An unselfish act of valor

11 Fort Hood soldiers honored for battlefield action

This is an old family friend Adam. Adam was a young man who for various reasons, had finally left Texas and living with his parents to stay with his grandpa in Arizona for a while. I think his grandpa once told him that he needed to do something with his life and to keep himself out of trouble. Adam looked at the military as an alternative and decide to join the army.

Each time Adam came to visit, I could see what a responsible young man he was becoming. He loves life in the Army and flourished there. He liked it so much, he signed up for a second tour, another 6 years. He went to Afghanistan three times I believe.

In April 2012, Adam risked his life to save two of his injured brothers while under enemy fire outside of a cave in Afghanistan. I believe one man had a broken leg and the other was shot in the stomach. Another soldier saw him and left his safe spot to aid Adam and the other soldiers. They both saved two lives.

THIS is honor. THIS is what our men and women go through to fight in our military. THIS is why I am proud to be an American.

Today 1st Lt. Steven D. Hail was awarded a Silver Star and a Purple Heart (for injuries he sustained). Staff Sgt. Adam Davila was also awarded a Silver Star. According to the Home of Heroes site (http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/02_awards/04_ss.html) "The Silver Star Medal is the United States' THIRD HIGHEST award exclusively for combat valor, and ranks fifth in the precedence of military awards behind the Medal of Honor, the Crosses (DSC/NC/AFC), the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (awarded by DOD), and the Distinguished Service Medals of the various branches of service. It is the highest award for combat valor that is NOT unique to any specific branch; it has been bestowed by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. It may be given by any one of the individual services to not only their own members, but to members of other branches of service, foreign allies, and even to civilians for "gallantry in action" in support of combat missions of the United States military."

Adam, you are so deserving of this award today and I pray (with the rest of the fam) that you continue to have a successful military career, that you enjoy your travels and that you come home safe to us after all the awesome adventures :) We are all so proud of you. Thank you for your service and for showing us all, the true meaning of honor.

A lesson learned at the library

The middle of last week I worked for two days at the Tempe public library. Our new T1 line had not been installed at the new building and all of us were just not getting any work at all done with 9 of us trying to all use the same line. AND we blew up the ‘hot spot’ otherwise known as my bosses iPad. I casually suggested that we would get more work done if Mira (my co-worker) and I were allowed to telecommute for the next few days from home, or if we could work from the library. With no fuss whatsoever, they told us to work where we wanted for the next few days.

Needless to say, I did not want to work from home. Dogs, TV, long needed to be done chores staring me down, neighbors coming over to see why my car is in the driveway…I would not get anything done if I was at home. So we chose to go to the Tempe library.

Mira and I found a nice big table for the two of us on the backside of the library. We had outlets, an exit door right next to us and an amazing view of the courtyard of trees and children walking in and out of the Tempe Historical Museum.

Our first day there was rather uneventful. There was a man with a bandana on reading in front of us and a few others scattered around at other tables. It was nice, quiet and extremely productive for the two of us compared to the past few weeks.

Our second day, we noticed the bandana guy was back for round two, a few more tables were full with other people working on laptops, reading books and studying. A lady came in and sat down at the table just behind us, where she remained all day from the minute we got there until just before we left. 

The Native looking lady was surrounded with books, a newspaper, a bottle of water and some other miscellaneous items that I did not really pay much attention too due to the fact that I was working and minding my own business. She was wearing nice, clean jeans and a big baggy shirt, also clean. She was around my age (I believe), thin and had looked like she had put a brush, recently, through her dark hair.

A few hours later, I emailed my friend sitting across from me and asked her what the lady behind me was doing. Mira replied with a simple ‘painting’.

It did not once dawn on me that she was homeless. Later on that morning it became evident when several other homeless people showed up and to our surprise, spoke with her as if they knew each other.

The first was a crazy black guy that was ranting and raving outside the window about nothing, like he was on some serious drugs. Fortunately he shut up the minute he went in the library doors, except for saying help to the lady.

Next thing you know, a nicely dressed black man approached the women while she was leaning up against the bookshelf and we over heard him apologize to her and said that he hoped he had not offended her in any way. We were trying not to be nosy, but you could not help but over hear the woman somewhat freak out at the man and yelled “no one ever apologizes to me!”. At this point the poor man just turned away and went the other direction.

Then another couple of homeless people passed her outside and said hello, at which point Mira and I had a full on conversation about her popularity in the community as she seemed to have lots of friends that knew her. The final friend being a young hippie man with dreadlocks wearing a beanie in 105 degree weather. But he was actually normal and someone she actually could have an intelligent and not so crazy conversation with. He actually took the time and sat and talked to her outside for as long as they both wanted, after all, they both had time to burn.

I had gotten up to go to the restroom and could not help thinking to myself about her statement “No one ever apologizes to me”. Really, I never thought much about how the homeless are actually treated. I know only what I know from my own experiences and that has been minimal at best. I have given to them when I get the whim, but other than that, usually try to avoid them due to most of them being completely and utterly stinky and filthy, crazy as loons and not in the least bit worried about any of it. I mean, why should I feel sorry for people like this who could pull it together if they really wanted to, ya know? And if not, for god’s sake, there are bathrooms and shelters in which to go clean up a bit. Try a water hose somewhere, or even a local lake with a stolen bar of soap. I just know I would probably be the cleanest bum you’ve ever seen should I have ever become homeless; much like the lady at the library.

Needless to say, I felt sorry for her. And walking back to my table, I saw her painting. She had propped it up against the table leg to dry. It was a 8 X 10 canvas that she had painted a little dog standing on a sidewalk in various shades of blue. And it was good! Not just sort of good, but she actually had some talent. I wondered why it was that such a talented person could end up homeless and how she had gotten to that point.

Just as I sat down, she brought the hippie guy inside and showed off her artwork. He complimented her and I turned and told her I liked her painting and that it was real good. She started to tell me a story about the painting. She informed me that it was Manny Pacquiao’s dog, and proceeded to show me the newspaper and the picture of the exact dog I was looking at in the painting. Turns out he is a Jack Russell named Pacman.

I wanted to hear more of her story and ask her for a photo of the painting on my phone. I was also looking forward to asking her some questions, when unfortunately, a Chinese tutor came and asked her for her table. She quickly packed up and took her belongings and left. I saw her get on a bike just outside my window that I had wondered about earlier. Moving and storage padded blankets and a regular blanket neatly folded into perfect squares bungied to the book rack, 2 plastic bags of cans neatly tied to the front of the handlebars. Neat just like the rest of her.

I have thought about my observations of that day just about daily since and have come to two conclusions. One – homeless people don’t have to be dirty, nasty people if they don’t want to and I now have my proof. Two – that old adage ‘treat people as you wish to be treated’ is true. It’s sad that I had to witness an apology of one human to another to realize that some people of the world are just completely looked over. They too have feelings and can often do with a thank you, an apology or a compliment, much like the rest of us. I will make it my goal, to not turn my back.

Dumbass of the Day (I know you like these!)

Today I announced to my bestie at work: "I think I just spoke to the dumbest women in the world just now", and that was a complete understatement. This women was an IDIOT. She had no sense of time, no sense of where she was going, who she was going to see nor what she was saying. I don't say that lightly - she was the cream of the crack pot for sure.

So anyway, just to give you a brief background on how and why I spoke to this women, every week I cover the front desk on Thursdays for our Gal Friday to take her breaks. I got this phone call from the lady that went like this:

DUMBASS: "Hello. I have a meeting with someone that Melissa set up for me and I am running 10 minutes late. I had a flat tire and now I am driving. Can you let Melissa know that I will be late?"

ME: "I'm sorry ma'am, but Melissa is gone for the rest of the day. Can you tell me who you are suppose to be meeting with?"

DUMBASS: "Well, Melissa set it up for me and it was about the Timberline program. I think it may have been someone in estimating? Please forgive me while I gather myself."

ME: "Not a problem ma'am."

This I thought to mean she was scrambling in paperwork to find the guys name, while driving and talking to me by the way. I could hear her driving so I waited patiently. And waited, and waited...for maybe like 4 minutes...hoping my other line would not ring...

ME: "Ma'am, are you still there?"

DUMBASS: "Oh, heeheehe, are you waiting for me?"

ME (this time with a bit of frustration in my voice after a 6 minute conversation that has gone no where): "Yes, ma'am. If you would provide me with the name of the gentleman that you have the meeting with, I would be happy to tell him that you will be late."

DUMBASS: "Well, like I said, Melissa set it up for me and I am not sure what his name is but it's about some issues he is having with the Timberline program."

ME: "Ma'am, we have more than 100 employees here (even though only about 30 in the office, mostly male) and many of them are male. If I don't have a name, I am not quite sure how I will figure out WHICH man you have an appointment with."

DUMBASS: "Oh. Okay."

ME: "I'll tell you what, I will keep your name right here and if anyone buzzes me or comes up front looking to see if you have arrived, I will let him know that you are running a bit late. Okay?"

And FINALLY she hung up. I could not help think to myself "Who goes to a meeting set up by someone else, not knowing who you are meeting with?". Worse than that, running late due to a flat tire...how convenient.

And the grand finale? Me laughing my ass off because she came to the office right next to mine! Can't wait to tell my co-worker tomorrow how the 'dumbest lady ever' that he overheard me talking about was the chick that was training him. What a friggin airhead!

With people like this in our business world, and worse yet, companies sending out people like this, it's no wonder businesses survive and it's probably a big reason most of them fail. What happened to the good old days when men got to know your name, your needs, your business etc before even approaching you?

So much for relationship building for the company lady. YOU get and "F". Remembering a persons name in the business world is key and not remembering it is a big no-no. How embarrassing for you. Next time do the smart thing and get your shit together before you leave your office. Write down the name of the company, address, phone number and for god sake, the person's name whom you are meeting with and what time. AND leave a little early, just in case something like this ever happens again. At least if it all really did go down like that, you will save one really important thing in the eyes of your potential customer - your face.


Over and out peeps. It's time for some sleeps. Until next time, keep it real :)

Products I LOVE

I am disappointed in myself, but not. I (of all people) forgot Earth Day. That may not be a big deal to most of you, but to me it is like a cardinal no-no. I have the degree in Sustainability. I recycle. I save everything I can for re-use. I buy used. I try to save energy (and money) at home and in public. And I celebrate Earth Day. Sometimes by planting, sometimes by making an eco-friendly purchase, sometimes just by trying to re-use a stupid sandwich bag. That last one is the truth. But I do this in hopes that someday my lame little efforts will somehow have paid off, and for that, I feel satisfied to be doing what I can. To help our environment just a little, to make just as much conscience effort as I can to tread lightly on our planet.

I was recently blessed with a great contact, who hooked me up with some great "Eco-friendly" products. She knew about my background and contacted me immediately.

"Tina, I just ordered some eco-friendly products that I think you would love" she said. "Do you want to hear more about them?"

Of course, I am ALWAYS up for something 'green', so I said yes. She had me watch a webcast and listen to some people talk about this stuff. I left, not quite understanding. It's like a 'club' like Costco or Sam's, but better. You can only be referred by someone else, and I can make money from everyone (like me) who simply re-directs some of their household spending on better products, that last longer and end up being cheaper. Hmmm. This was cool.

I asked her to order me a few items, telling her I would not order nor endorse products that I don't like nor that don't work. So I had her order me laundry detergent and spot remover. And I LOVE THEM! I am a changed person. I get so excited about trying new items and seeing how they work. And they WORK. I can't even stand it in between times, when I don't order. It's like I am obsessed and want to order new things to try every week.

It started with that laundry detergent and spot remover. I went into this thinking "huh, yeah right...this stuff is not gonna get this out." I had a sheet that our BIG boy threw up on. I washed it 3 or 4 times with my regular detergent and some Shout or Spray and Wash (can't remember what I bought last time) on it and it just would not come out. More than just a stubborn stain, it was ruined. A dark spot was just there and did not want to leave. So I sprayed the piece with my new stuff when it arrived, let it sit for 10 minutes, washed it and took a look. It came out a lot more than before, so I immediately sprayed it again and re-washed it, then dried it. And look! Wow! What a nice surprise! The stain is oh slightly still there, but nothing like it was before. Maybe with a few more washings, it will completely disappear. And the new stuff? The stuff actually works. I am hooked. And the clothes SMELL good. I also noticed that my consistent itching problem seems to have disappeared. Which I kind of had a feeling was due to the laundry detergent I was using. I already know we are allergic to Tide.


The best part is that this stuff is highly concentrated, smells good and is made out of all NATURAL ingredients. No caustic chemicals, safe for kids and animals...my family and myself. Then I got a little bit curious about the company. I did my research, loved their ethics, their business model and the wonderful concept.

I got the household cleaner for $5.69 and the 16 oz bottle makes 32 GALLONS. Yep. 1/2 oz to each gallon. I use it on everything! Sinks, counters, appliances. Hell, I even use this in my electric scrubbing mopper on the floors.

The next time, I ordered some furniture polish and an acne kit for my daughter (similar to Pro-Activ I think). And the acne kit? My kid loves it. She told me the spot remover got out blood and was the 'Bees Knees' (to be exact) and that she really, really like the face items. I am so glad! It's nice to hear the comments coming from a picky teen to let her mama know that the new stuff rocks :)

I am SOOO excited about it all. I can't wait to place my next order. I can't wait to get my package in the mail. I can't wait to introduce my friends to this stuff!!! Thank you Ms Shannon, for thinking of me and introducing me to a wonderful product line!

For anyone who would like to find out more about these products, please contact me at tina.biesen@yahoo.com. I can not wait for you all to try it!!!

My how time flies...

It does. You think for a moment "oh, I'll post tomorrow night" and the next thing you know, it's been a couple of months. I noticed tonight it's not just me. Several of the blogs I subscribe to have not written on theirs either in like, 6 months. Life just goes by so fast! You get caught up with things and you drift away from the writing. It takes back seat to what's happening right now I suppose. That's just got to stop!

I love to blog. I love to read books, blogs, magazine articles...just about everything. And I have decided this is important. I like to write and since I am not quite into sitting down and writing a book, I do enjoy putting some of my thoughts and observances down somewhere. So why not here? It's at least a way for me to get the lead out when I want. A way for me to share a little bit of the humorous (but oh sooo frustrating) things that happen in my life with those on the outside of the bars.

I have a lot of respect for those of you who are so consistent and dedicated in your writing. So what's the secret? How do you do it? Where do you find time in between work, family, chores...that never ending list of things that ALL seem to need to be done at the same time?

Well, it's a new year, that calls for a new start. So, my goal for 2012 is to get back to my blogs. That, I promise.

Until next time :)

Wrenches in my spokes

Ah, the messes life throws at us. Aren't they grand! Broken down cars, the kids being sick, the dog needing to go to the vet. You know the problems. The ones that always happen when you least expect it. Yep, that's been the story of my life, especially this week.

This week alone I have had a broken down car, a dog with a bum leg that needs a doctor's help (not a homeopathic mom) and just today came to the realization that I paid one bill twice and another was not paid. That's my fucking life! Never a dull moment let me tell you. Thank god I'm good and juggling bowls and spinning plates. I'm actually getting quite good at it if I do say so myself.

The car situations were rolled over from last week. I thought I had fixed the problem, only for the car to pull the old "I'm not starting" trick on me once again. I know that I have had the car for 10 years (bought new) and it is time for stuff to start breaking down, but this is ridiculous! I had the mechanic just put a new air conditioning pump in it last month, then a new sensor a week or so ago. Then I take a day off work when it breaks down again, put a new alternator and battery in it, take it for an oil change and give it a new air filter. Very next day "I'm broke again. How about you?" Yep, I'm broke allright. The new air conditioning which I have to have in the hot ass Arizona desert cost me $650. The new sensor $160, the alternator $158, the battery $65, air filter $14 and oil change $30. So how much now? $1,077.00 in two months? Isn't that like a car payment for a new car, with a warranty and free oil changes? And yet I had to make arrangements to bum a ride to work once this week and take my hubby to work early so I could take his car another day. Then go back and pick him up after work. WTF?

Now the dog has a bum leg and needs to see a vet. I usually can treat most animal illnesses at home naturally and rarely, if ever, have my dogs been sick or needed 'professional' care. Not this week. Of course, shit always rolls down hill and it has to happen the week everything else does. So he goes tomorrow. Office visit $48, X-Rays (Which I am sure he will need) $160. Treatment? Who knows how much that will cost.

Oh, and did I mention that not only did my car breakdown initially last week AND this week, and the dog is sick, but I also cut my finger with a knife and the dryer took a shit. I spent my Saturday morning going to get another one at a garage sale. Of course that can't go right either. Bring it home and it does not work. For $20 what do I expect? I thought the $20 was at least worth the short trip over there and if it worked, alright then. Thank god the dike bitches that were coming to pick up my old one (for free) offered to fix it for free since I was giving them the old one. And she fixed it! Thank god for dike bitches ay?

Anyway, always with the bad, there is some good. So let me reflect for a moment - Allie got 4 A's and 2 B's on her report card. She bought a beautiful dress (which by the way did I mention I only had to pay 1/2 of this year? Nice boyfriend!) for homecoming this week and we get to watch her cheer at the game this Friday (we missed homecoming last year). Oh! And work has been real busy, so time is flying. Flying so fast our vacation is only a week away!

Yay! There is a light in sight! Get to go visit my Aunty Brini for my birthday next weekend. Four days at a destination we have never been to - Missouri! Yeah, I know, WTF is in Missouri you ask? Well aside from the fact that I have not seen my Aunt in 11 years and she is there....nothing. BUT I have never been to the mid-west nor seen the changing of the seasons and I am hoping to get a good glimpse of that and have something fresh and new to talk and write about. Plus the bonus feature of getting some new scenery to photograph. And Aunt Brini lives right on the Lake of the Ozarks, so we will get to do some fishing and rock hounding all while they have some other planned activities to show us around their little town. It should be fun and I am really looking forward to it.

Man, in looking at this post, all I can think of is these are the makins' of a country song right here. I got the bills, the broke down washer, the dog, some (rock) huntin' and some fishin'. What else is there? Oh...heeheehe...I forgot Mama. And maybe a train.

Hey...that gives me an idea. Maybe I should take the train, because I am tired of getting wrenches thrown in my spokes :)

A lesson in rattlesnakes

Hello! I know, I know...it's been a while. I have had several ideas for posts, but just have not had the motivation to write daily. Too busy!

This post is one I have been wanting to post for a few weeks, but with another "Dumbass of the Day" by yet another member of my family yesterday, I felt it was time to sit down and get r done.

So about a week ago, my husband Will was on a jobsite and stepped out of his truck to survey the scene for a minute. He felt something touch his boot, but thought perhaps it was just that he had kicked something and proceeded to evaluate where he was going to need to be on site. A few minutes later, he felt the tapping on his boot again and looked down to where he was standing. To his surprise, he was being bitten on the steel toe by a little baby rattlesnake!

Thank goodness it was a baby! An adult one may have had the stretch to go higher than the boots and it would have bit right through the pant leg and into the leg, which would have not been good.

He jumped back, reached into the back of his truck to grab his shovel and chopped it's head off. He said he would have left it alone had it of showed no interest in him. But it was attacking him so he had to kill it. He said the little thing was so aggressive that it's head actually turned around and was biting the shovel!

Will brought the little thing home, minus the 4 inches of destroyed head and neck that were destroyed in the beheading. I am reminded of that day every time I open my deep freezer. He froze the damn thing to show us and it scares the hell out of me every time I open the freezer!

Over this past Labor Day weekend, I was telling the story to my two sisters and mother while sitting out by the pool. At a certain point during my story, my sister Traci turned to her son and said "Just remember son, if you are ever get bit by a rattlesnake, pee on it." Commenting to this, my mom says "I don't understand how peeing on the snake is gonna do anything other than piss him off."

I think my sisters and I were wondering what the hell mom had been smoking that afternoon. I then explained to her "No mom, you pee on the wound, not the snake." and then my inner smartass took over: "Hey! This thing just bit me can you pee on it for me?" We all were laughing so hard at her! My poor mom, always the smart one and has to deal with us making fun of her "blonde moments". Of course I told her she was going to get the "Dumbass of the Day" on my blog. It was just too good not to post.

Anyway, for any of you that are interested in a little factual information about snakebites, I have come up with the following:

1. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably poisonous.
2. One in four bites are dry bites, which means no venom was injected.
3.You are NOT suppose to cut it with a knife or sharp instrument. Do NOT suck out the venom (this could lead to you becoming poisoned, mouth swelling etc.), do NOT put ice or anything cold on the wounds and do NOT give the person any medication or anything by mouth. DO put a constriction band a few inches above the wound, DO keep the wound below heart level, DO remove anything like rings, watches or bracelets that may become stuck when swelling occurs and DO keep the person calm and get medical care as quickly as possible.
4. Snakes can still bite for an hour after they are dead.
5. As far as urinating on the wound, I could not find anything about this online as far as a snakebite is concerned. I did, however, find and have heard that urinating on a jellyfish sting is an effective method to reduce pain, but I wonder if it works the same with a snake bite? If anyone has ever peed on a snakebite and knows the answer to this question, I would love to know the truth.

One last lesson here - please never forget that mother nature bites, literally. Always be aware of your surroundings and watch your step when you are out and about in wilderness areas. Most importantly, teach your kids about nature and a few of the rules that you follow when visiting natural areas. While mother nature has made some beautiful areas and creatures to be admired, we have to respect these things and realize that they can be dangerous.

Until next time, happy trails...minus the snakebite :)