Happy 237th Birthday, U.S. Army!!

On this day, in 1775, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress appealed to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to assume authority for the New England army, because as we all know, THE BRITISH WERE COMING!!! (I hope my friend Katie has a good laugh!) So, allegedly at the behest of John Adams, Congress voted to take the NE Army and conscript it for use in all colonies (though no written record exists for that vote). However, they did vote to “to bring in a draft of rules and regulations for the government of the Army,” thus, the birth of our U. S. Army.

Being an Army wife, I am partial to this military birthday, for it is two-fold.

Today is also Flag Day!! On this day, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution of 1777, which officially adopted the flag of our new found country.

When I arrived in Texas, it was the summer of 1976. Everything was red, white, and blue, and I thought this was the most color-coordinated country in the world. My dad explained that we were celebrating a very important birthday, and so began my love affair with History.

Long may she wave!!!

Crossposted everywhere I’m at 😉

68 Years Ago Today

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!–
Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944

I regret never taking the opportunity to visit Normandy while stationed in Germany. I did get to visit the  Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial near the village of Hamm in Luxembourg. The cemetery was established in December, 1944, by the U.S. Third Army during the Ardennes Offensive. General George S. Patton is buried there. Walking alongside the crosses, listening to the beauty, it felt as if Time was waiting for something. I think it still is.

These men had their victory. I pray we have in our spirit the same abilities to achieve our own.

Curveballs When Least Expected

Normally, I have a post by 9 AM every morning. Lately I have been a bit preoccupied with other stuff around here. Kids are fine, and Hubby is fine. I thank the Good Lord for that. But sometimes Life, Fate, whatever it is, tends to throw a curveball to see if I’m paying attention.

Last week I found a hard nodule in the upper right pectoral milk dispensing device. No, not the one that was *ahem* bitten by my neighbor’s dog. The other one. Anyway, I was very frightened, and also very angry. But the anger was directed at myself. I know to check myself for these eventualities, but had neglected to do so for several months. My last mammogram had been clear and just fine and dandy, so I slacked off.

That is unacceptable. One simply cannot take chances at my age that things will be just fine. And the worst part is actually having close friends who are in treatment for breast cancer. I was lucky it was cystic. I have no excuse for my laziness, but I do hope that this inspires others to be more careful, and to check themselves often. We all get one shot at living on this rock, and we should take care to make sure we live it to the best of our ability.

There will always be curveballs. The trick is to plant your feet, watch it coming at you, and SWING!!!!

We Remember

With love and gratitude, we thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy freedom.

May we remember always.

School is Cool

Last night, Hubby and I decided to talk to our kids about college, trying to figure out what they want to study, and if they wish to attend, and when. It’s an expense that must be measured and obviously one that cannot be taken lightly. The last thing I need is for a kid to major in Eighteenth Century Estonian Basketweaving.

Anyway, the talk turned to what they enjoy doing, and I was trying to make a point of them figuring out what things and activities have kept them interested for years. That way they will have a better understanding of what kind of education they would enjoy pursuing. As usual, some humor entered the conversation, courtesy of Hubby.

Hubby: What interested you when you were younger?

Eldest: What do you mean, Dad?

Hubby: Well, when I was your age, I wanted to be a Penthouse™ photographer.

Me: *SHOCK*

Eldest: Dad, why would want to take pictures of penthouses?

Me: (sighing in relief) I have never been so happy to hear you say something like that.

My relief was short-lived, since Hubby explained what he meant. But for a few seconds, I was revelling in the beautiful innocence. Like it or not, I have to let them grow up sometime. I just wish it were in a bubble 😉

Second Best

I’m not a very vain person. Sure, I know I have some rather nice qualities. Patience is a strongpoint, for example. But I am the type to be content with being second best. I am second best at many things: singing, playing Scrabble™, bartending. Many of us try to excel at one thing, and I admit to trying to be Numero Uno at certain things. But I realize that I can’t succeed at everything. Being second best is a good alternative for me. I don’t advocate being “good enough”, mind you. I just tend to appreciate that sometimes trying my hardest will not elevate me to the top.

I can be second best mom, after mine. I can be second best friend, second best writer (Ok, maybe seventh or eighth in that department!), second best Spanish tutor, second best cook. There is no shame in being second best, as long as I have tried for first.

The trick is to keep trying 🙂

Reflections

I’m not very good at looking inward. I try to just go along and do what needs or has to be done because there is no other alternative. When I was giving birth to Eldest, I dilated so fast, I had to start pushing without the aid of an epidural. I had no choice in the matter! I see Life in pretty much the same way. One can reflect on alternatives that are available, but I usually fall back on Occam’s Razor™. The simplest solution is usually the best one.

Sometimes, it fails. That’s usually when I do have to take the time to reflect on the various possibilities available to me, either to grow, or to find happiness, or to deal with loss and pain. I am not one to ask myself if I’m happy. I assume I am since my family is doing well, and there are no major calamities wreaking havoc in our lives. Usually that is enough for me. But for the rest, I do take the time to analyze what has to be done. Sometimes going the simplest route is not an option.

I suppose the trick is in knowing when to cut to the heart of the problem, and when to carefully trim away the excess. I’m still learning, and trying to do what is best for everyone. It will be a long time before I can make decisions solely based on me. Being part of a family precludes that luxury. But in the end, it’s totally worth it 🙂

The Best Gifts

This morning, a local radio personality posted a photo of an early Mother’s Day gift made by her young son. He made and decorated a cake, just for her. I fell in love with it, because it is so simple and and loving a gift for his mom, and because he thought of doing this just for her.

I remember growing up, we kids didn’t have much in the way of spending money, but we went out of our way to learn how to make Mom’s coffee (thick enough to stand a spoon in it, and strong enough to make the spoon disintegrate), and picked flowers from the field (not from her garden, since she probably would have had a cow), and make her cards in our very questionable artistic abilities. To this day my mother still has some of my sister’s cartoon characters displayed on her refrigerator.

 

I still have my kids’ hand prints, and their hand made cards, and ornaments. I love the thought they put into the items they make, and the sentiments they write. Motherhood is a very bumpy road, but I have never regretted the path taken. I am blessed every day, even when taxed by growing pains of every eventuality, and thank the Good Lord for the blessings He has given me through my children. I look forward to opening my cards this Sunday, and laughing and crying over them, as I always do.

I also look forward to hopefully not cooking, but I’m not holding my breath for that 😉

News of Import

GUESS WHAT??

IT’S THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY!!!

Now, go give her some royal greetings 😀

Sunday Wisdom

Oy, what a way to start the day. We had plans to attend the annual dorm picnic today, only to find out Little One has a project due tomorrow and is having a friend over to help. Then my mother-in-law called us to offer her tickets to a shindig up north of Austin this evening, but it being a school night, we had to decline. And just when I start adjusting to new plans, the other kids pipe in with more stuff.

My glass was looking half empty. And then I saw this:

Wisdom from my friend Deb. Sometimes I forget how to be glad and happy for what I do have. Of course, some would argue that a half full or half empty glass means that there’s a bartender somewhere needing to fill it, but I’m willing to just be happy with the contents left in it 😉