Because Erin said so...

So here I am, enjoying my coffee and working on my Facebook page when Erin informs me that I have to go write something - like now! She is up to something but goodness (or evil) only knows what... so here ya go, Erin... because you said so!

I have been remiss in my writing because of many reasons - married, family, Hats For Heroes... wait, what's that? You don't know what Hats For Heroes is?!? Oh my, well let me remedy that for immediately. And so the story begins...

I worked many years for Disney - the world leader in a fast paced entertainment industry. When I retired to take on my next role as a stay at home mom, I looked for things to do to stay busy. The only problem was, I didn't know what I wanted to do.

I searched the internet for ideas and everything that came up was some "start up" business scam or other items that just did not appeal to me.

I sat down one day during naptime and thought about what it was that I really enjoyed about my former career and what I really enjoy about staying home. I came up with two answers - being a VoluntEar that made magical moments for people from all over all the world and having more time to work on my knitting (time with my family was a given). All I had to do was figure out how to put the two together.

I searched the internet again with a more exact idea of what I was looking for and I was able to find a better idea of what I wanted to do. I learned that I wanted to combine my love of knitting with my love volunteering - and there was the beginning stitch of Hats For Heroes.

I have family and friends from all over who are connected with our Armed Forces. Jacque's son, Brandon, is in the Army. Tracie's husband, Dan, is in the Air Force. April's husband, Scooter, is in the Coast Guard. Our son, Matthew, is waiting to be accepted into the Navy upon graduation this year. Both of my grandfathers were in the military... and the list could go on and on. These thoughts were knitting together in my head until I had come to the conclusion that I was going to make knitted items for soldiers.

I found the military guidelines and a distributor who had all the necessary contacts to get my items to the soldiers. How wonderful! The first month I finished one hat. The second month I finshed two hats. You can see how this is going - there is no way I can cover all the soldiers on my own!! I definately needed help and I was not afraid to ask for it.

Hats For Heroes came to life in late December 2008, early January 2009. I created a "cause" on the social networking site, Facebook. The first month I had 3 members, then one day I woke up and had 9 members and in the months to follow we grew to over 200 members! My sweet (and very technologically savvy) husband had been thinking that if we reached a specific number of members, he would create a website for us. I'm guessing we reached it because here we are - http://www.hats4heroes.org !

This is a non-profit organization made up of every day men and women who just want to show our troops how much we love and appreciate all that they do for us. Whether you have a loved one in the military or not, without the hard work and dedication of our soldiers we would be nothing.

So please, join the cause. You don't have to know how to knit/crochet/sew in order to be a member of this group. We need help with shipping costs, packing boxes or anything else you can imagine. If you would like to learn how to knit/crochet/sew, we can teach you that too. The more the merrier!

Lack of Blogging Reprimand

Erin has been reprimanding me for not blogging so here is a quick update and I will elaborate more later (we all know that I have problems keeping it short but I am going to attempt)...

1. Had date a couple dates off of that silly little profile I put up. One thought he would get laid on first and second date... apparently he can't read. The other has been a complete gentleman.
2. Doug, the complete gentleman, has been wonderful. We went out on Saturday night last week and he calls me every day. He can't wait until our date on Sunday to see me so he is going to stop by my work on Friday night. Yeah, I keep grinning over this one. He is 6', nice build, salt n' pepper hair, 41 and has a great job. He understands my work and is not overbearing. I may have lucked out but we'll see.
3. Went to Leader Appreciation Luncheon yesterday. It was a lot of fun. We started at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa "Summer House" and about 30 minutes into it, Pirates stormed the shores. The captured our executive staff and we had to take a 30 minute boat ride to have lunch on the beach of Disney's Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground. They celebrated all the Leaders and we each got an engraved statue of Chip n' Dale (who were there in Pirate outfits as well) that said "Thanks for an exceptional 2007" or something close to it and our names underneath.
4. I RSVP'd to the DRC Celebration (aka Christmas party) as "bringing an adult guest". If Doug behaves, I'll bring him with me... and I have feeling that he will.

That's all I've got for now. I could go in greater detail, like my MVMCP date, but I will save that for those later posts that Erin will beg me to write... LOL. Be good poppets and I will try to find something creative to post... Oh, I'll share my 'boat' experience tonight and then everyone can hunt down Devika to kick her tail... evil little monster that she is, and not in a good way. Even Doug said that "no one makes my girl upset, I'll kick her @ss"... yeah, my knight in shining armor keeps getting shinier and shinier.

2007 Cast Holiday Celebration

The time is upon us, Cast Holiday Celebration time!! Many of us wait all year for our little packets in the mail that hold such goodies as discounted rooms, food and fare! I know I get like a kid standing outside the candy store with my nose pressed against the glass... just waiting to be allowed access to all the yummy goodness.

We also have a DRCelebration in December and they just announced the date today! The celebration will be held this year on December 15th ~ my birthday! I am not sure if I am going to go but I do have a room on hold because it is better to be safe than sorry... and I would love to spend my birthday at WDW since I have actually never done it. Our celebration is being held at Disney's Contemporary Resort but I couldn't get a room there so my lodging is at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort which is still pretty (they have bay windows). I also did something I would have never done before in a million years ~ I booked it for 2 Adults... who knows, I might have a date.

Perhaps I will know more before the deposit is due on November 8th... perhaps.

Stranger Things Have Happened

Alright, y'all, prepared to be floored... are you sitting down? I actually had a date last night! I know, stranger things have happened, but it's true.

His name is Jeff and we actually met online of all places. I always told myself that I would not go on a date with anyone I met online but to be honest, he was really sweet... and cute! He is a single father of 2 (12 and 7, girl and boy respectively) and works in IT. He seemed very smart, funny and for some odd reason, attracted to moi... go figure.

We were IMing on my blackberry before the Diversity session yesterday and he asked if I wanted to watch a movie with him. I said sure and we decided that he would come to my house when I got home around 9ish. Jeff was actually prompt which impressed the stew out of me and we watched "Ghost Rider" which was awful!

We had silly banter and such but it was just nice. And yes, he did kiss me good night and yes, butterflies and teenage stupidity insued... all in good fun. The question then becomes whether or not there is a repeat performance. He has already IMed me today and is currently out riding his motorcycle because it is beautiful out... I do like the fact that he talked to me today but I am being realistic. My life was great before last night and it will be great if last night does not happen again. It was just nice to feel pretty again.

7 Random Facts I Must Post... per Erin

"7 Random Facts I must post.
So read them, comment them & then check to see if your name is in the 7 I tag.
If it is, list 7 Random Facts about yourself & pass on the tag to 7 people."...

That is how my day started. I wanted to hop on the computer and work on my PCP (Performance Connection Plan) so I can put it to bed but nooooo... Erin said that I have to post these seven things and we all know that we can't let Erin down... that would be wrong. So as the directions say, here are 7 Random thing that I must post and then there will be tags at the bottom for those of you who must post new items to your blogs as well... but I will allow MySpace blog entries since very few of us use our Blogspot any more... one thing I don't think I could get rid of... okay, off we go.

1. I hate to wear shoes and take them off whenever possible, whether appropriate or not.
2. I daydream while I drove home at night. I run scenarios in my head about what I want to happen in my life and how I would react... the scary part is that some have actually come true.
3. I am extremely proud to work for Disney and have a head full of knowledge that won't be useful anywhere but my job. I actually get offended when people say awful things about anything regarding Disney and will argue the fact we are fabulous. I even get teary-eyed over our new ad spots... aren't they wonderful!
4. Sometimes when I don't know the answer to a question of the top of my head, I tell the cast member that we will "find it together so they will be better able to find the information in the future".
5. When I have to stay on property for work-related things, I always talk a big game about being able to spend some quiet time alone but in reality, I miss my kids so much I could cry.
6. I see couples walking around together and I make up stories about their life. I figured since I don't have anyone I will make up fairy tale endings for all the other people who do have someone to grow old together.
7. I love Starbucks coffee and there are days where I will justify going more than once. Plus, if you drink enough coffee, you won't eat and perhaps I won't have such a fat ass if it is full of scrumpdillyumptious coffee instead of other things.

Alrighty, there are my random things and now for the posting of the tags... be ready to spill it all because I am going to throw this on my MySpace blog now that I've thought about it.... I tag:

1. Chris Corley
2. Betty Anne
   
3. Tracie
4. Boo - a.k.a. Katie Ray
5. Melissa
6. Daryl
7. anyone who has now read this... evil, I know but hey what can I say.
   

Promised Post

Last night I promised a posting but that was before I was bitch-slapped by this cold and am sitting here trying to sound coherant with a fever of 101... so I'm sorry that this isn't as wonderful as promised but after I get rid of the fever, I am going to fix Dani's homecoming pictures and post them... after the fever though because there are somethings I don't quiet get...

Damn Kids

Okay this is going to be short and sweet since I still have to go get ready for work...

Yesterday I was tooling around on MySpace and I noticed that Brandon's wife, Katie, had reposted a blog questionairre that I had called "I realize" which I got from a cool new chickie in NJ name Erin. Naturally, I went to read what she posted for her answers. They were pretty interesting until I went to leave her a comment and noticed that her status went from "Married" to "Divorced". Excuse me?

As any good respecting friend who loves you like a sister would do, I emailed Jacque from my blackberry since I had errands to run and didn't want to miss her reply. I basically asked why in the world she didn't tell me what happened to them when I talked to her the other night. The response I got was priceless...

SHE DIDN'T KNOW EITHER!!

What does this say about society when you will post for all the world to see that you are divorced (all his pictures have been removed from her site and his complete site is gone) but you don't call your own family? Granted, they are both in the Army over in Iraq but they find time to call and ask for care packages with goodies... you'd think they would throw in the little piece of information like "Hey mama, by the way, we got divorced" instead of having "Aunt Amy" call seeking answers to questions she didn't know would exist.

Damn kids.

Taps

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's the songthat gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will beinterested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army CaptainRobert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. TheConfederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who layseverely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederatesoldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man backfor medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the strickensoldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually aConfederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb withshock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Withouttelling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiorsto give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His requestwas only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group ofArmy band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate But, out ofrespect, for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musicalnotes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth'suniform. This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born.
The words are:

Day is done ... Gone the sun
From the lakes... From the hills...
From the sky... All is well.
Safely rest... God is nigh.

Fading light... Dims the sight .
And a star... Gems the sky
Gleaming bright From afar ...
Drawing nigh . Falls the night.

Thanks and praise... For our days .
Neath the sun... Neath the stars..
Neath the sky... As we go
This we know .. God is nigh.

How to Observe Memorial Day

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:

~ by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

~ by visiting memorials.

~ by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

~ by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
~ by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.

~ by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

Straight from London, U.K.

One of my cast members just got back from London and Paris for her vacation. I admit that I was jealous because she took the trip that Dani and I were planning on doing this past March. My team knew about the disappointment of us not going to get to see Michael Ball in concert and even though they have no clue who he is, they felt bad for us.

Long story short, Erin brought me back a Michael Ball CD!! Now, I know most of you are thinking "big deal, it's a CD"... well it is a big deal because out of the 6 years that I have been hunting for his music I have only been able to find 2 CDs stateside. It's not common to be a London stage groupie here!! Anyway, she was sweet enough to scower London for the perfect gift and it turned out to be Love Changes Everything: the Essential Michael Ball. Go listen and enjoy.

Why the Email?

I am sure you are wondering why you received an email to read my blog. It seems as though there are people out there who "cyberstalk" my chidren. I do not want them in their lives and therefore they have no business slinking around the internet reading about them and seeing the updated photos. In order to keep thing the way they should be, I have blocked this blog from being read by anyone other than those I invited... simple.

Now you know you are loved and adored if I have invited you to read all of my babblings.

Brandon and Katie

As many of you may know, my best friend's son and daughter-in-law are over in Iraq right now. They have been gone for almost three months and it has not been a fun three months. We can't watch the news, read the reports or pages - nothing - because it's just too scary.

Jacque sent me an email today saying that Katie had updated her photos on her MySpace account. I pulled these off of hers and Brand's because they were too cute and I wanted to share... miss you little buggers!

Flowers from Jacq!

My best friend in the entire world sent me flowers for my birthday! How sweet was that?!?! I heard the possessed doorbell ring (it does it all the time and no one is there so we rarely answer it but I heard a truck a few seconds earlier) and outside was a big ol' box from FedEx. I read the label and it was for me!! Not only were they pink but they were Gerbera Daisies, my favorite!!

Thank you, Jacque!!

Oh, and Betty...

Have a Magical Monday this week!

Betty - This one's for you!

Since my friend Betty loves Autumn so much (and thank you for not calling it fall - such an ugly name for such a beautiful time of year) I thought I would give her this little gift. I was going to save it for Saturday but she keeps adding autumnal pictures to her site, The Grey Cat Diary, (http://betty-mcarthur.blogspot.com/) that I figured she just can't wait any longer.

Just for you Betty. I love ya!

Sassy Little Pixie

I go out to the get mail today and there is an envelope addressed to me. Now I know what you are thinking, but this wasn't a typical envelope. It was in the shape of one I wanted to open. When I read the return address I really couldn't wait to open it.

This curious little envelope came from my friend Betty in Mobile. She happened to have been out shopping on the 13th and saw a cute little sticker of a sassy little pixie and thought of me. She picked it up and took the time to write a little note and mail it down to me.

How sweet is that? It is sometimes the smallest of things that make the biggest differences to a day.

Thank you Betty! You made my day.

Practically Perfect

This is a dear, sweet friend of mine named Debbie. She currently lives her perfect life in Alabama with her perfect husband and her youngest perfect daughter. This picture was taken back in January when her eldest perfect daughter gave birth to little Emme, her perfect granddaughter.

I love and miss ya Deb! From your perfect "punkin' head".

It'll be a BOY!

Apparently we didn't have enough girl vibes going because the newest McCurry is going to be a boy. Congratulations Mere!

Girlie Vibes!

Alright, so a friend of mine is going to the doctor's today to find out if she is having a boy or a girl.. can you tell what we are rooting for here? I wish her luck holding in all that water and speeding time back to the sonogram room (been there done that not too long ago and I remember waiting for over an hour with a bladder full of water and a dancing Sami going to town). I am not being anti-boy vote but come on, even she has on pink to pump up the vibes!

Good luck Mere and I hope that which ever it is that all is well. Love ya!

My Buddy and Hers

This is my best friend from high school. We have known each other for (deep breath) twenty years. She has always been one of the sweetest people I know - even went to go and see New Kids On The Block with me... true friendship right there!

This picture was taken on her wedding day - they got married and went hiking.. gotta love surprises. I just thought the entire world would love to know what my childhood friend, who has her own blog - http://betty-mcarthur.blogspot.com/ - looks like and is up to these days.

Just a little something to celebrate because it's Friday - friendship!