Congrats on your service. I've had the opportunity to have a green cake and it is wonderful! Had a young man live with me for the summer, he was from West Texas and requested a pistachio bundt cake for his birthday.
He wrote home and asked his mom for the recipe - I looked at the ingredients and said to myself "there is no way my kids are gonna eat this." It is perhaps the best cake I've ever tasted...and now that you've brought it up....I think I'll have to make it.
His has cinnamon swirled through it...I'd love to try it with chocolate!
Enjoy making the cake - enjoy eating it and congrats.
Jenny Frasco
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09-14-2007
02:12 AM
3 Loves
Gosh darn it! Figures someone saw me hauling my kid in her car seat "bungeed" to the top of my rolling suitcase (and I'm not kidding). Now that both kids are old enough to be without car seats, they still get a ride - straddling the pull out handle. The roughest part about it all is the constant "GO FASTER."
I do think the ride on carry on is a great idea - as for the headrest that doubles as a tray table - my thought is, if I'm in one place long enough - I'd rather let the kid burn off as much energy as possible - especially since the child will be in a seatbelt/car seat for the duration of a flight. Let the kid have a bit of freedom before you get on the plane....let them eat at the table in the cafe or go for a walk. Strap 'em in and sit 'em down when you are hauling to get to your gate on time.
I am not sure I'd spend the extra money for the chair - I'd just let them ride on the bag itself...but that is just me.
thanks for sharing!
regards,
jenny frasco
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09-14-2007
01:49 AM
2 Loves
Mr. West,
Thank you for the time you spent writing about Shanksville. The beginning of our summer vacation began with a stop (and yes, it was out of the way) at the United 93 Memorial. While it is a temporary memorial - it is beautiful. It radiates the spirit of those who have come to pay their respects.
As a family, we came to the resting place of United 93 only to pause a moment and say a simple prayer. Yet, we ended up gathering with complete strangers to listen to the park ranger tell of the story of the morning of September 11. During the talk, I watched my son, I watched his reaction when the ranger explained how the airplane was flying upside down before it crashed. I watched him, as he listened to the story of how the earth simply swallowed the plane. He understood the impact was felt for miles - lifting a house from its foundation and throwing a farmer to the ground as he worked in his field. I wasn't sure if having him listen would be appropriate. I wanted to protect him from the reality - that moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, sisters and brothers were lost that day. I let him listen.
Yet, when the story was over and the picture book shared. Ben could only focus on how the people on the plane could be so selfless - how they would be willing to sacrifice everything to save people they do not know. I tried my best to let him know ordinary men and women put their lives above others everyday, but he came back and said "but mom, they didn't choose it."
Of all the items left that day, Ben's impressed me the most...it was a "thank you" note, with a small drawing of an angel. It wasn't until I watched him kneel down and place it at the fence that I cried.
It is a place - out of the way - but a place we should all try to visit. Those people that gave their lives went out of their way for us...the least we can do for them is pay our respects and say thank you.
Thank you for a beautiful post.
Sincerely,
Jenny Frasco
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07-27-2007
05:44 PM
7 Loves
Leah! Happy Belated Birthday! We've been on the road - traveling by car and I'm so glad to have a few days to get out and stretch my legs! So, hope your bday was happy and you were surrounded by friends and family!
My wish for you this year of course is to be a member of the SWA family, as I know you've waited and wished for sometime....may your wishes and dreams come true.
Jenny
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07-13-2007
09:20 PM
1 Love
Hey!
Where was the tip: FAs need to yell at screaming kids?!
"Don't make me turn this plane around!"
I don't know the entire story and I'm going to "Google" it now....but we all know...SWA FAs would "assist" in moments of toddler insanity!
Oh, and as I instruct my kids, "everyone goes to the bathroom before we ___. (Fill in the blank with get in the car, leave for the train, head to the park, get in line for a ride, get on the airplane).
When you see a restroom nearby, better use it before getting in line. Same rule holds true for many amusement parks - once you are in line for the ride, can't leave and return to the same spot.
Just have to plan ahead and as you stroll to the gate, look for the restroom and use it.
Thanks for the tips!
Jenny Frasco
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Hey Francisco!
Enjoyed Chapter Five and when you speak of India in such poverty it is amazing and many of us cannot even imagine living in such a way - yet I'm currently reading a great book and many of you, may be interested in a way we as Americans can help others up and out of poverty.
The book is written by Phil Smith & Eric Thurman and is titled "A Billion Bootstraps". It is an easy read and makes it seem as if there is something we can actually do to help end poverty!
The concept is "barefoot banking" and microcredit. Pick up a copy or request it from your local library - we can make our dollars work in wonderful and amazing ways!
Glad to know you and your shipmates were able to lend a hand - show our American spirit and true spirit of giving - we as a nation are "givers" and who better to demonstrate those efforts than our fine men and women of the US Navy!
Be safe! How much longer at sea? Hey! I just thought of something! I think we will be in San Diego in 2008....if you are still there....maybe we can have the opportunity to meet and thank you in person!
Take care! Thanks for your contributions to the blog!
Jenny Frasco
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05-31-2007
01:51 PM
6 Loves
OK.
Brian, thank you for writing the topic post....regarding memorial day...a day - which many people, until recently, used as an excuse to BBQ, drink, go to the beach and enjoy life. Today - it is mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers, setting up their lawn chair in a cemetery to be close to the one they lost in our most recent and ongoing war. We should pause, more than a moment to reflect upon the sacrifices of our men and women over the years. For their courage and honor, I am continually grateful.
This post has drifted from the opportunity to reflect upon memorial day - into one about seating, service and jobs. None of which, in my mind have a place here. Yet, SWA does a great job of including everyone's views - even when they are placed inappropriately.
I have many thoughts and comments to make, but it is not the time, nor the place. As this post is for those, who have fought with bravery, suffered and died in a foreign land....some arrived home for a final resting, others, buried on foreign soil - but it is for their sacrifice I am given one day - to remember. I can pause for a moment. I explain to my children what Memorial Day means, we attend parades and walk the cemetery...we reflect as a family and pray for those currently serving so we have our freedom.
I think Jim said it best....Wow.
In the meantime - if you are tempted to write something completely unrelated to Memorial Day - I'm sure you will find an appropriate forum for your question and comment. Let's leave this one open for reflection....one forum, set aside, to reflect and share stories honoring those who served.
Jenny
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03-29-2007
04:58 AM
3 Loves
10 miles in your prime? What was that yesterday?! *smile*
I'll have those honey roasted peanuts to you soon and anything else you'd like.
Keep in touch....
Jenny
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03-27-2007
07:45 AM
1 Love
Thanks for posting the link - as YouTube is flooded with clips. It is 2:30 in the morning and I should really be asleep, but I couldn't stop listening to the music - and watching him play! How wonderful and creative - sharing a talent and keeping up spirits. SWA knows how to hire the right people - it is an organization that truly amazes me, inspires me and makes me hope that one day, I'll be fortunate to work for a company that values its Employees.
Joe, thanks for sharing your talent - you are amazing!
jenny
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03-27-2007
07:13 AM
4 Loves
I love reading and look forward to the day I can stop reading TEXT books! Yet, here are a few of my favorite books:
Where the Red Fern Grows (the first book I cried reading)
I Remeber....Memories of Growing Up (Kevin Kammeraad) - pretty much a 15 min. read but his memories jog mine...it is a happy read.
Whirlwind (thicker than a phone book but great)
DaVinci Code (read it in two days...kids lived on cookies and ice cream because I never left the couch...couldn't put the book down)
The Legend of Sleeping Bear (love reading this to my kids)
Just finished Twelve Extraordinary Women of the Bible - and while I had issues with some of the chapters - it made for a great discussion book for our women's small group through church....
AND - nearly EVERY Calvin & Hobbes book - I've got them all and love each and every cartoon.
Not a real impressive list - but I've been enrolled in a graduate program for nearly five years....textbooks are pretty much it...
Wonderful way to get together, bond and enjoy time - it has a purpose but book club is mostly an excuse....enjoy!
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03-27-2007
06:52 AM
2 Loves
USS Blog Boy
Send me your mailing address and I'll get you candy corn and honey roasted peanuts. It is the least we can do...
Seriously, can we send a care package? Contact Kim for my email address -
Congratulations on your official appreciation day...what a wonderful way to celebrate coming home....but now that you are heading back to sea....know we are all thinking of you and are appreciative of your service to our country.
I'm running a marathon on the 28th of October - love a training buddy - think you could run 26.2 on the treadmill....maybe we can organize a simultaneous run....if you think there is interest I'll contact the race director.
Take care! Let us know if we can send stuff !
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Oh goodness - I've enjoyed this post...jedi's, popeye, peanut channel(ers) is that a word??? I have to admit - the peanuts always stay in the package, as I tend to BMOS - featuring any of the "toes" - oreos, fritos, doritos....
Then, when we are in the car and the kids are begging for something special...they get the package of peanuts.
Something magical about those packages....and go figure - they can open 'em, even with greasy hands...
Baseball home opener on April 9th....I'll be able to get my peanuts in the shell....gotta love that....
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