Saturday, July 30, 2011

Threats & Racial Slurs - NO toleration!

**this post is for my army wives page and I'm putting it here for easy reference**

I know that I can't tell people what to say or do and really don't try to either. On my page I will tolerate some things and give warnings. Like if someone is being exceptionally rude I will ask them to chill out a bit. I know we all have bad days and some times we all get a little bitchy. Some times a few of our discussions and debates get a little heated and people might call names and act like kids...once again, I will issue a warning.

There are a few things I won't issue warnings for and will simply ban you without notice. Two very important things to me.
1. threats of violence
2. racial slurs

1. If someone physically threatens you on my page, send me a message and tell me where it is so I can handle it. I will ban them on the spot. I ask you to send me a message b/c I don't read every single post and comment on the page, I would be there all day. If they send you a personal message in your inbox, my advice is to block them and not engage with them. You can send me a message and tell me who it is so that I may watch them on my page. I can't control what people write to you privately but I can control it being on my page.

2. I really can't believe I have to even address racial slurs!! But sadly, I do.. Again, I can't control what people send to you in a personal message. So the best you can do is block the idiot and let me know who to watch out for. However, people who make racial slurs on my page when directed at someone specific to put them down and hurt them, will be removed. I will ban them and not think twice about it. No warning at all. This is not acceptable, we are all humans and bleed the same. ((same goes for gay bashing, but I haven't seen this yet on the page))

If I have to ban for the reasons I stated above, I will also do a few other things. If I see racial slurs, before I ban you, I will take a screenshot and copy your profile url and report you to FB and send them the info. My kids are half black and I don't appreciate the ignorance. If I see a personal threat to someone on my page, I will screenshot it, get your info, ban you and send what I need to the nearest police station. Threats will not be tolerated.

That's all =)

By the way, I SERIOUSLY HATE I EVEN HAD TO ADDRESS THIS CRAP!!!

Friday, July 29, 2011

My husband, the jokester!

This morning I went to WalMart to pick up some school supplies for the kids...which isn't cheap by the way lol... and I come out to my car to find something I thought was a bit creepy. First I notice on my seat is a business card that had some writing on it but I couldn't make out what it said b/c the pen looked like it was out of ink.. I go to put the stuff in the trunk and my daughter brings me a piece of paper that she said was "under the rain keep away things" - haha gotta love her...

Anyway, I was all excited b/c I thought someone saw my Scentsy stickers on my window and was leaving a note for me to contact them. Nope, my excitement flew out the window when I saw it wasn't what I hoped. It was actually "someone" telling me they thought I was sexy and left their number! So now I was totally creeped out b/c I thought about the business card IN my car and now this note!

I get in the car and call my husband to tell him about it and he starts laughing at me and asks me was the guys name "Sean" and was it written in brown marker? Yeah!! Then it dawned on me that HE did it!! He called me while I was in WalMart so he knew where I was... he stalked me down just to mess with me! I hope he knows this is war...lol

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Beautiful Skies

On my drive back home from New Jersey I hit a few thunderstorms that made me want to pee myself! I HATE driving in the rain when you can't see 5ft in front of you... although I love the lighting and the beautiful skies that follow... here is a pic I wanted to share... I love it when the sun shines through like this...

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

♥Friends♥

The more I think about what is important in this lifestyle...the army lifestyle... I think of my friends..Without them, I would go completely crazy!!

Yesterday I went to take Fran her "Penny the Pig" Scentsy Buddy and she wasn't home. So I texted her and found where she was and lovingly stalked her down at the PX lol... Fran is amazing.. I love that woman!! Fran will do anything she can for you and would give you her last dollar if you needed it. I actually came across Fran when I was hosting a jewelry party with my MIL and she wanted to order because she saw my event on facebook...I'm so glad she did b/c meeting her has brought joy to my life...

Today I spent some time with Staci... I went over around noon, thinking they would be up (they just came home from leave and were adjusting to the new time zone again and from driving hours and hours) but they weren't. I told Eddie I would come back but he said it was okay and to come in... Staci made coffee and it was so comforting to sit with my best buddy, drink coffee and fall back into our routine of when the guys were gone. They came over for dinner and we had some laughs and good food... I met Staci when our mutual friend Aimee asked me to help her when they first got to Stewart... I showed up on her doorstep the day the movers were there and she hasn't been able to get rid of me since! lol... a part of my heart will go with them to Carson when they leave in Sept... *wipes tear*

I also spent some time with Jennifer today!! Now that hookah is my homie!! LOL No, she really doesn't sell her ass, "Hookah" is just our pet name for each other lol... She came over tonight for dinner too, along with Staci, after she was done her meeting... she kinda had no choice to come over since I had her kids, bwahahaaa...lol.. She stayed for a bit and we laughed at the stupidest things.. Thank gosh she will still be here when Fran and Staci leave b/c I will need someone to let me cry on their shoulder... we will cry together...

I really don't know what my point is... I'm a bit tipsy, I can admit that.. I'm feeling kinda a lovey... I just know that without my friends my life would be very lonely!! Especially when Darrell is gone.. My friends complete me... and as Staci said earlier today, "they are friends I will have for life, no matter how far apart in distance we are, we will always be together"... So very true...

So, if you have friends who have made your army life a bit easier and who are now like family, let them know how much they mean to you.. tell them how special and blessed you feel to have had the chance to have them in your life... I will..

"A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more."
- Sent by Jasmine Fitzwilliam

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Great Adventures

Our adventures in this army life began in 2002 when my husband went off to Kentucky for BCT. I just KNEW it was going to be a piece of cake because he was only going to be gone for a few months. It was easy at first, but I had two toddlers to keep my busy. I soon found out that nothing was going to be easy about this adventure and everything I thought I KNEW was wrong.

You know that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you’re so excited you think you might burst? I had that feeling, magnified by 100, when I finally got to see my husband graduate BCT. The first time I saw him I was completely shocked. He had always been athletic, but he changed so much from the high school boy I knew, physically and mentally. Watching him graduate and getting to hold him again was one of the best feelings every…. Until I had to leave him there for AIT. The morning we left, I cried in the van for 3 hours because I couldn’t stand to leave him there. Lesson one for me: My teddy bear is a great comfort when I want to cry like a blubbering idiot. He muffles my tears and says exactly what I need to hear, nothing.

I joined my husband at his first duty station and was excited to begin our new life. The apartment we had was small and a bit uncomfortable but we made due. It was better than what we came from. During my first few weeks in Kansas I met some wonderful ladies from a military outreach church. These ladies ended up being my strength when all I felt was weakness. My husband came home one day, a few months after me uprooting and leaving everything behind with two toddlers and moving half way across the country, to tell me some news. He broke to me that he was leaving for Iraq for a year. I was devastated because he was suppose to be going to NTC, not war. We knew it would come, just not so soon. Lesson two for me: Nothing in the Army is for certain and can change anytime. They don’t have to give you notice for anything. Having friends is a must!! In order to survive, we need some kind of support network.

Fast forward to nine years later, present day, I have been through many big and small adventures during my husbands time in the Army. We’ve now been through 4 deployments, one of which was 15months long. I’ve been trying to spread awareness about PTSD with the military, but over the years I’ve noticed that soldiers aren’t the only ones who can suffer mental problems from war. I’ve seen so many wives suffer from depression and other conditions. I was one of them but I refused to listen to my friends and get help. I finally caved and sought counseling one year and I’m so much better for it. If you need help, get it. I kept thinking, “he is strong enough for the both of us” but I was wrong. We both needed to be strong for eachother. Lesson three for me: We, the wives/girlfriends/fiancés, may be the backbone of our men when they are gone (and here), but we ARE NOT superwomen! We are strong! If you need help, seek it. Admitting you need help and seeking it, only makes you stronger, not weaker.

What lessons have you learned about yourself or life in general since living this great adventure? I have tons, but not enough space here to share.

WildWood, NJ - fun times...

When I was a little girl the highlight of my summer was always going to WildWood, NJ. We would get wrist bands and ride the rides and do the water park until our legs felt like they were gonna fall off! When you go to WildWood, there are some things you just HAVE to do:

1. The Ferris Wheel - it's huge!! At the top of it when you're sitting there just swaying in the breeze (and you will sway lol) you can see far out over the Atlantic Ocean and everyone looks like ants on the ground. It is so peaceful and beautiful..

2. Walk the Boardwalk - if your legs don't feel like they're gonna fall off from going from pier to pier for the rides, they will after you walk the boardwalk! There are so many shops to shop in, tattoo/piercing shops, old time photo shops, games and food that you won't even realize how far you have walked...

3. The Tram Car - for those who fall out from walking, they have the Tram Car...for $2.50 you can ride it from one end of the boardwalk to the other. Those who are walking will constantly hear "watch the tram car please" - in the same electronic recorded voice they have used since I was 2ft tall...lol

4. Curly Fries - the boardwalk has the BEST curly fries ever!! If you've had them, you know I speak the truth...if not, you are missing out!

5. Salt Water Taffy - this chewy, sweet goodness was a favorite of mine as a child and many others... nothing like it in the world ...nom nom nom

Picture time!!

For those who have been to WildWood, they know that once you hit a certain area, there is this smell from the water that hits you like "omg I'm gonna puke" LOL...here is the spot & Darrell's face when we hit the spot hahaaa -



One of our fave rides is the TeaCups - I had our cup spinning so fast that Alexis's eyes were rolling in her head LOL -


The Boardwalk, games and Tram Car -






A classic, the Carousel -


Seaguls are everywhere -


Some rides on one of the piers at night & most importantly, the Ferris Wheel-




So, if you ever get to go to South Jersey, go to WildWood!! There are tons of Hotels on the strip and you will have a blast!!! The beach and ocean are right there, rides, food, entertainment and most importantly - fun times to be had by all =)

Friday, July 15, 2011

It's "Jersey" - not "Joisey"

Some people liked to tease me about New Jersey b/c I absolutely loathe that stupid show "Jersey Shore" - if you like it, more power to ya lol... I just can't stomach it. My friend Amanda likes to "it's ttttttttt-shiiiiiiirt time" me (yes I know you do it in fun Amanda and no I'm not mad LOL, I'm just giving an example).

Now, before that show came out and we lived in TX, my neighbor said "Oh, you're from Joisey"... I politely said, "No, I'm from New Jersey, I pronounce my R's." (No offense to any hard core New Yorkers lol)

You see when I say I'm from New Jersey, people automatically think the northern part near New York, or they think all of New Jersey is like that. It's simply not the case. Not everyone from New Jersey looks like an over-tanned oompa loompa like the "characters" on Jersey Shore. As a matter of fact, I NEVER met anyone like that in the 20 something years I lived in Jersey.

The Jersey I know was "country"... farm land and cows...pastures with horses and geese running around...fields of corn behind old barns with the rope swing at the door where the loft is.

When we got to Jersey the other night my son looked at me like I was crazy because I said "OMG look at the cows!!! I have never been so happy to see cows!" haahaaaa... I was having a moment, yes, I love the cows... even though one day when I was younger they chased me and my friend down the road. They were behind their fence but they chased us anyway and we ran our asses off... maybe that is where my ass went, I'd like it back please...lol

So,anywho... today when I was driving I took 2 pics of the "scenery". Yes, I know, bad Jamie!! Taking pics while driving... sue me lol - but I just had to share the beautiful green grass (that I rarely see in GA and certainly not in my back yard) and I tried to get one of a barn =)

Jersey to me is crabs in the summer, the shore (like WildWood), warm summer days and cool breezy evenings (not the suffocating heat in GA all summer long with no cool break in sight), fruit and veggie stands everywhere on the side of the road that have the juiciest watermelons and peaches (yes, better than GA peaches) that you've ever had, beautiful old farm houses with gazebos in the front yard near small ponds that have ducks and geese, yards littered with sheep and goats.... that is the Jersey I know and love =)


Monday, July 11, 2011

Diary of a house husband - lol

Found this around the web =)

Diary of a house husband:

This week I am at home & playing house husband. My wife left a list of things I need to do. This is soooooo easy I thought I would share it with you.

1). Make the beds......
What a waste of effort, we're only going to sleep in them again tonight. Forget that.
Scratch one.

2). Pick up dog poop in yard.......
It snowed last night, I don't see any dog poop, kids do you see any dog poop?
Scratch two.

3). Drop your shirts off at the cleaners.......
Duhh I'm on vacation I don't need them.
Scratch three.

This is easy, what's the fuss.
Think I'll go on the computer for a while.

4). Clean out Tupperware cabinet.......
Uhhhh that's a hard one. GOT IT, velcro on the door will keep them closed.
Scratch four.

5). Mop kitchen floor.....
The dog licked up that sugar spill from breakfast, floor looks clean to me.
Scratch five.

Good doggie go play in the yard. She just loves rolling in the snow.

6). Find something fun for the kids to do.....
That tin foil in the microwave thing was kinda fun.
Scratch six.

This is way too easy I'll have lots of time for the computer

7). Vacuum the carpets......
That's a hard one.......
Hey kids wanna have some more FUN.
Scratch seven.

8). Feed kids lunch.....
Hey kids, don't you have a friends house to go too?
YESSSS Scratch eight !!

9). Clean out hallway closet......
Hmmmm another hard one. That's it, take enough out of the closet to close the door. Outta sight outta mind. Hmmmm this other stuff can go under a bed.
Scratch nine.

Boy O Boy am I good, lunch time. Pour some chili into the cracker bag & eat. Taaa daaa no lunch dishs

10). Do laundry.....
no problem I can do that while I'm on the computer
Scratch ten.

11). Fold laundry.....
dang Ya know I never noticed how many pink things this family actually wears. Gonna have to ask da little lady why she buys me pale pink underwear?? Check this out a cashmere barbie sweater, cool.
Scratch eleven.

12) Put the laundry away....
Baskets in bedrooms work for me.
Scratch twelve.

This is way too easy. Wonder why women always complain about house work???

13). Water the Christmas tree...
Oop's!... good thing the carpet is absorbent.
Scratch thirteen.

14). Grocery shopping, Buy toilet paper.......
These old newspapers will do, besides, that's recycling & that's good for the earth....
Scratch fourteen.

15). Pick up the kids ......
Yeah right; we're talking about my kids here. Parents will normally pay to drop them back off.
They'll be back. Scratch fifteen.

Wonder who's on the computer. I have plenty of time.

16). Make dinner.....
Easy, "Hello do you deliver ? uhhh double that, Ya know we will need more dinner tomorrow".
Scratch sixteen.

17). Clean out the dog house......
duhh the dog sleeps in our bed, Like that needs to be done.
Scratch seventeen.

WOW all done. Man this is sooooo easy. Still time for some more puter and a nap..... Women must complain about house work just to make us guys think they're working.

Wish I was a chick!


**IF ONLY IT WERE THAT SIMPLE!!!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Teacher hits student - my opinion on this whole fiasco!

Most of you know I met my husband in high school, but I'm not sure if I ever clarified what high school, probably because I am a bit embarrassed by the school and area itself, but I will tell you now. We met in Salem High School, in Salem, NJ. That is where this story takes place.

A teacher, whom my husband and I know, is being accused of hitting a student. No, I don't know all the details but I do know he admitted it on TV and the girls parents are taking him to court. Here is a link to the article:
Salem High School grad taking teacher to court claiming he slapped her in the face.

To my understanding, the teacher apologized, and remembering the teacher, I'm sure he was sincere in his apology. However, the fact remains he put his hands on a student in his care. Whether it was jokingly, like some say, or not, it was unwanted by this girl.

Now, my biggest problem lies in the all the people who think what he did was okay!! There is an "event" on facebook, Attend the board meeting to help Mr. Merritt, that makes me want to laugh with all the ignorance! Let me show you some:

"Ti Campbell Sr.- Oh, and sadly no one gaf about what you have to say either. Only people associated with SHS have a valued opinion.." ((duh, I went there, I think that means I'm associated with SHS))

"Peggy Guthrie- All she is trying to do is get everyone pissed off, she doesn't even live in Salem anymore so really her freedom of speech is trash....so I'll support Mr. Merritt ! I don't agree with what happen but I'll still support him cuz when I went to salem high school he was my english teacher n my softball coach...." ((So, me voicing my opinion that this man was wrong in hitting a child isn't right b/c I don't live in Salem anymore...oh and my Freedom of Speech is trash, nice to know my husband did 4 deployments for nothing /sarcasm))

This one really gets me LOL'ing:
"Oranjello Lemonjello-
jamie, you haven't had merritt as a teacher have you? Hes an excellent teacher. i couldn't even believe this story after witnessing his helpful and caring character. i know there must be 2 sides to the story. i understand how harsh and cruel the media can be. realize that drama sells and one can only expect them to dramatize any situation to generate filth they call news. you keep saying he harmed a child. shes 18, shes not a 13 year old (i wasn't there so i don't know how she conducted herself) but i would guess she wasn't conducting herself very adult like."
((Him being an excellent teacher, which I'm not saying he wasn't, does not overrule the fact he put his hands on a student!! He admitted to the media he hit this girl!! Her being 18 means nothing b/c he did it as her teacher... she was sent to school and entrusted in the teachers care by her parents and he broke that trust when he hit her. And if she wasn't acting very "adult like" I'm sure there are better ways to deal with the situation than to hit her. TEACHERS DO NOT HIT STUDENTS. PERIOD.))

Then I got bashed and attacked for saying what a shit-hole Salem is. Yes, it is a shit-hole!!!!! When we lived there, I wouldn't take my boys outside to play because there was crack pipes on the ground, drug dealers around every corner. People saying things who didn't live IN the town, but on the outskirts, didn't see it all like I did. Maybe it has changed some since I lived there and I hope it has, but the truth remains, it was horrible when I was there.(( The father of the girl who was hit said to me, "I've met Chief Pelura since this "thing"started . I believe he is a good person and from what I hear , has done great things with the City, and the Police Dept. I personally have no reason not to admire him , and think you would too." Since he said this to me I decided to remove the comments I made about the cops of Salem because my intentions were not meant to slander them, I was simply a bit "heated" when I wrote this.))

Speak the truth and shame the devil.

Again my two links:
Salem High School grad taking teacher to court claiming he slapped her in the face.
Attend the board meeting to help Mr. Merritt

I guess students rallying is gonna over rule the fact that this man broke the law by hitting a student. Yeah okay.

I also got this in my inbox: (name and pic has been blotted out)At least someone appreciates the truth!


This is what it says incase you can't see it "i know u dont know me and i dont know u lol..but i saw what u r sayin on the merritt page..i just wanted to say THANK YOU! i had him as a bball coach for 3 years..well 3 a half. he made me quit the middle of my senior yr bc he treated me like complete shit! i wasnt the 1st to quit...and it wasnt like i was a no one i had played bball for many years and had a full ride to play in coollege. he made me hate everything about the game.him.and myself! if i said anythin on the page people wouldnt pay it any mind bc they know our history..its nice that someone is stating the truth! i dont hate him nor do i want him to loose his job.but he has to understand doing something illegal is not okay!"

*How would you feel if a teacher put his/her hands on your child? My husband and I already know we'd be in jail for hitting the teacher! Our tax dollars don't go to teachers for them to hit our children, they go to them to teach and guide. I don't know why I thought teenagers would understand that.*

**side note, the event I spoke of in this post was removed or I was blocked from it, so if you can't get to it, that is why**

Thursday, July 7, 2011

We all need friends!

From Army Wife 101 on facebook-

"Question of the Day: How long did it take you to make friends at your current duty station?"

It didn't take me long at all once I moved on post. I had already know my friend Sharon off a group on myspace that we were in together. One day we started talking when I told her I would help her with her son until she found a permanent baby sitter. We became pretty close. She works a lot and her hubs is home now so I don't see her as much, but I love her to death still =)

I also met my bestie, Staci, through the internet, kinda. Our mutual friend Aimee (who I knew from the same group as Sharon) asked me if I would help her when she came to Stewart because it was their first duty station. Would I help? Of course!! I was there the day the movers were and I never left! LOL...

Mistie was also in the same group on myspace, so I knew her a little but finally met her in person here... sweet gal who will do anything for you if she can, but don't cross her!! Just know, I will always stay on Mistie's good side lol =)

I met Fran through facebook when I was doing a jewelry party and she wanted to come but couldn't. So she ordered anyway and we started talking. She is so good to me and I love that gal!!

Jennifer was found on facebook too lol... don't know if it was mutual friends or my army wives page, but she was stalking me...taking pictures with my car and being silly, before I actually met her! LOL...now we're cool, she is my homie and I supply her crack ((Scentsy)) hahaaa...

Then there is Dee, who is Staci's neighbor and another Jennifer (who left) that was Staci's neighbor...

I could go on, but I won't... I'm an outgoing person and I need friends, I hate being alone. I make sure I meet people so I'm never alone long! lol

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

30 Days of me - Days 28, 29 & 30

I started this in Feb 2011 and it has taken me forever to finish! LOL... Here we are, finally the last 3 days!

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

Last year-

Now-(recent)

Hmmm... how have I changed since then?... I would say that I have changed in the sense that I'm now concentrating on me... back then, it was all about others. Now, I'm still concerned about others but I have come to see that I need to take my own advice and put me first! Everything else will fall into place.


Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned?


I've learned that love, no matter how deep and true, is not enough to keep some people together... even those who seem to have the best chance of making it.

Day 30- Your favorite song.

Right now, my fave song is:



Here are my previous "30 Days of Me"
30 Days of me - Day 1
30 Days of me - Day 2
30 Days of me - Day 3
30 Days of me - Day 4
30 Days of me - Day 5
30 Days of me - Day 6
30 Days of me - Day 7
30 Days of me - Day 8
30 Days of me - Day 9
30 Days of me - Day 10
30 Days of me - Day 11
30 Days of me - Day 12
30 Days of me - Day 13
30 Days of me - Day 14, Day 15, Day 16
30 Days of me - Day 17, Day 18, Day 19
30 Days of me - Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23
30 Days of me - Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27

Fun in the sun on the 4th!

The kids and I had a blast yesterday!

We went around to the activities on post and the kids went roller skating and rock wall climbing.



After that we went off post to get some ice cream to cool down =) Sonic Java Chiller (caramel) is the bomb =)

When we came back on post we went to a different area so the kids could get their faces painted and play on the big blow-up slides and in the bounce house. In this area there was a dog show going on. I had never heard of them before. They are called Disc-Connected K9's (click on their name to see their facebook page) and the show they put on was awesome! I think my favorite thing about them is that they work with all dogs who have been rescued. The stories are very touching! My boys loved them and Richie kept saying the entire way home "Those dogs were beast!" - for those of us who aren't hip, he means they were great, lol. The boys got their pics done with one of the dogs after the show and had their frisbees signed.


**This picture is for the AWN Photo Challenge.**

All in all, the day was great and full of fun, even though I got burnt.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Their Courage - by Roger J. Robicheau

Their courage deems utmost respect
Their mission clear, our way protect

It’s sure to each what they must do
No give or take, keep freedom true

With the grand old flag, they'll unite
Whenever they must, march to fight

A life we know counts hard on them
Without their ranks, hellish problem

If our Armed Forces ceased to be
How long could we survive as free

Let’s well realize the truthful score
We need our troops just like before

Boils down to this, words to engrave
Land of The Free, Due to The Brave

God Bless each one for being there
Their loved ones too, unending care

Hope born from love touches the will
Do back them strong, means to fulfill

Americans – Who Serve To Give
One Nation – Under God We Live

©2005 Roger J. Robicheau

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Worse than fighting...

What's worse than fighting? Silence...
When you fight, it's because you love and still have hope...
Hope that the fight in you will keep the love alive...
The heart wants what it wants...love...
but when the mind overcomes the heart, silence creeps in...
You may speak and be cold,
or keep it polite, but the fight? It's gone...
When you've lost hope and the fighting stops,
when the silence is there and your heart is numb,
it's time to realize hope is gone...
Silence is worse than fighting...
My voice is going dim...

Saturday, July 2, 2011

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

**The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

Column 2
North Carolina:
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Column 3
Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Column 4
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

Column 5
New York:
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

Column 6

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Massachusetts:
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire:
Matthew Thornton

Source