Nellis Airman Honored with Renaming of Airmen's Center

So often lately I've heard the comment that many have been paying tribute to Michael Jackson after his death while we have heros who lose their life protecting and serving for our country and they seem to go unnoticed. Today our local news website announced the honor of an airman from our local Nellis Air Force Base.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Jesse M. Samek, 21, of Rogers, Ark.; assigned to the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; died Oct. 21, 2004, from injuries he received when an Air Force HH-60 helicopter aircraft crashed during a medical evacuation mission in Afghanistan. You can read the rest of the story on his military service here.

Our local news station KLAS-TV Channel 8, writes a Nellis Air Force Base airman who became the base's first post 9/11 combat death was honored at the base Monday.

Airman 1st Class Jesse M. Samek will be a part of every Nellis airman's life for years to come. Nellis AFB has named the Nellis Airmen's Center after him in hopes no one will forget the young man's life.

Please read the rest of this story about Nellis AFB and comments from his mother here.

We hold the family and friends of Airman Jesse Samek in our prayers.

Fort Drum Soldier Killed in Afganistan

FORT DRUM, N.Y., July 11, 2009 — A 10th Mountain Division Soldier from Fort Drum was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Afghanistan Thursday.

The Fort Drum Soldier killed is Spc. Joshua R. Farris, 22, an infantryman, of La Grange, Texas, who deployed with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team in January in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served in 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).

Spc. Farris joined the Army in March 2006 and came to Fort Drum in June 2006. He is survived by his father, mother, and step-father.Spc. Farris' awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Our prayers and thoughts are for Spc. Farris family and friends. May God bless them in their time of grief. Sad news.

This entire text was copied from this page at Newzjunky.com, off a Drudgereport.com link.

Koo Koo for Farm Town

The past couple of weeks my guilty conscious has played havoc on my constructive energies. It has prevented me from adhering to the tasks at hand even my blogs. My husband reminds me that we are retired and can do whatever we want. I know I have mentioned this before that I have let my household tasks go to pot, but the past couple of weeks have been ridiculous although he doesn't complain. Unfortunate for me, the only outcome from me has been a guilty conscious because I am not motivated even though I know I am delinquent and derelict in my duties to my house. It's the usual stuff although nothing drastic or urgent, just matters of organization and habits, such as, washing clothes, cleaning the kitchen floor, dusting, just those sort of things. The priorities I have managed to do because they are there in the moment, like cleaning the latrine (sounds better than the bathroom, oh, oops, I did say it anyhow!), changing the bed linens, those I am up on - - - but the everyday in your face stuff is squalling out - clean me, do me first, help, clean my spot first! But, I ignore them all and do you know why?

I have become a freak and inhabitant of this d*** computer! Just when I didn't think I would/could find something else to monopolize my free time, Facebook enters my life. Our oldest truck driving son, Don, mentioned it to us a couple of months ago. When both Bob and I signed up and got a pretty good following, Don comments he can't believe we're spending so much time on the page. Well, let me tell you, he was shock when he realized how attached both Bob and I are to Farm Town - an application that goes with Facebook. Don shakes his head in disbelief and I know he thinks we are kookie!! I don't care, really, I haven't told my kids how kookie I think they are sometimes. They seem to have the upper hand of classifying our parenting skills without the realization of how old we are and our accomplishment and the fact we are still alive and kicking. But this post isn't about "them" but more about Farm Town and wasting time.

Oh well, what the heck, does it really matter? It has been fun building a little farm and putting horses, cows, pigs, chickens and all the rest of the little critters on my make believe farm, plus planting crops and meeting the challenge of earning the most coins I can so I can improve and enlarge my make believe farm. Believe me this environment is a better deal than physically working on a farm - been there, and done that, and it is work, hard work, really sweaty work, muscle hurting work and the price is not a money reward but satisfaction of a job well done. And, that is was - it was a joyous adventure and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Opps, gotta run, Bob just came in and asked me to harvest his crops - we both make more coins if we harvest each others crops. I'm growing cabbage right now and they only take a day and made more coins than any other crops. This is just a make believe game, after all!!!

Evian Roller Babies US

Really cute babies! They are SO talented, don't ya know!!!

Deadly Day for US Troops

Copied from Sarah Palin's webpage -----Governor Palin Mourns Loss of Fort Richardson Paratroopers July 6, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin offered her condolences to the family and friends of two Fort Richardson soldiers who died in Afghanistan. Private First Class Aaron E. Fairbairn, 20, of Aberdeen, Washington, died Saturday of injuries sustained from small arms and indirect fire. Private First Class Justin A. Casillas, 19, of Dunnigan, California, also died Saturday in the same attack.

“These soldiers served with honor and courage,” Governor Palin said. “Both will be remembered as true American heroes. Todd and I offer the families our prayers and support during this difficult time.”

Both men were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

A state flag, along with a letter of condolence, will be sent to the families.

There is additional information concerning additional troops who were killed this week on the military.com website here.

Our prayers to the families and for departed soldiers. May God please bless our fine soldiers in battle and be with their families.

Name correction!

I apologize, I made an assumption when writing the post earlier about the fallen soldier. The soldier's name is Aaron Fairbairn. I have not seen his rank on line - yet.

Here is a link to FoxNews with more news and information.

Sorry about the error!

Aaron Masters killed in Afganistan

I just clicked on Michelle Malkin to read the article from the father of Aaron, David Masters. He was passing on the news of the death of his son on twitter. Here is the link to Michelle Malkin's website with the rest of the story. Here is the link to Aaron's MySpace page as provided by Aaron's father, David, through Michelle's website.

Our prayers and condolences go out to the Master's family.

Happy Fourth of July!

U. S. Marine Helicopter

A U.S. Marine CH-53 transport helicopter flies over the rugged terrain of Farah province March 17, in southwestern Afghanistan. The Marines, who expanded into the area last November, are soon to be joined by thousands more American troops as part of an additional 17,000 U.S. forces being sent to the war. Getty Images / John Moore

Read more and see more images of the U. S. Marines in Afghanistan here.

Strike of the Sword, July 2, 2009

About four thousand U.S. Marines including one thousand Marine shooters and more than six hundred Afghan forces launched a major offensive into Taliban controlled

villages in southern Afghanistan on Thursday.

U.S. Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 1st Battalion 5th Marines board helicopters at Camp Leatherneck for a night air assault in Afghanistan's Helmand province Thursday July 2, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

U.S. Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 1st Battalion 5th Marines wait at Camp Leatherneck to board helicopters for a night air assault in Afghanistan's Helmand province Thursday July 2, 2009. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)

To read the latest on this offensive, please go to FoxNews here.

Five months and 24 days

Can you look back on the year 2009 and say it's been a great year? Well, 2009 is half over and there's five months and 24 days to go before Christmas day.

We are in the first week of the usual hot dry desert weather. The one advantage is that it is great swimming weather. I receives a note from a friend who said she misses the dry heat but she is now living on the east coast in an area where the summer humidity is high and so is the temperature. Whew! I remember those days, mosquitoes, ticks, sweat, yuck!

It's weird but seems like the weekend to me already, can't get a grip on the day. Just talked to Soldier Tom and they're heading for the beach along the Atlantic Ocean this weekend which sound like a great idea. There's some really great spots over here on this side of the U. S. on the Pacific. One place we have visited is Moro Bay and then there's Huntington Beach and further south around San Diego and Newport Beach. The most beautiful beach is at Monterey or Carmel by the Sea. At some of those beaches the sand is the type you sink into when you walk. In Maine, the beach sand is solid, really nice for strolling. Monterey has a fantastic aquarium. We went there for one of our anniversaries. It's a great place to visit. Lots of shops and things to do.

We'll probably hang around for the Fourth of July holiday and maybe catch a movie or two. No big deal holiday plans here this year. What about you?

Ah, Summertime is really here!

By the comments on my Facebook and other readings, I'm getting it - it's hot and dry out there! Even in London where my internet friend John lives - he's reporting it is hot and dry. Friend Mary in Kentucky says its hot and humid. When I got up this morning at 4:30 (yes, I don't know why!) it was already 85 degrees and heading up into the 110s again! When we went out Sunday it was 113 at the center of Las Vegas. I missed putting flowers on my dad's grave last Sunday, so we went to visit mom and dad Sunday and put flowers on their grave.

Dad always liked Red flowers and Mom gets Pink or Yellow. It's been over 20 years since they both passed away. They both are still very much apart of my life - they were good parents and gave me a good example to follow.

Bob and I have been swimming again - our old bodies just can't take the cold water and this is late in the season for us to start but the water just warmed up. We have hot dry desert air and it takes longer to heat up pool water unless you have solar heat and we don't.

Swimming has been my number one sport. Where I grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, we had a pool a few miles away from my home but there was a bus route right to the pool, or I would ride my bike. All the girls I went to school with from St. Ann's and Notre Dame HS would gather there. It's pretty neat because I have been able to get to know them again through my Facebook page. We also had a pretty nice YWCA where we could swim during the winter months.

Oh, by the way , the music playing is from my teenage years. Seems like yesterday. Jitterbug was popular then. I could really shake , but now my get up has gotten up and left! Oh, yeah!

Hope you are keeping cool. Take good care. God bless you and yours.

Music

Music of all kinds has been a part of my life seems like to me - forever. When I was a teenager I was able to purchase records with my allowance and at the time we had 45s and I had a regular 45 record player. My parents had a stereo player that played 78s which were all the really oldies but very goodies - before my time. My kids grew up listening to all types of music because I wanted them to appreciate what was offered. As they got older they did chose their own style but at least I gave them an opportunity, as I have also given my grandchildren. Bob and I reminisce when I would hold the babies and dance through the house to the beat of the song.

I have put a few of the modern artists that I like on the playlist that is playing now. There are so many more which I'll play later. Some artists songs were not available on the internet playlist website. Here are some photos - oh, I did leave George Strait out this time, but you can see how much I appreciate his style and songs in other posts. The photos are not necessarily in the order that I appreciate their style, but I do appreciate each and every one. Music for me is a mood choice.

By the way - if you haven't heard of Stanley Black and you like Bossa Nova or Easy Listening style, you must check out his music. He has quite a few albums on the market and I have about 10 of his CDs and each one is different. Oh, and I do have Cds of each of these artist and other that I'll play later or I wouldn't recommend.

TGIF

What's your plans for the weekend? Even though I am a retired grandma, that is not working a public job or really committed to anything in particular other than what my family dictates to me, I do get a tingle thinking of TGIF - but I can't figure out why.

We will be watching Alexandra today and tomorrow, Kevin got called into work which is a blessing. As I thought of him driving off this morning and we were watching the news, I wondered if the Las Vegas strip will be busy with Michael Jackson mourners. Our local news reporters were out bright and early interviewing tourists on the street. I don't know if there has been some sort of "shrine" developed there. I guess when Kevin comes home this evening, he'll fill us in. We do live way across the valley from the strip and gambling areas. We are in a rural area and we like it that way. I know it seems odd to have rural areas in a place like Las Vegas, but, you'd be surprise.

Bob and I are very much attached to British Mysteries. I don't know what it is that sets them apart from the American TV shows, but there's a difference. I purchased the complete series of one called "Rosemary and Thyme" which is about two middle aged women - one is a horticulturalist and the other is recently divorced after 25 years and had previously worked as a police officer. They are called to British estates to do over the lavish but old gardens of British estates and in the meantime there's always a murder to solve. The other show we really do like is "Midsummer's Murders" which is still in production. When there's nothing on the five million cable channels we have, then we resort to pulling out our British TV shows on DVDs and have a more fulfilling evening than watching reruns. The photo on the right is John Nettles who plays Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby. He is an excellent actor as are the rest of the actors and actresses.

The selling price of homes continue to decline and we are in a woe-oh-no fit of life! What a time to decide to sell. We remain in the middle of confusion and are constantly debating between ourselves what, where, and when we are going to do anything. It seems that for the first time in our lives, we can't make up our minds. We will continue on with the chore of packing and getting ready for the painters. My next immediate chore now is to contact the painters on my list to come in and give us bids on the job, and ask the all important question how to do the job while we continue living in the house. This should prove to be very interesting indeed!

I began cleaning our our clothes closet yesterday and sorted out about ten pairs of excellent shoes to give to Suzanne. They are in perfect condition but unless they are Easy Spirit or a particular style of Skeechers - I can't walk any distance. She loves shoes as much as I do, so I know she will be delighted to receive them. Next on the list - today - is sorting through my clothes, oh yuck! Plus, our closet is very small and I am attempting to give the illusion of a larger size - that doesn't work when you have tons of clothes squashed in a small place. I did have things organized according to what it was and colors but I got off that - so now if people are going to look in my closets to buy my home I'd better get serious - Bob too. I'd love to have a huge walk in closet - on my list for my next place - that and a chef's kitchen, ooohhh yummy!

My get up and gotten up and left!

Oh whoa is me! I can't find my enthusiasm or energy pill! I have looked in all my drawers and hiding places. Bob has been no good at helping either, he's always napping! What is a gal to do? I wake up at 2 or 3 AM with wild dreams of ambitious energy of tasks for the next day. What a drag that is to wake wide awake by the thoughts of what could be done the next day but lo and behold, when awake then all the vim and vigor has disappeared.

I am weary of waking up in the wee hours of the morning. I don't even bother turning on the television, I just come back to the computer and play mahjong and I don't know why since I am a loser! I'm not sure what this is all about, maybe just old age, or perhaps if I really were more active during the day I wouldn't have wild cleaning dreams - how boring can that be!!!! Sorting out shoes, cleaning under the clothes in the closet and throwing away old tea bags. I think I need a new life!

Hallmark didn't make any money from us!

Father's Day! I hope all the Father's reading this post had a very nice day with great surprises and lots of time to relax.

Bob got his wish for peace and quiet - and that how it was here at our place. We did go out for dinner to one of our favorite restaurants - Claim Jumper. We went mid-afternoon, hoping to miss the big crowd. The place was very busy, but by the time we left there were people standing and waiting so our timing was perfect. One reason I like Claim Jumpers is because the menu is varied, the service is consistently great and the food is very dependably delicious. They gave both Kevin and Bob each a $10 coupon for a return visit which I thought was a good promotional tool and one which we will use. There were a lot of restaurants around Vegas having Father's Day specials.

I didn't do cards this year, I have to cut back on frivolous expenses so it was at Bob's suggestion I send an e-card, which I did. I have boxes of greeting cards I have received from everyone in the world and have stashed away those that Bob has received as well, and I don't know why. The best are the homemade. Alexandra made Bob a card that was more precious and had more meaning than anyone she could have picked out at the store. It is a treasure and a real keeper. She is very sensitive and expressive.

We have travel fever. It's been awhile since we took off for parts unknown. We had planned waiting until our anniversary in September and leaving for four days. We want to see the new additions to the Ronald Reagan library and visit Nixon's library as well and maybe go to Huntingbeach to visit friends. We may just do that early - Bob has the heebie jeebies and sometimes getting away takes care of that disease.

Hope you have a lovely day and hope all is well at your place.

Seems like Sunday

This has been a weird day - don't know why particularly, maybe waking up at 4 AM. You know with over a trillion channels on cable I can't find a thing on that's interesting. We've had a lot of clouds and very windy but no rain. I wish the east could pipe their rain back here - we really need it.

Noy much going on here. Bob's finally feeling better - the sinus infection or whatever he had has left and he's back up to speed. Soldier Tom and his unit have gone to Busch Gardens in Georgia - all paid for. I'm anxious to see how that went.

We're just kinda hanging around. Do you have a Facebook? I do and it is the craziest thing I ever started. I belong to Farmtown and I'm on the lowest level and my crops keep dying. I don't have enough coins to build a fence to put my donkey, sheep and chickens up, so I'm not sure if they are eating my crops. There are several friends and everyone is constantly sending gifts back and forth. It's good to read the news from families I haven't seen in years. Some went to school with Brian and the other kids. Seeing some of that which related to Brian's class has been difficult to read and sometimes they post photos of the class.

I have joined a couple of Twitter groups but haven't actually twitted or tweeted! I know there's lots of twits going around about the Iranian protests - I guess that tweets not twits - I know a couple of twits and they are not like tweeters at all!

I hope your day is going good and you have accomplished all that you've set out to do. We're taking Bob and Kevin out for Father's Day dinner to Claim Jumpers. It's only going to be us four I guess. Suz is under the weather and we haven't heard from Don in a while. I hope if you are a dad reading this post that you have a wonderful day and are treated like a king. Happy Father's Day!

God bless and take care!

School Photos

Don't you just love it when the kids bring home their school photos? If you have more than one in school, you just know one of the group is going to have a funky photo and that one will never let you show that photo in public, but we do it anyhow - humiliating them for the rest of their childhood.

But, there's the one child that always takes a great photo - how do they do it? Mine were always weird, especially the year when Bill Haley and the Comets were popular back in the 50s and I had a big Bill Haley curl in the middle of my forehead - oh my gosh!

Alex returned to school today after being on spring break, we have year round school here in Nevada. She brought home her school photos and its always a grand event and planning to send off her photo to relatives and friends.

Today was also a big event for her because as a reward for pulling one of her teeth last night, Grandma Fairy promised her Miley Cyrus most current music CD. It is beginning with the music, singing, dancing, make up and all the stuff girls do.

Al (my pet name for Alexandra) is full of bright spirits, cheerful, witty, and a cunning way of beating me at card games, even Old Maid but especially Hearts and 500 Rummy. She is rapidly becoming an expert on the Wii and can win over me without even taking a second breath - especially since I don't know what I'm doing on that Mario Wii anyhow.

We lucked out with Tom as far as the noise level was concerned, he was very unusually sensitive and thoughtful when he played music or his games on the computer - the only one in the group of our kids, so he sorta spoiled us. Alex loves to sing and dance. The CD from Grandma Fairy is her first CD - the first of many, although she does have an MP3 player.

Bob and I do enjoy our peace and quiet but you know what, it is exciting and certainly not boring when the grandkids are around.

La-La Land

This morning when I opened my window I heard the birds squawking loudly, in an almost emergency call, it was an oddly loud bird sound I had not heard before. Then in an almost instance I saw out of the corner of my eye our neighborhood white and grey cat scrambling out of the tree, then I understood why the birds were sounding their alarm. From my window I can't see any nests for the cat to get into, but this tree is a resting point for our resident birds.

We have lots of new baby birds around and a new herd of baby quail which Bob noticed as they scrambled across our street the other evening. We have four hummingbird feeders and Bob has had to keep extra busy keeping the feeders full up so he has come to the conclusion we have some new baby hummers. We are only guessing but those hummers we have noticed and thought to be the newcomers are not quite as ambitions as the adults, they lollygag around and enjoy the moment more than the zig zags of the momma and poppas . We get a big kick out of their zooming around and chirping at each other.

I read a wonderful blog this morning called Provident God (link here). I have been in a slow almost passive mood recently. I guess for one reason my body is saying to relax after all the preparation for our Soldier Tom's visit home. I almost feel neglectful that I'm not more energized but after all it is good to relax for a little while since having your family around we never know when the next round of events will hit the door running. Reading "Provident God" shook my inner soul, my guilt complex appeared for I realized I have been neglectful to give thanks to Our Father for my blessings. My relaxed spirit is a welcomed change but I should have added more daily reflection on the gifts of life and special ones who share this home. My mind is jumbled like a honeybees nest even though there is quiet here. I am grateful for Provident God to have shown up when it did, it is a spiritual moment I needed. I hope you will check it out too.

Another blog I visited this morning - see here - is one post by this very creative young mother. Her photos and ideas are wonderfully refreshing and very relaxingly. Her main blog is Fresh Fixins. She blogs on her garden and other aspects of her life. Her garden is gorgeous. I am envious because right now my yard has no garden not for lack of trying but the hot desert heat usually cooks our plants before they have a chance to mature. I know many people have gardens here in southern Nevada, but not us. We have had good luck with some flowers that finally took hold and have done quite well every year - it is a trial and error here in the desert where water is not abundant and we're on a watering rational schedule as well. So, I live my dreams of beautiful garden spots when I visit blogs like Fresh Fixins.

I am trying to catch up on my blog reading this week. It is amazing the vast amount of information and beauty that is shared through this blogging thingie. I am very content that I became a part of this world.

Do we have termites?

It's evening and quiet in the house. I didn't have time to open the mail this afternoon so I have the remnants of the second envelope that I opened to the left of the keyboard and those are the words I see - "now get the best against termites." I wonder to myself if those little boogers can live in the hot Nevada desert weather. I've never heard any of my friends say they've had problems with termites, hmmm, I think I'll ask....tomorrow. We've never had any - yet.

I came back to shut down my computer then I realized I left the Patriotic music on my two blogs and although the music was appropriate yesterday, the songs are best heard during that Patriotic Assigned Day. I know we could have left our Flag out the rest of the week, but we decided not to, this time anyhow.

Do you ever get really fed up with your computer and say really mean things to it? Yes, mine's at it, messing with my mind - I don't chose to give it a gender. My Sony was dying and I loved it, but Sony really messed up the manufacturing on that year's model. I had it long enough to know it was pretty much dead in the water if I wanted to add more software, so, I went out a couple weeks ago and bought a HP, with 750 gigs, not a big deal one, something to get me through until the new Windows programs comes out - the computer guru I read in the Wall Street Journal - Walter Mossberg - has tried the Beta on the new Windows operating system and he said it works better than the Vista and XP - anything has to work better than Vista. I do not like Vista. I have been using computers for a long time and I would think I could have started right up on this new machine, but no, it seems like I am back to almost ground Q with problems too.

So, I spend most of my free time trying to enter stuff and figure out how to use the photo programs, the main purpose of getting one with lots of memory. I think I'll pick up a Photoshop at CostCo and be done with it. I hate putting more money in software into this machine but if I don't get where I want to be playing with my computer and the photos, then I won't be a happy computer grandma. Bob backs me up and understands but I still get tired of pouring the dough into a stupid machine!!

Maybe my computer has termites? I know the Geek squad is great, they've already fixed the CD player problem I had yesterday - but Terminix is for termites. Aaaa, nah, I'll just deal with it and be thankful for what I have.

Rant over!