With the advent of chain emails and the Photoshop-fancy memes that wallpaper Facebook, I scarcely notice quotes anymore. Then I came across this:
“The way we talk to our children will become their inner voice.”
The words soaked through my skin and saw me, flaws and all. I sat down, stunned, and began to review the film of my children’s lives.
With the advent of chain emails and the Photoshop-fancy memes that wallpaper Facebook, I scarcely notice quotes anymore. Then I came across this:
“The way we talk to our children will become their inner voice.”
The words soaked through my skin and saw me, flaws and all. I sat down, stunned, and began to review the film of my children’s lives.
My absence from writing comes from how much time and energy I have been spending on trying to figure out our exist from the military world. Yep, we are heading home and my time here in Germany seems to be coming to a close. But not only is our time-serving our Country coming to a close but we are leaving the military life to go home to the “real world”. On one hand I am very sad to be leaving but on the other hand I am excited to be “going home” to a world I knew before we started this adventure.
Home, now that is a question I really can not answer, Where is home? Each time I hear the question from someone I am not sure how to answer. We have moved so many times over the years that I am not sure what to say. I guess, I could say that the United States is my home. Though that seems a bit too cliché. I guess home is where the heart is but that too seems a bit predictable and I can already see your eyes rolling. We have been asking the question over and over again, where should we call home?
Naples, Florida, now that would be a perfect home after all these years of clouds, rain, fog, a little sun, despite what Fox News think about Germany, the sun rarely comes out. Naples would be nice but I am not sure that we want to be among the retired people as that is who lives there. I mean, most are playing golf and swimming in their private pools. I think we will need something a little bit more exciting but I must confess, feeling the sun upon my face would feel fantastic. I just know that I will not want to work and to the best of my knowledge I need to work.
Maybe we should go to New England. Yes, now that would be fun since they have the New England Patriots, Boston and the Red Soxs! New England has a lot to offer us. It seems that would be a good place to go. But….I complain so much about the snow, the cold, and fog. I love the four seasons and the ocean. Naples or New England, which do we choose?
We have not been home to the United States in 3 plus years and the only news we get from home is from the news; good and the bad. I am so wanting to go home to a place that we left and pick up where we left off but that is not the way it will be; I know it can not be that way. We have all grown up and as much I want that feeling we had when we left I am convinced that too much as changed for it to be the same.
So, really, how does one define home? Maybe it is not a place that is on the map like Florida or New England but space that one occupies and tries to make better not only for themselves but for those around them.
So, to say the least the thought of where to live and going home has caused complicated thoughts that leave me wondering ….does it really matter just as long as I can read the signs, speak my mind and be able to live the way I want to live?
No matter how cliché it may be…the United States is my home.
See ya real soon!
My absence from writing comes from how much time and energy I have been spending on trying to figure out our exist from the military world. Yep, we are heading home and my time here in Germany seems to be coming to a close. But not only is our time-serving our Country coming to a close but we are leaving the military life to go home to the “real world”. On one hand I am very sad to be leaving but on the other hand I am excited to be “going home” to a world I knew before we started this adventure.
Home, now that is a question I really can not answer, Where is home? Each time I hear the question from someone I am not sure how to answer. We have moved so many times over the years that I am not sure what to say. I guess, I could say that the United States is my home. Though that seems a bit too cliché. I guess home is where the heart is but that too seems a bit predictable and I can already see your eyes rolling. We have been asking the question over and over again, where should we call home?
Naples, Florida, now that would be a perfect home after all these years of clouds, rain, fog, a little sun, despite what Fox News think about Germany, the sun rarely comes out. Naples would be nice but I am not sure that we want to be among the retired people as that is who lives there. I mean, most are playing golf and swimming in their private pools. I think we will need something a little bit more exciting but I must confess, feeling the sun upon my face would feel fantastic. I just know that I will not want to work and to the best of my knowledge I need to work.
Maybe we should go to New England. Yes, now that would be fun since they have the New England Patriots, Boston and the Red Soxs! New England has a lot to offer us. It seems that would be a good place to go. But….I complain so much about the snow, the cold, and fog. I love the four seasons and the ocean. Naples or New England, which do we choose?
We have not been home to the United States in 3 plus years and the only news we get from home is from the news; good and the bad. I am so wanting to go home to a place that we left and pick up where we left off but that is not the way it will be; I know it can not be that way. We have all grown up and as much I want that feeling we had when we left I am convinced that too much as changed for it to be the same.
So, really, how does one define home? Maybe it is not a place that is on the map like Florida or New England but space that one occupies and tries to make better not only for themselves but for those around them.
So, to say the least the thought of where to live and going home has caused complicated thoughts that leave me wondering ….does it really matter just as long as I can read the signs, speak my mind and be able to live the way I want to live?
No matter how cliché it may be…the United States is my home.
See ya real soon!
1. Ausfahrt isn’t funny anymore, and roundabouts are second nature.2. You no longer mind the person behind or next to you only giving you half an inch of space.3. 2 hrs for dinner is “fast food”. …4. You judge mustard by how well it opens your sinuses.5. Jumping across the border to get away for the day is no big deal.6. You reach for the Jägermeister instead of Pepto Bismol.7. You think family pictures taken at a castle are “so cliche.”8. You forgot how to use round doorknobs.9. You forget how to flush a toilet that doesn’t have a push button.10. 100 MPH seems like you’re driving really, really slow.11. You no longer think it is strange that beer and water are the same price.12. You never go shopping off base without a shopping bag or VAT form.13. You NEVER shop on payday or the day before a German holiday.14. You never leave home without your keys, ID card, license, and passport.15. You think anything with chocolate sounds like a good breakfast.16. You think it is natural to pass Army tanks on the highway.17. You answer the phone “Hallo” instead of Hello.18. You need a power drill and sledgehammer to hang a picture on the wall.19. You rig your lawnmower and vacuum cleaner to give you an electrical shock if you try to operate them on Sundays.20. You no longer even want ketchup for your French Fries.21. Christmas is incomplete without Gluhwein at a castle.22. You sing “Tschüss” instead of say Good Bye.23. Your children no longer say please or thank you … it is bitte and danke.24. You wonder how you ever lived without Rolladens.25. You wear a scarf every single day …. even in the summer.26. You plan your route around ESSO locations.27. You believe AFN is quality programming.28. You own shoes just for walking …. and know you will walk everywhere.29. You no longer need google translate at the grocery store and last least ….30. You have said out loud at least once …. Damn Americans!!
1. Ausfahrt isn’t funny anymore, and roundabouts are second nature.2. You no longer mind the person behind or next to you only giving you half an inch of space.3. 2 hrs for dinner is “fast food”. …4. You judge mustard by how well it opens your sinuses.5. Jumping across the border to get away for the day is no big deal.6. You reach for the Jägermeister instead of Pepto Bismol.7. You think family pictures taken at a castle are “so cliche.”8. You forgot how to use round doorknobs.9. You forget how to flush a toilet that doesn’t have a push button.10. 100 MPH seems like you’re driving really, really slow.11. You no longer think it is strange that beer and water are the same price.12. You never go shopping off base without a shopping bag or VAT form.13. You NEVER shop on payday or the day before a German holiday.14. You never leave home without your keys, ID card, license, and passport.15. You think anything with chocolate sounds like a good breakfast.16. You think it is natural to pass Army tanks on the highway.17. You answer the phone “Hallo” instead of Hello.18. You need a power drill and sledgehammer to hang a picture on the wall.19. You rig your lawnmower and vacuum cleaner to give you an electrical shock if you try to operate them on Sundays.20. You no longer even want ketchup for your French Fries.21. Christmas is incomplete without Gluhwein at a castle.22. You sing “Tschüss” instead of say Good Bye.23. Your children no longer say please or thank you … it is bitte and danke.24. You wonder how you ever lived without Rolladens.25. You wear a scarf every single day …. even in the summer.26. You plan your route around ESSO locations.27. You believe AFN is quality programming.28. You own shoes just for walking …. and know you will walk everywhere.29. You no longer need google translate at the grocery store and last least ….30. You have said out loud at least once …. Damn Americans!!
Sometimes having quiet time is quite a wonderful treat. Our time on the river began dramatically but like all storms, it started to calm down. We began to embrace the solitude that this trip was giving us. Sitting, drinking coffee and talking about absolutely nothing was a special treat that we had lost.
It is amazing how simple life really is and how much noise is created by one’s modern-day activities. Modern day time is consumed with planning, defending, correcting, or just plain explaining. This type of living can consume time. To just sit and talk about those things that are not complaints, problems, or issues reminded me of what life must have been like traveling the river in the old days.
One place we were visiting really caught my eye, Melk, Austria. At first I could not understand why we were stopping at such a small city and figured it was just a place to stop along the way. The Benedictine Abbey of Melk, was here and one of Europe‘s great cultural sites. Here’s a little background on the Abbey.
The Melk Abbey was built by the Benedictine monks over 900 years ago. The abbey has suffered numerous fires, the plague, and war damage through the centuries. Its present high baroque form was constructed in the early 18th century, and many of era’s most famous painters, sculptors, and stucco craftsmen worked on the abbey.
This place is amazing. The church builders wanted to show how heaven would look. It takes your breath away.
Here’s the thing….The journey is rough at times. It is filled with noise and pressure that can consume.
Standing in silence I reminded myself to look up.
Now I know why we stopped here.
Sometimes having quiet time is quite a wonderful treat. Our time on the river began dramatically but like all storms, it started to calm down. We began to embrace the solitude that this trip was giving us. Sitting, drinking coffee and talking about absolutely nothing was a special treat that we had lost.
It is amazing how simple life really is and how much noise is created by one’s modern-day activities. Modern day time is consumed with planning, defending, correcting, or just plain explaining. This type of living can consume time. To just sit and talk about those things that are not complaints, problems, or issues reminded me of what life must have been like traveling the river in the old days.
One place we were visiting really caught my eye, Melk, Austria. At first I could not understand why we were stopping at such a small city and figured it was just a place to stop along the way. The Benedictine Abbey of Melk, was here and one of Europe‘s great cultural sites. Here’s a little background on the Abbey.
The Melk Abbey was built by the Benedictine monks over 900 years ago. The abbey has suffered numerous fires, the plague, and war damage through the centuries. Its present high baroque form was constructed in the early 18th century, and many of era’s most famous painters, sculptors, and stucco craftsmen worked on the abbey.
This place is amazing. The church builders wanted to show how heaven would look. It takes your breath away.
Here’s the thing….The journey is rough at times. It is filled with noise and pressure that can consume.
Standing in silence I reminded myself to look up.
Now I know why we stopped here.
It is amazing how one single action of putting a posting on a Face book page of an entertainer/ military group could create such an outcry of nasty comments. In some ways it did not surprise me. I knew that if I returned to this one particular page that there would be a few individuals who would find it offensive that I would even consider putting it on the page.
I enjoy reading the page, it can provide a little bit of levity in a way of life that is often filled with extremes. Many people I know actually are quite surprise that I like the page and defend it. What I find interesting is how people comment on the page. The comments from individuals who do not even know me makes me wonder what is the purpose of the nasty comments?
When I was reviewing their bombardment of nastiness, I was actually getting mad at them and wanting to defend myself; which only started to add fuel to a fire I really had no intention of even participating in. They came from all corners like a pack of dogs circling a new-found prey. To reason with them seemed to not work. To leave them to say what they wanted and not defend myself seemed like I was somehow accepting the defeat of a group of leather jacket thugs in the hall way of a high school.
A friend of mine who reads this blog came to my defense, thank you. Unfolding before me was a scene from any high school movie. To me this seemed ridiculous. Reason needed to prevail before we were all fighting…cue music.
To the naysayers, thank you….Stop music…walk away.
It is amazing how one single action of putting a posting on a Face book page of an entertainer/ military group could create such an outcry of nasty comments. In some ways it did not surprise me. I knew that if I returned to this one particular page that there would be a few individuals who would find it offensive that I would even consider putting it on the page.
I enjoy reading the page, it can provide a little bit of levity in a way of life that is often filled with extremes. Many people I know actually are quite surprise that I like the page and defend it. What I find interesting is how people comment on the page. The comments from individuals who do not even know me makes me wonder what is the purpose of the nasty comments?
When I was reviewing their bombardment of nastiness, I was actually getting mad at them and wanting to defend myself; which only started to add fuel to a fire I really had no intention of even participating in. They came from all corners like a pack of dogs circling a new-found prey. To reason with them seemed to not work. To leave them to say what they wanted and not defend myself seemed like I was somehow accepting the defeat of a group of leather jacket thugs in the hall way of a high school.
A friend of mine who reads this blog came to my defense, thank you. Unfolding before me was a scene from any high school movie. To me this seemed ridiculous. Reason needed to prevail before we were all fighting…cue music.
To the naysayers, thank you….Stop music…walk away.
We were stuck on the boat with not much else to do but to look out across the small town on the Donau and wonder, will we make it beyond this point and travel the river?
The night before our quick stop had left me wondering if this cruise was really a good idea. I mean, we had never cruised before and part of why we had not cruised was because we had heard so many awful stories on how some cruises turn into vacations from hell. Sorry about that, but how else can I describe how I was feeling about this cruise? I was sitting alone outside on the boats deck while the family was trying to get some needed sleep. The crisp foggy air felt good as my hands were being warmed by a hot cup of tea.
I was sitting there listening to the emergency crew and the Captain discuss rather loudly in German, something and it was not sounding good. The storm had caused damaged to the hull and it must have been that jolt in the night that woke me from my semi sleepy state. My mind shifted back to my own thoughts. Then again, being stuck on a boat, on a river with nowhere else to really go may be a great opportunity to reconnect with my now overly social media stimulated daughter.
There was no access to internet, something else we were told they would have but changed when we got on board. Think about this, a teenager going on a cruise, with her parents and there are no other kids, no Face book, computer access. She was pretending to be happy but she was clearly saving her disappointment for some other time. She was going thru social media withdrawal and that my friend, spells disaster.
The German or some dialect of German was being shouted as I began to continue wondering how I was going to save this Holiday vacation and then it struck me, maybe this was a great opportunity to talk with my daughter, I mean, really sit down and talk. The opportunity to enjoy each other, and with no interruption’s, we would have each others full attention. I took another sip of tea and its warmth was making me smile. That’s it, we can turn this around. The yelling in the distance seemed to stop and I decided to get up and go inside. There I saw the Captain and some official looking men sitting at a table, they too were smiling. Maybe this cruise will turn its self around after all.
A simple hole in the hull of the boat was not going to ruin this Holiday cruise. We were going forward and cruising this river. Even if we do nothing but sit on a boat and talk with one another.
Determined and smiling, I left the main deck to wake up the family.
We were stuck on the boat with not much else to do but to look out across the small town on the Donau and wonder, will we make it beyond this point and travel the river?
The night before our quick stop had left me wondering if this cruise was really a good idea. I mean, we had never cruised before and part of why we had not cruised was because we had heard so many awful stories on how some cruises turn into vacations from hell. Sorry about that, but how else can I describe how I was feeling about this cruise? I was sitting alone outside on the boats deck while the family was trying to get some needed sleep. The crisp foggy air felt good as my hands were being warmed by a hot cup of tea.
I was sitting there listening to the emergency crew and the Captain discuss rather loudly in German, something and it was not sounding good. The storm had caused damaged to the hull and it must have been that jolt in the night that woke me from my semi sleepy state. My mind shifted back to my own thoughts. Then again, being stuck on a boat, on a river with nowhere else to really go may be a great opportunity to reconnect with my now overly social media stimulated daughter.
There was no access to internet, something else we were told they would have but changed when we got on board. Think about this, a teenager going on a cruise, with her parents and there are no other kids, no Face book, computer access. She was pretending to be happy but she was clearly saving her disappointment for some other time. She was going thru social media withdrawal and that my friend, spells disaster.
The German or some dialect of German was being shouted as I began to continue wondering how I was going to save this Holiday vacation and then it struck me, maybe this was a great opportunity to talk with my daughter, I mean, really sit down and talk. The opportunity to enjoy each other, and with no interruption’s, we would have each others full attention. I took another sip of tea and its warmth was making me smile. That’s it, we can turn this around. The yelling in the distance seemed to stop and I decided to get up and go inside. There I saw the Captain and some official looking men sitting at a table, they too were smiling. Maybe this cruise will turn its self around after all.
A simple hole in the hull of the boat was not going to ruin this Holiday cruise. We were going forward and cruising this river. Even if we do nothing but sit on a boat and talk with one another.
Determined and smiling, I left the main deck to wake up the family.
When we got on the train 3 days before Christmas, we anticipated that things were not going to go according to plan. It was as if we knew somehow we had to adjust and be flexible in our upcoming adventure. Our plan to have Christmas on a river cruise down the Donau River seemed to be a good idea at the time we booked. We really gave no consideration to the challenges we would encounter, I know how crazy was that.
So, when we got on the ICE train in Nuremberg, Germany with 4 heavy luggage pieces it seemed only fitting that the reserved seats we had were occupied. Explaining in broken German that we had a right to be in the seats was not easy to three other weary Holiday travelers. Some things reach across all cultures, cramped Holiday traveling, yelling and certain hand gestures. Bless the heart of our fourteen-year-old daughter who seemed to be able to express calmly that we reserved the seats. After displacing other travelers to standing room only, we sat down and began to wonder what have we done.
Outside the weather was stirring and when we arrived in Passau we had a vague idea of how to get to the Boat. We were to pick up a shuttle at the station but there were no signs, no shuttle bus and well, we started to resort to finding anyone who may have the same tags that we had on our luggage so to see if they knew something we did not. Finally a shuttle arrived and after a series of gestures, broken conversations we did make it to the ship. Our vacation was about to begin…Hooray!
When we finally got on the boat, unpacked and explored the cabin, we were smiling and happy. Then, I opened the cabin curtain to look out over the river and saw how fast the river seemed to be traveling. The current was very strong and I began to wonder, was this normal? My “what if” thoughts started to kick in.
There is something about cruise directors and staff, they know how to keep you calm by just smiling. They are well versed in making sure you are happy and having a good time. The thing is, when you do not know the language, you focus more on body language than words and they seemed a bit nervous. I figured it was all okay and we waved goodbye to the dock and started down the river. We were to begin our cruise to Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Melk and back to Passau, so many places and so much fun.
It was the huge jolt to the boat in the middle of the night that made me bolt from the bed. I was not really sleeping as the boat seemed to be having a “little problem.” Two German words I learned from the announcements over the loud speakers. A seasoned boat person I knew that this was not good. I do not get sea sick but the boat was swaying so much that I began to rethink how this trip was going to go and wondering if we were going to make it thru the night. Our daughter had kidded about the Titanic and I told her, “it is a river cruise, we will be fine.” I think I may have underestimated the power of the Donau.
I once again pulled back the curtain and looked at the river. Since we had to anchor the boat we were swaying back and forth as the river debris was racing passed us. Another cruise boat was anchored near us and from the looks of how it was straining its anchor line I knew we were barely hanging on and wondering what would happen if we lost our anchor.
I did not sleep at all. I was trying to figure out the best way to explain to my teenager that maybe she was right, maybe we had boarded the Titanic but I was not ready to admit it quite yet.
As we approached morning, we found out by the cruise staff that we in fact had a hole in the boat as river debris had caused damage and we were not going to make it to our first destination, Vienna. We were docked safety at some small town along the river and “Do not be alarmed but we need to repair and gain permission to continue down the river.” I have to say, writing it here in English does not give justice to how the conversation went. We figured it out by watching the Captain talk to the emergency crew that had boarded the boat.
My husband started to say, ‘Well, we gave it a try, we may need to look over that travel insurance now.” I was not ready to admit maybe this adventure was over our head and packing up was a good idea. Instead of throwing in the towel, we decided to check out the small town along the river. It was adorable and offered some wonderful views of the river. By the time we got back on board, the boat was cleared to continue.
Maybe by boarding the boat under calmer conditions the trip seemed to take on new meaning.
Here’s the thing… Life is full of adventure. This one was going to change us forever we just did not know how much and the river was going to show us.
When we got on the train 3 days before Christmas, we anticipated that things were not going to go according to plan. It was as if we knew somehow we had to adjust and be flexible in our upcoming adventure. Our plan to have Christmas on a river cruise down the Donau River seemed to be a good idea at the time we booked. We really gave no consideration to the challenges we would encounter, I know how crazy was that.
So, when we got on the ICE train in Nuremberg, Germany with 4 heavy luggage pieces it seemed only fitting that the reserved seats we had were occupied. Explaining in broken German that we had a right to be in the seats was not easy to three other weary Holiday travelers. Some things reach across all cultures, cramped Holiday traveling, yelling and certain hand gestures. Bless the heart of our fourteen-year-old daughter who seemed to be able to express calmly that we reserved the seats. After displacing other travelers to standing room only, we sat down and began to wonder what have we done.
Outside the weather was stirring and when we arrived in Passau we had a vague idea of how to get to the Boat. We were to pick up a shuttle at the station but there were no signs, no shuttle bus and well, we started to resort to finding anyone who may have the same tags that we had on our luggage so to see if they knew something we did not. Finally a shuttle arrived and after a series of gestures, broken conversations we did make it to the ship. Our vacation was about to begin…Hooray!
When we finally got on the boat, unpacked and explored the cabin, we were smiling and happy. Then, I opened the cabin curtain to look out over the river and saw how fast the river seemed to be traveling. The current was very strong and I began to wonder, was this normal? My “what if” thoughts started to kick in.
There is something about cruise directors and staff, they know how to keep you calm by just smiling. They are well versed in making sure you are happy and having a good time. The thing is, when you do not know the language, you focus more on body language than words and they seemed a bit nervous. I figured it was all okay and we waved goodbye to the dock and started down the river. We were to begin our cruise to Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Melk and back to Passau, so many places and so much fun.
It was the huge jolt to the boat in the middle of the night that made me bolt from the bed. I was not really sleeping as the boat seemed to be having a “little problem.” Two German words I learned from the announcements over the loud speakers. A seasoned boat person I knew that this was not good. I do not get sea sick but the boat was swaying so much that I began to rethink how this trip was going to go and wondering if we were going to make it thru the night. Our daughter had kidded about the Titanic and I told her, “it is a river cruise, we will be fine.” I think I may have underestimated the power of the Donau.
I once again pulled back the curtain and looked at the river. Since we had to anchor the boat we were swaying back and forth as the river debris was racing passed us. Another cruise boat was anchored near us and from the looks of how it was straining its anchor line I knew we were barely hanging on and wondering what would happen if we lost our anchor.
I did not sleep at all. I was trying to figure out the best way to explain to my teenager that maybe she was right, maybe we had boarded the Titanic but I was not ready to admit it quite yet.
As we approached morning, we found out by the cruise staff that we in fact had a hole in the boat as river debris had caused damage and we were not going to make it to our first destination, Vienna. We were docked safety at some small town along the river and “Do not be alarmed but we need to repair and gain permission to continue down the river.” I have to say, writing it here in English does not give justice to how the conversation went. We figured it out by watching the Captain talk to the emergency crew that had boarded the boat.
My husband started to say, ‘Well, we gave it a try, we may need to look over that travel insurance now.” I was not ready to admit maybe this adventure was over our head and packing up was a good idea. Instead of throwing in the towel, we decided to check out the small town along the river. It was adorable and offered some wonderful views of the river. By the time we got back on board, the boat was cleared to continue.
Maybe by boarding the boat under calmer conditions the trip seemed to take on new meaning.
Here’s the thing… Life is full of adventure. This one was going to change us forever we just did not know how much and the river was going to show us.
Lately I have been dealing with some Army stuff which has not really left me with enough time to fully devote to telling stories.
Though in my travels of taking care of the stuff that needed attention, I was able to see that I was awarded Blog of the year. It gave me an opportunity to stop and smile and for that….THANK YOU for the award.
I am honored to be able to share my tales with you all and that you enjoy reading them.
Now, on to the next set of bloggers who are deserving of this award.
1 Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012′ Award
2 Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen — there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required — and ‘present’ them with their award.
3 Please include a link back to Speaking out of class and I am for change include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)
4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them.
5 You can now also join the Facebook group — click ‘like’ on the page above ‘Blog of the Year 2012′ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience.
6 As a winner of the award — please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award — and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar
Yes – that’s right – there are stars to collect!
Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once – this award is different!
When you begin you will receive the ‘1 star’ award – and every time you are given the award by another blog – you can add another star!
There are a total of 6 stars to collect.
Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs – and even if they have already been given the award by someone else – you can still bestow it on them again and help them to reach the maximum 6 stars!
All the blogs I follow touch my heart in a different way. I would like to share this award with all that follow and read my blog.
Here is a sample few I thought you would like too. Click on them and see why they are true stars:
Thank you again for the award and see you again in 2013….And if you figure out how to add the stars, let me know.
Lately I have been dealing with some Army stuff which has not really left me with enough time to fully devote to telling stories.
Though in my travels of taking care of the stuff that needed attention, I was able to see that I was awarded Blog of the year. It gave me an opportunity to stop and smile and for that….THANK YOU for the award.
I am honored to be able to share my tales with you all and that you enjoy reading them.
Now, on to the next set of bloggers who are deserving of this award.
1 Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012′ Award
2 Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen — there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required — and ‘present’ them with their award.
3 Please include a link back to Speaking out of class and I am for change include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)
4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them.
5 You can now also join the Facebook group — click ‘like’ on the page above ‘Blog of the Year 2012′ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience.
6 As a winner of the award — please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award — and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar
Yes – that’s right – there are stars to collect!
Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once – this award is different!
When you begin you will receive the ‘1 star’ award – and every time you are given the award by another blog – you can add another star!
There are a total of 6 stars to collect.
Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs – and even if they have already been given the award by someone else – you can still bestow it on them again and help them to reach the maximum 6 stars!
All the blogs I follow touch my heart in a different way. I would like to share this award with all that follow and read my blog.
Here is a sample few I thought you would like too. Click on them and see why they are true stars:
Thank you again for the award and see you again in 2013….And if you figure out how to add the stars, let me know.
They told me the big black Lab’s name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I’d only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street. But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn’t hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie’s advertisement on the local news.
The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn’t look like “Lab people,” whatever that meant. They must’ve thought I did. But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner.
See, Reggie and I didn’t really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike. I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that.
“Okay, Reggie,” I said out loud, “let’s see if your previous owner has any advice.”
To Whomever Gets My Dog:
Well, I can’t say that I’m happy you’re reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie’s new owner. I’m not even happy writing it. He knew something was different. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.
First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he’s part squirrel, the way he hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn’t done it yet. Doesn’t matter where you throw them, he’ll bound after them, so be careful. Don’t do it by any roads.
Next, commands. Reggie knows the obvious ones —”sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel.” He knows hand signals, too: He knows “ball” and “food” and “bone” and “treat” like nobody’s business.
Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand. He’s up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don’t know how he knows when it’s time to go to the vet, but he knows.
Finally, give him some time. It’s only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He’s gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn’t bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. And that’s why I need to share one more bit of info with you…His name’s not Reggie. He’s a smart dog, he’ll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn’t bear to give them his real name.
But if someone is reading this … well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is “Tank.” Because, that is what I drive. I told the shelter that they couldn’t make “Reggie” available for adoption until they received word from my company commander.
You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could’ve left Tank with .. and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter … in the “event” … to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption.
Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he’d do it personally. And if you’re reading this, then he made good on his word.
Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me. If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love.
I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades. All right, that’s enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. Maybe I’ll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.
Good luck with Tank.
Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight – every night – from me.
Thank you, Paul Mallory
I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies.
Flags had been at half-mast all summer.
I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.
“Hey, Tank,” I said quietly. The dog’s head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.
“C’mere boy.”
He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn’t heard in months.
“Tank,” I whispered.
His tail swished. I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him.
I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.
“It’s me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me.” Tank reached up and licked my cheek.
“So whatdaya say we play some ball?” His ears perked again. “Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?”
Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room.
And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.
They told me the big black Lab’s name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I’d only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street. But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn’t hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie’s advertisement on the local news.
The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn’t look like “Lab people,” whatever that meant. They must’ve thought I did. But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner.
See, Reggie and I didn’t really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike. I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that.
“Okay, Reggie,” I said out loud, “let’s see if your previous owner has any advice.”
To Whomever Gets My Dog:
Well, I can’t say that I’m happy you’re reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie’s new owner. I’m not even happy writing it. He knew something was different. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.
First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he’s part squirrel, the way he hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn’t done it yet. Doesn’t matter where you throw them, he’ll bound after them, so be careful. Don’t do it by any roads.
Next, commands. Reggie knows the obvious ones —”sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel.” He knows hand signals, too: He knows “ball” and “food” and “bone” and “treat” like nobody’s business.
Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand. He’s up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don’t know how he knows when it’s time to go to the vet, but he knows.
Finally, give him some time. It’s only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He’s gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn’t bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. And that’s why I need to share one more bit of info with you…His name’s not Reggie. He’s a smart dog, he’ll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn’t bear to give them his real name.
But if someone is reading this … well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is “Tank.” Because, that is what I drive. I told the shelter that they couldn’t make “Reggie” available for adoption until they received word from my company commander.
You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could’ve left Tank with .. and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter … in the “event” … to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption.
Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he’d do it personally. And if you’re reading this, then he made good on his word.
Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me. If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love.
I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades. All right, that’s enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. Maybe I’ll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.
Good luck with Tank.
Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight – every night – from me.
Thank you, Paul Mallory
I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies.
Flags had been at half-mast all summer.
I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.
“Hey, Tank,” I said quietly. The dog’s head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.
“C’mere boy.”
He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn’t heard in months.
“Tank,” I whispered.
His tail swished. I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him.
I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.
“It’s me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me.” Tank reached up and licked my cheek.
“So whatdaya say we play some ball?” His ears perked again. “Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?”
Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room.
And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.
When I go away on a trip and stay at a Hotel I know that there is always something that may not be to my standard. I know that when you are in the customer service business anything can and will happen, it is a given, right?
We see the television programs that go into hotels and find things that have not been cleaned.
When I go away on a trip and stay at a Hotel I know that there is always something that may not be to my standard. I know that when you are in the customer service business anything can and will happen, it is a given, right?
We see the television programs that go into hotels and find things that have not been cleaned.
It seems as if no matter how hard I pray, I am not going to granted the blessing of seeing the sun.
You: (pointing at me and making a face) “She is exaggerating about how long it has been since the sun has shown its face in Germany.”
Me: (defiant) “No, it has been clearly 6 weeks since I saw the sun shine on my pale face.”
You: (correcting me) “No way, you saw it for ten minutes on Thanksgiving.”
Me: (with conviction) “Yep! And that is why I leaped from the dinner table to just run outside and feel its warmth upon my face.”
You: (a confession) “That’s when I ate some of your turkey off your plate.”
Me: (desperate) “When will the sun shine again?”
You: “Told you we need to move back to Florida!”
Florida…..I can feel the warmth of the breeze, hear the birds sing, watch the alligator meander in the lake, feel the sun glisten upon the water. Oh, the sparkles that it makes upon the water….but then I am quickly back to reality, pop open the vitamin D bottle and run to the window for a small glimpse of sunshine.
It seems as if no matter how hard I pray, I am not going to granted the blessing of seeing the sun.
You: (pointing at me and making a face) “She is exaggerating about how long it has been since the sun has shown its face in Germany.”
Me: (defiant) “No, it has been clearly 6 weeks since I saw the sun shine on my pale face.”
You: (correcting me) “No way, you saw it for ten minutes on Thanksgiving.”
Me: (with conviction) “Yep! And that is why I leaped from the dinner table to just run outside and feel its warmth upon my face.”
You: (a confession) “That’s when I ate some of your turkey off your plate.”
Me: (desperate) “When will the sun shine again?”
You: “Told you we need to move back to Florida!”
Florida…..I can feel the warmth of the breeze, hear the birds sing, watch the alligator meander in the lake, feel the sun glisten upon the water. Oh, the sparkles that it makes upon the water….but then I am quickly back to reality, pop open the vitamin D bottle and run to the window for a small glimpse of sunshine.
Had to share this with you, the very lovely Gunta over at Movin’On sent me this today as she said she saw this stuck to a car window and thought of me! As some of you are aware I plan to grow old disgracefully living like Miss Haversham from Great Expectations, slewed off my face on gin and smelling of cat pee!
Had to share this with you, the very lovely Gunta over at Movin’On sent me this today as she said she saw this stuck to a car window and thought of me! As some of you are aware I plan to grow old disgracefully living like Miss Haversham from Great Expectations, slewed off my face on gin and smelling of cat pee!
Here in Germany we have not seen the sun for days, the leaves are all over the ground and the feel of pending snow fills the air. The news online screams of protests towards Wal-Mart, early Thanksgiving sales and Black Friday deals I really should not miss.
I tried to explain to a German women about the history of Thanksgiving and somehow it felt very far away and lost among the hysterical behavior of those in the news. I began thinking and wondering, “What in the world was going on in the United States?” Did the Pilgrims realize that this is what would become of the holiday?
We will celebrate Thanksgiving here and the PX will of course be open early Friday morning to crazed shoppers trying to get their “specials” and the parking lot at the PX will be full with cars. Music will be blasting songs of good tidings and the kids will be screaming to see Santa at extra volumes of loud. There will be pushy parents screaming and shoving to get that perfect picture of their kids on Santa’s lap; the American tradition lives on.
I plan on enjoying leftover turkey, music, a glass of wine and shopping online….how about you?
Florida is not bad…although little chilly today just about 70F
I think you should stay til July when the sun finally comes back out here! STAYYYY!
thanks wish we could smiles!
70 sounds wonderful…but 90 is too hot thanks for the comment!
Eventually we all go ‘home’ to be close to family, relatives and places important to you. There are places that are nice to visit, but home is where you will find support, unqualified acceptance, and love. God bless you as you make the transition to civilian life
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I’ve been looking over your articles and enjoying the window into your experiences. I used to move to wherever the work was, but when I chose to move to the Pac. NW I tried to make more of a conscious plan and make a smart choice. If you do know a specific town you want to move to, first make sure you or hubby are qualified (or can become qualified) in a profession that’s in-demand there. Otherwise you must commute for work, and most reach a point where they hate doing that. Good luck!