I SAW IT....

Yes, yesterday myself and my new pal, Cat,

we saw AMERICAN SNIPER.

Now more than ever, I best not hear that this man

was not a hero. He was a hero and it changed him.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE\

END OF THE MOVIE!!!

Few things I did not know,

I did not know that the movie,

based on the book by the same name, American Sniper

was written about the man who the movie is portrayed by,

Chris Kyle.

There is so much hype in the media about the fake babies

that were used in the movie, yes its obvious

that while Chris and his wife are talking,

the baby they are carrying around is fake

but don't let that distract you from the movie.

I read of this before I left and the reasons

they used fake babies,

it's because the laws where the movie was filmed

are so strict on infant acting that it was easier

for the short time, to use a mechanical baby.

I also did not know the movie would end the 

way it did.

Chris Kyle,  finally after 5 tours is home,

it takes him months maybe years to get

his life back. 

The scene leaves you with him finally showing

signs of normal towards his kids and wife,

he is planning to go shooting at the range with

another war veteran who suffers from PTSD

(post traumatic stress disorder)

You see, this hero, Chris Kyle, did not

stop being a hero as a civilian,

he continued to help war veterans who suffered.

He kisses his wife goodbye with a promise

of a romantic night, You are so relieved 

that after all he has done he is finally with his 

family, he is going to be okay.

He walks out to greet a young man who 

looks definitely troubled, they talk of

going to the shooting range.

The movie ends with this.

Then on the big black screen you read

CHRIS KYLE WAS SHOT THAT DAY AT THE SHOOTING RANGE.

I could not wait to get in Cat's car to google.

Sure enough, he was shot dead at point blank range

by the same young man who he was trying to help.

Another hero of this war.

It is a must see movie, and as I laid in my bed

last night thinking of this movie,

I realize the young man who killed him,

yes he was wrong but he was also a hero/victim of this war.

Chris Kyle could have been the one

who came home to suffer the way this young man did.

He sits in a prison, as he should, but he

is not the only one guilty for this crime.

A long, overdue to end war, it is guilty too.

deep thoughts here in this Riera mind....

GOD AT THE CLINIQUE COUNTER

You just never know when God will work his thing

using you as a vessel to his message.

I love my Clinique girl.

Each time I walk in our local Stage I hope she

is there. Yesterday she is, 

I mean it's Clinique "free gift" month.

I don't even know her name, sadly.

I know she has probably told me,

and its funny that I notice the pink ribbon pin

on her lapel of her white lab coat but

have no recollection of what her name 

tag states. Knowing me, I ask about the pink

ribbon made of pink stones.

She explains that the month of October, being

Breast cancer awareness month

Clinique sent one to each their employees this beautiful 

pin to wear. She goes on to explain she 

continued to wear it because her mother just 

completed chemotherapy.

Yes, the nosy me needed to enquire more.

"My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer."

Right away, I know that this diagnosis is grim.

There are two types of cancers you do not want to have

one is Pancreatic the second is ovarian.

But the Clinique girls' mom's story is a miraculous one.

You see, she was going about her business that

mom of hers, gaining a little weight here and there,

believing it was just her age, a beer belly she joked.

Finally though her belly became big enough 

that it took her to the doctor where they found

a 9 pound fibroid in her uterus. (the poundage may

be a little off but it was big!")

Right away surgery was scheduled to remove

this tumor that was benign but the same size

as a baby. She was recovering fine when

the biopsy report came in that one ovary was

found to have had a small spot of cancer.

Just because it was there, even though the docs

said she would be fine they recommended few doses

of chemo. I share with this child of her Mother

that tumor was a life saver. Had her Mom not

had that tumor, by the time she would have

had symptoms of ovarian cancer, it would 

may have been too late to save her.

The young woman is teary-eyed.

Says she never looked it like that.

She asks what does this mean for her,

who has a three year old child.

I say that she needs a good GYN appointment

so she can begin prophylactic testing

as it is a genetic disease.

She thanks me profusely and we speak for a

small bit, of how God works, that

a small pin on her lapel can cause the 

transaction as it did. I depart with a hug,

I mean she is MY CLINIQUE GIRL,

and she says she will make an appointment today

with her gynecologist.

Oh that Big Man, amazing how he works.

AMERICAN SNIPER

NO, I have not seen the movie yet, but I will.

I am a Howard Stern listner, I can now say

that with confidence as my children are now grown

and I can come out the closet.

I was before a "closet Howard Stern listner"

Now I am an avid listener to his show,

even pay for Xm radio to hear him.

This morning after dropping off Bean at school,

I put on my fave. and he is discussing the movie,

AMERICAN SNIPER.

There are so many people out there saying bad

things about this movie, saying 

Snipers, trained by our own military are not hero's 

and this show is making them out to be that.

I am sorry, in my eyes, each and every one of

those men and women who fight for the freedom 

of our country, even if it means they must 

kill some for our protection are hero's.

I could not do it. I could not kill another human

but I am not trained to do that.

As Howard and Robin discussed this,

he made it clear that shame on any of us

who live in this free country we call the US of A and

say that these men and women are not hero's.

If you want to blame someone, blame the government

officials who put them out there when maybe

they are not needed. They, these snipers

are following the orders of their commanders

and if we, as true American's believe

that they don't suffer as a result of killing those

the government think are dangerous to us,

then we are all so wrong.

These people, have husbands, wives, children.

They are our true hero's along with all those

out there who sacrifice their lives and those
who have to be away 

 from those they love 

all in the name of keeping the USA free.

I don't know why I am on a rampage this am 

about this movie and the critics who speak badly

about those who are called American Snipers.

Maybe it's because I had a Father who fought

in WWII and came home to raise 7 children

and rarely spoke about the horrors he saw there.

When he did, it was usually about the story of 

one small town his platoon blew up on orders.

How he walked this village and heard a baby crying.

He had a wife in the states pregnant with his

own third child and just the crying of this baby

brought he and his men to tears.

He and a few others, went into the burning building

where he found the only living survivor of the home,

A newborn that they placed under a tree.

He spoke of each time he saw the child

his wife birthed months later, it is this

small baby he placed under a tree he thought of,
wondering what

happened to the baby with no family or food.

Did this make my father a bad man?

no this made my Daddy a hero, he protected

our enemy line and lived to see his seven

children live in a country where they could make

their own choices, Yet if any believe he was not

a changed man by those who died because

of orders given to him, they are wrong.

Maybe my rampage this morning is also

for two brothers who served in the army

during the Vietnam era. One, Peter,

fought on the battle lines and came

back a different man, till this day,

we will never know who he might have been

had he not fought a war that many civilians

believed was his fault. Again, he was just serving

his Country, following the orders of those higher

than him, to live the rest of his life a changed man.

There is also my dear godchild. Rick who serves

in the Navy today, no he is not a sniper,

but if those higher up called him to be in a position

to protect us, he would.

So, to all you critics out there whether, seeing the movie 

or not, watch how you judge.

American Snipers are hero's,

it is because of them you have the freedom to 

say they are not.

STILL ALICE

Another thing I have been lax on is

my reading. Have had so many scrap jobs

that once its time to go to bed I am falling asleep

or Mr. Big and I have plans.

So for this year, I have laid down at least one book

read a week, which is not a lot considering I used to 

read about three a week. no life..cough, cough.lol

So as my first book for the new year,

I bought it on my way home from Vegas and

it is one I can almost not put down.

STILL ALICE BY LISA GENOVA

So well written story line can make you cry.

It begins on the life of a very smart fifty year old

Yale professor who teaches cognitive psychology.

Then her life begins to crumble as she finds

herself lost on the same campus she not only teaches

but also attended as a student.

Your heart breaks for her and her family

as she is diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimers disease.

The book follows the life she is loosing and has no

control over and how this is affecting her three grown children

and the husband she loves deeply who also works at yale.

Being a nurse, I understand the medical part of 

Alzheimers but even without that, you will be

stuck on this book. It's one of those that you cannot

wait to see how it ends and you also read a tad slower

because you just don't want it to end.

When I rate it, (yes, I am a geek who writes and rates 

the books she reads) It will be hard for me to just give

it a 5. I may have to give it the very rare 6, depending 

on how it ends. So, if you looking for a good read,

this is one. Even if you don't like to read, this one

you will love.

That is my book review, first of 2015.

WINTER IS HERE

After such a great summer and fall,

I had myself believing pain was probably 

a part of my past.... hahahaha

winter is here, feel it in my bones.

Makes it hard to rest easy but other things

are also causing that.

Mr. Big, soon to move back home to Georgia

as his work here is coming to an end.

The house is still not sold and I am so, so wanting

to have my own place, to make it a home,

where boxes are not packed in every free space 

I can find. Bean was here the other day asking

"Mumsie, where is all your little toys at?"

Meaning my miniature collection. 

Packed my dear.

Even with these negatives, there are so many

awesome good things.

Two new great nieces born a few weeks apart.

More babies to love.

That can always get me going to a good place.

Mr. Big and I are beginning to pull away a tad

from each other so when he makes the transition to

Georgia for good, it will be easier for us both.

We have had a long conversation about

what we want and I know I don't want

a long distance relationship and I have

protected part of my heart as he has.

We will always be friends, good friends,

but when Georgia calls him home we will be

just that. We both also know though

that we can be happy, be loved, be treated 

and spoiled by another and for that

I am grateful.

SHOW THEM TO ME

I Love Country Music but not something I listen

to all the time. Since Xm radio, I usually listen

to talk radio, yes, and Howard Stern......

Don't judge...

Anyway, today while playing on Facebook, 

I see a song by an artist I don't know,

Rodney Carrington and I am intrigued

by the title of the song,

"SHOW THEM TO ME"

and this is the lyrics that made my morning"

Oh it seems to me this whole world's gone crazy

There's too much hate and killin goin on

But when I see the bare chest of a woman

My worrys and my problems are all gone

No one thinks of fightin, when they see a topless girl

Baby if you would show yours too, we could save the world

Show them to me, show them to me

Unclasp your bra and set those puppies free

They'd look a whole lot better without that sweater baby I'm sure you'll agree

If you got, two fun bags,

Show them to me

I don't care if they don't match or ones bigger than the other

You could show me one, and I'll imagine the other

Even if you're really old, theres nothing wrong

Don't be sad your boobs ain't bad, they're just a little long

Show them to me, show them to me

Lift up your shirt and let the whole world see

Just disrobe, show your globes and a happy man I'll be

If you got, dos chichi's,

Show them to me

I've met a lot of them, but never one I've hated

Even if you've had thirteen kids and you think they look deflated

Theres no such thing as a bad breast, I believe this much is true

If you're a big fat man I'm a titty fan and I'd love to see yours toooo

Show them to me, show them to me

Just like the girls gone wild on T.V.

Just lean back and show your rack and I'll be in ecstasy

If you got two casabas

Show them to me

All the world will live in harmony

It'll do you good, it'll give me wood, we'll make history

If you love your country, I'm gonna say it one more time,

I said if you love your country yea

Then stand your ass up and show them big old titties to me

The live video on my Facebook account is the best,

Watch there for a good chuckle this morning.

thanks, Phil for sharing...

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/rodney-carrington/show-them-to-me-lyrics/#osqBL6tLpBkCRHtM.99

IT'S A NEW YEAR, IT'S A NEW DAY...

Back from Vegas.

It was great, didn't win big but came home

with what I left with so that is a win for me.

A new year, a new day.

I am not one who likes New Years resolutions

but I do look at the new year as a way to

start some new ideas.

So, like many, I am going to begin again

to watch my weight. I have been good with this

before the New Year but time to get back

on the wagon.

I have not been good about my journaling.

With the things that have happened in the year

of 2014, I just got to where I didn't want to write.

Call it a block but I am determined to begin 

journaling daily again.

I also have a desire to not only scrap for others

for profit but scrap for my little grand babies.

I have not done much in Bean's book and she

is about to turn 4!

Have not even began J. Belle's....

Lots to do there.

I have had so many paying scrap jobs that I 'focused

on that but now, time to scrap for those I love.

I am praying, hoping, excited about

the prospect of selling this big house,

for me, for Ron, for my little family to put

an end to this chapter of our lives.

I want my own home, I want Ron to be

free of having this house as a "Monkey on his back"

It is the last thing we have from our old lives

and we are both ready to move on.

Anyone who knows me, knows how I love older

homes, old wood floors, the home I want

is still for sale in the garden district and as

soon as this one sells, if I can,

that one will be mines.

I love, love, love decorating, old things.

vintage, have not been able to do that here

as I have held off for the big sale.

Today, the house will show and I have my

fingers crossed that maybe even an offer is coming.

My realtor, Vickie has been most helpful 

but the homes here are just not showing.

Today it will..... Say a little prayer

that we can all move on with the sale of this home.

Then you will see the changes of the new year

for me, 

Welcome 2015, good riddance, 2014!