You could have heard a pin drop

I have no idea if these stories are true. However, I believe the statements are very valid.

When in England , at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?' A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from! their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American said, ''The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."

It seems rather ironic to mee it is the God fearing people who are willing to fight for peace.

I was Tagged on Facebook...

1: On my right elbow I have birth mark that says "hi". 2: I am a Reading Specialist who hates to read. 3: i LOVE my job!!! 4: I am a Special Education Teacher working only with boys. 5: I am trying to give up Chocolate... 6: I have a German Shorthair Pointer 7: I am the only Single member of the Activities Committee planning the Valentine's Dinner 8: I am having fun attempting to train my puppy. 9: I am the middle of five: girl, boy, girl, boy, girl. 10: If I wasn't teaching at a juvenile detention center I would like to teach Seminary. 11: I wish Tammy, Erin, and Katy would get Facebook pages so I could cancel my "myspace" page. 12: I am proud to be a VANDAL!!! 13: I want to be a foster parent. 14: I have the best cuddle couch!!! 15: I haven't been warm in Idaho since I got back from Texas. 16: I have been to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. 17: I have been to a baseball game at Wrigley's Field in Chicago, IL. 18: I learned the secrets of baking a mean cookie on my mission. 19: I didn't like wearing brown or pink until I realized how good I look in them. 20: All my shoes are brown of black. 21: I want to marry someone gutsy enough to ask mee on a date. 22: I have started 5 blogs. 23: I frosted all the sheet cakes for my little sister's wedding. 24: I have been accused of having The Book of Mormon memorized. 25: I have a knack for remembering random things, especially birthdays and were people served their missions.

Monday Memory Moment

Today I had a transition meeting at Meridian High School. As we were heading back the therapist driving asked mee if I miss it. For those of you who don't know, I was a student there. About 10 years later, I was a teacher there. The question was timely, I had been thinking about how it was no longer my home.

One of the random facts from my life that Amy find fascinating, and the boys seem to like, is that the current school nurse was my school nurse since I was five.

While in Elementary School, I remember her checking my hair for lice. In middle school, I remember my dad had come to pick mee up from school. She told mee if I called him "Dad" she would let me go with him. Dad told mee to refer to him as "uncle". I remember going in, while in high school, asking to call the chiropractor. She said I needed to call a parent first. I told her if I called my dad all he would say is; "I can't help you, call Dr. Nord." She seemed rather flabbergasted at how accurately I predicted his words.

I started as a substitute in the fall of 2004. I was delighted to see how willingly she greeted mee as a new member of the faculty. During my time there I found her to be a good friend when I needed someone to whine to, someone to brag to, or someone to counsel with.

Thanks for all your tender care, Nurse Soule!

Unexpected guests...

Sunday night I received a phone call from my sister who lives in Florida. It was a rather short call about my exciting life of watching old episodes of NCIS and eating soda crackers. She needed to go help her husband with something and would call be back in 10-20 minutes. I returned to my show.

Sitting in my front room I notice a lot of lights going down the street. At the right angle I sometimes think my neighbors are going to back right into my house. When I saw a U-haul pass by I thought about what a long day they must of had and about the possibility of getting new neighbors.

I notice they were pulling a car. It registered that it was a Subaru the same color as my sisters. All of a sudden the random and short phone call made since. A chill of excitement went through mee followed by the longest seconds ever as I struggled to find two shoes to put on my feet.

Bonnie and Tyler had returned home to prepare for their next adventure.

Apparently mom and dad didn't know they were coming either, although they had submissions. We spent Monday trying to figure out the best way to get Mom and Dad to Nancy's house. My efforts of getting them out for cake and ice cream were futile. It was then decided we would all go to them.

I got to Boise about 4pm. With the 6 kids loaded in the car I led the way to Star. I wanted to make sure Mom and Dad didn't decide to leave. We were trying to be sneaky. The older kids where a go. Two three year olds where just wanting to follow.

Emily and Rebecca headed through the gate to the back doors. Isaac lead Ally and Kevin to the front door where they were suppose to wait until Grandpa opened the door. Isaac was to be our master doorbell ditcher. However, the two wanted to follow. I tried persuading them to stay at the door and not follow Isaac. All while staying out of sight and holding an infant.

Gratefully they didn't move very fast, and apparently Dad had noticed some movement though his barely open blinds. Ally and Kevin weren't sure if they wanted to go to Grandpa or follow the other kids. Ally did go give him and hug and we got them in the front door about the same time Emily, Isaac, and Rebecca came in the back.

They way dad reported it I was the only one without enough information to know they were on their way. Dad's biggest problem was he could get anyone to confirm his suspicions.

So, by 6pm Monday night, with Grandma, Grandpa, four children, and 6 grandchild the whole of the living Gail Glasgow Clan was gathered. I suppose it will be a long while before I will come to understand the thoughts and feelings the may have gone through the souls of my parents as their posterity descended on their home with dinner, dessert, and requests for a family home evening.

Although the 13 months since the last such gather wasn't really that long, it was long enough. For now the Wright family will be in the valley with us. However, we know it is only and temporary stay. We shall enjoy it while we can.

Monday Memory Moment

Here is my Little Man with his baby sister. I was working at MHS when he was to me born. I remember it was a day of finals. The student were all gone by 11am. I was at school when I felt a need to go home. It is hard to explain the way it felt. I was going to go home to eat dinner. When I found myself in the Quizno's parking lot I was more than willing to go in for my favorite, Turkey Bacon Guacamole Sandwich.

I had just pulled into the parking lot at home when my phone rang. It was my brother-in-law. I don't remember everything he said. I needed to go over, and an ambulance was on the way.

My sister had been on bed rest (as much as a home schooling mother of three can be) for 6 weeks. It had previously been determined I would by the emergency PM call. I was geographically closest.

By the time I arrived the paramedics were on the scene, as well as some fireman. I believe one of the paramedics had the name Kevin...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!!!

In weakness...

I had pneumonia in December of 2003. Therefore, ever since then,  I have had hard time saying I am sick. I do get a little worried when breathing feels like a chore. Yesterday morning I determined to stay home from work because this simple act required more effort than normal.

I have noticed there are similarities with mee between various illnesses:

• no appetite
• crave apple juice and saltine crackers
• weird dreams
• weakness to mild convictions (diet, house rules)

This weekend I lost the conviction to keep Toby off the couch.

I was able to rationalize this because he does a good job keeping my toes warm. Some of it was the lack of strength to keep him off.

He is also pretty cute.

Monday Memory Moment

This is an e-mail I sent to my family Sat, 16 Jan 1999.

This all took place yesterday. It was a pretty Friday. I got up and went to work. Just like any other time. After work I decided that I had time to step into the Administration building and get a hot chocolate. They just put in a little espresso shop on the ground floor where I stop to get a cup of hot chocolate if I have time.

I had 1/2 hour before my next class so I stopped. I was still going to early do I picked up an Aurganut (school news paper) to read when I got to class.

With hot chocolate in one hand, back pack on back, and the Aurganut in the other hand I set out of the building for class. There are four steps outside of the building. Which, wouldn't have been that big of deal, but I thought there were only three. I stepped with only half a foot on the last step. I could feel the ground with my toes but it didn't even click that I was falling until I hit the ground. I stood back up and decided that legs would hurt less if I just walked off the pain. I really didn't even think that they hurt that bad. I went on my way to class. At one point I looked down and noticed that I had ripped my jeans. I wondered what my leg looked like, and decided I would go look at in the bathroom when I got to the JEB where my class was.

It is about a 5 minute walk from the ADMIN to the JEB, and there is a set of stairs that take you down the steep hill in between. I was very careful going down those stairs.

I made it to the JEB and went straight to the bathroom. My jeans were torn almost in a straight line from one seem to the other. I finished tearing it so I could get a better look at my knee. That really wasn't enough so I tore some more. It was just scratched so I took a wet paper towel to it. That helped with most of it, but there was a part that really looked like it needed alcohol, or Hydrogen Peroxide in it. I gathered my stuff and went to the office to see if they had a first aid kit. they did, so me and this kind lady went into the conference room to see what was in the kit. There was some "wound cleaner" wipes which I took to the wound. She and another lady said that I should go to the health center, which I walked past to jet to the JEB. I said I would be fine. And that I would go home after class to clean it really well.

I sat through class and then went home.

I put on some shorts and set to work on my leg. The Hydrogen Peroxide must have been doing some good. It really hurt. I decided that my cut was really a lot worse then I had thought. It looked like there were some particles that needed to be taken out, and I didn't want to do this. I called my wonderful sister Nancy and had her come pick me up and take me to the health center. I put on a dress to hide the wound so the whole world didn't have to see it. Nancy bugged me about walking from the ADMIN to the JEB, and then home, and then having her take me back to the health center.

When we got there she needed to go talk to some on in the pharmacy so she left Becca with me. While she was gone the nurse came out to get mee. SO here I am trying to pick up all my stuff, Becca's stuff and hold my dress so that it didn't bother my knee. The nurse was very helpful and took a lot of the stuff so I could carry Becca. She thought Becca was mine, but I told her Becca was my niece and that my sister would be wondering where her baby was when she got back.

She told somebody that when someone came looking for their child it was with her. I told her I just needed her to clean out a wound because I had chickened out.

She looked at the wound and asked when the last time I got tetanus shot was. She went about getting what she needed to cleaning it. By this time Nancy had come back.

As she cleaned she decided that my "little scratch" would need a couple of stitches, and a tetanus shot. So, my right leg and left arm are both a little sore.

I did get out of my boring class.

Remember the hot chocolate that I had in my hand when I fell. I didn't spill it, not even a drop.

Some comments from 2009:

• when I poured hydrogen peroxide in the scratch in my dorm room...instant tears, I couldn't help it.
• the class I sat through was one class I usually skipped
• my "little scratch" received five stitches
• I don't have a picture, but I can show you the scare if you ask, it felt like a crater in my knee for a couple of years.
• I suppose it is about time for another tetanus shot

Monday Memory Moment

For quite some time I have liked the idea of living life as simply as possible. As my mother might say, the teacher in mee collects things. "You never know when you could use it." Recently I have been trying to put this thought or ideal into practice. I love the idea of a digital picture frame, it is amazing to mee. Hundreds of pictures, one picture frame. LOVE it!

I have never been really big on collecting nick-nacks or dust collectors. Most of the ones I have where given to mee. As I have been going through things I have been trying to get rid of a lot of "stuff". (It is amazing how much I have.) I am finding there are some things I just can't throw out or give away. These are items that were my grandmothers, or great-grandmothers.

While pondering this dilemma a couple of thoughts came to mee:

1) I recall my sister expressing a desire that where such items had come from.

2) Friday Photo Flashback (something a friend adds to her blog weekly. It includes a picture and a story).

I selected on Monday because I wanted to have something family-ish to do Monday nights. I wanted to do Memory because I can use that title to share more than just items or pictures. The Moment is because it won't be long, it begins with an "m" and I wanted a third word. And, whereas I can schedule when posts are published you really have no idea when I actually typed them. :-)

Happy New Year!

I rang in 2009 with family some cousins and their children.

It was easier to tell the younger ones that they were good freinds rather than trying to explain that they are second cousins and what that means. In case you are wondering what the fasination with the laptop is...my little sister and her family joined us from Florida. They even played a game of UNO with us.

As every two year old should know...you cannot have a party without a cake and candles.

Where as it was a transcontinental gathering we rang in the new year in Eastern Standard Time.