I think a lot of people are confused about what Memorial Day is really about. I see a lot of people posting things about veterans and active service members. Telling them thank you for your service. While that is commendable and should be done, Memorial Day is not the day to do that.
Armed Forces Day, which is the third Sunday in May, is for active members of the, well, armed forces. It is a day to tell active service members thank you for all you are currently doing.
Veterans Day, which is November 11th, is for telling veterans of the armed forces thank you for your willingness to serve so that we may live free.
Memorial Day is for recognizing the ones that paid the ultimate price and never came home. the ones that died in service to our great country. Those are the one ones we say thank you to today.
To their families, thank you, you sent your men and women to serve The United States of America, you paid a price as well. I thank you for your courage and strength, I honor your grief and pray for your heart.
I don’t have the words to adequately say thank you to the men and women that gave their all so I could have the freedoms I enjoy. It is beyond words, it is beyond emotion, gratitude seems so paltry. Yet it is all I have to give, gratitude for my freedom to sit in my sun-filled home, in a country not torn by war, thanks to your sacrifice.
I sit and write in my comfortable existence, never knowing real sacrifice, never knowing true hunger and never knowing true fear due to you.
Saying a simple thank you is seems so paltry in light of what you have done for me, it’s all I have.
So, thank you, from the depths of my soul, thank you, thank you for ensuring the freedoms of this country for my children and their progeny. Thank you ensuring the freedoms of this country for all future generations. I can only pray that all will recognize your sacrifices and honor them by continuing to protect our countries ideas and beliefs.
Thank you to the families that sent these men and women off to battle knowing they might not see them again, and then having to face that very actuality. Thank you so much for all that you have sacrificed. I pray for your hearts, I know there will always be a huge gap in there for those you lost.
I pray our country understands the sacrifices made for us and will continue to pay proper homage to those we lost in our quest to secure our way of life.
Secret Single Behavior
It has been a lovely time off of work, I have one more day then back at it. I have had 4 days off in a row, without taking vacation time.
I received my twenty year anniversary gift from the major telecommunications corporation I work for, I opted the smart blu-ray player. Alex and Elicia gave me a tv they were not using, so it was perfect for the bedroom.
I am not going to get regular tv in there, I will stick with Netflix and my DVD collection.
I have been in my new abode for over a month now, I have to say how surprised I was at how fast my secret single behaviors reappeared. I first heard that term on an episode of Sex and the City. Carrie was right we all have them. What is that you might ask, well, I’m glad you did, the first one is sleeping in the middle of the bed. That one is lovely, I forgot how good it feels to just stretch out.
Leaving my books in my bed, I love to read, I read everywhere and being able to just leave my books where I read them is nice.
Waking up in the morning and singing at the top of my lungs to the dog. Not to mention doggie dancing, she and I dance and the cat looks at us like we are insane. We probably are. Rock and Roll Love Letter is our favorite.
Walking around with a charcoal mask is also awesome, nothing says single like walking around with a mask on. That explains Batman as well.
Eating popcorn for dinner, if there are any trainers reading this, I totally don’t do that…..
Stormie loves her new backyard, it is very literally quadruple the size of her former one. she loves lapping, also Ronald loves going outside as well.
He likes hiding from me, his favorite thing to do is go out in the mornings when I am getting dressed. Then when it is time to come in, he hides behind the air conditioner. Little stinker.
I find him, carry him in and lay him on his unofficial throne, I assume he lords it over Stormie all day long. That he gets a throne and she gets a kennel.
It is a 28 mile drive to work now, I have to say, I enjoy the drive. I love listening to the radio in the mornings. I now get to listen to it a little longer.
The first week back at the gym almost killed me. I do believe Mike and Vincent made it their mission to see who could kill me the most. I’m not sure who won, I was sore all week, I sounded like my grandpa getting up and down out of chairs.
Then, on Thursday night, I remembered I have my Fascia Blaster, so I used it on my sore muscles and boom, just like that, pain gone.
Amazing product.
as usual any criticisms or comments can be left on the page or sent to me directly at angie@angieworld.com
Musings
On my way to work today I was struck by how beautiful the sky was. The cloud formation and the blueness bursting out. I took a couple of pictures to try and capture the majesticness of it all.
I take a lot of pictures of the sky. Tessa says I’m obsessed with it. Perhaps I am, it is such a reminder of perfection and completeness. No matter what is happening in my life I can look up and see the majesty that is God. In His perfect wisdom He gave us great beauty to behold on a daily basis. A physical reminder that there is something greater than ourselves.
I love looking up, whenever life gets to be too much, I know I can look up and see the handiwork of the original artist.
There are several things in life that are a constant reminder that God does indeed exist and is looking out for us mere humans.
First is the sky, He could have done something boring, like constant gray, but instead He gave us blues, pinks, purples and at times red.
The clouds, I could go on all day about the clouds. They are a miracle unto themselves. I am going to ask if I can actually float on one when I make it to heaven. Many years from now.
Another reminder is coffee, majestic, perfect, amazing coffee. I do believe this is the elixir of the gods mentioned in mythology. That first sip, sliding over your tastebuds making its way down your throat. Ones soul soars with the very first awakening of ones soul. There are simply no adequate words to describe the sensation.
Combine coffee with chocolate, experience tastebuds nirvana. If that is something you have never experienced this you need to.
Posting Pictures of my drive. 
Life and all that
It’s been awhile since we last parted, a few things have happened, fun and exciting for me, maybe boring for you. Read at your own peril.
First up, moving almost complete, I just have a few big things to get at the old abode. Then, completely done and new life can start in earnest. New life equals major aloneness, as that is my choice and I am completely at peace with my choice. I believe God is telling me that I need this, to commune with Him and to be myself again.
Next up, Mother’s Day was a complete success, not in the things I received, but in the company. Minus Alex, but I saw him Friday night, so that counts.
I had a lovely lunch at Jeffrey’s home, his gracious girlfriend, Amanda, gave up the whole day being about her (she is a mom and a great one at that) and allowed me to celebrate my motherhood day in her home. She also made the most amazing desert, with berries and cream cheese, but it didn’t taste like cream cheese. I really need to get the recipe.
Elizabeth Anne was there to help me celebrate as well. Along with Tess, a good day indeed as I got to drive Tess back to her mom and spend even more time with her. Then Alex’s amazing girlfriend, Elicia, came over and helped me put assemble and put up shelves! A bookshelf and a garage shelf! She is incredibly handy, and helpful and sweet, we like her a lot.
Friday was our first family dinner in the new home and it was a rousing success. Have I mentioned how much I love my new home? All tile and wood except for the two guest bedrooms. Tessa claimed her bedroom already, with the disclaimer she will not be sleeping in it. When she visits me she sleeps with Gigi and all is right with the world.
I had taken a break from the gym to get my life in order, next week begins the torture anew. I have my smoothie ingredients all ready for the coming week.
I tried the new mask from Mary Kay last night, it is the Clearproof deep cleansing charcoal mask. I have seen the ones that you peel off, those look incredibly painful, this one you wash off. I liked it, my face did feel smoother after washing it away. I will be using it again to really get the full benefits from it.
I had to get Direct Tv with the move, as Uverse television wasn’t available. so far the only complaint is that it doesn’t offer MeTV, I love MeTV. I am particularly vexed as they will be showing Battlestar Galactica, the original, and I won’t be able to see it! I love that show, who didn’t have a crush on Starbuck back in the day. Oh, wow, I just put that together, Starbuck as a child and Starbucks as an adult. I have issues. However, as a particularly insightful therapist once told me, I embrace the issues that I enjoy and get rid of the ones that are detrimental to my well-being.
Thanks to Elizabeth Anne’s suggestion I watched Anne with an E on Netflix. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have now seen all of the episodes and can hardly wait for season two.
In my opinion, they nailed the language of the day, it was much more formal than we use today. I really like that, I love florid language, descriptive, picturesque. I moved on to Medici, first episode was tangled, moving back and forth between different points in Piero de Medici’s life. It’s interesting so far, I’ll give it a chance, since I won’t be watching the original Battlestar Galactica any time soon.
No Regrets
As most of you have probably guessed by now, John and I are no longer together. I will not be sharing the salacious details on here or anywhere else. Only my close, personal friends and family know my story. As for John, well, that is his story to tell to his close, personal friends and family. I wish him no ill will and will not be bashing him in any public forum.
Whew, now that the PSA is done I can talk about me, my favorite subject, other than Dean Cain.
I have moved to a place that vaguely reminds me of Owasso and it makes me very happy. I love seeing so many trees and so many children playing. I have also seen an ice cream truck! And no, I have not ran after it, yet.
Now that I am alone once again, I have to say I shall remain so. No more dating for me, the only exception I will make is for Dean Cain. If Dean Cain knocks on my door I will just marry him. I think we all know the odds of that happening is infinitesimal. So, single the rest of my life it is. I say that with absolutely no bitterness and anger, I like being alone. I know some people are not comfortable with their aloneness, however I have never been one of those people.
I revel in it, I enjoy it, in a lot of instances I prefer my own company. I can sing to the dulcet tones of the Bay City Rollers with no judgement, I can read trashy romance novels, I can watch as many nerdy shows as I can stay awake for. In the words of a famous McDonald’s commercial, I am loving it.
The past week has been spent unpacking and figuring out where things go. I have so much left to do, and am finding projects along the way. Don’t tell, but the projects involve the help of Alex’s girlfriend Elicia. She is so crafty! Very artistic, it will also include the help of Elizabeth Anne. I am not crafty, nor artistic in the least.
I have decided my living room will be done in crimson and cream, two guesses how I chose those colors. My bedroom will be done in deep purple and my bathroom silver and gray tones.
I am very excited about decorating! I don’t think I have been this excited in a long time. So happy my favorite colors coincide with my beloved Sooners.
I hope everyone has a great day and a wonderful weekend. I have a one day weekend this week and a three day weekend next weekend. I’m ok with that, the payoff is worth only have one day off.
Caffeine Fueled Thoughts
Here I sit, drinking my amazing peppermint mocha coffee, one of my own making. Totally healthy, totally awesome and delicious. With so much caffeine in my system one must wonder what I will do with all of its glorious power.
Well, for starters I’ve done two loads of laundry and it is only 7:30 in the AM. I wonder what other trouble I can get into, hmmmm.
I get to pick up my beautiful granddaughter from school today and she is going to spend the night! How great is that? Tomorrow will be a full day for us as we have been planning it for a month. I don’t think I will tell what we will be doing now, I do believe I will tell the stories of our adventures afterward.
As you all have surmised I have stayed away from controversial topics of late. I shall be continuing that trend as I really don’t want to focus on the negative, yet. It’s coming, I feel it inside me, a rant is on the way and it will be a fine one, but for now, I shall not be ranting. I will continue writing about things that seem trivial to others, but mean something to me.
I am so totally in love with my green smoothie regimen. I am drinking one for breakfast and one for dinner, with lunch usually being a salad. So beyond healthy and quite honestly a little sad for me.
I do dress the smoothies up at times with peanut butter, add in a banana and the chocolate fudge Orgain protein and there is one tasty treat!
I feel the health flowing in my veins, smoothies combined with the Fascia Blaster and the exercising is making me a complete health addict.
Teenage Angie is like what the heck, but this Angie is ok with it. I will be honest, I do not stick strictly with this on weekends. I try, but there is so much going on that I don’t have time to eat a lot. I have also discovered Sole Water, pronounced solay, it is sooooo good. I make it myself with pink Himalayan salt. You should google it, I actually start my day with it, and now I crave it. Seriously good, I crave salty things anyway and this really does satisfy that craving. Plus, it is very healthy for me, ugh, there’s that word again. Healthy. I am making myself a little queasy with all this health talk.
On to other things, can I be honest here? I would like to say, and I know this will be shocking to some, to others not so much, I love Supergirl so much when Dean Cain is on. There I’ve said it, the writing and directing that I was hoping for when SG changed over to the CW is just not there yet. It’s better than the CBS version, but it is still not there. I don’t understand, the others are incredible, Arrow, Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, all greatness. Supergirl is missing something, and they need to fix it quick, having Dean, Terri Hatcher and Kevin Sorbo on was really casting gold. But now we need solid directing and writing.
The love stories are awkward and stilted, I suggest they put those aside until they can find their stride story wise and directing wise. Then add them in, we can wait for that, we waited for Oliver/Felicity, which ended badly, but satisfyingly. We waited for Cisco to find his love interest, and it was worth the wait. We can wait for Supergirl characters as well.
Still love Melissa Benoist in this part, she is so gleeful in her portrayal of Kara, you can tell she is having fun. I love that, it is on par with the Legends actors. I really love when they pair Kara with Barry Allen, they are so fun to watch.
So, please, Sugergirl, get it together! Give us the storylines we want, that you deserve!
As always, you can reach me at angie@angieworld.com with any criticisms or praises, I accept both.
FasciaBlaster Review
Ok, so, I told you about my smoothie adventure, and yes, it is continuing. I am very proud of my continuing commitment to this and how I have stuck with it. I even ran out of protein powder!! I had to make an emergency run to get more!
Back in February I made a birthday purchase for myself. I purchased it on the recommendation of Amy, one of the owners of Infinity Personal Training and my friend Sallie Ann. They both raved about it, Sallie Ann said girl you have to get one.
So, I did, it is a Fascia Blaster by Ashley Black, and when I tell you it works, it works. I really got it because I have seriously ugly legs and my calves are rock hard and hurt when touched. Also, my balance is bad and I have very little flexibility.
I received it late December and started using it right away. Within a week, I noticed a difference in my balance, it is getting better and my hips no longer hurt like they did. Also, my calves are loosening up and are no longer rock hard and hurt to the touch.
Now, the downside is I look like I took a walk on the docks and they beat the living daylights out of me.
I have so many bruises it is unreal, but that is normal in the early stages of using this tool. I am very happy with it so far.
I had Amy take pictures of my calves, so I can compare after a full month. I will not be posting those, I don’t post pictures of my body parts anywhere.
If anyone ever tells you that they have pictures of me without clothing, they are lying and there is major photo shopping going on.
If they used someone with a really gorgeous body, I need those photos as I am horrible with Photoshop and could use them.
Other than that, you will not see anything of mine here or anywhere else.
As far as the Fascia Blaster goes, buy one, well worth the expense. I am feeling better as far as pain goes and my calves are looking and feeling better.
Buy the book first and read up on what fascia is and how it effects our bodies. I am learning a lot.
I added the avocado to my evening smoothie and I am not sorry, so thick and creamy and very filling. I am finally getting enough calories, greens and protein in my life and I love it.
My body doesn’t trust me anymore with all of my yo-yo dieting and abuse I have put it through. But it is getting there. It is slow going but I am in it for the long haul, and I do mean long. I plan on living until I am 150. I really hope Dean Cain is alive then because I think if I live that long I might be able to catch him…..
As usual, any comments or questions can be sent directly to me at angie@angieworld.com
Smoothie Update
As you have all ascertained from recent posts I am doing meal prep in order to get a handle on my eating habits. Ramp up my protein intake and also the amount of greens I am ingesting.
Over a week ago, Ray (owner of Infinity Personal Training, along with his wife Amy) posted a video. The video was the answer to the question he is most asked. What is the one thing one can do consistently to lose weight.
His answer was a morning smoothie, not just any smoothie, it is one filled with greens and protein. I’ll break it down for you, this is what I put in mine:
2 servings of protein powder, I use plant based protein as I like that the best. No after taste that whey has.
1 cup of frozen blueberries, I use Kirkland brand organic wild blueberries
1 cup of frozen strawberries, also Kirkland brand organic.
2 huge handfuls of power greens, also bought at Costco. Literally named powergreens.
32 ounces of water
1 banana.
A lot of sugar, not for the diabetic, but it is all fruit, so I am ok with it.
I said I would try it for 7 days and report how it went, now this was in replacement of coffee in the morning as well.
So, instead of starting my day with my beloved coffee, I started with this concoction.
A week ago, today was my first day, I found my blender wasn’t optimum for the full amount, so I broke it down into two different smoothies then combined for one giant one.
The first day I noticed I wasn’t craving caffeine, I didn’t even get the caffeine headache I was expecting.
Monday was great as well, I didn’t really notice any differences.
Tuesday brought the caffeine headache, had coffee in the afternoon to stave off. Also after my workout I was craving another smoothie, I began to have another in the evening for dinner. This one was different, I only used one serving of protein powder and used antioxidant blend of frozen fruit. Once again, gotten at Costco. I also didn’t use the powergreens I used Green Superfood, watermelon flavor.
By Wednesday I noticed increased energy and my mood was amazing, I was happy, like obnoxiously happy, like my old self. Does anyone remember her?
I have seen many benefits from this, I will continue having the smoothie for breakfast. It has made my meal prep so easy, I baggy up the ingredients for one day in one baggy, I do 7 days at a time. The only thing that does not go in the bag is the banana and the protein.
Also, my evening smoothie, I believe I will trade out the banana for an avocado, as I need the healthy fat intake.
I highly suggest trying this, it really did make a difference for me, in helping me get the appropriate amount of greens and protein in my diet.
Legacy
This past week we said see you later to my Aunt Laura Fay. She was the last of the aunts and uncles to make the trip home.
I was talking to my cousin Sherrie Ann at the funeral and I said they really don’t make women like that generation anymore. The children of the Depression.
My Aunt Laura Fay, Aunt Dorothy, Aunt Evelyn, Aunt Estelle, Aunt Ruth and my own amazing mother were daughters of the Great Depression. Not only did they survive the Depression, they survived in Oklahoma. There is a difference, the rest of the country, it was financial, in Oklahoma they were battling the Dust Bowl as well. They grew up in an era that knew great poverty and hunger. People were literally starving to death.
These women who grew up in that time and place learned what sacrifice was, they learned what it took to keep a family whole, together, not scattered to the winds.
They knew how to make it look easy, they had perseverance, strength of body, strength of character, they had heart, they knew how to get things done and keep their femininity. Not an easy feat, but one they mastered.
Sherrie Ann and I were talking about that, I said there will never be women like them, she said you’re wrong Angie, you and I are women like that. Our cousins are women like that and their daughters.
I looked around and thought about it, she is so right, my cousin Terry, that recently passed, she was one. She was a nurse that went on to teach others how to nurse. She was a no nonsense yet give you the shirt off of her back type of woman.
My cousin Cindy has the biggest heart I know, Paula as well, both tell it like it is, but stand by your side women. They don’t have your back, they have your side, if you need them they will be there. Whether it is to listen, give advice or help you get even. I’ve never tested that last bit, but I know it’s true.
I look at my own daughter, strong, resilient, yet willing to help in any situation.
I look at my cousin’s daughters and I see it, I’m so proud of the generations coming after us, they did learn from us.
As a Testerman I believe it is in our DNA to stand strong, to be resilient, to see a need and help in any way we can.
My dad told me a story about his dad, my great-grandfather, I know my family connections get confusing due to the adoption. But follow me.
Their family fared better than a lot in their community due to the fact that great-grandpa Testerman learned to farm in Missouri. He knew about irrigation and how to not plant in straight rows. That is what caused the dust bowl in part in Oklahoma. Anyway, they had crops.
Great Grandpa and Grandma kept what their family needed to survive. Then they would get out burlap sacks and fill them up with corn, beans, potatoes, wheat and oats. Then Great Grandpa would drive around the community and leave them on the neediest families’ doorsteps.
One day, when my dad was 6 or 7, his dad told him to come on, he was old enough to help.
So off they went, making deliveries that literally made the difference between life and death.
After they were done, my dad asked his dad why he did that, didn’t they need food.
He never forgot what his dad said. “We’re Testermans son, this is what we do, we have enough to get us by, but these folks would starve without a little help. We see a need, we help where we can.”
This is our legacy, the Testerman men have been very good about marrying women who have this type of blood running in their veins as well.
We stand united, we help where we can, in our family and in our communities. We are Testermans.
I’ll miss you Aunt Laura Fay, I am far better off having been your niece, say hello to Uncle JH and the rest of the bunch for me.
To My Cousins
Today is equal parts sorrow and joy, sorrow for my cousins as they have had to say goodbye to one of the best mothers anyone could have. Great joy because now she is free from pain both physical and emotional. I say emotional because I know she has been in mourning since her husband, my uncle JH passed. She is now with him once again.
I can see it as clear as I can see the room in front of me, Aunt Laura Fay running up to the gates of Heaven, telling Saint Peter hello and waiting impatiently for the gates to open to grant her entrance.
Standing in front of the throne of God, His arms outstretched telling her welcome home my good and faithful daughter. Then chuckling as He watches her run down the streets of gold into the arms of her beloved. Then turning to hard hug her son. She is free, free from pain, free from worry, free from worldly concerns. She is reunited with people she has been missing for so long.
I am so sorrowful for my cousins, I know the pain of losing the best mother, I know many of our cousins do, we were all so fortunate to have some of the best mothers on earth.
We all love our Aunt Laura Fay and will be there for our cousins, mourning with them, rejoicing with them and saying goodbye with them.
I loved her non-nonsense way of speaking, she told it exactly like she saw it and didn’t mince words. But she doled that out with kindness and in a loving manner. She wasn’t rough about it, she lived through tough times and really knew how to pull through those times with one’s soul intact.
My cousins did not gain an angel, they gained an intercessor in heaven. They gained a saint waiting for them to join her at the feet of God.
Today I mourn and rejoice for a life well lived.
Angie World 