sexual dictionary?' at QuizUniverse.com

a_texan_abroad will go to jail for ... Celebrating nude day 'What sexual activity will you go to jail for?' at QuizUniverse.com

You prefer Passionate sex! You enjoy passionate sex. You're the kind of person that has tons of fun in the sack, and you can really get into it. Not necessarily rough and lusty, passionate sex is the kind that satisfies both your lovin' and horny needs.

'What is the best type of sex for you?' at QuizUniverse.com

Daring, confident, animalistic You like to have a lot of sex and try a lot of things. You are very kinky and have a lot of confidence in yourself. You like to explore all aspects of sexuality because it is something that interests you a lot.

Take this quiz at QuizUniverse.com

a_texan_abroad is most likely to get laid in Vatican City, in a tavern. Take this quiz at QuizUniverse.com

That's funny on so many levels...

A Peacock A peacock represents your sexual appetite. You like to look good to attract potential lovers and you are very preoccupied with sex – not that that is a bad thing. You are into fantasizing, and enjoy sex a lot. Take this quiz at QuizUniverse.com

As it turns out, a_texan_abroad is aroused by ... Asparagus 'What crazy thing are you aroused by?' at QuizUniverse.com

Well I guess it is the fallic symbol of nature. I guess...

Mother's Day

Just got back from the oldest's Mother's Day Tea at school, and decided to put up my Mother's Day post a few days early. I hope everyone of you has a great Mother's Day - be it with your mother, your children, you grandkids or grandmothers, aunts, nieces, bestfriends, cousins, etc. Everyone of us knows a mother, so make sure you tell her Happy Mother's Day.

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up puke laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here".

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see.
And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football, hockey or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.
And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies.
And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school.
And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby,
cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your
son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone
for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2
A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?


Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers..
Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray.

Please pass along to all the Moms in your life.

Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."

A MOTHER IS
the DENTIST
who uses a string.

the SUNSHINE
on a cloudy day.

the STORY TELLER
when you can't get to sleep.

the HAIR STYLIST
on the night of the prom.

the DOCTOR
who cures poison ivy.

the TEACHER
who teaches about life.

the SEAMSTRESS
who patches torn jeans.

the COMEDIAN
who makes you laugh when you're down.

the CHEERLEADER
at all sports activities.

the NURSE
who bandages a scraped knee.

the ARTIST
who teaches finger painting.

the LAUNDRY LADY
who keeps you dressed so nice.

the BAKER
who makes chocolate chip cookies.

the TUTOR
who helps with homework.

the COUNSELOR
who gives guidance.

the CLEANING LADY
who finds the bedroom floor.

the TOOTH FAIRY
who rewards you for your pain.

the HEALER
of your first broken heart.

the CHAUFFEUR
for all social events.

the DISHWASHER
who never complains.

the SELF-ESTEEM BUILDER
for everyone.

the COOK
who keeps the meals balanced.

the DREAM CATCHER
who helps find dreams.

the KLEENEX
that dries the tears.

the KEY
that unlocks the door to the future.

the JUDGE
who makes decisions with wisdom.

the PARTY PLANNER
who makes you popular.

the SINGER
who taught childhood songs.

the LIGHT
that guides through dark moments.

the EGO BUILDER
who picks you up when you're down.

the DRUGGIST
who knows the cure for your pain.

the PRAYING HANDS
that guide spiritually.

the GUARDIAN ANGEL
who keeps you safe.

the FRIEND
who puts real meaning into "I Love You"!


The love of a mother is cherished and valued
throughout our entire life.

You have brought so much joy, wisdom, strength
and love into the lives of your children.

You make sacrifices, you give your all,
and make the world a better place for your family.

The light of your motherhood has been a blessing to
those around you and have made me proud to know you.

May God bless you with a wonderful and joyous
Mother's Day.




This is the story the teacher read to all us Mommies and children today (in between cries) and we were all crying along with her before the story was over. Get your hankies handy, you're gonna need 'em.


Love You Forever

by Robert Munsch

A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The baby grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was two years old, and he ran all around the house. He pulled all the books off the shelves. He pulled all the food out of the refrigerator and he took his mother's watch and flushed it down the toilet. Sometimes his mother would say, "this kid is driving me CRAZY!"

But at night time, when that two-year-old was quiet, she opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor, looked up over the side of his bed; and if he was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The little boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was nine years old. And he never wanted to come in for dinner, he never wanted to take a bath, and when grandma visited he always said bad words. Sometimes his mother wanted to sell him to the zoo!

But at night time, when he was asleep, the mother quietly opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep, she picked up that nine-year-old boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

The boy grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a teenager. He had strange friends and he wore strange clothes and he listened to strange music. Sometimes the mother felt like she was in a zoo!

But at night time, when that teenager was asleep, the mother opened the door to his room, crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed. If he was really asleep she picked up that great big boy and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. While she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

That teenager grew. He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until he was a grown-up man. He left home and got a house across town. But sometimes on dark nights the mother got into her car and drove across town. If all the lights in her son's house were out, she opened his bedroom window, crawled across the floor, and looked up over the side of his bed. If that great big man was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Well, that mother, she got older. She got older and older and older. One day she called up her son and said, "You'd better come see me because I'm very old and sick." So her son came to see her. When he came in the door she tried to sing the song. She sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always...

But she couldn't finish because she was too old and sick. The son went to his mother. He picked her up and rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And he sang this song:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be.

When the son came home that night, he stood for a long time at the top of the stairs. Then he went into the room where his very new baby daughter was sleeping. He picked her up in his arms and very slowly rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while he rocked her he sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Operation Gratitude Third Annual Patriotic Drive

In recognition of Military Appreciation Month, Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, will kick-off its Third Annual Patriotic Drive over Armed Forces Weekend, May 20-21, assembling and mailing over 40,000 care packages to deployed troops for delivery by July 4th.

During the Armed Forces Weekend and continuing through the Memorial Day and Father's Day Weekends, Operation Gratitude, together with the California Army National Guard, 746th QM BN and more than 1000 volunteers, will assemble and ship at least 40,000 Patriotic Care Packages filled with assorted snacks, Girl Scout Cookies, Computer Flash Drives, DVDs, CDs, games, stuffed animals, t-shirts, toiletries and personal letters of support.

WHAT: Operation Gratitude Patriotic Drive

WHEN:
May 20-21, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily (Armed Forces Weekend)
May 27-29, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily (Memorial Weekend)
June 17-18, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily (Father's Day Weekend)

WHERE:
California Army National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, Ca. 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise

All products for the packages have been donated by individuals, organizations, schools, community groups, businesses and Corporate Sponsors (companies that have donated $10,000 or 10,000 items or more), including Schering-Plough, EZ Scores, NetZeroVoice, San Francisco Bay Coffee, Champion Nutrition, Kingston Technology, Break.com, Sunkist Pistachios, Emer'gen-C, FritoLay, Beer Nuts, Fortune Fashion, Military Money Magazine, On-Line Administrators, Avery, Axiom Label and Girl Scout Councils in Southern California and Colorado. Participating Checkers/Rally's Restaurants across the country are official Drop-Off sites for item donations through June 15. Overall expenses of ~$15/package are covered by tax deductible financial donations from citizens across the country and from Corporate Sponsors including Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and Covey Run/Turner Road Wineries.

Donations of items and letters will be accepted through June 15. For more information and downloadable Flyers about the Patriotic Drive and Letter Writing Campaigns, please email:cblashek@aol.com

Operation Gratitude obtains the names of troops from their loved ones or from comrades who previously received a package. The vast majority of names are provided by commanders and leaders in the field who have seen first-hand the positive impact of the program on the morale of their Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors.