You all know that I use a point system in every aspect of my life. I give points, I strive to earn points, I ask for points, I demand points (that part never works with SB, even when he stops laughing). Every good thing I have ever done was (in some part) with the hope of gaining points for heaven. (Yes, yes, Grace, I know you say it doesn't work like that, but since neither of us has been there yet, I could be right).
My Dad and my brother Frankie are working on my bedroom again today. My father came out and handed me two screws. "You need a jar or a margarine tub to keep these kind of things in. You never know when you will need this screw. These are nice screws." As he was talking I walked into the kitchen and picked up an old spaghetti sauce jar (yes, sauce from a jar, I am Irish, I like it) and walked toward him - it was full of random screws and bits.
"Yes, very good."
Woohoo! A point.
I don't know how much I deserve the point. After all, the jar is only to have shut the other men in my life up. My exhusband John , Joe who works on the house, Mike the worst b/f eva, my father, my uncles. Any man who has ever helped me with a project has presented me with something at the end and told me to save it. Boards, strapping, dryer parts, half of a piano hinge and a ton of screws and nails. I keep the jar, although every once in a while I dump some. Otherwise the stupid jar would over flow. I have never once used something out of the jar. Although to be fair I think Frankie (my son) has. So the point is for having a place to recycle good leftover bits. Yet I have never used and any and I only keep it to shut people up. Do I deserve the point? Well, I have other points I don't deserve, so I don't care.
A point is a point.
And then I lost it.
My father had refinished one of my windows because the glass broke. I took it to Charlestown, he repaired the glass stripped the wood, painted it, caulked it....it's perfect. I brought it home and put it in. It was easy, there is no framing around the window because there are no walls yet.
I hear him yelling at Frankie and walk into the bedroom. Frankie is laughing. "Who put that window in?" he demands, pointing at it.
The problem is immediately apparent to me. The window is upside down. It doesn't save me from the window lesson. LOL Good thing I am not on steroids today, I might have burst out crying.
A well, off to see if I can't do something right. It would be nice to finish the day a point ahead.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Yahoo Names "10 U.S. Places to See Before You Die"
10 U.S. Places to See Before You Die
By Andrew Harper
Many people have a list of places they'd like to visit before they move on to the next world; here are a few American suggestions of my own.
For conversation's sake, I have avoided the obvious targets, but a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge or a trip up the Empire State Building is still definitely worth it.
Though we are lucky to live in a beautiful country, I have mostly focused on smaller, manmade sites, simply because a catalog of pretty American places could stretch on forever.
This list is admittedly subjective, but comes from 30 years of professional wandering. Some places are more well-known than others, but all share a sense of tranquility and wonder.
And since I review small boutique hotels for a living, I have included nearby recommended places to stay. Happy travels!
1. San Francisco de Asis Church, Ranchos de Taos, N.M. Famously painted by Georgia O'Keefe and described by her as "one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards," this handsome adobe mission a few miles outside of Taos Pueblo yokes together a staggering five centuries of North American history.Harper hotel: Casa de las Chimeneas, Taos.
2. Whaling Museum, Nantucket, Mass.
At its whaling peak during the first half of the 19th century, the small island of Nantucket had 88 ships scattered across the oceans. The Whaling Museum is wonderfully evocative of this era (plenty of scrimshaw and rusty harpoons), and out-of-season Nantucket Town, with its Greek Revival mansions and cobblestone streets, is equally enchanting.Harper hotel: The Wauwinet.
3. Battery District, Charleston, S.C.
The historic Battery District of Charleston, South Carolina, home to dozens of stately antebellum mansions, is one of the prettiest U.S. neighborhoods I've ever explored. Follow the promenade along the shores of the Charleston peninsula; Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, sits broodingly across the Cooper River.Harper hotel: Planters Inn. 4. Madison Valley, Montana
Montana's Madison Valley, which runs between the Madison and Gallatin ranges down to West Yellowstone, is magnificent Lewis and Clark territory. This is unspoiled land, vast and uncompromising — everything you hope Big Sky Country will look like.Harper hotel: The Lodge at Sun Ranch.
5. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Housed in a charming Venetian-style palazzo, this gem of a gallery displays works by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Whistler and Sargent. It's small enough to tour in an hour or so, and you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the sunny, flower-filled courtyard. And if your name happens to be Isabella, you get in free.Harper hotel: XV Beacon.
6. The Four Seasons Restaurant, New York City
If you had to choose only one restaurant in New York City to visit, this would be the one. The city's prettiest dining room was designed by architects Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, and astutely hasn't been touched since its introduction in 1959. The Pool Room is a study in muted sophistication, despite some of the outsized egos at the tables.Harper hotel: The Lowell.
7. The Rothko Chapel, Houston
This small, non-denominational chapel located just off the Menil gallery in Houston's Museum District seems unassuming at first, but spend some time surrounded by the 14 mysterious paintings by Mark Rothko, and it may start sinking into your skin.Harper hotel: St. Regis.
8. The Huntington Gardens, San Marino, Calif.
Huntington did quite well in railroads, and he's left us with a wonderful afternoon escape just outside of Los Angeles. After admiring some of the spoils of his industry — a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare folio, Thomas Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy" — venture out into the superb botanical gardens, home to dozens of unique environments: an almost eerily authentic Japanese garden, a lily pond straight out of a Monet painting, and an entrancing collection of cacti.Harper hotel: Hotel Bel-Air.
9. Robie House (Frank Lloyd Wright, Chicago
The Robie House, the world's first modern home, was designed in 1908 by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and still seems startlingly contemporary 100 years later; with its broad horizontal lines and sleek art-glass windows, it looks like a modernist yacht. Wright himself showed up to protest the planned demolition of the house (it was to be replaced by a seminary dormitory) at the ripe old age of 90. Harper hotel: Four Seasons.
10. The Oregon Coast
Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast swerves through 360 miles of jagged cliffs, rocky outcrops, sweeping dunes and temperate rain forests. The coastline lacks deep harbors, so there are no large cities here — just old logging towns, fishing villages and the occasional artist colony. And the entire coast is public land, which makes for excellent picnic opportunities in rugged and remote spaces.Harper hotel: The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach
***********************
Certainly the Whaling Museum on Nantucket I can get to pretty easily. And I have been to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, although not in quite a while. That sounds like something I can round up my sister and nieces for. We'll add dinner and make it a "Girl's Day". We'll skip the hotel recommendation of XV Beacon....it's lovely, but a little pricy!
Comments? Suggestions? Offers to take me to the others?
By Andrew Harper
Many people have a list of places they'd like to visit before they move on to the next world; here are a few American suggestions of my own.
For conversation's sake, I have avoided the obvious targets, but a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge or a trip up the Empire State Building is still definitely worth it.
Though we are lucky to live in a beautiful country, I have mostly focused on smaller, manmade sites, simply because a catalog of pretty American places could stretch on forever.
This list is admittedly subjective, but comes from 30 years of professional wandering. Some places are more well-known than others, but all share a sense of tranquility and wonder.
And since I review small boutique hotels for a living, I have included nearby recommended places to stay. Happy travels!
1. San Francisco de Asis Church, Ranchos de Taos, N.M. Famously painted by Georgia O'Keefe and described by her as "one of the most beautiful buildings left in the United States by the early Spaniards," this handsome adobe mission a few miles outside of Taos Pueblo yokes together a staggering five centuries of North American history.Harper hotel: Casa de las Chimeneas, Taos.
2. Whaling Museum, Nantucket, Mass.
At its whaling peak during the first half of the 19th century, the small island of Nantucket had 88 ships scattered across the oceans. The Whaling Museum is wonderfully evocative of this era (plenty of scrimshaw and rusty harpoons), and out-of-season Nantucket Town, with its Greek Revival mansions and cobblestone streets, is equally enchanting.Harper hotel: The Wauwinet.
3. Battery District, Charleston, S.C.
The historic Battery District of Charleston, South Carolina, home to dozens of stately antebellum mansions, is one of the prettiest U.S. neighborhoods I've ever explored. Follow the promenade along the shores of the Charleston peninsula; Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, sits broodingly across the Cooper River.Harper hotel: Planters Inn. 4. Madison Valley, Montana
Montana's Madison Valley, which runs between the Madison and Gallatin ranges down to West Yellowstone, is magnificent Lewis and Clark territory. This is unspoiled land, vast and uncompromising — everything you hope Big Sky Country will look like.Harper hotel: The Lodge at Sun Ranch.
5. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Housed in a charming Venetian-style palazzo, this gem of a gallery displays works by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Whistler and Sargent. It's small enough to tour in an hour or so, and you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the sunny, flower-filled courtyard. And if your name happens to be Isabella, you get in free.Harper hotel: XV Beacon.
6. The Four Seasons Restaurant, New York City
If you had to choose only one restaurant in New York City to visit, this would be the one. The city's prettiest dining room was designed by architects Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson, and astutely hasn't been touched since its introduction in 1959. The Pool Room is a study in muted sophistication, despite some of the outsized egos at the tables.Harper hotel: The Lowell.
7. The Rothko Chapel, Houston
This small, non-denominational chapel located just off the Menil gallery in Houston's Museum District seems unassuming at first, but spend some time surrounded by the 14 mysterious paintings by Mark Rothko, and it may start sinking into your skin.Harper hotel: St. Regis.
8. The Huntington Gardens, San Marino, Calif.
Huntington did quite well in railroads, and he's left us with a wonderful afternoon escape just outside of Los Angeles. After admiring some of the spoils of his industry — a Gutenberg Bible, a Shakespeare folio, Thomas Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy" — venture out into the superb botanical gardens, home to dozens of unique environments: an almost eerily authentic Japanese garden, a lily pond straight out of a Monet painting, and an entrancing collection of cacti.Harper hotel: Hotel Bel-Air.
9. Robie House (Frank Lloyd Wright, Chicago
The Robie House, the world's first modern home, was designed in 1908 by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and still seems startlingly contemporary 100 years later; with its broad horizontal lines and sleek art-glass windows, it looks like a modernist yacht. Wright himself showed up to protest the planned demolition of the house (it was to be replaced by a seminary dormitory) at the ripe old age of 90. Harper hotel: Four Seasons.
10. The Oregon Coast
Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast swerves through 360 miles of jagged cliffs, rocky outcrops, sweeping dunes and temperate rain forests. The coastline lacks deep harbors, so there are no large cities here — just old logging towns, fishing villages and the occasional artist colony. And the entire coast is public land, which makes for excellent picnic opportunities in rugged and remote spaces.Harper hotel: The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach
***********************
Certainly the Whaling Museum on Nantucket I can get to pretty easily. And I have been to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, although not in quite a while. That sounds like something I can round up my sister and nieces for. We'll add dinner and make it a "Girl's Day". We'll skip the hotel recommendation of XV Beacon....it's lovely, but a little pricy!
Comments? Suggestions? Offers to take me to the others?
Passing Along My Condolences
Many times I have found myself confronted by the grief of others and been at a loss. In those instances I have used the words of others. I have quoted those I consider to be more wise.....Mama Kelley......President Lincoln....
After 9/11 Leonard Slatkin dedicated this piece to us. It was performed September 15, 2001 at the Albert Hall in London.
To the survivors of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and the loved ones of those who did not survive.
After 9/11 Leonard Slatkin dedicated this piece to us. It was performed September 15, 2001 at the Albert Hall in London.
To the survivors of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and the loved ones of those who did not survive.
Friday, November 28, 2008
I Am Used and Abused
Stopped by Jen's tonight to hang after work. We are all messed up, we think it's Sunday night.
So we were watching an episode of "The Unit" stored in the DVR and it was set in Afghanistan. One charecter announces he is Pashtun. Jen asks me "What is that?" I reply that it's an ethnicity in Afghanistn and list several others.....Uzbek, Tajik, Turkman.......
Jen smirks "Of course you know that. No one else watching this show knows that....nevermind spouting off the others."
I replied "You know, you ask these questions and I answer you and then you ridicule me. I'm not answering anymore."
She laughed and said I couldn't help it.....it was like a form of Tourette's.
Another note........last night I watched a month old episode of "Grey's Anatomy" and a man showed up on the show!!!!! LOL I don't watch it often, all the guys are too young, too skanky or half gay. But Major Owen Hunt is an actual man. He isn't prettier than I am and he hasn't slept with half of the hospital staff and he was authoritative without being pissy. Bonus, they cast Lucius Vorenus.
***********UPDATE*************
An anonymous commenter left a YouTube link to all the scene with Major Hunt or "Major McManly" as they are calling him. Apparently I am not the only woman to notice, lol.
Thanks, Anonymous! (I highlighted the link in red because he is hot! LOL)
So we were watching an episode of "The Unit" stored in the DVR and it was set in Afghanistan. One charecter announces he is Pashtun. Jen asks me "What is that?" I reply that it's an ethnicity in Afghanistn and list several others.....Uzbek, Tajik, Turkman.......
Jen smirks "Of course you know that. No one else watching this show knows that....nevermind spouting off the others."
I replied "You know, you ask these questions and I answer you and then you ridicule me. I'm not answering anymore."
She laughed and said I couldn't help it.....it was like a form of Tourette's.
Another note........last night I watched a month old episode of "Grey's Anatomy" and a man showed up on the show!!!!! LOL I don't watch it often, all the guys are too young, too skanky or half gay. But Major Owen Hunt is an actual man. He isn't prettier than I am and he hasn't slept with half of the hospital staff and he was authoritative without being pissy. Bonus, they cast Lucius Vorenus.
***********UPDATE*************
An anonymous commenter left a YouTube link to all the scene with Major Hunt or "Major McManly" as they are calling him. Apparently I am not the only woman to notice, lol.
Thanks, Anonymous! (I highlighted the link in red because he is hot! LOL)
A Funny From Bigg Bill
In my email box this morning....a giggle.
You know what would really PISS OFF the Democrats...
Bush should resign now.
Then Dick Cheney becomes President (that would really PISS OFF the liberals)!!!
Then he appoints Condoleezza Rice as Vice President.
Then Cheney resigns two weeks later and Condoleezza Rice, A Republican, becomes the first BLACK President and the first WOMAN President !!!*
Of course, this is just a joke. I don't advocate this sort of nonsense in real life anymore than I advocate the nitwits who say Bush should resign so Obama can get a head start on being POTUS. Such nonsense.
Imagine if a similar suggestion had been made in Clinton's lame duck days. LOL
You know what would really PISS OFF the Democrats...
Bush should resign now.
Then Dick Cheney becomes President (that would really PISS OFF the liberals)!!!
Then he appoints Condoleezza Rice as Vice President.
Then Cheney resigns two weeks later and Condoleezza Rice, A Republican, becomes the first BLACK President and the first WOMAN President !!!*
Of course, this is just a joke. I don't advocate this sort of nonsense in real life anymore than I advocate the nitwits who say Bush should resign so Obama can get a head start on being POTUS. Such nonsense.
Imagine if a similar suggestion had been made in Clinton's lame duck days. LOL
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
I am off to my parents house to enjoy all the things Thanksgiving should be in America - a time to eat too much with those that you love.
Meanwhile there is still time.
"Go on, then, in your generous enterprise with gratitude to Heaven for past success, and confidence of it in the future. For my own part, I ask no greater blessing than to share with you the common danger and common glory ... that these American States may never cease to be free and independent." --Samuel Adams
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Go Bid On Team Navy's EBay Books!!!!
Go to this sell's EBay page to see all the Valour-IT items. The last three are from Team Navy.
Other posts about the auction.
Navy Cyberspace
Time is running out!
Other posts about the auction.
Navy Cyberspace
Time is running out!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I Might Ditch Thanksgiving Dinner With My Parents
I might have to go to Rachael's.
She's telling us some crazy story about making pie crust with vodka.
Ummmmm, that sounds like fun.
She's telling us some crazy story about making pie crust with vodka.
Ummmmm, that sounds like fun.
Go Bid On Some Great Navy Things For Project Valour-IT
OK here are the links
"Six Frigates" by Ian Tolls. This is a must read Navy book. The author has graciously agreed to personally autograph this book for the winning bidder.
"A Most Fortunate Ship" by CDR Tyrone Martin, USN (ret). This book about USS Constitution was written by the 58th commanding officer of this great ship (I contacted him through Old Ironsides's current CO, thanks Bill). The winning bidder will have to be a little patient, it will take a little longer to get as the author is currently traveling outside of the US, but you will have it as soon as possible. And really now, isn't having it inscribed to you worth the wait?
"The Two Ocean War " by Samuel Eliot Morison. Ok, this isn't going to be autographed because the author passed away when I was a sophmore in high school. But it comes to you straight from Princess Crabby and it also comes with something extra. A Barbary War Medallion. Which is a limited edition commemorative from the USS Constitution Museum.
More about these items in this post.
"Six Frigates" by Ian Tolls. This is a must read Navy book. The author has graciously agreed to personally autograph this book for the winning bidder.
"A Most Fortunate Ship" by CDR Tyrone Martin, USN (ret). This book about USS Constitution was written by the 58th commanding officer of this great ship (I contacted him through Old Ironsides's current CO, thanks Bill). The winning bidder will have to be a little patient, it will take a little longer to get as the author is currently traveling outside of the US, but you will have it as soon as possible. And really now, isn't having it inscribed to you worth the wait?
"The Two Ocean War " by Samuel Eliot Morison. Ok, this isn't going to be autographed because the author passed away when I was a sophmore in high school. But it comes to you straight from Princess Crabby and it also comes with something extra. A Barbary War Medallion. Which is a limited edition commemorative from the USS Constitution Museum.
More about these items in this post.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Princess Crabby and the Bad Juju
Sounds like a children's book, doesn't it? "James and the Giant Peach"......"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"......."Princess Crabby and the Bad Juju"
I was so wrapped up in how great this drug-free week was going to be that I forgot to respect my Druid heritage and knock on wood. Don't tell Amii Stewart.
Sunday I headed up to Mass & CCD to be followed by a "la-la-la" over on Comm Ave with my goddaughter Deb, dinner with my parents, a baby shower and finally "24" last night.
Much of this did not happen. Instead I ended up on pain meds, curled in a ball on my bed.
One of the side effects of chemo is that you are susceptible to opportunistic infections.
Maybe I need to throw a few acorns in my pocket.
I was so wrapped up in how great this drug-free week was going to be that I forgot to respect my Druid heritage and knock on wood. Don't tell Amii Stewart.
Sunday I headed up to Mass & CCD to be followed by a "la-la-la" over on Comm Ave with my goddaughter Deb, dinner with my parents, a baby shower and finally "24" last night.
Much of this did not happen. Instead I ended up on pain meds, curled in a ball on my bed.
One of the side effects of chemo is that you are susceptible to opportunistic infections.
Maybe I need to throw a few acorns in my pocket.
Book Auction For Team Navy
So part of the Valour-IT fundraiser is auctioned items. You know I am a little slow lately so I sent out an email to my Navy coterie asking "Ok, what's the newest coolest book for a Navy person to have/want?"
The first reply was for Ian Tolls "Six Frigates". I emailed Mr. Tolls and he very graciously replied that he would be happy to help us out. Then there were a few other suggestions and I have my requests out there. I'll be at this until the last possible moment.
Then I got a suggestion that baffled me "Japanese Destroyer Captain" OK! Tameichi Hara was born in 1900. If he is still alive he is 108! What are you guys thinking?
But no one can beat EagleSpeak for his suggestion - "The Two Ocean War" by Samuel Eliot Morison. I've been by this guys statue a million times. He's been dead since 1976. There will be no autographed copy of this.......but I thought this was funny anyway.
Now get over to Ebay and bid on our books..............
We have "Six Frigates" by Ian Tolls. The author will be personally autographing this brand new hardcover for the winning bidder.
We also have "A Most Fortunate Ship: A Narrative History of Old Ironsides" by CDR Tyrone Martin, USN (ret). the author is the 58th Commanding Officer, USS Constitution. Again, the author will be personally autographing this brand new, revised paperback for the winning bidder.
Finally we have the book highlighted in the video above. 
THE TWO OCEAN WAR: A Short History of the United States Navy in the Second World War by Samuel Eliot Morison (Little, Brown & Co., 1963) 611 pp. hardcover with dustjacket, maps. This is the classic one volume overview of the naval war drawn from the author's 12-volume official history. Book is in very good condition, no marks or loose pages, DJ intact but shows some wear around the edges.
However, this book comes to the winning bidder from Princess Crabby the "Goddess of the naval blogger strike group" with an added gift.
Commemorative Copper Medallion
This brand new limited edition medallion, made from copper taken off the hull of USS Constitution, has been commissioned in conjunction with the opening of The USS Constitution Museum first-in-the-nation exhibit: The Barbary War: Piracy, Politics, and Power. One of the defining events of the Barbary campaign was the bombardment of Tripoli by a fleet led by USS Constitution. That action is featured on the front of the medallion. The reverse side features a quote from our own Constitution of the United States of America: "To Provide for the Common Defense" and a likeness of the federal eagle found on the stern of "Old Ironsides".
Commemorative Copper MedallionThis Commemorative Copper Medallion is a limited edition of 7500. It is made exclusively from copper taken off the hull during refitting in the 1970s and is struck to the highest standards. Each medallion comes in a clear protective plastic case and is presented in a blue, velvet-lined box. A certificate of authenticity is also included. The medallion is made exclusively for and under the oversight of the USS Constitution Museum
Barbary War Medallion Item #181.
The bidding for each of these three books starts at $50.00
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Bob Cerasoli Getting It Done In NOLA
New Orleans Inspector General will return $1.2 million to city coffers from his 2008 budget
Though New Orleans Inspector General Robert Cerasoli's newly created office still lacks a computer system and nearly half of its staff, City Council members on Friday said they are pleased with his work, particularly after hearing that Cerasoli plans to return to city coffers $1.2 million that was earmarked for his office this year.
Read the whole article here.
You know.......Bob's from Massachusetts. He is a standup guy.
Though New Orleans Inspector General Robert Cerasoli's newly created office still lacks a computer system and nearly half of its staff, City Council members on Friday said they are pleased with his work, particularly after hearing that Cerasoli plans to return to city coffers $1.2 million that was earmarked for his office this year.
Read the whole article here.
You know.......Bob's from Massachusetts. He is a standup guy.
Valour-IT Day 13
Timing In Life Is Everything!
Today is day two of the drug free week. I feel great! Just in time for my 30th high school reunion.
I had a great time in high school and have never missed a reunion. I've talked to a lot of people on the subject of high school reunions and I am always surprised at people's attitudes. I am in the minority, most people seem very blase about them.
Of course I am very lucky. When our senior class president didn't pull anything together for the 5th year another classmate took over and has been running them every five years since the 10th. Jim Odian sets up a venue, finds us all and has pictures to prove what a good time we all have. Pope John's class of '78 owes Jim Odian a great debt.
Someone in work asked if I'd be telling people about the cancer and I was surprised at the question. That would be the last thing I would bring up! My heaven's, you are there to have a good time and catch up with old friends. Imagine - "Hey great to see you! What's new?" and I say "Oh, stage IIIA multiple myeloma!" LOL.....I'd rather not go. But I did wonder if anyone might know anyway. I am not the only one who still has parents in Charlestown and some of my classmates have siblings who were classmates of my sisters and brother. So there was the chance someone would know, but it never came up.
Instead, people asked how I was and I said "Life is good." Because it really is for the most part. There were people there tonight who have had such heartache and I really am quite lucky. One of my favorite saying is "If we all stood in a circle and threw our problems into the middle.....you'd take your own back".
One of my classmates had emailed me right after the announcement was made last spring. She asked if I was going and I said "But of course!" I watched for her to show up as I talked to other people and moved about the bar. Finally after a half hour I caught up with Jim and asked if she was coming and he told me no. I guess I should have paid more attention. I just assumed after the email she would show. She'll be getting an email from me!! LOL
Out of a class of 208 students there were about 80 or 90 of us there. I had a really good time and lasted far longer than I could have on one of my other weeks.
Thanks Jim!
I had a great time in high school and have never missed a reunion. I've talked to a lot of people on the subject of high school reunions and I am always surprised at people's attitudes. I am in the minority, most people seem very blase about them.
Of course I am very lucky. When our senior class president didn't pull anything together for the 5th year another classmate took over and has been running them every five years since the 10th. Jim Odian sets up a venue, finds us all and has pictures to prove what a good time we all have. Pope John's class of '78 owes Jim Odian a great debt.
Someone in work asked if I'd be telling people about the cancer and I was surprised at the question. That would be the last thing I would bring up! My heaven's, you are there to have a good time and catch up with old friends. Imagine - "Hey great to see you! What's new?" and I say "Oh, stage IIIA multiple myeloma!" LOL.....I'd rather not go. But I did wonder if anyone might know anyway. I am not the only one who still has parents in Charlestown and some of my classmates have siblings who were classmates of my sisters and brother. So there was the chance someone would know, but it never came up.
Instead, people asked how I was and I said "Life is good." Because it really is for the most part. There were people there tonight who have had such heartache and I really am quite lucky. One of my favorite saying is "If we all stood in a circle and threw our problems into the middle.....you'd take your own back".
One of my classmates had emailed me right after the announcement was made last spring. She asked if I was going and I said "But of course!" I watched for her to show up as I talked to other people and moved about the bar. Finally after a half hour I caught up with Jim and asked if she was coming and he told me no. I guess I should have paid more attention. I just assumed after the email she would show. She'll be getting an email from me!! LOL
Out of a class of 208 students there were about 80 or 90 of us there. I had a really good time and lasted far longer than I could have on one of my other weeks.
Thanks Jim!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
USS Freedom Is Coming To Boston
She will be here 01 DEC and I have to get a tour.
Who is hooking me up?????
I have emailed the PAO, but I might need someone with juice to explain to this guy
Who
I
Am!!!!
LOL
Seriously, anyone who can help me.....I'd appreciate it.
Who is hooking me up?????
I have emailed the PAO, but I might need someone with juice to explain to this guy
Who
I
Am!!!!
LOL
Seriously, anyone who can help me.....I'd appreciate it.
Victory In Iraq Day 22 NOV 2008
Go read the Armorer's post today.Victory in Iraq* Day, 22 November 2008 *(maybe)
Here on the right we don't all agree all the time and I like the thoughtful turn this post takes.
Project Valour-It - the Home Stretch
Maybe you aren't in a postition to make a big donation. Believe me, I understand. But maybe you have a great email list. We can use your help. Consider sending out a blast email about Valour-It.
Here's a draft email that we are hoping goes viral.
"I'm sending you this email because I'm a patriotic American like you...
As the 2008 holiday season approaches and you are busy with your plans and completing your shopping on a shoestring budget, I wanted to give you something to think about and ask for you to reach into your heart and pocket for a donation of as little as $1. You see, while you are home eating a fine meal as a family or opening gifts this season, many of our wounded soldiers will still be in the hospital. They are not asking for your pity, but they would appreciate your help as they fight to reclaim their lives.
One group helping them is Soldiers' Angels, with which I volunteer. Though Project Valour-IT, they provide voice-activated laptops for our wounded who can no longer use a regular computer, GPS systems for those with traumatic brain injuries and severe post-traumatic stress disorder that cause memory and positioning challenges, and Wii systems used in physical therapy sessions. In fact, doctors and therapists request these items from Soldiers’ Angels because they know they will support the physical and emotional recovery of wounded warriors.
Please take a few minutes to think about these wounded heroes who have sacrificed so much for us, and what you can do for them. Please consider a small financial sacrifice of your own. If everyone who got this email gave as little as $1, think of all the technology we could purchase for the wounded! Oh, and best of all, ALL the money you donate will go directly to purchasing the technology I described above. Soldiers' Angels is also a 501(c)(3), which means your donation is tax-deductible.
Thank you for reading this and please pass this on to everyone on your e-mail list. Together as Americans, we can support those who sacrificed so much for us! Please visit www.soldiersangels.org/valour to donate!
Thanks for reading this."
Cut and paste it onto an email. Tweak it to fit you. If you think you can get away with it, push Team Navy, lol. But send it out to everyone on your email contact list and see if you can get them to forward it.
Here's a draft email that we are hoping goes viral.
"I'm sending you this email because I'm a patriotic American like you...
As the 2008 holiday season approaches and you are busy with your plans and completing your shopping on a shoestring budget, I wanted to give you something to think about and ask for you to reach into your heart and pocket for a donation of as little as $1. You see, while you are home eating a fine meal as a family or opening gifts this season, many of our wounded soldiers will still be in the hospital. They are not asking for your pity, but they would appreciate your help as they fight to reclaim their lives.
One group helping them is Soldiers' Angels, with which I volunteer. Though Project Valour-IT, they provide voice-activated laptops for our wounded who can no longer use a regular computer, GPS systems for those with traumatic brain injuries and severe post-traumatic stress disorder that cause memory and positioning challenges, and Wii systems used in physical therapy sessions. In fact, doctors and therapists request these items from Soldiers’ Angels because they know they will support the physical and emotional recovery of wounded warriors.
Please take a few minutes to think about these wounded heroes who have sacrificed so much for us, and what you can do for them. Please consider a small financial sacrifice of your own. If everyone who got this email gave as little as $1, think of all the technology we could purchase for the wounded! Oh, and best of all, ALL the money you donate will go directly to purchasing the technology I described above. Soldiers' Angels is also a 501(c)(3), which means your donation is tax-deductible.
Thank you for reading this and please pass this on to everyone on your e-mail list. Together as Americans, we can support those who sacrificed so much for us! Please visit www.soldiersangels.org/valour to donate!
Thanks for reading this."
Cut and paste it onto an email. Tweak it to fit you. If you think you can get away with it, push Team Navy, lol. But send it out to everyone on your email contact list and see if you can get them to forward it.
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