Trick or Treat

My awesome cousin Kathleen sent this Halloween card. How much does it look like our Benny Boy?!
Benny, Chewie & Kittie have left lots of treats for us - or are they tricks?!?!?!?!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween!

So Sad

I know I sometimes can get on my high horse at times and I don’t intend to turn our blog into my soapbox – I would be more than happy only posting pictures of family and my cats. But there are some things that are so wrong in this world that not saying something would be worse.

I know Todd Metrokin through my dear friends Amanda and Jen. When Amanda told me Todd was attacked and beaten my heart dropped – immediately I recalled seeing my brother in the hospital after getting jumped at UVA by a bunch of frat boys. No one should have to see a loved one go through such a brutal event. Like Tim, Todd is easy to like and fun to be around. And like Tim, Todd is going to watch a movie or TV show and something will trigger a sense of helplessness and panic that only a victim of an act of violence can know.

But unlike Tim, Todd knows that what happened to him could happen again or to any of his friends because Todd was attacked out of ignorance and hatred based only on the fact that he is gay. Also unlike Tim, the police did little to nothing to track down the attackers even though Todd accidentally ended up with one of the attacker’s cell phones. Even with this hard evidence, and the severity of the attack (days after the attack an imprint of the shoe of the attacker was still visible on Todd’s face), Todd was victimized again, this time by the police and the lack of interest in bringing the attackers to justice. It was only after Todd’s friend posted about the beating on his blog and the story grabbed the attention of local papers, did the police follow up and make an arrest. Another terrible turn to this story is that his attacker is all of 16 years old and a charge that should be attempted murder brought against an adult will instead be assault against a juvenile.

In the few months since Todd’s attack there have been 5 attacks on gay men in DC and while Todd was very lucky to survive, 37 year old Tony Randolph Hunter wasn’t so lucky. So I will continue to push for equal rights for my friends and discourage the use of slurs in conversation in the hopes that in my lifetime humankind can be both human and kind.

If it was me, I would probably get a little bitter - but not Todd - instead he and some friends reformed an advocacy group they started a few years back and Todd has been speaking up, educating about the dangers of hatred and reaching out to help others that have been victimized. If you would like to help, you can make a donation by visiting www.glovdc.org or you can send a check to:
GLOV c/o The DC Center
1111 14th Street NW, Suite 350
Washington DC 20005

WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You just know JerBeck is up there smiling from ear to ear! So excited, I was afraid to get my hopes up. Tim is still waiting for it to sink in. YEAH - Love those Phillies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW - Cole Hamels is my MVP too!

New Peanut on the Horizon

So, do you think Baby Enos looks like Mom Shannon or Dad Danny? Hard to tell I know - but at least I am able to detect the baby in the ultrasound. Usually these things look like a Rorschach test to me.

Since Shannon is terrible at returning calls and she lives all the way up in Boston I am so excited that they started a blog. http://savinmaven.typepad.com/the_enoses/ Now we can stay updated on how the wee one is sucking all the energy outta Momma.

Congratulations to the Enoses - I cannot think of two better people to add to the overpopulation of the world.

Party in PA

We had a lot of fun watching the game in Philly with the Phamily. The SulliBeck's sure do know how to have fun. Carnival rides, yummy food, and to top it off - the Eagles won. Barely. But they pulled it out at the end and the curse of the Westbrook jersey has been broken - but according to Tim's superstition - since they won and he wasn't there- he should have to watch the games alone now. Nah - he's too much fun and entertaining - so we will just have to break that jinx as well.

Everyone had fun Halloween decorations out. I barely like decorating for Christmas, let alone the mini holiday's - but Suz went all out. It was a great setting for this picture of her sweet girl Carlee

From Philly Phun

Not surprised to see Suzanne with the kids - I love the new color in AN & UJ's kitchen.

From Philly Phun

The elders - I like the picture of Mom with her glasses on - but she likes off - so that's what gets posted cause I am such a good daughter. Even I couldn't type that without laughing.

From Philly Phun

Group shot of the kids - hey wait - where's Suz?

From Philly Phun

Here she is..

From Philly Phun

Am's boys like to put up a stink when trying to take pictures or God forbid a (gasp) hug! But I just force the issue until I get what I want.

From Philly Phun

Here's the slideshow of all the pics.

It was a fun weekend and the win was nice. It was too close and after losing to Dallas and the Redskins, if they lost this one I was ready to blow off the season. Focus my excitement on the Phillies. I am so excited about the Phillies in the World Series - but I don't place any bets - I have been through this too many times as a Philadelphia fan. Get all hopes up and excited about a title only to have them smashed to smithereens. Heck - the stupid horse couldn't even give Philly a little bit of glory. But even with the Flyers, Eagles and Phillies getting so close so many times - getting to the World Championship is huge. At the very least, I get to watch some more Cole, Chase and Ryan. But this year with Dad able to whisper into an ear or two up there - we may just come home with the Ring.

something to think about...


I had to add my two cents to Greg's post because he never ceases to amazing me. I love the fact he supports women's rights. Not all husbands would be thrilled that their wife, who is always so busy, spends more time away from home volunteering each month to help women learn to defend themselves against sexual predators. But he encouraged it, because he heard the stories of women who on the first night cried cause they were scarred to kicking serious butt on the last night because they got some of their power back. And even though we both are nervous over the rights women may lose to the hands of a woman if elected - I thought the blog isn't the place to post these views. But Greg stood strong and gave some valid reasons on why it should be posted - he did say he would take it down under duress if I felt that strongly about it. But then I came across this video below and since I don't let Greg get his way often - I figured he is due.

NOW doesn't frequently endorse a candidate in an election - but because this election has a ticket that is "one of the greatest treats to American women", not just on family planning, but also affirmative action, Title IX (equal education), Title VII (fair pay) just they are supporting Obama and Biden. I can see why they would have trouble supporting a woman, who as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, approved a budget that eliminated the police department's funding for rape exams. Factcheck.org's comments on the truth behind Palin and the rape kit story.

On a Quest for a RING!

One Ring to Rule Them All. One Ring to Find Them. One Ring to Bring Them All... to become the 2008 World Series Champions.


Hopefully someone in Philly loves me enough to get me a Hamels shirt - he is Awesome! Way to go Pillow Pants!

Today

Today is Dad's birthday and we are sad that he isn't here to spoil and love and hug, but we can still celebrate him.

The outpouring of love and respect seen over the past two months for Dad is nothing short of amazing. We all knew he was crazy smart and awesome - but what we are finding out is that everyone else knew it too.

Before Dad passed he was honored to ask to speak for the Living Library at the Defense Acquisitions University. The treatment was tough on Dad and he could get lost in thought or weakness, but when his mind kicked in - he was back to JerBeck. This was more than proven during his interview. They were hoping for an hour of Dad's time, but when Dad has an audience and something to say - look out. Dad spoke for Three Hours with only one page of notes as reference. The editing crew have their work cut out for them. Once fully edited, his voice (and Big Brain) will live on forever at the AT&L Living Library But they were able to put together a 5 minute clip of Dad speaking and man did they capture him. His jesters, mannerisms, the way he would speak when he knew what he was saying was important and he wanted you to realize it too.




They played this clip at the PBL conference in South Carolina last month. Dad was an advocate for logistics and was instrumental in the establishment of the Secretary of Defense PBL award honoring excellence in logistics. Mom, Shell, Gerda and I were invited to attend the conference where Dad's commitment and passion for logistics will forever be honored as the BPL award has been renamed after him and will now be known as the Gerald R. Beck Memorial PBL Award. Mom, Randy Fowler, Vice Admiral Wally Massenburg,and Tony Stampone spoke about Dad and said the most amazing things that we will forever hold in our hearts.

From PBL Award

We also received an email asking for a picture of Dad. A group of people who worked with Dad, and are affectionately known as Jerry's Kids, started a company and are naming a conference room after him.

They say it's a shame that all these forms of praise have to come after his passing, but I look at it differently - I think Dad was respected and admired over his many, many years as a Logistician, co-worker and friend and these tributes are a reflection of that and a way to help keep a part of him alive.

Dad loved what he did no matter what it was - raising a family, his work, his interests, his friends. He still teaches us valuable lessons every day on what is truly important.

We are lucky kids - not just for Dad who we miss, but also for our Mom. Mom's strength through everything is astounding. Some people could fall apart losing their best friend for over 42 years, and while there are no words for the sadness in her heart, Shell, Tim and I are proud of how she stands strong for us, for the grand kids and for herself.

Proud of Mom is exactly what we felt at the Award presentation when Mom spoke so beautifully about Dad. Following the slideshow of the ceremony is a copy of Mom's speech. It is as beautiful as she is.

Thank you for inviting us to share in honoring Jerry, I wish all of my family could be here as I know they are as proud of Jerry as we are. My other wish is that Jerry is watching all of this.

Jerry had many passions in life, his two greatest were his family and his work. As his family, we all knew how important and loved we were. He let us know every day. There was a sense of total acceptance and comfort when with him. He shared with us the joy he found through his work and how important it is to love what you do. Many of you know how much he loved what he did, and even retirement would not be able to keep him away.

He cared greatly and worked hard for the men and women in our armed forces. He truly believed they put themselves in harm’s way in our defense and for that, every effort should be made in keeping them as safe as possible.

Jerry took great pride and satisfaction in his part of the PBL Program. It was very important to him and he was very excited to be back with, in his words, "some of the finest and most professional people he ever had the privilege of working with".

Jerry had a way of making you feel like you were the most special person in the room, it is a feeling we will all miss. If Jerry is watching I know he is thinking, why all the fuss?, but I also know he would be very humbled and proud by this honor. And for Jerry we say THANK YOU!

Oktoberfest at St. Dot's

The Sullivan's go to St. Dorothy's for school and every year they have this awesome fundraiser called Oktoberfest with carnival rides, games and Funnel Cake!! These are a few of my favorite things. So we decided to take a trip up to Philly to see some family, ride some games and watch the Eagles HOPEFULLY break their losing streak.

Here's a few pics of the fun evening.

From Octoberfest

From Octoberfest

From Octoberfest

From Octoberfest

Chris is home sick (faker) but Mike joined in on the fun. Yes the fundraiser was for grade school kids - but the carnival rides were the actual carnival rides that tour. So these are rides that are meant to hold adults and kids of all ages. Apparently Mike exceeds the height of your average adult.

Head

From Octoberfest

Body

From Octoberfest

Knees

From Octoberfest

Even though he barely fit- the ride was so much fun - this one was the zipper - most adults were too scared to ride it. Mary rode it Non Stop! When I rode with Mike it was fun - when I rode with Sean, because he weighs about 50 lbs we flipped around the entire time. Our best streak was 6 continuous flips. Needless to say, that was my last time on the zipper - fun, but my food almost made a return appearance.

The Fun Slide was fun for everyone - I have a couple amazing videos to put up of Mom, Suz and Aunt Nancy coming down the slide. And a good action shot of Shell and I going down the slide.

Until then - here's a slide show of the good times.

Psst... I Got Something Real Cute For You

I have a problem that I need to keep in check - I love kitties. Since Greg and I don't have children I have to keep it in check because it would not take much for me to become the crazy cat lady.

So I use my friends to get my fix and have become a cat pusher and Liza was within my sites.

There are two baby kitties that need a home from my mom's work that Charlotte and Boob are caring for. If both were available, I think Liza would take them both but only the boy kitty was still looking for a home.

A camera picture and a trip to the clinic to see in person and ta-da - Liza is a new mom! How could you say no to a face like this?

From Chester

Careful friends, my next fix may become your problem.

Bobba Tim

Force? Where we're going, we don't need any Force.

Happy Birthday To Chew

Chewie turns 11 - which is odd since he is younger than Benny and Benny is only 9 years old.

Some pictures of our apple head through the years.

From PunchItChewie...

From PunchItChewie...

From Father's Day pictures

 

From Father's Day pictures

From Father's Day pictures

Senator Farley Was Right

Sisters Do As Sisters Should

Greg's favorite skit was Mark Whalberg talks to Animals - But if you ask me - nothing is funnier than the Merrill Sisters Skit

With my by myself

what's up donkey?

Look Who's home!

The Tot is back from the Happiest Place on Earth with her new princess backpack. She looks like she might topple over it's so big.

She could have fit my awesome new ET pillow in that backpack. Thanks Tim and Jenel - I LOVE it. I caught Chewie checking it out. He's all perplexed cause he loves to sleep on pillows - but I think it freaks him out a bit.

A Picture Share!

You have new Picture Mail!

I See It

Looks like someone just saw Mickey!

My New Digs

Check out my awesome new shirt. Tim and Jenel must love me lots.