2015 Reading list

2015 Books

 

I had to put off reading for several years as the kids were younger.  Now that they are older and I spend a lot of hours sitting around waiting on them I can read.  I still prefer books.  I've tried an IPad but found that I just preferred holding a book.

 

I've always read John Grisham and Dan Brown, a few years ago the girls at work made me expand my horizons.  I discovered Elin Hilderbrand and Nicholas Sparks.  In 2014 I expanded even more and discovered Kristin Hannah, John Green and Christine Baker Kline.  I love all their books.

 

For 2015 I decided to read 20 books and include at least one classic that I had not read.  I read The Old Man and the Sea.  I've read a few military books.  I've read a few books from the Holocaust period which I found interesting.

 

Here is my list for 2015

1. American Sniper by Chris Kyle.  Just an amazing book and story.  Thank you Chris Kyle

2. On mystic lake by Kristin Hannah.  I love her books.  I cant read enough of them.  After this one I ordered 3 more!

3. The fragile world by Paula Treick DeBoard.  She sucked me in with The Mourning Hour and this story certainly didn't disappoint 

4. Home front by Kristin Hannah Wow is all I can say.  If you have a female  friend in the military I'd recommend you read this.

5. The Old Man and The Sea by. Ernest Hemingway.  It's a classic for a reason

6. Looking for Alaska by John Green Liked it better then Paper Towns. 

7. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry I enjoyed it

8. The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand What can I say, I love ALL her books.

9. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher I read because one of the boys had to read it at school.  Interesting

10. Redeployment by Phil Kay. Insightful, not in a good way 

11. The Right Thing by  Scott Waddell.  Very good read.  Its a true story about an actual event

12. Hollow City by  Ransom Riggs.  It was OK.  I liked the first book better.

13. Survivors:  True Stories of Children in the Holocaust by Zullo and Bovsun. Its a kids book but very powerful!

14. Sweet Water by Christina Baker Kline I loved it!  Read very fast!  Felt like I was there!

15. Firefly lane by Kristin Hannah.  OMG this has got to be the best book ever.  I'm not sure why I was so completely drawn into the story but I was.

16. Fly away by Kristin Hannah. Part 2 of Firefly Lane and I loved it just as much!  I just love her style of writing.  I just feel like I'm part of the story.

17. Best of me by Nicholas sparks.  This has to be the best Sparks book ever.  I read it over  the weekend and stayed up late to finish it on a Sunday night! Yes its that good.

18, Gray Mountain. John Grisham Great book and powerful!  We really don't know what goes on in our world if its not happening right outside out own window.

19. The first phone call from heaven. Mitch Albom Good book

20. Gathering blue. Lois Lowry I missed that the Giver was a series.  WOW  Just wow.  This and the Messanger and Son are the end of the series.  I read them very quick.  Easy reads and interesting! 

21. Messanger. Lois Lowry

22. Son. Lois Lowry

23. Winter garden. Kristen Hannah An incredible book.  I didn't want this book to end.  I felt like I was part of the story.  I just cant tell you how much I loved this story.  Very Powerful!

24. Christmas keepsakes. Donna VanLiere We all need a little Christmas Cheer!

25. Grey. EL James Rather boring and really a repeat of what we had read before!

26. Choir of Angels. Debbie Macomber  Fun Christmas read about Angels. 

 

I not only reached my goal in 2015 but exceeded it!  Why cant the movie ever be as good as the book!

 

My views on Societal Issues in 2015

My views on Societal Issues in 2015

 

 

I've watched the news the last few weeks and kept my comments to myself.  Today has put me over the edge.  There have been postings of changing the US Flag to this:

This is NOT acceptable.

 

This is the United States of American and our flag is Red, White, and Blue.  If you don't like our Flag or our Country I think you should move.

 

 

According to USflag.org:

Evolution of the United States Flag

No one knows with absolute certainty who designed the first stars and stripes or who made it. Congressman Francis Hopkinson seems most likely to have designed it, and few historians believe that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, made the first one. Until the Executive Order of June 24, 1912, neither the order of the stars nor the proportions of the flag was prescribed. Consequently, flags dating before this period sometimes show unusual arrangements of the stars and odd proportions, these features being left to the discretion of the flag maker. In general, however, straight rows of stars and proportions similar to those later adopted officially were used. The principal acts affecting the flag of the United States are the following:

• On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
• Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.
• Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.
• Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.
• Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.
• Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

So you can see the flag has not changed for any other race, religion, gender, war, personal agenda or anything else.  If the gay community wants to have a flag to represent their community that is fine.  It does not constitute a change to the US flag.

 

This is acceptable.

 

Secondly the cancellation of the Dukes of Hazard by TV Land.  Fine its petty but I find it quite annoying.  Political correctness has reached a new low in my opinion.  If you find this program offensive DON'T WATCH IT.  I don't care for reality TV and shows like Jerry Springer and Maury, so guess what, I don't watch them.  Whatever you think the Confederate flag stands for is your opinion, the truth is, it is a part of our history, so is slavery and the Holocaust.  As sad as this is, Slavery was considered the norm in that time.  Now we know it is not acceptable to treat another human like a piece of property.  Regardless its history and we cant change it.  I would like for my children to continue to learn about this history so it does not repeat!  It's called getting an EDUCATION.  No I would not be fond of my neighbor flying a swastika flag over there house, but they live in the USA and that is their right.  I don't have to be their friend either, but I don't have to hate them because we disagree.

 

My friend Roger posted this on Facebook today:

You don't have an inherent right to live life without being "offended". If a TV show is offensive to you, hit this button (CH^) and it won't be on your TV any more.
If someone's lifestyle is offensive to you, disassociate. Don't hang out with that person.
If you hate Jesus, sleep in on Sundays; don't celebrate Christmas.
If you love Jesus, pray and worship Him, and continue living IN this world but not OF it.

Don't expect a pastor who doesn't believe in gay marriage to perform your ceremony. Find one who will.
Don't expect a gay couple to live in the sewers; they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as well.

If you don't like long haired dogs, get a slick one; don't petition them to be outlawed because other people may hate short haired dogs.

It's really NOT hard to mind your business, and go about your way/life without impeding others.
No one has ever died so that you can live unoffended. People have died so that you can live free (which no longer happens, so their deaths were all in vain).
Freedom in its very essence is offensive. It's the right to be offensive. It's the liberty to do what you want to do REGARDLESS of who may be "offended" providing it doesn't intervene with someone else's rights to life, liberty, and pursuits of happiness.

I couldn't agree more.  I don't understand being gay.  I am straight and that's okay.  I will not condemn those who are gay.  I don't understand gay marriage, why not?  See above, I don't understand the attraction to the same sex.  Should that stop gay people from getting married NO.  I do not hate gay people.  There are some gay people I don't like, but not because they are gay, but because they are assholes.   Its the same with every other race and religion and so on.  There are people I like and people I don't but, its not about their race or religion.  If I don't like you it's because I don't like you!  If my children ever brought home a person of the same sex or a different race or religion, etc I would not disown them.  They are free to make decisions and I will always love them.  I respect people and their opinions.  Just because our opinions are different doesn't mean we can't get along.

If you don't like the choices of another person, well don't like them and move on.  Treat people with respect.  Sometimes I think its okay to just be honest with people.  There are some friends I refuse to have certain conversations with because they just want to argue that their point it right.  We all have opinions and should, but everyone does not have to agree with them.  I am friends with black people.  I am often up front with them early on that I will not refer to them as African-American.  They are Americans, as I am.  They happen to be black and I white.  America is a diverse culture and we need to own it.  I say Merry Christmas.  I have Jewish friends. I will tell them Happy Hanukkah. I'm not offended if they tell me the same.  If they put a Menorah in their window that is okay.  I have been known to ask questions to people that do things differently then I do.  I like to learn why people do certain things.  I know it may shock some people to think they might learn something.  This goes way beyond just this.  So many groups of people are stereotyped and its not always true:  Male nurses are Gay, Motorcycle riders are gang members, fat people are lazy, and so forth and so on. If we take the time to get to know people we may be surprised how alike we really are  I don't mind people promoting their beliefs etc but please don't cram your views down my throat, and I wont either.

As a career I chose Nursing.  This is very important for me.  I don't judge patients and I don't treat them differently.  I have taken care of VIP's to murderers and everything in between and they all have and will always receive the same quality care.  My religious beliefs and personal beliefs are for me and for me only.  I have never and will never force my beliefs onto a patient I am providing care for.  In my opinion its called integrity.

I think we need to learn to respect others and move on. 

Please STOP BEING OFFENDED BY EVERYTHING.

I must end this with appropriate disclaimer for the world today:  I know this may offend some people and I expect to lose some social media friends over this, and that's okay.  Its not likely we were really friends to begin with. My friends know I love them just that way they are!

Reference:
http://usflag.org/history/flagevolution.html

Memorial Day 2015

Memorial Day 2015

 

As the day is coming to a close I have a whole new outlook on what it means.

 

I grew up in a Patriotic Family.  My dad was a Navy Veteran.  He wore his colors proudly. 

We learned very early to respect our flag, we stand when appropriate, we remove head gear, and we are quiet.  My kids also learned this very early, as well.  Being involved in Boy Scouts has given them the opportunity to be part of many flag retirements, raising and lowering the flag, and presenting the colors. They make me very proud with the respect they show. 

I, also, grew up understanding that my dad lost a friend in Vietnam, Danny Vandivier.  He didn't talk about it often but we were aware.  When I visited the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC I was able to find his name.  It made the occasion more special knowing there was some connection to this man, although I never met him, I knew his parents.

Being an employee at the VA for the last 7 years has taught me even more.  I have had the opportunity to work with many Veterans that have shared their stories with me.  Many of the stories are amazing, while others are heartbreaking.  I have learned so much though.

Mike's nephew would stop by our house from time to time and he would bring his friend with him.  It took me awhile to figure out the friend he brought was one of two!  The friends were twins, and generally only one was with him, Jordan or Nathan.  The twins lived close to us so if they were hungry they didn't hesitate to stop by for food.  It was not uncommon for them to be working on something and needed a tool.  They didn't hesitate to show up at late hours to work in the garage.  When Jordan joined the Marines we were very proud of him.  We sent him cards and little gifts to show our appreciation.  Although we didn't know him well we knew him enough to affect us when he went missing at sea on October 1, 2014.  It really put everything in perspective when he was not found.  Knowing someone changes things.  It changes the way you think when you hear of an active duty military passing.  You understand all the lives it touches.

Today Cole and I went to Sellersburg's Memorial Day Ceremony. It didn't occur to me that this was the first Memorial Day since Jordan passed until I saw his family there.  His sister, Brittany, gave a very powerful speech.  It made me cry (and in public).  Afterwards Cole told me that was an awesome speech!  It made me proud to know I have kids that understand so much.  They will always understand the ultimate sacrifice.  I also understand now as well.  I can only imagine the suffering Jordan's family has gone through but I hope they know that people cared about Jordan and will always remember him,  I am also proud of my hometown of Sellersburg and the way they remember those that have passed this Memorial Day.  RIP Jordan Spears.

Brittany Howard delivering her very moving speech today.

God Bless America.  I am proud to be an American.

The Tractor

The Tractor

Growing up we always had this red tractor.  I never really thought about the origin of the tractor I just knew we always had it.  When dad died the tractor became something my son wanted to have.  I couldn't imagine what we would do with it.  I'm not really sure when it was last started, but I know it had been a few years.  Two new front tires were needed just to move it.  Conversations were taking place with their other grandpa that did not include me.  Finally they presented the idea to me.  Grandpa Knox wants to rebuild the tractor with us.  If it was beyond repair then it would be scrapped.  It really was an easy choice!  Fine, have fun.  Even though I didn't act excited I was, especially to see it run again and be used by my kids!  Four generations of use on one tractor!  Not too bad.

What is of most interest to me is the fact that my father in law wanted to do this.  He understood Cole's connection to the tractor and he wanted him to have it.  He put many hours into this project himself just to make it happen.  It was neat for me to see Hunter and Cole working with their dad and grandpa to restore the tractor

My Dad on the tractor in 1978 during the snow storm.

The tractor is a 1958 International Harvester

This is the tractor being loaded onto a trailer in 2014.

 

Hunter and grandpa tearing it apart.

 

More pictures of the tractor being taken apart.

 

 

This was the tractor in pieces.  To be completely honest I didn't have a lot of faith that it would ever run at this point! I don't have a mechanical mind so this was beyond words for me.

 

Cole and Grandpa greasing the fittings. Its almost ready to come home!

 

This will always be one of my favorite pictures for now on. Grandpa Knox teaching Cole to drive a tractor that was owned by his Great Grandpa Joe Yochem.

Cole and Grandpa showing off the finished project!  They were quite proud with themselves.  To be honest so was I.

 

 

Mike driving!  He also put a lot of hours into making this tractor run!

 

 

 

 

The tractor heading home from Leavenworth Indiana!

 

 

 

The new tractor arrived home to our garage! A few happy moment for Cole!

 

Thank you for what you did Sheldon.  It was very much appreciated.  The joy in my kids eyes is worth every penny we put into getting the tractor to run again!  Its a memory they will always have!  On top of that we have a tractor that works!

 

Everyone has a battle they are fighting

I'm sure you've heard that saying before.  Everyone has a battle they are fighting.  On the surface you may never know the pain a person is going through.

Recently I had the opportunity to speak with a man.  He was in his 60's.  He could have easily past for 75.  He was a short, stout man.  His attempt at a comb over was cute with his thin strands of dark hair.  His features were hard.  He looked worn.  He started telling my about his medical problems.  A wonderful benefit of being a nurse, people you barely know feel the need to share there medical issues with you.

As we talked he shared with me his past and that included many years of drug and alcohol abuse.  He talked about the cocaine and the beer and how he went weeks without knowing where he was.  He states he lost days and weeks at a time.  I didn't judge him.  I told him that it was awesome that it was all behind him now.  He asked me if I were curious why he was an addict.  I said no and I'd never ask if I were. I told him many people have skeletons and I'm not going to judge him for his past.  He just started at me.  After a few minutes he said, "I'm a Veteran and went to the Vietnam War".  I told him I understood that many people came home from the war and had demons to address. He looked at me with the most pitiful eyes and said, "honey the war was nothing". I nodded waiting for more.  He looked at me and told me his story of coming home from Vietnam and getting married and having kids.  He said he had a decent job and had a good life.  He talked about how they built a house and it was a nice winter night when he went to work after living in their new home for just 3 short months, and then the unthinkable occurred.  The house caught fire and burned down with his wife and kids inside.  I immediately got a sick feeling and the words came out before I could stop them...how are you still alive. He looked at me and smiled and said honestly I don't know.  He told me about how the alcohol and drugs masked the pain when he wasn't trying to kill himself.  He told me he thought about it a lot and even tried to overdose a few times but couldn't.  He told me he didn't often talk about this with people especially near strangers but he felt like he needed to tell me.
So I am sharing this with you.

Please remember you never know what people have been though or are going through.  Be kind to people. A simple smile may go a very long way!

Cruising on the Ocean

Our Carnival Cruise experiences

Cruise #1 May 2005

It was a cold December in 2004 and I saw this ad in the paper to take a cruise!  I thought, sure that will be way to expensive!  I called and could not believe what I was hearing!  We would go in May and it was only going to be about $1500.  After minimal discussion we agreed to book it.  We were going on the Holiday, the smallest ship in the fleet.  We made a quick 10 hour trip straight down 65 to Mobile. Alabama.  It was the best Vacation ever!!  The kids loved camp carnival.  We loved it all.

The boys at XCARET!  Heaven on Earth!   My favorite ever picture of Cole.  Hunter wanted a donut so bad and we were hesitant but he demanded and we gave in!  He ate every bite of it! LOL.

Cozumel.   The boys at Camp Carnival, which they loved and never wanted to leave!

The Knox Family.  We spent a lot of time in the kiddie pool and eating ice cream!

When we left the Ship Hunter cried out "I want to stay 100 more days".  I couldn't agree more!  We knew there would be more!

Cruise #2 May 2006

That more came a lot quicker than we expected!  When we returned him we told my parents all about it and they wanted to go.  We booked one for 2006.  Again we left from Mobile and were on the Holiday.  Again, it was an amazing experience.  My favorite memory was my mom!   I know she will love that I'm writing this.  Mom loved all the free food.  She thought she would experience all of it.  She ordered breakfast in her room, went to breakfast with us, ate snacks, than had lunch, had dinner every night, ate at the midnight buffet and so on.  Well she gained a few pounds and got sick!  On  the way home she was green and didn't eat for two days!  She experienced it all though!

The group in Costa Maya and at Dinner.

Dad and the boys sitting in the window in the room

 

We were at a private beach and the boys didn't have much experience with the ocean and as you can see Cole had a hand on one of us at all times and Hunter was never too far.  It was the perfect day!

Cruise #3  July 2008

Once again we returned and talked about our trip and Mikes parents became interested.  It took at bit more coaxing to get them on the ship but once there we never heard any complaints.  We left from NYC and headed north to Canada.  For July it was a bit cool and it was very foggy for the entire week.  After we got home I think we all had nightmares from hearing the horn blow every 60 seconds!

Leaving NYC.  You can see the Statue of Liberty in the background and of course Cole holding his ice cream torch!  The entire group in Canada.

Behind them is a lighthouse!  We had to get about 2 feet from it to see it!  Hunter had to get a Nova Scotia sweatshirt as it was in the  50's.

Mike and Sheldon with a showgirl.

The Knox Family on the Victory

Cruise #4  July 2010

My Mom and Dad couldn't wait to go on another cruise.  We talked my sister and her family into going, and our friends, the Powers.  We went to the Bahamas and the Private Carnival Island.  We had an amazing trip.  It was so much fun with being with a group of people.

The guys:  John, Mike and Greg.

Diva Ellie

The kids had a ball every night at dinner.

The kids and grandma with Fun Ship Freddy

Half Moon Cay and I must say Heaven.  The most beautiful place in the world.

Cruise #5 March 2014

We were lucky enough to have 4 families go for a total of 15 people!  We had a lot of fun. This was our first 7 day cruise.  I was worried that 7 days might be too long, but it wasn't.  It was perfect. 

Mike in Isla Roatan.  Beautiful beach!

Our entire group

Dancing the night away

Climbing the ruins at Altun Ha

Some things never change: Cole entertaining the entire dining room at dinner.

Cruise #6 March 2015

This was a last minute decision.  We wanted to get away.  We needed a break after a rough year.  We found a cruise out of  Charleston, SC that sailed on the dates we needed.  We drove and were able to stop at Biltmore on the way and Gatlinburg on the way home.

We opted for a day at a private beach in Freeport, Bahamas.  They had a lot of activities which included Kayaking.

Cole and our waiter I Komang.  He was wonderful and a lot of fun!

The nightly dance after dinner.

We have been to Nassau before so we opted to spent the day at Atlantis.  Wow is all I can say.  It was an amazing experience.  We toured a lot of the facility.  We went to both aquariums.  We went to the beach and enjoyed the amazing views.

The beach was just stunning

The family. As you can see the boys have aged since the first cruise.

Cruise #7 March 2016

We arrived to New Orleans and spent the day being tourists.  The next morning we watched the Easter Parade on Easter Morning than we boarded the Carnival Dream and headed for Montego Bay, Jamaica.  We had an amazing time.  Grand Cayman is by far by favorite port ever.

New Orleans

We went to Dunn's Falls and climbed up the falls,  It was really neat.  We spent the rest of the day at a private beach.

Our next stop was Grand Cayman.  We went on a shore snorkel.  It was fantastic,  The water was stunning.

.  Our third stop was Cozumel.  Cole enjoyed the dining room every night.  The Group we went with.

 Cruise #8 March 2018

We leave from Port Canaveral Florida and headed out.  Out first stop was the Domician Republic.

We arrived in Amber Cove Dominican Republic and took a Catarman out and went snorkeling,  Cole loved it, the rest of us not so much!  The water was a bit rough but it was still the perfect day for it.

We headed to St. Thomas were we went to a private beach and spent the day on the beach.  We were able to snorkel and enjoy the water.

 We spent the day in Grand Turk.  We spent the entire day in the water.  It was crystal clear and stunning!  We eat at the famous Jack's Shack.

Our last stop was St. Juan, Puerto Rico.  We visited the fort and toured the city.  We enjoyed some mofongo.  They were still recovering from a huge hurricane.

Great Trip

Cruise #9 Coming 2020

Summary:

 Why are cruises so great?  The cost is truly affordable.  The kids have had fun at every stage.  Cruise #6 was different then Cruise #1.  On Cruise #5 the boys were busy doing their own thing.  We shared some experiences but they weren't forced to do boring stuff with the adults.  One night the entire group watched the Hunger Games on a big screen outside and ate popcorn!   When we come home we are relaxed and truly feel rested.  There is no worries about getting a room for the night or finding food everyone will eat.  Disconnecting from the world is a wonderful thing in this way to connected world.  I never imagined we would be such big fans of cruises but we are.  To be honest, I cant pick a favorite one. They were all my favorite for different reasons.