Tammi's World

A Tough Question

I had a very enlightening conversation with on of my sales guys Thursday.  I love the time between 11:00 and 2:00.  It's when the guys come in from their days and we have a chance to sit around and chat while they do their paperwork, wait for rides, or just unwind after a long day.  And man do we have some interesting exchanges. Some funny as all get out, some business, you never know what will come up.

Now, everyone knows that I'm conservative in my politics.  I don't TALK about it, but come on....they're not stupid. Not by a long shot.  But we don't use labels like Democrat or Republican. And we never talk hard specifics.  Not to mention that everyone has a right to their opinion.  The one thing that is more than obvious is my love and respect for our military.  My office is decorated with mementos and reminders. 

Anyway, Thursday was an exceptionally long day for one of my guys, made longer because I insisted he go back and hit a store that was missed on Monday. I wanted to make sure he understood why I was so strong on that and, well, as usual our conversation evolved.  I forget how exactly it came up but I was telling about that incredible day I spent at the Pentagon, working with the children to make frames for their Moms and Dads to have when they deployed.  I still get chocked up when I think about it, and it's no surprise I got a little emotional.  He got very quiet for a moment and then asked me what has to be one of the toughest questions to answer I've ever been asked

"How did you get so patriotic?"

Seriously.  I was blindsided.  I didn't know what to say.  And THAT blindsided me even more.  How do I answer?  What DOES drive this love of country?

I sat there for a moment...just trying to gather my thoughts. Thoughts that were whirling in my mind.

I told him about my extended time in foreign countries. How it was so evident to me how lucky we are with our freedoms and liberties. How I've never taken them for granted since then.

I talked about how our Military, a volunteer Military, is the greatest in the world. The sacrifices made by the men and women who serve, and the strength of their families to support them. I was trying to come up with ONE THING, and it's not one thing. No....it's never been just one thing that makes me patriotic.

Then I got very quiet.  And I softly told him it became a driving force for me at the time of the embassy bombings. The bombings that took so many lives, including the life of my friend's husband.  How THAT is when I "met" Bin Laden.  That is when he became real to me.

And 9/11.  9/11 changed everything. No longer do I bite my tongue. No longer do I worry about offending anyone with my appreciation of being an American.

We. Are. Blessed. Thanks to the wisdom and fore thought of our founding fathers, we have been given a wonderful gift. A set of wonderful gifts. Liberty. Freedom of speech. The right to bear arms. The American dream......the chance to be more. The chance to make a better life.

I realized at that point that my passion had taken over.  I didn't apologize. I just stopped talking and smiled.

There was nothing else that I could say.  I do love my country. I do appreciate every man, woman and child who sacrifices for my freedom. And I will do everything in my power, including answering tough questions, to show that gratitude. To deserve that sacrifice.

But really. Think about it. How would YOU answer that question?  "How did YOU get so patriotic?"

Tragic

By now, I would think everyone is aware of the tragic events that occurred yesterday at Ft Hood.  My heart breaks for every person this touches.  My prayers go out to the soldiers and their families.

I remember back in '04 when I was living in Central Florida and live blogging the hurricanes. At that time I had a much bigger "audience" for the blog and many of them were deployed to the sandbox.  I cannot tell you how many emails I received thanking me for the updates, both during and after.  So many soldiers, so far away from their families with no idea what was going on, other than what was on the news.  It was my pleasure, not to mention a good outlet for my sanity, to keep them informed.

Now......this. I cannot imagine the panic when the news first broke.  I simply cannot imagine.  Devastating.

I have to tell you.......I had no idea. I had no clue that this was happening.  I got home, late as usual, and jumped on Facebook real quick to see how everyone was doing.  Everyone was talking about praying for the victims at Ft Hood. It took a few minutes but I started to piece together what happened.

And was sickened.  AM sickened.  I have heard from those I love that have those THEY love at Ft Hood and so far everyone is fine.  PTL.  But still...12 dead. 31 wounded.  Sweet Father.....it's overwhelming.

As more and more details emerge it just gets worse and worse.  As we discover more about this monster who wanted out of his commitment it is just a darker picture.

I have my opinion.  The shooter is alive.  That's good. Now maybe they'll get some answers.  And I only care about that so the families can reach some kind of closure. Some kind.  But then.....he needs to be punished. He needs to die. This is one of those times I am 1000000000% behind the death penalty.

Get answers from him. Do NOT make him comfortable. Find your answers. LEARN from the mistake of being overly PC. Then kill him.  Firing squad sounds good to me, but whatever....just do it.

Planning Time

Whether we like it or not, it's time to start lookin' at Christmas.  I know....Halloween just passed, but seriously.  When I was out shopping on Saturday, they were PLAYING CHRISTMAS SONGS, for cryin' out loud.

Anyway, if you know me, you know that Christmas is my favorite anyway, so it's no BIG surprise I'm already making plans.

The first thing of note is I'm staying right here. No goin' to Mama Vi's, no visit to Cuz and the famlly. Nope. Just me. Here.

Great.

So...I'm bound and determined to enjoy myself.  My apartment is WAY to small to do much decorating so I've come up with a great plan.

99% of it is goin' to the office. That's right. Our building will be decorated like it's never been done before. My huge tree? Will be given all the space it needs.  Tons of lights. Santa's for days....We're even doing stockings for everyone.

We're also sponsering a couple of families for Christmas so I'm very excited about that.

I had to get everyone to agree. Each and every person in that building had to sign off that they have no problem or issue what so ever if I decorate for Christmas.  (I can't believe I had to do that, but I did.) And NO ONE had any problem what so ever.

HR just said I have to keep it "secular".  No nativities, or baby Jesus'.  I can understand that, I don't like it, but I understand it.  I'll keep that stuff for here at the apartment.

I have the big tree and 6 other table top trees. I just ordered a tall slim tree for here at the apartment. All the others will go to work. I wanted a 2nd tree for when I get a "real" place to live anyway, so I don't mind that purchase at all.

I'm pretty excited. At least I'll "feel" the spirit. At least I hope so.....We only take Christmas Day off, so I won't have too much time to mope. I think this whole plan may just get me through the season.

So I'm planning now.  I realized Friday that 4 weeks from now is Thanksgiving, so I figured I better get started right away. It's a good distraction.  Plus, I'll finally get to share my decorations.

Not to mention I sure as heck won't be able to leave the tree up until March this time. 

It's the Giving Season

It's that time again. Time to remember those who serve. Now....I'm not saying we shouldn't remember them EVERY SINGLE DAY. But right now? Right here? You can DO something.

Valor IT.  It's a fantastic cause that gives and gives and gives and gives.  Laptops for our wounded heroes.  And it's so much more than just laptops. It's hope. It's a chance for a future. It's a way to reach out.  In other words....this is a fabulous cause.

And it's so easy.  You can just flat out donate OR there's an auction.  With a lot of very cool stuff.  So listen.....just dig into the bottom of that purse, check out the couch or take a deep breath and dig out that card and give a little.  You'll be glad you did....

Oh, and while you're at it, might as well make it SUPER easy for yourself and click from here. Team Army will be very grateful.....

Meanwhile, I found this over at Harvey's place and LOVE it.....so I thought I'd share. The Warrior Song.

Valour-IT Fundraiser

This post will stay at the top of the page until Valour IT is completed. Just a little reminder. Newer posts will be further down.....

Saturday Question

Yes......another one.  Whoda thunk.

Anyway....yesterday I had little treat bags for all the guys. Silly? Yes.  But they all liked them. They expect stuff like that from me.

I'm really REALLY big on family time. If you've read here much at all, you know that. I really stress that with my team.  You need to treasure that. Not everyone has one.

So I was asking everyone about their kids costumes for tonight. Some really cute and original ideas. That, of course led to adult costumes.  We were talking about our favorites and I mentioned the year I went as a redneck house wife.  White foundation that looked like cold cream all over my face. Hair in rollers, work boots, tube socks and a huge flannel nightgown.  And yes...I wore that to work. I was the most comfortable person there all day.

Everyone had a good laugh and I threw out the comment that it was easy for me, surprise surprise, I didn't even have to buy anything.

Not one person was surprised at that. Not even my boss.....huh. 

Anyway - that brings us to todays question. What was/is YOUR favorite costume? How'd you come up with the idea and how'd you pull it off?

Bungled

On a serious note.....Mama Vi is having trouble getting her "government run health care" to work with her. 

Surprised?  I'm not.

See....the doctor has prescribed oxygen.  And trust me when I tell you she needs it. It is heart breaking the way she struggles to breathe.

Well, they won't cover it. 

Can you believe it?!?  They will not cover my mother, who has been having serious issues breathing for a while now and has a hard diagnosis that says she NEEDS oxygen.

I'm flabbergasted. Flat out flabbergasted.  And so damned frustrated I don't know what to do.  I don't know how to help her. Oh, we can and will (if she'll let us) pay for it.  But the point is, she has insurance. She has coverage.  We shouldn't HAVE to.  And, to be honest, she won't LET us.  She's stubborn that way.........

So here I sit, about as far out west as you can get, and my hands are tied.  All I can do is make calls, write letters and sputter in anger.

Oxygen. They won't let my mother have oxygen.

Government run health care..........the worst idea ever in life.

Progress

Just thought I'd let you know....this week I will have only worked 40 hours.  First time since I took this job.

I TOLD everyone I needed 9-10 months to get my feet firmly planted and that's what it's been. 

40 hours.  A "normal" work week.

And it's Friday! FRIDAY!!! Tomorrow, I get my hair done, do a bit of necessary shopping and get some things done around the house. And I have the energy to do it.

40 hours. 

I. Am very pleased........

Not for the faint hearted

I love working with men. For the most part, I have very limited "drama". And yes....I really said that, and I stand by it 100%.  I've worked in both scenarios and I prefer this one.

But...you better have tough skin.  Because there aren't a lot of compliments going around. Yeah...not so much.  AND, they notice EVERYTHING.

Everything bad that is.

And not only do they notice, but..they'll let you know they notice.  Be it via a blunt comment or teasing, nothin' get's past these guys.

Yesterday - one poor guys was, ummm, how to put it.......gastrically challenged. Yeah, that works.  And oh heavens, did they give him a rough time. I just stayed in my office....I wasn't going to draw any attention to myself at all.

Plus, it's a compliment of sorts that they had the conversations in English.  They are starting to trust me.

Now....I'll step in if it becomes malicious. Or disrespectful. But when it's done in friendly hazing, I'm gonna let it go.  You have to have a balance between PC and comfortable.  Plus, most of these guys have worked together for over 10 years. They know how far to push things.

And you know what they say. Laughter makes EVERYTHING better. It's a great stress reliever and I even heard yesterday that laughter will help keep you healthy. 

We're obviously a very healthy bunch, judging by all the laughter in OUR place.

But yeah....you don't want to come hang out in my zone unless you can hold your own.  We're a tough bunch.  It's not for the faint hearted.

Big hearted? Yeah.........but only the strong survive time with us.