2011 Veteran’s Day Free Meals and Discounts

2011 Veteran’s Day Free Meals and Discounts

Two notes before jumping in:

• Proof of Military Service. First, most companies require some form of military ID – including a U.S. Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may only require a photo of you in uniform, or go by the honor system.
• Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. We will do our best to keep this page updated as we find new info.

2011 Free Veterans Day Meals

Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Military ID or proof of service required. Find locations at http://applebees.com/.

Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available during business hours on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.

Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.

Special thanks to Golden Corral: To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.5 million free meals and contributed over $4.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.
Hooters – Free Meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Choose one of the new specialty items on the Hooter’s menu. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. Drink purchase required. For more information, visit, www.HootersVeteransDay.com.
Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees & veterans on Friday November 11th. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – free lunch or dinner, Sunday Nov 13, 2011: McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 13th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13th. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée. Veterans must provide proof of military service. Be sure to contact your local McCormick & Schmick’s as this is valid at participating restaurants only. Also, Space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. For more information visit: M&S Veterans Appreciation Event.

Outback Steakhouse – A week of Free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Monday Nov. 7 – Friday Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day. This offer is available to Military Personnel who have one of the following forms of identifications: U.S Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), DD form 214 Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), Photograph in Uniform, Wearing Uniform. For more information, visit, http://outback.com/companyinfo/veteransday.aspx.

The Outback understands commitment. For the past two years, The Outback, with the help of their patrons, has donated $2 Million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization providing everyday and emergency support for active troops, wounded warriors and their families.
Subway – Free Six Inch Sub. Select Subway locations offer a FREE six inch sub to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. However, Subway restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead.
Texas Roadhouse – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Offer varies by location; our local Texas Roadhouse is offering a free meal from opening until 4pm. Other locations may vary in offer, hours, or availability. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.
T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one get one free Nov 11-14. At participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID. November 11-14.
Uno Chicago Grill, Friday, Nov. 11. Uno’s is offering a free entree or individual pizza with a purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value. Offer good for all military  for veterans and active duty military. ID or proof of service required: Show up in uniform (if your service permits), provide military ID, show a picture of yourself in uniform, or have other ID showing proof of service. More info here.

Home Depot and Lowes Coupon Updates

Home Depot: The Home Depot(R) is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran’s Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 and is available at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations. The 10% discount is available everyday for active duty and retirees, but not all veterans. Home Depot makes this offer available to all veterans on most military holidays. You can also find Home Depot discounts online.
Lowes: Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available Nov. 7 – Nov. 11. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards. Like Home Depot, Lowes offers this discount daily to active duty military members, but not to veterans. However, they extend the offer to military veterans on military holidays. You can also find exclusive discounts at Lowe’s.com.

Free Park Admissions for Veterans Day

Here's to the Heroes

Anheuser-Busch Parks. Anheuser-Busch Parks offers Active Duty Service Members free admission for them and up to 3 dependents to any of their parks once a year. Throughout 2011, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. The Here’s to the Heroes program is only available to Any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman. Eligible parks include: Adventure Island, Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay or Williamsburg), SeaWorld (Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio), Sesame Place, and Water Country USA. Not valid at Discovery Cove and Aquatica. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. is not included as part of this program. For more information and to register, visit: Free admission summary, and ticket application.

Colonial Williamsburg Free Admission. Colonial Williamsburg offers free weekend-long admission tickets to active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their immediate dependents from Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 13th. The complimentary ticket includes admission to Colonial Williamsburg exhibition sites, art museums, and most daytime programs, as well as free parking and use of the shuttle bus system. Tickets are only available at on-site ticket sales locations. Tickets are also available to families of deployed service members. Tickets available on the following dates: Nov. 11-13.

Historic Jamestowne – Free Admission. The National Park Service commemorates Veterans Day with Fee Free days at Historic Jamestowne November 11-13. Free admission for everyone. See events calendar.

Knotts Berry Farm Military Tribute Days – Free Admission. Knott’s Berry Farm has an annual Military Tribute event in which they offer military members past and present by offering free park admission. This year the Military Tribute Days run from November 1 – 24 November (Thanksgiving Day).  Veterans or current serving military personnel plus one guest get in FREE with proper ID presented at Knott’s turnstile (DD214, Veterans Administration Hospital ID or Active Military Service ID). Purchase up to six additional tickets for just $17 each. More info.

Fee Free Day at National Parks. To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that areas managed by the National Park Service would not charge entrance fees for Veteran’s Day weekend – November 11-13, 2011. Over 100 national Parks will be participating in this event.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum (La Porte, TX). November 7-13: Free admission to the theatre, Observation Floor, and (on November 12-13) the special exhibit to all veterans and their families. More info.

Bed and Breakfast for Vets

In the third year of the program, B&Bs for Vets has organized over 485 (and counting) participating Bed and Breakfasts and Inns across the US and Canada which will be offering veterans a free night’s stay on November 10th, the night before Veterans Day. This offer is available to both active duty military members and veterans with ID, but space is limited. Each Inn and B&B has at least one room available for this promotion and reservations must be made directly through the participating Inns and B&Bs. For more information visit B&Bs for Vets.

Free Hugo® Canes for Veterans.

Sam’s Club® locations nationwide will distribute 36,000 Hugo® canes free of charge on November 9th, 10th, 11th, 2011 to U.S. military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities available, while supplies last. Sam’s Club® Membership is not required, but proof of military service may be required. For more information, visit HugoSalutes.com.

Other Veteran’s Day Discounts

Here are some additional Veteran’s Day Discounts. In all cases, be sure to provide proper ID or proof of service. In addition, some of these stores are franchises, so verify participation before assuming the discount is in place.

• Free Car wash. Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2010.
• Amazon.com – Discount “Veterans Day Honor” MP3 album download. This downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit Amazon on Veteran’s Day to download the album.
• Netflix – One Month Free Trial.
• Sport Clips – FREE haircut to active-duty military & veterans. Offer only available at select locations. Please call to verify local participation.
• Tim Hortons – all US locations are offering a free donut to all veterans (check out the Star Spangled donut!).
• $100 for opening new Chase Freedom VISA.

Jos. A. Bank Veteran’s Day coupons:

• All Executive suits $177, 2nd $57 – Lowest prices this year for suits! You save $866 when you buy 2!
• All Traveler and Signature Suits $377, 2nd $97
• All Joseph & Signature Gold Suits $577, 2nd $197
• ALL SPORTCOATS, BLAZERS AND DRESS PANTS 50% OFF

Regional Veteran’s Day Discounts

There have been multiple requests to include local and regional Veteran’s Day discounts. We are happy to include these in our list. Please use our Contact Page to send us the information. Please be sure to include a link to the website so we can verify it and share it with our readers. If a website is not available, then please use the company e-mail address so we can verify the offer.

• America’s Incredible Pizza Company (St. Louis and St. Peters, MO). Free meal Nov. 11th. Call ahead to verify hours and locations.
• Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, CA). Free admission for veterans, military personnel, police officers, and firefighters who show valid service ID on November 11, 2011. More info.
• Brevard Zoo (Melbourne, FL), Nov. 11-13. Free Admission to military veterans with proof of service. More info.
• Des Moines Botanical Center. Free admission November 11, 2011 for Veterans and their families. More info.
• San Antonio Symphony and the United States Air Force Band of the West. Free Veterans Day Concert November 13, 2011. More info. Thanks, Dealnews

Christmas Invitation

Greetings,

The following was sent to by one of my relatives and I enjoyed it and thought that I would share it with my friends and well wishers. Please enjoy and have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with your family. May the peace that passes all understanding rein in your heart and lives this holiday and always. Stay well and take care until next time, Del.

You are cordially invited to

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25
but He's always around, so the date is flexible...

Time: Whenever you're ready.
(Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there.
(You'll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay.
He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He's
already paid for everyone...
(He says you wouldn't have been
able to afford it anyway...
it cost Him everything He had. But
you do need to accept the ticket!!

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a
far-out drink He calls "Living Water,"
followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: ; Your life. He's one of those
people who already has everything else.
(He's very generous in return though.
Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth,
Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power,
Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more!
(All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P. Very Important!
He must know ahead so He can
reserve a spot for you at the table.
Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future
reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life."

Party being given by His Kids (that's us!!)!
Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will
see at the party, share this with someone today!

Redskins Wk: Trampled by the "Giants"

While I was on my way home from New York, the Giants were in town trampling the Skins.


New York Giants running back Derrick Ward (34) carries the ball through Washington Redskins safety Chris Horton (48), linebacker Rocky McIntosh, rear right, and defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery, front right, during the second quarter of their NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

"My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home"

"My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home"
Greetings,

Yes, the wait for the much anticipated cookbook from Cynthia at Taste Like Home will be available on January 23, 09. Congratulations Cynthia!

The book is titled, "My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home" is available online at My Caribbean Cookbook: Tastes Like. The book will be available in stores in the Caribbean and in the United Kingdom.
There will be two editions, hardback and Paperback, the hardback will retail for US$45 and the paperback for US$30.

The book is more than an average cookbook given that through the various articles, the user learns a little about our Caribbean culture through food. It will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for what and how we cook and eat. Please get you copy and let me know what you have prepared. Enjoy. Take care and stay well, Del.

It was His birthday, but I enjoyed the gifts!!!

I recently wrote about people who do not say thank you. Less I fall into that group myself, I am saying thanks to my dear friends for a wonderful weekend.

Recently my friend called to ask what I'll be doing on the weekend of Nov 15. While I knew that is the weekend of my DH's birthday I told her I had no immediate plan. Her response was great how about joining a group of twenty to purchase some discount ticket to a matinées to see "The Marriage Counselor." To which I agreed; fast forward two weeks later when I gave her my payment and mentioned that it's DH's birthday that weekend and I was thinking about dinner after. She said great I'll get you some restaurant suggestions. We did not communicate with each via my work email until the day before the day before the play and I was off from work. I just happened to check my mail from home that morning and there was a message from my friend asking what was my restaurant choice and the arrangement to collect the tickets. I responded to her and saying I have decided to forget about dinner and I'll see her the next day.

We were a little late for the show so at halftime she said did you see my message about dinner after the show? To which I responded and she said "well you better unforget about dinner since I went through the hoops to make reservation at McCormick and Schick. Mind you I already told DH's buddies that we'll stop by after the show.

Fast forward we had a great meal and then the bill. I place my card in the holder and before anyone else could look at it the server took it away and charged it all. For reimbursement the other diners at the table gave me cash and a check which my dear friend coordinated. After leaving the group and I checked the total she had given me the total for the bill and then invited us over for homemade dinner.

Us Redskins people showed up at those Cowboys people home for dinner with a warm sweet potato cake in tow. They made one of the dishes I like very much Jamaican oxtail and red beans and rice. After making another of my concoctions for cold, confirming that she intended to pay for dinner and having some great fellowship we called it a night and sealed a great weekend at the halftime of the game. So to that great group of friends I say many thanks and happy belated birthday my love. In response to my thank you this is her message. "You guys are more than welcome... You both are very special to us and we appreciate the great friendship we share... I truly enjoyed the weekend.
Thank you for making my cold remedy -- I made it into work today because of it, I'm sure... I am feeling much better - which surprises me. My body was not aching when I woke up this morning. So to great friends and beautiful relationships, I say thanks. Take care and stay well, Del.

Thank you Veterans

Greetings,

How are you today? I at home relaxing thanks to the many people who chose to serve their people and country. The formal definition for this day is to honor military veterans, however I would like to extend that further to those people who served and fought for their people in a different way. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that the people who fought and allow people president elect Obama to be is this capacity today deserves to be considered as official veterans. Does it count; there are many families who have lost several relatives in the war so does my point make any sense.

Despite your views I wish to consider them as my veterans as well and to say thanks. Thank you to the many, who has fought, bled and died so that we might our freedom, I say thank you. A special thanks to my friend Nigel who is currently doing a15months tour in Iraq. Also to my friends and relatives have done their tour and remain on reserve, I say thank you. On that note, do you know any one who has experienced post war adversities? The worst I know is of a friend who lost her marriage after her husband returned from the war. Please let me know in what other ways have the wars affected you and yours. God bless and keep all those who continue to serve.

Talking about people how do you deal with someone who is connected but yet not connected if that makes sense? I have a friend who for the life of her cannot get her act together or as her hubby puts it clean up her mess. While being technologically savvy you can never get a hold of her sometimes for hours. Please tell me what suggestions I can make to her or her husband. Here is a scenario, I was leaving work and said to her on the IM am leaving the office, she respond already so I called her on her office phone and told her that I’ll be there to get her so that we can go home together. I arrived at her building at 03:50 called her desk and cell and received her voicemail. With persistence I finally got her at 04:05. Long story short I never picked up the woman until 04:20 and her excuse was, “I do not know where my cell phone is.” Whhhhhhhat, a mother to two who are in daycare and a husband out at work and you do not know where the cell phone is, great. By the way, is that the cell phone that you replaced just two weeks ago, maybe I am tripping but that does not sound cool to me?

As I dropped her off and she said when get home and as soon as I find my phone I’ll call you. Well I waited until 9 and still no call so I did the honor. Helllllllllo, oh hi I am sorry I can in and just got taking care of the kids, bla, bla, bla and then she said I would call you back. Oh, no need to, no I definitely will call you. I am so glad that I did not wait for that call because it’s 10:50 AM and I am still waiting. Please, please, tell me how I should deal with her. Love her to death, but boy oh boy this one kills me and her husband says to her, “you’re a mess.” I do not want to say all of that. So, take care and stay well until next time, Del.

That is President Obama to you!

There is no word to describe what we have witnessed. But I can say that this is a victory not just for black Americans, but this is an American victory. God bless Barack Hussein Obama and God bless the USA. Yes We Can, Yes We have! I am glad that I was blessed to be part of this history. I received this as a text message; Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther could walk... Martin walked so Barack Obama could run...Obama won so that our children could fly. Congratulations president BHO, black has never looked so good. Tell me what you think. Take care and stay well, Del.

Former Detroit mayor headed to jail in sex scandal

Greetings,

Please help me understand with went down in the case/trail of Kwame Kilpatrick. How does one legally justify his sentence. I may be ignorant about all the issues involved but it just doesn't add up. If I remember correctly former president Clinton had a similar trial. However,what I do not remember is him doing any time in the pen for that. Not just time in the pen, but time in solitary confinement for which he'll pay sixty dollars per day. Please help me identify where I am missing the point. You can read the story about Kwame here.


The jail cell where former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will be incarcerated at the Wayne County Andrew C. Baird Detention Facility is shown in Detroit, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. Kilpatrick begins a 120-day sentence on Tuesday for obstruction of justice for false testimony in a civil trial involving former police officers. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya - AP)

Everywhere else on Monday

How was your weekend? Mine was fabulous because I spent time with the family basking in love and celebration. My DH and I went to the wedding ceremony and celebration of his first niece which was very intimate and beautiful. And if I cared about nothing else, the food mattered to me. Despite being a hotel catered event, I was impressed with the menu which included some jerk, rice and peas. Even though neither of them represent the country we're from, I was still please.
However, the disappoint we shared was about the cake or the lack there of. How could you have a Caribbean wedding and not have black cake? Please tell me if I was expecting too much. But of course you cannot please everyone, so to the bride and groom congratulations. Here are best wishes for a wonderful life together.
From my heart and experience I wish you as much happiness and joy in being married as I have found in mine. There is no secret to what will work magically; however, I do know that once there is respect, communication, sex and trust you can make it work. What do you think? What works for you in your relationship? While on celebrations, congratulations to my friend Selwyn and his wife who recently found out that she's pregnant. Way to go my friend!

While on relationships let me touch on this issue that has been on my mind for the last few weeks. Usually when I attend family functions are I am the person that takes the most photos. I am also usually the one to take the most natural photo that really catches people in their elements. Do you remember the family function I spoke about recently? Well I took some photos as usual and got myself into some good trouble.

I got in trouble because I took the photo of two five years old kids that their parents consider inappropriate. But then again, I did not clarify whether taking the photo or the pose the children had was inappropriate. You see, I went to them and said let’s pose for picture and pose they did. Without full description I will say that the pose were for grown and intimate people. I immediately showed the images to the parents who comment that they know better than to take photos like that since they are relatives.

For me that was finish and as usual I sent out the photos to group a few days later. About a week later I received an email from the girl’s mother with the following: “I finally took a look at the Pictures. I glanced at the pictures of girl and boy that said night and didn't see all of that. Because, I was not looking hard enough. Now, I know you know me by now and I would think that you know boy’s mother too, especially when it comes to our kids. I don't think that those pictures are appropriate. The next time you see such behavior, I think you should stop them and let us know. Now, I can only imagine. I'm speaking for myself. I don't know if boy’s mother has seen the pics since. Now that's up to her. But knowing her I don't think this will fly. Let’s be adults about this, so this will not happen next time.”

With my mature self I did not respond to that email. Reason being is I am of the opinion that me taking those photo was like someone holding a mirror in front of the parents and saying look how much your children know. In addition I feel that even though we are relatives, unless you and I have that can of relationship I will not discipline your child. Please let me know if I am wrong for thinking like that, and what are your feelings about other people disciplining your child. More so, how do you feel about people who do not have children of their own disciplining yours?

Until we pick up this gaff again, take care and stay well. Del

To Nawlins

Greetings,

I trust that you took may advise and had yourself an awesome weekend giving and receiving great love.

As for me I had a wonderful time which included satisfying all things food addiction. The highlight of my trip was the curried roasted chicken. For the rest of the family it probably the award winning carrot cake I made and treated them to. It might have been the tasty organic Malabar spinach with fried banga fish. It all started with me getting my visual fill of home by visiting Taste Like Home for my weekly dose. And boy was I drooling, did you see that curry Cynthia prepared, that’s all I say to that.

Shortly after that my sister and I made a trip to Little Guyana. What my eyes beheld at the fish market made me giddy with excitement. It was pre-roasted chicken ($2.49 per lb) like Cynthia used to make her curry. Since we did not know where to find a live bird that fitted the bill. Visiting the market there felt almost like home with all the sight, smells and sounds. To top it off, we girls had the special treat from our brother (since they guys cook tastier than women) who cooked the roasted chicken into a very tasty bunjol curry. Thanks Wayne.

And with the wisdom of my DH we made it home yesterday with sunlight to spare. We left while all the festivities were on the Eastern Parkway and made through the Holland Tunnel in a record 3minutes whoo. How was your trip home?

In other things congratulations to my friend on his column. I cannot wait for my next trip for some curried duck done the same way on my next trip.

Here is a bit for my New Orleans post; as the friends that I made there remain in my prayer. Please remember then in yours as they go through their dejavu. They say they'll never forget, but we will always remember. As the country focused on NOLA and Gustav this weekend I reflected with familiarity as they mentioned and panned to different sites and streets. My DH and I had the privilege of visiting NOLA a few weeks ago and stayed in the French Quarter. I attended the BIG National Training Conference.

Even though we did not visit the Ninth Ward I can say that the evidence of Katrina was still very visible. Please check out these photos taken by my supervisor during that time. The one thing that really bothered was the fact that they still have the tomb (NOLA superdome) standing. Most people there besides the visitors looked very tired and worn, despite race and color. There were no supermarkets close to where we stayed on Poydras St, but that was ok since you can take a trolley or taxi to the other district for proper grocery. This definitely will let you know when you are out of the safe area, proceed at your own risk beyond the police cars. Please help me understand how the people manage with a 9% consumer tax!

To my disappointment I did not venture out to any of the fine dining. Therefore I cannot honestly report on the food. However, I did hear great praises from the other people in our group. I was honestly too scared to try due to my allergies to shellfish and pork and since most of their foods contain either or both I refused to try. I am sure that those of you with food allergies can relate. Everytime I think about it I remember this story. Considering all things I give the trip a C, my hotel an A and the venue a B. So here is to Nawlins for better days and a speedy recovery.

Until next time, take care and stay well, Del.

Eight (8) Is Enough

Greetings,

May this Labor Day bring you much rest from the summer grind. I trust that you were able to enjoy many of the season's bounty and a wonderful time with your friends and family. I sure did enjoy it, even though we didn't do as much traveling this year. Considering that for all of last summer I was on bed rest and Labor Day weekend I was in the ICU would say that I had an awesome one. So how will you end yours? For me I will be taking the well traveled road to the Big Apple for another celebration with my people with some foods from home. And if I have some energy after I will take in the fun and excitement of the New York West Indian Parade. And when I return I will continue to enjoy even more produce from my garden, ochro, boulanger, bora and other such vegetables.

Please tell me you saw history being made again this month. I am talking about the man who started from nothing and will soon hold the most powerful position in the US. If you missed it sorry, because there isn't much that I can say to relate the eloquence with which he delivered his speech last night. And did you saw Dr. MLKJ cheering, shouting and dancing up and down that stage, yep, I saw him beaming with excitement for that awesome gift his forty-five year got. For those who missed it hear he him, the man of the hour, Senator Barack Obama.

So go on have you a fabulous weekend and be good to yourself so in return you can be good to someone else. Take care and stay well. Del

Everywhere on Thursday

Greetings and how are you today?

I am wonderfully blessed, thankful, happy and loved. To my husband of nine years Happy Anniversary. "I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.”

Did you see history made last evening? If not I am sorry you missed it Jamaican Usain Bolt wins 200 meter sprint By the way Happy Birthday Usain. Even though I am not Jamaican I feel the pride for him and his people. Congratulations Jamaica! Never mind the snubbing by the media. While on things Jamaican, Happy belated birthday to my Little Jamaican/VI/USA Man- Zavy. Love you.

Sincere condolences to my Dear Friend whom I wrote about in this post Metro Customer Service. She has since lost the baby and was forced to deal with another grim realty in the effort to become a mother. Having walked in those shoes; I am thankful that I had the strength and courage to be there for her. So to my DF I say weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. So keep smiling my friend and take comfort in knowing that the Lord will restore the years the locust has stolen from you.

To the people who planned the Guyanese food celebration; shame on you. Shame on you for not making sure I would be in town before setting the date. It appears that there is conspiracy for me not to be able to show off our skills. But I relish the fact that our people were able to come and have so much fun, excitement and contentment in celebrating. Not just celebrating but celebrating our culture and most of all the foods. My friend at Taste Like Home would have truly enjoyed such an affair. The menu included many of the favorites from most of our six races. To feast your eyes on the feast they had please check Cynthia’s page and enjoy. To all the people who visited, it was my pleasure to be sharing in the fun and just plain catching up with you. Please be sure to check next time for my post about my trip to New Orleans.

Take care and stay well, Del.

WHAT WILL MATTER

WHAT WILL MATTER
by Michael Josephson

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won’t matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.
It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought but what you built,
not what you got but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched,
empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew,
but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.
What will matter is not your memories but the memories of those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters.

Metro Cutomer Service

On Friday I rode the trains with my pregnant friend; so I’m sharing our experience in customer service.

We arrived at the Medical Center Metro about 4:20 PM and she asked the manager to use the customer restroom. He said that the cleaner just went to the back and sure when she’s finish he’ll let her do so. Fifteen minutes into the wait the station manager went to check and came back out she asked him how much longer and he said he was not sure, but he told the cleaner that there was a woman waiting and when she's finish to let her know. Well that wait drag on to some thirty minutes at which time manager number two arrived on the scene and enter the area, when he came out my friend asked him if th restroom was ready he said no it had to dry. By that time her patience and emotions had worn thin and she blurted out to him with tears streaming down her face, "how much longer do I have to wait, I'm pregnant and have been here for more than thirty minutes." He said to her okay Ms. let me see," and went back to the area, he came back almost immediately and said to her go ahead and be sure to close the door behind her. When we got to the restroom area the floor was wet, but there was no one in sight, meaning the cleaner.

Upon leaving the restroom area both manger signaled for her to come to the booth. When we got there manager two said "Ms. I'm going to give you a free ride today." Her with her modest self said no it's ok, he insisted and proceed to write her a free pass for the day. He said "something like this should never happen, you should never have to wait 30minutes to use a restroom. That is unacceptable and the lady is just a custodian. But this will never happen again, I am not on duty yet, but even the other manager agrees that you have been here that long and it's unacceptable." That's why I Del, tell people all the time do not make it an issue about whether you like a job or not but one of character. Be and do the best you can despite the circumstances and even though people may not like you they will not be able to deny the quality of your work.

So kudos to the station manager at Medical Center Metro on Friday, August 1. To the custodian shame on you, you are the perfect example of how poor customer service has become. To my friend, thank for allowing me to be there for you and seeing your vulnerability, and that to me is the way friendship should be. Stay well, Del.

Forgiveness

Sometimes items for my journal are easily decided, other times they are forced upon me by people, places or situations. Today’s topic just came by my love for reading; it was the last item I read before bed last night and the first topic on my way home, in different medias. BTW I know this topic is for myself as well as a few people who are dear to me. So go ahead and “give the gift of non-retaliation, and in that gift you, yourself, receive healing.”

Forgiveness Is Unfair
By Philip Yancey
At its core, forgiveness remains unfair. There is something unjust about a person’s dastardly deeds going unpunished.
Such thoughts nagged at me until one day I came across an admonition from Paul tucked away in Romans 12. Hate evil, be joyful, live in harmony, do not be conceited… Then this verse: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (v. 19)
Finally I understood: In the final analysis, I am simply trusting that God is a better justice maker than I am. By forgiving, I leave issues of fairness for God to work out. I defer to him the scales of justice.
Wrong does not disappear when I forgive. But it loses its grip on me, and is taken over by God. He knows what to do.

Learning to Forgive
By Lori Erickson
So what can we do when we’re seething with resentment against a domineering spouse or faithless spouse? Firstly realize that forgiveness takes time. For deep hurts, we may need to forgive over and over again. It may feel forced, but as time passes it will become deeper and long lasting. Here are some tips to help you get to a place where genuine forgiveness is possible:
Practice Gratitude. Instead of focusing on how you’ve been wronged, keep reminding yourself of all that you have to be thankful for. Throughout each day, look for reasons to be grateful, from the food on your table to the air that fill your lungs.
Teach your body to relax. Learn a stress-management practice that you can call on when negative thoughts flood your mind or you are hurt by someone’s actions. The key is to calm your emotions and disengage the body’s response to stress
Acknowledge your own faults. It’s a rear person indeed who has never hurt someone else. Don’t judge other people more harshly than you judge yourself.
Rewrite your story. Stop thinking of yourself as a victim. A woman whose husband left her, for example, shouldn’t think of herself as abandoned, but focus on the ways she is courageously creating a new life.
Seek understanding. Think of the one who hurt you as a good person who did something bad, not as a bad person. “Try to see the worth of the person and view them with empathy and compassion,” says Enright.

Relationship Builders
· Why is it hard not to “get back” at your significant other in small ways when her or she has hurt you?
· How can you trust God to handle the situation when others wrong you?

Black In America Series starting July 23rd

Greetings: I trust that you had a fantastic weekend. Mine was; I enjoyed my trip to NY and love the time spent with the family. However I am still sad because I missed the "Black in America: Reclaiming the Dream Forum." Which I guess is a good example of not being able to eat your cake and have it. But I am glad that there is still some left, so I'll be able to see the following and trust you can tune in too. Take care and stay well Del.

It will come back to Haunt you!

Do you remember the elderly saying "it will come back to haunt you?" I recently had a tragic incident that happened in my life almost a year ago do that to me. I happened upon an article and with my inquisitiveness and love for children I had to read it. The article which was very detail caused me to experience Déjà vu. The subject did not bother me, but it was the moral of the story that caused me to have a very emotional moment. It was very transparent when I realized some of the divides that exist in this “great country”.

On that note, I would be remiss not to say thank you for all the wonderful people who were there for us (I and DH) during that time. So what was is it that I was making much ado about, check out this article Part I: Dad Recounts Preemie Twins' Struggle and maybe you’ll understand. Just know that while we share the same experience, the outcome are different and my arms are still empty!! Take care, Del.

Is It Really Worth It?

It seems as though my little country is becoming famous. Did you read the article about the passenger who opened and used the emergency exit door on a Delta flight after landing in Guyana? And everyone is talking about us now Here, Here, Here and Here. But what did it cost him for his fifteen minutes of fame? This might be a very high price.

The last time I checked the price for a 1st class ticket was $1864 on Delta. But what will it be when Delta presses charges against him? I guess this saying really speaks volume, “Money is like a sixth sense - and you can't make use of the other five without it.”

So I’ll ask the question you the question I usually ask myself before I fuss about a person, circumstance, or thing. Is it really worth it?

Have we as people become so impatient that it kills to lose a few minutes. Especially if we’re on vacation with all the time in the world. I trust that this serves as a reminder that “patience is virtue” and cutting corners to save time always cost more.