4th of July Weekend



It has been a long but fun weekend! My sister in law Hannah was visiting us for the past week and a half so for the 4th of July she tagged along with us and some friends to celebrate. Naturally I got bit by the baking bug so Hannah and I made a Red White and Blue cake from scratch... the red and blue layers were regular cake (which sadly came out a little heavier than I like, less flour next time I think) and the white layer was cheesecake. Hurricane Arthur hit us Thursday night so we started baking the cheesecake then and the rest of the cake Friday morning. We even made the cream cheese icing from scratch! I don't think I've made a cake not from a box and icing not from a can in almost a decade! Not too shabby!

 

 

We then headed over to my friend from work Jo's house and hung out with her, her husband John and my other coworker Morgan until we left for the fireworks. Henry, their adorable pup, wanted to be in our picture too. 

 

We figured it would be insanely crowded on base so we left pretty early to fight traffic. We didn't want to go in the giant massive crowd, personally I was ok with missing LL Cool J, so we decided to drive to work and park there. Luckily with our husbands' active duty IDs we were able to go through the road blocks and park with ease! We could hear the performers down the street and we still had room to play frisbee in the parking lot. Sadly once it got later MPs started directing people to park in our area but most of them still walked down to the field so our view remained safe!

 

The weather got ominous looking but only one or two drops hit us. After the show we could see it rained elsewhere on base but it seemed to stop just shy of us and the fireworks! We had a good hour or so to tailgate and hang out and we all had a blast.

Boys being boys

Surprisingly the fireworks started early, maybe by five minutes, and they went on for a long time! It was a pretty long show, nearly half and hour, and had one of the longest finales I have ever seen. I am very impressed Camp LeJeune! We had a perfect view from the truck and I love fireworks. They are near the top of my Top Ten Favorite Things List (yes it is a literal list) hence the reason Ryan proposed to me during the Disney Fireworks at EPCOT.

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love the country I live in and that my husband serves and I love celebrating that. For my family and my friends and everyone who calls this great nation home, it makes me proud as punch!

 

I am a terrible selfie taker.

We took the back gate home and luckily there was basically no traffic. Thank Goodness! We all hung out a bit longer before heading home and falling sound asleep. Pretty darn good 4th of July if you ask me! Saturday was spent cleaning, playing tennis (my husband finally got a racket!) and getting Japanese food for dinner. We also took the Dup for her yearly 'furminator' bath to help with her ridiculous shedding. She gets a special bath in deshedding shampoo and conditioner and then at least an hour long brushing session. Even the groomer said she was pretty shocked by the amount of hair that kept coming off, and we brush her a lot too! Dup Dup's report card was glowing, they all said she was incredibly sweet to everyone who handled her and gave tons of kisses. That's my good girl! And she looks so cute! I cracked and got her a bandana (since the proceeds go to military service dogs I could not resist!).

 

 

It did wear her out though and she slept pretty much the rest of the day. Sunday we went to church, drove to Wilmington to meet my mother in law and her husband to drop Hannah back off with them, have lunch, run to the commissary and then home again to pack our lunches and prepare for the week. Then we went and played tennis again. Today I am pretty sore (helloooo out of shapeness) and quite exhausted. I look forward to going to bed early tonight.

I hope you all enjoyed your Independence Day!

 

The Day of the Show

I know, I know, I have one more trip entry to write! Our journey through Naples/Pompeii and the long awaited pizza is coming along... all the photos are added in a draft, I just have to find the time to write it. The reason my time has been nonexistent? A show of course!

I am so happy to be back and doing theatre. Even a year long hiatus can feel way too long. I am currently in a production of Ibsen's A Doll's House playing Kristine Linde. Tonight is opening night, so the past six weeks have been rehearsals nearly every weeknight on top of a pretty full work schedule. The time I do have free has been basically spent with the hubs since it has been few and far between. He gets cranky sometimes during these rehearsal runs, as do I, as we really enjoy being together... and sadly we haven't had a whole lot of that lately. We get home from work and within in an hour I am at rehearsal until 10-11pm. When I get home I collapse into bed and try and not wake him (doesn't usually work).

But tonight is Opening Night!! It has gone quickly and I know I will miss it when it is over, but that is the way the cookie crumbles folks! If you're local come see us tonight, Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 3 at CCCC. My family is coming Saturday night, and we already have 125 reservations for that night, so if you want to come maybe try and do the weeknights or Sunday. I will return to blogging soon!



Our lovely cast and crew (:

Spa Night and Spouse Experience

This has been a busy week so far but I'm so thankful for that. It's helping one fly by! Yesterday I went to work, ran home and walked the Dup, and then headed back to base for a spa night. It was a lot of fun!

We had four different stations; reflexology, sugar scrubs, yoga and massage. It felt wonderful to do some yoga, it has been a long time and my muscles were tighter than I ever remember them being. I really need to go find a class again, it's so hard to motivate myself to do workouts alone at home! And the massage was heavenly. I did not want to get out of the chair!

Today I was off from work but I did my usual commute to base to help out with SpouseBUZZ's military spouse experience. It was such a terrific day (massive artillery shaking the building and all!). I got to meet and see some amazing bloggers and people in the military community I've known (even just online) for years. Plus I met lots of great new people too. 

 Spouse Experience is a fun day. No powerpoints here, more like get on your feet and meet people and discuss the real experiences we all have and share. I'm so honored to even be involved in my small capacity! If any base near you hosts one please attend. It is so worth it!

Lots of people attended. Some spouses were married less than a month and others for up to 37 years! It's for everyone. The speakers are always fantastic, the prizes are awesome and the food was delicious!

I even got to be in a fake fight with Jayce for an activity. My husband would recognize my "You cannot be serious!" fighting stance!

Borrowed from the SpouseBUZZ Facebook page

The event let out around two so I had plenty of time to go home, nap, walk the Dup and then meet everyone for dinner at Ale House. It was a really nice dinner and I enjoyed getting to know everyone more. Now I'm home and quite sleepy! Tomorrow is work again but the library is officially closed for renovations, a new ceiling! We all will report in tomorrow to move books, pack and dismantle shelving before the construction crew arrives next week. Tomorrow night is a Return/Reunion brief with banner making supplies.... So you all know what that means ;)

The Doctor in Spite of Himself

Once again another show has come to a close. This cast and crew were fabulous (as always) to work with and I'm really going to miss them! 

Naturally all shows have their snafus. Ours was a cast member showing up to opening night so drunk he could barely stand, let alone act. Cue rehearsing a cast member with a smaller part who goes on as an understudy in addition to his own part! Luckily he did amazingly and with the help of an incredible memory, a Sicilian rehearsal Friday morning and a lot of dedication the show went smoothly with the understudy in place!

The cast party was awesome, bonfire and hot dogs included. 

My family came for the weekend and saw the show as well as helping us around the house. Our shower doesn't leak, the toilet works, our front garden is planted and the backyard is French drained. Whew. Thanks dad! My mom and I went to the beach and my dad and Ryan did the most grunt work. Stefan and Ramon helped later on but it looks great!

And Lacey helped me fix up my costume and make up to make it slightly less Bo Peep and more milk nurse (aka my part!). 

Had to KCCO opening night!

The final effect. 

The glorious cast!

Flowers from my family and Ryan. 

And Ryan hard at work as I left for the matinee. My parents dog Dippy kept him company! My poor Dip. She's almost 12 years old!

So another show is done. Maybe this fall I can do another one!

 
 
 
 
 

Busy!

Hey all! Sorry for the lack of blogging. With my last week of work and getting ready to PCS I have been swamped. I'm in NJ with the pup to see family before I move so Happy Easter!

I'd love a few guest bloggers for the next week. Wth moving I know blogging will be slim so of anyone can help me out I'd appreciate it. Send me an email at imyewneek@yahoo.com Any topic is great! Thank you!

Care, Music, Busy!

Sorry all, with the hubby being home blogging has taken a back seat! Plus billing at work coincided perfectly so I am finally getting a chance to do a quick update.


I was recently contacted by Sheila over at Caregiver Village and I thought some of you might find it useful... I know there are a lot of milspouses out there who act as primary caregivers to wounded warriors so amybe this is something you can utilize.

The founders of Caregiver Village, which is an online community designed exclusively for those who provide care for anyone with special needs, have put aside a portion of the launch funding to support caregiving organizations. For every person that joins Caregiver Village, they will donate $1 to that persons organization of choice. Caregiver Village members connect with friends, participate in book clubs with celebrity authors, journal, play mystery games, solve puzzles, and learn valuable information about caregiving. So feel free to check it out!

Now for my link up this week with Goodnight Moon I am picking a song I heard on the radio yesterday that has been stuck in my head ever since...



Enjoy!

Busy!

Sorry all!

Work is kicking my butt the past few days (and we now have tighter internet restrictions which reeeeeally inhibits the blogging ability :P ) and things have been crazy! And I am still healing nicely.

We may get an answer on Ryan's re-enlistment package by the end of next week. Keep your fingers crossed for us pleeeeease.

Also, send me questions! I don't think I got any in my last post... but I loved your answers! Thank you so much. They definitely made me laugh for some. And I got some new blogs to follow in the process. But ask questions! I would love to do an answer post. Anything, married life, the marines, Disney, acting... go on!

As for my give away.... any takers? Ideas? I am still two away from two hundred and would love to do something special for you all.



Join in at Wife of a Sailor!

1. During military separations (whether short or long) how do you keep yourself positive and motivated?

Well you all are going to throw rocks at me but since we have been married we haven't had one yet! *knock on wood* When Ryan was deployed and we were dating however I was working for an opera and then in Disney World... so I kept myself distracted. I had my USMC pride stuff, shirts and sweatshirts from his platoon, and I emailed him every single day.

2. What is your favorite concert you have ever been to?

Josh Groban <3 Haha yea I am a dork. Coldplay was fun too.

3. What do you miss most about your “hometown”?

I am from the country of Jersey. I miss seeing the stars at night, the quiet, the lack of cars... it is very different living in the city! I still walk every where, even down to the river, but this river in VA is a tad different from the one in NJ! I miss my family and being close to them. I also miss the church I grew up in and was married in. I don't think I will ever find another one quite like it. My mom works there and it feels like a second family to me. I miss it!


4. If you could run in any race, which charity would you choose to support?
I've been dying to do the Breast Cancer three day walk for the cure, it is a goal of mine to do that some day.

5. You find out Willy Wonka is your father, what 3 course meal do you INSIST he create in that stick of gum?

First course - Potato soup
Second course - Amazing cheeseburger and fries
Third course - Chocolate mousse with strawberries



Don't forget to join the weekly round up at Three Hands Full!


Also sending love and prayers to Japan and the devastaing damage there. I've been watching CNN all day at work, it is heartbreaking. I was very worried until I heard from one of my besties in Hawaii this morning but she and her family are fine.

Man Oh Man...

Have I been slacking or what?

I mean, blog-wise.

Life-wise, ohhh nosiree Bob. (Ever wonder who bob is anyway? It's like no way Jose... I actually said that to my friend Jose in Disney once and nearly lost it... anyway, focus Allie, you're blogging. Ok got it.)

So backing up a bit, last Friday I opted not to have lunch and left work an hour early. Ryan and I then went over to the Gaylord National and saw the Ice Exhibit of the Grinch. It was AWESOME. I'll have to post pictures tomorrow. You would not believe this entire thing was made of ice! Except for maybe the fact that it was 9 degrees in there and we had to all wear borrowed parkas. Aside from the cool (no pun intended) sculptures there was also an ICE SLIDE we could go down!! Fun fun fun.

We then went out to dinner at Cadillac Ranch for amazing burgers before heading home. Sadly the hubster had duty Saturday so it was the day for me to be extra busy. The apartment got a much needed cleaning, presents were wrapped, Ryan took laundry with him which I picked up and put away at the end of the night... it was quite a busy day.

Sunday we went out to breakfast, saw Tron, got Ryan a new jacket (note: the mall is insane the week of Christmas, just to let you know...) and I made meatloaf for dinner.

Otherwise work has been crazy busy. Tons of mailing and packages and billing to boot... so I am trying here! I am still reading all my blogs, but I am just bad at writing at the moment.

Thanks for sticking with me! Two more days of work!

Busy Week!

Work was killer this week!

First on Wednesday our phones died for two hours. When your job primarily revolves around answering and transfering calls that is a big problem. It wasn't just our phones at the front desk though, all of our clients had no phone access either. Bad news bears indeed.

So Thursday has to be better right? You would think. Our internet was out. All day until 4:20pm. Man oh man were people pissed, and rightly so! How can a company not have a back up system??? In all fairness it was not our company's fault but the provider losing a giant server in Atlanta that we were somehow linked in with, but people were not too concerned with the reasoning, just the results! Ugh. We could do our job too well either. Our schedule for booking meeting rooms? Online. Our billing? Online. Luckily we had our outlook email up and running since it is operating on the server at our headquarters. Emailing clients, cancelling appointments... oh it was brutal.

Friday I thought had to be better! We came in early Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to set up a beverage service (aka coffee) for a client, so I got some overtime doing that, but Friday I came in at normal time and had phone and internet! Then around 10am one of our clients came in with a project for me, also known as an Admin project. They pay the company for it, I do the work. He is a lawyer and just inherited a bunch of cases from another lawyer who just retired. He needed the papers relating to each case organized and re-filed. Man. Oh. Man. I had to divert from the phones to just do this project. I worked from 10am until 5:30pm finishing it. Loooong day. He was very nice and appreciative so I honestly did not mind doing the work, but it was Harry Potter Day! I had to get to the theatre!

I flew out of work and to the theatre, glad I got tickets ahead of time, and met Ryan, Russell, and Lauren. Russell and Lauren got their before us so they were in line and got us some good seats with them. The movie? Fantastic. I won't spoil anything, but I enjoyed it. Some things were left out but it could have been worse. I cried once. And now I cannot believe I have to wait until July for the next one!!!! Oy.

We're at the barracks now doing laundry. Being the adult I am I woke up at 8:30am and couldn't go back to sleep. So I watched the rest of one of my favorite movies (Under the Tuscan Sun), ran to the bank, and then grocery shopping. Go me.

Happy weekend!!!

Slacking

Sorry I am slacking on updating! Work has been crazy and I had my first "grown up job interview" today. At least that is what I am calling it. I think it went really well... I almost thought I had it when he mentioned one other interview tomorrow and three others, including a distant friend of mine from college! Eek! I find out Wednesday so please keep your fingers crossed for me.

Work has been so hectic, that and Ryan having duty and oil changes and broken nails and visiting uncles and a bloat we had a lot to do. All shall be explained in detail soon, I promise. Don't lose faith on me now!

But my uncle is almost here and we're going for dessert. I promise to update more very soon!

So Much is Getting Done!

So this weekend was extremely productive. Ryan and I got a lot done which provided a nice couple of checks on the master list. We stuffed and labeled and stamped all the invites, nearly 100 of them! It took me, Mom, Ryan, and Stefan to get everything in and done, but it was done! I mailed them all off today. Ryan and I also went to the Grand Colonial, our reception venue, and solidified our menu and everything. We picked out all the appetizers, dinner, the wine, and the cake (!!) which sounds so delicious I cannot wait. We also went to another bakery and got Ryan a groomscake for the rehearsal dinner. Hint, if you have ever seen Steel Magnolias you will LOVE his cake! Jill came over Saturday night and spent the night, and until I had a stomach attack we had an awesome time. Stupid stomach. And Sunday was great. I can't go into details, but let's just say we are now one step closer to May 1st.... (:

I still need to call the florist and get transportation and a make up artist, then it is basically all done. PreCana is on Saturday which should be interesting.

Doctors... had an appointment Friday. Starting to get weened off the scary medicine as it wasn't doing what he thought it would, only maybe half. I am now going for a CT scan with IV contrast of my BRAIN because maybe the problem is neurological since my digestive tests are coming back normal. Ugh. I am so sick of being sick. I tried to call the radiology place I went to last time and since the test has an IV and I am allergic to penicillin I can't go there because on the offchance I have a reaction they don't have the equipment for it. So I called the hospital to schedule and waited ten minutes and got disconnected, called again and waited twenty minutes and at 4:59 on the dot they sent me to voicemail as the place closed! UGH.

I ran lots of errands today besides being on the phone for forever. The vet, Dunkin Donuts and the pharmacy for mom, resealing the invites, making dinner... only to be called in to work to work closing shift and getting to eat McDonalds on my way and not my chicken :( Oh well.

Ok, sticking to it. It will all get done. Work tomorrow, job interview with a summer camp in DC on Wednesday... wish me luck!

Hmm...

*pokes*

Is thing still on? Are people out there? Is there an echo?

Ah well I'll just keep going.

Last night and today was the first round of goodbyes. Patrick, Don, and Karli are all gone. Needless to say I bawled my eyes out saying goodbye to them. I never expected the people I would meet here would have such an impact on my life... to the point where one of them is going to be a bridesmaid in my wedding! So much has changed since August it is enough to make my head spin.

So, now it is time for another inside scoop. The subject... New Year's Eve at Disney.


My honest advice. NEVER EVER COME TO EPCOT OR MAGIC KINGDOM FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE EVER!!!!!

Unless you want to stand shoulder to shoulder with 83,999 other people and wait in a five hour line for Soarin' do not do it. Magic Kingdom was at capacity by 10am. At 6pm they let in 500 more people as some had left. EPCOT reached 84,000 people.

I was on fireworks duty which is like Illuminations on crack/speed/heroin all together at once. SO many people. We had to keep the walkways moving and once the front was full we kept people out. If you had to use the restroom you got a red ticket to come back to your spot. I had a red lightsaber to move people along and too many times I was tempted to hit people on the head with it. I was cursed at in 3 languages (English, Spanish, and Portuguese), called a bitch a slut and a whore, told to fuck off or fuck you.... I have never imagined people could be like that. I was in NYC last year for NYE and it was fun! Pleasant even! This was HELL.

I had one woman from Brazil I would not let in to the front area since it was FULL and he called me those names and proceeded to mock me every time I spoke. I threatened to call security and she was like, "I don't understand." And I snapped, "SECURIDAD. POLIZIA. You understand. Shut up and move away!"

She didn't.

Jenny (who I have become a lot closer with) and I decided we were not Jenny and Allie. We were Jennifer and Allison after the first fireworks show. The gloves came on and the bitch came out! The 7:30 fireworks was regular Illuminations and it was the most hellish. By 11:40, the NYE show, we had a system and it was a little bit better. The finale at midnight was awesome though. I literally felt the shockwave of the fireworks nearly knock me down! And each country around the world show case let off a different set of fireworks and said Happy New Year in their language.



I found this on youtube if you all want to watch! I had my camera and tried to film the finale, I took lots of pictures, but my battery died halfway through the finale! I was mad as hell. Especially when it came back on to take pictures later when we all danced on the fountain and led a couple thousand people in the Cupid Shuffle. Hey, the DJ told us to!

Pictures will follow. Happy New Year readers!