Time Marches On....but stop for a moment and give pause...

Sunny - Hi 53 Lo 35 for Baghdad, Iraq
Rainy - Hi 56 Lo 46 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Time of Your Life, Green Day

Ramble:

I have always found comfort in pomp and ceremony- the steadfast ritual of tradition. With age, it has become more meaningful. From baptisms to weddings to funerals the symbolism of what is done and said can be quite moving.

Ceremonies of this nature are an opportunity to reflect on the life to be, the life in progress, or the life lived. It is only natural when reflecting on someone else's journey we look at our own journey. At the time of President Reagan's death, the entire country grieved-- Never in my life had I witnessed anything like that--- The outpouring of sympathy, the grief we felt as a nation--During President Reagan's state funeral, like the rest of the nation, I felt that I had lost a close member of my family. He meant that much to me. I desperately wanted to go to Washington, but that was out of the question so, in trying to deal with my own grief, I focused my attention on "the schedule" of the funeral. I took comfort in learning the symbolism of the caisson, the Old Guard, in understanding the meaning of the caparisoned horse (riderless horse). I found out when they were going to do 21 gun salutes, I learned about the history of the Lincoln catafalque upon which Reagan's (and now Ford's) casket rests. In learning and knowing the schedule, I felt comforted. I was being tasked to do something. I had a purpose. It helped. Pomp and ceremony is designed to do that.

A plan for a funeral must be in place when the president takes office. However, once he has left office the president and his family sit down and design a detailed funeral. The funeral is a reflection of the man and his first lady. (Tuck that away in a recess of your mind for future consumption.) The men and women that carry out these orders for the family are the most compelling- the most profound...in the simplest of terms they are carrying out orders, but with that they are showing the utmost respect for the fallen comrade or fallen leader... If you have ever been to a military funeral, the silent precision of the changing of the guard gives chills and brings tears.

Our nation is so young... We have only had 43 presidents... 43... That is one hell of a small club. In that time we have fought in 11 wars. The deadliest was the Civil War with nearly 620,000 lives lost. Our ugliest moment in time was our fight within....................

It has been said and I concur that President Ford was a decent man- kind, honest, humble. As a nine year old, I remember his voice more than anything-- soothing.... comforting... His voice was that of a great uncle or grandfather.

"I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances.... This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts."

When President Ford took office- it proved once again that our government works. No, he was not elected- not as Vice President, nor as President, but a series of events brought him to this most exclusive of clubs and it is the chain of command that our brilliant forefathers had the insight to put in place. Our government did not stop... Yes, we were coming out of Viet Nam and the scandal of Watergate... Our flag had been witness to much worse... President Ford was the man to bring calm to our nation. The feeding frenzy needed to end and end it he did.

OK...OK... President Ford was........a little on the boring side... But in reflection, he wasn't boring at all. He was simply a quiet soft spoken gentleman of integrity, honesty, and good character. Chevy Chase came to fame making fun of the man. But remember, President Ford was an athlete... he was masculine grace.... He was offered contracts to play professional football-- the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. He turned them down............. He went to Yale and became an attorney. Like so many of his generation he served his country during WWII. From there he served his country for another quarter of a century in Congress and we know the rest... 6 months as the Vice President and President for a little over 2 years.

I remember the 2 attempts on the President's life- one by Squeaky Fromme and the other by Sara Jane Moore.

But what I remember most vividly and fondly are the family moments and their dog having puppies...

So, as I watched President Ford's motorcade last night on Fox, I reflected on my personal remembrances and what the Ford Legacy will mean to me... I will remember that he brought comfort to us when we thought our government was vile and corrupt. But more importantly, I will remember a big gentle man that loved his wife and loved his family and loved his golden retriever, Liberty...........

We live in such an amazing country. We live in an amazing time. WE have a responsibility to the next generation to leave it better than the way we received it. We live in a time when the enemy is no longer defined by a border- a nation... It is our responsibility to remain vigilant. We owe it to our founding fathers who fought so couragously for our independence and freedom.

We owe it to our great great grandparents that endured a nation that was ripped apart in a time of great inner turmoil. I have no doubt President Lincoln was our greatest president. A lesser man would have crumbled. He knew what our nation stood for.

And, we owe it to the greatest generation... the generation that fought a war against an evil tyranny-- that put everything aside to remember Pearl Harbor...a generation that sacrificed so much...

As I look back in reflection at 2006, I must look forward to 2007. It appears we are approaching a fork in the road. I will remain vigilant and stand by my convictions that my family raised me to uphold.

What will our nation do? Where is she headed?

We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power... the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.

-Patrick Henry


Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

* Blogger and Spc. J. R. Salzman from Lumberjack in a Desert was injured before Christmas. He lost his right arm and his left arm has been injured as well. He is currently at Walter Reed Hospital. Go visit him and send him a note or leave him a comment... go...go now... really.

H/T: BlackFive and Little Green Footballs

* Military District of Washington - Guardians of the Nation's Capital

* Military District of Washington - The MDW is responsible for administering of state funerals. Visit this website to learn more about the funeral, the schedule, "the why'd they do that's...."

* Ford Presidential Library and Museum - A letter from Mrs. Ford can be found here. Photos of President Ford courtesy of the Ford Presidential Library and Museum. Please click on photo to enlarge.

* U.S. Torture and Atrocities - Visit this site... you can see all the awful things that are happening in Iraq.... really... go... I love our servicemen......

* Goomba News Network - Last May we lost one of the best bloggers- Nickie was kind, giving and so bloody funny. His blog, Nickie Goomba, was one of the funniest around. He hit serious topics too--- I still miss him. Thankfully, some of his familia have put the GNN back on the blogosphere... enjoy.

* Earth Cam - New York City - Watch the ball drop on Times Square.

Time of Your Life

Another turning point
A fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist
directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test
and don't ask why.
It's not a question
But a lesson learned in time.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.
Hang them on a shelf
In good health and good times
Tattoos and memories
and dead skin on trial.
For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

I wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Sick and Twisted

Because I have a sick and twisted fascination with all things ABBA...

Please join me in singing Happy New Year with my favorite foursome...Agnetha, Frida, Bjorn, and Benny. Don't worry... I'll change the song for my Sunday post... consider this a bonus for your holiday merrymaking...

Watch Videos:

Happy New Year (Abba) Video Codes by Video Code Zone

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Sunday - Hi 59 Lo 39 for Baghdad, Iraq
Mostly Cloudy - Hi 49 Lo 38 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Norman and Nancy Blake

Ramble:

First of all... A Christmas Meme:

I was tagged by the lovely Jane of SeeJaneMom (for those of you that have been around awhile, she can be compared to our much loved and missed Wonder Woman). However Jane is married to a Marine, so she goes to the front of the line not to mention she has a lot to say and does so with with and a sharp tongue and an original approach. If you've not been by her place yet... please go.

Oh... yeah now for the Meme... the rules:

The player must list 3 things that she/he would love to receive for Christmas. Then she/he must list 3 things that she/he definitely does not want to receive for Christmas. Then the tagee must tag 5 friends and list their names. The five I tag need to write on their blogs about their Christmas wishes then tag 5 more people. They must also clarify all the rules. When you tag someone you need to leave a comment that says “you’ve been Christmas tagged!” in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

Those are the rules. However, since this is Christmas Eve... and this is my blog... my rules..... I won't be tagging, but I'll list who I would like to see participate... if not no biggy, we'll let the meme die here....

I would love to receive:

#1 My 70's Music Explosion. (It still has not arrived!!) What am I going to play on New Year's Eve?

#2 World Peace............................................................ no wait... that is my answer in the event I am ever in a beauty pageant.

#3 Michael and I enjoying the company of our friends on Christmas Eve eating chicken gumbo and drinking a little Christmas cheer.

#4 (because #2nd one doesn't count) A place to get video codes for someone my age... Sure... I have a wide eclectic range in musical taste, but Christina Aguilera singing The Christmas Song just isn't right.

#5 and because this is my blog and my rules, I want Bill Bennett and Glenn Beck back on Cincinnati radio!!!!

I do NOT want to receive:

A Chia pet....










The flu...











A Mariah Carey CD












...and just in case anyone has any bright ideas... a wiener dog loofah....








Tagged (if you wanna):

Diane --- MIA
Dragon Lady --- off to Mom's
Scootertrash Conservative my honey --- Maybe in January
Jedi Master Rob --- Maybe after the New Year
Tonto or the Lone Ranger --- Tonto is a toss up... Kimosabe, when pigs fly...
Laura --- has not been doing that much blogging... I'm guessing she has been baking or walking Main Street at Disneyland
Peakah --- Josh has about 32 kids, so I doubt it...
RennyBa --- I would love to see what is going on in Norway... wouldn't you?
That 1 Guy --- Joe is at the Pub, being merry and spreading good cheer...
Merri --- is most likely spending quality time with the hubby, Vinnie.......

Yah--- that's a list of more than 5, but I'm not telling anyone they have been tagged... they are on double-secret meme tagged..............something.. or other..................

Now for the rest of the ramble........

I really don't have anything else... so the fact that Jane sent me the meme was a relief...

I did a post last year on my favorite holiday cartoon... Linus sums up the meaning of Christmas by reading from scripture...

Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?!?!

Linus: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please. (A spotlight shines on Linus.) "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'"..... That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

To everyone... I wish you a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

"sketch" for Adoration of the Magi, Leonardo Da Vinci

courtesy of Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Links to Check Out This Week:

Visit NORAD --- they track Santa on Christmas Eve. As I prepare to post this, Santa is currently making his way through New Zealand!!!!!!!

Go here to listen to a lovely Christmas song by my favorite group Hem.

*******And finally... please go watch this Christmas message from Iraq of LTC Jim White. It important to remember we have men and women a million miles away keeping us safe... It is critical we raise them up in prayer now more than ever. *******

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then," said the Angel,
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

Proof Positive

This is proof positive that Ozzy Osbourne sold his soul to the devil....

Click on the box to be taken to this horrid (and I mean that in the most sincere way) video. Changing the video is my gift to you.

Watch Videos:

Winter Wonderland (Ozzy Osbourne & Jessica Simpson) Video Codes by Video Code Zone

Overheard at the Wal-Mart Supercenter

Girl 1: (shouting) Aayyyy Leeuhhhh!! Come 'ere!! Lookee Here!! A wiener dawg looooofuh!

Girl 2: (shouting back) AWWWWWW.......... git it....

2006 Flake-a-thon

This is a lot of fun- Go create a snowflake and Popular Front will increase their donation to the Salvation Army.

Really, go now.

I made 2 of them- let me know if you can find them.




H/T: The Patriette

A Public Servant

Partly Cloudy - Hi 54 Lo 43 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly Sunny - Hi 63 Lo 50 for Northern KY, USA
* This is the first time since I started this blog that the temperature is expected to be warmer in Kentucky than in Baghdad.

Song of the Week: Who's Your Daddy, Toby Keith

Ramble:

Born in Chicago
Princeton Graduate
U.S. Navy Pilot and Instructor
Congressman for the state of Illinois
Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under President Nixon
Counsellor to the President and Director of the Economic Stabilization Program under President Nixon
U.S. Ambassador to N.A.T.O. under President Nixon
Chief of Staff & member of the President's Cabinet under President Ford
13th Secretary of Defense under President Ford
Medal of Freedom Recipient

CEO, President, and then Chairman of G. D. Searle & Company
Chairman & CEO of General Instrument Corporation
Chairman of the Board, Gilead Sciences, Inc.

During his business career, he continued his public service in a variety of Federal posts, including:

Member of the President's General Advisory Committee on Arms Control (1982 - 1986);
Special Presidential Envoy on the Law of the Sea Treaty (1982 - 1983);
Senior Advisor to the President's Panel on Strategic Systems (1983 - 1984);
Member of the U.S. Joint Advisory Commission on U.S./Japan Relations (1983 - 1984);
Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East (1983 - 1984);
Member of the National Commission on Public Service (1987 - 1990);
Member of the National Economic Commission (1988 - 1989);
Member of the Board of Visitors of the National Defense University (1988 - 1992);
Member of the Commission on U.S./Japan Relations (1989 - 1991); and
Member of the U.S. Trade Deficit Review Commission (1999 - 2000)

21st Secretary of Defense under President G.W. Bush

--Quite a resume, huh?

Secretary Donald Rumsfeld served our great nation for 50 years. I would be remiss if I let his resignation go by without a word. He rebuilt our military that was gutted during the Clinton Administration. He was one of the few men we looked to for answers when we as a nation faced an enemy like we had never seen before.

This is a man of integrity and good strong character. This is a man of courage and strong will. This man is a gentleman. This is a man of honor. This man is the face of how a real man should behave- an excellent role model for boys and young men. Like him or not, he is a man of his word.

Did Secretary Rumsfeld make mistakes in Iraq? Experts say yes. I'm not an expert- My personal opinion - I don't believe we have enough troops facing this battle. I'm not sure that the objective should be building a democracy at this point. But the secretary was given a mission and he carried out those objectives as he saw fit. He took complete responsibility for all his decisions. Besides the presidency, I can't think of a more difficult job... and the timing- to be Secretary Defense after September 11, 2001.... Fighting an enemy that is not within a border, an enemy that is in our own backyard... "You are either with us or you are with the enemy..." The responsibility, the burden... of making tough choices and decisions is one that none of us will ever have to face. I'm relieved we had a man of conviction making those touch decisions. Those men and women in uniform mean everthing to Secretary Rumsfeld and he never ever took that responsibility lightly.

The thing I like the most about Secretary Rumsfeld and I believe I will miss the most is his cowboy attitude. I love watching him shred a reporter. Ever have anyone tell you there are "no stupid questions"? .........mmmmmm.... Yes there are and Secretary Rumsfeld had no issue pointing out some of the dumbass questions posed by mainstream media.

My heartfelt thank you Secretary Rumsfeld. I'm going to miss you and I hope you enjoy your retirement- If that is what you choose to do at the young age of 74.

Defense Link Biography, Donald Rumsfeld

Answers.com

A bunch of You Tube clips of Secretary Rumsfeld:

Craig Ferguson says goodbye to Secretary Rumsfeld - This is funny

All Them Faces - Photo montage

Speaking at Kansas State University

Secretary Rumsfeld Farewell Speech


Christmas update: All our shopping is completed. Everything is decorated... except for the family room... Michael bought our tree yesterday (it's in the back of the pickup). All the cards have been sent out except for 6, which I will mail on Monday. Packages mailed. Gift tags have been made.

To Do: Decorate the family room. Gift wrap. I think I'm going to make an attempt at making pralines... I have a fantastic recipe...

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

* I have not really focused too much energy on new blogs and links, but every week, I have book marked a gazillion to check out. The following are some of my favorites.

Shallow and Tacky - Yeah... it's what you think and it's all good and funny.

Engrish.com - This is a site dedicated to Japanese marketing... Japanese marketing follows Fernando's creedo, It's better to look good than to feel good... You gotta check this stuff out to believe it.

Code Red - Long overdue. This is a blog I've veen visiting for ages- doing great work for a men in uniform.

My Old Kentucky Blog - a great music blog.

Law and Disorder - A cop's blog.

Housekeeping:

I can't post from Internet Explorer... I have to log on to Firefox. I know I know... why am I using IE anyway? I can't see anything on Firefox that uses Quicktime... something is broken...

Have a great week everyone!

Christmas Cards & Walter Reed

If you have a few extra Christmas cards or if you still have to purchase some, please make a point to send a handful to Walter Reed Hospital. I have no doubt there are injred men and women there who could use a greeting and a word of support from us.


Remember last Christmas and the injured Marine, Joshua Sparling? I do...

Send your cards to:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

H/T: Brian Duffy @ One Oar in the Water

And while you are at it, please send a Christmas Card or get well card to:

Chaplains Office
ATTN: Mrs. Masek
Coalition Angels
Get well Joe
Unit 29623, Box 0022
APO, AE 09096-0022

Read the whole story here.

H/T: Andi's World and Dark Blue World

Charlie Brown

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Shop Til You Drop

Mostly Sunny - Hi 65 Lo 45 for Baghdad, Iraq
Mostly Sunny - Hi 51 Lo 33 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da, The Police

Ramble:

I am pleased to report that Michael and I completed our annual Christmas power shopping trip. Normally we pick one day and shop til we drop, this year due to Michael's work schedule we split it into 2 half days... Friday and Saturday. The rule is, we don't stop shopping until it is completed. We got half of the shopping done on Friday and made our way to P.F. Chang's for a celebratory meal. Saturday we finished and had a celebratory meal of Popeyes carryout!

The other key rule is to be nice--- to everyone...this can be a challenge at times... No need to reinvent the wheel... I wrote about it 1 year ago... weird... am I that predictable? How sad for this former punk rock girl... An excerpt below....

Michael and I had our Annual Power Shop Til You Drop Day...Michael hates to shop-- and I mean with a capital H.... hates it. Because of this, we have figured out a way to get it over with in one clean swoop. It is a carefully orchestrated event. It takes a lot of prelimary planning and decision making-

1) a list of everyone and a few "fill in the blanks" for those "unexpected" folks.
2) a theme for each person- if a specific item is available, we'll go with that. These ideas are typically kept in my head and not shared with anyone.
3) a list of stores to visit and the order that makes the most sense. (Michael and I hate malls so we avoid them whenever possible)
4) Michael is the the coat and bag holder.
5) I am the check writer (no credit cards... cash only)
6) a generalized budget...

*Rule# 1 - Be patient while driving, this includes highways, back streets, and parking lots.
*Rule# 2 - Be nice to everyone - sales help and other patrons- even when they don't deserve to be treated nicely.
*Rule# 3- Be nice to each other - the most important of the rules.

I made a major faux pas....I broke rule number 3 on Saturday... I apologized... just awful...

One other thing... hysterical.... on Friday as Michael and I were getting started on our shopping trip... we were at a red light (an incredibly long red light) and we watched the woman in the car directly behind us folding laundry--- bed sheets!! I kid you not.... we were screaming... at least I was... Does anyone else do this? I mean, sure this is an excellent example of wonderful time management, but quite honestly, we were just a tad concerned when we started moving and laundry lady continued to fold sheets... we were getting on the ramp to I-75... northbound... be on the lookout for this woman...

OK... so, now I just need to finish up my Christmas cards...get them in the mail, wrap up the gifts and call it a day... Remember there are only 14 more shopping days until Christmas. Remember to slow down and enjoy this season.

You May Be a Bit Obsessive Compulsive...

Meticulous and detailed oriented, you have some irrational obsessions. Maybe it's your super neat closet or washing your hands a gazillion times. You probably know it's weird, but you just can't stop thinking about it. In fact, the more you think about your quirks, the more you have to do them.

What Personality Disorder Are You?

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

Let's Say Thanks - Take 5 minutes- really that's all it takes.
Power Shopping
On No They Didn't
Coffee Spills

Housekeeping:

I switched to Beta Blogger.... and I wasn't sure if I was going to even be able to post this morning since I could not get logged on...

Have a great week everyone!

Let's Say Thanks

I have been meaning to mention this for a while. Dakotaranger has a post and a link to Let's Say Thanks. The website is sponsored by Xerox and they have provided a wonderful and EASY way for us to say thank you to our troops. This is a lonely time for our fighting men and women and with the changes in leadership in Washington, I believe it is critical that they know we stand behind them and continue to support them. So, take 5 minutes out of your busy schedule and drop them a postcard.

Also, while you are perusing the website, check out the page, "From the troops". There you will meet Marine Mike Corrado and will have the opportunity to listen to his song, "On My Watch Tonight". I bet you won't be able to hold back the tears.

So, go... go now!!

A date which will live in infamy..

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Just sayin'...

This is Little Big Town.
This is ABBA.




Really... am I the only one that sees the similarities??

I Teke Cab!

Sunny - Hi 64 Lo 44 for Baghdad, Iraq
Partly sunny - Hi 40 Lo 20 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Boondocks, Little Big Town

Ramble:

Is it just me or does Little Big Town remind you of the country version of ABBA? Just sayin'...

So, I have not had my heart in writing for awhile... hence the lateness of the hour in having it posted. But, I have coffee in hand and will see where I go.

Friday, my mother had elective surgery which required me to stay at her house (mine for 8 years). For perspective, this is the second time I have stayed overnight at my Mother's in 20 years... I love my mother, but in one of my very first posts I discuss the difficulty my mother and I have relating to each other. She had a difficult life and I wrote about her early in my blogging life. It is one of my most heartfelt posts and I cried when I wrote it... I cried when I just reread it. In any event, I wish I could report that since that post, we have worked towards deepening our relationship, but that isn't a reality- and some things just can't be changed. Mom is extremely stubborn and depends on no one. The last time I spent the night at her house, it was also for observation after out patient surgery. I found out about the surgery like this....

My phone at work rings & I answer: "This is Cathy."

Caller: "Yes, Mrs. S. Your mother is about to go into surgery and she has stated that she is going to take a cab home afterwards. Mrs. S. this is simply not possible, she must be released into the care of someone for 24 hours.............."

"Surgery- surgery for what? Is she going to be all right?"

"Ma'am how soon can you be here?"

"Christ, where are you? Which hospital?"

"Mercy."

"I'll be there."

After she came to in recovery, she was ticked off that the nurse contacted me. She spat, "I teke cab!!"

I basically turned into a 10 year old, spewed back loudly--- "What the hell?? Why didn't you call me? You think I can just come and go at work??? I'm not self employed MOM!! Why the hell didn't you call me a head of time so I could make arrangements?"

"I tode yu, I teke cab! Dees people stupoo and don't know nut-ting. I can teke cab and teke care of my-SELF!"

That's my mom....

Friday was really no different, Except this time, she told me ahead of time...

About a month ago: "Cat-tee, you teke me to hos-pe-tall on De-cem-beh sec-ond! OK bye-bye."

I call her back: "You wanna tell me about this? Surgery for what? What time? Who is your doctor? Will you be in the hospital for an extended time or is it out patient?"

Mom proceeds to fill in SOME of the blanks... out patient, nothing serious... I will not need to stay overnight.... (wrong).

In my 41 years of existence, I can count on one hand the number of times she has made me feel needed... I just told you about 2 of them.

I realize that this is a self preservation mechanism Mom has built in to keep from getting hurt... but let me tell you... it sucks.

I was also thinking about my sister in law. I remember when I first met her in California. I thought she was pretty insecure, but put up a big facade so that no one knew. One thing that I remember was her giving her older brother (the future Scootertrash hubby) advice on the future. Michael and Sus had a pretty warped childhood too... but not my story to tell... A couple of year's later, Susie moved to Cincinnati. It was then that I got to know her... and even though she never said anything about it... she wanted to be a Mom. More than anything else, she wanted the opportunity to be a mother... the girl had some serious opinions on the matter... Let me tell you... her opinions were those that were grounded in years of thoughtful reflection of her own life experience. Susie met the man of her dreams and shortly after, Sus became pregnant... well, it was the role she had been waiting for her entire life.

I remember going Christmas shopping with her... the smallest of details... We were looking at Christmas tree skirts, "When Aimee gets older I want her to be able to look back and remember how the house was decorated, what the tree skirt looked like..." I realized then, some women dream about their wedding from the time they are little girls, others dream about the children they are going to have.... Susie thought about her daughter long before she was ever born... She wanted to ensure lovely warm memories filled with color and wonderful smells permeating their home.

Aimee is so much like her mother, it's quite astounding. Aimee does show signs of insecurity, but she's 13... The difference is, her mother and father are giving Aimee all the tools to overcome her insecurities... Susie is giving her daughter all the resources possible to be happy, to be successful, and most importantly a person of good strong character and integrity. It's all in the details... every situation has a lesson... Sus leads and loves by example. Sus is the kind of self assured person she wants her daughter to become...

I believe becoming a mother is part of the cycle of life- I believe all women feel this need (whether they admit it or not) to become a mother at one point in their lives. Some choose to ignore those feelings, some women are better at being mothers than others. Some take lessons from their own childhood and improve upon the mold. Some rear children the exact same way they were reared...Others kind of go on autopilot and just wing it. There are good mothers and bad mothers... there are women that should never be mothers... of course there are never guarantees on the kind of person the child will grow into...

Blogs and Links to Check Out:

I haven't been looking around to much of late. I'll get back on track soon.

Have a great week everyone!

Tick tock chop chop...............

Does anyone really drink this stuff?

I'm busy--- have to get started on decorating the house, finish the Christmas cards, and finish the Christmas shopping list... I need to check in on Mom today... more on that later. I also need to get a nap... No time to think... I just need to turn on autopilot and go.

Now the RNC has called me asking for money looking to speak to my Scootertrash Conservative hubby... poor soul, he had no idea what he had just done... not one dime from this household... not until I am confident they won't throw me under a bus...

I think I have a topic for my Sunday post... although it may be too melancholy so I may end up trashing it...

Any suggestions for a music video? I need a point of inspiration--Something festive and not to obscure...as my selections can limited.

Leave a comment or send me an email.
Sunday_morning_coffee[at]hotmail.com............

See ya Sunday Morning.... I'll bring the coffee.