Today is a Day to Be Thankful for All Things ... Big and Small

Fun Monday # 40 - High Moments In Our Lives

Today would be one of those "high" days, if only I could get my act together on a Sunday and actually have my Fun Monday post ready AND not have to work so stinking late on a Monday !!

Many thanks to Mariposa at Mariposa's Tales for taking the time on her "birthday" to be our hostess. AND before I forget, HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY.

The assignment this week is as follows:

If you could share to us 3-5 high moments in your lives...this could be funny moments...the you can't believe you did it moments...the "I told you so" moments...or the times we asked the ground to go open and eat us moments! You need not write a book to explain them, the highlights will do.

OK - here we go ... it helps when you have to sit in traffic on the way home and it's raining ... it gives you time to think of things!

1. February 1963 - It was Valentines Day in the first grade AND I got the biggest valentine in the class - from a young man that I actually had a CRUSH on. (I hate to admit it, but I still have it).

2. The days (2 separate ones, of course) that my sons got to come home from the hospital. Both were premature - the older one after almost 2 months and the younger one after 13 days.

3. January 5, 1989 - the day my divorce became FINAL ( I can't believe that it will be 20 years in a little less than 2 months)

4. July 2001 - I signed the contract for the purchase of MY FIRST HOUSE (townhouse) - my very own - not shared or paid for by anyone else but ME! I moved in on September 8 - just days before one of the biggest tragedies that has ever hit the United States - I will NEVER forget that day. On the afternoon of September 11th, I prayed that I could at least live in the house for a little while before anything else happened in Washington, DC - we just didn't know what transpire after that dreadful day.

5. June 2004 - I purchased my very first BRAND NEW CAR that no one else had previously owned and I am still driving it today.

6. Being at the birth of my youngest grandson (he will be 5 in July) and of my youngest granddaughter (she will be 2 in March). It is such a "different" experience when you aren't the one giving birth.

7. February 2006 - Myself and my brothers and sisters being able to throw a "SURPRISE" 50th Anniversary party for our parents - they had already planned to renew their vows and knew of a small reception BUT had no idea of the party and all the invited guests! WE DID GOOD ... and all 6 children were in attendance (some from across the United States).

Sorry, I got carried away ... see what happens when you are late and you have all day to think about it !

Take some time to visit Mariposa and read about other's high moments - you will be glad you did, I am sure. Hopefully I will find some time to do the same - but since I haven't had dinner yet - it will probably be tommorow - FOR SURE.

November 22, 1963

It has been 45 years.

Today is the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

AND I REMEMBER that day.

Does that make me OLD?

UPDATE: ANGERED

A couple of days ago, I posted about a fire in my neighborhood. I mention towards the end - May God Rest Her Soul and keep her husband in his care. I take back the second part of the sentence.

As it turns out, her husband is sitting in jail with no bond.

WHY?

Because during the moments before this fire, he beat his wife into unconsciousness. Then he set the house on fire in a least two places. She died due to smoke inhalation. The police disclosed that earlier in the evening, they had received a domestic violence call and had responded.

Evidently, she had called for help. AND he killed her after the police had left. Like a coward, he stayed in the home during the fire to make it look like an accident.

May God Rest Her Soul and let his ass sit in jail - Charged with MURDER and ARSON.

Too Close For Comfort

This ...

happened in my neighborhood.

And, I slept through it all. Didn't hear a thing ...

May God Rest Her Soul and keep her husband in his care.

Police have identified the woman who died in an early morning blaze Monday. Graciela Letizia Marandino, 31, of 15281 Valley Stream Way in the Rippon Landing area of Woodbridge, died from smoke inhalation when her house went up in flames just before 1 a.m. Monday, Officer Erika Hernandez, Prince William police spokeswoman, said in a released statement. Marandino’s 36-year-old husband was flown to a local hospital with serious burns. He was treated and released, Hernandez said.
Hernandez would not give his name and said the investigation is ongoing. A volunteer firefighter who was also injured during the blaze was treated at a local hospital and was released. This is the first fire related fatality in Prince William County in 2008. A man, who refused to give his name, lives with his wife next door to where the blaze occurred. In an interview Monday he said he heard a man screaming for help during the fire but never heard the woman scream. Neighbors said Marandino was studying to become a veterinarian and worked for a vet’s office in Springfield. She didn’t have any pets of her own, neighbors said.

Fire has always been one of my biggest fears as a homeowner. Thank goodness these townhomes are built with decent firewalls and the risk of spreading through the whole section is minimal. I don't have a fireplace. And luckily (for my peace of mind), neither does my next door neighbor. BUT, this time of year and especially during these times of ecomonic woes - I shudder when I come home and see smoke rising from the stack of the neighbors that live a few doors down.

If you have a fireplace AND use it - PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

Fun Monday - #39 - Talismans

Many thanks to M at M is for Misanthrope for being the hostess this week. Her assignment is:



Do you have a piece of jewelry or other item that holds great personal significance for you, and that you wear or keep with you every day? Show us a photo of your talisman, and tell us why it is so important to you.

My father was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in August of 2005. He had emergency surgery and they removed a large portion of his intestines. He started chemotheraphy shortly after and ended up back in the hospital that October - the dosage was just too much and his body couldn't handle it. A different treatment plan was incorporated AND today, 3 years and 3 months later, he is still CANCER FREE. My brothers and sisters and I ordered the Livestrong bracelets shortly after his diagnosis and we have worn them ever since.

I wear mine constantly as a personal reminder of how precious life can be and in honor of my Dad who has beat this dreadful disease.

Make sure you pay M a visit and show her some love ... and while you're at it, go visit everyone else too.

Something to Tell Your Children / Grandchildren !!

When I was your age, Pluto was a planet !

Pay It Forward

Giants Fan over at Sunny Little Blog posted a Pay it Forward event and I was the third to respond, so now I get to play, too. (Like I have lots of spare time but I know exactly what I will send !)

Here are the rules:

The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward in their own way.

This is how it works… I am going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry (please leave your email address if I don’t already have it.). In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. There are no cost restraints, but don’t go crazy! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique from where you live?

And remember that kindness doesn’t have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around.” So there you have it! If you are up to sending out three times the love, comment here and you’re it! The first three to comment, get a little love in the mail from yours truly!

Sorry SJ - you can't play (I'm a mean big sister - aren't I?)

Five Years and One Day

November 10, 2003

That's the day I started my current job. I received a 5 year pin and a nice certificate (which does look rather impressive, I might add). And I get to pick out a gift. As I was looking through the choices, I noticed that there were gifts available to those with 60 years of service ! I can't imagine being with the same company for 60 years. The last five years has passed very quickly. (If only I would have gotten some kind of credit for the 20 plus years at a previous job - it was retail - got nothing - nothing but a notice saying that I would be unemployed within the next 2 weeks).

Anyways ...

Happy Anniversary to ME !!

A Veteran Died Today

He was getting old and paunchy,

and his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the VFW

telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in

and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies,

they were heroes every one.

And though sometimes to his neighbors,

his tales became a joke,

All his buddies listened,

for they knew whereof ' he spoke.

But we will hear his tales no longer,

for our comrade passed away,

And the world's a little poorer,

for a veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing

and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell their stories

from the time that they were young,

But the passing of a veteran

goes unnoticed and unsung.

He was just a common veteran

and his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us,

we may need his likes again.

For when countries are in conflict,

then the military's part,

Is to clean up all the troubles

that the politicians start.

Perhaps just a simple headline

in the paper that might say:

"Our Country is in Mourning

for a Veteran Died Today ..."

- Author Unknown

AND ...

Thank you Dad for serving our country with the United States Army .

Thank you to my nephew for serving our country today with the United States Coast Guard.

AND THANK YOU to all of those who served in the past and to those who serve today.

You all must never be forgotten.

Happy Veteran's Day.

I DID !! DID YOU?

2 Hours and 10 Minutes !!

That's how long I waited in line ...

Less than a minute !!

That's about how long it took to cast my ballot ...

Now the long wait to see who won - History made, either way.