The TEMPORARY Empty Nesters - Will they survive?

 

Well today is Thursday, and for many who are a part of the Facebook world, must know by now that Thursdays are also knows as Throwback Thursday. What is this you ask? For those who don't know it is a special day dedicated to reliving the past through various memories i.e., old school pictures, days of yesteryear that usually come in the form of pictures when we were young, worry and/or care free with only minimal responsibilities in our lives. Or for others, it could also be for moments to post pictures of your graduating child in their best/worst baby picture. Everyone has their own way of sharing their times of yesteryear when the calendar indicates - "It's Thursday."

 

I personally cannot say that I have posted anything to attribute to this weekly tradition, but have great fun looking at the pictures posted, and finding myself smiling, or warding off the stressors of my day with a chuckle or two as I enjoy the memory that it triggered for me in that era of my life. We'll today, something about this Facebook ritual, has me feeling lonely and longing for the days when my boys were just learning how to walk and talk, to their first days in Kindergarten, to our special days before they became young men. 

My mother always shared this one piece of advice, "Enjoy those babies they grown up quick and before you know it, they'll be out on their own and you'll be standing there wondering where the time went." Harboring the great ability to be naïve, I believed this would not rattle my timbers for many years and that hands of time would slow on the clock, just to prove her advice wrong - the only one wrong was me - and my mind is filled with this vision of my mother taking the place of Julie Andrews as she sings a top of the mountains in the Sound of Music singing a song called "Always listen to your mother." Today I'm feeling the brunt of this advice and glad that I heeded it fully. You see, my husband and I are in training, temporary empty nesters training to be exact, which I'm rather thankful for vs. being thrown into it in a permanent status.  

My oldest son, move from our home to the Midwest, in May of 2014, to take on the role of – Big Rig truck driver - for a custom wheat harvest cutting team. He graduated last year, and the idea of him following his dreams was exciting and the thought of our home being childless never crossed my mind, as my younger son still has another year until he graduates. I never expected that our home would be childless for this summer of 2014, as I envision that while our oldest was off in the world, our youngest would do what I did as a pending High School Senior - work a little, hang out with friends at the beach and enjoy the summer to the fullest in the town where I grew up. But on June 24th, 2014, our youngest stepped onto a plane - all by himself - and ventured off into the wild blue yonder to the west to work the lands on his grandfather’s wheat farm.

I did very well containing the motherly sorrow that was doing its best to reveal itself through my glassy eyes and quivering bottom lip. Yes, any plane travel has me feeling a bit unnerved, but ok lets be honest as I know I'm not fooling anyone reading this,  I was feeling the stinging emotions that I was already missing my babies beyond the point of heartbreak, but what kind of mother would I be if I instilled the same worry/upset into my child, especially on the day he was leaving for a great summer vacation/work opportunity or my oldest driving out to the west like he did earlier this year. So instead I took on the -You’ll be fine have a great time, wish I was going - strategy to conceal my pending grief of change. He kept telling me not to cry, which tells me, that both of babies are no longer babies as they understand how this mom and dad are feeling and that they do their best to give comfort back to us. I gave him a hug and said that I loved him, I also let him know that I was going to stay until I saw his plane fade into the distant sky – thank you Southwest for allowing me a gate pass.  I watched the plane pull away from the gate and begin to taxi down the runway and then in less than five minutes it rose into the sky with my young man without my husband and I by his side. A cool reality danced in the pit of my stomach as I felt a deepened sense of estrangement and confusion as to my purpose in this constant and always changing life. “What do I do now?” I wondered to myself.

The tears were there waiting to expose my sorrow as I made my way back to my truck, but for some reason the reality of the situation had not taken its full effect. I felt so alone and the thought of going home scared me, so I decided to wander aimlessly as I looked around the Wal-Mart that had always been more like a field trip when my boys were younger. The store didn’t feel the same something was missing. The memories of their little voices could only be heard within my mind asking for this toy or that toy, as I walked past the kid section of the store. It was then, this mom and her want to be stronger than her feelings, felt the warming wetness of endless tears rolling down my checks and dampening the t-shirt upon which they fell. Mom was right – I was standing there wondering - “where did the time go?”  

Upon speaking with other mother’s about my first couple of days in the “Empty Nesters” training, they too shared with me how it affected them and it took some longer than others to learn how to cope with this huge life change. One had even remarked how she wished she had documented her struggles and challenges as she and her husband continued to move forward in their new life adventures as a couple with their kids out exploring the world. Others told of the sorrow of a phone that didn't ring as must as they had hoped, but with technology they would get a text or two letting them know all was well. It was the willingness of these women sharing their stories that still brought tears to their eyes, that inspired this starving artist and writer onto a new blogging path, my mission – Sharing my trials and tribulations over the next several weeks to see how I do or  what I didn’t cope well doing during this temporary life change. Maybe you - my fellow readers out there will be inspired to share your own tips, strategies and ideas that you used when you entered the “Empty Nesters” program.

Now there is one great thing about all of this: We have something to really look forward to, besides our sons coming home - My husband and I will also be heading west, to enjoy some desperately needed vacation time and to visit our oldest son and pick up our youngest son before the school year begins again. I hope you come back as I update you on our progress, and feel free to share any positive suggestions you may have for myself or to the millions of others out there who are feeling the changes as their children venture out into this great big world.

I decided it was time to post my Throwback Thursday moments. So here it goes. I want to share a little something, of course a piece of music that comes to mind and some memories of my babies over the years. Enjoy your throwback Thursday and I’ll blog ya later.  Thanks for reading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyb_gaXhCTk

 

Reese and his friend Marlena working on his first truck 4/2014

Ryan Graduation 2013

 

 

 

 

 



Ryan 2012 Winner of the Demolition Derby

Ryan 5 and Reese 3

 

Ryan and Reese March 1998

 

Ryan 3 days old

 

Reese 1 month old

Ryan 19 and Reese 16 Christmas 2013

"The Experiment" Part III

Friday had finally made its grand entrance into the Keebler home. Everyone conducted their early morning routines as usually, but with just a little less conversation at the breakfast table.  The girls were still very upset with their dad and the possible antics that he had planned for later that evening. They hoped that maybe his work day would render him too exhausted for games and trickery, which is what they felt this whole experiment of his was – games and trickery. But to Bill, no matter how the girls were feeling about his plan, this was something that until he ventured out and gathered this information, he would not be at peace with himself.  

The day turned out to be as smooth as a freshly paved road and five o’clock came with quickness for the Keebler family. Bill was the first one home and immediately retreated to the bedroom to begin the preparations for his undercover secret squirrel assignment that would be set in motion at 8:00pm that very night.

Lori and the girls arrived at home about an hour after Bill and were greeted at the door by the sounds of Bill belting out a tune, which he believed to be his best vocal accompaniment, to the music of Def Leopard. They all stood in the doorway both daze and confused and honestly were not surprised to see that the kitchen showed no signs of anything being started for dinner and their dog buttons sat ever so quietly with his plastic dog dish in his mouth.  It was then and only then did they all realize that Bill was indeed serious about his experiment and nothing was going to get in his way.

A look of panic came over Carmen’s face as she dropped her purse and began to run through the house like a crazed manic.

“Carmen! Slow Down! What is wrong with you?” said Nancy, with a chuckle to her voice. She looked at herself as the calm one in all the madness in the world.

“Don’t just stand there Nancy…Check every window in the house as quick as you can?” Carmen ordered as she moved around like the Tasmanian devil on a loony tunes cartoon.

Lori and Nancy just stood there in disbelief that on one floor was a daughter spacing out with no valid explanation, while the man of the house made it sound like he was hosting his very own rock concert in his steam shower time machine upstairs.  

“The only thing missing is the sound of a crowd cheering” said Lori out loud to herself when suddenly the sounds of thousands of people screaming and cheering filled the house as Bill was doing shout outs to thank the crowd for coming. “I should have known he was listening to the live concert version.”

“Mom…Don’t just stand there! Help me make sure all the windows are closed…our neighbors can hear dad singing!” Carmen screamed.

“Good Luck mom…I told you…you going to need it tonight.” Nancy smiled.

“I think you right little lady, come on let’s get this hungry dog fed and some dinner on the table.”

“Should we tell dad we are home?”

With a huge grin, Lori replied, “Nope, but you could be a good girl and stand outside in the hallway and record his performances on your cell phone so that we have a great laugh when family flies in for the holidays.”

“YOU GOT IT!” exclaimed Nancy as she ran past Carmen who still believed that there had to be a window open somewhere and that she’d be the joke of the community for weeks on end if she couldn’t contain the excessive noise her dad was making.

It was the smell of perfectly seasoned hamburgers and onions grilling on the stove that was the alarm that triggered Bills brain with the realization that his family was home.

“Oh Crap.” He thought as he turned the shower off. “How long have they been home?”

“Bill, Girls, dinner is ready!” said Lori as her voice carried through their home.

“Long enough,” he said to himself as he wiped the condensation off the mirror to check out day two of his new hair color.

***

Lori and the girls were already at the table eating when Bill finally made his appearance to join them for dinner.

“Hey dad, how was your day?” Said Nancy followed by a devilish smirk.

“It was good.”

“Heard any great bands lately?” Carmen asked rather sarcastically.

“Ok, so I was enjoying some time to myself, is it a crime to still like 80’s hair band music?”

“Only if the police are called in for excessive noise and disturbing the neighbors,” said Lori, as she looked down at her plate to hide that she wanted to laugh.

Nancy couldn’t resist and jumped on the - make fun of dad’s singing bandwagon. “Yeah dad, there were police helicopters and news media all over the place, they thought that an animal was caught in a trap or something.”

“Hey, I’ll have you girls known that I was in the swing choir in high school and we won second place in the music festival.”

“You had to win second place, there was only two schools that showed up, yours was one of them.” Interjected Carmen.

“Ok, girls, let’s stop with the jokes now. Your dad has been taking it like real trooper. Now let him eat his dinner before it gets cold.”

“How bout’ we stop if he stops this joke about going out to observe the working skills of today’s youth. I fear he’ll go to a place where my friends work and I’ll be picked on for the rest of my life!” Carmen cried out in one of her overly drama flairs.

“Carmen, I can’t say it enough…please get your application in and get into acting. Trust me when I say that you’ll be rich forever.” Replied Bill, before taking another bite of his cheese burger.

“Well while you three discuss who is doing what and who isn’t, meaning cleaning the table and putting the dishes away…I’m going upstairs to get my private eye outfit on, can’t go looking like somebody’s mom now can I.” Lori said in a witty tone of voice. “Oh and Bill when you’re ready to get our N.C.I.S. mission underway, let me know and we’ll be out the door in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

With part of his hamburger still in the process of being chewed up in his mouth, Bill pushed it to the right side of his cheek with his tongue and exclaimed, “Baby I’m ready! Get your poop in a group and let ‘s get this party started!”

Turning a bit green Nancy found the ability to share her feelings on her dad’s poor table manners, “Poop? Party? I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Ok girls, you are in charge of the cleaning details and make sure that one of you take the dog out before poop really hits the fan.”

“Ewww Dad that is so gross.” Both girls replied together in their best annoyed voices.

As the clock struck 8pm, Lori was dressed, out the door and waiting for Bill. He was usually the first one in the car bitching that the women of the house were was always running late, especially Lori, and without fail he would always remark that she  of all people would even be late to her own funeral if he wasn’t there to always keep her ass moving. This time the shoe was on the other foot.

As she began to grow inpatient, she glanced down at her watch and noticed it was 8:09 and was startled when she looked up at saw Bill dressed in a long trench coat, mirrored sun glasses and carrying one of his huge and heavy looking old military olive drab green duty bags that he immediately threw into the trunk of the car before getting into the driver’s seat.

She couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of her husband. “Oh my god..Bill you look like a flasher.”

“It’s my undercover disguise…what do you think?”

“You can't wear that, your going to get us arrested in that get up.”

“You worry too much. Want to see what I don't have on under this coat, He said with a wink of an eye. "Just relax, the fun is just beginning…Ziva.”

Lori blushed, “Oh Tony, you always know the right things to say to a girl.”

“So what kind of sweet nothings to you have to say to me?”

“Well, Seriously I’ve always wanted to say this one line, but there was there has never been the right time or place until now, “ she paused then continued while trying to keep a straight face, “What is the bag bitch?”

He was in awe that his wife had not only wanted to know what was in his secret detective bag, but that she had called him a bitch.

“Come on, what’s in the bag?”

He grinned sheepishly and said, “The most important items any great detective would have while conducting and undercover investigation.”

“Yeah, like what?”

 “You know important things like a Camera, cell phones, batteries, a fiber one bar, peanut M&M’s, a soda and a bottle of water, tums, Tylenol and chap stick.”

All Lori could do at this point was to keep from laughing herself to death as she found this crazy plan rather comical. She was also very intrigued by this witty, imaginative side of her husband that she had never seen before. To her it was actually fun and made her feel youthful again.

“Strap in Ziva. Our first stop - the fast food locations in the mall.”

“Ok Tony, let’s roll.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRQAF3CLQ84

Due to my extra creative want to write this story, it has been lengthened and we all know what that means and can be described in three words - To be Continued…

"Mystery Caller Halloween Revenge" Scary stories

7 Days until Halloween

I had fun with a clip art program yesterday morning.

 

*Reader Warning*

This story is based on a true story

that contains foul language, and suggestive violence and sexual situations.

 

90% of this story is of truth. my reason for writing this, is because, even though people love the idea of pranking others - especially during Halloween, it doesn't take much for a joke or something equivalent of, to escalate into something out of control, violent, and possibly deadly.
You can't change a persons free will, you can only hope that people know the difference between a good choice and bad choice - because either way, good or bad,
it could effect your life and the lives around you.

 

 

"Mystery Caller Halloween Revenge"

By Stacey L. Bolin

Based on a true story

Copyright 10/22/2012

For a week, Michael had been getting voiceless calls on both his cell phone and his house phone. He put the possibilities of foul play at bay with the thought that everyone has a number they accidentally dial. Michael always referred this to a Butt call. You know, when you put your phone in your pocket or someplace that can bump the number panels, the phone could call again without the owner of the phone knowing unless they check their call history. Yet in the back of his mind, one question plagued him - he could understand either his cell phone or his house phone, but both getting calls like this? "It's got to be more than just a coincidence," he thought.  Then he remembered an old girlfriend that was bitter that the relationship never blossomed into anything long term, and he pondered, would she do something like this? - Oh yes she would and then some. Now he was completely bugged by the fact that a woman, who envisioned marriage, mortgage payments, and kids, after one of night sex, could now be a whole different kind of problem in his life. Not to say that there was anything wrong with people getting married and all the other stuff that comes with it. He just realized that it was not what he wanted for his life at that time, and decided to part ways. 

Being a 24 year old single man had its perks, but it also came with lulls. The perks, freedom to do what he wished, sleep with whom he wished, and party as long as he wished. The lulls were coming home to an empty house at the end of the day. The scent of a home cooked meal, absent when he walks in the front door, and most importantly - that special some to kiss good-night and have fall asleep in his arms. Non-the-less, at this time, he was a single man

By the end of the week, Michael was relieved the weekend was here as he was ready to engage in something wild and crazy. Anything was better than working a 12 hour shift. Like clockwork, every third Friday, which usually fell on a pay-day, only guys from the company, both married and single, would go out to the local sports bar to blow off some steam.  For the married men of the group, they told their wives it was a form of necessary "occupational therapy" to help them regroup so they would be ready for the next work week.  For the guys who were lucky enough to be single, they looked forward to meeting the beautiful women who also graced this place.  To them it was - “I'm Gonna Get Some" night. Michael was quick to get the jobs done that he been assigned for the day, in spite of the constant distraction of his thoughts on what this Friday night had in store for him. When it was time to clock out, he grabbed his gear, jumped into his truck, and swiftly headed home to get cleaned up. As he drove, his cell phone rang and displayed on the screen unknown name unknown number, yet he still answered it as his friends do this all the time to him when they call.

"Dang those call blocker applications," he said with frustration as he went to answer the phone. "Hello?" There was no reply, yet he could hear something in this call that he had not heard before in the last voiceless calls - this time someone was breathing on the other end.

"Hello? I don't know who you are, but you better knock this shit off!" Clearly he had had enough.

"I'm watching you!" replied a much distorted monstrous monotone voice.

"Come again!?" Michael shouted.

"I'm watching you!" and then the phone went silent.

He threw his phone down on the seat of his truck, cursing and cussing the unknown caller for disrupting his life once again. It was clear that it was not his old girl friend unless she was taking large doses of testosterone pills or something; the voice was way too deep that couldn't even be accomplished by the best female actress. The traffic was rather congested and slow as snails at times, giving him plenty of opportunity to try to provide his sporadic thoughts some type of answer.

As he finally turned onto the road where his home was, a black cat ran across the street, nearly being struck by Michael’s truck. "Dang Cat, Good thing you have nine lives as you almost spent them all in one place!" He yelled out to himself, followed by a laugh. He thought it was funny.

Now Michael had  never be the superstitious type of person, but shortly after pulling into his drive way, the hairs on the back of his neck felt like there were standing straight up as an icy chill raced over him. “Snap out of it dude, it was just a cat.” He said to himself as he shook his head. “This is nuts.” He then grabbed his gear, locked his truck and went into the house. His excitement about going out tonight was all but lost, because some jerk wanted to make crank calls and it was really pissing him off.

He turned on the music channel and was immediately taken in by the sensual video sights and musical beat of the song Zydrate Anatomy. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVTAf4FAXaU&feature=related). As he sat there almost in a stare as he watch the television, his cell phone rang again, stinging him with a quick jolt of fear.

“This better not be another crank call,” He screamed. He was at his breaking limit when he saw that the phone again displayed unknown name, unknown number. “What the hell do you want?” he said in a pissed off voice when he answered the phone.

“I see I am really driving you crazy.” Declared the distorted voice.

“What is your damn problem you sick f**K!?”

“You want to see sick, take a look outside in your front yard – I’m watching you!” The horrific voice revealed then broke into the most sinister laughter.

When Michael got up and walked over to look out his front window, there in his yard stood a dark shadowy figure. Between the intenseness of the music playing and seeing someone standing in his front yard that had been harassing him all week, triggered his senses to immediately begin bursting into overload and had him ready to open a can of whoop-ass.

“You think you scare me mother-F**ker! I have a house full of guns! You think I’m afraid of you! Come on, knock on my door!” Michaels anger was become more of a revengeful rage.

Just then the shadowy figure displayed a handgun from his waistband. “See what I got Michael, I could take you out with one shot.”

“OK Bitch – Your mine!” Michael replied fearlessly. He put his phone in his pocket and he grabbed a 12 gage shot gun that he had in his gun cabinet and came out of his house just in time to see the unknown shadowy figure jump into a waiting car and then they sped off down to road – not knowing that the way they chose to drive would lead them to a dead end. They didn’t know that Michaels’ home was the last one on the street.

Michael jumped into his truck, slamming it into reverse as he stomped onto the gas pedal. The sound of squealing tires and blue smoke filled the air. Then he threw his truck into drive and again stomped on the gas. He was going to make his anger known; nobody was going to threaten him, especially on his property. He saw the tail lights of the car followed by break lights and then back up lights. Clearly the car was trying to turn around. Michael let the car get turned around then he slammed on the breaks as he turned the steering wheel causing his truck to block the oncoming car.  The car never moved when Michael jumped out of his truck and stepped out into the illumination of the car headlights in the center of the road waiting for the passengers - who at that time chose not to get out.

Michael then lifted his gun and pointed in the direction of the windshield and with a fiery rage in his voice, ordered the both the driver and the passenger to get out of the car or he was going to light it up.

“Michael – Hey man it’s just us! Don’t shoot!” pleaded a voice that sounded familiar to him.

Still keeping his shot gun raised he once again ordered them to get out of the car. Slowly both doors opened and the two men in the car got out with their hands in the air.

“Michael – It’s me Frank!”

“Frank?”

“Dude, put the gun down! We just wanted to get you back for your Halloween Prank from last year when you made it look like you had Hilti nailed your hand to a wall.”   

“Who’s with you?”

“Jake”

Michael could not believe that he had been the recipient of quite an elaborate prank. He lowered his shot gun as his buddies came over and gave him a great big pat on the back.

“Man, I thought sure you were going to blast my windshield out.” Jake said trying to hide the fact that he nearly wet his pants.

“Yeah, dude, when I saw you come storming out of your house with that steel beauty, I knew we’d gone a bit too far with all of this.”

“You think” said Michael in a smartass tone of voice. “But you know what guys; you should know me better than that. Anyone who really knows me knows that my guns are for admiring, the craftsmanship is too beautiful to mess up with gun powder residue and shit.”

“It’s not loaded?” Frank questioned.

“Nope”

They all stood there and had one big laugh and then decided that it was time to head out to the sports bar – they all could use a drink after living through this crazy prank.

Life without Music = Depression (LET THE MUSIC PLAY)

http://organizingstaceybolinby2013.blogspot.com/

WOW - Never expected to get this today!

A Big SHOUT OUT to JD Davis, for posting his horoscope on his facebook page this morning. I checked out the site and this is what mine said - OMG!! Love it, Love it, Love it!

Leo Horoscope for week of January 12, 2012

 LEO (July 23-August 22)

"A writer -- and, I believe, generally all persons -- must think that whatever happens to him or her is a resource," said author Jorge Luis Borges. "All that happens to us, including our humiliations, our misfortunes, our embarrassments, all is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art." I agree that this advice isn't just for writers, but for everyone. And it so happens that you are now in an astrological phase when adopting such an approach would bring you abundant wisdom and provide maximum healing. So get started, Leo: Wander through your memories, reinterpreting the difficult experiences as rich raw material that you can use to beautify your soul and intensify your lust for life.

***

I actually feel that my horoscope for this week is dead on. I decided, just recently, not to hold back as much when writing my blogs. That I am not the only person who has their share of ups and downs in life. I like that people write to me and share that they may have had or have similar things going on in their lives and feel a comfort that they are not alone. None of us are really alone in life; it is just how we decided to interact that makes us feel alone. For some; having a bad day means, I'll stay away from people and keep to myself. Sure the time alone will make you feel great momentarily, but if that time is extended for a longer period, it can change how we are feeling inside about ourselves and the people around us.

I’ve learned in just these last eight months, that depression stinks! I can now stand here today and honestly say that I suffered from years of depression all because I found myself always wondering, after my cancer diagnosis, when would I die, rather than to see the bigger picture – I’m still on this earth and learn to live life to the fullest. I feel that I have been given another chance and for that I am so very grateful. So I say to everyone out there, tell your story, be the person you have always dreamed of, and know that you are not alone. Have a Happy Hump Day!

I heard this song the other day, and I'd like to dedicate it to all my readers. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUf4FEiimwg

She's a Beotch and her name is: HURRICANE IRENE!

Greetings Readers,
Well we made the choice to weather the storm and decided to stay in our little home in Maryland. We are about 2 hours west of Ocean City. Right now we have wind gusts that are reasonable if compared to my time when I was station on the small and windy island of Adak, Alaska.  The eye of the storm is just about making land fall in North Carolina, so we have not even begun to fell the effects of an angry woman call Hurricane Irene.  We have taken all the necessary precautions, batteries, toilet paper, can goods, propane for the gas grill and so on and so fourth.  We know that in a matter of hours, ourselves and millions of other people up and down the east coast will be without power.  It is usually when the lights go out, my family and I realized just how much we take electricity for granted.


This reminds me of a conversation that my husband and I have every time we anticipate loosing our power. I have asked him, if we could have lived in a different time and place, when and where would it be?  His answer, out on the prairie during the days of the ole' West. Your car was a horse, not a lot of people, no traffic, fresh air, crops and livestock you managed yourself to take care of your family. (He smiles ear to ear as he tells of this image of a simple life he has created.)  Now me, I always ask him, if you lived back then, you'd be plowing your fields with two four legged friends named Clive and Curtis.  By living in the now, you can have 255 horses doing the job for you and they go by one name - Case International.  I'm always trying to find a way to make my sweetheart show me his addicting smile.


My husband is a very strong man, and even if he is worried, nervous or scared about something, he is one smooth operator...no pun intended, you see he is the most skilled equipment operator I have ever seen. He is the only one I know that can make operating an excavator look like a smooth ballet move. Such grace and consistency. I tell him this all the time, but he won't give himself the credit that is do.


So OK, where am I going with all of this.  In about three hours or so, we are about to feel the full effects of Hurricane Irene. A family member called and asked if I had seen the current weather reports, all I can say if these new reports are accurate (it's heading straight for our location), it could spell big trouble for us and one heck of an assault on our homeowners insurance. You see, behind us on our neighbors property are several very old and very oversized oak trees that are in dire need of being taken down.  With all the rain we have had this year and now the additional rain and high winds, we fear that the only thing coming down in relation to these trees are my kitchen and/or dining room of our house. I know my husband is concerned, as so am I, but for our kids, we have our game faces on and have them safely in the basement with our generator in the garage and provisions downstairs ready to go at a moments notice for what ever the situation may be. Yikes, speaking of conditions, I do believe that our hours of power are about to be few and far between, days between.

Irene has given us her cue that she is gaining grown with a few warning flickers of the electricity, usually after three we are in the dark. I've enjoyed writing to you all and I will finish this when we are back on line, until then stay safe and stay dry. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxdmw4tJJ1Y&ob=av3e

This video was done at 5:21pm EST.

The storm is still about 3.5 hours from our location.

Got a lot of rain and wind gusts,

 but I think I can safely say, we haven't seen anything yet.

In the yard beside my husbands truck, our new
neighbors just lost a tree.

A dragon Fly is frozen in time
on my window by Hurrican Irene, 2011
pictures and video above by: Stacey L. Bolin

This is a picture of the parking lot in

Ocean City on Aug 27, 2011.

This is the effect of Hurrican Irene on it's way.

This was the same place where Reese, Nikki and I were

about two weeks ago when we went there for the day. 

Photographer: Unknown found this on the internet.

The music behind the story "Through the Barracks Window: A Time of Waves"

Today I am in the mood for music and videos, So I have gotten myself organized and put together the songs that helped me write my book "Through the Barracks Window: A Time of Waves", Course this doesn't even touch the level of music that makes up me and inspires me to write. For some of the music it was the words, for other's, it was the melody and they just happen to had been popular during the time frame that I was writing about. This is not all of it. I'll post the rest soon, keep checking back, until then I hope you enjoy your books and a little music to go with it. :)

Top Gun - Movie Anthem - Chapter 1/2/3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv6foKX5BQY

Enya - Watermark - Chapter 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiFTXckh0zU

Paula Abdul - Rush, Rush, - Chapter 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNPb931HqeM

Enya - On your Shore - Chapter 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n08JRxVLKLE&feature=related

Amy Grant - Baby, Baby - Chapter 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMXuuYnoRdI&ob=av2e

Chris Isaak - Wicked Game - Chapter 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAOxCqSxRD0

Amy Grant - Everywhere I go - Chapter 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mSmjoND6CY

Queensryche -  Silent Lucidity - Chapter 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC444i8tcyc

Nanci Griffith - Late Night Grande Hotel - Chapter 11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvNgXryq6rM&playnext=1&list=PL8FA348A53046F26D

James Taylor - Copperline - Chapter 11/12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzCy8yqisQI

Siouxsie & the Banshees - Kiss the for me Chapter 11/12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I3S8lPM6qM&feature=related

1990 #1 Songs - Chapters 12/13/14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gpWUuEN09g&feature=related

1991 #1 Songs - Chapters 12/13/14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1MxqnUFRXU&feature=related

1992 #1 Hits - Chapters 12/13/14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRcimo3BEhA

Travis Tritt - Anymore - Chapter 13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXr8gxSjmq8

Dobie Gray - Loving Arms - Chapter 13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqKxMtO6xFw

Firehouse - Love of a Lifetime - Chapter 13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL2jXh2fj78

Kathy Mattea - Asking Us to Dance - Chapter 13/14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJH6Voz4IQQ&ob=av2e

Voice of the Beehive - Monsters and Angels - Chapters 13/14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m3C1K5b5VI&playnext=1&list=PLE75FFFA056BB3673

Kath Bush - Running up that Hill - Chapter 15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp43OdtAAkM

Dolly Parton - Light of a Clear Blue Morning - Chapter 16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h-_6h-g5s0&feature=related

Annie Lennox - Why - Chapter 17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG7I4oniOyA

Pete Townshend - A Friend is a Friend - Chapter 19
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpiYXRt5MyM

Neil Diamond & Barbara Streisand - You Don't Bring me Flowers - Chapter 19
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj10EzNKA2M

Peter Gabriel - Book of Love - Chapter 30/31
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nZGv8VTBVE

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere over the Rainbow - Chapters
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I&feature=relmfu

Sting - Fields of Gold - Chapter 23
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_ACXuhQiS4

Kate Bush - This Woman's Work - Chapter 23/24/26/30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj10EzNKA2M

Britney Spears - Everytime - Chapter 26
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-UJQGwzyxo

Dolly Parton - She's an Eagle when she Flies - Chapter 27/36 & Epilogue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPmvyMIfZm8&feature=related