Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Cynthia



Sgt James E. Craig

27 years old from Hollywood, South Carolina

1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

January 28, 2008





James, 27, was killed on January 28, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq, along with four other soldiers when the unit encountered an IED, followed by an ambush from a nearby Mosque. It has been a year since James was killed.  I miss him each day.



James was on his third deployment to Iraq.  There are so many things about James that I admired. He was 'loud' and funny and articulate and sweet - even calling himself 'Sweet Soldier' - and brave and tough. He was a devout Christian and more comfortable with telling people he was than anyone I ever knew - he had a enviable, easy comfort with this faith. It would be so easy to write and write about James, but let me share some portions of his letters - his long and articulate letters.



"...I am very much looking forward to this war being over. However, I fully support everything that is going on over here ever since I saw first hand what the real situation was. Our media doesn't portray the truth of this operation or the necessity to the people here. They need freedom and desperately cry out for someone to help them. ... I know one thing, God wants me here."



"The war here is stating to come to an end. It will be a slow transition period where the responsibility of the battle space is handed over to the growing Iraqi Army. It all depends on the Iraqis if we are able to leave them with it safely."



"...it is a tale of my wonderful journey where I made memories I will never forget and stood up for something that I believe in...that sweet taste of freedom when the day is done and the knowledge that I have done something to ensure the positive future of my loved ones. And, you should know that it comforts me the most that what I do protects wonderful people like you."



To read more about Sgt James Craig, go here.



These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday.  For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived



This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.  For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Diamond Sharp Airman

Yep, that is what my little girl is. Shay received her award certificate and 2 coins in a ceremony yesterday at Fairchild AFB. Three other people from the 92nd Operations Group received this award. Shay was the only A1C! I told her yesterday that she should be walking 2 inches taller from this. This will definitely look good in her BTZ packet.

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Airman 1st Class Sharayah Farrell, 92nd Medical Group laboratory technician, accepts the Diamond Sharp award from Col. Marshal Morrison, 92nd Operations Group commander, Chief Master Sgt. David Nordel, 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief, and Master Sgt. Ken Rains, 92nd Medical Group first sergeant, at the Warrior Dinning Facility Jan. 22. The Diamond Sharp award is given to Airmen who strive for excellence, both on and off duty, in their community and their personal life. (U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Melissa L. Barnett)


We could not be more prouod of her. And, I would not expect anything less from her. She has always been the one who does the right thing and never gave us a lick of trouble while growing up. Unless you count leaving her coat and backpack on the couch, having a messy room or not getting straight A's trouble. Can you see this proud momma's feathers fluffing? You know they are.

Another Sunday

Here it is another Sunday and nothing new to report. Yesterday I got my hair done and ran a couple of errands. For some reason I was tired all day. I mean I was sitting at the salon and had 45 minutes to process and could not keep my eyes open. I didn't sleep, I just couldn't keep my eyes open. When I got home I made a tuna sandwich and then the dogs and I took about a 2 hour nap. Then I didn't do much of anything the rest of the day.

Today, I took the dogs to e=the dog park to meet up with a bunch of other French Bulldogs. They had a blast. We spent 1 1/2 hours there and then went to Petsmart to get dog food. Molly always likes to look at the cats needing adoption.

After we got home I spent the day cleaning all of the dog beds, pillows and blankets. Then I did all the floors. I took the doggies on a long walk and then they had dinner. Now they are all snoring loudly while I watch the football game. So for sure Arizona will be coming to Tampa for the Superbowl and by the looks of things it appears that Pitsburgh will be joining them. Of course, anything could happen. At any rate, it is none of the teams I would care about.

I guess today is a little different than any other Sunday. Today is my birthday. It is also my stepsons birthday today. He is 20. Hubby has his birthday next Saturday. We have many bdays in January.

Like I said, just another Sunday.

Perhaps I should explain....

After my previous post I received a few comments that indicated some of you thought I might be sick because I spent 5 hours in the bathroom. So I thought I would show you a couple of pictures of what I was doing.



Now before I put new tiles in I think I better take the course at Home Depot again for a refresher. I have to put this rubber based stuff down to fill in the crack before I put the glue down to hold the tiles and then the final step is the grout. I guess you know what I will be doing this weekend.

I am over it and back to normal

Ok, so I am over the loss of OU to Florida. I guess I have to get on with my life. And I guess I did this weekend, if you call it a life. I was busy in the bathroom for over 5 hours on Saturday removing the cracked tiles and scrapping the old glue stuff off to make it a clean surface in which to put the new tiles. Although I think I need to go back to Home Depot and watch the class again. I may have forgotten alot since I took that class. Lucky for me they offer it every Saturday. So that is pretty much what I did on Saturday.

Sunday was spent doing laundry, cleaning the kitchen and mowing the lawn. I know, I know. Why would anyone be mowing the lawn in January? Because I live in Florida and the dogs don't like it when the grass hits their bottoms when they use the facilities. So mow I did. And clean I did.

I was in bed with the lights off by 9:55 last night. When the alarm went off at 5:45 I so wanted to go back to sleep. At least this is a 4 day work week for me.

I will try to have something more intersting to post later this week. Happy Monday!!

Don't talk to me today

I am not in the mood. The game sucked big time for everyone until the second half. Just know that I am not a happy camper thinking's and proably tomorrrow.

I gotta get the donuts too

Damn!!!

BCS Championship Game

See me? I am ready for the big game tonight. Oklahoma is gonna crush the gators.

And then this will be ours.

Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner, OK U! Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Oklahoma, OK U! I'm a Sooner born and Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner dead Rah Oklahoma, Rah Oklahoma Rah Oklahoma, OK U!

History of the Sooner Fight Song -

In 1905, Arthur M. Alden, a student in history and physiology whose father was a Norman jeweler, wrote the lyrics to the fight song, borrowing the tune from Yale University's 'Boola Boola' but improvising the words. A year later, an addition was made to it from North Carolina's 'I'm a Tarheel Born' and the two combined to form the university's fight song today. One of the most recognizable college fight songs in the country, 'Boomer Sooner' immediately evokes enthusiasm from OU fans and sends chills down the spines of those who dare to oppose them.

Wednesday Hero

Airman Melissa PyleAviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Melissa Pyle mans a jet blast deflector station on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Gulf Of Oman. Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To LookThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Honor A Soldier, Family or Employer

Here is a link where you can submit the name of a current Active Duty Soldier, Veteran, Reserve/National Guard Soldier, Family or Employer for recognition. The best part is it does not cost you anything expect a few minutes of your time.

Do you want to thank a soldier for serving our country? Here is the link https://www.freedomteamsalute.com/Default.aspx

Second Post for Sunday

BTW - Rick at Organized Doodles is having a giveway. You gotta go check it out!!

Happy New Year

I will start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year. I hope everything is mighty fine in 2009!!

It is Sunday and officially the end of the holidays. At least for me since I had Friday off. Today I sold my queen sleeper sectional on Craigs list. They came by last night to look at it and they are on their way to pick it up this morning. My new sofa and love seat are currently sitting in the garage. I am hoping that hubby will help me unpack it and move it in the house and put the sectional in the garage. It will make it easier for them to pick it up anyways. Otherwise I will have to find some nice neighbor to help me.

We just go through giving all three dogs a bath. Why do dogs not like getting the bath but after they feel great and playful?

Hubby is on his way back to Alabama. He has been on vacation since December 20th. Spent most of the time here and about 5 days in Reno with his son and father. I might get to see him on Jan 23rd if we meet for a birthday party. Can't say much as it is a surprise. Not that I think this person reads my blog but you just never know.

After that we probably won't see each other until March sometime. He has a school trip planned for later in February. They are taking his group to Taiwan, Korea, China and Japan.

Christmas was jut a blur as nothing went right and I did not have my family with me. I vow that next year will be different. I plan to have all of my family with me somewhere. Not sure where yet. It all depends on whether hubby gets assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington after his schooling is over or not. That is kind of what the plan looks like right now. Although it figures that I won't be able to go for at least 1 1/2 years because of my job. See, I like my job and I just became a permanent government employee back in September. So I do not have transfer rights yet. And I really would like to work with the people that I work with now and do what we do. There is a chance that I could do that. We have Project Development Specialists that we just created positions for. We are authorized for 4 and only hired 2 to begin with. What they do, I have been doing for the last year. I already talked to the Director about my 2 year plan to become one. He sounded positive. These positions work remotely so I could do it from wherever we are assigned (hoping Washington). It requires a lot of phone calling and travel. I would probably get the West Coast. I asked to be given a couple of projects in the next grant round to mentor and bring along. Basically to prove that I can do the job. It also will provide for promotion potential to a GS-13 level. Not bad!!

I have a problem that I have to take care of right away. See, I gained about 4 pounds over the holidays. Damn Popcorn!! I swear, that is all I ate that was different that what I have been eating. I am talking about Popcorn Factory Popcorn. The caramel, cheese and plain combo. It was 6 gallons of the stuff. I ordered so much stuff for friends and family that I got it for free. I just basically had to pay for shipping. I had it sent to the office for everyone to share. Then the Friday before Christmas (my RDO) the office called to tell me there was another can there. They made a mistake and shipped to containers. I had that one here at the house and have been munching on it for the past two weeks. It is not all gone but a good portion of it is.

Since I have already joined the gym and hired the trainer I am on track to lose those 4 pounds soon. Like this week. Then I have a goal to lose another 15-20 before September. That is when I expect my High School Reunion to be. It will be the 30th. Can you believe that I am THAT old? Yep, I am . I will be 48 this month. Hubby will have his too but that will be in Tulsa. He has joined Facebook and is trying to connect with old classmates so that one can be organized. He has not been to any of his yet. I went to the 10, 20, and 25. As you get older you have them more frequently in case someone isn't around for the next one. Know what I mean? Anyway, I will work with the trainer on Mon, Wed and Fri and then do my karate on Tue and Thurs. And I will attempt to go to the gym on my own at least one day of the weekend. I figure it I do the trainer like that for a 1-2 months it will give me a good base to work with. Then I can use him once a week for the rest of the year. Right now my right shoulder and arm are pretty sore. I have been doing the ice/heat combo since yesterday. Not going to the gym today!

I actually need to finish working on my bathroom tile project. I went to the class the Home Depot teaches about a month or so ago because we have some cracked tiles in the bathroom and the hallway. But I had not started the project yet. But I did start on Friday. It is a long process using the grout bit with the dremel to remove the old stuff between the tiles. Then I remove the cracked tiles. Clean up the area and lay a rubber type base before putting the new tiles in. So I plan to work on that as they come to get the sofa.

Everyone in the family is starting the year healthy so that is a plus. I hope we can all keep it up. Here is a picture of my bathroom tiles. See the crack? That runs from one corner to the other. Only one tile in the way did not crack. But since the foundation is cracked I will remove that one as well

This shows where I have started to remove the grout and one corner came up.

This just shows that I have been removing the grout between the tiles. I hope to finish that part today. Then I can work on the clean up during the week and then next weekend I will do the rest of the work and hopefully lay the new tiles.
Wish me luck!!