"What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much
how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility."

-Leo Tolstoy

Saturday, May 29, 2010

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!










It’s the day to honor the thousands of men and women who have lost their lives in the name of American Freedom.
The soldiers of our armed forces have some of the hardest jobs there are. and today is the day that both Military and Civilian alike should take some time to honor all who do this nation proud....



It is the Soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag. 
By Father Denis Edward O’Brien, USMC
*******





VETERANS By Edward Jack Smith
When we gather around our flag,
our heart beneath our hand.
a prayer should be on our lips
for the veterans who took a stand.
On the ramparts of Fort McHenry,
the bloody battlefields of ol’ Bull Run,
atop of San Juan Hill,
the muddy trenches of World War I,
They stood on the decks of destroyers,
hunting the U-boats down.
The wards of a dim lit hospital,
where weary nurses are found.
They rushed the beaches of Normandy,
flew bombers over Japan,
defended South Korea,
walked the jungles of Vietnam,
They were forced to crouch in cages,
their hands were bound with rope,
still they honored God and Country,
and filled our hearts with hope.
They scorched across the desert sands,
in Black Hawks on patrol.
They served this Nation proudly,
on the doomed USS Cole.
Our freedom is not our birthright,
and courage knows no gender.
Our freedom is bought by veterans,
who stand instead of surrender


it is our veterans and out current service members who give this nation the oil it requires to keep it's gears in motion, and one day out of the year we should all take time to remember the service members and their loved ones both near and far. because without their service and selfless acts of bravery, we wouldn't be where we are today.



Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Who Inspires Me..

I entered a contest @ confessions of a sailors wife it is called Who inspires you?.........



If you knew me you would know that i came from a very rough start in life. so inspiration used to be the last thing on my mind, but through all of my trials and tribulations god has managed to give me a new life, and has filled it up with people who inspire me on a day to day basis, here is why:

This is my first born Jayda Renee Lancaster My miracle   baby. if it was not for her coming at the time she did, i would of lead a different life. she is an all around joy and a constant reminder as to why i want to live a better life and why i want to make it possible for both of my kids to live a better life









This is my little Man Joshua David Lancaster he is the reason i'm Motivated to Do More. there were times i couldn't even think about getting up and him and jayda both gave me that extra push i need.










This is Mrs. Bryttnae Denise Boyd-Thomas =)
i have had the pleasure of knowing this lady for 10 YEARS!!!! wow. one of my best and dearest friends, we have been best friends since the 7th grade. she is an inspiration to me because she was the only female in a house with her 2 brothers and her father (single dad) and she had to step up and be a mommy to her brothers since i have known her, she never had a true female example so she had to set one for herself. she is a truly kind person and very loving. This is her on her wedding day, and i had the opportunity to be a part of it and i was very proud of her because she has come a long way. if you need an example of a young woman making it on her own with out a female figure, well she is it. she needs no guidance, she can do for her own. she is a real example for me of what a young strong, independent woman should be (married or not). through everything she has been through she always comes out on top and never lets anyone hold her back, and i am proud of her for it =).....











This is Amber =) i met her in California at our First duty station. she is all around hands down one of the best friends i have ever made. she is very goal driven and leaves no one behind. she has also done us the honor of being our babies god mother and she give one of the best examples, and i know i can leave here knowing my babies are in GREAT hands. she inspires me because i have seen her hit rock bottom, especially when the job market was real bad, and she did not let that keep her back. she always approaches life with her best foot forward and once she does that there is no stopping her. she amps up my drive when i don't think i have it anymore.

This is Delvin, he is an inspiration to me because he is very goal driven. he waits for no one and he accomplishes for himself. even when people said he couldn't do it, he did. and i take example from it. he is also the God father to our kids, and i couldn't of made a better choice. he is also one of the important men in my kids life someone they can take example from.







This is Latrice ( the Mother to our Godson) i am inspired by her because yes she is young, she is a mother, and in school, but she get it done. she knows she has to live her life better for her and her son, and she is doing so with out help from others.











These people play an important role in my life. they are My Great Grand Parents on my Father's side. they had the opportunity to raise me and they took it, they gave me a family environment where i never had to worry about anything. this picture was taken a year after i moved in with my grandmother, at their 50th anniversary. they have not only shown me what it means to be a family, but they also taught me to be the best person i can be, and to always do for others. they had kids of their own and they helped put a hand in my upbringing and i am grateful for it. they inspire me because where they live you have to make due with alot of things, and what i took from them was how to be determined, how to be a mom, Great values and principles. how not to let people take advantage. no matter what the situation.  how to be an honest individual, some one with self respect and integrity. and i am glad i can say i had that opportunity because i can now show it to my kids.











These are the Main Players in my life right now, theses people are the ones who add that little extra to my life and i am glad to have them. they all have a part in my every day to day life and i am glad that god has placed them in my life......


"People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on. 

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season! 

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept thelesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. "


"Thank you for being a part of my life


You see while what is written above is true, these people i am glad to say are here for a lifetime, and i am thankful for it.......


Thank you for taking the time to read

Saturday, May 22, 2010

QOTD 05/22/05

Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart.  ~Kay Knudsen

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

quotes to remember




"Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."
       - Col. David H. Hackworth

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill,
that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend,
oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty."
       - John F. Kennedy

"Never in the face of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few."
       -Winston Churchill

One of the fondest expressions
around is that we can't be the world's policeman.
But guess who gets called when somebody needs a cop.
       - General Colin Powell

Only a life lived for others is the life worthwhile.
       -Albert Einstein

It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must work at it.
       -Elenor Roosevelt
 

QOTD 05/18/2010

Homecoming means coming home to what is in your heart.  ~Author Unknown

Jokes


 guy was telling about this girl Sue who disguised herself as a man and joined the army.
"But, wait a minute," said his friend, "She'll have to dress with the boys and shower with them, too, won't she?"
"Sure," replied the guy.
"Well, won't they find out?"
The guy shrugged. "Who's gonna tell?"



MATRIMONIAL QUICKIE

The private pleaded for a leave on the ground that his wife needed him home. Sarcasmed the sergeant: "Do you place your wife before duty to your country, Wilson?"
"Listen, sarge," responded the soldier, "there are ten million men taking care of my country, but as far as I know I'm the only guy taking care of my wife."



Four strangers traveled together in the same compartment of a European train. Two men and two women faced each other. One woman was a very wealthy and sophisticated 70 year old lady who was decked out in the finest of furs and jewelry. Next to her Sat a beautiful young woman, nineteen years old--who looked like something right off the cover of a fashion magazine. Across from the older lady was a very mature looking man in his mid-forties who was a highly decorated Sergeant Major in the Army. Next to the Sergeant Major sat a young private fresh out of boot camp.
As these four strangers traveled, they talked and chatted about trivial things until they entered an unlighted tunnel, and there they sat in complete darkness and total silence, until the sound of a distinct kiss broke the silence; following the kiss a loud slap could be heard throughout the cabin.
In the ensuing period of silence the four strangers sat quietly with their own thoughts.
The older lady was thinking, "Isn't it wonderful that even in this permissive day and age there are still young women who have a little self-respect and dignity?"
The young woman, shaking her head and greatly puzzled, asked herself, "Why in the world would any man in his right mind want to kiss an old fossil like that when I'm sitting here?"
The Sergeant Major, rubbing his sore face, was outraged that any woman could ever think that a man in his position would try to sneak a kiss in the dark.
The private, grinning from ear to ear, was thinking, "What a wonderful world this is when a private can kiss the back of his hand and then smack a Sergeant Major in the face and get away with it!"



Check out this picture/joke::http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Tankad.gif


WATCH IT, BIN LADEN. WE JUST MAY BE CRAZIER THAN YOU

To those extremists that perpetrated this crime against our nation, I have a warning for you. There are those of us who look at your actions as irrational, twisted, and completely inhuman. By all measures, what you have done can only be seen as insane. I have news for you. We're more nuts than you, and it should scare you s***less.

You may think that when you die for your cause, you go to Paradise with 72 virgins, can leave reservations for 70 members of your family, all your sins are forgiven, and you sit at the side of Allah. Big deal. We had 39 guys who rented a Beverly Hills mansion, cut off their nuts, built a web site, and proceeded to poison themselves to death to hitch a ride with aliens out on the Hale-Bopp comet.

You shoot guns into the sky to celebrate victories over enemies, and people are killed by the bullets raining down on them. We not only do this for New Year's Eve in some cities, but we burn houses down, tear up streets, loot and sack our stores, and beat our selves senseless when our sports teams win championships. Sports teams! We made a sequel to Police Academy 5. We gave an award for singing to two guys who never even sang. We put little sweaters on dogs. We shot John Lennon six times and didn't even aim for Yoko Ono. We think Elvis is still alive. We put Braille on drive-up automatic teller machines. We think that a simple button on a web site that says "Do not click if you're under 21" will do anything but cause a person under 21 to click on it. We take a large chunk of the island on which those buildings you destroyed sat and pretend that it isn't a part of our country after all, let people fly in to our airports that we want to kill, drive them in limousines to speak against us on this "pretend territory" land, let them drive back to our airport, and let them fly them back home without a scratch. We sell hot dogs in packages of ten and the buns in packages of eight.

We can't even decide if pitchers should have to bat for themselves or not. All those baseball fields we've got. none of them are even remotely the same size. We gave millions of dollars to a guy that told us that God was going to kill him if he didn't raise enough money. When he didn't get enough money, he didn't die. So we gave him more money in celebration of the fact that God didn't make him die. We've managed to keep the formulas for Coca-Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken secret for decades, we encrypt the most banal communications on our Information

Superhighway, and yet we given away our most important nuclear secrets to the Chinese and Russians at the drop of a hat.

And yet, with all this on the A-1 Psycho balance sheet, you still think you're more nuts than us that this won't result in your complete and utter annihilation? One way or another, your way of life will be over, period.

Freedom's kind of a crazy, kooky, nutty thing when you look really close at it and all the bizarre and loony things that can result from it, but it's better than any other ideas anybody else has come up with. It's been that way since 1776, and built to last no matter how insanely we try to screw it up on a daily basis.

We are even so nuts and ruthless enough as a nation to start insanely tearing at those of ourselves that even remotely resemble you in such rancorous, deplorable, and angry ways that will make you wonder if Allah has enough glue to piece enough of you back together for a flesh paperweight in Paradise. We may not know where you are now, but when we do I guarantee you that the majority of our high school children will still have no idea where on the globe where you are or where you will end up being buried. But we will send them anyway, and we will allow those of them that went into the armed services because they didn't manage to get into college *still* rain down Hell and fire on your worthless hides. It will all come down on you, because we're nuts enough to give all four of our branches of military services extremely powerful and deadly aircraft even though only one of them is actually called the Air Force.

Picking a fight with the most insane nation on Earth with the hope that your message and influence will spread throughout the world, well, that's just downright stupid.





I Had to laugh when i read this

The Ultimate Response to a to Dear John Letter:

An Army ranger was deployed to Afghanistan. While he was there he
received a letter from his girlfriend. In the letter she explained that
she had slept with two guys while he had been gone, she wanted to
break up and she wants pictures of herself back.

So the Ranger does what any squared away Ranger would do. He went
around to his buddies and collected all the unwanted photos of women
he could find. He then mailed about 25 pictures to his girlfriend with the
following note:

"I'm sorry I can't remember which one you are, but please take the one
that belongs to you and send the rest back.here.



turn up your sound for this link!

The Internet Soapbox...absolutely hilarious!!!  http://www.flowgo.com/funny/9482_the-internet-soapbox.html
Men.....

The following ad in the Atlanta journal is reported to have received numerous calls:

Single Black Female seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I am a very good-looking girl who loves to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping, and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I'm yours. Call xxx-xxxx and ask for Daisy.

Over 15,000 men found themselves talking to the local Humane Society about an eight week-old black Labrador retriever.

Men are so easy.





Newlyweds
A man and a woman are staying at a hotel for their honeymoon. It's their first night of being together as man and wife.

The man sits on the bed and takes of his pants. He throws his pants to his wife and says, "Here hunny..put these on"

The wife slides into the pants and holds them up saying, "oh hunny, I could never wear your pants..their just too big"

To this the husband replies,"That's right and don't you forget it! I WEAR THE PANTS IN THIS MARRIAGE!"

To this the wife takes off her panties and throws them at her husband saying, "Here! Put these on!"

The husband laughs and says, "I can't get into your panties..."

To this the wife screams, "That's right and that's how it's gonna be until you CHANGE YOUR DAMN ATTITUDE!"


MARCHING ORDERS
The general issued a rousing cry: "Onward to victory!" Half an hour later, an urgent message reached him: "Need further instructions. Victory not on our maps."
Two soldiers were having a chat during their free time.
First Soldier: Why did you join the army?
Second Soldier: I didn't have a wife and I loved war. So I joined. How about you? Why did you join the army?
First Soldier: I had a wife and I loved peace. So I joined.

U.S. ARMY OFFICIAL VOICE MAIL MESSAGE

Thank you for calling the United States Army. I'm sorry, but all of our units are out at the moment, or are otherwise engaged. Please leave a message with your country, name of organization, the region, the specific crisis, and a number at which we can call you. As soon as we have sorted out the Balkans, Iraq, Korea, China, the Y2K Bug, marching up and down the streets of Washington, DC, and compulsory "Consideration Of Others" training, we will return your call.

Please speak after the tone, or if you require more options, please listen to the following numbers:

If your crisis is small, and close to the sea, press 1 for the United States Marine Corps.

If your concern is distant, with a temperate climate and good hotels, and can be solved by one or two low risk, high altitude bombing runs, please press 2 for the United States Air Force. Please note this service is not available after 1630 hours, or on weekends. Special consideration will be given to customers requiring satellite or stealth technology who can provide additional research and development funding.

If your inquiry concerns a situation which can be resolved by a bit of gray funnel, bunting, flags and a really good marching band, please write, well in advance, to the United States Navy. Please note that Tomahawk missile service is extremely limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

If your inquiry is not urgent, please press 3 for the Rapid Deployment Force.

If you are in real hot trouble, please press 4, and your call will be routed to the United States Army Special Operations Command. Please note that a compulsory credit check will be required to ensure you can afford the inherent TDY costs. Also be aware that USASOC may bill your account at any time and is not required to tell you why, as it will be classified.

If you are interested in joining the Army and wish to be shouted at, paid little, have premature arthritis, put your wife and family in a condemned hut miles from civilization, are prepared to work your ass off daily, risking your life, in all weather and terrain, both day and night, and whilst watching Congress erode your original benefits package, then please stay on the line. Your call will shortly be connected to a bitterpassed-over Army Recruiter in an old strip mall down by the Post Office.

Have a pleasant day, and thank you again for trying to contact the United States Army.

"I suppose," snarled the leathery sergeant to the private, "that when you're discharged from the Army, you'll wait for me to die, just so you can spit on my grave."
"Not me," said the private. "When I get out of the Army, I never want to stand in line again."

NOBODY LISTENS

The commander's wife asked her husband at supper at home: "Oh, Peter, darling, how can you look so fresh and relaxed this time of the day, or rather night, after listening to all kinds of troubles and complaints from your many subordinates all day?"
Her husband answered, "Who listens?"

After a two year-long study (at taxpayers expense), the Department of Defense announced the following results on the recreational preferences of military personnel:

1. The sport of choice for E-1, E-2 & E-3: Basketball.
2. The sport of choice for E- 4 & E-5: Bowling.
3. The sport of choice for E-6, E-7 & E-8: Football
4. The sport of choice for O-1, O-2 & O-3: Baseball or Softball
5. The sport of choice for O-4, O-5 & O-6: Tennis
6. The sport of choice for 0-7 and above: is Golf.

Conclusion: the higher you are in the Chain of Command, the smaller your balls become.




A young private sought permission from his Commanding Officer to leave camp the following weekend. "You see," he explained, "my wife's expecting."

"Oh..." said the Officer, "I understand. Go ahead and tell your wife that I wish her luck."

The following week the same soldier was back again with the same explanation: "My wife's expecting."

The Officer looked surprised. "Still expecting ?" he said, "Well, well, my boy, you must be pretty bothered. Of course you can have the week-end off."

When the same soldier appeared again the third week, however, the Officer lost his temper. "Don't tell me your wife is still expecting !" he bellowed.

"Yes sir !" said the soldier resolutely, "She's still expecting."

"What in heaven is she expecting ???" cried the Officer.

"Me." said the soldier simply

Saturday, May 15, 2010

QOTD 05/15/2010

Every day you spend without a smile, is a lost day.  ~Author Unknown

QOTD 05/15/2010

Attitudes are contagious.  Are yours worth catching?  ~Dennis and Wendy Mannering





Friday, May 14, 2010

QOTD 05/14/10

Where we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Homesick in Heaven

Thursday, May 13, 2010

QOTD 05/13/2010

Distance between two hearts is not an obstacle, rather a beautiful reminder of just how strong true love can be.  ~Author Unknown

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Isaiah


A Godson's Love



A small child
So precious and sweet,
Has come into our lives


A little bit of heaven
Drifted down from above -
A handful of happiness,
A heartful of love.
The mystery of life,
So sacred and sweet
The giver of joy
So deep and complete.


Precious and priceless,
So lovable, too
The world's sweetest miracle,
Baby, is you.



this is our godson Isaiah and he is just as precious as they come, i thought i would share him with the world =)

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

What’s Cookin’

Mini Apple Pie

pie crust:

2.5 cups flour
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 stick butter, cold, cut into cubes
1/2 cup ice cold water

combine dry ingredients then cut in butter cubes. once the dough is starting to take shape mix in the cold water.

put dough aside.

apple mixture:

3 granny smith apples, cubed.
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp plus a pinch of cinnamon
2 tsps sugar
1 tablespoon
heavy cream [or buttermilk]

mix up the apple mixture, then put aside.

roll out dough. using a regular biscuit cutter start cutting rounds.
spray your mixing cupcake pan with butter spray.

put rounds in mini cupcakes pan - start filling with the apples

cook at 350 for 17 minutes.
should make exactly 48 mini pies.

time and temp may have to be adjusted as this is a high-altitude recipes [over 7000 feet]