REMEMBER

Mere words cannot even begin to express the feeling behind today's date ... Here is a poem that was sent to me that I wanted to share with all of you... May we all take a moment..to remember-to pray-to pause-and to think about all those lives who have been affected by such a horror.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO THOUSAND ONE, NINE ELEVEN (2001-911)

  Two thousand one, nine eleven
  Three thousand plus arrive in heaven
  As they pass through the gate,
  Thousands more appear in wait
  A bearded man with stovepipe hat
  Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat"

  They settle down in seats of clouds
  A man named Martin shouts out proud
  "I have a dream!" and once he did
  The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives."

  Groups of soldiers in blue and gray
  Others in khaki, and green then say
  "We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine"
  The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain."

  From a man on sticks one could hear
  "The only thing we have to fear.
  The Newcomer said, "We know the rest,
  Trust us sir, we've passed that test."

  "Courage doesn't hide in caves
  You can't bury freedom, in a grave,"
  The Newcomers had heard this voice before
  A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannisport shores

  A silence fell within the mist
  Somehow the Newcomer knew that this
  Meant time had come for her to say
  What was in the hearts of the five thousand plus that day

  "Back on Earth, we wrote reports,
  Watched our children play in sports
  Worked our gardens, sang our songs
  Went to church and clipped coupons
  We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we fought
  Unlike you, great we're not"

  The tall man in the stovepipe hat
  Stood and said, "Don't talk like that!
  Look at your country, look and see
  You died for freedom, just like me"

  Then, before them all appeared a scene
  Of rumbled streets and twisted beams
  Death, destruction, smoke and dust
  And people working just 'cause they must

  Hauling ash, lifting stones,
  Knee deep in hell, but not alone
  "Look! Blackman, Whiteman, Brownman, Yellowman
  Side by side helping their fellow man!"

  So said Martin, as he watched the scene
  "Even from nightmares, can be born a dream."

  Down below three firemen raised
  The colors high into ashen haze
  The soldiers above had seen it before
  On Iwo Jima back in '45

  The man on sticks studied everything closely
  Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly
  "I see pain, I see tears,
  I see sorrow -- but I don't see fear."

  "You left behind husbands and wives
  Daughters and sons and so many lives
  Are suffering now because of this wrong
  But look very closely. You're not really gone.

  All of those people, even those who've never met you
  All of their lives, they'll never forget you
  Don't you see what has happened?
  Don't you see what you've done?
  You've brought them together, together as one.

  With that the man in the stovepipe hat said
  "Take my hand," and from there he led
  Three thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven
  On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven

  Author UNKNOWN

 

Tags: September 11 2001, Always Remember, WTC, Never forget

TRIBUTE TO STEVE IRWIN

-- Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.
Irwin was at Batt Reef, off the remote coast of northeastern Queensland state, shooting a segment for a series called "Ocean's Deadliest" when he swam too close to one of the animals, which have a poisonous barb on their tails, his friend and colleague John Stainton said.
"He came on top of the stingray and the stingray's barb went up and into his chest and put a hole into his heart," said Stainton, who was on board Irwin's boat at the time.
Crew members aboard the boat, Croc One, called emergency services in the nearest city, Cairns, and administered CPR as they rushed the boat to nearby Low Isle to meet a rescue helicopter. Medical staff pronounced Irwin dead when they arrived a short time later, Stainton said.
"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," Stainton told reporters in Cairns. "He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!'"

Tags: Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, Crickey, Tribute

TESTING OUT WOOHOO

Of course aol has a new toy that I had to try out...it works...clicking on a pic makes it bigger..otherwise they move on their own...I will be back with entries..just trying to do some fun things that are new!!!
Tags: woohoo

 

 

 

 

 

Hello everyone

I know ...I seem to be good at the disappearing act and you all have probably given up on me. I am sorry for not being around...I have and am still going through a very difficult time... Of course it revolves around my health...that seems to be my middle name. HEALTH.

I am to the point that I am SO SICK of being SICK. With my lungs...the humidity is truly a killer for me. When I step out the front door...it feels like an elephant jumped onto my chest (what a visual!!!). I find it so difficult to breathe and just do normal things. I HATE IT!!!

Then as you all probably know that I have been going to a psych doctor for quite some time...I guess when you find out that your life will never be the same and it will not be for long...you tend to go through some funky thinking and stages.

Well because I wanted to switch psych doctors I no longer have any medicine left...well that throws away 4 years of getting me somewhat stable and able to cope with getting up and dealing with simple things(a very long road). Well I am back to the beginning. I can not even deal with me anymore. Much less anything else. I went to the pulmonologist..and my pft test came out to 60%. I only  have 60% use of my lungs...that is as good as it will ever get at this point...now they are trying to find a combination of medications that I can be maintained on while letting off the steroids. Now if you have ever been on steroids for a VERY LONG PERIOD OF TIME...it does some very terrible things to your body...it destroys good things while trying to take care of your problem. Well as my luck would have it...I have severe joint pain...they cannot figure out what it is...other than some infection going through my body which has been around a long time and no one has any answers....the less steroids I take the worse the pain...I cannot win for losing here. For some reason the steroids help with the pain...which the doctors say that they would.

I do not have to go back to that doctor till January (THANK GOD). Actually he is a sweetheart. So very kind and we talked a long time...he told me to try and make it in to see him before the decade ends...LOL just a funny because I try not to go to him. But he is very very cool.

Now I received a letter about a new psych doctor I was assigned to. First his office is about an hour away. (depending on traffic). We got there about 5 minutes late for my appointment but they said not to worry because they leave 30 minutes open to fill out the paperwork. That paperwork...was UNBELIEVABLE...I have never been asked so many questions about everything under the sun.

Well after waiting another hour to be seen...I get called in and the doc is constantly interrupted by phone calls. Then he starts asking me more questions and then starts to record the information for a medical transcriptionist but getting all my information and answers mixed up and wrong. I had to keep correcting him but he just did not get it. After about 30 minutes of this garbage...he said he would be back..he had an emergency to deal with- I was left sitting in his office for over an hour. Just sitting twiddling my thumbs. I was fuming by the time he came back. Then he got more of my info even more mixed up and started asking me questions about who my lawyer was and how much am I making on workman's comp and why have I not settled my case. (these questions are NOT permitted...I must have a lawyer present for him to ask me...it is the law here) he said he does not understand why I have a problem with going out and dealing with people because I used to go to work everyday.

He then told me it is probably better if I am put into a residential treatment hospital for long term care. I FREAKED OUT!!! I screamed no...I do not see things that way...but he is keeping that option open.

Then he told me I had to attend his weekly group for workman's comp patients to get together and share complaints about W/C. Sorry but my lawyer told me NEVER to discuss my case. This doctor is out of his mind. We got there at 2:40 in the afternoon and got out at 7pm. OMG...this doctor is crazy.

Also he would NOT prescribe me any of the medications that I was taking because he wants me in the group..that is his solution.

I cried for two days...Allen was so upset because it seems that I can never get the help I need. I called my lawyer but he is out of town until the end of next week...so his assistant told me to cancel my first appointment for group and not give any reason and wait to hear from the lawyer. She agreed that it seems that the doc stepped over the line and there is something wrong with this pic.

I am having severe anxiety attacks now especially about this doctor. ENOUGH of this...moving on with more news...

My son AJ who is in the army finished up his MOS training and is back in Tennessee. He is a bit more happier now...once he gets established with his unit and figures out how things go..he wants to move back to Orlando...YAYAYAY...I so hope he does..I miss him beyond belief. He also got a promotion to E2...so I am happy for him.

My daughter goes back to school today...Monday.

She is not a happy camper but I am. She really wasted a summer away and needs to keep herself busy.

My other son...has been approached by the marines and the army to join them...he is thinking marines..which is fine by me...I guess he has until September to make up his mind. He really wants to be an MP...oh lord...just like my father.

Allen - my sweet hunnie bunnie...is under a lot of stress about work and other things going on...he is seriously thinking of retirement from the department of correction. In a way I hope he does..because I think that is the problem behind the majority of his headaches. But I want him to get involved in something to keep himself busy...because him being home all this time has driven me a bit crazy. We first have to get all our duckies in a row so keep some positive thoughts for us.

Okay...as you can see...life has been a bit chaotic for me...I hope you all hang in there with me..I need friends...need the support.

I think I will stop this small novel here...Take care dear friends..

PEACE!!!!

FINALLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally – My check came in from W/C. PRAISE GOD!!! I called my lawyer on Friday and left him a message that my check has disappeared and Allen just happen to go out to check the mail around 3:15 Monday and walked into the puter room and the phone rang. It was my lawyer asking if the status was still the same. I told him his call brought me luck because the check has arrived. He was happy and he also told me that he had already filled out the official complaint to the court about W/C being late with checks.

Also on Friday I received a copy of the paperwork that my lawyer sent W/C about changing psych doctors andSaturday I receivedthe official letter from W/C naming the doctor I wanted. My lawyer says that with W/C the paper trail speaks volumes. He is not kidding. Every time my lawyer has to deal with W/C, they have to pay his extremely high fees. They do notlike that and the judge does not like them screwing up against his orders…so I am a HAPPY CAMPER today

We went out and did some desperate shopping for food and such that we needed. YES I SAID WE!!! I actually went out and this time NO ANXIETY at all. About halfway through shopping I was feeling a bit overwhelmed but I did it and I am very proud of myself. I feel so much better because we were down to no food and the phone being shut off. Also we had to pay on our cell phones. So we got A LOT done and I am extremely relieved. I truly DISLIKE having bills hanging over my head. As long as the regular monthly bills are paid and we have food – I am able to relax about household things.

BTW—just as a side note from my previous entry. We stopped at our local Circle K (a convience store), it was packed, which is very unusual for late night on a Monday. But everyone inside was talking about the CRAZY female deputy that had given Allen the ticket. They were not talking about Allen, they were talking about how she harassed A LOT of people that day. Anyone who stopped at that store she had a problem with. We live in a TINY sort of village on the outskirts of Orlando…more on the border of Christmas Florida. We are so small that only One officer is assigned to our area. They are kept busy but it really is a small community and people here are just surviving from pay check to pay check. Very down to earth kind of people who just want to live their lives and are not into the big city type of stuff. HOWEVER this officer has made many enemies. Here you want people to talk to you if you are in law enforcement because it makes your job easier and people here are not into tangling with the police. This deputy has alienated everyone and she is going to find out it will only make her job more difficult. I think she is only on a temporary assignment here, because we have regular deputies in this area, they live in this area. She does not. Allen said that when she drew on him about if he was carrying a weapon he started laughing…which is probably what just burned her even more. He said, “PLEASE-I work with CONVICTS all night long, without a weapon, give it a try, because you don’t scare me.” Here in Florida, WEAPONS are NOT ALLOWED AT ALL on a prison compound. So deputies DO NOT like to enter prisons because they have to face Inmates unarmed. On the compound you have to use your mind to get Inmates to do what you want and to diffuse situations.  Also Deputies are always asking to be escorted by Correctional officers inside the prison because that way they are not alone. There is a T-shirt that Correctional Officers wear that says, “keys and handcuffs are my weapons.” Keys to unlock and lock cells and handcuffs to try and restrain Inmates. That is it! Allen has been in law enforcement for 21 years and has only been in one riot where he was severely hurt. But the next day he went back to show the inmates that he can take it and they do not phase him. He has never had another problem. I think it is all in the attitude and how you carry yourself and how you say things. Allen knows the rules and regulations like the back of his hand so Inmates know he does not play.

Okay…I think I have filled you all in. At least for now. LOL.

Take Care One and All, enjoy your peaceful moments.

PEACE!!!

NO NEWS--WELL SOME NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

Believe it or not-nothing new has happened since the 4th of July. Yes I lead a very boring life. I do not even do crafts anymore because there is no room in our lil puter room..it is just chock full of junk. So I have truly nothing new to say.

Just in case anyone wanted to know—my lawyer did send a formal complaint to W/C about the psychiatrist and has listed another one for me to see. He told me that several of his other clients really like this guy and he does not make them feel like a number. So I am glad. W/C has no choice but to approve it. It is all a matter of time. STILL NO CHECK. I have a call into the lawyer for that too right now. I guess he will get back to me on Monday. This is not a good thing that the check did not come…I will probably have no phone by Monday but there is nothing I can do about that. Beside the obvious reasons behind not having money..first W/C will have to put a trace on the check and a stop payment and then paperwork will have to go in to reissue another check. Of course this means a couple of more weeks..I guess they feel I can live off the land and pay bills with the money tree that is in my backyard. GEEZ!!! I love red tape. NOT!!!

OK…here is a bit of a rant I have—I love the peeps that come by and leave comments in my journal and/or send me emails and such…I love hearing from peeps—but I am finding that this wonderful lil community of J-land has some fake people in it. They claim they are friends yet they could careless. I am just tired of people like that. That is probably one of the main reasons I just keep to myself and only leave comments in a very select few journals—for fear that people are not real-genuine, you know what I mean.

Enough of that—have I mentioned that just to top off my stress and anxiety at the loss of my check, Allen got a nice ticket. For a suspended license. BUT his license is not suspended. When we switched insurances the companies are suppose to relay info with the DMV, well someone dropped the ball and his license was suspended without any notification to us. So when he got stopped by a deputy that just wanted to raz someone in uniform..(BELIEVE ME, SHE WAS ON THE WAR PATH) even her partner had to tell her to back off, she informed Allen that he was driving with a suspended license. She gave him a $115.50 ticket and took his license. Allen was HOT by the time he got home. The reason we know that she wanted to go off on Allen is because on the speaker of her car she called out for him to step out of his vehicle. Usually here they do not do that unless you are wanted or something. Just because the highway is so busy with traffic. Then when he did she was drawing her gun… screaming at him, asking if he had any weapons. Sorry but the _itch is crazy. Her partner in another vehicle came racing down the highway and had to pull her aside, after speaking with her—she toned down a bit. So to make a long story short—I went to the DMV website and entered our insurance info and then looked up his license status and it is not suspended. So all he has to do is go to the courthouse and provide proof that his license accordingto the DMV is not suspended and we have insurance. Allen tried to show her his insurance card but she refused to look at it. Usually here fellow FDLE officers giveeach other a courtesy about tickets and such if it can be cleared up but apparently this deputy wanted blood. So it took Allen quite a while to settle down about it all and relax. Needless to say this set off his headaches for two days. GEEZ—I do feel for him. BTW- A friend of his took him to DMV and he got his license back. He is now a happy camper and all is well on the home front.

Heard from my son AJ (army kid) last night. He only has two more weeks left to his MOS training and then he gets to go home. So I am very happy for him. He also decided to tell me that he got a tattoo. LORD- Both boys (twins) got tribal tattoos on their upper arms. Allen is not happy about it, I think some tattoos are very cool. AJ loves it so that is all that matters.

That is it folks-all the news that is fit to print…LOL.

Enjoy your weekend and take time to relax and enjoy your loved ones.

PEACE!!!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First I want to wish you all a VERY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! Also be careful on those roads..and don't drink and drive!!! I have posted some inspirational flag pieces I thought everyone might enjoy...

I Am the Flag of the

United States Of America

~~~

 

I am the flag of the United States of America.
 My name is Old Glory.

 

I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
 

I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.

 

Look up and see me.

 

I stand for peace, honor, truth and  justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am  proud.

 

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little  higher,
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
 

I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.

 

I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years.

 

I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Appomattox.

 

I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of  Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.

 

I'm presently in the mountains of Afghanistan and

the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq, and wherever freedom is needed.

 

I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired.
But, my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

 

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries

I have helped set free.

 

It does not hurt for I am  invincible.

 

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled

in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those Whom I've served in battle - it  hurts.

 

But, I shall overcome - for I am strong.

 

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.

But, my finest hours are yet to come.

 

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages

for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter ...

 

I am proud.

 

OUR FLAG

Did you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum
of the numbers in the year 1776?


Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly
folding the American flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize
the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.

The 6th fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nations motto, "In God We Trust."

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have important deep meanings. In the future, when you see flags folded, now you will know why.

PEACE ALWAYS!!!