Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 26, 2012 17:42:54 GMT -5
It never fails. Every time I start to become disappointed in humanity, some one comes out of the blue and restores my faith in my fellow man. A long time friend of mine is a teacher. Two years ago, she married a cop who has been a friend of my family for ever. He was adopted and always wanted to adopt children. She found out she could not carry a child. They started the process and were contacted about twin boys who are in elementary school. They met the boys and loved them. They started the process to adopt them. A few months later, they were called and told siblings had been brought to light and the judge will not allow anyone to adopt the boys with out also adopting their siblings, a b/g twin toddler set. They were understandably shocked and said they needed to talk about it. They prayed on it and decided that God would not have sent them these children if it weren't meant to be. Last night, they spent their first official night together as a family of 6. I have been crying happy tears for them all day as she posts pictures of the kids. In 24 hours, they have ridden bikes for the first time, been to the beach for the first time, had their first snow cones and met all sorts of new family members and friends. I am so excited for them and I feel so blessed to know such an amazing couple.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 25, 2012 7:26:16 GMT -5
I just finished A Discovery of Witches. It's the first book in a series called the All Souls Trilogy. I really enjoyed it but the next book won't be released for a few more weeks. I really need to learn to start a series after all the books are out. I had started reading Fifty Shades of Grey and threw it across the room because the terrible writing and lack of editing were driving me nuts. I picked it back up because I have nothing else to read. I probably won't read the other books in the series.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 24, 2012 15:31:16 GMT -5
I used to work at a restaurant that had previously been a home for dock workers and fishermen. It had very old wooden floors. When the place was empty, we would often hear the sound of heavy boots on the floors. There were also times when we would see shadows moving in the kitchen long after the guys who work back there had closed up shop and left for the night. There was a particular "shoot 'em up" game where you would shoot zombies. While on, the zombies would moan and make creepy noises. I always unplugged that first because the sounds were annoying. There were several times when the unplugged machine would come back on and start moaning. One Sunday night, it was just myself, another bar tender and the night's musician who were closing up. I was closing out the server's computer while she closed out the bar computer. Out of no where, a maniacal laugh from an unseen woman scared the hell of out all of us. There were no other people in the building and no one was outside at 4am. The following Wednesday night, I was closing up by my self at 3am. I had finished all my sidework, turned off all machines and lights except the one over the bar and the one at the front door. I was waiting for the credit card machine to finish printing to finish up my paperwork when I got one heck of a chill down my neck. Right behind me I heard what started as a hum and ended up as a woman calling my name. I froze in place and then started yelling at it. "I don't give a rat's ass if you stomp around, dart in shadows, move shit around or what ever. We all know y'all are here. The minute you start calling my damn name is the minute I check the fuck out." I left everything where it was and left. I called my boss and told him. I told him I'd be back bright and early to finish the paperwork. I never closed up by my self again.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 24, 2012 13:07:31 GMT -5
I have so many, I could write a book. The first time I remember seeing a ghost, I was 4. My bedroom was at the end of the hall. There was a little nook past my bedroom door where my mom put a book shelf with all our books and photo albums on it. I woke up to noises outside the door. There was a girl sitting there throwing books on the floor. She looked at me and I hid under the covers. I got in trouble the next morning because my mom thought I had made the mess.
My oldest son started talking about and to people we couldn't see as soon as he started talking. He had always babbled to the air before he started talking. He would tell us stories about the man on the side of the road who had been hit by a train or the little boy who lived in my mom's attic. He told us stories of a little girl at a friend's house, described a child who was known to have died in the house in the 1800's and then showed us to her grave in the woods in the back yard of the old plantation house. I've been scratched, had my hair pulled, heard my name called and so many other things. I'll post more later when I have time.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 23, 2012 18:44:12 GMT -5
I would suggest the USO. They can always use help and they are a great organization that does so much for service members and their families. There are many, many ways to volunteer with them. You can do anything from packing care packages to volunteering at any of their canteens. If you are interested in the Fisher House, they always need volunteers to help clean up, cook and work fund raisers.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 23, 2012 7:55:31 GMT -5
Honestly, I wouldn't have allowed my insurance company to make an offer to them in the first place. I really think a trail is the best thing in cases like this. She was completely at fault and your family should not be held responsible in any way for her suicide. Suicide is what it sounds like it was. Her family were probably enablers. They are also probably money grubbers. Keep fighting it and make sure your dad has an excellent attorney. My friend actually had something similar happen to her. A drunk man stumbled into the street in front of her. It was late at night and he was wearing a black shirt and dark jeans. She didn't see him until the very last second. He lived but sued her. When her attorney counter sued him, he dropped his suit.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 23, 2012 7:35:53 GMT -5
My bars last far longer than a month. For the bars, there are 8 squares in each. For my plug ins, I only use half a square. You can leave it on for an hour and the wax will let off scent for hours after you turn it off. I use half a square per plug in once a week or longer. I use one square in my large warmer. They last far longer than the ones at Walmart. My mom decided to put the Walmart brand wax in her Scentsy warmer for a bit. She found she was using almost 3x the wax that month and the scent wasn't as strong as the Scentsy wax. When DH is deployed, he always asks for air freshener. I always send him the Scentsy room sprays. He loves them. I have turned so many of my friends on to Scentsy. I love that it won't burn my kids or animals if they knock it over. I've also accidentally left one on all day when I was gone. It doesn't get any hotter than a night light. There's no open flame. You don't have to worry about burning your house down.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 22, 2012 11:51:40 GMT -5
Any time H and I have every traveled with our uniforms, we carried them on and then explained to the flight crew what they were. They always hung them in the Captain's closet for us. No issue.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 22, 2012 11:47:33 GMT -5
What branch are you affiliated with? DH is AD Army. I am prior Army Reserves
Care to share your Nest name? same
Do you/your partner plan on being a lifer in the military or in it just for now? I had planned to be a lifer but shit happens. J is a lifer.
Salty or sweet snacks? Depends on my mood
Favorite drink (alcoholic or not if you dont drink)? Also depends on my mood. I love a Firefly Lemonade, though.
Dream vacation? St Kitts or Ireland.
Who is your cell phone provider? ATT
Blue or black pen ink? Black... Thanks, Army.
What color are your toe nails? Purple until this evening. I'll let Sassy Pants pic the color.
Favorite dessert? Depends on my mood. Sometimes, I just want fruit. Other times, I want a giant piece of warm chocolate cake.
What has been your favorite birthday (of yours?) Two years ago. It was the first time J was home for my birthday. We spent the day at Sea World and the rest of the week at the Disney parks.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 18, 2012 7:25:18 GMT -5
For an 18 month old, there really isn't much you can do to prepare them. You really just have to prepare your self. The Sesame Street video is great, but he won't understand it. I would get your H to video him self reading books to him. I would also take videos of the two of them playing with his favorite toys. The recordable books are great. Keeping him busy and keeping your routine as normal as possible will help him. There is really nothing you can do to help a child that age understand what's going on. Just remember that your attitude and approach toward it all will dictate his emotions. If you break down and loose it, he will, too.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 18, 2012 7:14:30 GMT -5
These rules are here for your safety and the safety of thousands of troops serving around the world. Please follow them. If you are found to be in violation, you will be asked to edit or even delete your post. If you do not do these on your own, your post runs the risk of being deleted. The Nest forums are different than other forums in that you do not need to be a registered member to look at the site or read the message board posts. Using full names is not recommended for a screen name. Not enough information is always better than too much. Remember, this is for safety and security.
OPSEC
Do not post exact deployment dates or redeployment dates Do not reveal camp locations, including nearby cities. Afterthe deployment is officially announced by Military officials, you maydiscuss locations that have been released, normally on the Countrylevel. Do not discuss convoy routes (“we travelled through Takrit on our way to X”) Detailed information on the mission, capabilities or morale of a unit Specific names or actual nicknames Personnel transactions that occur in large numbers (Example: pay information, powers of attorney, wills, etc) Details concerning security procedures, response times, tactics Don’t discuss equipment or lack thereof, to include training equipment Don’t speculate about future operations If posting pictures, don’t post anything that could bemisconstrued or used for propaganda purposes. A good rule of thumb isto look at your picture without your caption or explanation andconsider if it could be re-captioned to reflect poorly on coalitionforces. For example, your image might show your Soldier rescuing achild from a blast site, but could be re-captioned to insinuate thatthe child being captured or harmed. (it’s happened!) Avoid the use of count-down tickers for the same reason as rule #1 be very careful if posting pictures of your loved one. Avoidimages that show significant landmarks near their base of operations,and black out last names and unit affiliations Do not, ever, post information about casualties (coalition or enemy) before the official release of the information. Do not pass on rumors (“I heard they’re coming home early”, etc) PERSEC
PERSEC is also known aspersonal security. Like OPSEC, this involves guarding the informationthat you know. Do not give out your soldier's name along with rank. Bevague about your personal information on the internet. This is plaincommon sense in just every day life -regardless of if your husband isin the military. The old saying loose lips sink ships still holds truetoday. Keep your soldier, your family and his unit safe by keeping theinformation you know to yourself. You never know who is lurking andgathering information on message boards, myspace pages and profiles,etc. Better safe than sorry!
Please be sure to look at your Bio's and make sure that there is not any identifying personal information.
OPSEC/PERSEC FAQ's
"Can I have a countdown ticker?": The short answer is no. Anything hinting at a troop movement, whether alone or in a group, is strictly prohibited. If you do want and must have a ticker, use a count up ticker. IE: He has been gone for xxx days. If you MUST tell someone what is happening follow these examples...
Safe: “My Marine/Sailor/Soldier/Airman/Coastie is coming home soon!” “A few more months and he’ll/she'll hopefully be home!” “Spoke with my Marine/Sailor/Soldier/Airman/Coastie today and they are busy!”
Not Safe: “My Marine/Sailor/Soldier/Airman/Coastie will be home between 5-10 June” “5 days until I see my Marine/Sailor/Soldier/Airman/Coastie” “He’s/She's due home in July!” “Spoke with my Marine/Sailor/Soldier/Airman/Coastie today and they are busy doing patrols in XYZ province.”
The "Not Safe" examples are ACTUAL status messages pulled from people's FB and Myspace accounts.
Posting specific information can and will delay homecomings. It has happened before.
"I have a Facebook and Myspace, how do I keep myself safe?": You can take simple steps to keep yourself and your information safe by making them private and only inviting people you know to view your page. This can extend far past these two networking sites. Google is a powerful tool. One can Google the smallest bit of information and come up with thousands of hits for YOU. It is possible and has happened. You are not invincible. Take the correct steps to safeguard your accounts and your information. Remember to safeguard your Knot/Nest Bio as well! And remember what you say and do online can affect you and possibly yours or your spouse's career in the military.
"There's a picture of my husband/myself I want to use in my sig. He's/I'm in uniform and it shows his/my name and/or rank. Can I use it?": This is a judgment call. If your name is very unique and can be seen in the picture, blur out the name (a number of photo sites offer this feature) or pick a different picture. It you have a very common last name like Smith or Jones, it probably won't hurt you unless he/you are very high ranking which could make you potentially easy to find.
"What do I say to someone IRL who is violating OPSEC/PERSEC?": If it's a small thing, I would just bring it up in a friendly matter. Be sure to know exactly what the "violation" is when explaining to them that they violated OPSEC/PERSEC. If it's a major violation, get in contact with them immediately. If they are unwilling to change what they are doing, it is okay to take it up the Chain of Command (COC) to get it fixed. If they won't listen to you, chances are, they'll listen to someone in direct authority over them or their husbands.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 18, 2012 7:11:15 GMT -5
This week, we received several e-mails from The Nest and The Bump members with concerns and feedback about the new board format. We greatly respect our community members opinions and feedback so at your request we have decided to go back to the old message board format.
Tomorrow, May 18, at 10:30 a.m. we’ll be reverting all of The Nest boards as well as The Bump local boards back to the old format. Please note that after the boards switch back anything that you’ve posted on the boards after they’ve been converted to the new format will not appear. This means that anything that you’ve posted since Wednesday, 5/9 at 2 pm on the Nest boards (excluding The Nest local boards) and anything that you’ve posted since Wednesday, 3/2 on The Nest local boards and The Bump local boards will no longer be available.
We will continue to listen to your feedback and will take action quickly. Moving forward, The Bump and The Nest teams will work closely with members within our community before rolling out new features and designs so that we know that they’ll be beneficial to you. Please continue to reach out to me, Nest Dani and Bump Kathleen with feedback and ideas about what would make your experience on the boards better. If you have any questions about what will happen once the boards revert back to the old format, please e-mail us at messageboards@theknot.com.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 16, 2012 7:52:58 GMT -5
I swear, if I had a sister like her, I'd be shaking her all the time. I think at this point, she needs to take a break from everything for a while and just be by her self. I mean, go to a beach or a mountain and lock her self away from the world for a bit. I think the only reason she's with Kanye is because he has more money than her and she doesn't have to worry about him using her for it. Sad.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 16, 2012 7:47:45 GMT -5
If it were me, I wouldn't do it. You'll have nearly 2 hours of driving total. You will be babysitting for an undetermined amount of time. You have no idea when you'll be home that night. When my H comes home, I wash a bunch of his clothes so they smell fresh. I wash the sheets so he has clean sheets. You have to shave your legs. I wouldn't be able to do all those things if I was babysitting all that time the night before. If she's a good friend, she'll understand. Maybe you could help her find someone else to watch the kiddos for her.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 15, 2012 9:45:47 GMT -5
Yay for great job leads.
I am fake nesting and cleaning while trying to keep the little dude busy so he doesn't make more messes. I need to go run some errands and get a work out in somewhere.
That would make me stabby as well. That's also why some people shouldn't have a Facebook. H's mom did that once before to me, before we were even married. I was seeing red. I guess those goes with my confession. I don't want my H to go with me on my visit to my home town. His mom wants to have a party with all her cousins (who h and I never talk to) and I'd rather spend the time with my family and friends. She makes a visit home from h this whole big deal when all we want to do is relax and have fun. At least I know we won't stay with her and will stay with my parents.
J's family in TX tried to do that last time we went to visit. He told them he wouldn't be there if they through a party. They got all pissy at first, but he told them he just wanted to chill out and visit with people on his own time.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 15, 2012 7:50:47 GMT -5
My ILs are making me stabby. Over the last year, MIL has been posting all sorts of passive aggressive bull shit all over FB any time she's pissed off at me. J just got back from a 6 week school the other day and is leaving VERY soon for deployment. FIL sent him a FB message yesterday asking if he was home and said he'd like to see him before he leaves. J said he would call him today. This morning, she posts on her FB, "Guess we won't be allowed to see our son before he leaves to go to war again. Some one else has plans for him and we don't really matter." No one said jack shit about him not going over there. J is making plans to see his dad when is SM isn't there. He's going to tell his dad that she either needs to lay off the crazy or they won't be seeing him or the kids at all. I'm already done with her.
Post by iluvmytxrgr on May 15, 2012 7:21:27 GMT -5
Holy goodness! How was that an apology? All I saw was, "blah. blah. blah. We are going to do a few things to appease you, but really nothing at all. blah. blah. blah." The response is hilarious.