Cody Green and the Marines

A Fellow retired  Senior Chief Friend of ours who now resides in Indiana posted this to his facebook. I loved the story, It makes me so Proud of our Active Duty Service Members, and So Proud to be an American. So  I thought I would share it with all of you:

Cody Green was a 12-year kid in Indiana who was diagnosed with leukemia at 22 months old. He loved the Marines, and his parents said he drew strength and courage from the Marine Corps. as he bravely fought the battle into remission three times. Although he was cancer-free at the time, the chemotherapy had lowered his immune system and he developed a fungus infection that attacked his brain.
Sergeant Mark Dolfini heard of Cody Green's situation through his co-worker, and got in contact with Cody's parents. When the call came that Cody was passing, he took action.

"I got the call from David about 3:00 or 4:00 that afternoon," said Sgt. Dolfini. "He made it pretty clear to me that he was terminal and he wasn't going to last too much longer. I thought this is something that needs to happen right away."
"When I was driving down there, I had no idea what I was going to say, I had no idea what I was walking into, I didn't know if Cody was conscious," said Sgt. Dolfini. "I didn't know anything. I didn't know what I was walking into whatsoever."

When Sgt. Dolfini arrived, Cody was not awake.

"He was not conscious, " said Sgt. Dolfini. "I mean, if he was, he was not responsive but he was heading to a better place."

Sergeant Dolfini made the decision to stand guard outside Cody's door for as long as Cody was alive, which turned out to be eight straight hours. When a nurse told Sgt. Dolfini Cody's time was limited, Sgt. Dolfini made the choice to say goodbye.

He presented Cody with his navigator wings and let his family be with him in his final moments.

"I actually went in and talked to Tracy and David and we just talked for a little bit," said Sgt. Dolfini. "I asked them about Cody to tell me some things about him and ironically enough, we have quite a bit in common. Except the Saints. He's a Saints fan. I'm not, so we would have argued about that. Then I let them know I was going to go ahead and go and I saluted them on my way out and gave them their time."

Sergeant Dolfini said leaving Cody and his family was not one of the hardest thing he's ever done. That moment came a week later when he attended Cody's funeral.

"I went and went in front of the casket and saluted Cody," said Sgt. Dolfini. "I turned and before I left I stopped and I turned right to Tracy, Cody's mother. We looked straight into each other's eyes and I saluted her and that was so hard. That was the most difficult thing I've encountered in awhile, but I know for that moment in time that we were locked in each other's gaze, keeping your bearing at that point is a tough thing to do."

"Marines don't do this sort of thing for acclaim," said Sgt. Dolfini. "That's not how we're wired. It's not why we join. We didn't join the Marine Corps. to be rich, we didn't join it for fame, you don't do it for that reason."

"If we all did just something like that once a day or just something small just think of what an incredible legacy that would leave for Cody," said Sgt. Dolfini.

Sergeant Dolfini said he has spoken with Cody's family several times since his funeral. He said they will be friends for life

Hatfields and McCoys Tonight on History Channel

Incase you didnt  know...tonight  @9pm est on the History Channel is the first of the 3 part mini-series on the Hatfields and McCoys, Starring Keving Costner and Bill Paxton.  Senior and I have been looking forward to this since we first saw the trailer some weeks back. . It looks like it is going to be really good...   I absolutly can't wait! 

Beryl Update #2

We survived with no major damage to us or our neighbors. We tried to make it all fun for the boys last night, and made popcorn and let them play with flashlights. We were worried about tornadoes so we moved their matress in to our  bedroom and they got to sleep there.

Today we ventured out and back down to the beach to see first hand the aftermath... the sand was firmly packed with lots of visible erosion..and it was still very windy. The good news is those campers I photographed yesterday were gone. Hopefully they made it to higher ground as it looked like the tide made it all the way up to the dunes. Lots of rough surf still with salt foam and sadly though we saw a washed up dead sea turtle..   : (

The Calm before the Storm

Down tree in a  park near the beach where boys like to  play

Another Tree Snapped Like A Twig

Yet another squall line...and more rain.



Memorial Day...

There are no words for me to express what Memorial Day means in our house...Only Pictures of the raw emotion from loved ones.

Brothers and sisters in arms: Thank You for your ultimate sacrifice to ensure we remain free.

My Update on Beryl.....

Okay, so we were some of those people I posted about earlier..that go down to the beach to "see the storm"...I am happy I did because it really gave me some good blogging material. Besides I felt like it was my blogging duty to go down, tempt fate to get some good pics to report back to my readers.

Winds are all ready gusting at around 25-35mph. standing on my beloved beach felt like being in a virtual sand blaster, we have been there many times during storms, but nothing compared to this. It is during these times that Mother Nature shows you just how little we really are.

It is also in these times, that you see the true stupidity of people, for while we were down there cruising in the  jeep we came upon a bunch of folks, with tents..camping..  Really! No S---t !

One person sleeping in one of the tents, and another person actually lounging in a chair. A small child sitting on the roof of the truck and another woman who looked like she was upset at the man in the lounge chair. Hopefully she was telling him how foolish they looked and that whatever the situation they needed to get off the blasted beach.

Winds are whipping, the tide was all ready high, but getting even higher with an approaching storm surge, so it will be soon that the water will be up to the dunes. These folks will not last out there camping..even during this low impact tropical storm...Heck, we have seen just a tropical storm do more damage then some hurricanes

But now Senior is out getting more gas. We also stopped by the grocery store for a few items...and yes it was starting to become a madhouse..
and this is the lastest radar image...Beryl now has a eye....  

Hot Coffee and Sunday Morning..

I haven't been around too much on blogger...sorry about that, first off was kind of under the weather last week..not I am up and over the weather and feeling better.
Then I took on the task of making a baby album for my neighbours daughter who is due in July...her shower wasn't suppose to be until June, so I thought I had tons of time...then the bomb dropped on me that they had to move it to yesterday...So, I had only 2.5 days to work on a 20 page album...
Lot of margaritas later..I got it done..   : )

Now we have Beryl off our coast...Yippee cause we need the rain!. Senior and I have gone over our little checklist, we know if we loose power ( which I doubt) we have plenty of food..and just in case we did fill up our cars yesterday and got some new flashlights. He also got out and cranked up our generator.. This was a good opportunity for us to go over all our supplies and restock if need be.

I always love it when we are threatened by  storm. I love the natural curiosity of people to flock to the beach to "See the storm"...all the area beaches are officially closed as we have been under a tropical storm warning for 2 days, but we still have those folks who can't stay away, doesn't matter about rip currents, or a rogue wave washing them out to sea...By God they want to pack up the family and go "See the storm"...  lol..I really shouldn't make a joke about it though..my mother is one of those persons who would do that... 

Right now it is really calm, and a beautiful morning, but the wind is picking up and later this afternoon the rain is suppose to start. Once I get Senior up we need to go around the outside of the house and pick up loose things and definitely take down my bird feeder...

The boys think its a reason to party though, they have turned there little bunk beds in to a "bunker" of sorts...complete with coloring books, transformer and star wars action figures - As long as you have Optimus Prime, Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon what else do you need ..right ?

Now good readers, I am off here to go make a big breakfast for the family...Fresh bacon, eggs, and grits...  I must really love them!   Enjoy your Sunday.....

The Walmart Applicant

It was one of those treasured days when the kids were in school and Senior was out working hard. I had just left the bank and decided to go browse around Walmart and enjoy my time alone.
My cart was "quasi-filled" and I needed to find the restrooms.The closest one being by electronics and the little computer they use for applicants... 

And that is when I noticed the "Walmart Applicant".  There he was dressed to impress, wearing a white tank top, red shorts that were about three sizes too big, and hung around his lower waist line, tennis shoes, dread locks and a ball cap that was side ways on his head.. He even had a friend with him, helping read the online application...
"This is the future" I thought..  OMG! not only was it a head shaking moment for me.

Then, the best and coolest thing happened...Either the manager of the store, or assistant manager happened to see the young the man and went over to speak with him...it was then that I was trying not to eaves drop, but I did want to know where the conversation was going...  The manager person looked right at the kid and said " Why should I hire you" ?  " Uh? " he replied.... 
I was glad that the manager as well was African-American, If he had been White, well you know where it could have gone.

The Manager then told the kid : " You are dressed unprofessionally, and basically you look like you belong on the basketball court and not in my store applying for a job, Young Man, if you ever expect to get anywhere in this world, and improve yourself then people must take you seriously..and right now I don't take you seriously"

My eyes got big, and I took another drink from the water fountain..Wow I thought to myself..finally someone with enough fortitude to speak their mind with some of these kids...Must be former military   : )

Both boys just kind of stood there for a second soaking in what was just said to them..It even looked like his lower lip had dropped to the floor...I swear I even half thought he was about to turn white..he was stunned.. they mumbled something which I did not hear and then hastily left. The kid could have gone then and gotten the ACLU involved in a discrimination suit...but honestly I don't think he had the intelligence to think about that..

As I pushed my cart back out in to the store, I gave a small smile to the manager  and he gave me one back with nod of his head.. Inside I was revelling over what happened AWESOME I kept thinking...  : )

Super Soaker / Zip Gun

The ingenuity of the American people never ceases to amaze me, and what lengths criminals will go to in order to conceal things.  I saw this story on the news last night.  A  Fresno, California fellow, took apart a Super Soaker water gun, and made it in to what authorities are calling a "Zip Gun" it is something that only one round can be fired through, in this case a 20gauge shot gun shell.

The scary part is folks are doing it more frequently because its cheap, only cost about 30.00 for the transition, and you do not need to be a firearms expert to make these.
 The only thing is that the people making the guns do not expect is how the casing can withstand the blast. Not only could they kill someone innocent, but also themselves in the process.

However, my thought behind stories like these is that it is  just more ammunition for the Anti-Gun folks to use against us law abiding gun owners. Soon liberals will try to take your  childs favorite water guns, and nerf guns  off the market...
This particular fellow really wasn't too smart in that he was all ready a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, now add all the new charges,and needless to say he will be away for a long time.

So be careful this summer because that innocent little child's water gun, may just hold a bigger blast then just water....  

I Am Not Making This Up...Really!!!

Today was a beautiful day, we had a nice crisp morning, Tropical Storm Alberto is off the coast and behaving himself. Boys got off to school okay and they are anxiously counting the days on the calender until Summer Vacation...
Senior sent me out to run errands for the business..On my way home as I was getting on the on-ramp I encountered this disaster waiting to happen: 

 Yes you see correctly, The Chevy is towing the Caddy and  there is a person in the caddy looking backwards steering it.  Once on the highway, they had traffic at a near standstill.. However  the cherry on top of this particular ice cream sundae was what was obscured in the picture by the caddy. Once I was able to pass them, As I looked over and was shaking my head, It was then that I saw it !  planted firmly on the right side of the bumper of the truck: ..an OBAMA 2012 sticker!
Well that explains a lot !!!

Remember This Day... May 17th 1987

 Many people out there do not know the significance of this day in our countries naval history for it was on this day in 1987 when USS Stark (FFG-31) was struck by two Iraqi Exocet Missiles in the Persian Gulf, killing 37 Sailors and wounding 21. Brought under control, she sailed to Bahrain and was later repaired at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Mississippi. Following subsequent tours in the Middle East area, Stark was decommissioned in 1999 and later scrapped in 2006.

The USS Stark's story is something I posted about back in November: Veterans Day-Pt. 3: The USS Stark
Senior and I are both from the home town where she was home ported, and I remember well the constant news coverage. I remember seeing the families and feeling their pain of knowing their special sailor wouldnt be returning home to them.

Senior and I were fortunate throughout most of his career to be stationed at the same home port. I can remember seeing the USS Stark pier side, and thinking about how that day must have been, and how agonizing it was for the surviving crew to work tirelessly to keep her afloat.

The Navy commissioned a memorial park in her honor and in the honor of those who were lost. We passed it many times a day while on base, and later Senior would hold a re-enlistment ceremony there.

Happy Birthday Senior!!!!!

Today my sweet hubby Senior turns 29 for the umpteenth time... actually he is the ripe old age of 41.. I know he is still a youngster....  He worked half a day, and now is off, boys and I are taking him to a movie..to see 'The Avengers"  yes it was the boys choice..i think they had ulterior motives since they have been wanting to see it... then out to dinner somewhere of Seniors choice.. unless of course our 2 get stuffed on  popcorn and soda.. 

I include him quite a bit in my blog, and have learned much from his vast life experiences, without him I probably would have never picked up a gun, or empowerd myself to get my CWL..Senior brings out the best in me and encourages me to do my best in life.

Then we will come home and give him the couple little presents we bought him..nothing fancy, not like last year when he turned 40 and got his M1A...

So to Senior..I wish him a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Awww Man... RIP in Mitchell

Senior and I watch this show every week. It is one of our favorites. So it shocked us to learn that one of our favorite cast members passed away yesterday. The colorful Mitchell Guist. He and his brother  Glen grew up in the swamps of Louisiana..living off the land.I doubt they ever went to a grocery store a day in their life and  As my dad would say "They were a couple of Wooly Buggers".... The history channel could have done a show on just the brothers, and it would have been top rated...

Apparently he fell from his boat yesterday morning and was taken back to the dock and rushed to the hospital. Every episode featuring the Giust brothers was always a treat, always the comical pair,  you couldn't help but laugh..but I respected their knowledge of survival and the skills they would highlight on the show, It won't be the same without the brothers in it...I know he will be greatly missed....

Happy Mothers Day...

I awoke this morning to my big brother on the couch, coffee pot going, and my sweet little 5 year old who wrote : "I LOVE YOU MOMMY" on a sticky note..awwwwwwwwww

For all the moms out there, here are a few funnies I chose just for you...enjoy your day, I hope its a fabulous one!

Yippie...Obama "Came Out"....

We should all feel so warm and fuzzy inside, POTUS made history with his "Coming Out" statement. To celebrate he stayed at George Cloonys estate in California and netted over 15 million in donations.Yes liberal Hollywood and the likes of Ellen DeGeneres are all thrilled.... 

But wait..let us rewind and remind: The only reason he came out in support of gay marriage is because of Bidens big mouth. Bloomberg reports that the White House was incredibly upset with the comments made by the VP as it forced POTUS to "come out of the closet" earlier then he had hoped. In other words, I think he was waiting until closer to the election.  So, prior to BOs statement, the VP offered up an apology. I would have loved to have been a fly on that wall!

Lets face it, one of the biggest embarrassments to this admin is Biden. He has diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the brain. It seems like BO is always trying to clarify everything that the VP says. the thought has been circling inside of my head for months. And this week it has hit me and a light bulb went off while outside hanging laundry.

I have played the scenario over and over:

That somehow, they are going to work it so Biden steps down and will not be on the ticket. The reason will most likely be an excuse of his health..And who do you think they will bring in? none other then Hillary. Why Hillary?, because BO knows she can help bring in the female vote. The only problem is, Biden actually connects well with the blue collar voter, he speaks on their level, he does not act superior or smug while talking to them, he puts things in "lay-mans" terms- and all those big belly, beer drinking workers...actually relate to him. And that is what is needed if BO is intending to win in those important battle ground states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania. But mark my words and remember I said it on May 11th 2012...they are going to try to have Joe off the ticket...

I can't wait to see what all unfolds these next few months. If Biden stays on the ticket, then Romney needs to pick one heck of a GOP candidate that can embarass the heck out of Biden in a debate.. ( Rubio, Jindal, or Christie) .

So  now for the entertainment of all my readers...here are Joes top 5 Gaffs:

5. "Look, John's last-minute economic plan does nothing to tackle the number-one job facing the middle class, and it happens to be, as Barack says, a three-letter word: jobs. J-O-B-S, jobs." --Joe Biden

4. "A man I'm proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next President of the United States -- Barack America!" --Joe Biden, at his first campaign rally with Barack Obama

3. "When the stock market crashed, Franklin D. Roosevelt got on the television and didn't just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed. He said, 'Look, here's what happened." -Joe Biden, apparently unaware that FDR wasn't president when the stock market crashed in 1929 and that only experimental TV sets were in use at that time

2. "Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be vice president of the United States of America. Quite frankly, it might have been a better pick than me." --Joe Biden, speaking at a town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire

1. "Stand up, Chuck, let 'em see ya." --Joe Biden, to Missouri state Sen. Chuck Graham, who is in a wheelchair, Columbia, Missouri, Sept. 12, 2008

And an extra bonus, something he said just the other day: 

 He called Mitt “President Romney.” But as if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, he couldn‘t seem to keep his own boss’s name straight: he also referred to Barack Obama as “President Clinton.”

Late Night Training...Uh?

The Miami Herald posted a story that came from the Coconut Grove area. Residents were jolted awake around 1:45am early Tuesday morning. Because the Federal Government took over an abandoned hotel and decided to have "Urban Training".  The Army is saying that their Special Forces needed "Realistic Training".  But, my problem with it is , why are they doing it in residential neighborhoods? Is this something they have always done? and  it has just never been reported? I do know they like to do natural disaster drills, which is done on the bases of course...but not in the middle of the night, and under such secrecy.
  http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/08/2789687/military-training-in-the-middle.html

I write this post to kind of go along with what Rob said over at his Bunker.There have been more and more stories of our military using our neighborhoods as their training grounds. Rob asked on his blog if BO wants to somehow institute martial law in order to stay in office. My answer is a definitive  yes! All this is coinciding around the whole Trayvon case, and now the raids and arrest of the White Supremacists in central Florida...it is all too ironic. Somehow, Somewhere, Something is going to explode...and BO is going to do whatever it takes to stay in office for as long as he can and use any means neccessary to achieve that goal. And they are doing it right under our own noses, and in our own neighborhoods...by the time the American people wake up and realize it, its all going to be too late.

You know when Senior and I took the boys over to West Florida, the entire drive over we kept passing these dark green mini school buses, the windows were all blacked out. No markings on them and they were all being towed on flat bed trucks.. Senior mentioned that must be the buses that will take us all to the concentration camps..there were so many of them that it was starting to get scary.

So yea in closing...what Rob said.." The Zombies are on the Move"  but in more ways then we all realize....

Global Warming....

After all, she is French!  

Tell me what yall think...

Okay, here is an original design that myself and the airbrush artist have come up with for the spare tire cover on my Jeep-I decided not to pick some of the ones I showed you guys the other day because ,when there is more detail in the image..the cost goes up--WAY  UP!   So this taken from the last image on that post and adding my own touch to it. This  is just a mock up from the artist. She is incredibly talented with her gift infact Senior liked her gallery of work because most of  her artwork does not look like its airbrushed.  airinkstudios. 

Help Me Choose...Please!

After 2 years, I am wanting to get a super cool, custom designed rear tire cover for the Jeep. Only knowing me and my sun shiney dispostition, it has to be a graphic that fits my demeanor. For me, it has to be something totally badass, and original. Too many people around here but these little smiley face designs or flower power BS on tire covers.
 I did try unsuccessfully to get the AK-Hello Kitty airbrushed on to a tire cover, no one would do it for me because its a licensed image.. So, I searched and searched until I found some pics that I like and thought I would ask all my readers to help me choose.....


MY FAVORITE

Minus all the foreign writing of course

 without the chinese characters..

Trip to the Country Butcher...

A while back, Senior and I discovered a wonderful Butcher way, way, way  off the grid, in the middle of no where.. So much so, you need to lock in their position with your GPS or you will drive right by them. 
They process kills that local hunters bring them, but they also process pigs, cows and chickens. So yesterday me and my "baby daddy" loaded up the kids and went for a drive. First, since my summer canning season has kicked off, we stopped at a VERY small farmers market, and picked up a few pounds of green beans. The day was hot, but once we got to the butcher, a nice breeze was kicking in, and made me think of how much I want our own property way out in the country and away from everything.

 Once you park, you are greeted by a big lazy dog with not a care in the world. He will walk up and sniff your hand, and let you pat his head. You then go on inside. Everyone working there is so nice and helpful. If you can't find what you are looking for, no worries, they will cut it for you. Once we asked for some T-Bones..We watched as the Butcher put a chunk of meat on his bandsaw and cut them right in front of us. On this trip, we grabbed some slabs of pork ribs, lots of fresh bacon, pork sausauge, fresh hamburger patties, and a box of corn dogs for the boys...


Now we have had one of the slabs of ribs sitting in pork rub over night and they are ready for the smoker...mmmm, mmmmm   Enjoy your Sunday Everyone..I know we will...    : )

Senior Got a New T-Shirt....

I love buying these shirts for him... But In this age of having to be so PC, I do get amazed that the Navy Base sells them....