With Heartfelt Gratitude

My Harley Stud and I spent last Saturday morning with The Rocket Scientist and The Trophy Wife at the Navy Seal Museum in Ft. Pierce.  The museum hosts a Veteran’s Day weekend ceremony every year and we always try to make it when we can. 

I am so proud to be American and so very grateful for those who risk and sometimes sacrifice their lives for our freedom.  It is my prayer that we might have world peace sooner rather than later.  It’s really very simple.  No hate.  No wars.  Let’s all get together for beer and chocolate chip cookies.  I’m pretty sure that would do it. 

The museum puts on a very impressive show.  Ya’ll come along.  I’ll show you.

I don’t know how they do it but every year they “jump out of  a perfectly good airplane” and land where they are supposed to land.  I guess all that Navy Seal training really works. 

A simulated anti-terrorist mission in action.  The museum is on the beach.  I always wonder what the people who live in the condos next door must think when helicopters fly by their windows shooting.  Wouldn’t that just make you drop your spoon back in your oatmeal!

Under orders from President Franklin Pierce, Lt. Col. Benjamin Pierce, his brother, was sent to what we now know as Ft. Pierce to set up an army base during the second Seminole War.  The site later became the training ground for the Navy Frogmen.  The Frogman eventually became a Navy Seal, today’s elite warrior.  Training to become a Navy Seal requires nothing short of super-human strength and determination.  I’m told that a well-known men’s magazine recently listed the worst things a man can do to his body:

#1 was crack cocaine.  #3 was crystal meth.  And #2 (worse than meth) is hell week at BUDS.  (The training school for Navy Seals)

  Something new at the museum:  The Memorial Wall. 

It is virtually impossible to stand at this wall and not shed a tear.  Ask anyone. 

 

My new favorite Navy Seal, Arras.  A four-legged Seal!  Who knew?

Arras and his handler are awaiting orders for deployment to Iraq, Afghanistan or?  Arras is a multi-tasker.  He can detect a bomb but also doubles as an attack dog.  And he looks so sweet, doesn’t he?  Don’t let that purdy face fool you. 

 

MHS and I in front of the MV Maersk Alabama

I’m sure you all remember the story of the MV Maersk Alabama hijacking by Somali pirates in April 2009.  Navy Seal snipers came to the rescue doing what they do best.  Captain Richard Phillips has the US Navy and specifically, the SEALS to thank for saving his life. 

A few years ago, I had the honor of meeting Marcus Luttrell, author of Lone Survivor.  In a book that every American should read, Marcus tells of his experience during Operation Redwing.  When I thanked him for his service to our country, he very humbly replied, “I was just doing my job.  It’s the only thing I’m good at.”

And once again, the reason for this post:  Never forget.

As for me and mine, we would like to thank all those that serve and have served in the United States armed forces. 

May God bless you and your families all the days of your lives.

SIMPLY THE BEST

To all my bloggy buddies out there who showed me the love after my “personal crisis” yesterday *wink*, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It boggles the mind how much you can be lifted up by friends you’ve never even met even if it came as a result of my shameless begging for compliments.

You made me smile, laugh and gasp (Thanks, Michel, who called me a slutty ho……but in a nice way) with your loving comments.

Thanks to you, I’m feeling much better today and can now resume my life confident in the fact that I do not look older than my age………because you so lovingly lied to me told me so.

To show my appreciation, I have asked the Queen of perpetual youth, the illustrious Ms. Tina Turner to sing a very special song in your honor.

Ladies and Gentleman, let’s hear it for ……………………….TINA TURNER!

Thank you again. You are...........SIMPLY THE BEST!

Hugs,

Smart Mouth Broad

CELEBRATING THE CONNECTIONS

It’s my 1st Bloggiversary!

One year ago today, I posted my very first blog post. I had no idea what I was doing. I sadly thought that my only “readers” would be my imaginary friends that deserted me when I was four years old. Much to my surprise, Wodo and Toady (said imaginary playmates-don’t be judgin, people) did not show but real life readers did.

Janie of Midlife Slices of was the first to comment on my blog (other than my next door neighbor whose arm may have been twisted). Janie was kind enough to link my blog on hers. It was that link that brought the rest in one way or another, I’m certain. Janie and I have a connection that is revealed by commenters who think we are related or confuse our husbands. I always have “some splainin” to do when someone leaves a comment about HBL (Janie’s hubby) and me. It was Janie who taught me so many bloggy tricks. I would make newbie mistakes and confess my obvious ignorance in the post. Janie was kind enough to email instructions and I would promptly go back and edit. She became my blog mentor and I was a constant pain in her arse for life the first few months. I’ve tried to pay it forward and offer my help to new bloggers wherever and whenever I can.

The funny (funny–odd, not funny-haha) thing is that the very same people who were the first to comment on my blog are still here and I’m honored to consider them treasured friends. People who don’t blog laugh at the idea that you have friends that you’ve never met in person. But special relationships develop and communities are formed. My bloggy buds are real life buds too. Our friendships have spilled over into real life. Email, telephone conversations, texting, tweeting and real life meet-ups are just a few ways that bloggyville has spilled over into SMBland. If a bloggy bud showed up at my door, they would be welcomed with open arms by my whole family (as long as they bring beer. *wink*)

The Fragrant Liar was there too. Of course she was known at that time as Nana of The Nana Diaries. Her tales of Miss America never fail to put a smile on my face. (Dang, I love that kid!) But more than that she’s a smart mouth, just like me. Now that’s a connection. Gotta love her.

Jan of the Famous Sushi Bar came over from MLS too. Jan’s quick wit and devil may care attitude captured my heart from the get-go. Not only that but we are almost positive that our mothers had to be related. Talk about a connection. Wouldn’t that be something!

Lori at My Life Interrupted, Jason from The Jason Show, Twentyfour at Heart and Midlife Mama were all there in the very beginning and they remain favorites of mine and have a very special place in my heart. Real connections.

Many have come for a visit over the last year and I’m grateful for each and every one. Some return, some move on. You don’t connect with everyone. You’re not meant to. Nevertheless I’ve found so many great blogs and bloggers that it’s difficult to keep up with all of them. But what I’ve also found here in bloggyville is something that I never expected. Real, live people with huge hearts and wonderful spirits that have become real friends. I cherish my friendships with all of you and I am forever changed. You have opened my eyes to new locales, different lifestyles and cultures. I see things through not just my own eyes but your eyes too. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t repeat in conversation something I’ve read here in your pages. We’ve connected. I hope you feel it too.

I had great hopes of doing something spectacular for my bloggiversary but when I tried to come up with a plan, I realized that what I really wanted to say most of all was:

Thank you!

from the bottom of my little pea-pickin heart.

Hugs,

Smart Mouth Broad

SO GRATEFUL SUNDAY - V

While I am always grateful for the blessings mentioned here that make my life complete, today I am counting the simple joys in my life that add a little kick and make me smile. As you will see, it doesn't take much to make me happy.

1. The view of the sunset at the lake
2. The distant sound of a train's whistle on a quiet night
3. Soup
4. Warm footy socks
5. Soft tissues
6. Tivo
7. Soft sheets
8. DVDs
9. Long, hot showers
10. Hearing Bobby Bowden say "Dadgummit!"
    

For What things are you grateful for today?

So Grateful Sunday III

While I am always grateful for the blessings mentioned here that make my life complete, today I am counting the simple joys in my life that add a little kick and make it interesting. (At least to me) As you will see, it doesn't take much to make me happy.

1. The stolen minutes of sleep after the alarm goes off. Those extra moments when you're not really awake but in such a light sleep that you can appreciate the bonus minutes that you're getting.
   
2. The recovery of D2's friend. She suffered three grand mal seizures due to a side effect of an antibiotic. She is out of the hospital now and recovering nicely. Praise God!
   
3. The happy sound of frogs in my yard after it rains. It's something I had to get used to when we moved here. When they put their voices together it is so loud that you can't escape it. And now I don't want to.
   
4. My laptop. D1 borrowed my laptop when she left for NC to job search. I retrieved it on our roadtrip and no longer have to blog in a cave the den.
   
5. The smell of clean laundry. I think you get used to familiar smells and no longer notice them. I change my fabric softener often so that I can enjoy the scent of the clean fabric while I am folding.
   
6. The dog at my feet while I write blog posts.
   
7. My camera. I'm not a photographer. But my point and shoot camera has captured many precious memories. (which reminds me to back up my data)
   
8. Vince Flynn books. I am currently reading Protect and Defend. I love his Mitch Rapp character. If you like the television show, 24, I highly recommend his books.
   
9. Sweet tea. It is a guilty pleasure I can't give up. I am working hard at weight loss by cutting back on sugars and starches. And while I like unsweetened tea, sweet tea is my beverage of choice and because I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to food and beverage…..no artificial sweetener will do.
   
10. That Florida State beat University of Miami yesterday! I love me some football! Yesterday's game was a real nail-biter at the end when we almost blew it big time let it slip away. But winning is winning whether it's by two points or twenty. Go Seminoles!
    

For what things are you grateful for today?