How many passes does it take to get your mower dirty?

Today was a historical day with Prince William and Princess Kate's wedding.  Don't be fooled or distracted by all of their hoopla (which I enjoyed thoroughly because it was happy news).  I have made copious amounts of historical data myself in the last two days with the purchase and assemblage of a brand new push mower for the Pugh family!  Yes, you heard it here first.  I researched and purchased a mower yesterday and today I assembled it (not that tough), started it successfully (did call my neighbor, Myron, up for support), and mowed my back yard. 

But I did have to chuckle at myself a few times.  After I assembled it in the living room (remember this is my first time and I wasn't sure where to do these things at plus, I was watching the wedding), I took it to the front porch to stand back and admire it.  It is bright red and nice and shiny clean.  If you think back to my spring gardening post you will remember that I really don't like dirty.  And I had a thought of wondering how long I could keep the mower clean.  The mower came complete with oil.  So I followed the instructions to fill it but felt slightly stressed when I dripped some on the shiny red deck.  And I chuckled a little.  I've never, ever felt ownership of a mower before.  And then I thought, "Well, I have a new mower so I need a new gas can". And I was off on the errand. On return, we (cause Logan came out and Myron had arrived) filled the gas tank and started it up.  And that was that.  And then I was off to mow the back yard and with one pass my brand new mower was dirty.  So, Eric, you can come home and take care of the mower..I won't try and keep it too clean or get irritated if you get it dirty.  In fact, I really don't want any ownership in it.  But I did purchase one that has a deck clean feature..you just hook up a hose and turn it on if you want.

So maybe now you have all decided that the world really must be coming to an end if Monica assembled a mower.  Well, don't let the mower convince you.  It has been reported to me by my mother that she had a margarita last weekend with her Mexican dinner! The world must be ending. (sorry, mom, don't tell on yourself to a daughter who blogs)  So It has been a history making week for many including my mom. And I was very thankful for the enchanting royal story to entertain me.  I would much rather be enjoying the girly-girl things like a royal wedding or drinks with some girlfriends than assembling a mower in the future. But I will never forget where I was or what I was doing the day that William and Kate tied the knot.  Cheers! (now if my prince would just hurry home.....)

Gotta love a soldier who would wear his wife's heart signature on his helmet.....

God Bless,
Love,
Monica

Choices

The last few weeks have been very difficult emotionally and mentally with the news of three fallen Iowa soldiers and many more injured.  It was with a very heavy heart that I pulled our flag to half-mast yet again this morning.  This last soldier, James Justice, was a part of the 1-113th CAV which is Brady's troop.  And while I know their hearts are all heavy I also know that they will carry on in his honor in true cavalry spirit. 

While adjusting my flag, I was reminded that my life is full of choices.  The choice to be patriotic, informed, kind, honest, spiritual, happy, political, neighborly, genuine, in love...these are all mine to choose and I am so thankful for the freedom to do so.  They all aren't just feelings I have they require action from me.  I will admit  Eric has always taken care of our flags in every house we have lived.  The very first thing he did when we moved into this house was to hang his flag and spotlight it.  We were fortunate to move into a house with a pole in the ground, albeit on the wrong side of the sidewalk.  But I think I have always considered it his flag up until this last month.  I have changed the bulb in his light twice since he left and the whole time I was changing it I was thinking about how thankful I was to be taking care of his flag.  Except this morning I thought to myself...I am really thankful Eric made it so easy for me to raise and lower our flag so that I could honor these fallen heroes by lowering it..not just taking it down.  I thanked him during our chat time and I know he was thankful (but somewhat surprised) that I was making sure our flag was being flown appropriately.

I grew up next to my dad's parents; my paternal grandparents.  And I watched my grandfather put up and take down his flag every day.  I never thought much about it when I was a kid.  It was what he did and I took it for granted.  But I realize now he was making a choice to be patriotic on a daily basis. 

I often have people comment on how they don't know how I do it or that I am very strong to handle deployment.  Well, I can tell you that I am not always strong but I do it because I have the choice to do so.  I could get up every morning and whine and complain or I can dig my heels in and make the choice to do it.  I choose to do it because my family members chose to serve...not just my husband and son but my father, as well.  

Today all of our military personnel choose to serve so that we enjoy our freedoms... to celebrate Easter, to have a party, to ride in RAGBRAI, to spend the day hanging at the mall or with friends, to grill out, to garden, to sit on the couch and read a book.....anything.   SSG James Justice was one of those soldiers who chose to go on his fourth mission and serve his country so that I could choose to hang our flag everyday.  Please remember to keep our fallen soldiers families in your prayers as they go through these difficult times.

May God continue to protect our freedom for choices.

http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette.shtml

God Bless,
Love,
Monica

Spring is springing

I am sitting here today, finally inspired to write after quite a dry spell, with tears and an anxious heart but also feeling the excitement of the season.

We are seeing signs of spring all around us which means the last season is upon us before my first soldier returns home.  The crocuses are no longer blooming while the golden forsythia and the magnolia trees are in full bloom.  And I'm anxiously waiting for the red buds to burst open with their beautiful color and the crab apples to lend their various shades to this time of year.  I wouldn't know these things or probably be as passionate about them except that my husband taught me to be that way. I am so happy this last season has arrived and I am so sad he is not here to share it with me.  Brady shares equally in his dad's passion and I will miss his hard labor in the yard this spring, too.

One of Eric's and my favorite spring activities is visiting all the garden centers and picking out our annuals and choosing a few new perennials to add to our collection.  I am very thankful for Melody who shares the same passion and enjoys this activity, as well.  Melody and I (in lieu of any good garage sales to attend) made our first trek to Groth's Gardens last Saturday to check things out.  And while there, I was faced with the realization that if I am to have annuals this year I will have to actually get dirty!  I love picking the plants and the wonderful colors.  Eric loves mixing the soil and digging them in...I will miss him and Brady playing in the dirt this spring.  But I will buy gloves so when they return the yard will sport some beautiful colors.

While we are here enjoying the emergence of warmer days and all the things higher temps bring, our soldiers (from what I understand) are experiencing increased enemy activity with warmer temps.  I know this brings anxiety with the anticipation of gearing down as many of our soldiers are preparing to return home. And yet they all need to stay as alert and aware as ever because their journey is not over.

We have evidence this week of this activity with the loss of two Iowa soldiers. As time has passed and tour ends draw closer, it has been easier to feel slightly more relaxed at times for me.  I have had people comment on how close their homecomings are and we all breathe a sigh of relief together.  But all of our soldiers still need our prayers.  We need to persevere and stand aware until they all return home. 

So while you work in the yard or enjoy a spring soccer game, remember all of our soldiers as they anxiously anticipate the end of their tours.  And say an extra prayer for the families who have lost their soldiers this week.

God Bless,
love,
Monica