Wintry Morning...

Wow, the first weather delay of the year... 2 hours (for those of you from up north, the delays and cancellations are a joke here... check out the picture and that dictated the delay, lol)!

Woke up early (around 0400) and let Maggie out... when she came back in she was wet and I peeked outside and saw a light dusting of snow on the ground. It's now about 0650 and I'm sipping coffee & reading the news. Gas has fallen below $2 and it is simply baffling as to why it was up in the first place... I really would love to know the truth behind it all.

Regardless, things here haven't been all that great. I'm not going to go into it publicly, only to say Tyler has been ill for the past three months and it's been exceedingly difficult seeing him this way. We are doing everything in our power to get through this and I am hoping for relief in the near future.

I've been dealing with the VA administration for my own medical issues since June... clerical error has kept me from having my treatments paid for through the Department... I can't complain about the care I've received over the years but the paperwork and red tape is inexcusable. If it weren't for my fortitude and unwillingness to accept "no" from them, I never would have received or be receiving what I am now.

What boils the blood the most is that I know of too many men and women, that simply don't have the capacity to continue with the related stresses of trying to obtain services they deserve. It's unacceptable that in the year 2008 these practices still exist. I don't understand how difficult it is to take care of the citizens who sacrifice everything for this nation.

We are the richest nation in the world and it is reprehensible that our veterans are not given (regardless of "disability") medical, dental, and optical care and a free education. What better investment for our country than to educate and ensure a healthy population?

At any rate, I'll end this tirade for now... I need more coffee and perhaps it's time to get started on some household chores. I love you Tyler with all my heart. I say it repeatedly, but know that the words "I love you and I am proud of you" hold just as much, if not more meaning each time I say them to you.

Semper Fidelis son.