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Communication.   Picture by Laurel

During Jay's second deployment to Iraq, Communication changed drastically.  We went from one or two calls in as many months, to semi regular video chats, and yahoo messenger.  In this picture Miah and I are listening to Jay, and she is talking into the mic.  We are pretty lucky, because Commo guys have more access to,  well, commo.  From what I've heard over the years, our soldier was able to talk to us a LOT more than most. 

Idle Wednesday

Sculpture by Laurel :)

Making Your Own Clay:
You will need
3 C. Flour
1 C. Salt
4 T.Vegetable oil
Food Coloring
Water
Mix the flour and salt together. Stir in oil, and just enough water to get the right consistency. If it's too wet, add flour.  If too dry, add water. Divide clay into sections and add food coloring to desired shade.

Privates suck, and almost ruin a perfectly good Saturday.

Oh, good grief.  I don't think I can live in Georgia much longer. 
This past weekend Jay and I took the kids to the dollar theater to see Rio.  About five minutes into the movie a group of seven privates walked in and sat directly in front of us.  Immediately I leaned over to Jay and informed him that if they misbehaved I was going to loose my mind.  What in the world are seven men (boys) doing in a group in a kids movie? 
It turns out that what they were doing was getting drunk.  I shit you not.  Seven privates, from Fort Gordon, Georgia, shamed themselves and the entire army by sneaking rum into a kids movie, and had the misfortune to sit directly in front of me.  The instant they started leaning over to pour the rum, I took off like a shot to find an employee.  I am sad to have to say that even though the guy I talked to said that he would be in to check on them, he NEVER did.  After a long enough time that we realized that the management wasn't coming to stop these guys from drinking in front of about twenty very small children, Jay grabbed two of them up and employed the  "Army Voice" as he calls it.  He didn't make a huge scene, he waited until two of them left the theater to go the the bathroom  (no need to interrupt the movie, and start a huge thing in front of everyone.)  Just a minute after Jay came back and sat down, the rest of the idiots got a text from the guys Jay grabbed, and they took off.  I had Laurel grab one of the guys cups for proof, and after the movie Jay and I grabbed the manager up and handed him the alcohol, pointed out the idiot I had talked to earlier, and explained to him how shameful the entire incident was.  I have no clue what happened after we left, but I can tell you that I will NOT be going back to the

GTC Masters 7 Cinemas , on Washington Rd.

ever again!

365

"Ready for Action" -Jay's suggestion

I needed a minute to myself this afternoon, so when the kids were looking the other way, I snuck out the side door to sit on the steps and wait for Jay to get home.  I saw this cute little dude sitting on the railroad tie wall in front of me, so I ran back into the house for the camera.  I knew he saw me, so I crept down the steps so slowly it was painful.  I took about twenty pictures, zooming and un-zooming as I went, just in case I couldn't get very close.  He was at attention, watching me and ready to take off the instant I made a move.  Isn't he gorgeous?

365

Aftermath

Fort Campbell, Ky
Chet escaped the fenced in back yard to chase the hundreds of birds that were flocking to the back field.  He howled, the birds shrieked, the kids laughed, and I ran for my camera!

365-Uncle Kenny

Kenneth E. Rader

Monday, June 29, 2009

April 3, 1939-June 27, 2009

Kenneth E. "Kenny" Rader, 70, of Greencastle died Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.
Born April 3, 1939 in Putnam County, he was the son of Ernest V. and Mary Elizabeth Alvord Rader. He was a 1957 graduate of Greencastle High School. He married Barbara Jean Boswell on July 17, 1960 and she survives.
Mr. Rader had worked as a postal clerk with the U.S. Post Office for over 30 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the Moose Lodge Legion since 1972 and the Moose Lodge #1592 since 1970, where he had received the Fellowship Degree in 1991, served as the Sixth District President from 1991 to 1993, served as secretary of district from 1993 to 1995; served as governor from 1989 to 1991, received his Pilgrim Degree in 1998 and served as the coordinator of children's activities from 1983 to 1993.
He was also a member of the American Legion, Postal Workers Union and helped to organize and coach girls' softball from 1972 to 1985.
He is survived by his wife; four children, Michael Rader (Mary Beth McKean) of Monrovia, LaAnnette Cox (J.D. Peddie) of Greencastle, DeAnna Henderson (the Rev. Allen) of Richmond and Monty Rader of Greencastle; sister Edna Shillings of Greencastle; sister-in-law Hameta "Brownie" Crooks of Greencastle; brother-in-law Trevaun Sillery; six grandchildren; and four step grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Maurice and Vurlin Rader, sister Dorothy Sillery and sister-in-law Wilma Rader.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Moose Lodge, 212 W. Franklin St. Greencastle, IN 46135 in lieu of flowers.

365

Holding Hands

Miah holding hands with my brother.  Jason was sitting in the front seat, and Miah reached up and took his hand.  Jay was deployed and so as usual Miah was starved for some male attention.  Jason spent the entire day being hugged, climbed on, and cuddled.  Not a bad day, if I do say so. 
This is one of my favorite pictures.  It's just so sweet.

365

Lessons learned

Fort Campbell, Ky - March 31, 2008
Jay was deployed, and couldn't teach Miah how to ride her bike.  I hadn't ridden a bike in years, so Laurel jumped in and took over.  Big sis taught Little sis how to ride her bike.  It's one of my favorite memories. Miah trusted Laurel so completely, that when she said Miah was good to go, Miah took off like a shot without a moment's hesitation.  Not once did Miah land on her face, or end up with a scraped knee.

365

Divine Parkour

This was taken today in the creek behind our house.  It was a total accident, but it ended up being the best picture I took.  Miah freaked out over it, which made it that much better.  We spent 20 or so more minutes trying to duplicate this with me, which ended in failure and LOTS of splashing!

-Laurel

365 (Miah's Birthday)

Crabby Patty!

Lettuce, mayo, ketchup, mustard, meat and bun!

Miah has always wanted Mylar balloons, so Daddy brought some home for her.

Eleven candles take up a lot of space!

Make a wish!

Miah's Surprise presents (everything else she knew about)

For Miah

For Megan

Even cut in half it looks like a burger!  So cool.

From Manny, for Megan

From Me and Jay

From Manny

From Manny

The skirt outfit Manny made.

The dress Manny made.

Miah bug, my little monkey turned eleven today. 
She was supposed to go out to the movies, and get to eat at whatever restaurant she wanted, but instead she choose two Ghostbuster movies, and home made hot wings. 
Jay and I planned to REALLY surprise Miah with a cake (Laurel knew we were making her a cake the night before, so that surprise was a bust)  so instead of baking ourselves, we called publix.  Jay picked up the cake, candles, and balloons on the way home from work and got her good.  She really thought we weren't going to do anything!  Silly girl!  Miah's favorite things seems to be the balloons.  And those were an afterthought really.  She begs me for a balloon every single time we see them at the store.  She has done this since she was a little bitty thing.  Now she's sitting on the couch watching movies, and holding her balloons in her lap. 

Idle Wednesday

We are a military family.  This means that we are not usually in the same place for very long, and we are either living in a rental house, or on post.  I can't paint, settle in, or decorate with anything that fits in a specific space.  All of our curtians must have the ability to adjust to different window sizes, and I have to buy extras in case the next house has more windows.  I have to buy furniture keeping in mind how large it is and how much it weighs (we have a weight limit for our household goods when we move) and I have to buy things that can be used in many different ways. 
Because of this, I often dream of the days when I can have color on walls, hammer nails into place that won't have to be filled in sooner rather than later, and I can do strange wall treatments like I see in the magazines.  Speaking of which, the project I did this week....I have been collecting decorating magazines for over ten years.  One was dated June 1998!! I decided that it was finally time to do what I'd always planned and cut out the good ideas and scrapbook them.  I spent three days looking through them, cutting things out, and gluing them in place.  I must have taken a pile of magazines weighing sixty pounds and reduced it to this small scrapbook.  I used every page in the book, but left a little room for growth, since I am addicted to Victoria magazine, as well as Elle Decor and several others. 
I saved things like ideas for projects, ways to reuse items,  pictures with color combos I love, directions on how to repair things, and words and quotes that inspire the feeling that I wish my retirement house to convey.
All with the hopes that one day I will be able to refer to the book, use the resources I've saved, and have a ball bringing it all to life.  In the meantime, it's a great way to escape into the future.

365

The Daily Grind

Taken last day of school.  This is NOTHING compared to the usual choke of people lined up to take their kids to school.  Looking back at this picture makes me appreciate summer even more!

365

Today- Picture by Miah, of Cookie

Cookie is a friend of ours from WW's.  She asked last week if I could make her a hat like Miah's for the winter.  Since I probably won't be here by the time it starts getting cold, I decided to make her a hat right away so I wouldn't forget.  Sort of a funny thing to get as a gift on the first day of summer, but what can you do?  Miah picked out the color, Laurel picked out the box to present it in.
Today wasn't a good day for Cookie, and she told us that getting this gift made her feel better.  I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to hear that something I made put a genuine smile on someone's face.  I got just a little choked up when she told me she was lucky to have us as friends.  Let me tell you, Miah is in love with this lady.  She always has something funny, helpful, or interesting to say in the meetings.  She's wonderfully friendly, and hugs Miah when we come in.  I'd have to say that we were equally lucky to be able to call Cookie friend too. 
So, I made a Beret, a Rosette pin, and an infinity scarf.  I figured that it might be hard to find a matching scarf, and since I had leftover yarn, why not?  If I knew how to make mittens, I would have made those too.  I really need to learn how!!!
Did you notice that the hat and scarf match Cookie's outfit?  It's her favorite color! 

365

Trying out a new product.

Lavender Chocolate.  It's an acquired taste.

365

Unexplainable

This is such an old photo, I had to scan it onto the computer.  I had to share.  Miah hasn't changed a bit.  Still unexplained, unexplainable, and fun.  Well, now she's fun.  Then she was infuriating, but cute enough to stick around.