ALL HAIL TO THOSE THAT SERVE(D)

A number of months back ... quite possibly, close to a year ago ... my father got word from Veteran's Affairs, that my grandfather would be receiving the Bronze Star posthumously. Then he got another confirmation that perhaps it wouldn't be the Bronze Star, but some other honor bestowed upon my grandfather for valor in combat or meritorious service ... it was all so confusing.

Then, about a month ago, my dad got the call that he could go to the Veteran's Affairs office in Battle Creek, Michigan, that the award was there. He could pick it up any time.

Guess what?

It was, indeed, the Bronze Star!

We don't know, at this point, why the Bronze Star was given to Grandpa ... the records are sketchy, and it takes months and months and months to get the slightest bit of confirmation as to the reasons for such an award. All we know at this point is that he was awarded it, and we're all very proud of him for it.

Grandpa never talked about his 18 months in the Pacific Campaign. In my lifetime, he'd only mentioned it in passing ... a snippet here, a quick Camp Roberts story there. But to discuss, for any length of time, his tour in the Philippines and Japan (his company was one of the first to land in Japan post-atomic bomb), he just wouldn't ... ever.

As an adult, I asked my grandmother if I could see the letters Grandpa wrote her when he was over there ... surely she'd saved them. They might make an amazing story I could write. "Your grandfather made me burn them when he got home," she said quietly.

"Grandpa!" I was sad and shocked by this. "Why did you do that? What a legacy to have?"

He got agitated and replied, "Why would I want that crap as a reminder lying around. Not much of a legacy."

I never asked him again. Clearly, some wounds never really heal ...

As I remember my grandfather during my childhood, I remember him as a quiet, reserved man. He kept his feelings in check for the most part. What I didn't realize was that he was a living hero in our midst, and he never let on to any of us. Not once ... More than likely, he didn't think of himself as one nor would he have cared to take that title on ...

This Veterans Day, while our entire fourth grade leads the attendees at the Veterans Day Ceremony here in Frankfort in the Pledge of Allegiance, I will be thinking of my grandpa and his unwavering service to this country ... I will be thinking about all of our servicemen and women around the world right now, sacrificing for the freedoms I enjoy every single day of my life ... I will be quietly thanking them all ...

BEING THE 18-HOUR BRA TYPE

My friend and co-worker, Jody, saw me at church today and said the nicest thing to me.

"I don't see you at school, working until all hours of the night and day, and since you have decided to stop that, I've noticed that you seem happier ... more content."

You know what? She's right! Since the day that I decided that I couldn't be the Wonderbra Teacher anymore, my life has been calmer ... more serene.

I'm allowing myself to take a breath ... to drink it all in ... to really embrace life. It's sounds cheesy, I know, but seriously, I'm shedding my workaholic skin.

Ahhhh ... I'm embracing my inner-18 hour ...

HAIR CUT

I went to the salon last night and got my hair cut. I'm going for a Michelle Williams sort of thing with my hair. But I swear, every time I walk out, I get that much closer to having the same hair cut as an average 10-year old American boy!

Whatever! I like it. Photos to come later ...

FOURTH GRADE QUOTES

Question on math homework:
"Suppose thre are 12 squares. Explain how to find the total number of sides withouth counting."

4th Grade answer to question on math homework:
"17; Think really hard."

What 4th grade teacher muttered as she graded the paper after school:
"Not nearly hard enough."

Clearly, we have some reteach to do here tomorrow.

FRESH GROUND BUTT

I couldn't figure out why my coffee tasted like butt yesterday morning. I sometimes leave the small amount leftover from the day before in the pot because, well, I'm lazy, but that doesn't usually make stuff taste like butt, and dag-gone, my three cups of coffee tasted like butt.

But drank, I did, and I ended up with a splitting headache that seemed very much like a caffeine withdrawal headache.

Couldn't figure it out ...

Until I opened up the area where one puts coffee filters and coffee grounds last night, to get it ready for this morning. That's when I discovered that I'd put the filter in ... and ... well, ... that's where I stopped.

I had three fresh cups of terribly watered-down coffee-like liquid yesterday ... i.e., freshly ground butt.

This time change is killing me slowly ...

HAPPY ELECTION DAY!!!

This year has been a quiet one in the political elections front here in Frankfort, and quite honestly, it's been heaven.

No ugly yard signs.

No constant news segments raging against one candidate or another.

No glad-handing at public events.

No ridiculous politics, period.

I couldn't figure it out, but I didn't question it either. In fact, quite the opposite. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I found out today what the problem (not a problem for me) was. A few years back, the Commonwealth of Kentucky decided to lay off of the silliness every fourth year.

Wow! Really? Politicians came up with that one? Seriously? Because, that's like, progressive and stuff.

I'm not sure whose brainchild this really was, but I don't care. I bow at their feet and bring offerings of good tidings and great joy!

GETTING THE STEPS IN

Kentucky Employees Health Plan is sponsoring a fitness initiative through Virgin Health Miles. For a discounted rate, we can purchase a pedometer that will download our steps into an account each day. If you meet certain step goals each month, you could win cash prizes, and let's face it. Who doesn't like winning cash prizes?

So, I decided to jump on the bandwagon.

One of my kids spied the pedometer yesterday, and, in the middle of class, asked, "Is that your MP3 player, Miss Murray?" And I mean, who wouldn't multi-task like that, right? Considering I can't walk and chew gums most days, not me!

I told the class what it was and explained that Miss Murray was trying to be healthier and be more fit. That explanation, of course, snow-balled into the "well, what's your goal, Miss Murray" conversation. So, I thought, "why not!" I told them that I was trying to walk 10,000 steps each day, and I invited anyone who wanted to help me earn more steps, to join me at recess for a couple of laps around the playground.

Surprisingly, I had a few kids join me, and as we walked by a few 5th graders, they asked what we were doing.

One of my girls, who happens to be the daughter of a colleague and friend, shot back, "Oh we're helping Miss Murray earn points for her thermometer!"

I guess I'm doing that as well!

LIVING IN SOME NEW, SCHNAZZY DIGS

Yesterday, one of my students wrote in his poem that once he gets a million dollars, he's going to build his momma a mansion, and then he's "going to build Miss Murray one too."

God bless that child! How could he have possibly known I wouldn't be able to afford to build one myself!?

GETTING TOO OLD FOR THIS

My sister Ann and her friends, Heather and Deb, came over to my swinging bachelorette pad last night for dinner (which was an awesome penne pasta dish, salad, and mixed berry crisp, by the way) and cards.

It was a school night for me ... I don't typically plan such forays into fun on school nights. But I figured why not!?

I'll tell you why not! Because come five o'clock the next morning, one's eyes feel like sand paper, and it becomes very, very difficult to pull one's over-weight, under-slept body out of bed.

And it pains me to even admit that I'm getting too old to go to bed at 11:15 p.m., because I swear to you, I was 25 years old when I woke up yesterday morning!

Insert heavy sigh here ...