When a football field is not just a football field!!!

I came across this blurb as I was reading the bagillion emails and articles in my inbox. 

It's about last weekend's game, but I thought it was so inidicative of how military folks see things.... even a football field. 

God Bless our Troops and

 Go Navy!  Go Army!!  Go Air Force!!! Go Marines!!!! and

 Go Coast Guard!!!!! 

 May you all be safe.

MEADOWLANDS CHRISTENING: Now we know why Navy played so well against Notre Dame on Saturday at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. On Friday following the pregame walk-through, the Midshipmen officially christened the field at the new National Football League stadium, which serves as home to the New York Giants and New York Jets.


Niumatalolo obtained some sand from Iwo Jima that had been given to Navy lacrosse coach Richie Meade by former All American midfielder Steve Looney.

Capt. Bryce McDonald, the military liaison officer to the football team, had some dirt from Afghanistan that was collected from a battlefield by Andy Thompson, defensive captain of the 1995 Navy football team.

Following practice on Friday, the players and coaches gathered in a circle to formally christen The Meadowlands as a Navy home field.

Col. John Kennedy, the Naval Academy Marine Corps representative, talked about Iwo Jima then sprinkled the sand from that Pacific island that was the site of the famous photograph of Marines raising the American flag following a fierce battle. McDonald, a Purple Heart recipient who was injured while fighting in the Middle East, discussed the current conflict in Afghanistan before sprinkling the dirt from that country.

"It was a very memorable moment for the entire team and really brought home what this place is all about," Niumatalolo said. "That was one of those times that reminded me how special it is to be the head coach at the Naval Academy."

It was particularly poignant considering that Navy was playing just outside New York City, which was so affected by the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center was destroyed.
 
"Last week was pretty special. I can remember looking out from my hotel room and seeing the skyline of New York City, but then you notice that void where the Twin Towers used to be" Niumatalolo said. "It just reminded me that these young men on our football team voluntarily came to the Naval Academy at a time when we are engaged in two wars."

Being Thankful [and a giveaway!]

Yesterday I listed my Top 10 Reasons for Giving Thanks!

Today I'm giving thanks to you!

With a GIVEAWAY

Tell me your reasons for being thankful and you'll be entered to win this

sterling silver charm complete with a pearl charm and beautiful swarovski crystal charms in autumn colors!  

These can be removed after the fall season (if you want) leaving just the classic pearl.

I'm wearing mine and being thankful!

These are listed on my Etsy Shop and for everyone sold,

Semper USA will donate $3.00 to Operation Baghdad Pups.

These will ship within 72 hours of ordering to ensure delivery by Thanksgiving!

Top 10 Reasons for Giving Thanks

It's been a week since my last post... how did that happen? 

I've been busy working and living and all of a sudden a week has flown by without even a blink of an eye...don't you just hate when that happens?

Oh well...

Today's post is entitled "Thankful" and that's the name of my newest creation.  I wanted to come up with something to celebrate the Thanksgiving season.  It seems to have gotten squished into almost non-existence between Halloween and Christmas, and after giving it some serious thought this year, I decided to spend more time on Thanksgiving than Halloween because really there are so many things I am thankful for... it seems wrong not to spend a moment to really appreciate all those things that make my life so bright .... so here goes... my....

Top 10 Reasons for Giving Thanks

1.  My husband who is also my very, very, VERY best friend and soulmate.  He is my better 3/4 and keeps me sane when all around me things seem to be terribly insane.  He is the one person who understands me, accepts me, and most importantly loves me - even when I am having a terrible hair day, have poison ivy all over my face (with blisters), and am totally PMS.  I love him with the very fiber of my being, and I am so, so, SO THANKFUL for his love!

2.  My parents.  My parents always accept, support and never judge (out loud :-)).  They are my safe port in any and every storm, and the older I get the more I love them and appreciate them.  I am so THANKFUL for them each and every day.

3.  My children.  My kids used to be the center of my existence.  I look back at the time (over 17 years ago) when I had three under 3, and I wonder just how I did it.  I had 3 in diapers and 2 on bottles - my evening routine consisted of preparing 13 bottles to make sure I could get through the following day with no bottle drama.  Never got more than 2 hours sleep at a time, had three car seats, 2 strollers (1 double and 1 single), 2 diaper bags, and a minivan.  We didn't have those cool car DVD players yet and the babes were too young to play with (and indeed these hadn't come out yet) gameboys.  Now the babes are men, and I am thrilled to have them spreading their wings.  I love that they are their own people now, and I enjoy them on such a different level.   They all have their distinct personalities, and I am THANKFUL to be able to call myself "mom" and them "friend."

4.  My health.  I've been relatively lucky in this arena.  With the exception of a stint with melanoma 9 years ago, I've been extremely healthy.  I've spent some time lately with wounded warriors and have marvelled at their resolve; I have absolutely no reason to complain and every day a reason to be THANKFUL.

5.  My husband's job.  Sad to say, we were a victim of the economic disaster.  Our manufacturing business totally failed, and we were forced to close the doors with a huge financial loss... we're the ones who you hear about who lost their savings, their retirement, blah, blah, blah.   We can both attest to the extreme difficulty in the job market - both "professionals" and both unemployed for over a year.  I knew it was bad, but the defining moment came when I wasn't able to get hired as a cleaning person and my hubby couldn't get a job as a mechanic (even though he's like the best mechanic ever and has over 30 years experience building, rebuilding, and working on cars).  We kept to our Faith and to each other and FINALLY he was able to obtain a job where he could use his 25+ years of engineering and management experience.  His new job keeps him travelling a good part of the time, but we're both so THANKFUL that God took care of us and for a regular pay check.

6.  My Faith.  It is me and keeps me going... nothing more to say.

7.  My dog.  My dog is a huge pain in the @$$, but he is absolutely the MOST loyal dog I've ever had.  He follows me relentlessly, is by my side constantly and loves me no matter what... I will ignore that one instance when he bit my face and keep him on my top 10 :-).  I'm THANKFUL to have my puppy love.

8.  The water.  I live for and love the open water.... bays, lakes, oceans, creeks, rivers... you name it, I love it.  I am THANKFUL that each day, I wake up and get to look out at the water as it ebbs and flows.  It is ever-changing and constant... like me :-).

9.  The seasons.  I love every season, but I think I love fall the most.  I love to see the changing colors of the trees, feel the breezes as they bring in cooler air and smell the scent of burning wood.  I think I love the fall because it brings closure to a year and with it new beginnings in Spring.  I am THANKFUL for new beginnings and the promises that they bring.

10.  Each new day.  I am THANKFUL for each new day because it gives me another opportunity to try to be a better person - to be a better wife, mother, daughter, friend and woman.  I love having new chances to say "I love you" and to smile and laugh...

These are the things I am THANKFUL for... how about you???

Figuring Me Out

This blogging thing is pretty interesting.

It used to be that people put their thoughts in diaries; now, it is in blogs.

Diaries were "private"; blogging - definitely NOT

Why is that?

I'm a private - No make that a VERY private - person.

Why then do I feel the need to blog?

Is it because everyone else is doing it?

I don't have very much in common with most of the bloggers I read...

I'm 46 29 (hello menopause)

I craft - but I'm NOT Martha Stewart

I DIY - but I'm NOT Sarah from A Beach Cottage (love her stuff BTW)

I'm an entrepreneur - but I'm NOT Oprah

I'm a mom - but my kids are grown

I'm a child  - but not from a huge family like CJane's

I'm spiritual - but I'm not Joel Osteen

I guess that's why I blog...

...because it's okay to not have it all figured out...

... because it's good to think about things and try to be better...

...because I'm older and I think I've lived through ALOT...

and

....because I'm still figuring out who I am one post at a time.

Do you know who YOU are?

Share YOU with me below!

Happy Birthday Navy!!

Happy 235th Birthday Navy!

and

Many Happy More!

Wonder how long this took to decorate?

This is hanging on West Point's Thayer Hall - courtesy of exchange Midshipmen no doubt!

Happy hump day!



Monday Night Chuckles

It's been a busy week at the studio.  

We've been putting the finishing touches on our newest creations and hope to have them on the site tomorrow.  We've also been working at updating our site and hope you like our changes!  Let me know what you think!!

 

In the meantime, it IS Monday...

Time for Monday Night Chuckles!

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. 

Can you believe there are only 75 days until Christmas!!!

In honor of our friends serving proudly in USAF....

Truth or Fiction?

USAF Maintenance Logs

Some (supposedly) actual maintenance complaints submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews...

(source unknown)

Problem: "Left inside main tire almost needs replacement."
Solution: "Almost replaced left inside main tire."


Problem: "Test flight OK, except autoland very rough."
Solution: "Autoland not installed on this aircraft."


Problem #1: "#2 Propeller seeping prop fluid."
Solution #1:"#2 Propeller seepage normal."
Problem #2: "#1, #3, and #4 propellers lack normal seepage."


Problem: "The autopilot doesn't t."
Signed off :"IT DOES NOW."


Problem: "Something loose in cockpit."
Solution: "Something tightened in cockpit."


Problem: "Evidence of hydraulic leak on right main landing gear."
Solution: "Evidence removed..."


Problem: "DME volume unbelievably loud."
Solution: "Volume set to more believable level."


Problem: "Dead bugs on windshield."
Solution: "Live bugs on order."


Problem: "Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 fpm descent."
Solution: "Cannot reproduce problem on ground."


Problem: "IFF inoperative."
Solution: "IFF inoperative in OFF mode."


Problem: "Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick."
Solution: "That's what they're there for."

Problem: "Number three engine missing."
Solution: "Engine found on right wing after brief search."




Semper USA!

Monday Night Chuckles and We Have a Winner

Thanks to everyone for leaving the kind words and comments!  Creating keepsakes and treasures for our service men and women and their families is a passion of mine, and I'm really happy to be able to share my visions with all of you. 

This is a brand new venture for me, and I am passionate about providing beautiful handmade jewelry that honor all of our sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandsons, grand daughters and any one else who is a special some one!

The winner of the beautiful Marine Mom Earrings is Cherri Welter Toler.  Contact us and we'll ship these to you right away!


After a long week, one day of which was spent at Walter Reed Hospital (more on that later), I'm ready for some chuckles...  God Bless our Troops!