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!

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.

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!

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!

Happy Birthday to Me

Birthday "cake" for today.

Yes today is my birthday.  I am 26 today.  If I ever think I'm getting old....I'll just remember that Jesse turns 28 this year.  Yep, that makes me feel better.

Other than that, I had a great start to today.  I got to talk to my husband for a while, and got a delivery of flowers for my birthday:  A combination of tulips and irises.  I will take a photo of that when the buds open up a little more.

I decided to do some shopping, getting a few things to make for Jesse to send for Valentine's Day.  I went to Fred Meyer, Hallmark, and a brief stop by the mall.  I came home, ate, and then headed out to a briefing on post.  We got some great information again, which always makes me feel better.  We have another one in early February which also should be great to go to.

This may sound strange -- but I'm sort of excited for Valentine's Day.  Wierd?  I am looking forward to a day of pampering in Olympia with Kristen, a friend from Georgia.  It is for spouses/girlfriends/fiances of service members.  The events include a fashion show, spa treatments, make-overs, food, and gift bags.  There is free childcare too.  It's going to be fun!

I am going to stay up just a little while longer to see if I hear from my hubby.  Then, going to bed.  Tomorrow I'm going to the park with my dad, sending off a care package to Jesse (um, with some AMAZING cookies, stay tuned for that recipe!!!), and to do some stuff with the house.

I will update more tomorrow!

A Letter a Day, Hoosier Bars, and MORE

So I think I decided that I'm going to try and write Jesse a letter a day.  Now, I know that I may have said this before, but I think I am going to.  The mail isn't very quick getting over there, but I think that is my new goal.  Maybe we can call that my New Year's Resolution?  I don't know... I told Jesse I didn't have a New Year's Resolution, that I had enough to worry about.  He didn't really like that answer!

So, going back a couple of days, Wednesday was my day off.  I went and met a friend, Kristen, who's husband went through the same training as Jesse did at Ft. Benning.  They got up here almost two months after Jesse and I, so he left about two months after Jesse (he too is in 5th Brigade).  Her and I weren't close at Ft. Benning, but since I have lived here all of my life (or most of it at least) I offered to help them if the needed anything.  It will be good to have someone close by that is going through much of the same things as me!  She and I went to Marshall's and to Panera for lunch.  We talked for a long time, and we had a good time.  I also mailed Jesse his first care package in a little over a week.  I know that Jesse likes mail so I send something to him as often as I can.

Yesterday I ran some errands, made a few phone calls, and went out to the house.  I made progress at the house, I opened 3-4 boxes, which is good.  I haven't found our sheets or our bedding as of yet, but am finding a lot of bedroom stuff.  I also found all of our silverware, plates, glasses, and mugs, so that is progress!

After all of that I went to a downrange update, and I'm glad to hear that the guys are doing good things over there!  The Battalion Commander and Sergeant  Major are going to be taking leave in the near future, and both of them will be speaking to the spouses on how everything is going over there.  Overall, it was a positive meeting, and informative.  Most of the stuff they covered was 2-1 oriented, keep in mind Jesse is "detached" from 2-1 and much of them aren't in the same area as him.  But again, things are good and they are making progress over there.

Today I went out and got Stryker's stitches taken out!  He seems happy they are gone.  He really liked the veterinarian there, LOVED that he was giving him treats.  It was very funny.  He did well getting the stitches and is going to have to take antibiotics for another week to be sure that he has rid of his infection.  In total we were at the vet maybe 20 minutes, so basically in and out.  I went out to Michael's to visit my mom at work.  They already have spring flowers, Valentine's Day, and St. Patrick's Day.  They also have a bunch of their spring candles, candleholders, etc., out so it was tempting not to walk out with everything in my cart!  I did buy some Valentine's Day stuff for Jesse along with a couple of St. Patrick's Day things....  I'm getting excited to send him the stuff!  Which brings me to my next topic.....

Hoosier Bars!  I think I'm going to make an entire batch to send to Jesse (maybe for Valentine's Day).  I know when I say that name that people give me the strangest look... But they are good.  Chocolate, peanut butter, peanuts, and meringue bar cookies.  Basically Jesse really likes them and I'm pretty fond of them myself.  So, I wanted to share it with you.

Hoosier Peanut Bars

Preheat Oven to 325*

Crust:

• 2 c. all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 c. butter, softened
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

• 2 egg whites
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 c. chopped salted peanuts

In large mixer bowl combine all ingrediens for crust.  Blend with mixer until particles are find.  Press in a greased 13x9-inch pan.

To prepare topping beat egg whites in small mixer bowl until soft mounds form.  Add brown sugar gradually and continue beating until meringue stands in stiff peaks.  Fold in chocolate pieces and 1/2 c. peanuts.  Spread over crumb crust and sprinkle with remaining peanuts.

Bake at 325* for 40 to 45 minutes.  While warm, cut into bars.

Makes 36 bars.

Please let me know how you like them if you try them!

Leave, Flowers, The House, and More

I'm sorry my motivation for blogging is lacking right now!

I talked to Jesse last night and this morning.... I'm not quite sure what my problem is but I have been going through this phase where I just want him to come home.  I am completely aware of how irrational my thoughts are, but that is how I am feeling.  Jesse says that he's probably going to get leave, but again nothing is set.  We're not making any solid plans of course, but we are discussing some fun stuff to do.  Right now it looks like we'll be making a trip out to Ocean Shores, so I'm excited.

Today was my day off so mom and I went out to the house.  I don't think I had been there since before Christmas.  I really really need to get things together, but still haven't found the screws to my bed.  My father is also still working, so I don't really have anyone to help me put big things together.  We did unpack a lot of clothes (mostly stuff on hangers), and decided where furniture is going to be arranged.  I'm going to also need to set up the TV, get cable, phone, and internet set up.  I will also have to get all the stuff in line to put up a fence for the dog.

Yesterday I received a dozen red roses along with six calla lilies from Jesse.  They are very nice and very pretty.  The day before that I received a rug from him, complete with misspelled words!  It's pretty obvious that the people around the area do not have a lot of education, especially since they can't even spell their country's name correctly.  Oh well I guess, it still is an interesting piece to have in the house.  I have one more package on the way, which I'm excited about too.

My birthday is right around the corner (I know it's not January yet) and Jesse and I have picked out my birthday/Valentine's Day gift, which I am super excited about!  It's a pendant from Kay's.  SO excited :)

Tomorrow I work, but I'm not going to get completely stressed out this time if I don't get out on time.  Besides that I highly doubt we're going to have a lot of business, with everyone's New Year's festivities. I am very excited for the new year, 2010 is going to bring many more fun things!  Have a safe New Year's Eve!

Week of Christmas

I feel like it's long overdue, so I wanted to write a blog!

The last couple weeks have been crazy!  I've tried my best to be positive, but I feel as though many things were working against me.  I did get through it though, with some bumps along the way.

Christmas Eve was good, I worked until closing time.  Go figure that the mall closed at 6, and we didn't get out of the store until 7:15.  I don't remember it being that bad ever in the history of working for the jewelry store.  I got home, not doing much until dinner time.  Mom made king crab and steak for dinner along with potatoes, green beans, and watergate salad.  I would've loved Jesse to be there.... But know he wouldn't have liked the surf and turf ;)  I stayed up to two AM wrapping presents and talking to Jesse.  Exhausted, I went to bed.

Christmas morning I got up and talked to Jesse again, he wasn't having a super busy day since it was still Christmas day there.  The family and I got up and unwrapped presents, ate breakfast, and got ready for the day.  We went to a friend's house, ate, listened to some karaoke, and came home.  We finished up our stockings, lounged around, and went to bed.

The day after Christmas mom, Taylor, and I went to the mall.  I think it was busier that I ever thought it was during Christmas, parking was horrible!  I hit up American Eagle (they always have jean sales after Christmas), got a couple of shirts, and got Jesse a couple of things also.  We also looked at Target, which was very busy.  We left, went out to a shoe store (I found some super cute zebra print heels) and went to another Target (I know we're crazy).  We went and got dinner then came home.

Sunday I worked, we were busy but not horrible.  But again, for closing at 7:00, we got out at 8:15.  I don't know why this keeps happening, but I don't close again until New Year's Eve, and I don't think we're going to have a ton of people wanting to buy jewelry.  Other than that my plans for the holiday are quiet, which to be honest I really don't mind!

Jesse is doing well, he had a good Christmas full of food, Christmas stockings from Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT), and relaxation.  I know that it is still not home, but it wasn't horrible.  We are thinking at this point in time Jesse will get leave, sometime in the springtime.

My next goals are getting our house in order, Jesse's Valentine's Day Care package (why don't people have their Valentine's Day stuff out yet?? lol), and then leave plans when he knows a date.  I also want to enroll Stryker in Petsmart classes, something I hope to look into on my next day off.

Other than that, all is well.  I'll keep you all updated on our life happenings, even as I know things will probably slow down as we get into the new year!

Valentine's Day

Yeah, I know I'm early on this one.... I know you are probably wondering why I'm bring it up!  Well, much of my life involves thinking ahead while not making any solid plans and expecting everything to change.  Ha.


So, I am thinking about Valentine's Day, mainly because I am going to send Jesse a Valentine's Day care package.  And, I have to think ahead.... About 2 weeks to get his care package... And however long it's going to take to get everything together.... And all the stickers and stuff I'm going to decorate with... And the Valentine's Day card....  And however long it's going to take me to get it all done.  Well, you get the picture.


I'm sure I'll take photos because well, that's what I seem to do!  That reminds me that I need to start a photo album for December.  Now only if I had something to take pictures of!


Anyway, thanks for stopping by the blog today.  I realized that I don't really say that very often.  Thank you for reading!