My Grandpa, An American Hero

I know I need to update this blog with some pictures and other stuff, but here is what I really want to share with you right now.

I am so proud of my Grandpa! He is a gentle and wonderful man and I am so priviledged to share in this honor with him next week...The following is (an edited version of) the local press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 14, 2008 TULSA, OK - Oklahoma native and Tulsa resident Ted Anderson is an American hero. He will be recognized and honored for that title during a rare and unique presentation by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry during ceremonies at the Oklahoma capital at 1:00 p.m., May 20th. Only two Oklahomans have earned the right to be honored at this ceremony. The other is fellow Oklahoman and Iwo Jima Survivor former Governor Henry Bellmon.

Ted is not just a hero that put his life on the line to help all Americans preserve and realize an unprecedented freedom and way of life, but he has lived an exemplary life that reflects a humble and proud American.

Yes, he was wounded during actions above and beyond the call of duty and ignored his own safety and welfare for the sake of others. But, just as important he quietly overcame life-threatening and debilitating physical obstacles to take his place as a proud family patriarch and impacting business professional in a developing world of technology.

His reflective and thoughtful demeanor, guided by a strong faith and his marriage partner of 60 years, Cindy, has entitled him to raise five successful children who have blessed him with 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

His impact as a behind-the-scenes leader and motivator has earned him the respect of untold numbers of friends and success among professional peers. And, all of this has been accomplished while silently concealing a remarkable American who proudly helped shoulder the fate of a nation and won. This experience and modest attitude has allowed him to become a model by example of who he believes Americans should be.

Ted will proudly stand beside his combat comrade Monday and modestly accept a reward that has been long in arriving. But, he will be most proud of his family and friends who share that honor with him.

Ted Anderson and Henry Bellmon will be honored with serial numbered American Flags that have flown over the Iwo Jima Memorial. This is an honor specifically for the soldiers who courageously fought in that deadly battle.

Ted Anderson's story in brief:

Ted was a Navy Corpsman attached to the 5th Marine division which attacked Iwo Jima. Ted was in the wave that hit at H-hour plus 2 hours. He witnessed the first American flag flying on Mt. Suribachi during the intense battle on February 23, 1945.Approximately two weeks later he and a comrade were bringing injured Marines from the intense battle fields to the Field Hospital. Along the way they were attacked. At the conclusion of the skirmish, he continued with his injured wards of responsibility. When he arrived, the doctor looked at him and said, "Sit down."Ted explained that he was the Corpsman and those he had brought in were the injured.

The doc repeated, "Sit down." Ted obeyed, went instantly unconscious and awoke on a hospital ship, blind in one eye and a head full of shrapnel, some of which he still carries.

The story doesn't end there. Ted's uncomplaining courage and determination to overcome blindness, other wounds and a future that doctors painted as being painful and limiting, tells an ongoing hero's story of strength and resiliency that all Americans can point to with pride.

WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA!

Thank you for everything you've done for all of us!

Missing Something?

I have found a mystery cell phone at my house. The battery is dead so I cannot retrieve any identifying information out of it. If someone who has been there recently is missing theirs, please let me know!

Your Opinions Please

OK everyone, Brandon and I are looking at 'investing' in a new camera. While the digital one we have now takes good quality photos, we often loose the perfect shot of our speedy little monkey while waiting for the camera to warm up, picture to snap and flash to warm up. That and, believe it or not, we often find ourselves in need of two, as I use our current one for work a lot.

That being said, we think we've found one that is a good value for the money, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100. We started out looking at Canon's and Nikon's but aren't convinced we need all the bells and whistles. This one seems fast, responsive and user friendly - and it's cheaper. However, as appealing as it is, I don't want that beautiful concept to be the deciding factor.

I know several of you have good cameras. I would like to know what are the features and benefits you appreciate most, what you appreciate least and, if you have any experience with this Sony (Minolta), I'd like to hear that too...and your opinions on if we DON'T need one this nice too. Is it overkill? Would I be happy with a DSC like the Cybershot? Brandon is ready to do this YESTERDAY but I hate to run into something without doing my best due diligence...

Thanks!

Followup

Ok, I feel obliged to followup on my previous post. I think perhaps it wasn't fair the impression I left you with. Truth be told, I am very lazy and I just miss sleeping in. On average, I am loosing 2-3 hours of sleep a night over my pre-baby schedule, but it is just because our bedtime/waketime has changed.

Elisa has been sleeping through the night since 4 months. Well, she doesn't always sleep through, but I stopped getting up with her. I know that a baby crying for 10 minutes at 3 am can seem like 10 hours, but they really will learn to go back to sleep on their own! When we moved into this house, she was waking up 2 or 3 times a night (because of the move I think). After a few weeks I realized that every time I felt bad about it and got up with her I was just reinforcing a routine of nighttime waking. A little resolve was all it took. I have the advantage of having my room very very far from hers, so it isn't too disruptive when it happens. For the most part we have established a good routine.

For those who have problems with this, talk to your husband about it so you don't give in to guilt that he is loosing sleep too as you lie awake and hear your child screaming, because they will be ANGRY when you don't come and get them. Try to start on a Thursday so everyone isn't too tired for work. By Sunday night, your baby will be either very close or all the way to sleeping through the night. I promise. The earlier you break the wakeup habit, the easier it will be. Just do it all at once, don't try and get them to reduce the number of wakeups. I tried that with Elisa and all we did was move the times around she was waking up which was worse for everyone, including her. It made for miserable days. I'm sure we've all read the same books. At 4 months a baby is mature enough to do this.

If you can't handle it, I understand. But I also have limited sympathy if you aren't getting a good nights sleep. That being said, I know you will all hate me and say I don't understand. Perhaps not. Every baby is different. But I didn't make this stuff up either. It works, its worth it and it doesn't make me a mean mommy (although those first few nights feel like it). It's keeping me sane.

I still miss my bed. This morning I got her when she woke up at 6 and took her to bed with me. We 'slept in' (she was nursing/sleeping) until 8:15. It was great! Not quite the same as sleeping in until 11, and probably just another bad habit, but I'll take what I can get these days.

Playdate

Yesterday, Laura, Ruth and Austin came to visit me, mom and Elisa. We had a great time catching up and watching these two be cute. Austin is only 2 weeks older than Elisa, so they are practically the same developementally. He is adorable. I really thought I had the cutest baby in the world, but I guess there are some other sweeties out there too. I wouldn't be surprised if some photos show up on Ruth's blog, but here are a couple I got. Of course, neither of us could get our flashes to warm up for the cutest moment ever when they were holding hands (totally on their own I promise). These are pretty good though. Thanks for visiting guys!

Random Facts

OK, Rachel tagged me quite a while ago, and here is my response. I have been reading other responses and find that we are quite an organized bunch, as that seems to be everyone's favorite random fact about themselves. Therefore, I will not include my thoughts on organizing...

1. I love to color my hair. Right now it is fairly natural with one superblonde chunk on each side. However, I have had portions of it it magenta, green, fire engine red, blue and purple at one time or another. My philosophy on hair color is: if it isn't going to be natural, why bother trying to make it look like it is? Have fun with it!
2. I would rather sit at home with a book than do anything else. Sadly, I haven't had time to read in quite a while. My favorite fun author is Elizabeth Peters and if you ever need a recommendation I have a long list of must reads!
3. I love live theater and musical performances. Brandon and I try to go to a few shows a year and I always hit a few with my dad too. In the summer we try to make it to a Gilbert and Sullivan because light opera is my favorite. Best play: The Pirates of Penzance.
4. I hate and absolutely cannot wear any shade of blue shirt with blue jeans. It just doesn't work in my book - there is just no way to make it match!
5. I love museums. Brandon and I always look for one or two whenever we visit a new city. Most recommended museum is the Denver Museum of Natural History.
6. Favorite Movies: Newsies, Sabrina (Harrison Ford), Gladiator
7. I have never kept a houseplant alive for more than 6 months and yet I am now tackling a huge yard with 14 flowerbeds and over 2 dozen trees. Needless to say, some of them have to come out because it is just to much to look at, let alone maintain. Hopefully by the end of the summer there will still be something alive!

That was hard! I thought I was more interesting than that, but I guess not! This is ending with me, because everyone I know has been tagged already! That's what happens when it takes so long to get around to posting I guess.

Other Blogs and Such

Welcome to blogging Josh and Michelle!

For those of you who are like me and still working on integrating blogging with your lifestyle, here is a tip Brooke gave me. SUBSCRIBE TO FEEDBLITZ (www.feedblitz.com) it takes a little bit of time to set up, but once you subscribe to someone's blog you will get an e-mail whenever someone updates their blog so you don't have to just randomly troll the internet. It's great! Thanks Brooke! Maybe I am the only one out there who wasn't takeing advantage of this great tool, but if not, I hope this helps you too. If it seems like to much work, send me your e-mail and I will try and forward you updates, assuming you like the same people I do!

Lastly, everyone, please visit Brandon's blog and try to comment when you have time. He is getting discouraged because people don't seem to know how. I know he is using WordPress and it isn't the same format we are all used to and all that, but see if you can't take some time to encourage him! Some people seem to have been having problems commenting on his blog, so he posted instructions. If they don't work, let me know and I will pass it on. Thanks!

About Me

Ok, I got tagged twice (mom and Ruth) and almost a week ago. Ruth was right, it does take me a while to respond. I am sure you have all been waiting breathlessly...

1. What is your occupation? Wife, mommy, legal secretary, copy and print associate, Mary Kay Consultant, owner/operator of Virtu Creative (graphic and interior design and small business consulting). Why don't you ask me what I don't do? Cleaning house is awfully hard to get around to!
2. What color are your socks right now? black and white fuzzy stripes
3. What are you listening to right now? my little girl who doesn't want to go to sleep
4. What was the last thing you ate? an apple with cheddar cheese
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, love it and miss it
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? orange
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? a client
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Well, I got tagged twice and I love them both. Probably my mom a little more though!
10. Favorite drink? Water
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? Sport? Does decorating count?
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? Almost constantly since I was in jr. high. I didn't do it while I was pregnant and it was torture!
13. Pets? Too many. 2 darling cats, one insane cat and a huge dog.
14. What is your favorite food? TRIVIA QUESTION. I bet my mom knows! Comment with your guess. I will accept two answers as correct. Bonus points if you get them both :)
15. What was the last movie you watched? Don't recall. I haven't had much time for movies lately.
16. Favorite day of the year? Thanksgiving
17. What do you do to vent anger? I really don't get angry enough to need to vent.
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? My 'my child' doll - who, incidentally was named Elisa (my daughter's nickname) which I got from the Zion Chronicles by Bodie Theone. Quite a juxtaposition of entertainment I was having at that age...
19. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall
20. Hugs or kisses? Both
21. Cherries or Blueberries? Rasberries. I really don't like cherries or blueberries at all
22. Do you want your friends to email you back? or comment on my blog!
23. Who is most likely to respond? who knows?
24. Who is least likely to respond? everyone! Because by the time I am getting around to answering this, everyone else has moved on! Ruth knows me so well!
25. Living arrangements? 3 bedroom rental for about 15 more days! Then we are moving on to home ownership.
26. When was the last time you cried? Out of sadness or despair? I don't remember exactly. I have cried many times over the last few months out of sadness for my friends Brooke and Robin. Once from happiness because I love my little girl so much and once from frustration over losing another family at the chapel.
27. What is on the floor of your closet? dry cleaning
28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Not sending this to anyone, but I got it from Ruth who has been my friend since I was old enough to have one!
29. What did you do last night? Had incredible ... oh wait, you mean before that? Went to mom's bible study. Very wholesome you know.
31. What inspires you? Too many things because I never can pick which inspiration to settle on!
32. What are you afraid of at this point in your life? I'll ditto Brooke and Dre on this one.
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheeseburger if I'm making it, Hamburger if I eat out.
34. Favorite dog breed? Laborador Retriever
35. Number of keys on your key ring? I don't really have a key ring, Brandon and I trade off and they are both different. I will state though that my station wagon has 4 different keys one for the trunk, door, glove box and ignition. Rediculous, isn't it?
36. How many years at your current job? which one? If you mean genius, almost 26 years.
37. What would be the title of a book you wrote? can't settle on that (see question 31) I will ponder and post later if something comes to me.
38. How many states have you lived in? 1
39. Favorite holidays? Thanksgiving
40. Ever driven a motorcycle or heavy machinery? Nope