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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

September 8, 2010

Dustin Jacob Inge
Born:  9 Sept 1996
Sherman, TX

It's hard to believe that tomorrow you will be 14...
Seems like just yesterday that I was waiting on you to arrive and see your face.
Seems like just yesterday you took your first step.
Seems like just yesterday you said your first word.
Seems like just yesterday you discovered dirt.
Seems like just yesterday that you lost your first tooth.
Where did the time go?
When did you get so smart?
When did you stop being scarred of the dark?
Where did that little boy go?

Tomorrow, you celebrate your 14th Birthday and I wish for you the happiest of days, and the happiest of moment's for the rest of your life.

Love Mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUSTIN

Saturday, July 24, 2010

The BOOT Campaign~Show our Troops you Care



Originally uploaded by The Boot Campaign
A group of women have created a campaign to raise money for our men and women who have volunteered their time to protect our freedoms and out country.... this is their mission:

"The Boot Campaign was created to generate American awareness about the needs of our military men and women coming home from combat.
The money raised from boot sales will go to the Lone Survivor Foundation and the USO to support our returning active duty and combat veterans.

Our military heroes volunteered to put themselves in dangerous, life-threatening situations to preserve human freedom. The Boot Campaign motto is simple…“When they come back, we give back.” The Boot Girls want every person within reach of our website to tangibly give back to our troops by buying a pair of combat boots and proudly wearing or displaying them. "

Wont you visit their website and help them make a difference!

Please go to http://www.bootcampaign.com

and " GET YOUR BOOTS ON"

To all our Men and Women who served our country......

"THANK YOU!

Monday, April 19, 2010

15 Years Ago.....

Sorrow
St. Joseph's Old Cathedral
"And Jesus Wept"

St. Joseph's is one of the oldest mortar and brick churches in the city and was almost destroyed in the blast.  Even though this statute is not associated with the memorial, the statute of Jesus Weeping reminds us of the devastation caused on that horriable day that took so many lives from us.

On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh entered Oklahoma City at 8:50 am CST.  By 9:00, Oklahoma City would be brought to it's knee's.

Timothy McVeigh had planted a bomb inside a Ryder Truck which contained 4,800 pounds of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, nitromethane, and diesel fuel mixture.  The bomb would be detonated in front of the north side of the nine-story Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
Timothy McVeigh was not the only participating party in this.  Also involved was Terry Nichols,

Terry Nichols would actually stand trial twice for his unspeakable crimes.  The federal government tried him first in 1997.  He was found quilty of "conspiring to build a weapon of mass destruction" and eight counts of "involuntary manslaughter of federal officers".  Terry was sentenced to life without the chance of parole on 4 June 1998.  Then in 2000, the State of Oklahoma would get it's chance.... they sought the death-penalty on 161 counts of first-degree murder (160 non-federal agents and one fetus).  On May 26, 2004 a jury of his peers would find him quilty of all counts, but could not agree on the death-penalty issue.  Judge Steven W. Taylor, presiding judge would decide on a sentence of 161 consecutive life terms without the chance for parole. Later in 2005, acting on a tip; FBI Agents would search a crawl space in

On April 24, 1997 Timothy McVeigh would stand trial for his part in this horrible attack he executed on Oklahoma City.  When all evidence was heard and closing arguments were silenced, it took the jury 23 hours to come back with a verdict.  The gury would find McVeigh quilty on eleven counts of murder and conspiracy.  The defense for McVeigh tried to get a reduced sentence of "Life in Prision", but it wasn't going to fly this time.  McVeigh would be sentenced to DIE!

In May of 2001, the FBI made it public that they had withheld over 3000 documents from McVeigh's defense team.  A stay of execution was ordered until further review of the documents could be made.  On June 6, 2001 Judge Richard Paul Matsch ruled that none of the documents could prove McVeigh's innocents and ordered the execution to go forward.  Because McVeigh was sentenced to Death in a Federal Court, the President had to approve the execution.  Once President George W. Bush approved the execution he was sentenced to die by leathal injection. 

On June 11, 2001 Timothy McVeighs sentence was carried out at a U.S. penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana by leathal injection.  The execution was witnessed over closed circuit TV so that the relatives of the victims could witness his execution if they so chose to do so.  McVeigh's execution would be the first for the Federal Government in 38 years.

Other accomplices were Michael and Terry Fortier.  Michael helped case the Murry Building prior to the bombing and his wife Terry helped laminate the fake ID that would later be used to rent the Ryder Truck that was used in the bombing.  In exchange for his testimony against McVeigh and Nichols, Fortier received a reduced sentence and his wife received immunity by the request of her husband for his testimony.  Fortiner was released early on good behavior and is now in the Witness Protection Program

In the wake of this devastation, Congress has enacted new legislation, new safeguards have been set in place for current Federal Building and new construction guidelines have also been created for new construction. In wake of the attack on Oklahoma City, the new security measures put in place at all Federal Buildings cost in excess of $600 million.
Rembering.............
Oklahoma City Memorial

The outdoor symbolic Memorial was dedicated on April 19, 2000.  The Memorial Museum was dedicated on Presidents Day on February 19, 2001.
My first visit to the memorial was in October of 2007 with my mom and cousin who were visiting for the first time from Michigan.  I was not really sure what to expect when I arrived.  The first thing that I came to was the chain link fence that leads up to the large walls that seperate the outside world from the inside where the reflection pool is located and the chairs that represent each of the 168 victims who lost their life.

The first that I remember seeing was this mass ocean of flowers, teddy bears and the one thing that stood out the most was a "Fireman's Jacket".
photo taken by:  Rene Young

photo taken by: Rene Young

The photos above were taken in October of 2007 and the amount of offerings to remember victims by is overwhelming.  A friend who worked the OK City Bombing told me that the stuff is frequently collected after a time and placed in storage.  At that time, no one knew exactly what to do with all the stuff.

After you get past the fence and all the gifts you come to a large wall with an opening in it.  At the top of the wall it reads:  We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.

As I entered the "Gates of Time" it was as if time stood still!
Once inside the reflection pool area it was as if the whole world had stopped.  I don't remember hearing the outside traffic noise.  One forgets your in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City.  My heart stopped and by breath was taken away by the tranquility of the moment and what I was experiencing.  I reflected back to the day this event had taken place and remembered where I was when I saw what had happened.  I remember seeing all the devastation on TV.  I couldn't believe that something like this had hit so close to home. 

But as I stood in side, I began to realize the magnitude of the events that had taken place on April 15, 1995.  While I knew no one who had been killed, I could not help control the amount of emotions that began flooding my being.

As you enter the gates you are asked to remain silent in rememberance of those lives lost here.
photo by:  Rene Young
As you enter the door through the "Gates of Time"  you see another wall and in between them is a winding stair area for visitors to work their way through.  On the other side of the wall you first see the reflection pool in front of you and to your right the chairs that represent those who lost their lives. At night the chairs light up so that visitors my see them in the reflection pool.  If one will look closely, they will notice there are two different size chairs.  The smaller of the two represent the children who lost their lives in the blast.  On the birthday's of the victims, the light in the chair is changed to a different color so.   The wall at the end of the reflection pool reads 9:01 am (the time just before the bomb exploded) and the wall you pass through as you enter into the reflection pool reads 9:03 am (the time that everything stopped).  The bomb exploded at 9:02.

To the left is a walk way that leads to the Museum.  As you approach the front you will see a wall which was made from tiles created by school children across the USA.

photo by: Rene Corwin


photo by: Rene Corwin

This is a photo of one of the many individual tiles that create the wall in front of the Museum.

In front of the wall is a large "CHALK BOARD" area for children to write messages to the victims and their families.  Because it is hard for children to remain quiet, this is a place for them to express their feelings and emotions without silence....

The folowing photos were taken by Rene Corwin during our visit to the Memorial.  My youngest son Dustin and her grandson Gabe both left messages for the victims and their familes.  While Gabe was really to young to realize what was going on, my youngest son was not.  His message touched my heart and made me stop and realize just how this event touched everyone; even those to young to know. 

Sarah and her son Gabe

My youngest son Dustin and his message....


We come here to remember

those who were killed, those who survived
and those changed forever.
May all who leave here know the impact of violence.
May this memorial offer comfort, strength,
peace, hope and serenity.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter

Photo taken by:  Robin Inge
"Gordon Lake"
March 30, 2010

Well First, I would like to wish everyone a very "Happy Easter". 

Earlier in the week, my mother told me about an email she had gotten regarding "Pine Tree's" and Easter.  The email said that when Spring arrives, the pine tree's begin their new growth and can be seen by the new sprouts at the top of the tree. 

She then said the email went on to say that on Easter Sunday, the spouts open and form a cross.  I don't know how true it is, but I have take the photo above to show what the tree looked like earlier in the week.  I will update this a little later with another photo to see if the story is true.

"Happy Easter"

"UPDATE"
Photo taken by:  Robin Inge
"Easter Sunday"

Well, they don't look like I expected.  However, with the way the weather has been lately I wonder if the warm and cold temperature changes have something to do with it.  Judge for yourself!

Monday, March 22, 2010

How I would use an Apple iPad

So, recently I happened across a new company called PRINT 24 on Facebook.  I noticed they were giving away an Apple iPad and thought it would come in handy so decided to enter the contest.  Here is what you have to do.... Write an article and post it to your blog about how you would use the iPad and then link it back to here.  Simple!

As a single mom who works a full time job and a full time student, I have a pretty busy schedule.  My youngest son is involved in Boy Scouts and they do weekly meetings, community projects, work days and various activities; along with monthly campouts every month of the year regardless of the weather conditions.  Since we live in Texas that seems to be a big order here lately, never know minute to minute what that is going to be here lately.  Just this weekend, I went hicking on one day with tempretures in the 70's and sunny and that evening as we got off the mountain it turned to rain and by night fall it was sleeting and we work to 2 inches of snow.  My boyfriend works the Oil and Gas Refinery business as a Safty Man and sometimes a piper; therefore he travels about 80-90% of the year.  We get his daughter every other weekend and various holidays and are constantly running and planning activities when they are home.  So my life is constantly going in a hundred different directions.  Then when you throw in my school schedule and My hobbies of photography and volunteering with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation you can only imagine what kind of calendar I keep.  I have one for each project.  Plus, my calendar at work on my computer and two on my computer at home.

Recently my son transferred scout troops and I was elected to be in charge of scheduling the campouts for the troop.  So I have to keep up with where they have been, where they are going, deposits, who is going where and who has what.  With Ronnie, I have to keep up with his travel dates for work, mileage and all his what nots that he throws my way.  Dustin has all his merit badges that I keep up with and what date he is doing what training and where he needs to be for volunteer work.  I have homework assignements, test, projects for school and recently I started doing photography and genealogy research for a side business and I need a personal assistant. 

If I was to win the iPad I could keep everyone's schedule at my finger tips and wold be able to stay on task without having a hundred different calendars for each and every job I do.  Don't get me wrong, I can find anything they need at the drop of a hat, but only when I get to where my calendars are.  This way if they call me, I would have it right there and be able to answer any question they had regarding their schedule.  The best part is if I had the iPad, I could give them the paper version of my schedule and they could look themselves.  :)  (Just a thought)!

The other thing it would help me do is have a more flexiable way of scheduling events and task for the family.


"COWGIRL UP"

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Seriously.....

OK! To the stalker I've had watching me wanting to see what I'm doing.... I have tried my hardest to tell you I know who you are. But I guess your not that smart and obviously cant read because your still there. So here are the rules:


1. I COULD CARE LESS WHETHER YOUR WATCHING OR NOT. (I am truly flattered you dont have anything better to do that spend your time with me).....

2. COWGIRL UP! Put your BIG GIRL panties on and DEAL WITH LIFE! ( In english: GET OVER IT)... time to move on.

3.  If you can't understand Rule 1 or 2 see rule 4.

. GET A FREAKING LIFE OF YOUR OWN! Any future issues just email me. BE A BIG GIRL!

To those of you who may see this, and just stoppin by to say hi or see what life is doing in Wichita Falls, please continue to stop by. We just happen to have one RAT in the wood pile who seems that life has nothing better than to follow me and see what dirt she might be able to find. She seems consumed with something she has no control over and instead of moving on and accepting life wants to make life for other Miserable.

 However, what she don't realize is she is the miseable one and needs to grow up. After all these years and still comsumed with bitterness. She ought to count her blessing and be thankful that the ones in her life are there instead of trying to push them away. Instead of thinking about herself, she might ought to think about those that are more important... But since she is so consumed with bitterness and revenage I guess she is to busy to see what is truly important.  I find it quiet sad that she can't enjoy the beautiful day we have outside enjoying life.  We are.......

Off to spend the day having fun with kids and family.... Hope all are having a wonderful Spring Break!

Happy St. Patrick's Day



Latin: Sanctus Patricius, Irish: Naomh Pádraig
Born c. AD 387 Banna Venta Berniae, Britain
(suggested to be near Birdoswald, Cumbria, England)
Died 17 March, 461
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodoxy
Anglican Communion
Lutheran Church
Feast 17 March (Saint Patrick's Day)




St. Patricks Day
(Lá Fhéile Pádraig)

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

St. Patricks day is always celebrated on the 17th day of March unless if falls on a day during "Holy Week" (Last week of Lent and the week before Easter).  This even has happened in 1940 and 2008.  The next St. Patricks day will not fall during "Holy Week" unti the year 2160.  The holiday was named after St. Patrick; one of the most recognized patron Saints of Ireland.  St. Patricks Day began as a pure Catholic Holiday and had turned into an official fest day by the early 1600's.  The color green was not the color recognized orginally by the Patron St. Patrick, but instead the color was blue.  In the early 17th Century, green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of the holiday, thus changing the color to green.  It is said that St. Patrick used the 3-leaf plant to explain the "Holy Trinity" to pre-christian Irish.  It is also said that Ireland has celebrated St. Patrick's Day since the early 1600's.  In 1903 St. Patricks Day became an official holiday in Ireland; thanks to the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act 1903, an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament introduced by the Irish MP James O'Mara..

Monday, January 4, 2010

Happy New Year

Well, today was my first day back to work and let me say it was a mess.  Next week is registration for Spring 2010 at the college so everyone that I didn't see and even some of those that I already saw before Christmas came in or called or both today.  When I arrived this morning at 7:30 am they were already in line to see me and the phone was ringing off the hook.  Not to mention some 80+ voicemails that I had.  Hello, my voicemail message stated:  "DO NOT LEAVE A MESSAGE"  we will not monitor or return our calls and will be OUT till Jan 4.  Do people not listen?  I spent 90% of my day repeating my self because people dont listen.  How do they expect to pass classes if they dont listen?  Oh, and the majority of them are not kids just out of highschool, they are ADULTS!  You heard me!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and an enjoyable and safe New Year.  Did you get what you wanted from Santa.  I did!  Ronnie was able to be at home with us through the New Year before he had to return to work.  He called to let me know he arrived safely.  I hate when he is gone, but in the economy we have right now, I am glad he has a job.  We got to spend New Years with our friends and family and had a blast playing the WII and laughing our butts off at everyone making a fool of themselves. 

I had wished for "A White Christmas" also, and got it and then some.  I have lived in Texas all my life and have never seen that much snow in one place other than on the TV or picures.  WOW!  Let me tell you, non of us here were prepared for it.  I stayed my happy little butt in the house.  NOT because Ronnie said so either... but I did take it into consideration.  Figured the pain on not getting out was way less than that of hearing him grip at me.  LOL!  On top of that, it was a lot worse than I thought it was.  I could not believe the amount of cars stranded in the snow on Christmas Morning as we drove from Wichita Falls, to Electra TX.  WOW!  I did enjoy the snow though... it was absolutely beautiful.

Anyway, to all of you who pass through.... please have a wonderful, safe, loving and eventful 2010!  Stop by and say hi once in a while....

New Years Resolution:  To Enjoy this year to the fullest and make each moment a memory!