Got a call from my daughter Cindy

I just got a call from my daughter Cindy. Her ship USS Abraham Lincoln is on the other side of the world. It's been a good past couple of days. I talked to my son Mike from South Korea and John from his ship. :) It always makes me smile to hear from my kids when they are so far away. :)

Congratulations to my daughter Cindy for getting 2nd Class

My daughter Cindy on the USS Abraham Lincoln ( second from right ) holding the US Navy Flag when they were in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Congratulations to my daughter Cindy for getting 2nd Class. We're proud of you FC2 Cindy.  :)

Veterans Day Thank You

My Son Mike

My Daughter Cindy

My Son John

I want to thank all past and current Veterans including my Children Cindy, John, and Mike. As we remember and honor those who have served our country, we should remember that our country would not survive without the service of all our brave women and men. Thank you and God Bless you all.

Too Damm Hot

Hot Weather

Mike on Skype

That's me yesterday when I was talking to my son Mike online.

Mike on Skype

Cindy ( 7th from the right )

That's right, I'm still here. It's just been so hot lately I haven't felt like doing much of anything. I did mow the yard yesterday and I'm glad I got that done. Right now it's 100 degrees outside with a heat index of 114.4 degrees., It's supposed to be like this all week. YUCK!!!! Ok, enough about that for now. It;s going to be a busy week. I take my brother-in-law to alcohol rehab Wednesday ( he will be gone 28 days ) and then Thursday I have two Dr appointments. Today we moved some furniture around the house, cleaned, and then went grocery shopping.

My kids are all doing well. my son John is at the beach today in Jacksonville, FL, Mike is busy in South Korea ( I talked to him on Skype yesterday ). and Cindy just sent me a picture from her ship. She said "This is a picture taken of me for the United Through Reading group I am part of. its so people can read to their children while we are on deployment and the DVDs get sent back home to the families." :) Ok, as for me I went to the ER a few days ago with double vision with one image on top of the other., it was really interesting to say the least, it lasted several hrs. The PA thinks it was a complex migraine but I will ask my Dr about it when I see him this week. That's about all for now. Hope everyone has a great week.

Good afternoon

Good afternoon everyone and hi Cindy. :) I have been busy with Dr appts lately. When I was in the hospital for the heart cath my white count was really high. I had it tested again last week and it's still high but it did go down a little. I see the Dr again Monday afternoon. To my son John, we made you favorite dinner last night, the Mac and cheese with tomatoes, extra sharp cheese, salsa, and ground beef. Man it was good. :) Today I made egg salad.

It's still hot here with the current heat index of 107 degrees and we are supposed to get hotter this week. Right now I'm lobbying to do away with winter and summer. I just want spring and fall weather from now on. Last night we got to see several meteors from the Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower. If your out tonight look up. Maximum currently occurs on July 29/30 but it will be around for several more days.

http://meteorshowersonline.com/showers/delta_aquarids.html

I talked to my son John yesterday and my son Mike today. It's always great to talk to my kids. Mike is going on leave to Seoul this week. Hope you have a good time Mike. Cindy is out to sea on The USS Abraham Lincoln and John's ship the USS Doyle just got back to port. I miss all three of you.

That's about all for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

I'm still alive. :)

I'm still alive. :) I had my heart cath and my heart is in great shape. It just goes to show that years of avoiding fruits and vegetables and eating meat and junk must be good for heart health. LOL Seriously, I don't eat many fruit and veggies because they make me sick with my crohns. On the down side the heart cath was a pain, not the cath itself ( that was a cakewalk ) The hard part was getting it done at all. My white count was up to 24,000 and I don't have any infection. I was transferred to a hospital room and then two more before they finally decided that I could have the cath after all. The Dr's said that they are going to check me for leukemia. My white count has been high for a while now and it is something to be a little concerned about. Hopefully it's just my Crohns disease. Yesterday I was very sick but today I feel much better. I'm just going to take things one day at a time. :)

The weather is still HOT here with temps in the 90s and heath index's in the 100-115 range. I am getting nervous about the next utility bill..... Oh well, such is life. I'm a happy person and blessed in so many ways I'll just be thankful for all that I have. I got an email from my daughter Cindy, she said " Fun stuff. Went to Chilies w/ my boyfriend and Andrew ( was in A school w/ him and he is on the Nimitz). Had a good time". It's great to hear from my kids. My son Mike called several times from South Korea and he is doing well. Mike has been working hard and is exhausted but is doing ok. I haven't heard from my son John and am anxious to hear from him.

To my daughter Cindy, hope you have a great day and I love you. :) <-- I know Cindy will read this and the other kids won't LOL That's all for now.

Another Day

My son Mike with his police vehicle in South Korea

Cindy with her gun the CIWS

Cindy with her gun the CIWS

Good morning, it's going to be another hot day here in Kansas. It's 10:15am and the heat index is 93.7 °F, it will be in the low 100s by this afternoon. Today I plan on cleaning the house and tomorrow I will mow the lawn. Trying to get things done before I go to the hospital Monday. :) My son Mike called me from South Korea today. Mike is doing well but he is exhausted, Mike is an MP in the Army. My other kids ( Cindy and John ) are in the Navy and both are out at sea right now. John will be back soon but Cindy will be gone for a long while. I love and miss you both. I'll write more this weekend. I know Cindy will read this so a big hi to my daughter on the USS Abraham Lincoln. We're proud of you.

Happy Birthday to my son Mike

Mike is in the center

The only cake Mike likes is cheesecake

I want to wish my son Mike a very Happy 20th Birthday. Mike is a MP in the Army in South Korea. His birthday is tomorrow but it's 14 hrs ahead over there so that makes it just after midnight the 27th his time. Hope you have a great birthday Mike. Love you, Dad

I'm Back

Cindy is third from the left.

Good morning everyone. My daughter FC3 Cindy said that I should start updating my Blog again. She can read it on her Ship the USS Abraham Lincoln but can't access Facebook while out at sea. I have been busy since last writing here. Cindy is doing well and her ship is back in port for the moment. Cindy won an Ipod in a bingo game on the ship. She took her test for 2nd class last week and I am sure that she did well. I am so proud of her. :)

Mike center

Mike kneeling

Mike after graduation at the PX at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo

Mike on the left

Mike at Fort Leonard Wood

Mike working on his new computer in my hotel room after graduation at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo

My son PV2 Mike graduated from AIT Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood , MO last month and is now in South Korea with the 557th MP CO. Mike is doing well and likes it there. I talk to Mike often online and by phone, last night I was able to help him with a Computer problem using Logmein.

I am so glad I was able to see Mikes graduation. It was nice that it was only a few hundred miles away from our home. I didn't get to see Cindy's and John's from Navy Boot Camp in 2007. They graduated a few months apart with Cindy being the first one of my kids to go into the service.

My son OS2 John is still with the USS Doyle in Mayport, FL and is doing well. He has been going out allot since getting a car a few months ago. John will be going to a school in Virginia for his job in the Navy in a few months.

As for me and my wife Vicki we are still here and alive. My wife Vicki has MS and SLE and has not bounced back after after being in the Hospital last September. Vicki has a great attitude and is doing her best to stay strong. That's about all for know. Hope everyone has a great week.

John & Mike are both here

Mike on left and John on right

Good morning everyone. Our sons John & Mike are both here for the holidays. John got in yesterday about noon after driving up from Florida. Mike got in the day before yesterday from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo after I picked him up. John & Mike haven't seen each other in 7 years but they have talked on the phone several times. Mike is in the Army and John in the Navy. John took a much needed nap yesterday afternoon and after a dinner of Lasagna they went out together and played pool until late. I was asleep when they got in last night but It's really nice to see them together. I'm really enjoying them.

Getting ready for Christmas

Our sons John and Mike are both coming home for Christmas this year. My wife Vicki decorated the house and has things all ready for them. Mike comes home this Friday from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo, and John will be driving up starting Friday morning from Mayport Naval Base in Florida and should be here Saturday. We're really looking forward to having them both for Christmas. This will be the first Christmas they have spent together in 7 years.

Congratulations Mike

I want to Congratulate my son Mike on his graduation from Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Mike is now in AIT ( Advanced Individual Training ) for MP ( Military Police ) School. Great job Mike. We are so proud of you.

Veterans Day

I just want to thank all of those that are serving, or have served in the past in our armed forces on this Veterans Day . Thank you for all that you have done and are doing.

Veterans Day History:
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting the President issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.”

In 1953, an Emporia, Kansas shoe store owner named Al King had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served in World War I. King had been actively involved with the American War Dads during World War II. He began a campaign to turn Armistice Day into “All” Veterans Day. The Emporia Chamber of Commerce took up the cause after determining that 90% of Emporia merchants as well as the Board of Education supported closing their doors on November 11, 1953, to honor veterans. With the help of then-U.S. Rep. Ed Rees, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954.

Congress amended this act on November 8, 1954, replacing “Armistice” with Veterans, and it has been known as Veterans Day since.

Although originally scheduled for celebration on November 11 of every year, starting in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. In 1978 it was moved back to its original celebration on November 11 (with the exceptions described above).

Free Meals for Veterans

Restaurant chains are offering free meals to U.S. military personnel in conjunction with Veterans Day.

Origins: In recent years, some national restaurant chains have begun the practice of demonstrating appreciation for U.S. military personnel (both veterans and those on active duty) by offering them free meals in observance of Veterans Day (November 11). Here are a few of the chains that will be participating in such programs in 2009:

Applebee's is offering a free entree on Wednesday [November 11 to veterans and all active-duty military from 11 a.m. to midnight at all 1,900 locations. Although Applebee's requests some kind of military ID, "We're not going to argue with folks who might forget to bring it," says Sam Rothschild, senior vice president of operations. http://www.applebees.com/vetsday/

For the 11th year in a row, 87 McCormick & Schmick's locations in 25 states are offering free entrees to veterans on Sunday November 8. The chain also requests military ID and highly recommends reservations. The promotion is on Sunday instead of Veterans Day, "because it allows vets to bring their families who might not be available during the week," CEO Bill Freeman says.
http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/Veterans-Appreciation-Day.aspx

The 485-unit Golden Corral chain is offering free buffet meals including beverage and dessert to current military and vets on Monday, November 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. No military ID is required for its ninth annual Military Appreciation Monday, says Dolly Mercer, national events manager. The event is held on this date, she says, "so we don't interfere with Veterans Day activities." http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

The Outback Steakhouse restaurant chain will also be offering a free Bloomin' Onion appetizer and beverage to all veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day, and outlets of the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation will be giving away free doughnuts to all veterans and active military personnel that day as well.

Arby's invites active duty & veterans to receive a FREE reg roast beef sandwich this Veterans Day. As a Thank-You to all our veterans and active servicemen and women, Arby's invites you to a Free Regular Roast Beef Sandwich during regular business hours this Wed, Nov. 11, 2009 on your day, Veterans Day. Proof of US Military service is required. Limit one per ID.

My daughter Cindy also tells me that "Dad, Also Famous Daves BBQ is offering free meals to military on 11Nov and they also offer a 10% military discount daily".

See more Veterans Day Discounts here

and below

35 Veteran's Day Freebies

Good morning and Update

Good morning everyone, It's Saturday the 7th of November and I have not written to a month and a half. I have been using facebook and kinda got away from the blog for a while. I plan to start back with the blog now. First off I will talk about my kids.

My youngest son Mike is still at Fort Leonard Wood, MO going through MP training, he should be in Blue Phase now ( they went through Red and White already ). He is loving the Army, he says that his Drill Sergent's are great. Mike said "I never thought I would say this but basic training is fun". I'm glad he is doing well. :)

( Mike at Army Basic Training )

My oldest child FC3 Cindy is doing well in the Navy and is still in Washington State. The IA assignment didn't work out for her so she will be staying with her ship, the USS Abraham Lincoln. They are currently in the yard so Cindys work is kinda mundane right now with the exception of testing the CIWS on occasion and scaring the crap out of yard workers. Have fun with that Cindy. :)

( Cindy on her Ship )

My son OS3 John is in Mayport Florida and has the most news. John got back from a 6 month deployment with his ship ( the USS Doyle ) in October. He went to visit my parents in Daytona and bought his first car. John bought a 2009 Kia Rio and loves it. John also sent me a picture of a letter of commendation that he got a few days ago. John is doing well and has a birthday coming up next week, Nov 15th. John will be 22 years old. :)

( John new Navy Working Uniform )

( Johns letter of Commendation )

( Johns new Kia Rio )



Free Meals for Veterans

Restaurant chains are offering free meals to U.S. military personnel in conjunction with Veterans Day.

Origins: In recent years, some national restaurant chains have begun the practice of demonstrating appreciation for U.S. military personnel (both veterans and those on active duty) by offering them free meals in observance of Veterans Day (November 11). Here are a few of the chains that will be participating in such programs in 2009:

Applebee's is offering a free entree on Wednesday [November 11 to veterans and all active-duty military from 11 a.m. to midnight at all 1,900 locations. Although Applebee's requests some kind of military ID, "We're not going to argue with folks who might forget to bring it," says Sam Rothschild, senior vice president of operations. http://www.applebees.com/vetsday/

For the 11th year in a row, 87 McCormick & Schmick's locations in 25 states are offering free entrees to veterans on Sunday November 8. The chain also requests military ID and highly recommends reservations. The promotion is on Sunday instead of Veterans Day, "because it allows vets to bring their families who might not be available during the week," CEO Bill Freeman says.
http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/Veterans-Appreciation-Day.aspx

The 485-unit Golden Corral chain is offering free buffet meals including beverage and dessert to current military and vets on Monday, November 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. No military ID is required for its ninth annual Military Appreciation Monday, says Dolly Mercer, national events manager. The event is held on this date, she says, "so we don't interfere with Veterans Day activities." http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

The Outback Steakhouse restaurant chain will also be offering a free Bloomin' Onion appetizer and beverage to all veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day, and outlets of the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation will be giving away free doughnuts to all veterans and active military personnel that day as well.

Arby's invites active duty & veterans to receive a FREE reg roast beef sandwich this Veterans Day. As a Thank-You to all our veterans and active servicemen and women, Arby's invites you to a Free Regular Roast Beef Sandwich during regular business hours this Wed, Nov. 11, 2009 on your day, Veterans Day. Proof of US Military service is required. Limit one per ID.

My daughter Cindy also tells me that "Dad, Also Famous Daves BBQ is offering free meals to military on 11Nov and they also offer a 10% military discount daily".