wow

ok bad day today...
the good thing, it has nothing to do with the war or autrocities, just dealing with difficult people.
I will just pray my way through this one and not dig my hole any deeper.

I initially wanted to start this post off by telling you this amazing book I just finished. It is that good. It of course is a memoir. It is raw and speaks to my heart. It is about motherhood, marriage, children, daughters and life. I found it on Amazon while looking through reviews and publisher information. Just today did I realize Oprah must have recommended it at sometime on her show this summer.

What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen

Her website...

synopsis..

Alice Cohen was happy for the first time in years. After a difficult divorce, she was engaged to a wonderful man, she was raising a beloved adopted daughter; and her career was blossoming. Then she started experiencing mysterious symptoms. After months of tests, X-rays, and hormone treatments, Alice was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor and sent for an emergency CAT scan that revealed the cause of her symptoms. She was six months pregnant.

Just finished reading...

Parallel Play by Tim Page
It is a memoir written by Tim Page.
He discovered late in life he has Aspergers. This is answered many questions and made things line up for him...

from the article
My second-grade teacher never liked me much, and one assignment I turned in annoyed her so extravagantly that the red pencil with which she scrawled “See me!” broke through the lined paper. Our class had been asked to write about a recent field trip, and, as was so often the case in those days,

'Parallel Play,' by Tim Page: Reflections on a Life Lived Way Outside the Box
NY Times article
New Yorker article

International Day of Rural Women

The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15 October 2008. This new international day, established by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.”
link

this is what they suggest

First, pause for a moment. And another.
It's not unusual to feel shock or denial, and it may take a few days, or even longer, to accept that this is actually happening. For some people, it's hardest to feel so out of control of life. It might help you to know that:
For most patients, there are many treatment options and therapies. Much progress has been made in recent years, and the future is hopeful.
Statistics can be misleading; you are unique. Don't focus on the odds; focus on getting the best treatment possible.
Try to keep a positive attitude. It will help you explore treatment options and make wise treatment choices. Recognize, however, that you can't be positive all the time. We call that society's "Tyranny of Positive Thinking."
It's healthy to express your emotions. Go ahead and cry; it's one of the best ways to handle anxiety. It's natural to grieve at your loss -- the loss of your health.

more

snaps

french film

I've Loved You So Long (2007)

For fifteen years, Juliette has had no contact with her family, who rejected her. After this long and brutal separation, Juliette reunites with her younger sister Léa, who takes her in, and so she begins sharing life with Luc, Léa's husband, their two young daughters, and Luc's father.

Listen in French, watch the English subtitles.

I cannot imagine too many deployed soldiers watched this one, but hey I liked it...

time

Eleven.
Eleven years
4015 days
96360 hours
Births, deaths, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, joy, trouble, tears all missed.
I know that the Bible promises that joy will come in the morning, and
sometimes it does. This was my post from last year...

I rejoice in the giver and taker of life, however I cannot stand the face of IT.
I think about her a lot.
She would be so proud of Chelsea.
She would love babies A & E.
My mind is full today. I am excited for the "family reunion" today. Chelsea and her battle will be with her dad, grandparents, nephew and aunts and uncles. Eating will the be center of the event. I cannot wait to see the pics.
Little Michael sounds like a little boy more than a toddler. He turns three in a month.

busy

Things have been busy since I got back from R&R.
I am taking an online class... World Politics. I am enjoying it.
It is interesting and helps me pass the time.
It took me forever to load all of my pics to snapfish. But, yeah it is done.
I have been watching the series Worst Week. It is cute. And pretty funny.
We are doing yoga about 3 times a week. We just started this new dvd with lots of core moves and planks and standing on your head/leaning up against a wall combination. It is a workout. Your arms and legs feel it.

The family is on the way to see Chels at AIT this weekend.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Greece

Check out their uniforms.
I watched this for about forty minutes one day.
It was fascinating.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Greece

Check out their uniforms.
I watched this for about forty minutes one day.
It was fascinating.

of note

First and foremost... How in the heck did it get to be October?
I am thankful for the time, just surprised how quickly it passes. This week was full of ups and downs. I am back from R&R and back to the Day Shift. We had our first serious incident this week resulting in one of our guys taking a sniper shot. Keep him and his family in your prayers.

My daughter found out her first duty station, Heidlberg Army Base Germany. My plan is to go there the moment after demobilization.


### Yard Sales for Troops Unite Nation


Soldiers' Angels Volunteers Raise Money for Support Projects PASADENA, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Across the countrythis weekend, Americans are uniting in support of the troops through theFirst Annual Soldiers' Angels Sale-abration. In metropolitan areas, small towns and on military bases, from Alaska to Florida and Southern California to Vermont, patriots are raising money for troop support activities through community-based yard sales.


Just finished reading...The Impostor’s Daughter: A True Memoir. I loved it! Try to find it if you can.. Check out her website: Laurie Sandell