Memorial Day - The Truth

For many people Memorial Day is a nice Monday off of work and for some it's a day to recognize our servicemen and servicewomen. 

I think that both of those groups are wrong... because it's a day set aside to thank and reflect on those that gave the ultimate gift of their life for our freedom. 

A bit of history...

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, it was started just after the end of the Civil War to honor all those lives lost on our own soil. 

In 1882 the term Memorial Day started becoming more common, fully catching on after World War II and was officially changed in 1967.  It was traditionally celebrated on May 30th, but the wonderfulness that is our Congress changed that in 1968 when they passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.  This act changed Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day to be perfectly placed on a Monday rather than a specific date, allowing them to have guaranteed 3 day weekends throughout the year.  Some of these have changed, specifically Veterans Day which is properly celebrated on November 11th each year.  

The VFW's official stance on this issue of moving Memorial Day...

"Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general publics nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

I completely agree. 

As I read posts on facebook and hear of plans for this date I notice that very few people are properly honoring those that didn't experience a happy homecoming from their respective war.  As the sister of a veteran, I believe that we should thank them often, but they do have their own day...Veterans Day...and as I stated earlier it is celebrated on November 11th.

My family is so incredibly lucky to have had so many serve and return home to live long and healthy lives.  My maternal Grandmother had more brothers than I can count serve in World War II, my maternal Grandfather's brother went too, my paternal Great Uncle weathered the storm of Korea, a number of cousins survived Vietnam, and my brother made a trip to the sand not too long ago. 

However, my paternal Granpa and his family suffered the loss of my Great Uncle Vernon who was Killed In Action during his service with the United States Army in World War II, the same war my Granpa survived.  

So, I guess I'll jump off my soapbox for now.  I do thank all those that have served, but today my heart hurts for all those parents, wives, husbands, children, other family and friends that aren't able to spend this beautiful day with their loved ones.  I don't believe that we could even begin to thank them for all that they have lost, I can't even imagine the hole in their hearts. 

Thanks to all those that signed a similar check, sorry we've cashed so many at full value.



Busy, Active, Occupied, Working

They basically mean the same thing, but they describe my day to day life quite well.

Since making the big move to the Dirty Jerz in November I kind of feel like I’ve been running at a rather high RPM.  I tend to overwhelm myself, if you know me this is not shocking, but I think I need to take a minute to praise myself a bit.  

Living with a Boy

It's difficult at times; Sophie and I had our own routine in our cute little condo.  I dropped food on the floor and she would make it magically disappear, apparently this isn't the 'correct' way to clean up your messes in the kitchen.  Who knew?!  It worked for us and my doggie really enjoyed my clumsy moments.  Overall, my roommate is very accepting, until I start watching anything on E! or Bravo, but no one is keeping me from y housewives, those ladies are crazy!  I'd like to mention that I've been here for 6 months and have yet to see one of these illusive housewives, it's upsetting.

Navigational Skills

I've always had a good internal compass and was able to get myself just about anywhere on those beautifully gridded streets of Tulsa.  Things are bit more curvy and slanted in these parts, but I've done well so far.  I'm proud to say that I managed to lead Nate (Brother) and Eric (Brother type) around Jersey, NY and back to Jersey.  Everyone is still alive and well, success!!  Mr. Tom Tom (or Bob Bob) and Google Maps have saved my rear more than I care to admit, but I use them less and less each day.  That being said, I am available to plan your upcoming road trip, at a very reasonable fee, of course. 

Mad Money Saving

So, we aren't rolling in the Benjamin's *GASP*...I know.   We are very lucky people, but we both went to college and are victims of Mr. MasterCard, he's a jerkface.  Once the dust settled from the wedding and honeymoon it was time to tighten the purse strings a bit, start planning for the future while living a comfortable life.  I am happy to report that we have finally locked in the budget.  It took a few months of tweaking, but we've found a system that works for us.  I've taken up couponing and have hit a nice stride, keeping our weekly out of pocket costs to no more than $80.  Dont' worry; we aren't eating mustard and cereal only.  I do have a years supply of shampoo and conditioner, and I am proud of that!  This has even given me a part time job, check out my weekly post at The Krazy Coupon Lady.

The Corporate World

I really thought that wearing real clothes to work everyday would be a bummer.  I was used to just picking a t-shirt to go with my black yoga pants, throwing on my tennis shoes and running out the door.  I have to say that I rather enjoy wearing the real stuff.  The laptop and cell phone kind of take over sometimes, but all in all the job isn't too bad.  I'm finally beginning to understand what I'm saying and I've impressed myself a time or two.  For the most part I enjoy the people I work with on a daily basis, it's nice to be able to laugh a little bit with your coworkers!  I'm hoping that the coming months are exciting, but calm!

Growing a Green Thumb

My thumb is straight up black y'all, hardcore.  By some magic wand or the Grace of God I have managed to keep three herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, and Parsley), two plants (Tomato and Pepper), and one flower (Azalea)alive for the past month or so.  Now, the Azalea bush isn't no looking too hot and I did kill off the Basil, but this is massive improvement for me.  I've been known to kill what my grandma thinks is unkillable.  It's a word, I just said so!

Ode to the Drive-Thru ATM



image from google



I cursed as my side mirror scraped you. 
I bitched when I had to wait in a line for you.
I struggled to reach your buttons.
I quietly wondered why the buttons had Braille.

I thought you would always be there.
I thought you would always be an option.

I admit it, I miss you.

You’re around every corner, down every street in Oklahoma.
I found you last week, but you are forbidden.
You have planted your roots in the bad part of town.
I hope that one day I will see you again.

Until then, I will use of your outcast cousin, the walk up.



image from google



Love, Kendra

Meet My Archnemesis

the bitchy bottlecap

Let me start this story at the beginning...

Monday morning I woke up with a terrible headache, I tried to make it to work but it just wasn't happening.  So, I took some drugs checked my work email and went back to bed.  The rest of the day was spent doing chores very slowly. 

Around 2:00pm I needed to print something and the printer ran out of paper midway through the job.  I promptly loaded more...PAPER JAM!  I have a deep level of animosity for these all-in-one printers and mostly think they were designed to be over sized paper weights. 

Headache + broken printer = one hacked off redhead.

Approximately, 30 seconds later my precious 34 day old iPhone 4S stopped working.  After a screaming match with Irwin the 3rd I realized the exact reason that I name electronics.  Yelling at Irwin is easier than yelling at a just a phone.  The husband escorted me to the Apple store doctor.  With desperation in my eyes I explained to the nice man that my phone just stopped working! It won't turn on, it won't sync, holy crap...it's been hanging out with the paperweight printer!

Headache + broken printer + non working cell phone = redhead warning sirens

About 30 seconds later we left the Apple store with an iPhone that was no longer in 'hard sleep'.  Do you know what hard sleep is?  Yeah, I didn't either.  A bit of advice...if your iPhone goes black and won't respond to button pushing, plug it into the wall jack and hold down both buttons.  I just saved you a trip to the mall, you're welcome.

Anyway, back to the printer, Mr. Herbert Paulie.  The right side would take the paper just fine, but the left wouldn't.  This resulted in a paper jam each time I attempted to print.  I tracked down the HP support number and was connected with a nice girl named Alma.  We tried a number of things and about 30 minutes into the call she asked me shine a flash light in the printer to make sure there were no bits of paper stuck.  And that's when I saw my enemy, the cap to the 20 ounce Diet Coke I had treated myself to on Sunday. 

EPIC FAIL.