Address change

I have had to change Matt's address twice since the first posting. If anyone is going to send him a letter, double check the address. Also put a 3 on the back flap. It indicates the platoon number. Thanks for supporting Matt!

Matt's address, at last!

Pvt Mendoza, Matt
B Co. 787th Mp Bn, 3rd PLT
2230 Iowa Ave. Blg 937
Ft Leonardwood, Mo 65473

Life, Loss and the pursuit of.........

Jennifer's latest blog entry is compelling me to write. I feel the sadness in her words. I don't think I have ever felt sadness in her words before. It breaks my heart to think of how much loss Jennifer has had in the past few years and is still (apparently) driving her way. Even still, she tries to find optimism. But this blog is not about Jennifer specifically. Although I know I could stop now and let it be dedicated to her sorrows. But I won't. I am pondering the age old question of what in the world are we supposed to do in this life. You ask ten people and you will get ten different answers. Life seems to be this competition between the glorious and the horrific. One day you are surrounded by your family, gloriously celebrating your birth and the next day you are suppressed by the demons of the horrific. What are we to do then? Focus on one over the other? Try as we might, focus on one over the other? Here in lies the conflict within. The outward uncontrollable actions vs. the inward controllable reactions. Somewhere along the way we are taught to do the right thing. And this is my answer to that age old question. Do the right thing. I don't believe this to be obvious at all. In fact many times I believe that right thing to do is uniquely cloaked to look like the wrong thing to do. Example: Do nothing. Does everyone know how hard it is to do nothing? It is a deceiving phrase to imply that nothing is been done. However the very act of not doing anything can required the greatest strength. It is sometimes the right thing to do. And patience. Patience is another great deception. The term gives visions of quietly idling away time as something is passively allowed to run it's course. On the contrary! Personally I have learned that patience is something that I would equate to running a marathon. Being patient while your child is falling headfirst into a very tough and long life lesson requires the strength that would be needed to stop the running of the bulls in Spain. But sometimes it is the right thing to do. Life. Apparently before we were ever born we entered into this marriage contract with life and we, as talking breathing humans, had nothing to say about it. For better or worse. In sickness and in health. For richer or poorer. And then we are born. So now, all this pontification has me exhausted and all I want to do is have a glass of wine and watch Reba on T.V. Maybe it's the right thing to do! All my love to you Jennifer.

Hoorah!

So....We will have a Bon Voyage dinner for Matt at Muna's on Sunday (since Monday is a holiday). Say, around 5:00. If you want to come, call Muna and let her know ASAP. Pass the word to those who won't read this blog. Love and miss everyone!

Hoorah!

Wanna be

Somebody please tell me how to add what blogs I read to my main page so I can be cool like EVERYONE else!

God really does answer prayers!

Hello friends and family! Our big news is that Matt is joining the army. He leaves in the morning to L.A. for his physical and swearing in. Then he is off to basic training in Missouri for nine weeks. After that, he starts his training for his job which is health care technician. Basically he'll be an EMT and will have his basic certification when he gets out. He also has a $15,000.00 signing bonus, payable in two installments and $37,000.00 for college after his service of two years and 32 weeks. I am really proud of him. He's been very focused and has worked really hard changing habits and lifestyles to achieve this (he passed his drug test!). At the same time it will be hard to see him go. We've had an amazing opportunity to do a lot of nothing these past few weeks and have spent many hours watching movies, going to get something to eat and...well...thats about all. I'll treasure the boredom forever! We were also lucky enough to take a little vacation. We stayed at a horse ranch just north of Santa Barbara for three fun filled days. Dani brought Emmy (the love of her life) and Katie brought her BFF Raffa. Everyone got along so well and we just had so much fun. We hiked and went horseback riding (twice), went to a live dinner theater, swam, jacuzzied (?) and played a lot of ping pong and pool. Now it's time to get serious about school. Dani has a tough schedule because she is graduating early and I've gone back to SBCC. Kate is working at SB Bank and trust during the day and then off to SB business school at night. She is working to be a physical fitness trainer. It is sort of like a dorm house with books strewn about, girls running around in their undies to find a tank top in someone else's room (or loft as it may be) and lots of left over take out food cartons. Other than making a bowl of cereal, there is not a lot of domestics activities going on. Gee it's great to be twenty at forty seven...............(she muttered through clenched teeth).

Yippity Skippity

Ok, so here it is. It's really big news! You might need to sit down. Something we've all been waiting for! You're not going to believe it.................I quit my JOB!!!!

Yes siree!
No more Dupee!

Oh, and then the next day (today) Mrs. Dupee fired Gloria, a ten year Dupee Veteran. With no apologies, or severence, or thanks for ten years of devoted loyalty. Nothing. Poor Gloria.

Whew.