Friday, January 21, 2011

Support For Our Soldiers...

I’m not a brave person. There is no way that I could have joined the military and survived anything other than a desk job in the States. So, I have tremendous respect and admiration for the men and women who do sign up for our armed forces…often at a ridiculously young age. (I don’t want to go off on a tangent…but let me just say I find it absurd that our gov’t and society will allow 18-yr olds to die in battle on our behalf…but they are prevented from doing so many other things because of their youth. For example…consume or purchase alcohol off-base. Or rent a car without paying outrageous “under 21” fees. Joe Army can drive a tank for the US gov’t…but he can’t rent a car from Budget. Seriously?)


My little brother is planning to join the Navy this year. I am terrified for him…but at the same time, I am so proud of him…and I think it is a good decision for him. My uncle, my father, and both grandfathers served in various divisions of the armed forces…as well as many of my close friends.

So…because I am not a brave person…I try to find ways to show my support for our troops. I’ve been pen-pals with soldiers (who also happen to be pool enthusiasts), I have visited military bases with the other WPBA ladies to play challenge matches and socialize with these brave young men and women…and most recently, I have taken to sending care packages to soldiers stationed overseas. I love doing this…as it gives me the warmest of fuzzies to know that these packages help to keep our deployed soldiers more comfortable and happy while they are stationed far from home, friends, and family.

If you want to support a soldier, there are many websites that can help you. You can join their services and “adopt” a soldier or troop…or you can research things such as the most requested/popular items (I was recently asked for chapstick, lotion and foot powder) or easiest/cheapest shipping methods (USPS has a flat rate box for APO/FPO addresses. The box is free, the shipping is $12.50).

http://www.anysoldier.com/

http://www.herobox.org/

http://www.opgratitude.com/

http://www.ustroopcarepackage.com/

http://www.operationshoebox.com/

As a side note…if you are interested in sending a care package…but don’t have a lot of money to spend...you can always involve your friends and family by asking them for donations. My most recent care package had all kinds of things donated by my friends…microwave popcorn, hot chocolate packages, CD’s, razors, lotions, deodorants, powdered drink mixes, etc. These were items that my friends had extras of…or were able to give away without impacting their household budget too badly.

(And if anyone wants advice or wants to contribute to one of my future care packages…you can always email me at herndonmc@gmail.com)

Monday, January 10, 2011

The 2011 Things-To-Do List

Just as it happens at the beginning of every new year, I start 2011 with a renewed sense of purpose, determination and a good intention to get stuff done. So…while I am still in that mode…I figured I’d start by blogging about everything I plan to do this year.  First off...and it's priority over the whole list so it's not even on the list...I intend to play more pool and get back my Top 16 ranking. I'm off to a rocky start with this one since I couldn't attend the WPBA Masters in Michigan...but I'm committed for any other events this year. I love the game and look forward to getting back to playing more.

Now on to the list...

#1 – I intend to blog regularly. What does regularly mean? Well…to me it means at least once a month. There is no purpose in having the darn things if I don’t use it. My role models for this are OMGWTF, PCN guy, and Gail Glazebrook. They are all busy human beings (well, since I’ve never met PCN, I have to assume he/she is human…LOL)…yet each one of them has made a commitment to their blogs…and been very impressive in keeping those commitments. Note to self: You don’t have to write novels. Short and sweet works just as well!

#2 – Engage in creative activity. There are several items on my bucket list that I could address to fill this creative void in my life. I could learn quilting or knitting, candlemaking, jewelry making…whatever! I just need to try a bunch of new things, find something I really like, and then dive into really getting juicy with it. I admire creative people…so I intend to nurture that inner child who never stopped wanting her finger paints.

#3 – Go to X-Games and Comic-Con and the Rose Parade. I live in So Cal…and yet I have never taken advantage of my close proximity to these fantastic events. I’m not a big comic book or skateboarding fan…but I believe that events like Comic-Con transcend your normal fandom and create an experience that just about anyone will enjoy. I’ve already got my hook-ups for Comic-Con and the Rose Parade…now I just need to find one for the X-Games!!!

#4 – Do something extreme. River rafting, skydiving…something along those lines. Ziplining might not count as extreme…but I want to try that, too.

#5 – Help organize a charity event. I love event planning…and I want to volunteer…so this might be the perfect outlet for me!

#6 – Travel more. I might not be able to take a week long tropical vacation…but weekend road trips aren’t out of the question. I used to take them all the time when I was younger…and I miss those days. I’m definitely hitting Nor Cal, SD and AZ sometime this year. And, of course, there’s always Vegas.

#7 – Watch less TV. This one is going to be hard…because I love TV. But I need to spend more time out and about in the world…doing things instead of watching others do things. But I really do love TV.

#8 – Learn how to bat to right field. Yes…I need to learn how to be able to hit to right field at will. I play co-ed softball with friends…and I would like to be able to drop a little curving blooper in over the 1st baseman’s head. Your opponent’s never expect it…and many times it will get you an extra base.
#9 – Go see the Ellen DeGeneres show. I just think she’s the bee’s knees…a terrific human being. And I think that being in her presence would just be plain fun.

#10 – Drink more water. Yep…that’s #10. It’s harder than it sounds because I pretty much hate plain water. But it’s so darn good for you…and when I do drink plenty of water, I just feel better. So…that’s the plan…to get into a habit of drinking plain, old, boring water.

Well…those are my top 10 things-to-do in 2011. But there are other things that didn’t make the list….and if you have any cool suggestions…please go ahead and leave me a comment!!