Sibs Wknd 2009 ~ Part 1

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't written in about two weeks. I've been a teensy bit busy preparing for my crazy, long weekend in Ohio. There are far too many things to blog about so I'll start at the beginning and probably finish it up in a second blog post. I was terribly excited to go to Ohio, I haven't been there in over a year now. I was so excited that I couldn't fall asleep the night before and I was up at 7am for no reason the day of my flight. (Thursday.) I did manage to talk myself into going back to sleep for a bit, but was up again at 7:45am to get ready and shove all those last minute things into my suitcase. I had to take the big suitcase because I was planning for cold weather in Ohio. I took two big, bulky sweaters and only wore one of them for a few hours in the evening. I took four pairs of shoes and wore the same pair of tennis shoes the whole trip. (I was expecting to hang out in one of the bars a bit and figured Katie would make me dress up, but we didn't and I'll tell you why in a bit.) So after I managed to pack my suitcase it was time to head to the airport. It took a whole 10 minutes to check in at the airport and get through security. That left me with an hour and a half to begin reading my book that I had purchased specifically for the trip, Making the Corps (10th Anniversary Edition) by Thomas E. Ricks. .oO(I am thoroughly enjoying this book, mostly because it makes me think about things I already know in completely new ways and gave me a new perspective on a few things. I'm totally obsessed with the USMC. I should probably seek medical attention, but any USMC fan knows this obsession is just part of the Corps and part of its legend. I may blog more about this at some other point...) Finally it was time to board the plan that would take me to Memphis!

Arrival in Memphis airport: I have approximately an hour and a half until my final flight to Columbus, Ohio. I decide to get a sandwich for lunch. As I am walking I notice a vending machine that is holding Ipods and other Apple products associates with Ipods. I thought "hmmm, I can get an Ipod the same way I pick out a Snickers bar." .oO(I also felt a little uncultured for being amazed at this vending machine.) I continue on to my gate and eat my sandwich while reading more of my USMC book. I overhear several interesting tidbits of conversation which distract me from my book-things like one mom traveling with a child berating some woman for being "snarky" about the fact that the mom was taking up a few chairs with all her stuff and the snarky woman should be nicer to her b/c travel with a child is difficult (they both boarded the same plan...bet that was a fun flight) and that Etta James made some colorful comments about "the President, you know the one with the big ears" and "the Great Beyonce singing "her" (meaning Etta's) song for the President." Wow. Travel can be fun I guess. Finally it was time to board my plane to Columbus. At this point I had been sitting for approx 4 hours or so total.

Arrival in C-bus: I am overjoyed to be able to stand. My butt hurts from sitting all day. Who knew? I proceed to baggage claim and on my way there I see signs saying "Welcome Home Sgt. XYZ" and "Welcome Home Dad" and a family (I know it was a family b/c they all looked alike) gathered patiently awaiting the arrival of their soldier. (I forget how I determined he was in the Army, but I did.) I passed and nearly started crying. Why? Because I get emotional over things like a welcome home. I know that family had spent probably months waiting for their loved one to get home and were anxiously awaiting his return...which finally occurred that day. I don't cry though my eyes are a bit misty. I go to baggage claim and find my gigantic green suitcase that is so heavy I can barely lift it. I call Katie to see where she is along the way. She and Jess (her roommate and best friend for 4 yrs now) are approaching the airport so they picked me up at the curb. We head to Easton Town Center to shop for an outfit for Jess' interview with Teach for America, see if the Loft there has anything that my store doesn't, and to eat some dinner. We are able to accomplish all of those things and we head to Athens. (The Loft did have a shirt that we didn't get and a pair of jeans in my size-my store was out of my size and I almost had a fit. The Ohio store also had a lot of clearance merchandise that we have sold out of already.) At this point I am exhausted.

Arrival in Athens: We drag my stuff up to Katie's apartment, which is located directly above Casa Nuevo, called "Casa" for short. Casa is a "hippie" type bar/restaurant/bodega (the sign above it says so). It isn't a bad location. At least not until 10-11pm ish when the music and the booming starts. Thursday all you can hear is a slight hint of loud music. Katie shows me her apartment. The kitchen, living room, and bathroom are all a normal 65-70 degree temperature. As soon as Katie opens the door to either her room or Jess' room there is a slight breeze in the room. Their rooms are an arctic temp despite the plastic covering the windows and the space heater to help heat the room. Katie sleeps under three blankets and wraps one around her head in an attempt to stay warm and healthy. I meet Jess' hamsters, Winston and Theodore. I fall in love with the furry Winston and decide I must get a hamster. (Not until we are out of the in-laws house though...the zoo is nearly out of control here.) My husband has promised to let me get one as long as I take care of it. .oO(Considering I take care of the other two animals we have I'm thinking this isn't a problem.) After a lot of talking and laughing I tuck Katie into bed in her igloo bedroom and go to sleep in the living room on the futon. I drift off to sleep listening to the quiet thumping of music and the smell of some neighbor's pot drifting under the crack at the bottom of the door to Katie's apartment. Whew!


Winston-He's so cute!

Middle of the Night: I am uncertain as to what the time is b/c the living room is windowless. I hear a boy yelling obscenities. I debate going to yell at him myself, but determine I don't want to deal with him and I don't want to leave my warm covers. I grumble and drift back to sleep.

Middle of the Night a Bit Later: Not sure how much later, but I awaken to the same boy yelling obscenities. If I had a baseball bat I would take it out in the hallway to yell at him. I ponder this for a few minutes. He finally yells some more and then a door slams. All is quiet on the second floor. (I had forgotten there was a giant wooden fork hanging on Katie's wall that would have served as a nice weapon to invoke come intimidation.)

Friday Morning: I awaken to a phone call from my husband asking me about the amount of money he needed to transfer from one account to another to cover our bills for the month. I inquired as to whether or not he read the paper I gave him with all the info written down. He has seen it, but wanted to confirm what the final amount should be. I determine that if I were to be gone for a long period of time (say 6 months like a deployment) he would require a babysitter. .oO(This is further confirmed upon my arrival home, but you'll have to wait for the rest of the story tomorrow...)

Shortly after my phone call from the husband Katie arrives home with breakfast for us. She has purchased fat free strawberry cream cheese, weight watchers approved bagels, and strawberry banana orange juice. This is a big departure from her normal diet. I'm impressed. My bagel was yummy.

Friday Afternoon: Katie goes to class to take a midterm. I decide to get out of my pj's and take a shower. I love Katie's shower. It has great water pressure and a lot of hot water. Water that gets so hot I have to turn the temp down a bit so I don't scald myself.

When Katie arrives home from class we go shopping. Katie and I pick out some lovely gifts and she finds a Vera Bradley backpack on sale that she simply must have. I found a wallet. We then proceed to the liquor store to see if they really do carry Duplin County Wine like the Winery's website proclaims. The minute we step inside the door I am asked for my id. I was slightly surprised, but quickly remember I am near the college campus. Of course they are ID'ing everyone. They scan my id into a fancy machine to determine it is legit. It doesn't read my id. I am just about ready to produce my military dependent id when the guy checks the birth date and realizes it would be stupid to fake being 27 on a college campus. (This won't be the last time my id gets a double take.) We get beer for the evening. The store does not carry the Duplin Wine. I am sad. We head back to Katie's apartment to wait for the evening to begin. Katie has invited "the boys" over to her house so that I can meet them. (The boys are a few guys Katie and Jess know that are their great friends. They frequently have dinner together and hang out.)

Friday Night: The boys haven't arrived at the scheduled time. Text messages are sent and received. They will be on their way shortly. We wait. Finally we decide to leave Joe, Jess' boyfriend, in the apartment in case the boys arrive and we head across the street to Tony's, a local bar. Katie would like me to try a shot called a Hot Nut. The guy at the door examines my id very well and finally determines I really am me and I am more than of age. I instantly feel younger as we enter the bar. Most everyone in there was probably in their mid 30's at least. (Which really isn't old, but when you find a bar full of people that age on a college campus it is surprising.) Katie, Jess, and I drink our shots and head back out the door and to Katie's apartment. Still no boys. We wait. Finally they begin arriving. We talk a bit. A few games of beer pong are played. A few more games of survivor flip cup are played. (I stink at flip cup and only made my teammates put up with me for one round.) At some point we determine we are hungry. We go downstairs and across the street to O'Betty's. O'Betty's has amazing hot dogs and french fries. Their fries are like fair fries, but wider. It was the best food ever. I am slightly tipsy at this point. Katie walks me up to her apartment and sits me on the futon. She instructs me to lock the door and not to leave the apartment. (She acts like I am 7, not 27.) I calmly tell her that I am more than familiar with campus and uptown since I went to the same college. I also tell her I won't go anywhere. I don't. I wash my face, put on my pj's, and go to sleep. I once again listen to the thumping music from below.


Me, Mark, & Katie (Mark is one of "the boys")


Survivor Flip Cup - Arguing about OU Football and Who is Going to Start the Flip Cup Round


To be continued...

It Feels Like Home

I've blogged numerous times about how "home" is a feeling to me and not a specific place. Home becomes relative once you move around a lot. The past few days Alabama has felt a bit more like home. Why? Because there is another Marine in the neighborhood! (And he has a fiance....who...wait for it...is also from Ohio!!) A Marine moved back across the street on his terminal leave (yup, sounds terrible and according to the USMC terminal leave is terrible, it means you are leaving them!). He was a childhood friend of Dave's, they're almost like brothers. It has been great to have a fellow Marine (and his fiance) in the area. We have hung out two out of the past three nights. Dave and his buddy have been running through the woods "hunting" squirrels. The first day they found some and the second day it appears that the squirrels are on to them...not so much hunting fun this time around. Oh yay! Someone for Dave to go play in the dirt with and he'll leave me be lazy on the couch in peace. It's delightful. What have I learned from this? We will have to live near Marines forever now, lol.

In other news, the in-laws decided to go on a cruise to Mexico at the very last minute. There was a cancellation and they decided to go. I hope they have a wonderful time! They deserve a break. It doesn't hurt that Dave and I are home alone all week now. We will be busy working and he will be going to school too, but it sure is nice. I'm off to continue being lazy :)

Realizations and Prayer Request

I haven't really been blogging much and the truth is besides being kidnapped by the Twilight Saga I've had a lot on my mind and not nearly enough time to sift through it all to determine exactly how I feel and what I should write. As you know from earlier blogs Dave's old unit 3rd Battalion 8th Marines is currently deployed to Afghanistan. Since January 1, 2009 they have experienced the death of 3 Marines. I didn't personally know any of these Marines, but I can empathize with their families and the Marines left to carry on without them in a land far from home. Losing someone you love when you are at least within your comfort zone is one thing, but losing someone in a war zone can be completely different. Please pray for the 3/8 Marines. Pray for their physical safety and pray for their emotional well being. Pray for the families left behind-both those who have recently lost someone and those who haven't...but are left wondering if their Marine might be next and there isn't a thing they can do about it but pray. Pray for the Marines who have taken or will be taking those deceased Marines to their final resting place, from the war zone all the way to their graves, because it weighs on them too...

I've been asking a lot of questions in the last 6 months...Why are we here in Al? Why haven't jobs turned out quite the way we wanted? Should we have chosen a different path? Why didn't Dave just re-enlist while he was deployed last time? Why? Why? What if? It has taken some time...and I'm still feeling like I should be more put together at 27, but I realize why Dave isn't in the USMC at this particular moment. I realize the first deployment was a breeze compared to what the families are experiencing with this one. I realize the Marines biggest problem during their MEU deployment was a battle with boredom. This deployment they really are battling for their lives and struggling to ensure that the Marines to their right and left stay alive too. I'm feeling blessed that for now my Marine is home, but I'm also praying for those who aren't home....and those who have come home for the last time.

Latest Addictions

I had a whole four days off recently and I accomplished nothing really. I had Friday-Monday off from work, but I spent most of my time reading the books from the Twilight saga. I had resisted reading these books for quite some time thinking surely they must be silly...who wants too read a book about vampires? Not me, surely. Well, after a delightful night with "the girls" and playing a hilarious rendition of Apples to Apples (remind me to tell you about that later...) I decided I was going to have to break down and read the books. I bought Twilight and watched as my husband scoffed at me for my weakness. I read it in about 2 days...the only things that deterred me were sleeping and working. I bought the second book, New Moon and read it within a day or so. Saturday I simply had to get to a store and buy Eclipse because I was enthralled with the story and couldn't wait to continue the Bella/Edward/Jacob adventure. .oO(Is it silly that I secretly wanted Jacob to "win" Bella?) I decided to buy Breaking Dawn before I finished reading the third book so that I wouldn't have to wait to get to the store to finish the story. Today at approximately 10 am I finally finished the saga. I'm glad to be free from the pull of the story. I can finally return to the world and stop ignoring my husband. He was rather irritated with me ignoring him while he talked last night...I couldn't help it, my mind was absorbed in the story and the desire to finish it! It's done now, I found "the end" and even though it didn't end like I might have chosen I can't say I'm disappointed with the story. Maybe I'm just not ready to think about vampires, lol. I'm not going to say any more about the story in particular b/c I don't want to ruin it for anyone who isn't finished reading the saga just yet.

Another addiction is the game Apples to Apples. I had heard of this game before, but never played it. Oh my is it fun with the right mix of people. I bought it the very next day after playing it for the first time. I can see lots of fun in future gatherings as I continue to play this crazy game. I'm even planning on playing it for Sibs Wknd, if I can talk Katie into it...which the fun filled weekend is only 21 days away! Woohoooo. I went to storage yesterday and dug out my suitcase so that is one less thing to worry about. I don't like opening the storage unit when it is rainy out b/c I don't want to get any excess moisture in there and as much as it has been raining here lately I didn't want to take a chance of not getting my suitcase out.

Hmmmm....I know there was something else I was going to blog about, but I can't really remember and other addictions at the moment. Have a lovely day!

Delightful Rain

It has been raining here since yesterday afternoon. It has been somewhat torrential at times. I am loving it. Mostly because I haven't had to drive in it too much or be out and about a lot. I also have been enjoying an excellent night's sleep and a lovely 3 hour nap thanks to the hard rain on the tin roof. For some reason I have grown accustomed to noise while I sleep. Maybe it was living on Maple Ave listening to ambulances roll down the road, maybe it was living in DC where no one sleeps til 4am, or maybe it was living in NC with the noise of the base artillery and New River's aircraft all the time...but it has left me a very restless sleeper out here in "the country." I now sleep best when it rains. The in-laws house has a tin roof and the rain makes a lot of noise, almost like a lullaby. It was wonderful to be able to answer my husband's morning question of "did the Wizzel sleep good?" with a resounding "yes." I also took a nap this afternoon when it started raining again.

In other news beware the Wizzel sugar addict stole her husband's box of Dots. I saw them after my nap and needed a sugar boost. I stole them and ate several. Yummy!

Dave's current GPA from college is a 3.0 which isn't too shabby considering her had to take a math class. He signed up for more classes this semester-sociology, speech, another history, and a computers class. Hopefully he has fun.

In Honor of My 27th Birthday!

In honor of my 27th birthday I shall try to come up with 27 things you may or may not already know about me. .oO(I don't know if this will be a tradition though b/c it could get very hard to do by say...age 60.) Dave and I celebrated my birthday early by going to Cheesecake Factory with two friends, David & Megan. It was YUMMY! Oh the pounds I would gain if I could afford to eat there more often.

Here's to my list...

#1 I'm slightly CDO (OCD alphabetized). I had to clean my college dorm room on Friday nights before I could relax for the weekend. I would have to clean our house before I could relax on the weekends...it is kind of sad sometimes.

#2 I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

#3 I haven't read the Twilight series yet, although this soon may be corrected thanks to the influences of Chrissy, Kim, Ginger & Amber.

#4 I love cotton candy. It is way better than chocolate some days.

#5 I love candy. I crave candy if I haven't had sugar recently (and keep a stash of some sort...kinda like a druggie).

#6 I sort of miss the Marine Corps days. Who knew?

#7 I would sleep all day if I could.

#8 I own several coloring books and boxes of crayons-and still use them.

#9 I am very particular about my crayons...once the points wear off it is time for a new box.

#10 I am somewhat of an expert about school supplies. I like regular pencils though, not the mechanical kind...thanks Mom.

#11 I don't like peaches-at all really. I will sometimes eat peach cobbler though.

#12 I secretly would like to be a librarian. (At the Library of Congress is the dream job.)

#13 My husband's lack of organization drives me insane...I just can't understand why he doesn't remember where everything is and can find it on his own.

#14 I'm a sucker for dress blues (Marine Corps uniform...), the white pants are the best version though. Honestly.

#15 Flip flops are my favorite kind of shoe. One great thing about AL is that flip flop wearing season is very looooonnngggg...and some days during December I was still able to wear them since it was like 70 degrees here.

#16 I can only wear certain kinds of earrings b/c my ears are very sensitive and will get infected easily. (Hence the reason I wear the gold hoops nearly all the time.)

#17 I'm not really a big jewelry person, but my husband can pick out great jewelry that I love. (Not easily done...just ask my mom.)

#18 I can't stand to wear a turtleneck. It makes me feel clausterphobic. (Looser fitting cowl necks are ok though)

#19 I don't like to wear shorts...they don't really look that flattering on me.

#20 My favorite place to be is the beach. Even in the dead of winter when it is freezing cold I still like to go.

#21 I can be overly critical. Dave has helped mellow that criticism to an extent.

#22 I have high expectations and get very frustrated when I (or someone else) is unable to meet them...refer to #2 & 21...

#23 I get cold easily...which is why the south is so great...I'm not as cold here.

#24 I would like to go to Ireland someday...Dave forgets that we had talked about going for our 5 yr anniversary (which means we have 2 yrs to plan and save $).

#25 I actually get more accomplished when I have a very busy schedule. (I guess it forces me to do things right away...)

#26 I would be totally lost without my Mom, Katie, and Maggie.

#27 I would also be lost without my husband. He keeps me sane most days.

Rambling Thoughts

The end of a calendar year is always a time of scheduled reflection. We look back at the joys and sorrows of the year, the triumphs and the defeats, the ups and the downs. The year 2008 has brought me so much joy and so much frustration all at the same time. I'm also left to reflect upon previous years and all their joys and sorrows, mistakes and lessons learned, friends made and friends lost. There is a lot I could have, should have, would have done differently...but didn't. I'm glad I didn't though because it has made me who I am today. I view life through the contact lenses belonging to a 26 year old me (soon to be 27-eeks). I've learned that even when I didn't realize or acknowledge it God was there guiding me and those around me to become the me I am today. The me I am today has a lot of empathy and compassion for others. .oO(I've had it for longer than today, but you get the idea.) I heard this song probably about a month ago by Carrie Underwood entitled "This is Just a Dream". Every time I hear it my heart clenches, I get goosebumps, and I nearly cry. Why? Because of all that empathy and the fact that this is every military wife's worst dream...attending the funeral of the man she loves and being handed that folded flag. I have attended two military funerals in my lifetime that I remember) for men who were near and dear to me. One funeral was for a man I thought I would marry some day, although we had broken up when he passed away unexpectedly. I watched and cried as the folded flag was passed to his mother. When it was time for those final gun shots to ring out I felt like my heart surely must be shot and sobbed a little harder as each one fired. .oO(To this day my heart hurts when I hear the 21 gun salute-whether it is a ceremony or funeral. I find it odd that Dave's first job in the USMC was to perform that salute.) The second funeral was for the first man's father. Again, I cried as the flag was passed over and cringed as the guns were fired. My heart hurts any time I hear about anyone losing a loved one. I remember what it was like to lose someone who was so close...and yet even they weren't as close as others in my life right now. Anyhow, I finally watched the video to this song b/c every time I heard it driving down the road (nearly crying, but unwilling to turn the station) I wondered what the video must be like. If you clicked the song title link then you already know. I was a teensy bit disappointed that they decided to make it a 50's style video when this is a story I know many American women have faced in recent years as well. I had imagined all sorts of other things, but I won't say I'm unhappy with it either. Every time I hear this song I am reminded to pray for those currently deployed and their loved ones silently serving at home. I'm also reminded to pray for those who have lost loved ones and are grieving for all the things that will never be.

Another situation that has been on my mind the past two days has to do with losses as well. Sunday we learned a friend of Dave's from Junior High, Mallory, had passed away in a car accident. She was just 22 yrs old and the proud mother to two very young children. One child crawled from the car with only minor cuts and the other was still in ICU the last I heard with much more serious injuries. I'm sad for the family left behind and the children who will now grow up with only stories of their mother instead of her. I know God has a plan for this family and these children. Still, it makes my heart hurt. Added to the situation is another friend of Dave's who lost a sister in a car accident several years ago. Mallory was a mutual friend of Dave and this other friend. The car accident has reopened all those old wounds and the grief over the loss of her sister. It makes my heart hurt for her, but it also makes me pray for her and pray for Mallory's family too that God's plan will be realized through this loss and the opening of those wounds. If only hugs really fixed everything I would go around hugging everyone.

So, back to my reflections on 2008...

I've learned that even though I constantly want and wish for something else what I really have at the moment isn't bad. It is funny how time and experience changes things. When we lived in DC I liked our apartment alright, but thought we could surely have more room. We moved to NC and had a two story townhouse. Seemed like more room at first...but I was soon missing my DC apartment. I still do in fact. Just the other night Dave said "I wish we could have our DC apartment back" and I chimed in "yeah, me too." .oO(And yet I know I wouldn't feel quite the same about it if we moved back there.) Now that I'm limited to a guest room in AL my two story townhouse with only two very small closets sounds wonderful. Yet, I'm certain that in the future I'll look back on this time and wish I could go back.

I've learned that even though I move to new places and meet new people, some people will always be my friends. I may not talk to them as often as I'd like or see them nearly enough, but no matter they will always be there for me. And I've learned that sometimes friends are just as close to you as family.

I've learned that sometimes you can learn something from someone else easier than from your mom. (I love you mom.) My Mom tried to teach me how to sew (although I was always afraid to use her sewing machine and she was afraid for me to use it too) and I managed to create Dave's Christmas stocking, but the lesson didn't really stick. Maja has been teaching me how to smock and how to sew a bit. For some reason the lessons are sticking a little better than before. Maja even let me use her fancy sewing machine that is waaay smarter than me. I'll have to post a picture of my recent creation made at an all day sewing lesson with Maja, Melody, Michelle, and Melody's mother (whose name I have forgotten). The lessons have renewed my interest in sewing and I received some lovely sewing staples for Christmas...like straight pins, a pin cushion, a seam ripper (a perfect gift since I am a perfectionist), and some fabric scissors. I think I might like to purchase a sewing machine...and then I think it might be a big dust collector too.

I've learned that depending on a husband for certain things doesn't mean you can't do it yourself, just that it is nice to have someone to share your life with. Dave's deployment reminded me that I had not lost my independence by marrying him (which in some ways I did, but not in the ways that mattered), but I had gained someone to share the joys and sorrows of my life. I also realized just how much I had depended on him for certain things and how much I truly missed having him around when he was gone. I could indeed survive while he was gone, but I was overjoyed when he came home.

I've learned that a packing log is an invaluable tool to finding things once you have moved. I've also learned that sometimes you might want to make that packing log a little more detailed than you originally thought. Especially if your stuff will be sitting in storage for any length of time. "Shoes" and "more shoes" are great log details if you might only be storing it for a month or so..but 6 months later it is hard to remember which box you put the nice sling back black heels into (once you remember you own them to begin with) and you have to open both boxes only to find they must be in some other box...perhaps the one labeled "bags and a few shoes." When we finally move into our own place it is going to be like Christmas all over again discovering what exactly might be in each box.

I've learned you can have a plan...but God may have a different one. So I'm praying and trying and waiting and wondering what God's plan will be for 2009. I'm also rejoicing that Dave is here with me to share in the waiting.

Things I am Excited About

#1 Katie retook her LSAT in Dec b/c her first score "simply wouldn't do" according to her. She found out today she increased her score and is in a much better standing for admission to the schools she is looking at. (Prayer must now commence that she will get into one of those schools and if Jesus is feeling generous then some financial aid would be fantabulous!)

#2 I turn 27 on Saturday. I guess I am excited. It kinda makes me feel old...especially when I have to really think about how old I am.

#3 For my birthday present from my darling husband (who was deployed last year for my b-day) I have requested dinner for 2 at Cheesecake Factory. Yummy!

#4 Going home to Ohio to help Katie celebrate Siblings Weekend at OU for her senior year. (February time frame)

#5 Going home to see Mom, Katie & Maggie! (Yay! Katie-Hug me I'm cold. Mom-Just hug me! Maggie-I'm going to need a hug from you too.) No furbabies will be coming with me as I am flying. (Pray for weather that I can still fly in...)

#6 Athens, OH! Food=Bagel Street Deli, Goodfella's Pizza, and Pita Pit just to name a few.

#7 My job @ ATL. (Even after silly clients and the holiday rush I still love the job.)

#8 The day I won't have boxes in storage and my "living room" will no longer be a guest room in someone else's house. (Still no idea when this will happen, but I can be excited about the possibility can't I?)

#9 Airport Rendezvous Wknd Anniversary! (He was home for this last year too! We have a month and a half to wait for this.)

#10 My replacement cell phone! (It hasn't arrived yet. I need to call my Nana...she called me and left a message while I was at work and I haven't been able to call her back yet. I miss my Nana...)

I'll Think of Something...

I feel you should be forewarned that this post will be a whole lot of rambles...I have several things I have been meaning to blog about, but haven't had time to write and some are really unrelated to each other.

Christmas Eve Service~a.k.a Congregation of Coughers
We attended service as a family. I was terribly excited-it is sadly the first time Dave and I have attended a Christmas Eve service as a married couple. It was a great service, but I kept getting distracted by the congregation of coughers. One person would finish coughing and another would start...I think the whole state of Alabama just might have what I'm going to call "the sickness." You don't really feel great, but you don't feel totally miserable-until you start coughing that is. Cough, cough, cough...we've all been doing it for a week now at least. It is b/c the weather is so crazy and can't make up its mind to be cold or 75 degrees...honestly.

ATL Clients~Who shall remain nameless.
Client A-She had a return to make. No big deal...she had a receipt. Unfortunately, it was put on her daughter's debit card. "Ma'am, we can give you a merchandise credit only since you do not have the card with you." Fine. We process the return. All of a sudden she isn't happy. Apparently, since the economy is bad "the government told her not to take a credit at any store." {I grumble silently in my head.} Ok, well if you can get us the debit card number we can try to process the return to her card, but that is all we can do. Lady calls daughter. Daughter grumbles to mother (or so I assume since mother says "it's just the way I want to do things") about why she needs number. {I'm laughing inside my head, her daughter thinks she's silly too.} We process the return and I am left to wonder when/how "the government" told her merchandise credits were bad.

Also, in case you were wondering-NO we aren't going out of business. In Jan 2008 Ann Taylor Co. released a list of stores that would be closing (ones that aren't making any money) and the Loft store at the Pinnacle is not one of them, neither is the one at Brookwood. The regular Ann Taylor stores located at the Galleria and the Summit are not closing either. .oO(This happened way before the economy went wacky.)

Client B-Walks in wearing pigtails about two inches long that have white bows tied around them. She is definitely too old to be wearing pigtails tied in bows. It makes it very hard to look at her without laughing. In fact, I can't even really look at her at all. {Seriously thought she was a 12 yr old b/c all I saw at first were the bows peering around the rack...} After she leaves the 3 of us working were trying to figure out why she wore the pigtails...we determined she must have lost a bet. {Think of your grandma in pigtails tied with bows...at her grandmotherly age, not a young age.}

There are other fun clients, but I really can't think of them at the moment.

Alabama Weather~If you read the Christmas Eve post you know the weather is going from 30 degrees to 75 degrees and back again in a matter of days. All of Alabama surely must be sick.

Cough Medicine~Is my friend. I am really liking the Tylenol Cough multi-symptom with the cooling sensation. It really seems to help and it doesn't make me drowsy (make sure you get the daytime formula) and it keeps the coughing/subsequent headache at bay. I do have to make sure I don't take it on an empty stomach or it makes me feel nauseous.

Cell Phone~Spoke to a delightful man when I called to complain about my non working phone and Dave's inability to send/receive texts on his phone. Talked to him for quite some time. Learned he can't keep up with his bank receipts/money, he is addicted to jawbreakers (sounded like he was rolling marbles, but I guess he was eating jawbreakers), and he was going to eat chinese food for dinner until he learned of his "bank error" which left him feeling sick. Also managed to get the number to call about the warranty on my phone (the microphone is broke so I can hear you, but you can't hear me-even when I yell), Dave can now send/receive texts, and we were refunded $80 in downloading charges we tried to get erased months ago. My replacement phone should arrive this week. When it arrives I would need to talk to someone (not part of the AT & T network and not on my "free weekends") for 86 hours to use all of our rollover minutes. Unfortunately, I would probably run up their bill trying to do that.

Hmmm...forget what else I was going to blog about, darn.

What a Difference a Year Makes

I'd like to wish all of you a very merry Christmas!! The saying is that a picture is worth a thousand words...so I'll try to let these pictures do the talking with minimal description.


This is the ornament that I sent Dave while he was deployed last year.


Christmas 2009






The ship & helo ornaments I bought last year while he was gone to represent the 22nd MEU deployment aboard ship.




We're so blessed to be together this year :)

One More Song

I knew there was a song I had thought about sharing in my last blog, but couldn't remember what it was and what I wanted to say about it. Well, I finally remembered-aren't you excited my dear blog readers?

Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie will forever remind me of the drive home from NC to OH the day after Dave deployed. It had just been released and all the radio stations were playing it at least once an hour (it felt like much more than that at the time). Fergie you are wrong! Big girls do cry, they cry 85% of the 9 hour drive home because of your stinkin' song (and a few other sappy ones released at the time)!!

Ok, really...I think that might be the last song I wanted to share.

"I Go Back"

So I was driving home from work (and lately I've been listening to country music again at times) and I heard Kenny Chesney's song "I Go Back" and it made me think about a lot songs that take me back to special times, make me remember a special memory, or make me think of someone special. I thought I would share a list of songs that take me back. (If you click on the titles of the songs it will take you to a YouTube video of the songs so you can enjoy them if you would like.) This song itself always reminds me of a friend, Derek Sommers, who passed away in a car accident our sophomore year of high school. The lyric about the song only the good die young reminds him of the loss of a real good friend and the 16 summers he shared with him is the one that always brings Derek's smiling 16 yr. old face to mind. I say a quick prayer for his parents and wonder how they are doing.

Jack and Diane by John (Cougar) Mellancamp is also mentioned in Kenny's song, but this song always reminds me of my dad. My dad was always listening to a Mellancamp song. I know all the words to more than a few of the songs, but this one is a favorite of mine. It also reminds me of a time when my dad was "on his own" with my sisters and I for the weekend. (This is pre-divorce and Mom was gone on a ladies retreat or something.) Dad was making lunch and made really soupy mashed potatoes. We ate them anyway...or tried to. We also had the radio on while we were cooking and I remember dad singing and dancing into a large spoon. It was hilarious. .oO(It should be noted my memory is fuzzy so the singing and the soupy potatoes could really be two different times, but they are meshed together in my mind.) His love of John Cougar Mellancamp rubbed off on me and I now have "seeing John Mellancamp in concert" as one of the things I'd like to to before John Mellancamp or I die. Not sure if I'll manage to get that one crossed off the list or not though.

Life is a Highway is a song that reminds me of Scott Myer, a dear friend-who was more than a friend at one time-but he passed away suddenly. It was most recently recorded by Rascal Flatts, but I (and he probably would too, knowing him) prefer Chris LeDoux's version. I love Rascal Flatts and I enjoy their version of the song, but Chris just added something special to the song...or maybe it was just me. Scott and I were lucky enough to go see a Chris LeDoux concert at the Indiana State Fair one year. I've never seen anything quite like it and I doubt I ever will again. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to and I never would have known who Chris LeDoux was if Scott hadn't loved his songs the way he did. Another favorite Chris LeDoux song is Western Skies...it is such a peaceful and relaxing song-but YouTube didn't have it so I couldn't share it.

This One's For the Girls by Martina McBride always makes me think of my mom, Katie and Maggie and the craziness of our house when we all get together. I love it because it describes a "girl's" life at all ages and celebrates the fact that they are "beautiful the way they are." Because we are. This song also makes me miss "my girls" (mom, Katie, and Maggie) a lot lately. Shhh, don't tell them, but I've been known to tear up a bit when I hear it on the radio in recent days. I miss those girls. Hopefully Santa will bring me an airplane ticket for Christmas.

God Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts will always remind me of "Bivins" and the wonderful, heartbreaking, soul searching, blessed journey that led me to a married life with him. I love the chorus about "every long lost dream led me to where you are, others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars, pointing me on my way into your loving arms, this much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you." I've said it many times, there was no other way for Dave and I to meet and fall in love than with God's intervention/plan. All of the previous heartaches and heartbreaks we endured taught us lessons about love and life that made us better partners in our marriage. I'm so thankful to have him in my life~whether he is near or far from me~because he is my anchor. He reminds me to lighten up sometimes, he reminds me I'm loved and cared for, and he only wants the best for me (and my family). I think if we had chosen a "first dance" song for our wedding (if we had done a tradition style wedding & reception) this may have been the song to receive my vote. Not sure what "Bivins" would have chosen.

Rascal Flatts songs in general hold a lot of meaning for me. They always manage to come out with a song that is perfect for whatever I am going through at the time. I'm Movin' On came out around the time we moved from northern Ohio to southern Ohio. It was a chance to leave the past behind and make some changes to venture out on my own a bit. The move gave me a chance to "start over" in a new place with people who didn't know me or my family for my entire life. They weren't aware of all the details of my parents divorce and hadn't formed an opinion about what kind of person I was based upon my last name. I could share the mistakes I had made with people on my own terms. It was refreshing! .oO(And it prepared me for many more moves to new places...with people I didn't know and traditions I didn't know anything about.) Mayberry reminds me of "Brookie-Lou," Brandon and Britt when they were much younger (Scott's neices and nephews) and lil Brook singing "sitting on the porch, drinking ice cold cherry coke." (Coke is the one word she would say well...she was maybe 3 or 4?) It was too cute.

My Ruca by Sublime is definitely a Turtle song. Dave began singing this song to me very early on in our relationship. I loved it! He would also do his infamous "turtle dance" when he sang it. I had wanted to record him doing this prior to his deployment so I could watch in on days I missed him terribly (which probably would have been every day, lol), but I didn't get a chance to do it before they left. He's home now though so I can sometimes get away with a special request. It makes me smile. I never listened to Sublime until I met Dave. I love their music now.

Glycerine by Bush reminds me of either a Jr. High or High school dance when Felix Orbit played. For those of you who weren't blessed enough to go to school with me (j/k) should know that it was a band put together by some fellow classmates-Sam Courtney, Nathaniel (Something...), and the Henceroth boys (there may have been someone else too, but I can't remember). I remember wearing a flannel shirt, I was a teensy bit fashion challenged in those days-still am if you ask my sisters.

All I Want to Do by Sugarland is a song that makes me happy. When I first heard the song I was underwhelmed...but boy has it grown on me! If it comes on the radio during my lovely 45 minute commute to/from work then I crank up the radio and sing at the top of my lungs "ooh-ooh-ooh-ohh....." and bob my head and bounce in my seat. I love this song! .oO(I'm sure I must make some people laugh when I sing in the car to this song...I try to restrain myself if I'm driving "in town.")

Ok, I think I've shared enough songs with you for one night. There is one final song I would like to share though, especially since my last blog about decorating for the holidays was kind of blah about my lack of excitement at the holidays.

Silent Night always makes me think of Christmas Eve services at Trinity Friends Church and the First Christian Church. We always ended the service with candle lighting and singing Silent Night. I'm sharing Faith Hill's version of this song, but I am sure there are a lot of other equally beautiful versions of this song. I think it just might be one of my favorite Christmas songs.

So...about sharing one last song I thought of a few more holiday songs to share that I do actually like.

Mary Did You Know just leaves me in awe. Can you imagine being the mother of a savior? If Mary had known all that her son would endure, would she have done anything differently? Oh and this song reminds me of my best friend (since before kindergarten) "Snickles" and her sisters. They sang it more than once at our church when we were growing up. It is such a lovely song though. The version I chose from YouTube has some great scenes in it.

Last Christmas is apparently a classic 80's Wham song. You should really check out the video if you would like an instant 80's flashback. It is the song that Katie, Maggie, and I could die happy if we never heard again. It is the song we would call from shoes to jewelry or vice versa to sing to each other at the oh-so-wonderful Z-ville Sears. Thank goodness we don't work there anymore. I had to laugh though when I sent out a text to the family to have them remind me what the "horrible song from Sears' holiday mix that we would annoy each other with" was and Maggie let me know that they are playing it at Staples this holiday season. (She happens to work at Staples this year.) Note to Self: Don't enter a Staples until January...that might be hard since I adore school supplies...but I think I can manage.

O Holy Night is my mother's absolute favorite Christmas song. Whenever I hear any version of this song I think of her. It is the one song she told me I must learn how to play on my flute. I did indeed learn how to play it (have you seen my mother upset? j/k) and she loved it. .oO(Of course she loved it, I was playing it, lol.) One of my favorite versions of O Holy Night is sung by Martina McBride so that is the version I am sharing with you.

This blog took a few days to create so I hope you enjoy it. I never managed to have enough time all at once the past few days to get it done.

Holiday Update

Working in retail can sometimes kill the joy and excitement of the Christmas season. I was never a person who was crazy about Christmas to begin with. You can ask my mom, I'll give you her phone number if you really don't believe me, but I really enjoyed sleeping in on Christmas and could care less about presents. I figured if they were there at 6am, they would still be there at noon when I got up...they had my name on them, didn't they? .oO(Yes, I know Christmas isn't all about presents...) I don't enjoy shopping this time of year either. In fact, Dave tried to get all of our shopping done before Thanksgiving, which at the time I thought a little overzealous...until I remembered I hate shopping for presents. I think we only have a few more things to buy, I have some checks to write, and a box to mail to the grand O-H...I-O.

I really despise Christmas music as well. It is another side effect of working retail for waaaayyy to many Christmas' because all of the stores get together and pick out the same 1-2hr playlist of songs and then they find the most terrible renditions of those songs to play in their stores nationwide. Wal-Mart has been playing Christmas music since Nov. 1st. Grrrrrrr! I hate Wal-Mart! (But sadly I know exactly where to find everything I need there, darnit.) I can't quite remember which song it is, but I'm hoping my dear sisters will remind me, about a particular song that we all 3 disliked greatly while working at Sears during Christmas. We would call each other and share the hideousness of the song...and we all knew the lyrics by heart when Christmas finally rolled around. .oO(I think Sears uses the same Christmas playlist every year...so after 5 Christmas' you really don't like those songs.)

Anyhow, this was a horrible way to start off a blog about the Christmas season, but I thought you should get an idea for my feelings about it up front. As you know (if you've read the past 2 blogs) Dave was deployed last year. I boycotted Christmas and did not put up our tree or decorate the house in any way...except by maybe putting up a delightful wreath I had purchased the year before at K-Mart for no more than $20. .oO(I refused to spend a ridiculous amount on decorations and our door looked so pretty decked out for the holiday.) I boycotted Christmas for a variety of reasons...#1 I didn't want to bother putting the tree up and then having to take it down right before he came home. #2 I was headed home for Christmas anyhow...p.s. Mom didn't put up a tree either though so I bought a table sized tree instead for her - also on sale from Hobby Lobby. #3 My cats are little terrors and try to eat/climb in/knock over the tree. I have pictures to prove it! (I just need to find them.) So this year the whole "B" clan will be gathered together. And like I said in a previous blog I am learning the traditions of his family. I have already been to storage and located our Christmas stockings to put up once we decorate. I'll have to take pics since many of you haven't seen the lovely stocking I made Dave for our first Christmas as a married couple. It coordinates nicely with a stocking my great-grandmother (Granny) made me when I was only a baby. We haven't put up the tree yet b/c it is only the 2nd day of December and we need to clear a space for it. Also, Bonnie would like a real tree...which means this shall be a real adventure for my tree climbing, light eating, destructive fur babies. Our goals will be to keep the tree alive, keep the cats out of the tree water and the tree, keep the ornaments in tact on the tree, and keep the tree standing. I'll update you on the progress. We did however manage to decorate the church.

It is apparently tradition for a group of ladies to gather together and decorate the church for Christmas. I was lucky enough to join them this year and I managed to remember my camera so I can show you pics. I arrived a little late since I had to work that afternoon, but I made it there in time to help and had a great time. So below are some pictures of the creativeness of the ladies.


Bonnie & Maja working their magic on the garland.


They didn't have enough magic so Ginger & Heather had to help. .oO(Really they didn't have enough hands.)


Ginger working on the other side. Chrissy talking on the phone while getting ready to iron.


Doesn't the garland look delightful?


One of the trees at the front of the church.

We had a great time socializing and decorating. It was fun to be a part of this tradition this year. I also made progress and "decorated" my blog :)