Lack of Blogging

I have had this blog for five years now. Five. Since 2009 I've been blogging about my life and my relationship with Ryan. I've used it to meet people from across the world, keep my family and friends up to date on life happenings, and talk about things that I need to get off my chest. I have blogged about Ryan's deployments, our engagement, our wedding, our four years of marriage, PCSing, acting, happy times, loss, sadness, job struggles... my life on a website.

And lately I feel like I have nothing to say.

My husband is home, we are waiting (once again) on the Marine Corps to tell us what is next (of anything at all), and things are basically routine. I have a full time job again where I do work some weekends and the time I am off I am basically spending with my husband. No big trips or exciting adventures lately... I am happy if we make it to the beach on our day off now... with our schedules and the weather being kind of crappy even that is rare.

I don't feel like anyone is interested in any of that anyway. Not anymore. The few times I have managed to write something lately I feel like it is just being sent out into the void. I miss the days when people would comment, start discussions... when my blogging friendships were a huge part of my life. These days I feel like all of the people around when I started have faded away for the most part. Some still blog, but I just wonder if I am clinging to something that should be let go.

Maybe something blogworthy will happen soon.

In the mean time, I am still here.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

To all the wonderful Military Spouses out there, I just wanted to say thank you. To my blogging friends, thank you for getting me through some of my lowest lows and celebrating my highest highs. To my real life military spouse friends, thanks for the drinks, the movie nights and the general gripe sessions you've endured at my side. I never realized when I met my husband that being a "military spouse" would become a part of my identity, but it has. Now, don't get me wrong, I take no credit for anything my husband does... he does his job and he does it damn well. I am proud of him and his accomplishments... and that is what they are. His. But I am proud to be on this journey with him.

Sometimes that means spending a holiday or a birthday or anniversary alone. Sometimes that means going to Walmart at midnight to get baby wipes so he can "shower" in the field. Sometimes it means living 3,000 miles apart for nine months while he goes to school and you hold down your "good" job and save money to buy your first house. Sometimes it means a tearful goodbye knowing he is deploying for the next 6-8 months. But it also means cherishing every moment we have. It means enjoying each holiday, from Thanksgiving to Saint Patrick's Day, in case you are apart next year. It means long, bone crunching hugs and sweet kisses that have to either last awhile or make up for lost time. It means phone calls long into the night ignoring the fact that you have work in four hours. It means your heart skips a beat when you unexpectedly get a text message or an email. It means having so many first kisses that you lose count.

There is something to be said for being a military spouse. They are some of the strongest, kindest and most adaptable people I have ever had the honor of knowing. Near and far I am proud to consider them my friends. Thank you. Thank you for being there for me when I needed you, for advice when I was lost, and for just listening when it was necessary. I appreciate every one I have met and I know these relationships will last a long time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

TV Extra, Take Two

For the first, and pretty unsuccessful, attempt at being an extra on TV check out this entry.

Last week I saw that Revolution was looking for extras again for two days of filming. I submitted and also let my friend (and fellow milspouse blogger) Annie know to submit as well... and we were both cast! Last Wednesday we drove down to Wilmington together to get our costume fittings and this week we were on set. Mind you when we went for our fitting it was 75 degrees. Tuesday and Wednesday this week? Barely hit 40. Freezing. Our costumes were all knee length, no sleeves and no suitable for this kind of weather at all!

Costume One:

 Eventually they took pity on us and gave us jackets for a scene the second day.... but did I mention the four inch heels that accompanied this little gem? No? They hurt. A lot.

Costume Two:

At least this one had a flimsy cardigan, but I'll take it. And flats! Halleluiah for flats!!!

So the first day of filming our call was 5:30am. Which meant being awake around 3:30am to get to Wilmington on time! Annie picked me up at 4:15am and we made it with time to spare. It was dark and cold and as the sun came up and the day went on it just got colder and windier!

We were filming at a mall in Wilmington pretending it was summertime in Atlanta. It was freezing! Whenever we could our winter jackets were on, but when filming happened we had to stash them off camera and be in our sleeveless dresses that barely hit our knees. My feet were numb with cold and pain, my nose was running and red, my face got windburn and my entire body hurt after the first day of filming. I did meet some amazing people, see the stars of the show way up close, and learn a lot (and hopefully got on camera!) but MAN it was cold!

Check out those winter jackets!!! And the fact that as many people are trying to huddle in the sun as possible. Penguin shuffle!

 The stars got pants. And sleeves. I was a little jealous!

 Our location for filming day one.

 Of course an amazing lunch (and breakfast) were served!

We did a lot of scenes in the market, some with the stars of the show, and some for Visual Effects to make our crowd of say 75 look like 500. That meant a lot of walking up and down the sidewalk and in small sections of the street over and over again to splice together in post production. In the beginning when the crew asked for volunteers everyone was eagerly trying to get picked. By night and hour 10 when they asked for volunteers we just avoided eye contact as much as possible! Not getting picked meant staying in holding with your jacket (and in my case sweatpants and boots) on! You never say no when they pick you so some people I was with did have to go out a few more times. I was content to sit and wait in the warmth!

 I got home around 9:00pm.... so that would be a 13.5 hour day. We went into double time pay! My husband had a bubble bath waiting for me and made me soup before my chilled sore self passed out before 10pm! I was so cold the bath water nearly burned me and turned me a lovely shade of red, but it wasn't that hot. I was just so so cold it felt boiling.

Luckily day two I got to sleep in as I wasn't called until 2:30pm. I slept a solid twelve hours and laid around the house until it was time to drive back to Wilmington! Day two was much more fun! I got to be in a smaller scene of people entering the Atlanta federation and then in a huge chaotic running scene at night. It was tons of people running and screaming and a blast! This time they let us wear our comfy shoes with our cocktail dresses and even our jackets! It made a huge difference to morale! Running in Uggs is miles above running in four inch peep toed heels for six hours. Seriously.

 Hair would grab you wherever they could to do adjustments, there were a lot of us after all!

Daytime filming.

 Huddled around the propane heater

 On set

 Waiting to go

 With one of my new friends Kat

 Torches! It looked awesome. No pitchforks though.

 Cut!

 Walking back to places.

 Heading back to holding to warm up!

 Inside holding, the place extras wait, snack and try to warm up.

 Camera crane

 Almost ready to go!

 Such a fun night!

 Extras can double as hobos when it is cold enough.

Me on set with my winter jacket firmly in place over my cocktail dress. Priorities!!! And I had my boots on. Definitely a much more fun night!

I met some amazing people that I hope I can hang out with again! This time being an extra was amazing, it blew the first time out of the water, and not just because I got used and got to film, I promise. It was two long, cold and tiring days but I am so glad I did it. And I will do it again if the chance arises! This episode should air around the end of April, I will let you know for sure when the date gets closer and more defined.

Ringing in the New Year

Our New Year's weekend was rather low key. After traveling for Thanksgiving and Christmas we decided to stay in town and just spend the weekend with friends. Saturday night Ben and Chelsea came over and we walked over to the bar and just had a good night letting loose. We played pool and talked and just had a good time. Sunday we recovered and Monday was New Years Eve.

Nicole invited us to her house for dinner and games and we had a blast. I tried some no heat curls to fancy myself up a little and I think they turned out pretty well! Ryan was funny since he never heard of any of the games (um, I hadn't really either!) and he kept saying he was being played. Actually by the end of the night we were three dollars up some how! Not bad considering how many games we both played and lost before we won.

We played dice games (left, right, center), golf, 99, and screw your neighbor. Nicole and Laura sang karaoke but I know better than to sing in public so I stayed at the game table!

 I was the DD for the night but I did have some champagne at midnight! Delicious!

Our New Years kiss! After watching the ball drop Ryan danced me around the living room to Frank Sinatra. Perfect.

My hand from the one game I won!

 New Years Day we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and watched the Gamecocks play in the Outback Bowl.... and they won! We sat there for about four hours watching the game and dragging out our dinner, but it was so worth it.

THE hit heard around the world! We literally jumped out of our chairs when it happened!

 Yesterday was a trip to the commissary which was absolutely heinous. I normally shop during the day and on my own and never on pay day. Between everyone checking in and then the registers all crashing the line literally went around the entire store back towards the entrance near the produce section. I took my time shopping and after Ryan checked in he came and stood in line for me while I finished up. Luckily I always do self check out so the line was a little less bad, but still pretty awful.

Now there may be a mini employment thing in the works, I will blog about it more later when I have more information.... but there is a trial run tonight! Still waiting to hear from the library.

Tomorrow I am getting my wisdom teeth out (and completely freaking out) but I assume I will be lounging in bed this weekend and not on the blog world. I hope you all had a wonderful New Years and are kicking off 2013 in the best way possible. See you all soon!

Birthday Party

My 25th Birthday was honestly the best I think I have had. It was just a wonderful day with great people and good times. I woke up Saturday to breakfast in bed, care of the husband, and it was my favorite! French toast and a cold glass of Diet Coke. Win.

We cleaned and got ready for the party after that. I tackled the inside, he worked on the front and back yard. We started watching the Gamecocks game but got too hungry so we made our way to Wendy's and had a nice lunch in the car together... it doesn't sound like much but we always have fun when we go to fast food places and feast in the car. I guess it is just our thing! Then we went to the party store and got blue plates, cups, napkins, cutlery etc as well as a sash for me and a balloon for the mailbox (that lasted about ten minutes before it vanished).

After that we just had to wait for people to arrive. We made a vodka watermelon (well, we tried) and got the stuff ready to grill and people began showing up. Some of my favorite blogging (and of course now real life friends) Nicole and Breanna came as well as their families. Bre's dog Bo got sufficiently terrorized by Rylie for about twenty minutes before she wore herself out and behaved! We had neighbors, my stage manager Justin, Ben and Chelsea and just a great mix of people and food. It was a lot of fun!

We did a fire in the fire pit at the end of the night and the rain didn't hit until everyone was leaving. Nice timing! We cleaned up a bit and snuggled on the couch to watch the new episode of Doctor Who. It aired at 9 so we missed it but it was on again at 1am and you bet we stayed up for it!

The hat did not last long on Rylie girl....!

Favorite! Yellow cake with chocolate icing and yummy blue letters

I was too distracted to take pictures, but I did get Chelsea and Nicole and I at the end of the night (sorry Bre!) Rylie photobombed

Presents

Sunday I enjoyed some of my presents. The wine glass from Breanna, the wine from Miss Donna and the glass chess set from Ryan (I beat him TWICE! A first for sure!). Ryan outdid himself to give me a terrific birthday. Between cooking and knocking presents out of the park I sure know I am a lucky girl. He got me a bag of pure Allie stuff.... tshirts of my favorite things (Mickey, Minnie, Hersheys Chocolate, the Beatles, Coca Cola), three of my favorite candles, a favorite scentsy bar, the chess/checkers set and a silver ring that spells out Love. And a card that made me tear up of course. My parents sent me red neck wine glasses, aka stemmed mason jars, a much needed meat thermometer, and Georgetown Cupcakes which I am trying to make last as long as possible and I am failiny miserably.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes and I look forward to what this year will bring!

The Weekend We Actually Did Stuff!

As you can tell from the state of my blog my husband and I have been kind of homebodies living in North Carolina. We spend our weekends together, usually watching Netflix (PS - Anyone else watch Doctor Who?? SO obsessed!), going to the beach or occassionally a movie. Well this weekend we socialized and got out of the house... and it was terrific.

Friday was a mandatory fun day with Ryan's unit, a beach bash. The sky was gray and rainy all morning so I wasn't thrilled to be going, but I am glad I did. We always heard the beach on base was terrible and drove to South Topsail. Wrong! We loved it! The surf was pretty rough from all the rain and storms but it is a nice beach. There was good BBQ and other things like horsehoes and a rock wall behind the dunes but we stuck with the beach. We played football and swam mostly. Well I tried to swim but it was a really strong current. Ryan would get in and end up a mile down the beach trying to body surf.

I actually got to meet some other wives/girlfriends and I got along with them.... alleluia! It has been a sloooow process for me meeting people so I am very thankful. Ryan recently got a new guy Ben in his shop and he and his wife Chelsea are great, we all stayed at the beach way after everyone else left and have the sunburn to prove it! Chelsea got me addicted to a new beach habbit, searching for shark teeth!

I was nowhere near as good at spotting them as she was but I have a nice little start to our collection. Whenever we go to the beach on base I know what I will be doing! After frying in the sun the four of us went back to our house and had a nice cook out together and lit a fire in our firepit to enjoy some wine with. For once it didn't rain! So Friday was a good day!

Once again Saturday loomed all gray and rainy. We had planned to meet Nicole (from Flip Flops and Combat Boots) and her husband Danny at the Snead's Ferry Shrimp Festival but the weather was not looking promising. We gave it some time and the downpour started to fade so we decided to chance it! Glad we did!

Sure most of the day was spent at the beer tent, so obviously we had a blast! I had some good peach beer and we all tried some shrimp at some point throughout the day. It is a small world and a smaller Marine Corps, because Ryan ran into one of the guys who worked in the office that recruited him. The last time this guy saw Ryan was when my husband was seventeen years old! But he does have a very distinct walk that makes him completely identifiable. We sat with him and his wife and friends and had a great afternoon.



Nicole's picture... I am stealing it because I was camera-less and didn't take any phone pictures!

As you can see my right shoulder is already quite burnt.... after sitting in the sun on that bench for hours my back went from the red of my shoulder to straight up lobster. It is that fun sort of tingly sunburn that is very very uncomfortable! We wore sunscreen at the beach but I now know never to ask my husband to buy sunscreen because he thinks SPF 15 is acceptable. Have you seen how pale I am!? Blonde hair is a sign of the permanently untanned.

After a few hours at the Festival we went back to Nicole and Danny's and ordered pizza. Nicole and I took a trip to our house to get Rylie so Rylie and Miley finally had a puppy play date!

I think Rylie sufficiently annoyed the bejeezus out of Miley but she was a very good sport! They ran around and shared toys and whenever Miley laid down Rylie bothered her again until she got up. She is still such a  puppy! I think Miley also got a thorough spit bath from the neck up from Rylie's tendency to give kisses and chew on ears....

Sunday we went to church and sat on the couch and watched Netflix. We were beat!

Fantastic weekend though and totally worth the sunburn.