Fallen Hero's

Everyone has a hero in their life, it may be a father, mother, brother , sister, grandfather, friend or simply a role model. These individuals, play a part in our lives one way or another. They teach us lesson, motivate us, and even spark our curiosities. A hero plays many roles to each of us in their own way. However, sometimes little is known of the fallen hero, the unsung hero, the hero that was someones dad, brother, friend. I am referring to the fallen solider. The solider who gallantly served his/her country to protect and serve, the very freedom that each of us Americans live every day. The freedom that many take for granted. The little things, free speech, education.. when you think about it really, it is the little things that count. 

 1000's of American soldiers have left the comforts of their family, U.S. soil, and the freedom of our day to day routines to fight and bring, peace and democracy in other countries, like Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. These soldiers live in war like conditions, eat rations and never complain. These are the real Hero's.

Yet, sadly as with any war, there are casualties. These fallen hero's are never forgotten.  Stories will be written in the histories for years to come. Tales of valor, honor, courage will describe the soldiers who lost their life, fighting to keep our freedom safe from terrorist.  

I am honored to be a part of a volunteer group the Friends of the Fallen.

We are a community-based volunteer group which provides service and assistance to families who come to Dover Air Force Base to witness the Dignified Transfer of their loved ones.

We are volunteers who provide help to family members in virtually any situation needed in areas not related to the duties of the officials assigned to the Dignified Transfer.  This may entail food, drinks, supervising children in the playroom, providing comfort items such as blankets, tissues, toiletries, winter jackets, baby needs, etc.

Whatever the needs may be, at the end of the day, we all go about our routine. I return home, given my reality check, hug my kids and say my prayers and know that for some family of a Fallen Hero, life will never be the same. 

Somehow, I look a life differently now, and know that any bad day I have doesn't quite measure up to that of a Fallen Hero's family.

Know that you are not forgotten! 

www.friendsofthefallen.org 

A day at the faire

Sunday, I had the opportunity to spend the day with one of my long time friends Keyla. A much needed "me" day and  "girl" day renaissance style.  We journeyed ourselves to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and what a great time we had. The last time Keyla and I attended this faire was seven years ago.Time sure has changed in the shire. New shows, new vendors, great wines, and so much more. I try to attend the ren faires as often as I can since this is one my favorite time periods. Mostly I go to Maryland since it is only 40 min away. This day it took us two and half hours to get there. It was an absolutly gorgeous day, that we rode with the top down in her car. Yes, Keyla has a convertable. We decided to dress-up in time period. However, we waited til we arrived before we donned our dresses. Oh yea, we changed in the car, .. imagine that..yes a bit of a show.. and yes we put the top back up on the vehicle. We spent 5 wonderful hours walking the shire, sitting in on the royal falcon show, those birds are so majestic. We were marveled by Dr. Volz and his elixirs and illusions, and were serenaded by comedic voices of the Ragged Rogues.

It was a wonderful day spent with a wonderful friend, upon changing and stepping back into the 21st century, We ended our day with a good ole fashion hamburger at a small town Lancaster, Pa diner.

Huzzah!!! Gracias mi amiga para una dias muy fabulosa!!!

Keyla and Brigitte at the Faire

Brigitte in front of the Pirate ship

Beer Fest Brew Review

Saturday, October 8^th I attended the inaugural Brew Fest at the “infamous” Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. While, I do not claim to be a connoisseur of sorts on beer, I believe I do hold an upper hand on some local Beer brew taste. This weekend’s “Beer Fest” hosted a good many of the region’s best brews. Keep in mind this was no “October Fest” as the theme was the Wild West!  It was nice, but they could have nixed it. I suppose you have to have a theme and I guess a western theme was as good as any. Yes, entertainment provided was Todd Sullivan a “Tim McGraw” tribute artist. Not to bust on the country folks out there, it just didn’t do much for moi. However a good time appeared to be had by all.  In between downing brews, guests were treated to a good ole fashion down home barbeque. A good pair to serve with brew!  

Back to the topic on tap and a rundown of those in attendance, from San Francisco to Dover

• Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco
• Blue Point Brewing Company, Long Island, N.Y.
• Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Evolution Craft Brewing Company, Delmar
• Fordham Brewing Company and Old Dominion Brewing Company, Dover
• River Horse Brewing Company, Lambertville, N.J.
• Williamsburg AleWerks, Williamsburg, Va.
• Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia                                                                         

cute little 5 0z glasses

  


When I first arrived, it was a bit overwhelming our tickets included a tasting glass which I have provided a picture (cute I may add,) although one could say it was a bit larger than a shot glass, and 10 tickets. I think I have all my tickets. Shhhhh. Needless to say, I do not think I made all the rounds of all the brews. (I did need a nap when I got home) before my second half of the night started. So who or what beers did I try. Wow... yes I do remember. :0) 


Blue Point Brewing Company,  Long Island N.Y. – though they had quite a few to choose from I tried the BLUE MOON HARVEST PUMPKIN ALE  **** (4 STARS)  I like Blue Moon in general – the pumpkin ale was very smooth in taste, light colored, taste of cloves and nutmeg seemed to linger- not bad, a good beer to have with a roast. Not very strong. 

Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia, PA- a first for me here. Since I am not a huge fan of Stout’s and dark beer – I tend to lean on some Pale Ales. Here I tried- YARDS INDIA IPA ***  (3 stars) not a terrible beer, but just okay for me, a bit carbonated, but it did have a nice caramel after taste. (5.9 abv) 

Evolution Craft Brewing Company, Delmar, DE- A local brewery- today I tried, PRIMAL PALE ALE***** (5stars)  extremely refreshing, balanced, combination of Pine and citrus ( no not like pine-sol)  lightly malted- clean smooth finish like a pale ale should have. (5.0 abv)

RISE UP STOUT- *** 3 Stars – for me. Again this is a stout beer, not one of my favorites, reminds me of a full leaded coffee.. – as this Stout has a dark brown head, full flavored, rich body sonomous of coffee and flavor ( 6.7abv) great for any coffee lover. 

The Flying Fish, NJ- I really liked these guys- they had two beers. EXTRA PALE ALE- *****5Stars, Straw in color, reminiscent of a real German like beer used Munich malt very balanced very smooth. 
Extremely refreshing! (4.8 abv) OCTOBERFISH ***** 5 Stars Red in color, nice hoppy taste, and a festivitus all round drinking beer... this one could get you into trouble! Smooth little to no carbonation. (5.5abv)

And I save the best for last FORDHAM BREWERY, DOVER *****5 Stars while I have my favorites WYSTERIA WHEAT ***** 5Stars medium body, smooth velvety carbonation with a clean finish.  A good summer beer.  HELLS LAGER- if you like a Bavarian style lager, this one is great for socializing and pairing with some good European cheese **** 5 Stars  (5.4 abv) Last Monday night Fordham tapped a SPICED HARVEST ALE **** (4Star) Again, not a fan of a dark beer. SPICED HARVEST- is a great fall beer, (kind of like a pumpkin pie) although no pumpkin is used; this beer has a smooth finish, with a spicy aftertaste. You can taste the cinnamon, and cloves. This beer gets better with every drink. Kind of a dessert beer if you wish. 

Lastly, at the Brew Fest, Jim (my new Fordham friend) tapped the new DOMINON BALTIC PORTER *****5Stars… again another rather dark beer (I guess with beer it is an acquired taste), very smooth, assertively hopped, nice carmalization and very aromatic... I really do love the smell of this beer. 

FORDHAM Brewery you outshined them all!!! 

Whew, now you know why I needed a nap… Like wine, I find the need to take notes at times. There are way too many beers out these days. Now many of my friends are not beer par-takers and tend to lean towards wines, yes I do like my wines too. Like wines, beer brewers are definitely stepping up the social ladders of social drinking . I had a great time and look forward to my next S.I. N night at Fordham Brewery (11/7)

Fall

          Fall like spring has always been associated with changes. Changes in season, changes in a multitude of our day to day activities. I find that September and October have always flown by with so many activities going on.

          Recapping most recent events include my Relay for Life team's annual Fund raising BBQ this past Saturday. More than 200 attended and although we had a slight decline over last years event. We really can't compete with NASCAR . Yes it was the race weekend! Still our BBQ was successful! We still have raffle tickets left for the quilt raffle, interested in purchasing a chance or two, email me! All proceeds go to a great cause. This is the beginning of our fund raising. We fund raise through out the year, at least til May. Our Relay for Life event is always the first or second weekend in June.  Stay posted  :0).

          Fall is also Football, Bonn fires, and Homecoming and this year SAT's . Brandyn, has been busy with essay's, college applications, and SAT's. Whoever said Senior year wasn't expensive lied! With that also comes Homecoming. I am just grateful I have two great boys' , they are so much less expensive and definitely create less drama than girls!. Although Brandyn, has his moments! drama moments that is. It will be very interesting when he will be away from home next year.. AHHHH reality. Mom won't be around.The school year has just started! Never a dull moment in this house that's for sure. 

       In all seriousness, there has been a lot going on this year, as imagine the rest of the world as well. I have been blessed with the most amazing friends, and family one could ever have. Despite the tribulations, that have been going on in my life, I could not keep my sanity and humor with out all of you, that includes some of my Daily Challenge connections as well! I heart you all! 

Enough sappiness... I will try to include pictures and do my best to blog daily. Even as mundane as it may be.

Folks, waiting to eat at the BBQ

Highlight of the evening is smore's on the HUGE Bonn Fire

Brandyn and Friends at Dover's NASCAR

Never to old for a Hayride!