Blog Who_ing, Rememberance, and a Rant to an END

The day has come ----

Anything at Anytime is SOOOOooooo near the 100 followers mark it isn't even funny.

So, I guess this is the day I ask all that follow me to give me a big, Big assist and get you all to see if you can help me do a bit of what we have all come to call "Blog Whoring"......

I have been sitting at the 90s up and down for some time but this is the nearest I have been to breaking the 100 level.

With a bit of your help and suggestions to those that follow you I would ask that you Look in and find one of your Favorites that I have written and posted here on this site and link to it and ask them to look around and follow if they like what they see.

From reading all of you that have gotten there and been near the mark that first 100 is something we Really truly enjoy.  Its like running and completing your first Marathon, or the first time you tied your shoes on your own, or that first kiss that just..... Well, I think you get THAT idea.


Now for something that was missed Yesterday and  a SAD Ending today!

Yesterday was the 42nd Anniversary for Apollo 11 -- Landing on the Moon - the First time MAN set foot on a Planetary object other than Earth!

The courage of those associated with that program and those on the flight brings back thoughts of the mariners that sailed the oceans not knowing what awaited them.

So, a Salute to those that made it happen and gave DREAMS to SO MANY --- THANK YOU ALL!

Buzz Aldrin performing maintenance
and The Eagle

Today STS-135 Landed.  STS-135 is the last Flight of the Space Shuttle(s) - there will be No More!

These are the Lucky Few that got to take that last Flight
and in my opinion
Have a Special Place in History

STS-135 Landing for the Last time

As a Child (relatively Newborn as I was only 7 1/2 months old) I was (as told by my Mother) placed before the TV to see the Moon Landing.

Maybe, just Maybe it was due to that, that I have always found a desire to go up there, be there.

It is a Sad thought that now, we have NO real means READY to take the place of the Shuttle and put us up in the regions we belong.
Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty to do and learn here on Planet Earth.
But.........
Our Future is Space!
Our Future is to Explore our Solar System with more Manned Flights as the Sailors of the past.  Space is our Ocean of Exploration and it Drives Technological advances far beyond normal expectations.

We as a People - Mankind (as a Whole) needs to do this and be there.

25 yrs of Service for the Shuttles -- two major accidents (out of how many Missions) that sadly lives were lost....... Isn't that what Exploration is?  Knowing there could be cost, even catastrophic ones?
But, we still go on to explore and learn from those before us.

Why, WHY have we not worked on a replacement/improvement to the Shuttle Program that could have gone active at the end of the Shuttles' uses?

Now, we are left to rely on either other Countries or Private Companies to come up with the means.  Some of that could lead to Good things because some of the Best improvements have come from the Private Sector, but at what Cost?  I am not talking about Personnel loss/cost but Monetary Cost....

We need to form a Collective - a Collective of Science and Engineering that will work together for the Sole purpose of Space Exploration --- Damn the Nationalities and the Whose Country Governs!
All Scientists and Engineers in the field working together Under No Specific Government.  Yet All Governments responsible for the safety and protection of said Grouping.

We DO NOT Live in a PERFECT WORLD!
However, if we could get the Scientists and Engineers from around the World working together, could that not be a lesson to ALL of us from?

We NEED to be back into Space on a regular basis and not just floating around in our own immediate little corner.  The International Space Station is a start but we need to go further - MUCH Further!

I know this is turning into one of my RANTS but this has also been a DREAM of Mine for YEARS.......

There used to be a show called "1999" or something similar to that - and guess where they had the scientists and engineers gathered for it?  A sizable space station on the MOON --- It is still doable today.  More so than when the creators of the show imagined it.  The means are here for us to do it today.

Why haven't we done it?
Ask our Governments.

A station like that on the moon could mean -- better training for Astronauts/Cosmonauts in actual environments they would be dealing with, a Launch site that could be used to Launch many different types of Manned Missions further out and beyond........
The Things WE could learn just blows the imagination out of this World.

Sorry, but my Rant on what I feel is a Sad day for MANKIND with the Ending of the Space Shuttle Program.
NASA has done a Fantastic job with what they had available...... But, WE can do so much more and this should not have been allowed to end.

Hope You ALL have a Great Day!
Danny

Memorial Day Dedication II and Music Mondaze

Anything at Anytime is combining two things today.

Memorial Day Dedication and Music Mondaze.

In the Late 80's and Early 90's I was in the U.S. Navy on board the U.S.S. Sierra AD-18 stationed in Charleston S.C. (Beautiful area if you ever get a chance to visit, Do.) and it was a common practice for those of us not from the area and without families near, to visit the Sports Bar on Base just to get away from the Ships and relax a bit.

I remember when this Song came out and the reaction that was had by all, ALL of us in the Bar every single time this was Played.  It didn't matter if this Song was played 10 times a night (and to my memory I never recall it being played THAT many times in a night) but every time it was played, EVERYTHING STOPPED!
Not a Sound in the Bar, Every Person (male, female, Civilian, Sailor, Soldier, Airmen, or Marine) all Stood and listened.
There were many occasions that there were tears in eyes and I am proud to say on a few of those occasions I was one.

So, Today's Music Mondaze is Dedicated to:

Those that Were,
Those that Are,
and
Those that Will Be,

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

The Video is Different from what it was back then, but it doesn't change the song.

Please, if you know of one or many that Served, or are Serving, Leave their Name and Service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and any I missed) So that We All may THANK THEM.

And Pass this Along so that others my stop in and leave Names of THOSE to be Remembered.

Hope you ALL have a GREAT week!
Danny

Stockings, Stockings Everywhere and #10

Anything at Anytime is doing what was intended for yesterday's post but....... I didn't get the pictures until last night...... (Damn, new Phone!  I hate having to learn all the little crap you have to go thru in order to learn a new phone!  Don't You?)

Before we get into today's Post, I have to reveal #10 on the 12 Blogs by Christmas:

#10

10 Minutes 2 Breathe

by Joanne

A Relatively New Blog that has been up since October and is just getting into it.  Per my view a cross between an Everyday Blog and a Mommy Blog.  But Not.
I like it.
A bit Different.  Don't know exactly what it is but just something makes me like it.  Stop in and pay her a visit and see what you think.

Let's get her into the Double Digits for followers.

#11 Fizzee Food
#12 Canadian Blogger Girl

Stockings, Stockings Everywhere

(and not the kind I Like!)

J has been Teaching for 8 years now.  Second Grade for 7 of those and last year Third Grade because they had her Loop with her previous class.  (God, what a year that was! *Dripping Sarcasm*)

Anyway, every year (except last year, as they all already had one) J starts in late November or early December Crocheting Christmas Stockings for all of her "KIDS".
She has done between 15-20 a year for them.  That ends up being a bunch of Stockings.  It takes a good bit of time for her to get each one done.

When we were first married we were so tight, she taught me to crochet with her.  I helped her out that first year with many different little "Projects" for gifts.  Well, we got a little better off and I stopped.  I figure I better learn again for next year to help her finish them sooner.

Every single year she is up to the wire finishing them, because these aren't No Small Stockings!

She finished the last one last night about 3 hours after I got her home from school and she will be giving them all to her "KIDS" today at the Class Christmas Party as Friday is a half day.

She lets the Parents know (some already know as some of their older kids have been in her class) to get some cheap dollar store packages to have the kids bring in and they all go around putting their things in everyones stockings like they are a bunch of little Santas filling stockings.

I figure you are all wondering just what these stockings look like - The Colors Change from year to year but the size is about the same from year one to now.

The measurements are guesstimations but about right.
Some are 1/2" longer or shorter in either direction depending
up how tight the "Stitch" 

Christmas Stockings are good - but Personally.... give me Legs in "Nude" or Black Stockings and a Garter belt........ Now your Talking!

Danny

R.I.P. - Thumper - 08/12/10

Anything at Anytime Says - Good Bye!

Thumper in His Glory
already eying my FEET!

Thumper has been a member of this family for the better part of about 4 years.

He was the only other "Man" in the house other than myself and I will miss him.

Thumper was the girls' rabbit but he had this game he played with my feet.  Whenever he was out of his cage and I was around he had to come over and commence figure 8s around my feet.  After 2 or 3 laps he would stop and "Nibble" my feet or shoe laces then start all over again.  Crazy Wabbit!

Well, Thumper hasn't been top notch lately and has just been tired (sort of like me).  It bugged J enough that when I picked her and the girls up to take them to the school for a performance D was doing, J asked me to check out Thumper when I got home.

I got home and took a look at Thumper and he was just laying there breathing heavy and not doing anything.  He hadn't touched his food or water all day, nor had he done any of his other "duties/nature".  Something was wrong and there was no denying that Thumper was quickly getting there.

So, I just got him out of the cage and held him.  I knew what was coming and yet it still SUCKED.

At least he wasn't in the cage and one of us was holding him.

Thumper was an Awesome Rabbit.

That is from someone who Never would have gotten a Rabbit as a pet.

I Loved when he realized he was big enough to "Teach" Snuggles where not to "Sniff" (as dogs do).  He must have Jumped a good 2 feet in the air and did a 180 degree turn, lashed out with his front paws and basically "Punched" Snuggles in the Nose.  I don't know who was more surprised - Him, Snuggles or all of us for having witnessed it.
Something we all Laughed at and hope we will all continue to laugh about when we remember him.

I could go on with many stories about Thumper but I am going to have to wrap this up now, as the Girls will be home in just a bit and I know Dad's shoulders will be needed.

Just do me a Favor - Don't tell them I need their shoulders also.

Good Bye Thumper and Thank You for being a part of our Family.

Rest
in
Peace
Thumper ???? - 08/12/10

Veterans Day - Thank You ALL!

Awesome Picture!
A Then and Now of the Birth of
the US Army Air Corp
and the now US Air Force

As most of you know or have Guessed -  Anything at Anytime has a Thing for Veterans.  Since I am a Vet, my brother, my Father, my Father-in-Law, my Grandfather...... Well, I am sure you get the idea.  Serving Our Great Nation has been an Honor and priveledge for generations.


If you were to listen to what my Mother says after all of her genealogy research - we have had someone in the family in the militaries (some not American) back to the 1600s.

Hmmmm, Where did
He say this went?

Preparing for Today's Post - I did a little research and found a few things out.
Damn, "Learn something New Everyday" is a true statement.

I was and am going to get a little into the Colors of Our Nations Flag.  A little education first as this is where I learned something.

My research first to me to US Flag.org - that is where I learned that when the US Flag was first adopted in 1777 that the colors at the time had No meaning -  Not that those Colors did not Mean something to those designing the Flag, but the colors had No recognized meaning.

The recognized meaning of the Colors was assigned to the Great American Seal.

For more information on the Seal click here.

Today is not the day for a Class on American History and Symbology so I will not attempt to go into all of it.  Needless to say if you like history - it is interesting to read up on some of these things and how they came about.

If you read the small print 30,000 soldiers took part in this.
Taken at Fort Custar 1918

The Colors were assigned to the Shield the Eagle holds.

The Stars  - Represent the Original 13 Colonies
               They signify the Heavens and the Devine Goal Man Aspires to

The Red    - signifies Hardiness and Valor

The White  - signifies Purity and Innocence

The Blue     - signifies Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice






All things as We should aspire to - Not just as a Nation but as PEOPLE!

A few Pictures of Various Services then a bit more reading at the end.

USS Sierra AD-18
I served on board
88-92

An Avenger
What I was trained for and did
when in the Army.

My Brother does other things
for the Coast Guard now
However, He was a Rescue Pilot for awhile.

Part of a Fleet at Sea in Formation
Notice bottom center - Aircraft from the Carrier Flying before the Fleet.

Only one of the Most Famous Moments
in US Marine Corps History.

My Great Uncle Served on Her and trained
many New Hands to the Coast Guard Fleet

Check out her Friends Below

I'm not going to apologize for the Angels.  I just thought they fit, in so many ways.  I found them on a Church Website and Felt they were a Fantastic Statement and Contrast to an Idiot that Pickets Military Funerals.

From then to Now ----- My Thanks and Deepest Respect to all Veterans, Active Duty and Those just now Volunteering for the Services.


If you know of Any Veterans you would like to Mention and or Thank -  Please - Leave a comment with their name, Service and years in (if known) or ERA they served so others might be able to say "Thanks" as well.

My List is Long so I will keep it to just a few on this page.  If you would like to see more of my list (and I know I am missing a Ton of Names) please visit my earlier post for the Memorial Day Dedication.

The Short List -

My Father - Dan Winfield - US Army -1966 -197? Vietnam Era

My Grandfather - Neal Winfield (Deceased) - US Army - World War II / POW

My Father-in-Law - H. Franklin Mains - US Army - Korea

My Brother - Donald L. Winfield - US Coast Guard - 1992 - Present

Again, This is the "SHORT" list -- check out the Memorial Day Dedication and if your name is not here or there - I may not Remember the Names but You ALL are Not Forgotten on this Day of THANKS!

Another Happy, Happy Birthday!!!!

Anything at Anytime gets to Celebrate another Birthday for one of my Girls!!!!!

D's Birthday is actually tomorrow morning at 9:27 AM Sunday November 7th -  since I know the weekend is the time people get online so-so I figured to do this today so as to allow time for everyone to get a chance to stop and comment on her Birthday Dedication on the Internet.

We got married - we couldn't wait

We got started immediately to expand our family

Four months later and We are told 

"A Child you shall Have"

Eight Months later you arrive

I wanted you too wait a few more weeks

You decided to be two weeks early

From that time on - We (you and I) butt heads

I learned from you - Not to wear ties when your Mother is in Labor

ugly mistake - Neck goes one way and head the other

I know I have brought you up right - You're a Cornhuskers' fan

You try to do the Right thing when it might cause you trouble

Please ALWAYS do - Somehow, Someway Dad has your Back

You have made us Proud as you are our child doing right

I Hope you have a good day and Great Year

Please to all my readers, pass this around -  On these post more than all others traffic, traffic, traffic - as many hellos and Happy Birthdays from around the World as Possible Please.

A Happy Birthday - Rally!!!

Anything at Anytime does another Happy Birthday Call out.

For all of you that read me please pass it around to all you know to stop by and sign in.

So to my Beautiful Wife:

Again pass it around and let's see how many we can get to sign this Birthday announcement?!?!?!?!?!?

(Oh, and Don't Ask.  I'm Not Telling!  That would get me in DEEP DO-Do!!!!!)

A Well Deserved Thank You!

Anything at Anytime says Thank You!

Today's post may be short, or it may be long just depends on how much I can think of to Thank Many Hard working individuals.

As today is the first day back to work for my wife today - without students (that is next Monday), I would like to Thank Teachers.

Please understand this is for those Teachers that take an active interest in their students and their job.  There are some out there that just take the job as a job and don't try and don't care for anything but the paycheck.  I have seen them on my own and witnessed them walking down school halls.  Believe me when I say this - Students and People in general can tell a Teacher from a teacher.

For the Teachers out there that Really care for their students and are proud of their profession, I THANK YOU!

Thank You for:

1. watching our kids day in and day out.
2. making sure our kids have a safe place to go if they feel things aren't right or safe.
3. Educating our children with all of the restrictions placed on you by state and federal regulations.
4. Showing up to work every single day even though you feel like "crap".
5. Dealing with those kids that just don't want to be away from "mommy" or "daddy".
6. Having to put up with runny noses and scrapped knees.
7. Making sure our children understand that with an education there are better things out there for us all.
8. Putting up with those of us that are a challenge at times.
9. and along with #8 having the Patients of Job
10. Those Teachers that take their own money to ensure that those one or two students that don't have,  Have mysteriously.  
11. The Teachers that see a student not as a kid that they have to suffer with day in and day out but sees the child as a person that has human issues outside of school.
12. finding whatever way it takes to get the student(s) too understand.  (even though I personally have always had issues with "to" and "too" :) )
13. Standing up for and Noticing that it is not always One child's fault.
14. Encouraging our children to try to do their best.
15. helping our children realize they have more Potential than they think.
16. finding that thing that makes each kid tick and helping them understand how what you are teaching applies to that - example: a kid likes rockets but is having difficulty in science, once the kid knows that science got the rocket going he/she pushes harder to learn more.
17. opening the minds of our children.
18. dealing with sore feet because of walking around the classroom all day.
19. doing extra work at home in order to be prepared for the next day
20. and Most Important of All:   Being a TEACHER that CARES.

If you see yourself in this List - Thanks from a father and a former student
If you don't see yourself on this list and want to be there find a Teacher at your school and ask them how you might be better.  Personally, my first suggestion would be to realize that you might learn something from your kids.  Education is a two way street.

If you are not a Teacher, but can think of a few send this to them or mention their names here.

Personally I have several:

My wife Jacqueline, Coach and American History Teacher Mike Graham,
Coach and Physics Brenda Raley, Coach and World History Tim Knowles,
English and GT Jacquita Lewter, Speech and Spanish Janet Hayes,
Coach and Phys Ed. Jimmy Arendt, Texas History and then Elementary Principle Charles Brown,
This list could go on and on because I was one of the Lucky ones that landed in a school district full of fabulous Teachers and got one Hell of an Education.

Again  THANK YOU !!!!  TEACHERS

It's "Super Girl", It's "Wonder Woman",................ No, It's My WIFE!

Anything at Anytime:  Will I ever stay on a Topic for awhile?  NOT LIKELY!!
                                  Maybe on Saturdays when College Football starts....... Maybe.

My Wife woke me with a cup of coffee at 7 am this morning.  Nothing New, Nothing Special, just because.

One of these days I would like to beat her to the punch.  That isn't going to happen anytime soon as she has a sixth sense.  She has something like a motion detector built in.  The moment I move to sit up or get out of bed she is wide awake.

Her Motion detector has an automatic timer too.  If I get our of bed between 11pm - 3:30am - Nothing.  She is still out like a light, cutting down trees.  3:31am and on *BANG* eyes wide open.

She is always beating me to the punch and getting up before me.

She has to be either "Super Girl" or "Wonder Woman" in disguise!

I Swear!!!

1. She Never worries about Herself only others.
2. She has an internal motion detector,
3. An internal Alarm clock - She is up and running before the alarm at 4am every day,
4. What appears to be a Never Ending supply of energy,
5. Her timing is Perfect - When She does something it is Always at Just the Right Time!  Exactly when it is needed!
6. Without being told She Knows when one of us needs something, Anything.

Those are just a few of the many reasons I look at her that way.

I have not seen a Cape or Magic Lasso, but does she need them?
She would probably laugh and ask "What do I need these for?".

She is everywhere at a moments notice:
with me,
the girls,
her students,
her parents, (both hers and her student's)
relatives,
and friends.

An Yet, I have NEVER heard her say: "What about Me?"

Now, I have heard:  "I Need a BREAK!"
After all of what she does..... I say she has earned it 10X over 100X over and then some.

She could easily go with a Title like "Super Girl", "Wonder Woman" , or any of those comic book figures and they would fit.  She Chooses Three that I know of:

Daughter,

Mom,

and My Wife.

Rose Dragon

Your Thorns Hath Pierced me to the Core

My Blood Hath Stained Your Petals My True Colors

Your Stem is my Strength

Loosing Your Thorns When You Pierced Me

Your Stem,

My Strength,

Hath No Protection

As Your Thorn that Pierced My Core is In Me

A Part of Me

My Blood Hath Stained You and I Now a Part of You

I Shall Endeavor to be Your Protector

I Shall Wrap You in My Coils

Defending You to My Dying Days

I AM YOUR DRAGON!

YOU ARE MY ROSE!!

By Me today 19 July 2010

A Happy Happy Birthday!

Play the IPod while reading:

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Your Mother was pregnant, we thought she was sick!  

We rushed to the Hospital, not aware you were announcing yourself.

The Doctors, they couldn't tell, an appendix or some foreign flu?

Your Mom thought it might be you, but just wasn't sure.

Your Mom, she stayed in the hospital that night and me, I had to go to work.

I got off early and bolted to the Hospital, No Cops around.

Your Mom, she was a hurtin and was telling us all..... She is Coming!

The Doctor checked and You Definitely were coming!

You came into this World having tied yourself into a knot with the cord,

You came into this World and Worried Us both from the beginning,

You Charge into Challenges!

You Level Obstacles!

You are Our Daughter........... Happy Birthday!                            

A Boost for my Wife! Assistance Please?

I have a Wife. 

For most of you that have been following that should not be "New" news, if it is you haven't been reading. 

How best to describe this woman:  Fantastic, Loving, Caring, Beautiful, Hard working (understatement), Does not quit, that will do for now (more later in more post).

When she reads this she will shoot me but I can live with that as I know she will understand where this has come from.  What I am hoping is that by the time you are done reading this you all will help me with comments for her?

My Wife is a work-a-holic and a stress-a-holic.  She can not slow down for herself.  She will not take one minute (any minute) to stop and breathe, relax.  She has just completed one of the toughest years in Our life and still pushes herself farther and further than she should. 

In this last year she has dealt with a lowered household income because of my being "Sick", moved to a higher grade, had to "learn" how to teach the kids to a "Test standard" (and I didn't help because I think teaching to Test is the biggest failure of our current educational system, but that is for another day), and put up with what you and I would say were some of the biggest "AHs" we have ever met. 

All of that and She has charged through it like a bull through a matadors cape.  In this case the matador got the horns!  The bull won!  What can I say, She is my Wife and I Love Her and am Proud of Her.  This past year She has done what I always thought I would be doing, what I felt (feel) was my job, my duty as a Husband and Father.  She Did IT!  SHE Picked up Our Family and carried us on Her shoulders.

Here is the RUB!  She does not know how to put us down and let Us (me and the girls) support her for awhile now. 

So Today I am dedicating this blog post to Her!  My Wife, Jacqueline, is the only reason for this blog at all.  I will post comments on all sites I know of to get everyone to come in and comment and leave Her Suggestions to relax and enjoy life again for a bit.  I ask that if you have read this Please pass it on and tell, have, make everyone you know come by and comment. 

I am Hoping to get a landslide so that all I do is spend the day adding comments,  with my traffic flow I know that is a big dream but I can always hope and with every ones help maybe I can.

Thanks

And to My Wife, I did this because I Love You and you need to take a break!