The building was FULL of school groups. No complaints there. I'm actually THRILLED that chaperones would even think of taking children to our national shrine.
What saddens me, however, was that there was no one to put things into perspective for them, to show them what they were looking at. Sadder, many of the children didn't know or recognize what they saw. They knew it might be something important, but which is which, or WHY these documents are enshrined... Nope, not taught.
Sigh.
31 May 2008
National Archives - Live
It's heartwarming to see a long line to the National Archives.... Time was, no one cared. Maybe it was "National Treasure" that changed it...
Live! From Washington, DC
Greetings from DC! We're up here as part of reenlistment weekend...
So far, we've enjoyed the luxury of "sleeping in" (anytime past 0500 is sleeping in) and breakfast in bed.
We're heading off to the National Archives (as far as I'm concerned, our National Shrine and a REQUISITE visit in DC) and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. We're going to go see mammoths and dinos for D! Should be lots of fun...
So, more later...
So far, we've enjoyed the luxury of "sleeping in" (anytime past 0500 is sleeping in) and breakfast in bed.
We're heading off to the National Archives (as far as I'm concerned, our National Shrine and a REQUISITE visit in DC) and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. We're going to go see mammoths and dinos for D! Should be lots of fun...
So, more later...
30 May 2008
Harvey Korman
Saw the sad news today that Harvey Korman has passed away. Best known for his work on the Carol Burnett Show, he was a wonderful comedic actor.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching his work, and he will be missed.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching his work, and he will be missed.
Remembrance Flag
There is an effort circulating to create a National Flag of Remembrance. Take a look at www.honorandremember.org. It's worth a peek.
I signed the petition...
I signed the petition...
29 May 2008
Preparing for Reenlistment
Today was largely spent preparing for reenlistment.
A large part of this process is making sure my uniform, in this case my Class A's, is properly "put together".
Many people may not be aware of the detail work that goes into the uniform. ALL of the ribbons, badges, nametags, etc. Are _precisely_ placed and measured, often down to a precision of 1/8th of an inch!
Tiday, I spent over 3 hours placing, measuring, moving, repeat all the items on the uniform. Then, my Sergeant inspects, and I redo. After he's happy, it was the First Sergeant Repeat WHOLE process. Finally, the Command Sergeant Major. Repeat again. (Of course, anyone else who comes along offers their opinion and correction free of charge - aren't they nice?)
The other part was signing my new contract. It's done. I'm all set...
A large part of this process is making sure my uniform, in this case my Class A's, is properly "put together".
Many people may not be aware of the detail work that goes into the uniform. ALL of the ribbons, badges, nametags, etc. Are _precisely_ placed and measured, often down to a precision of 1/8th of an inch!
Tiday, I spent over 3 hours placing, measuring, moving, repeat all the items on the uniform. Then, my Sergeant inspects, and I redo. After he's happy, it was the First Sergeant Repeat WHOLE process. Finally, the Command Sergeant Major. Repeat again. (Of course, anyone else who comes along offers their opinion and correction free of charge - aren't they nice?)
The other part was signing my new contract. It's done. I'm all set...
27 May 2008
In A Few Days...
I will be reenlisting. I am SO excited. Ok, a little nervous, too. It does tack a bit more time commitment on, but... It's worth it.
I can't believe this day is coming...
I can't believe this day is coming...
Lessons From "The Road"
(Feel free to add your own...)
1: When your child says at he has to go... And you think he's copycatting, so you don't stop... And later, the car fills with a pungent odor. Just look in the mirror... You WERE warned.
2: That same sweet angelic voice that you love to brag to others about? The one that makes you beam when you hear it say, "I wuv you, Mommy/Daddy"?
Yeah, after a few hours of sitting and boredom, that same voice does EXCELLENT imitations of a power drill to the temple of your skull. :)
From elsewhere in "The Great Wasteland"...
1: When your child says at he has to go... And you think he's copycatting, so you don't stop... And later, the car fills with a pungent odor. Just look in the mirror... You WERE warned.
2: That same sweet angelic voice that you love to brag to others about? The one that makes you beam when you hear it say, "I wuv you, Mommy/Daddy"?
Yeah, after a few hours of sitting and boredom, that same voice does EXCELLENT imitations of a power drill to the temple of your skull. :)
From elsewhere in "The Great Wasteland"...
Great Weekend Ending
On the drive back home right now... And what a glorious weekend! Can't believe how blessed we've been to have a weekend like this...
The best part is believing & knowing it's the first of many more to come!
More to come...
Live, from I-40 somewhere in North Carolina (or as any good South Carolinian - or Virginian - knows.. The Great Wasteland :p )
The best part is believing & knowing it's the first of many more to come!
More to come...
Live, from I-40 somewhere in North Carolina (or as any good South Carolinian - or Virginian - knows.. The Great Wasteland :p )
25 May 2008
Scenes from Vacation
Greetings from our vacation in Myrtle Beach!
Sometimes, even a computer addict has to take a moment and check email...
And in today's email were pics from Dad's camera phone he took while on the beach with our kidlets.
In the first pic, D and M are happily digging up the beach.
Here in the second pic, you can see all of them merrily digging and bucketing....
The shadow comes from the Grandpa-sundial taking the pic.
05 May 2008
Scenes from the Walk... The Memorial Towers
They had large towers with all of the cities that are hosting walks. On it, you could write your memorial message for your city.
Scenes From the Walk... 2
More of the signs...
(Hey, men... take note... this is NOT just a woman's disease.)
(Hey, men... take note... this is NOT just a woman's disease.)
Scenes From the Walk...
I'm going to try and share some of the images from the Walk... First, some of the signs that helped remind us why we were there...
03 May 2008
LIVE!
Lunch is over and I'm back on the walk... 9.5 down, 16.7 to go. Can feel the beginning of a blister, so I applies some anti-blister cream.
Gotta stretch the muscles back out from the break..
Feeling GREAT!
Gotta stretch the muscles back out from the break..
Feeling GREAT!
LIVE!
9.5 miles and at the lunch stop... This is an amazing experience... THANK you to everyone who helped me get here...
LIVE! From the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
8 miles down... Have just passed Arlington and the Iwo Jima memorial...
02 May 2008
Excitedly Ready to Walk
Here we are... it's TIME.
I'm writing from Washington, DC. It was an amazing rush to check into the Avon Registration center. There were SO many people! To know that each walker had raised at least a minimum of $1,800... the math gets impressive quickly.
I want to thank everyone who helped me get here. We've raised $2,300 in honor of Ellicia!! $2,300 to help fight this disease. $2,300 more to reduce the spread of this horror.
Tomorrow, the walk...
I'm writing from Washington, DC. It was an amazing rush to check into the Avon Registration center. There were SO many people! To know that each walker had raised at least a minimum of $1,800... the math gets impressive quickly.
I want to thank everyone who helped me get here. We've raised $2,300 in honor of Ellicia!! $2,300 to help fight this disease. $2,300 more to reduce the spread of this horror.
Tomorrow, the walk...
Birthdays Lost...
... But not forgotten.
Today is 02 May. Ellicia would have been 41 today.
It's notable to me now how I've managed to move from this being a Day of Celebration to a Day of Grief... To a Day of Remembrance and Honor.
I think it's no small cosmic coincidence that the closest Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to me is in Washington, D.C. On the weekend of Ellicia's birthday, no less. I register/check-in tonight, on her birthday.
It is a truth of this disease (and so many others) that it's "below the radar" for many until it touches them personally; and then, when it's over, it fades from view again. The hectic routine of "Daily Life" reasserts its firm grasp on our attention span - as it should.
I am honored and humbled by the support that has poured forth for this walk
Cancer Walk for Ellicia
I'd like to announce that I've decided to partake in the Avon - Walk for Breast Cancer.
The walk will be 26.2 miles long, or more recognizable as the length of a marathon. I think that's significant as battling cancer is often best thought in terms of a marathon - it's a long race.
I'll be walking in Washington, DC - where Ellicia found special memories on our last trip. And significantly, it's the weekend of her birthday - she would have been 41.
Avon's foundation requires a commitment to ensure the successful goal of the walkers. Each walker must make a commitment of a minimum of $1800 in contributions.
I am asking for YOUR help. I'd like to blow past that goal, personally. Breast cancer, like so many cancers, is a horrible disease. We need to keep funding the research to DEFEAT this disease - before it claims too many more of our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters... and little known fact, the men in our society, too.
Please, go to my Avon website where you can donate directly.
If that doesn't work, then you can also click the button below, and those donations will go 100% to the walk.
Thank you for your support. It'll be a long, hard walk... but, as Ellicia taught me, anything is possible.
A special thank you to the following blogs for highlighting our cause:
The walk will be 26.2 miles long, or more recognizable as the length of a marathon. I think that's significant as battling cancer is often best thought in terms of a marathon - it's a long race.
I'll be walking in Washington, DC - where Ellicia found special memories on our last trip. And significantly, it's the weekend of her birthday - she would have been 41.
Avon's foundation requires a commitment to ensure the successful goal of the walkers. Each walker must make a commitment of a minimum of $1800 in contributions.
I am asking for YOUR help. I'd like to blow past that goal, personally. Breast cancer, like so many cancers, is a horrible disease. We need to keep funding the research to DEFEAT this disease - before it claims too many more of our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters... and little known fact, the men in our society, too.
Please, go to my Avon website where you can donate directly.
If that doesn't work, then you can also click the button below, and those donations will go 100% to the walk.
Thank you for your support. It'll be a long, hard walk... but, as Ellicia taught me, anything is possible.
A special thank you to the following blogs for highlighting our cause:
- Tanker Brothers
- Blackfive
- Love, Mom (Notes from the Fridge)
- Here, There, and Back Again
- Most Certainly Not!
- SpouseBUZZ
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