I recently got back from Kansas City's Nascar Camping World RV 400 where my husband, Art, waved the American flag from the Pace Car leading the Honorees in a Parade lap. We are the Night Stalkers, 160th SOAR, and it was such an honor and proud moment to be there in the stands while our Little Birds flew in and delivered Soldiers from 5th Group, among others, stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. When our Chinook landed on the track and out the Pace Car came, it was an awesome UNBELIEVABLE experience.

Our Soldiers are out there fighting for others and for their own lives. It is because of them that I can be at a Nascar event and scream and yell for my favorite driver or against the driver that just caused my guy to get out of the race. It is because of them that I am safe from war in this country. Thank you Soldiers! So many Families are separated from their loved ones and fight their own battles on the homefront, right now. My thoughts and Prayers go out to each one of you. My husband is in retirement mode, so I don't have to see him deploy but I have seen too many deployments and I know how hard it can be. Hang in there. Enjoy the clip from what we did at Atlanta Speedway http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs9CTqTTeIg and be proud to be an American and/or a Military Spouse. I am!

Are you a fast driver? Always in a hurry, possibly running late and need to get out of your subdivision? Do you go over the speed limit to make it out in record time? This hit home for me last night as

I was talking to my brother. A cousin of his wife, named Dee, was struck by a car while she was running with her buddy on the street. There were sidewalks right next to the street but they thought the pavement was softer on their knees and joints than the sidewalk. The driver was blinded by the sun and hit Dee. She is being taken off life support this morning and has 3 girls she is leaving behind.

I went walking in my subdivision this morning with a friend and we walk on the pavement instead of the sidewalk, like so many walkers and runners do. I realized how unsafe it was even though we think in our neighborhood the speed limit is 25 mph, what could 25 mph do? It could do alot. After doing some research if you were standing up and fell over hitting your head, that is equivilant to 13 mph. That fall could kill you. You could survive being hit at 25 mph or you could die. It all depends on where you're hit and how you land. As I was walking, I noticed that everyone leaving my subdivision was speeding over 25 mph. I walk on the side where you see the on coming traffic but if your back is to the sun, the driver won't see you. So is the case with Dee. The driver was blinded and hit her. She struck her head and landed the same way. Her body didn't have any broken bones but her skull was crushed.

Next time you're in a hurry to leave for work or an appointment and you gotta make it to the stop sign ahead because it's one step closer to getting out of the subdivision, please be aware of your surroundings. When you see a pedestrian running or walking, go a little slower than the speed limit. You never know, the runner or walker might have earphones in and not be aware of their surroundings and decide to cross without looking.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Dee, her girls and her family.

UPDATE 4:39pm: Dee passed away this morning a little after 10 am after being removed from the life support system. Her whole family was around her when she passed away.