Barometer Soup For The Parrot Head Soul

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 12, 2007 1:35 am

Just wanted to capture these special threads here tonight and we'll sort out the technical stuff later.

Our hearts and prayers are poured out to the Cocotel Family tonight. May God grant your peace Maria. May God comfort Albert, the girls and the family and friends of Maria.

Our Christmas Angel, Maria is in Heaven...
http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

Grand Opening of MARIA'S RUM SWIZZLE LOUNGE (aka Oar House)
http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

Light a Candle for Maria...Coco & Family
http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

Maria's Team
http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

Maria's Phin Power Thread
http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

Miles' Broadcast on RM tonight . .
http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=64296

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 12, 2007 1:51 am

Injured Soldiers are HOME!

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

pojo wrote:Our Saturday was 5 legs (with a 4 hour engine problem delay).... dropping off INJURED SOLIDERS at their respective bases... and with several aircraft problems during the process... we broke in Pensacola... rough. (Camp Lejeune- Pope AFB/Fort Bragg - Augusta/ Fort Gordon - Hunter AAF - Pensacola Regional/ NAS Pensacola)

Sunday we got the plane fixed

Today again we had aircraft problems..... but we brought one solider home and another back to Baltimore for more surgery.... He had his skull blown away in an IED attack... and has made tremendous progress since the attack. Today he had his protective helmet on for the transportation..... you could physically see the part of the skull that was missing... I invited his wife (maybe 25yo) on the flight deck for a good portion of the flight... our aircraft commander brought her up...she was reluctant to leave her husband... but we assured her he is in the best hands (we'd been flying with the same group of aeromedical personnel for the past couple of days).... anyways, she spent most of the flight on the flight deck and watched the landing from a 'pilot' perspective... she couldn't believe that this flight was dedicated to her husband to get him to Andrews AFB for brain & skull surgery (Bethsada Naval Medical Center)

Because of the EVAC call sign... we had PRIORITY in the air..... we had direct to our destination!!!!!

THESE SOLDIERS ARE HOME!!!

I love these missions because it puts a new perspective on life... we complain about he remote not working.... these soldiers come home as an amputee..... or portions of their skulls missing..... so.... I can't complain about anything.

NYCsharkling wrote:Good Job Shannon and your crew!

Things like that really do put things into persepctive....makes you realize that things could always be worse and not to sweat the small stuff...

WELCOME HOME SOLDIERS!

alphabits wrote:Nice job Shannon ..... a big "Thank You" to your entire crew.

And a heartfelt "Welcome Home" to all the injured soldiers.

pojo wrote:we have a 4 leg day tomorrow.... it will be busy....

BUT MORE SOLDIERS ARE GOING HOME.

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 12, 2007 2:01 am

Anyone ever broken their butt?

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... highlight=

buffettbride wrote:I'm not kidding. I pulled a slick move in the parking lot of my son's preschool this morning trying to do a Dorothy Hamill impression. Let's just say there's a reason why my parents didn't name me Grace 'cause I landed square on my tail bone. Hard!

I'm somewhere between thinking it's bruised and broken, not that there is much a difference between treatments but I'm wondering if I really have to go to the doctor for this.

Normally I'd just drive myself down and whip out my $25 copay, but it's snowing a whole helluvalot right now, and even though the doc is only a 5 min drive from my house, the less I can be out, the better.

Hubby can't take me 'cause it is his day up in Boulder for Victoria's performances and I'm not sure I want to drag my MIL (who is 45 minutes away) all the way up here to accompany for my butt x-ray and possible exam with a rubber glove.

So please, if for anything if not much needed comic relief today of all days, please broken-butted BNrs, commiserate with me and tell me what on earth I should do.

If you can't do that, then just make fun of me. It will make everyone feel better, I promise.

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 12, 2007 3:28 am

"OPERATION FLIPFLOP"

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... +flip+flop

pbans wrote:Welcome to the ophicial kick off!

"Sometimes it's just a smile that makes your day and sometimes a song can save your life"
Peter Mayer

Why were are doing this:
From SPC Bowie Sessions:
“These patients come in covered in blood. Their blood - the blood of
pbans wrote:KUTV (CBS Affiliate) NEWS IS ON THE WAY TO DO A STORY!!
their buddies - dirt, carbon residue, all of that. Filthy. If they're truly traumatic, to save their lives we cut off all their clothes so we can get to the wounds as fast as possible and resuscitate them fully. Either way, when they get done, would these guys want to put on their scuzzy outers? No. And these are usually guys who lived in squalor, doing patrols, and now they got blown up.

One of the nicest things we can do is wash them off with a sponge, give them clean pajama pants and a nice t-shirt and some flip-flops. They get to feel like normal people for a little while. It's the least we can do for these heroes, you know?”[/i]

Baghdad ER

Every day we come here to dip our ladles in the Barometer Soup and fill our souls. I don’t know about the rest of you, but honestly….I’m lucky. My bowl is pretty full. It’s time for me to send a ladleful over to someone in need.

Imagine for a moment someone you love dearly…..your son, your daughter….your sister, brother, husband, wife or best friend….picture their face….and feel their love.

Now, I want you to imagine that person…..gravely wounded, hot, tired, frightened and lonely….and I want you to picture that person thousands of miles away in a war torn country.
Every soldier over there is THAT PERSON to someone.

We come here every day to virtually touch each others hands and heart……now we have a chance to join our hands and help our brave men and women.

We know what our music has brought to our lives and how the spirit of "Parrothead-ism" has accomplished! The doctors, nurses, medics, corpsmen are in Baghdad to save their physical lives. We are now commissioned with saving, or at the very least, soothing their SOULS!

What we are doing:
We are collecting the following items:
1. Flipflops, shower sandals, whatever you want to call them! Don’t get wrapped around the axle on quality. We’re not looking for something to last forever, just to get these soldiers through their hospital stay! A smattering of all sizes are needed, but sometimes large is the most practical as it’s easier to have a pair a little big rather than a little small!

2. Pajama Bottoms/Boxers: These soldiers are stripped of their clothes. The military provides hospital gowns…..and anyone who has ‘been there, done that’ knows they aren’t practical for walking around and they’re a b*tch to sleep in!

3. T-Shirts: Soft, cotton t-shirts….from your PHC, from your company, from Walmart, it just doesn’t matter. Primarily large and xl….but all sizes are needed!

4. Here’s where the parrothead magic comes in……MUSIC!
Buy a copy of your favorite Buffett CD, your favorite Coral Reefer CD, burn a copy of your favorite bootleg concert….let’s share that magic that gets us through the day!

5. These patients can ALWAYS use toiletries, books, magazines (keep it clean, sorry!), batteries, hard candy, beef jerky……if it’s a comfort item you like….so will they!!

6. If your are unable to purchase items or donate, please consider just writing a card or two or three and mailing them to me to stick in the packages.

7. PRAYERS, PRAYERS, AND MORE PRAYERS……for the soldiers in general and for Bowie specifically!

How we are doing it:
Items can be sent directly to me and I will package them up and ship them to Bowie and/or his chaplain should he be transferred. Please PM for my shipping address and I’ll get it right out to you!

I can accept paypal donations at pbans@aol.com. This would be used for shipping costs, and to fill in where ever there is a need. I am one of the world's greatest shoppers......so if it's on sale, I can find it!

If you want to purchase CDs or books through amazon, cdbaby, Little Flock or wherever and have them sent directly to me for packaging with the other items…..COOL….again, PM for an address

If a group or PHC wants to send items directly to Bowie, PM and I’ll give you his information!

What I commit to do:
I know it can be worrisome to send money and stuff to someone you don’t really know!
So here is what I commit to do for all of you!
1. Log each donation, whether material goods or money
2. Log my expenditures
3. Make that available to any damn body that wants to see it!!!!
4. I will make sure that each pair of flipflops, jamas, boxers or each t-shirt has a sticker with Buffettnews.com and each package will go out with a cover letter explaining the parrothead philosophy and why we did this.
5. If we are able to make this the success that I feel it will be, I will PROMISE you all some press! It may be just local stuff here, but I can and WILL do that!

As far as a time frame....let's give ourselves thirty good days here....and I'll shoot for the end of August to ship everything! If we can pull it together quicker....COOL! We'll shoot from the hip a little there!

NOW….go forth and do good!!

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... +flip+flop

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:
pbans wrote:I want to share a little story with all of you that happened today!
We went for a long (HOT) ride on the harleys today. I do my very best thinking on the bike......all of this ran through my head on the ride.
We stopped for lunch and I finally told my husband what I'm doing. The first thing he said was "Are you sure it's a good idea?" I told him that I've had a lot of ideas in my life....and that this was one I'm SURE was a good idea! He's worred that it will take on a life of it's own.....he knows I tend to get a little obessed sometimes.....God willing, that's exactly what will happen.

SOOOOOOOOOO.....after pondering, thinking and formulating.....I decided to go at it full tilt.......

Then, on the way home......we passed a military humvee full of soldiers....the two guys in the back seat leaned out of the vehicle and gave me a thumbs up.....now, I know logically that they were admiring the bikes.....but I believe in signs and I believe that was it....two thumbs up from two airmen......GAME ON!
It was definitely a sign...and you tell hubby not to worry...it will all work out fine. Oh, and the other sign they were giving you was the "hot babe on a bike!" sign.

hey, maybe a DING! will come thru and I can finally get to Utah to help you pack all this stuff up!

pbans wrote:
ToplessRideFL wrote:
pbans wrote:
ToplessRideFL wrote:Nice job Paige...... would you prefer we send our goodies directly to you? I know there are several options... just want to know what you prefer.
Actually, yes.....I'm going to put as much of it together as I can to make an impact for some media whoring......trying to catch some bigger fish...and they're all about the visuals!
I hear ya....remember Halloween a few years ago? As I recall we threw this together in just under a month. BN'rs can be very motivated!

Yep, I've been thinking about that all day!!
That was AWESOME!

pbans wrote:Just a quick HUG and a HUGE thank you!!

I am overwhelmed, although not surprised, by the response so far!
We really are going to be able to make this in to something WONDERFUL!

The Parrothead community never fails to come through......
I am honored and privileged to 'live' here!!

pbans wrote:Check this out!
Surfpirate ROCKS!

mommar wrote:Box of 16 pairs in the hands of the USPS as of 4:30 today

I had a co-worker pick up 10 pairs for me last nite.......ON is near her house, there were only 6 pairs left after my purchase.......so she bought them and then today at work we were packing them up, and another co-worker gave me some $ to help towards my postage

pbans wrote:I made some kickin' little stickers that say:

"With Love and Appreciation from the Parrothead Community of
Buffettnews.com"

I have an endless supply of teenage slave labor that will make sure everything gets a sticker!!

pbans wrote:BANNER DAY!
Three big boxes of STUPH....good, good stuph!

I've got the wheels rolling to get this project shipped for free!

I have a friend that works on Hill Air Force Base. He's friends with a Colonel there....spoke to her about the project and they're going to see what they can do to ship it! I sent her all the information today and links to all of our goings on!
It's a little more complicated because it's going from AF to Army, but sounds like it will *probably* be doable......PHINS CROSSED! That would mean the financial donations could go to MORE STUPH.....

This time, at THIS Particular Harbor, there is no such thing as TOO MUCH STUFF!!

pbans wrote:OKAY.....I've already talked about how I believe in "signs" and I think there are times we are given messages if we just pay attention......here's one for you......

My Dad was career Army. He served in the Army Infantry for 27 years....
He was also a great big teddy bear (sorry, Dad...but it's true)....
His nickname for me when I was little was Charlie Brown....don't really know why, but it just was. When I would do something nice for him, he would always say...."You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown".

Last night, I got a call that my storage shed had been broken in to....bad thing, right? So I scamper down there and open the shed....things had been rifled through, but I honestly don't think there is anything missing....certainly nothing of value....but I had a box of books....they had been opened and were laying all over.....but which one is right there as I open the shed......seriously, the first thing I saw....

'YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN'

Maybe I read too much in to it, but maybe not.......

I think my Dad is pleased with what we're doing......
he WAS that soldier in the hospital...both in WWII and in Viet Nam....

Bowie wrote:Hi, my name is Bowie Sessions. I'm that soldier.

"Specialist" or SPC is the rank, actually. I haven't been a PFC in well over a year now.

Anyway. The only thing we need is flip-flops and pajamas. I know it doesn't seem like much; but everyone sends us toiletries and snacks and magazines and everything else. They even send us t-shirts, and socks and underwear, believe it or not. Less so socks and underwear, but they do.

The thing NO one sends is pajamas... and flipflops. That's basically it.

This is already a massive task for me to undertake. I mean, I personally am now toting around a holy-crap-load of boxes daily to unload. And precious pajama space is taken up with beef jerky!

So... we don't really need that stuff. Well, we do, but other people take care of it.

I'm just asking you to focus superbly on the flip/flops and pajamas, and maaaaybe just kinda say "if you have room for filler, put in -blank-", you know? If you really want to put in filler, that is. Because I've been getting lots of boxes with just one or two flip flops, and a whole load of chips. Which is just not what we need.

Not trying to sound ungrateful. Cuz, wow, am I ever grateful.

Thanks, parrotheads.

rane wrote:Hi,

I'm Rane, Bowie's mom, and since he found his way here, I thought I'd follow him.

When Bowie first told me about the need for PJ's I had a lot of questions -- his answers to me were long pants, cotton, not flannel.

So, I would imagine that a poly mix would be okay too. From what I understand they dont' need tops, but in a way I don't see why not. If you can get a pair of pajamas more inexpensively than getting just bottoms, go for it. It's all about maxing money.

I have thought about hitting our local Goodwill to see if they have pajama bottoms that are in good shape... but it's an hour plus away and I haven't made it there yet.

I found the best prices were the clearance sales on Old Navy, and I think we wiped them out in picking up all the large sized clearance pj's they had. They were $6.99 and had free shipping because our purchase amount was high enough, otherwise it was $5.00 shipping... and painless, as it went directly there. Old Navy (and The Gap) do APO shipping. Their template for putting in the address was a bit messy, but I got away with it, I had to plaster the APO number part of the address twice in the address, so it would take it.

Anyway, I check in here to see how it's going, and this is such wonderful news! Our family readiness group took this project on as well, and there is a woman in Ohio who really sort of started the whole movement, as she wanted to send something to the wounded, and I told her they didn't stay there long enough. Later, I relayed my conversation to Bowie, and he told me I was wrong, that they needed PJ's and flip flops. So, I passed the word. This woman, Roxanne, made it onto the news in Ohio yesterday, and I understand she's being interviewed by a different TV station today.

http://www.wfmj.com/Global/story.asp?s=6828592

I also contacted adopt a soldier, as they adopted the 28th CSH before, and they did a drive their last deployment there for pajamas and t-shirts. They just sent a bunch of towels over to them, as that was the official word on what they needed.

The family readiness group (FRG) that sent out the mass request to the 28th CSH families, had to get approval to send boxes to the unit over there, and came up with the address for Mosul also. They need the stuff, though command says they're all set. The FRG wouldn't have been able to make the request if the need wasn't verified with the units.

You people are the best! Paige, thank you so much!

Rane

pbans wrote:UPS guy just left.....all I can say is that Old Navy is going to have to restock.....and my UPS guy is going to need a chiropracter!

Conolulu wrote:Mark Mulligan has put a link to Operation Flip Flop on his homepage!!!

http://www.markmulligan.net/

OPERATION FLIP FLOP Want to do something really cool to help a wounded soldier in Iraq? My Parrothead friends have gotten together and put together a project that you'll want to check out. Just click http://operationflipflop.com , then do something good to help those guys who defend us from the folks who want to destroy us. God bless our troops.

Thanks, Mark!

pbans wrote:Got a great box of cd's today from Rick Steffen for the soldiers.....buzzed over to his website to check out the tunes.....give him a listen, I think he sounds great.....awesome instrumental stuff, great vocals, too..... soothing for the parrothead soul!!

http://www.keywestmusic.net/

pbans wrote:Just another update......
I'm STILL working on a shipping angle.....dammit! If I don't have anything nailed down by the end of the month, I'm going to start sending at least a box a week out and keep working on it!! I like the idea from Dan & Judy about contact my local representative......

The Wasatch Mountain Parrothead Club, who continue to amaze me and make me proud.....have set up a "Sew-a-thon"! We're going to get together and see how many pairs of pj pants we can put together in a day. Of course, I will primarily be there for moral support as my sewing skills are pretty limited....I'm good with scissors, though.....and hardly ever run with them!

I've contact our local elementary school.....school starts for us next week. The third grade teachers are going to have the kids write letters to the soldiers to include in the packages....maybe have the littler K/1st graders draw pictures......thought that would be a nice touch!

That's about it....things are sorted and ready to box up with some of each thing in each package....so they're all fairly consistent......

pbans wrote:YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!~!

Just got a call from the military affairs reporter for the local paper and they are coming out Monday with a photographer to do a story!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHA.......this is what I've been waiting for!

surfpirate wrote:
pbans wrote:
docandjeanie wrote:Can some one add the Mango Men and Jimmy and the Parrots to the list of tropical bands that have helped us.

www.yeamon.com Jimmy & the Parrots
www.themangomen.com Mango Men

Thanks for your help!!!

Jeanie
I'll drop a PM to Elrod!
I've added both to the following pages ....... http://www.phinpower.org/Links.html

Also tell Elrod he is welcome to use these images as he has the others on that page.

Am I missing any artists who are helping? So far I have:

<br>
<br>
<br>

Thanks!
~~~~ surfpirate

oops

surfpirate wrote:Peter Mayer Group and Scott Kirby added to the following pages ....... http://www.phinpower.org/Links.html

This is all of them (so far):

<br>
<br>
<br>

Thanks!
~~~~ surfpirate

pbans wrote:Caitlin and I set up a "representative sample" for the newspaper tomorrow....looks pretty cool, don't you think?

springparrot wrote:http://www.standard.net/live/news/112369

Great article Paige!!!!!!

'Sole'R power for the wounded
Tuesday, August 28, 2007

By Mitch Shaw
Standard-Examiner staff

A touch from home organized by Riverdale woman with a little help from her Parrothead friends
RIVERDALE -- Flip-flops and Jimmy Buffett fans have always gone hand in hand.

The singer-songwriter, best known for his island escapism lifestyle and music, has a group of local fans who are not only proving the accuracy of that statement, but taking it to an entirely different level.

Riverdale resident Paige Ansley has spearheaded "Operation Flip-flop," a charitable mission to send flip-flops and other supplies to help wounded combat soldiers get through their hospital stays in Iraq.

pbans wrote:KUTV (CBS Affiliate) NEWS IS ON THE WAY TO DO A STORY!!

pbans wrote:I will be "LIVE AT FIVE" on KUTV Channel 2........
http://kutv.com/

surfpirate wrote:I just posted this at www.phinpower.org .... thought I'd post it here as well!

Congrats to Paige on her promotional skills as well!! She is doing Operation FlipFlop proud!

Watch her interview on local KUTV in Utah at the following link ....... http://www.kutv.com.

Look to the right side of the page for the video images.

~~~~~~ surfpirate

pbans wrote:A few days ahead of schedule......

THE FIRST THREE BOXES ARE ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL!!

pbans wrote:FROM ANYSOLDIER.COM this morning.....

"If you have anybody that would write a wounded soldier, please enoucrage them to write PFC Mathew Taylor. At this time PFC Taylor is in the burn unit at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was the only survivor of five soldiers caught in an IED attack last month. Mathew was horribly injured and is barely hanging on to life. Cards and letters have been requested to help in the healing process. His mother reads them at this bedside.

IRS, c/o PFC Mathew Taylor
3400 Rawley E Chambers Ave.
Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234-7527

If you have a few minutes, drop PFC Taylor a card....I'll put together some cds to send him....and please, remember him in your prayers.

docandjeanie wrote:
pbans wrote:Another 60 pounds of flip flops, pajamas, boxers & cds on the way!
Still plenty to go out....but we're definitely MOVING now!

Here are a couple of recent articles about the 28th CSH:
Baghdad Hospital Busy Again

Non-Stop for the Next Five Months

Story Hits Home
Paige, that is great. These articles are so sad, I am glad we are doing what we can for them. None of this is possible with out YOU, big round of applause for Pagie.!!!!!!

BTW, my sister class wrote letters, I am getting them this weekend and will have them out to you then.

Jeanie

pbans wrote:Got the first thank you note from one of the soldiers today.....
SO SOME OF OUR STUFF IS THERE!!

They were very appreciative of everything, the ladies really appreciated the girl undies, Shannon!

I didn't really expect to hear anything, but it's so nice to know that packages are ARRIVING!!

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:
Tequila Revenge wrote:
pbans wrote:FROM ANYSOLDIER.COM this morning.....

"If you have anybody that would write a wounded soldier, please enoucrage them to write PFC Mathew Taylor. At this time PFC Taylor is in the burn unit at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was the only survivor of five soldiers caught in an IED attack last month. Mathew was horribly injured and is barely hanging on to life. Cards and letters have been requested to help in the healing process. His mother reads them at this bedside.

IRS, c/o PFC Mathew Taylor
3400 Rawley E Chambers Ave.
Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234-7527

If you have a few minutes, drop PFC Taylor a card....I'll put together some cds to send him....and please, remember him in your prayers.
I found out Matthew Taylor was from our community and one of my wife’s friends is very close with Matt’s mother. Matthew joined the military to honor his father, a career soldier who was killed in a traffic accident six months after he retired. Matthew passed away yesterday.

Subject: Re: Matthew Taylor

I received the email below this morning from my friend Jan. I think you all were praying for Patty and Mat over the past few months, but in case some of you are new to this, Mat is the young man who was seriously injured in the middle east several months back, his mom Patty is my friend from our church back in California. My heart breaks for Patty, I know how she is feeling now, the sadness and loss. I don't know what to say. We are praying for their hearts to feel God's comfort. I knew you would want to be praying for them as well. Our love to all.
Barb & Tom

Just wanted to let everyone know.....Mat went home to
be with his Heavenly Father, as well as his earthly
father, this morning. Let's keep Patty and Heather in
our prayers. He is out of pain and whole, but his
family will have a hole for a while. Pray for God's
loving support and comfort at this time
God bless
Jan

It’s good to know Matt received some cards to cheer up his last days from some Parrot Heads.
I was so sad when I heard the news yesterday on channel 3. I didn't know why this announcement seemed to hurt more than the others (they all make me cry ), but now I do...that bond that ties friends together in the most unexpected of ways. If you can, please let Mat's mom know she's in my prayers...and I'm sending my prayers up to the 'ville.

Sail on, Mat....thank you for your service.

Tequila Revenge wrote:Sept. 28, 2007- CP soldier dies from Afghanistan RPG wounds

By Wendy Schultz, Democrat staff writer

PFC. MATHEW TAYLOR of Cameron Park died Wednesday of injuries sustained from a rocket propelled grenade attack in Afghanistan. See story “CP soldier …”
On Wednesday, Sept. 26, Pfc. Mathew Taylor, 21, lost his battle to survive the injuries he suffered from a rocket propelled grenade attack in Afghanistan - and El Dorado County has lost a second serviceman to war.

For the past 10 weeks since the July 23 attack that killed five other American soldiers, Pfc. Taylor had been in Brooke Medical Center in Ft. Sam Houston in Texas with burns over 75 percent of his body, a collapsed lung, a broken left leg and right knee and shattered right ankle.

Taylor fought back through numerous skin grafts and amputations of both legs and three fingers and the thumb of his right hand with the support of his mother Patty Taylor and sister Heather Taylor. Several infections ravaged his body, eventually causing his death on Wednesday afternoon.

Navy petty officer Daniel Clark, a close friend of Taylor's, was recalled from deployment in Iraq three weeks early to support his friend, flying back and forth from his base to Texas to be with Taylor. When Taylor's infections made his death a strong probability, Clark and Taylor's sister, Heather, who had been commuting from Cameron Park to Texas, flew to Brooke Medical Center to be with him.

A family friend with whom Clark communicated the news of Taylor's death, said that both Clark and Heather Taylor were able to talk with Taylor before he died. Last week, Taylor, who had a tracheotomy tube in his throat and could not talk, had been blowing kisses to his sister.

Taylor lived in Cameron Park with his mother and sister, attending elementary schools in Rescue and Ponderosa High School. His father, Richard, had been killed in an automobile accident in 2003 and Taylor wanted to carry on his father's military tradition, according to his mother, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004. He served in the 173rd Airborne Infantry first in Vienza, Italy, and then was deployed to Afghanistan in May 2007. He was in a convoy in southeastern Afghanistan when the Humvee he was riding in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade.

“Mat wanted stories to tell,” said friends Brian Calanchini and Kristina Johnson. “He wanted to become an interesting person. He always called himself a ninja because he was so into martial arts. Calanchini and Johnson nicknamed Taylor “Vash” after a character in the Trigun animimated series who Taylor resembled.

The community had rallied around the Taylors, gearing up for fund-raisers to help with expenses, setting up a bank account at Umpqua Bank in the name of Patty A. Taylor, doing pet sitting and lawn mowing at the Taylor home and contacting ExpressJet for help with travel for Patty and Heather Taylor. ExpressJet had provided two round-trip travel vouchers for the Taylors.

Taylor is the second U.S. soldier from El Dorado County to meet his death as a result of the current war; the first, Lance Cpl. Brad Schuder of El Dorado Hills, was killed outside Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.

pbans wrote:Fifty more pounds out today.....

I thought about PFC Taylor as I was packing the boxes up.....it was with a heavy heart that we sent things out today.....the rainy day was pretty appropriate.

Tequila Revenge wrote:I read in the Sac Bee today Matt received between 50 and 90 greeting cards a day while he was in the hospital. He passed knowing people cared about him.

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:I wrote to the news station and asked them to add the video to their story about Mat....and got an email back saying that they would...and they did!

Here it is...short but still so profound...

http://www.kcra.com/news/14255373/detail.html

There's a little video box within the story.

Tequila Revenge wrote:Oct. 12, 2007- Services honor fallen soldier

By Wendy Schultz, Democrat staff writer

The California Honor Guard carries the casket of SPC Mathew Taylor into the Green Valley Community Church for memorial services yesterday. See story “Services …” Democrat photo by Dan Burkhart

On Thursday, Patty Taylor, 52, faced a parent's worst fear - the loss of a child - and faced it with grace as she and daughter Heather, 27, honored the life of her son, Army Specialist Mathew Taylor, during memorial services held at Green Valley Community Church.

“He was a daring, adventurous character,” said Patty Taylor. “He loved his skateboard, karate and roller blades and when he put his mind to something he wanted to do, there was no stopping him. One time when he and his dad and I went to one of the capitol buildings, he told us that he remembered being there with us before because he had told us he wanted to use the bathroom but what he really did was try to find the top of the building.”

Taylor's determination to pursue the things he loved led to teaching himself to play the guitar, but it's her son's generosity and loving spirit that Patty will miss most.

“In Awana Club he earned points and could purchase things in the Awana store. He never bought anything for himself; it was always something for his dad, his sister or me.”

Photographs of Mat Taylor playing tee ball, clowning with friends, laughing with family and playing with his pets were placed in the foyer of Green Valley church. His karate uniform and beloved guitars were on display, reminding mourners that there were many facets to Mat Taylor.

“He was a great, loyal person who watched out for his family and friends,” said Heather Taylor. “We were never short of entertainment when he was around.”

A mix of people - childhood friends, family, community members, Vietnam era members of the 173rd Airborne Infantry, VFW members and servicemen and women on leave from deployment attended the services. Pfc. Dale, Taylor's roommate, fellow basic trainee and member of the 173rd served as his unit's representative on leave from Afghanistan. Spc. Brandon Vilt, recently wounded in Iraq and still receiving training as an amputee, was in attendance.

“I went to grade school with Mat,” said Vilt, who returns to Iraq later this year.

VFW chaplain Tim Thompson, who witnessed the automobile death of Taylor's father, Richard Taylor, conducted the services. Friends spoke of adventures they had shared with Taylor: eating sushi, jumping down laundry chutes, pretending to be aliens from Pluto.

“He didn't die on a battlefield alone in a land filled with hate,” said friend Daniel Clark. “He died in a safe place surrounded by the love of his family and friends.”

Brig. Gen. Dana Pittard, commander of Ft. Irwin National Training Center, presented Pfc. Taylor's promotion to Army Specialist and awarded him the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart posthumously during the memorial service, after which military honors were performed by the California Honor Guard and shots were heard from the rifle guard stationed outside the church. Gen. Pittard presented to Patty Taylor the national flag that had been flown at half-mast at the State Capitol in her son's honor.

Spc. Taylor, 21, was wounded in southeastern Afghanistan on July 23 as he manned the gunnery hatch of a Humvee during a convoy patrol. The Humvee was hit by a rocket propelled grenade and Taylor was the only survivor from the vehicle in which four other members of Company D, “Havoc Company,” of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, were killed. Their four pictures flanked the portrait of Spc. Taylor at the memorial service.

Taylor was transferred to Brook Army Medical Center in Ft. Sam Houston, Tex., with burns over 75 percent of his body, a broken left leg and right knee, collapsed lung and shattered right ankle. During his hospitalization he endured numerous skin grafts and amputations of fingers and both legs, as well as several infections. On Sept. 26, Taylor died from his injuries surrounded by his mother, sister, aunt and several friends.

It was a memorial service imbued with military presence and honors, but what it really honored was the life of a friend, a guitar player, a brother, a video game addict and a determined spirit - Patty Taylor's son.

pbans wrote:
Dezdmona wrote:Paige, are you still active with this?

I'm on another (very small) forum that asked if there was anything they could do for the troops for Christmas.
Gaaaaaaaaaah, I want to be, but I'm still waiting for a new contact.
I still have a lot of things to ship!
My suggestion would be to refer them to anysoldier.com.......it's the quickest, easiest way to find contacts AND exactly what they need!

I'm thinking seriously about directing the rest of our stuff that way~!

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » December 15, 2007 9:27 am

Last week at this time, wheels were in motion for a really special day:

cocotel wrote:Now I'm stuck in between here at my typing machine trying to come up with some words that will last.

BN Phamily let me just say this...........THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

It has been a day of great joy for me and my girls unlike one have had in a long, long time.

Here's the run down of how our day went:

We all had some breakfast. I made a call to my brother in law and left the keets to decorate the tree.
Maggie came outside while I was talking and told me they had finished. It was time to check out their handy work.
So I made my way into the house to find a tree that could be on the cover of Southern Living!! They did an incredible job pholks!!!!
The hospital called and told me how Maria's night went. OH!! Forgot to mention they had called at 10:30 and 2:30 overnight to tell me she was being moved back to the ICU because her breathing was not at all good. They wanted me to know although it was serious she still was stable but felt it would be best to not take any chances.
Back to the morning to around 11:00 a.m. now. BG called to let me know she was at her hotel. We talked for a few minutes and agreed on a 1:00 meet up time. The girls had their bathing suits, towels, and a buzz that could only come from being told they were going swimming in December.
To the hotel we went. Met up with BG around 1:30 and the keets went to her room to change for the indoor pool.
They jumped right in!!!! Not only to the pool but with conversation with BG as well!!
It was like visiting with an old friend for them. For me, still overwhelmed she would spend her weekend with us.
At around 3:30 we finally got them out of the pool, changed and made our way to the hospital. I knew they would not allow the girls into the ICU but all that was important was to see Maria and speak with the staff.
They didn't want me to enter into the room so from a distance behind a glass door I watched as she breathed. I took a look at all her vitals, spoke with the nurse and before I knew it, they were just about whisking me out the door.
I achieved what was important........seeing her even if only for a moment was good to me.
I feel so bad BG nor the girls could see her but I try to keep telling myself it's only temporary.
So we all met back up outside the unit and made our way to the elevator. Began the trek back to the house so the girls could show off their tree work. I was going to suggest we go eat then stop at the house before we took her back to the hotel for the night. BG did this thing with her phone and I really thought she had some kind of voice activated voicemail but all along something was in the works.
All day I had no idea or even thoughts that something like this would have happend.
The traffic was very heavy heading home causing us to take a good 15 minutes longer than normal. We turned into the neighborhood, down to our street and from what it looked like our neighbors house was all decorated. Even when we came to our driveway it still was incomprehensible what I was seeing. First thought was maybe some friends from church or some neighbors did this. Then I saw the flip flops on the bushes, the pink flamingos all over the walk way, the lights, the PHIN POWER written on the sleigh. I know I said it in my head and BG will have to tell us later if I said it out loud but all I remember thinking was, "What did she do?!?!"
I didn't pull forward all the way beacuse the view from the van was just so cool. So I shut down the van as we all got out to get an up close look. We're walking closer and from the side of the house her comes Scott (Tar Heel Tailgator) with his wife Elissa. Then Dave (gingerbreadman).
I about passed out pholks. Elissa said, "Breath Albert, breath!!."
On the stairs they had different colored bags with flamingo cut outs and candles lit inside them. The lights were on the bushes, on the porch. Then there was the 6 ft. tree on the front porch. Not decorated, just there. BG grabs this bag and says, "Hang some angels on that tree." I couldn't stand up pholks, just couldn't do it. So she gave the girls the bag. THey began hanging the angels each with a BNr's screen name. THe girls read them as they hung them. It was just beautiful and it will remain on our front porch as a testimony of just how generous our BN Phamily truly is.
I'm probably not doing justice to this incredible thing tonight. Probably need to breath a little better here.

This was a magical day/night pholks. I have been in complete shock and apologize to BG, Scott, Elissa and Dave if I was so out of it.

Just when I thought our Phamily had done so much, so much more came.
This is still a battle pholks but there is no way we won't win the war together.
I am a better man because of this Phamily. A better dad, husband and friend because of you all.
I am the luckiest man on this earth.
So lucky and blessed to call you all more than friends, your Phamily.

More tomrrow pholks, my emotions are taking over again.

I so love each and everyone.
Albert

balcony girls wrote:. .gonna make a brief recap here . . . just to express what a TOUCHING 24 hours I just spent . . . . .

. . but for now . . .

. . I came away from this weekend with a heart FULL of love . . . there is no way to describe the goodness that came from a few hours spent with special people . . .all there to share a love and compassion for Maria, Albert, and their girls. . .

. .it was magical . . .and . .wow. . .just, wow. . .

. .gonna put it all on paper . . .so I don't leave anything out . . .then I will post it . . . but do expect a " full report " soon . .

. .but for now . . .please, my friends. . . appreciate those you have and love . . make sure to let them know it . . .

cocotel wrote:Hey there pholks.

It has been another whirlwind day here for us all.
Some friends of ours took me and the girls to Ragazzi's for lunch early afternoon. Didn't even get to sip my tea and the cell phone rang.
It was the resident doctor from the ICU calling about how she felt it was very important I get there a.s.a.p. because Maria was almost at the point where they were going to have to tube her again.
She and the attending felt the need for me to come sit and talk with them about what was going on.
They didn't sound to positive..........at all.

Jeff told me he would drive me so Donna grabbed my keys and let the girls finish their meal and after that she along with her daughter would take them home.
Off we went to UNC. Jeff is so easy going, slow talking, about as country as they come but he took off like a jack rabbit on a date in that Ford Focus. We made it to UNC in 30 minutes and if you ask BG after the ride I took her on, it's at least an hour drive.

Got there, met with the resident doctor but no one could find the attending. She painted this very bleak picture about how tubing her probably would only prolong things. She may be suffering and we not even know it she said.
To be quite honest it was so bad she all but said that's all we can do for her. I looked at Jeff who looked shocked.
Again the nurse just went on about how she was "very sick." THere's just not much left we can do that's going to help her come out of this.

I slumped over and began to cry because again here we are in a horrible predictamnet. Again it's all raining down and what the heck do you do?

I told the doctor that if she knew Maria was suffering something awful and if tubing her would only prolong that pain there was no way I could sit back and let that happen. But if tubing her would open the door for her to regain her strength, then let's do it. Where does the pattern show? What is the right call? What proof do you have to show us rither choice is the right one?
MRI, CT scans, x-rays all showed heavy fluid build up on her lungs. They started giving her lasiks to help her pee it out. The anitbiotics were not having much effect today.
So we walked back to the room and I beagan talking to her. I told her that I needed her to queeze my hand, to look up at me, to raise those eyebrows. Give me something that was going to show she was still there and still fighting.
Nothing. No eyes open. No eyebrows moving. No hand clenching.
I walked out of the room and watched her blood pressure continue to drop, then her heart rate go from 80 beats per minute back up to 120.
Her oxygen levels began to drop drasticly. They had to move to oxygen mask intake up to 90%. It was almost time to tube her again if there was to be any hope.
Our friend Betty who works in the pharmacy and lives only three miles from the hospital was sitting right beside her when she jumps up and starts screaming. "Albert!!!! Get in here ...........now!!!!! She's trying to open her eyes. She trying to move her head. Her legs are moving upward."
I ran into the room to the bedside. Began speaking to her. Then she opens her eyes and looks directly into mine. I asked her if she was in pain. She shook her head no. Then asked her if she could hear me. Head shaking yes.
Here's the miracle.
Her blood pressure goes from 68/35 to 95/60. Then to 105/69.
Heart beats per minute from 125+ down to 85-.
They took her down to 70% oxygen and she beagn breathing better.
Abosulte miracle that can not be explained away.
The attending doctor finally made it there. He looke at her chart, then the board. He walks out the door and grabs the chart from the fellow across from Maria just to be sure he had the right one.
Pulls me to the side and said, "Whatever you were just told. That's not going to be happening right now."

We stayed for another 5 hours pholks. She continued to come in and out looking at us, squezzing our hands, raising her eyebrows, looking around.
Vitals still looking good.

Said before and I'm saying it again. This girl aint done yet.

Just spoke with the nurses station. All still the same. No changes. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Me and the girls are still on a high from last night. Roller coaster day but it sure was nice coming home and lighting up the outside lights.

More tomorrow.
Good night pholks.

Tarheel Tail-Gator wrote:so, I was going to write this sometime tonight, but after reading Albert's latest post, well......

It's not a matter of what we did yesterday, but why we did it.

For Elissa and I, in some respects it's a "pay it forward" thing that we do each year (we call it SantaMax, another story for another day)

But, honestly it's because in the many readings and in the few times that I've met them, the Cocotels are real special people and Albert and the girls deserve a few smiles as their family continues to fight (with amazing attitudes) the battle that Maria's conditions have put them through for close to two years.

Albert has absolutely amazed me with the energy (almost always positive) that he has put forth to support his wife and the ability to also love and provide for his girls in the most difficult of times.

And the girls (Hannah, Katherine, and Maggie) are amazing, energetic young women who seem to take all of this in stride although you know that all they could ever want is to have their Mommy healthy again.

The times that I've met Maria, her spirit is an amazing spirit, and her attitude is great as well. I can only imagine the fight she's been through and yet she continues to amaze.

In being with the Cocotel family and in being in their house, you can't help but get the feeling that Maria is a special, special person. Above their bed in their bedroom hangs Albert and Maria's wedding portrait (Albert just had to show it to us the other night). As Albert describes it, Maria did not want a typical portrait. Instead, you see an image of a young couple casually posed against the side wall of an oceanfront structure at their favorite place (Albert told me where, but I don't remember the details) They are dressed stylishly, yet casual and are gazing into each other's eyes.

What was absolutely striking about the image is that it absolutely captures the passion that they have for each other and projects (heck, it shines with high-beams) a flair and zest for life that is amazing for a still image.

Their daughters are amazing young women. You can definitely see "their momma" in their looks, expressions and actions.

So why did we do what we did...while I can't answer for each individual I think it's because those girls deserve some semblance of a Christmas miracle and they needed to see (and they do see every day through your letters and cards) that quite simply, there are lots of people who love their Mom, appreciate their Dad and are supporting them!

Hopefully, our Extreme Yard Makeover provided that message... and thanks to the giving of BG (she won't let me call her Cindy and even had the girls calling her BG), Dave, Janice (who did some amazing shopping including finding the baby flamingoes phlock that now resides in Albert's front yard, Elissa, TikiBar, (my friend Bill Malone who I "recruited" to help me build the sleigh) and others, everytime they turn on those lights and see that amazing angel tree on their front porch (which has the name of every BNer who has posted on this thread) they will feel that support.

Please keep those thoughts, posts, cards and prayers coming so our "angel nurse" in ICU can keep Maria in positive thoughts and keep lifting up Albert and the girls as well.

In the spirit of BN and all of the BNers who make this board a special place, God Bless and Merry Christmas!

balcony girls wrote:. .gonna start my recap of this past weekend. . . I'll remember things as I go . . and will just add on . .

. . I landed in Raleigh at a little after 9:00 a.m. . had already fought with Albert about coming to pick me up, since my hotel was 1/2 mile from the airport, with a free shuttle. . .

. . . he had some things to do with the girls, and it (thankfully) gave me some time to write the names on all our BN Angels. . . . .whew. . almost a HUNDRED of them . . ! !

. . I had picked the Hilton, since they had an indoor pool . . so the girls could come for an afternoon swim . . as soon as they drove into the parking lot, all I saw were hands waving, then they almost bolted from the car to come give hugs all around. . ! !

. . one of the first things I noticed . .it looked like I was seeeing three tiny little Marias running toward me . . all had beautiful long dark hair . . and eyes that let you see straight to their souls . . and of course my Coco didn't disappoint . . he was carrying an overloaded cooler of Coronas. . .! !

. . after a nice visit while the girls had the run of the swimming pool . . I was still trying to work out my plan as to how to get to their house . . sooooo when he told me the girls had put up the Christmas Tree . .I said " I WANT TO SEE IT . . . REEEEALY BAD " . .! ! . . . . all this time I was also trying to send " secretive " messages to Scott . .to let him know what time to expect us . . . they had made it down around 1:00 and by 2-ish, had eveything in place. .

. . then around 3:30 Albert said . . " before we go to the house, let's just run by the Hospital, if you don't mind, so I can spend a few minutes with the Doctors . . " . . I had told him earlier that it was not important for me to even see Maria if it didn't work out . . just being there, and getting my hugs from them, was enough " . . so I stayed with the girls in the Waiting Room while he visited. . (more on this later ) . .

. .he knew I understood, but when he came out . .he looked so drained . . and kinda nervous . . like there were many sad/confusing thoughts going on in his head, and in his heart . .

. . we kept the conversation light on the drive down to their house. . and it gave him time to re-compose . . . I have never in my life seem a person so strong . . and able to keep it together like he does. . it really is amazing to watch, first hand . . . .and verrry humbling . .

. .gonna end this much for now . .

. .got to blow my nose a bit . .

. . let me just say . .

. .

balcony girls wrote:. .whew. . .now that I got the " teary " part over . . . here are some feel goods from our visit . .

. . it seems our " secret yard makeover " went off without Albert even having a clue . . we turned on to their street . . and I watched his face change. . " girls . .? ? . . it looks like someone has decorated our front yard . . LOOOOK . .! ! "

. .that's when the squeeling began . . " who Daddy . .? ? . . WHO . .? " . . he only pulled in the driveway just a bit . . and said " don't know. . don't see anyone. . . but there's a truck parked down the street . . " . . about that time the " dark of night ( and day ) bandits " appeared from the side of the house . . ! ! . . I have no idea how long they had been hiding out . . . but I had told Scott from the Waiting Room . . " the next time you hear my voice means we are on the way . . . " ( so I left a completely doofus message to imaginary TikiB. . ) . . only I had no idea it would take almost an hour to get there . . ! !

. .there were many genuine hugs all around again. . and Albert's face was actually beaming thru rather " shiny" eyes . .

. .I was so taken aback at what a great display my partners had put out . . about 12 little marching flamingos line the walk way . . there are strings of flamingo lights along the front porch roof and railing . . a garland of real flipflops line all the front bushes . . and the sleigh . . a perfectly decked out one complete with large flamingos at the ready . .including a fin that reads Phin Power . . an oversized glass brimming with Rum Swizzle Power sitting in the driver's seat. . . . there were luminaries with cut outs of flamingos that lined both sides of the 8 (?) steps up to the front porch, that looked like it was MADE for our special gift . . the tall tree . . ready for decorating . .

. . we all stood there for a bit . . Scott had confiscated the cooler . .so we lifted a toast to all . . . and just like Albert said . . he honestly had to sit in the rocker while the girls put all the Angels on the tree . . .

. . man. . . this nose needs to be emptied again. .

. .be back in a bit with more. .

gingerbreadman wrote:The Angel Tree

gingerbreadman wrote:

gingerbreadman wrote:Just a couple more...

Tiki Bar · Post by **Tiki Bar** » December 28, 2007 3:16 pm

phjim wrote:Every once in a while we do miss a story or two. Here's an interesting story that Casey posted in her blog on PursueGoodStuff back in September of this year. Jimmy Buffett performed a show at the Sunset Saloon back on Sept 15th for the Surfers Healing organization (after helping out autistic kids surf that day in Montauk).

On Friday of our trip, Claire invited us to Ditch Plains Beach to hangout while she volunteered her time to an organization called Surfers Healing. This amazing group that takes autistic kids into the ocean to surf. When I learned about it from Claire, it made perfect sense to me that going into the ocean had therapeutic effects on autistic kids. It has always had a therapeutic effect on me. My daughter and I spent the whole day building sand castles and watching surfers from all over the country take kids out on surf boards. It was truly inspiring to watch these kids surf. Their faces said it all. Everyone cheered at each success. Everyone worked together to create a magical day filled with companionship and healing. (I encourage you to read about it at their website.) I felt hugely lucky to be on the sidelines.

<table><tr><td valign="top"></td><td valign="top"><font class="postbody"><em>

Later that evening, the volunteers, supporters and some families gathered at the local surfer hangout Sunset Saloon. And, as a special treat, a regular surfer at Ditch Plains Beach offered to sing a few tunes to thank the group for the day. This is where Jimmy Buffett comes in...yes, "the" Jimmy Buffett sat on a stool with a guitar, and a buddy played the bongos and congas, and he sang for the group.

When he started to sing, my daughter put down her third fish taco and weaved her way through the small "crowd" and sat down on the floor in front of him. I crawled my way up to join her. She was mesmerized. After a few songs, Jimmy reached down for his drink and my daughter asked me (loudly), "Mama, what is that man drinking?" Jimmy laughed and good heartedly responded, "it's not apple juice." Then we all laughed. </em></font></td></tr></table><em>

We sat there for a few more songs and then crawled back out to let someone else have the floor seats. We found our away around a deck that put us directly behind Jimmy and the drum player. On the way around, my daughter asked me if "that man would sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat for me." I thought it was so cute I shared the story with "Aunt Claire" while we stood on the deck listening and humming to our favorite Buffett songs.

As he got near the end of his "show" he talked a bit and asked if anyone had any requests. Claire, with my daughter in her arms, simply said, "she wants to hear Row, Row, Row Your Boat." So, with a few words about how "he never does this" and a promise from the group to join in the round..."that man" Jimmy Buffett sang to my daughter.

It has been a difficult year for my daughter and me. My divorce from her father has presented many challenges for both of us. But every night we sing songs together and it all just floats away. It's like the power of the waves.

I will forever be grateful to my friend Claire for giving me the gift of being near the ocean. I will always be humbled by the strength of the families that came to the beach that day. And I will always be thankful to Jimmy Buffett for granting my daughter her wish.</em>

Casey posted the complete story in her blog on September 27th along with some pictures of her.

balcony girls · Post by **balcony girls** » December 29, 2007 12:19 pm

. .gonna BTT this . .just for all the smiles and tears it brought me today . .

. .

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 29, 2007 11:50 pm

Really "Good Stuff!"

phjim wrote:Every once in a while we do miss a story or two. Here's an interesting story that Casey posted in her blog on PursueGoodStuff back in September of this year. Jimmy Buffett performed a show at the Sunset Saloon back on Sept 15th for the Surfers Healing organization (after helping out autistic kids surf that day in Montauk).

<table><tr><td valign="top"></td><td valign="top"><font class="postbody"><em>
Later that evening, the volunteers, supporters and some families gathered at the local surfer hangout Sunset Saloon. And, as a special treat, a regular surfer at Ditch Plains Beach offered to sing a few tunes to thank the group for the day. This is where Jimmy Buffett comes in...yes, "the" Jimmy Buffett sat on a stool with a guitar, and a buddy played the bongos and congas, and he sang for the group.

When he started to sing, my daughter put down her third fish taco and weaved her way through the small "crowd" and sat down on the floor in front of him. I crawled my way up to join her. She was mesmerized. After a few songs, Jimmy reached down for his drink and my daughter asked me (loudly), "Mama, what is that man drinking?" Jimmy laughed and good heartedly responded, "it's not apple juice." Then we all laughed. </em></font></td></tr></table><em>
We sat there for a few more songs and then crawled back out to let someone else have the floor seats. We found our away around a deck that put us directly behind Jimmy and the drum player. On the way around, my daughter asked me if "that man would sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat for me." I thought it was so cute I shared the story with "Aunt Claire" while we stood on the deck listening and humming to our favorite Buffett songs.

As he got near the end of his "show" he talked a bit and asked if anyone had any requests. Claire, with my daughter in her arms, simply said, "she wants to hear Row, Row, Row Your Boat." So, with a few words about how "he never does this" and a promise from the group to join in the round..."that man" Jimmy Buffett sang to my daughter. </em>

Casey posted the complete story in her blog on September 27th along with some pictures of her.

phjim wrote:Here's the full blog entry that Casey posted back on September 27, 2007:

On Friday of our trip, Claire invited us to Ditch Plains Beach to hangout while she volunteered her time to an organization called Surfers Healing. This amazing group that takes autistic kids into the ocean to surf. When I learned about it from Claire, it made perfect sense to me that going into the ocean had therapeutic effects on autistic kids. It has always had a therapeutic effect on me. My daughter and I spent the whole day building sand castles and watching surfers from all over the country take kids out on surf boards. It was truly inspiring to watch these kids surf. Their faces said it all. Everyone cheered at each success. Everyone worked together to create a magical day filled with companionship and healing. (I encourage you to read about it at their website.) I felt hugely lucky to be on the sidelines.

Later that evening, the volunteers, supporters and some families gathered at the local surfer hangout Sunset Saloon. And, as a special treat, a regular surfer at Ditch Plains Beach offered to sing a few tunes to thank the group for the day. This is where Jimmy Buffett comes in...yes, "the" Jimmy Buffett sat on a stool with a guitar, and a buddy played the bongos and congas, and he sang for the group.

When he started to sing, my daughter put down her third fish taco (she is 2 and half, but the fish tacos are particularly good) and weaved her way through the small "crowd" and sat down on the floor in front of him. I crawled my way up to join her. She was mesmerized. After a few songs, Jimmy reached down for his drink and my daughter asked me (loudly), "Mama, what is that man drinking?" Jimmy laughed and good heartedly responded, "it's not apple juice." Then we all laughed.

We sat there for a few more songs and then crawled back out to let someone else have the floor seats. We found our away around a deck that put us directly behind Jimmy and the drum player. On the way around, my daughter asked me if "that man would sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat for me." I thought it was so cute I shared the story with "Aunt Claire" while we stood on the deck listening and humming to our favorite Buffett songs.

As he got near the end of his "show" he talked a bit and asked if anyone had any requests. Claire, with my daughter in her arms, simply said, "she wants to hear Row, Row, Row Your Boat." So, with a few words about how "he never does this" and a promise from the group to join in the round..."that man" Jimmy Buffett sang to my daughter.

It has been a difficult year for my daughter and me. My divorce from her father has presented many challenges for both of us. But every night we sing songs together and it all just floats away. It's like the power of the waves.

I will forever be grateful to my friend Claire for giving me the gift of being near the ocean. I will always be humbled by the strength of the families that came to the beach that day. And I will always be thankful to Jimmy Buffett for granting my daughter her wish.

pbans · Post by **pbans** » December 30, 2007 12:33 am

::::tear::::

yeah, this is a pretty cool joint to hang out at......

flipflopgirl · Post by **flipflopgirl** » December 30, 2007 6:51 am

pbans wrote:::::tear::::

yeah, this is a pretty cool joint to hang out at......

YUP!!!!

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 30, 2007 3:30 pm

Miles' Broadcast on RM tonight . .

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... &start=540

Tiki Bar wrote:If you read through this thread, conched posted a lot of the lyrics to the songs, and many people commented on some of the extra meaningful ones.

Here are the songs played, with the links to the Maria tributes, and transcripts inserted. Pretty cool!!

James Taylor Copperline 7:58:10 PM
The Eagles Hotel California 8:02:19 PM
Mac McAnally Just One Forever 8:09 PM
Maria Decubellis Remembering ''Rum Swizzle'' 8:12:02 PM

gingerbreadman wrote:Left the whole song in there... Jimmy can come and get me!
Lovely Cruise Dedication to Maria (~5mb)
Miles: It’s Radio Margaritaville Sirius 31 Miles Hampton, and Mac McAnally “Just Want Forever”. Here’s a sad email from Tiki Bar, one of the moderators on the Jimmy Buffett fan site, BuffettNews.com.

"Maria Decubellis passed away Monday night around 10:30pm EST. Her BN name was "rum swizzle", and her husband Albert is "cocotel". They, along with daughters Hannah, Katherine, and Maggie, made their way into all of our hearts. They have taught us all lessons of amazing strength, character, courage, and love.

Maria was diagnosed with Leukemia on December 15, 2005, and had a bone marrow transplant in May of 2006. Miles: She was a huge Jimmy Buffett fan of course. She and Albert were supposed to go to Jimmy's Saturday November 3rd Tampa show, but early that day Maria developed excruciating pain in her side and neck, and they rushed home to the Raleigh area that night, getting her to the UNC hospital to receive care from her doctors. She was home for a couple days early the next week, but suffering from an infection called nocardia, she was rushed back to the ICU a few days later, and remained in the hospital for the duration.

On Friday November 2nd, the night before the concert they missed, they met up with many, many friends from across the country for a sunset cruise out of Treasure Island. They were special moments with some of the people who love them, and most of the pictures of Albert and Maria in everyone's sig lines were taken aboard that lovely cruise...

We were wondering if you could play "Lovely Cruise" for Maria..."

Miles: A lovely feather flash for you Maria… sail on.

Jimmy Buffett Lovely Cruise 8:13:28 PM

Reactions started here in the “set list” thread…
http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... c&start=20

(Weird… listening to gbm’s recording, and after Lovely Cruise, it went into Peter Mayer’s “Faith in Angels”… I had to look at the “set list” again, but realized it was just next on my play list. Nice though!)

Ziggy Marley Tomorrow People 8:17:17 PM
Natalie Merchant Carnival 8:20:41 PM
Bossacucanova Previsao 8:24:40 PM
Steely Dan Show Biz Kids 8:27:36 PM
Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville 8:32:57 PM

gingerbreadman wrote:Dedication part 2
Miles: Went on BuffettNews just to see if anybody heard me, and they did. You guys are good people over there. God bless rumswizzle. You know? We'll miss her. Read an email from a mermaid. docandjeanie also advised me of the passing of Maria. Thank you all for the emails, and uh, our hearts go out to the three young girls.

The Beatles Across The Universe 8:38:25 PM
Jimmy Buffett In My Room 8:41:48 PM
Little Feat Things Happen 8:44:18 PM
Toots & The Maytals Premature 8:48:27 PM
Bob Marley & The Wailer Roots, Rock, Reggae 8:52:22 PM
Robert Greenidge If I Never See You Again 8:55:45 PM
Guy Clark Texas 1947 9:01:10 PM
Jackson Browne Running On Empty 9:04:19 PM
Jimmy Buffett Why Don't We Get Drunk... 9:09:32 PM
Jimmy Buffett Jolly Mon Sing 9:12:30 PM
Bonnie Raitt God Was in the Water 9:15:44 PM
Ka'au Crater Boys Opihi Man 9:20:39 PM
Jack Johnson If I Had Eyes 9:23:49 PM
Jimmy Buffett Domino College 9:27:44 PM
Third World Committed 9:31:57 PM
Scotch My Chair 9:35:25 PM
Jimmy Buffett In The Shelter 9:42:39 PM
Busty Brown To Love Somebody 9:46:44 PM
Ray Charles I Chose To Sing The Blues 9:50:00 PM
Pablo Cruise A Place In The Sun 9:52:21 PM
Jackie Brenston Rocket 88 9:57:44 PM
Buena Vista Social Club Chan Chan 10:00:29 PM
War Summer 10:04:46 PM
Jerry Jeff Walker Come Away To Belize With 10:11:10 PM
Jimmy Buffett Love And Luck 10:15:50 PM
Delroy Wilson Better Must Come 10:21:02 PM
Glenn Frey True Love 10:23:30 PM
Miles Hampton RM Request Line Calls 10:28:01 PM

gingerbreadman wrote:Just the BN Phone Calls
Miles: All right, let’s check in with parrotheads on the phone. The number’s 866 55 Parrot… no you don’t have to dial the T, ok, so it’s 866 55 Parro if your phone doesn’t work correctly. (The setlisters were commenting on it being too many numbers.) Let’s call right now, who’s this, and where are you calling from?

Hi Miles, it’s Nancy in Texas… great show tonight. (conched)

Miles: Thank you.

Hello Miles. This is Cindi, one of the balcony girls. As you know, we at BuffettNews lost a special friend Maria on Monday. She’s married to Albert, and had three precious girls that were left behind. I’d ask that you play the song “Three Little Birds” in honor of Hannah, Katherine, and Maggie. Hugs to you little ones… your mommy loves you.

Miles: BuffettNews.com, one of the fan sites for Jimmy, where they lost one of their own feathered friends.

Hey Miles, this is Carolinadreamin’ from BuffettNews.

Hello, this is Tiki Bar calling from BuffettNews.

Miles: I know what you’re all calling about… it’s so sad, for Maria, let’s play “Three Little Birds”…

Bob Marley & The Wailers Three Little Birds 10:30:38 PM

Miles: Bob Marley, Three Little Birds for Rum Swizzle’s girls. K, don’t you worry about a thing, everything’s gonna be allright. Momma’s watching for you in Heaven now, ok.

Jimmy Buffett Trip Around The Sun 10:33:34 PM
Jimmy Buffett A Sailor's Christmas 10:36:49 PM
The Beach Boys Long Promised Road 10:41:41 PM
Jimmy Buffett Carnival World 10:48:51 PM
Mark Knopfler Punish The Monkey 10:52:37 PM
Al Anderson Let's Get Away For The Weekend 10:57:06 PM
Santana Oye Como Va 11:00:50 PM
Robert Palmer Every Kinda People 11:05:11 PM
Jimmy Buffett w/ Alan Jackson Barefootin' 11:08:23 PM
Kassav' Rete 11:15:30 PM
Lyle Lovett Cryin' Shame 11:20:30 PM
Van Morrison Come Running 11:23:29 PM
Jimmy Buffett Brown Eyed Girl 11:25:56 PM
Wastin' Away Again... Radio Margaritavi 11:29:32 PM
Bob Marley & The Wailers Soul Rebel 11:29:37 PM
The Four Tops Baby I Need Your Lovin' 11:32:47 PM
Jimmy Buffett with Martin Den Quiet Village 11:39:50 PM
The Grateful Dead Crazy Fingers 11:40:55 PM
Willie Nelson I Guess I've Come To Live Here 11:47:30 PM
Tim Finn Not Even Close 11:50:50 PM
João Bosco Vatapá 11:55:17 PM
John Hiatt Have A Little Faith In Me 11:58:39 PM
Jimmy Buffett Cairo 12:02:24 AM
UB40 Impossible Love 12:05:47 AM
The Eagles The Long Run 12:10:27 AM
The Eagles Frail Grasp On The Big Picture 12:13:58 AM
Jimmy Buffett Boat Drinks 12:19:44 AM
Lord Kitchener Batty Mamselle 12:22:19 AM
The Beach Boys Catch A Wave 12:26:13 AM
Marshall Chapman I Love Everybody 12:28:27 AM
Bill Payne Dance Town 12:30:55 AM
Jimmy Buffett They Don't Dance Like Car 12:36:26 AM
Dan Fogelberg The Reach 12:39:24 AM
Toots & The Maytals Funky Kingston 12:45:29 AM
The Band I Shall Be Released 12:50:15 AM
Jimmy Buffett Trip Around The Sun 12:53:30 AM

creeky wrote:speechless ....

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 30, 2007 4:04 pm

History of Phin Power

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63742

jonesbeach10 wrote:Seems like we've been giving it out by the bucketloads here recently (not that it's entirely a bad thing- I know we're always more than happy to send it out!)

Anyway, it got me wondering about the history of Phin Power. Who coined the term? When was the first time it was used? Does it predate BN?

Questions that bother me so

balcony girls wrote:
SMLCHNG wrote:If my memory serves, I *THINK* it was ph4ever, Connie. Years ago. PHIN is Parrot Head In Need.

Others can correct me if I'm wrong.
. .that's how I remember it . . ! !

. .oh. . . and might I add. . .it IS magical . .! !

surfpirate wrote:........ PLUG ..........

Consider visiting the following link ....... http://www.phinpower.org. And perhaps joining the accompanying forum ...... http://www.phinpower.org/forum/index.php.

It's a community that enjoyed rapid growth in the spring and early summer this year, but momentum has stalled somewhat lately.

Good things can happen when Parrotheads band together.

~~~~~~~~~ surfpirate

PackPhanGirl wrote:
SMLCHNG wrote: PHIN is Parrot Head In Need.
awww...that makes awesomely good sense!! I always assumed it was a take on the ph for fins! I swear I learn something new everyday here!!

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 30, 2007 4:15 pm

The passing of a truly amazing lady, my hero, my mom!

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63409

ParrotHeadInThe Making wrote:I debated whether or not to post this as I am still somewhat new to BN. However, if I can't talk to fellow parrot heads through the worst time in my life I think there would be something extremely wrong.

About 17 days ago my mother was rushed to the hospital. She had been having issues with her lungs since the end of September, and the doctors were treating her with steroids and inhalers. However, mom had more times when she had extreme difficulty breathing. Finally, she had to go to the emergency room where she was admitted for further treatment and testing. A chest x-ray revealed fluid behind the lungs in the lung space. They tapped her lung and managed to drain 2 pounds of fluid. Tests on the fluid revealed cancer cells in the fluid. We do not know to this day exactly what kind of cancer this was. Mom had some relief for a day or so, but then the fluid kept building up, and she could not breathe.

Last Thursday she had a procedure done that removed 1 gallon of fluid from behind the lung space. Cancer was found in the rib cage, the lining of the left lung, and n the lung itself. It was touch and go from here on in. Mom spent a couple of days on a ventilator. She was taken off the ventilator last Sunday and seemed to be doing fine. However, Monday mom was not coming out of the sedating medications the way they would have wished, and she was unable to cough up the secretions that were in her lungs. A decision was made to put her back o the ventilator for the short term, and we hoped that this would work. It killed me to see mom on the ventilator.

They removed the ventilator on Wednesday, and she seemed to be doing better, but we could not be doing a happy dance just yet, because she could take a turn for the worst at any time. Thursday was even better. She was smiling, laughing, sitting in a char, and aware of her surroundings. However, this good day was gift from God to my dad.

Yesterday morning at around 10:00 my sister called me and told me that she was on her way to get me, because it was time to say goodbye to mom. Mom was not readily responding to commands, and her left lung was totally collapsed. The very kind doctor explained to my dad that mom was tired and that her poor little body just could not fight anymore. Mom was put on a bi-PAP mask to prolong things to allow some time for us to come to talk with her one last time.

People, it really is a testimony to a person when within 2.5 hours 14 people are gathered at mom's bedside. Her four biological children were there, some of her step children that she raised as her own were there, and grandchildren were there. We all took our time to say goodbye to mom individually.

Then the doctor came in and explained to dad that having mom on the bi-PAP mask was merely prolonging her life, and once the mask was removed, she would be gone. Dad talked to us and explained that he could not in good conscience allow mom to linger on anymore. We still had children ad grandchildren flying in, but we also did not want mom to suffer. We were behind dad 100%.

After a prayer was said and special bible verses were read, the nurse removed the mask. My dad then gave me the ultimate gift. He asked that I be brought to mom so that I could touch her face one last time. I touched her face, sang one of her favorite hymns in her ear, held her hand, and told her that it was time for her to stop fighting and that it was okay to rest. We all gathered at her bedside, talked to her, touched her, and told her how much we loved her. Then as if on Q my brother said "ready?" We then sang with gusto a night night song that mom wrote for us when we were babies. It goes like this:

Goodnight goodnight goodnight my little girl, boy, or in this case, little mom
I'll give you a kiss and a great big hug
I'll see you in the morning love
Goodnight good night goodnight my little mom.

Then my sister Terry and I sang her another little song that she wrote for us called the I Love You Song. As the final notes rang out mom made her journey to the arms of God.

As devastating as this is for my family and I, I can safely tell you that all of us in that room with mom yesterday would not have traded this experience for the world. It was an honor and a privilege for me to hold the hand of this amazing woman who gave birth to me, raised me, worked very hard to make sure that her blind daughter would have every opportunity in the world to be no different than everyone else, and be with her as she left this world to go to that better place where she is now healed and not suffering anymore.

I know that this is a very long post, and I know that will be a tough read, but it really helps me to write all of this down, so thank you for taking the time to listen. Maybe I will be able to get some sleep tonight

ParrotHeadInThe Making wrote:I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and support during this very sad and difficult time. Being the somewhat new parrot head on the block I did not know if I could post something like this here, but it is sure nice to know that we can post things through good times and bad times.

We had mom's funeral on Tuesday. I really hesitate to call her service a funeral as it really was a celebration of her wonderful ride on this earth. We laughed, and we certainly cried. My sister Mary-lynn read the bible verses that she read at mom's bedside the day mom passed away. Mary-Lyn also read something that my sister Terry wrote. Terry could not bring herself to read. My brother Dick read a letter that my brother Mark had written to mom 29 years ago before he was killed in a naval accident, and Dick read something that he had written. Then I sang. I d did not screw it up. I held it togther, and I really hope that mom was proud. My niece played the piano, and mom would have been proud, because she really encouraged my niece's efforts with piano lessons and such. It really was a celebration of mom's life, and I think mom would have been pleased.

I have to share one of my final memories of mom, and I really am glad that it is a Buffett related memory. The day she was diagnosed with cancer she knew from the get go that she was not going to make it. Her and I had some alone time, and she assured me that I would be fine. Then she asked me about one of Jimmy's songs. Well, earlier this summer I had called mom after a day of meetings and dealing with people who were totally crazy, and I sang her the chorus from Fruit Cake. She thought that was so funny and summed up life quite well. Well, when she was in the hospital she asked me to sing the chorus of Fruit Cake to her again, and so I did. Then I told her about the new government verse featuring the line about the Great Decider. Mother thought that was great. A george Bush supporter she was not. When I discovered RadioMargaritaville this summer and caught on to the music that I really wish I would have caught on to much sooner, mom thought that it was time for me to allow some insanity and fun into my life, and this was a good thing. I'm glad that my last good memory of her was funny, because after that things went down hill and the roller coaster ride began.

Well, enough of my ramblings. Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. I am certainly glad to be here.

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 30, 2007 4:28 pm

Our BN Tiki Bar's hat is famous!!

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63223

SMLCHNG wrote:Just got this message from Molly (Springparrot) who is in Vegas right now

Tell Tiki she is on the screen at Mville with her hat!
[/size]

Whooooo Hoooooo JoAnn!!!

SMLCHNG wrote:

phjrsaunt wrote:
citcat wrote:
bubba phan wrote:

It's gotta be that little Charleston dude hanging off the left side that pushed her over the edge into stardom......Nice attention to detail!
That's what cracks me up about the hat....that and the balcony girls up above Jimmy !

Good going, JoAnn !!!!!!!!!!!!
Where else would the BE??

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 30, 2007 4:40 pm

Guess who we spent Saturday afternoon with

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=62945

Desdamona wrote:

Wannabejane and I got a treat in Gainesville yesterday afternoon... And she'll be back for more this lovely Sunday afternoon!

(hint: it was "nothing but a breeze" and NOT Gulfbreeze!)

wannabejane wrote:I had the privilege of meeting Jesse earlier in the day. I got to talk with him for quite a while. One thing he mentioned was that Jimmy Buffett was a wonderful man, a very special person. Of course we suspected that but I still love to hear it from famous folks who know him. And by the way, Jesse is truly a gentlemen-although evidently not "of leisure". The concert was beautiful . You could hear a pin drop when he sang. Considering this was an outdoor venue with tons of little kids around, that was quite an accomplishment. If ever you get a chance to see Jesse, by all means DO!

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:
springparrot wrote:Jesse???
Jesse Winchester. He wrote:
Nothing But A Breeze
Biloxi
Defying Gravity
L'air De La Louisiane

He also wrote these, which JB has played live but not yet recorded:
Brand New Tennessee Waltz
Club Manhattan
Gentleman Of Leisure

wannabejane wrote:
SMLCHNG wrote:
wannabejane wrote: OMG! When did Jimmy do Brand New Tennessee Waltz? I would about die to see/hear him do that! Is there a recording of it anywhere?
Not sure if there's a recording, but he has sung it twice.

http://www.buffettnews.com/songh544_waltz.html
Thanks for the info! The search begins!

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 30, 2007 5:28 pm

My Morning...

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... sc&start=0

pbans wrote:So.....I've been on call for the last week...I worked really late last night and finally got to bed about 330 this morning....Larry left for work about 5am, so it's just me and dogs snuggled up in bed. Nice cool breeze coming through the window....perfect sleeping.....NOT....about 6am the smoke alarm starts beeping....not the 'there's a fire beep' but the 'you need to change the battery beep.'

This, of course, alarms the dogs.....Rosie, being the fearless she-wolf, barks, growls and wants to kick it's ass.....Gunner, being the lace-wearing eunuch, is scared beyond belief and decides the safest place to be in curled up on my head......I keep thinking....I've had two hours of sleep PLEASE STOP, PLEASE STOP, PLEASE STOP.....but alas, the smoke alarm gods are not listening.

Well, my house has vaulted ceilings......I am 5'4"....you figure out which end of the ceiling the smoke alarm is at (I KNOW, I KNOW...there's a reason)....so I pry the dog off my head and yell at the other one.....call my husband to see if he can run home....nope, can't get away from work. Well, CRAP.....I'm a handy gal, I'll just do it myself. The step ladder is at the side of the house.....you know, the one we don't use very often....
Now there are all these weeds and crap growing through it..... I grab my jungle machete and go out to free the step ladder. I'm hacking away at the weeds, with Cujo on one side and Nancy the wonder wimp on the other.....WELL....THERE IS A MOTHER FARKING SNAKE ON THE LADDER.....it was not happy about me disturbing it's habitat.....multiple girly screams, barking dogs, and attempts at a snake slaughter....the offending creature slithers away.....

I bring the ladder in and finally can reach the smoke alarm.....try to pull it down and it's hard wired in. I know there is a battery back up, but you can get to it without unplugging it.....which apparently takes the strength of Hulk Hogan....at this point the only reasonable alternative seems to be to break it....but finally one last yank frees the offending alarm from my bedroom.....

I remove the battery and sit back and revel in my accomplishment for a moment....and THEN beep, beep, beep....ARE YOU F*CKING KIDDING ME.....you know how sound kind of travels...well, I thought it was the bedroom alarm....it was the living room alarm.....so here we go again. Before I attempt to take it down I decided to call Larry and as we married folks call it, 'SHARE'......his contribution...."Well, are you sure there isn't a FIRE?"

Back on the ladder.....back wrestling with the smoke alarm...at least this one was easier to free....I take the battery out of THIS ONE.....did you know those little bastards will beep WITHOUT a battery in them......it's outside.....

Of course, I have jack russell terriers and they are now in hyper-vigilant, I must save the family, patrol mode...that means if a FLY buzzes Rosie barks and Gunner jumps on my lap in a quivering blob......
guess I'm done sleeping......just thought I'd 'SHARE'....
PJ

pbans wrote:
popcornjack wrote:I'm sorry, but I am laughing my a** off. Take comfort in the fact that the crappy start to your day, and how well you told the tale, is going to be a humerous way for so many other to start theirs.
In hindsight....it wasn't that crappy....
because I'm still laughing about it, too!!

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:OMG, I'm not supposed to be laughing, am I??

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

I'm laughing so hard I'm crying, and my son just came in to a) make sure I'm okay and b) find out what the h*ll is so funny!

Made even funnier by the fact that last weekend at the End Zone Motel in Foxboro I had to climb up on a chair at about 4:00AM and TAKE THE DAMNED BATTERY OUT OF THE BEEPING SMOKE DETECTOR....

Paige, I'm so sorry you had a stressful morning, but thank you SO much for sharing and making me laugh my a$$ off!!!

citcat wrote:ohmigah that was funny. Especially the MOTHER FARKING SNAKE part !

One question, though: WAS there a fire ?

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » December 31, 2007 12:44 am

Parrothead Crayons

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... ht=crayons

calypsogirl wrote:Pbans has given me an idea for a post.

Let's say there is a big box of crayons being developed specifically for Buffett News members, parrotheads and Jimmy Buffett phans...Let's see what crayon names we could come up with that has a tropical/parrothead/Jimmy Buffett flavor to it!

I will go first.

Margarita Blue-It's a lime green color that has a hint of blue shading as you color with it.

calypsogirl wrote:Margarita Blue
Negril Sunset Orange
Mallory Square Green
Cuervo Gold
Beachcomber Brown
One Particular Red
Cuban Crime of Passion Red
20* White (Boat Drinks)
Palm Tree Green
Peanut Butter Brown
Purple Passion (that's the point, baby...)
Silver Wings
Blue Guitar
Banana Wind
Bank of Bad Habits Green
Brown Eyed Girl
Brown L.A. Haze
Cowboy in the Jungle White (as paste...)
Sportcoat White
Crustacean Pink
Domino College (black on one end; white on the other)
Dreamsicle (orange on one end; white on the other)
Kodiak Brown
Lantern Yellow
Golden Oak
Grapefruit
Last Mango
Peanut Butter Conspiracy
Ragtop Red
Perrier Blue
Peculiar Gray
Cafe Du Monde
That impossible glowing shade of aqua that appears in the ocean shallows near a tropical beach.
Last Mango Orange
Flash Green
Red Stripe Red
Stranger Blond
5 O'Clock Shadow Grey
Boston Black
Wow, what great ideas for crayon colors! Any more??

NotJust64 wrote:I am a consultant with Crayola's home party division. I can honestly tell you that if enough of you are interested in a product like this, they will consider it. Send them email to Customerservice@binney-smith.com.

I think it would awesome to try out !!

I'm going with Salt Shaker White.

photogal wrote:You people have lost your minds....its offical!!

Ceol na Mara wrote:
J.LeP wrote:
CaptainP wrote:
Ceol na Mara wrote: Hurricane Season Gray
Shouldn't that be "Most Peculiar Grey"?
Yes
Oooh, yes! Thank you! How could I have missed that?!?!?!

pojo wrote:This is unbelievable.... Parrotheads really come through.

1. Crustacean Pink
2. Grapefruit
3. Last Mango
4. Hot, Hot, Hot Pink
5. Hibiscus Pink
6. Flamingo Pink
7. Jamacia Mistaka Eraser (Pink I expect?)
8. Flip Flop Fuchsia
9. Begonia Scarlet
10. Parrot Feather Red
11. One Particular Red
12. Cuban Crime of Passion Red
13. Ragtop Red
14. Sail on Sunrise (Red?)
15. Red Stripe Red
16. Hurricane Red
17. Negril Sunset Orange
18. Dreamsicle (orange on one end; white on the other)
19. Last Mango Orange
20. Tennessee Orange
21. Sail on Sunset (Orange?)
22. Cuervo Gold
23. Phin Power Golden
24. Golden Oak
25. Banana Wind Yellow
26. Lantern Yellow
27. Parrot Beak Yellow
28. Keyboard Ivory
29. Stranger Blond
30. Mallory Square Flash Green
31. Palm Tree Green
32. Hula Skirt Green
33. Bank of Bad Habits Green
34. Lawn Seat Green
35. Just a Little Tropical Dreamin' (That impossible glowing shade of aqua that appears in the ocean shallows near a tropical beach)
36. Trinidad Turquoise
37. Margarita Blue
38. Blue Guitar
39. Floridays Blue
40. Texas Homesick Blue
41. Parrot Tail Blue
42. Perrier Blue
43. Mother,Mother Ocean Blue
44. Beach Ball Blue
45. Purple Passion (that's the point baby)
46. Cafe Du Monde
47. Sandy Tan
48. Peanut Butter Conspiracy
49. Beachcomber Brown
50. Peanut Butter Brown
51. Coconut Bra Shell Brown
52. Brown-Eyed Girl
53. Brown L. A. Haze
54. Kodiak Brown
55. Dark and Stormy Brown
56. Domino College (black on one end; white on the other)
57. Boston Black
58. Microphone Black
59. Silver Wings
60. Peculiar Gray
61. 5 o'clock Shadow Grey
62. Steel Drum Chrome
63. Manatee Gray
64. Land Shark Grey
65. Hurricane Season Gray
66. Cowboy in the Jungle White
67. Salt Shaker White
68. 20 Degrees Snow White
69. Sport Coat White

**isn't manatee grey a color already?

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » January 4, 2008 12:03 am

Dori is gonna be on RM . .! !

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... 3fa6d12abc

balcony girls wrote:. .she just called from Orlando Margaritaville . .and JD is gonna let her intro a song. . .! !

. .soooo . . be listening . .and someone record it if possible . . ! !

. .

freaky4tiki wrote:HEY!

what a great day!!!! getting to be on RM was so fun!!!! Molly and I went over to say HEY to JD and then Scott came over to take a picture. after that JD asked if I wanted to hear a song and I told him LMM then he asked if I wanted to intro it-- YEAH! of COURSE! he came by our table in a few minutes and said, "Come play with me!" it was a lot of fun and I'm so glad I got up the nerve to go say hi. it was a REALLY sedate crowd at the restaraunt and we sorta stood out? I made a total spectacle of myself when I leapt out of my seat when I recognized TikiBar on Parrot vision

kids had a ball and I was just over the moon happy that I stood in the same booth where so many wonderful people have!

BTW... it's damm cold down here. It's dark and our hotel has a balcony with an oceanview! I can see the breakers even in the dark so tomorrow morning I'll stand out there wearing my warmest clothes and wrapped in a hotel comforter looking at the beach

anyhow! big BIG BIG thank you to BG for posting that I was going to be on RM and I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to shout out to everyone. JD did say to send his best to the Cocotels.

freaky4tiki wrote:
gingerbreadman wrote:So cool!

Ya know if I'd have had more than an hour of warning I could have gotten it recorded. Sorry I missed that too.

But hey! Met JD when we road-tripped over to Orlando the day afer the last show in Tampa. Nobody was there so we talked for a bit. He's a really good dude!
very friendly for sure. would totally love to be his sidekick any time!

mommar · Post by **mommar** » January 4, 2008 7:36 am

Just wanted to give you a BIG THANKS TR for starting, and keeping up to date w/this thread..........It's a joy to read, brings many laughs, tears and ohhhhhhhhhh such good feelings.

THANKS.

conched · Post by **conched** » January 4, 2008 8:31 am

mommar wrote:Just wanted to give you a BIG THANKS TR for starting, and keeping up to date w/this thread..........It's a joy to read, brings many laughs, tears and ohhhhhhhhhh such good feelings. THANKS.

I agree, mommar.

Two PHINS UP for TR!!