Work..?

Greetings,

Not sure if this should be called work for him...

Form airplanes to tanks...I think Harry likes Big toys..?


Blessings and be safe,

Thanksgiving recap

Greetings,


Some friends I decided....


to head up to New York City for the Macy's Day Parade...

Not a traditional thanksgiving.... but the Cantonese noodles from Chinatown were delicious!


Blessings of Thankfulness,

Thanksgiving

New York ....

here we come!

Bring on the Macy's Day parade!


Blessings,

Fire in the Hole

Greetings,

While sitting at the computer...

I heard this irritating and deafening squealing sound .  The sound of a smoke detector at full blast.

As I round the corner, I see a flaming toaster inches from the new cabinets.  Instinctively, I unplug the toaster and try to blow out the flames.

When this fails....

I toss it outside on the porch steps...

as the wind picks up... (and I have time to grab a camera) the flames continue

So ...

I kick the toaster down the steps and into the yard.

Time to add a new toaster to the Christmas wish list!


Blessings,

Lawn Care Needed

Greetings,

Because I sure as all get out.... DO NOT WANT TO DO IT!!!


Blessings, 

Is traditional out?

Greetings,

I am beginning to think...

I am a little old fashioned when it comes to church...?

Gone are the days when folks wear their Sunday best?  Not sure if I will ever get used to wearing jeans to church on a Sunday morning.

But to each his own... I am sure God does not have a problem with it... just old fashioned silly willy's like myself!


Blessings,

Fun in the Sun

Greetings,

He looks like he is having the time of his life...

I guess I thought he should look a little sad and homesick, but that's just not Harry!

Keep up the hard work Harry... we are proud of you!

Blessings,

Bowling & birthdays

Greetings,


I ventured home (Florida home) this weekend... for my niece's 6th birthday.


Nothing like hanging out with a large group of 6 year-olds, loud music, screaming kids, and bowling balls to make you feel young again.

I think the highlight of the night was Kadence's little brother Karter Lawson and his bowling ball prop...

As soon as the ball was released... he was ready for a new one.

It's nice being home again...


Blessings,

Navy.mil Djibouti

Greetings,

26th MEU Marines endure African climate to train in Djibouti 

11/12/2010  By Lance Cpl. Santiago G. Colon Jr  , 26th MEU 

DJIBOUTI, Africa   — 

Marines with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived on the shores of a Djiboutian beach to scorching temperatures and the site of donkeys, camels and a mountainous landscape to conduct sustainment training at the end of October 2010.

More than 200 Marines with Fox Battery 2/12 arrived on the African beach to perform a six-day training evolution consisting of fire mission exercises for the M777A2 Howitzer and M224 mortar, a machine gun shoot, and other training.

The main goal of the Djibouti exercise for Fox Battery 2/12 was to sharpen combat procedures in a new environment after spending weeks at sea, said Cpl. David C. Sparks, a field radio operator with Fox Battery 2/12.

"This was a good chance to knock the rust off and stretch our legs on land," said Sparks, who added that the ability to perform sustainment training in the open spaces ashore reinforced the Marines' skills. "No matter what we do, we perform as a battery by shooting, moving and communicating."

For Marines with Company L, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th MEU, who arrived to conduct their sustainment training Oct. 27 through Nov. 2, Djibouti was a chance to sharpen combat skills on a larger scale than what is available aboard USS Carter Hall, said 1st Sgt. Troy A. Nicks, Company L first sergeant.

"The main focus of Djibouti was on critical and crucial skill sets at the platoon-level," Nicks said.

While on ship, Marines with Company L rehearsed their tactics as squads and fire teams, Nicks added. The Djiboutian training was a culmination of training aboard ship as an entire company.

During the six-day training evolution, Marines conducted squad and platoon-level events, including patrols through the rugged terrain and mountains, physical training, military classes, an obstacle course, and simulated mechanized raids with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon.

The terrain and environment provided the Marines a realistic feel to a battlefield they might face in the future, added Nicks.

"The Djibouti training was a win-win for the company as we got some very valuable training time," Nicks said.

Corporal Tristan B. Pursley, a machine gunner with Company L who deployed to Afghanistan in Fall 2008, said the training was invaluable to the present deployment and future possible deployments.

"The mountainous terrain and heat were extremely similar to Afghanistan," said Pursley. "This training environment was the best we have had so far."

The last day of the training evolution Company L held a "beach bash" for the Marines and sailors as a chance to relax after intense training, said Nicks. The bash consisted of grilled hot dogs and a bonfire on the beach.

"During the bash we had a little warrior's class and had veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan talk about their experiences and how their training really benefitted them at specific times," Nicks said.

Their time in Djibouti was not only a successful training opportunity but also a memorable event for Marines with Company L, added Nicks.

"The Marines will always remember Djibouti," said Nicks. "I know I will."

http://www.usmc.mil/unit/26thmeu/Pages/26thMEUDjibouti.aspx

Food on Foot

Greetings,

Some of the Carter Hall ladies decided to go on the Food on Foot tour

Virginia Beach Food On Foot Tours was established in 2010 to help visitors and local residents find the ultimate food and cultural experience "off the beaten path." We began our research enjoying the delicious foods and diverse atmospheres that existed within the beach.

Our experience has inspired us to create Virginia Beach's finest food tasting and walking tours at the ocean front. The tours begins along the longest pleasure beach in the world listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Virginia Beach Food On Foot Tours offers fun and fascinating walking, food tasting, and discovery tours to people from around the world. We highlight "off the beaten path" establishments that locals frequent and incorporate unique and delicious food tastings. Besides the great food, all attendees learn fun facts about our beach. Our goal at Virginia Beach Food On Foot Tours is for everyone to return to these establishments with confidence and take advantage of the wide range of food and experience that they offer.

The staff at Virginia Beach Food On Foot Tours is proud to share our knowledge and discoveries with you. Let us take you on a 2 1/2 to 3 hour journey that introduces you to the best of the best while opening up a whole new world just waiting to be explored.

http://virginiabeachfoodonfoottours.com/

We had a great time...


Blessings,

Messaging

Greetings, 






I received this message from Harry today...




"Do you want to chat on facebook?"




Coming from Harry this just sounds... well, so odd.  I have never heard him use the word "chat".  


And facebook is a new phenomenon for him...


But it is kinda sweet and cute... like a date or something.




A facebook chat date.  




Out first chat date.


The joys of deployment!


Blessings,

United Through Reading

Greetings,

Not sure if everyone knows about the United Through Reading Program....


Founded in 1989, United Through Reading is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) public benefit organization.

Our mission is to unite families facing physical separation by facilitating the bonding experience of reading aloud together.

Our vision is that all children will feel the security of caring family relationships and develop a love of reading through the read-aloud experience.

The nationally-acclaimed programs developed by United Through Reading provide opportunities for emotional bonding that relieve the stress of separation and instill a love of reading by providing the opportunity for  family members  to read aloud to children on  DVD. Our programs help bring far-away family members back home for a little while each day, and help turn what might otherwise be tentative, anxious family re-introductions into joyous reunions.

Separation from a parent is one of life’s most stressful events for children, affecting their sense of security, their relationships, and their ability to learn. More than one million American children are separated from one or both parents due to military deployment and nearly double that for children separated from their loved ones due to incarceration, drug treatment, or social services. Still others are separated from their grandparents, and therefore, from generational love and learning

So basically, the sailors make a recorded dvd of themselves reading to their children.  Package the dvd and mail it home.

Harry has been coordinating the program for the ship... and the response has been amazing.

Some of the stories just make you want to cry... how some of our little toddlers will reach for the tv screen just to touch their mom or dad.

Harry has read to our niece and nephew... and he even made me one.  It makes you want to cry, both happy and sad tears.


If you ever run across this organization or have the opportunity to become involved... I highly recommend it!

Blessings,

Gulf of Aden

Greetings, 




Just thought I would share....

GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 2, 2010) Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) approach the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) after amphibious training in Djibouti. Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released)


Blessings,

Over dressed

Greetings,

I have been to a few churches where I feel a little overdressed.... remember the Ninja turtle shirt wearing worship leader!

I do not have this problem ... I am currently attending church ....

in my pajama's.

Online LIVE with my home church.

And fluffy UGG slippers!

So I have changed my stance on church attire....

it all depends on the circumstance (and locale)!


Blessings,