My Soldier hasn’t always been a Soldier. No, siree. He was a Devil Dog when we first got married.
Man, that uniform still makes my heart skip a beat. However, seeing him in his ACUs can make my heart go pitter-patter, too.
We give our most heartfelt and grateful thanks to those who are currently serving our great Nation and to those who have served in the past. We are are proud to live in the land of the free because of the brave. We proudly stand tall and support those who are serving from the four corners of the earth to keep us safe.
I am proud to be a military spouse and I’m proud of my Soldier. A long time ago, I read on a blog something along these lines, “soldiering is an honest calling just like farming, plumbing, …” I agree.
Our prayers are many and hearts are full. So, again, I say thank you. Thank you from the depths of my heart to those who serve our nation as a member of our Armed Forces and those who serve our nation on the home front.
Bon Jovi’s new CD, The Circle, is the Amazon.com MP3 Daily Deal for the bargain price of $3.99. You’re welcome.
I will have my tickets for their concert soon. Soon as in this week. Thankyouverymuch.
Anyone with an ounce of compassion is saddened and heart-broken over the tragedy at Ft. H00d. We are no different. Those who know me, know how passionate I am about our Armed Forces and consider the Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coasties, and their families, a part of our extended family. It is family that just so happens to be spread to the four corners of the earth and 99.999% I’ll never meet, but have the distinct pleasure of being a minority with.
My point…
Today I had a message from a television station. The message was left on my home phone for someone I have done some volunteer work with. She did a search and turned up the other lady’s name with my number attached. It just so happens that I don’t have the phone number of the lady she was looking for, but since she addressed the group of which I’m a member, I figured I could answer whatever questions she may have. I’ve done it a hundred times or more. I explained to the caller who I was, how I was related to the group and asked was there something I could do for her. (By the way, it’s 3:30 in the afternoon and I checked my messages from work after receiving notification of a voicemail left on my home number) She told me she was looking for some people to talk to with ties to the military to give their opinions on what happened at Ft. H00d. Well, that’s easy enough and I explained the way my family and I felt about it. Heart broken and saddened by the events. She wanted me to leave work to meet her for an interview. When I explained I couldn’t because I’m easily an hour and a half from where she would need me to be and my schedule didn’t mesh with hers, she then wanted me to alert those I know who may be able to drop what they were doing to schlep into the Big City to do her interview for the nightly news, but it had to be done before 6 because she really needed to cover the candlelight vigil being held. I know she’s not the newspaper, but I asked why couldn’t she just speak to people over the phone since it was such short notice. I was told it wasn’t the same and the impact wasn’t as good.
It unnerved me. And, no, I didn’t spread the word. My thought: she did an internet search and found me. So, do another one and find someone else.
Fabul-O had originally requested to be a Ninja for Halloween. I said no. Her backup was a Power Ranger, to which I, again, said no. After some careful negotiations, she asked for a purple costume with wings and a wand. Bless costume(dot)com because they had a purple plum fairy? Plum purple fairy? I can’t rember, but it was purple with wings and a wand. And a headband with flowers that make it “da best ever” and put me at the top of her “bestest mommy ever list.”
Years past, we would simply take Olivia to the local mall for some treats and she would pick where she wanted to eat. Her choice: Pizza Hut. Not this year. We packed up and headed to the big city to see Shannon, Tony and Emily and went trick-or-treating in their neighborhood. In the pouring down rain.
Fabul-O loved it. Loved it, I said. And she was sure to let Emily have her turn at ringing the doorbell, but when she didn’t want to, Fab stepped up her big girl skills and accepted the responsibility. Both of them were very aware of their loot. Very aware. They were some pretty dang cute fairies, if I may say so.
Huge thanks to the Shannon’s for hosting us. We had a great time and can’t wait to see you again soon.
And Shannon totally made the night with some glitter spray.
Something is chapping my arse and I’m not going to say what it is or who it is that has started the chapping, but I’m irritated. And, honestly? This isn’t something that usually irritates me, but day-um, this is getting to me.
Things it’s not:
- It’s not the fact that Fabul-O is now making Christmas decorations to hang on our Christmas tree. Unlike Target, she did wait until the day after Halloween. That’s close on its heels, though. But this one I have the power to nip in the bud…all I gotta do is hide her scissors and glue stick.
- It’s not the fact I think the girl at Target totally jacked me on a couple of my coupons, but I suppose she could have totally screwed me out of all the ones I printed that wouldn’t scan. By the way, I saved $56 at Target tonight. Go Me!
- It’s just not a whole bunch of stuff, but it is irritating as hell and if I don’t stop this bullet crap, I’m going to have to throw me on the list.
Peace, ya’ll, y’all or however else you wanna do it. I’m going to raid a certain little Boo-bucket that has some Reese’s peanut butter cups in it.
I’m.Totally.Stoked. about this.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Bon Jovi in concert. Now if tickets would just go on sale so I can get them and relax.
Johnny says he doesn’t want a meme theme, but I know deep down he does, so I’m throwing him an e-bone.
My blog bio in ten bullet points or less:
- I have a degree in Criminal Justice, but have never done anything with it. I have a fancy title with a cabinet manufacturing company.
- Will and I have been married 12-1/2 years.
- When we first got married, we didn’t think we wanted kids, but, when we changed out minds, it appears Karma and Mother Nature teamed up against us and said, “Bite us Beyotches.” Oh, and I don’t like it when people tell me, “You might still get pregnant.” I don’t like it at all. You’re right. I might, but the chances are better that I won’t. And why do you even want to have that conversation with me? I don’t get mad, angry or upset when others get pregnant. I really do celebrate with them and for them. Remember: I love being able to say I was able to celebrate my baby shower with beer
- Will deployed to Iraq in 2005 and had “boots on the ground” for 214 days. Longest time he waited in line to call home: 8 hours. Amount of I cried after that phone call: 20 minutes.
- Olivia was adopted from China in 2006. (No, your eyes don’t deceive you…I’m white…very much so).
- I own a minivan and have since May. I don’t care what Mar says, painting flames on it isn’t going to make it cool and Will was right…I aged ten years.
- Despite what some may see, I’m actually a pretty shy person and super self-conscious. Close your jaws, I’m serious.
- I tear up when I hear our National Anthem.
- I think snark is a 6th sense that draws people together and keeps us close even when we’re miles and miles apart.
- I love blue jeans, peanut butter, cheese, cool weather and firmly believe toilet paper should go over, not under.
H/T Johnny…this was fun.
I got my new shoes yesterday. They aren’t comfortable. At all. I’ll be sending them back. Unfortunately, this was the smallest of my most recent round of disappointments.
I’m kind of at an impasse right now and I don’t know what to do. I tried to come up with some cute, quippy analogy, but I can’t. I’ve always been proud to call myself a strong, independent woman, but right now I feel defeated. Totally and utterly defeated within an inch of my being. And alone*
No comments and no questions, please. My health is fine and Olivia is doing just great. I have some supa cute pictures to post from a wedding we attended over the weekend. She was totally macked on by our friend’s little boy. He’s a handsome little fella.
____________
*I know I’m not really alone because I have real life peeps and I have my e-peeps, but for this I am. I’m sorry I can’t say more. One day maybe, but not right now.
I often wonder what certain things will look like on me, if I were to buy them. Something tells me with this shirt, I simply won’t look like the picture.
I’m serious about the mud run. Will might not think I am and most people I tell about it roll their eyes at me, but I am. We will have to have a four-person team so I’m hoping he’ll get serious about it and we can get him through physical therapy to participate. He is supposed to tell his therapist about it and let them decide what they think the likelihood is he will be able to participate. If he can’t then I need 3 more. Anyone? Anyone?
Dr. Huha listened to my plea to get me off the seizure medication and we’re working my way backwards to something much more mild. He suggested, in front of my 4-1/2 year old, that I practice safe relations to avoid the three-headed baby I’m concerned about should my eggs do something asinine like fertilize. A herd of wild buffalo led by Cindewella and Pwince Chahming couldn’t have broken her trance off her mindless scribbling, but the word s.e.x. had her at full attention. He did that scream-whisper when he repeated it like I didn’t understand it the first two times he said it. Jayzus man…I get it! That wasn’t an “I’m confused” look. It was more of an “I’m terrified because now I have to avert a s.e.x. explanation when I leave here” look.
Anyway, Dr. Huha has reconfigured my medication and I should be able to hit the gym soon. I’m totally ready for this. Giving up my indulgences is another story. I’m having a hard time sticking too that…as I have been for quite some time.
I researched shoes. And I found these. I could have picked the boring blue, but I wanted the bright pink. 10% off be damned. I was able to search out a 20% off coupon code on retailmen0t(dot)com. With free shipping. And they are a Upromise partner. And they have free returns should I not like my new kicks. win-win-win-win.
We are also in the wee beginnings of something new. It’s pretty big and we aren’t sure what the outcome will be or if it will even work out for us. We could use some prayers and some good wishes for the best possible outcome, whatever that may be. I’ll update on it as soon as I can, but it may not be for several months, so keep us tucked in the recesses of your mind, wouldja?
Contractor called today. They want to frame the room addition tomorrow and set the windows and doors. They’ll have to come back another day to do siding and inside, but should be no more than a 2-day job. We’ll install the lighting and whatnot. It’s not fayncee, but it’s something. I got a lil nervous about not having a permit since most of the structure was already here (slab and roof), but applied anyway. Neighbor did same project without permit. Code enforcement will come inspect ours and I’m afraid he’ll get busted. Conscience is in my way, but I did what I felt we needed to do. Fine is double the cost of permit. We picked up the 2×4s, door, and insulation today. Windows we’ve had for a couple of weeks. Siding we couldn’t agree on because I didn’t see the exact thing he said to get, so I’ll let contractor pick it up. Kudos to Lowe’s for giving military discount. Need to pick out the lighting – think I’ve found what I like and it’s on clearance – blinds and floor covering. Pieces of cake.
Guesties arrive next week. So excited. The boys are going to the race. There’s gonna be a girl’s night out in the BIG city. Shannon and Shanny will be joining us so it’s sure to be a blast. Can’t wait.
Until next time….
Last month, we attended a gala for the North Carolina Heroes Fund. As a “parting gift” we were given a bottle of Zinfandel from One Hope Winery.
One Hope has five different wines and each supports a different cause. If you click on the wine link below, it will take you to that wine’s page and you can read why they chose that particular wine for that particular cause and it will tell you what charity it is supporting. I have only had the Zinfandel – and it’s not a white zinfandel – and I like it. I took a couple of bottles of the Cabernet Sauvignon to Shannon’s for her Autism Awareness cookout.
Zinfandel: Troops
Cabernet Sauvignon: Autism
Merlot: Aids Awareness
Chardonnay: Breast Cancer
Sauvignon Blanc: The Planet
One Hope is not a charity; they are a for-profit company making a difference and I think it’s worth a whirl around their website to check ’em out.
One of my besties, Shannon, is raising money for Autism Awareness. Last weekend she hosted a banging little get together at her place to raise some money and they are only $95 from their very modest goal. If you have a few bucks to spare, http://www.trianglerunwalkforautism.com/. As we all know, every little bit helps and it is tax deductible. Colin is her nephew and a very, very sweet little boy. And, yes, Shannon is walking.
Today my friend Wendy welcomed her husband home from Iraq. Almost four years ago, Wendy and I waited for the plane to descend from the clouds with our husbands on it in the rain at the Naval Air Station at Oceana in Virgina. Today Wendy, another friend and some other wives are exhaling and hugging their husbands tightly as they welcome them home from deployment. They let go of the anxiety they have carried with them throughout the deployment.
These folks aren’t just friends….they’re family.
Welcome Home, Danny and the Seabees of NMCB24. We’re proud of you and thank you for your service to our great Nation!
HOOAH!
Today is Gold Star Mother’s Day. It is a day set aside to honor mothers who have lost a son or daughter while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States.
We are proud to stand tall for those who serve our great Nation today and are humbled by those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
I’ve met several Gold Star Mothers and every one of them has a strength and demeanor I wish I could have. Those I know have holes in their soul for the loss of their child, but will proudly tell stories of their son or daughter with a smile that beams unlike any other smile you have ever seen.
We pray for strength, guidance and wisdom as these families continue on their journey. Our thoughts are always with them and our thanks can never be fully expressed.
My little brain spasms are back. With a slight vengeance. I have a headache for the third week in a row, but it’s manageable with OTC medication. My seizure medicine will produce a baby with three heads should my eggs decide to do something asinine like fertilize. I don’t think it’s working, so I’m oddly concerned that I’m not seizing like Dr. Huha (HeadUpHisAss) thinks I am, but I could be. Who knows. I have tremors at night when I rest sometimes.
Last weekend, we were at C0stco and I got disoriented, which I refer to as getting lost in my brain. I get slight dizzy spells from time to time and I’ll feel a feeling of warmth wash over me, but usually it’s nothing too terrible. Then I get a weird thumping feeling in my chest. Imagine yourself at a concert too close to a speaker and you feel the vibrations moving through your body. That’s the sensation. Sunday was bad. Will was with me and I totally lost track of me, my environment and what I was doing. I couldn’t help but cry. Right there in the store. Next to an end cap of noodles. My FIL gets disoriented at times and I could never understand how he felt when he tried to describe it. But now I know. It is one of the scariest feelings around. I went home and laid down. Olivia drew a picture. When I asked her what it was, she said it was me. In bed sick. I cried again. My child sees me as sick all the time. I’m not, I just get lost in my brain, but I don’t know how to explain it to her in words she’ll understand. I try not to make too much of the headaches because it scares her. But she sees me as sick. I’m tired of being sick. I’m tired of being tired. I’m tired of being snappy. I’m tired of being void of energy. I’m tired of being tired of being tired of stuff. I’m tired of getting lost in my brain.
So, next week, I’m going back to see Dr. Huha and see what we can do. I think the medication is keeping me from getting “better” enough to feel better. I think it’s taking my energy and making me less happy than I want to be. No, it’s not the root of all my ills and issues, but anything that has the side effect of a baby with multiple heads has the capability to bring one into a constant state of pissed offness.
I need to get better. I need to get healthy. I need a challenge and I’ve found one. I want to do a mud run. I think the closest one to me is in Columbia, SC unless Carolina Marines does another one at Belmont Abbey College. I have one year to get my crap together to do it. I really, really want to. Has anyone ever done one or know anyone who has?? I’ve read about the one atCamp Pendleton and hear it’s exhausting, but totally fun. I told Will I want us to do it; I think we can do a two man team, unless some of ya’ll who are local wanna go it with us for a four man team. I have one year to get into shape for it. I can do it. I know I can. I have to work on my discipline, though. And until I get this blah Eeyore-ish feeling to go away, I can’t do that. Which means from time to time I may pimp for support…ya’ll up for the pimping?
Hooah!
Last night I put a Boston butt in the crock pot. I cheated a little and used a bottled Carolina style barbecue sauce. I was adventurous last year and made my own rub and sauce. Not so much this go round. I put my butt in the pot, poured in a bottle of sauce and let it cook for about 7 hours. On PomPom’s 7,000th trip outside last night, I turned off the slow cooker (about 3:30 a.m.) and I put everything in the fridge before I left for work. We spruced it up with some additional bottled sauce while it was reheating on top of the stove and it was good. I’m not crazy about the bottled sauce I chose, but ease won.
I also reheated Glorified Hash Browns I found in a “Taste of Home” potluck magazine I made last night for dinner. I cut it in half since Will and I were the only two eating it:
Glorified Hashbrowns
(2) cans cream of celery soup (I used reduced fat)
(2) 8 oz. tubs of onion and chive cream cheese
(1) pkg. (2 lbs) frozen cubed hashbrown potatoes
(1) cup shredded cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine soup and cream cheese. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 minutes, or until cream cheese is melted, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes and stir until coated.
2. Spoon into greased 13×9x2″ baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with cheese and bake another 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
A couple of changes I made and my insight:
- I used reduced fat cream of celery soup
- Like I said, I cut it in half since Will and I were the only two eating it. It made enough for dinner last night and again tonight.
- I stirred in some shredded cheese – not too much, but some.
- I thought it was too much cream cheese. I also have a hard time using full-fat cream cheese and am not a huge fan of the onion and chive one to start with, but it gave it pretty good flavor. Will thought it was just right.
- I actually baked it for a little over an hour. Now, I used a round baking dish so it was probably “thicker” than if I would have spread it out into a rectangular dish like the directions called for. I also increased the oven temp to 400 degrees to speed it along.
Next time I make it, I’ll change it up a little to better suit my tastes, but, all-in-all, it was good. More of my hangups than anything else.
For dessert…Twinkies. And I love the fact C0stco now sells them in bulk.
Love supa simple suppa nights. Love.them.
My boss came in my office and told me one of our employees injured himself today. I shuddered and asked what happened.
Here’s the story:
I had an employee with a tube of I*c*y H*t in his front jeans pocket. He was loading a truck and one of the cabinets put pressure on the tube and it burst in his pocket. It wasn’t noticable at first; I understand it takes about five minutes for the full effects to be felt. Understandably, it brought him to tears, and to his knees, as it was burning his boy parts. I wasn’t completely sure what to do. I mean, I’ve never actually used this stuff, but I know it’s intended purpose. They were asking me how to fix him. Heck, I didn’t know. Is this something you’d call poison control for? So, I G00gled “how to cool the burning effect of I*c*y H*t” (or something pretty close) and came up with olive oil to stop the burn as one of the top three results, but, since we’re a manufacturing facility not an Italian restaurant, I broke out the first aid kit and he used two packets of burn cream and a whole tube of Ne0sp0rin and treated it like a burn. (Did you know it can cause 2nd degree burns?) Apparently, the menthol burn is along the same lines of a pepper burn in your mouth: water make its hurt worse. My employee had tried to wash it away with cold water from the bathroom sink.
Bless his heart, it was in his pants. No matter what he did, short of completely shedding his britches, the burn lingered on. And on. He had to call a ride to come get him because he couldn’t drive. I’m not sure how I scored the luxury of telling him the results of my online search and giving him the burn ointment, but it’s doubtful he’ll make eye contact with me for a while. I’m waiting to see what they peg him with for a nickname. There are a few floating around: hot pants, fire balls, ice man.
Oh, in case anyone is wondering, I also found this glorious tidbit as one of the top search results: “Maztrb*ting with I*c*y H*t is a bad idea.” I ain’t linking it, but it was over at everything2(dot)com. Here’s my thoughts on it. Granted, I’m a girl and it’s a girl’s perspective, but anything that can burn your eyes and nose when you remove the cap is way to sensitive for the nether regions. I will admit, sheer freaking curiosity got me to reading through the comments and this can be a “problem” amongst fellas. The last commenter advised against using hot sauce, too. Dude…I never.would.have.thunk.it.
Once the initial burning of the corneas stopped and my sinuses cleared from his pass through my office, it smelled like Mentos for the remainder of the afternoon. Then I was reminded of this delightful fact: my office now smelled like his nibblets.
Olivia said:
I’m really hungry. Are you?
I said:
No, not really.
Olivia said:
Well, maybe you should just get up and fix my breakfast anyway.
I said:
Olivia, we need to go to the grocery store. We’re out of milk.
She said:
But we have beer, right?
I swear I don’t know where she gets it from.
