Proud By Liv

My next guest blogger is Liv! I found her blog a few months ago and she has quickly taken off in the blogging world. She is one of the strongest and sweetest people I think I have ever encountered (and she has wonderful taste in shoes... if you change your mind on those red Prada pumps you know where to find me!). Make sure you show her some love!

Hey Yall, This is Liv from Simnply Sunshine and Daisys!

I am very excited to be blogging for Allie while she is away on recovery. She is such a sweet friend and I hope I can do her blog a great guest post!

So, a time when I was most proud is what Allie wants me to talk about!

I was most proud as a young child learning sign language to talk with a girl in my 3rd grade class that was deaf. We were not told to do it nor was it a must, but I did it because I love talking and I wanted to talk to this little girl so badly because I liked her dresses that she wore everyday! My grandpa was so proud of me that he bought me one of the dresses like hers once I learnt where she got them! He even started doing it with me! I was so very happy that whole year and proud!

In my middle years I was faced with drugs and drinking and I never once allowed myself to be taken down by it. I was a young teen when I was raped as a result of a young man being under the influence at a party, and I am proud that I have forgiven myself for going to that party and being a normal teen! I did nothing wrong, and that makes me proud.

As an adult I am proud that I still have my faith after I was diagnosed with many different forms of cancer. I have maintained my lady like southern grace of loving my lord and that makes me most proud right now.

Thanks Allie for letting me guest post for you!

New Milspouse by J

J's blog It's a Dog Tag Wife Life is one of the newer ones I have stumbled upon lately and I love it! She is a terrific writer and a brand new MilSpouse! Congratulations on your recent wedding and welcome to the life. Your entry definitely made me go, "Awww..." (:

Hi there, I'm J from over at It's a Dog Tag Wife Life. Thanks so much to Allie for having me and good luck with your surgery! I'm actually a very new military spouse. We were married on 1/1/11. Cool, huh? And it was an awesome wedding. But that's not what I want to talk about. It's remembering why you're having a wedding. Several years ago the hunny (my other half) and I met. Actually, we got married on our third anniversary, but I digress. Before the wedding, there was a lot of stress. Things his mom wanted, things my mom wanted. Our guest list spiraling out of control (we wanted 100 guests and had around 150). Any bride can tell you there is stress. One of my best friends had to change her ceremony location two weeks before her wedding because the beach she had booked had a jazz festival going on that same night!

As I was sitting there, two nights before our wedding, crying my eyes out because our printer wasn't working and it was 2 am and I couldn't print our stupid programs, the hunny came in and helped me out. He didn't yell at me for being overly emotional. He didn't ask me how I broke the printer (which I hadn't, it just didn't like the thick paper). He didn't even give me a sigh of frustration. He just came in, took over calmly, and got as many programs done as he could that night.

When he saw me crying, he turned in the chair and had me come sit on his lap. He then told me, "It doesn't matter if these programs don't get printed. It doesn't matter if our flowers don't arrive. It doesn't matter if your dress isn't perfect or none of our guests show up. Our wedding is about us getting married and that's the most important thing." ::Collective "Awwwww"::

And it helped. I had been so caught up in the planning and the stressing that when it really came down to it, none of it did matter. As long as he and I were married by the end of the day, that was the most important thing. And I remind myself through our times as we go along, that since he loves me (and I him) that we can get through everything. Because the world might be crumbling around us, and some days it will feel like that, but we have each other.

So for all you ladies out there who have husbands that are abroad serving, or even home (because that's no picnic either) remember why you got married. It's not for the increase in BAH or to get benefits. It all started because you loved each other and that should help you get through deployments, PCSing, and every other thing that will get thrown your way.

And yes, I do still have stars in my eyes and that's why it's such a lovey post.

Quick Update

I am going to do this kind of quick because I am totally not up to speed!

I am sore... my stitches kill and and hurt when I move around. I am nauseous on and off today. I am taking percocet, antibiotics, colace, benadryl, omenprazole, and zofran. Yesterday my body reblled heavily against the antibiotics and I was throwing up for quite awhile. Throwing up with stitches is so not fun. Not that it is ever fun in general but it is a whole new degree of awful with stitches. I couldn't even keep water down. So we called the resident on duty at the hospital and I got my Zofran. It is a godsend. I can eat at least.

My best friend Sam got here this morning and my mom and husband are still being wonderful. I cleaned up today at least, Sam and Mom got my hair washed and I got myself semi clean. It felt amazing.

We've been watching a lot of TV and Movies.... any recommendations for light hearted romantic comedies? I need those to keep up a good mood! But we are watching Weeds right now so Ryan does not go too insane. (:

I look smaller. It is awesome.




Ignore the drains (which also suck). But you can totally tell I am no longer a DD! Definitely a C. I am a fricken C cup. For the first time since I was 14 years old. A C.

Amazing.

Worth the pain and nausea and laying on a couch for hours. Worth being over night in the hospital. Worth being scheduled at 9:40am, then rescheduled for 12, then 2, then going in to the OR at 4 and not eating or drinking all day. I don't regret it.

Thanks for sticking with me.

Thank you all for sticking by

Fight PTSD with CES

Since I am writing these all in advance I have no idea how I am doing. Probably got some heavy cabin fever at this point! Now this guest post is a little different... Katie, the Outreach Coordinator from Wallace Fisher Laboratories contacted me about this. I know there are many men and women in the military dealing with PTSD so I thought I would put it out there for any of you, just in case... it is a little pricey but if you have a perscription it may cut the cost, there is also a military discount offered.


Top doctors prescribe the Fisher Wallace Stimulator to treat insomnia, anxiety and depression (as well as chronic pain). Our device has been shown to stimulate the brain's production of serotonin and dopamine (click for research) while causing no serious side effects. Cleared by the FDA in 1991, our device is portable and often reduces symptoms of insomnia, anxiety and depression within 1 - 4 weeks of daily or twice daily use. You may return the device for a full refund within 60 days of receipt if it does not successfully treat your symptoms. A prescription is required in the United States. Please fax prescriptions to (800) 657-7362. The following practitioners may prescribe our device: Psychiatrists, General Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and most Chiropractors and Acupuncturists. If you have questions, please call (212) 688 - 8100. Military families will receive a $200 discount by entering the coupon code FW495 during the online checkout process.

"I was a slave to sleep medications for over twenty years. After just one week of twice daily use of the Fisher Wallace Cranial Stimulator, I started cutting back on the sleep meds. For nearly eight months now, I've been completely off the medications, sleeping longer and waking more rested than ever."
- Mike Davis, Vietnam Veteran (US Army, Retired) & Founder of Vietnam Combat Veterans, Ltd. / VET-NET


Here is the copy of the letter I received with the information...it is from Dr. Richard Brown who is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center re: how the device treats symptoms of PTSD.

Richard P. Brown, MD
__________________

Psychopharmacology
__________________

30 East End Avenue (between 80th and 81st)
New York, NY 10028
Ph: (212) 737-0821; Fax: (845) 331-3562
PGerbarg@aol.com
www.haveahealthymind.com
9-24-10

Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder with Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulator

In Post-traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD), the stress response system malfunctions with excess sympathetic activity and subnormal parasympathetic activity. This imbalance in the nervous system leads to high levels of stress, anxiety, anger, over reactivity, poor judgment, impulsivity, and difficulty sleeping.

The Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulator (CES) induces a calmer, more meditative pattern of brain waves. It also stimulates the parasympathetic part of the nervous system which counteracts the stress response. Therefore, it calms both the body and the mind. This reduces the physical symptoms of PTSD such as rapid pulse, shaking, sweating, or a knot in the stomach. It also addresses psychological symptoms by reducing anxiety, restlessness, agitation, anger, depression, and sleep problems. Furthermore, the improvements in emotion regulation reduce the risk of inappropriate impulsive, aggressive behaviors.

Use of the CES releases gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA), the brain’s major anxiety reducing neurotransmitter. In addition, it releases serotonin, which inhibits inappropriate actions. Moreover, it releases beta-endorphins, which tone the stress response system and induce peaceful, positive mood states, thereby reducing the need to use substances of abuse.

As a noninvasive, easy to use procedure with minimal side effects, the CES device has significant therapeutic value in the treatment of PTSD.

Sincerely,

Richard P. Brown, MD
Associate Professor in Clinical Psychiatry
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons


You can find more information on their website, www.fisherwallace.com and their most recent article in the Wall Street Journal.

10 Tips to Help You Get Organized for a PCS by Renee

Renee was one of the first people to contact me about guest blogging! Her posts are always very informative and I definitely am bookmarking them in the back of my mind for the future. We all know PCSing is part of the lifestyle, so here are some helpful tips to make the process easier! You can read more at her blog here. Thanks Renee!

Moving comes with the territory when you are part of a military family. I grew up in the Air Force and by the time my dad retired when I was in high school I thought moving was something everyone did. My older sister, who already had several moves under her belt by the time I was born, was tired of moving and leaving her friends at that point. No matter how many times you move, it is stressful. It is relatively easy when it's just you and your spouse. It gets exponentially more complicated as your family grows and your career progresses. Kids seem to come with a lot of stuff. And as they shed the need for baby swings, strollers and car seats, they start to get real opinions about leaving their friends and routines and starting somewhere new. And as your career progresses, you may need to take assignments that are fantastic for your career, but not so fantastic for location. By being organized and planning ahead, you can minimize the stress on you and your family during a PCS and concentrate more on the transition ahead.

1. Meet with your transportation or personal property office first.
As soon as you have orders, make an appointment. That appointment will not only cover the options available for your particular move, but will jump start your planning. You will also be given your maximum allowable weight limit, which is based on things like rank and number of dependents. The government will not pay to move anything beyond that limit.

2. Decide how you plan to move.
The least stressful way to PCS is to have the government find, hire and pay for a professional moving company to pack and move you. Another option is to do the move yourself (called a DITY move). The government will reimburse you for 90% or more of what it would have cost them to hire a company to move you. That means, if you do it right, you can actually make money with a DITY move. You get to decide how to move -- you can hire a company to do it or use self service movers or rental trucks and do the labor yourself. It is also common for families to do a partial DITY move, which means having the government handle the bulk of your move and handling the rest of it yourself.

3. Include the family.
Make sure everyone knows when your move date is, how you plan to move and what they need to do to help. Including kids on decision making, when possible, also gives them a sense of independence and confidence at a time when they may be feeling a bit anxious about the changes ahead. If you plan to do a DITY move, make sure everyone is on board. It's not worth the money you may make if you all hate each other by the time you make it to your new assignment.

4. Make a moving checklist.
If you are doing a DITY move, your checklist will be your moving bible. Following it will lead you down the path to a smooth move. If you are having the government handle everything, there are still many details you need to take care of. Write everything, no matter how obvious, on your checklist. When the chaos of moving sets in, it is easy to forget even the simplest of tasks.

5. Start a moving file.
Put everything moving related in one file folder. As you know, there is always a lot of paperwork when you move with the government. If you lose receipts and invoices, you can't get reimbursed for those expenses. Keep everything, along with your moving checklist and a copy of your orders, in one folder.

6. Collect all your personal paperwork.
Put all birth certificates, passports, vaccination records, medical records, car title and other important personal paperwork in one file. Decide how you will move it and where it will be on moving day (you don't want the movers to put it on the truck). Assign one person to be in charge of the file during the move.

7. Review your budget.
Being comfortable with your budget is vital for a DITY move, but important even if the government is handling everything. Although you will be given a moving allowance, you will end up paying for things out of your pocket and waiting for reimbursement. Make sure you have cash on hand and in your account to handle those expenses and anything unexpected that might pop up while you travel to your new assignment.

8. Lighten your load.
Regardless of how you plan to move, you do not want to waste time, money and energy moving items you no longer need. Anything you move will have to be unpacked and stored somewhere in your new home. Donate those things to a worthy organization, pass them along to someone who could use them or hold a yard sale.

9. Organize for packing and develop on unpacking strategy.
Even if the government is handling all your packing, you want to make sure things are organized logically. If you have had them handle a move for you before, you know that the moving teams come in like a tornado and pack things up as they see them. Take some time to organize each room, so it's not a big guessing game when you unpack. Decide what rooms and items you will tackle first when unpacking, so your family has some breathing room.

10. Take photos.
Take digital photos or video of all your belongings, so you can reference them if you need to make a claim for lost or damaged items.

1-800-PACK-RAT is a moving and portable storage company that has proudly helped families with their military moving and storage needs between deployments, when they PCS and when they retire and separate from the military.

Call one of PACK-RAT’s Military Moving Specialists at 1-800-MLT-PACK or visit http://www.1800packrat.com/partners/militarymoves for more information.

Whatever you do, don't call me Ma'am! by Katie

Katie from Like Sunshine after Rain is the first blogger to ever comment on my blog! In turn she was the first blog I began to follow. Thank you so much Katie for writing for me while I am off being hazy. Katie is a fantastic writer and as you will see very humorous. Head over to her blog to see for yourself!

My husband had duty this past weekend and I took him dinner on Saturday night. I always take him dinner when he's on duty and we have a picnic, on the duty desk, with the Sergeant of the Guard and the Duty Driver. It's romantic, in a military relationship kind of way.



We went out to eat the following day and somehow, over lunch at the Olive Garden, the talk turned to how old we have become. Really, it turned to how old I am, but it makes me feel better to include my husband, because as I tell him, he's old and has accepted it, it's still new to me. I told him that it always makes me feel so old when the Duty Driver calls me "Ma'am." Have a good night, Ma'am. Thanks for dinner, Ma'am. Here, have my seat, Ma'am.



I'm only going to be twenty-five in June, stop calling me Ma'am! I'm not a freaking Ma'am, I'm Staff Sergeant's hot, YOUNGER wife!



I graduated high school in 2004. It feels like it was just yesterday. I counted at lunch and I graduated high school SEVEN years ago! S-E-V-E-N.



As I was drowning my sorrow in calamari and bread sticks, my husband, who always.says.the.right.thing, looks at me and says, do you really want to feel old? Um, no, but let's see where this is going...

"We were talking about Obama last night and I told Sgt. Doesn't.Call.Me.Ma'am. that Obama's his President and we have him to thank for [whatever inappropriate thing they were discussing and probably isn't blog appropriate]. He said, 'Hell No.'  and we both looked at PFC Stop.Freaking.Calling.Me.Ma'am. and he said, 'SSgt., I couldn't even vote for the guy, he can't be my President.'"

Did ya'll just hear my fork hit the plate?

My husband then tried to make me feel better, "Oh, don't worry, he's eighteen now."

Eighteen?! EIGHTEEN?!

You've got to be kidding me, right? How in the world did I get to be a Ma'am? More importantly, how do I make it stop?



Change by Kaylee (aka my Blogging Bestest!)

Ok, day two! Hopefully I am home from the hospital and nice and loopy so I don't feel anything on my way to recovery! So, behold... my blogging besty! I absolutely adore Kaylee and I am so glad she agreed to do a guest post for me after I pestered her relentlessly asked her. She is a fabulous writer and mommy to be and her story is one to read. Head over to Moore than a Mrs and share some love!

Change…

Dunnhhhh Duhhnnn Duhhnnn!

Start the scary Jaws music and prepare to be shaking in your bikini tops because change can be a scary thing for some people.

As well all know, the only reason you are reading writings by me here is because my bloggy bestest is undergoing Big Changes!

Sure she is super nervous!

Yes she had to prepare for this for the past few months.

Of course this is going to change her life forever.

And Heck Yes, this is well worth it!

See, if you are like me, then change is can be pretty scary. When Jacob got out of the Marine Corp 1 year ago, I was so ready to have my husband home with me like every other normal relationship that I had ever had. I was so ready for us to start our life together and actually be together (since we weren’t for the first 5 months)!

But..

About 2 months before his EAS day… I started to freak out uncontrollably worry. What were we going to do? How would we react to x,y, or z scenario? Would it take long for him to find another job? Will we be okay? From there I caught myself really second guessing our his decision for leaving the military life style. Jacob was ready to be out though, so I respected his wishes and we made the change.

It was a tough one, let me tell you!

But in the end, I couldn’t picture life any other way.

We faced a few challenges and left with a few battle scars, but in the end, it wasn’t so bad and our lives have grown and flourished from the dreaded change.
Some changes aren’t quite so big though. There is the changing of one’s hair color. There is the changing of one’s car. There is the changing of the type of food you eat. There are new jobs, new houses, new pets, new clothes and the best of course is new shoes.

What I am trying to say is that no matter what the change, they can all be challenging, like breaking in those super cute peep toe pumps for a month and tending to your battle scars blisters while doing so.

Allie is making a big change for her, and no matter how scared, nervous, worried or slightly excited she may be, this is still something new for her. She is trying something unknown, but she is such an awesome person that she is keeping a positive outlook and grabbing the change by the horns and embracing it! (She is doing much better than I would be.)

Change is what you make of it.

I could have locked myself in our apartment when Jacob got out of the Corps and never enjoyed anything new for the sheer fear that it was all new, but where would that have gotten me or us?

I could have thrown those super cute peep toe pumps in the closet and never worn them again after night number one, but that would have wasted $110, and Jacob would have had my head.

Change is what you make it out to be, and if you make it fun and exciting… I promise it will be.

Good luck Allie – oop :)

This will be awesome!

(And take advantage of being waited on... that's the best part!)

Super Special Guest Blogger

Today is the day... my surgery is today, so cross your fingers for me! I wanted my first guest blogger this week to be extra special so I begged a certain someone to write something for me. ..

"I don't do mushy stuff publically!"
It doesn't have to be mushy!
"Well, it will be like homework!"
No, it won't. You're on duty anyway. What else do you have to do?
"Ok ok fine.... You know I'm just being difficult, right? I know it means a lot to you. I'll come up with something."

So, for the first time on My Marine and Me, I present, my husband and My Marine, Ryan.

The 2nd General Order
To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.


My wife has asked me to write something for her blog. I chose to write about something that I am currently dealing with and that we all can relate to. Being bored is something that we all know about. Most people don't enjoy being bored and some of you may have heard the expression "dying of boredom." Sometimes however, this expression can be closer to true than you might think.

Most people view boredom and stress as opposites when in fact boredom is a type of stress. Webster defines stress as a constraining force or influence such as a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. Boredom certainly fits that description and can be one of the most dangerous types of stress. Being bored can cause loneliness and in some cases depression. Boredom can cause complacency or cause a person to lose situational awareness. It can cause people to "zone out" for a few seconds or several minutes.

This can be harmful to anyone, not just service members. For example if a carpenter has been hammering nails for a few hours and becomes bored with the monotonous work, he could lose focus and smash his hand. If a metal worker who has been performing the same routine task everyday becomes complacent and neglects a safety precaution, it can result in injury. Boredom can cause a business executive on a long drive to a conference to fall asleep behind the wheel of a car. In the same respect, a service member who has been on post for 8 hours can zone out and become less vigilant. Also if a member of the armed forces is patrolling the same area for the hundredth time, he or she may get bored and drop his or her guard.

There are many ways that boredom can be dangerous to men and women of the armed forces as well as civilians, but the things that we do to keep from being bored can be just as dangerous. The business executive could sip some coffee or turn on the radio, both of which take eyes off of the road and focus off of driving even if only for a second or two. The carpenter can break up monotony by trying to see how many nails he can hammer in one minute, also an unsafe act. Service members have come up with many ways to keep from being bored however most of them are just as unsafe and take your mind off of what you are doing at the time.

The point is that at some point in time we must all come up with safe and efficient ways to combat boredom. This is a task that is easier said than done. Some people can take a break to regain focus, but service members don't always have that luxury. So how do YOU deal with boredom in a way that is constructive? Please feel free to leave comments and thanks for reading!

PS: This was written while on post in garrison.

The Night Before...

Sorry about the bad sound quality and the two screen thing. No idea how to fix it! I will look later.

I want to do some "before" pictures too, but my husband is nowhere to be found... so they may not happen.

I am going to leave to pick my mom up at the train station.

Wish me luck bloggers! I will see you next week sometime.

Happy Birthday Ryan!!

Today my husband is the ripe old age of 23!



He has changed a little bit, and will most likely kill me for putting up a baby picture, but he was (and still is) SO damn cute!!!



Happy Birthday Sweetie! I love you and cannot wait to spend many many more birthdays with you! (:

The Most UnFriday Friday Ever

It was 75 degrees today. Sunny. Gorgeous. I went outside for lunch and that is about it sadly. Today was so hectic at work. The phones were exploding, packages came like crazy, tours were in, invoices had to be mailed, mail had to get scanned, cookies baked (we do it every Friday), and it was just nuts. Ugh. I ended up being at work late only to come home and have Ryan gone since he has duty. What does my Friday night entail you ask? Waiting around for Comcast! Ryan tried to install the box but no dice. We called three times, waited on hold for ages, and now someone has to come out to the house to actually do it. So hooray Friday night for me!

Sigh.

At least I ordered Ryan his birthday cake for Monday. For being so not into birthdays he was awfully picky about his cake! :P Haha. I am glad to do something, anything for him! We will hopefully go to the shooting range tomorrow as per his request. Boys.

Now onto my Friday Fun...

Join in over at Wife of a Sailor

1. What is your favorite MilSpouse blog (not including Wife of a Sailor who we all love, or your own)?

Oh geeze. Look at the page on the top of my blog that says Blogs I Love. That should answer your question. I read tons of them!!!!

2. What are your favorite perks about your s/o being deployed (we all know there are perks)?

Long phone calls. When we're together a phone call consists of "Are you home? Oh, ok. On your way can you get insert random thing here?" It is great to have those long talks where your phone grows hot against your cheek. Sure in person is better, but this is special in a different way. I guess the only other one that comes to mind is not having to fight over what is on tv.

3. How long did you date your before getting engaged? Married?

We met in March of 2008. We started dating May 8, 2008. We got engaged December 10, 2009 and then married on May 1, 2010... almost two years to the day (a week short!) of our first date.

4. What do you think your would do if s/he wasn’t in the military?

He would be in the FBI, CIA, or some type of Law Enforcement or security. Sensing a theme here?

5. If you could talk to the Secretary of the Marines what is one suggestion you would like to bring to their attention in order to improve the lives of military families?

Communication. I know there is only so much you can tell us about certain things but by golly I feel like sometimes you are keeping information that does not need to be kept for security purposes but just to dangle the piece of cheese in front of the mouse! Also, I noticed spouse programs are becoming more regular, but it would be nice if some of them could be not during the day so if you do happen to have a job you can still attend and meet people!




And don't forget to join the round up over at The Whole Famdamily.




This week's theme is LOVE:
I don't have photoshop but I used Piknic to play around with these a little bit...


This is the one I am submitting, that was the hardest hug of my life thus far.


And this was from our first ball and for fun,. I just thought it was cute that you can see it even back then. And he was totally singing to me.... just like he did during the first dance at our wedding. (:

Valentine's Dayyyy

First of all this was the weather! So I was pretty happy.


Then my boss got Georgetown Cupcakes from her husband... and shared!

But when I got home the chain was on the door. I was locked out! I hear, "Hold on a second!" Now I am curious. Ryan lets me in and makes me close my eyes. So he guides me to the living room and I see this set up, but with lit candles!



All from this wonderful guy....




Who also got some magnets from me in his card that looked like this because I could not resist...



We then went to my FAVORITE restaurant for dinner in Old Town. We even walked like old times this summer since it was nice out! It is a greek restuarant that I just love. Usually it is closed on Mondays but it was open for Valentine's Day and Ryan got a reservation. We had saganaki, an amazing bottle of red wine, and the sampler platter for dinner (yes we ordered the same thing, but it is my favorite that I always get!). It comes with Moussaka, Pastitsio, Dolmades (my absolute favorite), Soudsoukakia and Spanakopita (Ryan's favorite!). YUM. Plus bread and spiced olive oil and I am full. We sat for a long time talking and finishing our wine. As we were just about done the owner gave all the tables a free glass of dessert wine (or port?). Oy. It was just amazing. I love that restaurant and if I could go there once a week, I totally would!

We had a very full, slightly tipsy walk home where Ryan told me to pick out a romantic comedy on Netflix. Really??? So we watched When Harry Met Sally because I thought he actually would like it. He did. But scarily some of the things Harry said in the movie are SO Ryan it kinda weirded me out. I made this dessert the night before so we ate this too...



It is a mini cake with raspberry jam and toasted almonds inside, covered with a chocolate-y shell. I may share the recipe (it is pretty simple) if anyone wants it! My mom sent it to me.


And thanks to Liv at Simply Sunshine and Daisies for the awesome Valentines! They definitely made me smile, especially the Mickey and Minnie one!




I couldn't help but take more pictures of my flowers this morning.

Happy Monday Photo Link Up!

I am trying this one out for the first time! The theme this week is jewelry!



I took that this fall when I went to Great Falls Park and I was playing around with my engagement ring. This is the one I think came out the best. I like that it just settled so perfectly on this tuft of grass on this massive rock right near the river.

Ryan's Valentine's

For Valentine's Day I got my husband two tickets to the DC International Wine Festival (thank you Groupon!), which was yesterday. I had to give him his present early obviously so we could go! Ryan looooves wine so this was perfect for him! We got up in the morning, went to IHOP, church, and then took the metro to the Ronald Regan Building for the festival. And I forgot my camera... that never happens! So excuse the poor quality cell phone pictures!

When we got there it was like a maze! People were wandering around and trying to find the entrance and tickets and security... oy. This girl looked at me and said, "Do you have a Groupon too?" I was like, "Yes..."

"Oh we're not going to get in til like 6pm!"
"Wait, what?"
"For about every ten people with tickets they let in one groupon person. Apparently someone was supposed to be here to collect them separately but aren't. Anyway, it's messed up. I am going to try and sneak in. My fiance did so yea, it's this way."
"But, but... that wasn't in the fine print!"

So I am blindly following her with Ryan following me. We get to the ticket area and the girl cuts left and is gone. I see a woman standing there with a stack of tickets. As I am looking a couple with the Groupon papers hand their papers to her and get tickets. So I shrug and drag Ryan to her, give her the papers, and we get our two tickets. Suspiciously easy! What wait was she talking about? We walked right in and got tickets! I walk to follow everyone else in to the main area and I see the line. All of them holding Groupon papers... easily about three hundred people long. And we cut them all.

Oops.

Buuuut we had our tickets... and our Groupon was already were collected... so we couldn't get it back or anything... *cough*

So we go in to the festival! It's crowded and basically every man/woman for themselves. You are handed a glass and then you go to the tables!


Our glass!

We went around and elbowed our way in to the front of tables and got some really good wine!! I liked this one white Tokai wine from Hungary, and this South African red wine called Cafe, which had coffee undertones! I don't like coffee but I loooved that wine! I want it! (:


Cafe is the one with the red label

The side rooms also had vodka, rum, and absinthe. That was good. It tasted like a mixture of sambucca and anise/fennel and instantly made your mouth cold. I only had a little bit but it was interesting. No little green men though!


The crowds

We also tried some good chili, crackers, tomato things, cheese... it was yummy! We also ran into Ryan's old Platoon Sgt (he got out and is in school now) and his girlfriend Katie, who is a doll. We went around with them and this other hilarious couple we met and just had a blast. I was pleasantly tispy and enjoyed the day immensely! We went to Old Ebbitt Grill after and then stumbled home on the metro! We had a great time together and I was very happy he liked my gift! Now only a week til his birthday.... crap.

A few more pictures:


Our favorite Spanish wine..... man oh man was it good! We're big red wine drinkers.


Ryan enjoying his present!


I was there too!



Ryan is taking me somewhere (?) for dinner so I will update you all tomorrow. Happy Valentine's Day!

Guest Post

Before I forget to post... while Nicole is enjoying DISNEY WORLD (so jealous!) I did a guest post for her. Check it out and let me know what you think! As some of you know I worked there while Ryan was in Iraq, so Disney holds a very special place in my heart <3



Oh, and hey new followers!!! So glad you've joined in!

Re-Enlistment, Recruiting, Re-Evaluating Take Two

First of all I have to thank all of you who commented on my last entry. I really really appreciate all your insight and support. So thank you thank you thank you!

So, here's the update/current situation.

Last night we talked about the possibility of Ryan doing recruiting. I even shared some of your comments with him! He really wants to do recruiting and go back to South Carolina for a few years. He would be great at it, I know it. He could talk the fuzz off of a peach if he had to and he loves the Marine Corps. I was a bit jealous that we might end up in his home state, with his friends and family nearby, and him doing the job he wanted. I would be further from my family and friends, have no job at first, and again be in a whole new place! I have visited SC obviously, but living there is a whole new ballpark! We talked about it though. Tears were shed. Compromises made. We went to bed on a good note.

Ryan decided to go in and try and put in for it today.

Full. Zero Boat Space.

In fact, everything is full... except intelligence. Infantry had one space in 0313 (he is 0311) but if he took that, well it would be it. He couldn't lat move again after that and it isn't what he wants. Now with intell he is worried. Ryan has two NJPs on his record from a few years ago for underage drinking. He is afraid that will severely hurt his chances. Plus he needs to write an autobiography as well as a paper on the current events in Egypt (with his opinion on the matter) then go before a selection board. It is an awful lot of work for something that can be so hit or miss. But he doesn't have much of a choice.

Ryan keeps saying if he can't re-enlist in the Marines he may try for the Army. Wait... what?? Since when was that an option?? Well now it is. He wants to try and become an MP or something. Oy. I don't know how you Army Wives do it, but the idea of year long deployments makes me want to hide under our bed with the suitcases and the dust bunnies. :(

*sigh*

I guess just keep us in your thoughts. We'll have to wait and see what happens at this point.


Not my picture, from google, but you get the idea...

Oh. I went out to go to work this morning and my tire had a bubble in it again. Different tire. Smaller bubble. I had to go to the barracks last night for Family Welcome Night (when I have been dating Ryan 2 years and married to him nearly 1 and he was stationed here all the time... but if we both went he earned a day off!) and I parked in the free street parking but on top of this weird asphalt bump. I even asked Ryan if that would damage my tire and he said "Only if you parked there all day. Two hours will be fine."

Flash forward to this morning and there is the bubble. I know I cannot drive on that so I started walking to work. Brr. I called my boss to tell her I'd be late and she insisted on coming to get me. I will most likely walk home in three minutes as Ryan is stuck in traffic somewhere.

Is it Saturday yet?????

Friday Friday Friiiiiday

This week's round up is hosted by The Lowe Family News. PS I am totally in LOVE with her blog header. It kind of made my day. New follower alert for me there! Haha.

No Friday Fill In today... such is the life of a Milspouse! Things happen.

Ryan and I talked last night. And texted today. My head is buzzing. I may try and write a separate entry later. Things are looking a little bleak unfortunately. Ugh.

Re-Enlistment, Recruiting, Re-Evaluating

I will allow you all to take a moment to marvel at my awesome alliteration above.

*moment*

Ok I promise to stop.

Now, I have no idea how to properly put my thoughts into this entry without sounding whiney or out there in left field, but I will try.

Now as many of you know (at least those of you who have read my blog for a few months know) Ryan is due for his first re-enlistment in May. I've blogged about this and the choices he has struggled with. For awhile he was re-enlisting and staying infantry. Then he was getting out and getting a security job. Then the FBI. Then he was joining the Air Force. Then he was joining the Reserves. Then he was going for CID... CID was full. Then it was MCCS. Then it was Intelligence.

Pause.

That's where this saga left off. Ryan was applying for his new MOS of Intelligence and really hoping to make it. Worst case scenario he'd re-enlist infantry and try in two years.

Now we're sitting down and eating dinner last night. Ryan is on the range all week, he looks like a roly poly man from all the layers he has on and comes home positively chilled to the bone and exhausted every night. So the past few nights it was shower, soup and bed. But I was feeling extra domestic so I made steak and potatoes and string beans so he could have some real, hot food! We're sitting and eating when he suddenly looks up at me and goes:

"So what if I re-enlist to become a recruiter?"

....

Where did this come from?

"Well I like to talk to people. I really enjoyed RA when I did it. It is a garunteed non-deployable for three years, there is no bonus but I'd pick up Sgt. I thought you'd like it."

"Yes, the non-deploying part is great. I love that. But what about Intell?"

"I can do that in three years or so."

"Ryan, you're going to get bored fast with that. You said the reason you did not want to do MCCS was because you didn't want to see the other guys deploying and going out when you can't!"

"Well that is on an actual base THERE, that's different."


Ok I won't keep up with the detailed conversation, but points covered were the fact we could end up in Podunk Idaho (no offense to any Idaho-ans) for three years. I'd have no job, no nearby base, and a husband working all the time. I know recruiters have long hours and have to work a lot with recruits/potentials.... I know Ryan's took him to strip clubs and bars (to which he replied it was after he graduated boot camp only and that they were all single).

I just don't know.

It seems like it came out of nowhere. I love the non-deploying aspect, I really really do.... but it feels like the wrong time for this kind of job. If we were ready to settle, start a family, I feel like it would be better. I know if we do this now and settle somewhere for three years when the time comes to move, PCS, or deploy it will be an even larger slap in the face! Are three years of garunteed non-deploying worth the rude shock later? (Half of me screams YES the other half is like HELL NO!)

Argh I am just so confused. What if this is just another phase like the FBI/Air Force/MCCS/CID ones? What if I get all gung ho and supportive just to have him tell me he changed his mind (again) and he wants to be a fire eater with the circus. Ok I am exaggerating, I will support him no matter what (he's my hubby, I love him, it's a duh thing) but this changing your mind thing is getting very difficult to deal with.

What do you all think about such a thing?

If you put your blog in a shape...

My blog... in so many words. Love.