Random Thoughts for a Wednesday

So, I had a very bad weekend and I am just now coming out of it. Why the bad weekend? Well, I am missing my daughter very much. Even though we talk on the phone 3 times (at least) per day it is just not the same as being with her. My husband was out of town (again) and my karate organization was holding the annual karate tournament in Troutdale, OR and all of my friends were there and I was not. It is moments like this hat make me really hate being in Florida. Usually I just don't like it but this weekend I was hating it. And becuase I was by myself, just me and the dogs, I had a lot of time to think about it.





Because of the storms in the west my husband had to get out of town early or risk not being able to get out of town until later this week so he got home late Saturday night (midnight). That made me feel better. And, I am planning to go to Ohio t visit my daughter the first weekend of April so now I have something to look forward to. YEAH!!





AMERICAN IDOL


The boys sang last night. And while I can't tell you who should be voted off next (I was not impressed with very many of them), I can tell you who shouldn't. That would be David Archuleta. WOW! He is only 17 and has the voice and majurity of someone much older. And he appears to be very humble.

He sang Imagine by John Lenon and I had tears in my eyes he was so good. I think Paula had tears and I know his mother was crying. If you have not heard him you must watch it the next time the boys sing.

CONTESTS

My friend Hallie over at http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/ is having a limerick contest. Here are the rules inHallies own words.

"The limerick must be about dogs....and not just any dogs. Oh, you SOOOOO know where I'm going with this, don't you? It must be about WIENER DOGS aka HOT DOGS aka LOOOONG DOGS aka DACHSHUNDS aka DOXIES. "

Go on over and check it out for yourself and you have to read some of the posts. I was cracking up. Don't know if I am talented enough to come up with one but at least now that I have posted about it and linked to her blog I can.

Can't wait to read some more entries!

Yahoo Groups

Do any of you belong to a Yahoo Group? I do. I belong to quite a few. 2 of them are for my Karate stuff, 5 of them are about French Bulldogs and one is for Air Force Moms and Dads. I used to belong to another one for Air Force Parents and Families but the moderation was so restrictive that if you wrote an email it would not show up to the group for days (weeks) so I left that group back in January (14th to be exact). When I left the group I explained my reason was because of the moderation. I never thought another word of it until yesterday when I received the following email from the moderator.

Michelle,

Thanks for taking the time out to email me. I completely understand that our group may not be the social or support outlet for everyone. We, currently, have over 1,400 members in Air Force Parents and Spouses. I am sorry you felt like you couldn't connect or didn't get anything from this group. Many of our members are very thankful for this forum. And, the numbers don't lie. So, we are connecting with many people. I am very happy to hear that you found a group that suits your needs. That is very important and AFPS has never assumed that we would be that group for everyone. Thanks again for your time. Best of luck to you and your son. Take care and God Bless!

XXXXX
Owner and Moderator, AFPS

So I responded back that this was exactly the reason that I left. It took 1 1/2 months to get a response from her. I also said that it was my daughter. Well, now she wrote me back and this is what has me so PO'd.

Michelle,

Unfortunately, AFPS is not the only aspect of my life. I am the wife of a Marine and the mother of a 2 year old and 4 year old. I have been battling the stomach virus within my whole family and most recently...the flu. So yes, it took me over a month to get back to your response. My other organizer just had her father pass away. So, you were not my first priority. I volunteer my time to this group and don't owe you (or anyone else) a response. Nonetheless, I sent you a nice email and wished you the best of luck. It seems like you may be one of those individuals that are not happy with anything. I organize a "support" group for Air Force families. I have volunteered my time and energy to those people who don't have a support outlet. If you did not find that within my group, that is fine with me. I, truly, am happy that you have found it somewhere else. We all need support and it doesn't matter to me where one gets it. Nonetheless, I didn't ask for or need your nasty email. If you didn't like AFPS, leave gracefully and enjoy your life. And by-the-way, without a picture or reference, there is not any way to know if A1C Farrell is a girl or boy. Therefore, I didn't have any idea that it was your daughter. As someone who has served my time and continually serve as a Marine Corps wife, I do wish you and your "daughter" the best of luck. For future reference, you may want to have a deeper appreciation for people that are trying to support one another and not bite the hand that feeds you. I will delete any future correspondence from you. Take care and God Bless!

XXXXX
Owner and Moderator, AFPS

Let me know what you think. While she blocked my AOL email I did respond using my other email. Just who does she think she is? I told her she did not have to respond to me but when she did she opened herself up for comments. And get this, I don't even see her relationship to the Air Force. She said she is the wife of a Marine and never mentioned her status with the Air Force. And, I have a profound respect for all the members of my Yahoo groups. Even the ones I may not agree with. And let me tell you, in the Frenchie world that happens alot!! In my Air Force Moms and Dads group we are all there for each other. I know that if I am having a bad day (or weekend like this one past) that I can post about it on my group and they will all have some words of support. If I would have posted on the other group it would have taken weeks to get a support response. At the same time I make it a point of being there for the other members of my group when they are having a bad day.

Ok. I am off my soap box and need to get back to work. AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH

About my trip to Austraila

I am finally getting around to writing about my trip to Australia. As you may remember, my brother and I went to bury our mother with her sisters. My mother "came over" as a War Bride back in 1944. Can you imagine, being so young and leaving your family and traveling all the way to the United States? By ship? She did just that. Back then you had to take a ship to travel that far. She was all alone with strangers for a very long time. I know I could never do it. And to think, I complained about flying for over 20 hours!!!

The first day there we went to the cemetery to make the arrangements. Here is what it looks like.

Very crowded. The plots are placed right next to each other. Not like today where you have lots of grass between them. My maternal grandmother and grandfather (never met them) are buried next to two of her sisters, Melva and Verna. Here is a picture of the headstone for Melva. We are having a plate made that will go on top of the cement cover along with a plate being made for Aunt Verna.

The reason we decided to bury her with her sisters instead of her parents is that since she was the baby of 11 (9 survived infancy) she was pretty much raised by her oldest sister Melva.

After making the arrangements we were taken to the home of the childhood friend of our mothers. June Tonkin and her husband Keith. June and my mom were friends as little girls. June actually came to visit us in Seattle once so we already knew her. She has been a part of the Australian Family for as long as anyone can remember. Weddings, Birthdays, funerals, etc. They can remember June always being there. It was great to catch up with her. Keith made us some lunch and we visited for a few hours. We would see them again at the service.

The next day we got to tour around the beaches and the country side. Here is a picture of the beach near where our cousins live.

On Friday, Feb 8th we had a service for our mother. It would have been her 81st Birthday. That is why we went when we did. We got to meet our Uncle Bobby for the first time. Now when you look at this remember that I am only 5'4". Bobby was a jockey and horse trainer in his day.

After the service we all went to the home of our cousin Wendy. Her and her sister, Jeanette, live in the city. Everyone refers to them as the city girls. We stayed with them Friday and Saturday nights. On Saturday they treated us to a float plane ride around Melbourne. How awesome was That?

This is a picture I took from the plane. I was in the very back so I was able to get pictures from both sides of the plane. My brother was in the co-pilot seat and the girls sat in the middle.

After we did that we drove around Melbourne and then walked alone the river. Here is a nice view of downtown Melbourne.

Now this next picture. I like calamari. I like the rings only with some tarter sauce. These folks in Australia like their calamari like this.

I kept waiting for them to start moving around! Well, I hope you have enjoyed my little story. It really was a very quick trip.

Have a great Saturday.

Do you agree with American Idol

I watched the first "vote off" of American Idol last night and have to say I agree with each of them. While Garrett reminded me of Leif Garrett (if you remember him you are as old as me) I agreed with Simon that he sounded like he was whining. I don't know what to think of Colton and I did not think much of the girls either.

It will be interesting to see who wins in the end. I am also torn about the controversy over who should be eligible to compete. Should they allow someone on the show who had a record deal? Toured with Britney? I personally do not think they should. But I also do not think that either of these two are the best of the group and do not have a chance of winning.

So, this must tell you how boring my life is right now. I am actually blogging about American Idol. Get a life Michelle!!

I'mmmmm Baaaacckkk!!

Okay, I have actually been back since midnight on the 10th (or would that be the 11th?) but I have been so down with the crud that I can barely function at work. Well, I guess I probably am not REALLY functioning but I am here. Trying to work.

I have promised myself that tonight I am going to download my pictures and I will get some posted here. And I will write about my trip. I can tel you that 5 days is not enough time to visit all of Melbourne or even part of it.

By for now. Look for more tomorrow.

Gday Mate

GDay from Australia. I hope all our friends in the southern states are not effected by the Tornado.

My brother and I are having a great time meeting the cousins. We are staying with Helen and her husband Don. Helens mum was my moms sister and the only one of the aunts that I got to meet. They have basically took strangers into their home and made us feel like family. I guess we are but you know what I mean. We went to the cemetary yesterday to make the arrangements for tomorrow. A little shopping today and then out to dinner tonight for Helen and Dons anniversary (38 years). Service tomorrow and then we go to stay with the "City Girls". Jeannette and Wendy live inthe city (near each other). They are our aunt Elinors daughters. I am afraid!!!

Sorry to all the Patriot fans (Hallie have you recovered yet?). The pilot kept us up dated on what information about the game he could. The whole plane erupted when we found out the Giants won.

Off we go now so I will let you all go.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda...

I am all packed (well mostly) and ready. Except I did not get the floors done like I wanted. Shay told me not to worry about it, but I do. I have always cleaned the house before going on vacation so that I have a clean house to come home to. ALWAYS. I guess I won't worry about the floors this time. The dogs have been on edge today. They must know that something is going on. That something is that mama is going to Australia without them.

I will take lots of photos and even some video. At least that is the plan. I have the camera and the video camera so I should get something to show for my trip.

Check back with me around the 11th (or the 12th) and I should have something posted.

Later