Displaced Beachbums

Lately, choosing a book to read has been difficult for me. Due to FM’s job and the number of people I come into contact with, I already have enough drama in my life and, now when I read, I want to escape with an uplifting, positive book. I’m already “emotionally spent” with real life. Unfortunately, all the recommended books I’ve heard about lately sound too intense: missing teenage girl, cancer (Belly of the Whale), dementia, failed marriages, and even leprosy (Moloka’i).  I finally settled on the book “Love Walked In” and ordered it from Borders last night.

After ordering the book, I popped over to Books on the Brain and saw that Hey Lady, Whatcha Readin’?  is having a huge 14 book giveaway contest! And there will be FIVE winners. I like those odds and, if I win 14 books, I’ll feel obligated to read them regardless of their content. Could be the answer to my “picking a book to read” dilemma.  

If you’re looking for a few good books and are feeling lucky, click over to Hey Lady and enter to win. There are several different ways to enter so check it out.

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As FG was running out the door to catch the school bus this morning, she threw a sheet of paper at me. It said there would be an award ceremony at 2:00 pm today and parents were invited to attend. Although I didn’t know the details, I’d gotten used to going to elementary school award ceremonies where every child gets some type of award ~ no matter what. So I rearranged my plans but, unfortunately, FM wasn’t able to get out of work. 

Much to my surprise (and delight), FG has graduated into awards based on merit. As I was sitting through the music, art and Presidential Fitness awards, and FG’s name wasn’t called, I began to worry that perhaps FG wouldn’t get any awards and would feel bad that I made the trip there. Not that I was overly surprised that she didn’t excel in art or music ~ neither FM nor I have much of an aptitude for either.

But once they announced they were giving awards to the Honor Students, I knew she’d get one. Whew.

Then they announced the “Citizenship Award” ~ the principal said they asked each teacher to pick one student from their class who they thought was an exemplary example to other students and were most likely to be future leaders. I was thrilled when they called FG’s name and so was she. She told me later she was really hoping they’d call her name.

It’s a whole new ballgame now that the awards have to be earned. And, as much as I believe that awards should be earned, I did feel badly for those who didn’t get anything. I hope it motivates them to pursue one next year.   

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…FM reported for duty at Ft. Benning, Georgia and started his long career in the Army. I don’t write much about the Army, mostly because it’s not my profession and, when I do write about it, it’s strictly from an observer’s point of view.

I’ll make an exception today because I’m very proud of FM’s service to the country and his accomplishments. Not a day goes by that I’m not amazed at what these soldiers do. Things I know I couldn’t do ~ no matter how much physical training I endured.  For example, FM had his body armor vest on the table and I decided to move it. I kid you not, I couldn’t pick it up. It’s VERY heavy. As I stood there looking at it, I imagined all the soldiers who have to wear it all day in the heat while walking or running. I wonder if they have different weighted vest for skinny, frail people like me.

Not only are these men and women in the Army exceptional when it comes to physical endurance, they are mentally tough as well. Sure, there are some who don’t make the grade but they get weeded out rather quickly. For the most part, the ones I know are the take charge and get the job done types, all the while taking care of their battle buddies, too.    

My decision to “marry into the military” brought an added benefit besides having a wonderful husband and a daughter who is my heart. It has allowed me the priviledge of living among true heroes.

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This photo is from a visit FM & I made 12 years ago to a friend’s home in Hawaii. I’m with Thurston which is one of two English Mastiffs my friend owned and, although I hadn’t met the dogs before, we became fast friends.

 Claudia was the older of the two dogs and she would lay at the front door. When we got to the house, I leaned over her and rang the door bell. My friend called for us to come in so I stepped over Claudia and walked in. As I got to the kitchen, I realized FM wasn’t behind me. I went back out and he was still in the same spot. FM said: “She won’t let me in” Sure enough, every time FM tried to step over her, she growled. Don’t know if you’ve ever heard a mastiff growl ~ it’s low and deep and there’s no doubt, if you made her get up, there would be no bark, just bite. It’s the only time I’ve seen hesitation on FM’s part.

There are big dog people, small dog people and ‘no dog’ people. I definitely fall into the the big dog catagory. I’ve always loved the personality of those gentle giants.

My dream is, if we ever find a place to settle down, to have an English Mastiff AND an Irish Wolfhound. Imagine the dog food bill for those two. 😉 FM prefers a black lab ~ it’s his favorite dog of all. Guess we better plan on a place with lots of yard space. 

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One day, in the early nineties, when I lived in Atlanta, my friend Stacy had to give an important business presentation. Since she’s very pretty with blond hair and big brown eyes, oozes southern charm, can talk to anyone anytime and was even on QVC twice, I knew she’d have no problem with the presentation.  When I saw her later that same day she was wearing glasses. I was shocked because she didn’t need glasses and I had never seen her wear glasses. Turns out, the glasses had no Rx in them but she said she would wear them when she wanted people in the business world to take her seriously. Who knew she was so far ahead of a trend ~ click here: http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB120915416195645623.html

Funny thing is I finally found a pair of contacts that I can actually tolerate.

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On Wednesday, at a Club meeting, I had not one, but two chances to say “Hey, I know you…”

As I was walking into the meeting, I ran into Tracy who lived on Andersen Air Force Base at the same time we did. Tracy and I served as board members for the Andersen Spouses Club and, not only did the club give away a lot of money to Charities (both local and military), we also had a great time whenever we all got together.

Her husband went from Blue to Gold (from the Air Force into the Army) but when I left Guam, she didn’t know where they would be stationed after he completed the schooling required for the switch-over to the Army. She knew we were coming to Ft. Drum and they listed this post as one of their choices. Lo and behold, they got Ft. Drum and, whew, they are enjoying it. It helps that she loves to ski.

After I sat down for brunch, I felt a tap on my shoulder only to turn around and see Maria. I haven’t seen her since 2003 when we both lived in Germany. Such a small world and you just never know whose around the corner…

I knew both these women well and so it was easy to talk with them but, after years of moving and meeting countless numbers of people, it can be very disconcerting when someone comes up who remembers me but I can’t place them or remember their name. Very awkward.  And unfortunately, as I get (gulp) older, there’s just too many names & faces crowding my brain. Wish I could run a defrag, put everything in order and free up some memory 😉

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