"Defensive strategy never has produced ultimate victory."
– General Douglas MacArthur
29 April 2008
28 April 2008
Quote For Today
We worry about what a child will be tomorrow, yet we forget
that he is someone today.
~~Stacia Tauscher
that he is someone today.
~~Stacia Tauscher
27 April 2008
Still Waiting
Seems dentists work dentist hours. Well, some of them. The guy I'm trying to get an appointment with in Bismarck doesn't seem to work Fridays. So, after trying at all hours of the day Friday, no one, no answering machine, no answering service, picked up. Tomorrow morning I start all over. :) At least I'm not sucking the whole bottle of ibuprofen down anymore. The antibiotics seem to have worked. YAY for medicine.
I hope that the least they can do is see me this week before Thursday. CG is off to Winnipeg for a French trip. (do they speak french in Winnipeg like, say, Quebec?) And David leaves. I have to be home Friday for Matthew to go to the reading club celebration thing. I'd hate for him to miss it due to my tooth problem.
And then our economy... commisery (aka commissary) prices just keep going up and up and up and up. I guess I'm glad to not shop much on the economy. Or maybe I should... the commisery probably figures no one likes the drive to town and just yanks our money out of the pocket. Hmmmmmmmmm Might have to do some comparison shopping sometime. And the BX gas station... it's charging more than in town. I thought AAFES was here to do us a favor? Yet again, FOILED! I realize we're not their concern. Cheap gas in town is (or was yesterday) $3.44, it's $3.49 on base.
That "stimulus" check we're getting? I get to stimulate the Bismarck dental community and not anything else. Nice, isn't it? Actually, I'm really glad the timing is working out with that check. Having bought the Jeep and having THREE cars to upkeep with gas and insurance now, the budget gets tighter.
OH! You've been waiting on the one bright spot in this dismal assignment. I'm still looking, but we did have a good dinner out with good retiring friends last night! We drove to the great metropolis of Velva, just a short 19 mile trip east of Minot on highway 52. Velva is the home to Eric Sevareid, famed journalist, one of the "Murrow Boys." He is now on a stamp for the USPS having been released this week
Anyways... that's the one claim to fame for Velva. That and the Pioneer Bar's Saturday night Prime Rib Dinner! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! You can choose from petite, queen, king and 24 oz cuts of rib. Side potato and coleslaw. Quite tasty. Don't ask for fancy beer, liquor or dessert... you won't find it. I don't even think they had beer on tap. DH overloaded the waitress' circuit board asking for glenfidditch and something more than Michelob Light. We decided to not ask about wine. And iced tea? Your only opportunity is Long Island. :) Food good. Service decent. Alcohol choices? Better elsewhere, but when the company is good, it's AWESOME and doesn't matter what there is to drink. We went to DQ for dessert afterwards. :) Quite the fun time.
Enjoy your Sunday!
I hope that the least they can do is see me this week before Thursday. CG is off to Winnipeg for a French trip. (do they speak french in Winnipeg like, say, Quebec?) And David leaves. I have to be home Friday for Matthew to go to the reading club celebration thing. I'd hate for him to miss it due to my tooth problem.
And then our economy... commisery (aka commissary) prices just keep going up and up and up and up. I guess I'm glad to not shop much on the economy. Or maybe I should... the commisery probably figures no one likes the drive to town and just yanks our money out of the pocket. Hmmmmmmmmm Might have to do some comparison shopping sometime. And the BX gas station... it's charging more than in town. I thought AAFES was here to do us a favor? Yet again, FOILED! I realize we're not their concern. Cheap gas in town is (or was yesterday) $3.44, it's $3.49 on base.
That "stimulus" check we're getting? I get to stimulate the Bismarck dental community and not anything else. Nice, isn't it? Actually, I'm really glad the timing is working out with that check. Having bought the Jeep and having THREE cars to upkeep with gas and insurance now, the budget gets tighter.
OH! You've been waiting on the one bright spot in this dismal assignment. I'm still looking, but we did have a good dinner out with good retiring friends last night! We drove to the great metropolis of Velva, just a short 19 mile trip east of Minot on highway 52. Velva is the home to Eric Sevareid, famed journalist, one of the "Murrow Boys." He is now on a stamp for the USPS having been released this week
Anyways... that's the one claim to fame for Velva. That and the Pioneer Bar's Saturday night Prime Rib Dinner! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! You can choose from petite, queen, king and 24 oz cuts of rib. Side potato and coleslaw. Quite tasty. Don't ask for fancy beer, liquor or dessert... you won't find it. I don't even think they had beer on tap. DH overloaded the waitress' circuit board asking for glenfidditch and something more than Michelob Light. We decided to not ask about wine. And iced tea? Your only opportunity is Long Island. :) Food good. Service decent. Alcohol choices? Better elsewhere, but when the company is good, it's AWESOME and doesn't matter what there is to drink. We went to DQ for dessert afterwards. :) Quite the fun time.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Quote for Today
"It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly."
– Isaac Asimov
New ones just sprout up, don't they? :D
– Isaac Asimov
New ones just sprout up, don't they? :D
26 April 2008
Quote for Today
Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.
Robert H. Schuller
He's not lived up here ;D Spring doesn't come LOL
Seriously, though, good thing to ponder in the week I've had, isn't it?
Robert H. Schuller
He's not lived up here ;D Spring doesn't come LOL
Seriously, though, good thing to ponder in the week I've had, isn't it?
25 April 2008
Dental Woes Continued
Well, there are definitely NO endodontists in Minot. As the hygeinest (I don't spell nor am I in the mood to look it up) pointed out this morning, we wouldn't send you to Bismarck if we didn't have to. I think she knows how disgusted I am with the situation of living up here. She also told me it was only 1.5 hours to Bismarck. Uh, no. It's more like 2. TWO FREAKING SERIOUSLY LONG ARSED HOURS. She also pointed out that "In other areas of the country you'd have to drive 1.5 hours to get to a specialist." Uh, wrong again. In VA, it was maybe 20 minutes to the guy who did the last one. Yeah, I've been down the root canal road before. It's not fun. It's even more not fun when I'm told the closest is 2 hours away. Just did a quick search in Ohio for one. Within 2 hours drive of my hometown, there are SEVERAL. Point being there, is there are restaurants, points of interest, family on the way from point A to point B. There ain't NOTHING from here to Bismarck but the Missouri River aka Lake Sakakawea. Maybe if there were something to stop and do (other than nature LOL), I'd not mind the boring 2 hour drive to Bismarck for "civilization."
Did I mention no one works in this office on Friday? Yep. I got this wonderful little flyer on this great endo. Call first thing this morning to get my toothache resolved hopefully in a few days prior to my DH leaving for a few weeks, and NO ONE answers. NO ANSWERING machine to say "Sorry sucker. No one's working today." Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zip. Don't need my business apparently.
Thus I've now had breakdown #2 thia week. I really don't mind small towns. I grew up in one. I mind being in the middle of nowhere that it takes days to go anywhere I want to go and have a good time that doesn't involve guns and reels, just plastic retail therapy. At the end of this assignment and DHs career, it's going to take a lot more than RETAIL therapy to help me out. :) I want a small town within an hour of decent shopping, eating, medical needs and family. Not asking much. Hardly asking for much at all. My new mantra... FOUR MORE YEARS FOUR MORE YEARS FOUR MORE YEARS. I'm not sure I'll make it LOL
Next problem... my dental insurance doesn't have an endo in Minot, Bismarck or Fargo. (didn't bother checking the Forks... why bother... it's most likely they're as much a drought as the other "big cities" of ND) What does that mean? I'm sure the WHOLE amount is now going to be out of my pocket to pay for this round of dental heck. So I wrote a little note off to them asking what they propose I do now. We pay and pay for dental insurance for years and years, and get less and less out of it. Ok, I'm terrible about going to the dentist in the first place, but when I do, I expect something for the money we've paid in! :D
I swear this weekend I have one goal. It is to find something, ANYTHING, just ONE THING, positive about living in ND. I'm not overcrowded. I'm not fighting the traffic on the I64 in Hampton Roads. I'm not fighting ANY traffic. Well, minus that cluster down in Minot where they're tearing up the main drag that should have been torn up in the 12 years we were gone. :) Glad we came up thru town so I know now what I'm missing NOT driving thru town at this point. WHAT A MESS. I still wonder if they're tearing down the Barley Pop!
Hey! The zoo opens this weekend. :) There's a positive. Screaming, maniacal kids. And a toothache that I'm feeding a bottle of Ibuprofen to over the next couple of days. Hmmmmmmmmmm... let me get back to you on the positive side of life in the "great" plains.
Did I mention no one works in this office on Friday? Yep. I got this wonderful little flyer on this great endo. Call first thing this morning to get my toothache resolved hopefully in a few days prior to my DH leaving for a few weeks, and NO ONE answers. NO ANSWERING machine to say "Sorry sucker. No one's working today." Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zip. Don't need my business apparently.
Thus I've now had breakdown #2 thia week. I really don't mind small towns. I grew up in one. I mind being in the middle of nowhere that it takes days to go anywhere I want to go and have a good time that doesn't involve guns and reels, just plastic retail therapy. At the end of this assignment and DHs career, it's going to take a lot more than RETAIL therapy to help me out. :) I want a small town within an hour of decent shopping, eating, medical needs and family. Not asking much. Hardly asking for much at all. My new mantra... FOUR MORE YEARS FOUR MORE YEARS FOUR MORE YEARS. I'm not sure I'll make it LOL
Next problem... my dental insurance doesn't have an endo in Minot, Bismarck or Fargo. (didn't bother checking the Forks... why bother... it's most likely they're as much a drought as the other "big cities" of ND) What does that mean? I'm sure the WHOLE amount is now going to be out of my pocket to pay for this round of dental heck. So I wrote a little note off to them asking what they propose I do now. We pay and pay for dental insurance for years and years, and get less and less out of it. Ok, I'm terrible about going to the dentist in the first place, but when I do, I expect something for the money we've paid in! :D
I swear this weekend I have one goal. It is to find something, ANYTHING, just ONE THING, positive about living in ND. I'm not overcrowded. I'm not fighting the traffic on the I64 in Hampton Roads. I'm not fighting ANY traffic. Well, minus that cluster down in Minot where they're tearing up the main drag that should have been torn up in the 12 years we were gone. :) Glad we came up thru town so I know now what I'm missing NOT driving thru town at this point. WHAT A MESS. I still wonder if they're tearing down the Barley Pop!
Hey! The zoo opens this weekend. :) There's a positive. Screaming, maniacal kids. And a toothache that I'm feeding a bottle of Ibuprofen to over the next couple of days. Hmmmmmmmmmm... let me get back to you on the positive side of life in the "great" plains.
24 April 2008
Name that Century
When the nearest town was 2 hours trip to get further health care?
When the nearest town for furthermore dental follow up (ie root canal) was 2 hours trip?
When there was one pharmacy to get a script filled? (can't confirm ONE, but the first I asked for wasn't available)
Better yet, what state does/did this happen in?
Well, the TWENTY FIRST CENTURY would be the correct answer as would NORTH (by freaking) DAKOTA for the state. Pharmacy? Dentist asks "What pharmacy shall I call this to? Or would you like a slip to take to the base?" (It's 430ish and we know the hours they keep at the med group - they were gone 3 hours before) I say my fave pharmacy after the base, "Walmart." "Uh, sorry. Walmart doesn't have a pharmacy." YES! You heard me right. Wally World in Minot, Freaking North Dakota, does NOT have a pharmacy. Where do old people get their scripts filled!?!?!?
Better yet, there is no endodontist listed in Minot's yellow pages. My dentist works with one in Bismarck, just a short 2+++++ hours drive to the south. Did I mention one other dental trivia tidbit for tonight? My neighbor, having dinner at the table next to us tonight, says there are TWO PEDIATRIC DENTISTS IN THE ENTIRE STATE. Thank God! One is in MINOT! (too bad the kid in the chair next to mine this afternoon didn't know the one was ACROSS THE HALL... he made ME cry and I didn't need any more encouragement than having to sit in the dentist office, period.
Oh, yeah... I'm sure the dentist likes me even more. At some point during the talk, I told her bluntly, "I'd rather be giving birth than sitting in your office." Maybe not the best thing to say LOL Nor was it good to say how FOULED up a state this was loudly in the waiting room after the appointment. I just don't get how people get by in this state when they have to travel across it to get some of their health care.
Gas prices... they make states and communities likes those up here, really, really, really, not worth the hassle. Too darned expensive to live here and be happy doing so!
Review... it's not Little House on the Prairie needing several days to travel to "Town" to get the important things in life. It's TODAY, in NORTH DAKOTA.
Just when I want to really really really REALLY try getting by here, I get smacked upside the head again with reality. If $3.50 doesn't do it, I'm not sure what will.
When the nearest town for furthermore dental follow up (ie root canal) was 2 hours trip?
When there was one pharmacy to get a script filled? (can't confirm ONE, but the first I asked for wasn't available)
Better yet, what state does/did this happen in?
Well, the TWENTY FIRST CENTURY would be the correct answer as would NORTH (by freaking) DAKOTA for the state. Pharmacy? Dentist asks "What pharmacy shall I call this to? Or would you like a slip to take to the base?" (It's 430ish and we know the hours they keep at the med group - they were gone 3 hours before) I say my fave pharmacy after the base, "Walmart." "Uh, sorry. Walmart doesn't have a pharmacy." YES! You heard me right. Wally World in Minot, Freaking North Dakota, does NOT have a pharmacy. Where do old people get their scripts filled!?!?!?
Better yet, there is no endodontist listed in Minot's yellow pages. My dentist works with one in Bismarck, just a short 2+++++ hours drive to the south. Did I mention one other dental trivia tidbit for tonight? My neighbor, having dinner at the table next to us tonight, says there are TWO PEDIATRIC DENTISTS IN THE ENTIRE STATE. Thank God! One is in MINOT! (too bad the kid in the chair next to mine this afternoon didn't know the one was ACROSS THE HALL... he made ME cry and I didn't need any more encouragement than having to sit in the dentist office, period.
Oh, yeah... I'm sure the dentist likes me even more. At some point during the talk, I told her bluntly, "I'd rather be giving birth than sitting in your office." Maybe not the best thing to say LOL Nor was it good to say how FOULED up a state this was loudly in the waiting room after the appointment. I just don't get how people get by in this state when they have to travel across it to get some of their health care.
Gas prices... they make states and communities likes those up here, really, really, really, not worth the hassle. Too darned expensive to live here and be happy doing so!
Review... it's not Little House on the Prairie needing several days to travel to "Town" to get the important things in life. It's TODAY, in NORTH DAKOTA.
Just when I want to really really really REALLY try getting by here, I get smacked upside the head again with reality. If $3.50 doesn't do it, I'm not sure what will.
21 April 2008
Freaking Weather
Today is Monday, April 21, 2008... I think. Looking out my patio window, one would venture a different guess. Well, ONLY IF, you lived in NORMAL parts of the world. Yep... snow on the patio furniture. Lovely. And it's on the grass around the neighborhood as well in places.
It only got worse. Matthew needs to be at school by 830. We walk out to get in the car at 820 and I discover.... A THIN LAYER OF ICE! Yes. ICE. COATED ON MY VAN. Get my door open, start the car, try to open his door, and it pops, but doesn't slide. So now the van has the light on but I can't get the door shut. Soooooooooooooooo, off we walk to school today. It's like 20something. We get to the school like popsicles. Oh boy! Someone did offer me a ride home though. :) I was ever so grateful for that! I didn't have gloves, scarf or winter coat on. I sooooooooo love it here. I need to go out and see if I can get that door to budge yet. It might have "warmed" up. Fat chance! It's frozen tundra up here. We're in the midst of a drought. There were grassfires in town over the weekend. The town didn't burn down though. Sadly, there was at least one home lost.
Well, from the weather man guessing last night, we may still have more "snow" yet this week. Fun! FUN! FUN!
It only got worse. Matthew needs to be at school by 830. We walk out to get in the car at 820 and I discover.... A THIN LAYER OF ICE! Yes. ICE. COATED ON MY VAN. Get my door open, start the car, try to open his door, and it pops, but doesn't slide. So now the van has the light on but I can't get the door shut. Soooooooooooooooo, off we walk to school today. It's like 20something. We get to the school like popsicles. Oh boy! Someone did offer me a ride home though. :) I was ever so grateful for that! I didn't have gloves, scarf or winter coat on. I sooooooooo love it here. I need to go out and see if I can get that door to budge yet. It might have "warmed" up. Fat chance! It's frozen tundra up here. We're in the midst of a drought. There were grassfires in town over the weekend. The town didn't burn down though. Sadly, there was at least one home lost.
Well, from the weather man guessing last night, we may still have more "snow" yet this week. Fun! FUN! FUN!
15 April 2008
Quote for Today
To continue on with the madcap feel this evening... Maybe I'll find some seriousness tomorrow. Doubtful, but maybe.
"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness."
Oscar Wilde
"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness."
Oscar Wilde
14 April 2008
Go Steelers!
NO! I've not lost my mind and submitted to the brainwash attempts in my household. Nor did I join the Kool-Aid drinking community in western PA. BUT, all the hubbub over a comment made by Obama the other day made me laugh, and then reflect when the news reported the following news story tonight at 10pm.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_562310.html (text of letter)
http://www.newsmax.com/politics/obama_rooney/2008/04/14/87798.html (brief story recap of Obama and Rooney)
Why am I saying Go Steelers? Me? A diehard Browns fan? Oh I hope you've figured out some of my madness by now. :D It all makes sense, honest!
There is some truth to people being bitter, clutching their guns and clinging to religion. It's a right in the Constitution to do both! Did it become a crime since he spoke those words? I just wanted to check. Wasn't sure. Point being, I grew up with some of those folks. Un/underemployed coalminers and steel mill workers. The 80s came along and life died... incomes died... hopes died. Are they bitter? Dang straight! Many struggle to this day making ends meet. But must they be condemned for clinging to a church (something all our candidates make a big deal about) or holding a gun close?
I say GO STEELERS for this fact: if Dan Rooney wants to cheer Obama on, then by all means, get Steeler nation behind him. It has to assure that neither Dem will be on the platform in January 2009... I think enough people hate the Steelers to help fight that battle and find themselves voting AGAINST him the Steelers boss has so graciously supported. (two former players have thrown their support behind Obama as well - Bettis and Harris if I remember correctly) http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/03/the-gods-have-spoken-bettis-an.php
GO LAUGH A LITLE!! This stupid campaign started the day the 2006 elections ended. How freaking insane is that?!?!!? I wish some days I were in Europe still. The news cycle on AFN didn't flow with my time very well, so unless I sat down to specifically really watch the news, I didn't watch it. I caught most news on the radio, or online or on the radio online.
So, just this once, and notably in the OFF SEASON, I am rooting for the Steelers out there in this world. Go out and vote next week. I, for one, am going to be humored no matter the PA outcome. I have to laugh at this all. If not, I'd be crying.
I return you to the madness...
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_562310.html (text of letter)
http://www.newsmax.com/politics/obama_rooney/2008/04/14/87798.html (brief story recap of Obama and Rooney)
Why am I saying Go Steelers? Me? A diehard Browns fan? Oh I hope you've figured out some of my madness by now. :D It all makes sense, honest!
There is some truth to people being bitter, clutching their guns and clinging to religion. It's a right in the Constitution to do both! Did it become a crime since he spoke those words? I just wanted to check. Wasn't sure. Point being, I grew up with some of those folks. Un/underemployed coalminers and steel mill workers. The 80s came along and life died... incomes died... hopes died. Are they bitter? Dang straight! Many struggle to this day making ends meet. But must they be condemned for clinging to a church (something all our candidates make a big deal about) or holding a gun close?
I say GO STEELERS for this fact: if Dan Rooney wants to cheer Obama on, then by all means, get Steeler nation behind him. It has to assure that neither Dem will be on the platform in January 2009... I think enough people hate the Steelers to help fight that battle and find themselves voting AGAINST him the Steelers boss has so graciously supported. (two former players have thrown their support behind Obama as well - Bettis and Harris if I remember correctly) http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/03/the-gods-have-spoken-bettis-an.php
GO LAUGH A LITLE!! This stupid campaign started the day the 2006 elections ended. How freaking insane is that?!?!!? I wish some days I were in Europe still. The news cycle on AFN didn't flow with my time very well, so unless I sat down to specifically really watch the news, I didn't watch it. I caught most news on the radio, or online or on the radio online.
So, just this once, and notably in the OFF SEASON, I am rooting for the Steelers out there in this world. Go out and vote next week. I, for one, am going to be humored no matter the PA outcome. I have to laugh at this all. If not, I'd be crying.
I return you to the madness...
13 April 2008
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere
By golly! And it had to be every hour here today. It was actually a beautiful day. We went to a friends' home to check out furniture for our "arctic room." (housing's phrase, not mine LOL - I'd been more creative - might have to ask for help on a name) Matthew actually was invited out by one of the neighbor boys. Soooooooooooo very happy to see that happen! Now that the bus will not be running for the base school kids, it's walking or driving the 1.5 blocks over to the school on chilly mornings.
CG is home from Fargo where they DID have SNOW and LOTS of snow this weekend. He had to run the mile in snow yesterday I believe. Glad it was him and not me. Not sure if I'd been able to take that weather after knowing how nice it is to be TOMORROW. 70+!
We went over after 6 tonight to look at a jeep. A jeep I'd love to have but not sure we really need another car payment at the moment. Big hunting season is done til fall. Don't need it til then. We get over there, and the wife offers me wine. YUMMMMMMMMMM! Then she asks if I like Rieslings. Oh yeah! (Guess I must have SOME German in my family lineage) She brings me out a bottle of Riesling. YUMMMMMMMM! BOTH David and I commented on her drinking "already" to which she says "ALREADY!?!? It's 630." LOL I like her! I hate to see them move! We've been stationed together before and that included him as a single guy the first time up here. Some people just leave a lasting impression upon your memory and life. :) or :*) or :X These guys? It's DEFINITELY a :D We hate to see them go, but when a Buff guy gets to escape the plane and get overseas WITH family, by all means, run as fast as you can and make sure you outrun AFPC! So in short, the riesling is in the frig to drink this week, probably tomorrow, because it is "FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE" every day!
This week I hope to work on my bad habits - getting rid of them, or formulating a plan to do so. I want to make my house a home and somewhere that people want to come and hang out for fun times. Part of surviving this awful place is friends, attitude and adjustment. Having people over from time to time, especially now with BBQ season in force, should help to make a HUGE difference. As will that furniture from our friends. And cleaning the living room up so people can enjoy just sitting comfy on the couch if they want. :) Bible Study starts back up this week as well. That reminds me that I need to email a friend for time info on that. I really would like to get involved again in something. I miss that "sisterhood" and warmth. Not that I exude it myself many days, but perhaps, that would be some of my attitude to work on!
Night!
CG is home from Fargo where they DID have SNOW and LOTS of snow this weekend. He had to run the mile in snow yesterday I believe. Glad it was him and not me. Not sure if I'd been able to take that weather after knowing how nice it is to be TOMORROW. 70+!
We went over after 6 tonight to look at a jeep. A jeep I'd love to have but not sure we really need another car payment at the moment. Big hunting season is done til fall. Don't need it til then. We get over there, and the wife offers me wine. YUMMMMMMMMMM! Then she asks if I like Rieslings. Oh yeah! (Guess I must have SOME German in my family lineage) She brings me out a bottle of Riesling. YUMMMMMMMM! BOTH David and I commented on her drinking "already" to which she says "ALREADY!?!? It's 630." LOL I like her! I hate to see them move! We've been stationed together before and that included him as a single guy the first time up here. Some people just leave a lasting impression upon your memory and life. :) or :*) or :X These guys? It's DEFINITELY a :D We hate to see them go, but when a Buff guy gets to escape the plane and get overseas WITH family, by all means, run as fast as you can and make sure you outrun AFPC! So in short, the riesling is in the frig to drink this week, probably tomorrow, because it is "FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE" every day!
This week I hope to work on my bad habits - getting rid of them, or formulating a plan to do so. I want to make my house a home and somewhere that people want to come and hang out for fun times. Part of surviving this awful place is friends, attitude and adjustment. Having people over from time to time, especially now with BBQ season in force, should help to make a HUGE difference. As will that furniture from our friends. And cleaning the living room up so people can enjoy just sitting comfy on the couch if they want. :) Bible Study starts back up this week as well. That reminds me that I need to email a friend for time info on that. I really would like to get involved again in something. I miss that "sisterhood" and warmth. Not that I exude it myself many days, but perhaps, that would be some of my attitude to work on!
Night!
It's Another Sunday Morning...
And I ain't got nobody... oh ... wrong song. If there isn't a song about frozen wastelands, before we move from here, I WILL WRITE one. :) You can mark my words. Actually, I can't complain too much about life on the plains this weekend. Well, other than I'm in NoDak. Perhaps Jailhouse Rock is more appropro a song? LOL
We spent the ENTIRE day at home yesterday. You'd think we'd have gotten the house cleaned and organized. RIGHT! HA! I did get some stitching done on Matthew's teacher's gift for next month. I started a LITTLE late in the day on that to realistically get it done by May 22 I think. Who knows... I might get it done sooner than I expect but have to tell her "Where can I get it to you this summer AFTER I FRAME IT?!!?" Cleaned piles of dirty stinky teen boy clothes out of CGs room and his bed sheets. He returns today... I was HOPING to have had the room cleaned out but alas! It will only be a little less "mess." Matthew's room? Oh forget it! We did make an offer on a 2004 jeep rubicon. They didn't call back. Guess he's still laughing about it. And we found a couch and love seat to throw in the arctic room for now. The patio furniture that has been our table out here, need to go OUTSIDE. Can you imagine? It's supposed to be, read SUPPOSED, 70+ degrees tomorrow. :) Just need to fill the propane tank now so we can GRILL. The grill has sat out back for two weeks now.
That stitching piece you were wondering about? From Bobbie G Designs, "My Teacher." http://www.alwaysinstitches.com/detail.cfm?ID=18243 Very cute! And hits the alphabet like a kindy teacher should :) I have to figure out what to do about her name though because Mrs Smith (not her real name) doesn't fit into the space allowed, so it may be just Magilicuddy for space sake. For me, the pattern isn't just the only thing I have to sit and ponder when doing the project... putting my name or initials, year and so on. Especially for a teacher gift, you want to put the school info in there too, but on this piece there isnt' much room to do so. I've got a little time to work yet. I'm still working on the inner part of the red schoolhouse in the middle of the piece yet. I hope to finish the schoolhouse by midweek so I can start on the alphabet.
Plans for today? I've got to get CGs bed made back up so he has a place to sleep and I should probably dig under that bed to see just what junk is under there. Tomorrow when he's gone, maybe I'll deal more with it.
Tomorrow I have to run the PTA meeting for our current president, to include having someone run our elections for NEXT year's board, including, yes, yours truly, as president. What did I think I was getting into volunteering for that? LOL Oh well! I want to be busy next year, and boy!
I'm sure I'll be back to ponder more today. It's quiet here while David is out doing his thing and CG is on his way back from Fargo and Matthew is patiently waiting to play online. :)
We spent the ENTIRE day at home yesterday. You'd think we'd have gotten the house cleaned and organized. RIGHT! HA! I did get some stitching done on Matthew's teacher's gift for next month. I started a LITTLE late in the day on that to realistically get it done by May 22 I think. Who knows... I might get it done sooner than I expect but have to tell her "Where can I get it to you this summer AFTER I FRAME IT?!!?" Cleaned piles of dirty stinky teen boy clothes out of CGs room and his bed sheets. He returns today... I was HOPING to have had the room cleaned out but alas! It will only be a little less "mess." Matthew's room? Oh forget it! We did make an offer on a 2004 jeep rubicon. They didn't call back. Guess he's still laughing about it. And we found a couch and love seat to throw in the arctic room for now. The patio furniture that has been our table out here, need to go OUTSIDE. Can you imagine? It's supposed to be, read SUPPOSED, 70+ degrees tomorrow. :) Just need to fill the propane tank now so we can GRILL. The grill has sat out back for two weeks now.
That stitching piece you were wondering about? From Bobbie G Designs, "My Teacher." http://www.alwaysinstitches.com/detail.cfm?ID=18243 Very cute! And hits the alphabet like a kindy teacher should :) I have to figure out what to do about her name though because Mrs Smith (not her real name) doesn't fit into the space allowed, so it may be just Magilicuddy for space sake. For me, the pattern isn't just the only thing I have to sit and ponder when doing the project... putting my name or initials, year and so on. Especially for a teacher gift, you want to put the school info in there too, but on this piece there isnt' much room to do so. I've got a little time to work yet. I'm still working on the inner part of the red schoolhouse in the middle of the piece yet. I hope to finish the schoolhouse by midweek so I can start on the alphabet.
Plans for today? I've got to get CGs bed made back up so he has a place to sleep and I should probably dig under that bed to see just what junk is under there. Tomorrow when he's gone, maybe I'll deal more with it.
Tomorrow I have to run the PTA meeting for our current president, to include having someone run our elections for NEXT year's board, including, yes, yours truly, as president. What did I think I was getting into volunteering for that? LOL Oh well! I want to be busy next year, and boy!
I'm sure I'll be back to ponder more today. It's quiet here while David is out doing his thing and CG is on his way back from Fargo and Matthew is patiently waiting to play online. :)
12 April 2008
Quote for Today
"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."
– Audre Lord
– Audre Lord
11 April 2008
Math 101
We live in a new base house. Love my house. It's sweeeeeeeeeeeet! Newest house I'll likely ever live in, unless we build our own upon retirement.
Announcement a few days ago: New squadron.
Looking around my neighborhood and down the street to see: Desolation (even more, if you can imagine that for North Dakota) and destruction. They spent the last 2 weeks or so, tearing down the original housing built all those years ago. (Minot opened in 1957 it would seem and they're still thinking that way - ie, real commercial, business growth) The majority of the houses torn down around me? Fourplexes. Those going in? Duplexes.
Williston can't build housing fast enough for its abundance of oil workers, it would seem. Solution? Drive to Minot and commute from Minot for work and live in Minot. Ok, housing crunch now becoming apparent to those of us living on base and in the area.
Math 101? You tear down 100s of units that many were fourplexes, replace with duplexes. Loss of approximately 600 units total. God in DC has spoken, and it is so: "There will be a new B52 squadron stood up." Well, Wonder Triplets! What shall you join together and form? I highly recommend forming HOUSES. Supposedly a new squadron is 1000 more people in the area, and at least another $75Million for the city fathers. The Wonder Triplets have just dug themselves a HUGE hole, and are trying to not get covered by the piss poor planning on Minot city fathers or THEMSELVES in just how this affects the area and the base and most importantly THE PEOPLE of Minot AFB.
All the Triplets care about is the almighty $$$$$$$$$$$ staying in this hole. Basically one of them said the other day that since we've paid for the plane, we might as well use it. Children visiting our Capitol in DC, please skip the North Dakota delegation on the tour. Or demand a refund. These people make decisions for ALL OF US... supposedly. If we could make it ONE WEEK without seeing any of those 3 on the local (or national for that matter) news, I'd be happy.
Something for the Triplets to ponder this evening as you finish my rants for the night.........
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Lord Acton, Letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887
Announcement a few days ago: New squadron.
Looking around my neighborhood and down the street to see: Desolation (even more, if you can imagine that for North Dakota) and destruction. They spent the last 2 weeks or so, tearing down the original housing built all those years ago. (Minot opened in 1957 it would seem and they're still thinking that way - ie, real commercial, business growth) The majority of the houses torn down around me? Fourplexes. Those going in? Duplexes.
Williston can't build housing fast enough for its abundance of oil workers, it would seem. Solution? Drive to Minot and commute from Minot for work and live in Minot. Ok, housing crunch now becoming apparent to those of us living on base and in the area.
Math 101? You tear down 100s of units that many were fourplexes, replace with duplexes. Loss of approximately 600 units total. God in DC has spoken, and it is so: "There will be a new B52 squadron stood up." Well, Wonder Triplets! What shall you join together and form? I highly recommend forming HOUSES. Supposedly a new squadron is 1000 more people in the area, and at least another $75Million for the city fathers. The Wonder Triplets have just dug themselves a HUGE hole, and are trying to not get covered by the piss poor planning on Minot city fathers or THEMSELVES in just how this affects the area and the base and most importantly THE PEOPLE of Minot AFB.
All the Triplets care about is the almighty $$$$$$$$$$$ staying in this hole. Basically one of them said the other day that since we've paid for the plane, we might as well use it. Children visiting our Capitol in DC, please skip the North Dakota delegation on the tour. Or demand a refund. These people make decisions for ALL OF US... supposedly. If we could make it ONE WEEK without seeing any of those 3 on the local (or national for that matter) news, I'd be happy.
Something for the Triplets to ponder this evening as you finish my rants for the night.........
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Lord Acton, Letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887
Importing to North Dakota
When one thinks they've seen it all, one pretty much gets smacked upside the head. Some days I feel like Tony on NCIS.
Today's base paper comes to mind and I'll share the link for you... http://www.northernsentry.com/MAFB%20Internet%202.pdf
If all else fails, check northernsentry.com and go to the second section of the paper. It's PDF and might take a moment to download.
The gist of the story follows along with a story from last week. The new reigning Miss Magic City was crowned recently and will be competing in the Miss North Dakota contest in June. The import part of this story? The winner of Minot's beauty contest wasn't from Minot. She's from Hotlanta! She's an Air Force officer stationed at Minot. (COOOOOOOOOOOLness for her! I'm happy for her! hope she doesn't deploy over the next 12 months of her reign over state fairs, Hostfest appearances, opening day at the zoo, cattle call contests, and so on... you get the idea LOL) She competed against what might have been 6 natives of the state of vast frozen wasteland, and she WON! Young people are starting to leave the state realizing this isn't a bustling metropolis, but how sad is it that the winner of the city beauty contest doesn't even call Minot home regularly, let alone for the past 8 months or so.
The story last week? There's a young wife on the base competing in the Mrs Minot contest. She's CLOSER to being from Minot at least... she hails from across the northern border. I hope she can pull in another win for the base. This week certainly has been full of them: What with a new squadron and the young officer winning the city beauty contest... Minot may soon be on the map again! (map of forgotten places no one wants to visit? It's for you to decide... in my corner of the web, I can hope for world peace one day. Hope you get that reference :D)
Still looking for a picture to add to the post from a couple of days ago. I can't seem to find one of the gate here at our great homestead. One day before we leave, I want to "fix" the sign to say "Only the Rest come north" instead of the Best. There is actually some goodness and light quote that goes beyond the only the best come north... let me find that...
"Only the best come north, and the best are better when they go forth..."
Need to fix one more word (along with best) in this phrase... bItter instead of bEtter.
It took no time to fall back into the crewdog mentality and political incorrectness. I love the flying life!! Well, at least being married to it.
It's another Friday night... and I ain't got no money...
Today's base paper comes to mind and I'll share the link for you... http://www.northernsentry.com/MAFB%20Internet%202.pdf
If all else fails, check northernsentry.com and go to the second section of the paper. It's PDF and might take a moment to download.
The gist of the story follows along with a story from last week. The new reigning Miss Magic City was crowned recently and will be competing in the Miss North Dakota contest in June. The import part of this story? The winner of Minot's beauty contest wasn't from Minot. She's from Hotlanta! She's an Air Force officer stationed at Minot. (COOOOOOOOOOOLness for her! I'm happy for her! hope she doesn't deploy over the next 12 months of her reign over state fairs, Hostfest appearances, opening day at the zoo, cattle call contests, and so on... you get the idea LOL) She competed against what might have been 6 natives of the state of vast frozen wasteland, and she WON! Young people are starting to leave the state realizing this isn't a bustling metropolis, but how sad is it that the winner of the city beauty contest doesn't even call Minot home regularly, let alone for the past 8 months or so.
The story last week? There's a young wife on the base competing in the Mrs Minot contest. She's CLOSER to being from Minot at least... she hails from across the northern border. I hope she can pull in another win for the base. This week certainly has been full of them: What with a new squadron and the young officer winning the city beauty contest... Minot may soon be on the map again! (map of forgotten places no one wants to visit? It's for you to decide... in my corner of the web, I can hope for world peace one day. Hope you get that reference :D)
Still looking for a picture to add to the post from a couple of days ago. I can't seem to find one of the gate here at our great homestead. One day before we leave, I want to "fix" the sign to say "Only the Rest come north" instead of the Best. There is actually some goodness and light quote that goes beyond the only the best come north... let me find that...
"Only the best come north, and the best are better when they go forth..."
Need to fix one more word (along with best) in this phrase... bItter instead of bEtter.
It took no time to fall back into the crewdog mentality and political incorrectness. I love the flying life!! Well, at least being married to it.
It's another Friday night... and I ain't got no money...
10 April 2008
WONDER TRIPLETS
http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/513878.html?nav=5010
Must I really say more?
Ok, I do. I'm not pregnant. I'm going insane. I volunteered to come back to this pit for my children's sake of a good education. I'm beginning to wonder what was I thinking. Well, obviously, I wasn't. Maybe it was drug induced? Nahhhh... I don't get that good of drugs to make Minot THAT appetizing. Something possessed me! That's gotta be it.
Brief history... been here, done that, got the near divorce and still are married 12 years later (God thank you! I don't know how still)... that's Minot in a nutshell. Nut... eheheheh... I said nut. As in crazy. Anyways... we're back. While we were gone, they experimented with the 72nd BS. Actually, doing some surfing, I found it was open most of the time we were here and closed down after we left. They closed a bunch of B52 bases down in the 90s for a reason!!!!! Solution? Open new squadrons.
That's the wonder triplets part of this conversation, one sided as it may be...
WARNING! WARNING! RANT AHEAD. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
NO! I'm not pregnant. It's a comment on the state of affairs in this region.
If you haven't heard the latest rumor, MAFB is getting a NEW Buff squadron, AGAIN. (they did this back in the mid-90s and it lasted oh... a couple years maybe) Anyways, to hear the news people around this state (local and Bismarck radio), it was orgasmic the last two days. "MAFB is EXCITED to get a new squadron." Well, hold me back. If they were to take a poll of those who would actually be a part of this, well, the excitement wouldn't be there. This probably just sealed the nail in our coffin. It's now going to be official if and when the squadron is stood up, that we will have started and ended our career in this pit. Ok, it's not 100% but it's damn near going to be now.
The triplets part you're sitting there scratching your heads over I suppose? How on earth does a state with less than 1 million population have 3 such powerful people in Congress to sway opinion to bring another squadron online? Especially when DOD doesn't want the plane. ARGH! The same three guys are STILL representing this state that were 12 years ago. Since they seem to like and breed simplicity and familiarity in this state, perhaps they'll reelect their governor in the fall. At least the governor is a republican, I think. You can't buy a republican representative to save a life in ND, but by golly, you can the big state guy.
So I am trying to find a picture of the infamous front gate slogan, and can't. I'll continue that search tomorrow. I leave you with this tidbit from Wikipedia about this city of Minot, fourth largest in the state: Boris Karloff - star of 1931's Frankenstein and other films, lived in Minot for a year. Apparently he got smart and LEFT!
Another tidbit... Milk is the official state beverage. Not for some of us... one needs something a little more "warming" to get thru long, dreadfully, cold winter nights.
Dakota is a Sioux word meaning friends or allies. Do I really need to elaborate my thoughts on this one?
"What do you do for fun here in Casselton?" - I have an answer: Max G. Taubert of Casselton built a 50 foot high pyramid of empty oil cans. It is believed to be the highest oil can structure in the world.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... perhaps a saving grace? Wonder if they get FRESH german beer imported in? Doubtful, but let me fantasize a few moments on this one... New Leipzig is known as The Small, Friendly German Town on the Dakota Prairie and hosts an annual Oktoberfest. Guess there aren't any ND natives living there if it's friendly and German. :X
Ohh Ohhh Ohhhhh Mr Kotter... Mr Kotter! MR KOTTER!!!! Turtle Lake celebrates turtles, hard-shelled reptiles often found in the water. Turtle Lake has erected a two-ton sculpture of a turtle near the entrance to the city. The town is the home of the annual United States Turtle Racing Championship.
Well, perhaps the Wonder Triplets should be advertising some of this stuff instead of pushing another unfortunate 1000 airmen and their families into an assignment here. Just a thought. Spread the love (aka $$$$$$$$$$$$$) around the state, not just to Min(dr)ot. Just a thought... honest. Perhaps the rest of the state would be as orgasmic as Minot and Bismarck seem to be.
I'm off... don't go there.. it's nearly 230 am and I have to work the thrift shop in the morning. May you all have a great night!
Must I really say more?
Ok, I do. I'm not pregnant. I'm going insane. I volunteered to come back to this pit for my children's sake of a good education. I'm beginning to wonder what was I thinking. Well, obviously, I wasn't. Maybe it was drug induced? Nahhhh... I don't get that good of drugs to make Minot THAT appetizing. Something possessed me! That's gotta be it.
Brief history... been here, done that, got the near divorce and still are married 12 years later (God thank you! I don't know how still)... that's Minot in a nutshell. Nut... eheheheh... I said nut. As in crazy. Anyways... we're back. While we were gone, they experimented with the 72nd BS. Actually, doing some surfing, I found it was open most of the time we were here and closed down after we left. They closed a bunch of B52 bases down in the 90s for a reason!!!!! Solution? Open new squadrons.
That's the wonder triplets part of this conversation, one sided as it may be...
WARNING! WARNING! RANT AHEAD. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
NO! I'm not pregnant. It's a comment on the state of affairs in this region.
If you haven't heard the latest rumor, MAFB is getting a NEW Buff squadron, AGAIN. (they did this back in the mid-90s and it lasted oh... a couple years maybe) Anyways, to hear the news people around this state (local and Bismarck radio), it was orgasmic the last two days. "MAFB is EXCITED to get a new squadron." Well, hold me back. If they were to take a poll of those who would actually be a part of this, well, the excitement wouldn't be there. This probably just sealed the nail in our coffin. It's now going to be official if and when the squadron is stood up, that we will have started and ended our career in this pit. Ok, it's not 100% but it's damn near going to be now.
The triplets part you're sitting there scratching your heads over I suppose? How on earth does a state with less than 1 million population have 3 such powerful people in Congress to sway opinion to bring another squadron online? Especially when DOD doesn't want the plane. ARGH! The same three guys are STILL representing this state that were 12 years ago. Since they seem to like and breed simplicity and familiarity in this state, perhaps they'll reelect their governor in the fall. At least the governor is a republican, I think. You can't buy a republican representative to save a life in ND, but by golly, you can the big state guy.
So I am trying to find a picture of the infamous front gate slogan, and can't. I'll continue that search tomorrow. I leave you with this tidbit from Wikipedia about this city of Minot, fourth largest in the state: Boris Karloff - star of 1931's Frankenstein and other films, lived in Minot for a year. Apparently he got smart and LEFT!
Another tidbit... Milk is the official state beverage. Not for some of us... one needs something a little more "warming" to get thru long, dreadfully, cold winter nights.
Dakota is a Sioux word meaning friends or allies. Do I really need to elaborate my thoughts on this one?
"What do you do for fun here in Casselton?" - I have an answer: Max G. Taubert of Casselton built a 50 foot high pyramid of empty oil cans. It is believed to be the highest oil can structure in the world.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... perhaps a saving grace? Wonder if they get FRESH german beer imported in? Doubtful, but let me fantasize a few moments on this one... New Leipzig is known as The Small, Friendly German Town on the Dakota Prairie and hosts an annual Oktoberfest. Guess there aren't any ND natives living there if it's friendly and German. :X
Ohh Ohhh Ohhhhh Mr Kotter... Mr Kotter! MR KOTTER!!!! Turtle Lake celebrates turtles, hard-shelled reptiles often found in the water. Turtle Lake has erected a two-ton sculpture of a turtle near the entrance to the city. The town is the home of the annual United States Turtle Racing Championship.
Well, perhaps the Wonder Triplets should be advertising some of this stuff instead of pushing another unfortunate 1000 airmen and their families into an assignment here. Just a thought. Spread the love (aka $$$$$$$$$$$$$) around the state, not just to Min(dr)ot. Just a thought... honest. Perhaps the rest of the state would be as orgasmic as Minot and Bismarck seem to be.
I'm off... don't go there.. it's nearly 230 am and I have to work the thrift shop in the morning. May you all have a great night!
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