I admit that I have done very little around the house today. No new pictures got hung, nothing was cleaned, I didn't even attempt my laundry.
I did finish organizing the paperwork in the office. The boxes, all 8,439 of them, got hauled out of our garage today. I ran the dishwasher. (Go me!)
I think more importantly, I enjoyed my day and didn't have to accomplish a mammoth list to do so. I have said it before, and I will say it again, but I love my Friday Bible study! I just hated to miss last week, and being back this week was refreshing. I was encouraged. I was motivated. I really, really needed it.
After Bible study I went out to the Olive Garden with a small group of ladies for lunch. I got my carbohydrate fix and enjoyed fellowship. What better combination is there?
Sometimes Friday can be pretty depressing when J is gone. No reason to make a homemade pizza (our tradition) just for myself. Nobody at home to curl up with to watch endless hours of football all weekend. But today I am not depressed! Today has been good. It's been great.
I also found out that my Momma and one of my Aunts have set dates to come and visit after the New Year! I am so excited!
Oh! And I almost forgot! I went to the library today. That always makes any day better.
So here's to a frozen pizza, my snuggie and cat and a quiet night at home. And here's to a productive weekend with lots of football on in the background as I hang pictures, do laundry and clean.
Fantastic verse from this morning that I just have to share: "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." - 1 Peter 5:8-9
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Honey Bee-liners Spouse Apreciation Flight
My first ride on J's giant plane: the C17 Globemaster. Aren't we cute? =)
The plane we got to ride (which J has personally flown in the past)
A neighboring jet on the Travis flightline
A few of the squadron wives. The gal right next to me is one of our new neighbors and the gal at the end is our commanders wife.
Inside the jet before take off
<3 My pilot! <3
In my seat, all ready to go
Pallets for the combat offload demonstration
The whole big group who went on the flight!
That neighboring flightline jet taking off
Our jet again!
Our jet tail
Back of the jet with the cargo door open and the ramp down
Cargo Pallets
Yours truly in the cockpit
In J's "office"
Looking down into the cargo hold from the bubble window in the bunk area
Watching the combat offload
Up in the air ... playing some football!
Gorgeous views of the Monterrey/Big Sur coastline
In the jump seat, rocking the headset!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Lists
After five days of the house, I had to get out! So I spent a big chunk of my day running around. Every time we move there are so many lists. Today I crossed the following things off my list:
1. Furniture store visit (unsuccesful since they weren't open. Grrr. So I guess that's technically still on my list)
2. Wal-Mart: among my exciting purchases were felt pads to stop the ironing board from banging on the garage door. Be jealous.
3. Target... epic fail trip because they had nothing I wanted/needed
4. Bath and Body Works: OK, I splurged! Wall Flowers were on sale =D
5. Library
6. Got the laundry room organized and cleaned the floor.
7. Started hanging things on the walls downstairs. I did really well ... minus one project. Don't ask!
8. Called the moving company to request the claim paperwork and box pick-up.
9. Unpacked the last of the boxes in the living room and added them to the massive pile in the garage.
10. Up-loaded the C17 spouse flight pictures to the big computer ... still have to get them online.
I have a whole new list for tomorrow. That phrase from Finding Nemo keeps popping into my head, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"!
Thank goodness tomorrow is Wednesday and growth group! And guess what, now that we're in the new place I can walk there.
PS- I've been giving J a hard time about the ... pricey laptop purchase he recently made. I take it all back! It's awesomely powerful wireless card ROCKS! (As does Skype).
1. Furniture store visit (unsuccesful since they weren't open. Grrr. So I guess that's technically still on my list)
2. Wal-Mart: among my exciting purchases were felt pads to stop the ironing board from banging on the garage door. Be jealous.
3. Target... epic fail trip because they had nothing I wanted/needed
4. Bath and Body Works: OK, I splurged! Wall Flowers were on sale =D
5. Library
6. Got the laundry room organized and cleaned the floor.
7. Started hanging things on the walls downstairs. I did really well ... minus one project. Don't ask!
8. Called the moving company to request the claim paperwork and box pick-up.
9. Unpacked the last of the boxes in the living room and added them to the massive pile in the garage.
10. Up-loaded the C17 spouse flight pictures to the big computer ... still have to get them online.
I have a whole new list for tomorrow. That phrase from Finding Nemo keeps popping into my head, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"!
Thank goodness tomorrow is Wednesday and growth group! And guess what, now that we're in the new place I can walk there.
PS- I've been giving J a hard time about the ... pricey laptop purchase he recently made. I take it all back! It's awesomely powerful wireless card ROCKS! (As does Skype).
Monday, October 25, 2010
Greetings from base!
It has been a looooooooong five days. Hang on, five days?! Where did five whole days go? It seems like I blinked and we went from our little Apartment, to the house on base. Well... maybe not blinked. There is a reason I'm tired and sore; we've done a lot of work during the past few days.
Let me rewind. Thursday.
The movers came at 8:30am while J was gone signing the lease. They packed until early afternoon. Interesting fellows... I mean, I just don't think it's asking too much to demand that people wash their hands after using the bathroom and before packing up every single item in your kitchen. (Gross!) Our growth group leaders had us over for dinner that night. It was delicious and much appreciated!
The same two interesting fellows returned Friday morning while I was getting the keys to the house, dropping off the cat (who by the way, majorly FREAKED out during his 15 minutes in the car and was a disaster by the time we arrived) and filling the new fridge/freezer with our cold food. The moving guys brought with them interesting fellow number three and had the trucked loaded by noon.
J and I had the cars packed, the apartment cleaned and the keys turned in by 12:30pm and we waved goodbye to the apartment!
The truck was unloaded ... sometime before dinner Friday afternoon. I was so busy unpacking I didn't really notice when they guys and their truck left. The major casualty was an end table. Not sure how, but it looks like they just ripped off one of the legs! Seriously guys, it was a 10 mile drive and you broke my furniture. Grrr. Another growth group friend (who also attends my women's Bible study and lives just down the hill now) brought us dinner Friday; again it was so welcome and tasty.
But for better or worse (mostly better) we are FINALLY here. The move that began last December, almost a year ago, is complete. We both love the house and are finding it hard to figure out what to do with all the space. We already know two neighbors on our street because they are families from J's squadron.
Every single. solitary box has either been unpacked, or opened and deemed non-open-able. (Christmas trees, etc.) Now the organizing and decorating begins. I already have a box of things to donate to the thrift shop. New curtains have been ordered. Things are coming together. Give it another week or two and I think the vast majority of the settling in will be complete. And can we believe it, we should be in the same place for at least 2.5 years to come!!!
The only other exciting news here is that it rained for four days straight! I think rainy season is starting. After nearly five months of drought, it is welcome! I just think it's hilarious it waited to rain until the week we moved.
Keep J in your prayers, no rest for the weary. After the past few exhausting days, he is back out saving the world.
PS- I had my first C17 ride in the midst of our move! Details and pictures to come.
Let me rewind. Thursday.
The movers came at 8:30am while J was gone signing the lease. They packed until early afternoon. Interesting fellows... I mean, I just don't think it's asking too much to demand that people wash their hands after using the bathroom and before packing up every single item in your kitchen. (Gross!) Our growth group leaders had us over for dinner that night. It was delicious and much appreciated!
The same two interesting fellows returned Friday morning while I was getting the keys to the house, dropping off the cat (who by the way, majorly FREAKED out during his 15 minutes in the car and was a disaster by the time we arrived) and filling the new fridge/freezer with our cold food. The moving guys brought with them interesting fellow number three and had the trucked loaded by noon.
J and I had the cars packed, the apartment cleaned and the keys turned in by 12:30pm and we waved goodbye to the apartment!
The truck was unloaded ... sometime before dinner Friday afternoon. I was so busy unpacking I didn't really notice when they guys and their truck left. The major casualty was an end table. Not sure how, but it looks like they just ripped off one of the legs! Seriously guys, it was a 10 mile drive and you broke my furniture. Grrr. Another growth group friend (who also attends my women's Bible study and lives just down the hill now) brought us dinner Friday; again it was so welcome and tasty.
But for better or worse (mostly better) we are FINALLY here. The move that began last December, almost a year ago, is complete. We both love the house and are finding it hard to figure out what to do with all the space. We already know two neighbors on our street because they are families from J's squadron.
Every single. solitary box has either been unpacked, or opened and deemed non-open-able. (Christmas trees, etc.) Now the organizing and decorating begins. I already have a box of things to donate to the thrift shop. New curtains have been ordered. Things are coming together. Give it another week or two and I think the vast majority of the settling in will be complete. And can we believe it, we should be in the same place for at least 2.5 years to come!!!
The only other exciting news here is that it rained for four days straight! I think rainy season is starting. After nearly five months of drought, it is welcome! I just think it's hilarious it waited to rain until the week we moved.
Keep J in your prayers, no rest for the weary. After the past few exhausting days, he is back out saving the world.
PS- I had my first C17 ride in the midst of our move! Details and pictures to come.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A Sweatpants Day
Instead of being productive today, here I sit, on the couch, in my sweats (not cute PINK sweatpants with coordinating accessories sweats, like real ones, giant, baggy, unflattering guys sweatpants from Old Navy sweats) at 2:36pm, with absolutely nothing to show for the pasts seven and a half-ish hours. Not such a good idea on the week we are moving.
Typically I am always going, doing, in the middle of a project, cleaning, cooking, crafting or drawing up plans to do one of the afor mentioned things. Today I am feeling overwhelmed. I have moved enough to know that no matter what you do or how hard you try, it is a nightmarish and very unorganized experience! And when life gets really unorganized, I don't function well. I tend to shut down. (Hence the sweats at two something in the afternoon.)
Instead of beating myself up, I've decided to call the day a loss and move on. It's time to think about ordering out for dinner and sitting in front of the TV until my eyes fall out ... or my brain does. It is not time to berate myself for having a sweatpants day.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow!
Tomorrow I promise to confront the chaos that is this house during moving week and prep for the packers! I will get up early and work out. I will do laundry. I will start loading the cars with items we don't want the movers to pack (toiletries, shower curtain, camera, cell phone chargers, clean underwear, toilet paper, the cat). I will submit our change of address form to the post office. I will clean the apartment from top to bottom. I will, I will, I will. Tomorrow.
The next few days are going to be busy! Bring it on! So long blog world, see you on the other side of this move.
Typically I am always going, doing, in the middle of a project, cleaning, cooking, crafting or drawing up plans to do one of the afor mentioned things. Today I am feeling overwhelmed. I have moved enough to know that no matter what you do or how hard you try, it is a nightmarish and very unorganized experience! And when life gets really unorganized, I don't function well. I tend to shut down. (Hence the sweats at two something in the afternoon.)
Instead of beating myself up, I've decided to call the day a loss and move on. It's time to think about ordering out for dinner and sitting in front of the TV until my eyes fall out ... or my brain does. It is not time to berate myself for having a sweatpants day.
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow!
Tomorrow I promise to confront the chaos that is this house during moving week and prep for the packers! I will get up early and work out. I will do laundry. I will start loading the cars with items we don't want the movers to pack (toiletries, shower curtain, camera, cell phone chargers, clean underwear, toilet paper, the cat). I will submit our change of address form to the post office. I will clean the apartment from top to bottom. I will, I will, I will. Tomorrow.
The next few days are going to be busy! Bring it on! So long blog world, see you on the other side of this move.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
It's Moving Week
And I started it with a sleepless night and a giant stomach ache. Most major life events for me are, unfortunately, accompanied by gastrointestinal upset. Although I really am at a loss to explain this epsisode; I'm not stressed or nervous about this move. OK, maybe a tiny bit, but we're only moving about 10 miles!
Perhaps my rebellious stomach had more to do with going out to dinner with friends at 7 o'clock last night and then stopping to share a Sonic ice cream treat with J on our way home. Nah.
Maybe it was the harrowing loss of the Ohio State football team yesterday. Much more likely!
At any rate, I am awake and alive this morning. And what a beautiful morning it is! Dark grey, cloudy skies, some breeze and chilly 60 degree temperatures. And most importantly, it's raining for the first time in four and a half months! It is a day that feels like autumn (I'll pretend there are beautiful fall trees out there somewhere) and more specifically Harry Potter!
I always find myself craving the Harry Potter books in the fall. Something about them all starting at the beginning of the school year and the descriptions of the dreary British weather. I also have a habit of picking up favorite books and re-reading them when we are in the midst of a move. I really have tried to concentrate on my library books this week, but I can not. And so back they will go, and here I come HP book one!
It has been several books since I've done any re-reading. That's good for me!
So, we are down to five more sleeps at the apartment! Pretty exciting. It will be even more exciting on Thursday once everything we own is in a box; it may finally hit me that we are moving by then.
Perhaps my rebellious stomach had more to do with going out to dinner with friends at 7 o'clock last night and then stopping to share a Sonic ice cream treat with J on our way home. Nah.
Maybe it was the harrowing loss of the Ohio State football team yesterday. Much more likely!
At any rate, I am awake and alive this morning. And what a beautiful morning it is! Dark grey, cloudy skies, some breeze and chilly 60 degree temperatures. And most importantly, it's raining for the first time in four and a half months! It is a day that feels like autumn (I'll pretend there are beautiful fall trees out there somewhere) and more specifically Harry Potter!
I always find myself craving the Harry Potter books in the fall. Something about them all starting at the beginning of the school year and the descriptions of the dreary British weather. I also have a habit of picking up favorite books and re-reading them when we are in the midst of a move. I really have tried to concentrate on my library books this week, but I can not. And so back they will go, and here I come HP book one!
It has been several books since I've done any re-reading. That's good for me!
So, we are down to five more sleeps at the apartment! Pretty exciting. It will be even more exciting on Thursday once everything we own is in a box; it may finally hit me that we are moving by then.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Good Friday
Everyone has their little secret indulgences ... and mine is DVR'ing the Martha Stewart show, which airs at 7am Pacific Time, and watching it when I eat lunch (or any other time that J is out of the house). She has been doing so many fun fall and Halloween things this week that I just had to share a few articles with you!
I was featured (in very small print) in this month's edition of Real Simple Magazine! You will find my response to the question of the month: "What are you thankful for this year?" on page 41. How fun! I may have to buy a copy.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Book Review: My Turn
After reading Laura Bush's new book I felt compelled to seek out some other books by or about First Ladies. This one by Nancy Reagan was not nearly as good as Mrs. Bush's book, but it was still interesting. The title really says it all: MY TURN! I could practically hear Mrs. Reagan screaming this through out the book. You could tell that this was a whole lot of thoughts, ideas, etc. that she had desperately wanted to voice during her time at the white house and wasn't able to. There was a lot of, "this is what was said at the time, but let me tell you how it really was and how much it ticked me off at the time". This isn't a pretty analogy, but 'word vomit' comes to mind. Or maybe a nicer way to say it would be a giant, written venting session.
Regardless, it was quite the interesting read. It also made the First Family seem much more human, personal and normal to me. It really made me think about how I would act or feel if I was in that situation; it would be really hard! I have a feeling that I would write a very similar book after it was over.
My favorite part was reading about her life growing up and as a young woman in New York and Hollywood. She not only rubbed elbow with, but was great friends of people with names like Katherine Hepburn, Clark Gable, James Stewart, and MANY more. Fascinating.
Regardless, it was quite the interesting read. It also made the First Family seem much more human, personal and normal to me. It really made me think about how I would act or feel if I was in that situation; it would be really hard! I have a feeling that I would write a very similar book after it was over.
My favorite part was reading about her life growing up and as a young woman in New York and Hollywood. She not only rubbed elbow with, but was great friends of people with names like Katherine Hepburn, Clark Gable, James Stewart, and MANY more. Fascinating.
Book Review: Three Cups of Tea
My first ever book club read was Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. The story was fantastic and inspiring. The writing style itself, very dry. I felt as if I was reading a report, or a paper, or a very long journalistic article. It was very difficult to connect with the story and characters on a personal, human level. The book was fast paced and statistic/fact pact. I enjoyed it overall, but I wouldn't be seeking out other things written by these collaborators.
I really did enjoy the discussion at my book club though! It brought up a lot of very different and interesting topics. I am excited to continue my book club participation.
I really did enjoy the discussion at my book club though! It brought up a lot of very different and interesting topics. I am excited to continue my book club participation.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Indian Summer
I was just talking to my Mom yesterday about how surreal the weather here is. I moved around quite a bit as a kid, but we always lived in a location with seasons. So far the Air Force has taken us to places that also enjoy the four seasons of the year. Although I haven't lived a whole year here yet, I do believe that I need to retire to a place that hosts spring, summer, fall and winter.
It is October, well into it actually, and our weather has not changed since June. It is still sunny every day. It is still dry, not a drop of rain, and it is still hot. This week has seen 90+ degrees every day so far. Our over night low temperatures are the highs back in Ohio right now.
Fall is my favorite season, it always has been, and I am missing it! It is difficult to wrap my head around the fact that kids are back in school and the holidays are less than two months away. I think that this is the most extreme "indian summer" I have ever had.
Other than our foreign weather, things at home continue to be normal; that is totally unpredictable and busy. We went to our moving brief last week (underwhelming to say the least) and I have been going down the master moving check list scheduling utility shut offs, changing our address, etc. Today I managed to finally get the information for our moving company and set up an appointment for them to look at our stuff so they will send out the right things and people on packing/moving days. (Yeah, I'm not supposed to have to even do that...but whatever!)
Jared has been busy at work. Yesterday they told him he might be leaving tomorrow on a trip ... getting back the Monday after our move. Spectacular! Now however they are letting him have 2 whole days of leave to move (the actual packing and moving days, lets not even think about Letting him help me unpack or set up) but most likely with a CONUS (not overseas) trip Sunday-Wednesday next week. Great! If he's at all late getting home there goes leave and his help. I'm trying not to stress and hope that he doesn't have to go, or if he does he'll be home on time.
Thankfully I know a few gals from the squadron and church who would be able to help me if he is not around.
Had my first book club meeting after having read a book yesterday. It was a lot of fun! I also got to meet and get to know some ladies from our squadron better which is always nice.
Jared found out that he is not getting any holiday leave this year. Zip, zilch, zero. We expected that, but it is still pretty disappointing to have it confirmed. Just because he doesn't get leave, doesn't mean he wont be here at home for a holiday. It means we can not make any plans because he might be gone if they need him. We are both assuming he will be gone though. Things have been busy and lots of people have been gone more than at home lately.
Luckily we have January to look forward to! J already put in for some leave and his brother should be back from his deployment and visiting us. So if need be we can have our holidays then!
Think that's all the latest from our neck of the woods.
"The LORD bless you and keep you;the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26
It is October, well into it actually, and our weather has not changed since June. It is still sunny every day. It is still dry, not a drop of rain, and it is still hot. This week has seen 90+ degrees every day so far. Our over night low temperatures are the highs back in Ohio right now.
Fall is my favorite season, it always has been, and I am missing it! It is difficult to wrap my head around the fact that kids are back in school and the holidays are less than two months away. I think that this is the most extreme "indian summer" I have ever had.
Other than our foreign weather, things at home continue to be normal; that is totally unpredictable and busy. We went to our moving brief last week (underwhelming to say the least) and I have been going down the master moving check list scheduling utility shut offs, changing our address, etc. Today I managed to finally get the information for our moving company and set up an appointment for them to look at our stuff so they will send out the right things and people on packing/moving days. (Yeah, I'm not supposed to have to even do that...but whatever!)
Jared has been busy at work. Yesterday they told him he might be leaving tomorrow on a trip ... getting back the Monday after our move. Spectacular! Now however they are letting him have 2 whole days of leave to move (the actual packing and moving days, lets not even think about Letting him help me unpack or set up) but most likely with a CONUS (not overseas) trip Sunday-Wednesday next week. Great! If he's at all late getting home there goes leave and his help. I'm trying not to stress and hope that he doesn't have to go, or if he does he'll be home on time.
Thankfully I know a few gals from the squadron and church who would be able to help me if he is not around.
Had my first book club meeting after having read a book yesterday. It was a lot of fun! I also got to meet and get to know some ladies from our squadron better which is always nice.
Jared found out that he is not getting any holiday leave this year. Zip, zilch, zero. We expected that, but it is still pretty disappointing to have it confirmed. Just because he doesn't get leave, doesn't mean he wont be here at home for a holiday. It means we can not make any plans because he might be gone if they need him. We are both assuming he will be gone though. Things have been busy and lots of people have been gone more than at home lately.
Luckily we have January to look forward to! J already put in for some leave and his brother should be back from his deployment and visiting us. So if need be we can have our holidays then!
Think that's all the latest from our neck of the woods.
"The LORD bless you and keep you;the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26
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