Saturday, June 13, 2009

A Brother Abroad

Here's something I didn't know: The Marine Corps was founded in 1775 (before our country was "officially" formed).

Also, while the Marine Corps is the smallest branch of today's military, it plays a major role as the first force on the ground in most conflicts. Today, 184,000 Marines are stationed around the world at all times, ready to deploy quickly whenever and wherever needed.

The minimum service commitment for the Marine Corps is four years, but as the saying goes "There are no retired Marines, only former Marines".


This is Day 136.

Friday, June 12, 2009

A Brother Abroad

The following clip was created by a recent visitor to the Marine Corps National Museum in Quantico, and it features some pretty amazing images.

Though I try not to overwhelm this daily post with what most would consider propaganda (I really do try), there are a lot of emotional/inspiring tributes out there that help to put faces on the nameless, faceless thousands of people serving or loving someone in service. In truth, I don't really have a problem with propoganda as long as everyone understands that's what it is.

If you have your filter on, then takes things for what they're worth.

Anyway, speaking of worth, I did see some value in this one.

This is Day 135.


News for the Seasonal Sufferers...


According to my friend Karen's doctor, Dr. Something, the allergy season should come to a close around 4th of July when pollination has passed its peak.

What does that mean?

Maybe, just maybe, my little boy will be able to open his swollen, itchy, red eyes just enough to catch sight of his first fireworks.

In other breaking news, toddlers HATE eye drops.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

A Brother Abroad

To better enable my addiction to Pandora.com, I decided to put in my brother and Nurse Julie's wedding song to see what Pandora might suggest their "love soundtrack" would be. Their song was "The Search is Over" by Survivor....

The results:

"Anyway You Want it" -Journey
"Everything I Do, I Do it for You" --Bryan Adams
"You're the Inspiration" --Chicago
"A Hard Hand to Hold" --Ace Young (the guy from American Idol!)


The Greater Result:

For their anniversary, I think a bottle of aerosol hairspray and a subscription to the Lifetime channel is in order.....

This is Day 134.

Picture of the Day


Ballerinas Gone Wild

Why is This Woman Still on Television?

I was never a fan, but what was she thinking? Would it be okay for someone to bring up Frank's little indiscretion with that airline stewardness in front of Cody (even if he is the golden child)?

Maybe I'm being too hard on her....but I really can't stand her.



Wednesday, June 10, 2009

A Brother Abroad

And thank you, Tom Hanks.

This is Day 133.


Stuff to Share

In the last twenty-four hours, I have learned three (and only three!) interesting things:

1) If you want to increase your own homeland security, nieghborhood watch associations are now suggesting that you sleep with your car keys next to your bed. In the event that you hear something shady outside, just hit the alarm to scare the would be burglar*/intruder and alert your soon to be annoyed neighbors.

2) Congress just passed the "Cash for Clunkers" bill that (if also passed by the Senate) will allow us all to trade in any insured, registered, working gas guzzler and buy a more gas conscious car to the tune of a hansome voucher of up to $4,500. For example, let's say your trade-in falls under the "Light-Duty Trucks" category: The old vehicle must get 18 mpg or less. New light trucks or SUVs with mileage of at least 18 mpg are eligible for vouchers. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500. If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 5 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500.

No word on how the money will be paid, but if the Senate okays it, start car shopping!

3) Pandora radio is one of the most amazing inventions gifted by the Internet. Simply go to www.pandora.com and enter your most favorite song, and the service will create an entire radio station based on similar songs that you'll probably enjoy.....I'm addicted!!!!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

A Brother Abroad

And here it is....as funny as he is correct.





This is Day 132.

A Star is Born...


At least, in her own mind.


This past weekend marked one of the first major milestones in our life as the parents of a little girl: the dance recital.


Weeks of transporting her to dance class, hours of wrestling to get her hair into something that resembles a bun, and lots of money later, the recital amounted to 5-6 minutes of pure adorableness (the pinnacle probably being the moment she got caught in the closing curtain).


It was so worth all the stress.


I also loved the costumes, the moment her Daddy handed her the first bouquet, and the little trophy she received as well. She's spent the days following putting on encore performances and talking about next year....


I'm still just enjoying the moment.

Monday, June 8, 2009

A Brother Abroad

As many of you already know, Stephen Colbert is broadcasting his show from Iraq for the entire week and, among the countless shenanigans, he commemorated his first day by getting his head shaved in true leatherneck fashion.

Though I haven't been able to get any video of the event yet, the following clip is pretty great too.

This is Day 131.


I DO Get the Joke, But.....

I HATE this commercial....it gives me the creeps and I'm not entirely sure why.


Out of the Mouths of Babes

My daughter informed me that she had a dream about the sea, to which I responded, "You did? Wow!"

Before I had an opportunity to inquire further, however, she quickly reassured me:

"It's okay, Mama, I speak sea lion."

I think it's time to cut her off from Ariel...

Sunday, June 7, 2009

A Brother Abroad


The photograph shows Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt with an injured Iraqi child during a deployment to Balad Air Base in Iraq during October 2006. An article about John on the Air Force Link website notes:


The young infant had received extensive gunshot injuries to her head when insurgents attacked her family killing both of her parents and many of her siblings. The chief had a knack for comforting her and they often would catch a cat nap together in a chair. Now, he is back at home in Wichita, Kan., with his wife, Mindy.


They have a warm, hospitable home five minutes away from McConnell Air Force Base. His son Ryan, 25, and daughter Amber, 23, have long since outgrown being cradled and he said he thought about them constantly while he held the Iraqi child."I got as much enjoyment out of it as the baby did," he said. "I reflected on my own family and life and thought about how lucky I have been."


This is Day 130.