Blogging Hiatus and Question of the Day

I know I've been MIA for a few days, but it honestly wasn't planned. Sean and I went out with friends this weekend, since two of them are getting ready to leave the Army. Friday night was fun (Read: we didn't get in until 6 a.m.) So we spent Saturday recovering lost sleep and then that night attended a BBQ.

Yesterday I don't really have an excuse other than the fact I stared at my keyboard for 30 minutes and couldn't think of a thing to blog about.

So todays question of the day is this:

Do you have any unusual or strange talents?

Let me explain what I mean, I have this thing where someone will randomly enter my mind (not celeb) and within 2 days I'll see them. I might not have seen them in 3 years or more, but I'll still randomly see them. This happened the other day when Sean and I were discussing a solider on post and as soon as I said something about her she walked in the USO. It honestly kind of freaks me out at times.



Care to share yours?

Photograph Friday- Cinque Terre

This is only a handful of the pictures I took while in Cinque Terre. I took around 300 pics and have yet to even edit 10% of them. Editing takes FOREVER!

Enjoy!



This is Manorola, which also happened to be my favorite of the four that we had time to visit.



The pathway between Riomaggiore and Manorla is called Pathway of Love. So naturally, when I saw this couple holding hands in front of me on the path, I had to snap this pic.



Waves crashing on the rocks near Corniglia



Flowers + view = AMAZING



The beach in Vernazza. This is where I actually got my feet wet. So refreshing!



Goodbye Cinque Terre! Promise I'll come back soon!

I'm like an 8th Grade Girl

I say I'm like an 8th grade girl because this blog is going to be about my crushes.

Yeah...that's right, my crushes!

First of all, I have a few girl crushes. (Don't tell me you've never had a girl crush.)



Reese is awesome. She's classy, beautiful and an excellent actress. Doesn't she seem like she would be a great friend?



I think Scarlett is gorgeous! She's a curvy girl and I love that she doesn't conform to Hollywood's idea that everyone has to look the same.



I've loved Ryan Reynolds since he was in Van Wilder. I think he's absolutely hilarious. Ever seen Just Friends? If not, go rent it NOW!

Last, but not least: Justin Timberlake. I admit, he was my favorite member of NSync and I just knew he was going to have a successful solo career. Have you seen him on Saturday Night Live? He's freakin hilarious!



Best sketch EVER! (Ok..maybe not ever, but best one in awhile)

Any crushes you aren't too embarrassed to share?

Question of the Day

What is the main reason you chose to be with the person you are with? Husband, fiance, boyfriend, etc?



(Photo courtsey of Andrew Jalali)

Curious to hear your answers!

Green With Envy

Forever 21...you cruel mistress. Why must you tempt me with your dresses? Sean says no more dresses for awhile, but I'm not sure I can stick to that.....





I'm all about green this summer. With my complexion and hair I look better in cool colors, like greens, blues, pinks, etc.

Today has been an interesting day. For starters I went to get my teeth cleaned. If you know me well, then you know I HATE going to the dentist. Mainly because I have weak teeth and there is always something wrong with them. Today's experience was actually somewhat relaxing if you can believe that. The lady who cleaned my teeth was AMAZING. I told her so after she was done.

Afterwards I was on my way to the PX and cut through the parking lot of the USO and lo and behold there were two baby sparrows hopping around, complete with a cat stalking them. A soldier and I scooped them up, evidently he'd saved them a few minutes earlier from the road. Mom was nowhere to be found, so my boss took them inside. Sadly they both died. One of them was especially sassy, so it was quite sad when he died. I hate when things like that happen.

Goodbyes and a Suprising Ebay Addict

I just dropped my mom and brother off at the airport about an hour ago and I'm very sad. I sobbed part of the way home, sobbed when I came home to the empty apartment and just writing this makes me sad. Times like this I really, really miss home, my family and my friends. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to have my European experience, but I miss home so much today.

The fam and I did have a wonderful time together and they are coming back next year (with my dad, who had to miss this trip) for hopefully another two weeks. One week of which we are supposed to be going on a cruise. Woo-hoo! Cinque Terre was great and I have pics, none of which are uploaded. I'm hoping to get them up on Wednesday. Cinque Terre was beautiful though and I can't wait to go back.

I have an Ebay addict in the house.

Me you ask? Some of you might be surprised to find out it's not me. It's Sean.

Here's the scene yesterday.

I'm in the kitchen trying to make green enchiladas for dinner

Sean: Ooohh....how about an autographed picture of Ronald Regan?

Me: Ronald Regan? Why would I want a picture of Ronald Regan in our apartment?

Sean: Oh...they have Clinton too. Awesome!

Me: I'll pass......

Sean: Megan Fox signed picture for $9.00! I have to have that!

Me: Are you sure that's even legit? It could be fake.

Sean: Hm....you might be right. There's a signed Transformer picture of her going for $700.00.

Since he's using my Ebay account, my e-mail inbox is now full of notices of bids, outbids and bid confirmations.

Houston, we have a addict problem.

Picture and a Punch

The Picture: My favorite picture from the most recent trip to Venice.

The Punch: Do you ever have days when you really just want to sock your significant other for something stupid/selfish they've done that really pisses you off?

I'm having a day like that.

Off to Cinque Terre tomorrow!

Reunion

The other day my Mom and I were discussing my 10 year class reunion. Although it's not for another 2 years (Class of 2001 baby!) I've already decided that I am NOT going.

My mom seemed suprised by that when I told her. "Are you sure you don't want to go?"

Mainly, I don't want to waste a trip to the states going for a high school reunion, but also I honestly don't want to see a large majority of the people who would most likely attend.

Don't get me wrong, I was well-liked in high school. I wasn't what one would call "popular" but I was involved in a lot of activities and I had a great group of friends. Most of them I still talk to and my best friend from high school and I still talk to as much as being overseas allows me to.

However, knowing my town and the people I went to high school, I know who would most likely be at our reunion. It's the same people who never left our town and gather together every weekend at each other's houses, the lake or random bars to all hang out together and get drunk.

Count me out. I could go another fifty years and if I never that group of people again I wouldn't complain a bit!

So, are you gals planning on attending your reunions? Why or why not?

Way Back Wednesday

I thought it might be fun to have a flashback a little early this week. (Ok..and maybe I wasn't sure what to blog about today)

This collection of pictures is from college. Hope you enjoy.



This picture is of Me, Shilah and Stookey. We went to Tulsa to shop at a vintage store and I came away with this hat. My friends nicknamed it the Russian Princess Hat. I still have it to this day.



This is my best friend and I with Pistol Pete on Bid Day 2003. My one and only picture with me and our college mascot.



Ok...so I included this one so you guys could get a laugh, but please don't laugh too hard. My best friend/roomate and I were bored and doing stupid stuff. We decided it would be a good idea to give me a Sharpie moustache. Yeah...after much scrubbing it FINALLy came off.

Slush Love, Shoe Hate and a Few Funny Pics

So, today the fam and I went to Verona. We had planned on going yesterday, but they were installing my A/C...so the trip got moved to today.

Verona was good. I love the town, only downside today was that it was HOT. Hot enough that I have to use all upper-case letters to convey that to you.

The best part of Verona was the amazing lemon slush I got at the snack bar we ate at for lunch. Freakin' amazing. Seriously the best lemon slush I've ever had. If I could have married the slush right there in Piazza Erbe I would have, because it was just that good.

As many of you know I love shoes. All colors and styles. I do hate a few pairs though. Mainly Crocs, but there is a style out there that I loathe. It's quite popular right now and I see it everywhere. Some of you might even wear them.

Da duh duh

The Gladiator Sandal!!!!





Blech! If you wear them, kudos to you, but I think they are ugly.

So, several of you told me you weren't aware that Miss Kebi and I were friends. Oh the stories I could tell you about Kebi! Just kidding....sort of.

Now, a few pics from the archives of Kebi and yours truly.



Like my extra tiki?



Please ignore my goofy look and extra chin (that was 20 lbs ago!) and instead concentrate on Kebi. (Kebi caught the bouquet at my wedding by the way.)



Kebi, Me and our friend Nikki posing with my Oklahoma Centennial Sign (Which I may or may not have obtained illegally.)

"Jam" Packed

The other day I received a package in the mail. A very special package from one of my best friends, Kebi.

In this package were the last two books in the Twilight series, which Kebi was gracious enough to loan me and two jars of jam. One cherry and one peach.



I have been eating on the peach jam the last few days. Did I mention it's delish and Kebi hand-canned it?

If you get the time, head on over to Kebi's blog and tell her how awesome she is. She had a rough day and I'm sure could use some cheering up.

Love you Kebi!



Peach jam.....a girl's best friend!

Awesomely Bad Etsy Items Volume 3

That's right folks, another round of awesomely bad and weird Etsy items. Enjoy!



Not sure what this is? I wasn't either. Evidently it has a secret compartment for your fine jewelry. Yeah....not sure I'd be storing anything valuable in that, but to each his own.



Ok..could be cute if you work in Silicon Valley, otherwise....not sure.



Bad hair day? Never fear! Just grab your squid hat. Problem solved!



Nothing says girl power like this Ovary Quilted Block.



Kid birthday party to go to? Scare the crap out of them with this Devil Bunny Painting. *sigh* Where does this stuff come from?!



Last, but certaintly not least these buttons. Cause we all like buttons about bodily functions, right?

Grandma Dresses

First off, I wanted to say sorry to all those blogs that I subscribe to and regularly comment on. I haven't been around the computer much at all, but I promise in about a week I'll be back. Until then I know you guys understand why I'm not around much.

The trip to Venice yesterday was great. I was expecting it to be hot and crowded, but it really was neither. I'll try to post pics and more of a trip report tomorrow or the next day, but until then know there was the Great Train Adventure of 2009. No, I didn't miss the train, but it's a halfway interesting story so look for it soon.

Today we're all kind of resting and I made scones today. Orange and cranberry to be exact and they are delish. I've posted about them before, but I'm not taking the time to look for that post. If you want the recipe go on over to Andrea's blog and click the tab under recipes, you'll find it if you do a little searching. Sean is making steaks and potatoes tonight, so we're all looking forward to that.

My mom and I have been looking at some pictures of me when I was little today and they are a hoot. I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I was a very precocious and amusing child. One of these days I'll scan a few pictures so you can get a good laugh.

So, I've been wearing some of the dresses I recently ordered from Forever 21 and Sean made the comment the other day, "Why are you wearing all these grandma dresses?" I scoffed and told him they were fashionable. Well, today I was wearing this little number:



And I had two people compliment me on it. Both over the age of 40. Hmmm...maybe he was right?

Spaghetti and Sightseeing

So, a couple of you asked yesterday what I thought was appropriate wear to the PX.

In short, I don't want to see your girls pushed out of the top of your shirt and I don't want to see your butt cheeks hanging out of your skirt or shorts. If I can't see either of those things, then we're good.

Let me clarify that I don't show up at the PX in heels, dressed to the nines. I've appeared in workout gear before and I often wear jeans and flip-flops. All acceptable. Showing off pieces of skin that only you or your husband should see? Not appropriate. I'd be mortified if one of my husbands co-workers saw me in something like the woman was wearing yesterday. If you want to wear things like that, then wear them at home. In private.

Last night I made Pioneer Woman's Chicken Scallopine. It was good, but not great. I think the chicken was the best part of the recipe.

Today my mom and brother, Sean and I went out to explore Vicenza. Sean picked up some loose wine, we attempted to use the bathroom at McDonald's which required a code to unlock it. I managed enough Italian to ask a employee for the code, "Cosa codice toilette?" On to lunch at a restaurant we'd never tried before. It was family owned and the people were so nice. Only the father spoke English and with my patchy Italian we managed to order the buffett and spaghetti with some sort of fish. The buffett was amazing. It was all kinds of Italian appetizers. I had zucchini slices with olive oil, fried potatos, anchovies, caprese with the best mozzerella I've ever tried and shrimp. The spaghetti was good too.

After lunch it was time for some sightseeing. We tried to find the Olympic Theater with no success and then opted to drive up to Monte Berico for a wonderful view of all Vicenza.

Days like this I really enjoy Italy.

Question of the Day and An Awkward Website

Do you consider Daisy Dukes and a Hooters Camouflage shirt as appropriate wear to the PX?

Did I mention she had her three young children in tow and her NCO husband?

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Oh..and I saw this on Megan's blog, but you must check out AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com.


Here's just a preview of what you can expect:


(Photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com)

I promise you won't be disappointed!

Early Birthday

Well, I am happy to report that my mom and brother have arrived in Italy. I was a little nervous about getting to the airport, but that was a breeze. The airport is actually a lot smaller than I thought it would be, so it made finding parking and arrivals a lot easier. We didn't do much yesterday, just came back to the house and talked about tons of different things. My mom has a suitcase that I have started referring to the Mary Poppins bag. She produced birthday presents for both Sean and I, treats for Boomer and endless other things.

For my presents I got a Gap black Maxi dress, a season of Sex and the City, Twilight Zone DVD and a couple of books. Overall an excellent collection of birthday presents.

Today we had planned on going to downtown Vicenza, but due to the jetlag, they didn't get up until about 12:30, so we've postponed that until Thursday. Instead we went to one of the malls and I showed them Emisfero, the most awesome store known to man. There are so many amazing things to buy there that I don't even know where to start. If any of you ever come visit Italy, you HAVE to go to Emisfero. It's like a gourmet Italian version of Wal-Mart. We had gelato today too. I got my standard lemon flavor, but tried coconut today too and it was freakin AMAZING. I love gelato so much more than our ice cream because it's bursting with flavor.

Friday we are headed to Venice. I'm all about doing the touristy things that Sean and I didn't do last time we were there. Sean wants to go, but he says he's going to the Hard Rock Cafe. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with him and the Hard Rock. I've eaten at a few in my time and I didn't think they were anything to write home about, but to each his own I suppose.

I got my Forever21 order in today and I cannot wait to go home and try on my new clothes.

*sigh* It's the little things in life.

New Toy

Sorry for the short blog yesterday. I was mucho tired from the event yesterday. Overall it went really well, even though we had a few bad apples in the bunch, but I guess that's to be expected.

My favorite was when we were drawing for three bikes and by that time a lot of people had left, so there was only a small group there. We drew ticket after ticket, each time announced by one particularly annoying lady, "1, 2, 3, You snooze you lose. NEXT!" Seriously by the sixth ticket I wanted to tell her to shut up. Yet somehow I kept my composure and kept my mouth shut. With people like that it's really hard.

Sean made his awesome quesadillas last night and I made Steph's awesome salsa to go with them. Seriously...a small slice of Mexican food heaven in our apartment last night!

I finally took the plunge and bought a GPS for us the other day. I went ahead and went with the Garmin nuvi 275T and it is already amazing me! I'm such a nerd about that stuff. It doesn't take much to impress me.



My Mom and brother are flying in tomorrow and I'm very excited. We have trips to Venice, Verona and Cinque Terre planned. I'm also planning on taking them to a couple of the smaller towns around here. So...if my posting is a little sporadic, that's probably why.

I hope you guys had an amazing weekend. What all did you do?