Chuck Woolery and Class Warfare

I think Chuck and I have a new "love" connection

At least I like his take on class warfare

An few interesting USMC observations......An Officer, A Gentleman or Not?

So, I squeezed some extra cash from Splenda and made my way to SoCal for an early Christmas with the kids.  They won't be able to come home, which is both good and bad.  Bad because they miss Utah, the snow, and family.  Good because they have time alone to be just their own little family and establish some traditions of their own.  Every family needs that.  You take the good from your own past, incorporate them with your spouses, and create your own.  As sad as I am to not have them there for Christmas morning breakfast, I am so happy that they get some time alone, to be their own little fam.  Christmas eve night and Christmas morning are the most special, and I am glad that they get to have that time just to themselves.

Anyhoodle..... I digress........

Spending time on base and doing some different activities has been an interesting exercise in people watching.  I thought airports were the funnest place, but I think a base family activity, interacting with people at the base commissary, and their version of the Sev are all just as fascinating.

Over the past couple of years, since Corb embarked on his USMC leg of life, I have learned several things.  They are hardcore bad -A brothahs.  They have to be.  They are loyal, honest and full of integrity.  At least the majority of them are.  There is also a small pool of them referred to as "garbage Marines".  They don't take pride in their title of Marine.  They tend to be lacksidasial in their oath of integrity and respect.  I can't always see it on the face value, until I see their children, and then the differences are very clear.

The base has community centers that host a lot of family events for different holidays.  We did the Harvest one around Halloween and then they happened to have a Holiday one this week.  Just observing the children tells me a lot about the Marine.

Most of the children are obedient, disciplined, and respectful of lines, other people, and property.  They don't run around like a bunch of banshees but run around having a great time, being kids but being disciplined kids.  However, in the mix I will always see the exception.  I was particularly astounded Thursday night.

Holiday event.  They have FUN at these things.  Big bouncy things for the kids to romp in.  Games, food and other activities.  Of course, there was Santa.  The line was long, but in order to get to any of the other stuff, or the food, you had to stand in the line for Santa.  I got a spot saved in line and slowly inched my way towards the entrance of the center and once we finally got in the building, Kar and Chloee joined me.  People are very polite.  "Excuse me" "Oh, I'm sorry" "Thank you" - all very common.  I love the atmosphere. 

In front of us in line was a family with small children.  About three of them.  The youngest was a toddler and he was in the middle of a horrific fit.  Of EPIC proportions.  I couldn't imagine what could possibly be so awful that he would be completely unhinged.  And the parents did nothing but wrestle and take turns holding him while he screamed, cried, hit and attempted to limp noodle out of their arms.  This went on for several minutes as we inched forward.  All around us people were trying not to stare while also attempting to ignore the noise the small creature was making.

The community center had been decorated to the T!  Obviously, it had taken days, and many hands to make it look like a Winter Wonderland.  There were places to pose for pictures and in the main room there was cotton on the floor to simulate snow, with trees, lights, tinsel and bows everywhere.  Nothing was left undecorated.  It was very nicely done with cones and ropes to indicate that people were to stay on the main path and not venture out into the decorations.  We were commenting on cool it looked, when I realized that the noise in front of us had stopped.  I looked around to see what had placated the monster only to be sorely disappointed.  All along he had wanted to get down and destroy the decorations and now he was given free reign.  He crawled under the ropes, kicked all the cotton around and basically began destroying the set up.  As little ones behind us who didn't get the pleasure of the hissy fit, and saw him break the obvious guideline, a few of them followed suit. 

REALLY?!?!  At what point do these parents not understand respect for the hard work and efforts that were put into an event FOR THEM!  I was proud of Chloee who wasn't even tempted.  She noted the ropes, asked what they meant, and when told that they were to advise us to not go past that area, she accepted it and amused herself in other ways.  I looked around much closer (and now with several other families in the large room) to see if she was an anomaly or if she was the norm.

Interestingly enough, she was not the only well behaved youngster.  The majority of the children understood boundaries, understood rules and complied without whining, cajoling, or begging.  It's just natural to them to observe their surroundings and act appropriately.  I find this fascinating.  Absolutely fascinating.  This is not to say that they aren't normal kids, they most certainly are, but when it comes to respect, they are on a whole different level.  They get naughty just like others and have to be reminded about things, but in general are extremely respectful of others, waiting their turns, listening to directions etc.

The ones that I noted as the exception?  I started looking a little closer at the parent who is the Marine.  Most cases it's not hard to tell and the majority of them are the fathers due purely to logistics.  I compared the physical appearances (don't judge until I finish my thought) of them to the others whose children understood respect.  I also compared their facial expressions, their conversations with their children and their spouses, and their general deportment.  It doesn't take too long to see the differences.  There are Marines who love and respect their duty, their title and their job.  And there are those who don't.  And while I only see a few of them in their actual jobs, you can tell by how their families behave.

Am I guilty of being judgemental?  I will argue not.   Just an observation and some food for thought.  The Marine Corps prides itself on their values that are deeply instilled during boot camp and then expanded on throughout their careers.  Most of the men and women who undertake the journey to  become a Marine do so with these things deeply ingrained and quite obviously passed onto their spouses and families.  I overheard the woman behind me on the phone with her husband, telling him to come and meet her and the kids.  Yes, it was okay, he didn't need to change, there were others in their cami's having just gotten off work.  I could tell that he was concerned with proper presentation.  Even at a family festival event.  I paid attention to his wife and children.  Very respectful, kind, friendly and the kids well behaved.  She was there by herself with two little ones and a stroller and she had everything under control simply because she wasn't having to wrangle wild, hellion little ones

I think it comes down to Pride.  Not a bad pride.  A respectful pride.   Signs at all the markets and commissaries are hung with pictures of what is acceptable dress and appearance when on base.  Period.  No questions, you are to be cleanly dressed  and groomed.  So it goes that not only do Marines develop a sense of pride in their duty, country, fellowman, and jobs, but in themselves.  They are better than a sloppy G with pants around his butt cheeks and hat on sideways.  There is a place for that, but not in the Corp and not on Base.  And most certainly not in their children. 

For the next several days, I have been more observant of the people on base.  I can now usually tell right away, who are the ones that have that sense of honor and respect instilled and practiced, and those that don't.  To the guards at the gate and the manner in which they wave us through, to the men I pass in the commissary.  I even walked past a neighbor who had clearly just gotten off work (still in his cami's) who allowed me a wide and respectful berth of space when he clearly didn't need to.  Just out of respect.

So why is this so appealing to me right now?  Why does it strike a chord with me?  I wonder if it is the sense  I am getting of general disrespect that our society seems to have fallen into. I am sure many agree, there are some wonderful people out there, but in general it feels like there has been growing a seed of discontent in the general masses.  That discontent seems to lead to disrespect of oneself, and then to others and to basic society norms.

What will it take to get us back to manners?  Back to civility?  Back to basic kindness and respect?  For some, like a true Marine, it's already there.  They've got it down to a science.  They leave bootcamp with it, if they didn't have it in the first place.   For the rest of us, it's a matter of choice.   We can't all be Marine's, let alone Officers, but we can be Gentlemen.  And then, it is our responsibility to instill that same conduct in our children.  Sure, they will ultimately choose for themselves their paths in life, but having the basic, core values of honor, respect, love, integrity, and service to others, embedded in them, will in turn lead to a more civil and respectful society.

At least that's just my observation.

Do you like what I like?

Years ago, we had some super fun neighbors that we were close with and we ADORED their children.  Their youngest son felt totally and completely comfortable just walking in the front door, getting something to eat, or finding something to do.  I think he might have been 3 or 4.

One day, he came in and went into the office to talk to Splenda Daddy.  Next thing you know, he's asking Splenda if he likes what he (the little boy) likes while absentmindedly slipping his hand in Splenda's sleeve to touch his arm.  We STILL laugh over that scene.  It was so odd, out of place and it kinda surprised us both.

Now, our inside joke at home is...."Do you like what I like?"

PS - I really hate cats, even though I am called mCat.  But I do think a laughing cat is funny.  As long as I don't have to live with it.

And today, is our first edition on the ole blog......

I like........

My bed.  Totally have the best bed of all time.  Cal-king, tempurpedic, heavy blankets and comforter.  Nice and tall, so much so that the dogs have to have their own stairs to get up. (yes I am one of those people)  I have a hard time getting out of it once I am in.  My bed freakin rocks.

A paid for home.  Serio - best feeling ever.  No mortgage.  I can't claim any credit for this, it's all Splenda Daddy's wise and fiscal responsibility.  But the feeling that if the whole economy were to collapse, I have a roof over my head is comfort indeed.

Food that I don't have to prepare.  I have to be the laziest person when it comes to food.  I want it fast, ready and good.  I hate cooking or putting any kind of time or effort into concocting something good to eat.  I enjoy a good driveup where I can yell my order through some garbled box, or a nice place where I sit down and people bring me my food.  Heck, I'm even good for a spicy dog that's been on the rollers for hours at the sev!  Just so I don't have to think it up, or make it.  Makes it problematic when we buy groceries.  Splenda wants to buy things we can make meals with (normal) and I want to just buy crap I can snack on without any kind of prep (not normal).  What's really scaring me is that Splenda mentioned that perhaps we should start growing some of our own food. I have two words for that......  CA - RAP!

Shoes.  I am such a girl shoe.  I wish I had 15 different pair of running shoes.  I wish I had 10 different pair of boots.  Maybe 8 pair of different black dressy shoes.  Several pair of flip flops....you get the idea.  I like shoes. Mucho!

Product.  In fact, you could say I'm kind of a product whore.  If there is a new mascara, or shampoo, or lotion, or perfume, or fancy gadget of some kind, I am ALL OVER IT!  New kind of hair goop?  Check.  New improved mouthwash?  Check.  New style of jeans or sweaters?  A new fad?  Check and Check!

Happy people.  I just like to be around happy people.  Whiners, murmurers, complainers, fault finders, I have no need for.  Listen guys, people in general have enough downers in their lives, that we don't need to go adding to it.  Be happy or get good at faking it.  If nothing else, STOP WHINING AND COMPLAINING.  'Cause that totally helps right?

My Kindle Fire.  A total surprise from Splenda Daddy and I.Am.Loving.It!  I downloaded some games that Chloee can play on it.  I'm kinda addicted playing around with it.  It rocks.  Fo shizzle.

When Jace comes to play.  Totally occupies Jack and helps to release his energy.  'nuff said.

In less than 24 hours, I will be in SoCal.  I like that Splenda lets me spend the money to go.  I like that the kids let me stay and play with them.  I like that I get to snuggle Chloee, and play barn, and hide in the closet, and play at her park.  Good times. I like it!

Sunday nights.  We usually get the kids for dinner and then movie night.  I like tradition.  I like routine when it comes to my family.  I like all my lil chickens gathered together.  If only 2 years and 8 months would pass by quickly.  Then I have them all.

Retirement.  Okay, sorta retirement since I'm working the gig at Wasatch Running.  But that is part time.  The rest of my days are filled with stuff I want to do.  Gym, hot baths, reading, sleeping, sometimes lunch with besties......stuff I want to do with people that are genuine friends whom I love.  So NOT overrated at all!

and finally......

I like my diet brown bubbles.  Every day.  Someone asked me last week  if I had a certain "drink".  Not really.  It just has to be diet, brown, and bubbly.  If it's coke or pepsi, then I'll add some vanilla.  Other than that, I am just a DBB girl. 

So there's the first of hopefully many "I like ...." lists.

Do you like what I like?

Where's the line to see Jesus?

I got the following in an email yesterday from my bestie SIL:


"About the Song

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"?


My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City
Studios.


It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goose bumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville ... still no response.

Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothing. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today.*


Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone."

Enjoy the video - I loved it and the message it sends......

mCat's Family Annual Christmas Card - 2011 version

Because I don't send out Christmas cards or letters, well, I used to when I was young and it all seemed romantic to me, and I had time, and I cared, the blog is going to serve as our Family Christmas Card and yearly update.

I know what you're thinking and I totally agree.  Lame.  Lazy.  And very scrooge-ish.

I'm okay with all of those adjectives right now, really.

All throughout blog land, and even in my very own mailbox, everyone has these beautiful professional pictures done and I can't even get my entire family in one spot.  Well, we did at Tuffy's wedding, but I was thinking wedding and not Christmas cards, on account I don't send them.  And since it will be 2012 before I get them all in the same room again, I had to improvise.

Behold - our beautiful Family 2011 Christmas picture!

back row - Splenda, mCat, Jordan, Jack, Corbin, Karalee, Chloee

front row - Luke, Tuffy, Montana and Jace

Aren't we a good looking bunch?!  And LOOK at our tree!  Gosh, you will be hard pressed to find anything else out there even comparable.  Really.  Isn't the touch of camo on Corb pretty cool?  And the pink skirts on all of us girls matching just so?  And we even got the all the dogs to sit still and smile.  A Christmas Miracle!!

Okay, if you can just peel your eyes away from the stunning photo, I will now commence with our family update for the year 2011

We began it all with a very rocky start by losing Jillian on Christmas eve.  2011 was going to be tough.  January was spent with Corb finished up his USMC training.  Luke enrolled in school in Orem.  Tuffy and Montana kept dating and working and finishing school. 

Jordan got fat

Jack got crazy.

Spring came,  Corbin finished up his combat training in CA, his specialty training back east and was getting ready to get established back in Camp Pendelton.

Karalee became a huge part of our lives.

Luke still doing school and working and dating

Tuffy and Montana still dating and working

Jordan got fatter

Jack got crazier

Summer showed up for a minute.

Corbin and Karalee got married on the beach in California.

Luke was working, schooling and dating.

Tuffy and Montana were working, dating and planning a wedding.

Jordan kept getting fat

Jack kept getting crazy

Fall struck too early.

   Corb working in the armory as a small arms tech stationed at Camp Pendleton. 

Karalee doing school part time and jewelry on the side. 

Luke still schooling, working, dating.

Tuffy and Montana got married and moved into a cute little apartment not from from here.

Jordan still packin on the ellbees

Jack still whirling around in his own craziness

Now it's winter and the end of the year fast approaching.

Corb's fam is doing fantastic in SoCal.  USMC is good to them.  They are good for the USMC.  Win-Win relationship

Luke is still working, schooling and dating.  I think he likes the dating part the most.

Tuffy and Montana got a new puppy and both working and loving the newlywed life.

Jordan is helplessly tubby.

Jack is hopelessly nuts

and Jace the new puppy is adorably cute.

And Chloee?  Well she spent the year being the cute, adorable, litte punkin that she is.  She justs get cuter every day!

 

So what have Splenda and mCat been doing all year?

*blink*   *blink*

*blank stare*

Surviving. 

We are just along for the ride with our kids.  For us, that's what our world is all about.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

PS - if you are interested in the amazing pictorial art above, send me an email and I could prolly make one happen for you family.  Unless you have a bazillion kids and then most likely not.

PSS - if you need one for your fridge to hang up with all the other cute ones you get, just click the print button and make sure you have paper in your printer.

PSSS - This won't be the last post on Christmas so don't get your socks spinning yet, just needed to get the cards out you know!

Wordless Wednesday - almost

Karalee walked into the kitchen to this........

 Clearly there is a little girl who adores her daddy~

Festival of Trees - 2011

Last year I spent a good deal of time explaining it all here and since feelings are especially tender this year, for a couple of reasons, I'm just gonna share it all in pictures and minor commentary.

First off is decorating day.  It's the day where anyone who is placing a tree, wreath, or other item brings their things and sets it all up.  Everything has to pass inspection (ornaments glued or wired on, lights working, appropriate stand and pole, etc)  So in addition to decorators, there are several volunteers there working to make sure it all gets done just perfectly.



Decoration day.  I didn't get many pictures since I was back and forth finding extension cords, fluffing wreaths and basically anything I could do to help Debbi

This scene of people, boxes, random odds and ends will be transformed into something beautiful by the end of the day

I had to snap a picture of this painting.  I think it's my favorite ever.  On the brass plate there at the bottom are the words "I do believe"

A lot of people were trying to figure out how they could get a bid in on this one!

This was one of the highlights.  Just as I got there, a news crew from a local station was doing a story for the evening news, so I had to wait until they all left before I could get a decent shot.  It was quite the masterpiece!

The next day is the bidding night, and it's invitation only.  Most of the items get sold that night.  Sometimes the buyers will allow their names to show who purchased it, or they can remain anonymous and simply are listed as "Friends of Festival"

In past years when I have had the opportunity to work these nights, it's either been in the gift shop, or small fry house.  This year, Splenda and I had the best assignment of all.  Spend the evening at Debbi's house so that Rob wasn't left alone.  Her grown sons needed to be home with their young families and she needed to be at Festival, so it was Splenda and I's privilege to go hang out with Rob.  The first night, he felt like he needed to stay up and chat, which we loved doing, but it tired him out.  We promised to make sure he went to bed the rest of the week.

On Friday, I had an extra ticket so I dragged Treasure with me and we went during the day with the intent of taking our time and enjoying each tree.

This cute spider tree in the small trees section.  I thought of Chloee and how much she would like this one!

The tree was made out of books with the topper a reading lamp

Patriotic honoring all the armed forces

It was titled

"On Hallowed Ground"

This jumped out to me.  Maybe because it's how I am feeling right about now

all things dog

No question that this was one of my most favorites.  All USMC.  Everything about the tree, I loved.  The dogtags, the ornaments, the colors......it was stunning to me

This one was made completely of tires.  Totally cool

Another unique piece.  It was a puzzle, but in the missing pieces sections were scenes from Jesus' birth.  Very well done

This is a kids dream true - I reminded me of Super Skyler

A piece had been added to the Peanuts themed tree - a real Charlie Brown tree.  Love it

Another military one about the Challenge coin.  I love knowing that Corb carries his own challenge coin with him.  A hard earned coin indeed.

This was another favorite.  Based on "A Christmas Story"  See the leg lamps, the bunny jammies and slippers, ornament made of bars of soap and famous sayings from the movie

The tree topper is a little boy with his tongue stuck to the pole.  You can also see the Red Ryder BB gun

Love me the leg lamp!

Okay, so I see this sign and KNOW that I have to get a picture of Treasure next to it

And I sincerely apologize to the people that I totally stepped right in front of while they were trying to take their own picture and then instead of moving aside since they were there first, I just went ahead and snapped my shot.  I think Treasure wanted to run far, far away from me.  I really wasn't being rude, I just figured since I was already there, I'd just hurry and finish up.  Yeah, I suffer in the manners department.

A tree made entirely of vintage barbies!  A little girls dream!

This is another favorite of mine. My cousin and her husband are firefighters with the UFA.  In honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, they did this tree dedicated to those firefighters who lost their lives on that date.  Behind the bookshelf that contains actual pictures from ground zero, is a flag displaying each firefighters name.  NYFD were contacted when they started and donated much of what is pictured here.  It was another tearjerker.

Then it was time for the Gingerbread houses

The Up house

A beehive.  There were actually four of them this year.  Each one amazing

This is stunning.  The theme is Madagscar.  Treasure noted it was decorated by a Women's shelter.  I am very impressed.  They also decorated and submitted this awesome White House one

The barn made me think of Chloee.  She has a barn set that she likes to play with over Skype.  Makes it kind of interesting : )

The camping one was so unique

Who doesn't love a beach theme?

Tangled

This one was just cool.  Look how they used little bite sized shredded wheat pieces.  People so are talented

We spent time in the gift shop, ate a scone, sipped our diet coke and Treasure bought her hubby some fudge.  What a great afternoon just enjoying it all.  And best part? 

 Wait for it..........

there wasn't ONE TWILIGHT THEMED TREE!!!!!!

A good day indeed.

Saturday night is clean up night.  Trees have to be bagged and loaded onto trucks.  Shops have to be taken down and cleaned up.  Forklifts are buzzing around picking up pallets of things and loading them onto trucks.

Our cute neighbor boy rounded up some volunteers as his Eagle Scout project and of course Splenda and I would have been there anyway to do whatever Deb told us to do.

Fun for me, was that a lot of our youth were there, including one of my bestie YW!

Me and 'nae

No these were NOT our helper kids.  While it was pretty funny, it was terrible waste of shrink wrap

Brockie driving the forklift

The Peanuts tree all bagged and dismantled

What was once a bustling shop, is quickly taken down and loaded onto pallets

No one drives a forklift like our Deb!

A funny thing.  As part of prep work for Festival, some kids in our neighborhood started a "Candy Crusade" gathering any leftover Halloween candy or otherwise unwanted candy to be used in the Kids Korner and Small Fry shop.  As 'nae and I were sweeping up, we ran across a piece of taffy that had been at Tuffy and 'Tana's wedding but was extra and donated.  Small little co-winky-dink don'tcha think?

We finally left at about 1am, even though others were still there working hard long into the early hours of Sunday morning.  I have to say, this year was a success.  Sure, I haven't heard the actual dollar numbers of what was raised, but for our experience, it was another year of not just fun, but of service and lessons in humility.

Looking forward to Festival 2012!