Monthly Archives: May 2010
Memorial Day- Celebrate and Honor
How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
~Maya Angelou
I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend so far. And I hope that each and every one of you pauses to reflect upon what this weekend really means. It’s not about hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. It’s not about the beach and warmer weather and the beginning of summer. It’s about honoring those who have served our country and are no longer with us. It is also about honoring those who have in the past, and those who continue today, to put their lives on the line and are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
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History (facts from usmemorialday.org)
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. Many cities claim to be the birthplace of it. It was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was first celebrated on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).
Today 
Traditional Memorial Day observances have increasingly fallen by the wayside. Many Americans today don’t even know the true meaning of the day, nor do they observe proper flag etiquette for the day. In fact, many believe that that the day is to honor all those who have died, not just veterans. To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of Remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”
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This is my first Memorial Day as a member of the Armed Forces. Granted, I’m just a Reservist. But I am the wife of an active duty Sailor. And that makes it very special. We both realize the sacrifices make… and that the ultimate sacrifice might one day be asked of us.
It hits even closer to home because last week I was counseled that, due to my family circumstances (and our future family), later this year/next year would be a good year to volunteer to go on my first IA… before I am recalled with no choice. I am to contact the person in charge of that when I finish my DINFOS course in October. Now, I’ll be technically volunteering (though my orders will say non-volunteer) so I will get my choice of billets to fill. I have no idea what will be open, but I know that most billets are, of course, for Afghanistan. We’ll see what is open when the time comes.
I understand the sacrifices that are asked of our men and women in uniform. And so do those who have loved ones in the military. My hope is that everyone takes a moment this weekend to pause and reflect on those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
So from Seaman to Chief, Ensign to Admiral… I salute all those who have given their lives so that we may live in freedom.
Summer Contest for Military Families
This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.
~Elmer Davis
In honor of Memorial Day, I’m so excited to have been asked to help announce the 2nd Annual US Military Family Contest. I participated in it last year and became a semi-finalist. This year, I’m excited to announce that it has been opened to not just military wives, but ALL families… including husbands of those serving 
Here’s what Sara said about her contest (yes, Sara Taney Humphreys from The Amoveo Series):
Last year, as a special thank you to our service members and their families, I held a very special contest for Military Wives. It turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the privilege of meeting several incredible women and their beautiful families. It’s so easy to forget that there are real people who are deeply affected by the conflict overseas. Hearing the personal stories of these families helped me remember that our troops are husbands, fathers, brothers and sons who are immensely loved and sorely missed.
I have decided to make this an annual contest. I am very excited to report that ASMBA-STAR, an outstanding organization for Vets and their families, has agreed to continue their partnership with me.
This contest will run from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Once again, a portion of my annual book sales will be donated to ASMBA-STAR.
Who is eligible? This year I’ve opened the contest up to ALL U.S. Military Families. Moms, Dads, Sons, Daughters, Wives, Husbands, Sisters, Brothers. If you have a family member that is serving our country…tell us about them!
How do you enter? Send an email to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com with a picture of you and your family member in uniform. Tell us a bit about what branch he/she serves in, where you’ve been stationed, challenges and so forth.
Please put “2nd Annual Military Families Contest” in the subject line.
Once a week, beginning Memorial Day weekend, I will pick one entrant to be highlighted on my blog. These weekly entrants are semi-finalists. Labor Day weekend I will select three winners.
Second Prize: A $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of “The Amoveo Legacy” and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.
First Prize: A $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of “The Amoveo Legacy” and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.
Grand Prize: A book signing event at their local Bookstore and the winner will be the special guest of honor. 5 Free Signed copies of “The Amoveo Legacy. (1 for them and 4 of their friends) A $100 Amazon Gift card and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.
So… go forth and enter! Check out Sara’s blog post on the contest. Good luck!
And the World Keeps Spinning
Life is simple, it’s just not easy.
~Author Unknown
Things have been busy lately. Last Friday, I babysat the six month old and a three year old again. The six month old boy was having a hard time sleeping. I think he’s teething again. He would sleep for half an hour or an hour and then be up screaming. He actually screamed/cried/whimpered for the last hour and a half before his mom came home. The only thing that would help calm him is holding him in my arms and walking through the house. Circles and circles. Swaying didn’t work. Rocking didn’t work. Holding him in any position but in my left arm didn’t work.
When I handed him to his mom, I felt it. That stabbing, aching pinch in my shoulder. Followed by the tingling/numbness in my elbow and down my arm to my pinky and ring finger. It was back. The injury from DCO school.
So I dealt with it while I went to Baltimore for the PA/VI Symposium for my reserve duty. And I called my doctor today. She wanted me to go to Urgent Care. Um, no. This is a nagging injury and I’m pretty sure TriCare won’t pay for Urgent Care for it. She was able to get me in to her office, though, if I “came immediately.” So I did. Of course I hadn’t showered yet. And she referred me to physical therapy and to an electro-something to see if my nerves were working properly.
The electro place couldn’t get me in for two weeks unless I came “immediately.” So I drove to Tacoma for the appointment. They stuck probably 30+ tiny needles in me and ran varying levels of electrical currents through them to see how my nerves would react (not all at once… it was needle stick, electrical current, electrical current, electrical current). It was mostly just uncomfortable but some were pretty painful. Some just reminded me of grabbing the electrical fence when I was a kid.
After that was finished, the doctor said all my nerves are sending the proper currents so I don’t have any permanent damage. That’s good. He seems to think everything will be better in 2-4 weeks. Considering how long this has been going on, I hope he’s right. And I hope that the physical therapy will make it happen sooner.
I sure hope so because I’m supposed to have a PFA next Saturday. That’s not happening now. Which means I’ll be put on TNPQ (Temporarily Not Physically Qualified), which is not usually a big deal in active duty, but it is in the Reserves. On active duty, you can just go light duty and carry on. In the Reserves, you aren’t allowed to do anything but drill. That means no AT and no active duty. For me, that means if this doesn’t get better, there will be no Japan and South Korea in July and no DINFOS in August and September. That would piss me off so freakin’ much.
I just need to get better. Really, really do.
Information about my trip to Baltimore, including the awesome people I got to meet and the first challenge coin I ever received, will be coming.
Mmm… Monday #10: Pistachio Pudding Salad
Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not!
~Author Unknown
Pistachio Pudding Salad, "Green Fluff" or Watergate Salad
This recipe is something that my family has always made. We call it Pistachio Pudding Salad, my husband calls it “Green Fluff” and I’ve recently found out the universal name is Watergate Salad. It’s always made in my family for the major holidays. And now for Huzzy’s birthday, too. This is one of his most favorite things ever.
Ingredients
Make a paste with the pineapple juice.
1 package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 small can of crushed pineapple
1 8oz tub of Cool Whip (double everything else if if you use the larger tub)
1 12oz bag of colored mini-marshmallows (white will do, but there is a definite taste difference)
1 can of stemless Maraschino cherries (size is up to your preference)
Mix in the Cool Whip
1. Drain crushed pineapple, setting juice aside in a cup.
2. Place the pudding mix in a medium to large bowl. Add in enough pineapple juice to make a paste.
3. Thoroughly mix in Cool Whip. Be careful not to over-mix.
4. Fold in marshmallows.
Add in the marshmallows and then the cherries!
5. Add in Maraschino cherries, either whole or sliced in half, leaving a handful for garnish.
6. Garnish the top of the salad with the rest of the Maraschino cherries.
Enjoy! Let me know if you make this and how you like it. I’ve found that many
in the Pacific Northwest have never heard of this, but it’s a staple in the Midwest… or at least Michigan!
Friday Funny #13: LOL Cats
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
~e.e. cummings
It’s time for the next “Friday Funny.” As a Navy wife with a husband who isn’t home much (and not at all right now) sometimes things can get a bit melancholy. And the best way to help that is to make yourself and other smile. So that’s what I’m doing.
Please join me with the “Friday Funny” meme. It can be anything from a comment that made you laugh or a funny story or even a funny photo/video you have seen. Leave a comment if you post one and I’ll visit your blog to see!
This week’s Friday Funny is of some of my favorite most recent LOL Cats.
Electrition Kitteh... is chargin u by teh hour
I don't believe it... you're STILL talking to me in that voice.
Iz i annoyin u now?
Is lent ober yet?
U no EVAR tawk 2 meh that wai agen!
EHH HEMM! Meh eyes r up here!
