ow ow... or how we walked the MCM 10K

Ow... cause I'm a little stiff in the hip flexors right now... But Vypergirl and I walked the 10K for Sew Much Comfort, and did it in a decent time for an old lady (that's me) and a pregnant lady (that's her)... It was a cool (ok, chilly!) morning. After I waved the DH off to go run his marathon (which he did 25 minutes faster than last year) she and I were waved off by her DH and the kids - and set off. it was a good walk, around the Pentagon - and then down the canyons of Crystal City - and out and around the Pentagon, past the Iwo Jima and then back up.. and watching the "rolling" participants in the Marathon going up that last horrible hill was amazing. You see, one can't help the wheelchair racers get UP that damned hill and after 26 miles, these folks were TIRED.. and everyone on the sidelines was screaming them on and encouraging them... It was inspiring.

But for me, more than anyone else, was the little (if she was 5 foot, I'd be surprised) older lady, stooped and fragile seeming woman (I think she was at least 65) who ran/walked the 10K... Amazing woman - who ran the Portland Marathon 2 weeks ago! I lost her in the crowd at the end, I would have loved to get a picture of her and find out her name.

A great end of the strangest week...

LAW

Acorn - Sproul - which is worse?

hm. Whilst the Right has hissy fits about the Acorn debacle (and let's be fair, Acorn's registration of Micky Mouse is.... Micky mouse) - let's take a look at this article from the London Times

McCain Campaign paid Republican operative accused of voter fraud.

I remember Mr. Sproul's group in Minnesota. They wanted to make sure I as a military spouse was signed up, till I told them I was a Democrat. I don't know who hung up faster! Now Senator Obama, when a lawyer and before beginning his Presidential run, may have defended Acorn, but has anyone tied the Obama campaign AT PRESENT to Acorn with money? If so, please show me, I really am interested in knowing. if not... Senator McCain's $175,000.00 to Sproul's group is kinda up-ing the ante.

LAW

PFC Hunter Levine - One of ours needs a hand

The TechMama (Tammy Munson) on ParentsZone.org posted about PFC Levine - and our site ended up needing to double it's bandwidth. Through being forwarded about the net - it ended up at Blackfive and at Michelle Malkin's site... and we are inundated with offers to help this young man. Now, my fellow liberals - let's go do it!

LAW

Tell me why...

The unit has to call at 4:16 AM to wake up DH - to pee in a bottle this morning. FOUR fucking AM!!!!!!!!!! Do they NOT know that there are other people in the family who may want to sleep? Bad enough for me - because once I'm awake, I'm not going back to sleep - just one of those things that creep up on you with age. Once upon a time, when I was waaaay younger, I would have just rolled over and gone back to sleep. But now... well, good morning.

But what do the families with young children do, when the phone shrills at that time? For a second, I was disoriented - and the deployment thoughts started - until I rolled over and handed the phone to him. I can just imagine the crying from the baby, or the MOM, I'm UP!! calls from the toddlers... no more sleep for anyone in the house...

Ridiculous.

The day got worse... I decided that since I was up, I'd go to work early, since I had to leave early for MRIs... so I walk out of the bathroom ... and the cat has just urped ALL OVER the bedspread, which soaked through to the blankets and sheets - mackerel with tuna sauce and the teaspoon of milk I let him have from my cereal bowl this morning. So - no work early, just washing this monster bedspread - and then the rest of the sheets/blanket.

Got to work - the internet at work was down. Hard to research or get in touch with other firms... Then the hospital called - one of the MRI machines was down. I still got it done, matter of fact I got there early and they had cancelled a few others so I got in early - and was so damned tired, I put the headphones on and they put on some relaxing music - and I slept!

Got home early and now.. I'm hoping all the bad Juju is gone. Cause I'm done!

LAW

Marine Corps 10K walk/run

OK, so who's walking for Sew Much Comfort? and shall we meet somewhere???

LAW

Palin and the scary people

I just get tired of reading all the hate mongering and BS about Obama - and then I read this from the London Times - and to think that people like THAT are going to vote... - What was Obama doing in Indonesia - Being A KID!!! Closet Muslim??? ok, and even it's true (which it isn't) that's bad... why??? Oh, I get it now... only a good chreeeeeeeeeeeestian can be a President??? oh, please - tell me that I'm wrong...

He actually wants to be a citizen of the world. So do I! Because America is not and shouldn't be an insular, moated country, that wants to keep everyone out - just go to the infamous WalMart - most of the goods are made overseas! Our oil - from overseas. and no, we can't drill our way out of this, if you actually READ the facts, you'll see that it would take too long to get anything out of any fields in Alaska or offshore, and we still wouldn't make up the deficit. Our economy is tied to the world economy, just take a look at the last couple of weeks, or don't they READ anything besides Rash Lamebrain and his ilk... even Faux News has been reporting on the worldwide economic crisis....

Patriotism shouldn't be blind. I'm very proud of being an American, of being the child of a man who served his country as a Coastie, and as a State Dept. officer; of being the wife of a man who has and is still serving his country in uniform; of being the mother of a man who served his country in uniform; of being the mother in law of a woman who served her country in uniform; of being the daughter in law of the man who served his country in uniform.. BUT I see her problems, her bad side as well as her good side. and for some reason, for that - I'm told I'm a traitor and a few other things as well... Being blind to faults in a country (or a human being) doesn't make you a patriot, it just makes you pathetic.

LAW

Maryland Renaissance Festival - a Rogues day

The Rogues - a Celtic band that DH has loved for years - has been at the Maryland Ren Fest. We went back - again- to see them - followed them from one venue to another at the Faire - Yeah, We're Bagpipe and drum Groupies!!!! whooo hooo! Lots of fun - pipers, drummers, belly dancers - yeah... and step dancers on the side! These guys also contribute to the AirForce Fund, and are great supporters of the military... Their Warrior's Lament incorporates the Army Song and the Marine Hymn, and will reduce you to tears. We MIGHT be going to see them next weekend, plus they are doing a fundraiser for a Vietnam Vet on Saturday night.

Here's their website.

and here are a couple of the boys. The pipers are both World Champions and members of the best pipe band in North America.

and they usually live - in Houston! sigh....

LAW

Virtual Veteran's Day

Since my office isn't closed for Veteran's Day - and I can't take off (since we are going away the week before) I was wondering what to do for Veteran's Day - Here's one solution. CJ at Soldier's Perspective has a great idea. A Virtual One.

Go here and read!

LAW

From BlueStar Families for Obama

Blue Star Families Launch Video: Why We are Pro-Military, Pro-Obama

Blue Star Families for Obama launched a video today that articulates why Senator Barack Obama can count on military families for their votes on November 4^th .

The video features eight military spouses who share their reasons for voting for Sen. Obama over Sen. McCain. One Blue Star family member shares: McCain claims to work for us. His actions don’t always agree. He campaigned against the new GI Bill, Voted against troop safety equipment, against vets health care, has a 20 percent rating from the Disabled American Vets.

Another Blue Star adds: Barack Obama shows he understands today's military. Obama will help reservists and military families, and he’s frontlined mental health care, co-sponsored the GI Bill.

As Cindy McCain and Governor Sarah Palin leverage their Blue Star status to parlay votes for Senator John McCain, BSF4O has been actively educating and informing the military community on why Sen. Obama is the right presidential candidate and would make the best Commander in Chief for our country.

BSF4O is a grassroots organization created by Army and Marine spouses who have a Pro-Military, Pro-Obama message. As a membership organization, BSF4O communicates with thousands of military family members through outreach programs and is active in 24 states.

Never before has the military family community shown their overwhelming support for the Democratic candidate. BSF4O are inspired and impressed by Sen. Obama’s voting record and support of Veterans and the military family community. They also believe that Sen. Obama projects the most attractive American values across our country and our globe.

For more information on BSF4O and to view their video, visit www.bsf40.com .

For the Cat Lovers Everywhere

A friend from work sent me this... I showed it to DH - He laughed as hard as I did..


Simon and the cat dinner.

For a chuckle...

LAW

The AUSA and everything else

It was a hell of a week! I went to the AUSA conference this week - met with some brass, their PAOs and talked to a lot of family advocate agencies. That report will be on ParentsZone - so if you're interested hop on over there. While you are there, take a listen to the SpouseBuzz Radio Show interview of myself and Some Soldier's Mom that TechMama has linked us to. THAT was a lot of fun. Poor TechMama didn't get too many words in edgewise, after all, Some Soldier's Mom and I on one show - yeah, you know we monopolized that conversation!

After a LONG day walking the AUSA Expo I went to PetSmart to do my stint with the kitties and their boxes, and there was a wonderful end to the Tuesday - my first farewell to a cat leaving for his new "forever home". Ricky, a sweet, friendly, affectionate tabby who had been dumped on us by some nasty woman who claimed her new fiance was allergic to him, was carted off to his new wonderful life with his new mommies, their cat and dog. - and is presently being spoiled, petted, and loved by them - a real UP moment! If anyone in the DC area wants a new cat - there are some wonderful ones being taken care of by Fancy Cats Rescue at PetSmart in the area... give me a yell!

On Wednesday DH rode in a Patriot Guard Ride for a Warrant Officer being laid to rest at Arlington. I keep hoping I will be able to ride with him one day. I always admired them when I saw them in Minnesota at the National Guard funerals I attended. Particularly - the days when the high temp was 2 and the windchill was well below zero and they stood around the St. Paul Cathedral in their snowmobile suits and held the flags and honoured the fallen. It always reduced me to tears.

One note from AUSA that I won't post on PZ - I had an Obama button on my purse and despite the ragging (affectionate I think) of TechMama, I kept it on. As I walked around the Expo floor, with the seas of contractors and uniforms, I would get the look, then with some of them, I'd get a surreptitious wink or thumbs up, or a smile and nod. It was quiet, but it warmed my heart, and confirmed my suspicions that there are a lot of "closet democrats" out there in the military. After the incredible bitchiness, the vicious attacks on SisB at her blog , I'm not surprised that they stay quiet! Some of the stranger ideas I have been reading - a Poll Tax for heaven's sake - I will be SOOO glad when this election season is over.

The economy has me scared, seriously scared. The law firm I am working at is going through the usual partner pissing matches, and everyone is nervous, morale has tanked. One of the best of the young lawyers is leaving - his contract is up- talk about short sighted moves, guys. This guy worked his butt off, and got treated shabbily, he is job hunting and the market seems frozen! I'm thinking that I'll start filling out some Federal Job applications (which are such an amazing pain in the ass) and take DAYS to fill out. Who knows, I might find something better - won't pay better, but might be "safer".

On the good side at work, I got a new file - and will be able to get it properly arranged from the beginning, spent a day designing the database and now I'll be writing up the protocols for the intake and file documentation - finally I won't be inheriting a monstrous mess from someone who had no idea of how to manage a case! small things, that make a good week - all in all.

Off to book a flight to see the son, DIL and grandbaby!

Have a good long weekend. Namaste

LAW

On the Radio - it's... ME

On SpouseBuzz radio - some of the authors of ParentsZone. We are going to be talking about what there is for PARENTS of serving Military, what we hope to accomplish on the site.. and whatever questions you want to throw at us! Be there!


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/spousebuzz

LAW

OK, time to get political again

OK, so now it's time to get political again, my children. I am reading all the peals of praise for Sarah Palin, and after making sure I don't hurl on my keyboard, I'm done with that. The woman may be a nice lady, a decent Governor of Alaska... but she has NO business being my VP! And for McCain to pick her, with the idea that "well she's a woman, women will therefore vote for her" is, quite frankly, an insult to thinking women everywhere. Excuse me, just because I'm a woman, I don't just vote for the reproductive organs of my representative. I vote for brains, not ovaries!

She can't list what she reads? oh, c'mon, name Newsweek, Time, the Anchorage newspaper... anything! She can't list any other Supreme Court decisions? Guantanamo Bay/Torture... ringing any bells? I didn't watch the debate - but I find the winking, folksy "gorsh golly gee whizz" to be rather asinine, juvenile and patronizing of her constituency.

Has anyone else noticed that the McCain ads are mostly 3 -4 word bullet points - not a whole sentence in the lot? again, has the campaign decided that his constituents can't comprehend more than that?

I'm attaching some sites for your perusal, including a rather damning list of his REAL voting record for Veterans.

Big News of the Week:

The MASTER List: McCain's Non-Support for Troops and Veterans

BSF4O in the News!

Military Families Stand Against McCain

While John McCain uses his military service as a talking-point to promote his presidential campaign, many of those who serve and their families remain unconvinced. Blue Star Families For Obama is a nationwide organization of military families who are vocally opposed to the McCain/Palin ticket, and they aren't quiet about it.

Blue Star Families for Obama!

Motley Moose, Vet Voice, October 2, 2008

Our choice to support Obama is not only based on McCain's lack of real support for our military community, but it is also based on Obama's demonstrated commitment to serve us who so proudly serve the country.

Vets: Come to Nashville! 21st Century Bonus Army March!

Vet Voice, October 1, 2008

BSF4O Maura Satchell invites all of us to show our love for our troops and veterans before the next presidential debate. "Time to tell the media and the voting public that Sen. McCain has voted at least 29 times to cut, eliminate or gut veterans' medical benefits since 1990! "

Other Pro Military! Pro Obama! News & Links

Vets Critical of Palin's National Guard Leadership

And although Palin plays no role in national defense activities (they involve the guard, but are under federal command), the Veterans for America, also known as the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, are now questioning Palin's record in taking care of her guardsmen for state matters, too.

Rep. Chet Edwards: If You Look at McCain's Record on Veterans' Issues, It's a Failed One

Think Progress, October 2, 2008

In an interview with ThinkProgress today, Rep. Chet Edwards (D), who represents Crawford, TX and is a leader on veterans issues in Congress, ripped McCain's record on veterans.

McCain Emphasizes Concern for Veterans...So Just What Has He Done About Walter Reed?

Huffington Post, October 2, 2008

So -- in all his infinite concern for our troops and their families -- just what has John McCain since done to rectify the situation at Walter Reed? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. How do I know? Well, as military dependents, my own children were required to begin receiving care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center once we moved within its vicinity in 2006. My young son has battled cancer since he was two years-old and has been to many hospitals. But I wasn't prepared for the conditions at Walter Reed when we arrived.

The record implies McCain hasn't taken care of Veterans

Lake County Record-Bee, September 30, 2008

I came very close to shooting my television set when I heard these words. Then I wondered why Senator Obama let them go without out rebuttal. Two thoughts came to mind, first - never interupt your opponent when he is boldfaced lying and second - actions speak louder than words so let us examine Senator McCain's voting records.

LAW

Support Soldiers' Angels

So you all know Soldiers' Angels, right? If not - go here. Then - go HERE and show your support for those who support the troops. Click on the link - then scroll down... click on Soldiers' Angels and vote!

LAW

Paul Newman - the bluest eyes and a great man

His eyes were legend, his good works, his philanthropy were monumental. His acting got better and better with age. Some of the new crop of actors could learn a lot from that man's life.

LAW

Post Vegas and all the rest of it

Now - let me just preface this with the fact that I don't like a lot of noise, visual stimuli and heat etc., since it tends to make the migraines rear their nasty little heads. So Vegas isn't the best place in the world for me.

Friday - woke up with one of the headaches trying to start, but waited until we got on the plane to take a pill. The TSA folks are just a pain and I didn't want to get pulled over and not be functional. We got to Vegas and holy hannah - it was HOT! Got to our hotel ( quick aside, why does a Marriott that is across from the Convention Center not have an Airport Shuttle??) Nice hotel, a regular old Marriott - I don't like surprises unless it's a nice B&B, and from what I heard about the Sahara - I'm glad we picked it! Picked up the official stuff, and then decided to grab dinner. I had believed that there would be more than one bus to the infamous Penthouse party - but no. After we ate at the Sahara Buffet - not worth it, but one has to try the oldtimey stuff - we waited for the bus, but when it didn't show - went back to the hotel and crashed (the timezone thing..)

Next morning, it was easy to see those that had been at the party... some bleeding eyeballs! I was scared, nervous and worried about the panel, but didn't need to be. Melinda had great questions and made us feel right at home. There was one commentor who asked the same question of our panel and the one before it - wanted a large umbrella "agency??" for veterans so they aren't forgotten. hmmm... think we have one of those - it's called the VA and is about as cludgy and hard to navigate as you could want. (son and dil are both navigating it... appeals etc.) besides, the guy didn't understand that we take care of folks OUR way - look at Chuck Z needing voice recognition software and look at it now - Valour IT was born.

The uniform milbloggers were there so I got to meet some of the folks I read a lot, and finally met one of the co authors I invited to join ParentsZone! Meeting Some Soldiers Mom (who won the parents blog milbloggie YAY) made me nervous too, but she made me very much at ease and it was a pleasure swapping stories of some of the wierd and wonderful things our active duty kids have done.

The Army lunch - well I don't like being told that - or have it strongly suggested that- I make the blogs (mine and PZ) into a recruiting tool. That's a slippery slope I won't be heading down. This blog - because it's mine and I get to say what I want, get to show what life is really like in a military family in our situation. And PZ because it's for information, good and bad and all of the stuff in between. I'm not a recruiter and I won't lie, fudge or conceal anything. I'm NOT saying all recruiters do, so jump off that high horse right now. I'm saying I've heard and seen some real slime who are recruiters - one recruited our kid. We told him the truth and he decided to join up anyway.

Saturday night was wonderful. Dinner at a good Italian Restaurant (I'm told it's a chain, but it's good food!) and it was one of those evenings that we all hope for. Good company (SemperFi Wife with Col. Semper Fi Wife, HF6, Toad and Mrs. Toad and DH and myself) good food - we ordered "Family Style" and it was quiet enough to actually talk to each other. Andi - we missed you! and AFW - answer the phone next time!

Sunday DH and I walked around the Venetian, Bellagio and Caesar's - ooh the shops! Did some looking, no buying... and we did hit the slots - each of us stuck a buck in the quarter slots, walked out with 3.50 profit. OH - if you are in Vegas and want a decent breakfast, the Imperial Palace coffee shop - second floor... great pancakes! Of course, migrained again, but it backed off after drugs and some nap on the plane. Flew home, got home incredibly late - crashed. and got up early for work Monday...walking zombie!

I am glad I went, glad DH met more of my imaginary friends, and very excited that PZ got so much good recognition - lots of folks telling me it's needed and we are all hoping we can make it as useful as possible. (and fun too, we need FUN!)

Namaste. LAW

Goin' to Vegas

Here I am... packing for Vegas - to be a panelist at MilBlog Expo. To say I'm nervous, is a mastery of understatement. I'm going to be surrounded by people who are REALLY big cheeses in the milblogging community, and most of them do not like people who think like me. So - think of me kindly, huh?

DH decided he didn't want to take two small roll on suitcases and one other carry on each. So I'm glad we are on Southwest Airlines - one checked bag won't cost us extra. and the clothes won't need so much pressing either. I'm taking some adult clothes, want to look nice and professional during the panel, ya know. I'm sure they are expecting some hippie in beads! (no, SB friends, I know you don't...) at the last Spouse Buzz Live, I was told by someone who reads my blog that I don't look like a liberal - she was imagining either a hippie with long gray hair and beads, or someone with multiple piercings and tattoos, wearing weird and wonderful stuff... For those of you who haven't seen me - I am accused of dressing like a fuddy duddy - slacks, shirt and conservative jacket. It's fun to skewer the incorrect assumptions, isn't it?

I'm pissed off - the headache study I was in, and in which I was just 7 days from having the procedure - has been canceled! Dammit! There might be another one I qualify for, the same type of device. We wanted to have all this done before DH left in January - but I don't think that is going to be possible. I may just have to go another route. Trying to get our friends at Tricare to cover something like this - well, I'm up for a battle.

time to hit the shower and get moving. I'll try to post from Vegas.

LAW

Milbloggie for Parents Zone

can you believe it? our first year of Parentszone, and we're nominated for a Milbloggie! If you can, and want to, would you vote for us? We'd love to have a good showing!

I honestly didn't know about it, till JUST NOW!! yikes. That'll teach me to go on vacation!

LAW

Spouse Buzz Live

Holy Hanna - actually, she really wasn't that bad - Tropical Storm Hanna... We had a blast as always at SpouseBuzz Live. My DH came with me, since we then moved on to a family vacation (more about that on another post) He was so sweet, came to all the dinners and met my imaginary friends, even went and picked up the ParentsZone cards (I can't show them to you... I'm in a timeshare condo, with no scanner - horrors!) I liked what I saw of Virginia Beach and Norfolk, we even found a nice diner (he'll post about that on his blog Ditherings). Dinner with the SB gang and some spouses/kids - a very fun way to spend an evening. But one of these days we need to go to some little out of the way place, guys... somewhere NOT a chain restaurant! I know, with kids and some folks don't eat this, or that, or are allergic to something else...it's hard.

Met some old friends - Huh? Well, I've blogged with them, but never physically said HI. and saw some old friends again. Every time I go to SBL, I'm both heartened and disappointed. Heartened by the support we give each other - disappointed that we still can't connect with everyone that needs our support, help, shoulder to cry on.

So, now I'm on vacation with my folks. and that's another post!

Later.

Peace for the mind, for the heart and for the spirit. Namaste

LAW

Forsooth - yoikes and away!

Ren Fest- Maryland style. Smaller, and in the woods, and I loved it. And the best part - The Rogues - one of DH's favourite bands.

Lots of food - (but skip the "sweet potato fries" they are some sort of mush deep fried...ick) and I have to say the smoked turkey legs - not so much, they didn't use any mesquite or hickory. But the yard o' fries.. yum. The "Shakespeare Scum" Hysterically funny The Scottish Play in 30 minutes - next time we'll have to see the Romeo and Juliet in 30 minutes... There was another band we enjoyed as well - drinking songs in the Irish vein - The Hooligan Brothers. We'll definitely be going back - I have more shopping to do!!


Now we get ready for Spouse Buzz Live (if Hanna doesn't tromp her way up the coast too much) and a few days with my folks in the mountains. Then... Vegas!

Peace for the mind, the body and the spirit. Namaste.

LAW