Don’t Bother the Big Snake

Theme Thursday - Summer Fun

This week’s theme is Summer Fun and I have some pictures that I just love! We spent a day last month at Rehoboth Beach, DE, with some friends. It was an awesome day. Not just because the weather was absolutely perfect, but because the company was as well. We have recently really clicked with this family from our neighborhood. He’s in the Army, she’s a teacher and they have two great kids. Their youngest is Sweetheart’s age and they are so much alike it’s mind-boggling. Their son is Princess’ age and was in her class last year. All five of our kids get along with each other splendidly.

I really enjoy the mom, B. We’re on the same page about a lot of things. What’s most remarkable is that the husbands have a lot in common. B and I agree that it’s great when the hubby’s find someone that they can play with!

So, back to our day at the beach…

The kids played in the freezing cold surf, the guys built a big sand castle, and B and I sat in our chairs chatting.

The perfect day.

These were taken with my camera phone.

The guys building their sandcastle.

Buried Princess

These were taken by B.

In the Surf

Beach Angels and BFF's

The burial of Princess

Hey, I even made it into that shot!

The Motley Crew

Singing their made up Friends Forever song.

Visit the Land of K.A. for more summer fun!

Bugged Out

The commercials for Verminators on the Discovery Channel makes me feel really, really good about the cleanliness of my house. However, I don’t want to watch the show because it really creeps me out. Yet, I can’t stop watching it. I tried to change the channel, but I keep coming back to it. I’m feeling phantom bugs tickling my skin and shivers are running up and down my spine. My face is frozen in the “eewww” position. I will probably dream of creepy crawlies all night tonight.

And still, I watch.

Photo by Jimmy Smith

Priorities (or lack thereof)

It’s been a busy summer so far. Very, very busy. My house is a total wreck as a result. There is clutter on just about every surface in the house. The pictures and knick-knacks that I’d started packing when I thought we were moving have yet to be unpacked. The shelves need dusting and the floors need cleaning. I won’t discuss the bathrooms.

Today, we are expecting friends from NJ for the day. They will be here in an hour. Two of my girls are still sleeping because the swim meet went so late last night. (They swim, I run the concession). I still need to shower.

Yet, what am I doing? Blogging. Not trying to make my house or myself presentable. I’m blogging.

What should you be doing right now?

Limbo!

How low can you go?! How low can you go?!
It may be a fun party game, but it’s a pain of a lifestyle.

I am, of course, referring to the military life. Sitting in limbo, not sure if we’re going or staying; if we’ll be together or apart. Everyday brings different information. How far can I bend backwards without breaking? Let’s just say I’ve started taking yoga classes. For flexibility and stress management.

However, I’d really like to take that limbo pole and shove it somewhere that the sun doesn’t shine.

“Uncle Sam. . . come here. . . I want to play a little game with you. . .” [queue Caribbean music]

Doing More Than Fighting the War - Helping Smiles

Here’s more positive military news that you probably haven’t heard.

I found this article on Navy.com about The Naval Hospital ship, USNS Mercy, providing dental services in Vietnam. Crew members joined volunteers from several other countries to treat more than 1,500 patients. This is part of a five month humanitarian civic assistance mission.

Mercy, Pacific Partners Improve, Increase Dental Health

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) Public Affairs

NHA TRANG, Vietnam (NNS) — The crew aboard hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and members of East Meets West (EMW) foundation participated in a multi-national, multi-faceted dental civic action program (DENCAP) at the Dien Khan elementary school June 25 - 28.

Pacific Partnership DENCAPs generally provide education on oral hygiene and emergency dental services such as tooth extractions; however, working with EMW the team could do more. With its increased capability, the DENCAP at the Dien Khan site provided additional dental service including teeth cleaning, fluoride treatment, sealing and filling.

“East Meets West has been providing the equipment, the instruments and the people for the mission,” said U.S. Public Health Service Dental Corps Reserve Capt. Charles Craft, who is also the EMW dental director for the Dien Khan site.

“The U.S. Navy is bringing more personnel and supplies; together, we are able to increase our capacity and, of course, the patients benefit by that. We are very happy to be able to partner with the U.S. Navy and the other allied nations, to form a true alliance.”

On June 25, the EMW team included 15 members, eight of whom were Vietnamese staff. The rest of the team was composed of volunteers from Scotland, England, Cambodia and New Zealand. The Mercy team was made up of 20 personnel from the hospital ship, volunteers from the University of California, San Diego Pre-dental Society and other partner nation personnel from South Korean, Canada, Australia and Singapore.

Craft referred to his team as his “United Nations dental team” because of the number of countries represented in the DENCAP.

“The biggest challenges on a joint team like this is to match up our skill sets and to form a professional group despite- our individual backgrounds and different cultures and different educational upbringing,” said Craft.

The DENCAP treated more than 250 patients as of June 25. They expected to treat more than 1,500 patients by June 28, providing more than 5,000 services worth more than $250,000.

“Vietnamese in general don’t know that oral and dental care can affect the body” said EMW Vietnamese Chief Dentist Tran Thi Minh Huong, who is the dental national coordinator for EWM.

Huong also said many of the Vietnamese people, especially in the rural areas, are more concerned with putting food in their stomachs than they are with oral hygiene.

“The Vietnamese people here are very appreciative of the service,” said Vietnamese Army Junior Lt. Lam Xuan Hoa. “There are a lot of people from different countries to help us.”

Lam protected the dental supplies at the site. While there he also had his teeth cleaned.

Lam said this is the first time he saw so many foreigners. He said it was a chance for many of the Vietnamese to meet people from different countries.

“I look forward to the next time Mercy comes back,” said Lam. “We seldom get a chance like this. The children can get some tooth brushes, toys and dental treatment.”

East Meets West is a local non profit charitable organization which has operated in Vietnam since 1988.

Vietnam is the second stop on Mercy’s five-month Pacific Partnership humanitarian civic assistance mission to build friendships and professional relationships through Southeast Asia. Mercy is also scheduled to visit Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and the Federated States of Micronesia.

For more news from Pacific Partnership 2008, visit www.navy.mil/local/PP08/.

Theme Thursday - Celebration

I couldn’t find anything that I like to fit the theme, so I’m going to stretch it a little bit.

I love how this photo turned out SOOC. Therefore, this is a celebration of nature, an iris and a lovely flower photo!

What are other people celebrating today? Find out in the Land of K.A.