Life's Like A Box Of Chocolates

Brides Across America

Posted by juliannah on August 6th, 2010

I recently read a newspaper article about an organization that supplies military brides with a free wedding dress. This organization is called Brides Across America and was started by Heidi Janson. She has worked in the bridal industry for over 25 years. She realized that sometime brides do not have the chance to have their dream wedding because of deployments and such. So now, several times a year bridal shops all across America join Brides Across America and give away wedding gowns to military fiancées

The gowns are valued between $500 and $3,000 and come in many different styles. It is most likely the bride will find the perfect gown. The bride just needs to go to the website and qualify. Shop owners interested in participating in this charity can register on the site as well.

The last giveaway was in July and the next one will be November 11, 2010, Veteran’s Day. If you are a military bride-to-be or a military wife that was married by a justice of the peace and would like to have your dream wedding then visit Brides Across America today. If you are a shop owner, consider participating in Brides Across America.

Sunday Brunch – Mrs. E.

Posted by juliannah on August 1st, 2010

Well another uneventful week here in juliannah and Corvette land. I got to see a long time friend of my parents, Grandma M and Grandpa DingDon. I have know her since I was a child and was friends with her kids. A lot of history there. Needless to say, we kids got into some trouble, but in the end, we turned into responsible adults and raised families.

Mrs. E was practically like another mom to me. She lost her husband a number of years ago. I think that was the first time I was affected by a loss like that. It was unexpected and I remember feeling so much sadness for this family.

Anyway, Mrs. E went on and refused to stop living life. She continued to drive her motor home all by herself. She took quite a few travels in the motor home by herself.

She is now in another battle. You see, earlier this year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has since had surgery and chemo to treat the cancer. But, she did not let this get her down. She once again took a summer trip. Along the way she stopped to see my parents and me. Of course, sans the motor home, but still persevering all the time. Nice to see you Mrs. E.

Yes, life is like a box of chocolates…

…you never know what you will get.

Yes, life is like a box of chocolates

Y

Deployment

Posted by juliannah on July 29th, 2010

This morning I ran across a link on twitter to a soldier’s blog that is deploying very soon the Afghanistan. He write a post about his two-year old daughter. The post is very touching and worth the read. After you are done, leave him and his family a comment and thank him for serving our country.

PTSD in Dogs.

Posted by juliannah on July 28th, 2010

I was reading an article about Gina, a military working dog. Gina’s job was to sniff out drugs and bombs. She deployed to Southwest Asia for a five month tour, but came back a different dog. She could not tolerate loud noises and would refuse to go into buildings.

On her tour, Gina routinely went on patrol looking for IEDs. She experienced the loud explosions and the sounds of soldiers kicking in doors. She was riding with her handler when the vehicle behind her was hit by an IED. This spooked Gina and when her deployment was over she was not the same working dog.

I never thought about this before, but it does make sense. Dogs a sensitive creatures. When abused, they can take a along time to recover. I believe my own dog, Lucie was abused before I rescued her. At first when I would take out the broom, she would always cower and run away. She does not so much now, but it has been almost a year and a half since I brought her home.

Gina is being rehabilitated now. It looks like she will be able to continue working as a military working dog. On July 1st she was recertified and assigned to a new handler. These dogs usually work for about ten years, so Gina should be around for while.

Obviously, PTSD is hard for humans to handle, causing much distress. In my opinion, more needs to be done to help men and women returning from war to cope with PTSD, but I was glad to hear that these military working dogs are not forgotten and cast aside and there is help for them too.

Sunday Brunch – Spc. Christopher Moon

Posted by juliannah on July 25th, 2010

Yesterday, Corvette and I honored an American Hero. We stood a flag line for a soldier that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I have done quite a few Patriot Guard missions over the past few years. This was Corvette’s first mission. Corvette does not have much paid time off and the missions usually happen on weekdays. This mission was on a Saturday.

So, I asked him to come with me and he agreed. You can tell people what it is like to go on a mission, but until you actually do one, you really do not understand.

I know that Corvette was worried he would not do well. For those of you that do not know, Corvette suffered with polio as a child and the result is he walks with a limp. He has trouble standing and walking.

It is no secret that he and I have not always had an easy road. That being said, yesterday, he once again stepped up to the plate, just as he has done for the 30 plus years of our marriage. He stood in the heat for many hours to honor Spc. Christopher Moon. But, more importantly, he understood what the Patriot Guard Riders do. They honor those who gave up for us and embrace greiving families.

I am going to reprint the thank you email that I received from our ride captain, Robi and my response to that email.

Today we honored a young man, Army Spc. Christopher Moon. It will be a day and a family that I will always

remember. SPC. Moon, for a man of just 20 years of age, left a huge imprint on many lives. I was honored

to attend his services to hear what so many knew of this Man who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I was saddened

that I did not personally know him. But, with that being said, I feel like I know him now with all of the kind words

and memories that were said of him today.

Before we left East Lawn today, I was asked by the family of Christopher Moon to thank each and every one of the

Patriot Guard Riders, the American Legion Riders, the VFW Riders and the Soldiers who came and honored their

son and family. They said they will NEVER forget all of the love they felt and the beautiful United States Flags that

were flown by our riders. They also said that Christopher is smiling seeing all of this.

As for me, I cannot begin to thank you enough to those that were able to make this mission to honor our Soldier.

Words cannot express my feelings for you all. Thank you does not seem like enough to say…..

Thank you to our motorcade that escorted SPC Moon today to the Church. The family went on and on about the

beauty of the flags in leading their Son.

Thank you…..just Thank you……

Robi

Robi,

So proud to be a part of honoring this young man. I am also proud to represent the PGR. Since first meeting you all a few years ago, I always felt the love and care of the PGR. Yesterday was my husband’s first mission. I spoke to him many times about the missions that I participated in. I just want you to know that Saturday’s mission for Spc. Christopher Moon touched his heart more than you can know. Words can not describe what it is like to actually participate in a mission.

My husband contracted polio as an infant and the result of that is he walks with a limp. He has never accepted defeat and he went on to work hard everyday and raised three children, two that served in the military. We have an active duty Marine and a former soldier daughter.

Robi, thank you for taking care of my husband yesterday. I just want you to know that even though it is hard for him to stand for any lengths of time and very hard for him to walk any distance, he stood there the entire time because he understood the sacrifice of Spc Moon.

Thank you and all the PGR for being the people that you are. I, personally am honored to be a part of such a caring and loving group of people. I will continue to stand with you and honor those who give up everything for my freedom. Honestly, I hope in my heart that we do not have to do that, but if needed, I will be there.

Julie
Proud Mom of a Marine
Proud Mom of a former Soldier
Proud Aunt of a Marine
Proud Daughter of a Sailor

Please remember Spc. Moon and his family in your prayers. He was a member of the Navajo Nation and gave up a career in professional baseball to serve his country. We were told that he was more proud of his decision to serve than anything else in his short life.

Please visit his memorial.

Be Careful What You Ask For.

Posted by juliannah on July 23rd, 2010

I know I have been complaining about our lack of rain lately. I am revoking that as of yesterday. I came home from work and went about writing a couple of blog posts as I was watching Dr. Oz. All of a sudden, I hear these screeching, popping and other indecipherable noises coming from my TV. Then, nothing, nada. After a few seconds the TV comes back on with a message for me. Searching for Satellite. Great.

Next, I hear a cloud open up above my house and the sound of pouring rain. Me and the dogs run outside and they proceed to look at me like I am some kind of fool as I am jumping up and down, rejoicing in the fever of the rain falling out of the sky.

Within a few minutes my backyard is turned into a lake. Usually, Monsoon storms only last less than an hour. I shudder to think what will happen if we have a storm that lasts for more than an hour.

This is our neighbor’s spout that drains the water off the roof. We have flat roofs. Maybe I should get a rain barrel.

Here is a puddle. Part of the small lake.

As you can see, it was raining cats and dogs, although my cat and dogs were having none of it.

Before it starting raining I noticed something.

My sunflower bloomed. Pure beauty! Notice this sunflower has a buddy.

When Corvette got home, he spotted the newly blossomed flower. What did he do? Made a beeline straight to it. His words to me, “You should take a picture.” My answer, “I already did.”

Our plant love knows no bounds.

Oh, was that thunder I just heard? Dogs, get ready for the rain ecstasy to begin.

Coming Home.

Posted by juliannah on July 22nd, 2010

There is a soldier coming home to my town tomorrow. He is coming home with his family.This soldier gave up a baseball scholarship to serve our country in the United States Army. He joined the army and then was deployed to Afghanistan. He fought with the 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers based in Fort Bragg, N.C.

This soldier being an exceptional young man who accepted Jesus Christ as a young boy and loved his family, a Mom, Dad and a sister, plus numerous other relatives and friends.

This soldier is coming home tomorrow. In a flag draped casket.

During his funeral on Saturday, I will be standing in a flag line, holding the symbol of our country. I will show his family and friends the respect and gratitude this soldier deserves.

Please remember Specialist Christopher Moon, 20. He is a hero.

Educational Opportunties For The Milspouse.

Posted by juliannah on July 20th, 2010

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ashworth College. All opinions are 100% mine.

I read a lot of Milspouse blogs, so I know the challenges these women face. The constant moving, deployments and stress of living the military life. I commend these women for the fact that many times they are alone and must not only balance the checkbook, but be both mom and dad, get the lawn mowed and figured out how to stop that leaky faucet.

Sometimes they need to also work because the military is not the highest paying career. Especially the lower ranks. Yes, they are compensated for certain things, but married military do not have the option of going to the chow hall to feed their families.

A lot of military spouses are returning to school to train for better paying careers to help support their families. One option is to go to school online. This helps saves time and money by not spending time away from home and not spending money on gas and babysitters.

Ashworth College offers an online program in many areas such as Criminal Justice, Business Administration and Paralegal to name a few. They offer just about any career choice someone might desire. Even work-at-home careers that can be performed from wherever the family is based.

Named 2010 GI Jobs Military Friendly School, Ashworh has many military benefits and programs such as GI Bill, Dante and Service members Opportunity Colleges (SOC). Included in tuition that can be as low as $80 per credit hour are books and course materials. There is also zero-interest financing and low monthly payments and when you graduate you are guaranteed to graduate without any outstanding student loans to pay back. Sounds great in this economy.

Spouses can pause their studies if they need to PCS. You can take your time and finish school on your time without stress.

With almost 4,000,000 students taking courses online, now is a great t time to take advantage of these educational opportunities. So if you are a Milspouse considering furthering your education then look into Ashworth College.

Spain Gave Up The Rain.

Posted by juliannah on July 20th, 2010

Finally, we had rain last night. Not just the dust spitting stuff that only makes it impossible to see out of your car windshield, but the delirious downpour that soaks the ground and gives one’s garden a good drink. It is quite possible that the people dwelling in the desert southwest are the only people that dream of rain every night. It is always a topic of conversation around the water cooler and with the clerk in the grocery store.

Corvette actually yells at the weather person every night when they have the audacity to say there is a 40% chance of rain. Yes, desert dwellers definitely have a rain obsession. I am quite sure that someone living in Oregon would not understand. All I have to say is spend a few summers (which by the way, last an average of half the year) here and you will.

So, today is a good day. Hopefully the rain will return again. If not the Desert Southwest will not be a happy place. And Corvette will bitch out the weather person again.

Sunday Brunch – Chimi Time

Posted by juliannah on July 18th, 2010

I should have been born into a Mexican family, because I love Mexican food! Lately, I have been craving burritos and tacos. On Friday, I made tacos complete with tomatoes, onions and of course avocados. We have been feasting all weekend.

Today, I have beef in the crockpot along with Corvette’s peppers so I can make chimis. Now, I know this is not the most healthful dish, but hey, it is so yummy.

Trust me, the smells coming from my kitchen right now is enough to make anyone have a salivating fit. Sorry for the graphic detail, but like I said, love the Mexi-food.

Bon Appetit!

I am off to edit garden photos.