Milspouse Appreciation Day

I know you've seen most Milspouse Bloggers already sending out wonderful messages today, but I wanted to jump on that bandwagon too.

Thank you to all you strong women who have welcomed me with open arms to this world... no questions asked.

Thank you for knowing what those long nights feel like during deployments.

Thank you for not thinking I was crazy for having my cell phone glued to me night and day, even near the shower, just in case he called.

Thank you for getting through the struggles of things breaking down when the hubby is away. For the buying of new water heaters, cars, carpets, and air conditioners.

Thank you for standing in grassy fields ignoring the rows of busses as you carefully wedge yourself in for one last hug, careful not to knock into the gun already at his side.



Thank you for the tips, the savings, and the opportunities you hunt for to make it a little easier to not go paycheck to paycheck.

Thank you for wiping away the tears and offering the hugs.

Thank you for standing in as Mom and Dad until he can come home.

Thank you for the letters, the care packages, the choppy skype sessions, the emails and the sporadic static filled phone calls.

Thank you for the yellow ribbons, the stickers, the car decals, and the books that made me smile in the toughest days.

Thank you for standing by your man and pledging yourself to one of the hardest jobs in the services. (Lord knows if they wanted them to have wives they would have been issued in boot camp!)

Sometimes you don't hear it enough, but I wanted to tell you all thank you. You are appreciated. You are a wonderful community that I am proud to be a part of... for the next fifteen years or the next twenty three days depending on this re-enlistment!

And... it is official! (thanks to the Sometimes Single Mom for posting it for me to share!)



Graphic by the ever so awesome Skinnie Piggie!

My friend Lauren and I are going to Beauty Boot Camp tonight for Marine Corps Wives (and Navy wives at Marine bases) as a thank you from 8th and I. So excited.

Don't forget to join in the Milspouse Weekly Round Up hosted this week by *Personalized Sketches and Sentiments.

TGIF!

Drama filled morning at work! I cannot go into details, but let's just someone is in biiiiig trouble. Not me (or the lovely ladies I work with) but a soon to be former client. Yiiiikes!

Anyway, here is my Friday stuff! And it is GORGEOUS outside! 77 degrees! 30 minutes and I am so out of here to enjoy the day!


Hosted by Wife of a Sailor

What are some of your ideas for staying connected with family…you know, those people we moved thousands of miles away from?

Luckily we really haven't had that issue yet... but phone calls, social networking, and this blog help!

What’s the most romantic gift you have GIVEN?

Well before our wedding I made him a book of all our email exchanges from when he was in Iraq and put a picture of us on the cover. And got him a Taylor Swift CD so he could still see his 'first choice wife' on his wedding day :P Haha.

Would you encourage your child, if they came to you and wanted to join the military?

I think my husband would have more to say about that than I would. But if my child really wanted to do anything (almost) I would support them!

What is your least favorite bill to pay and why?

Rent. Having an apartment there is no profit in renting! It is just throwing money into something you will never really own.

What is the proudest moment you’ve had as a military spouse?

I am always proud of my husband... I don't know if I can say I have had a big independent moment of awesomeness though. Whenever he introduces me as his wife to a CO or someone he works with... you know :P



Check out this week's round up hosted by, With Love Lydia!

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.

Friiiiiiday Fun!

Join in at Wife of a Sailor!

1. Do you ever wish your spouse was in a different branch of the military?

Nope. My grandfather was in the Marines and now my husband is... it is the branch I have always known and loved and I am quite proud to be a Marine Wife! If he ever had to change for any reason I would support it of course, but I am happy where he is (:

2. What duty station(s) are on your “No Way, Hell No, Not Going, Have Fun Unaccompanied” list and why?

Not to that extreme, but Camp Lejeune, NC. It is an option for us if Ryan gets the job he wants in his re-enlistment and I REALLY don't want to go there. If I had to of course I would... but it is not my preference at all. I went to school for theatre, I highly doubt I'd be able to use any of my training there. Here in DC I can, Southern California I can... NC not so much.

3. If you could be one age forever, what age would you choose and why?

I kind of like the age I am now, 23. I am old enough to drink legally and vote and buy lottery tickets, but I am out of school and working and about the right age to be taken seriously as an adult. Yet, I am also young enough to get away with some things!

4. If you were a breakfast cereal, which one would you be?

Frosted Flakes. I like to think I am sweet, I can be a tiny bit of a flake, and I'm grrrrrrrreat! :P

5. What is your morning beverage of choice and why?

Sugar Free Red Bull or a Diet Coke. I don't drink hot drinks so no coffee for me, tea on the rarest of occassions. The other two have caffeine and are good and keep me going!



Don't forget to join in at the round up with The Lily Pad!

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. (:

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.

Foto Friday and other Fun

This week is SOOC (Straight out of the Camera)! Finally one I can do :P Haha.




Washington DC... jumping right before the big rain! Automatic timer on my camera on the ground. This was attempt 5 or so!



Some of the lighting for an opera I worked on back in 2008.



Jack and Isaac's Beach in Saint Croix. Heaven.



Pantheon in Rome, 2007. I love I can see a small star up there!

Love.




Don't forget to head over to No Model Lady for the weekly round up!!!

Finally Friday

It seems like I have been a blogging slacker this week, but I've been organizing and posting my guest posts for next week (man I wish I had a cool button to give you guys!) and working on my own post for another blogger! Whew. Sorry! But I have to make room for my Friday Favorites!

But first... this is the text I get from Ryan this morning. "Good morning sweetie. We got a tour of the White House tomorrow. How's that for doing stuff? I love you."

!!!

I have lived in DC (except for one year in the middle) for five years and I have never been in the White House. I am SO excited!!! Even if we have to wake up early squirrely on a Saturday morning that is totally worth it. I wonder if I can bring my camera....



Join in at Wife of a Sailor!

1. What do you usually want to know about someone when meeting them for the first time?

I wish I could know if they were a good person or not! Wouldn't that make life easy? "Hey, you can trust this person. They are honest and kind, can take a joke, and won't leech. Go for it!" of "Psycho alert! Back away slowly..." Can science work on that?

2. Would you rather know everything about your spouse, or be regularly surprised?

I love surprises... good ones. I wouldn't like the "Surprise, I'm actually a woman!" sort of deal, little things though are great.

3. If you could live in one city for the rest of your life, where would you live?

Alexandria, right near Old Town, near where we are now.

4. When you go out of town, what one material thing do you ALWAYS take?

Now it would be my Kindle I am sure!

5. Using no more than 10 nouns, and ONLY nouns, describe yourself.

Oh geeze...

Actress, wife, milspouse, daughter, friend, blonde, blogger, quirky, baker, reader

And of course the weekly round up, hosted by Singing Through the Rain!

Friday!

I haven't gotten to do my normal Friday MilSpouse stuff in weeks! I'm back!



Join up over at Wife of a Sailor!

1. What are you looking forward to most in 2011?

My surgery, getting a dog, and our first anniversary. Not in any particular order!

2. What is something random you do on a boring night when your significant other is away?

Play Wii, watch bad tv that Ryan would rather die than watch, and take a ridiculously long shower/bath! I also have to fall asleep with my portable dvd player on (usually with My Big Fat Greek Wedding) so I can sleep.

3. What has been your greatest adventure as a MilSpouse?

As a spouse I really haven't had to have one yet. I guess surviving parade season!

4. What is the ugliest fashion trend you ever bought into (I’d like to make fun of you, so can you please provide a picture as well)?

I was born in the late 80s... there is a lot! I wore stripes with polka dots, leggings, atrociously bright colors, and animal print. This is the only pic I could access at work though...



Check out the pepto bismol pink sweatpants, dirty high tops, and faux fur jacket... with the Little Mermaid zipper pull.

Seriously.

5. What was the high point of last month?

Our first Christmas together!


And don't forget to join the Milspouse Weekly Round Up! One of my favorite blogging buddies is hosting this week, Nicole from Flip Flops and Combat Boots! So head over there and give her some love. And read some other entries in the round up! That's why it's there, to find new blog friends and play catch up on the best blogging entries this week!



My mother in law arrives tomorrow with her sister and we have a long weekend!

Enjoy yours ladies!

Friday Fun

Over at Wife of a Sailor

1. What is the best gift you have ever received or given?

My engagement ring (:

2. Do you celebrate holidays differently when your loved one is deployed/gone or do you keep tradition?

I haven't had a married deployment yet so I am not sure what I will do.

3. If you celebrate Christmas, do you put an angel, star or something else on the top of your tree?

My parents always had an angel, Ryan and I have a star. My mother in law has a bow...

4. What are your three favorite websites?

Blogger, damnyouautocorrect.com, givesmehope.com

5. On your man do you prefer… boxers, briefs or boxer briefs? Or commando?

He usually wears boxer briefs, so those or boxers.


Head over to Empty Nest, PCS, and the Rest to join this week's round up!

Friday Fun

I did a Guest Blog for Simply Sunshine and Daisies today, wedding themed! So please check it out, let me know what you think.

Now for the Friday Fun!


Hosted by Wife of a Sailor

1. What do you see your life like in 10 years?

I am hoping by then I will be a mom, with one or two kids. We will have a dog and a house and be living somewhere we really like. Ryan will be home and not deployed and he will be preparing for his last re-enlistment round.

2. What do you like most about your job?

The people. Whether it is clients in the office or on the phone, most are wonderful. Some are pains in the butt, but they are the minority. Some of our clients get very interesting callers (I've spoked to Dominique Dawes, Glenn Beck, Jeff Gordon, and Anderson Cooper's Personal Secretary!). And it is close to home!

3. What are three things you do every day, no matter what day it is?

Oh geeze... besides the basics? Well, usually check my email, put on chapstick, and kiss my husband (whenever possible at least once a day!)

4. What would you do with an extra five hours in the day today?

SLEEP. Ooooh so sleep.

5. What is your favorite Christmas (or whichever holiday you celebrate) cookie recipe (please share!)?

See here and here!

Thank you!


Hosted this week by Ines from The Few, The Proud, The Wife!


I feel like such a grown up, but our office Christmas Party is tonight. Since we have about ten centers in the DC area we are all meeting at a restaurant our owner co-owns so it will be nice to put names with the voices I hear all the time on the phone. Ryan is coming too. Wish me luck!

Day 11 and Friday Fun

Hosted here!

Day 11: New Year Resolutions
1. Quit smoking
2. Cook at least three times a week
3. Start Finish my wedding scrapbook
4. Work out. Especially if my surgery is approved I want to look healthy and lean!
5. Be nicer, more patient. Stop letting the little things get to me.

That seems like a good start!

Now I missed the last TWO weeks of my favorite Friday things because of work and being away! So without further ado...


Join at Wife of a Sailor!

1. If you were given $1,000 right now, how would you spend it?

There is a local country radio station giving away $1,000 an hour every week day for ages now, and Ryan and I discussed this. He thinks he'd want to pay off what is left of his car loan and just be done with it. Truth be told I'd use some for Christmas gifts and some for savings.

2. If you had to choose a movie title (a real one that already exists) for your life story, what would it be?

Oooh that's a hard one! Um... of course Disney movies pop in my head. Not that I've seen Tangled but the name is appropriate (in a good way). That or Serendipity. Just because I think everything happens for a reason.

3. If you were a teacher, what subject would you like to teach?

Drama. Or middle school science because I could show Mythbusters episodes! :P

4. Has being a MilSpouse changed how you view holidays or how your holidays are celebrated? If so, how? If not, what hasn't changed?

Well, this is my first holiday as a milspouse, so I am not sure how to go about answering it. Splitting between two families, mine and my husbands, gave me some new perspective but that is a general newlywed thing, not milspouse. I suppose it definitely makes me more appreciative to all those serving overseas who are away from their families. Those families who are missing loved ones too. It definitely hits a lot closer to home this year.

5. What is your favorite Christmas memory?

Hmm... my engagement was around Christmas... I'll post what I had in our company news letter this month. They wanted holiday stories so here is an abbreviated version of that!

Last Christmas was easily one of the best of my life. My husband Ryan, then still only my boyfriend, had just returned from Iraq the month before and I was finishing an internship at Walt Disney World. My family and Ryan all agreed to come visit me in early December before the holiday rush hit to celebrate early. Ryan arrived and met me in Orlando and came to EPCOT with me while I worked my final shift before our vacation. That night we ate dinner in Italy and I was ready to leave after working a long day, plus Ryan seemed a little jittery. Part of my job responsibilities also covered Fireworks Crowd Control for Illuminations, a show that I loved, but I had seen it quite a bit. I knew with my family we’d be seeing it within a day or so, but Ryan was very insistent on staying for the fireworks that night. He had never been to Disney before so I agreed to stay. A friend of mine, who worked in Guest Relations was monitoring the VIP viewing area near Italy so I went to say hi. I introduced her to Ryan and she let us under the rope! It was so sweet, especially since I still had no idea what was to come. Illuminations is in three parts and towards the end of the first part Ryan starts trying to talk to me.


So I swatted him and told him to pay attention, he was missing the show after bugging me to stay! He tried to say something in my ear but I couldn't hear him over the fireworks and just shot him a confused look and shook my head. Suddenly he loudly said, "Hey!" and I went, “What??” He then reached into his pocket, got down on one knee and I saw him say "Will you marry me?" while fireworks exploded overhead. After I came out of shock I nodded yes as the people around us burst into applause. We enjoyed a great five days together after that with my family, happily sporting our “Just Engaged” buttons and enjoying a Disney Christmas.


Him being home safe from Iraq and there with me was a terrific Christmas present… but becoming engaged definitely takes the cake on all my holidays! I am excited for us to spend our first Christmas officially together this year as husband and wife.



Hosted this week by Maine-ly Taryn

MilSpouse Weekly Round Up #10

<br /><center><a href="http://mymarineandme.blogspot.com"><br /><br /><img src="http://j.imagehost.org/0393/abutton.jpg" /><br /><br /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
I am so excited that I got asked to host the round up this week! Especially since this is the week of the USMC Birthday and Veteran's Day, two very improtant days for many bloggers, it is even extra special! I have been doing this for quite a few weeks now and I think it is such a terrific idea. We all lead busy lives, and this is such a wonderful opportunity to post our favorite blogs from this week to share with others!

It's simple, pick your favorite entry this week that you want to share, and add it to the linky below. After you link up feel free to read the other entries shared by amazing women just like you! You may get yourselves a few new followers in the process! Link up and enjoy.

Next week head on over to Abby @ Trading Diamonds for Dogtags as she hosts the 11th MilSpouse Weekly Round Up!

Friday Fun

Follow along at Wife of a Sailor!

1. A different twist on last week’s question. This week, the first question is: what’s the nicest thing a MILSPOUSE has ever done for you?

These women are amazing... whether it is advice and feedback or a kick butt care package (looking at you Michelle, BethAnn, Nicole, and Bonnie!) you have all been just terrific.

2. How often do you drive faster than the speed limit?

Haha, I am not a crazy driver but coming home at 8:30 on an EMPTY 495 last night I may have taken advantage of the fact and been doing 75. Normally I am pretty good with driving regulations though, never been pulled over! *knock on wood*

3. Did you have a nickname in school? If so, what was it?
Allie-O was the most common, still gets used by a select few! I also got Als, Al, Blondie, and Allie Sue.

4. If your life was a book, what would the title be and how would it end?

Title: Figuring it Out. Is it corny to hope it ends happily ever after? That or Ryan and I zooming off through space into the unknown with stars racing past and... ok maybe not.

5. Look back (in your planner if you have one) to September 14th… what did you do that day?

I didn't have a day planner then and I cannot tell for sure from my blog either! I think that was the day we lost power at work and I walked home! Haha.




Don't forget to join the MilSpouse Weekly Round Up, hosted this week by the ever so lovely Kaylee (she just rocks my socks off!) at Devil Dog Darling! Even cooler? I get to host next week! SO excited!! (: See you all here in seven days!

BUSY

Real entries commence again Monday.

Sorry guys!

Thanks for hosting Army Dogs!

Fridayyyy

This Friday's round up is hosted by Me and My SoldierMan so head on over to her blog to check it out!!




Don't forget to head over to Wife of a Sailor for the Milspouse Friday Fill In!

1. Are you a night owl or an early bird?
So completely a night owl. I can stay up late and sleep in like nobody's business. I would rather work from 10-7 than 8-5! When I do see mornings though I love the feel of them. The air seems so fresh and clean and the sun so bright.... but only when I see them by choice. Getting up for work does not count!

2. What makes you jealous?
Not much... but I am jealous of some of my acting/theatre friends. I have not acted in a show since June 2009 (Disney does not count as "acting" for me, I was a "Presenter" at Innoventions in EPCOT. I am jealous of some of my wonderful friends who are working in theatres in NYC and auditioning or doing student films and shows and being extras... with being a Newlywed and a new job I just don't have time to audition anymore, and that makes me really sad. I am also jealous of my friends still in Disney, I loved my job and miss it very much!

3. Have you started Christmas/holiday shopping yet? When will you finish? (There’s only 63 days left!)
Hahaha no. We have an idea of what we want to get people but nothing is actually done. It probably will get done the week before as per usual.

4. What would you have a personal chef make you tonight?
Something really yummy and elaborate I don't have time to make. A Souffle is a definite for dessert with chocolate (or chocolate mousse!). I loved this wildberry duck I had at The Source, Wolfgang Puck's restaurant in DC, and it was amazing. So that with veggies and mashed potatoes maybe!

5. Where was your first kiss?
Oh god, it was actually in my church! Youth Group lock in/sleepover. We were in the narthex, the big open front chamber before you go into the actual church, and sitting on one of the couches and he leaned in for it. I was 14, he had just asked to become my "boyfriend" that night, and drank a whole container of milk before said kiss. I hate milk. It grosses me out.

Needless to say that relationship did not last long...



I have my first night of "Hell Week" aka tech week, for the opera tonight. From tonight until Halloween the Magic Flute will be taking over my life. Rehearsal til 11 tonight, 10-10 tomorrow, 1-11 Sunday, and 6:30-11 every night next week. Shows Thursday-Sunday. My role? Production Stage Manager. At least I can still tech even if acting is not in the cards at the moment.

Oh boy!