USNS Comfort

As the USNS Comfort sails to Haiti, I thought it would be interesting to find out more about this floating Naval Hospital.

Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding
Laid down: May 1, 1975 (As Rose City MA-301)
Launched: February 1, 1976
Commissioned: December 1, 1987 (to US Navy)
Status: in active service, as of 2010

General characteristics
Displacement: 69,360 tons (70,470 t)
Length: 894 ft (272 m)
Beam: 105 ft 7 in (32.18 m)
Propulsion: two boilers, two GE turbines, one shaft, 24,500 hp (18.3 MW)
Speed: 17.5 knots (32 km/h)
Complement: 63 civilian, 956 naval hospital staff, 258 naval support staff, up to 1000 bed patients
Time to activate: 5 days
Patient Capacity:
o Intensive care wards: 80 beds
o Recovery wards: 20 beds
o Intermediate care wards: 280 beds
o Light care wards: 120 beds
o Limited care wards: 500 beds
o Total Patient Capacity: 1000 beds
o Operating Rooms: 12
Departments and Facilities:
o Casualty reception
o Intensive care unit
o Radiological services
o Main laboratory plus satellite lab
o Central sterile receiving
o Medical supply/pharmacy
o Physical therapy and burn care
o Dental services
o Optometry/lens lab
o Morgue
o Laundry
o Oxygen producing plants (two)
o Medical Photography
o Four distilling plants to make drinking water from sea water (300,000 gallons per day)
o Flight deck can handle world's largest military helicopters (CH-53D, CH-53E, MH-53E, Mi-17)I think if I were a young person in the Navy it would be a wonderful opportunity to be deployed on the USNS Comfort. While I'm certain the work is sometimes grueling, I'm also convinced it's very rewarding too. I'm pretty sure the citizens of Haiti are looking forward to its arrival.

Triumph & Tragedy

The events of the past few days have got me thinking about miracles. We often think of miracles in terms of the "big events." Of course that is true... such as was the case of Flight 1549... also known as "The Miracle on the Hudson" flight. One year ago today we were glued to our televisions watching everything unfold...Thanks to the skill and dedication of a phenomenal crew, not a single life was lost.Fast forward 365 days and once again we're glued to the TV, only this time we're watching devastating images come across the screen.The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti has killed tens of thousands of people in a matter of minutes.People are asking "Where is God" when calamities occur. But do we stop and recognize the miracles taking place around us every day? This morning I woke up. I slept safely and comfortably through the night. I drove to and from work safely. My children were unharmed as they went about their day. We had a nice supper tonight. Babies were born... cancers were cured... hearts began to beat once again... the sun rose... the earth still spins on its axis. Are those not miracles?Certainly we have reason to mourn for those who are suffering throughout the world. I'm thankful I'm not in Haiti... that I'm not going through the heartbreak they are experiencing, however, I am also very much aware that God IS with them. He has not forsaken them. They are not alone. Prayers are being offered up on their behalf by people all over the world. Those prayers are being heard.

I'm not entirely sure what I'm trying to say other than I see the hand of God every day... even in times of crisis. I wish bad things didn't happen, but I also know it is an important part of our mortal journey to go through and learn from adversity. I'm just grateful for the knowledge that I don't have to go through anything alone.. unless I choose to do so. Anytime I call out, God will be with me. Of that I have no doubt.It comes down to what I choose to believe. I DO believe that God, my Eternal Father has everything under control. He is aware. He loves me. He loves us all.

Cross Roads

Now that Emile is a Junior and lots of her friends have (or are getting) their driver's license (not just permits), I'm at another challenging stage of parenting. And as usual I'm being too strict or wanting to hold Emile back (at least in her eyes). Oh, to be young and naive again. Keeping in mind that the frontal lobe of the brain (the reasoning center) isn't fully developed, I can see the potential of what could go wrong much clearer than she can. As a parent I want to protect her from unnecessary harm. As a teen she wants me to back off and let her live her life. There in-lies the problem.  

I am all too aware of what the statistics are. And I don't want Emile to become one... of course she's convinced she won't. Here's some cold hard facts relating to teen drivers - ALL PHOTOS ARE THE RESULT OF TEEN DRIVER CRASHES:

TEEN CRASHES ARE THE NUMBER 1 KILLER OF TEENS!

MORE THAN 5000 TEENS DIE IN CRASHES PER YEAR!

AFTER 9PM TEENS ARE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE IN A CAR CRASH!

87% OF TEEN CRASH DEATHS ARE THE RESULT OF DISTRACTED DRIVING!

• ADDING 1 PASSENGER INCREASES FATAL CRASH RISK BY 48%
• ADDING 2 PASSENGERS INCREASES FATAL CRASH RISK BY 158%
• CELL PHONE USAGE WHILE DRIVING INCREASES FATAL CRASH RISK BY 300%

Given these stats, is it any wonder I'm concerned? For some silly reason I don't want to get the call requesting I come to the morgue and identify my daughter.

Nor do I wish to watch as my daughter's casket is lowered into the ground.

Now all I have to do is make sure Emile knows the true risks involved. It's not about money.... it's not about liking someone... it's about....

LIFE AND DEATH

More "Heroes"

The other day I came across a Facebook posting. A mother was asking her daughter-in-law if she had heard from her son... "Jamie, where is Chad today? He's been terribly quiet. I worry about him when I don't hear from him." That simple question really got to me. Her son is deployed in the middle east and here she is worrying about his safety. I realize that goes without saying, however, it really hit home when I read her message.I came across this tribute to military moms...

THE "MILITARY" MOM
by Eileen Hall 1998

There hasn't been much said
about the "military" mom...
yet no wars could ever
have been won without her.
A "military" mom is a teacher
of independence, perseverance,
discipline, and integrity;
possesses a great sense of humor,
and can make of any house a home.
She is a woman of quiet strength
who has shaped the hearts
of our bravest heroes
and taught them
to value peace above all.
The "military" mom is unshakable
in love for her country.
That is how she is able to let go
of her most precious treasure-
a son or daughter.
We proudly salute
and thank
the "military" mom.

For the record, I also wish to recognize the military spouses. Without your willingness to have your husbands or wives serve, we would be woefully unprotected. Thank you for your sacrifice as well.

THE MILITARY SPOUSE
~Author Unknown

When the good Lord was creating military spouses, He was into His sixth day of overtime. An Angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble on this one. What's wrong with the standard model?"

The Lord replied, "Have you ever seen the regulations? It has to be completely independent, must be sponsored to get on base, have the qualities of both mother and father during deployments; Be a perfect hostess to four or 40, handle emergencies without military orders, cope with the flu and move around the world, have a kiss that cures anything from a child's torn valentine to a soldier's weary day, have the patience of a saint when waiting for the unit to return stateside, and have six pairs of soft hands."

The Angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pair of hands? No way!" And the Lord answered, "Don't worry. We'll make other military spouses to help. Besides, it's not the hands that are causing the problem - it's the heart. It must swell with pride, sustain the ache of separation, beat soundly when it's too tired to do so, be large enough to say 'I understand' when it doesn't, and say 'I love you,' regardless."

"Lord," said the Angel, touching his sleeve gently, "go to bed. You can finish that tomorrow." "I can't," said the Lord. "I'm too close to creating something unique. Already I have one who can heal itself when sick, feed unexpected guests who are stuck in the area due to bad weather, and wave goodbye to its spouse from a pier or runway and understand it's important to the country that the spouse leave."

The Angel circled the model of the military spouse very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed. "But tough," the Lord said excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this being can do or endure!" "Can it think?" the Angel asked. "Can it think? It can convert 1400 to 2 p.m.!" the Lord said. Finally, the Angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model." "It's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear." "What's it for?" asked the Angel. "It's for joy, sadness, pain, loneliness and pride," the Lord said. "You're a genius," said the Angel.
The Lord looked somber and said, "I didn't put it there."You, the families of those serving our country... please remember that you are being prayed for daily. You are not alone. You are the quiet "heroes." Thank You!

Beautiful Insight

For Christmas this year someone gave me the book, "My Dear Sisters" by Gordon B. Hinckley. It was an anonymous gift so I don't know who to thank... I am truly enjoying this inspirational book about women. Today I came across a message that really penetrated my heart. As I read the quote, this is what I pictured....."Have you ever contemplated the wonders of yourself, the eyes with which you see, the ears with which you hear, the voice with which you speak? No camera ever built can compare with the human eye. No method of communication ever devised can compare with the voice and the ear. No pump ever built will run as long or as efficiently as the human heart. No computer or other creation of science can equal the human brain. What a remarkable thing you are. You can think by day and dream by night."

Isn't that remarkable? I remember looking at Emile and Brie when they were newborns and thinking to myself that they had everything within them to complete their mortal journey... provided they were taught, nurtured, and loved. Nothing was missed. Certainly there are times when things go "wrong" or defects are present, however, for the most part we are marvelous beings made in the image of a loving Father. And even when one is "different" Heavenly Father is aware and provides us comfort and the means to care for the challenges we face. How cool is that?!As I have been reading this book I've come to realize how much I miss President Hinckley. I am reminded of how much he loved the women of the gospel. He ALWAYS showed his affection and admiration for us in word and deed. He always made us feel like the blessed Daughters of God we truly are. I miss hearing his voice... seeing his smile... watching the sparkle in his eye. Once again today, I am thankful for being taught by this Prophet of God.

My Little Chef

For Brie's FACS class at school, she was given an assignment to cook something that contained fruits or vegetables. She decided to make a Shrimp Stir Fry with Fried Rice. Before I go any further, let me state that Brie is going to be quite the cook someday. She enjoys baking and helping me prepare foods... and she's always interested in learning new recipes. Given that bit of information, please observe.Starting with these ingredients....

Then following directions and completing several steps.... she produced...
Drum roll please!!!TADA!
This very delectable dish. Well done, Brie! You did a fantastic job and the vegetables were perfectly tender yet crisp. Keep up the good cooking kiddo.

A New Year

So another decade comes to a close. A new year begins. I can't believe it's been 10 years since all the hype about the start of the new century and all the problems that would take place because of computers not realizing it was 2000 and not 1900. Now here we sit about to begin anew again. What will the next decade bring? Will I even be here at the end of 2019? Will any of us? Makes one think.

I'm too tired to get into everything too deep tonight. I hope for peace, kindness, charity of heart and hands.... more understanding and a willingness to try in the new year. Of course I still want to remain employed, healthy, safe and "sound" as well. I extend these desires to all those I love and admire. May you have all that you need in your lives... May joy be in your heart as the new year and decade begins. I'm sure it will be interesting.HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

What Were You Thinking?

I'm sure that's what people are asking as they view this posting, however, when you are a single parent and things have to be done, sometimes you do things other people wouldn't even dream of. Survival of the fittest my friends. So the weekend before last we had the heavy snow fall due to a Nor'Easter.... it was a lot of snow, which had fallen for nearly 24 hours. When I awoke Sunday morning, I saw something odd out the bathroom window. Looking out Brie's bedroom window I saw this beauty....This picture doesn't give this monstrosity justice. It was huge and completely bending the rain gutter. I was not a happy camper. You can imagine my concern if it were to fall and hurt anyone below. Lucky Emile, I woke her and give her the news. She was going to have to go out onto the roof (from out the third floor window) and push the excess snow off. I'm sure you know what her reaction was. After I posted her Will on my FB page, out the window she went. We were running out of time.The wind had blown so hard and drifted to within a foot of the back of the house... then began to slide off the side. Em was pretty scared as she worked to push everything off (as was I). I made sure she stayed a couple feet back from the edge but it was still scary.After maybe 7 or 8 minutes (if that) she was finished and able to climb back inside.Even though she was nervous being up there, she did a great job. She went the entire length of the back part of the second floor roof. She's such a huge help when things like this happen. I'm so thankful I have her to rely on when I really need the help.You're my brave (push though it) kid, Emile. I know I don't tell you this often enough, but I do appreciate all you do. When things get rough you're always here for me. I can't begin to imagine a life without you in it. I love you!!

Rest up.. I'm sure we'll have plenty more snow events this winter. Who knows, maybe next time you'll have to go up with the snow blower!! YIKES!

Christmas Gifts

This year we spent Christmas afternoon and the day after with my brother, Corey. It was the first time we'd done so in several years and it was great. He and Michele were wonderful hosts!We had a yummy dinner, played games and watched movies together. It was relaxed and enjoyable.

 

Just as I was giving Corey a hug goodbye, his gift arrived. Perfect timing. It was a Christmas cactus. He enjoys greens in his home so I thought it would be a nice addition. The visit was just wonderful and I can't wait to see them both again. A nice finish to a special Christmas. That's what it's all about, right? Nothing's better than the greatest GIFT of family.

All Wrapped Up... And Other Christmas Highlights

To wrap or not to wrap? That is always the question I'm faced with in the last moments of Christmas Eve. Do I spend much time wrapping the few things I've got for the girls.. those things which will be unwrapped 15 hours later. I only got the girls their "traditional" gifts this year. We decided as a family to support other families in need and helped with their Christmas instead. It was a lot of fun and really added to the Joy of the season for us. So I finally decided (at 7:30) to go ahead and wrap.Before I knew it I was finished and everything was under the tree. Turns out some other people had decided to share the blessings of the season with us as well and we had a big bag of gifts brought to us. Funny how that works. Another reason why I love Christmas! Before long it was time for bed... Brie was up at 8:15, crawling into bed with me. Em came down not much later and got in bed too. Doesn't get much better than that.I love coming downstairs Christmas morning. It's always delightful to see the room as I left it a few hours earlier. We can't do anything before we take our "Christmas P.J." pics. After that all bets are off.

Now we're in the cleaning up mode of the morning. We'll be heading to my brother, Corey's home in a couple hours. We're going to spend the night there. I'm excited to share the day with him since it's been several years since we've done so. After a wonderful Christmas Eve, followed by a terrific Christmas morning, I suppose I should close by saying....

IT'S A WRAP!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

It's A Wonderful Life

Before going to bed I had to stop and reflect on the last few hours. I finished up the little bit of wrapping I wanted to do, had a small bite to eat, then watched It's A Wonderful Life with the girls. Every Christmas Eve for several years now, we've watched this movie. It's one of Em's all time favorites and has become one of mine as well.I enjoy seeing how good a man George was, how much he tried to do the right thing for his fellow man. I'm reminded that even though he was a good man, he still had challenges... just as we all do. I wonder how many days I have an Angel sitting right beside me. I'll bet it's a lot. I can't imagine going through life without divine assistance. I'm thankful for the life I have. I'm thankful for my children, family, and friends. Life would be so different without everyone who brings joy into my day. Most of all, I'm most grateful for the birth of my savior, Jesus Christ. Without him none of this would matter. He is my greatest friend, without whom I would be completely lost.Thanks to all of you who I have the privilege of calling my friend. I love and appreciate having you in my life. Merry Christmas.

It's Looking Like Christmas

We're going to have a white Christmas after all. I'm thrilled! I love seeing snow this time of year... it just lifts my spirits so much. We're supposed to get a foot (or possibly more) before the storm wraps up. I'm sure I'll be posting more pics. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Joy

Last year we had a lesson in Relief Society about having joy during the holidays. The spirit of that lesson has stayed with me all year and I wanted to share it today. During this time of year we all try to think we are going about our daily activities with the true meaning of the season in our hearts, however, we find ourselves getting bogged down with the realities of life. Bills to pay, gifts to purchase, friends and relatives to see, baking to do, meals to prepare, decorating to be finished, etc. Before we know it we are stressed, frazzled, and frustrated with the holidays... having completely lost sight of the reason we are really celebrating Christmas. Thus we step back and question the true meaning of JOY.

Here is what we were encouraged to focus on....

J ~ Jesus
O ~ Others
Y ~ Yourself

If we stop and think of Joy in this manner it truly brings the spirit back into the season. "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great JOY,which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

May the JOY of the season be with all of us not just today but everyday.

Straight No Chaser

One of my favorite renditions of The Twelve Days of Christmas. These guys are amazing and truly talented. Check out their website for more information. Enjoy.