"I am no hero"

It's been much too long since I've blogged. It's my hope to pick back up and blog on a more regular basis. We shall see...

Today I received a noteworthy email from my best guy friend who is currently deployed to Iraq, again. This particular email was sent to all of his family and friends, at the same time, in an attempt to save time. With his permission, I'm adding it here.

The email reads:

I am not sure how many of you read the book Band of Brothers or have even seen the mini series that was on HBO based off the book. Darrell "Shifty" Powers was a member of 506th PIR REGT in WWII that freed the world from Hitler.

It troubles me to know that a true American Hero like Shifty Powers passes away without any fan fare or real acknowledgment. Sadly, many members of the "Greatest Generation" are passing away and there are fewer and fewer left. What really bothers me is the Nation morns the loss of an ex NFL QB, that was killed by his girlfriend while his wife was at home. The world morns the loss of Micheal Jackson. So many of his European fans wouldn't have the freedoms they have today with out men like Shifty Powers. How many of these true American Heroes have passed away unnoticed? I remember being at Ft Lewis, WA when some NASCAR driver was killed. The country seemed to stand still, but earlier that week a Blackhawk crashed killing all on board, and it was just a blurb in the news.

I dont think we as Americans realize what we have and what those who have died have given us. Go talk to a member of the Armed Forces or a Veteran. Say thank you to them, call them a hero. Almost all of them won't know what to say. They will tell you "I am no hero". Many will be embarrased. Many will say "I just did my job". As Americans, I think we need to pay more attention to those who truely are heros. Not the Jacksons, McNairs, and all the others that are remembered while those who truly know what is it like to give or some that gave it all get no mention.

Just my thought for today. I hope you all are well.

Most days, especially today, I have to wonder if he truly realizes he is one of the heroes he has written about. I honestly think he doesn't. What I do know is he would definitely tell you he's no hero... but, he is.

One Thought

I have but one thought this morning...
I. am. so. glad. these. 3. weeks. are. finally. coming. to. an. end.!!!

Weather permitting, Ben will be flying home this evening. Sure, I've missed my husband something fierce and will be extremely happy to have him home. However, can I just say, without sounding a bit too whiney, that these 3 weeks have been very difficult ones for me, so I will be more than extremely happy to have him home?

It started with my misadventure of choosing to leave post on the wrong day. When I returned, I was informed that our post had become a closed post over night and anyone not having a sticker on their car would not be allowed on post. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. Being that we'd just bought a new vehicle (which didn't have a sticker yet), this day it was a huge problem! After 3 hours, a lot of begging and pleading, and threatened tears I was finally given an overnight pass so that I could drive home and park the new car. So, parked it has been all this time.

This past week I've been weathering (pun intended) the ice/snow storm we had. Lots of time with no power and lots of time being cold! I heard on the t.v. last night that I'm one of the fortunate ones. Evidently there are still thousands with no electricity and it could be as long as 7-10 days before it's back on. (This morning's report indicates it may be much quicker. I pray it is!) Yesterday, while doing a load of laundry, my washing machine flooded my floor. Flooded as in it managed to empty the whole barrel of water underneath it. Good times!

There were a lot of little things in between, too. One was me stabbing my hand with an antique fork while cleaning and polishing my silver. (Ouch! Who knew a fork could be so... hazardous!?) Suffice it to say, I really need one of my husband's comforting hugs and whispers in my ear that "everything is ok" right about now!

In other news, I heard from a very dear friend of mine this past week, via email, after not hearing from said friend for over a year. Sometimes life just gets in the way, you know? It was good being able to catch up, read about old times, and see new family photos (and an old one I'd never seen). Anyway, this friend is now in a very dangerous place. If you're reading this, and could spare a prayer or two, my friend could really use them!

Signing off now. There are a million and one last minute things I need to get done around here before that plane lands tonight.

Spot On

MY result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• * Ask me questions to help me get clear


• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• * Let me know you like what I've done or said


• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting


• * caring for and being concerned about others


• * being able to relax and have a good time


• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• * being confused about what I really want


• * caring too much about what others will think of me


• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm


• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Pieces of Me (Mosaic)

How neat is this?!? I stumbled upon another 'blog game' and just had to play! Want to play, too? If so, here's how:

First, you answer the following 12 questions about yourself (my answers are in parentheses after each question):

1. What is your first name? (Lauren)

2. What is your favorite food? (Italian)

3. What high school did you attend? (Chattanooga Central High School)

4. What is your favorite color? (Green)

5. Who is your celebrity crush? (David Cook)

6. Favorite drink? (Coffee)

7. Dream vacation? (Italy!)

8. Favorite dessert? (Chocolate Trifle)

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Content. Hah!)

10. What do you love most in life? (Life, itself!)

11. One word to describe you? (Happy)

12. Your Flickr name? (mrsarmytanker)

After you've answered your questions, type your answer to each question into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite, and then copy and paste each of the URL’s into the Mosaic Maker (3 columns, 4 rows). I had to cheat on the last one and grab a photo from my saved favorites, since absolutely nothing came up when I searched my flickr name.

Enjoy, have fun, & be inspired!

Photo Credits:
1. House with fancy turrets, Main St., Laurens, 2. Back from my Méditerranée villa, 3. CHATTANOOGA, 4. Autumn walk, 5. David Cook, 6. coffee & the city, 7. Venice, 8. chocolate trifle with raspberry, 9. Sunshine, 10. life is a journey, 11. Rosy Button ~ Page in my Happy Quilt Journal ~ for no particular reason other than I can, 12. Who needs orange?

What is a Military Wife?

In my inbox this morning and (I feel) worth saving (and repeating) in my blog...

"What is a MILITARY Wife?"

A Military wife can be tough to describe.

She is a Southern belle, a Northeastern Mets
fan, a California 3rd generation recycler, a
Pacific Islander or even European.

She is short or tall.
A tomboy.
A fashion diva.
A physician's assistant.
A Republican.
A Democrat...

A Military Wife is a career gal.
A home-schooler.
A scrap-booker.
An accomplished cellist.
An auto mechanic.

What IS a Military Wife?
WHAT is a Military Wife?
What is a MILITARY Wife?

They may look different and each is wonderfully unique,
but this they have in common...

Lots of moving...
Moving.
Moving.
Moving.
Moving far from home.
Moving two cars, three kids, one dog,
and a cat...
all riding with HER, of course.
Moving sofas to basements because they
won't go in THIS house.
Moving curtains that won't fit.
Moving jobs, and certifications, and
professional development hours.
Moving away from friends.
Moving toward 20 new friends.
Moving her most important luggage; her
trunkful of memories.

Often waiting...
Waiting.
waiting.
waiting for housing;
waiting for orders;
waiting for deployment;
waiting FOR reunion;
waiting for phones calls;
waiting for the new curtains to arrive;
waiting for him to come home for
dinner----AGAIN!

They call her "military dependent",
but she knows better...
She can balance a checkbook.
Handle the yard work.
Fix a noisy toilet...
As well as check the fluids in her car!

She is intimately familiar with drywall,
anchors, and toggle bolts.

She can file the taxes,
sell a house,
buy a car,
or set up a move...
all with ONE POA (Power of Attorney).

She welcomes neighbors that don't always welcome her.

She re-invents her career with every PCS;
locates a house in the desert,
the arctic, or the deep south, and learns to
call them all "home".

She MAKES them all home.

She is fiercely IN-dependent...
Military Wives are somewhat hasty;
They leap into decorating, leadership,
volunteering, career alternatives,
churches, and friendships.
They don't have 15 years to get to know
people.

Their roots are short but flexible.

They plant annuals for themselves and
perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each
other.

They connect over coffee, rely on the
spouse-network, and accept offers of friendship
and favors... all the while recording addresses in pencil.

Military Wives have a common bond.

The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands.
His commitment is unique...
He doesn't have a job,
he has a "mission" he can't
just decide to quit...
He's on-call for his country 24/7,
but for military wives, their husband is the most unreliable
guy in town!

His language is foreign:
TDY
PCS
OPR
ACC
BDU
... so, a Military Wife is also a translator for her
family and friends.

She is the long-distance link to keep them
informed, the glue that holds them together.

A military wife has her moments...
She wants to wring his neck,
dye his uniform pink, and
refuse to move to Siberia.

But she always pulls herself together.

Give her a few days, a travel brochure, a
long hot bath, a pledge to the flag, and a
wedding picture.

... And she goes. She packs. She moves. She
follows.

Why? What for? How come? You may think it is
because she has lost her mind.

But, actually it is because she has lost her
heart.

It was stolen from her by a man.
A man...
Who puts duty first.
Who longs to deploy.
Who salutes the flag.
And, whose boots in the doorway remind her
that as long as he is her Military husband,
She will remain his Military wife....

THAT is what a military wife IS!

Twenty Wishes

What a wonderful morning! God is good and I'm very blessed! We're very blessed!... Period. Paragraph.

Last week, in between time at the hospital, doctor visits, and resting at home, I finished one of the books my mother got me for my birthday. The book I read is Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber. Great book! (Thanks, Mom!) To read a description and excerpt of Twenty Wishes click HERE.

Reading this book has prompted me to start a list of my own twenty wishes.

For now, I have three. My list will be a work in progress since I have to give my wishes some serious thought. "Be careful what you wish for...", right? ;)

My Twenty Wishes:

1. Have a home that I can call my own. (Not a roof over my head that is provided by the Army)

2. Travel to Italy with my husband.

3. Travel to Holland with my brother to visit the places where our ancestors came from.

(To be continued.)

For The Love Of Music

Update on Ben: Ben had a doctor visit two days ago and has to schedule an MRI. We'll be making that appointment on Monday. For now, he's resting at home (and feeling as if he's catching a cold, does it ever end?!?), and I'm doing my best to keep him comfortable and take care of him.

You may have noticed I added a playlist of favorite songs to my blog. If you don't wish to hear the music, just simply scroll down and turn the player off.

My love of music started at a very young age. (Thanks, mom!) When I was a little girl one could find me often sitting in front of the record player, regardless of where I was. (Record player! That makes me feel very old!) My parents had one in the living room, I had one in my bedroom, there was one at my grandparents, and one at my aunt and uncle's house that I visited often. Sitting and listening to my favorite songs was one of my favorite things to do. Today, I still love music just as much. Each of the songs on my playlist have a special meaning to me in one way or another and this is the reason I chose them for my list.

The first song on the list, Father can you hear me, has been a very special song for Ben and I, both, for a few years. For this reason, I sent this song to him while he was in Iraq hoping it would somewhat comfort him. I could listen to this song over and over again... and sometimes I find myself doing just that!

Always have, always will by Avalon is very near and dear to my heart as well. This song is one I can identify with and could have been written just for me, about me. (My parents would probably strongly agree!) ;)

Dive and I do believe by Steven Curtis Chapman and Shackles by Mary Mary are 'pump me up' songs. All three are older songs, but still favorites to this day. I can always count on these songs to give me a kick start when I need one!

Shout to the Lord is more of a comfort song than anything, but I love it! This song always reminds me of home, my church (back home). If I'm homesick, this song usually makes me feel a little less so just listening to it. You'll notice the version I have on my playlist is the version sung on American Idol this past season. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard it sung, but am glad it was. (That was the icing on the cake watching the show that night!)

God of Wonders by Third Day is probably my favorite of all of these songs. Not only is it probably the most beautiful of all the songs on my playlist, but is also the most comforting to me. (Comfort. There's that word again!)

More than you'll ever know by Watermark has been a favorite for many years. This song always makes me think of my best friend, Stephanie. She knows our history and why, and I'll leave it at that. Listen to the words and you'll more than likely 'get it'. We may not always get to talk daily or visit with one another as often as we'd like due to miles separating us, we might be going through rough patches in our lives, but there's one thing I can always count on... and that is no matter what, I'm always in her prayers. I hope she knows she's always in mine as well. (I feel confident she does!)

Fingerprints by Steven Curtis Chapman is one that has caused me to think of different people in my life, depending on when I've heard it. I've thought of Ashley, the kids I used to work with, friends, and more recently, Ben. Sometimes, words can't explain what we think or feel sufficiently. This song puts some of my thoughts and feelings into words. This is probably one of the reasons I love it so much!

Redeemer, Crystal Clear, Hands and Feet, and Holy are simply comfort songs for me. I've loved them for years and know without a doubt they'll remain favorites of mine for years to come. (Comfort, yet again. Seeing a trend here?)

It's no secret that I love contemporary Christian music, but may come as a surprise to some that read this blog entry. If you've never heard of some of these songs, I hope that if/when you do hear them, at least one of them will comfort you as much as all of them do me.