Magenta

Our kids have been learning about F.O.C.U.S. WHat is it really?? Couldn't tell you. Basically, it comes down to this, they are using colors to express their emotions and feelings. Kind of neat if you ask me. Think of it as a MENTAL MOOD RING without ever knowing what a mood ring really is.

Let me side bar real quick........ If you never heard of a mood ring or knew of its existance... what would your color be at certain times of the day. Not on your ring or anything, but in your own mind.. What color are you feeling?

Okay... enough ranting.... Maisy said her color is a GREEN. Apparently green is good. No issues, no problems, no worries, no concerns. I like green.

Red is basically the worst you can be. If the counselors could color a sheet about your child, they would. You don't want to see a RED. It's angry, mean, nasty, ugly, yadda yadda yadda.

I'm like a Magenta right now. WHy Magenta? a few reasons. For one, the kids' color chart for feelings, is Green, Yellow, Orange, and RED!!!!!

Why Magenta?? I'll tell ya.. I know that Magenta is pretty close to red, and far from orange and closer to Purple which wasnt mentioned in the kids' color wheel of feelings. Doesn't matter.

I'm more stuck on the feelings meter.


Magenta.... I'm pretty happy, but I"m feeling a warm emotion too. So, that's Magenta.

I could be doing better, but .......... I could be doing a lot worse.



We all could.

Anyway, I love the idea that we can put our feelings in the shades among the color wheel.


You???????????????????

4th

So, we're off to a friends house today for the 4th of July. Who?? Ethan Allen. No, not the guy who makes the furniture. A real guy. Good friend. Used to work with him a few years ago. He's a retired Marine. I think he retired 10 years or so ago?? Not sure. I should know that, but I don't. Anyway, he used to work with me at DS-2. Before that, he worked for OSH KOSH after he got out, spent a few years in Iraq as a contractor and then came on board with us at DS-2. SO once the craziness started at DS-2, he said bag it, and started working for FORCE PROTECTION. Theyr'e the people behind the MRAP. Anyway, consequently, he works at Heather's shop now. Weird how things work out.

We went there for Memorial Day and had a blast. I had bailed out on him 2 years in a row going to his place for Mem. Day and the 4th, due to work and Heather being deployed but not this year. It's his annual bash he's been throwing for 20 years and we're all gonna go. He's got a bitchin pool and the kids love it there. The Allen Clan are good people and we can't wait to get out of here and get over there.

We figure we have all the staples.... Hot Dog Noodle salad, and 6 bottles of Duplin Wine! Yeah! I won't be drinking much. I have to drive back on base. He's gonna be cooking a PIG on his Pig Cooker. Been cooking it since zero dark thirty today.

Jim, you're gonna be jealous of all the good chow that usually shows its face around there. All the usual suspects should be there. The Bell's, Fennell's, Cornell's, maybe a few COL's and SGT Maj's. Should be a good time for some networking for Heather. Anyway, hopefully we'll get some good pictures. If we do... I'll post em. The memorial day party was bout 75 people. This should break that number hands down. HE prepares this party a year out each year. I mean, the guy brings in a PORT A JOHN to his place. He got a 2 car garage in the back of the property that is his BAR. Plus, well... hopefully the pictures later will do it justice.

Happy 4th. Enjoy. Display your flag, Americans. Do your part.

OUT!

MB/JH

Settling in

I'm starting to settle in here. Actually, I think we're all kind of trying to settle in around here. It's been a pretty busy last 4 months or so. It's just now starting to normalize.

Does Rosetta Stone actually work?? I see these commercials and whatnot, but you know how commercials are... but does it work?
If it does, that would be great. I figure between Rosetta Stone and a Passport, you could do whatever you wanted, go where you want and just disappear to where ever you want.

Been watching a documentary on Jonestown. What a good frigging show.

Thinking about going to the beach today, as well. I know there were some other plans as well, i just cant remember what they are at this time.

Back from Oregon

So, Oregon.... hmmmm.... Where to start? Well, it was both a great time and a shitty time. The shitty times were pretty few and far between and only caused by one individual. The rest of the time was GREAT! I think Heather and the kids had a pretty great, memorable time. I know I did. (Thanks Dad!) Went on a bitchin Jet Boat River Cruise that went over the History of Portland and Oregon City. Man, there was quite a bit of history that even I didn't know about in Portland, and I consider myself a pretty good history buff when it comes to Portland, and most of what they went over, I knew, but some of it, I was blown away. Like, did you know that the actual DEED to San Francisco is sitting in a museum in Oregon City?? I didn't know that! Seems Oregon City is where you had to go to for the entire west to stake your claim as a new resident to the west! If you were married you were issued out 600 acres. You just had to go and find it! Also, Portland was just a no shit "flip of a coin" away from becoming BOSTON. As most of you know, there's a Portland in Maine as well. Well, there was going to be a BOSTON on the west coast as well. It was a toss up between Portland and Boston. Guess Portland won. Thank GOD! Anyway it was a bitchin time. Kids had a freaking blast. Good job DAD! That was the shit!

Went to Newport again, this time with the family and I actually got to stay overnight this time (wink, wink... ) Anyway, pretty good time. Oregon Coasts are some of the most beautiful in the world. Pulled a couple Star Fish from the jetty. Kids and Heather were amazed. Not sure why. They're still at Mom's house drying out. One purple one, and 2 orange ones. No biggie. But according to Heather they're pretty big compared to the ones she's ever seen. I don't think they're big at all. But I'll take her word on it.

Anyway, point is, I had a good time, but DUDE! I'm glad to be back. NC really isn't that bad, and I hate to admit this, but I actually don't mind the heat/humidity either. I think all I had to do is get my Okinawa Mentality back again. It sounds so simple but all you really have to do is slow it all down a notch. Not too far, just a notch. Then heat/humidity is no big deal. Also, dress in layers. I know that goes against everything practical, but layers are the trick. But layers actually COOL you off! Trippy. Anyway, I've been really enjoying the Carolina skies and colors lately. The skies have been having so much lavender in it and oranges. It's beautiful. Plus the air takes on a whole new scent to it lately. Again, I'm not sure why but it just has. If Heather reads this..... I figured it out Heater, and I'll let you know later today. I know what the problem is. Every one else, sorry. That might have been coded. Sorry. Maybe some day.

Anyhow, I really can't wait to leave the Carolinas some day because NC has nothing but a SHIT LOAD of bad memories that I'd rather not re live again, but at the same time there's no denying it's beauty here.

Alright, I'll end this post for now, since I have things I have to do this morning. (IT's almost 0530 and I'm not in the shower yet! Yikes!) Okay,

Later, skaters

MB