war

Green With Envy

Posted on November 15, 2010 Written by Tonya

I’m dying.

My sister is on her way to Chicago to be an audience member on the Oprah Winfrey Show!!

Her roommate, Gina contacted the show and submitted a piece on the person she most admires and was selected to be on the show. I’m not sure if she’ll actually be on the show, but she was invited to be in the audience because it’s a topic that Oprah is covering on Tuesday, November 16.

Gina’s inspiration is her grandfather Lou, a World War II Army Veteran and the reason behind her Pin-Ups For Vets calendar project. The nostalgic 1940’s pin-up style calendars feature Gina and are sold to raise money for hospitalized Veterans, personally hand delivered by Gina to VA hospitals across the country and also sent overseas to our deployed troops.

Pin-Ups For Vets is a noble and worthwhile cause and Gina is fantastic at what she does.

Since moving to Los Angeles in January, my unemployed sister has been able to help Gina with her plight and because Gina’s dear grandfather has passed away, she generously invited Leah to accompany her to Chi-town.

Now you know why I’m dying!

What I wouldn’t give to be in Oprah’s audience… especially this year, her last season of the show. And, for the record, I’m also a bit miffed that Leah doesn’t even like Oprah. You read that right and I know what you’re thinking, “Who doesn’t like Oprah?!?!”. Nobody!

I have been a HUGE fan for 25 years and Leah has always given me @#$% for worshiping her, recording her show daily and subscribing to her magazine.

I’ve never been to a Oprah Winfrey Show taping, but have had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Winfrey speak twice and saw her every year at BookExpo when I worked for a book publisher.

So there!

While I may be a green-eyed monster, I do sincerely hope Gina’s project is featured on the show.

Have fun, girls. Oh, and if this turns out to be the “Favorite Things” episode, in which O shares (gives) products with her audience that she feels are noteworthy or that would make a great holiday gift, I fully expect first dibs on any and all swag you bring home. I would love an iPad. I’m just sayin’. 🙂

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No Complaints Here

Posted on August 13, 2010 Written by Tonya

Instead of flipping stuff off today, which I enjoy doing oh so much, I thought I would switch gears a little.

Okay, a lot!

On Monday, I blogged about being On My Own for the week while my husband is away on business. We are on Day 4/7 and so far so good. We have gone though a mega-size package of Boogie Wipes, countless boxes of Kleenex and OJ and watched too much television, but we are hanging tough!

On Tuesday, my friend posted this video (Soldiers Surprising Their Loved Ones: PART ONE) on her Facebook page and I haven’t been able to shake it from my mind ever since. As I watched it, tears rolled down my face because it put being apart and the challenges of doing it on my own into a whole new perspective.

The men and women that are serve our country deserve our thanks and our respect, but the family that they leave at home deserve that and a whole lot more in my mind, especially the children. They are so young and don’t understand the concept of war or death. They know Daddy’s hugs and the way he smells and he makes them feel protected.

Just look at these faces when they see their loved one return home. Safely. After months of asking “when’s Daddy coming home?” and wondering “is he okay?” and “when will I see him again?”; it’s pure joy, utter disbelief, delight and love.

I have NOTHING to complain about!

Happy Friday, everyone. Have a glorious weekend!

The best is yet to be.

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Brothers

Posted on December 19, 2009 Written by Tonya

Today’s post has nothing to do with raising Lucas, but it has everything to do with family. My sister and I saw the movie Brothers the other night and it was amazing.

A remake of the 2004 Swedish film, Bröder, the trio of Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman was a draw for me and from an acting standpoint, they did not disappoint. The script gives Macguire the most to work with as the family man/Marine, Capt. Sam Cahill, whose latest trip to Afghanistan sees him imprisoned by the Taliban and ultimately returned to America with some serious psychological issues. While he is MIA, his wife, Grace, (Portman) and ex-con brother, Tommy, (Gyllenhaal) are told he is dead, and the two grow closer, eventually verging on emotional and physical attachment.

Watching these three individuals go through their personal journeys is heartbreaking and beautiful, especially that of Cahill. I wasn’t expecting to be so emotionally attached or moved by this film. It was very thought provoking for me and made me realize that war affects more than just the solider, it takes its toll on the entire family and all of those left behind. In many ways, I think it’s harder for those left waiting at home for the safe return of their loved one.

I highly recommend this movie hope Tobey Maguire wins the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) for his stunning performance.

I am thankful that I don’t know anyone involved in the war in any way, but I know that I am in the minority. I am ashamed to admit that I’m not even sure why we are fighting. I know that it is mainly in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US, but I believe that the conflict is much deeper and older than that.

It blows my mind that we are in year nine of the war in Afghanistan and currently have 70,000 U.S. military personnel stationed there. Now, that’s something to think about! Or what about the sobering fact that as of today, December 19, 2009 we have lost 5,288 soldiers. 4,356 in Operation Iraqi Freedom and 932 in Operation Enduring Freedom. That’s 5,288 souls too many.

The best is yet to be. May peace on earth be near.

Green With Envy

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