Patrick is Famous!

Patrick was on CNN yesterday! They were interviewing soldiers about spending Christmas in Iraq. It was an amazing gift to get to see him- even if for only a few seconds!

Check it out on the internet!
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2007/12/24/van.marsh.christmas.in.iraq.cnn?iref=videosearch

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Aw!

Look how cute my little girl is in her gingerbread overalls!

Christmas Retail Mystery #3

Now this one really pisses me off. Retail mystery #1 and #2 are just kind of quirky, interesting things people do in stores- funny, annoying- but not really harmful. Retail mystery #3, however, really shows how selfish and dishonest people can be. Picture this: A lady goes into a grocery store and sees that a gallon of milk cost $2.98. She then goes up to the cashier and says "I bought a gallon of milk here three months ago and I paid $3.14 so I need you to adjust my receipt because it's on sale now." Now that's just crazy right? Now what about this one- same lady goes up to the cashier and says "I have a coupon at home for this toothpaste I promise for .50 off, can't you just give me that price?" Yeah, pretty ridiculous right? So you would never do this at the grocery store, so why do people think they can do it at a regular shop? I have had people try to bring in merchandise that they bought months ago because they have a coupon NOW and they really want me to adjust it and give them the difference. If they had bought it yesterday and its on sale today that's one thing, but buying something in June and wanting the cheaper price in December after you have worn it several times is a totally different thing! Are you serious people??!! As if it isn't poor character enough to ask for exceptions, some people even have the nerve to try to justify it by saying "come on it doesn't come out of your pocket." IT DOESN'T???? No, I guess it doesn't LITERALLY come out of my pocket, but you cheating the system hurts me plenty. If 4 customers did that a day for an average of a $30 loss per customer x 400 stores x 365 days that is $17,520,000 in a year that's lost to the company. Yes I am serious! Don't you think that if the company had an extra 17mil I might get a better raise? Don't you think that would keep people from being laid off? Don't you think that would allow for more payroll and supplies to run stores with? So how exactly does you cheating the system not affect me? I know that all the good honest people out there reading my blog don't steal. I'm not friends with people of poor character. I just had to get this out there because it really bothers me. This is not the spirit of Christmas! It really isn't all about the gifts and the good deals! It is about humanity, love, and the savior baby Jesus. Is that so easy to forget? Christmas should bring out the best in people not the worst! So-in order to restore my faith that the Christmas spirit isn't lost, I need you to please leave me a comment and tell me how you have blessed someone else's life this Christmas season. I want to see that people are really keeping the spirit of the season in their hearts and not just fussing with the trivial things. (Like coupons- that they don't have!)
Please share your story- I think we all need to hear it!

Here's one from me- Today I had a good one. I was waiting on one person who had a 30% off coupon that she printed from her email. The lady next to her (which I had already given a 15% off coupon to by the way because she was whining) then started insisting that she had a 30% off one at home too and wanted the 30% off instead. I told her she was really taking advantage of me and that she should feel bad about being dishonest. She then demanded several boxes- and then set off the door alarm. Good thing? I didn't kill her.

White Christmas

I had a really fun evening tonight. I had a long day at work and was pretty tired by the time I got home. I wasn't really feeling up for much- so my roomate and I decided to have a fun night in- so we got some Taco Bell and rented White Christmas. I thought I had seen it before, but it wasn't the movie I was remembering-I think the movie I was thinking of was "Holiday Inn". Anyway, it was a great movie and we had a great time. I reccommend it for anyone needing to get in the Christmas spirit!

Christmas Retail Mystery #2

THE FACINATION OF THE SENSOR ALARM

Imagine the most annonying sound you have ever heard- a loud EH EH EH sound that stops your blood in your veins and makes your head instantly feel like there is a man jack hammering in your ear drums. That is the sound that goes off at the store when a sensor is not removed from garment that passes through the door. It is supposed to be a theft deterrant, but really, I think it's sole purpose is just to make me insane. Now the sensor alarms are magnet activated, so many things can set them off- cell phones, digital cameras, sensors not removed from other retailers, strollers- you name it. Now, maybe I am de-sensitized from working in retail so long, but when I walk out of a store and set off the alarm- I know I am not stealing, so I just keep on walking. Unfortunately, the rest of society does not do this, and they are absolutely stunned, dumbfound, and FACINATED, with the reason behind the alarm going off. People will walk in the store and the awful EHEHEHEH alarm will go off. Instead of ignoring it and continuing to shop, or going to an associate to ask for help in solving the alarm mystery they will stand there a second- then turn around and walk out to see if it will go off again. EHEHEHEHE- of course it goes off when they go out as well as in. Then EHEHEHEHE they come back trying to see if it will continue doing this. This is the point I start to get annoyed. Not only is the sound horrible, but we have customer counters on the doors. You might not know this, but most shops are judged on something called conversion- which is the amount of people who buy vs. the amount of people who come in your store. The more you walk in out in out the more you are HURTHING our results- thus, my raise!
After several in out in out in out EHEHEHEHE- this is the point when people will then hand someone else their shopping bags and ask them to walk through to see if it is the bags, and then walk through again themselves- EHEHEHEHE. "Maybe it's this bag" "or maybe it's this bag" "maybe it's my purse" "I don't just don't understand why it keeps going off" EHEHEHEHEHE all the time as they walk in and out in and out in and out in and out- thinking that magically it will stop if they keep doing it. Now all this time every customer in the store has stoped to stare. Every employee is derperately running to try to get them to stop- because we can usually figure it out and get it fixed if they will just stop walking in and out in and out EHEHEHEHEHE!!!! Why? Why do people do this? Are you trying to prove you didn't steal? Do you like the noise and all the attention? Are you trying to send us all to a horrible sensor alarm filled hell??? My message to you- STOP IT!!! If the alarm goes off- ignore it or go right to an associate and get them to help you, or for the love of God STAND STILL!!! If it does it once it will do it the first, second, thrid, TENTH time! Stop the in out in out in out EHEHEHEHEHE!!!!! Please make the mall a better place for us all!

Sassy Chauffer

I am teaching Sassy to drive. She does alright with the stearing, but she can't reach the pedals.

Gift box mystery solved

Christmas Retail mystery #1:
THE OBSESSION OF THE GIFT BOX

This is my third Christmas working in specialty retail and one thing continues to perplex me- Why are people so OBSESSED with gift boxes? You know the ones I am talking about- the complimentary shirt/coat/jewelry box that comes with purchasing something in a store at the holidays. Now if people just asked for one box it wouldn't be a big deal- that makes sense. But customers will make a big purchase and want a BOX FOR EVERY ITEM. Are you really going to wrap those sox in a giant coat box? Are you really going to wrap those 12 tank tops you bought each in a SEPARATE BOX? I don't really think so. Customers will begin asking for gift boxes before they have even made a purchase! Like, they can't shop until they are assured that there will be a gift box at the end. I have even had people DRIVE BACK TO THE STORE because they forgot to ask for them. Now with gas prices the way they are is that really economical? Especially since you can buy a whole pack at Target for $2.99? There are also those really special people who try to cheat you out of them saying things like "I made a purchase last month and you didn't have any so I need to get 10 now" when you very well know they have never made a purchase in their lives at Banana Republic. Gift boxes, as I see it, are a priveledge not a right!
Now that it is getting closer to Christmas you will see the desperation for the boxes begin. As we begin to run out people will get LIVID because you cannot give them the boxes that they so desire. They will being to insist that you take apart store displays so they can pillage the boxes off of them. I always want to tell these people "hey that's what happens when you wait until the last minute- your box greedy friends have already taken all of them, and a lack of planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine!"
If people would just take the boxes that they are actually going to use then we wouldn't have this box shortage at the end. I tried to limit the amount of boxes a lady got the other day- telling her she could only have 3 for the items she purchased not the 8 she was asking for. Fearing for my life as I watched her color rise I decided it wasn't worth risking my life over and I gave her 8. She looked like a druggie just getting her fix ans she clutched them to her chest and quickly left the store.
So what causes this? Why is there such a desperation and obsession with the holiday gift box? Most people don't even wrap gifts anymore! Everyone puts them in those gift bags! WHAT ARE PEOPLE DOING WITH ALL THE BOXES!!!!
Well, I may have figured it out. EBAY. Yes, I found Banana Republic boxes for sale on EBAY. (Click on Blog title to link to the boxes on Ebay.) At .99 for 3 I can see why people need a large supply if they are going to get rich this way. Gift boxes=get rich scheme. Mystery solved.
Ah yes, the holidays bring out the CRAZY in everyone!

Opryland Christmas

Last night my friend Nicole and I went to see the lights at the Opryland Hotel. It was really beautiful and much more spectacular than I remember it being last year. Blogger is having issues, so it won't upload the pictures I took. I found this one off the internet so you all could see how pretty it was.

New Sheets

Where's Sassy?
There she is!

Sassy loves to help me change the sheets. It is one of her favorite games. We put Christmas ones on yesterday- Oooh Festive!

What's your speed?

My roommate Nicole is a staffing manager for an admin company. She hires people for temp jobs. She was telling me today that the average person types only 38 words per minute. I am a pretty quick typer so I wanted to see what my WPM was. There is a website www.typingtest.com where you can take a 1 minute test to see how vast you type. I then spent the rest of the evening trying to beat my time. The fastest I goat was 74 gross words per minute. How fast are you? I encourage you to try it- but I warn you it is addicting!

A note from Patrick

Hello everybody. It's the 28th of November and I am writing you from Baghdad, Iraq. I just want to let everyone know that I am doing very well. I am staying very busy. This deployment so far has been great. I am working on the Squadron staff which is usually just officers. Today I finished my first big project for my unit and it has been received with great remarks. I was promoted to Corporal yesterday and am now officially an NCO. I should pin my Segeants stripes on at the end of Dec. Its complicated why I did not get them this month, I just have to say points and those of you that served know what I mean. I will try to post more often to give updates on how it is over here. It is finally getting cold. I say cold and I mean 40s at night but when you have to walk everywhere you go its chilly. Well I have to get back to it. Thanks for reading our blog.

Patrick

Had to have them!

Yummy. I love chocolate donettes. So much- that I had a dream about them last night. I stopped at the store to get some because I couldn't get them out of my mind. I know my desire is genetic because I remember a time when asking mom to share one of hers. Her response was "No! I only have 4 more!" I didn't share with anyone eaither and they were great- every last one!

Poor Baby!

My poor little Sassy has a hurt leg. Her little knee is partially dislocating when she gets too wild when playing. The vet gave her some medicine that will help it to heal- but the kicker is that I have to keep her quiet for 2 weeks! That's pretty hard considering she loves to play and run around the couch. She is sitting on my lap right now mad that I took away her toys.

Black Friday- not for the amature

Door Bustin' did you go?
Did you get up before dawn to ensure that you were at the opening of the stores so you could get the good delas? Many reports differ on the results of cusumer spending on this day after Thanksgiving. While many reports say that spending was up- there are more that say shoppers were "disintersted" and "disgruntled".
So what happened at the Nashville Banana Republic? Well, we did 30% over last year! Traffic didn't stop all day- but the staff handeled it well. Hopefully this trend will last all season.
Now, a popular misconception is that the Friday after Thanksgiving is the busiest sales day all year- well, let me clear that up. Black Friday is probably the most FRANTIC sales day of the year because of the door buster deals and the crazy early morning hours. The truth is- the Saturdays leading to Christmas are actually the days that all retailers bring in the most money. So- here's a tip: It is better to shop on Black Friday when the stores are fully stocked and running CRAZY good deals than to wait until the next weekend. I know, I know- Black Friday is over- sorry I didn't share this with you yesterday.

Here's a couple links if you would like to read some more about Black Friday:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/business/24shop.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&oref=slogin
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200711231429DOWJONESDJONLINE000698_FORTUNE5.htm

Love the response!

Thanks everyone! I must say I have another-
6. I'm thankful that people read my blog. It's nice to know my thoughts aren't just sent out into the void and that people actually read and RESPOND! Thanks again! Remember to never sweat the small stuff, but always be thankful for the little things. That's what makes life great!

Five things you're grateful for

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Aside from the normal things we are all grateful for (family, friends, freedom, health etc.) I want to know about the five random things that you are grateful for on this Thanksgiving. Please leave a comment and let me know what you say thanks for everyday.

Me:
So many things to be thankful for- but these are the random things were top of mind:

1. Starbucks. This should not surprise anyone. I don't know how I would exist without my grande' non-fat no foam 1 equal latte everyday. Starbucks is also grateful for me because they get lots of my money.
2. Food Network. I don't watch that much television- but I do love the Food Network. I could watch it all day. Not that I am a great cook or anything- I just have this weird obsession with watching others do it.
3. Heated car seats! The Fusion has them and I love them so much that I will never buy a car without them again. I turn them on even in the summer because they make my back and butt feel all toasty. Everyone loves good toasty buns right?!

4. Multi-colored Sharpie markers- nothing makes me more happy than writing with a fine-tip sharpie marker in lime green. Everything seemes to have a nicer message when written in a rainbow of bright colors. Sometimes I even go crazy and use several colors at once! Whoa.

5. Spray on food- Butter spray, salad dressing spray- Genious! I love it! Why use a knife when you can just SPRAY! So what if it is full of ingredients that you can not say let alone identify. It is spray on food- what is better than that?!

So what are yours?

Sweet Sassy

When I have nothing to say Sassy is always a good post!

Two teams, one winner

Although I have learned to root for the Titans since moving to Tennessee, the Broncos will always have my heart! Hooray for their win yesterday on Monday Nite Football!!!! Keep it up guys... I can see the playoffs in the distance.....

The Fall of Tennessee

This is the best week to be in Tennessee! The leaves are beautiful! God sure is crafty with his paintbrush.

New Season of Project Runway!

I don't watch very many shows other than sports and Food Network, but this is one I LOVE. It takes amature designers and gives them design challenges every week, eliminating one a week until one wins a fashion spread in a magazine and money to start their own line. I love to watch how these people can make amazing garments out of basically nothing and MAKE IT WORK! (Catch phrase from the show) They just started a new season-it comes on Wednesdays on BRAVO. Catch it if you can!

Nap time

Tired from her biting, tugging, chewing and wrestling with Cookie Monster, Sassy deciced they should reconcile and take a nap together.

Can you tell me how to get to Sassyme Street?

Sassy was Big Bird for Halloween- complete with tag-along Cookie Monster. I think the Cookie Monster doll was her favorite part of the whole costume, because she quite enjoyed chewing on and throwing him around. For such a little Big Bird, she sure was cute!
PS- Sorry it took so long for me to get these on- I FINALLY gave up the search and just bought a new camera cord. Now my photos are no longer being held hostage by the camera!

Trick or Treat fun

Sassy had a great time visiting all her friends and showing off her costume.

Mmmm Chili

After sitting in the drive thru for like the 50th time in recent weeks, I decided it was time to get some food in this apartment. I decided to do a little cooking and I came across this chili recipe. For my first attempt at chili I thought it was pretty good. The black beans give it a little something different and all the vegetables make it healthy. I added a can of green beans to mine too so that it would have even more. Next time I make it I will add in some green chilis too- so it has a little extra kick! I encourage you to try it if you are looking for a new spin on chili. PS- its also low fat! : )


INGREDIENTS:
2 tsp canola oil
1 medium yellow onion
1 large red pepper, deseeded and chopped
1 jalapeno chile pepper, deseeded and chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
3/4 pound extra-lean ground beef
1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 15-ounce can low sodium black beans, drained
2 cups frozen sweet corn

PREPARATION:
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven on medium heat. Add onion, red pepper, jalapeno pepper and carrot. Saute for 5 minutes, until onion has softened. Sprinkle chili powder and cumin over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute.
Crumble in ground beef; cook on medium-high until no longer pink. Add canned tomatoes and black beans. Turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add sweet corn and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of fat free sour cream or a light sprinkling (1-2 tbsp) of reduced fat Jack cheese.

Serves 6-8

Per Serving: Calories 279, Calories from Fat 53, Total Fat 5.7g (sat 1.8g), Cholesterol 35mg, Sodium 304mg, Carbohydrate 37mg, Fiber 9.3g, Protein 19.4g

Wicked Witch of the South

"I'll get you to have a Wickedly Happy Halloween my pretty- and your little dog too!"

No treats? Tricks then from Sassy

I have been battling a little cold, so I didn't want to get up at 8:00 this morning when Sassy wanted to play. I went back to sleep and got quite the surprise when I got up and came into the living room a little later. Sassy made the biggest mess she has yet. The camera lense wasn't even wide enough to get it all!

Included in this pile are:
Hair ties
ribbons
leash
two toys
cardboard
two pairs of shoes
sock
sleeping mask
plastic bag

I guess the trick is on me today!

55 years, 300 miles and still goin' strong!

What is far for most people to consider driving in one day, my mom WALKED. Yes, that's right- my mom walked over 300 miles this month in celebration of her 55th birthday. Personally, I like to celebrate my birthday with lots of food and beer, but hey- everyone has their methods right? 300 miles- that is like Nashville to Indianapolis (and through the WHOLE state of Kentucky I might add) or like Pueblo to Sante Fe. Some entire countries aren't even 300 miles wide and my mom WALKED that far- doing even crazy distances like 26 and 35 miles in ONE DAY! Maybe one day I will get to join the 300 mile club too, but until then, I celebrate it's founding and only member-my mom! So here's to you mom- congratulations on your fete of strength and happy birthday. I only hope to be half the woman you are someday!

My second cousin in-law once removed

Tonight I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick's ex-second cousin from Doug's second marrage- which would make him my second cousin in-law once removed- or maybe he is my husband's estranged second cousin from a previous marriage- or is he my father-in-law's ex-wife's cousin on her mother's side.....in-law.....once removed......???

Anyway- he name is Scott and he is just delightful. He was in town for the weekend visiting from Denver. He came to Nashville just to get away for the weekend while his wife was busy back in Denver working on a project. I took him out tonight to the "Honky Tonks" because no trip to Nashville is complete without a little live music down on Broadway. We had a great time and it was so nice to meet him.

Dracula

Tonight I went to the Nashville Ballet's performance of "Dracula". It is one of my most favorite ballets becaue it so contemporary and dramatic. Blood and death through dance- perfect for Halloween week! The Colorado Ballet is also showing "Dracula" this weekend- it's a great show and a perfect chance to support the arts. Get tickets and GO!

Best Husband EVER!

I had a wonderful surprise today at work. A beautiful boquet of flowers came to say "congratulations" on the promotion. Patrick is such a wonderful person to think of me and send me flowers. It made my entire day and I left them at the cash register all day so everyone could see how sweet my husband is!
Baby- if you're reading this- Thank you! They are beautiful!

Sassy's Stroll to Starbucks

The good thing about living in the city now is that Starbucks in mere blocks away! Sassy wanted a latte' this morning so I said "Ok, we'll walk down there." It was a little chilly out this morning so I put her in the Halloween sweater that Peggy bought her. Needless to say she was the hit of the coffee shop!

Super Banana!

Wow! What a difference a week makes! Last week at this time I was drafting my 2 weeks notice and this week..... I'm promoted! Yes that's right! For 3 months I dealt with a boss that I thought was um, and idiot (for lack of a better word) and no one seemed to share my opinion- causing me a lot of frustration and heartache. Well, after speaking with the district manager and some other store managers, I learned that it wasn't just me- everyone thought he was an idiot too! So now, he's out, and I'M IN!!! I am now the new general manager for my very own Banana! I'm so excited to have this opportunity and I really just hope I do well!
Hooray! So now- you all have to call and buy stuff from my store! : )

It's fall around here

Since I couldn't see the game, I figured I would decorate the house for fall while I tried to listen to it. I am glad I did becaue it makes me feel really cozy with all the fall decorations up! Hooray fall! We are finally supposed to get a little cooler weather in Tennessee this week, so maybe the leaves will start to change a little more and it will look like fall OUTSIDE too!

Oh NO!

I was excited all day because the Broncos were playing the late game today. Normally, they don't televise the games here unless they play the Sunday or Monday night game. After I got off work at 7:00 I rushed home to the house so I could watch the game. Sadly, this is what I discovered.

Oh No! Are you kidding me?! The wind must have knocked the dish off track sometime during the week because I have no signal! I couldn't see it, but at least I could hear it. Wow! What a game!

Reconnected!

Thanks to Verizon and their wireless internet card- I am reconnected! I now have internet anywhere and anytime I want. I have no excuse not to post now. Hopefully I will just have something interesting to write about!

Update

Camera cord: Still lost
Apartment: Still no internet
House: Great place to catch up on blogg during the weekend!

Sassy: Still naughty, but I love her!
Patrick: Good, still in Kuwait
Me: Good too

I think that's it. Hope you all had a good week!

Go Predators

I went to the Nashville Preadators hockey game last night! Yay! It was fun even though they lost.

Pumpkin carving

I haven't carved a pumpkin for years- I really can't remember the last time I did one, but on Friday my roommate and I were looking for a cheap activity so I brought us home some pumpkins to carve. This is a picture of the one I did.


Yeah right! After starting to try to carve this pumpkin I figured out why it is that I haven't done it in so long- because I really suck at it! I managed to mess up the eyes and nose and had to use various nails and safety pins to try to piece it back together. Halloween is a few weeks away still, so I think I might be able to redeem myself with a new pumpkin. If get one that is "photo worthy" or at least in one piece I'll post it. Don't hold your breath!

Finally! My lucky day!

Some of you know that I have looked for a four leaf clover my entire life. Whenever I see clover I always take some time to look through and see if I can find that "lucky one". In all my 26 years of life I have never been able to find one. Well- the other day I was walking Sassy in a wooded area by our apartment and guess what! I FINALLY found one! I was so excited I almost cried. Now here is the weird thing- as I continued to walk I looked down and found ANOTHER ONE! Two in one day! Wow! Thinking about it now, I should have bought a lottery ticket or something! I am just happy because now I can die happy- and lucky!

Back to work

This week I had to go back to work. I had been off for two weeks because of Patrick's deployment, but Monday I had to go back to the real world to make some money. Unfortunatly, I feel that I am being punished for taking time off because I worked six days this week, and am scheduled to do that for the next four weeks as well. I used to really enjoy my job, but sadly, that is no longer the case. Lots of changes in the past few months have gotten me re-thinking my career choice. Some days I feel like just leaving and going to work making coffee at Starbucks, deliver papers, bartending, or doing something else fun. Like any job though, it is called work for a reason, so maybe this is just a little slump. Until then, I will continue to grind at the big corporate fruit stand that is Banana Republic.

The city house

In order for me to not become a recluse out here in the country- Patrick and I thought it would be best if I got an apartment in Nashville during the week. Through God and Fate, it just happened that a good friend of mine was in search of a roommate! Nicole and I just moved in yesterday and I think it will be great. Antoher blessing is that my friend Mallory happens to live in the same apartments- one building over! Of course I still have the house in Pleasant View so I can get away to the country when I am tired of "city life". I figure when you are in a tough situation that can't be changed, all you can do is make the best of it- so that's what I am planning on doing with this year. Of course I would rather be home with Patrick, but I can't, so for now I am excited to be in a new place with my new friends! My only issue now is how to keep Sassy from barking too much so we don't get kicked out!

Don't you just hate that!

Ah! Nothing frustrates me more than not being able to find something. Unfortunately, this happens to me ALL THE TIME. I guess I am just too unorganized- anyway, today what I am missing is the camera cord. I was already to put on some pictures of Colorado, but they are being held hostage by the camera : ( At least I have this one of Sassy that I took of her in her new Pandabear costume! Aw! She is such a sweet baby! Thanks everyone for a fun time!

A little hometown vacation

After Patrick left on Wednesday, Sassy and I decided to come to Colorado for a few days. We have had such a nice time so far! We spent some time in Denver with Sarah, Jeremy, and Sadie and we also got to visit with Simon. We came to Pueblo on Friday and have had a great time visiting with Jackie, Fred, Mom, Dad, Ikey, Buck, Grandma, Grandpa and others. Now we are excited because we are going to get to go watch the Broncos! We don't get the games that often in Tennessee- so this will be a big highlight for us! When I get home to my own computer I will post some pictures of our trip. I just wanted to let everyone know that we are doing well and that Patrick got off to his destination alright. Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers!

The day is here

Dear Lord:
Give me the strength to say goodbye. Hold back the tear in my eye.
Cure my insomnia so that I may sleep alone. Give me a reason to awake when I've none.
Dear Lord:
Please help me pace myself. Allow me to turn to you for help,
And please let me be strong for him, Even if I've reached the brim.
Dear Lord:
Please make time go fast. I don't know how long I can last.
This is the hardest time of my life, But this is my job: the soldier's wife.
Dear Lord:
Let them all stay strong. Give them the will to go on,
And Lord, Please bring back all our men. In the name of our country. Amen.

~By Leanne Thomas~

Promotion for Patrick

Patrick had to go before the board Thursday so he can be promoted to a Sergeant. They ask him lots of questions about the army and score him based on his answers. He did a really great job and now he will be promoted in the next few months! I am so proud of him, because it is very rare that someone can be promoted to a Sergeant as quickly as he has. He will be in charge of several people now in his unit. Hooray for my soldier!

The next great receiver

Little Sass is quite the football fan. Yesterday both her teams were playing- first the Titians, then the Broncos. She has jerseys for both teams, so she did a wardrobe change mid-day. She likes to play with her football on Sundays too- she is a great receiver, but she can't throw worth a darn.

Adventure Sassy

Yesterday we went on a nice bike ride an a trail that is near our house. Of course Sassy went with us in her little basket! She is quite the adventurous dog!