MRAPs & Blackhawks

So I stared my day today by talking to my husband.  He is back at his FOB tonight, hopefully he will be able to sleep in a bit because he had a late night last night.  I got up, ate, showered, and took Stryker to the dog park.


On my way to the park, I saw an MRAP.  What is an MRAP you ask?  This:

Today was my first time ever seeing one in person, and not in the Army Times or in photos.  Let me tell you, those things look like monsters seeing them on the road.  They are an armored vehicle that the Army (and probably other branches) use.  They are pretty good on doing what they're made to do.

When I got to the park, let Stryker out of the car, and was playing ball with him when five blackhawk helicopters flew over.  I have to say that living on post never gets old.  Seeing something like blackhawks or jets in formation flying overhead, or Strykers and MRAPs driving down the road.  It's amazing.  You don't experience that every day as a civilian.

I have to say, I love our armed forces!  They're amazing :)

On another note, when I was out doing some shopping I drove back to my parents house, passing this park.  I saw this little white thing some girl was walking on a leash.  I thought, wow, isn't that a small dog?  I don't know if I'd walk that dog on a leash, I'd be afraid something would swoop out of the sky and try and pick it up.  What breed is that?  And then I saw it:  it was a ferret.  A FERRET!  What?!?  Pretty funny.  I won't be forgetting that one.

Also I want to add that I'm going to have a small announcement coming soon.  No, I'm not pregnant.  I need to do a couple more things before I make this announcement, so give me a couple of days and I will tell you!

It was a GOOD day today.  That feels good to say!

GOODBYE February, and BRING IT ON March!

Take a Deep Breath

This is something I found myself doing often today.  The morning went fine, I got an actual phone call from my husband.  He's going to be in a different area for a while, but not too long.  I was glad to hear his voice over the phone.  I guess it seems a lot more real than a fuzzy in-and-out internet connection.

I took Stryker to the dog park.  I got ready for work.  I ate lunch.  I made good time.  Everything was fine.

As I'm just starting to leave post for work, my check engine light comes on.  Keep in mind, I am driving the Civ because the CRV has no headlights.  The CRV is parked in front of my parent's house.  I am thirty minutes away from them.

So I think, ok.  On a scale of 1-10, I wasn't concerned about the Civ having problems.  I knew it needed to be looked at but nothing to be scared about.  On the scale I was about a 2 of panicking.  I kept driving.  Automatically, I knew something was wrong.  The car was having a hard time accelerating, jerking (not violently, but it wasn't something you could ignore) when I lifted my foot off the gas petal.  Oh sh*t.

Now, for those who don't know much about Lewis, you can't really get to the surrounding downs without taking the freeway.  Especially from North Fort.  You can go through main post, but there's a lot of lights.

I'm almost panicking.  Yeah, I sort of went from a 2 to a 10 real fast.  I was afraid I wasn't going to make it anywhere fast...If at all.  I call my dad.  Tell him what's happening.  He instructs me to come home (I think I needed someone to tell me what to do) and change out the cars again.  Call work and let them know that I'm going to be late.  Thank goodness my assistant manager is level headed because I was still about a 9 when I talked to him.  He was fine with me being late, just as long as I got there safely.

Long story short....Well, I know it's not that short...The Civ is out of commission for the time being.  Even as the CRV sat in my parents driveway for two days and my dad kept saying he'd change my headlights, he never did.  Thank goodness I don't work late the next couple of days because I'd be driving in almost complete darkness.

Have I mentioned how awesome it is right now that my husband is gone?

On another note, when I was at my parents house this guy driving a SUV with a trailer pulled off the side of the road right down from my parent's house and was unloading wood into the ditch.  He stuck a "free" sign on it.  My dad was not happy about this, and instead of doing something that was...Well, logical to me... He goes inside, grabs a camera and starts hiking his happy butt down the street.  I am sitting there just saying "dad don't.  dad please don't.  dad no.  dad..."  to no avail.  This normally works on my husband.

It does not work on my father.

So he goes down to talk to the guy, asking him why he's doing this.  Apparently the guy has an ad on Craig's List telling people he had free wood and decided to basically dump it on the side of this busy two late road (the guy lived close by) for people to stop by and pick up.  He told my father that if no one picked it up, he would come by and get the rest of it.  Dad basically told him that that was okay (hello, I see this as illegal dumping), just that he was going to take pictures (which he did...even of the license plate) and if it wasn't gone by whenever time he would call whoever you call to report that kind of stuff. I made sure I kept an eye on dad this whole time -- I mean, the guy had a couple people with him.  I know I couldn't have done much if anything happened -- besides calling 911 -- so I waited to leave until that was over.  Ugh.

All the wood was gone within about 30 minutes.  The guy packed it all back up.

Ah, good times.

Other than that my day was OK.  Stryker didn't manage to chew anything up that he shouldn't have while I was working my long evening shift.  Work was busy.  I often found myself taking deep breaths to keep myself from going crazy.

For everyone that I promised to stop complaining....  That didn't last long, did it?  Haha.  Go figure.

Tomorrow is a new day....

Just.....Stuff.

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Army Wives Prayer: 

When he's in a foreign land,

Keep him safe in your loving hand. 

And Lord, when duty is in the field, 

please protect him and be his shield.

And Lord, when deployment is so long, 

please stay with me and keep me strong.

Last Thursday of February

Is that positive?  I think so.

Today I pretty much devoted to errands.  Yeah, I probably was a bit lazier than I should've been.  I got up and talked to Jesse.  I know I haven't updated on him much recently, but there really is nothing new to tell.  No, he's not fighting in Marjah.  Again, there's nothing really new.  If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know via e-mail.

I mailed Jesse his care packages (two of them), got updated tabs for the Civ, and am at my parent's house waiting for some oatmeal raisin cookies to come out of the oven.  I have a whole bag of stuff to send Jesse at home, which I will still do over a period of time.  I have magazines, three weeks worth of the Army Times, and enough stuff for a St. Patrick's Day and an Easter care package.  I even have the dates picked out on when I need to send them to for him to get them on time.  I have some really cute ideas for these care packages, which I will touch base on at a later time.

I am trying my best to switch gears, forget about time, and just live life so it passes quicker.  I already want to change my calendar so that I can start making March plans.  I am going to have a lot to do and to write it all down is the best way for me to organize and remember things.  After these next couple of working days, I'm sure I'll start focusing on that.

I'm going to be meeting with my FRG leader to see what I can do to help out within our company.  I am looking forward to seeing how I can get more involved.  I do that on Sunday, and I'm excited!

I hope you all have a great friday!

When it Rains, it Pours

So contemplating whether or not I'm going to write another blog about complaining, I figure....What the heck.

I took Stryker to the vet after work because he's developing what I believe is an ear infection.  They looked at him, updated him on his bordetella (kennel cough) shot, took a fecal sample (sounds fun, I know), and prescribed me some meds.  I seriously haven't even looked at the bill because after November, December, and January's shenanigans, I don't want to know the dollar amount for our dog.  Don't get me wrong I wouldn't change anything (I love him to pieces) but lordy.

Backing this up a little, I pull into the parking lot for the animal hospital, seeing my car's reflection in the window.  I've had a (as in one) headlight out for a while.  Probably since before Christmas.  I think to myself...Wait a minute, that's not the headlight that's out.  Oh no.  No no no no no no no!!!!!!  Yep.  Both of my headlights are out.  Awesome.  It was already getting dark.  Still have to drive thirty minutes to post.

So I battle inside the vet (in heels mind you -- I worked today) trying not to get knocked over by my 90 pound lab/shepherd.  I tell the woman that this was Stryker, and I swear.  In unison, two people waiting in the waiting room say, "Stryker?"  Yes STRYKER.  Not STRIKER as in my dog is going to kill you, but STRYKER: the armored combat vehicle.  Used in a sentence:  My husband is in the Stryker Brigade.  Hello??

Anyway, I'm thrilled about all of this car stuff when I get back to my parents house.  I talk to my dad (and Jesse) and decide that I'm going to get the tabs renewed on the Civ (Jesse's car which, oops, I let the tags expire over Christmas time.  Yep, didn't realize that until a few days ago).  So, I hope that that car can hold me over until I get the CRV in, because I don't really trust the Civ much...It needs to have a little tune up of its own.  It's really a good thing that I don't work much next week.

Alright.  It's out of my system.  I will get more positive, I will try not to complain until March.  Which, yes, I realize is only 4 to 5 more days.

I.  Will.  Try.

Sigh.  I need another pint of ice cream, a bottle of wine, and a day to do nothing.  Maybe next month?

The "Eff It" Phase

Oh how naive people can be.  I am going to say today I am one of them.

Here I am on SpouseBuzz last month, reading an entry from one of their writers of how they had just had it with a deployment, and a reader wrote in "that's the 'eff it' phase!"  I thought to myself, I don't think I'm going to go through that phase.  I'm pretty level headed, I don't really think that's going to happen to me.  Haha.  WRONG.

Usually I'm good at not being naive, I listen to people and what they tell me.  I'm a goody two shoes, by the book, personality.  Now this doesn't mean I wouldn't chop off my hair and dye it pink, but I don't like trouble or confrontation.  I like peoples advice.  I like word of mouth.  If it's good, it's good.  If you shouldn't do it, I won't do it.  It's pretty simple most of the time.

Yesterday seemed fine (even as February has NOT been my month).  I got off work early, the day was absolutely beautiful.  Still not feeling 100% (my spouse is still gone) but good nonetheless.  So I get to my parent's house to get my dog and found all of the remaining items left in my old room packed up in boxes.  Now, I gave my mother SPECIFIC instructions.  Do not package up anything but the stuff in the closet (there were some winter clothes, random shoes, shirts, and military stuff).  What did she do?  Package everything.  EVERYTHING.  You know how you stick personal items in your drawers (does anyone do that??).  Yeah.  Packaging up dresser = going through my things.  Thank you very much.

All of the bad moments I had in this month had come to a head.  So I'm frustrated, I wanted to call someone and just sob on the phone and be miserable about it, but couldn't.  Many people were still at work and my best friend doesn't have access to a phone.  Awesome.  I grab all of my stuff (minus our mini fridge) and put it in the car.  I take my dog, go home.  Stair at the walls until I get to talk to my husband.

And then I cry.

Then today I get a phone call to speak to him on a day which has ended badly.  Don't get me wrong, there wasn't anything horrible, but he experiences a roller coaster of emotions dealing with people over there.  That doesn't sit well with me, but what can you do?  Nothing.  So I do what I can and let him go to bed.

My father came out here, went on a walk with Stryker and me.  He hung up something for me and left, taking Stryker along with him so that I didn't have to worry about him tomorrow at work.  I left to run errands.  I realized then that I was sad.  Sad my husband was gone, sad my dog was gone.  Mad that I had to go run around to go to a grocery store that had a decent wine selection (it's one of those nights).  Clothing sales didn't have a write in the rain pad.  I forgot a few things.  I found myself hating people I didn't know.  Men who I would normally want to run up and hug just because they were wearing a uniform I didn't want them to even look in my direction.  I didn't like any of it.  The uniforms, the way people did things in their "orderly" fashion, the old outdated buildings.  I found myself just not liking anyone or anything.

Then I realized it....This is the "Eff It" Phase.

For those who haven't dealt with a deployment (which I know many of my readers have) this blog was a great article to tell how spouses/girlfriend feel.  I think it's a good read for anyone (spouses/girlfriend/fiances included) to relate to:

Have You Been Through a Deployment?

Yes, I realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  And of course I love our men and women in uniform.  It's just one of those days.  I just want March to come.....And fast.

You Know Spring is Coming When...

......you see this:

Cherry Blossoms!!!!!

Oh warm weather, how I've missed you!  And it's time to say goodbye already because we're supposed to be getting some rain for a while....Oh well I guess.

Happy Monday everyone!

Beautiful Sunday

Maybe Sunday is not my lucky day?  I don't know what it was about this morning!  My husband and I aren't really getting along and my dog chewed up my shoes!  Ugh, what next?  My plans for the day were slightly rearranged, but that is okay.

Dad and I took Stryker out to play (he's passed out somewhere around here), came home, and decided to take a walk at the park.  Mom decided she wanted to go too, so we went and enjoyed some sunshine!

I have officially decided a trip to Mt. Rainier is due... Maybe our next nice weekend when I have a day off.  Brunch then out to the mountain sounds great to me!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!  I may not be popping up on here much this week, I work a bit this week and the bro is going to be coming home for the weekend.  So, we'll see how things go!

Spring Themed

So as you can probably tell I've decided to change my background to a lucky St. Pat's theme, and I changed my signature on the blog too.  Just a couple things to keep things up to date.

Also -- I am really, I mean really obsessed with care packages.  I drove around Lakewood Town Center today trying to find some good green frosting to put on the shamrock cookies I'm making Jesse for St. Pat's (it has to be stackable).  I bought a shamrock cookie cutter a while back, and I bought some super cute sprinkles that are shamrocks.  I have a few other ideas for St. Pat's, so I might do a blog on care packages based on the holiday (and V-Day for that matter).  Since Jesse's not going to be here for Easter either, I have to say I've already started a collection of Easter stuff.  I have to be on the ball with these two holidays coming up, but I've already picked out these super cute cookies that I'm going to make (more on that later), and I bought some candy from Target and Fred Meyer that I haven't seen anywhere else yet.  All I have to say is good job, retailers.  You're making my year with the new candies you're coming out with this spring.

Yay for spring!

A Friendly Face

Cherie & Me at SeaTac

I mentioned the other day that my friend came in the other day during a layover.  We went to the Washington Wine Bar outside of one of the gates.  The restaurant had a great selection of Washington Wines (I'm a HUGE fan, even though I just had water -- I was driving home) along with a decent food menu.  It was really good to see her and talk for a couple of hours.

So I had off today, made sure to fit in my trip to the dog park, go to the OSC (Officer Spouses Club) to check out their store, Ways and Means.  It's a really cool store, if you get the chance to go they have some cute things.  My only request was more Infantry stuff - I could use some more cross-rifles in my house, right??  Nonetheless everything was super cute and I highly recommend it.

After that I came home to empty garbage cans (I know it's stupid but they took my recycling which made me VERY happy...  I have a zillion boxes in my garage).  I chatted with my neighbor, went to my parents, ate a late lunch, went to a couple stores, ate dinner, and am sitting here on the computer, yet to go home.  It's hard when the Olympics are so addicting.

You might see more posts of my cat -- I did a little Spuz shopping spree today.  He's home alone a lot and I think he's having a hard time adjusting back to the new house (I moved him the other night).  I hope the toys I got can keep him somewhat occupied.

Mock Dining In

The Ladies of 2-1 IN

Yesterday I attended my first Mock Dining In on Joint Base Lewis McChord.  It was a blast!  I have to say these ladies...along with many other ladies from post are amazing AND hilarious.  Our theme was Superman, because of course, our men are our Supermen!

Enjoy the photo!

Flowers, Chocolate, and Diamonds...Oh my!

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to update, I have been surprisingly busy!  Valentines Day was good, even though my day didn't go as scheduled.  I did end up having a convo with Jesse, bought my long-awaited birthday/Valentine's Day present from Kay Jewelers, found flowers awaiting me on my doorstep, got to go out to Mexican with the fam, and got some gifts from mom and dad.  Overall it was a good day!

Yesterday was very busy, I didn't end up going to bed until nearly 1 o'clock in the morning.  I had a busy day at work (lots of stuff do to from V-Day weekend), ran out to get some cat food, and met my friend Cherie at the airport.  This is the second time since we've been in Washington that she's come by, each time she was awaiting a layover to go back up to Alaska.  It was great seeing her again, she always has a positive attitude.  That is a great thing to have in a friend!

Today is going to be just as busy, so I hope to update you all again soon.  I'll try to have some better stories to tell then!  Tonight I am attending a Mock Dining In, which should be fun :)

Have a great week!

Happy Valentine's Day

Of course Valentine's Day is tomorrow, but I wanted to get it out of my system now.  Ha.  I hope everyone has a great day and treasures those moments with those most special to them.

I had a good day today:  my normal dog park trip, my parents came over and helped me with some things, and I finished off the day with a dinner with a couple of friends.

The rest of the night I'm going to relax (maybe with a glass of wine?), hopefully talk to my husband, and then go to bed.  Tomorrow is going to be a busy day -- I'm not really sure if I'm going to be able to get everything I need to do done.  I'm picking up my Valentine's Day gift (more to come on this later), I need to get some cat food, run Stryker out to my parents house, go to an event for mil spouses, maybe go out to dinner, and bring our cat home.

We'll see how it all goes -- and how smoothly.

Have a great holiday, everyone.

I Wish I Had a Dictionary

The only reason why I am thinking this is because I can't figure out something clever to name this blog entry.  I just am not being creative right now!  Oh, and yes, I have a dictionary somewhere in the mess of this room.  I'm just not going to try and find it.

So today has been a good day: a chat with the husband, a dog park visit (it was raining and I got really wet), a trip to the 'rents house, mailing Jesse's package, moving more stuff to post, and going out with a friend from Georgia.  Oh how the day went by so fast.  I'm not complaining.

I don't know what it is, but the beginning of a new month can almost be intimidating while your husband is gone.  It seems like so many days, so much time, until it is over and a new month is starting.  Then relief.  It feels better to have the month over with, than it does to start a new one.  Now this probably won't be the same once Jesse is home on leave (I'll be ridiculously super psyched instead), but until it gets closer to that point of time I think this is how it's going to be.

One interesting story to tell from the days events is what I (or I should say we, Kristen and Greyer were with me) came home to in front of my house.....Which was giant, fat, man eating (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating) RACCOONS!  They are huge.  I swear, someone feeds them in this neighborhood.  This is sighting number two.  I actually have a hunch on this one.  These raccoons are small little creatures (well a little larger than a cat) and about as heavy as my dog (exaggerating again).  They seemed decently scared of people which I think is good, and when I took my dog out to go to the bathroom and get today's mail they seem genuinely scared of him too.  I breathe a sigh of relief on this fact just because there have been many cases of raccoons attacking people and their dogs (Ankle biters.  I love all dogs but I'm just saying).  Especially in this area (AKA Seattle).  Not to mention they could have rabies and the number one "fun" thing for raccoons to do is go through your trash.  Amazing little creatures.  I do have to say that one of them looked like they had a "hand" that was hurt, he wasn't using it at all.  As much as I want to hate these little creatures, his little arm was hurt!  Poor guy :(

So, enough of that.  I hope everyone has a good weekend, whether it is long or short.  Tomorrow the 'rents are coming by to help me out (and fix Jesse's dresser!).  I'm sure I'll have a story to tell tomorrow.

Goodnight, all!

Motivation

Today is a day where I just need some motivation.  It's a day off, so I really want to be lazy.  The weather outside has turned into not-so-pretty (side note: weatherman says our +5 forecast, aka 6-10 days out, we will be hitting mid-50's.  Whaaaaat??).  It's supposed to stay not-so-pretty for a while.

Tonight I went to a briefing on post, which I was very excited for, we got some great, positive information from leadership.  Take it from me, we are making progress in other countries.  Anyway, I am staying on post tonight and am trying to gather my motivation to get things done (haha like writing a blog).  I think I'm going to need to snap myself into a your husband is going to come home for leave to get your butt moving  phase, which, is quite motivating.  I have spoken before about how I procrastinate, and, I do have some time on my hands so I should get stuff done.  And I will....I must!

On another note, I feel like this month has been emotional for me.  I feel like at the beginning of the month I could just cry for no reason, now I am sitting here in this briefing, my eyes getting glossy, just thinking to myself:  don't you cry, don't you cry....people are going to think you're wierd!  Haha.  Here I am looking at our "guest speaker" who's home on leave....And I'm thinking, oh my gosh.  He has seen my husband in person, touched my husband in person....  More recently than I.  That's a crazy feeling.  Movies seem to do it too.  That is why I am not going to watch movies like "Dear John" and "The Time Traveler's Wife" until my husband is on American soil.

Okay everyone, wish me luck.  Time to tackle some tasks before it's time for bed.

Wacky Wednesday

So here I am trying to think of something to talk about that is interesting.  Well interesting to more than just me (I don't think that Stryker and Spuz are that interesting to everyone all of the time).

I was doing great this morning getting ready for work, until I got on the computer.  I really should ban myself from doing this when I have to get up for work anyway, but I had some time and wanted to write to some people on Facebook.

Then, Jesse called me (online of course).

That's not all that bad, I like hearing from him.  But I still had to get my jacket on, brush my teeth, and get my butt to work.  I got behind, and was late.  We had a diamond show today, which is always interesting.  So it was busy and hectic; I had to get done counts, shipping, and merchandise.... And of course they weren't in any small quantities.  Then we get more stuff to do.  I finished about thirty minutes before I had to go home.  Yay!

So then I came home, lounged around, and dad and I went up to pick up some teriyaki.  I love teriyaki chicken and postickers.  They are my fave.  Well, other than the egg rolls that both Stacy and Luann (Stacy's fiance's mom) make.  Those are GOOD too.  Anyway, I'm getting off track.  Jesse e-mails me.  Of course.  I am five minutes away from the house, just got on the road, and I miss my husband pretty much for the second time today.  I'm 0 for 2.

So tomorrow I plan to sleep in, do some laundry, mail a care package, and go to the downrange briefing.  I also hope to start staying in the house this weekend.  Its going to be strange, but it has to be done.  Every day is a day closer to that leave date, and I better kick it into high gear.

Oh, and if you're on Facebook (often dubbed FB on here) check out the latest video I posted with me shooting a SAW at Ft. Benning.  I guess I was feeling nostalgic, and found this video.... Then realized I didn't ever put it up for anyone to see.  Have fun checking it out!

What did you say? It's February?

For those of you who are enduring an insane winter storm, getting pounded with snow, getting your flights cancelled, and/or having a hard time getting out of our driveway, you might want to skip this post.

I got off of work early today (amazing diamond show at work tomorrow, they're doing damage control for our hours tomorrow) and was so energized by the beautiful sun outside.  It felt like spring.  Yes, spring.  An amazing, unbalanced, unnatural winter we are having.  If I could make it all balanced, giving us a little bit of that colder weather, I would do it.  It's just unnatural here.  But, I had the urge to take some pictures of our beautiful weather.  The blueish skies, the wood pecked tree (that woodpecker is still working his magic in the back yard), the chives and chocolate mint that is already springing up in a pot in my parent's back yard, and my magnificent dog.  Yes I do have some photos of Stryker and I looking out the window along with the a Valentine's Day Starbucks cup which are quite random...But I mainly wanted to share a few images that I believe makes this state such a beautiful place to live.  I.  Love.  This.  State.

Anywho, I realized today that my blog was featured in December here.  Thank you Joint Fort Lewis-McChord business Chamber of Commerce.  A big surprise!  I've only have one hit from that link, but still.  Totally didn't realize it was even there!

Oh, and woo-hoo, it's nearly mid month.  Can I consider it mid-February yet?  I mean, this month is a short month.  I guess I should declare it mid-February around V-Day.  I like now better.

For you who are surviving the snow, stay warm!  For you who are getting amazing weather, get out and see that ball of fire we call the sun!

Packages From the Husband

Before I go off about everything along with my day, I would like to thank all of my "followers" for reading.  I've increased by a couple of people, and thanks for visiting!

So today I got a package in the mail from Jesse.  Now, I knew he was sending me a package (the last five days this was mentioned in most of our conversations..."did you get my package yet??"), and it takes over a week to get here, so I kept telling him to give it some time!  So today I got this bulging box (I should've taken a photo of it, it was hilarious!) full of goodies.  Well I guess "full" probably isn't the right word...Maybe overfilled.  Nonetheless I got a "mink" (it's like polyester or something, no I'm not an animal killer), a coffee mug with a flag on it, three movies (one of which haven't hit DVD here in the states), a scrubs top (don't ask), and a piece of "headgear" he got as a gift from his interpreter.  Even as though none of this stuff is going to be used that often, it's just nice to get something from him.  I love that boy!

For dinner mom is making a Salmon Chowder, I bought a mix with some canned smoked salmon at the Food and Gift Festival at the Tacoma Dome back in October.  I'll let you guys know how it goes, this company has a website and has some excellent smoked salmon!

Oh another magazine I bought was from The Mixing Bowl, which has some excellent stuff in it.  There are some interesting banana bread recipes in there that I'm going to try.  They even have a peanut butter banana bread and a strawberry banana bread in this book.  I would absolutely love to send some of this to Jesse, but I think that it wouldn't make it over there without mold on it.  Haha.  So maybe leave time, I guess.  If I try these (and I probably will) I will post and let you know if they're good.

So that is all for me today, another two more days of work before a stretch off.  Hopefully I can get what I need to have done in that time!

Have a great week,

Superbowl Sunday

I hope you all had a great Superbowl Sunday.

I know I have said I don't care much about the football or teams playing, but I do have to say that I am looking forward to eating some football game snacks!  I spent last night at the house last night, did some stuff around the house, took Stryker to the dog park (he met lots of new friends and tried to get two new girlfriends), and then we came back to my parent's house.  She made tons of goodies, guacamole, brownies, two kinds of chicken wings, and chex mix.  I am going to head out to a Superbowl get-together at my FRG leader's house, then hit up the mini-party my parent's are having over at the Stagner residence.

I can't believe that a year ago Superbowl Sunday we were in Georgia.  Jesse was home, we invited three of his BOLC II buddies over, ate pizza, and ate chips with salsa and queso.  It was fun, and hard to believe that that was last year!

Okay, the Superbowl is starting soon....I better go.  May the best team win!

Stryker's New Collar

His collar is called "Urban Hunter"

I think it's perfect!
<3

TGIF

So early this morning I woke up, my throat hurting, and coughing.  I couldn't seem to get back asleep because it just wouldn't go away.  That and our cat was laying between my legs...Which becomes awfully uncomfortable when you're trying to sleep.  I finally gulped down half a bottle of water and everything subsided, and I went back to sleep.

When I first thought I was getting sick, I considered the fact that I could be getting allergies.  We have had an unusually warm winter here in Washington, which to be honest scares me a little.  We have had the warmest January on record (trees are blooming!), while a lot of states in the east (New York, the Carolina's, Maryland, and Tennessee even) are getting dumped with snow.  Then you have California who's getting, well, basically all of our rain.  Its insane.  But, going back to the possibility of allergies, I have decided it's definitely NOT allergies.  I could probably sleep for 15 hours and still not feel rested.  I'm pretty sure that warrants some sort of a cold.

So anyway, I talked to Jesse this morning, he doesn't seem to have a lot going on at the moment.  I think things are starting to get busier for him, and as much as I think about his leave time and how far off it is, I have gotten a very strong feeling that time is going to fly.  I know that I have lots to do still at the house, even though I am quite the procrastinator, I tend to want to be a perfectionist.  I want the house to be perfect....which basically means a spotless house (even down to hair on the couches), pictures hung, boxes gone, and everything organized.  Now is this going to happen?  Probably not.  Just for the simple fact I am a procrastinator, and it seems like I should get it done in no time....But really I need all the time I can get. Go figure.

I do work today and have the weekend off...Thank goodness.  I know it's going to be busy at work, this is a big weekend for us before Valentine's Day.  I have no clue what I'm going to do for the Superbowl still, probably a lot of nothing.  Maybe sleep?  I don't know, nor do I really care what happens with the Superbowl.  I was thinking about having some friends over Saturday though, and if that doesn't pan out, I'll just invite mom and dad.  We could even watch a movie...Even though I'm not sure if I hooked the DVD player up correctly.  Another thing to add to my list of things to do before Jesse gets home.

I have go to get into gear....And get myself ready for a work day.  I hope everyone has a great weekend, Happy Friday -- I know I'm glad it's friday!

New Stuff

So today I got the new collar I ordered for Stryker in the mail.  I am excited!  It's camouflage but is yellow, black, and white.  I got it from Dublin Dog, who has "no stink" collars.  I'm pretty excited that he has a new one, he old one he had for probably close to a year and a half and it, well, stunk.  So I am trying it out...Hopefully it is also as durable as it sounds!

Also, I would like to send out my congratulations to my friend Katie (known in the blog world as the Provencher's Adventures).  She is now a FRG leader!  Congrats Katie!!

Other than that I mailed Jesse care package today, did some grocery shopping for the house, and took a nap.  I have the weekend off (still don't know my plans for the Superbowl) and I think I'm going to stay at the house over the weekend.  Then I think I am going to try and get myself fully living there by the end of next week.  FINALLY!

I will post photos of Stryker and his new collar later....And I'll keep everyone posted on if this collar was a wise investment!

Have a great weekend!




PS - Jesse got the cookies that I made in one of my January posts, and he LOVED them! Yay :)

Photo Booth is a Great Creation

Me & 'The Bug'
Taken via Photo Booth on my MacBook
(After a webcam convo with Jesse)

So, life has been crazy the last few days.  Work has been mainly my life -- I feel like I've been working, talking to my husband, and sleeping.  Oh yeah and maybe eating.  And making Jesse his Valentine's Day goodies for his next care package.

Speaking of care packages, his V-Day care package is probably going to be such a topic it's going to have its own blog entry.  So stay tuned for that!

Lately I've been feeling a little under the weather.  Normally I'm great with not getting sick (minus the time in 2004 when I got sick with strep throat and asthmatic bronchitis on Christmas Day.....talk about fun!) but I seem to have caught something.  With the H1N1 shot that I got, I guess I let my guard down... Then got a cold.  Awesome.  My throat hurts, I'm a bit achy, I've developed a cough, and my head was hurting by the end of my shift today.  Thank goodness I have off tomorrow!  After I am done here I will be going to bed.

Other than that I am SO thankful this month is a short month.  It's still a while before the leave time, but I am really excited that shaving off a few days will make time go a little faster.  I will take whatever that will help me speed this thing up.

Have a happy Thursday and I will be making my best effort to get on here more often again!