IN THIS POST:

1. Mail updates.

2. Hope box wrestling and creating.

3. Batman and water gun reviews

4. A new request

5. The blog badge unveiling.

This post should have been up this morning, but I had a last minute call for some things to Afghanistan and I wanted to get them to the post office before noon.

Does it matter if it got mailed Monday instead of today in the grand scheme of things? Probably not, in a general or logistical sense, but it does matter to that Marine or soldier in the email I send of a picture of what they requested being packed or one of the kids holding it up and smiling with a thumbs up.

Yes, it sure does to them. A sense of time and space is something we here take for granted.

Good milsupport is Communication 101 and anyone can do it. I want to encourage anyone with a little time to not sell themselves short. Just taking on one service member through an outfit like Any Marine, AdoptaPlatoon or SoldiersAngels can have an impact. Mail is what matters-- not what kind. When they hear their name at mail call, or find something on their bunk when the come pack from a mission or long hours in a shop or guardpost, that envelope or package reminds them they are appreciated. You don't have to wear a uniform to value appreciation. It's a basic human need intensified when you are tired or far from home and all thing familiar.

So what have I done with your cash you ask? Well let's see. I bought a tower fan for one outfit. They are AC less in a 100-125 degree heat most days. I was pretty jazzed. Fans have remote controls now. Did you know that? Neither did I! I'm older than dirt for being so surprised. I didn't realize how old until I told my Marine about it and his reply to that was joyful and ended with "Dude, that is soooo SICK!" My 12 year old informed me sick is good. Noted.

Heee...well my box for the fan was sooooo NOT sick. I had to make one 'cause the size was so weird. I used a science board from this Spring's science project debacle and cussed cardboard and right angles all night Tuesday I think...I forget.

The mail clerk, who knows more about me than my family practitioner...laughed her ass off. "What. is. THAT!?" she said looking at my cardboard creation.

"THAT is going to Iraq. SHIP IT! I never want to see it again!!!"I said holding up a hand covered in bandaids. She just shook her head at me. She does that alot.
Another thing I did this week was stuff a full size Batman comforter into a banker box. That thing is in there so tight it'll double as ordinance when the recipient cuts the tape. Yeah...I warned him already. "Dude, I had to use my feet to get that thing in the box..."

Another box held bulkier stuff...This Marine wanted water guns and I had a lot of random room after I taped the H20 weaponry into the box so it wouldn't shift. With the careful application of wads of Walmart bags and various bracings I added bags of chips, stuff for nachos and magazines.

Little Guy REALLY recommended the double barrel, red, white and blue number with repeat action and extra resevoir.

My older boys are tradionalists and wanted to send Super Soakers, nothing fancy, but highly accurate and dependable, I was informed.

Now Michael has been requesting a Batman comforter--though I'm told as will he that he did nothing of the sort...and I'll be darned if I have not been able to find it. When I did this week, the collective oos and aaahs of my progeny clearly showed they were satisfied with my choice in commercial textiles.

A little birdie...er-- sorry, I mean enormous raptor with gleaming, razor sharp talons, sent me some pics of how some of his fellow Marines are getting by on UGRs (utililized group rations). ...a lovely repast guaranteed to plug you up or clean you out on a regular basis according to some in the field.

UGRs are like individual MREs (meals ready to eat) only for a group of people. They come with special chemical paks which create heat to warm them up. They are used in areas where large DFACs or chowhalls are not available.

Platoons or squads who are out on patrols or at smaller outposts guarding entry points, checking in with Iraqi police in more remote villages, following up on weapon cache leads and what have you, tend to have less access to the quality and comfort of a decent meal which as it does anywhere in or out of uniform, compromises morale.Just think about coming home from work to a good meal and what that does to your pysche. Now throw in heat, sand, the stress of basic survival and the vigilance levels which the job requires and how it would be to not find that same kind of respite and in it's place preboxed food.

So this leads me to my next request. Since the Coalition turnover, rules have changed such that supplies Coalition Forces still incountry need, must be provided for by Iraqi vendors. Thing is the price tag on a 4 slot reataurant grade toaster or a crock pot is 250 dollars. Did I mention that they want another 250 a pop to deliver them?

Yeaaah...so. I was hoping that I could enlist some people to help me get 10 toasters and 10 crockpots sent to my little bir---er I mean one of my lethal birds of prey post haste. Other appliances in outposts like this mean the Marines there have better access to a greater variety of meals and can use these appliances for what foodstuffs they are being sent from family and friends as well.

Email me or leave it comments that you are interested and I'll fill you in. It doesn't matter if the equipment is used or not. If you have a contact for me in the toaster or crock pot getting business that would be cool, too!

Barring that, if you can link this post I'd be grateful. If you can't help personally, it may be you know someone that can!

Now...for the unveiling and created by a blogger friend of mine, USMC81. Here is the new badge he made for donators and supporters of what Michael named Letters to Leathernecks.I needed a name for my Paypal account and "What the Hell Has Hope Got Herself Into This Time?" wouldn't fit in the little name box thingie.

Throughout today I'll be forwarding the badge to the people on my list from our June drive. If I missed you, puuuuhleeze forgive and give me poke. It's Little Guy's birthday weekend and so I have several irons in the fire.

Pretty damn cool, eh? And geez this man was fast! He jumped on the project in nothin' flat and had several versions to choose from. Needless to say I heart USMC 81.

<--- I crashed Dark Stormy heres meme today...though I could have actually been an odd numbered comment in his comments and so thereby legitimate in my meme anointment...not sure. See, I didn't actually count. First, I just noticed that this meme fits great with doing a military support blog post for Wednesday--not really--first I noticed holy cow that guy gets a lot of chick comments and THEN I jumped on the post idea.

Anyway so the meme says to go to the first folder in your pic file and post the tenth picture in it.

It would have it that the first folder in my pic file is 'Burke'. All the photos that go into Castra Praetoria, or that he sends in general, go in there. Here's the tenth pic.

I posted a blown up version too, so you could see the expression on his face...You know how extra funny something is, if you know the person in the story so you can flesh it out with the expressions, curses and exasperated sighs which ensue? HAHAHAHA!!! When I got this pick I was howling I tell ya!! He probably heard me all the way on base in Iraq...I hit dead center from 7000 miles away? Hey! Where's my expert marksman badge?! Huh? Huh? I want it! It's mine, dammit.

*deep, satisfied exhale*

If I smoked, I'd need a cigarette right now.

Ok. I'm through gloating reminiscing, I'm supposed to explain the photo..HeeHee. Gladly. Seems Marines, my own at home did this when we were dating, incidentally, are reluctant to share the date of their first arrival into the world for fear of public reprisal and or good clean fun at their expense.

I learned this the hard way during the early months of milsupport, but that is for another post. So anyway, being the warm, generous, thoughtful human I am, (notice I did not strike through any of those), I post to Castra Praetoria, I have keys to the blog being it's architect, wishing America's 1st Sgt many happy returns. I thought it would be nice if we could get an online party for the birthday boy in comments from his readers, too. I know. *SIGH* I'm such a giver.

Well turns out his Sgt Maj, the senior non-commissioned officer for his Battalion, (read here: about 1,000 to 1200 of his closest friends), reads Michael's blog and decides to share the news in a well worded, early morning, all hands kinda greeting which went like this:

To: AA_TFMP_3/3_ALL_HANDS
Subject: America's 1stSgt's birthday: 4 June

UNCLASSIFIED

Yes,

Contrary to public belief and rumor (most started by the 1stSgt), he was actually born of mortal woman on the 4th of June. He did not just appear in full combat gear with sharp objects in his hands.Remember to say Happy birthday to the legend in his own mind!

SgtMaj, Task Force MP (3/3)Al Asad, Iraq

Then there's the ambush birthday greeting party that awaited Burke outside of the chowhall after lunch replete with bullhorn, singing and much commentary on his impending decrepitudes special place in their hearts.

The aftermath you can read here.

I did get a very nice email which, when translated to civilian went something like this"Gosh, sis, that was so thoughtful and hey, thanks for all the presents, too. My loving Marine family went out of their way to make it special. Really. You do TOO much.

Here's the untranslated version of thanks from my favorite 1st Sgt:

"You will pay."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you haven't been reading much on the election aftermath in Iran and want to catch up, hit here for how to help, especially if you Twitter. Precautions for keeping Iranian tweeters safe are included. Hit here for an opinion of what the US should do next and here for a piece on thinking past the emotion of events unfolding and taking a look at the two men who vied for the Iranian Presidency. I have no opinion yet of Abadinejad or Mousavi, but I do believe, the people of Iran had a right to an honest elective process.

I left a bunch of links from the weekend and the Iranian election in this post.

USMC 81 is working on a blog badge for supporters who sent in donations or supplied links for the last drive for shipping donations to get things out to our Marines and soldiers in Iraq. I should have it ready for unveiling on Saturday along with pictures of what's been going on this week.

Susan, thank you for the box of goodies, it is labeled and headed out soon to Afghanistan. Lisa and Chris, the magazines are headed to Iraq. Hey Amy and Mel, I found the twenty you slipped in my desk drawer for a couple of boxes. I used it today to send popsicles and bedding. Love you guys!

hope, out.

I'm out of here for a while. "Popping smoke" as CI Roller Dude, Sgt. Grumpy and some of my other mil folks like to say. I'm thinking a few days will give me some perspective...well hoping anyway. Who the hell knows?

There's a post up on, Words From Warriors. You should read it before you tear into your BBQ this weekend because this weekend isn't about brisket, beer or getting a good deal on cars, mattresses or furniture.

This weekend is a time to honor those who have made sacrifices for this country. The time is set aside for remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Whether you agree with our military or these soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines and those sacrifices or not, everyone of us has still collectively benefited from them. We have since our nation's inception.

Honor
Courage
Commitment

These things deserve our unqualified respect.

Hope, out.

BACKGROUND:
Obama's little buddy Reverend Wright had this to say about the Corps according to the St. Petersburg Times.

“Remember, it was soldiers of the 3rd Marine Regiment of Rome who had fun with Jesus, who was mistreated as a prisoner of war, an enemy of the occupying army stationed in Jerusalem to ensure the mopping up action of Operation Israeli Freedom. These people were blinded by the culture of war.”


Now this isn't a history lesson or even a political one, though by his ridiculous comment, this guy is in dire need of both.

Nope.
This post is about what this comment prompted in my husband's jarhead mind.

It went like this:

Tony: Did you know that Rev. Wright F---
(yes, the F-word in the Corps can be any part of speech),
Obama's little friend, compared the Marines to Roman legions that crucified Jesus?

Hope: No. I didn't.

Tony: I'm offended.

Hope: I can understand that.

Tony: Yeah, (insert scoff here) there's no way they were Marines.

Hope, intrigued: What are you talking about?

Tony: There's no way they were Marines. Everyone the Marines kill stay dead.

Twenty some odd years out of the Corps and still as swaggery as ever.

Every mama needs a good Marine.

Course that's not to say said mamas would not benefit from some direction in the care and proper feeding of their jarhead.

Don't laugh.
I think I need to write a book.

It would be cathartic to say the least.

I caught my 3 year old peeing into a sandwich bag out on the back porch.You heard me. P_E_E_I_N_G. Uhhh...no I didn't get a picture of that, but I'm sure the old hag in the corner lot did. I expect CPS any day.

My son Jacob has the attention span of a gnat. I know I look at him and give direction or ask a question and while he looks like he is with me....THE BOY AIN'T WITH ME. Arggggggghhhh. I feel nuts.

I worked out too hard and waaaaay wrong yesterday and so when I went to Crossfit today, (naturally there is no traffic so I get there nice and early) I got to watch with great detail all the brutality they had planned for the class about to start. I stretched, making sure I put no mental blood in the water...yup that's me cooooool as a cucumber...inside I am creating trajectories for where I can work out in the gym which will give the most expeditious access to the back door and or the toilet and making a mental note to get before and after shots of my knees. They stay in various stages of f-d up. CF was as brutal as I expected. 'Course my degree of Wienerness makes it so. At one point I think I saw a bright light and one of my dead relatives.

Second in Command Boss Lady at the post office was nasty to the clerk trying to help me. I asked SCBL nicely...yes, I was NICE-- to back up and cut the clerk some slack. I wasn't in a hurry, no one was hurt, I didn't mind and since I am the customer neither should she--she pointed out that folks were waiting to which I responded let's just get it right for those 20 odd Marines and soldiers who are waiting for another letter and probably not in air-conditioning. It really was alright I told her. I can't wait to talk to the clerk later...I thought she was going to pee herself.

I took the kids to get haircuts. We are at the This Is My Life How Come You Pick My Haircut stage. We are also at the Because I Said So Stage.



My jarheads in Africa sent me some cool tshirts to PT in and a card which their all the guys in the shop signed. I was floored...I'm usually on the other end of MAIL. Thanks boys I've already broken in one of them. See?Glad you had fun at Go Karts. You boys finally got a night off! Thanks for the pics. L to R is Jean, Joe and Shaun.
Tony bought some perfume for me and left it on my computer chair for no reason at all. I think the last time he did that we were dating. Cool eh? It smells nice, too.


I am still trying to shop for clothes. The thing is I don't want to shop too much...I dunno where I'm going to level off and well...OK OK OK!!! I hate shopping HATE IT...I go into those department stores and my eyes glaze over and when they aren't glazed over I am pretty sure most of the stuff I get a look at I wouldn't' wear anyway especially for the price. I could send mail for a month for what they want for some of this stuff...ack. And what is with all these crazy patterns, shirt dresses and 70's crap? I'm only pissing and moaning because we have to go see the relatives this weekend and I keep putting off finding a dress which means shoes, and whatever else. Men have it so much easier...lucky dogs.

Like Hippy I am not ready to say much else...yeah like this post was soooo succinct, but suffice to say, my sleep sucks. I think it has to do with perspective myopia, insecurities and having to learn all new things lately. It's not that I don't' actually like all the new things...I'm just whiney about the fallout. It's a draining business. Incidentally, I am pretty much good with being in other people's business I just never figure out my own what with the whole myopic thing.

What happened in Brenham stays in Brenham. Just like these empty bottles... oh and some of these...yes...those are Ding Dongs--I couldn't find the damn brownies and they do have that creamy center after all.

My dear mamas with me advised me not to post the Ding Dong picture as I would only embarrass myself...

uh huh...

like I said--
what happened in Brenham will stay in Brenham

They also threatened great bodily harm and spilling of secrets if I posted pictures of them so I won't-- lest they rat me out or help me further compromise any interpersonal relationships of mine...rest assured if I go down thought I am soooooo taking them with me.

Let's just say I handled myself quite well up until electronic technology got involved...

I do seem to recall
battering both mamas with pillows,
ALL of us being shushed by management-- Earthmama and J are SO loud you see...
Oh yeah and pulling the covers over my head when my friends started showing off superior recollections of the evening combined with phrases like:

'Oh holy hell I did NOT say that',

'Marci, for the love of God and everything holy, open the freaking door I know you are in there--I don't have key!!!'

'J, #$@% THERE'S the bathroom'

'What?! ummmm is there anyway to unsend that?'

'Ya'll are so full of it!'

and

'OH_MY _GOD'

yes-these are all vaguely reminiscent now...

Mental notes
Drink the good wine first and save the cheap stuff for last.

Road trips are a blast driving stick and watching for law enforcement--all kinds of law enforcement.

I really need to get out of the house on a more regular basis. I have forgotten how to behave properly.

Always check the bedspread and make sure it doesn't smell like armpits.

I still suck at will power.
Postscript: Marci is right...it was really fun and recommendable aside from the odd email. Next time there will be FOUR of us. Right JE and L?muwhahaha


Postscript # 2...I was under the impression that BOTH mamas were threatening physical harm or public humiliation if pictures got put up, but my less than stellar faculties had that wrong.....which isn't surprising now with clear faculties ...earthmama's a lover not a fighter--...how she puts up with me I don't know...sooo-anyway I am going to go and look for a few to put up. hehe--
Earthmama

My 3 year old informed me he was going to kick my ass today.

Yup.

He pilfered brownies made for my Marines,

poured juice into his little porta potty thank GOD he never uses for more than a step stool until today of course when he used it for a cup.

whacked several thatches of hair off of his head,

clocked his sister on more than one occasion with a light saber

tried to hide some popsicle in a gift bag

and later used the popsicle stick to attempt booger excavation.

I think he's on some sort of toddler period, minus the maxis.

Today I was at a breakfast where I spoke on behalf of my Marines in Iraq. (relax B., it was all very un-chicklike). Reporting on how my guys were doing was fitting given the honor and respect this particular day demands. I was glad to do it.

Afterwards, a man I hadn't met before walked up to me. His eyes were steady and his handshake was firm. He said he had served in Vietnam. He said he had rarely received mail or packages and how much of a difference it would have made, if he had had. He said insult was added to injury when he came home and he was no longer simply ignored or forgotten, but spat upon instead.

He was adamant, as well as optimistic as he pressed money in my hand this not happen to our servicemen there now. That while his return had been unkind and cruel, it was a different outcome he wanted to contribute towards now for his brothers in arms.

He went on to ask about these Marines of mine and so genuinely thanked me, I was not only at a loss for words, but also by that point, in a state (I am sure you, B. would have a few choice words for me about that) but, it was unavoidable. This man slayed me with his earnestness. As he left with his wife he promised he would be getting back to me with more backing from his VFW group.

I was humbled by the fact this vet was thanking me when really, the only one that deserved any thanks at all was him and those like him.

Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen.
We remember you.
We honor you.
We thank you.

If this post is to make too much sense and you haven't read my last post you may want to bone up now:::snort:::that verb choice will be even more relevant in a minute.

OHMIGOSH.

So while on the phone with a friend today my new foraging habits come up and I explain about my recent acquisition of magazines still sitting in their box this morning next to my desk.

She asks something like, "So what are you doing now?

"Oh I'm putting new covers on these mags so they know what they have."

"Why?"

"Because, the bookstore rips all the covers off before they throw them out."

"So? They can figure it out."

"So, I'm OCD. Okay? I want it to be easy for my Marines to look through them."

"Well are you coming to park day?"

"Oh yeah. I'll just take this box along and finish it there."

"Well hurry up!"

So off I go to Park Day with my big box of magazines.

I'm a little late and most of the mamas are there and make a hole for me at the table to lay the box down.

Much curiousity ensues. Some get up to look in themselves and those that read my blog go "ohhhhh...are those are the magazines?

"Yup"

More chattering ensues.

"Hope, where are the kids?"

"Huh? Oh...they're in the car. They gave me a full 20 of minutes of pissing and moaning on the way over about something or the other and wouldn't stop when I told them to--- so now I am taking 20 minutes from their park day."

As I am explaining and the mamas are laughing at me, I am taking crap out of the box, not paying a lot of attention and still yammering away when I notice one of my mama friends .

"Uhhh--Hope. Uhhhh. (rapid finger flicking)...what is that?"

"What?"

I look down and in my hands is a PLAYGIRL MAGAZINE. I remember looking at it, looking at her... A BUNCH of mamas heads whipping around...I dropped it like it was something out of the oven and me without my mitts.

Mama friend said again, "WHAT IS THAT?!"

Heh heh hehuuumph...yuh...pretty embarassing...well crap I didn't know it was in there?!?!?! None of that stuff had covers on it...I told the mama I had been on the phone with earlier, who was laughing the loudest, "Yeah yuk it up! You are the one who thought we should just send them as is, remember?" She just laughed louder.

So we sit there all clustered around and looking at the box, wondering what to do next when another mama comes up to sit and says, "Oh are those the magazines you were talking about..?"

"Uh huh..."
"Whadja get?"

"Ummmm...(looking around at the other mamas...shrug)go ahead and take a look."

She looks in, sees the porn and PICKS THE MAGAZINE UP OUT OF THE BOX. I looked around to see where the kids were.... She starts looking at every picture and I swear other mamas were craning and giggling-- I was cracking up.

"What are you doing?!"

"What? Haven't you all looked at this yet...oh lookit THAT......"

I coulda crawled under a rock.

Luckily there was not anymore of that kind of thing in the box, but I felt like part of an ordinance detachment going through the rest of it. I was sweating man...s-w-e-a-t-i-n-g...

So all the covers get replaced and labeled and the day all and all was pretty nice--considering..::eyeroll::.

Fast forward to eveningtime...

When I get home. I am late and Tony wants to know how the day went. The look on my face prompted a "What?" from him.

"Ummm, Tony, remember that box of magazines? "

"Yeah... what about it?"

"Well--- uhhh let's just say there were some unusual magazines in there and I inadvertantly shared them with 10 of my closest friends."

His ears perk up, he knew EXACTLY what I was talking about...well not exacty....but he sure thought he did..."Oh yeah?- insert big dirty grin and dancing eyes here- "Wherezit at?!"

"It's in the car, but..."...my voice trails off and I start to snicker...

ZIP...too late anyway...he's out the door...(ok so I didn't try TOO hard to stop him heeeeee)

He comes back in a couple minutes later and booms..."Hope! That sh** ain't right. That just AIN'T RIGHT.

Should I mention now that my dear husband is big on personal retribution?

JMJ

So I have been thinking that it is time to get back to lists. For staying on top of things I mean. Iused to use them all the time and a big ass calendar on the fridge I used one of those too...why do we stop doing things that are effective and sometimes seem to keep up with stuff that just puts rocks in our wagons? It's assinine and yet a fairly normal state of things for me at times...

I need lists for classes to go to and classes to hold, shopping and couponing, assignments for the kiddos and for my Marines shopping, for my homeschool group and my coupon group...IT sounds overhwelming but it isn't when I keep a list going...right now I fly by the seat of my pants and while I get things done I am feeling scattered. The week was a wild ride, mentally it kicked my ass and yet there were some bright spots.

Writing has been really helpful. I seem to be doing it all the time these days...I was in the middle of this blog and cooking at the same time...somehow dh got online and when he logged off my unfinished post went down with him...oh well...I had more time to think about what needs to happen and so for the week here I go:

1. I need to put up the curriculum I am not going to use and leave out what I am going to use.
2.Mini Packages need to go out to 1st Sgt Mike and lcpl Owen. (I get the impression 1st Sgt is a big papa bear where his grunts are concerned so I need to make sure I send him some things solo or he probably won't keep any of the stuff from the big box I am prepping.)
3. I need to file and cut coupons.
4. I need to shop and get rainchecks.
5. I need to make appointments for the dentist and the doc for the kiddos.
6. I need to file the extra coupons.
7. I need to gather stuff for the homeschool 101 meeting tuesday night.
8. I need to find Joanan's Brownie stuff.
9. I need to prep for their art museum trip on Tuesday.
10. I need to email reminders for Clip and Play.
11. I need to email the contact for our galveston bay fieldtrip.
12. I need to send off letters to the post card swap.
13. Jake wants a chapter of harry potter tonight.
14. I need to ramrod tae kwon do uniforms and snack bags and books for the boys while Jo is at scouts. They have to do it themselves, but they still need soooo much birdogging...geeeez.
15. I need to check Tiffany's work and send out links for her study hours.
16. Mis Sheila needs the catfood we collected when we pick up coupons on Tuesday.
17. I need a menu for this week...just a general idea of what is geting taken out of the deep freeze and what if anayting is still edible in the refrigerator.
18. I need to find all the library books and read the short books Jo and Matthew haven't seen yet.
19. I need to make brownies and set up a bake party for the 1/3 and 1/4 Marines.
20. I need to remind homeschool group about packages needing to go out and to sign up for whatever field trips they are interested in.
21. Joanna needs her room and closet purged and sorted.

Okay so I already feel better seeing it on a neat list...I would have liked an even number...yes, sick I know....

Onward and upward!!! Carpe diem baby!!!

JMJ

Yippee!!! I finally got an email from one of my Marines...ironically, enough it was the last one I took on. It really is a relief to have some contact. I have been flying blind for two months. The guy is ^$%# hilarious. It should be a good correspondence. This group is one that came out of Kaneohe Bay where my dh was stationed in the early 80s...I have heard more stories about his time in and Mokes and floats--- well they are still funny and he still tells them when I ask him, too. Most are offcolor a bit so I can't relay too many to any of these Marines until I get a better sense of them...no sense in freaking them out--as far as they are concerned I am some stationwagon-driving soccermom housewife...not that they haven't probably participated in most of what Tony describes...its just probably not a mixed company thing they want to do with a stranger...

I went to a birthday party today with 3 of 4 kiddos...one wouldn't go...seems he is unhappy with is present relationship with said birthday boy and didn't want to play laser tag, have an open snack bar tab and video tokens be hanged...while I was a bit uncomfortable with having to profer some sort of explanation as to his absence..I did have to hand it to my 8 year old...he has some personal integrity--- no??? Anyway, they are all hopped up on sugar and mildly unhappy with the "okay you just had your crap ration for the weekend folks" notice they got from mom on the way home...

I have not been as productive as I would like to have been...no, I guess I wouldn't have liked to have been, but I should have been nonetheless...that trip with my parents just sucked the life right out of me for some reason. I have the weekend though...we will see how it goes.

I need to pick up papers for the coupon group, write a letter about recent vacations for a military support group (pictures by the pool, drinks with little umbrellas...not!) amd copy it 20 times...everyone does this in the group and then we each get a copy so that we have 20 unique letters to share with which ever group we are helping..pretty clever I thought...

I am tired...not bare bones tired just generically so...I really don't even have a rant, piss or moan. yuh I know ...imagine that....I am up early to go and work at the dance studio for a while in the morning...seems I trade web work etc for Jo's dance lessons...the kids have tutoring in reading and martial arts. I need to gather books and set some goals for next week...not so good at reasonable ones, but I'll aspire not to aspire!