Southern Hospitality....YEA RIGHT!

So... I went to Kadie's today..and then we went to Target...nothing out of the ordinary, until I went to start my car at the end of our shopping trip. It started alright, I heard a bang or pop if you will, the car started running and stayed running long enough for me to see smoke coming through my vents, and so, I shut my car off. I walked around to the hood, asking Kadie to stay back. I had no idea what I was going to find under my hood. When I popped the hood, the picture above is what I'd found. I saw the tear in the lining on the underside of my hood lid. I knew what looked like a spark plug had popped out. So I called SSG Mooney. I figured, he's a guy, and my boss...he'll surely know what to do. Well, he was over an hour away so he suggested calling my 2 senior most Chaplains. Both are handy with cars and would most likely be more than willing to come give me a hand. I thanked him, and then first tried the installation NCOIC of Chaplain Assistants SFC Stokes (he likes to play with cars and work on them!) He was willing to step away from his homework and come help me out. While we waited in the the strip mall parking lot in front of Petsmart I kept the hood popped...I'd say it was at least 45 mins when SFC Stokes got there to help out...Note that NOT ONE PERSON stopped to ask if we were ok...2 females with a car hood popped, come on people I know back home for a fact at least a dozen people would have stopped...so I dont know where the Southern Hospitality lies, but I've yet to find it here in the year that I've been here. Anyways, SFC Stokes conclusion was that the spark plug is not stripped and is actually looking very nice. He says whoever did the tune up before I bought the car, didn't tighten them down well enough. He tightened it down as much as he could, he was one extension short of being able to use his ratchet to get it tightened all the way, so I have to head over to his house tomorrow after work and he'll finish the job and check the rest. Bless his heart, going out of his way on his weekend off to help one of his Soldiers...now thats taking care of Soldiers! A HUGE HOOAH And thank-you to SFC Stokes and his family for the help!

Update on my health:
I'm still overweight according to the Army (no surprise there) so they now (my new command) have correctly enrolled me in the Army Weight Management program. I went this week for blood tests to check for diabetes and my thyroid. I'm sure we have nothing to worry about, but when I mentioned Grandma having Diabetes, my doc wanted to be sure to check for it. Plus its protocal for the program. While I was there, I met my new primary care doctor...(I could never get appointments except a month out to see my doctor and thats just ridiculous..so I asked for a new one) He checked into my Medical Board process, for some reason they didn't acknowledge it, so he resubmitted for a new one. He told me I should hear something in less than 2 weeks...If not, I am to let him know. Still seeing my chiropractor once a week, and I'm so very thankful for him...It helps, for the week. My Chiro says its just going to take time for it to improve...I'm still waiting.

ALSO!!!! I've become the new credit card holder for my office. Which means...I am in charge of all purchases made for the office...which includes hotels, restaurants, transporation, etc for Wounded Warrior Retreats..which means..I have to be on the retreat! So...with that in mind, I leave Wednesday for Orlando am gone most of the week, then we turn around and leave early next week for Washington DC and will be there most of that week!! HOW SWEET IS THAT?! Then I'm back here for a week before its Christmas already and am on my way home!! Not only will I get to see and hug my brother and sister-in-law for the first time since July (feels like forever ago!) I'll get to be with my nephew for his first Christmas!! WOOHOO!!! And my momma for christmas and her family..but I'll get to see my BOYFRIEND! Thats right my devoted friends...I've...no We've rekindled an old flame, I've been praying all month for God's direction (even longer than that, but I'm not gonna say how long God and I have been wrestling with this) with Jeff and I...last night it became official, we are dating...again...so I will leave you with this inspirational story, so fitting that it would be the weekly inspiration emailed to me this week!!

"HOW GREAT LOVE IS"

Once upon a time there was an Island, where all the feelings lived;
Happiness, Sadness and all the others including love.
One day it was announced to the feelings that the Island would sink,
so all repaired their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed.
Love wanted to persevere till the last possible moment.
When the Island was sinking, Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love, in a grand boat,
Love said "Richness can you take me with you?" Richness answered "no I can't."
There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat and there is no place for you here. Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, "Vanity please help me?" I can't help you love.
You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, "Sadness let me go with you?" "Oh......Love I am so sad I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy she did not even hear when Love called her! Suddenly there was a voice "Come Love, I will take you."
It was an elder. Love felt so pleased and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder her name. When they arrived on dry land, the elder went her own way Love realizing how much he owed the elder asked Knowledge, another elder "Who helped me?"
"It was Time" Knowledge answered. "Time?" asked Love. But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered,
"Because only Time is capable of understanding How Great Love Is.

Barbara Smethurst
albar@smethurst2405.freeserve.co.uk
www.SomebodyCares4U.com
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