Hello, hello, hello.
I am currently in Oklahoma with my family.
It has been a busy three weeks since I got here. Not a lot of time to just sit and blog. Not even enough time to farm on Facebook.
Yes, I Farmville.
Thanksgiving was nice, lots of yummy food. My mom and I had fun cooking together. We're going to be cooking much more over the next week, making candies, cookies, and treats to take up to my aunt's house in Kansas. First time in a LONG time that we are all going to get together.
I'm staying with my mother in law, Crystal, who is also kind enough to help look after my dogs while I'm visiting everyone. I got a stray hair up my butt and offered to clean out a rental house for grammy. She's a realtor and the landlord for the rental so I agreed to clean it out for her. Well, I didn't know quite what I was getting myself into. Her tenants were obviously hoarders of trash. The entire house was trashed, garbage, broken toys, food, you name it, it was left behind.
My grammy couldn't stay too long to help, real estate can't wait in this market, so I enlisted the help of my dear and wonderful mother in law.
After seven and a half hours of scrubbing, bleaching, and singing "Strawberry Fields Forever" (there were enough chemicals to get you lightheaded) we decided we needed a glass of wine when we got home. Crystal and I are standing at the stove while she unscrews the bottle of "sparkling" moscato that we spent 45 minutes picking out, deep in conversation when all of the sudden....
POP! Pop! Pop! Plop.
We're staring at each other speechlessly, as the ricocheting cork rolls to a stop between our feet. Then we started giggling, and before you know it, we are rolling around the linoleum laughing with tears streaming down our faces. That was two weeks ago and anytime we mention a cork or bottle, we start giggling about the wine cork incident, instantly knowing what the other is giggling about.
Back to the house clean-up. It took about 4 days to finish. Day 2 of Operation: Clean House Crystal and I decided that we were going to tackle the kitchen appliances, a task that could not be approached previously at least until we had sprayed enough bleach on every surface of the kitchen to chemically burn anything that walked through it. The tenants had left so much food on every surface that there were even cockroaches in the fridge and oven. EEEEEK!!!!
While I scrubbing down the cabinets and trying to eliminate the food glazed over them, Crystal had pulled out the stove to investigate the damage done by aforementioned cockroaches. She did her cleaning and scrubbing and I did my cleaning and scrubbing all while listening to 80's pop playlist on Pandora.
Our cleaning and scrubbing however, was interrupted when Crystal decided to plug the oven back into the wall. We still have no clue what happened for sure, but we do know this: many cockroaches perished in the electrocution.
Crystal inserted the "male" part of the plug into the "female" outlet and the results were, shall we say, explosive.
POP! POP! POP! POP! Orange, red, yellow, and white lights are shooting out from behind the stove. Crystal is stunned, so I start to ask, "Can I get you-"
"A new set of drawers!" She interjected.
We both sat silenced for a moment before bursting into laughter and tears.
After assessing the damage of Crystal's drawers and determining that there had been no leaking of any kind, we continued to clean the house. Eventually we got the Typhoid House (as we had so fondly named it) habitable so the rest of my grammy's workers could come in and fix what we could not.
Then we went to a 31 party, which is a bag/organizing purse party thing. We shared how we are Scentsy consultants and it turned into a joint party!
Last Saturday, we had a Scentsy open house and Crystal and I each made our goal for sales! WOO HOO!
This morning I went to the YMCA with my mom, which I have been doing daily for the past three weeks. My motivation is that my husband met this guy over where he is and this dude started motivating him to work out. Well, I figured if he can make himself all hot and sexy for me, why can't I do the same for him? I did 15 minutes on the treadmill to warm up and 30 minutes on the elliptical, with 45 minutes spent doing floor exercises working on abs, ass, and arms. My mom and I finish it all out with about 15 minutes spent in the dry sauna, which basically feels like an oven. It feels like it will bake you from the inside out.
Well, I am running out of things to say and running out of creativity to make anything I do say interesting, so I will end now.
Stay strong, fellow bloggers, and merry Christmas.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Happy Black Friday.
Well, I'm back home for now. Visiting the family, eating the food, celebrating the holidays.
I'm sleeping in a zebra stripe pink bed at my mother in law's house. I love pink. I love zebra stripes. I just thought I would share.
I also love high heels. I'm going to go buy a cheap pair of stiletto peep-toes and bedazzle them with rhinestones from Hobby Lobby, my very own Louboutin's. I'll Pinterest it for you all at a later time.
If you don't know what pinning and Pinterest is, you haven't LIVED.
Okay....if you aren't pinning that means that you actually DO have a life outside of the internet. Unlike me.
Pinterest is a virtual pin board. Basically you can pin links and bookmarks to your favorite sites, organize them, and comment on them. You can pin other people's pins and they in turn can pin your pins.
Pinning is addicting. That's probably the worst part.
I've pinned shoes, recipes, and baby things for my future spawn....you can pin ANYTHING on the internet
....do not join Pinterest or you too will become a pin-head. You will find yourself pinning and pinning. You drown in pins and dreams about pins. It will make you hungry or make you want to work your butt off from exercises. It will make you feel artsy, it will make you crafty....but most of all, you will become addicted.
Now that I've got Pinterest out of my system, onto my actual blog post about my actual life.
I started my drive from Georgia on Sunday. It rained all through Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. My dogs and I stopped at a hotel for the night. Nitro doesn't like hotels. He cannot fathom that we would purposely stay the night in a building where other people also stay the night. He kept me up until 4am, growling and barking at all the noises outside. I finally turned the TV on, just loud enough to cover up the outside noise. He fell onto my pillow in the very middle of the bed and began snoring loudly. This caused me to curl up on the very edge of the bed and sleep uncomfortably for the next three and half hours. We hit the road at 7:30am and again, it was raining. It rained through Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma! RAINRAINRAINRAINRAIN!!!!!
Did I mention that neither of my dogs like rain? Case and point: two nights before we left home, we had a HUGE thunderstorm. Nitro jumped in my lap and Lucy jumped next to me, landing in a pile of Nitro's toys.
Anyways, besides the rain, the drive was pretty uneventful. Being home is nice. It's relaxing. I don't have to worry about much, except remembering to pay bills on time, and if anything does go wrong, I have more than enough people that I can rely on if needed. Not saying that I mooch off of my family, I pitch in.
Thanksgiving was nice. It was wonderful cooking with my mom again for the holidays and I can't wait to decorate for Christmas! I had a wonderful lunch with my family and went over to my husband's grandparents for a visit as well later that evening. I'm so glad that I didn't go Black Friday shopping, I heard it was monstrous.
Now, on another note....I had a completely wonderful dream last night. I dreamed that my husband came home early and surprised me for Christmas! It was so amazing! I was out with my family for dinner and his family showed up and surprised me. It just completely shocked me, I swore it was real! Everything felt so real, his embrace, his lips, his voice in my ear....then, of course, I woke up. I realized it wasn't real and try as I might to close my eyes and go back to that moment, I couldn't.
Nothing is more disappointing than waking from a wonderful dream like that.
At least being home the next 3 months should pass more quickly for me. By the time I get home I should only have a few weeks until my husband comes home. I can't wait!
I'm sleeping in a zebra stripe pink bed at my mother in law's house. I love pink. I love zebra stripes. I just thought I would share.
I also love high heels. I'm going to go buy a cheap pair of stiletto peep-toes and bedazzle them with rhinestones from Hobby Lobby, my very own Louboutin's. I'll Pinterest it for you all at a later time.
If you don't know what pinning and Pinterest is, you haven't LIVED.
Okay....if you aren't pinning that means that you actually DO have a life outside of the internet. Unlike me.
Pinterest is a virtual pin board. Basically you can pin links and bookmarks to your favorite sites, organize them, and comment on them. You can pin other people's pins and they in turn can pin your pins.
Pinning is addicting. That's probably the worst part.
I've pinned shoes, recipes, and baby things for my future spawn....you can pin ANYTHING on the internet
....do not join Pinterest or you too will become a pin-head. You will find yourself pinning and pinning. You drown in pins and dreams about pins. It will make you hungry or make you want to work your butt off from exercises. It will make you feel artsy, it will make you crafty....but most of all, you will become addicted.
Now that I've got Pinterest out of my system, onto my actual blog post about my actual life.
I started my drive from Georgia on Sunday. It rained all through Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. My dogs and I stopped at a hotel for the night. Nitro doesn't like hotels. He cannot fathom that we would purposely stay the night in a building where other people also stay the night. He kept me up until 4am, growling and barking at all the noises outside. I finally turned the TV on, just loud enough to cover up the outside noise. He fell onto my pillow in the very middle of the bed and began snoring loudly. This caused me to curl up on the very edge of the bed and sleep uncomfortably for the next three and half hours. We hit the road at 7:30am and again, it was raining. It rained through Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma! RAINRAINRAINRAINRAIN!!!!!
Did I mention that neither of my dogs like rain? Case and point: two nights before we left home, we had a HUGE thunderstorm. Nitro jumped in my lap and Lucy jumped next to me, landing in a pile of Nitro's toys.
Anyways, besides the rain, the drive was pretty uneventful. Being home is nice. It's relaxing. I don't have to worry about much, except remembering to pay bills on time, and if anything does go wrong, I have more than enough people that I can rely on if needed. Not saying that I mooch off of my family, I pitch in.
Thanksgiving was nice. It was wonderful cooking with my mom again for the holidays and I can't wait to decorate for Christmas! I had a wonderful lunch with my family and went over to my husband's grandparents for a visit as well later that evening. I'm so glad that I didn't go Black Friday shopping, I heard it was monstrous.
Now, on another note....I had a completely wonderful dream last night. I dreamed that my husband came home early and surprised me for Christmas! It was so amazing! I was out with my family for dinner and his family showed up and surprised me. It just completely shocked me, I swore it was real! Everything felt so real, his embrace, his lips, his voice in my ear....then, of course, I woke up. I realized it wasn't real and try as I might to close my eyes and go back to that moment, I couldn't.
Nothing is more disappointing than waking from a wonderful dream like that.
At least being home the next 3 months should pass more quickly for me. By the time I get home I should only have a few weeks until my husband comes home. I can't wait!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
I'm gonna rant for a moment.
As most of you know, or should know, tomorrow is Veteran's Day. A day to thank those who fight for and protect our freedoms as Americans: past, present, and future.
It is also a day that is widely commercialized due to the corporations and department stores, much like Christmas.
On this day, many restaurants offer free meals to Veterans, but most establishments will extend the offer to dependents knowingly and unknowingly or if asked to do so.
The problem with this is that most, if not all establishments, only have a certain number of meals to give away to Veteran's before they run out. Like hotels only have so many discounts they can give away per night. Now, I understand that if you are offered a discount you feel obligated to take it, because, hey, it was offered to you. But it isn't rude to politely say, "Thank you, but I would appreciate it more if a Veteran received that discount rather than a spouse".
I have heard every excuse in the book for why you should accept the free or discounted meal if offered to you:
"They are civilians. They don't know any better, so I don't bother correcting them."
Excuse me, you are a civilian too. Unless you are currently active duty, reserve, guard, or prior-service, then you are a civilian. And being experienced in the military lifestyle, it is your responsibility to correct them.
"It's a blessing! My husband was deployed, but I went to Outback, Applebee's, and Chili's last year with my mom and we were offered free meals at each!"
It is not a blessing if you are restaurant-hopping and asking for the offer to be extended to you! You took three meals that could have fed three Veteran's who have actually fought for their country! Shame on you!
Blessing: God's favor and protection. A prayer asking for favor and protection.
"It's wrong to decline a free meal."
No, it isn't wrong. It is wrong to accept something knowing it was not meant for you. It is not wrong to decline something you know was not meant for you in a polite manner.
The reason this hits home with me is because I have seen Veteran's get denied things left and right, this year especially. They get denied healthcare, they get denied jobs, they get denied a pension, and even homes....but by God if I am going to stand by and watch a Veteran get denied a MEAL because a dependent felt it was their right to accept a discount and enjoy it.
God bless America.
It is also a day that is widely commercialized due to the corporations and department stores, much like Christmas.
On this day, many restaurants offer free meals to Veterans, but most establishments will extend the offer to dependents knowingly and unknowingly or if asked to do so.
The problem with this is that most, if not all establishments, only have a certain number of meals to give away to Veteran's before they run out. Like hotels only have so many discounts they can give away per night. Now, I understand that if you are offered a discount you feel obligated to take it, because, hey, it was offered to you. But it isn't rude to politely say, "Thank you, but I would appreciate it more if a Veteran received that discount rather than a spouse".
I have heard every excuse in the book for why you should accept the free or discounted meal if offered to you:
"They are civilians. They don't know any better, so I don't bother correcting them."
Excuse me, you are a civilian too. Unless you are currently active duty, reserve, guard, or prior-service, then you are a civilian. And being experienced in the military lifestyle, it is your responsibility to correct them.
"It's a blessing! My husband was deployed, but I went to Outback, Applebee's, and Chili's last year with my mom and we were offered free meals at each!"
It is not a blessing if you are restaurant-hopping and asking for the offer to be extended to you! You took three meals that could have fed three Veteran's who have actually fought for their country! Shame on you!
Blessing: God's favor and protection. A prayer asking for favor and protection.
"It's wrong to decline a free meal."
No, it isn't wrong. It is wrong to accept something knowing it was not meant for you. It is not wrong to decline something you know was not meant for you in a polite manner.
The reason this hits home with me is because I have seen Veteran's get denied things left and right, this year especially. They get denied healthcare, they get denied jobs, they get denied a pension, and even homes....but by God if I am going to stand by and watch a Veteran get denied a MEAL because a dependent felt it was their right to accept a discount and enjoy it.
God bless America.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Another really old post....
Here's one I wrote shortly after the previous one. Wah, wah....I cry and vent a lot in this blog.
After being in Georgia one year and deciding we will probably be here another 3, we decided to buy a house. We built a house. We bought and built a house in under 90 days.
It was stressful.
It was hair-graying.
It was nail-bitingly crazy.
It was freakin' awesome.
It's beautiful. I thank God every time I walk in the door and say, "I'm home".
But finally getting ourselves situated and moved in has also brought another stress with it.
Deployment.
Cody was first scheduled to deploy in December, which was far enough I had time to mentally prepare for its arrival and possibly convince Cody to make a baby with me....
Too much information? Well....here's what I say to that!
What's a nursery for if you don't have a baby to go in it?!
Anyways....well, turns out he isn't going to be leaving in December.
He's going to be leaving in less than a month. I have no time to mentally prepare. No time to think. No time to consider making a baby.
He's also going to be absent at my sister's wedding. Absent by my side. Absent for our birthdays and anniversary.
Slowly its starting to sink in the sacrifice we are making by becoming a military family. I hear it all the time, "You knew what you were getting yourself into". Yes, you can mentally know, but you don't understand. You won't understand until you are there, in that situation or scenario. It's a major sacrifice and a hardship to bear.
After being in Georgia one year and deciding we will probably be here another 3, we decided to buy a house. We built a house. We bought and built a house in under 90 days.
It was stressful.
It was hair-graying.
It was nail-bitingly crazy.
It was freakin' awesome.
It's beautiful. I thank God every time I walk in the door and say, "I'm home".
But finally getting ourselves situated and moved in has also brought another stress with it.
Deployment.
Cody was first scheduled to deploy in December, which was far enough I had time to mentally prepare for its arrival and possibly convince Cody to make a baby with me....
Too much information? Well....here's what I say to that!
What's a nursery for if you don't have a baby to go in it?!
Anyways....well, turns out he isn't going to be leaving in December.
He's going to be leaving in less than a month. I have no time to mentally prepare. No time to think. No time to consider making a baby.
He's also going to be absent at my sister's wedding. Absent by my side. Absent for our birthdays and anniversary.
Slowly its starting to sink in the sacrifice we are making by becoming a military family. I hear it all the time, "You knew what you were getting yourself into". Yes, you can mentally know, but you don't understand. You won't understand until you are there, in that situation or scenario. It's a major sacrifice and a hardship to bear.
I found a really old post today that never got posted....
Okay, this was a few months back....sometime in March or April I think. It's kind of fun looking back and seeing how far you've come.
After beginning the month Cody and I have begun and having the ups and downs we have experienced so far....and the worry and stress I have expressed to co-workers....I have decided to blog on it. Get it all out in the open. Take a breath of fresh air.
We got a puppy. He has been stress numero uno as he is very unpredictable. I feel like I constantly have to supervise him. But, he is learning fast and gets along so well with Lucy.
My husband and I are of course building a house. It's almost completed. They were putting the cabinets and counter tops in last week. Things have seemed to be going quite smoothly until a couple weeks ago.
It seems like nothing has gone right since and out of desperation we have been scrambling wildly about trying as quickly as possible to get things together.
Firstly, the government shutdown which was barely averted. We both walked through our house wondering what we could sell and what we could go without. Never a feeling I want to go through again, especially with so little working for us. It was absolutely terrifying not knowing if we were going to be getting paid or not. Money: not something men and women in uniform exactly need less of.
Then my husband was told he would be deploying in June (as i am not mentioning exact dates, there is no harm being done). If he deploys anytime before August, he will be missing out on my sister's wedding. The wedding which he is supposed to be in. The wedding which I am going to be in and making a cake for. The wedding I would now have to be attending alone.
Then we received news that he would be deploying anywhere from 2-3 weeks from now, pushing things less than 8 weeks out. This cuts our closing date on our house closely as we were not supposed to be closing till the 15th of May and moving in sometime closely after.
Now we don't know when he could possibly be deploying. It could be anywhere between now and August.
Also today, we found out our mortgage company got bought out by a bigger company. Our mortgage broker is working desperately to close our deal before the company closes permanently and my realtor remains hopeful we will be closing now by the 11th.
Not to mention needing to drive cross-country in July with my dog Lucy and our new puppy Nitro all alone, probably in my two-door car....and coupled with the way gas prices are looking, its gonna also be costly.
So, almost not getting paid, cutting our closing and move closely before he deploys, not knowing when he will deploy and knowing I will need to drive across country to Oklahoma to attend my sister's wedding is just lovely. Abso-freaking-lutely lovely.
Yes, we did get a new puppy. My husband couldn't wait and after seeing his cute little face in a text message I just had to have him too.
I'll post pictures soon.
Well, I feel better now. I really do. I feel oodles better now that I let that all HANG OUT.
After beginning the month Cody and I have begun and having the ups and downs we have experienced so far....and the worry and stress I have expressed to co-workers....I have decided to blog on it. Get it all out in the open. Take a breath of fresh air.
We got a puppy. He has been stress numero uno as he is very unpredictable. I feel like I constantly have to supervise him. But, he is learning fast and gets along so well with Lucy.
My husband and I are of course building a house. It's almost completed. They were putting the cabinets and counter tops in last week. Things have seemed to be going quite smoothly until a couple weeks ago.
It seems like nothing has gone right since and out of desperation we have been scrambling wildly about trying as quickly as possible to get things together.
Firstly, the government shutdown which was barely averted. We both walked through our house wondering what we could sell and what we could go without. Never a feeling I want to go through again, especially with so little working for us. It was absolutely terrifying not knowing if we were going to be getting paid or not. Money: not something men and women in uniform exactly need less of.
Then my husband was told he would be deploying in June (as i am not mentioning exact dates, there is no harm being done). If he deploys anytime before August, he will be missing out on my sister's wedding. The wedding which he is supposed to be in. The wedding which I am going to be in and making a cake for. The wedding I would now have to be attending alone.
Then we received news that he would be deploying anywhere from 2-3 weeks from now, pushing things less than 8 weeks out. This cuts our closing date on our house closely as we were not supposed to be closing till the 15th of May and moving in sometime closely after.
Now we don't know when he could possibly be deploying. It could be anywhere between now and August.
Also today, we found out our mortgage company got bought out by a bigger company. Our mortgage broker is working desperately to close our deal before the company closes permanently and my realtor remains hopeful we will be closing now by the 11th.
Not to mention needing to drive cross-country in July with my dog Lucy and our new puppy Nitro all alone, probably in my two-door car....and coupled with the way gas prices are looking, its gonna also be costly.
So, almost not getting paid, cutting our closing and move closely before he deploys, not knowing when he will deploy and knowing I will need to drive across country to Oklahoma to attend my sister's wedding is just lovely. Abso-freaking-lutely lovely.
Yes, we did get a new puppy. My husband couldn't wait and after seeing his cute little face in a text message I just had to have him too.
I'll post pictures soon.
Well, I feel better now. I really do. I feel oodles better now that I let that all HANG OUT.
Age Part Two
When you buy a daily wrinkle cream, you also need to buy a night wrinkle cream.
And a special eye cream because eyes are particularly sensitive to wrinkle creams and they begin cracking almost as soon as you start using the other creams.
And a special eye cream because eyes are particularly sensitive to wrinkle creams and they begin cracking almost as soon as you start using the other creams.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Testing, testing....is this thing on?
Right now my husband's dog is running circles around me. He jumps on the love seat over to the couch, behind my back and off the couch, then repeats it all over again. I need to take to him on a walk, but I hurt my calf exercising yesterday and I just don't feel like being dragged around the neighborhood by him right now.
(hint: I look like something out of Marmaduke, only my dog weighs 30lbs....)
Remember how I said I was tired of worrying and I was gonna start praying and putting my faith into action? (see last blog entry if you haven't read it already.) Well, God saw that and I think He's decided to put me to the test.
Example: after my husband's truck died this last time, a buddy came out and helped me with the alternator. We took it out, got it tested (still working), and then reinstalled it. Apparently all the alternator had needed was to be banged around a little, because as soon as we got it reinstalled, the truck started right up. Now, she doesn't sound pretty right now. She coughs and flutters when stopped or parked, but she seems to be driving alright. Or so I thought. The check engine light came on two night's ago. Got that checked out and it seems to be a fuel problem, but with the coughing and fluttering going on, it's possible the EGR valve needs to be replaced and there might be a broken fuel line somewhere.
*facepalm*
I went to church this morning. My daily prayer lately has been based on giving thanks to God. I thank Him for everything He has blessed us with. This prayer was silently repeated before we were dismissed at church.
Well, I get home, walk in the door, kick off my shoes, fall on the couch to curl up with my dogs....I'm just getting ready to tuck in for a Sunday afternoon nap before my husband gets on Skype and that's when I notice it. I noticed a reflection on the kitchen floor. A very shiny, sort of wet-watery reflection....I get up to investigate and what I find is that my dishwasher has leaked from underneath the cabinets and all across the floor, into my pantry.
Disturbed and perturbed by this intrusion upon my planned Sunday afternoon nap, I unloaded the dishwasher, broke a glass (it must have stressed in the dishwasher because it SHATTERED when I picked it up), cleared out the pantry, mopped the floor, washed all the dishes BY HAND (I despise washing my own dishes by hand), dried the dishes, put the dishes away, and put everything back into the pantry.
So now on top of finding a mechanic to troubleshoot the truck for me tomorrow, I also have to call our builder to come fix the dishwasher and drywall the bathroom from the bathroom fiasco mentioned in the last blog entry because I've been too busy to call him the past two weeks.
I am reaching my breaking point. The past two days have nearly sent me into tears because of the ridiculousness of what all has occurred the past several months since my husband deployed. Which is why I need comic relief at times....
God knows this too or He wouldn't have given us Nitro. Nitro has become my comic relief. This week he learned to throw his toys into the window when he wants to be let inside, not a very good habit to learn, but it just goes to show how smart he is and can be when I act like I am not paying him any attention. My husband can be comic relief too although it's usually at my expense and I don't find it funny at the time.
Long story short, if I am being tested or not, please pray for me now and pray that my husband comes home safe and soon. Preferably before all of my hair turns gray.
Question of the week:
Is it grey or gray?
(hint: I look like something out of Marmaduke, only my dog weighs 30lbs....)
Remember how I said I was tired of worrying and I was gonna start praying and putting my faith into action? (see last blog entry if you haven't read it already.) Well, God saw that and I think He's decided to put me to the test.
Example: after my husband's truck died this last time, a buddy came out and helped me with the alternator. We took it out, got it tested (still working), and then reinstalled it. Apparently all the alternator had needed was to be banged around a little, because as soon as we got it reinstalled, the truck started right up. Now, she doesn't sound pretty right now. She coughs and flutters when stopped or parked, but she seems to be driving alright. Or so I thought. The check engine light came on two night's ago. Got that checked out and it seems to be a fuel problem, but with the coughing and fluttering going on, it's possible the EGR valve needs to be replaced and there might be a broken fuel line somewhere.
*facepalm*
I went to church this morning. My daily prayer lately has been based on giving thanks to God. I thank Him for everything He has blessed us with. This prayer was silently repeated before we were dismissed at church.
Well, I get home, walk in the door, kick off my shoes, fall on the couch to curl up with my dogs....I'm just getting ready to tuck in for a Sunday afternoon nap before my husband gets on Skype and that's when I notice it. I noticed a reflection on the kitchen floor. A very shiny, sort of wet-watery reflection....I get up to investigate and what I find is that my dishwasher has leaked from underneath the cabinets and all across the floor, into my pantry.
Disturbed and perturbed by this intrusion upon my planned Sunday afternoon nap, I unloaded the dishwasher, broke a glass (it must have stressed in the dishwasher because it SHATTERED when I picked it up), cleared out the pantry, mopped the floor, washed all the dishes BY HAND (I despise washing my own dishes by hand), dried the dishes, put the dishes away, and put everything back into the pantry.
So now on top of finding a mechanic to troubleshoot the truck for me tomorrow, I also have to call our builder to come fix the dishwasher and drywall the bathroom from the bathroom fiasco mentioned in the last blog entry because I've been too busy to call him the past two weeks.
I am reaching my breaking point. The past two days have nearly sent me into tears because of the ridiculousness of what all has occurred the past several months since my husband deployed. Which is why I need comic relief at times....
God knows this too or He wouldn't have given us Nitro. Nitro has become my comic relief. This week he learned to throw his toys into the window when he wants to be let inside, not a very good habit to learn, but it just goes to show how smart he is and can be when I act like I am not paying him any attention. My husband can be comic relief too although it's usually at my expense and I don't find it funny at the time.
Long story short, if I am being tested or not, please pray for me now and pray that my husband comes home safe and soon. Preferably before all of my hair turns gray.
Question of the week:
Is it grey or gray?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
A Joke....
So a priest, a rabbi, and a reverend walk into a bar....
....and I forget the rest.
This past year it has seemed that my husband and I have been the constant butt of the universe's cruel jokes. As soon as we get something fixed or something goes our way, something else goes wrong....
Case and point: my car broke down in July and it was so unexpected, I didn't have the money to get it fixed at the time. Well, we did get the car fixed. I got home a couple weeks later to find my husband's truck dead. My mother-in-law and I got it running again though with a charger. Then a month after, my husband's dog dislocates his knee, emergency vet visit cost us $150. His knee dislocates repeatedly. We pulled money out of our butts, $1000 worth, and put the dog through the surgery. Dog is healing, everything seems to be going fine....and then....the truck died. Again. I jump it and charge it, it runs. Dog rips his stitches out overnight on a Sunday, $130 in emergency visit to get his knee re bandaged. $150 the following day to have him put under, restitched, cleaned, re bandaged again, and sent home with LOTS of meds. Tuesday, truck is dead, will not jump or charge, less than 5 days since I last started it. $130 thrown into the truck to replace the battery and the truck still doesn't work....
In the midst of all this minor things occurred like the dryer stopped drying, a breaker kept tripping in the back of the house, the vacuum broke, I had to kill spiders BY MYSELF, plumbing fiasco in the master bathroom, the back gate kept blowing open with the wind, and I had to go to the finance office on base FOUR times to finally get my husband's pay fixed.
All things eventually get taken care of or fixed. I got the dryer working. I figured out which outlet and appliance was tripping the breaker. The vacuum is now working. I can kill spiders on my own and with a certain big pair of combat boots. I had the plumbing fiasco and fence repaired and my husband's pay FINALLY got fixed.
But now....I wonder what the universe has in store for us next? With all this bad luck though, I have become very stressed and worried. Remember the Age post from last time? Well....
I found a grey hair. Now, it isn't the FIRST one I have found, but it is the first I have found in two years and since multiple rounds of hair dye....
I am tired of worrying though. I'm praying.
....and I forget the rest.
This past year it has seemed that my husband and I have been the constant butt of the universe's cruel jokes. As soon as we get something fixed or something goes our way, something else goes wrong....
Case and point: my car broke down in July and it was so unexpected, I didn't have the money to get it fixed at the time. Well, we did get the car fixed. I got home a couple weeks later to find my husband's truck dead. My mother-in-law and I got it running again though with a charger. Then a month after, my husband's dog dislocates his knee, emergency vet visit cost us $150. His knee dislocates repeatedly. We pulled money out of our butts, $1000 worth, and put the dog through the surgery. Dog is healing, everything seems to be going fine....and then....the truck died. Again. I jump it and charge it, it runs. Dog rips his stitches out overnight on a Sunday, $130 in emergency visit to get his knee re bandaged. $150 the following day to have him put under, restitched, cleaned, re bandaged again, and sent home with LOTS of meds. Tuesday, truck is dead, will not jump or charge, less than 5 days since I last started it. $130 thrown into the truck to replace the battery and the truck still doesn't work....
In the midst of all this minor things occurred like the dryer stopped drying, a breaker kept tripping in the back of the house, the vacuum broke, I had to kill spiders BY MYSELF, plumbing fiasco in the master bathroom, the back gate kept blowing open with the wind, and I had to go to the finance office on base FOUR times to finally get my husband's pay fixed.
All things eventually get taken care of or fixed. I got the dryer working. I figured out which outlet and appliance was tripping the breaker. The vacuum is now working. I can kill spiders on my own and with a certain big pair of combat boots. I had the plumbing fiasco and fence repaired and my husband's pay FINALLY got fixed.
But now....I wonder what the universe has in store for us next? With all this bad luck though, I have become very stressed and worried. Remember the Age post from last time? Well....
I found a grey hair. Now, it isn't the FIRST one I have found, but it is the first I have found in two years and since multiple rounds of hair dye....
I am tired of worrying though. I'm praying.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Age
I bought my first wrinkle cream today....
This was spurred on by the fact that my forehead creases show up spectacularly well when I wear make up. And, when I don't.
I have a line between my eyebrows and the forehead lines....
I wonder if this makes people think I am a grumpy person....or if I am too stressed.
They're probably because of my stress. The wrinkles I mean.
Stresses in my life:
dogs
deployment
dogs
truck
dogs
bills
dogs
debt
dogs
husband
dogs
vet
dogs
See a pattern here? This pattern is making its permanence in the top of my forehead and between my eyebrows. I hope this wrinkle cream will deter them and hopefully reverse them.
This was spurred on by the fact that my forehead creases show up spectacularly well when I wear make up. And, when I don't.
I have a line between my eyebrows and the forehead lines....
I wonder if this makes people think I am a grumpy person....or if I am too stressed.
They're probably because of my stress. The wrinkles I mean.
Stresses in my life:
dogs
deployment
dogs
truck
dogs
bills
dogs
debt
dogs
husband
dogs
vet
dogs
See a pattern here? This pattern is making its permanence in the top of my forehead and between my eyebrows. I hope this wrinkle cream will deter them and hopefully reverse them.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Nitro and the BIG SURGERY
Pets....they can be family. They can be friends. They can be shoulders to cry on. They listen to your rants. They listen to your jokes. They don't judge and, in most cases, they don't talk back.
To me, my pets are my children, that is, until I have children of my own. I love my pets, which are dogs. I used to have fish, fancy guppies. I loved those too. I refuse to have cats. I've only walked into two houses that were home to cats and didn't smell like it, that's saying something.
(Yes, I felt the need to tell you what animals I have had and which I refuse to have.)
I love my dogs though. I do. I cry to my dogs. I talk to my dogs. I vent to my dogs. I pay for expensive procedures on my dogs.
Which brings us to tonight's topic: Nitro....
Nitro dislocated his knee a couple weeks ago. I took him to the emergency vet as it was a weekend. We got his knee fixed and then the vet told me that this problem normally leads to surgery. I left with Nitro, praying it wouldn't lead to surgery. Two days later, he dislocated it again. And again two days after that. So....I did what any good dog owner does, I scheduled the surgery. It dislocated many times while waiting for the surgery, at one point, four times in one day! I was so relieved when the day of the surgery finally came. I would no longer have to deal with the problem....
....well, one problem was resolved, but another presented itself.
His knee is fixed, yes, but now I have to deal with the recovery.
By the way, I thought about him ALL day during the surgery. I worry about my animals when I am away from them. Ask my mother in law who dog sat for me in July. She texted me pictures and told me what they were doing all the time. If I didn't hear from her, I worried. I worried bad things.
But back to the issue at hand, recovery post-surgery.
Let me refresh your memory: if you have read my Facebook or previous blogs, you will remember that Nitro is still very much a puppy, even though he is now a year old, which means he is extremely hyper-active.
With his surgery, came prescription pain meds. The thing is, animals are like children. They do not realize that even though they feel perfect (result of the meds), they still had a surgery or are sick and they need to maintain bed rest, minimal activity, etc. in order to heal fully. Nitro is no exception to this. We made it to Friday without incident and had our bandage removed. We worked our way into the weekend, though now I was trying to keep Nitro from licking his incision excessively and monitoring it for infection. Sunday morning, I take a look at his leg before we go out potty. Something doesn't look quite right....
He ripped his stitches out during the night and his leg is oozing all over his kennel. His incision is gaping open. Risk of infection has now risen horribly. He has a fever. His leg is swollen. Yes, I assessed all of this damage within about 10 seconds. I watch way too many animal rescue shows.
It's 7 o'clock in the morning. Again, on a Sunday. Another observation within the 10 seconds of my assessment. I immediately called the emergency number for the vet. I get Nitro in the car and we speed 20 minutes away to an on-call vet to get his leg cleaned and re-bandaged. We got him re-bandaged and I spent the rest of the day monitoring him at home. We wait the next 24 hours out til we can get back to our vet to have the leg further assessed.
This morning, 8 o'clock on the dot. I am already in the car with Nitro. I call my vet who is practically around the corner and let them know we are on our way. I don't get more than my name out and the receptionist already says, "By the sound of your voice, I take it you are already in the car, come on in. We're ready for you".
(at this I have a brief flash of shame where I feel like a bad pet-parent for having to bring my dog in YET AGAIN. I think we have visited there no fewer than 7 times....)
I rush him up there. The vet kind of gives Nitro this funny sigh and takes him. He also promises mommy (me) some puppy ritalin to keep him from doing this kind of thing during the rest of the recovery and to help me stay sane with keeping him confined sans guilt.
I picked him up this afternoon. They partially stitched up his leg, don't want to trap the infection, and put in a drain tube. We are LOADED up with antibiotics and got those special puppy ritalin to keep him calm for the next couple weeks. The drain tube is just completely gross, I have to tell you. It also makes me very aware of the different surfaces in my home. Blood can come out of tile with bleach fairly easily. Carpet....not so much. He's been pretty calm today because of the shock and the sedatives in his system. Tomorrow he'll be a whole new dog. Tomorrow we will begin the use of our three prescriptions.
The plan so far is if everything stays in place, we will get the drain tube removed next Monday and then after that we will schedule a date to remove his stitches. This whole ordeal puts us another week behind in recovery.
Now, it may sound like I am a little bitter, but I really love my dog. If I didn't, I wouldn't do any of this! Do you know how many animals are relinquished to shelters because the owners can't or don't want to pay for their medical costs? Thousands!
Now, my husband and I can barely afford this. We kind of are winging it right now, but everything seems to be falling into place as we go on faith. Prayer has been constant.
Also, just want to point out, this is the dog that my husband wanted. The dog my husband got. The dog my husband left me to care for when he left for deployment....
Guess who's picking up the dog crap when he comes home?
I love you, honey.
I am settling into bed now, sleeping pill is kicking in now, so I'll wrap it up.
I love my dogs. I care for my dogs. Just, please, remember if you are considering adopting or *sigh* buying a pet, consider your financial situation beyond just providing food and shelter (which are expensive enough as it is). Remember that they need medical attention just like you do. Get your animals fixed (spayed/neutered), keep up with their parasite preventatives, and, please, get your annual exam and shots on time.
That is all. I'll end here with a little note.
Dear, Nitro
Mommy loves you. I love your frito smell. I love the way you give me kisses only when I ask. I love how soft your fur is. I love how unique you are....but, darling puppy, despite loving you, you are starting to cost me. We have well over a grand invested in you now. I just have this to say: you had better make the rest of our time together well worth it.
My love, your mommy
To me, my pets are my children, that is, until I have children of my own. I love my pets, which are dogs. I used to have fish, fancy guppies. I loved those too. I refuse to have cats. I've only walked into two houses that were home to cats and didn't smell like it, that's saying something.
(Yes, I felt the need to tell you what animals I have had and which I refuse to have.)
I love my dogs though. I do. I cry to my dogs. I talk to my dogs. I vent to my dogs. I pay for expensive procedures on my dogs.
Which brings us to tonight's topic: Nitro....
Nitro dislocated his knee a couple weeks ago. I took him to the emergency vet as it was a weekend. We got his knee fixed and then the vet told me that this problem normally leads to surgery. I left with Nitro, praying it wouldn't lead to surgery. Two days later, he dislocated it again. And again two days after that. So....I did what any good dog owner does, I scheduled the surgery. It dislocated many times while waiting for the surgery, at one point, four times in one day! I was so relieved when the day of the surgery finally came. I would no longer have to deal with the problem....
....well, one problem was resolved, but another presented itself.
His knee is fixed, yes, but now I have to deal with the recovery.
By the way, I thought about him ALL day during the surgery. I worry about my animals when I am away from them. Ask my mother in law who dog sat for me in July. She texted me pictures and told me what they were doing all the time. If I didn't hear from her, I worried. I worried bad things.
But back to the issue at hand, recovery post-surgery.
Let me refresh your memory: if you have read my Facebook or previous blogs, you will remember that Nitro is still very much a puppy, even though he is now a year old, which means he is extremely hyper-active.
With his surgery, came prescription pain meds. The thing is, animals are like children. They do not realize that even though they feel perfect (result of the meds), they still had a surgery or are sick and they need to maintain bed rest, minimal activity, etc. in order to heal fully. Nitro is no exception to this. We made it to Friday without incident and had our bandage removed. We worked our way into the weekend, though now I was trying to keep Nitro from licking his incision excessively and monitoring it for infection. Sunday morning, I take a look at his leg before we go out potty. Something doesn't look quite right....
He ripped his stitches out during the night and his leg is oozing all over his kennel. His incision is gaping open. Risk of infection has now risen horribly. He has a fever. His leg is swollen. Yes, I assessed all of this damage within about 10 seconds. I watch way too many animal rescue shows.
It's 7 o'clock in the morning. Again, on a Sunday. Another observation within the 10 seconds of my assessment. I immediately called the emergency number for the vet. I get Nitro in the car and we speed 20 minutes away to an on-call vet to get his leg cleaned and re-bandaged. We got him re-bandaged and I spent the rest of the day monitoring him at home. We wait the next 24 hours out til we can get back to our vet to have the leg further assessed.
This morning, 8 o'clock on the dot. I am already in the car with Nitro. I call my vet who is practically around the corner and let them know we are on our way. I don't get more than my name out and the receptionist already says, "By the sound of your voice, I take it you are already in the car, come on in. We're ready for you".
(at this I have a brief flash of shame where I feel like a bad pet-parent for having to bring my dog in YET AGAIN. I think we have visited there no fewer than 7 times....)
I rush him up there. The vet kind of gives Nitro this funny sigh and takes him. He also promises mommy (me) some puppy ritalin to keep him from doing this kind of thing during the rest of the recovery and to help me stay sane with keeping him confined sans guilt.
I picked him up this afternoon. They partially stitched up his leg, don't want to trap the infection, and put in a drain tube. We are LOADED up with antibiotics and got those special puppy ritalin to keep him calm for the next couple weeks. The drain tube is just completely gross, I have to tell you. It also makes me very aware of the different surfaces in my home. Blood can come out of tile with bleach fairly easily. Carpet....not so much. He's been pretty calm today because of the shock and the sedatives in his system. Tomorrow he'll be a whole new dog. Tomorrow we will begin the use of our three prescriptions.
The plan so far is if everything stays in place, we will get the drain tube removed next Monday and then after that we will schedule a date to remove his stitches. This whole ordeal puts us another week behind in recovery.
Now, it may sound like I am a little bitter, but I really love my dog. If I didn't, I wouldn't do any of this! Do you know how many animals are relinquished to shelters because the owners can't or don't want to pay for their medical costs? Thousands!
Now, my husband and I can barely afford this. We kind of are winging it right now, but everything seems to be falling into place as we go on faith. Prayer has been constant.
Also, just want to point out, this is the dog that my husband wanted. The dog my husband got. The dog my husband left me to care for when he left for deployment....
Guess who's picking up the dog crap when he comes home?
I love you, honey.
I am settling into bed now, sleeping pill is kicking in now, so I'll wrap it up.
I love my dogs. I care for my dogs. Just, please, remember if you are considering adopting or *sigh* buying a pet, consider your financial situation beyond just providing food and shelter (which are expensive enough as it is). Remember that they need medical attention just like you do. Get your animals fixed (spayed/neutered), keep up with their parasite preventatives, and, please, get your annual exam and shots on time.
That is all. I'll end here with a little note.
Dear, Nitro
Mommy loves you. I love your frito smell. I love the way you give me kisses only when I ask. I love how soft your fur is. I love how unique you are....but, darling puppy, despite loving you, you are starting to cost me. We have well over a grand invested in you now. I just have this to say: you had better make the rest of our time together well worth it.
My love, your mommy
Friday, September 16, 2011
Feeling Down and Out
I must be having one of those weeks. Below will explain what I am going through somewhat.
Stages of Deployment:
DENIAL STAGE - You know he is leaving, but you don't accept it. You go on, trying to block it out of your mind that he will be half way around the world. You go on with your life as if nothing is coming.
FRENZY STAGE - This is when you realize they are leaving because they are packing, buying items to take, loading music on their music libraries, etc. While this is going on, you try and create as many memories as time will allow so you have something to hold on to and look back to when they are absent from your physical life.
THE LAST TIME STAGE - This stage is a one or two day thing. This is the last time he showers at home for a year, this is our last meal together for a year, this is the last night I sleep in his arms for a year. Every 'last' makes you emotional. You break down and cry often.
D-DAY STAGE - The day you drop him off. It's a little of every stage. You try and be strong. You try and forget. You can't help but break down. You smile often, but it's forced. Then you get your last kiss and hug for a year....
THE GREAT AMERICAN SCREAM MACHINE - After you get over the initial, "they are gone, crying-into-your-pillow-every-night stage", a roller coaster of emotions kicks in hard. One day you are 100%, the next day you are 20%. Some days you miss them more then others, especially on days you don't hear from him. These emotions start making you think that you are crazy, that you aren't normal. You ask yourself, am I overreacting? I have to be nuts if I sleep with the phone and computer, I constantly look at pictures of us together, I STILL HAVEN'T WASHED HIS CLOTHES! It makes you doubt who you thought you were. I thought I was strong, I thought I didn't cry. I knew it would be hard, so why am I taking it so badly?!
ASSumption STAGE - The frenzy of their transition from one continent to another is a mess. You don't know much, it's a big guessing game. Is he there yet? Where is he? When did he get there? Does he have phone or internet? Maybe he's not calling or Skyping because he's tired? I think his shift is from X to X because he only seems to call at X time. You get all your information from everyone else and try to put it all together piece by piece. You feel like a Matlock episode, only worse.
ACCEPTENCE STAGE - I accept the fact he's away, I accept that he is on another continent, I accept that he will call me when he can and I accept that I will be an emotional wreck and....that's okay. It's normal to feel what I'm feeling and I accept that I will have good days and bad days. I also accept that, he too, will have good days and bad days.
GUILT STAGE - This stage comes and goes. It usually starts during the Acceptence stage. When you are in acceptance and you are having your good days you feel guilty that you are enjoying a moment of time with him so far away. I feel guilty that I'm going out for a girl's night. I know I shouldn't feel bad, but I can't help it. I feel guilty feeling happy without him here.
CONTINUED - So at this point, you have established your routine with your deployed MM. For the most part, you know when he's working, you know when he's sleeping, you know when he's off. You know what time he'll be online, give or take 2 hours, which explains being logged into your computer a required 4 hours a day. If he doesn't get online, you're okay with it. He's sleeping, playing games, doing laundry, studying. It doesn't bother me if I don't hear from him 2-3 days at a time. After the 3rd day though, I'm going crazy. I'm "this" close to booking it down to CB to make sure he's okay.
BOREDOM STAGE - Okay, I'm done. I've gone through enough activities to keep 10 people busy for 10 years. I'm done! I'm done cleaning. I'm done organizing. Leaving your uniforms laying around at least gave me something to do and cooking for you would justify eating potatoes again. I'm bored of working out and dieting so I can have a hot body for homecoming. Give me chocolate and carbs!
ARGH STAGE - This comes and goes. I have gained the patience of a saint. You get online and say hi, then say be right back. And hour later you say hi again and then be right back again. Another hour goes by, you say hi and goodnight. It was nice talking to you too.
IMPATIENTLY WAITING STAGE - When is he coming home? You heard date X? But so-and-so heard date X? By now, you feel invincible, but you have exhausted your patience. You still have some time left to go, but you made it this far! I grew from this crying, weak woman who was always grumpy whenever she saw another couple and who harrumphed every time another girl whined about how her husband's only been gone a week and how she doesn't think she can wait 6 months for him. I've grown. I'm strong. I'm independent and I have learned to live without you, even though I never want to live without you. I want you home so we can pick up where we left off. I want to wake up beside you. I want to make Sunday morning breakfast together again. I want to play video games and wrestle around. By now, I'm waiting for those 3 little words that will make my heart leap, "I'm coming home!"
An Old Hand
I remember packing his bags for him. It was something I just felt like I needed to do for him. I folded all of his socks and boxers. I sorted and organized his toiletries so he would be able to find them. I made sure his carry-on would be approved. The whole time, it felt like I was packing him away and putting him in a box that I wouldn't be able to open for a long time.
At that time we thought he would be home by Christmas, now we aren't so sure when he will be home.
I remember the day he was leaving. I made myself sick. I got the worst migraine imaginable. Not shower, bath, Excedrin, food, drink, or sleep would make it go away. I felt awful for being so sick on our last day together.
I remember dropping him off. I remember our kiss and hug like watching a home movie, but I don't remember the feeling of his kiss on my lips or the feeling of his arms around me in an embrace. I just have a memory of what it was like.
Kinda hard to explain. I remember the feeling when I watched him unload his bags from the truck and put them into a pile with everyone else's bags. It felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest.
I remember the feeling of driving away from him. I wanted to jump out of the truck and latch onto his leg like a 2 yr. old and yell, "You can't take him from me!". Immature, I know. But that's what I felt. Instead of acting out, I just held myself with my arms crossed tightly across my chest. I got home and slept, and slept, and slept.
The next night I had a dream that he called and told me not to be jealous because he was in Italy. I woke up and, much to my surprise, I had an email from him saying he had landed in Italy and I shouldn't be jealous.
Do I know my husband or do I know my husband? The next night I woke up to his mom walking into my bedroom holding his face in her hands. Let me explain, she has an iPad and his face was on the screen. On Skype. So in my sleepy state it appeared as though she was carrying his head to me in the middle of the night. Weird, but I couldn't have been more excited to see him. Something about the first time talking to your love when you know they are thousands of miles away it just makes your heart skip a beat. Or two.
Then, I settled into a routine and he settled into a routine and we are working towards our hump day together. Apart, but together. I love my military man and as he told me before he left, "You are strong, you can do this. I love you". And to everyone out there going through this same thing, "You are strong, you can do this". Instead of, "I love you" though, "I believe in you".
Stages of Deployment:
DENIAL STAGE - You know he is leaving, but you don't accept it. You go on, trying to block it out of your mind that he will be half way around the world. You go on with your life as if nothing is coming.
FRENZY STAGE - This is when you realize they are leaving because they are packing, buying items to take, loading music on their music libraries, etc. While this is going on, you try and create as many memories as time will allow so you have something to hold on to and look back to when they are absent from your physical life.
THE LAST TIME STAGE - This stage is a one or two day thing. This is the last time he showers at home for a year, this is our last meal together for a year, this is the last night I sleep in his arms for a year. Every 'last' makes you emotional. You break down and cry often.
D-DAY STAGE - The day you drop him off. It's a little of every stage. You try and be strong. You try and forget. You can't help but break down. You smile often, but it's forced. Then you get your last kiss and hug for a year....
THE GREAT AMERICAN SCREAM MACHINE - After you get over the initial, "they are gone, crying-into-your-pillow-every-night stage", a roller coaster of emotions kicks in hard. One day you are 100%, the next day you are 20%. Some days you miss them more then others, especially on days you don't hear from him. These emotions start making you think that you are crazy, that you aren't normal. You ask yourself, am I overreacting? I have to be nuts if I sleep with the phone and computer, I constantly look at pictures of us together, I STILL HAVEN'T WASHED HIS CLOTHES! It makes you doubt who you thought you were. I thought I was strong, I thought I didn't cry. I knew it would be hard, so why am I taking it so badly?!
ASSumption STAGE - The frenzy of their transition from one continent to another is a mess. You don't know much, it's a big guessing game. Is he there yet? Where is he? When did he get there? Does he have phone or internet? Maybe he's not calling or Skyping because he's tired? I think his shift is from X to X because he only seems to call at X time. You get all your information from everyone else and try to put it all together piece by piece. You feel like a Matlock episode, only worse.
ACCEPTENCE STAGE - I accept the fact he's away, I accept that he is on another continent, I accept that he will call me when he can and I accept that I will be an emotional wreck and....that's okay. It's normal to feel what I'm feeling and I accept that I will have good days and bad days. I also accept that, he too, will have good days and bad days.
GUILT STAGE - This stage comes and goes. It usually starts during the Acceptence stage. When you are in acceptance and you are having your good days you feel guilty that you are enjoying a moment of time with him so far away. I feel guilty that I'm going out for a girl's night. I know I shouldn't feel bad, but I can't help it. I feel guilty feeling happy without him here.
CONTINUED - So at this point, you have established your routine with your deployed MM. For the most part, you know when he's working, you know when he's sleeping, you know when he's off. You know what time he'll be online, give or take 2 hours, which explains being logged into your computer a required 4 hours a day. If he doesn't get online, you're okay with it. He's sleeping, playing games, doing laundry, studying. It doesn't bother me if I don't hear from him 2-3 days at a time. After the 3rd day though, I'm going crazy. I'm "this" close to booking it down to CB to make sure he's okay.
BOREDOM STAGE - Okay, I'm done. I've gone through enough activities to keep 10 people busy for 10 years. I'm done! I'm done cleaning. I'm done organizing. Leaving your uniforms laying around at least gave me something to do and cooking for you would justify eating potatoes again. I'm bored of working out and dieting so I can have a hot body for homecoming. Give me chocolate and carbs!
ARGH STAGE - This comes and goes. I have gained the patience of a saint. You get online and say hi, then say be right back. And hour later you say hi again and then be right back again. Another hour goes by, you say hi and goodnight. It was nice talking to you too.
IMPATIENTLY WAITING STAGE - When is he coming home? You heard date X? But so-and-so heard date X? By now, you feel invincible, but you have exhausted your patience. You still have some time left to go, but you made it this far! I grew from this crying, weak woman who was always grumpy whenever she saw another couple and who harrumphed every time another girl whined about how her husband's only been gone a week and how she doesn't think she can wait 6 months for him. I've grown. I'm strong. I'm independent and I have learned to live without you, even though I never want to live without you. I want you home so we can pick up where we left off. I want to wake up beside you. I want to make Sunday morning breakfast together again. I want to play video games and wrestle around. By now, I'm waiting for those 3 little words that will make my heart leap, "I'm coming home!"
An Old Hand
I remember packing his bags for him. It was something I just felt like I needed to do for him. I folded all of his socks and boxers. I sorted and organized his toiletries so he would be able to find them. I made sure his carry-on would be approved. The whole time, it felt like I was packing him away and putting him in a box that I wouldn't be able to open for a long time.
At that time we thought he would be home by Christmas, now we aren't so sure when he will be home.
I remember the day he was leaving. I made myself sick. I got the worst migraine imaginable. Not shower, bath, Excedrin, food, drink, or sleep would make it go away. I felt awful for being so sick on our last day together.
I remember dropping him off. I remember our kiss and hug like watching a home movie, but I don't remember the feeling of his kiss on my lips or the feeling of his arms around me in an embrace. I just have a memory of what it was like.
Kinda hard to explain. I remember the feeling when I watched him unload his bags from the truck and put them into a pile with everyone else's bags. It felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest.
I remember the feeling of driving away from him. I wanted to jump out of the truck and latch onto his leg like a 2 yr. old and yell, "You can't take him from me!". Immature, I know. But that's what I felt. Instead of acting out, I just held myself with my arms crossed tightly across my chest. I got home and slept, and slept, and slept.
The next night I had a dream that he called and told me not to be jealous because he was in Italy. I woke up and, much to my surprise, I had an email from him saying he had landed in Italy and I shouldn't be jealous.
Do I know my husband or do I know my husband? The next night I woke up to his mom walking into my bedroom holding his face in her hands. Let me explain, she has an iPad and his face was on the screen. On Skype. So in my sleepy state it appeared as though she was carrying his head to me in the middle of the night. Weird, but I couldn't have been more excited to see him. Something about the first time talking to your love when you know they are thousands of miles away it just makes your heart skip a beat. Or two.
Then, I settled into a routine and he settled into a routine and we are working towards our hump day together. Apart, but together. I love my military man and as he told me before he left, "You are strong, you can do this. I love you". And to everyone out there going through this same thing, "You are strong, you can do this". Instead of, "I love you" though, "I believe in you".
Sunday, August 28, 2011
The Suck
The Suck is a term often used by military men. It is a term that loosely means "a situation or location where the conditions are undesirable and/or 'suck'".
Right now is the The Suck for me.
Or I am in The Suck.
Either way.
So, to get out of my Suck, I am making a gift for my husband. It's our anniversary in two days and I am feeling sickly in love right now. I don't feel like blogging too much tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
Right now is the The Suck for me.
Or I am in The Suck.
Either way.
So, to get out of my Suck, I am making a gift for my husband. It's our anniversary in two days and I am feeling sickly in love right now. I don't feel like blogging too much tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Military Wife Stereotypical-ness
I used to think all those stereotypical military wife stories about how when the husband leaves, the whole world goes to pot were just that. Stories.
Now I believe there is some truth behind it.
Before my husband left, I did not know I could change a car battery.
Before my husband left, I did not know I could kill a spider.
Before my husband left, I did not know how to fix my dryer.
Before my husband left, I did not know I had such strength: physical, mental, and spiritual.
There is also something else. I knew I would miss him, but knowing and understanding are two different things. I've tried to explain this to new wives before: you know what you sign up for, but you gain the wisdom of understanding the depth of what "up to and including my life" really means once you are in it.
Before my husband left, I hated his constant diet of steak and potatoes, now no food in the world is more comforting.
Before my husband left, I craved small moments I could have by myself, now I would give anything to have just 1 hour in his presence.
Before my husband left, his 12 hour shifts seemed like the end of the world, looking back, they don't seem so bad after all.
Before my husband left, I did not think I needed any friends outside of our family; now that he is gone, more than anything, I do not want to lose the friendships I have gained with fellow military wives who have been through what I am going through now.
I am proud. I'm reminded of a fellow wife who sent in an email about how her life with her husband changed post-9/11. In the email she explained that her husband had been in over 10 years when the towers fell and has gone through many deployments since the war began. Now her husband is retiring, and being out of the military lifestyle is the oddest thing to her.
I keep wondering how in 20 years I am going to look back on this time my husband has been in the military. In a way, I hope I see it as odd too, because it isn't something everyone experiences. It's really an amazing family, the military is. Holidays are shared with fellow military families who are, like you, unable to travel home and you split different traditions whether its eating enchiladas or turkey, hot dogs or brats. If there is a need, it will be met, because we remember a time when we were in a hard place just like you.
I am wife to a man in the military and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Now I believe there is some truth behind it.
Before my husband left, I did not know I could change a car battery.
Before my husband left, I did not know I could kill a spider.
Before my husband left, I did not know how to fix my dryer.
Before my husband left, I did not know I had such strength: physical, mental, and spiritual.
There is also something else. I knew I would miss him, but knowing and understanding are two different things. I've tried to explain this to new wives before: you know what you sign up for, but you gain the wisdom of understanding the depth of what "up to and including my life" really means once you are in it.
Before my husband left, I hated his constant diet of steak and potatoes, now no food in the world is more comforting.
Before my husband left, I craved small moments I could have by myself, now I would give anything to have just 1 hour in his presence.
Before my husband left, his 12 hour shifts seemed like the end of the world, looking back, they don't seem so bad after all.
Before my husband left, I did not think I needed any friends outside of our family; now that he is gone, more than anything, I do not want to lose the friendships I have gained with fellow military wives who have been through what I am going through now.
I am proud. I'm reminded of a fellow wife who sent in an email about how her life with her husband changed post-9/11. In the email she explained that her husband had been in over 10 years when the towers fell and has gone through many deployments since the war began. Now her husband is retiring, and being out of the military lifestyle is the oddest thing to her.
I keep wondering how in 20 years I am going to look back on this time my husband has been in the military. In a way, I hope I see it as odd too, because it isn't something everyone experiences. It's really an amazing family, the military is. Holidays are shared with fellow military families who are, like you, unable to travel home and you split different traditions whether its eating enchiladas or turkey, hot dogs or brats. If there is a need, it will be met, because we remember a time when we were in a hard place just like you.
I am wife to a man in the military and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Friday, August 5, 2011
i've been busy.
I guess I was supposed to post about my new house.
Well, here it goes.
I love it.
That's my post on my new house.
My husband also loves our new house. But he only lived in it a month before he was deployed.
Deployment is a strange thing. You feel and miss different things at different stages of it.
The first week, I want nothing more than to hold Cody's hand. The first month I forget what it feels like to kiss him....this I really hate because a kiss....well, its just the one thing I think that best holds our emotions as a couple.
After the first month, well, you just start to miss everything. Their voice, even if you get to hear it over the phone or Skype, its not the same as hearing it in real life.
Right now I'm in Oklahoma, back visiting family. My sister's wedding was two weeks ago. Everything came together beautifully.
But, now I feel like I have been too far away from my house....my life....our life, really. I think that's why I am so anxious to go back home. Home is where Cody and I are together. I feel like I am closer to my husband when I am in our home....
I miss home....
I miss Cody.
Nitro misses Cody too apparently because all of his training has reverted. Hopefully once we get him home he can start relaxing and once we are back in routine he will get back into good habits.
Well, I have gotten too serious on my blog today. Not something I meant to do, but I can't help how I feel.
Well, here it goes.
I love it.
That's my post on my new house.
My husband also loves our new house. But he only lived in it a month before he was deployed.
Deployment is a strange thing. You feel and miss different things at different stages of it.
The first week, I want nothing more than to hold Cody's hand. The first month I forget what it feels like to kiss him....this I really hate because a kiss....well, its just the one thing I think that best holds our emotions as a couple.
After the first month, well, you just start to miss everything. Their voice, even if you get to hear it over the phone or Skype, its not the same as hearing it in real life.
Right now I'm in Oklahoma, back visiting family. My sister's wedding was two weeks ago. Everything came together beautifully.
But, now I feel like I have been too far away from my house....my life....our life, really. I think that's why I am so anxious to go back home. Home is where Cody and I are together. I feel like I am closer to my husband when I am in our home....
I miss home....
I miss Cody.
Nitro misses Cody too apparently because all of his training has reverted. Hopefully once we get him home he can start relaxing and once we are back in routine he will get back into good habits.
Well, I have gotten too serious on my blog today. Not something I meant to do, but I can't help how I feel.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Canine Houdini
I haven't blogged in awhile. I'm getting lazy.
But with all that's been going on I feel I deserve to be lazy.
Just for one hour.
Don't I deserve it?
Whew, anyways....blogging. Blogging is hard. It's strenuous. It involves re-writing blog entries you swore you posted only come to find out you didn't because your other computer decided to not save the blog entry when you were drafting it.
So, I am trying to re-write a blog entry I had already written and posted. It probably won't be as funny now. My wit wears off and I don't find things quite as funny the second time around.
It's still kind of cute, but in no way as funny as it will have been originally.
*scratches armpit*
My life is in no way glamorous and is even less so now that I have a puppy.
Let me re-phrase that, my husband got us a puppy. He thought it would be good training for a baby since I have had baby fever so bad lately. A puppy is in no way, shape, or form predictable by any means. A baby though....babies are predictable. Either their hungry, poopy, or tired. I can handle those things.
I blame deployment, but he blames my boredom.
That is I blame baby fever on deployment and he blames it on boredom.
So, when I started begging for a second dog (really for Lucy's benefit since she fell so in love with Sterling) I started out asking for a young dog, 1-2 years. Younger than Lucy so it would get her a little more active (she's overweight now, by 5 pounds), but not a puppy. But Cody brought home a puppy anyways.
And he's so ridiculously cute and adorable. He's also needy, way-too-easily over-excitable (meaning he pees on things and people). He has fallen in love with Lucy and she has fallen in love with him. They play all day long. They wrestle. They snarl. They bite, nip, and grab each other all day long. His name is Nitro.
The funny thing is though, Lucy's bad habits are Nitro's good qualities and vice versa; Nitro's bad habits are Lucy's good qualities. They both are unique.
Nitro....we aren't sure what he is. We were told he is an American bulldog mix, but he clearly is not that. He definitely has some terrier in him for sure. He's small, not more than 20lbs. Flashy brindle, gorgeous pointy, floppy ears.
He's beautiful.
He's also smart. He and Lucy both are. They had been leading Cody and I to believe they were alot dumber than they look. I mean, heck, coulda fooled me! Nitro who falls off everything in sight (coffee table, back off couch, and bed) and Lucy who trips over things (tripped over Nitro's leash, ran smack into the coffee table, ran into wall after wall). It's crazy.
Well, Cody and I left them at home one afternoon, we couldn't help it. It was raining out and Lucy is scared crap less of clouds, rain, the smell of rain, the feel of the air before it rains, and everything in between....Nitro, doesn't seem to care as much. But that is what makes Nitro better than Lucy. He doesn't sweat the small stuff, LoL! Anyways, we stuck him in the kitchen, corralled behind the crate which is like 3 and a half feet tall, but 2 and a half feet wide. He never escaped it before and Lucy doesn't dare try. I threw his doggie bed on his side of the crate and Lucy's was thrown on the other side about 6 feet away. I went to work, Cody went to work. I came home to check on the two of them and what I found astounded me.
Nitro had pushed his doggie bed up against his side of the crate and Lucy pushed her bed up against her side of the crate. Then Nitro jumped onto his bed, onto the crate and landed on Lucy's bed on the other side. Both of them ran to the door when I walked in, each had their own collar in their mouth jingling them merrily. Yes, my dogs are crazy. And smart.
See? I told you this wouldn't be as funny the second time around. But you didn't read it the first time around. You didn't read it because my stupid internet wasn't connected and didn't save or publish the blog entry the first time I wrote it.
But I promised I would tell you what interesting things my dogs did that day, so here it is.
Also, we moved into our new house, but that's another entry for another day....
Nitro also hates his mirroring self whom he saw in a reflection in the window. He growled ferociously at his mirror self.
Yeah, okay. Goodnight.
But with all that's been going on I feel I deserve to be lazy.
Just for one hour.
Don't I deserve it?
Whew, anyways....blogging. Blogging is hard. It's strenuous. It involves re-writing blog entries you swore you posted only come to find out you didn't because your other computer decided to not save the blog entry when you were drafting it.
So, I am trying to re-write a blog entry I had already written and posted. It probably won't be as funny now. My wit wears off and I don't find things quite as funny the second time around.
It's still kind of cute, but in no way as funny as it will have been originally.
*scratches armpit*
My life is in no way glamorous and is even less so now that I have a puppy.
Let me re-phrase that, my husband got us a puppy. He thought it would be good training for a baby since I have had baby fever so bad lately. A puppy is in no way, shape, or form predictable by any means. A baby though....babies are predictable. Either their hungry, poopy, or tired. I can handle those things.
I blame deployment, but he blames my boredom.
That is I blame baby fever on deployment and he blames it on boredom.
So, when I started begging for a second dog (really for Lucy's benefit since she fell so in love with Sterling) I started out asking for a young dog, 1-2 years. Younger than Lucy so it would get her a little more active (she's overweight now, by 5 pounds), but not a puppy. But Cody brought home a puppy anyways.
And he's so ridiculously cute and adorable. He's also needy, way-too-easily over-excitable (meaning he pees on things and people). He has fallen in love with Lucy and she has fallen in love with him. They play all day long. They wrestle. They snarl. They bite, nip, and grab each other all day long. His name is Nitro.
The funny thing is though, Lucy's bad habits are Nitro's good qualities and vice versa; Nitro's bad habits are Lucy's good qualities. They both are unique.
Nitro....we aren't sure what he is. We were told he is an American bulldog mix, but he clearly is not that. He definitely has some terrier in him for sure. He's small, not more than 20lbs. Flashy brindle, gorgeous pointy, floppy ears.
He's beautiful.
He's also smart. He and Lucy both are. They had been leading Cody and I to believe they were alot dumber than they look. I mean, heck, coulda fooled me! Nitro who falls off everything in sight (coffee table, back off couch, and bed) and Lucy who trips over things (tripped over Nitro's leash, ran smack into the coffee table, ran into wall after wall). It's crazy.
Well, Cody and I left them at home one afternoon, we couldn't help it. It was raining out and Lucy is scared crap less of clouds, rain, the smell of rain, the feel of the air before it rains, and everything in between....Nitro, doesn't seem to care as much. But that is what makes Nitro better than Lucy. He doesn't sweat the small stuff, LoL! Anyways, we stuck him in the kitchen, corralled behind the crate which is like 3 and a half feet tall, but 2 and a half feet wide. He never escaped it before and Lucy doesn't dare try. I threw his doggie bed on his side of the crate and Lucy's was thrown on the other side about 6 feet away. I went to work, Cody went to work. I came home to check on the two of them and what I found astounded me.
Nitro had pushed his doggie bed up against his side of the crate and Lucy pushed her bed up against her side of the crate. Then Nitro jumped onto his bed, onto the crate and landed on Lucy's bed on the other side. Both of them ran to the door when I walked in, each had their own collar in their mouth jingling them merrily. Yes, my dogs are crazy. And smart.
See? I told you this wouldn't be as funny the second time around. But you didn't read it the first time around. You didn't read it because my stupid internet wasn't connected and didn't save or publish the blog entry the first time I wrote it.
But I promised I would tell you what interesting things my dogs did that day, so here it is.
Also, we moved into our new house, but that's another entry for another day....
Nitro also hates his mirroring self whom he saw in a reflection in the window. He growled ferociously at his mirror self.
Yeah, okay. Goodnight.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Last Week and The End To This Week....
Whew! It sure has been busy this month.
My MIL came down two weeks ago and stayed with us for a week. It was really nice. We went shopping here locally and in Tallahassee. My husband and I were finally able to get our papers together for our mortgage broker. We also found time to go to Atlanta where we explored the Georgia Aquarium. It was very busy and I doubt there is ever an off-season for it, but the Whale Sharks and Beluga Whales made it so worth-while! One of the whale sharks just dwarfed the other three. My MIL and I are contemplating purchasing a sleep-over there so we can watch the Whale Sharks all night.
This week, I also discovered that the more positive you are around your dog, the more positively they will respond and act around other dogs/animals/people. My husband and I tried to stay as positive as possible when my MIL arrived with her two dogs, Sterling and Clover (who couldn't be more polar opposite). Sterling is a male Alaskan Malamute and Clover is a female teacup Chihuahua. But our pup, Lucy, who we've assumed is agressive towards other dogs and animals, bonded really well with Sterling despite their first meeting. She wanted so badly to play with him, but he can't get around as well as he used to. My husband and I are considering getting a boxer pup, preferably a male, for her to play with. But we are probably going to wait until we get into our new house....
House....our house....our home.
I am finding out how much of a gamble it is to "purchase" a home. You put down earnest money, appraisal fees, etc....but you still haven't purchased the home and it could be possible you don't get approved or something suddenly goes wrong. Praying, praying, praying....
My husband called me the other day, from work. He was upset and had had a bad day. My husband doesn't ever call me from work unless he has had a bad day or is on his way home early. He had gotten into trouble at work and that is all I will say about it. It's quite strange though....
Difference 1,376 between Men and Women:
Men may give advice, but when offered the same advice -in an applicable situation- back from women will not take it well. At all.
My husband is always telling me to "just ask" and "stop thinking negatively, you are only setting myself up for failure" when it comes to work. And I take those things to heart. My husband, on the other hand, kept saying things like, "I'm going to get a permanent demerit", "I'm gonna get kicked out", "I will never be an officer now", etc....just overly-negative things that I don't see any point in dwelling on.
So, being the supportive wife I am, I said it was all gonna work out and not worry, blah-blah-blah. But he just kept sulking. I decided to take another approach. I gave him his own advice.
If you keep dwelling on how badly things are gonna turn out, you won't give it 100% and you will be setting yourself up to fail.
Well, turns out things have worked out, not only in his favor, but they worked out all around. Everything worked out at work. His speeding ticket is only for $100, which is good. God is good.
However, I will never throw his own advice back at him again. I guess men take it as an insult that women "assume" they don't take their own advice into consideration or that a woman gave them advice at all. The world is a sexist place. Oh well.
I still love him.
P.S. My sister got married this week too. I'm a sister-in-law now.
My MIL came down two weeks ago and stayed with us for a week. It was really nice. We went shopping here locally and in Tallahassee. My husband and I were finally able to get our papers together for our mortgage broker. We also found time to go to Atlanta where we explored the Georgia Aquarium. It was very busy and I doubt there is ever an off-season for it, but the Whale Sharks and Beluga Whales made it so worth-while! One of the whale sharks just dwarfed the other three. My MIL and I are contemplating purchasing a sleep-over there so we can watch the Whale Sharks all night.
This week, I also discovered that the more positive you are around your dog, the more positively they will respond and act around other dogs/animals/people. My husband and I tried to stay as positive as possible when my MIL arrived with her two dogs, Sterling and Clover (who couldn't be more polar opposite). Sterling is a male Alaskan Malamute and Clover is a female teacup Chihuahua. But our pup, Lucy, who we've assumed is agressive towards other dogs and animals, bonded really well with Sterling despite their first meeting. She wanted so badly to play with him, but he can't get around as well as he used to. My husband and I are considering getting a boxer pup, preferably a male, for her to play with. But we are probably going to wait until we get into our new house....
House....our house....our home.
I am finding out how much of a gamble it is to "purchase" a home. You put down earnest money, appraisal fees, etc....but you still haven't purchased the home and it could be possible you don't get approved or something suddenly goes wrong. Praying, praying, praying....
My husband called me the other day, from work. He was upset and had had a bad day. My husband doesn't ever call me from work unless he has had a bad day or is on his way home early. He had gotten into trouble at work and that is all I will say about it. It's quite strange though....
Difference 1,376 between Men and Women:
Men may give advice, but when offered the same advice -in an applicable situation- back from women will not take it well. At all.
My husband is always telling me to "just ask" and "stop thinking negatively, you are only setting myself up for failure" when it comes to work. And I take those things to heart. My husband, on the other hand, kept saying things like, "I'm going to get a permanent demerit", "I'm gonna get kicked out", "I will never be an officer now", etc....just overly-negative things that I don't see any point in dwelling on.
So, being the supportive wife I am, I said it was all gonna work out and not worry, blah-blah-blah. But he just kept sulking. I decided to take another approach. I gave him his own advice.
If you keep dwelling on how badly things are gonna turn out, you won't give it 100% and you will be setting yourself up to fail.
Well, turns out things have worked out, not only in his favor, but they worked out all around. Everything worked out at work. His speeding ticket is only for $100, which is good. God is good.
However, I will never throw his own advice back at him again. I guess men take it as an insult that women "assume" they don't take their own advice into consideration or that a woman gave them advice at all. The world is a sexist place. Oh well.
I still love him.
P.S. My sister got married this week too. I'm a sister-in-law now.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
My Mental Breakdown....
So my husband and I have been so completely busy the past two weeks.
I mean BUSY.
And when I get busy I get STRESSED.
And I start worrying. No matter how pointless or futile it is to worry. I will find something to worry about. And the best part is? I know it is pointless and futile to worry about some of the things I even worry about it. I know that I need to take some things as they come, but I just can't help it.
Well, all the stress and busyness of the past two weeks has caught up with me. First it was finding a house, which actually turned out WAY easier than we thought. Then we had to start the whole financing process and I have got to say....mortgage brokers have a very boring job to do. Then we had to come up with about $1,000, which we had, but just barely and we had to scrape some of it from the couches and will be going without deoderant for the next couple weeks.
Just kidding.
Then there was whole bathroom-fiasco. Let me explain....
My husband and I found the perfect house. But in order to get the house closed and fixed the way we want it to be, we have to have it built. There's only one problem. The master bathroom was huge taboo for the builder, but so awkward to the two of us. It felt like you were walking into a hallway with the toilet hidden behind a wall with a narrow closet in front of it. It was just....you had to see it. Well my husband went back and forth with the realtor and the builder for a couple days about what to do for the master bath. It bothered him so much, it began haunting my dreams. I kid you not. I have the weirdest dream about the builder and bathrooms. We got our dream house, but it was like Inception, only bathroom-style. There was a 3/4 bath locked in a fully-retro pink-tiled bath wrapped in a awful cheap blue bath....a nightmare. And the worst part? I woke up and began thinking about it. Hard. And I couldn't get back to sleep.
Now, on to the rest of what I have been stressing about. There are only two of us in this house, but for some reason, by Wednesday of every week our laundry basket is piled up to our dresser. I don't know where these extra clothes have spawned from. I am also stressing about cleaning my house, my dog, our garage....and how my dog is going to behave next week, losing my job, finding another job, excercising (i've gotten a shade off of slender), making sure my husband eats a whole meal, bills, finding another $500 for closing costs, deciding which appliances are going in our new kitchen, and hoping and praying to God my husband doesn't get taken away from me until this house in built and bought!
See where all this is going?
I finally had a mental breakdown two nights ago all thanks to this worrying and stressing. And I have to say....breakdowns like the one I had make you feel so much better afterwards. It's like, you spend 20 minutes crying, kicking, screaming, punching, and just overall venting and once you've calmed down, regulated your breathing, and peeled the blankets away from your husband's head (he hid under them when i began my freak-out session), you feel OH-SO-MUCH better.
You also get one of these when you have that crazy-psycho-lady freak-out.
I broke a blood vessel in my eye. My husband says it matches my crazy-psycho-lady freak-out.
Then he told me to tell people I ran into a pole because obviously I go around blaming him for it, LoL.
Anyways, once in a blue moom, it is okay to throw a roaring whiny little pity party. That's my recommendation. But only once in awhile. And cuddling with your husband afterwards is just the cherry on top.
I mean BUSY.
And when I get busy I get STRESSED.
And I start worrying. No matter how pointless or futile it is to worry. I will find something to worry about. And the best part is? I know it is pointless and futile to worry about some of the things I even worry about it. I know that I need to take some things as they come, but I just can't help it.
Well, all the stress and busyness of the past two weeks has caught up with me. First it was finding a house, which actually turned out WAY easier than we thought. Then we had to start the whole financing process and I have got to say....mortgage brokers have a very boring job to do. Then we had to come up with about $1,000, which we had, but just barely and we had to scrape some of it from the couches and will be going without deoderant for the next couple weeks.
Just kidding.
Then there was whole bathroom-fiasco. Let me explain....
My husband and I found the perfect house. But in order to get the house closed and fixed the way we want it to be, we have to have it built. There's only one problem. The master bathroom was huge taboo for the builder, but so awkward to the two of us. It felt like you were walking into a hallway with the toilet hidden behind a wall with a narrow closet in front of it. It was just....you had to see it. Well my husband went back and forth with the realtor and the builder for a couple days about what to do for the master bath. It bothered him so much, it began haunting my dreams. I kid you not. I have the weirdest dream about the builder and bathrooms. We got our dream house, but it was like Inception, only bathroom-style. There was a 3/4 bath locked in a fully-retro pink-tiled bath wrapped in a awful cheap blue bath....a nightmare. And the worst part? I woke up and began thinking about it. Hard. And I couldn't get back to sleep.
Now, on to the rest of what I have been stressing about. There are only two of us in this house, but for some reason, by Wednesday of every week our laundry basket is piled up to our dresser. I don't know where these extra clothes have spawned from. I am also stressing about cleaning my house, my dog, our garage....and how my dog is going to behave next week, losing my job, finding another job, excercising (i've gotten a shade off of slender), making sure my husband eats a whole meal, bills, finding another $500 for closing costs, deciding which appliances are going in our new kitchen, and hoping and praying to God my husband doesn't get taken away from me until this house in built and bought!
See where all this is going?
I finally had a mental breakdown two nights ago all thanks to this worrying and stressing. And I have to say....breakdowns like the one I had make you feel so much better afterwards. It's like, you spend 20 minutes crying, kicking, screaming, punching, and just overall venting and once you've calmed down, regulated your breathing, and peeled the blankets away from your husband's head (he hid under them when i began my freak-out session), you feel OH-SO-MUCH better.
You also get one of these when you have that crazy-psycho-lady freak-out.
I broke a blood vessel in my eye. My husband says it matches my crazy-psycho-lady freak-out.
Then he told me to tell people I ran into a pole because obviously I go around blaming him for it, LoL.
Anyways, once in a blue moom, it is okay to throw a roaring whiny little pity party. That's my recommendation. But only once in awhile. And cuddling with your husband afterwards is just the cherry on top.
Monday, February 28, 2011
My Husband Is Officially....
....on my sh*t list.
And, yes, I am aware of the fact that I just used a four-letter word on my blog. But I blurred out part of it for those of you that would be offended and there just isn't another term to describe a sh*t list. Crap List isn't menacing enough. Bad Things To Do To My Husband just doesn't cut it either.
No. The little....he....ARGH! The butt of a man decided to "prank" me.
Here's what happened. I came home from work and put some groceries away and jumped in the shower. I just so happened to forget to lock the front door, but I didn't even THINK about this until I thought my life was about to end. My husband came home, rather quietly, and decided to prank me. He decided in the two minutes it took him to walk in the door and figure out I was in the shower to pull a very, very mean prank on me.
Normally, he teases me by just walking in on me in the shower (i know, i know, TMI, that's why i am not going any further). This time though he decided to "teach me a lesson" so to speak. I was in the middle of shaving my legs when I heard a light thump against the door and then a really loud BANG. Like someone was trying to break in. I jumped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. Then....I just stood there, staring at the door. And then I looked at my curling irons and figured the intruder wouldn't wait for me to heat one up before attacking. So I did a quick inventory of what all was in my bathroom. Cuticle scissors, nail clippers, hairbrush, razors, and tampons....not much to fend off a determined threat. And, crap, where was my cell phone?! Oh yeah, in my purse! In the living room! Then the doorknob started turning and what did I do?
I threw all 120 lbs of me against the door and yelled in what I hoped to be a menacing voice, "WHO'S THERE?!" which I'm pretty sure came out in a low squeak judging by my husband's reaction. He burst into laughter outside the door. I turned my eyes away from the little window above the toilet that I was considering breaking out of and my face went from horror and fear to extreme, extreme anger and wrath.
I threw open the door and began screaming. My husband claims a few four-letter words came out of my mouth along with foam, shortly followed by steam from my ears. I threw a few punches and kicks, none of which made contact in my rage. After screaming about not having finished shaving and the bodywash puddling around my feet I brought my knee up to his crotch (which he deflected and then acted oh-so-offended by) and slammed the door. Hurriedly I returned to my shower to simmer down and shave the rest of my leg, (i hate it when i get interrupted while shaving, don't you?) then I burst out of the bathroom still screaming and ranting.
My husband then annoyingly began telling me to calm down, not at all bothering to ask if I was alright or ANYTHING. Still shaking from the adrenaline, I burst into tears. He just stood there laughing until he realized I REALLY didn't think it was funny at ALL. He put his arms around me and just held me and rocked back and forth awkwardly trying to comfort me.
I blubbered out how I thought in those 67 seconds I was going to be killed or worse by a ski-mask wearing hoodlum and how he wouldn't know what happened to me and no one would be there to comfort him and Lucy was a sucky attack dog....
....then my husband did something that he very rarely, if ever, does....
He apologized and then kissed me. And I forgave him.
Then he began laughing at me again.
And, yes, I am aware of the fact that I just used a four-letter word on my blog. But I blurred out part of it for those of you that would be offended and there just isn't another term to describe a sh*t list. Crap List isn't menacing enough. Bad Things To Do To My Husband just doesn't cut it either.
No. The little....he....ARGH! The butt of a man decided to "prank" me.
Here's what happened. I came home from work and put some groceries away and jumped in the shower. I just so happened to forget to lock the front door, but I didn't even THINK about this until I thought my life was about to end. My husband came home, rather quietly, and decided to prank me. He decided in the two minutes it took him to walk in the door and figure out I was in the shower to pull a very, very mean prank on me.
Normally, he teases me by just walking in on me in the shower (i know, i know, TMI, that's why i am not going any further). This time though he decided to "teach me a lesson" so to speak. I was in the middle of shaving my legs when I heard a light thump against the door and then a really loud BANG. Like someone was trying to break in. I jumped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. Then....I just stood there, staring at the door. And then I looked at my curling irons and figured the intruder wouldn't wait for me to heat one up before attacking. So I did a quick inventory of what all was in my bathroom. Cuticle scissors, nail clippers, hairbrush, razors, and tampons....not much to fend off a determined threat. And, crap, where was my cell phone?! Oh yeah, in my purse! In the living room! Then the doorknob started turning and what did I do?
I threw all 120 lbs of me against the door and yelled in what I hoped to be a menacing voice, "WHO'S THERE?!" which I'm pretty sure came out in a low squeak judging by my husband's reaction. He burst into laughter outside the door. I turned my eyes away from the little window above the toilet that I was considering breaking out of and my face went from horror and fear to extreme, extreme anger and wrath.
I threw open the door and began screaming. My husband claims a few four-letter words came out of my mouth along with foam, shortly followed by steam from my ears. I threw a few punches and kicks, none of which made contact in my rage. After screaming about not having finished shaving and the bodywash puddling around my feet I brought my knee up to his crotch (which he deflected and then acted oh-so-offended by) and slammed the door. Hurriedly I returned to my shower to simmer down and shave the rest of my leg, (i hate it when i get interrupted while shaving, don't you?) then I burst out of the bathroom still screaming and ranting.
My husband then annoyingly began telling me to calm down, not at all bothering to ask if I was alright or ANYTHING. Still shaking from the adrenaline, I burst into tears. He just stood there laughing until he realized I REALLY didn't think it was funny at ALL. He put his arms around me and just held me and rocked back and forth awkwardly trying to comfort me.
I blubbered out how I thought in those 67 seconds I was going to be killed or worse by a ski-mask wearing hoodlum and how he wouldn't know what happened to me and no one would be there to comfort him and Lucy was a sucky attack dog....
....then my husband did something that he very rarely, if ever, does....
He apologized and then kissed me. And I forgave him.
Then he began laughing at me again.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
He is more clever than I give him credit for....
So I came home yesterday to a beautiful surprise....
And a surprise it was....
But my surprises always are followed by, "Why?" or "What's it for?" or "Why didn't you wait until Valentine's?"....
I can't help it, my husband always makes me skeptical. And for reason.
His first answer was what any guy's answer is: "I was hoping to get a free pass and hoping this would cover arguments for the next month".
His second answer: "I love you?".
Then this morning he began explaining how we had $85 in Best Buy gift certificates and how we could get an Xbox cheaply and I agreed and said we could. My spider sense was tingling....but I went back to doing my makeup without a care. Two minutes later I yelled, "HEY!". I ran into the kitchen with one mascara-smudged eye and said, "You were planning this all along! You saw a way to get me to agree to getting a new Xbox and you jumped on it! You....YOU USED ME!!!!"
And then he confessed. Yes, he not only thought it would be a great way to fit in my Valentine's gift, but also get a free pass for a couple weeks (yeah, right!), and then maybe he could slide in the Xbox....
He's pretty darn clever. Much more so than I give him credit for.
I still love him though.
Even though he used me and the diamond necklace in the process.
P.S. I'm not giving him a free pass....why? Because he said that was one of the reasons he bought the necklace. I'll lighten up a little, but not much.
And a surprise it was....
But my surprises always are followed by, "Why?" or "What's it for?" or "Why didn't you wait until Valentine's?"....
I can't help it, my husband always makes me skeptical. And for reason.
His first answer was what any guy's answer is: "I was hoping to get a free pass and hoping this would cover arguments for the next month".
His second answer: "I love you?".
Then this morning he began explaining how we had $85 in Best Buy gift certificates and how we could get an Xbox cheaply and I agreed and said we could. My spider sense was tingling....but I went back to doing my makeup without a care. Two minutes later I yelled, "HEY!". I ran into the kitchen with one mascara-smudged eye and said, "You were planning this all along! You saw a way to get me to agree to getting a new Xbox and you jumped on it! You....YOU USED ME!!!!"
And then he confessed. Yes, he not only thought it would be a great way to fit in my Valentine's gift, but also get a free pass for a couple weeks (yeah, right!), and then maybe he could slide in the Xbox....
He's pretty darn clever. Much more so than I give him credit for.
I still love him though.
Even though he used me and the diamond necklace in the process.
P.S. I'm not giving him a free pass....why? Because he said that was one of the reasons he bought the necklace. I'll lighten up a little, but not much.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Greatest Husband Award Goes To....
....the man who just bought his wife a shiny new set of pots and pans!
And not just ANY pots and pans set....
No....
A Paula Dean Red Porcelain Pots and Pans set that his wife has had her eyes on since it first came out! He even threw in the sautee pan because he was feeling extra doting.
(Thank you, tax return!)
I am dying to cook in them and have NO IDEA what their maiden meal shall be. Probably mediterranean chicken pasta....mmmm.....that sounds really good actually.
Now to convince him on all the benefits of a certain red KitchenAid standing mixer. Or maybe my car should get fixed first....yeah, the car is definitely more important. Th car is what will be hauling our butts back to Oklahoma this vacation.
Vacation....I cannot WAIT for vacation.
And not just ANY pots and pans set....
No....
A Paula Dean Red Porcelain Pots and Pans set that his wife has had her eyes on since it first came out! He even threw in the sautee pan because he was feeling extra doting.
(Thank you, tax return!)
I am dying to cook in them and have NO IDEA what their maiden meal shall be. Probably mediterranean chicken pasta....mmmm.....that sounds really good actually.
Now to convince him on all the benefits of a certain red KitchenAid standing mixer. Or maybe my car should get fixed first....yeah, the car is definitely more important. Th car is what will be hauling our butts back to Oklahoma this vacation.
Vacation....I cannot WAIT for vacation.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Trip In Time....
I was taking a trip back in time tonight, thinking of mom and home. Mostly I was thinking of my mom because I was watching American Pickers and Pawn Stars on History Channel (its a gulity pleasure).
Somehow my childhood came to memory. I suddenly wanted a pair of leggings in seafoam green (and yes, I had a pair in seafoam and hot pink and stirrup leggings in black). I suddenly wanted my locks permed in a ponytail held up by a scrunchie. Remember, the 80's rolled into the 90's for quite some time. Until about....96-97? Then grunge made a come-back. Again. At least in my part of the United States it did. Then in the 2000's the bell-bottom came back from the 60's, it didn't last long though. It quickly rolled over to bootcuts....anyways, off track here.
Where was I?
Oh, back in time. Not quite 20 years ago (boy am i feeling my age!).
My sister and I used to beg my mom to play Amy Grant (see, we weren't THAT sheltered!) and we would rock out. Well, whatever rocking out homeschoolers who live out in the boonies do, but we rocked whatever it was thoroughly. We ran around the house, had the stereo up loud (this was just as cd's were catching on) and went NUTS. I wish we had video of that.
I love you, mommy and sissy. And daddy. And brother.
P.S. Now I want to find pictures of what we wore then.
Somehow my childhood came to memory. I suddenly wanted a pair of leggings in seafoam green (and yes, I had a pair in seafoam and hot pink and stirrup leggings in black). I suddenly wanted my locks permed in a ponytail held up by a scrunchie. Remember, the 80's rolled into the 90's for quite some time. Until about....96-97? Then grunge made a come-back. Again. At least in my part of the United States it did. Then in the 2000's the bell-bottom came back from the 60's, it didn't last long though. It quickly rolled over to bootcuts....anyways, off track here.
Where was I?
Oh, back in time. Not quite 20 years ago (boy am i feeling my age!).
My sister and I used to beg my mom to play Amy Grant (see, we weren't THAT sheltered!) and we would rock out. Well, whatever rocking out homeschoolers who live out in the boonies do, but we rocked whatever it was thoroughly. We ran around the house, had the stereo up loud (this was just as cd's were catching on) and went NUTS. I wish we had video of that.
I love you, mommy and sissy. And daddy. And brother.
P.S. Now I want to find pictures of what we wore then.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Airing Out The Dirty Dishes...
Everyday whenever Cody says or does something too simple or not thoroughly enough, I find myself sighing and muttering under my breath, "Men". "Men" is simply the term used to rationalize why your husband or boyfriend does the things he does. It is the term we women use to try to remind ourselves why we exist. It is the term that will roughly sum up the rest of my post.
Men.
I had to work yesterday, but my husband got to enjoy a day off, which he deserved. When he gets a day off, I usually take advantage of him and ask him to do a couple chores for me because it is really rough going to work, then coming home, cleaning the kitchen, starting laundry, cooking dinner, changing laundry, eating dinner, cleaning up the kitchen yet again, and trying to fit in a bath before going to bed.
*sigh*
Wives and mothers are very under-appreciated.
That's an argument for another post though. Back to the chores which I asked him to do. We had queso over the weekend and I had the bowls and pots soaking for a day (everyone soaks their dishes for one day at some point or another). So I asked him to empty the clean dishes from the dishwasher, put them away, and then fill the dishwasher back up with dirty dishes. And, yes, I do have to remind him to put the dishes away. I once came home with a counter piled high with dishes. When I asked him what was up with it, he pointed to the chore list and it simply said:
1.) Empty dishwaher.
2.) Fill dishwasher.
So far this seems like a pretty simple process, right? Wrong.
I forgot one teensy little tiny step this time. I forgot to tell him that between putting dishes away and filling the dishwasher, he must first RINSE and SCRUB the dirty dishes with queso all over them. To a woman, it is second nature to rinse and scrub the dishes before tossing them into the dishwasher. To a man, it is part of a step process. If a woman forgets one tiny step, the man isn't going to even give second thought to it.
So today I went into my kitchen to start dinner and smelled this awful funky smell. I couldn't find a source so I figured once I emptied the sink I would spray some bleach and it would just go away. So I opened my dishwasher to begin fillng it and- WHOOSH! Out came the funky smell! I was blown back against my stove gagging and gasping.
With tears in my eyes I grabbed onto the counter and pinched my nose to look inside. Here is what I found:
Now, nothing, NOTHING about this picture would be have been "alright" or considered "a job well done" to someone of the female gender....but to him, he thinks that he did what I told him to do (and he did) and goes about his day not giving a second thought to the queso and ground beef mixture now stuck to the bottom of my dishwasher.
He also thinks the same way about several other things about the house. Like, when I ask him to do laundry. I separate all the clothes for him (Heaven forbid he dye all of our white towels pink) and usually start the first load out of courtesy. Now, when a woman goes to change the wash from the washer to the dryer, she remembers to pull out any delicates (bras, super-soft-cozy socks from her sister, wool sweaters, etc) and carefully hang them out to air dry. Men just take anything from the washer and put it straight into the dryer, there is no checking what exactly it is he is putting in there. All he knows is that his wife told him to change out the laundry and that it what he is doing. Because again, men are not detail-oriented. And this, friends, has cost me a couple bras, sweaters, and pairs of super-soft-cozy socks. You'd think I'd learn, right?
Unless you spell out the brand, color, and size of the bottle, 99% of the time, he will get the wrong one. If you aren't meticulous and write out every little step IN DETAIL, he will never even consider or think of it and then you will be the one left with the nasty surprising funky smell at the bottom of your dishwasher which you will now have to scrape off.
It may seem like I criticize him a little too harshly or complain about him. That is not what this is at all. This post was an observation about the differences between the two of us. Men and woman are COMPLETE and TOTAL opposites and God made us that way so we attract eachother (another sign of God's sense of humor). Now, we may have some common interests, we may have some small similarities, but at the end of the day we are still two completely different people and sexes, with brains that function totally opposite of the other's.
I love my man though. No matter how much detail I have to put into chore or grocery lists, I love him.
Men.
I had to work yesterday, but my husband got to enjoy a day off, which he deserved. When he gets a day off, I usually take advantage of him and ask him to do a couple chores for me because it is really rough going to work, then coming home, cleaning the kitchen, starting laundry, cooking dinner, changing laundry, eating dinner, cleaning up the kitchen yet again, and trying to fit in a bath before going to bed.
*sigh*
Wives and mothers are very under-appreciated.
That's an argument for another post though. Back to the chores which I asked him to do. We had queso over the weekend and I had the bowls and pots soaking for a day (everyone soaks their dishes for one day at some point or another). So I asked him to empty the clean dishes from the dishwasher, put them away, and then fill the dishwasher back up with dirty dishes. And, yes, I do have to remind him to put the dishes away. I once came home with a counter piled high with dishes. When I asked him what was up with it, he pointed to the chore list and it simply said:
1.) Empty dishwaher.
2.) Fill dishwasher.
So far this seems like a pretty simple process, right? Wrong.
I forgot one teensy little tiny step this time. I forgot to tell him that between putting dishes away and filling the dishwasher, he must first RINSE and SCRUB the dirty dishes with queso all over them. To a woman, it is second nature to rinse and scrub the dishes before tossing them into the dishwasher. To a man, it is part of a step process. If a woman forgets one tiny step, the man isn't going to even give second thought to it.
So today I went into my kitchen to start dinner and smelled this awful funky smell. I couldn't find a source so I figured once I emptied the sink I would spray some bleach and it would just go away. So I opened my dishwasher to begin fillng it and- WHOOSH! Out came the funky smell! I was blown back against my stove gagging and gasping.
With tears in my eyes I grabbed onto the counter and pinched my nose to look inside. Here is what I found:
Now, nothing, NOTHING about this picture would be have been "alright" or considered "a job well done" to someone of the female gender....but to him, he thinks that he did what I told him to do (and he did) and goes about his day not giving a second thought to the queso and ground beef mixture now stuck to the bottom of my dishwasher.
He also thinks the same way about several other things about the house. Like, when I ask him to do laundry. I separate all the clothes for him (Heaven forbid he dye all of our white towels pink) and usually start the first load out of courtesy. Now, when a woman goes to change the wash from the washer to the dryer, she remembers to pull out any delicates (bras, super-soft-cozy socks from her sister, wool sweaters, etc) and carefully hang them out to air dry. Men just take anything from the washer and put it straight into the dryer, there is no checking what exactly it is he is putting in there. All he knows is that his wife told him to change out the laundry and that it what he is doing. Because again, men are not detail-oriented. And this, friends, has cost me a couple bras, sweaters, and pairs of super-soft-cozy socks. You'd think I'd learn, right?
Unless you spell out the brand, color, and size of the bottle, 99% of the time, he will get the wrong one. If you aren't meticulous and write out every little step IN DETAIL, he will never even consider or think of it and then you will be the one left with the nasty surprising funky smell at the bottom of your dishwasher which you will now have to scrape off.
It may seem like I criticize him a little too harshly or complain about him. That is not what this is at all. This post was an observation about the differences between the two of us. Men and woman are COMPLETE and TOTAL opposites and God made us that way so we attract eachother (another sign of God's sense of humor). Now, we may have some common interests, we may have some small similarities, but at the end of the day we are still two completely different people and sexes, with brains that function totally opposite of the other's.
I love my man though. No matter how much detail I have to put into chore or grocery lists, I love him.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
What The Elk...?
And if that title didn't make you laugh then you are just as boring as my husband....
Okay, just kidding. I don't know why, but I was thinking about elk the other day and Colorado and the crazy t-shirts we used to get up there and this phrase come to my mind and I just started laughing. Not just a little laugh, but laughing hard. Cody asked why I was laughing and I told him and he just stared at me blankly. Is it really not that funny...?
In other news, my husband can be extremely annoying when we go grocery shopping together. One such example:
"If you touch me again, I'll scream rape."
He said this while we were standing in the middle of the spice aisle trying to find something and because he was standing in THE MIDDLE of the spice aisle no one else could get around him, so I was tugging on him and the cart trying to get them out of the way so other people could pass. But he can't just move out of the way, NO, that would be way too easy. He had to say that VERY LOUDLY while a nice elderly couple were trying to pass us.
And then when we were trying to find pasta:
"I want spa-penne-cine!"
*shakes head*
Yes, folks, I married a crazed man.
But I love that crazed, funny man.
Someway, somehow, by God, I love him.
Okay, just kidding. I don't know why, but I was thinking about elk the other day and Colorado and the crazy t-shirts we used to get up there and this phrase come to my mind and I just started laughing. Not just a little laugh, but laughing hard. Cody asked why I was laughing and I told him and he just stared at me blankly. Is it really not that funny...?
In other news, my husband can be extremely annoying when we go grocery shopping together. One such example:
"If you touch me again, I'll scream rape."
He said this while we were standing in the middle of the spice aisle trying to find something and because he was standing in THE MIDDLE of the spice aisle no one else could get around him, so I was tugging on him and the cart trying to get them out of the way so other people could pass. But he can't just move out of the way, NO, that would be way too easy. He had to say that VERY LOUDLY while a nice elderly couple were trying to pass us.
And then when we were trying to find pasta:
"I want spa-penne-cine!"
*shakes head*
Yes, folks, I married a crazed man.
But I love that crazed, funny man.
Someway, somehow, by God, I love him.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Why I Love Dates
1.) It gives me the opportunity to dress up for my husband.
Even though he failed to dress up last night in return and ended up talking about how uncomfortable he felt being so casual in his tee shirt and light jeans (I recommended the darker jeans with his sexy button-down, but I'm a woman and I don't know anything). Haha, serves you right for making fun of me for wearing my new heels and sexy jeans.
I am not that cruel to my husband though. I spent most of the night touching his arm and reassuring him that he is the most handsome man on earth.
2.) It gets us out of the house and off the couch and far away from the tv.
We both like to watch a movie or tv while eating. We are both comfortable doing that. But it is SO nice to have my husband's attention without all the other distractions that a tv can bring. Or your dog can bring. Or that spider crawling across the floor- AHHHHH!!!! Spider!!!!
Where was I? Oh, distractions. Yes, and I want to get in as many dates as possible before we have kids. Once we have kids, its all over.
Or do you just have to make time for it?
What is "it" anyways?
3.) Being waited on.
I love to cook. I love to serve. I love to help. But it doesn't mean that I don't appreciate someone else cooking the meal, refilling my beverage when its getting low, or taking my empty plates away when I am finished. In fact I very much appreciate that. Makes me feel like a queen. One thing I hate doing is having to hurry to get my plates to the kitchen before the spaghetti sauce dries on. You know how hard it is to clean ANY sauce off a dish once its dried? You end up throwing it in the sink for a few days with a bunch of water and a little soap and hope that magically makes the mess disappear.
4.) I love how my husband thinks I owe him after he does something for me.
That or I was stupid enough to make a bargain with him and not remember it. I think I begged him so hard last week to take me out I promised that if he did take me out to dinner, he could get Prince of Persia 3D for the PS3....I did not remember this until he played back the entire conversation for me, even mimicking my voice. Then I remembered.
5.) Advice for the week.
Don't promise your husband something and not remember it. It will make you feel foolish and stupid and cheat you out of yet ANOTHER hour that could have spent doing "it" (whatever it is) instead of blogging about how much fun you had with him at dinner while he plays Prince of Persia 3D....
6.) And while on the subject of "it", our date, and Prince of Persia 3D....
I have a slightly glacier-sized piece of chocolate cake in my fridge that is calling my name and a gallon of milk to go with it, so goodnight.
Even though he failed to dress up last night in return and ended up talking about how uncomfortable he felt being so casual in his tee shirt and light jeans (I recommended the darker jeans with his sexy button-down, but I'm a woman and I don't know anything). Haha, serves you right for making fun of me for wearing my new heels and sexy jeans.
I am not that cruel to my husband though. I spent most of the night touching his arm and reassuring him that he is the most handsome man on earth.
2.) It gets us out of the house and off the couch and far away from the tv.
We both like to watch a movie or tv while eating. We are both comfortable doing that. But it is SO nice to have my husband's attention without all the other distractions that a tv can bring. Or your dog can bring. Or that spider crawling across the floor- AHHHHH!!!! Spider!!!!
Where was I? Oh, distractions. Yes, and I want to get in as many dates as possible before we have kids. Once we have kids, its all over.
Or do you just have to make time for it?
What is "it" anyways?
3.) Being waited on.
I love to cook. I love to serve. I love to help. But it doesn't mean that I don't appreciate someone else cooking the meal, refilling my beverage when its getting low, or taking my empty plates away when I am finished. In fact I very much appreciate that. Makes me feel like a queen. One thing I hate doing is having to hurry to get my plates to the kitchen before the spaghetti sauce dries on. You know how hard it is to clean ANY sauce off a dish once its dried? You end up throwing it in the sink for a few days with a bunch of water and a little soap and hope that magically makes the mess disappear.
4.) I love how my husband thinks I owe him after he does something for me.
That or I was stupid enough to make a bargain with him and not remember it. I think I begged him so hard last week to take me out I promised that if he did take me out to dinner, he could get Prince of Persia 3D for the PS3....I did not remember this until he played back the entire conversation for me, even mimicking my voice. Then I remembered.
5.) Advice for the week.
Don't promise your husband something and not remember it. It will make you feel foolish and stupid and cheat you out of yet ANOTHER hour that could have spent doing "it" (whatever it is) instead of blogging about how much fun you had with him at dinner while he plays Prince of Persia 3D....
6.) And while on the subject of "it", our date, and Prince of Persia 3D....
I have a slightly glacier-sized piece of chocolate cake in my fridge that is calling my name and a gallon of milk to go with it, so goodnight.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Well, That's Just Fantastic.
And when I mean fantastic, I mean FANtastic.
Today, we lost a friend. A friend that has been with us almost our entire relationship and now, we must sadly, depart with and replace that friend.
The friend in question is our beloved Xbox 360.
RIP. November 2005-January 2011.
You have loyally served your purpose for 6 years and have gone above and beyond Call of Duty.
(LoL, I crack myself up sometimes.)
The funny thing is, we haven't had the electronic device on in two days. We turn it on this afternoon and immediately we both see the dreaded Red Ring of Death. I mean, it was a first generation, but it had never happened, ever, so we figured if it had never happened it never would. We assumed we were the exception. That and we also went to great lengths to always try to not overheat it or overplay it.
My husband thinks he can temporarily fix it, but we both know it will need to be replaced eventually. Great. He's so happy it finally broke down, he's practically doing a jig (I mention jig, because he's wearing his "Kiss Me, I'm Irish-ish" shirt today and he's happy because he has been begging me ever since he found out Call of Duty is 3D to buy him a new Xbox because the new one comes with an HDMI cord which supports 3D).
Of course, this could not have happened at a worse time. Here's a summary of why this could not have happened at a worse time.
1.) My husband hit a car a few months back and both he and the owner of the car he hit refuse to get insurance involved. So we have to come up with a large sum of money with which to fix the car he's hit fender with before March.
2.) Our housing allowance got cut for our area. Dear Government, I hate you.
3.) Sister's wedding and super-long vacation back home (which I am SO looking forward to!).
a.) Need renter's insurance.
b.) Need to fix my car before we leave (by fixing my car I mean finding out why the Check Engine light will not go off, get my traction control fixed, and get a whole new set of tires).
4.) Student loans, truck loan, any loan.
5.) Making a baby.
Okay, so the last one is just on MY list of priorities. Cody's a dude, and I have to constantly remind myself of that and constantly remind myself that what I neccessarily want and am ready for he may not neccessarily want or is not ready for.
Then I am reminded of what I am reading right now in the Bible and my favorite Bible verse. I have just reached the story of Abraham and anyone who has read Genesis knows that Abraham's story is all about faith. Relying on God to give him a son, relying on God to get him to the Promised Land, relying on God when it came time to kill his son...so right now, I am really trying to open myself up on faith and really trying to trust fully in God. It's just a bit difficult for me though, because I am what is known as a worry-wart. And I always feel if I do not worry about things, then no one else will worry about it and nothing will ever get done or accomplished. Then I reminded of my favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11:
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.'"
So, here is my list of priorities and I am giving them up to you, Lord. I know that my meager plan pales in comparison to whatever plan it is you have in store for me and my family. I give it to you.
P.S. I started out this post on a sarcastic note, but I wanted to mention that all the stuff at the end I am entirely serious about. I was not in any way, shape, or form mocking God, Christianity, the Bible, or faith. I take this stuff seriously.
Today, we lost a friend. A friend that has been with us almost our entire relationship and now, we must sadly, depart with and replace that friend.
The friend in question is our beloved Xbox 360.
RIP. November 2005-January 2011.
You have loyally served your purpose for 6 years and have gone above and beyond Call of Duty.
(LoL, I crack myself up sometimes.)
The funny thing is, we haven't had the electronic device on in two days. We turn it on this afternoon and immediately we both see the dreaded Red Ring of Death. I mean, it was a first generation, but it had never happened, ever, so we figured if it had never happened it never would. We assumed we were the exception. That and we also went to great lengths to always try to not overheat it or overplay it.
My husband thinks he can temporarily fix it, but we both know it will need to be replaced eventually. Great. He's so happy it finally broke down, he's practically doing a jig (I mention jig, because he's wearing his "Kiss Me, I'm Irish-ish" shirt today and he's happy because he has been begging me ever since he found out Call of Duty is 3D to buy him a new Xbox because the new one comes with an HDMI cord which supports 3D).
Of course, this could not have happened at a worse time. Here's a summary of why this could not have happened at a worse time.
1.) My husband hit a car a few months back and both he and the owner of the car he hit refuse to get insurance involved. So we have to come up with a large sum of money with which to fix the car he's hit fender with before March.
2.) Our housing allowance got cut for our area. Dear Government, I hate you.
3.) Sister's wedding and super-long vacation back home (which I am SO looking forward to!).
a.) Need renter's insurance.
b.) Need to fix my car before we leave (by fixing my car I mean finding out why the Check Engine light will not go off, get my traction control fixed, and get a whole new set of tires).
4.) Student loans, truck loan, any loan.
5.) Making a baby.
Okay, so the last one is just on MY list of priorities. Cody's a dude, and I have to constantly remind myself of that and constantly remind myself that what I neccessarily want and am ready for he may not neccessarily want or is not ready for.
Then I am reminded of what I am reading right now in the Bible and my favorite Bible verse. I have just reached the story of Abraham and anyone who has read Genesis knows that Abraham's story is all about faith. Relying on God to give him a son, relying on God to get him to the Promised Land, relying on God when it came time to kill his son...so right now, I am really trying to open myself up on faith and really trying to trust fully in God. It's just a bit difficult for me though, because I am what is known as a worry-wart. And I always feel if I do not worry about things, then no one else will worry about it and nothing will ever get done or accomplished. Then I reminded of my favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11:
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.'"
So, here is my list of priorities and I am giving them up to you, Lord. I know that my meager plan pales in comparison to whatever plan it is you have in store for me and my family. I give it to you.
P.S. I started out this post on a sarcastic note, but I wanted to mention that all the stuff at the end I am entirely serious about. I was not in any way, shape, or form mocking God, Christianity, the Bible, or faith. I take this stuff seriously.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
An Introduction To My Family.
First of all, hi. My name is Anna.
I'm 21, military wife, customer service representative, and a red-head (currently). I have lots of hobbies. I enjoy video gaming, cleaning house (haha), cooking and baking, scrapbooking, and just loving on my husband.
This is my husband, Cody.
He's 20, married to me (duh), loves having his back scratched, and he claims he needs a hobby. He loves video games, grilling, fishing and camping.
He's a nut. Then again, so am I. We nuts attract other nuts.
Moving on.
This...thing...furball...fuzzy monster...stink-butt...pooper...is Lucy.
She is a border-collie/irish setter mix, or what is more commonly known as a mutt. She stinks, she barks in her sleep, she is scared of cameras (i only got this picture because i had cheese in my hand), she knows her dinnertime is exactly at 5pm, and she thinks she is a lap dog. She keeps life interesting.
So, there it is, the introduction to my family.
I'm 21, military wife, customer service representative, and a red-head (currently). I have lots of hobbies. I enjoy video gaming, cleaning house (haha), cooking and baking, scrapbooking, and just loving on my husband.
This is my husband, Cody.
He's 20, married to me (duh), loves having his back scratched, and he claims he needs a hobby. He loves video games, grilling, fishing and camping.
He's a nut. Then again, so am I. We nuts attract other nuts.
Moving on.
This...thing...furball...fuzzy monster...stink-butt...pooper...is Lucy.
She is a border-collie/irish setter mix, or what is more commonly known as a mutt. She stinks, she barks in her sleep, she is scared of cameras (i only got this picture because i had cheese in my hand), she knows her dinnertime is exactly at 5pm, and she thinks she is a lap dog. She keeps life interesting.
So, there it is, the introduction to my family.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
It's A New Year!
Well, the New Year has started and my resolutions have begun (now if I can just keep them). We rang in the New Year in style with friends out in the boondocks -in the back of our pickups next to a bonfire. It will be a night to remember, ritual first kiss and all. The next morning I awoke with purpose. For the first time in my life, I had a resolution.
Last year, I asked several people for a Chronological Bible and was thinking I was NEVER going to recieve one. Finally, before my husband and I departed Oklahoma for our new adventures out East, my grandmother gave me a farewell present. I finally recieved my Chronological Bible. I began reading eagerly the first morning of the New Year (because its kind of difficult to read chronologically in the middle of the year) and am now into Day 4. Once you get past all the names and genealogy and sons and daughters and next of kin, you find you really didn't know the story of Adam and Eve like you thought you did. Okay, here's an example: I knew God created the Earth and created humans to populate it. But I never understood that he actually GAVE us the entire planet. He created this magnificent globe that sustains life perfectly and gave it to US! He gave us not only the planet, but the plants and animals that are in it. How cool is that? This is one of the many things I am going to blog about going into this New Year.
Another resolution....keep a blog. I used to be pretty active in the blogosphere and I really enjoy it. So, this year I am going to blog about everything. My husband, our life, my hobbies, our dog, and keep up with my Bible reading as well.
So far, it looks like this year is going to be an exciting one! My husband's mother might be coming to see us within the next month or two and I have found a wine and coffee house that I am DYING to take her to! My sister is getting married in July and not only am I to be her maitron of honor (makes me feel old), but I am also making her wedding cake! My husband and I will be celebrating our 3rd year of marriage this August and we might be looking to start a family by the end of the year, if we can get some debt paid off (boy, am I rooting for this one!).
All in all, not off to a bad start, 2011. Let's buckle in and hold on tight! This year is gonna ROCK!
Last year, I asked several people for a Chronological Bible and was thinking I was NEVER going to recieve one. Finally, before my husband and I departed Oklahoma for our new adventures out East, my grandmother gave me a farewell present. I finally recieved my Chronological Bible. I began reading eagerly the first morning of the New Year (because its kind of difficult to read chronologically in the middle of the year) and am now into Day 4. Once you get past all the names and genealogy and sons and daughters and next of kin, you find you really didn't know the story of Adam and Eve like you thought you did. Okay, here's an example: I knew God created the Earth and created humans to populate it. But I never understood that he actually GAVE us the entire planet. He created this magnificent globe that sustains life perfectly and gave it to US! He gave us not only the planet, but the plants and animals that are in it. How cool is that? This is one of the many things I am going to blog about going into this New Year.
Another resolution....keep a blog. I used to be pretty active in the blogosphere and I really enjoy it. So, this year I am going to blog about everything. My husband, our life, my hobbies, our dog, and keep up with my Bible reading as well.
So far, it looks like this year is going to be an exciting one! My husband's mother might be coming to see us within the next month or two and I have found a wine and coffee house that I am DYING to take her to! My sister is getting married in July and not only am I to be her maitron of honor (makes me feel old), but I am also making her wedding cake! My husband and I will be celebrating our 3rd year of marriage this August and we might be looking to start a family by the end of the year, if we can get some debt paid off (boy, am I rooting for this one!).
All in all, not off to a bad start, 2011. Let's buckle in and hold on tight! This year is gonna ROCK!
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