Just Plain Cool!

This story is just plain cool. I can't describe it in any other way that does it justice, not that just plain cool, does. This story is heart-warming, it is happy, it is good news, it made me cry with a smile on my face, and it is something I wish for all families that have members deployed over seas. A happy reunion, even if only a brief leave, that leaves all members with something great to remember, and a happy moment to treasure while their loved one is gone.

Here is the story:

DAYTON, Nev. (AP) - Gabriel Hurles' sixth birthday party wasn't
a surprise but his present sure was.

The kindergartner was so engrossed in the cupcakes his mother
brought to his class in Dayton Wednesday that he didn't notice the enormous wrapped box off to the side.

When a classmate finally pointed it out, Gabriel peeled back the wrapping paper to find the surprise of his young life - his father, an Army mechanic back in Nevada on leave from his second tour in Iraq.

23-year-old Casey Hurles says he hadn't seen his son since he left in June. When he learned his leave would coincide with his son's birthday, he hatched the plan to hide out in the 4-foot tall box.

After Hurles sat down and ate a cupcake with the birthday boy, teacher Dawn VanSickle presented him with a banner from the class
that read, "Welcome Home. Thank you for your service."

Stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Hurles is about seven months into his second tour and expects to finish sometime this summer.

Gabriel says he looks forward to playing with his dad over the next two weeks but understands why he has to leave again. The young
boy said: "He works in the war."

Many thanks to the Hurles family for the sacrifices they endure while Mr. Hurles serves his country. Many thanks to Mr. Hurles for his service to the United States, and the sacrifices he has made in doing so. Many thanks to Dawn VanSickle for having her class honor one of America's brave soldiers. Many thanks to all of you that pray for our soldiers safe return upon the completion of their missions.

Moments like this are why I all pray for our soldiers and their loved ones. They have all given so much of themselves and deserve every minute like this that they can capture.

Crayons In The Courtroom?

This is the story.

RENO, NV - Security was tight as 53-year-old Bruce Birch entered the courtroom Wednesday afternoon. Thoughts of the fictitious character Hannibal Lecter came to mind. His face is covered with a screen so that if he decided to spit at his attorney, Bruce Lindsay, he will not hit his mark.

"My relationship with him isn't the best. But I'm here and I'm asking you please I want a fair trial and I think everyone of you wants a fair trial," Lindsay said.

Those were his remarks to the jury during opening arguments. His finger is clearly bandaged after witnesses say his client stabbed him with a pencil during court yesterday. Today, Birch is facing a possession of a stolen vehicle charge. Shackled, it was tough for him to communicate with his attorney. The court had assigned Birch a crayon and paper with which to write. Late this afternoon the judge was already discussing jury instructions with the prosecution and defense. Birch had no problem complaining about his attorney's performance in court today, and was ready to share his thoughts with Judge Patrick Flanagan.

"Mr. Lindsay doesn't know what the word object is. How much worse can it get than it already is," said Birch out of the presence of the jury.

Birch faces more than a dozen charges related to burglary and possession of stolen goods. But because of his confrontations with his attorney he also faces additional charges of unlawful acts related to human excrement and battery by a prisoner.

His burglary case could go to the jury as early as tomorrow.

A burglar now sits in full irons, and a Hannibal Lector style face mask, with only a crayon to write with, on charges of not only burglary, and battery, but of "unlawful acts related to human excrement".

Other people's children frighten me.

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Cynthia

Sgt James E. Craig
27 years old from Hollywood, South Carolina
1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
January 28, 2008


James, 27, was killed on January 28, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq, along with four other soldiers when the unit encountered an IED, followed by an ambush from a nearby Mosque. It has been a year since James was killed. I miss him each day.

James was on his third deployment to Iraq. There are so many things about James that I admired. He was 'loud' and funny and articulate and sweet - even calling himself 'Sweet Soldier' - and brave and tough. He was a devout Christian and more comfortable with telling people he was than anyone I ever knew - he had a enviable, easy comfort with this faith. It would be so easy to write and write about James, but let me share some portions of his letters - his long and articulate letters.

"...I am very much looking forward to this war being over. However, I fully support everything that is going on over here ever since I saw first hand what the real situation was. Our media doesn't portray the truth of this operation or the necessity to the people here. They need freedom and desperately cry out for someone to help them. ... I know one thing, God wants me here."

"The war here is stating to come to an end. It will be a slow transition period where the responsibility of the battle space is handed over to the growing Iraqi Army. It all depends on the Iraqis if we are able to leave them with it safely."

"...it is a tale of my wonderful journey where I made memories I will never forget and stood up for something that I believe in...that sweet taste of freedom when the day is done and the knowledge that I have done something to ensure the positive future of my loved ones. And, you should know that it comforts me the most that what I do protects wonderful people like you."

To read more about Sgt James Craig, go here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Ask Captain Dramatic

E made the family a wonderful dinner of Lasagna and Green Beans with almond slivers. We all sat enjoying it in silence, as we were too busy eating to speak. All of the sudden:

CD: Oh Wow!
Me: What?
CD: There are little green things falling out of my green beans!
Me: You think that might be why they call them green beans?
CD: I didn't know that there were little things inside the green beans! That is too cool! (as he pulls the bean apart t o show more little green things)
Me: I don't know whether I should laugh or cry that this simple fact has escaped you for ten years son...

Of course, E had been laughing since "There are little green things falling out of my green beans!". I finally decided to follow his lead.

To learn how you can submit your questions to Captain Dramatic, click here. Don't be shy!

Fun Stuff About Music

Many who know me, are familiar with the fact that I love music! It is an integral part of my life. What I hadn't stopped long enough to realize was pointed out to me in two videos that my husband showed me tonight. They are great. See for yourself.

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Obama Supporters

I truly had to share this with all of you after watching it. I couldn't help but laugh. Enjoy!


Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike A. Monsoor
29 years old from Garden Grove, California
September 29, 2006


In April 2008, Michael Monsoor (who had already been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions in a May 9, 2006 incident, when he and another SEAL pulled a wounded team member to safety amidst gunfire) was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His funeral, attended, in the words of President Bush, by "nearly every SEAL on the West Coast," was held on October 12, 2006 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. During Monsoor's funeral service, as the casket was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, fellow SEALs lined up in two columns to slap and embed the gold Tridents (a pin awarded for successful completion of SEAL Qualification Training) from their uniforms onto the top of Monsoor's coffin.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike A. Monsoor's Summary Of Action.


"The procession went on nearly half an hour, and when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten." - President George W. Bush

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Deb

Capt. Ed Freeman
Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)


While reading the info on Cpt. Freeman, I found that I couldn't have put it better than this.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Poor Baby

I wanted to share this story with all of you. It was so sickening to read it.

GRETNA, La. (AP) - A Louisiana baby sitter is charged with second-degree murder after prosecutors say she put a baby into a spinning clothes dryer for disturbing her television watching.

Nineteen-year-old Arielle Smith was indicted by a grand jury Thursday for the baby's September death in the New Orleans suburb of Harvey.

Authorities said 5-month-old Andre Jenkins died at the scene from skull fractures and burns suffered in the dryer.

Prosecutors said Smith was watching the baby and two older children at her home. She told police the children were being rambunctious and interfering with her television watching.

Investigators said Smith put the baby in the dryer and turned it on for 3 minutes while the two older children were put in another room.

Smith's attorney declined comment.

For obvious reasons, I have filed this under "Other People's Children". I typically think that other people's children suck. There are so many things wrong with this. Here are my thoughts when reading it.

What did this baby sitter's parents do to her, to make her think that this was an OK way to react?

More importantly, what did this baby sister's parents not do to her, or not teach her, to make her think that this was an OK way to react?

What about the other children in the house? Did they not know what was going on? If they did, did their parents not teach them to call 911? (This of course all depends on the children's ages.)

How did this baby sitter make it to age 19 being this stupid?

Why is TV so important to so many?

Some people should just be removed from the gene pool. They just should.

I feel for the Jenkins family. I truly do.

The Economy

As I am sure everyone knows, the economy is in horrible shape, but it is a vicious cycle. One, that consumers have more control over than they know. I think that politics can play a role in the economy, but that consumers play an even larger role. I detest people blaming the Federal Government for the whole thing, and although people have to take precautions, and need to be aware of what is going on around them, panic never solves anything.

It is a scary time, but to stop spending in a situation like this, only makes things worse. For example, you work packaging plastic zip ties. If you and several others who think like you, decide not to buy the car that you have been saving for 10 years to get, because the economy is bad, an auto manufacturer goes out of business. That auto manufacturer is not longer buying bolts and nuts and this forces the bolt and nut factory to go under.

Once the bolt and nut factory closes, they no longer need the cardboard boxes, and plastic bags that they packaged their nuts and bolts in, or the plastic zip ties to hold those plastic bags shut. You company and about three others have now gone out of business.

So all that panicking that you did, on the off chance you would become one of the statistics, just helped cause exactly what you were afraid of. The saddest part of the whole thing, is that so many will now say that their non-spending was probably justified.

Bottom line? People should always be cautious enough to have a savings account and rainy day fund. Enough should be saved to carry you and your family through three to six months. That way, there is no need to panic, as panicking is never good. It is a sure way to drown.

Just my thoughts. Not to say we are spending a lot in this household, but we haven't cut back.

Call Star Gate Command!

Hurry! Someone call Star Gate Command! We need the Prometheus!

OK...that just showed my geeky side, but hey...

I thought you might get a kick out of this story! It appeared on the CNN webiste today.

'UFO strike' has UK in a lather over E.T.
By Glen Scanlon

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Strange lights in the sky, mysterious flashes, dozens of witnesses, a missing wind turbine blade and a tabloid splash featuring the pun: E.T. farm harm.

Let's hope there isn't intelligent life out there watching us.

Britain's tabloid Sun newspaper Thursday proclaimed from its front page that a wind turbine was ruined after a UFO hit one of its 20 meter-long blades in Conisholme, Lincolnshire.

Dorothy Willows, who lives near the damaged turbine, told The Sun she was in her car when she saw strange lights in the sky.

"The lights were moving across the sky towards the wind farm. Then I saw a low flying object. It was skimming across the sky towards the turbines."

Apparently, hours later, she and her husband were woken by a big bang; one of the turbine's three blades had gone.

It, was, however, on the ground below.

Other locals told the newspaper that the lights looked like "balls of flames."

Russ Kellett, a UFO expert, told the newspaper: "Balls of light were seen in the sky and the MoD [Ministry of Defence] has no explanation. It must have taken a pretty massive object. We are very, very, very excited."

However, The Guardian newspaper's Web site content director Emily Bell had a simple explanation for all those "balls of light" in the sky.

She told The Guardian the lights were fireworks her brother Tim had bought at the local garden center for the 80th birthday party of dad Peter Bell.

"It was a medium-sized fireworks display with absolutely no ballistics, and the fireworks were mostly dropping over my parents' house. But we were laughing that we could have broken the wind turbine," Emily said.

"There we are in the middle of a scoop and we're beaten to it by a red-top tabloid," Emily's mother Bridget, 74, told The Guardian.

Later Thursday, the British Press Association reported the blade may have come off after a mechanical failure.

Fraser McLachlan, chief executive of GCube, which insures more than 25,000 wind turbines worldwide, told PA that although it was unusual, this kind of incident happened up to six times a year.

"It does happen that a blade will sometimes just come off a machine for one reason or another," he said. "The main reason is the blade may shear. "We don't normally see things like aircraft -- or UFOs -- hitting them. It's usually a mechanical failure that causes the blade to separate from the main hub."

He said the cold weather was another possible cause.

Dr Peter Schubel, an expert in the design and manufacture of wind turbine blades at the University of Nottingham, agreed.

He told the BBC that if the turbine blade was still, it would take a 10-tonne load to remove a blade, but if it was rotating the force could be a lot less.

"It's definitely not a bird. It could be ice thrown from a neighbouring turbine that struck it."

Aliens out of control or simple mechanical failure? A case for Mulder and Scully? What do you think?

Chances are, this is not a visit from E.T., if you ask me. I got a giggle out of it all the same. Enjoy your day and make sure you know when your neighbors are throwing an 80th birthday party!

Wednesday's Hero

Airman Melissa Pyle


Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Melissa Pyle mans a jet blast deflector station on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Gulf Of Oman. Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

How To Tell You Are Married To A Geek

I know. I haven't written anything in a while. Life at work has gotten a bit a better, but I am still having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. Bare with me please.

Now on to what prompted me to write tonight. I am married to the most wonderful man it the world. He truly is. He is a total geek though. :) It keeps me smiling, so don't think that this bothers me in the least. I am actually very proud of it, and of him. There are many things in my life that have changed, or become more prominent in day to day activities, thanks to his geekiness. I thought I would make a list.

TOP TEN WAYS TO TELL THAT YOU LIVE WITH A GEEK:

10. Simple conversations are no longer simple. There is a logical, mathematical, or scientific way to explain everything, and your Geek will share it with you.

9. Watching movies without knowing exactly how that scene just defied logic, probability, and physics is a thing of the past. Because of this, you may now find it hard to watch movies, and enjoy them thoroughly. Your friends will also find this difficult because you will start saying the same thing your Geek would have said if he/she were there.

8. You will discover that there is no event in life that can not be explained with a quote or reference from Star Trek, Star Wars, or Monty Python.

7. You have Star Trek, Star Wars, and Monty Python in your family DVD collection, and they take up a larger portion of the DVD storage device in your home than any other genre.

6. Suddenly none of your passwords are easy to remember, and can no longer contain sensible words, phrases, or your dog's name. Not only that, but now you now have a USB storage device in your purse to hold all of your passwords as well as a program called KeePass to organize them and keep them safe.

5. You know what a pod cast is, but didn't learn about them on purpose, and now listen to them frequently.

4. You have had arguments with your Geek over what the best operating system is and why. Previously, in your mind, you pushed a button and the computer came on, and that was all there was to it, and an operating system had nothing to do with any of that.

3. You know the difference between "free as in speech" and "free as in beer".

2. You have started your own IRC room, that no one ever visits, just because you now know how to do so. A trick you would have never even thought to learn if you hadn't spent you free time in IRC talking to your Geek and his IRC friends.

And the number one way to tell that you live with a geek is, that you have started calling your co-workers Noobs when they can't figure out how to get the digital camera to talk to the PC via the USB slot.