Junkin' Again

On Saturday Shelly and I went junkin'.  Again.  This was an estate sale with a packed house.  We stood in line early and then when the doors opened we were right there.  It was slow going through the house and even slower checking out.  There were many shoppers.

Good thing we took our assertive pills prior to the sale...

 I left Shelly in the driveway with our pile of loot.  I ran back into the house to  pack up a set of dishes. HAH!  You thought I was going to say that I bought a set of dishes.  No, not this time, it was Shelly.  My big purchase was the green chair, which I had to pack out of the basement.  I then jogged back to the car and drove back to where Shelly was saving me some rock star parking. 

 After all of our hard work we needed a break so we stopped at Lettered Street Coffee for some caffeine and a treat or two.  We enjoyed a nice visit with Sam's girl, Angela and then headed back to Lynden.

 I unloaded and then vacuumed, polished and scrubbed the chair.  Honestly, I didn't know where it was going but I loved the shape.  For the time being she is in the living room with a throw to soften the green.

 The green picks up on the green in the curtains and the green in our Evergreen Playground map.  If I decide I want to change it I can always get it recovered with some painter's drop cloth.  Or sell it to Shelly or to the woman that wanted to buy it from me in the driveway.

A small box of shiney brites and a candy cane blow mold were it for Christmas items.  I found a few other small items too.  A very successful, sunny Saturday for me.

Meanwhile...

I am still painting and I am still complaining about it.  And I am still not finished.

No end in sight...

EFMB

Sam spent the past two weeks in the field, training, testing and PASSING the Expert Field Medical Badge.
I am so happy for him and just a little proud of That Sam I Am.  Well, a lot proud of him.  Just in case you aren't familiar with the EFMB requirements I've posted them below, taken from Wikipedia.  Not always a great source but this will give us an idea of the requirements.

"The Expert Field Medical Badge is a United States Army decoration first created on June 18, 1965. This badge is the non-combat equivalent of the Combat Medical Badge and is awarded to medical personnel of the US Military who successfully complete a set of qualification tests including both written and performance portions. It is authorized for wear by United States Air Force medical personnel that meet the same requirements.
Army regulations prohibit the wearing of both decorations simultaneously by personnel awarded the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Combat Medical Badge. In such cases, the Combat Medical Badge has precedence according to Army Regulation 670-1.

The pass rate for FY 2008 was 15.3%, making the EFMB one of the most difficult and prestigious Army skill badges to earn.

Comprehensive Written Test

60 multiple choice questions; 75% to pass.

Army Physical Fitness Test

Pass to standard.

M16 or M4 Weapons Qualification

Pass to standard within last 12 months.

Land Navigation

Day and night land navigation courses.

Forced Road March

12-mile road march with a standard fighting load to be completed in three hours.

Current CPR certification

Tactical Combat Casualty Care Tasks

• Perform a TCCC patient assessment
• Triage casualties
• Control bleeding using a tourniquet, hemostatic device, and dressings
• Initiate a saline lock and IV
• Initiate treatment for hypovolemic shock & prevent hypothermia
• Insert nasopharyngeal airway
• Treat a penetrating chest wound
• Perform needle chest decompression
• Treat an open abdominal wound
• Treat a casualty with an open head injury
• Immobilize a suspected fracture of the arm
• Treat eye lacerations/contusions/extrusions

Medical and Casualty Evacuation Tasks

• Evacuate a casualty using a SKED litter and litter carries
• Evacuate casualties using one- or two-person carries or drags
• Extricate a casualty from a vehicle
• Establish a helicopter landing point
• Load casualties onto a helicopter, ground evacuation platform, and two nonstandard vehicles

Warrior Skills Tasks

• Protect self from chem/bio contamination with protective mask
• Decontaminate self with chemical decon kits
• Protect self from CBRN injury or contamination with JSLIST gear
• Store protective mask
• Protect self from bio/chem contamination when removing JSLIST
• Perform self-aid for mild nerve agent poisoning
• Correct malfunction of M16 or M4
• Disassemble, assemble, and perform functions check of an M9 pistol and an M16 (or M4) rifle
• Move under direct fire, react to indirect fire, and react to an UXO or possible IED
• Move over, through, and around obstacles

Communications Tasks (5 Tasks)

• Assemble and operate SINCGARS or SINCGARS (ASIP) w/o ANCD
• Load FH/COMSEC data and conduct radio check using SINCGARS / SINCGARS (ASIP)
• Prepare and Transmit a MEDEVAC request (All 9 lines) (No longer a Mandatory GO)
• Submit an NBC 1 Report
• Submit an Explosive Hazard Spot Report"

The testing takes five days and by Friday morning Sam had passed all tests and lanes.  He was texting us each day to let us know if he had passed.  Hubby and I were praying for him and his buddy, Perkins.  On Friday morning the last requirement is a 12 mile ruck in full gear in less than 3 hours.  Normally this wouldn't be a problem for Sam but after two weeks in the field he was very tired and hungry(honestly, rations!).  His buddy Nate Perkins was with him and they were the only two from their group to pass the five days of tests.  Sgt. Tucker came out and ran back with them to cheer them on to the finish line.  They made it with 12 minutes to spare.

Sam on the left and Nate on the right at the finish.

Nate has a wife and twin baby boys, God bless them too.

Congratulations guys!

Fresh and Springy

I spring cleaned the laundry room.  Our laundry room also has my paper crappin' supplies, a freezer, and anything that doesn't have a spot where it belongs.  It is a dumping ground for stuff.  I usually have a shopping bag for things that are going to be donated to our local thrift store.  The ironing pile is in the laundry room.  The big stuff from Costco that doesn't fit anywhere is in the laundry room.  A catch all...

I took everything out, and scrubbed every square inch, washed the curtains and throw rugs, purged the drawers and cabinets and felt pretty good about it.  One thing I wasn't happy with were the big bottles of bleach and vinegar sitting on the counter or the floor.  I had an idea but couldn't find the right size or shape for what I had in mind.  Yesterday, at Target, as I flew in for one item these beverage containers caught my eye on a bottom shelf.  One gallon size, pretty, not too tall, exactly what I needed.  I had told myself I could purchase them if I cleaned the room and found the right ones.  BINGO!

I labeled them with a B. for bleach and a V. for vinegar.  I had a placemat underneath but I decided less is more or better in this case so I took it out.  I added a  pretty saucer for drips.  I got my towel tin from Holly's tag sale.  I filled it with white towels that get used as cleaning rags.  Trust me, they are stained.  I have a fan ready for summertime laundry folding.

 The yo yo's in the jar are freshly washed and pressed.  I took them off my curtains and I have a new idea for them.

 I hung a bunting that tells me it's SPRING because I sure can't tell it's coming when I look out the window today.  Thanks Janice!

My laundry room is so clean and fresh I kind of want to be in there today.  That's a good thing.

Happy Spring!

At The Shop

BEFORE:

 DURING:

I painted her metal base black.  I tore and cut pieces of muslin.  Then attached and overlapped them using fabric Mod Podge.  It is taking days to dry as the fabric variety of Mod Podge is super thick.  I wanted the dress form to be cream colored but I don't sew or reupholster so this was what I came up with to recover the form.  I added a beige ribbon around her waist and a pretty cream rose and feather corsage for her neckline.

I have a bit of touching up to do but she is close to finished.

 AFTER:

 She is part a a little re-do at the museum gift shop.  I've moved out a desk, moved a message system, moved the back work counter and have plans to move my desk and half wall.  The back counter will be painted and the store rearranged again.  I painted a shelf and polished a dresser.  It's all part of a bigger project but some good steps were taken this week for the greater good.

NEXT:  

Crabtree & Evelyn products will be arriving to stock the empty shelves.

Stop by and see me sometime, the shelves are brimming with Easter basket stuffers, Mother's Day aprons and towels, Legos, new playmobil and some pretty groovy things at every price point.

Painting Continues

 Not really much going on here at the Stone House.  Just the usual project or dozen.  Hubby has the doors set, but had to tear off all the trim so we need new trim around the doors.  I'm still painting.  Not only do I have a painting project at home but I have some painting to take care of in the museum gift shop.  I'm also trying a new mod podge project for the store.

Anyway, back at home,when I decide to paint or redo a room I start collecting things.  The rule is that I may not use the new things until the room is finished.  I have a little pile of goodies for the kitchen and for the landing.  I'm just dying to get to the good stuff!  I'll be at the Lynden Craft and Antique Show on Thursday looking for more goodies to add to the stash.  I should probably be finishing the painting but the collecting is the best part and I cannot resist.  I checked out the new Threshold line at Target last night.  There are some pretty things.  Many of the things I wanted to see were not in our local store.  I may need a trip farther from the border to find the good stuff.

*When we aren't painting  or collecting more junk Hubby and I are having a cribbage tournament.  Right now we are in a tie situation.  Last night Hubby graciously suggested we call it a night and go to bed cuz I was getting dingy.  Isn't that sweet?  He totally could have taken advantage of me in my tired, dingy state.  To be continued.

*Sam will be stationed at Fort Lewis in May and home in April!   We better clean up our mess upstairs before he gets here.  It will be so nice to have him in Washington State.  No more expensive airline tickets to and from North Carolina.  Woot!

*The Biggest Loser!  I just love Danni and Jeff.  Gina went home and as Hubby said, "ding dong the witch is dead!"  Hah!

*Danny left me a message yesterday thanking me for doing  his laundry for so many years.  He apparently did a friend's (no name will be used to protect privacy) laundry yesterday and things were not turned right side out.  He now gets why I nagged about that issue and thanked me for my efforts.  A coup for this mama.

*I can't decorate for Easter until the paint cans are in the garage.  Wish me luck!

Reflecting

When our youngest son, Max graduated last June he promptly left for his summer job and then on to college in September.  Hubby and I looked at each other and realized that things would never be the same for us.  Our nest was empty and because of where our guys were in their lives we probably wouldn't have a revolving door.  Not only had they left the nest they left the county, some left our state and sometimes they left the country.

It seemed so final.

I hadn't really thought much past the next ball game, load of laundry, or casserole.  I had thought about when the guys had grown up and left home in a vague  kind of way but not in a now  kind of way.  Or how it would really be  kind of way.  It's safe to say Hubby and I have had some melancholy moments.  I have told my guys some of my regrets.  Things I did wrong as a parent.  I have a low tolerance for stupidity.   I should have taught them to be more tolerant, more patient with others. But my time for parenting children is finished.  I have adult children.  

And of course, we miss our guys.  We loved having a family!  The fun, the time spent at the dinner table, the vacations, the ball games, the noise and the dirt, the laughing, homework(NEVER), the daily life with three boys.

Even though I try to practice conscious living, sometimes I am just going through life.  You know, without really thinking about the how and why of my life or the decisions I make.  Where does God want me next?  Am I asking Him?  Am I listening to Him?   Am I thinking enough about what Hubby has in mind?  Can I embrace this change?  Many questions and changes.  It's a process.

So, where are we now?   Hubby and I have made some changes.   In our diet, in our routines and our free time I see change.  Rest assured, we are doing just fine.  We are having a lot of fun!  We have time for each other and more time for our friends.  We are getting some projects finished.  It's easier to have an ongoing project left out when only two people live in the house.  It's easier to resist a cookie or three when there are no cookies in the house.  The laundry is no longer a full time job.  I clean upstairs and nothing gets messy until the next time the guys visit.  That is probably my favorite aspect of the empty nest, no more nagging guys to clean their rooms!

Telephone conversations, texting and visits from the guys are our connection to them.  Danny, Sam and Max have made the transition easier for us because they are all doing well.  It's exciting to see them go.  By that I do mean GO, to get out there and shake the world.

We've planned a vacation with our Hawaii friends for 2014. We are going to a different island because we know it will be different without guys.  We made a conscience decision to change it up.

By the way, it's no surprise to the guys that they aren't going with us.  Last trip, Karen mentioned that they wouldn't be coming with us, a time or two.   Or maybe a dozen times.  Makes me laugh every time I think about her reminding them.

When you're in the  car pool fast lane of parenting it's hard to imagine that it's going to end, however; it does end.

And it's okay.

Projects

Unfinished projects make me crazy.  I am making a conscious effort to finish projects this year.  Honestly, it's painful.  I started a paper project in December and then Christmas came quickly.  The letters got stuffed in a bag and left in the laundry room.  After tripping over it one too many times last week I decided to finish it.   It was so tempting to shove it into the attic and face it next December but I made myself finish it.

It's brought me PEACE.  Now it is carefully wrapped and ready with the other Christmas decorations.  I know I will be happy next holiday season when I come across this project.

 The PEACE project is for the landing.  The landing has turned into a big project.  Hubby is installing the doors.  In an old stone house nothing is straight.  The floors slant, the doorways are all different sizes.  Hubby is frustrated.   Last week I was sorry we'd even started this project, however; I went upstairs and the two doors that are in place look fantastic.  My inner project girl squealed.  It will be worth it.  The project is going to take some time but I think we are going to be happy with the results.

Projects ALWAYS  take more money and time in the end.  It's a given, one that I consistently forget in the beginning and planning stages of a new project.  The thrill of a new project sucks me in every time.  

The after picture is the goal.  The accomplishment of making things better in our home is the goal.

It's the in between part that really is messy and stressful.

Since I can't paint upstairs until the doors are set, I plan to Spring clean the laundry room today.

It seems like an inexpensive project.  A productive, simple project that I can finish in a day!

That said...

What would happen if we moved the freezer out of the laundry room?  Into the back porch(unfinished space)? $$$$  That involves an electrician. $$$  Do I need new rugs in the laundry room?  $$   Should I paint the door? $  There is trim that isn't finished. $$  Maybe an Ikea trip to organize everything? $$$  How about some beverage containers for the bleach and vinegar?  $$

So it goes.

A Day in the Life of My Soldier

Part I

Sam was part of a JOAX at Fort Bragg on Monday.  He jumped with a group of 1500 soldiers as part of a field exercise.  I was able to find these photos on the 82nd Airborne facebook page.  I get pretty excited when I actually see Sam in the crowd.  In the first picture he is handing his pack over to be loaded in the truck.

Prior to getting on the plane they practice landing in sand and they wait their turn.  I'm not sure how long he waited for this jump but sometimes it is hours.  The day starts early.

After they were back on the ground they had a 12 mile ruck, still wearing their 75 pounds of gear which may  include packs, guns, medical equipment.

 The army photographer uses special equipment to take the night time photos.  

Sam is on the left in the photo below.

Many of the soldiers are up and working hard for almost 24 hours to complete this exercise.  I can not imagine such a long day of hurry up and wait, carrying 75 pounds all this time, jumping from a plane and then hiking back 12 miles from the drop zone with the 75 pounds still on your back.  After the jump many are sore because of their landing or the actual jump.  Sam hit the door as he left the plane this time.  The weight throws them off their game.

When Sam jumps I always ask him to text me when he can so I know he's okay.  Tuesday at eleven I got a text,  I made it, rough night, had a 75 lb ruck for the jump then we had a 12 mile ruck back from the dz.  I hurt everywhere but no serious injury.  Thank you, Lord.

Thank you 82nd for your service.  I am so grateful that you are preparing everyday to protect me and my country.

Part II

Sam is pretty much famous.  The picture below was part of the series of photos taken a few weeks ago.  The photo was featured on the US Army website, then Time Magazine website and yesterday it was on the Army's magazine as well, Frontlines.

Sam's bum is on the left and it's pretty much famous.  Sam will receive an award for representing the army in a positive light.

⁸ He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, to love mercy,  And to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8

Like most soldiers Sam would prefer to be out of the limelight and doesn't feel worthy of awards.  I appreciate the soldier's humble spirit but sometimes a mom just has to take a little pride in her soldier.

I love you, Sam.