Learning to Live

The History Channel will air a one hour show about Fallujah. Several soldiers that were in Alpha Company 2-2 will be featured and interviewed. I don't know what to expect but will be watching . . . just not sure . . . I am sure someone will tape it so I can watch it later if needed. Here is a summary . . .

Shootout : Return to Fallujah
Friday December 29 01:00 PM and 7:00 PM Eastern (12 and 6 Texas)
The Battle for Fallujah was the ultimate battle zone. We take you back to expose the anatomy of the warriors and high tech weapons. Armored columns of U.S. Marines and Infantrymen push through the city to terminate insurgents armed with an arsenal of weaponry, including AK-47s, machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, are planted everywhere. We'll get an up close look at the harrowing and heroic shootouts and we will see the extraordinary weaponry used to take down the enemy combatants including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the M16 and M249 SAW, the Abrams M1A1 Tank, and man portable satchel charges.

Three years ago today another Aggie family received that terrible knock at their door. It was a family that I never knew but over the last two years I have become friends with Ernie's fiance. She understands and we are able to meet for a few hours each time I am in Dallas. I really value her and her friendship.

Today, I remember a fellow Aggie, Captain Ernesto Blanco '98, who seems to have a lot in common with Sean . . . I wonder if they have met?

Remembering . . .

I always told Sean that no matter what I would always spend Christmas with my parents . . . I am an only child and a little stubborn. It was an arrangement we had from the beginning and one we discussed before we ever married. So in 2000, we were in Germany and I was determined to not let my parents be alone. I flew to Texas and Sean flew to China where his parents were living. To this day it was the biggest regret in my marriage. If we would have known then that our times together were limited we would have no doubt done things differently but you just never know. I regret not going to China . . . the Great Wall . . . a culture that is so foreign to me. Anyway, I was glad I went home but knew that next year I would spend it with Sean . . . just the two of us in Germany or in some other country. It was a huge step for me but it was a good decision and my parents were fine with me not coming home.

2001
We started the day with a brisk dive in the ocean . . . our first real dive other than the scuba classes. It was good to get the first one over but it just wasn't the best time of year to dive in Malta.


Wandering the streets of Malta . . . I had never heard of Malta because it is a very small island south of Italy . . . 90% Catholic . . . where else could you spend Christmas with that many other Catholics?

2002 . . . Sean was in Kosovo so I headed home to Texas . . . the 'wife' and I scheduled our flights so we could fly together!

2003 . . . our first Christmas in our home in Germany and our last we would ever spend together . . . Sean was so happy and I was so ready to have a baby . . . who knew 5 days later it would happen!

2004 . . . I always knew we would not spend Colin's first Christmas with Sean because he would still be in Iraq but I never expected to not hear his voice . . . everything was still so new and in the back of my mind I waited for the phone to ring or IM to ding. It was a huge blur and I really don't have any memories of the day . . . just a few not so good photos

2005 . . . yet another year passed without Sean and we made the best of life . . .

Here's hoping that 2006 will be a memorable day . . . each one gets harder!

I am off to unpack some more boxes . . . it has been a very good experience so far but overwhelming too. Why did I need 25 blue dessert forks and 20 red dinner forks? And then there is the 'small' collection of Polish pottery and crystal . . . what was I thinking? I am glad I am doing this all by myself with no one around.

Merry Christmas to you all . . . I am still working on those Christmas Cards, LOL!

. . . first let me say that there has been some negative publicity about the founder of the event we attended. I knew this before we left but the media focused on some personal issues that were not any of my business. I went with a very open mind and have zero regrets. Mr. Kerr was just one of hundreds of volunteers that made this event happen. The Snowbell Express was his vision and thanks to the Rotary Club and many other amazing organizations it happened. It was a first class weekend from the minute we stepped on the plane until we managed to drag ourselves back at the crack of dawn.

We were in the air for about 30 minutes when Colin so sweetly said, “I wanna go home.” Oh boy, this was going to be a long weekend. He was a real trooper on the flight until we were told to prepare for landing . . . he had issues with his ears but bigger issues with keeping the seat belt on. I managed to struggle for 30 minutes while the flight attendant continued to give ‘advice’ . . . I so wanted to tell her to shut the hell up but just smiled and continued to basically sit on him and strap him in . . . think wrestling. It was a big struggle and I was so tired of fighting with him. The flight attendant managed to go tell my parents that I was having a terrible time with their grandson, thanks! Oh the joy of busy body people. We were met by a volunteer who helped us get our luggage and sent us on our way to the local Westin. There was a hospitality room with snacks for us to eat while we waited on more families to arrive before we were shipped out to our hotel. We finally left for our hotel which was first class . . . I love nice hotels but in the US they are expensive. Sean and I always stayed at very nice hotels . . . we worked hard and liked to treat ourselves . . . in Europe you could stay at 5-star hotels for a good price if you did some research. Everything was so ‘heavenly’ . . . heavenly bed, heavenly showers, heavenly shampoo, and it sure was such a comfortable room. I don't remember the Westin in Malta being like this. Now let me say this, when we left Texas the weather was in the upper 70s and when we got to California it was cold . . . 40s-50s. We made a stop at Target to get some warmer clothing.

Our first stop was at the Crystal Cathedral and were suppose to go to the performance of The Glory of Christmas but Colin was so worn out that we went home early to go to bed. On Saturday we were the guest at the headquarters of Oakley . . .
I never knew they did things other than sunglasses. They do a lot of contracts with the military so only fitting they host the children of the fallen soldiers. As we approached the building there were hundreds of people standing in the rain waving flags for us . . . there wasn't a dry eye on the bus. Some of the ladies on the bus said that it reminded them of the crazy people who protested their husband’s funeral but even in California where they can be crazy they have a heart. It was a very nice gesture and very thoughtful . . .

There was food and fun . . . with some celebrities too . . . Tony Hawk was the only one I knew other than Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Sean would have been so excited to see Tony Hawk on his skateboard since he loved that. Unfortunately, I hung out inside with all the inflatable things. . . Colin climbed and ran and played for hours while I dreamed of going to the Outback Steakhouse booth for more food . . . yum, yum.

Our big day was on Sunday so we went to bed early . . . we woke up Sunday and left for Disney Land at 7:45. I had been to Disney Land once before and I was worried it might become an emotion experience, but I was too busy chasing Colin to think about the last time I was there. In the summer of 1995, Sean and I went to San Diego to visit his sister and husband. It was the first time Sean had ever been to a Disney Resort and we were like kids. One of my all time favorite photos of us was this one . . . sorry it is a picture of a picture . . .

. . . don’t we look so young? We were about to start our last semester at Texas A&M so we really enjoyed being ‘kids’ before we had to be adults.

Colin was good . . . I was worried he would not want to stand in line and just cry but he was a real trooper. We spent most of the day in Fantasy Land and the lines for the rides were about 20 minutes. It was so neat to see his eyes get large . . . he was just amazed but probably did not fully understand what was going on.
About 30 minutes before the parade started, he decided to take a nap. I found a lamp post on the parade route and took a break too . . .

It was a long day and we had to catch the airport shuttle at 4:30 am. Oh what fun that was . . . we were so tired but so glad we went. For me I wanted to meet some of the ladies I have been chatting with online for almost 2 years. I feel like I know them even though we have never met. I wanted to meet Colleen. Our lives are connected in a sad way . . . her husband’s helicopter crashed in my hometown (where we live now) the day of Sean’s funeral. She moved from Fort Hood to NC before we could meet. It was like we had known each other our entire lives . . . she is funny and sweet and we also shared a few tears. I hope someday I can meet some of the others that I chat with but there were about 1,000 people at the event. The saddest part was about 650 were kids who lost a mother or father since 9-11 while serving in the military . . . just sad to see all of them together. I wish I would have taken some better pictures but I was told, “no, mommy put camera up!” I guess you can tell who is in charge!

I was so excited when the plane landed in Austin because I knew that the next day (Tuesday) was the big day . . . well about half way home I got a phone call from the builder. There were some plumbing problems that came up on Friday but he did not tell me because he knew it would spoil the trip, wasn't that nice? The move was delayed a few days but that is okay because honestly, I just don’t know where to start . . . so instead of coming up with a plan I am on the internet. Oh well, it will get done!

One parting shot . . .

We are moving! I am so excited . . . can't wait to share that adventure!

We are home . . . very tired and so much to write about when I find the time . . .

I am going to be taking some time off from blogging . . . I hope to post again by Christmas. Here is what we are doing . . .

The family is heading west my friends . . . to be one of the families participating in the Snowball Express . . . I will post some photos when we return. Hopefully, some time the week we return I will get all the keys to the house and start moving boxes. I don't expect to be moved completely in for a month or so but will begin the adventure. It will be a second Christmas so to speak as I begin to unpack of life that has been in boxes for over two years. Then there is the matter of Christmas Cards . . . oh dear, who knows if those will happen and I can guarantee they will not be as labor intensive as last year's card! I sure have enjoyed getting them from friends . . . where do you guys find the time? Thanks for remembering us during the holiday season.

The winner for Round 3 was Roses . . . Lara, I promise to mail your prize soon . . . maybe early January. Congratulations!

Oh well, no big deal it was just a game! No, I was not drinking the Guinness because I was with child and plus the stuff is just too strong for me. We do have a winner but I haven't been keeping up with score very well so will post the official winner next week but before I go a little story. Who does this guy looks like in the this photo? think popular children's literature . . . made a movie? Doesn't it look like Lemony Snicket from A Series of Unfortunate Events? Oh and this is the bus where I left my Irish verse . . . I hope someone is enjoying it in their home because I sure would be.

Sad to say but Travel Trivia will be taking a break . . . not sure when or if this game will return. This is about the end of all the traveling adventures of the Sims Duo . . . stay tuned because you just never know. Colin and I are going on an adventure next weekend . . . it is going to be big and should be the happiest place on earth for some very special families.

I just returned from the house and it is moving faster now! I can't believe it is almost finished
. . . the sink is installed with no cracks; holding my breath
. . . the chandelier is hung and working . . . the electrician (need to get his name and never use him) said it just isn't going to work because it is wired for 220 (bought in Germany). I have the adapters for the bulbs and he insisted that I don't need them, guess what? I do and it would not work without them.

The inside just needs some paint touch up and a good cleaning What is left?
. . . the landscapers were installing the sprinkler system.

Now I have two new issues . . .
. . . the flag pole which I just had to have . . . my poor dad is digging a two foot deep hole and it is solid rock . . . poor papa but he will do anything for his pumpkin!
. . . the gate (5 ft) on the fence is too big for the sidewalk (3 ft) so they have to come fix that.

Who knew these silly last minute details would be so difficult! I will post photos soon but I am starting to get a little freaked out that some crazy person will find me . . . might have to do a private emailing or something. Oh well, after two long years we almost have a house of our own . . . I can't believe it and what am I going to do to occupy my time now? I am going to have to find a couple new projects . . .

And the playhouse . . . is just so cute . . . very bright and just need to paint the door yet one more bright color . . . I might just live in that because it will be much easier to clean!

The journey is ending . . . do you know where I am?

I bought my Christmas present yesterday . . . big spender I am this year.



I so need to write about the present Sean bought me for Christmas 2003 . . .

Today we are off to paint the playhouse and I decided to go very BOLD! I loved the suggestion of the khaki with maroon . . . but I hope that my boldness isn't too bold . . . plus I asked Colin what color he wanted and these were two colors he told me so I will blame it on him.

The correct answer was . . . Saint Patricks Rock in Cashell . . .

I don't have too much to say except it was cold and rainy . . . typical Ireland, right? We went on the guided tour and I was freezing because silly me decided to wear this . . .

. . . thanks goodness for my warm red windbreaker . . . it is the best and it came from Cabela's. We had one last stop before dropping off the family at the airport . . .

And then we were off to our last destination in Ireland . . .