Week 19 Battle of the Bulge..Monument

I personally, am in a perpetual battle of the bulge, but that isnt what this post is about! lol  

For years I have driven past these signs on nearly a daily basis without having the foggiest notion of where/what the monument was! I was in need of a first for the week so I decided to explore. I am so glad that I did!

Turns out the monument is on the campus of Vally Forge Military Academy (Specifically its on Eagle Rd. along side of the parking lot.) Siri (my Iphone BFF) had no idea what I was trying to find.  I ended up googling it and finally found someone else who had posted about his visit and I stumbled upon it. (Shout out to Scott @ http://www.scottmanning.com/content/bulge-monument-valley-forge/ )

The Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge

            The battle is significant in the course of World War II because it is seen by most as Hitler’s last major offensive. The battle was intended to split Allied lines and force negotiated peace, but the American forces were able to contain the battle!  The Germans lost so many troops and equipment that they couldnt launch another attack on the Allied forces. The Battle of the Bulge is most significant because, in essence it brought about the end of the war. 

             Really interesting stories from the soldiers themselves in the PBS link below.

            http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/bulge-dispatches/

 On the monument itself is a quote from Winston Churchill 

“This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war, and will, I believe be regarded as an ever famous American victory.”

Though I found differing statistics on how many troops were involved and how many casualties, All sources I read agreed on the importance of the war and the sever  loss of life.  

The other interesting thing I uncovered while digging around is that Hitler may have had a son.  http://www.hitlerschildren.com/article/591-did-hitler-have-children  Jean-Marie Loret, claims his mother had an affair with Hitler when she was 16 and he was the result. He wrote a memoir, Your Father's Name was Hitler, which is where he discusses what his mother said about his father before she died. Facts are still being validated.  He died in 1985 but was survived by children. I wonder if we will ever know.  #battleofthebulge #hitlerschildren

Week 18 Pescatarian for a Month

Pescatarian - someone who abstains from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish. In other words, a pescatarian maintains a vegetarian diet with the addition of fish.  Thats me for one month!  I have to say that I was going to do a strict Vegetarian diet but then decided that its much easier to include fish and the Omega Acids would do my brain good!

I havent found it difficult to follow (and really I am not eating a much fish).  I have been eating sooooooo much more dairy and carbs though that I feel terrible.  Bloated and tired. My body seems to crave the carbs (especially sweets).  I have gained 5 pounds too. Thank goodness this month is nearly over! lol 

I might actually try a Vegan week sometime. Just to explore how difficult it would be to eat that way. #pescatarian 

Week 16 Grand Canyon - Prison Visit 2 with Stepmom

 Though it makes my list of 'firsts', I have been to the Grand Canyon before. I include it because I haven't ever visited it all on my own nor have I stayed on the canyon rim overnight before! Both were highlights of my year so far!  There is something so spiritually rejuvenating about the place.  Mind boggling to think of its age (far older than the dinosaurs) with people inhabiting it for 3000-4000yrs!

After 3 hours in the medical walk in clinic in Flagstaff, AZ (I had Pink Eye and Bronchitis), I found my way to the Grand Canyon. It was about a 2 hr drive from there.  Even the drive was extraordinarily beautiful! I checked into my cabin at the rim and had a look around. It was early evening so I got to see the sun set. It was a bit cloudy and snow forecast.  

 

Snow at the canyon is interesting. They dont salt and barely throw down dirt to help with slippage.  It had snowed that night but by about 10 the next day it was near 50F and all melted.

 I drove my car to the furthest point of the trail open to the public, then hiked back.  Later I took the shuttle back to my car. Guessing I did between 5-10 miles. I was concerned about my knees but they have the rim trails paved so it was easy walking most of the way.  One morning I woke at 5am and went out to look at the stars. It was magical.  So little light that the sky appeared clouded with stars!  Breathtaking.

 A herd of Elk were just lounging around the grounds the entire trip.  Once I had stopped the car to catch a glimpse of a male across the road from me and while I was busy looking at him, a female decided to cross directly in front of my car! lol

Friday I got my Stepmom from the airport and we visited with my brother the next day. It was traumatic for her to see her son in that situation but it was still really nice for them to spend time.  Living right in an alley between 2 of the prison buildings was a group of homeless people. Guessing about 7-10 of them. One morning we brought breakfast for them.  I should have done it more than once but I kept wondering about safety.  In the end I felt great for getting them a hot breakfast on that chili day.  Next time I will do more.

When we weren't visiting my brother, we went to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens, a place called Hole in the Rock archaeological site and Old Scottsdale.  Shout out to Frankie and Lupe's restaurant.  They had wonderful Mexican food and a pobleno cream sauce to die for!  Really great trip. I love Arizona! #Grandcanyonsnow #frankieandlupes #holeintherock

Week 15 Orange is the New Black - AZ Prison Visit

This is definitely not a first that I aspired to have but it is one none the less. My brother is in an AZ St Prison for DUI charges and I went to visit him this month.   Since this was my first time in a prison I did some research and I have to say it is not easy.  I want to give a shout out to one blog I read that did help me http://www.jessicasoperationorange.com/faq 

She (I am assuming through her family and friends since I cant imagine that she has access to the internet)has answers posted to the simplest questions. What to expect, What to bring, and What to wear. With all that valuable knowledge it still took me 3 tries and two trips to  Walmart 2 times before I got in. Looking, I might add, like the poster child for Walmart as well! lol

 My first set back was my V neck shirt.  When I mentioned that it doesn't stipulate no Vnecks on their website, and that when I called no one told me I couldnt wear one, the guard looked at me and said, " Well honey, I am telling ya now."  Soooooo off to Walmart I went! haha

Me (above) in the Walmart bathroom changing into prison attire... seems that the hooks from my bra set off the metal detectors, so I decided to change 100% of my clothing so I didnt have any other issues.  3rd time was the charm! 

The 2nd day I saw him I wore the same outfit but with sneakers (flipflops in the car just in case).  You only have one failed attempt through the metal detector or they escort you out and you aren't permitted visitation that day.

The only things you can bring with you are 30$ in quarters in a plastic bag for the vending machines, your drivers license and the key to your car (with nothing else attached). #azprison #orangeisthenewblack #visitinginprison

So I had 8 hours with my brother the first day and 4 the second. Lots of Mountain Dew and vending machine junk food.  To be honest, that $30 goes pretty quickly over 8 hrs! 

There were loads of visitors wearing jeans (with buttons and zippers!) and tight clothes.  No "V" necks though lol.  I changed one small thing each time I went to visit him and on my final visit the 2nd weekend, I was in jeans, Toms, a tee with a cardigan over it. Dare I say I looked nearly normal! lol 

The stories he had were so interesting.  He never has felt unsafe thankfully and flies under the radar as much as possible. The gang mentality of life in prison helps with order and safety.  How everything is ordered is generally by race and the inmates rule the roost.  I learned some new terms like PCing (Protective Custody - when an inmate fears for their life due to getting in trouble with other inmates  for things like getting caught snitching or not able to pay off debts.) They are then immediately put in "the hole" and then transfer to another prison.  Getting a "Hot One" or invited to the back to get beat on for a minute or 2 in order to teach a lesson (ie wash your hands after you use the toilet, dont embarrass your race doing something you shouldn't etc.  Keistering... well you can guess that one... up the butt to smuggle in drugs, phones, nearly anything! 

One of the most interesting experiences I have had in a while.