Goodbye Teddy

I sold my absolutely most fabulous fun and bestest car I have ever had. The 2008 Acura TL (aka Teddy) found a new home today. Although Teddy was replaced by a very nice set of wheels (2010 MB GLK; aka The Kid, because I have always called this car -- The Good Luck Kid), he served us well. The Acura TL -- a fun car to drive and highly recommended by this Martin Mom.

Til later ~~ Mom/Chief/Candy

You Ain't Gonna Believe This!

OK....I know....been a while since I posted. Believe me, I have had many "blogable" moments, but no time (or assets) to take the picture or write it up.

These two can't go on on longer without sharing.

The first is THE FLUSHER.....

I've written before that we recently relocated to a new building. In the bathroom, there is a sign posted near the toilet. It speaks for itself. I guess it is politically correct to name human discharge as #1 and #2. Here all these years, I thought it was just a term used for small children! The picture speaks for itself...no further explanation necessary.

The second story I've named IT'S OK TO SHOW UP EARLY, BUT DON'T LEAVE EARLY!

Upon entry to the Richmond City Parking garage I read the sign -- early bird special $7.00 (in before 9:00 a.m and out between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. I entered the parking garage at 8:43 am (before 9:00). I left the garage at 11:29 a.m. (less than 3 hours) and was charged $12. When the parking attendant asked for the $12.00, I explained I arrived before 9. He said, "Yeah, but you left early!" Good grief!!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

United We Stand America

Where do I start??? Many of you have heard our family's "Ross Perot" story and quite a story it is. The story continues, in Jason-like fashion!

If you don't know the beginning of the story, you can read the skeleton details from Sarah's website and see the pictures from the first part of the story -- here.

In late February, Ed and I received an email from Jason, whereby he was inviting us on a Texas road-trip! To none other than Ross Perot's Plano, TX to personally thank him for all he did for our family. He proved to be quite a fascinating person -- very humble, witty, and extremely down to earth.

We learned a lot from the United We Stand America founder. We learned he buys his suits from Men's Warehouse, what he thinks of Jane Fonda AND Hillary Clinton, about his 15 grand-children and fabulous stories about some of his activities. We saw some of the fabulous paintings and artifacts in his personal memoriabilia collection. For example -- the picture of Washington on the dollar bill is from a painting -- about 16 x 20. Mr. Perot owns the orginal! It hangs in his office, next to some of his Rockwell's.
We presented Mr. Perot a copy of Tom's Book. We thought Tom wouldn't mind Ross Perot catching up on how one may use Calvin and Hobbes to explain just about anything possible going on in the life of a young cadet, soldier, son, brother, and friend.

One striking comment to us was, "Your Son didn't die for his country. He lived for his country. For if something is not worth dying for, it's not worth living for." Pretty profound and I believe Tom would agree with Mr. Perot.

You can enjoy more pictures from Jason's April 18 website post here.

It was a fabulous day and a fun way to thank a humble man who did something nice -- because he could.

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

April 16th

Today is my birthday! I love birthdays – anyone’s birthday! No need to guess. I’ll spill the beans – I am 55 today!

When the kids were little we started a tradition where everyone (other than the birthday person) woke up early and we would sneak next to the bed and start singing Happy Birthday to awaken the birthday girl/boy. It was a fun tradition and today I find myself calling all over the country (and now world!) to sing that little birthday jingle to family!

It’s not only my birthday, but a day when some major milestone have happened in my life ~~
Last year, the day I turned 54, was the day Laura left for Botswana. It’s hard to believe she’s been gone a year and I can hardly wait to see my “African Queen” next month.

The year before, when I turned 53, was the last day I got to spend with Tom. Everyone came home while Tom was on mid-tour leave from Iraq. We had 3 days of non-stop hill-country fun, Six Flags Over Texas roller coasters, a trip to the Poteet Strawberry Festival, and just plain ol’ fun. We spent my birthday at home – quietly and watched the news unfold about the horrible Virginia Tech massacre. The next morning, on the 17th, I hugged Tom good-bye for the last time.

Birthday of 2006, I turned 52 and my birthday was on Easter Sunday. I was in theatre, so had a fabulous dinner at the DFAC (pronounced dee-fack) the shortened word for what the military now calls the Mess Hall. It’s the acronym for Dining Facility.

The year I turned 50 (in 2004) I had just moved to Texas, while Ed and Becky were still in Nebraska; Sarah and Laura were in Fayetteville; and Tom was at West Point. My friend, Rita, invited me for “birthday dinner” at her home in San Marcos. She baked a cake for me and she served mimosas! Great fun with her family!

I was born on Good Friday and very surprised that the first time my birthday ever landed on Easter was my 45th. (Then again on the 52nd). I remember we had the pool (in Arkansas) opened and ready for the season. I remember it was warm enough that year to swim a few laps that day. (I also remember many snow falls after my birthday from my South Dakota days!)

The year I turned 40, we were living in Arkansas and my friend, Erlene, flew from Sioux Falls to spend my birthday with me. The kids were 13, 11, 10, and 8! What a fun time!

I think the year I turned 30 was the toughest birthday – for a lot of reasons. Tom was 2 ½. Sarah was 17 months old, and Laura was 5 days old! I had been home from the hospital for 2 days, both Tom and Sarah had the stomach flu (imagine that mess!) and my beloved FORGOT my birthday! Imagine his horror when his Mother called that evening to wish me a Happy Birthday! I guess I should have had that date engraved inside his wedding band as well, and perhaps he would have never forgotten it. Alas – we celebrated for the next 6 months on the 16th of May, 16th of June, 16th of …..you get it!

When I turned 20 – I bought a motorcycle on that day! It was a little 125cc Honda street bike. I didn’t ride it much, but my younger brothers (Jim and Jan) really put the miles on it! I’ll never forget the look on my Mother’s face when I drove it to her house. What a shock! Don’t worry – I’m not the “Harley Davidson” type, so don’t expect any motorcycles from this chick anymore!

The year I turned 10 (1964) was the last birthday I shared with my Dad. He died in a car accident the following month and as a little girl I remember how sad I was that he wouldn’t be there for Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and Easter, and my birthday.

I share my birthday was some fabulous (and some not-so fabulous) people – Pope Benedict XVI, Henry Mancini, Bobby Vinton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jimmy Osmond, Ellen Barkin (same year!), and my favorite birthday buddy – Ben Parks (my great nephew)!

My zodiac sign is Aries. Check out this horoscope! This year would prove to be good, if not very good, for you. Promotion in your job is on the cards. You might also expect salary hikes in the time period from February 2009 to April 2009. You may face lot of troubles in your education. For this you need to be extra careful and very hardworking. Pre-planning is very necessary if you wish everything to be smooth. This year is goo for your traveling. Chances of a foreign trip might be there.
Don’t need the education woos – as I’m within 3 weeks of finishing up the Master’s Program!!! YIKES!! But, travel will be good. As for that foreign trip? We are planning on Africa January 2010!

My favorite birthday cake is German Chocolate and I can almost bake one as good as my Mother did! My birthday will be on Easter again in 2017 (age 63), 2028 (age 74), and 2090 (age 146). I think I'll leave that one for Ben to enjoy!

Happy Birthday to you and yours whenever you celebrate this year, or next, or next! I love birthdays!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

Going My Way?

I have written about the new building we're about to move in -- called the Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCOE Building). The building is right across the street from my current office and the schedule has started whereby some tenants have already started the occupant process. Our turn is in 5 weeks.

Last week a co-worker and I went to the SCOE for a meeting. As we approached the front of the building there were three Fort Lee police cars out front. Not a good sign, but nonetheless we walked in, and went directly to the elevator to make our way to the 4th floor. As we approached the elevator door, there was a young Sergeant Military Police (MP) standing a few feet away from the elevator door....staring at the elevator. We pushed the button and when the elevator door opened, we entered and he just stood there. Dave asked if he was going up and he calmly replied, "no, I just got a distress call from this car."......and the doors closed. We heard a clanking (rather loud!) noise. I told Dave -- "hang on!" We made it to the 4th floor for the meeting and opted to use the stairs upon our exit of the building.

Flash forward 3 days.....The safety director stopped by my office, just to say hello on Friday morning. I asked how his week had been and he started to tell me how one of the elevators in the SCOE building had dropped. Imagine my thoughts! I asked him if it were about 9:15 on Tuesday morning. He quickly asked, "where you the poor lady on the car when it dropped?" I had to disappoint him, but assured him it wasn't me, but did share the story about the non-chelant MP that frankly didn't care who entered the lame car about 9:00 a.m.! Thankfully, the lady didn't get hurt as the car only dropped one floor.

I think I'll stick to the stairs for a rather long time!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

Spring Break -- For All

Greetings ~~

Ok....I know it's been a while since I blogged. But....I have been on Spring Break!!! Actually, Becky was on Spring Break, so she and Ed flew out to spend a fun-filled, whirl-wind week at the Martin Virginia Bungalow!

I picked them up on Saturday, the 14th of March. We spent Sunday with Maryland Martin Family -- Dan, Diana, and Alex (sorry...no pics -- we forgot the cameras!) at the Potomac Mills Outlet Mall. We ate, walked, shopped, ate some more, and then bid farewell. Great visit.

Monday, Ed, Becky, and I headed toward Washington D.C. We parked on the south side of the city and took the Metro into the city. One pic reflects we didn't know much about the machines, nor how to buy a ticket! But, we learned quickly and found our way to the White House, the Viet Nam Memorial Wall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the WWII Memorial and then on to the Pentagon for a guided tour.

Tuesday was a partial day at Fort Lee. The week prior was an especially exciting time on Fort Lee as we hosted the Annual Army Culinary Arts competition. The largest culinary competion in the world! We went to the Culinary Arts building, where some of the exhibits will remain for this next year. Below is a chocolate leprechaun. The picture doesn't really do it justice -- the detail was truly amazing. Other sculptures were out of fat and lard! Seriously -- a beautiful dragon complete with all the marbling found in fats. Amazing!

After Fort Lee, we headed toward the Jamestown Settlement, but just missed the tour! So, we drove 20 minutes to Colonial Williamsburg and spent the rest of the day and evening. The carriage ride pic is from our trip "around town". I learned the city of Williamsburg was bought by the old Rockefeller money in the 1920's and established as a foundation. 98% of the buildings are original. Also learned the city was the original capitol of the Virginia Colony. The Governor lived in the Governor's Palace, the place where we enjoyed a beautiful 1700-period concert in the evening.

Wednesday morning we woke early (yep, Becky really got out of bed before 10!) and were on the road about 5:30. We had a 9:10 tour at our Nation's Capitol and what a thrill! We found our way to the Jefferson Memorial, then on to Arlington National Cemetery where we toured and also got to witness the humbling Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown.

Thursday was museum day at Fort Lee. This is my opportunity to BRAG about my Army! The Quartermaster Corps is the second oldest branch in the Army -- second to the Infantry. The Infantry was born the same day as the Army -- June 14, 1775. Two days later, it was recognized the Infantry couldn't do much without supplies, fuel, ammo, etc. So....the Quartermaster Corps was born and is today the largest branch of the military at 118,000 total soldiers. Second largest is the Infantry at 112,000. Infantry may be older (by 2 whole days!), but we're bigger (by a bunch!) The Quartermaster Museum is tastefully done and exhibits are very interesting. Fort Lee is also home to the Women's Army Museum. I find it humbling because the first type of uniforms I wore are now on display in the museum!

Ed and Becky flew out late Thursday and we all felt we needed to get back to school and work in an effort to rest up! We did have a wonderful week! Can't wait to have a repeat!!!

Speaking of uniforms in the museum displays -- I celebrated a milestone this past Sunday (22 March). It was 34 years ago I raised my hand and enlisted in the Women's Army Corps. Not many WAC's still serving in the Army today. In fact, not many in the Army today even know what a WAC is!! That's frightening. But, I tell 'em! The Army celebrates Women's History Month every March. This week I was asked to sit on a panel of 5 women leaders to talk about Women in the Army and leadership. It was well received and we had about 40 people in attendance. Each of us spoke about what it was in our time of early Army years. I remember how I enlisted for three years, and how those first ten went by in a blur. I remember being the last basic training class that DID NOT have weapons training! We had make-up, etiquette and poise classes! We did push-ups from the knees. Push-ups from the toes were for the boys! Many jobs were closed to women and women in combat was an absolute taboo! Girls, have we come a long way!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

P. S. One day I'll learn how to space the pictures properly -- until then -- enjoy them. I think they speak for themselves!

Woo Hoo!

Woo hoo is right!! This is my application for graduation that went in the mail today! I'll be finished in May!!! It has been a good experience and I must admit I have learned a great deal. But.....I'm tired of living in my procrastination world. OK.....my kids come by it naturally! There. I said it!

On another note -- I went to Burger King for lunch today, stopping by the drive-thru to grab something to take back to the office. Upon approaching the microphone to place my order, I hear a voice, "you need to know, we are completely out of burgers, so please make another choice!" That meant EVERY type of burger -- the little shooters (new on the menu), whoppers, the steakburgers, etc. All burgers. Wait.......I thought I was a BURGER King. I guess he lost his crown, or tiara, or whatever he was wearing today.

On to homework this evening!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

President's Day UBI

Happy Federal Holiday to all those who were lucky enough to get today scheduled off. I've called this post "President's Day UBI". For those of you who don't know -- a UBI is a useless bit of information. I love UBI's. They're fun, harmless, and most importantly useless. However, one never knows when a UBI can come in handy.

When I was a kid the pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln hung in our classrooms. Every kid in America knew who #1 and #16 were. It was part of the curriculum. So....when the feds decided they needed to add a Federal holiday to the calendar, so people like me and those I hang out with, could get another scheduled day off -- they choose the month of February because as a small child, we also learned their respective birthdays are February 22nd and February 12.

Here's the UBI part -- but very fun to remember if you were among my sibilngs! My dad was a twin. His first name was Robert and his twin's name was Herbert. Not sure where the names came from. Just plain ol' names anyone would give to two identical twin boys born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the year 1923. But....they happened to be born on February 12th -- so they were named respectively -- Herbert Abraham and Robert Lincoln. I was always glad my Dad was the younger of the twins, because I always though Robert Lincoln had a very nice ring to it. Poor Uncle Herb.

Wherever you were today -- enjoying the holiday, now you can laugh at a small little UBI involving #16.

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

Home Sweet Home -- Sort of

I have never posted this many pictures and then attempt to write in amongst them!

Here we go!

As promised -- here's pictures of "the Virginia place".

Most everything is self-explanatory.The bathroom is brown and sort of an aqua/blue color deco. The bedroom is the same aqua/blue color. Colors I would have never picked out -- but very much fun!

Llaura will especially LOVE the floor lamp next to the sofa!! I'm sure she'll like the baskets in the bathroom, as well. See what you get for leaving things at Mom & Dad's!!!

The living room furniture will be absolutely adorable in a Sun Room somewhere -- someday. There are actually seven different pieces of fabric in the sofa and the chair. Girls, please know I had a difficult time trying to find doilies!!! They are hard to find!

But....alas I found some! I'm thinking of dying them a deep rose/almost red color. I think they'll look cute on the white tables, with the white lamps.

The bedroom furniture is a knock-off version of the our bedroom set back home. It's functional and provides a place to rest my head at night and store clothes! I should have taken pictures of the night stands before the new furniture was delivered. They were the "McGyver" version -- one was a microwave box and the other a box that some pans came in!!! Gosh, I miss having Ed around!

Don't you just love the bathroom? The picture of the hat is actually a little rug. I thought it was pretty dang cute. I didn't go too crazy with ALL the bath accessories -- most of them looked pretty cheesy. The shower curtain, the rug, and the cute towels were quite enough!

YES -- I do have room for guests!!! The sofa pulls out to a queen-sized bed. And.....I do have a sewing room equipped with a blow-up bed! No pics of that room quite yet -- as it's still a work in progress.


OK -- time to post this blog. I truly can't figure out how to get the right words with the right pictures. I know you can figure it out!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

Welcome Home!

Finally.....after living like a gypsy for the past six weeks, the eagle has landed!!! Previous posts have shed some of the horror stories about living out of my car and it has been a challenge. Not literally living out of the car, but storing nearly everything in it, because I had too much junk to haul it in/out and I was fearful I may have had to move -- just one last time!

Alas, apartment life will be grand! Here was my welcome home gift from the apartment complex. Yes, that is a toilet plunger!! On top of the plunger is a roll of toilet tissue (OK....it was one-ply, but still exciting!) and some liquid and bar soaps. The wine? What wasn't from the apartment complex. That was from me! But, I thought it looked great alongside the "real" welcome gift. Check out the crystal-like handle of the plunger. Obviously, the prettiest one I've ever seen.

Then, today I found this welcome site. My personal delivery man. What a great day. I got to see Ed and Chip. It will be great having them around for more than a week. We got the truck unloaded and started putting things in places.

All in all -- a good start!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

Here's Your Sign

You've heard the joke -- "here's your sign!"

I just hate stupid people.They should have to wear signs that just say I'm stupid.That way you wouldn't rely on them, would you?You wouldn't ask them anything. It would be like, "Excuse me...oops,never mind""I didn't see your sign."It's like before my wife and I moved from Texas to California our housewas full of boxes and there was a u-Haul truck in our driveway.My friend comes over and says, "Hey, You moving?""Nope.""We just pack our stuff up once or twice a week. Just to see how manyboxes it takes.""Here's your sign."

I felt like that today!!! Only the joke was on me. I am still somewhat living out of my car (literally!) I left San Antonio on December 23rd bound for points North then East. I have packed and unpacked my car too numerous to count. When I arrived at Fort Lee Lodging (where I'll be until the end of the month when I can finally get into the apartment!) I was told I would have to move rooms one time during my four week stay. Great!

Today was the day. I inquired at the lodging office (in another building) and asked if I'd be in the same building -- nope -- a totally different building. So last night I made at least 6 trips back and forth to the car to load the trunk and the back seat of the car. This morning I made an additional six or seven trips to get all the little totes (Laura taught me to use them :) ) to the car. It was full -- trunk, back seat, passenger seat, every nook and cranny everywhere. I could NOT see out the rear-view mirror. Thank heavens for side mirrors. I drove over to the lodging office to check out of one room, to get the new key for the new room.

Here's the good part -- the door to my new room was literally 20 steps away from the old room!!! It is a different building, they're connected with covered walk-ways. I felt like I was on Candid Camera or something. The walk to the parking lot is about 75 steps (one way!) I could not believe it.

I had to laugh and think -- "Candy, here's your sign!"

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

P. S. I would have taken pics, but it was dark (AND COLD) by the time I got off work and had to "unpack" this evening.

Chicken Fat

When I was a little girl we used to exercise to a song in gym class. It was called gym class, because we went to the gym! My era didn't start calling it PE, until I was in Senior High. I remember a line from the song, "GO YOU CHICKEN FAT, GO!"

That's the way I feel! Go you whatever fat, go!!! So....I've decided to take better control of my health and this is the year I WILL get in shape. I joined a local fitness center last weekend and have been there every day (that's six in a row!) They have a wonderful swimming pool and those of you who know me, know I love the water. But, I have started also working out on the machines. It certainly beats sitting looking at four walls each night.

As I've been exercising, that lyric constantly plays through my head "GO YOU CHICKEN FAT, GO!" I remember it was first or second grade when we started exercising to the familiar tune at Irving Elementary. I know my brothers will remember it too.

I couldn't remember the actual name of the tune, so I Googled "chicken fat exercise". I found it -- thank heavens for the internet. I hope you too can find this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFofqe26t-4 The name of the song is CHICKEN FAT and it is sung by the one and only Robert Preston (remember him as THE MUSIC MAN)! The year was 1961 and I would have been in the first grade that year.

Ah....the memories of childhood and the ability to remember those fun times!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

Fort Lee, Virginia -- What an exciting time!!!

I had an exciting day. Today was the ribbon-cutting ceremony, establishing The Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCOE), which is the combined headquarters of the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) and the three training installations under CASCOM -- the Quartermaster Center & School (which I am part of), the Ordnance Center & School, and the Transportation Center & School. The establishment of the SCOE is a BRAC (Base Realignment and Closing) project that will eventually move the Army Maintenance and Transportation schools to Fort Lee, joining the Quartermaster (supply, food service, aerial delivery, morturary, water, fuel, etc.) courses, currently taught on Fort Lee. Fort Lee will teach more MOS (military jobs) than any other military installation. It is an exciting time to be part of a new era in the Army. We will be moving across the street into the new building later this spring. The creation of the SCOE will have all the Army sustainers taught on Fort Lee under the umbrella of the Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCOE).

As for my new job -- the first week was good. Met many terrific people that I will be working with. I was able to renew some old friendships. The longer I am in the Army, the more I am convinced it is truly a very small world. Here I am in front of the Quartermaster Museum. Absolutely one of the highlights for whenever you tour Fort Lee. Amazingly, they have uniforms in the museum that I used to wear!!! That means I must be REAL old!! History lesson -- Quartermaster is the second oldest branch in the Army -- second only to the Infantry. Infantry was "born" the same day the Army was born -- June 14, 1776. Immediately, they knew they needed someone to sustain the battle, hence the Quartermaster Corps was born just two days later. I love that little tidbit!

Til later ~~ Mom/Candy/Chief

Promotion!

Wow is about all I can say after the whirlwind month it has been! I finished my Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama on the 19th of December, completing all the requirements to be promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Five! I was at home in San Antonio for four whole days (sorting and packing) before Ed and I left (in two cars!) bound for Fayetteville, AR. We spent Christmas with the Arkansas kids and then we left at noon on Christmas day (in three cars!) to travel to Sioux Falls. Somewhere in Missouri we found a Waffle House open and enjoyed Christmas Dinner! Hallelujah for Christmas Road Trips!!

My promotion ceremony was surrounded by friends and family (young and old, literally and figuratively!) BG Charles Barr, my deployment Commander, traveled to help Ed do the honors.

It was a ceremony complete with childhood friends, high school friends, some of my first battle buddies, close family, extended family, ..... Since I was between units, I thought it would be fun to celebrate something fun in the very same building where I enlisted nearly 34 years ago. It was a good day and great to share it with those who mean so very much to me. Thanks to all who came.

Although "NO GIFTS" was the request, my six-month old Grandson was not able to read the memo! So, he gave me a miniature sterling silver dog tag that now says "CHIEF GRANDMA, CW5" I wear it proudly, and am glad the little guy can't read yet! Thanks, Colt!

Here's those who mean a great deal me! Laura was on speaker phone, so she too was part of the ceremony! Erika read the order. Becky was in charge of the picture slide show/music. Sarah was camera operator. Ed and BG Barr did the pinning. Colt was in charge of being cute and Jeff managed Colt. As always, Tom was with us in spirit. It was everything and more than I hoped it would be.

Everyone is back home in their respective "spots". I am at Fort Lee, getting ready to start my new job in the morning! Ed is back home with Chip, wandering the house, looking for that next project. It was a good month and great to see everyone. Thanks to all who made the special day even more special with your presence, your emails, your phone calls, etc.

Til later ~~ CW5 Martin (oops, I mean ~~ Chief Grandma)