I remember...

"the Blue Hour" OKC Memorial

I remember when on April 19, 1995  Timothy McVeigh parked a truck filled with Anhydrous Ammonia made into a bomb and blew up a building full of men, women and children killing families in Oklahoma City's Murrah Building downtown. I was 17 years old.

I remember when almost too the day 4 years later on April 20, 1999 when 2 boys destroyed a community by going on a rampage in a Colorado High School in the Columbine School Shootings. I was 21 years old.

 

 And I remember when at 8:03am on September 11, 2001 I stood watching the Today show on CBS and behind the morning anchor I saw the first plane hit the trade center without them even knowing what was occurring at the time. I remember watching in horror as the next followed closely behind. I was 24 years old.

I will never forget the devastation and heart ache caused by the actions of a few. But I also will never forget the bravery of a few that saved the lives of more.

I am unbelievably proud to be an AMERICAN. I am proud to live in the home of the free and the brave. I am proud of those who sacrificed their lives that day knowingly to protect others and I pray for those who lost their lives just by circumstances. I am proud and grateful to those who protect our freedoms. lifestyle, and choices everyday by serving in the United States Armed Forces and can't not say often enough THANK YOU nor can my gratitude repay you for your service. Nor can the tax dollars I pay be enough for your sacrifices because no amount of money is enough to pay for your life- none the less thank you!

I have yet to visit the memorial in NYC for the tragedy that struck that day. But I have spent many a quiet prayerful moment in the OKC Memorial and I can say without question it is one of the most serene yet tragic places I have ever had the pleasure to spend time. It affected me in ways I can not put into words and if you ever have an opportunity to visit please do so. Like the Holocaust Museum at the Smithsonian Institute you can not fully grasp a tragedy until you look at it in the eye surrounded by the scars it left behind. So today and every day as an American, remember those who sacrifice and continue to do so so that you can pray, vote, play video games, shop on the internet, cuss the president, smoke, and even eat junk as you see fit. Thank a solider and pray for their safety! And remember those we have lost not just on this tragic day but all of the days that have shaped the lives of Gen X and others...

Free enterprise and the current uproar

It seems the world is all a "twitter" about the current public profession of beliefs by a certain restaurant chain... Therefore I will be getting on my personal soap box for just a moment here and putting in my 2 cents worth.

To start let me preface with the fact that I have no issue with same gender couples as a rule. While it is not my choice it is also not my place to disagree with your choices. I have friends, family, and an odd acquaintance here and there who feel this is the right path for them. Yay for the freedom of choice. That being said it is well know that I am a conservative, over all in my views. I believe in the freedoms we are provided via our forefathers profound vision, as an American I have a voice.

I agree with protection for a couple under the law. A union that allows for mutual health and death benefits, tax deductions, and all that a married couple receives. However, I disagree with the use of the term marriage to classify this union. Here is why- marriage is a term that is from the bible as a male/female bond and commitment and the bible is very clear on homosexual relationships. There is no dispute in the fact that it is mentioned as being wrong. Now that does not mean I think that "sin", if you will, is any worse than the sins I personally have or will commit because it also says that all sin is equal. As to that we are all sinners- period.

So here is my thinking- call it something else, support, or don't, those businesses that agree with your views that is your right as an American. Personally I don't care. Be true to yourself, ask forgiveness from none but God himself and those you have personally wronged, and live your life according to your faith and beliefs. Stand up for your faith regardless of disagreement with it from others- you can not change others actions but you can control your own!

Instead of protesting a chicken restaurant- VOTE people... This November make your voice heard vote in 2012 or don't bitch about who decides the laws you live by...

The "EX" Factor

Obviously it has been ages since I found the time or inspiration to post. Nearly a year to be exact- I really have got to get back into the habit... But this is too good not to write about. Oh and FYI the names in this story have not been changed because none of them are innocent!

We traveled home to WY from KY in the last week or so. We left KY on a Wed. morning and stopped in Iowa for some time with family and in my case to do a little business. We then drove to eastern WY and stayed with a dear friend of mines family for the night. We arrived at home on Sunday July 1. Really it was a rather uneventful trip.. However- it was a few days later that the "fun" began..

On the 4th of July we had reservations to head to Bear Lake for some family fun in the sun- but htis was no ordinary trip. It seems the Granny got q bit over zealous in her invitations to others who would be joining us. This is how it played out...

We arrived and checked into our condo. A short while later my sister in law showed up with her 2 girls, in tow was her mother in law. Now for those of you who don't know my wonderful father is actually my step dad and was married for 20+ years to a woman named Nancy. Now Nancy wasn't overly friendly or kind for many years given the circumstances- you know of my mom marrying her ex-husband and all... So here comes my sister in law, my 2 nieces and my daddy's ex wife- staying, of course, two doors down! Now she smiled and hugged me exclaiming over my adorable children, who could blame her, and proceeded to help take charge of my very fussy little doodlebugs. Now this would not be odd other than I have not seen nor spoken to said "outlaw" in around 20 years and now here she is rocking the fussy butt to sleep poolside on the family vacation.

 Now in case this is not odd or awkward enough it just so happened that my hubby had to leave the next morning to fly home. Upon dropping him off I drove through the current hometown of another of my nieces. Now this particular little towhead is my little brothers daughter from a seriously deranged relationship long over for nearly the entire length of my nieces life. Her mother is a crazy twit who I would prefer to have no contact with but for the sake of the sweetie exceptions are made. Biting my tongue I picked her up and headed back to the lake... Well ok, you may be thinking, big deal. But trust me it gets even more odd...

So now we have my 4 monsters, my mother, my niece, my sis in law, my daddy's exwife and soon my brother. Once my brother arrives it seems the family is complete. WRONG! not long after his arrival his current wife and daughter also arrive. Yay- now the family is all accounted for, but NOPE- the next morning not only does my niece's mother (the Twit) show up but so does her ex-husband and other child.

So now to recap we have my crew, mom, sis in law 1 and two daughters, her mother in law, my brother, the current wife, her daughter, his daughter, his daughter's mother, his daughter's brother and his father... WTF is going on with this trip??? Is this a Jerry Spring moment or what.
I am proud to say however, I did not punch the "Twit" out, cuss at anyone other than my brother- which is normal for us, and even were invited to boat with the Twit's other child and ex in the process... Happy Independence Day is this a great country or what!