Liebster Award

My friend (and former co-worker) Sarah nominated me for the Liebster Award! I haven't had a blog award in a long time so I am pretty excited... thanks Sarah! Technically I am not supposed to get it due to my number of followers, but we will overlook that together.

The German word Liebster (pronounced LEEB-ster) means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcoming. The Liebster Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.
Here are the rules:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Then answer the questions the tagger sent for them, plus create 11 questions for the people they’ve tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Notify the people you have tagged.
5. No tag backs.

Ok, here are the questions Sarah had for me....
1. What is your greatest fear?

It is silly and overly common but, death. My own, someone close to me, anything. The idea terrifies me and has since I was a small child. I have faith and what comes after death is a little frightening as the unknown, but the process itself has me shaking in my boots.


2. Describe yourself in three words.

Actress, Blogger, Quirky

3. What is your favorite passage of Scripture?

Mark 10: 6-9

God made them male and female in the beginning, at creation. That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife, and the two will be one. So they are no longer two but one. Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.”

My husband always talks about this verse too (:
4. Name something that’s on your bucket list.   Visit every continent on Earth (and in turn as many countries as possible). So far I have done North America, Europe and Australia.
5. Describe what a perfect day would look like for you.

Is it bad I think about that girl from Miss Congeniality? "Well, my idea of a perfect date would be April 23rd. Because it's not too warm or too cold, and all you need is a light jacket." ;) But in all seriousness any day I am with my family and friends is a perfect day in my book.
6. What is your favorite color?

Blue. I can get geeky and say TARDIS blue, but darker blues make it!

7. Share a brief testimony of how God is working in your life.

Gotta get with the heavy stuff huh? I know God is working in my life because I have my husband here and safe, my home, my bills paid, my pup cared for, my family safe and well and friends to keep me sane. If that isn't God working a miracle than I am not sure what is!

8. What is your favorite snack?

Nutella, right out of the jar I am a big chocolate fan, oreos and cookies are good for my sweet tooth. If not I tend to go for chips and salsa

9. If you could live anywhere, where would that be?

Tuscany. Hellooooo villa! :P

10. Name five things that make you smile.

My husband, the dup pup, my family, Doctor Who and being on stage.

11. Why do you write?

Originally to document my (then boyfriend now) husband's deployment and my life in Disney. Then our engagement and wedding, then married life and then living 3000 miles apart... many reasons all kind of meaning the same thing, to document life. And if my experiences help anyone else than that makes it all the better.

Now my 11 questions:
1. What is the latest TV show you love to watch?
2. Any addictions? (Not bad ones, more like foodstuffs you cannot ignore!)
3. Favorite item of jewelry (not counting wedding/engagement rings if you have them) and why?
4. You have to move out of the country, what country do you pick to live in?
5. What is your dream vacation?
6. What is your main strategy to calm yourself down when stressed or upset?
7. Do you reread books? Which ones can you read over and over again?
8. Preferred method of travel? (ie car, boat, plane, train etc)
9. What exotic pet would you love to own if care and safety were no issue?
10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
11. Have you ever completed a project or recipe on Pintrest? How'd it go?

I am going to nominate:
Dani from Hard Corps Love
A Girl from A Boy A Girl and the Marine Corps: A Love Triangle
Mandy from Mommy Musings
LC at Faith and Deployments
Skinnie from Skinnie Piggie
Jordan from Southern Hospitality
Michelle from A'etonu Family Adventures
Ashley from The Gollaschs Adoption

And anyone else who wants to do it! (:


Since the 200 follower rule didn't count when I was nominated I am following in that vein! Can't wait to read your answers!

Dining in?

Ok blogosphere... I am reaching out to you! My husband's battallion is having a Dining In in a few weeks... what is the dress code? Have you ever been to one before? My husband will be in his blues, so I was thinking a knee length cocktail dress, maybe? I don't want to be too casual/too formal, so I thought I would ask and see if any of you had ever attended one before and could help me out!

Thank you!!!


Don't forget about my giveaway, you have about a day left!

MilSpouse Quiz

I have seen this quiz floating around so I wanted to give it a try!

The Milspouse Quiz

1. How did you and your spouse meet?

Ryan and I met at a Saint Patrick's Day party my junior year of college. It was at an off campus house named "Big Blue" and hosted by my fellow theatre majors. You didn't have to be in our major to come to the party, friends of friends always found a way. My best friend at the time Megan invited her freshman year room mate Taylor who invited her Marine boyfriend Brandon who invited Ryan and his two friends, Joey and Wes, because he needed a ride anyway. Yea... it is a miracle we met in that confusion! Ryan saw me talking on the porch and asked me about the shamrock I had painted on my cheek (Catholic University had a slightly large Irish population...) but I was oblivious and nearly blew him off! Luckily he was persistant and we talked most of the night. He friended me on facebook that night and we went on our first date two months later.

2. How old were you when you two met?

I was 20 (and a half) and Ryan had turned 20 about three weeks prior. I am about five months older and I tease him about it all the time!

3. How long have you been together?

We will be married two years on May 1st and 'together' four years as of May 8th

4. Where are you and your spouse originally from?

I was born in Carteret NJ and grew up mostly in Neshanic Station NJ... small small town. Ryan was born and raised in Lexington, SC.

5. How did you feel about him joining the military?

I had no comment! He was in for nearly two years when we met! When he re-enlisted however it was a choice we decided would be best for the both of us and our family, difficult though it may be. Ryan was a Marine when I met him and always will be... even when he retires. I think he will have a bumper sticker like my Poppy does, "Marines don't die, they just go to hell and regroup"

6. Where did your spouse go to Basic Training?

He went to Boot Camp on Parris Island (about 65 years after my Poppy had gone!) and then SOI and MCT were basically at Chesapeake and LeJeune. For his re-enlistment he is now going through BEC and his other schooling in 29 Palms CA to become a Ground Radio Technician.

7. Has your spouse ever been deployed?

Yes, to Iraq in 2009. We were just dating then, not married.

8. Ever been to his promotion ceremony?

No sadly. He picked up Corporal when we were engaged and I was living in NJ, he told me not to drive down and miss work, it was no big deal. Then he picked up Sergeant in 29 Palms last month, a bit too far! But I have been to his re-enlistment ceremony.

9. How long have you been a military wife?

Since I have been married, according to my blog ticker, 1 year 8 months 1 week and 2 days.

10. Did you marry him before or after he joined?

Way after.

11. How did your husband propose?

The short story, when he came to visit me in Disney after he got back from Iraq. I was still working there and he knew I loved the EPCOT Fireworks show Illuminations. He got down on one knee in the middle of the fireworks show by the lake in front of Italy in the World Showcase. You can read the whole story here.

12. Where did you get married?

At the church I basically grew up in... Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Three Bridges NJ. Our reception was at the Grand Colonial, about half an hour from there.

13. How old were you two when you got married?

We were both 22.

14. Did he wear his uniform on his wedding day?

Of course! As did all his groomsmen (minus my little brother), my grandfather and his grandfather.

15. Where are you and your spouse currently stationed?

Technically that is a difficult question. He is in school at 29 Palms, but not officially stationed there. I live in Virginia since he was stationed last at 8th and I in Washington DC. We still collect DC BAH and I still go to the barracks for things, such as laundry. As of April we will have a more definitive answer to this!

16. Do you live on base?

No. 8th and I does not have a base technically, it is just a barracks... so we couldn't even if we wanted to. Ryan does live on base in 29 Palms in the barracks.

17. How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation?

Surprisingly we got super spoiled. Our first separation happened two months after our first anniversary. 8th and I is basically non deployable, so until Ryan started school August 1, 2011, we did not have to be separated. August 1 2011 - April 12 2012 is the total time.

18. What is your favorite base so far?

We have only technically been stationed at 8th and I. When he did his deployment work up in 2009 Ryan was at Quantico, which was pretty nice. 29 Palms... I visited once and although the views are gorgeous I don't really want to live there!

19. Do you think your spouse looks good in his uniform?

Of course. He looks good in anything, but he is quite dashing in uniform... whether it is cammies, Charlies or his Blues.

20. Do you think military life is more advanced than civilian life?

Advanced? How so? In the sense we have to bond together more, perhaps, but there is still drama regardless!

21. Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent?

I suppose. I feel bad using them almost. I hate having to ask if discounts are offered (so I usually don't) for military. My husband is in, not me... he deserves the perks! Ryan would argue that I put up with enough that I deserve them too, but I still feel weird about some of it!

22. Do you have a lot of military wife friends?

Locally I hang out with one other wife Kyndra, her husband Tim is friends with Ryan. I had another girl who Ryan worked with her husband, but once my husband wasn't her husband's NCO anymore she suddenly wasn't my friend.... nice right? Kyndra is wonderful and I love her though! Naturally I then have my blogging friends who are all amazing whether I have yet to meet them in person or not!

23. What is the hardest part of the military life?

I want to instantly jump and say deployments... but really any separation. Even though Ryan is safe and in country and we can text and call every day or even visit when the funds arise... it is so hard to be apart from the person you love. So so so hard. I bet whether they are in training, across the country, or across the world that empty place in your heart twinges,.

24. Do you own military wife stuff?

Not really "wife" stuff. I have a bull dog keychain from my Poppy and a USMC ribbon on my car. Then we have this awesome sign in our dining room and a few other little things. Plus I commandeer my husband's sweatshirts all the time.

25. Do you support your spouse as a member of the military?

Of course. I am so proud of him and I will always support him.

So fellow MilSpouse buddies... give it a go! I am curious to see what your answers are!

203!

Wow! I passed 200!

Anyone want to help me do a give away? *wiggles eyebrows* I'd love to be able to do something for you all! Please comment or email me and let me know!

Also, I am still taking questions for a Q&A Blog. Your answers made me laugh and I loved them! So feel free to ask away (:

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.

Almost 200....

So I am only two followers away from 200 (oh my God!!!) and I am pretty excited!

I would really love to do a give away! Would anyone be interested in partnering up with me? I don't really know what to give away and I would love to help promote someone's business/work/anything! So if you are interested please send me an email at imyewneek@yahoo.com or just leave a comment. And I will not let this give away turn out like my last one, I promise. *grumble*

Now with so many new followers I have two more things I want to do!

One: A Question/Answer Post

Do any of you have any questions for me? Some of you are pretty new so I would love to fill you in on anything you may be curious about! I know going back to the beginning of a blog and catching up can be pretty time consuming, especially when you have to go back to June 2009 or so to do it! So ask away! Anything about me, the hubs, the Corps, the blog... I'll gather them up and do a big answer post soon. I mean, if people ask anything!

Two: I wanna know about you!

I try and comment on all the blogs I read as much as I can. Am I not reading your blog? Let me know! Have a button you want to add? Link it to me! Now I have a few questions for you.... leave answers in the comments below!

1. Are you a military spouse? Spouse to be? If so what branch is your significant other in?
2. What are two of your favorite blogs to read?
3. Who would play you in the movie of your life?
4. What is your dream job?
5. *POOF!* Your turned into an animal by an evil genie (for a day...). What are you?

Thanks for reading everyone. I am so glad I have stuck with this blog for so long and all the great things and relationships it has given me!

Questions

Nicole from Flip Flops and Combat Boots tagged me in this a few days ago so I am passing it on! I answer the questions Nicole thought of then make up eight of my own and pass them on to eight other people. So here we go!



1) What is your favorite no-frills meal?

I have a few, but my favorite is stuffed mushroom baked chicken. You take a few chicken breasts and cut them so they have a sort of hinge. Stuff it with garlic, provolone cheese, and ham. Close the hinge. Then cover all the chicken breasts with a cream of mushroom soup, I usually use two cans. Then bake! It is so so so yummy.

2) What is your favorite picture? Post it!

Just.... one??? How can I decide??? Ok I am at work now but when I get home I promise I will post one here....

EDIT: Toss up between my favorite wedding picture and my favorite travel picture. The travel one is from Athens, Greece, taken from the Parthenon overlooking the city.





3) Do you prefer flip flops, boots, sneakers or heels?

Usually I have to say flip flops, but I own soooo many heels that I wish I had the endurance to wear them more than I do!

4) Where is your favorite place to vacation?

I am not really someone who goes back to places over and over again, but one of the most fun places I think I went on vacation repeatedly (and worked there!) is Disney World. I have never had a bad time in Disney and I miss it a lot sometimes.

5) Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach?

I fall asleep cudling on my side with the hubby, but somehow or another lately I keep ending up on my back!

6) Do you own any television series box sets?

Like full series? Not in their entirety. I have four seasons of Will & Grace which is probably the closest. My mom has every episode of I Love Lucy on video (from a night of insomnia and QVC back in the 80s) which I also love!

7) Do you have any hidden talents?

I can touch my tongue to my nose? For real... not the cop out stick your tongue out and touch your nose with your finger! I am also an amateur cake decorator, scenic painter, scrapbooker, and theatrical electrician. Random much?

8) Who is your best friend?

My husband. Easy! And my female best friend is Samantha Grace, without a doubt. I have a few other lovely ladies in close running for besty status but Sam will always be the top! (Ya'll know I am kidding around right? I love you!)


Now my questions...
1) You're trapped on a dessert island and a genie grants you one wish for an endless supply of something, what is it?
2) If you could relive any day of your life over again, which would it be?
3) What is the furthest you have traveled from home?
4) What is the best baked good/dessert you have ever made? Share the recipe!
5) What does your ideal house look like... on the exterior?
6) If you could have any exotic pet, no limits and it has a caregivier if needed, what would you want?
7) If you could live in a different decade/time, which would you pick?
8) Would you ever enlist? Under what circumstances may you be tempted to?


So the people I tag answer my questions and make up eight of their own and pass them on to eight more people! And I'm tagging...
1) Diary of a Disgruntled Marine Wife to Be
2) Skinnie Piggie
3) Goodnight Moon
4) The Sand is Different Here
5) The Adventures of Mr. Superman & Mrs S
6) Forever Yours. Semper Fi
7) C&C Aubel
8) We See the Same Stars

Block?

I feel like I have hit a blogging block lately. My entries aren't quite that exciting or out there and I actually noticed I lost some followers! Isn't that a tad depressing? I want to get out of my blogging rut somehow. It is difficult since I cannot blog about the majority of my day, I do not want to lose my job or put the kids at risk! I am beginning to love them dearly even if they are tiring.

Currently I am trying to get the new layout three column thing situated. Look for changes soon. Maybe jazzing this thing up will help me a bit! I have also been playing with button attempts... oh lordy lou are they horrendous!!!

So here is what I am going to do. I am throwing a Questions future post out there. Do you have any questions for me? Comment them and leave them on any entry for the next week or so and I will do a big post (hopefully) answering them. Do you want to know more about Disney? Ryan's previous deployment? Our relationship? Or anything about me? Ask away. I am wondering what you all are wondering about and I want to help you out!

Ask away dear readers... I cannot wait to hear from you!