The Value....

This was sent to me yesterday by a very good friend. I am always amazed that other people can write and know what I think all the time.

To realize the value of a sister
Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize the value of ten years
Ask a newlyDivorced couple

To realize the value of four years
Ask a graduate

To realize the value of one year
Ask a student who has failed a final exam

To realize the value of nine months
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn

To realize the value of one month
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby

To realize the value of one week
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper

To realize the value of one minute
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane

To realize the value of one-second
Ask a person who has survived an accident

To realize the value of a friend or family member LOSE ONE

Time waits for no one
Treasure every moment you have
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

Remember... Hold on tight to the ones you Love, Life is too short for drama and petty things.

and of course my favorite is...want to realize the value of four months...try chemo.

The last one sure did bring a smile to my face. She is a breast cancer survivor and I am very proud of her.

Tell someone you love them today, hug a friend, family member, pet a dog or jsut smile!

Have a great day!!

I Believe.........

I Believe..............

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born;

A Death Certificate shows that we died;

Pictures show that we lived!


Have a seat and Relax - And read this slowly.

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you have had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.


The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Have a happy Monday!

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Hubby, Happy Birthday to you!!

Today is hubby's birthday. His father sent him an ecard. I am trying to attached it here. It would not let me copy and paste but here is what it said.

HEY MOM! NEED MORE PAPER!

Name withheld to protect ME, 10 months old. You don't realize until much later just how great those times were. I wish you the very best and happiest birthday ever and I love you very much. Love Dad.

Isn't that sweet? So what did I get him you ask? Nothing. Well I did get him a card. We are at the stage in life where we have agreed not to spend money on gifts for Christmas or birthdays. Besides, I need new tires and so does the truck. Also, I am leaving for Australia in a week and need some money for that. But we did go to dinner on Sunday for both our birthdays (mine was last week).


I was looking around on my Karate Organizations site and found a picture of me from last year. I was refereeing a Karate Match in Oregon. Aren't I cute in my suit?
Now for an update on the daughter. After all this is Shays Mom Blog. They were told yesterday that they have to move dorms. She is currently on the second floor and has to move to the building across from her and will be on the third floor. I am happy that they are giving them through the weekend to move everything. Now they will have two twin beds (instead of one standard) but they won't be getting room mates. So I guess they all push the beds together to make a king size bed. I just ordered one of those things that you use to convert 2 twins into a king and she has to get new sheets too. She will have to make due with her standard size electric blanket and comforter!
It is still cold in Ohio. I think it was 23 this morning but only 18 yesterday morning. I think it is supposed to be sunny tomorrow so they can move their stuff without being snowed on. All of the kids in her class will be on the third floor in rooms right next to each other.

I went to the Brandon Kennel Club Meeting last night. I found out that one of my favorite Conformation Judges passed away on Monday. A sad day for the dog world indeed.

Back to work. Have a safe one.

Weekend Catch Up

Well, after Fridays big win for Norman the rest of the weekend did not fair so well. I am told he showed like a pro (that he is) but that judges must hav ebeen looking for something else. Besides beautiful?

Bindi won her class on Sunday (Bred By Exhibitor) but did not get the points. Oh well, another show this weekend in Ocala, FL. Hubby has to work so it will be just Bindi and me. We will stay in a hotel overnight on Saturday night.

I keep asking Shay to send me a new picture for my cell phone but I have not got it yet. She got her hair done on Saturday and I am anxious to see how it looks. She has been sick too. It started the weekend we arrived at Wright Patterson and then started to get better. Last night she sounded terrible. I bet she has bronchitis (again). Hopefully she will get to the doctors today to get some meds. I hate it when I am not with my baby when she is sick.

Have any of you been keeping up with Hallie over at http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/ ? A1C Shmoops is back in the field going through more SERE torture and she is worried (as any mother would be). Head on over and give her some encouragement.

Hope you all have a good day.

Best of Breed

Do you know what I mean when I say Best of Breed? This is when the best dog of that particular breed is selected during a dog show. It is a pretty high achievement and I have only witnessed friends dogs getting this honor. But yesterday, yesterday, a French Bulldog that I bred achieved this honor at the Portland, Oregon Dog Show. 2Stars Lorage de Normandie (Norman) took Best of Breed. He "finished" last weekend at the Puyallup, WA dog show to become Champion 2Stars Lorage de Normandie and he just turned 1 on the 16th. I was walking on clouds the rest of the afternoon. He was being shown by my breeding partner, Cheryl Collins, and is owned by Val and Deb. Here is a picture of him from a few months ago. Well, they went back later to compete in Group but did not get anything. Group is where all the Best of Breeds for those breeds within that group (Sporting, Non Sporting, Hound, Toy, Working, etc) compete for group placement. Then it is the Best in Groups that compete for Best in Show. So as you can see, Best of Breed is pretty good.I showed his sister, Bindi yesterday and today at the show in Brooksville, FL but we did not get any points. Will head back up there tomorrow.

Contests Galore

Through my Air Force Moms and Dads group I have met (not rally met in person, but through emails and the internet) some wonderful people. These are the people who inspired me to start my blog.

On Hallie's blog she is having a contest. You have to write a Heiku. Here is a link to her blog. Have fun! http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/

When you blog, people leave comments. Some of the people who leave comments also have blogs and you can skip over and read their blogs. In doing exactly this I have found another contest.

Here is a link to the blog that is having a contest: http://lookthroughoureyes.blogspot.com/
The question is "Have you ever surprised yourself by doing something really well?"

And a link to the prize: http://www.memorablemealtimes.com/

Enjoy and I hope to read some of your responses.

Michelle

My Dogs

I thought I would share some photos of my dogs. Here are the birthday kids. Today is their 1st birthday. Here you see Diego, Norman and Bindi.


Here they are again at about 12 weeks of age.


Around the same time. Aren't they cute?

We kept the girl, Bindi and here she is.



This is Molly, the momma.


This is Brutus, not the daddy.

We don't have kids at home anymore but we have 3 dogs. They are French Bulldogs, in case you didn't know. Right now Brutus is sleeping on the couch, Molly is on the other end of the couch and Bindi as at my feet in the recliner. They do alot of that. Goodnight all.

How often do you talk to your kids?

Yesterday I mentioned to my co-workers that I talk to my daughter a few times per day and we text just as much and they could not believe it. It actually came about becuase I said soemthing like "I just talked to Shay and..." and then they said "how often do you talk to her?"

So I am asking, do you think that is too much? She will call me on her way to work and then sometimes she will call at lunch time and of course after work and perhaps even before she goes to bed. I like it! I so missed those calls while she was in basic. I almost could not function for those 6 1/2 weeks.


I have been copying some photos off her lapttop before I send it to a friend to "wipe" it clean for me and thought I would share a couple here with you.

Best Buds

Getting done to her what she will be doing to others

Doing something in the lab

The young airmen picture above are: A1C Sarah Burgess (first photo), Cardwell (second photo) and Fuller (third photo). They call themselves the "Fab Four" and have been together since August at Sheppard AFB.

I am such a bad blogger

So today is Tuesday and I missed blogging over the weekend. What did I do that kept me from blogging? Well, Saturday and Sunday I was at the Brooksville Dog Show. I missed entering Bindi but I had volunteered to man the French Bulldog Village Rescue Group tent. The whole time I was there I only sold one thing! Except of course the things that I bought for myself. I hav ebeen pretty busy at work catching up from the time I was out for Christmas. My husband is still out of town in Virginia so it is just me and the dogs. Have you seen my dogs? Check them out at www.2StarsFrenchBulldogs.com

Even though I did not show Bindi I have great news from the Dog Show in Puyallup, WA. Bindi;s brother Norman finished and is now Champion 2Stars Lorage de Normandie. I am so excited. He is such a great looking boy. I will have to post a photo when the owners send me one. My co-breeder is the handler on him an she called to tell me about all the compliments she got for him. She said that he is as close to being a perfect speciman of a French Bulldog as there can be. If she had to fault him it would be his lighter colored nose. Nothing a little makeup can't hide.

What is new with my Airman? I am so proud of her. She made a goal that she was going to go the gym every day after work/school and has stuck to that and she is eating really healthy. Said she lost 5 pounds already. She is really liking the work but actually said she missed Sheppard AFB. Of course, when she was at Sheppard she could not wait to leave. A couple of them went driving around this weekend to get acquainted with the surrounding area. She said she found a neat area kind of like a "commons" that has restuarants, and english pub, shops, etc. Yesterday the newbies were in briefings all day and finished up around 2pm. Instead of goofing off (like a cople fo the others) she went back to the lab to report for duty. Her supervisor walked through the lab and did a double take that she was there. I told her when in doubt always do the right thing. I am sure the others will be called out for not coming back to work.

Anyway, she inspired me with her going to the gym that after I took the dogs for a walk I got on the treadmill myself. It is not as enjoyable as going to the gym but I am proud that I did it.

Ok, I gots to go. Need to finish up a couple of things at work before I leave for the day. I will try to write again tomorrow.

TTFN

I Love Fridays

I love Fridays, usually. Because usually the are followed by a Saturday which means "Stay Home Day". But not this Saturday. No, I volunteered to man the Rescue Booth at the Dog Show this weekend. And of course I missed the deadline to enter Bindi so I am going all the way there just to man the booth. Well, I guess it is for a good cause. At least on Sunday I will have some company.

I was missin my Airman today and started looking through some photos. Here she is being sworn in by Colonel Dad. This was May 15th, 2007.



The next timeI would see her would be BMT Graduation. Well, That picture is at right. I have talked to her a couple of times today. She is enjoying her training. Actually, She said that she pretty much does her own tests and then gets them approved. She isgetting alot of experience in. She has been going to the gym after work every day and is looking for volunteer opportunities. She is considering volunteering for Airmen Against Drunk Driving. She would be available to drive other airmen who call in and have been drinking.

Gotta run. I will try to post this weekend.

Thursdays are boring

I believe that Thursdays are boring. Not much happens on Thursdays. Except maybe on television. Isn't tonight the night we get to watch Patrick Dempsey on Greys? And don't forget about ER. Other than that it is pretty boring. I did have to stay home from work this morning so that the Verizon guy could install TV, Internet and Phone service. I only had about 5 minutes to play with it before I had to head to work but so far so good. The wireless is even working, yeah!!

Now I am at work and just doing what I do. Review Per Diem Rates for non-profit agencies that provide housing and services for homeless veterans. If everything is hunky dory then I prepare the approval letters that the Auditor then signs so I can mail them out. Not really exciting but I work with a great group of people

Thats all for now folks.

Start of Classes

Well, Shay officially started classes again today at Wright Patterson AFB. She is assigned to urinalysis. AND She is excited about it. Seems it was her favorite subject at Sheppard. She is such a good girl. She was in bed and asleep before 8:30. The someones son decided that hanging his BDUs from the sprinkler head seemed like a good idea. Do you know that those things are not meant to hold any kind of weight? Well you guessed it. The sprinkler head broke, the alarms sounded, the fire department and aid cars showed up and one airman has a flooded room. Which effected the rooms next to him and below. Shays says that all of his stuff is soaked. Including his computer. I am so glad that we got renters insurance for her dorm room. This is the kind of stuff you have to protect your self from. Luckily her room was not near his. I encourage everyone to get renters insurance if you do not have home owners insurance. 9 bucks a month covers everything.

Back to work.

Michelle

An Airmans Room

Here are a few pictures of Shays Dorm Room at Wright Patterson. At least what it looked like right before I left on Sunday. Who knows what it looks like now!!



This view if from the door and shows the full bed on the right, sink and microwave over in the corner and her wall locker. The door there leads to the shared bathroom.


This was taken from beside the bed and shows the easy chair and dresser.


Dresser on the right and Media Cabinet on the left. She did bring her TV and it is behind the closed doors.

Front door and desk on the left.

So now she says that they said that they probably won't have to share a room but the still will have to move. Stay tuned for the ever changing story of "This day in the Air Force".

I'm Baaaaccccckkkkk

Well, I am officialy back. I returned from Ohio on Sunday but have not been up to posting until today. Feeling a little blue now that my airman is no longer here for me to touch. Somehow it does not make it any easier being able to talk and text with her every day. But I feel good that she is settled in her "dorm room" and getting through the inprocessing and will start classes again tomorrow. Her room now has a double bed, desk, dresser, tv drawer thingy, wall locker and an easy chair. The room also has a sink and microwave and a shared bathroom. Yesterday they were told by the dorm manager that they would be moving to the next building over in about 2 weeks and will most likely have to share a room. WHAT? Do they not know this girl? She as too much stuff to be able to share that space with another. Looks like she may have to ship some of the stuff back home. Not making hubby happy but I am fine with it.

I got tagged by anopther Air Force Mom http://deb_inside.typepad.com/ while I was away. I have never been tagged until now so will struggle through this. Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person's blog who tagged you. done
2. Post these rules on your blog. done
3. List seven random and or weird facts about yourself. done
4. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. not done
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog. not done

Here goes:

1. I love country music. Not weird and not unusual but it was the first thing that came to mind.
2. I am a black belt in Karate. You probably would not know that by looking at me. I miss my Karate so much. I have not been able to find a school that teaches the same principles since I moved to Florida
3. I am the youngest child and the only girl. I was very much a tom boy growing up. I actually got told I was in the wrong bathroom at the movies once.
4. I do not like vegetables. I eat lettuce, celery and carrots. But not cooked. I do like corn and potatoes too.
5. I show and breed French Bulldogs. You can see my babies at www.2starsfrenchbulldogs.com
6. I am a Navy brat who joined the Army. My father was in the Navy or 21 years and I was in the Army for 22 years. Both of my brothers were also in the Navy with one of them retiring from the Navy Reserves as a LT Commander.
7. I am in the process of attaining my Australian Citizenship by Decent. My mother was born and raised in Australia. She was the baby of 11 and the only one to come to the states. All our relatives on her side of the family are still in Australia. My brother and I are leaving on Feb 3rd to take her ashes to be burried with her family.

Whew!! I got through that. But I do not know anyone, other than those already tagged, to send this to. So sorry, the tag stops here.

I am back to work and trying to get caught up. So goodbye for now. I will post some pics later.

Michelle

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2008 will be great!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Found this and could not resist. A fellow AFM (Air Force Mom) has been showing us the travels of Airman Duck and then Christmas Ducks and I immediately thought of her when I saw this and of course I had to get it. I also found the Airman one and got that for Shay. I buy EVERYTHING and ANYTHING that has to do with the Air Force these days.

Today is the first day of 2008. Wow, I can't believe how fast 2007 went. So much happened in 2007 that would not even know where to start. Lets just say that I am hoping that 2008 does not hold as much to be done as 2007 did.

Today and tomorrow will be spent washing, packing and loading Shays car for the trip to Wright Patterson, OH (Dayton). I am driving with her so at least I get to spend a few more days with her. I have so enjoyed the past week and a half being with her.

Today I have made an appointment at the Apple Store to have her laptop fixed. I have tried and tried and cannot get it to connect to the internet. I will let the experts take care of it. This means we have to go the the Snooty Mall again.

I hope everyone has a good day to the start of the new year. Best wishes.