Ok I admit... Sometimes the cards fall my way.
I checked into Boise and ended up getting a suite for the same price as a regular room.
It has a whirl pool tub and high pressure shower head. It is awesome.

The facility I am visiting has an entire employee lab where you can experiment free of charge all of our great printing technology. I spent four hours in the lab tonight with a co-worker. I am amazed. It was a lot of fun.

I fly home tomorrow to snowy weather!

I have drill weekend and a concert on Sunday night!
Winter Jam
I am excited to see Jeremy Camp!


Update on Blake
Please keep praying....
He has been experiencing seizures and his instability has caused the bone marrow transplant to be postponed.

Things I learned this week

Boise is home to a large and tightly knit Basque population, descendants of the northern Spanish sheepherders who settled the area in the nineteenth century.
Basque

I did not care for the food - but the dancing appears to very entertaining.

News Brief

Locust numbers have continued to increase along the northern coast of Eritrea and adjacent coastal areas of Sudan and other Red Sea and Gulf of Aden countries could face important infestations of the crop-devouring insects this winter due to unusually good rains and favourable ecological conditions, the United Nations warned today. To read more

and here
Revelation 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss. 2 And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it striketh a man. 6 And in those days men shall seek death, and shall in no wise find it; and they shall desire to die, and death fleeth from them. 7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men's faces. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war. 10 And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he hath the name Apollyon. 12 The first Woe is past: behold, there come yet two Woes hereafter.

SALE
Sierra Trading

I spent 30 minutes window shopping

The taxes have been handed off to the US Post Office.
I made some progress on the homestead. But, it looks like the clothes dryer might be on the blink.
We just need to buy another appliance!
The weather folks are predicting strong winds this weekend. But the sunshine is persistant.
I am headed to Boise for work for a few days. I have never been there - but the workshop is promised to be very fruitful.
My dear friend and her family are moving on Monday. It will be sad to see her go but we will run into one another on business trips as long as she stays with the same company.
Work has been hectic. Lots of changes.
I had a new hire start last week, Two folks are joining the team in Argentina next week and we have a pending move in March. It is exciting to watch people grow and challenge there selves.
My daughter has made the commitment to go to Peru and Mexico over the summer. So, in March we will start fundraising. The Mexico trip is with our church and I may go assist at the orphanage.
Check out the Pioneerwoman - her stories and photos will being a smile

i read this blog Her story is heart wrenching - lift up a prayer for her.
Her Journey

FYI
On a per capita basis, we still spend considerably less in a year on flowers than Europeans do -- $25.90 compared to, say, more than $70 in Norway or $100 in Switzerland.
flowers

I am feeling like our current political systems is like like US Peatnur Butter this week. A little toxic at time and hard to clean up. I am trying not to watch the news for awhile, just taking a break from all of the many erupting crisis.

multi-tasking

I watched

With Six You Get Eggroll with Doris Day this afternoon while preparing our taxes using Tax Cut.

I had never seen it - it was very sweet.

Federal taxes are complete - now on to State.

Humbled.
Last week I received a call on my cell.

I almost did not answer - I was on a con call using my headset in my office.

The number looked familiar - so I grabbed it.

Hello, this is SFC S... Remember when you turned in your 4100 and you were commenting that your chances of getting promoted in the state were very slim? (I am chemical soldier in a state with no chemical companies and very few e7 slots.)

I said "yes".

She continued, "Well, I sent you a note to your ako, but I wanted to call you and offer you a promotion at the Brigade."

I said "really?".

She explained, "Yes, if you accept your date of rank will be tomorrow and your last drill will be with us in March."

I said, "I accept". (I immediately have a huge lump in my throat.)

I know for the most part the systems appear to be broken. But, sometimes they work. I have worked hard and I have attended schools and I have learned as much as possible. I have not been to Iraq or Afghanistan, I am "slick-sleeve" soldier. I had thought I would retire in my current slot with my current rank. I am very sad to leave my current section, we work very well together, but I guess it is time to go work well with others.

Just last drill I receieved my ACUs (the boots I ordered did not fit - So, I cannot wear themyet.) and very soon I will press forward and dive into a new uniform and new job.

Yesterday

Worship. I love church, really I love corporate worship.
We had a blood drive at church and I had signed up to donate. My iron level was at 42. Seriously, this is the highest level I have ever produced. At the moment I feel like I am fat and unhealthy. The numbers proved otherwise.
I fed baby Michael (3 months) and he fell asleep in my arms.
I fed baby Ryan (2 montns) and he fell asleep in my arms.
I cleaned a little (but not nearly enough).
I cooked a little (but barely enough).
I walked on the treadmill for 35 minutes (not often enough).
I ran to the library to return and check-out.
I picked up a small birthday gift this week for a friend.
I finished reading Self Storage by Gayle Brandeis a longer description- fantastic. It reads like a long lost letter from a friend. I loved it and I recommend it. I think I would be fast friends with Flan.

Today

I need to pick up the pace a bit. I have an extra long weeked to celebrate President's Day. Which I find a bit ironic these days. All I hear is one put down after another about our current President. But, I have two pictures of him on fridge so that I remember to breathe a quick prayer for him.

Pick up a few groceries
Drop off recycling
Clean bunny cage
Vaccum, Wipe things down
Iron and put away two baskets of clean clothes
Maybe start the taxes
Go for a walk


I decided to go home for Easter and to celebrate Abby's first birthday.
The year has gone by very quickly.
It will be nice to be home. I cannot wait to see my mom's daffodils, crocus and tulips blooming.


Daydreaming - I need to find out if others daydream as much as I. I catch myself doing it all the time. I have full-blown silent converstations. I plant gouret size raised beds perfectly lined with lettuce and radish. I dream of vacations and friendships.

Student wins case.
Interesting article from my Middle School.

books and movies

Kiss Tomorrow HelloNotes From the Midlife Underground by Twenty-Five Women Over FortyWritten by Kim Barnes and Claire Davis

excerpt link

About this Book

A collection of blazingly honest, smart, and often humorous essays on middle age contributed by well-known writers such as Julia Glass, Joyce Maynard, Lolly Winston, Antonya Nelson, Diana Abu-Jaber, Judy Blunt, Lauren Slater, and other voices of the baby boom generation.In the tradition of the bestselling A Bitch in the House, Kiss Tomorrow Hello brings together the experiences and reflections of women as they embark on a new stage of life. Many women in their forties, fifties, and sixties discover that they are racing uphill, trying desperately to keep their romantic and social lives afloat just as those things they believe constant start to shift: The body begins its inevitable decline, sometimes gracefully, sometimes less so…

I especially like the chapters written by Pam Houston and Ellen Sussman.

Most say that middle age is in the forties. But who knows when I look at some around me that have already ready passed - I could be in my middle age now - You just never know.

Yesterday I watched Step Up -

details

and at the end I shed a few tears... Which totally made my daughter laugh and imeediately texted her friend that I had cried at the movie. I am just saying it had a very sweet ending.

This man - the owner challenged me to a "dance-off" in the restaurant. Thank goodness the music had ended. A rematch may be in the future. He was a very funny and provided comic relief. It was best we left the dancing to the professionals.

celebration

sixteen

The daughter went to her "well-baby" check up yesterday.
Yes, I still call it that. That is my own separate issue ;)
My husband drove her and he sat in the waiting area while she made her dealings with the pediatrician.
She arrived home with a prescription for acne medicine and a suggestion that she takes Primrose oil for PMS mood swings and take an adult daily vitamin.
How in the world did this happen? One day they are suggesting Juicy Juice because it is 100% pure juice and it seems like the next they are suggesting things like this!
She was to bring home a track physical - but that part was forgotten and I need to call back for the documentation.
They also sent home recommendations for the Meningitis Vaccine info
and HPV Vaccine info.

She is starting to eat teething biscuits

I am smitten with U.S. Department of State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack.

This was from the briefing on Monday.

MR. MCCORMACK: Go ahead.
QUESTION: I mean, Sean, sort of a follow-up on all these questions. In a general sense, the big (inaudible) at the moment we've seen, you know, cover of Newsweek, cover of Economist saying Iran could be next, a lot of speculation about military action. Can you give me any reaction to that?

MR. MCCORMACK: It seems to be the news media that is whipping up that storyline, not us. We're dead serious about confronting threats to our troops in Iraq. We're also very serious, working through diplomatic channels, to address threats to the rest of the world about Iran trying to develop a nuclear weapon. We have expended quite a bit of diplomatic energy and capital, and I expect we will probably expend a lot more absent an Iranian turnaround in trying to convince them, using diplomatic means, to change their behavior.

We're also going to work with interested states around the world and nongovernmental organizations in trying to bring to light the abuses of human rights that take place on a daily basis inside of Iran. That is -- we believe as a country that stands up for freedom, democracy and human rights around the world that it's our obligation to do that.
But you notice that we're working through diplomatic means to accomplish all of those ends. President Bush has made it very clear that we, as has Secretary Gates -- Secretary of Defense Gates has made it very clear that while we don't take option -- no President takes options off the table, our force protection actions are focused on activities inside of Iraq. We have no plans to attack Iran.
So I'll put it to you that it might be -- you might look amongst yourselves and your colleagues within the journalistic community in terms of people who are whipping this up. It's certainly not the U.S. Government.

QUESTION: A lot of Bush critics are saying that the language that's being used in Iran kind of echoes the same kind of language that was being used in 2003.

MR. MCCORMACK: And what kind of language is that?
QUESTION: Well, even I can even quote Senator Rockefeller saying, "To be quite honest, I'm a little concerned that it's Iraq all over again."

MR. MCCORMACK: Look, you're asking me to make a political statement about what is clearly another political statement. I'm not going to do that. I'll let people that are involved in politics play those games.

QUESTION: Iran signaled this weekend that they were ready to go back to negotiations on their nuclear program. Do you think it's a new language or did you see anything new on that?

MR. MCCORMACK: You know, this seems to be a replay of something we saw back in April of 2006, very similar language about how they were ready to work through the modalities to enter back into negotiations, and thus far we've seen nothing from them. So this seems to be an old trick. It didn't work the first time because they didn't follow through on any of those words with any actions. It's very clear what they need to do: 1737 outlines it very clearly. So words are great, but they don't mean anything unless they're backed up by actions.


I am praying for peace - But I think Mr. McCormack nails it, the media needs to start holding other media accountable. Serious situations should not turn political.

Craving fried potatoes and onions.
All day... Last night I came home and sliced and browned in olive oil.

Definitely a Midwest thing - but delicious.

I woke up very early.
I had one of the those dreams that you are just on the edge.
The dream made me think that my husband had sharpened all of butcher knives and had planned on killing me.
So, I was trying to trap him.
Yeah - warm loving thoughts just for Valentine's Day.
BUT, just prior to bed I had watched a Fox News segment on Anna Nicole and then I watched the new technology of the military and the new grenades launcher.
I guess not a good combination just prior to bed.

Last week was a very busy week.
Work has been extremely busy, not to mention I had a team member giver her notice and I am interviewing for her position this week.
Three separate were held this week due to the complexity of our families. It was very nice to just sit, chat and laugh.
The belly dancing at the Mediterranean restaurant was awesome and I will post pictures soon.
The daughter has a purity rally with her friend's church today.
Then tonight there is a party for her Youth Pastor that is leaving. It is hard to see him go. My daughter and him really clicked. She said I am tired of everyone leaving me.
She drove the truck yesterday, practice is helping her navigate.

I took the old boy for a walk - we may heave gone too far - he is exhausted
I forgot to mention that we rescued a kitty.
My Netflix que was very low - So, I just added a bunch of very random movies. I cannot wait to see what the mailman brings this week.
We are debating plans for Easter.

16 years ago.
Well, we need to really address what started several days prior.
Evening of Feb 5th – We were both E-4’s in the Army stationed at Schofield Barracks.
We lived in Pearl City in apartment on the 33rd floor.
Gulf War One had just kicked off and all eyes and ears were locked on CNN (Before it became a liberal media source)
I made Hamburger Helper – Cheeseburger Helper – this was before we ate healthy and before I stopped eating beef! (perfect for our budgets)
I began to feel like a volcano was erupting in stomach.
Must be time for the baby! We head to the pink hospital. I am sure the nurses rolled their eyes as they sent us home.
Too soon..
Early the morning we drive to the pink hospital again.
They admit us and the wait begins.
Finally at 2 am the next day she is ready to enter the world. We are overwhelmed with amazement.

I cannot even begin to tell you all the stories that have taken place in between 2 am then and today!
It has been amazing.
The realization that I have a 16 year old – blows me away and at the same time puts a swagger in my step.

Things I needed to know

If you piled up all the ants that you find in all the forest habitats in the world and put them in one big pile, they would weigh more than all the humans combined.


Eating Disorders in military:

*According to research studies conducted on military personnel, prevalence of disordered eating patterns is higher for both males and females than in the general population.

Why:
Weight standard requirements

Emphasis on physical fitness

Weigh-ins

Emphasis on physical appearance

MedCommand has prepared an entire presentation on the subject. Very interesting and Very true.

Airport reading

Serious

IRAQ AND BACK Inside the War to Win the Peace
By Colonel Kim Olson, USAF (Ret.)

link

In April 2003, soon after Operation Iraqi Freedom had been declared a success, President Bush sent retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jay Garner to Iraq to rebuild the country. As Garner’s executive officer, the author of this book was part of the senior leadership circle charged with three tasks. They were to reconstruct Iraq’s infrastructure, provide humanitarian assistance, and lay the foundation for a democratic process to take hold. But not long after their arrival in the rubble and ruin of Iraq, the political, military, and economic wheels ground to a halt and theirs became a mission improbable. In this book, Air Force Colonel Kim Olson tells how and why. Readers are privy to the candid discussions of U.S. generals frustrated by operating in a policy void. They sit at the table with Iraqi leaders who warn of an impending insurgency if the proclamations crafted by ill-informed and arrogant policy makers are implemented. And they share Olson’s fear as Saddam’s death squads attempt to assassinate her in an explosion of bullets.
This gripping, firsthand account of what went wrong is seen from Olson’s unique point of view as a senior female military officer, pilot, wife, and mother. Many of the stories she tells are known to only the handful of people involved, including a mission to rescue two Iraqi women and details of early meetings with tribal leaders to discuss building a coalition government--an effort quashed by Garner’s successor. Her haunting descriptions of Shiite families searching for loved ones in Saddam’s killing fields and malnourished children in the town of Umn Qasr untouched by the International Oil-for-Food Program, will remain with readers long after they close the book. From the decisions of political leaders and military commanders to everyday encounters with the Iraqi people and informal conversations with soldiers, such a wealth of honest, insider information is rare. No other author weaves together military, political, and humanistic insights so effectively.

Not Serious

Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank
And Other Words of Delicate Southern Wisdom
Celia Rivenbark


Lighthearted humor - easy read and will make you chuckle.

damn

I cried in formation.
A gentleman was awarded the Legion of Merit today during his retirement ceremony. He proudly served our county for 37 years.
He had many guests in attendance to view the ceremony. First of all, his mother. Yes, I am not certain of her age. But she was radiant and proud of her son.
He had his current wife and his first wife present. He commended his mother for her support. And thanked her for dropping him off at the MEPS station 37 years ago.
He commended his first wife that stood by him the first fifteen years of his career.

He commended his current wife and children.
He was choked up when he spoke and wore the uniform with pride. After the command fall out, I wiped away my tears and began to walk away. A smart ass guy in front of me mimicked me wiping my tears. I politely turned around and said, “The thing is no matter how many years I serve my country, my mother will never see the ceremony.” I turned and wiped a few more tears and pulled myself together.