Alex In Pictures

100220-N-2953W-182 USS CARL VINSON- At Sea- On board USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Hull Technician 3rd Class Alexander Crawford cuts studs using a grinder in the shipfitter and machine shop. Carl Vinson is currently taking part in Southern Seas 2010 as part of a scheduled homeport shift. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White/ Released)

**************************************************************
As you all know, I've been looking for my son in all the photos posted to the USS Carl Vinson page on Facebook. I checked tonight and the photos have been updated and a lot of patience later, I found Alex in the last photo (above) in the album posted there.

In an update tonight, they will be crossing the equator, but won't be going through the ceremony for the "first timers" until they cross it again on the other side of South America.

Alex's last email said the ship would port in Rio. I'm hearing DuranDuran singing in my head right now. My friend Sandy Lender, the fantasy author, is now laughing in Florida, because she knows what I'm talking about. :)

I was so excited to see him, since he hasn't been home since January, and he may not be home until May. It's a great picture, showing the work he does, and I've just completed the second article on his trip to Haiti for the local paper. The first article made the front page and took up two more pages in the paper. I was pretty proud of that, but not as proud as I am of Alex.

This has been a great week. It's good to be back to work again. I'm working at a local plastics company, and it's third shift, but my body seems to be acclimating to the schedule much easier than I have from previous times I've worked these hours. I think part of it has been my attitude. I was ready to go back to work. I was driving myself crazy not working. I didn't really have anything that anchored my days or my nights. I felt adrift and lost. Now it's like everything else is falling into place, and my writing has improved much more than it did when I had all the time to write during the day or night.

I'm blessed I've been given this opportunity and it must have been meant to be for it to come so out of the blue like it did. I'm working as a temp for right now, and once my contract is fullfilled with the temp service, I have the opportunity to be hired. I'm excited by that. The people I've worked with have been very gracious, kind, patient and a lot of fun to work with. They have also been extremely helpful in making sure I understand all the procedures and paperwork. I have a lot to learn, but I have a great vibe from this place. I hope I don't disappoint them.

As for my writing, I am writing more, like I said, and planning on selling more e-books and writing some print books as well. I have to update my websites, and figure out exactly where I want this career of mine to go next, but I'm still determined to be a paid, professional writer. I will be announcing some of my plans very soon, so check back later for further details. ;)

In the meantime, please support our troops and pray for them and their families who have sacrificed so we may have the freedoms we have.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I have the best man in the whole world.

He's the one who gave me the beautiful bouquet of flowers in the picture above. He is thoughtful, kind, caring, loving, helpful, and he has a really warped sense of humor, like me. We've been through so much together, and while there have been times where it's been rough, we managed to stick it out and stay together.

I can't tell you what would happen if he was out of my life, I don't ever want to think about that.

This Valentine's Day I want the world to know how much I love and appreciate him and all he's done for me and Alex. Thank you, honey, for everything. And I hope there are better and bigger ways for me to show my love and gratitude today and everyday.

I got the flowers on Thursday, when he brought them home after work. They were a combo of "Congratulations" and "Happy Valentine's Day."

I found out on Thursday, I got the job I was interviewing for the past 2 weeks. I start tonight, and I'm excited to be going to a new place and learning new things and meeting new people. I have a really good feeling about this opportunity, and I am grateful I have a steady job now. I'm going to continue writing, I have a lot of things planned in the next few weeks, so don't worry, you will be hearing from me. :)

Since my last blog post, my son has emailed me that they will be in Rio (Yes, that Rio!) in a few weeks. His ship, the USS Carl Vinson, left Haiti on February 1, 2010, and they went to Mayport, Florida, to resupply. They left for the remainder of their journey this last week, to their final destination of San Diego, California. They should arrive there in April, if all goes well. Thanks to everyone for the prayers, best wishes, and good thoughts you have given him and my family while he is deployed. Please continue to support our troops.

I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day and you show and tell the ones you love how much they mean to you, not just today, but everyday.

Happy Birthday, Alex! (And Happy Cinco de Mayo, too!)

Twenty years ago today, I held a small little baby boy in my arms for the first time. It was 3:20 am at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and I was 19 years old and scared out of my wits.

The one thing that kept me from losing my mind was the faith that everything would work out, that somehow, someway, I would be able to raise a healthy child and raise him to be a successful and productive adult.

Everything did work out, and he is a wonderful person, pursuing his life on his terms.

Of course, I can't take all the credit. I did all I could to surround him with people who loved him, cared about him, and wanted the best for him. My parents, my brother and sister and their spouses and children, and of course, QH, who has been a wonderful father when his biological father made the decision not to participate in his life.

I may not agree with Hillary Clinton's politics or policies, but I do agree with her on one point: It takes a village to raise a child, especially now.

This birthday is a little strange and a little heartwrenching. This is the first birthday my son has had to celebrate without me. I know it may not be a huge deal to some people, but it is to me.

I can't send him a cake, or hug him or throw him a party. He's on an aircraft carrier in Virginia, serving his country in the United States Navy. Mail takes about 2 weeks to get to him, no matter what, and with the security measures in place what is sent is put through a ton of inspections. I don't think a cake would survive unless it was a pound cake! If anyone has any tips, I would like to know how to send stuff to those in the service that would hold up and survive security inspections! Please leave a comment here or email me at alsmom27@yahoo.com.

And then Mother's Day is this weekend too, so I'm trying to keep busy through the next few days, and shedding a few tears here and there, but I'll be fine. I have to be, I'm Alex's Mom, after all. And this situation is just temporary.

And to all of you, may you have a Happy Cinco de Mayo also! When Alex was born, I had no idea he was born on a holiday, and I think it's kind of cool.

And who knows, we may be able to spend his birthday together next year, maybe in Florida, on vacation as a family again.

I have faith everything will work out.

From Florida to Freezing

Yes, we are home.

We made it home on Monday.

When we stepped on to the plane in Ft. Myers, Florida, it was in the mid-80's for a temperature with mostly sunny skies. Three hours later, we stepped off the plane in Minneapolis and it was cloudy, windy and 46 degrees.

I'm still trying to warm up.

QH, in true Eskimo fashion, walked off the plane in his shorts and said, "I'm home!"

I've been trying to get my bearings since we got home, and trying to keep my spirits up because I'm feeling the drop in Vitamin D I was getting daily in the Sunshine State. In a way I am glad to be home, but it's hard to get back in the groove when you think of how long it took you to get on vacation and how fast it went by.

Today, I received a little insight into how to take things now that I'm home. It was a small gift from my fellow writing friend, the fabulous Sandy Lender, in her blog post today on her blog Today the Dragon Wins. Go to her site and check it out: www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com. She's had plenty in her life the last few years that has given her the wisdom and insight on how to take things when life piles on the issues and the problems and the obstacles.

Check the comments and leave one for her if you like. (Also, if you haven't read "Choices Meant for Gods" (go to her publisher's site for a great deal) or her chapbook, "The Choices We Made", and both are available at Amazon.com).

I come away with the knowledge that sometimes you just have to take things "one day at a time" as most of my family and friends who have gone through the 12 step programs recite to keep them from falling off track. I forget I'm not Wonder Woman with super powers and that in order to get more done, I need to finish one thing before I move on to the next. I have to check off the things accomplished on my never ending "To Do List" and try not to overwhelm myself. And try to keep the list manageable.

I had 13 days of wondering what we were going to do that day, with no plan or agenda, and it was wonderful.

True, we need to work and make a living, and be responsible and all that, but I'm not going to let my "To Do List" run my life to the point of hyperventilating if I don't get something done. And once it warms up here in the "land of ice and snow", I'm going to do more to have more fun and enjoy the weather and my friends and family.

In the meantime, I'm looking for my socks. My feet are cold.

Florida 2009: Tick, Tock

Yes, we are leaving in a few hours for sunny southwest Florida. I kept looking at the clock at work tonight which is a frustrating activity on the night before you go on a long vacation. I don't recommend it.

But it was more than the clock that was frustrating me. All day I was driving myself crazy trying to get everything done, as usual, and accomplishing zilch. Poor QH was home cleaning, doing laundry and packing and I felt like such a shit for leaving him home alone to do all that. I hate it when I do that. I want to rest and relax and be in a good mood when I go on vacation, not pissed off and frustrated. GRRRR.

I know, I should be more organized, and not try to leave everything to the last minute, but some things you have to. It's just that time moves way too fast when you are busy doing other stuff, and when you're not, you swear that damn thing is going backwards!

I have a few projects in the works, that will bring in some extra money and kick start my writing business (yes, I still have a writing business!). I need to take a breath, because since the first of the year, it's been one thing after another after another. Some good, some bad, and some fabulous. Ha! You thought I was going to say something else, didn't you?

It's been interesting, to say the least, but I need a little time watching the Gulf of Mexico, and the sun setting by the Naples Pier, and to hold QH's hand as we walk along the beach. We both need this so terribly bad, and I'm glad we decided that we would still go in spite of everything else going on. If you are under a lot of stress, working your ass off trying to make it paycheck to paycheck, or just having a hard time finding the fun in life anymore, then you need to take a break.

Everyone needs to run away from home once in a while. If you can't afford to go right now, then start a vacation fund. When you get enough, then plan on where you want to go. Get brochures, look on the Internet, and most of all DECIDE TO GO, NO MATTER WHAT!

Even if you just go to the lake with the kids, go play in the sand. It washes off, and you'll feel much better.

Snow, AGAIN! GRRRR!!!

It's January again.

Ok, it's March, but it FEELS like January. Snow piled up again, with below zero temperatures. But the weather people are telling us that by the weekend it will be 4o degrees ABOVE ZERO. I have a hard time believing people who get paid to guess for a living.

Sigh. I have cabin fever. I have spring fever. I want to be outside walking and getting my flower garden ready. I long to hear the frogs singing in the evening. I want to be out writing in my gazebo or "relaxing" in my patio chairs with Cannon, sipping iced tea.

The bugs can stay gone, especially the mosquitoes. Bumble bees and butterflies are welcome anytime.

I'm trying to keep positive and counting the days to vacation. We leave for Florida on April 15 and come home on April 27. With this year starting out so crappy, a little fun and sun in Florida is something we both need. We have friends in Naples that we are so looking forward to seeing and spending time with, no agenda, no itinerary. We just go where we want, and hang out and people watch at the beach. Anything else we do will be a bonus.

Last weekend we went to Iowa to see QH's son Andy. He left yesterday for California with his roommate, Mitch. They are driving to Long Beach to catch the cruise ship for the Mexican Riviera for a two week vacation. We wanted to see them before they left.

We left Friday and four hours later we were in 65 degree weather! Man, what a boost to my attitude! Unfortunately, it rained Saturday and Sunday and when we were on our way home, we hit snow and rain mixed, but just being able to get out of town for a little while was a much needed break.

Now, I just have about 30 days before we can get to Florida, and counting.

In the meantime, I have a great project I'm working on that will help keep me busy until we leave. And I hope make the time fly by.

Watch for an upcoming announcement. It's going to be a lot of work, but it's also going to be challenging and I hope, a lot of fun! And I hope to do a lot of good at the same time.

I'll keep you posted. :)

Slowly Getting Caught Up

It's been a challenging month to say the least.

February is usually bad for me. It's the shortest month of the year and it seems to bring a lot of difficulties that make it seem the longest month of the year.

Other than Valentine's Day, the month holds difficult memories for me. Today, for instance, is the anniversary of my mother's masectomy. She had her surgery in 2009, and has been cancer free since then, Thank God. But the melancholy also seems to be amplified with everyone being sick, including yours truly.

I was supposed to have some teeth pulled yesterday, not the funnest thing in the world, but I was prepared to have it done and get it over with. Well, that didn't work out either, because of my upper respiratory infection and my blood pressure being high. I took Thereflu the night before, which elevates your blood pressure, and had nothing but coffee and you mix that with the possibility of pain in the dentist chair, well, you get a high reading.

So, they cancelled that and I made an appointment to see a family physician and have my pressure checked, etc. He saw no reason for me to delay having the extractions, but said I should take antibiotics and let the sinus infection clear up before rescheduling with the dentist. Fine. So, I got my prescription and like a good girl, took my medicine.

The plan is for me to stay away from anything that will elevate my pressure and the doctor had my blood taken to check for cholesterol and stuff and see how that comes out. I also need to drop some weight, a lot of weight. But first thing's first, get rid of the infection. Then get my butt back into the gym.

As for everything else, I have had a hard time getting back into my groove. I'm almost back up to my 2,000 words a day in writing, but I have found that once you stop it's hard to build up the momentum again. I wish I wouldn't have slacked off the last couple of weeks, but my heart and my head were so turned around with everything and my emotions were all over the place, it was hard to just focus on getting out of bed and functioning without breaking down and crying.

It's taking time, but it's getting better and I'm slowly getting caught up.

In the meantime, I'm trying to stay strong and positive and to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I can't sit around and feel sorry for myself or crawl into a corner and cry all the time. George, if he were alive, would kick my ass for that, and so would his wife. She's been getting along fairly well, but I know it must be really hard when you lose someone you've lived with and were married to for over 60 years.

Sigh. Life goes on.

I'm looking forward to Spring, and March is coming. I will be planting my flowers again, with Cannon's help, and will be happy when the weather warms up and the snow is gone. It's been a long winter.

Jess and Patrice will also be welcoming their first baby in the early part of March, a baby girl. Then I can be "Grandma Laura" and QH can be "Poppa Dude". Babies have a way of making things all better.

April we will be going to Florida, for a much needed vacation and some time in the sun and on the beach.

But the best news is my brother called on Valentine's Day and he and his wife, Lisa, are expecting their first baby sometime in the fall, around September. I told him since Kelley and I had the boys, he was going to have the girls!

We'll have to wait and see.

What happened while I was on vacation?

We came home from Florida on Monday, and through some great weather miracle, the temperature in Minnesota was almost the same as Florida. It was 75 degrees! When we left Minnesota, waaaay back on April 5, it was 12 degrees in Minnesota. I was also updated by everyone when we called home for various reasons, that it was snowing back home, that it was freaking cold, that we all sucked because we were in Florida, etc. But somehow the weather made it easy to come home so it wasn't such a shock to our systems. Thank you, God, for that!

In the meantime, I have been trying to catch up with all that is going on in the world since we left. I made a decision that I was not going to watch or read any news, other than the weather, while we were gone. My reasons are many, but mainly, I have a screen addiction I am trying to break. Yes, I am addicted to the television and the computer screen. I can't get anywhere, or get anything accomplished while there is a 'screen' in operation. The world would fall apart around me and I would be sitting on my couch watching grass grow (golf), or be on the computer trying to find out if I could make money at home racing cockroaches in my kitchen, or any other nonsense.

I also was not about to get caught up in the whole negative media feeding frenzy that happens because I was on vacation with my son and my "hubby" (we aren't married on paper, but we are in every other way) and I wanted to spend time with them and have fun and let the rest of the world take care of itself for a couple of weeks.

So, for 11 glorious, wonderful days, I didn't have a clue until I came home that the world went to hell. There was the whole "Don Imus Incident", then the continuing war in Iraq and the standoff in the government about whether we leave or send more troops or what. Larry Birkhead won the Anna Nicole Smith Baby Lottery. Then a crazed lunatic shot and killed 33 people at VA Tech before turning the gun on himself. I haven't turned on the television for more than the weather since I came home.

But the kicker was when I checked my answering machine and there was a nice message from the Sherburne County Sherriff's office that there have been a rash of home burglaries and car thefts in our area and if we see anyone suspicious or someone comes to the door selling something or are there and we didn't ask them to be there, to call 911. Nice. Welcome home.

Suffice it to say, we did a thorough sweep of the house and grounds and accounted for everything. We talked to our landlord and suggested better locks on the doors. We also are going to update our renter's insurance policy and inventory all of our valuables. We should have stayed in Florida!

Florida, Here We Come!!

The snow is now all gone. We had 80 degree weather a week ago, and it was just enough to kick me into high gear with my spring cleaning. This year I am brutal, throwing or donating anything that I haven't touched or used in a year's time. Painful, for a packrat like me, but necessary. I need to open up the pathways so more good things can come into my life. I feel like I lost 10 pounds this weekend!

I am doing this for another reason, not just yearly ritual. My family and I are going to Naples, Florida, for a vacation. We will be gone for 11 days! We really need a vacation right now, and since my son will be graduating high school this year, this would be our last chance to go as a family. I want to come home to a nice clean house, not be bummed out and overwhelmed by all the mess I left behind! So, if I have not been as "chatty" as usual online or offline, I apologize. I'm not being snotty, just getting my house in order! I will be back and will have a lot to write about when I get back!

Have a Happy Easter!