Happy 2012

Sorry I havent been around the blogisphere, but had my carpal tunnel surgery on Wednesday the 28th.  With the help of Percocet I am feeling much better. Senior and the boys have been great during my re-cooperation. so please forgive me now for any typos. : )

well I just wanted to Wish my followers a very happy and safe New Year. I, like most of you are praying for our country and World, and I hope it is all of your resolutions to be able to prep more-don't let SHTF sneak up on you and find you out of luck

Happy New Year Everyone!

My Christmas "Bling"

Every girl at Christmas dreams of lots of shiney "blingy" things...My bling came in an ammo can...500 rounds of 9mm. Isnt it Pretty? It is going to be lots of fun slinging this at the range.. Better yet will be the look on the faces of the guys when I put this up on the counter to shoot..  : )  its enough to make some grown men cry....

Then I got this cool new rifle bag, lots of pockets and storage, and a Pink Sling for my AR-15 (affectionately known as "Brock")

Or I can put my Ruger 10/22 ( with the insane archangel conversion) In It.

 

Not pictured is also a new magazine for my Glock, it holds 15 rounds!  : )

So yes JUGM had a Very, Merry Christmas!  and I hope you all did as well! 

Christmas Wishes

I am sending my Christmas Wishes out to everyone that reads my little blog now, because It is about to get very busy for me. Dinner is at my house Sunday, and with that means lots of cooking. Plus keeping 2 little excited boys entertained. Everyday they look at the calander and all the presents under the tree. It is fun to see the anticipation on their little faces and the pure "awe" factor. In addition to the tree, we also have our nativity out, the boys think that everything from Iron Man, to Transformers belong in the nativity scene. I have explained over and over that in no way, no how was "Batman , Robin, and Optimus Prime in the nativity...
They have an "Elf on the Shelf" named Herman that has magically gone back to report to Santa every night, and has landed in a different place through out our house. I will be happy when that darn Elf settles back down for a whole nother year. I tell you, we have found him EVERYWHERE: on the back of the toilet, in bed with the boys, on top of my fish tank..he is sneaky


The weather here is anything but frightful, friggin near 80 today. Senior has mentioned taking the boys to the beach..OMG! The beach??? In December. Well they had hoped for snow in Florida so they could make snow angels, so instead I guess they will be making "Sand Angels"  ha ha.
What I want to talk Senior into is going down to the historical section here and browsing the little shops, then stop for some fresh shrimp and make some good Garlic shrimp and grits tonight for supper...ohhhh super yum.

Yep! This would be us on Christmas here!

I also want to Thank you all for following The Clothesline, over 6000 page views since I started in July. Somedays I have no idea what to blog about, other days the words flow like water.
So again a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all, and in this time of parties, and the hustle and bustle, let us not forget the true meaning of the holiday, to Celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus.....

The Homeless Veteran at the Interstate..

Today I saw a man standing at a stop sign on the off ramp for the interstate. He made me sad. He was holding a sign that said “VETERAN ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED”. He had his entire belongings wrapped up in a back pack at his feet. He wore dirty black jeans, and blue shirt. He was unshaven with a white beard, and a digital camo ball cap. I am sure at some point in his life he mattered to someone, and could have once been someone of great importance. What happened to him to bring him to the level he is at now?. Senior who is very wise told me “ You don’t know what he did in his life to cause him to be homeless, but on the other side of the spectrum we don’t know what happened to him to cause it either".

 I wanted so much to help him. However, the boys and I had just come from one of the naval bases and we can’t "carry" there. So my weapon was home locked in the safe. While wanting to reach out to this man to offer aide, the "What Ifs" popped in to my head. It was just me and the boys in the jeep.  And I have to think of their safety first and foremost who knows what this man could have been hiding under his shirt or in a pocket.I want to help people so bad, but these times are not good ones, and people are doing desperate things to survive. It me makes me sad that in order to be a good samaritan you have to take your life in to your own hands

My other problem is I don’t like to just hand out cash to the homeless. My father worked the busiest fire station for many years. His stories of the drunken homeless downtown can curl your hair. He has always told me, NEVER give cash, most will only use it to buy cigarettes and alcohol. It is better to go through a drive thru and pick them up a meal. The other problem with today was there was no fast food places nearby. Had he been one mile south there are numerous, and I could have got him a hot lunch.

 
So the boys and I drove on and went about our errands. I Pray that someone came along and did offer him some help so that he can be on his way.

Navy Laying off Sailors....

I am going to raise the big BS flag on this one.  We have 2,947 U.S. Sailors that have fought for this country and now being layed off because their rates are considered “overmanned”.

The Navy said it had 31 areas that were "overmanned," so it set up something called an enlisted retention board looking at about 16,000 sailors who have served anywhere from seven to 15 years and made certain amounts of money.

A spokeswoman said the Navy considered many factors and chose to let go of those 3,000 sailors effective Sept. 1.

She said that before the layoffs were announced, those sailors were given chances to apply for other opportunities, but only 125 were placed elsewhere.So how is that helping the remaining sailors?

Once gone, the Navy will give them six months of insurance and severance pay that they may have to pay back- It is extremely insulting considering these men and women fought for thier country, and was held to a contract. Now the government isn't holding up to their end of the same contract and they are being kicked to the curb.

As a result these sailors are now petitioning the Obama Adminsitration to review how sailors are being involuntary seperated. I encourage all my Blog readers to please read  and sign this petition at : https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/review-how-sailors-are-being-involuntarily-separated-us-naval-service-fy-2012-enlisted-retention/mMmDRqWV

If you read through the petition it has common sense solutions..one would be a slow down on recruitment, or asking first for volunteers who would like to seperate early. Or let them finish out their contracts and do not let them re-enlist..but don't kick them out like this!

They have also started a Facebook Page Called "Sailors Against ERB"......

Executive Order 13589

EXECUTIVE ORDER

PROMOTING EFFICIENT SPENDING

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to further promote efficient spending in the Federal Government, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. My Administration is committed to cutting waste in Federal Government spending and identifying opportunities to promote efficient and effective spending. The Federal Government performs critical functions that support the basic protections that Americans have counted on for decades. As they serve taxpayers, executive departments and agencies (agencies) also must act in a fiscally responsible manner, including by minimizing their costs, in order to perform these mission critical functions in the most efficient, cost effective way. As such, I have pursued an aggressive agenda for reducing administrative costs since taking office and, most recently, within my Fiscal Year 2012 Budget. Building on this effort, I direct agency heads to take even more aggressive steps to ensure the Government is a good steward of taxpayer money.


And Blah Blah Blah...  there is lots more too the order,too much to post and too much to read. But you get the sentiment. A cut in travel expenses. At a time when  his ole lady is taking off to Hawaii on another 17 day vacation. With a fleet of military planes, limos, and her entourage in tow. BO is staying behind until Congress reaches a deal on the payroll tax cut standoff. If a deal is reached, he will be heading out, with a whole other fleet...how much is this costing us? We have people hurting financially in this country, most can't afford a Christmas this year for thier kids, and yet we have BO writing an order, but failing to set the example-  On being a "Good Steward of Tax Pay Money". But then I forget, nothing applies to him does it?

FLASHBACK -Mom with 15 kids "Somebody needs to pay me"......

Neil Boortz was all on top of this story today. " Hey Angel Adams- Maybe Obama can help you" ! Another person that thinks the governement needs to give her entitlements to pay for her 15  kids...Here is a novel Idea: Use protection next time! . This is another person in our society that makes me say "GRRRRRRRRRRRR" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday is Range Day....

Hi Everyone .. Now that I am no longer keeping the little tyke on a regular basis, and my kids are in school until 200. I am free to have some "Me" time. So I have designated Wednesdays as my new range day. A day for me to go in to my local gun range, expend some brass and let out some stress.

Today Senior came with me, and we shot pistols. I think its funny to see the young guys in there blowing wads and wads of brass. Today was no different, there was a group of 4 young men, all with guns layed out every where like they own the place.  They were talking  it up good, and the egos were getting bigger then their heads..Senior commented how we should have brought the M1A so they could see a "Grown up Gun"-ha ha.

I chose this wicked zombie target today, It looked good on print, but really you couldnt see where you were hitting. So I changed over to the green one- All shots in the Gut! Nothing but 5's baby!

Cheating Woman gets a Poo Tatoo ( and I don't mean the little bear)

On a busy  news day in my town...this is actually the one headline that caught my attention ...This is what happens when you pass out drunk, and let your jilted boyfriend tatoo you. ..I think she got what she deserved.


A FURIOUS woman is suing her ex-boyfriend after he tattooed a steaming poo on her back.
Rossie Brovent wants £60,000 in damages from Ryan Fitzjerald.
Rossie, from Dayton, Ohio, US, wanted a scene from the Narnia trilogy inked on her back.
Instead she was left with a pile of excrement with flies buzzing around it.
Tattoo artist Ryan turned rogue after discovering that Rossie had cheated on him with his best friend.
Rossie originally tried to have her ex-lover charged with assault but she had signed a consent form agreeing the tattoo design was "at the artist's discretion".
She said: "He tricked me by drinking a bottle of cheap wine with me and doing tequila shots before I signed it and got the tattoo.
"Actually I was passed out for most of the time, and woke up to this horrible image on my back."

WELCOME

A big Welcome to TANGO and MIDWEST PATRIOT...thanks for stopping by the clothesline and hitting the follow button. Come back and Visit often. If you leave a comment I promise to respond as soon as I can....

60 Minutes and the Hard Times Generation Episode....

Last night I saw the below linked preview for this weeks " 60 Minutes"..  It broke my heart. They are doing a story on homeless families, and how the it has affected the kids.Featured in the story is the Metzgher family. The mother died, the father can not find work in construction. He took the last 1000.00 he had to buy a moving truck for he and his 2 teenagers to live in.  Please listen to the clip..these kids are wise beyond their years. I wish all these occupy brats would watch the show, and learn a lesson from these kids, If you are reading my blog and have children ..sit them down and make them watch this on Sunday night. The daughter is so profound, and wise beyond her years. When girls her age are worried about boys, makeup and clothes. Arielle has to worry about where she is going to use the bathroom at, and where they will sleep at night. They are in Florida, and I wish I could find and help them with the little bit I have. Its just not fair that kids have to live like this.

Hard Times Generation Preview on 60 minutes

Happy Thanksgiving !

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy your day with friends and family. Stay safe with the turkey friers- I hope none of you have purchased those indoor ones, cause we all know that is an accident waiting to happen.

Today I am So Thankful for my Family, 2 small boys that make my life interesting. A hubby that adds more excitment in to the mix.  I am thankful for a country, that no matter how bad it is we are still able to celebrate holidays. I am thankful for our armed forces, for the sailors, soldiers and marines who have sacrificed to keep our country free. And I am thankful for Gods grace and richly filling us with blessings and answered prayers...

Enjoy your day everyone!

Computerised Contacts....

This is going to be so bad, in so many ways.....

Computerised contact lens will keep you up to date with news and texts

Prototype could create hands-free information

• Was placed into a rabbit’s eye without causing any health problems
• Inventor also looking to incorporate sensors to pick up important medical data
• Meanwhile, Britons to try out bionic eye which could end blindnessBy Fiona Macrae
  Last updated at 4:52 AM on 22nd November 2011

All-seeing eye: Scientists have developed a prototype contact lens that could one day provide the wearer with the news, texts and social networking

Imagine catching up with your texts, social networking and perhaps the news without having to log on to a computer or even glance at a smartphone.

Messages and images would simply appear in front of your eyes, generated by a computerised contact lens.

Of course, you may not always want to be bothered by such messages if you are doing anything so quaint as – for instance – reading a book or going out walking and enjoying the scenery.

But until now the concept of info-vision – the ability to stream information across a person’s field of vision – had belonged to the realms of science fiction, featuring in films such as the Terminator series or TV shows such as Torchwood.

However, scientists have developed a prototype lens that could one day provide the wearer with all kinds of hands-free information.

It could also be used to display directions and TV programmes.

Occupy Bagram Movement...

The pic says its all.....

House Approves Concealed Carry Bill

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/16/house-to-vote-on-concealed-firearm-permit-bill/?test=latestnews

I ask why should the Feds pass a national law on concealed carry, when the states have been managing it with reciprotory laws all ready?  Is this some back door way for Washington to try to pass more extreme measures.  If the senate passes this then only time will tell what is within the fine print.

White House Under Fire...Literally!

What is worrying me the most about this event, is that the administration could use this has a opening to revisit our gun rights.But I also know Obama wouldnt be that stupid to approach the subject in an election year (or would he ? ) 

Bullet Hit White House Window, Secret Service Confirms

Published November 16, 2011

| NewsCore

WASHINGTON – The Secret Service has found a bullet that smashed a glass window at the White House before being stopped by special anti-ballistic glass shielding the building's interior, WRC-TV reported late Tuesday night.

It was discovered Tuesday morning, said a Secret Service official who added a second bullet was found outside the building.

The Secret Service has been investigating a shooting that occurred near the White House on Friday, but sources told the station they could not yet confirm that the newly discovered bullets are linked to that incident.

An AK-47-style rifle was recovered from an abandoned car Friday night after Secret Service officers heard shots being fired between two vehicles on Constitution Avenue, about half a mile from the White House, shortly after 9:00pm.

U.S. Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser said Sunday officers had obtained an arrest warrant for 21-year-old Oscar Ramiro Ortega, on a felony charge of carrying a dangerous weapon, in connection with the incident.

Ortega, who is believed to have ties to Idaho, is thought to have remained in the Washington, D.C. area following Friday's drama.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in California at the time of the shooting then traveled to Hawaii for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

News of the bullets' discovery broke shortly after the president landed in Australia for a brief 27-hour visit.

 

My Want....

This would be my ultimate SHTF vehicle..

Penn State Selling Sanduskys Book....

Let me begin by saying that if this was one of my precious boys, I would hunt the  B-#$%*&  down and carve his "privates" off with a spoon!!!!!!!!!
I am a mother, and that is how I feel about any animal that would exploit and hurt small children. The events of the Penn State Scandal are sicking to me and probably are to most of you. Sandusky adopted kids, he ran a charity summer camp at the school, and the whole time he was abusing those same

underprivileged  kids claimed to be helping.. So far only 8 victims have been found, but I am sure that more will turn up.

And then to see that his book is STILL FOR SALE in the schools bookstore is nauseating, especially its title.:

 JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News

Sandusky, Penn State's former defensive coordinator, is charged with sexually abusing eight children. In the wake of the Sandusky investigation, the university's board of trustees fired legendary coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier. In addition, the Attorney General's office has charged former athletic director Tim Curley with perjury as a result of the investigation.

"It is hopefully just a mistake, that they still have that [book] out and it's still available here,'' said one recent Penn State alum who glanced at the book, just to make sure it really was on sale. He asked that his name not be used.

Nope. It's not an oversight. A university bookstore spokesman said he was aware the book, which explores Sandusky's work with the children's charity he founded, The Second MIle, and his football career, was on display. It's located in the middle of the store, located on Pollack Road, not far from Old Main.

The Sandusky book can be found in a row entitled "Local Interest Section", between "Living Without Electricity", by Stephen Scott and Kenneth Pellman, and "The New Face of Small-Town America: Snapshots of Latino Life in Allentown, Pa..'', by Edgar Sandoval.

"I don't really have a comment on that,''' said a book store spokesman. "We haven't changed any operating procedure.''

The same grad who was hopeful that the book availability was an "oversight", then frowned at the news it wasn't.

"That is shameful, to try and promote that [book], in my opinion,'' said the alum, who made trip from Washington, D.C. for Saturday's Penn State-Nebraska game at Beaver Stadium at noon.

"That fact that it's in Penn State's bookstore is really hard to believe,'' said another alum, originally from Lewistown, Pa. She also declined to be identified.

She added: "I'm struggling with the question why JoePa had to be fired and to see this, it's disappointing.''

She was asked if she thought The Penn State Bookstore should pull the book from the shelf.

"I would hope they would,'' she said.        

Welcome New Followers

Thank you to MMASSE and HERDOG CYN, for clicking the follow button on my little blog. I really do appreciate it. Please come and visit the clothesline often. I promise to do my best in responding to any comments you leave here, sometimes it may take me a little while to do so. Thank you again and Have a great Weekend.

Veterans Day pt. 4- My Favorite Veteran

My favorite Veteran is my Hubby, the retired Senior Chief. He sacrificed family and friends to join and serve this great nation. It is because of people like him, that we in America get to enjoy the pleasures in life.
 Below are some pics of him in the early days..when he was a 3rd and 2nd class Petty Officer, then there are pictures he collected through the years, its of things that most people don't ever get to see. So I wish him and all Veterans that read my blog and follow it " A VERY HAPPY VETERANS DAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE"  And I Also say a big THANK YOU to our CANADIAN FRIENDS, this is REMEMBERENCE DAY FOR THEM- Thank you for your service and for fighting along side of our sailors and soldiers to help secure freedom.

USS ROBERTS( The last Frigate he served on) and a SUB

USS JOHN F KENNEDY RETURNING FROM ITS LAST DEPLOYMENT. I WAS WORKING ON BASE AT THE TIME, AND SNAPPED THIS ONE.

USS MCINERNY HOMECOMING FROM 6 MONTH DEPLOYMENT

UNDERWAY REPLENISHMENT AT SEA- I LOVE THE WAY THE SHIPS LOOK AGAINST THE SKY

MISSLE SHOT

Veterans Day Pt. 3- The USS STARK, FFG-31

When I was 18, my church youth group was making the rounds on Saturday visitation. That week, we went to the door of a very nice home, and were met by a melancholy widow named Barbara Kiser. And that is the first time I heard her story about the USS Stark.

 On May 17, 1987,  a year before I met Ms. Kiser, The Stark was on deployment in the Persian Gulf, that morning it had been in port in Bahrain, unlike other family members, Ms. Kiser was living in Bahrain and was able to see her husband Senior Chief Stephen Kiser frequently during the 6 month deployment.

 At approximately 8pm on the 17^th, a Iraqi Mirage aircraft  took off from Shabiah airbase and flew south across the Persian gulf, The pilot fired the first Exocet missile from a range of 22.5 nautical miles (41.7 km), and the second from 15.5 nautical miles (28.7 km), just about the time Stark issued a standard warning by radio. The frigate did not detect the missiles with radar; warning was given by the lookout only moments before the missiles struck. The first penetrated the port-side hull and failed to detonate, but left flaming rocket fuel in its path. The second entered at almost the same point, and, leaving a 3-by-4-meter gash, exploded in crew quarters. 37 sailors were killed and 21 were injured.

On fire and listing, during the night the crew was able to bring the fire under control. The ship made its way to Bahrain where, after temporary repairs were made before it could make the transit back to its home base of Mayport, Florida.

Once the ship was in Bahrain, civilians were able to go on board and inspect the damage, one of those was Barbara Kiser, she was able to see everything first hand, before anything had been cleaned up or repaired, the heat from the missiles reached an amazing 12 million BTUs and 600 pounds of fuel ignited. To date it is the hottest fire ever recorded on board a U.S. Naval Ship. Through the debris of the ships Chiefs berthing She was able to locate her husbands bunk, while sifting through the ashes, she was able to find a small bible that she had given him in 1980-nothing else survived.

She has kept the scorched Bible, and has shown it to people across the Middle East during mission trips, she said when people hear the story about it, they will kiss it and bless God.

 I now see Ms. Kiser once a year, on local TV when they show the USS Stark Memorial Service, she is there telling the story of her husband and his Bible, and the ultimate sacrifice he and 36 of his comrades made for their country.

The Stark was Decommissioned on May 7th, 1999 and reportedly scrapped on June 21, 2006.

.

Hubby, a retired Senior Chief spent much of his Naval Career onboard Frigates, In the Summer of 2005 he felt it appropriate that he do his last re-enlistment ceremony at the Stark Memorial Park.

Veterans Day Pt 2- Chief Petty Officer Bob Feller

Unless you are a long time Cleveland Indians fan or a Navy Chief Petty Officer, you might not know who Bob Feller is. In December of 1941 he was the first professional athlete to resign from his sport, and join the military to fight against the Germans and Japanese.  In 2006 he was interviewed for a chapter in the Book “Once Upon a Game: Baseballs Greatest Memories” Below in his own words is his reason for enlisting and missing four seasons to fight for our country:

“It was Dec. 7, 1941. I was driving to my meeting with my Cleveland Indians bosses to hash out my 1942 contract, and out it came on the radio: the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor.
The last thing on my mind right then was playing baseball. I immediately decided to enlist in the United States Navy. I didn’t have to — I was 23 and strong-bodied, you bet, but with my father terminally ill back in Van Meter, Iowa, I was exempt from military service.

It was one of the greatest experiences in my life. You can talk about teamwork on a baseball team, but I’ll tell you, it takes teamwork when you have 2,900 men stationed on the U.S.S. Alabama in the South Pacific. I was a chief petty officer. I helped give exercises and ran the baseball team and recreation when we were in port. But I was also a gun captain — I was firing a 40-millimeter quad at eight rounds per second.

The Alabama was involved in one of the most important battles of the Pacific. In June 1944, we were supposed to shell the beaches of Saipan for two hours so that our Marines could land safely. The Japanese tried a surprise attack — but we were ready. The American Navy and Air Force, we had all the big carriers and battleships like the Iowa, the Wisconsin, the New Jersey, the Alabama, you name it, we had them all. Our pilots and gunners shot down 474 Japanese aircraft, sank three of their carriers and got several of their escort ships. And when the sun went down that night, it was the end of the Japanese naval air force. We made it look so easy, ever since they’ve called it the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.

We were involved in so many other important engagements, including some in the North Atlantic over in Europe. Our ship won nine battle stars, eight of them while I was on it. It was an incredible time for all of us.

I went on inactive duty in August 1945, and since I had stayed in such good shape, and had played ball on military teams, I was ready to start for the Indians just two days later, against the Tigers. More than 47,000 people came to see me return — there was such a patriotic feeling, with V-J Day so fresh in everyone’s minds. Even though I hadn’t pitched in the major leagues in almost four years, I struck out the first batter. I wound up throwing a four-hitter and winning, 4-2.

What a great night ... I kept it up the rest of the season, too, and then had what many people call my best season in 1946, when I won 26 games with 348 strikeouts.

  I have no regrets. None at all. I did what any American could and should do: serve his country in its time of need. The world’s time of need.

I knew then, and I know today, that winning World War II was the most important thing to happen to this country in the last 100 years. I’m just glad I was a part of it. I was only a gun captain on the battleship Alabama for 34 months. People have called me a hero for that, but I’ll tell you this — heroes don’t come home. Survivors come home. “

Bob Feller passed away December 16^th, 2010 from leukemia, he was 92

Veterans Day- In Honor of the Sullivan Brothers

No one story brings more emotions in me then that of the Fighting Sullivan Brothers, as a mother of 2 boys myself, I can only imagine the pain the family endured.

 Albert, Frances, George, Joseph, and Madison(Matt): five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. As children they were full of mischief, but loyal to each other and came from a close knit Irish-American family. After Pearl Harbor the brothers enlisted in the navy together and chose to serve together, all though at the time it was against the navy’s policy. The brothers insisted, and were granted special permission. And so on February 3, 1942 the boys reported onboard USS Juneau.

In November of 1942, the Juneau was in the Pacific, and was torpedoed during the battle of Guadalcanal, survivor accounts reported that Frank, Joe and Matt died instantly, Al drowned the next day, and George survived for about 5 days in a raft until he went insane from the grief of losing his brothers and went over the side, he was never seen again.  This was the greatest loss to any one American family during WWll.

The brothers received the Purple Heart Medal posthumously and were entitled to the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four engagement stars and the World War II Victory Medal. They had also earned the Good Conduct Medal.

Since the tragic death of the boys, 2 ships have since had the honor of being named after them. The current USS The Sullivan’s, DDG 68 an Arleigh Burke Guided Missile Destroyer was commissioned April 19, 1997. In Staten Island, NY.

 In 2000 a group affiliated with Al Qaeda tried to attack and destroy “The Sullivan’s” but the attacker’s boat sank before they could carry out their plan. The Al Qaeda group was successful on their second attempt with the attack on the USS COLE.

While on staff duty USS The Sullivan’s was in Hubby’s squadron, he had the privilege of embarking onboard and has always said: “It’s A Fine Navy Vessel with Character”

USS The Sullivans DDG-68 During VANDALEX Dec. 2003
Hubby was embarked onboard USS Kennedy during this exercise

Pic of the Day...

Saw this and had to post it......

Fox Hunting ....

"Im a get those darn varmints!"

I am in his 1 %

17 Years Ago Today...

17 Years ago  this very day , Hubby and I met at the alter of a naval base chapel and said our "I Do's". And here we are 2 kids, a dog, 2 cats, and a tank full of fish later. The road to get here has not been easy, we have had our ups and downs, like lots of couples we probably almost called it quits a few times. But through Gods grace, we kept it together. I think no matter what we went through, deep down we knew we still loved each other. Through thick and thin we knew we belonged together. 

He is my best friend and he has made me the person I am today...

My Mother..... : ) ~~~

Hubby and I are the only ones in my family that take “prepping” serious. Some days it can be frustrating. Today is one of those days, and I feel the need to let off some steam about my mother. I love her, but she is so different from me. In anything that I do to become self reliant, is met with sarcasm ..from hanging up laundry, canning, to food storage. Just wait until I get a wheat grinder and start making my own bread...."hmmmm" that I'm sure will be a round table discussion.

I was extremely excited about my little “field trip” to the LDS Cannery, that I thought I would call her and make some small talk with her about it. I should have known it would be a mistake, in months past I have tried to get both my parents to come around to my way of thinking. They are good Christian people who feel that God will take care of everything. And I do believe that, but I also believe that we have to take care of ourselves as well.  I do believe in the Bible. But what I also believe is that no one knows when “The End” will happen…it could still be years away. Until that time, I want to be prepared, it is all ready bad here on Earth, and it will get a lot worse. And I absolutely refuse to stand in line for a piece of bread or a cup of soup, nor will I or my immediate family end up in a military controlled encampment.

 So her reaction to the cannery was one  as always of sarcasm. “Why are you doing all this for? “She asked. I have told her time and time again, that I am a prepper. ‘What are you prepping for, what do you think is going to happen”? she will ask. Then it just goes round and round with her. And she doesn’t keep up with the news or world happenings…her idea of a current event is “What’s on sale on the home shopping channel” My sister reminds me that she is elderly and is getting demensia in her old age..and to just go with the flow...

 But, It’s enough some days to make me bang my head against a brick wall, and say GRRRRRRRRRR.  So thanks for taking the time today to read about my frustration. I try not to unload on you good people but some days: Well you know……”Grrrrrrrrrr”

Our Morning at the LDS Cannery

After much anticipation Hubby and I finally made it over to our local "Latter Day Saints" Cannery. We have heard about it from others, and read about it online, but have never gone.

The experience was awesome, the folks there were friendly and willing to answer any questions we had. After a 10+ minute orientation, we suited up with aprons, gloves, and hair nets and were put to work. We filled #10 cans with everything from sugar, to black beans. They also can dehydrated goods such as carrots, refried beans, and apples. And of course all the usual items like rice, flour, red and white wheat. With several of us there to work, we soon operated like a well oiled machine, and in less then  2 hours we were done.

The average price for a can is about $4.00.We got 18 cans and spent about 86..00.. Not a bad haul. They also pack your order into boxes and give you plastic lids if you ever need to open them. If left un-opened the shelf life is 30 years...

We also got some great ideas for storing that we had never thought of, and one is many of us put our goods in to closets, cabinets...we were told to make a map of our items, so we know where something is. And to also keep a running inventory (which we all ready do). So, if you have a cannery near you-make an appointment to visit, you do not have to be a mormon to go- we are not mormon, but I will caution you-at the end they do try to recruit. We smiled and were pleasant and declined..

Going Mylar Bag Crazy

As many of you know,we got blessed with 50 extra mylar bags. The USA Emergency people sent us the wrong ones, so instead of us returning them. They gave us their apologies and told us to keep them, and they would ship out the correct ones.

Well, since the Jaguars were losing so bad on Sunday, hubby got up and decided to store some of our dried goods. He went through all our oats, more rice, and lots and lots of lima beans. See all of his hard work: 

Halloween Tales Part 3- Ghost of Michael Jackson

I thought I would end my short series on Halloween Ghost Stories, with one about Michael Jackson. While I was not a blubbering wild fan of his, in the 80s I did like some of his music. Shortly after his death, a news crew for Larry King did a story about MJs 'Neverland Ranch" and what they accidentally caught on video is some of the most compelling footage I have seen.   Here is the YouTube, watch is carefully and you be the judge.....

         HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Halloween Tales-Part 2- Ghost of Antietam

Located on the far western edge of central Maryland is the Antietam Battlefield, which lies outside of the small, historic town of Sharpsburg. The battle of Antietam took place in September of 1862 and marked the first of 2 attempts by Confederate General Robert E. Lee to take the Civil War onto northern soil. The battle became known as the bloodiest single day of the entire war with combined casualties of 23,100 wounded, missing and dead.

BLOODY LANE
The morning battle at Antietam shifted directions several times and eventually became centered in the middle of Lee's line, a country road that divided the property of two local farmers. Now, it served as a rifle pit for 2 Confederate brigades.
The road was ordered held at all costs. The Federals tried numerous times to overrun the road, unit after unit falling back under the rain of fire from the Confederate position. Finally, a vantage point was reached where the Union troops could fire down upon the road's defenders. It became like shooting animals in a slaughter pen and "Bloody Lane" soon filled with bodies, stacked four and five feet deep.

The slaughter at Bloody Lane became one of the most memorable and tragic events of the battle, thanks to the participation of the 69th of New York, soldiers known as the "Irish Brigade". The Union troops attacking the road were in serious trouble when they saw the emerald banner of the Irish Brigade appear on the horizon. The Irish announced their arrival with the sounds of drums and volleys of fire as they attacked the Confederate position. The Brigade screamed loudly and shouted a battle cry that sounded like "Fah-ah-bah-lah", which is Gaelic for "Clear the Way!" and is spelled Faugh-a-Balaugh.
Over the years, Bloody Lane has become known as one of the most eerie places on the battlefield. Strange events have taken place here which lead many to believe that events of the past are still being replayed today. Reports over the years tell of the sounds of phantom gunfire echoing along the sunken road and the smell of smoke and gunpowder which seems to come from nowhere.
But perhaps the most famous story involves a group of boys from the McDonough school in Owings Mills, Maryland, They toured the battlefield and ended the day at Bloody Lane. The boys were allowed to wander about and think about what they had learned that day. They were asked to record their impressions for a history assignment and some wrote brief remarks and poems.... but the comments that got the most attention from the teacher were from the boys who described hearing shouts that came from Bloody Lane. Some of them said that it sounded like a chant and others described the sounds as someone singing a Christmas song... like "Deck the Halls".
Most specifically, they described the words as sounded like the part of the song that goes "Fa-la-la-la-la". The singing came strongly and then faded away.
But what if the singing had not been a Christmas song at all.... but the sounds of the Irish Brigade "clearing the way"?
Faugh-a-Balaugh.......

BURNSIDE BRIDGEThose who have spent time at the area known as Burnside Bridge on the battlefield, especially those park rangers and Civil War reenactors who have been there at night, say that there are strange things going on there.
Historians and experts report that the fighting which took place here in 1862 left a number of fallen soldiers behind and many of them were hastily buried in unknown locations near the bridge. Could their restless souls be haunting the area?
Visitors to the area at night have reported visions of blue balls of light moving about in the darkness and the sound of a phantom drum that beats out a cadence and then fades away

Do ghosts still walk at Antietam Battlefield? You have to be the judge of that for yourself, but nevertheless, there are many questions in this place which will probably always remain unanswered.

Halloween Tales part 1- White House Ghosts

I love the fall season, and I really love Halloween. Its fun to do all the scary things that come with the day. It is up to you wether you are a believer in the paranormal or not. Lots of things can be dissproved. But once in a while evidence arises that baffles even the most seasoned skeptic.

Our White House is full of history, and with all that history a place like that is bound to have a resident or two that has stayed behind..can you imagine them scaring the crap out of BO ?  lol

Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams
At the time Pres. Adams and his wife, Abigail, were in the White House, there was a slight problem with where to hang the laundry to dry. At the time, the White House was not yet fully complete, and it was not adequately heated, with many rooms being cold and damp. The warmest and driest place in the White House was the East Room, and that is where Mrs. Adams humg her clothes line.
To this day, Abigail Adams can be seen hurrying towards the East Room with her arms outstretched as if she is carrying a oad of laundry. She is the "oldest" ghost to be encountered in the White House today.

Dorothea Paine "Dolley" Madison, wife of President James Madison
When the second Mrs. Woodrow Wilson occupied the White House, she ordered gardeners to dig up the familiar rose garden that Dolley had planned and built during her stay there. The gardeners ended up running away when Dolley's ghost appeared to stop them from ruining her beloved garden, and not one flower was harmed. Dolley's rose garden continues to bloom to this day. Never mess with a woman's roses!
Andrew Jackson
It is believed that Andrew Jackson still inhabits the White House's Rose Room, where his bed remains to this day. Mary Todd Lincoln reported hearing him stomping around the White House corridors and cursing.

David Burns, owner of the land given to the govenment for the White House
Cesar Carrera, valet to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, said he once heard someone calling his name in the Yellow Oval Room. The voice seemed to come from a distance, saying, "I'm Mr. Burns."
A similar story arose during the Truman years when a guard heard a soft voice saying, "I'm Mr. Burns."

Abraham Lincoln
Reports of people seeing, hearing, or sensing the presance of Pres. Lincoln throught the years have been numerous.
When Pres. Lincoln was still alive, he had told a friend that he dreamt of his own death. He dreamt of hearing people mouring, only to go to the East Room where he saw has a casket and a room full of mourners. He demanded from a guard to know who had died in the White House, and the guard responded, "The President. He was killed by an assasin."
However, Lincoln has remained past death to finish off his term in office.
Grace Coolidge, wife of Calvin Coolidge, was the first person to report having seen Lincoln's ghost in the White House. She said that he stood at a window of the Oval Office, hands clasped behind his back, gazing out over the Potomac.
 
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was a guest of the White House when she heard a knock on her bedroom door in the middle of the night. When she answered it, Lincoln stood before her with his famous top hat and all. The Queen fainted, and when she came too, he was gone.
Mary Eben, Mrs. Roosevelt's secretary, also reported seeing Lincoln sitting on the bed in the Lincoln bedroom pulling on his boots. Many other workers during this era reported seeing him laying on the bed at different times.

Our Mylar Bag Order

So, our bags came in the mail today. They were wrong, not the zip lock ones we ordered. So hubby had me call. Let me tell you how nice the people out at USA Emergency Supply were. They were very professional, courteous ,and apologized for their mistake. Not only did they reprocess my order, they told us to keep the bags they sent by mistake- How awesome is that? I get 50 free bags now, all because some shipping clerk can't read.

If you are in need of mylar bags for long term storage, then I highly recommend them.

Oh Poor Chaz...

I, who usually is a "Dancing with the Stars" Fan, did not watch this season for one reason and one reason only..Chaz Bono. Our boys sometimes would watch with me, but there was no way in blue blazes I wanted them to see that on the show. So, I joined millions of other outraged fans and boycotted. I am tired of Hollywood constantly shoving this down our throats. And,I don't care what anyone says, IT can change all of ITs plumbing, but in the end IT is still a female. Seeing some of the pictures  and youtube videos from the show, all I can say is "ick, blah, hack hack hack" IT had no talent, or skill and definantly no graceful moves on the dance floor.

So I see IT got booted off the show, and now ITs crying foul because the judges made fun of IT. Not because of the gender changes IT made, but because of ITs weight. IT says "no one made fun of Kirstie Alley" yes, this is true, but Kirstie Alley wasnt a "she" pretending to be a "he". And, Kirstie Alley also lost gobs amounts of her weight, and did not look like as Bruno Tonioli said " A Penguin, a basketball, or, and Ewok".  My best advice to IT, "Build a Bridge, and get OVER IT"

  Will I ever go back to watching? I don't know, because its really scraping the bottom for stars these days..... Besides, I am trying to get caught up with the series "Walking Dead" after all, who can so no to zombies running amuck through Georgia?    

Too Funny not to share...

After dealing with our youngest who was home sick with a stomach virus, and the little tykes mommy not being happy with me because I couldnt keep her baby..I checked in to Facebook where a friend of mine had this pic of his new puppy posted.....and I laughed until I started to cry.... So I thought I would share it with you good people....Go ahead and Laugh, cause yall know its funny...

"In Bread Dog"

Mylar Bags

Over the weekend, Hubby and I ordered more Mylar bags. So what you say! Well, I am excited because we ordered them in smaller sizes so that we can break our dry goods down to more manageable portions, thus allowing us to make the items more lightweight to fit in our BOBs and etc...




If you have not ordered the bags before here is a good website to go through, they have all kinds of fun prepper items...  WWW.USAEmergencysupply.com

They have every size of mylar bag possible and even my favorite: the zip lock ones...Plus if you are an "Apartment Prepper" or limited on space for storage, Mylar bags would be a good idea for you.

Yep!

Saturday..

Happy Saturday Everyone!  In a small attempt to get in to the Halloween Spirit, I am "Spooky -fying" my blog , I especially love the Predator pumkin to the side..that is cool, and some one put in a lot of work on it. I even think I am going to do a short series on well known haunts.

Today is the 1 year birthday party for the little tyke, offically he turns 1 on the 28th,but his family doesnt want anything interrupting their FLA/GA football festivities next weekend so they are having it today..and NO, Thank  God they are not Florida Fans..

Fall is in the air here, and I love it. We have had a nice cool spell going on, woke up this morning to a crisp 40 something. Last night hubby lit a fire in the fire pit on our patio, I wrapped up in my camo snuggy and enjoyed the fire and star gazing. Our boys are well in to their flag football season, and the oldest one even grabbed a couple of flags during the last game. Report cards came home yesterday and both kids did well. So for the hard work they were rewarded. We are so proud of both of them and the little men they are becoming..
Have a good weekend Everyone!

Occupy Wall Street Mom

When you see that a Florida mom has left her family to go to NYC, in no way shape or form is it yours truely. Neil Boortz has been saying what nut jobs these people are. and this woman proves it.. Just listen to her, she makes no sense. And her husband is of all things A Banker...ha ha ha ha ha.

Welcome New Followers/Wednesday Tid Bits...

 Welcome to KYMBER,JAMBALONEY, KRIS WATSON and GOODBADGIRL...thanks for posting and hitting the follower button, come back and visit often, I look forward to our chats.

Welp the kids were out of school Monday and Tuesday, and fortuantly I did not have the little tyke. 6 more days of him, then I get to start working with hubby in our business. They went back to school today, so this is like my "Monday". 
Yesterday we took them to visit my parents, my dad has not been doing well and seeing the boys perked him up. Hubby and I left them there and took off to lunch and a Costco trip. Got more things to add to our long term storage. We are now adding things on a weekly basis, and I am ready to add more shelving. Hubby got me a new rice cooker/slow cooker..I love it..really fancy with lots of extras on it.

Last night we watched the Las Vegas Debate, and as always Hermain Cain did not dissappoint. I turned to Hubby and told him how I would Like to see Mr. Cain and BO go at it. But what I really loved is Newt saying if he was the nominee that he would challange BO to 7 debates, no moderator and only a time keeper..that I would pay to see.  What I didn't like was the constant sparring between Perry and Romney..I don't like either of them.

I talked to my brother on the phone who currently lives in Raliegh, NC. He and his "lady friend" went Sunday night to antagonize the "Occupy Raliegh" people. The occupiers are upset with the Raliegh PD for not opening up public areas to them, and for not allowing  them to sit down. If anyone is caught sitting or laying down, they are immediatly arrested and charged with "squatting"...hmmm maybe NYC should start doing that.

I am reading my way through "Survivors" I am really liking it and even highlighting points of interest. I like the way Rawles has intertwined characters from Patriots into Survivors.

Welp more clothes are ready to be hung up on the line and the little tyke is awake from a whopping 30 min. nap..  Enjoy your Wednesday everyone!.

Sacrifice.....

Another good motivational poster....

Must Haves For Your B.O.B- Part 2

SWEDISH ARMY ALCOHOL STOVE

After finally getting my husband to take time out from running a business, the stresses of everyday life, and writing college papers, I was able to sit down with him so that I may interview him for  Part Two of my B.O.B  "Must Haves" .This review is on the emergency cooking stove called the Swedish Triangia Army Stove.  Invented by the founder of the Triangia Company; John Jonsson. They are hard to find and are a highly sought after piece of field gear. Small and light weight, they can fit  in to pretty much any bag.

They come in either aluminum or stainless steel. It is a little bit more in price but we prefer the stainless steel. These stoves use alcohol over 70% in content, hubby uses denatured alcohol that can be found in any paint section of a home improvement store or Walmart. Denatured alcohol provides the hottest flame for this stove.

The kit is a five piece set, consisting of the brass burner with o-ring in the lid, the alcohol storage bottle, small pot for boiling water and a multi purpose pan that also serves as the lid, and a wind screen. These stoves generate a high amount of heat, so make sure you use this on the ground and ensure you do not have any thing next to it that could ignite –

(Use of these stoves on plastic milk crates is not recommended)

They will roughly boil water in less then 10 minutes. Prior to a camping trip or placing in your BOB bag, fill the burner and storage bottle and it should last you for at least a three day camping trip. Hubby always takes out an extra 16 ounces just in case for any unseen emergencies.

We purchased ours about 2 years ago from “Cheaperthandirt.com” for under $9.00. When we purchased, he ordered 9 additional, total stoves consisted of 2 aluminum and 8 stainless steel. We sold them at cost to our group members (they come first) and they got the stainless ones, locally via Craigslist and also at local swap meet at a mutual gun club we were members of, and of course EBAY was used. All additional stoves were sold in less than a week. While researching for this post, I have since found the aluminum version listed on EBAY for around $75.00.

Hubby has used several camping stoves in the past including an ISOPRO camp stove and by far this stove is the best he has seen and simple to use. If you have one of these alcohol stoves, feel free to comment on your experiences with it.

Below is a generic You Tube Video just to show basic usage of the stove.