Happy New Year,

It has been quite a year, hasn’t it?  Good things and bad things happened but we have survived.  The girls have done pretty well all things considered.  Hubby and I have done pretty well all things considered.  What were the things to be considered?  Well let me count the ways, in no particular order.

1. Air Force Girl graduated from high school (good)
2. Army Girl went Iraq again (good and bad)
3. Navy Girl went out to the fleet and is now on the USS **** (good and bad)
4. Hubby had 4 weeks of furlough (bad)
5. Hubby still has a job (good)
6. Military Mommie was laid off from her job in March (very bad)
7. Air Force Girl left for basic training for the Air Force (good and bad)
8. We still own our house (good)
9. Went to Texas twice (good) (MM visited Army Girl before she went to Iraq, and Hubby, MM, and Navy Girl, saw Air Force Girl graduate from basic training.)
10. Hubby and MM are still happily married (very good)

 I started writing this blog this spring.  It is about being the parent of children in the military.  I enjoy writing it and people tell me they like reading it.  I try to keep it positive.  I also started working on my MBA in Marketing, got an A in my first class.  Air Force Girl is home now until January 1, Navy Girl is home till January 7^th, and Army Girl will be back in the US the middle to the end of January.  

I read a good quote by Mark Stelzner “the vampire is the perfect metaphor for 2009, because the year ‘sucked’.”  Hears to the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010, may it live up to all of its promise.

 Love to you all,

MM

Do you ever stop and wonder why things are the way they are… and just how you got to this very moment in time???  What happened and what brought you to this very place where you are sitting at right now… reading this… tuning out the screaming child; pretending not to notice the stack of bills piled high on the kitchen counter and ignoring the out of area phone calls on your cell… gotta love whoever fucking invented caller ID,..don’t ya?  Sure has saved my ass more times than I care to think about from talking to someone I didn’t need to, nor want to or, be able to handle talking to at that time…  So,  how the hell did you get to this Blog???  This Blog that I know really grates on your nerves sometimes with the topics I choose, my opinions and the expressiveness that I choose to use…  However, here you sit, right…  Reading my nasty ass  Blog, I thought so…  And I thank you.. and I am very sincere…

Back to topic… The topic of what brought you here…  What events in your life made it possible for you to have this moment to sit and read with me???  I bet you don’t have a damn clue, do you???  Seriously…. sit back… take a sip of whatever it is that makes you feel better…  and think.. .think hard… think long… ( nice topic – oops, outside typing fingers again lol )  Think about it some more… Where you are today???   Do you like it???  It is where you thought you would be???  It is what you wanted???  Expected… desired???    I imagine not…  It so rarely is… the thing you  must think about is ,what exact events you chose, the Y’s in the road you took.. to get here.. to be sitting here..  reading…. not liking your life…   Your mind is starting to go isn’t it…  I can feel it, hear it.. can you?  Can you feel the wheels turning inside… spinning like a hamster on a wheel inside your head???  Is it really that bad to think about those thoughts, those events that brought you here??   Let’s just  say, you have had a really shitty week, month, year.. lost your house, car, mate… maybe a friend has exited your life..   You ARE thinking aren’t you…  Do you know what you are thinking about??  I do.. It is all about the bad shit that happened to you to get you here to this very moment…   Why is that??  Was it all bad??  I know there were some really fucked up events that happened.. that possibly you would do any bargaining in the world to change the outcome…  But, do you see what you did, when I asked you the question???  You ONLY thought of the bad events in your life… the ones that seemed to stand out above any and all positives… that happened to you, your family, loved ones, friends… co workers..  What about the Positives…..Why are those times are so easy to over look… aren’t they??  Why is that??   Is it because we are programmed to be self absorbed, self focused and to dwell on and throw yourself  our own pity parties??  Yes we are… and because of that we can really suck.. can’t we…

I feel that for every single shitty ass event that has ever happened in my entire life, for as far back as I can remember… a door slammed shut, a tear was cried… and a big door opened wide and a new opportunity happened and that new opportunity led me to the next sad moment that also opened a door and led me to a better opportunity… I, today, would NOT be the person I am and nor would you be whom you are without the bad events in our lives… What we as humans have to train ourselves is to not wallow in self pity, but instead, to open our eyes and see the opportunity that lies ahead of us and realize that we are who we are at this exact moment, the moment you sat down to read this because of every event and second in your life up to now… Those events made you whom you are…    If you are currently in  a fucked situation, know that it will be better and when you quit looking backwards and start looking forward, you will be amazed at how far you have come , survived and been through and know you are a better person for all the nasty ass times in life….

My glass in never half empty or half  full… it is always running over… and so should yours… or shut your trap and figure it out… cuz those of us who choose the power of postive thinking… Do not need or want those of you who are always looking behind you in your life… to drag us backwards… Please make a change and look ahead.. it is great up there…  Honey, don’t confuse what you just read… I didn’t say look up, you won’t find what you need lookng up… I said look ahead… It gets a lot fucking better ahead… Trust me…

Ciao Bella… Sarah B…

Art work of Gregory Hergert

I was working in the State Bank, as Accountant, when my father phoned me, insisting that I come home immediately. He refused to give any reasons, as is his nature, being something of a Hitler. He still treats me as a child. I must confess that I am slender, weak minded and lack the will power of my father. It was his suggestion that I must join the Bank. My preference was for literature. Only fools read poetry, he would say.
Mother died early in my life, and father wanted me to marry early, so that there will be a woman in the house, which was quite big and the estate a few acres in size. I hated it, as he would tell me to count the coconuts, before taking to the mill, for extracting oil. I always made mistake in counting, as my mind will wander here and there.
When I reached home, he told me to see a girl, whom I knew from childhood. I cursed my fate. She was one among half a dozen brats, black, dirty with a running nose and always babling about whatever came to her mind.
Their house was in a village which can be reached by a local train, starting early morning. The next train is in the evening. I was to go alone, as they had been informed in advance. Of course, father was too busy to come wth me.
I was thinking about Sushma, of our office,who had a liking for me. I too felt happy in her presence. I missed the station, where I was to get down. So I got down at the next station.
To my surprise and relief, my class fellow was the Station Master there !
As soon as the train left, he took me to his room. When I explained my plight, he burst out: let him go to hell. You are earning a salary. You can live with your income. One day, the old man will surely die. Don’t marry now. Wait for some years. You are only twenty two!
At lunch time, we went to his quarter, a few  steps from the station. He had infrmed his mother and  they were expecting me. He had a sister, extremely beautiful, but unhealthy. She went on talking to me, as to an old friend, though it was our first meeting. I liked her.
When I returned home, by the noon train, my father did not say anything. When I told him about my missing the place, to get down from the train,
the only comment was: what else can be expected from a dreamer?

The station master, my friend, and I belong to the same caste, Tamil Brahmins settled in Keralam. He lost no time in contacting my father and before I could think of it, my marriage with his sister was fixed. I was not unhappy.
I hired a better house and we started our life on a good note. The mobile phone enabled us to be together, even when we were separated, and I enjoyed her sweet voice almost always. Sushma, though a Nair girl, used to come to our house off and on. My wife knew how to make vada, dosa, muruku and a  host of other dishes, available only in Tamilnadu. She would teach the technique to Sushma, and sometimes, my wife would sing. She had a pleasing voice.
Every month, my wife had fever, with high temperature. I think, the doctors did not understand her problem. They went on prescribing new medicines, which were of no avail. When she became pregnant, they cautioned about her inebility to survive a delivery, but my wife was bent on having the baby.
Sushma too tried to avert the calamity, advising a D and C.
 I tried to believe in His powers. We went to all temples and offered prayers. When the time came, we went to Calicut medical college hospital, where I had friends. Sushma too came to give moral support.
Even when I recollect those times, I feel the utter helplessness of we human beings, our prayers and aspirations. I was mentally prepared to hear the worst, but was spared of the necessity. She delivered a boy and survived.

But the joy was short lived. She died of a very severe fever, becoming delirious and then uncoscious.
Sushma remained with me to look after the baby.
I was transferred to Calcutta.
When I joined the branch there, my boss was a Miss Swamy. She came and I wished her. Seeing the new comer, a flick of recognition passed through her eyes, just a momentary ray of light. She motioned me to come into her cabin.
On being seated, her smile burst into peals of lauhter. I could not understand it. How can this fashionable lady, though jet black in colour, know me, living in far away Keralam ? Yet her eyes, so magnetic and fiery, reminded me of the past. But how?
Are you not from Vallapuzha ? she asked. I was dumbfounded.
Yes.
You have a big estate there.
Yes, Madam.
OH! Forget the madam. I am simply Geeta. Once you were coming to see me, but you didn’t turn up. My father was very upset then.
I kept mum.
Several customers came in and she dismissed me.
I could not believe it. How that dirty girl has metamorphosed into this vivacious, bright, fashonably dressed, Senior Manager of a Nationalised Bank, where I am still an unknown accountant, was beyond my comprehension.
During lunch break, she called me in and we had tea and biscuits. She asked me to stay on, till she took me out to have dinner. As I was new, I didn’t have much to do. She called me in, at about four.
I must thank God you have come. I came here only one week back. I have not settled yet. Have you brought your family?
 I told her what happened.
I am so sorry man. Any way, we will stay together. I have plenty of friends here. They will fix me up.
Then she took me in her car and drove to a posh restaurant. She behaved, as though we are friends for a long time. She even ordered non-veg. items. I chose dosa which was avalilable luckily.
Why did you not try for officer’s post.
I am happy as it is.
My father pressed me hard to marry. All others are married. Now he is no more. What about you?
Mine is still alive. Very weak. Can’t hear or see.
In the night, she persuaded me to stay in her hotel room. There is plenty of room for two. We are not teenagers. I had enough sex. Now I a not interested, unless you want to.
Can I speak to my people at home?
She asked the hotel to connect the number I gave her.
Who is this Sushma? Is she attached to you?
Yes and no. See, she is looking after my son. She is very much devoted to my late wife and our son.
Well, good night! Have proper rest. Talk afterwards.
In the office, she asked my advice, even for small matters. There was a case, involving a loan of some twenty crores. She wanted me to study it thoroughly, especially the risk factor. Some minister is interested.

We shifted to a house, in a posh locality. Why not some cheap one, I asked.
Life is to enjoy. Whom shall I save money for? Will they not forget it afterwrds, when we need their help? – I had no reply.
Every one was happy, it seemd. Not some people in the office, though.
What is the relation between the two? People were curious. In our society two individuals may not live together, if they happen to be of different sex. Some anonymous letters reached H.Q. They forwarded it to our lady. She showed it to me. WHAT DOES HER ADVISOR SAY?
On the one hand, I undrestood her philosophy. But we are living in a society. We have to respect their sentiments.
Sushma wanted to come to Calcutta. I was eager to see my son. In the photo he seemed very handsome. He is now two years old. I never went home, during these two years.
That evening we went to a park. The full moon was rising in the East, spreading its milky sprays in the whole world. Geeta sat very near, encircling me with her arms, warm and soft, loving and tender. Her lips were nibbling my cheek. A celestial fragrance emanated from her body. We lay down, curling against each other. She removed the buttons of her jacket and I brought my mouth very closed to those soft buttery heaps, when we heard footsteps coming towards us…….
She bought some fine whisky and we went back home. The maid brought our food and she dismissed her. Sipping the drink and tasting the chicken, no more objectionable to me, we spent a pleasant evening.
I slept soon. In the dead of night, something was creeping over my body. When I switched on the light, I saw Geeta  licking my body, every inch of it, herself stark naked, her breasts full and the nipples erect. My body began to get hotter and hotter. She was lying over my body and almost bit my lips off.
My stuff stood up like a pillar and went into the tunnel in the valley, as easily, as a sharp knife into the soft cake……
Nex day, Sushma came with the kid. I had taken leave and went to the railway station to receive them. The boy was looking healthy and smart. Sushma looked even more bright. No one will say, it is not her child. On the way she asked me a number of questions, some very difficult to answer. Why am I staying with Geeta?
We used to go sight seeing. She was in a metropolitan city for the first time. The child too enjoyed the atmosphere in the children’s park etc. But she was very critical of Geeta. She is capable of doing anything, she said.

I told Geeta that Sushma is willing for a transfer to Calcutta. Will Madam help?
The day for their departure came. The boy was crying, but no response from Sushma. When  we went into her room, she was lying dead. Blood was coming from her mouth.
Geeta: I always kept a bottle of cyanide for emergency. She must have taken it inadvertently.
I took the baby and Sushma’s baggage. I went to the railway station, without saying a word.

back from the battlefield. 3 papers down! Forever and ever no more differentiation and integration. haha.

It was really the grace of God that saw me through it.

Visualize with me: You are on a mission alone, advancing forward into the enemies terrain. You have a team mate a sniper, miles away watching your back. He will snipe anything that will comprise you and bring you down. haha okay some random idea. God is way more than a sniper team mate. haha

Alright going for a 2 days break, heading to the hills for the weekend of Men’s conf and then to the live 2010 recording this sunday. 2 solid days of rest, thats what i need.

10 days more to the next paper.. No worries.

Mega Prayer & Worship Night. Our Album Recording. from Hillsong Church on Vimeo.

So I went down to the sea again for the last time, and I said to the sea, Well.  And she, who had been so talkative all day, replied, Shh.  I might have listened but for all the bad blood.  The leaving things around.  The boats, the docks, the overturned roofs and uprooted trees.  And yet, when I got home, and my wife asked me, What?  I repeated, Shh.  And she said, Shh?  And together we made a sound like a storm, until our basement flooded.  We watched from the roof as our lives floated away.  Goodbye, she said, and I thought she meant, Good God.  Good grief, I said.  And the sea replayed that message again and again all night.  Finally, we slept.  The seagulls woke us in the morning with ape-like barks and high-pitched laughter.  I had to agree.  We looked very funny.  The two of us lying at the peak.  As naked and as cold as the day we first splashed down.  Two strange astronauts launched from a good orbit into a salty sea.

*published Oct. 14, 2009
BY VANESSA C. DEGGINS

Two adults and one child escaped from a Tuesday morning fire in the 600 block of Sixth Street. One firefighter was taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation. BY BRAD BRILES/LCFD

The Lake Charles Fire Department is investigating an early-morning fire that gutted a central Lake Charles home.

The two-alarm fire occurred at 5:50 a.m. Tuesday in the 600 block of Sixth Street, said Capt. Jeremy LeBlanc.

“We had four fire stations respond, and the fire was quickly extinguished, with no damage to surrounding homes,” LeBlanc said.

The home’s residents — two adults and a child — escaped unharmed, he said.

“The Red Cross assisted the family, and one firefighter was taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation,” LeBlanc said. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

link: http://bit.ly/2e68m9

Immigration officials grant refugee status to surviving passengers of a boat, in which five people died after an explosion at the sea… From VOA. Full story

This site may contain information about: boat hull. The blog is also related to: sell boat.

Over 50 women gathered at OLC on Monday, September 14 to celebrate the opening of the 2009/10 retreat season.  Sister Mary Fahy, RSM presented a program called Seasons of our Lives, based on her book, The Tree that Survived the Winter.  In every season of the tree’s life a particular quality was in focus: awareness, sensitivity, compassion, uncertainty.  Our lives are characterized by similar changes and challenges.  We need to listen attentively to the voice of God within and around us to be attuned to our specialness and unique quality shared with the tree of life … faithfulness.  Sister Mary is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas. In addition to authoring two books, she is an educator, retreat and spiritual director, and Director of Pastoral Care at the McAuley, an interfaith, continuing care retirement community in West Hartford.  OLC’s retreat theme for this season is Drawn into Mystery.

A large crowd gathered for Sister Mary Fahy’s program, Seasons of our Lives.

Sister Mary autographs copies of her book – The Tree that Survived the Winter – for retreatants.

The story of a 52 years old woman from the United States made a stir around the world. With 11 broken ribs after her car fell through the mountains, Cynthia Blair-Hoover has survived in a miraculous way, until he was found by some miners.
Cynthia Blair-Hoover fell with her car into a steep about 110 meters deep in the Rocky Mountains trying to avoid a deer. She had 11 broken ribs, a perforated lung and a few cracked vertebra. She didn’t give up however, at any moment to fight for her life.
In the middle of the wilderness, without any food, beaten by rain and snow, the woman survived.
Armed with a golf club, to keep the predators at distance, didn’t eat anything, but drank some water … squeezed from her hair.
In five days of anguish, Cynthia managed to crawl about 140 yards, reaching near a mine. People here have heard her voice. They found her exhausted, with her mouth full of dirt, so they immediately called the medics. In present, the heroine is recovering in a hospital in Colorado.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I did it. I got through my first day of classes. It was difficult running from building to building in ten minutes or less, but I did it. I think all my classes are going to be hard, but rewarding and even fun sometimes! I will have more time to do homework and relax tomorrow because I only have one lecture class and a lab. My Biology professor seems really nice and seems to know the material she is teaching. I’ll probably really enjoy the class then. My French professor also seems nice. I’ll have to speak up in his class, he says he got hearing damage from listening to music too loud in college! My Chemisty professor is a little frantic sometimes, but I’m sure he will mellow out once we really get going in class. My seminar class is going to be a lot of discussion and writing essays, but I think it will be ok. We are watching our first movie for that class tonight. It’s called Amadeus, it’s about Mozart’s life, and it is three hours long. So I am watching it from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. WHOA! Now I have some homework to finish up, I’ll go to dinner and then up to the lounge on the first floor of my dorm to watch the movie. Yay!

By Steve Barry 

“History” is a hot button for many of our clients.  Some firms cite history as an impediment to success.  For others, it’s a good thing.  Which is it?  

Recent research at Stanford University[1] suggests that it depends on how a firm has performed in the past.  When firms have successfully survived competition, they are: 

• Stronger in this context
• More likely to conclude that they able to adapt
• Less able (paradoxically) to change

What explains the paradox?  Inertia and overconfidence:  People make sense of data in a way that confirms their beliefs and explains away any exceptions.  Such hubris (“Hey, look what we’ve done … we can do this … and we don’t need help”), along with a distaste for sticking with a change management process and a reluctance to learn and unlearn, ultimately leads to delays or complete failure to change. 

To prevent your current initiative from succumbing to your overconfidence, take this advice from a senior leader at a major financial services firm with whom we spoke:  “Don’t go through the Filofax in your head and say, ‘Oh, I’ve been in this scenario before.  Let me retrofit what I’ve done before into this now.’  Because it’s always different.  You’re dealing with different people, and that in itself changes the whole dynamic.  So, you may have been at that dance before, but the music is different.”

 I can’t shake the image of someone doing the Macarena to a Kanye West song.  Or any song, really.  Don’t be that guy (or gal). 

7 Fatal Injuries (That People Somehow Survived) | Cracked.com.