Life's Like A Box Of Chocolates

Military Monday – Justice for Dasy.

Posted by juliannah on December 5th, 2011

I was watching the news the other night and horrified when I heard a story about Marcus Luttrell and his service dog Dasy. Luttrell was the lone survivour of a Navy Seal mission in Afghanistan during 2009. He was later awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.

Dasy, an akronym for the Seals killed that day was a Labrador retriever given to him by friends to help Marcus cope with the after effects of war. Dogs are used quite frequently to help returning veterans with PTSD.

I am a big lover of animals, especially dogs. I spend a lot of time talking about my own pets. I hate hearing about animal abuse. They are innocent creatures and only want to please their owners. So when I heard that two thugs had shot and killed Dasy my blood began to boil.

Marcus actually chased the two men and thought about shooting at them, but he knew he might not be able to catch them if he missed. Witnesses testified that after the dog was shot the men could be heard laughing and one even kicked Dasy.

Digusting. The two men were found guilty and will be sentenced in February. I sincerely hope the judge puts them away for a long time.

Marcus has a new service dog now. Rigby took the stand with Marcus during his testimony.

Our veterans deserve better. So do our dogs.

Become the Master of Your Gravy.

Posted by juliannah on December 3rd, 2011

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of GravyMaster for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It is no secret. I stink at making homemade gravy. Many have tried to teach me but to no avail. I finally gave up years ago and now I just pour gravy from a jar, microwave the stuff and call it good.

These inadequacies might stem out of the fact that I am not a big fan of gravy. I only like it on meat, stuffing and the occasional biscuit. I cannot stand it on mashed potatoes. Only butter for this girl thank you very much.

Well, if you are like me you will be glad to find about GravyMaster, the answer to gravy making that can be used everyday to help you prepare your family’s meals.

GravyMaster is great for grilling fish, meat, and vegetables because it seals in the natural juices and flavors for the ultimate in taste and texture. You can use GravyMaster for caramelizing and reducing sauces. This is a real time saver and during the busy holiday season, we could all use some extra time.

I would like to try a fish recipe with GravyMaster. Fish is another dish I fall short in when cooking. With GravyMaster I could prepare juicy, tender fish that would not end up in the trash or dog bowl. What would you prepare with GravyMaster? Feel free to leave a comment and a link to your favorite recipe.

Master the meal this holiday season and try out GravyMaster. Save time and serve your family delectable meals today and in the years to come.

Driving Knight Rider.

Posted by juliannah on November 28th, 2011

After a few static filled phone calls, I finally was able to have a nice conversation with Sgt. Honda. He is good at his duty station on the other side of the world.

He is also enjoying his new job driving a general to meetings and other events. His says the general is an impressive guy and treats Sgt. Honda well. It was fun hearing stories about the man the top-notch car used to transport he and his wife. Sgt. Honda says the car actually talks to him. Only problem is it speaks in Japanese. He calls the car the Knight Rider car. Ha, my son driving Kit!

On Thanksgiving the general, his wife and Sgt. Honda went to several locations on the island to provide and serve the holiday dinner. I believe this was a wonderful experience for Sgt. Honda that he will hold close to his heart.

I am starting to like this general as during the dinner he asked Sgt. Honda, “Did you call your mother son?”

Sgt. Honda was told during training for this job to remember three rules:

1. Never let the general arrive early to a meeting or event.
2. Never make the general mad. (Choice of words was different but you get the idea.)
3. Never let the general arrive late for a meeting or event.

Simple and to the point would you not say?

Thanksgiving – Some Gave All.

Posted by juliannah on November 23rd, 2011

Tomorrow we will sit down and give thanks for all that we have. Most of us will spend time with loved ones and friends. Some may not be as lucky.

I will be privileged to spend another year with my parents, Grandma M and Grandpa DingDon, my sister Crafty and her husband, my daughter Cinderella, her husband, my precious Butterfly and newest grandson, D.D.

I will miss other family members. Especially ones that are far away. Sgt. Honda is once again absent because of his service. Sgt. Red will not be joining us this year.

I know how hard it is for military families during the holidays and all year. I feel for the children that can not be with their parents. Wives that can not be with their husbands. Husbands that can not be with their wives.

Mommies that miss their sons.

I miss my son.

At least I know he is safe. Thank you God.

Here is a video sent to me.

“Dinner at Quantico”

This slide show consists of photos taken at a formal dinner at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA.

It is a beautiful presentation of the honor, commitment, and pride that today’s heroes share with yesterday’s heroes.

If you know a Sailor, Marine, Soldier, Airman, or someone of any branch of the military (of any age), make sure he or she sees this.

Please tell them thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.

Gabby.

Posted by juliannah on November 17th, 2011

On January 8th of this year, me and many other Americans watched the horrifying events that unfolded as Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 18 other people were shot at a Safeway store in Tucson. Six of the victims lost their lives that day. The rest had to embark on the road to recovery to gain what was taken from them that day.

Since I live in the town that that massacre occured I, along with the rest of my fellow citizens felt the profound effects of that day. We all sat glued to our TVs and prayed for those people. This photo touched our hearts and gave us hope, inspiration, and courage.

On Monday night I watched as Diane Sawyer interviewed Gabby and her husband Mark Kelly. We all have points in our lives when we may feel down and out. Everyone has felt sorry for themselves. I am no different. All I can say is Gabby demonstrated a great lesson. Never give up. Oh, I am sure she and her husband had bad days. They are only human too. Still, her story is inspriring.

Yea, Life’s Like a Box of Chocolates. You truly do not know what you are going to get. But sometimes you will be surprised by the sweetness.

Go Gabby. Sweet.

Veterans Day – 2011.

Posted by juliannah on November 11th, 2011

Today we honor all those that sacrificed and served the United States of America. Thank you to all the brave and honorable people that stood up for me and all Americans.

A special thanks to the veterans in my family.

Grandpa DingDon former Navy

Cinderella former Army

and future Vets

Sgt. Honda active duty Marines

Sgt. Red active duty Marines

Horse Farm.

Posted by juliannah on November 9th, 2011

This is a guest post by Elias Massey.

We live on a horse farm about twenty miles from Aiken, South Carolina. We have always loved horses and decided a couple of years ago that we were ready to invest in a few horses and move to rural South Carolina. We are so far out, that we couldn’t get hardwired internet. We decided to go with a local internet provider that provided satellite internet. I’m glad that we decided to, because our grandchildren taught us how to create a blog.

We started a blog and we can post pictures of our horses, travels, and daily life on the farm. Our children and grandchildren love our blog. Even though we are really far away from each other, we feel connected and together. On our blog, our friends and family can post comments and questions when we post a picture or a story. We can respond right back on the blog. I usually end up blogging every night! It makes me feel like a school girl writing in her diary, but way cooler!

Driving Miss Daisy.

Posted by juliannah on November 2nd, 2011

I got a call from my son, Sgt. Honda. He interviewed for a new job in the Marines. Well, he got the job. He will now be driving a Lt. General around. Yea, not bad! He will also act as a body guard for the general too. Needless to say Sgt. Honda is very excited. This will look great on his record and probably help him gain rank a little faster.

Apparently the general is a highly decorated individual. He posses this medal that is only rewarded for saving a life. Sgt. Honda does not know the details but I am sure he will find out at some point.

I do not know if this means he will travel with the general, but you never know. Either way this is just another adventure in his career. I look forward to hearing about were he goes and who he meets.

Of course I am not going to post the general’s name here but family and friends can email me and I will send a link to his bio. Impressive and interesting.

Congratulations son! I know you will do a great job. Can’t wait until you come home though!

9:30

Posted by juliannah on October 21st, 2011

Every morning around 9:30 my internet connection goes out and I have to reset my modem. It took me a few days to figure out that this happens around the same time every day. 9:30. It is frustrating because sometimes I am in the middle of stuff like filling out applications and all of a sudden I have nothing.

I do not know why this happens. I also do not have the patience to sit on the phone with tech support to find out what the problem may be. All I know is that 9:30 just happens to fall after the dog walk/workout/shower routine is over. I guess I could start later but I never seem to think about it at the time.

This morning I got to thinking that maybe the connection has been this way all along because how would I know? I was never here at 9:30 except the weekends and I never really went online that early.

Anyway, I guess I will just have to deal with it. Either that or break down and call my provider. Not.

I Know, I Know.

Posted by juliannah on October 20th, 2011

Yes, I have been MIA for awhile. It is not that I do not have time to write. I certainly do but I seem to have a bit of writer’s block. I do not want to whine everyday about my unemployment and nothing else really comes to mind.

I am keeping busy. If I do not I will surely lose my mind. Lucie and I walk daily. She seems to be feeling my stress because it is as if her training has gone completely out the window. She is good at home but walking has turned back into a nightmare. She just wants to pull and seems extremely agitated when we are out.

I think I may have to contact her trainer for a solution. I will say one thing, keeping her under control is a real workout. By the time I get home and do my regular workout I am feeling the pain. Add in not eating enough and well clothes are looser and I fit into some things that have been hanging out in my closet for awhile. I need to work on the eating thing. Sometimes I just do not feel like it.

It is hard sitting around all day with nothing to do. It is pretty bad when going to the grocery store is the highlight of your week or you look forward to the next episode of The Waltons.

Enough with the whine. I really am ok. Mainly just bored. I just need to get back to work.

Never thought I would long to go to work.