“I didn’t want to bother you.” What it really means to me.

Okay as some of you know I have become a wheelchair user. I have noticed several things after this change occurred in my life. I was once a very active volunteer. First I was told that a handicapped accessible museum did not want or need wheelchair users as volunteers. So I thought about fighting this but decided to just move on and spend my time where I would be valued. So I moved on to try and volunteer with the FRG (Family Readiness Group).

I kept hearing the same refrain “I didn’t want to bother you with…”

This frustrated me beyond belief. If I’m reaching out offering my time you are not bothering me. I soon decided that “I didn’t want to bother you” actually translates to “I didn’t think you could do be of any use since you are in a wheelchair. That is very offensive. So for a while I just hid and ignored the world. Yes, I admit that was not the best idea, but I needed time to adjust to having wheels.

So after getting a new ultra light chair I found even more freedom and abilities. I decided it was time to get back out there. I moved forward with the knowledge that I would have to work 5 times as hard as my cohorts since they were walking. I had to prove I could make valuable contributions from my chair.

I set out to get any and all certifications I could so that I would be more valuable to the FRG. So far I have 5, a 6th will come soon. I have been welcomed by the new leadership of the FRG and made some wonderful new friends.

In short I’m saying don’t tell someone you didn’t want to bother them, if they are offering you help. It’s no bother they want to be included. Just because someone is a wheelchair user, don’t count them out, they know their own limits. They can probably do more than you think. If you think something is to difficult for them, ask don’t assume.

My husband will be deploying next year my biggest concern is how to get the trash can to the curb and back. Yep thats it, the trashcan. He knows his job I can take care of myself, the rest is just noise.

A Thank You Brings a Smile

Well for those of you who follow my blog you know I haven’t been writing, in fact I’ve been asking you to write postcards and send them to me. This past Saturday I was part of a very special ceremony. I wanted to thank a WWII Veteran. I started by asking fellow members of Soldiers Angels for postcards and then writing a blog about Edward Middleton a 94 year old WWII veteran. Well it seems my postcard book has made a splash.

Here is the link to the Army’s news feed, complete with photos.

WWII Vet Edward Middleton

I must first thank everyone who took time out of their lives to send me a postcard.

I must thank the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team (formerly the 30th Infantry Division) for their participation. SSG LeCompte, (and the other members whose names I’m sorry I don’t have) did an awesome job.

Last but not forgotten my husband Sgt Feinstein who helped me every step of the way.

I don’t do this for the recognition I just want to make a difference.

Edward Middleton A True Member of The Greatest Generation

I’ve decided to honor a WWII vet who is truly an amazing man. First let me say that I know this man personally. I have volunteered with him at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville North Carolina.

Ed was born in Baltimore Maryland in 1919. He grew up during the Great Depression. Ed was forced into the role of breadwinner at age 12. He took odd jobs delivering groceries and newspapers. He then went to work in a glass factory. He was drafted in 1940 at the age of 20. He was stationed at Logan Airport in Boston in an Air defense capacity. He then went to Ordinance school and received his commission as an officer in 1943. He was then assigned to the 30th infantry division known as “Old Hickory” and took part in the D-Day invasion. He then went on to Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge, Mortain and St Lo. His part of the Battle of the Bulge took place in Ardennes-Alsace Offensive, near Malmedy, Belgium.

Upon returning from WWII he went to work for the Coast Guard as a civil service employee working under two Admirals. He worked for the coast guard for thirty plus years. He finally retired early late 1970’s or early 1980’s.

He and his wife ran a Bed & Breakfast in Luray VA, then moved to Thomasville GA setting up yet another Bed and Breakfast. After suffering some medical setbacks he and his wife moved to Fayetteville NC to be near his son Kirk in 2005. His son Kirk was working for the US Army as a contractor.

Ed is currently still active in his community. He is a member of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry and volunteers his time at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. Where he can be found in uniform most Fridays in the WWII section near the glider.

I had the honor of meeting this amazing man during my time as a volunteer at the museum. So this is one amazing man, who is still serving his country in his own way. I’d like to present him with a book of postcards thanking him for his service.

How a Cuties Clementine made me laugh

It was a normal Wednesday David was already out the door, I was sitting eating some food with my coffee. I won’t call it breakfast, since it was leftovers from dinner the other night. (I’m not a huge fan of breakfast foods, at least not first thing in the day.) After my turkey sausage and mac n cheese I grabbed a cuties clementine.

Well as the box says they as supposed to be seedless. Well this one was far from seedless. At first I was annoyed at the seeds, then it soon became so ridiculous I was laughing. I snapped this photo and tweeted it out to @cutiescitrus. I never expected a response.

Well shortly after I tweeted it, the company responded. I was shocked, fewer companies seem to know the meaning of customer service, let alone how to give a timely response. Not only did they explain this seedy exception, they asked me to send them my address so they could send me a coupon for more cuties. First thanks Cuties, I love these things, other brands just aren’t the same.

Thanks also for restoring my faith in companies, I’ve had a few bad experiences of late and things always seem to be worse around the holidays.

Now where did I put my mug time for more coffee. Oh and for you fans who come here for my writing here’s an excerpt. (Jaye is on the phone)

“Go for Jaye. Are you safe?” she stated, she sat listening as she squeezed a tennis ball in her left hand.

“I found Ulceridge’s body, and you’re not going to like it. It doesn’t appear he was interrogated, but you really wont like the cause of death.” Said the clipped tone of the man on the other end of the line. “He was poisoned, it looks like VX the nerve agent, the final results wont be in for a few hours, but the lab is already on it.

If you like what you read please like my blog post or better yet subscribe to my blog. I reply to all comments. I really enjoy Twitter followers and Facebook page likes.

My Birthday and other things

My husband is nearly panicking. My birthday is in three days. It’s the 7th of November, then there’s Hanukkah shortly after that. He doesn’t know what to get me.

I have few issues buying things for him, he has a hobby that makes it easy. He makes homemade beer. There are a ton of things you can buy that relate to that. Trust me I’ve spent more than I should on his hobby this year.

My hobby is writing. While there are books about how to write novels out there by the ton, I’ve already bought the few that I want. I already have the software I need for plotting and writing. I’m not into jewelry, makeup or clothes. I’m really a jeans and t shirt kind of person and happy that way. The only other thing I’m into is gadgets, namely electronics, but again I have the ones I want, so… Again nothing to buy there. What do i want? I want more than anything to finish the novel I started in 2012 and get it published. I’d tell him to throw me a party but being an army wife most of the people I’d want at the party are over a hundred miles away. Let’s see there’s a best friend in Minnesota, a few friends in Oklahoma, a fellow author and army wife in NJ, and a writing buddy in the UK, so that really doesn’t work either. The things I want are plot ideas, time to write, a cure for writers block, a few good nights sleep, and to finish that novel and work on the next one.

David, if you really want to do something I’d love create a few characters for me. It’s harder than you think. Read my work, help me tie in the old and the new stuff. There’s nothing in a store other than the few things I’ve asked for. I have a feeling you already got one of them. I will admit that a case of Diet Chocolate cream soda would be good too.

Otherwise just keep doing what you’re already doing.

I love you David. I’m sorry I don’t have a hobby that lends itself to buying things, it does lend itself to me spending hours upon hours at the keyboard, often mumbling to myself or the cats.

Oh and one final note eating cake and ice-cream with just you and the cats doesn’t sound like fun. I’d rather be writing.