Yes, this year I decided to change my costume as the Halloween Happening tour guide. This year I am Madame Widow and my trusty side kick "Count" the Tarantula.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
"The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Got More Than He Bargained For"
I have always wondered how my mother knew on a daily basis when I was really sick, or trying to do my best impression of being sick. Yet, that answer is obvious; mom's intuition is the strongest power a woman can have. I was always fascinated by her ability to know when I was, as one would say, crying wolf. So here I am today, a mother of two boys, one 17 and one 14. Both of my boys each have their own special ways of trying to get out of their daily school routine. Now to help you understand where I am going with this topic of the day, you will have to also know how we spend our weekends in October.
We are volunteers for a location organization that hosts a Halloween Happening haunted barn tour and then hay ride and we have done this for the last 7 years. My entire family plays our own parts with many others to make this event a success every year. It is an event that we look forward to with much anticipation as we think of what we can create to provide the patrons the newest of Halloween scares. The only down side, it calls for long nights on Friday's, Saturday's, and Sunday's, which is a school night. I always know my kids will be exhausted on Monday morning, and will try their hand at staying home to recoup from the evening events over the weekend.
However, today I was faced with choices; one child was dealing with pain, the other dealing with fatigue. My youngest son has been dealing with a foot injury, but for whatever the reason, has kept this injury and pain to himself. On occasion he has briefly mentioned that his big toe was sore, and then continued on with his day. So when he actually said, "Mom, this really hurts," I took notice, as this statement is rarely heard from his lips. As for my other son, let’s just say he doesn't do pain at all. It wasn't until last Sunday morning at about 12:30am, just after getting home from our event, that my youngest finally became rather emotional about his toe. After his shower he finally showed my husband and I, what he was referring to. There was no doubt in our minds what was going on; it was an ingrown toe nail that looked to have been abscessing for quite a few days.
"Ouch, someone has a high pain tolerance," was what I was thinking as I had him soak his foot again and then did the best doctor job I could. I knew what the outcome would be, he would be in the first appointment on Monday to get this toe looked at. Being a mom I knew that most likely they would put him on an antibiotic and continue with the toe soaking for a couple of days, if that didn't do the trick, then we would be referred to a foot doctor. Things happened just as I suspected. It was an ingrown nail and it was infected, however the referral would wait until a return visit in a week.
Now my older son knew that his brother was going to be going to the doctors this morning and the probability of him missing a day of school was more than good, which immediately had me thinking, "he's going to call me and say that he is not feeling good and wants to come home, not because he is really sick, but because he is just really tired." We had gotten home late last night, our voices were horse and everyone was extremely tired. Heck even my early-to-rise everyday husband, got up late today and when that happens you know that it's been a long and many a late nights type of weekend. So anyways, trying to be the good mom, I took my oldest to school so he didn't have to cope with the dreaded morning bus ride. I dropped him off and then headed to our doctor to check out my youngest. The whole time it was in the back of my head, I know that the school nurse is going to call.
Like clockwork the phone rang just as we had gotten home at about 9:30 with all prescriptions and pain medications in hand. Without looking at the caller ID, I knew who was calling - I was right. The school nurse once again said those all too familiar words, "Your older son came in our office this morning stating that he was feeling very achy." As always, I ask for them to put him on the phone. Somehow I got my mothers, are you really sick or playing me again intuition, and I am so glad I did. He was good, making his voice sound super rough, almost Oscar winning, but I knew the reason he felt achy and his voice was rough. At the Halloween Happening, he was running from scene to scene saying boo or yelling to scare the people taking the tour. To be doing this in a cold barn and breathing the smoke from the fog machines, even I have a rough sounding voice this morning and I am achy from all that I did. As a matter of fact every one of the volunteers is feeling their share of fatigue and sore muscles today.
But when I said this to him on the phone, his reply turned into a very brazen statement accompanied with a disrespectful tone, "Oh, I see, you let him stay home and I have to stay here." His statement sounded so self-centered and selfish to me. How could he say this to me? If I had ever said this to my mother, the world would have stopped spinning and I would face one heck of a punishment. But that was the difference; my mother did just want she said she was going to do. If it was a week of being grounded, then it was a week of being grounded. I never really followed through with what I would threaten as a punishment, and why...I believed my kids would not love me when they grew up. DUMB!!! So now I am fixing the monstrous problem that I have created. My shock turned to anger and disgust and I replied "This wasn't about, letting one stay home and not the other, because he was tired. Your brother has an infection that needed to be reviewed by a doctor." I even offered to drive to the school to share with him the results and let him look at the prescriptions. How sad! Thinking I have to prove myself to a kid! I am tired of being treated as some big inconvenience, I am the mother! I am the parent! What myself or their father say's goes!
Now I am not heartless by any means and I do think of others, before myself, all the time. Of course I knew he was tried, and I really felt bad, but my husband and I had explained to both kids on numerous occasions, we will all work this, but remember no matter how tired we all get, Monday is another day and for kids that means going to school. My oldest knew what the outcome would be for staying up late on a school night. This was nothing new and he should know after seven years what to expect. Yet, I was the bad guy for saying that I would not come and pick him up so he could sleep all day. If he is really sick, then I do feel very bad, but with all the times I have rushed to get him and then take him to a doctor only to learn all is well, I am now rather gun shy. Maybe I needed to dig through the old books and find "The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf". Then maybe a sense of understanding could be formed.
What this all boils down to is that I know I was in the right with the choices I made this morning. I refuse to be treated as an uncaring parent by my kids or anyone for that matter. I am always on my kids about respect, but I am finding it harder and harder to get this through to them, when a lot of society has lost their respect and manners for one another. What is the old saying - Kids learn from their peers? Well folks, that doesn't mean just from parents and immediate family members. This also includes everyone they come into contact with, what they watch on TV, what they listen to for music and the behaviors of others, strangers or not, out in public. My sons have even seen my husband and I, react negatively when people try to take a verbal stab at us. We no longer sit back and say nothing. We will say something addressing the behavior so that my children see, this is not acceptable. For my boys, it's a hard lesson to learn, but as their parents it will be taught to the best of our ability. Our hopes are that they incorporate the choice to be respectful citizens along their journey of life and live by the gold rule "Treat those in the same way as you would like to be treated."
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Customer Reviews on "Through the Barracks Window: A Time of Waves"
I was curious and so I went on line to Google my name. How strange it is to see my name and my book listed on search engines. Then to see that most rated the book with 5 stars. It really means a lot to me. On the sights that I knew well, I wanted to share just a few of the reviews with you. So that you know these reviews were not altered in anyway. I put the links at the bottom of this post. Again, thanks for the great reviews. I am so very grateful.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Through The Barracks Window: A Time Of Waves, July 21, 2011
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Through The Barracks Window: A TIME OF WAVES (Kindle Edition)
I just finshed readng "Through the Barracks Window" It is an awesome book. The emotions, pain, joy, amazement, hate, and true love was felt on every page.It's a must if you want to read about over coming the odds and finding your true soul mate. Good luck on your future writings.
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Highly Recommended - A GREAT READ!! CHECK IT OUT!
I absolutely love to read, I saw that this was new and I love to give unknown authors a chance, but I always try to reseach a bit about them before I begin, I like to try to know who the person is as best as I can. Much to my surprise, when I looked her up on line, this author is well known in her community. When I found out she was both military and then worked with her local police department as a victim agent, and has written programs on Domestic Violence, Stalking prevention, and she appears in numerous newspaper articles and on her local TV, I just had to read her story. The beginning, awesome! I never expected an opening like that for a true story, but don't fear it will explain later in the book. I couldn't put it down, I felt like she was telling me her story personally, I just needed to know more. We need more writers like this. She took me on a journey that when the story was over, no joke....I read it again. Give her a chance, a great price for a great story! I just feel every emotion, it's wonderful! I think we are going to see a lot more of this one. Can't wait to read her upcoming books she spoke about in her Bio. (P. Rodgers NH.)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
June 17, 2011
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Anonymous
Wow, More than a pretty face!
I bought it for the picture. Never saw a women look that hot in a uniform. She can write too. I know the story is true, but she puts the catagory of memoir to shame. Wish more would right with such passion. I'd watch this as a movie. Great story. Your a real trooper! - Vince.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
June 07, 2011
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Anonymous
2 Thumbs up!
Very inspirational. I don't read much, but was prior military. Great Story. You don't have to be military to enjoy it. Shocking start, never got boring and excellent ending.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
A MUST READ!
I'm on line, looking up a book, and this pops up. Don't know her, so I decided to see if I can look inside. I'm hooked by the prologue. Then I learn she is a new author. You could have fooled me. Write this author's name down, you going to see much more of her, I guarantee it! Does anyone know when/where her books signings are held? Hey Oprah, I see a new book club classic! I loved the mystery, and wished I had her go get-em drive and to quote her - a can do it attitude. Nevada Gal.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
June 23, 2011
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Anonymous
BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!
I read this book, i am a high school student, my mom is also going to read it. this book is a great book for any type of person. it talks not just about the military but her family and some medical troubles that happened. this books make you feel like you are right there ever step of the way and you are apart of everything that happenes. if you need something to read i suggest this book over every book writen. i give this book my 200% approval.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Quite a Discovery & a great story
Greetings, I am the Author of "Through the Barracks Window: A Time of Waves". It was brought to my attention that the original manuscript, that I had submitted was somehow the one sent to the printers. So for all of you out there who have purchased my book between the dates of May 31, 2011 and June 7, 2011. You now own the First Edition and the original manuscript that had not had any typographical errors corrected. The Second Edition will be available as early as June 10, 2011. The story remains the same, just the typo's will be corrected. This just proves my point, not everything in life can be perfect, if we all lived in a perfect place...life would be boring. Many thanks for your purchases and I do hope you truly enjoy reading my story. Most Sincerely - Stacey L. Bolin Please note: I am also donating 5% of my book sales to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
June 30, 2011
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Anonymous
FANTASTIC! & HEART POUNDING!
To the readers out there - Her story made me laugh, cry, want to stand up and fight the bad in the world. And the love story and mystery that binds it all together. I knew Stacey, back when she lived in Laconia N.H. She was always talented in art class and very creative, but then to find out that she wrote a book. I had to get it for myself. Talk about putting your heart and soul into something. 22 years in the making. I believe it. Congrats Stacey, you have written something to be proud of. I know your determination, so one reminder, just don't forget about us little guys when get to Hollywood. *Smile* D. Logan - MA
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
July 15, 2011
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Anonymous
I Highly Recommend this Book!!
I loved this book! From the minute I picked it up I couldn't put it down. It's a true story written like a novel about a young lady that changed her entire life because of dream she had to find a man that was in the military that drove a red van. Talk about someone literally following their dreams. But along the way, she faces many challenges of life that she must overcome, including her possible death. How she chose to open her story was nothing like I have ever read in a true story and for that, I was immediately drawn in to uncover the mystery. It's a fantastic book. There is no doubt in my mind it was written with all her heart and soul and she accomplished what she set out to do, bring me on the journey with her.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
New Hampshire Union Leader - Some worthy reading material by a retired Seabee with NH Connections. By Greg Andruskevich
Hi Stacey, Here's my column on the book, finally... Today's newspaper! Greg
| New Hampshire Union Leader 10/06/2011, Page B08 |
Some worthy reading material by a retired Seabee with NH connections Veterans Greg Andruskevich “THROUGH THE Barracks Window, A Time of Waves,” by retired Navy Seabee Stacey L. Bolin, originally from Laconia, tells a story of fortitude and resourcefulness on the part of the author, and you have to admire her persistent courage in spite of all that was thrown at her, even before basic training started. Bolin’s sheer determination in the face of overwhelming odds does the Granite Stater proud; she faced what was, at the time, a chauvinistic Navy, including one particularly difficult medical officer. “Through the Barracks Window” is her 22-year labor of love. What happened to her in this story is all true; only the names have been changed to protect the innocent, and because the law says she has to protect the guilty, too. Her military saga began in Concord on Jan. 15, 1991, and it thrust her into a world completely different than the one she had expected, or anyone could have expected. In our correspondence, Bolin sent me the following: “I would be more than happy to send you a copy of my book, and it would be an honor to sign it for you. I have to say, even though I am Navy retired, I have a great fondness and appreciation for the Army. The Army saved my life twice — once that I speak about in my book, and the second was here recently. “I am a cancer survivor and the hardest part was going through treatments while I was in service trying to stay active duty. I do have a few secondary things that get the better of me now and then, but for the most part, I have my full Seabee ‘Can-Do’ spirit.” When she signed her note she wrote, “Greg and family, always believe in your dreams and follow the guidance of your heart.” And after you read her military story, you will see she stayed true to that course throughout her military career, even in Adak, Alaska, where a lot of “misfortune” took place. And yes, I did enjoy this book and am sure you will, too. Bolin now lives in Annapolis, Md., with her husband, Ron, and their boys, Ryan and Reese. She is a member of the Maryland Writers Association. Her book is available by emailing orders@trafford.com; first check out www.trafford.com. Most Trafford titles are available at major online book retailers. I salute Bolin for having the fortitude to write this book and the courage to battle through all the adversity thrown at her. I’ll never pass a rest area again or see a red van without thinking of her, and you’ll find out why when you read her book. In addition, friends and those interested in Bolin’s book can catch her being interviewed on the Annapolis TV station at http://www.youtube.com/user/CityofAnnapolis#p/search/0/RH6Rwes6aDU. |
This article above appears on the eEdition http://www.unionleader.com/ in 10/6/11.
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