Have you Shown Your Soldier Appreciation Today?

President Obama announced tonight that the Combat Mission in Iraq is over. I knew it was coming, I’d read the press release a couple weeks ago, but it was wonderful to hear, all the same. My Son stopped playing video games long enough to get up, gently knuckle bump the President on TV and say “Thanks.” That was cool. No that doesn’t mean everybody is coming home tomorrow to be reunited with their families and loved ones. But they will be. 

Since 9/11 we have changed. Of course we are always changing, but this was a change for the worst. We now live in a world where a box cutter is considered a potential terrorist threat. We judge our safety for the day by a color coded scale ranging from “low threat” to “severe threat”.  At the time of writing this post we are at YELLOW, by the way. (Be aware.)  And we still carry around hurt and bitterness not only for who and what we lost that day, but for the little nagging fears and apprehensions we try to ignore, and the discomforts we endure to protect ourselves and our nation. In these ways it’s impossible to deny that the bad guys got a little bit of what they wanted… to knock us down, see us suffer, and see us lose our sense of security & freedoms. But although we may have been slowed down for a minute, we never stopped being free. We’re still innovating and progressing.

Technology is proof of our continued progression. If I think back real hard to being a kid and put myself back in the living room of the house on Linden Rd watching the Jetsons… and in that state look forward to my Android phone? It is the stuff of Space Age gadgetry! And look what advancements the internet has made. Sure the internet was cool. AOL instant messaging was CRAZY amazing to me. I chatted with Hawaii, was verbally assaulted in chat rooms, and argued the merits of the movie “Powder” on a message board with strangers everywhere. I remember saying, “Wow the world just got smaller.” But even nine years ago after the planes hit and the magnitude of the situation was setting in, we felt alone as we sobbed in front of the TV for hours and days and months, sometimes physically unable to move. I was afraid to turn it off and go to bed because I was sure something big was going to hit and none of us were going to wake up again. There was some research that could be done online, but nobody to talk to, nothing to connect with. 

Today is a different story. We have something called social networking. People across the country “knowing” people and sincerely caring for people they’ve never met. I have always cared about “people” and been affected by stories I’d never heard about people I didn’t know – but I knew they existed. Our Facebook, Twitter, & blogging friends put faces to all that we know is out there outside of our little bubbles. We’re all connected.  And thanks to social media sites like Twitter & Flickr we can now broadcast our support and appreciation to our Troops and their Families for everyone to see. Nancy Pelosi TWEETED her well wishes today. Barack Obama made a video. So did Ryan Seacrest and your neighbors next door and across the country. I think this is amazing not just for the comforting words being shared, but the increased positive energy being put forth by all the people thinking as one and wishing love & wellness out into the world.

There were Patriots who supported this war and Patriots who opposed it.  And all of us are united in appreciation for our service men and women. -Barack Obama

For all the high points and low points in the speech, that sentiment stuck with me. We are reminded to put aside our “politics” for the moment and change our idea of  who “us” and “them” are. There is no right and left on this matter – only brave men and women who suffered and sacrificed, whose families suffered and sacrificed- to protect our freedoms and guard “us” from our “them.” So don’t forget to perform an act of kindness for a Soldier. And head on over to the White House online and record your message of appreciation.

Subscribe to this blog's RSS feed

Paris Hilton is in trouble again – This time for cocaine possession. Which fell out of her purse while getting out lip balm. While being questioned by police for marijuana possession. Hello?!

She says the purse wasn’t hers. Was the lip balm? Cus that’s just gross.

Paris has been in trouble for drugs before. And drinking under the influence. She also yachts with suspected arms dealers and is cruel to her pets. Whatever, it’s all hearsay. What I really want to know is where are her PR people?!  I watch ENTOURAGE and when Vinnie Chase makes a move TOWARD making a stupid move he has a whole team on his case and doing damage control all over town. Where is Paris Hilton’s team? Who is protecting her? Or is she surrounded by “yes” people? Even her folks maybe? That would be sad and would make me feel for her for about a minute. Cus I know people make bad choices when they’re unhappy. I mean, it almost LOOKS like she was trying to get caught. Who pulls out lip balm and cocaine when they’re talking to the cops?! Can she really be that bumbling?

I don’t know. All I know is that if I woke up every day to a fat bank account, no responsibilities, and a closet full of Prada shoes – I’d be pretty happy and pretty anxious to show my gratitude to the world. But maybe that’s because I HAVE struggled and gone without. Is that the key to truly appreciating all the gifts that life presents us, big and small? Maybe having never to want for anything has not served the hotel heiress very well. What do her parents have to say about all these things? Hm. I have a headache. I hope Ms. Hilton gets it together and someday learns how good it feels to contribute rather than just take. With all her resources she could make Oprah difference in the world. Too bad she sets her sights so low.

Do you know what the “appropriate” gifts are to give for each year’s anniversary? Like for instance the traditional 5th anniversary gifts are wood items. I had to look that up. I was also surprised to learn that there is a “traditional” group of gifts and a “modern” group of gifts. That same fifth anniversary, according to the modern listing is silverware. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I mean, even though I don’t know all the year’s corresponding gifts, I have always known silver to represent 25 years – a great accomplishment. I find the reward to be out of line as a gift for only five years of marriage.  Not that 5 years is not commendable – it is! But it isn’t 25.  Wedding vows don’t command the respect they once did and marriages are not lasting very long. I say the precious metals like gold and silver should be kept in the distance, something to work toward, not moved forward so that they’re more accessible.  What do you think?

Do you know what the traditional Fifth Anniversary gifts are? I didn’t either.

There is not much I can’t get accomplished from my desk and I could not be happier about that.  Remember that movie THE NET with Sandra Bullock? I watched it with wide eyes and childish enthusiasm that the life she lived could actually be possible some day. She worked from home, ordered pizza from home, and socialized from home – she really didn’t have to leave the house unless she wanted to. My friend Andrea and I remarked, “now THAT’s the life.”

Guess what! Last weekend I ordered a calzone from Cottage Inn online! And I am working right now. From my home computer. And I will be compensated for it through Paypal, which is connected to my checking account, which is attached to my debit card which I will use to buy things over the internet to be shipped to my home. Life is good. People say they’re “living the dream.” Not me. I’m living “the net.”

There are a couple issues with shopping online, though. You cannot touch and sample things before you buy. So unless you know exactly what kind of whatever it is you want that you want, you’re taking a gamble. This frustrated me this weekend as I was shopping for navigational systems for my car. I am a realtor and I’ve been expanding the territories I cover which means I am lost a lot so I was checking GPS prices online and having a tough time comparing. Then I found these Wiki Buying Guides. Have you heard of them?  They are part of the ShopWiki network for your convenience not only the States but France, Australia, Spain and beyond! They offer information about products and allow you to compare products to decided which one will work best for you. Takes online shopping electronics up a notch!

Now I know that “living the net” could be unhealthy if taken to the extreme. So don’t worry. I understand something that Angela Bennett did not. Hugs, kisses, and $3 margaritas are essential to a well balanced and happy existence. So until those things can be delivered, I’ll happily head out the house to find them.

So here’s the latest. I went out Monday night. This is noteworthy because as a rule – I don’t go out. I’m much more comfortable staying home, writing, cleaning or feeding something. Or someone I have been making some changes and trying to be more social over the last several months which accounts for the boosts to my health and self esteem, but also is to blame for my bad blogging patterns. Seeking balance is a whole different topic, though. Today we’re talking about Adam Lambert and vehicle repair.

When Season 9 of American Idol was on I made an early prediction about Adam Lambert and hoped that he would make it through the competition far enough to make records and tour.  My wish came true and it was powerful enough to drag me out of the house on a WORK night and drive an hour each way to see the concert which took place at an outdoor venue. The concert was FANTASTIC and crazy enough, as soon as Adam left the stage there was a raindrop. Then another. Then the sky opened up and continued to drop buckets upon us as we looked through mascara stained eyes to buy merchandise with rain soaked dollars and run the block or so distance back to the car and dryness.

The next day my car wouldn’t start. My 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee that had no reason to be dead, seemed to be so.  Neither jumps nor charging sparked the engine, although the lights and accessories were working fine. That night my Jeep was towed and I was left without a vehicle for 3 days. During that time I obsessively searched symptoms, just like I do when my kids are feeling out of sorts. I found a cool website.

First of all, it points out auto repair in your area.  Los Angeles auto repair, Detroit auto repair – plug in where you need and you get results. My favorite area to play with was the diagnosis function. Let’s say you have a blown head gasket. Do you know what that means? Probably, but I don’t. At least I didn’t really. But there it was in easy to understand terms and a summary of how to fix it. I felt instantly smarter. Then for fun I checked out the rating of my car.  Nobody had rated a Jeep Cherokee yet, but there were user comments.  Ford Explorer though, for instance, had high markings in all categories.

The whole thing probably seemed more exciting to me than it actually was, considering I was stranded home with nothing much to do while everyone else was at work and outside playing. As for my vehicle problems, guess what was wrong with it. I put my soaking wet keyfob into the ignition. Dumb. Don’t ever do that!

What do you think of when you hear the term “homeless?”  Even though I know better, my mind immediately pictures adults in tattered clothes asking for change. Not the case. 51% of homeless people in my state of Michigan are adults and children in families! In fact, families with children is the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. 42% of homeless children are under the age of 5. FIVE YEARS OLD! In America. This does not make sense to me. In addition to our homeless children we have to take into account all the kids waiting for adoption. Lucky them they have a warm bed to sleep in and are not going hungry. But that’s not enough. Entitlement is not a legitimate condition in too many cases, but the right of a child to have his basic needs met, including a family to love them, is definitley one of them. These children in need are all around us. So why do we look right over them and far away to help others? Why did 16 families from Michigan head to Haiti in January to adopt children?

Simple. Because that’s what their hearts told them. Have you ever felt a calling? Just been so drawn to something – a something that never faded over time and only got stronger? I did. When I was ten I declared I did not want to have children and that I planned to adopt “orphans” someday.  It only made sense to me. Why bring more children into a world already filled with children who needed families? I felt very strongly about it and still do. I never felt the desire to have my own baby. But that’s just me and I don’t hold it against anyone else for desiring something else. Where this came from I don’t know. But once I learned there were kids who didn’t have parents - they never left my mind or my heart. That’s what I call a a calling. And this particular calling of mine drew me to 3 year old and 7 year old siblings in Flint, Michigan. But just like all preferences, tastes, and ideas, mine are not the same as yours. We all dance to different drums and receive different messages.

We live in a WORLD. Not a state, not a city. I believe that no child, regardless of where he or she is located, is any less valuable than another. Every child that comes into this world deserves the chance to thrive. LUCKILY in our world we have not only the MEs and the ROSIE O’DONNELLS who feel passionate about local adoption, but also the ANGELINA JOLIES who feel drawn to children outside of our country. Am I a fan of hers? No. But I respect and applaud the work she does for those less fortunate. The notion I hear from so many that we should “take care of our own” before we tend to those outside our borders is ridiculous! At no level- be it individual, household, corporation, city, state, nation – does effective management and problem solving come from focusing on one problem and ignoring others! This does not lead to success.  Children in need is one issue that must be considered as a whole. Choosing one group is a death sentence to another. Could you look two children in the eye – give the American child a sandwich and send the forein one away hungry? Of course not. (And if you answered yes then really…  shame on you is all I can say) It’s easy to say we should only help our own, but are you prepared to deliver that sentence to the others?

I have a question that always comes to mind when I hear people complaining about things. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM?  Bitching, moaning, & complaining isn’t helping one child in need. It’s not feeding anybody or keeping them warm. If you feel a calling to local kids in need, do something about it. Adopt one. It’s not that hard to do. Big brother or sister one. If adding to your family isn’t an option you can still be an advocate. There are many ways to help.  Being an advocate is as simple as spreading the word about whatever fires you up – either in line at the grocery store, on your blog, at work, or through an event. But spread the word in a positive way so people will hear you. Don’t undermine anything or anyone else. Especially in the case of children because every single one of them deserves a chance.

What have you done lately to help a child in need?

Ever since I saw the movie NIGHTS IN RODANTHE I have been daydreaming about lazy days spent tending to a big old cottage on the ocean, and evenings spent sipping chamomile and reading in an Adirondack chair on the patio.  I know it kind of sounds like an old lady way of life, but things have gotten so hectic in the last years since the adoption. Then the economy took its plunge creating more stress not only for me and my family but everyone across the country. In light of all the stress, NIGHTS IN RODANTHE has become my happy place, in my mind. The story, of course, of love FINALLY found then abruptly taken away is heartbreaking and I don’t think about that.  I just think about the house, the beach, and the ocean breeze.  Lately I have even been browsing Outer banks foreclosures to familiarize myself with what kinds of poor neglected houses are out there, waiting for me to find my way to the perfect one. Some day…

So I am still trying to get back to school. I have a feeling I could say, “I don’t have time” and “I can’t afford it right now” forever. It’s like having kids. You can never afford them. You just start your family and adjust, right?  I stumbled upon a new online degree program that sounds really rewarding and affordable.

On one hand, an online degree is a no brainer for me. I am comfortable here, I enjoy doing things online.  It does not take any time away from  my family and I can attend class at any hour to suit the needs of my family.

HOWEVER

I think I am suffering from not enough real live human interaction. Am sure of it in fact. When I originally decided a few months ago that I wanted to go back to school it was for three reasons…

• to fire up my brain again to the world & topics outside of family and parenting
• to have to leave the house, sit in class, and mingle with people
• maybe to get a degree, although that was not really all that important to me

HOWEVER

A few months have passed and having been considering going back to school as a real possibility, the idea of a degree has become more appealing.  That’s where WGU got my attention. It is a fully accredited and ACCELERATED program.  The accelerated part dazzled me when I read it.  You don’t receive your credits according to time spent and tests passed… but by assessment… and you can complete as many credits in one term as you are able all for the price of one term! What?! I know!  That means you could get your masters degree online in a fraction of the time of a traditional program, and a fraction of the cost as well!

Now I say YOU could. I am sure I would be using the maximum time to get through.  But the point is… no wasted time and money covering stuff you already know. Tuition is roughly $3,000 per semester regardless of how many credits you complete.  WGU is a non profit school so which is why it is so affordable. Students can start at the beginning of any month and are matched up with their own mentor to help them along.

For a degree driven desire to go back to school I think this is a great program. But I don’t know… I still think I would benefit from getting away from this computer and interacting with students and faculty. What do you think?

Or is it. Am I at my limit or am I becoming set in my ways?  Do I need to buckle down or do I need to relax? I’m confused. I want a dog. A puppy specifically. I NEED something small and helpless to care for, it seems. I am in my 40s now and my body is doing weird things to me. Everything I was doing for it before is apparently not sufficient anymore.  My wants and needs have flip flopped. My whole goals and dreams system suddenly looks like someone else’s bucket list. What is happening to me? Realistically a puppy is just one more thing, though, for me to neglect or stress out over. Just like the pool.  I have desperately wanted a pool/hot tob for years to burn calories and stress during the day and relax at night.  But then I think spa filter! chemicals! winterizing! AH! That’s just more stuff to do and buy! What if the pay off isn’t bigger than the investment? That cute little bull dog might just be what pushes me over the edge! Why do I want these new things, anyway?  These two examples, i just realized, both seem to be of a relaxing nature. Maybe I am trying to tell myself something?  Maybe it’s not that I need to focus on all that needs to be done around here, but rather taking some time to relax and enjoy. Hmm.  I’ll obsess over it from that angle for a while and see what comes of it. What do you think?

My computer is constantly getting bogged down by its cluttered up hard drive. It is on my list to clear up the junk. It is on my list to research storage solutions. It is on my list to have breakfast but here it is almost noon and I have not even accomplished that. I don’t have time to research things for personal reasons, I barely get it done for obligation. Now what?

Duh! Online backup! With services like shutterfly and mymotherboard out there GIVING storage away, it is a breeze to have our photos, files, and important data protected and accessible, even without being on our computers.

I just wanted to share that “duh moment” but now that we’re here… is anybody taking advantage of any of these services?   I have a couple in mind already that I want to try. Let us know what you’re using!