Question of the Day

I assume all of you have heard or watched My Super Sweet 16 on MTV. Don't ask why I've recently been watching it. It has something to do with Sean being on TDY and AFN having a lack of good quality programming.

Anyway, I watched it the other night and frankly was appalled. This 16 year old girl invited 800 people to her party, got two cars for her birthday and had the Pussycat Dolls and T.I. perform at her party.

Really? What ever happened to a pool party with your good friends or something along those lines.

Sometimes I think that's what is wrong with America these days. Where do these kids get this sense of entitlement?

Thoughts?

Snapshot Saturday

As you all know I'm in Foggy Londontown this weekend and will be gone until Tuesday, so this is a scheduled post to fill the time until I get back.



This is one of the towns in Cinque Terre on the west coast of Italy. It's my favorite town: Manarola. I've been twice, but hope to go back again before we leave here!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

Join in over at Wife of a Sailor!



1.What secret indulgence do you act on while your spouse is away?
I watch all sorts of trasy TV that he doesn't like to watch. Real Housewives, America's Next Top Model, etc.

2.If you were a spice, what would you be?
Cinnamon. Because it's sweet with a kick!

3.Where do you go for support when your significant other is deployed?
My awesome group of spouses here in Vicenza were great during this deployment. Also my best friend back home is where I always go to vent.

4.What is the oldest thing you own?
The stuffed animal I've had since I was born. He's a pink bear my Dad got me and his name is Mr. Bill. He's currently hanging out in my closet here in Italy.

5.How did you vision your future pre-military?
Working for the National Parks Service. I wanted to work in a museum at one of their parks.

Wednesday Randoms

I don't understand girls who tan and use fake tanner until they take on an orange glow. Seriously...just stop.

I leave for London on Friday. I'm very, very excited.

I wish my apartment would magically clean itself. Somehow, although I sweep almost daily (or Sean does) there is always a plethora of dog hair. How does so much hair come off a 12 lb dog?

I just finished season 2 of Damages. If you've never watched the series you should. I love it!

Were you guys aware that PF Changs now makes frozen skillet meals? I bought one and I'm going to try it out tonight. I'll have to report back if it's good or not.

I want these boots:



They look comfy and they are from Target, so what's not to love? I have a pair of really cute tan boots, but they have a higher heel and wandering around a European city in boots with a heel is not a fun experience.

Oh and what is up with this new Facebook phenomena where people post maps of where they are at and what they are doing. Hello stalkers?

Question of the Day

I'd just like to say in advance that this is a sort of military themed question, so for all my non-military readers I apologize in advance, but don't feel as if you can't answer it. I'm going to give a civilian perspective to it as well.

Ok..I bring up this question because there is a debate on a forum I am part of about various ranks of husbands and wives not being friends with other wives because of the rank.

In fact, the husband in question told his wife not to be friends with lower-ranking wives in his unit. He is not an officer, but upper enlisted. I'm not sure the rank.

For the civilians out there I compare this to your husband working at a job and telling you not to socialize with the boss' wife or co-workers wives that might be under your husband.

Do you agree with this? Thoughts?

Ephesus/Kusadasi

This was the second stop on our cruise this summer. We actually docked in Kusadasi, Turkey, but our group was interested in seeing the ruins of Ephesus. If you're blonde like me, it might be awhile before it dawns on you that this is where Paul was among the Ephesians. Yeah...my family laughed at me when I finally figured that one out.

Anywho...



This was in Kusadasi. We walked around it for a bit after we saw Ephesus. We went through the market there, walked some of the streets and sampled some sweets. Turks are VERY VERY pushy when it comes to their markets. I don't like being hassled so it wasn't fun for me.



These were some of the sweets we ate. They were coated in pistachios (which I love) but the center was marshamallow (which I don't like). I ate one, but it wasn't the best thing I had on the trip by far.



This is a view from Kusadasi looking at our cruise ship. I loved that the old man just happened to be fishing there.



This is some of the ruins of Ephesus. If you've ever been to Pompeii, it reminds me somewhat of it. It was interesting to see where the exclusive shops had been, where the lead pipes that carried water were, etc.





Me in the ancient public bathrooms of Ephesus.



This is the library at Ephesus. Probably one of the better preserved buildings.



Their are just random columns around. They are actually still excavating a lot of the ruins, so the work there is far from completed.

Next stop on our trip was my favorite: Santorini, Greece

Runners, I Need Some Advice!

As some of you know, I've signed up for a 5K that's happening in September. I've been training for it and I'm nowhere close to running the entire thing, but I'm working my way up.

Anyway, I've been having an issue with my leg. I always stretch before and after my runs, but everytime I run my left leg hurts for the rest of the day. Not just a little ache either, like hurting so that ordinary pain relievers aren't helping. I put icy hot on it, I take a few ibprofen, but unless I take something really strong (as in a percocet) it hurts. It's an area behind my knee, not in my knee, but on the back of my leg right above my kneecap to a little bit below. I thought maybe it was hamstring, but it seems a bit low. Any ideas on what it could be? Or what could help it? It never hurts the day after I run and it's always the same leg that hurts, my right leg never hurts after a run.

Also, I want some super cute pants to run in and our craptastic PX never has what I want.

I want something like this:



What brands/websites do you recommend?

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

It's already my favorite day of the week! And you know what that means, MilSpouse Friday Fill-In. Join in over at Wife of a Sailor.



1.If you could be a fugitive from the law for whatever reason, what would your crime be?

Trespassing, because there are all these cool abandoned places I'd like to see on private land (like closed down amusement parks) and I'm sure I'd be the person who actually gets in trouble for it!

2.How long do you think you will be a military family?

This is the hardest question to answer. In all honesty, I have no idea. We still don't know if we'll be medboarded for Sean's back issues or if we'll stay in until this enlistment is up and get out or stay in for 20 years. Sean changes his mind everyday on this issue, so I don't know!

3.What’s your favorite recipe?

Potato Casserole or these spicy pork carnitas I made last week. I'm not one to toot my own horn, but they were awesome!

4.What would you want your last five words to be when you leave this life?

Wow, is it already over?

5.Where do you hope to retire?

I dream about this all the time and I really, really want to get a huge RV and travel around the country going to National Parks and baseball stadiums with Sean and whatever naughty dog we own at the time.

Good News!

I'm back in Italy with some good news. My friend's husband was discharged from the hospital and actually made the trip back to Italy with my friend and I.

Basically what happened is that a bridge collapsed under the truck he was driving and the truck rolled a few times. He ended up hurting his back, but they have sent him back here to do physical therapy and he'll be returning to Germany off and on for the next few months. It's a somewhat similiar situation that Sean has with his back, but Sean's is a bit more serious.

Anyway, I was just glad that he was ok. Seeing all the soldiers up in Landstuhl though really made me sad. I saw a lot of physical scars and problems and a lot of mental. I'm sure I didn't even scratch the surface of it though. It was almost overwhelming seeing all of them. Just another sad reminder of what happens during war.

I just wanted to update you guys and let you know I'm home.

Hiatus

I'm on a brief blogging hiatus as I'm currently in Landstuhl, Germany with a friend who's husband got hurt downrange.

I'll be back soon!

We Need To Talk

I wanted to let you all know out there that I'm grateful for you that follow my blog, who read my blog and who take time to comment. I hope you guys never feel like you can't comment simply because you don't want to disagree with me or with others who comment. I know that there are a few people out there that don't comment for that very reason. Who are afraid they are going to get flamed for having a different opinion.

Please don't feel like that. I love when people have opinions, whether they are different than mine or not. I like hearing what you have to say. The only time I will EVER discourage someone commenting is if they personally attack me or another blogger. I've had that happen a few times and I'm not ok with that. Otherwise, don't ever hesitate to put your opinion out there. I promise I won't e-mail you and rip you a new one for disagreeing.

That is all.

No Autographs Please! And MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

Some of you may remember this post where I blogged about attending the taping of a Food Network show when I was in NYC back in April.

Well, the show that I was on aired on Wednesday and I've had several people tell me they saw me several times. If you want to tune in, a repeat will play this weekend. It's called 24 Hour Restaurant Battle and it's on Saturday at 4p.m. EST/3p.m. CST. Oh..and I'm wearing a bright green shirt! I guess that would be an important detail to add for those of you who haven't ever seen me.

Now on to the Friday Fill-In. Join in at Wife of a Sailor.



1.What is ONE thing you’d like civilians to understand about being a military family?
I'd like them to understand a bit more about deployments and the war in general. A lot of people were floored when I said Sean was deploying because they thought that, "Obama was bringing all the troops back home." Seriously people?

2.What is your favorite mistake?
Talking to an Army boy via MySpace. Obviously you know the rest of that story!

3.What indulgence could you give up for a year?
Hmm...I'm not sure. I'd like to say Reeses or Dr. Pepper, but when I've had a particularly rough day I like to be able to have one of them. I could probably go without watching TV for a year if I could have access to the Internet.

4.If you could be a winged animal, what would you be?
I'd be a peacock, but not the female because they don't have the pretty feathers. Does that make me sound weird?

5.What is one question you’d like to see asked in a future MFF?
If you were a spice, what would you be? I always find those answers interesting. And what are some things on your bucket list?

Dubrovnik

I realize the other day that I never blogged about the cruise I took in June. So..for the next few weeks, I'll probably do one post a week summing up the cruise and various ports of call.

Our first stop on the cruise was Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dubrovnik was not what I expected. I know that a large majority of Croatia borders the sea, but for some reason I was expecting it to look more like Slovenia. Not so. In fact, it reminded me somewhat of southern Italy or what I would imagine Spain to look like.

Most of the places we stopped at we didn't a shore excursion. I find them to be overpriced and honestly would rather explore a town without being pushed to buy something at whatever place we stop at on the end of a tour, so in Dubrovnik, my family opted to just explore the Old Town.



I took this from up on the Old City wall that rounds the perimeter of the city. This is the well in the center. I spent a lot of time here after my hike around the walls. The water is delicious and clean.



Close-up of some of the spigots on the well.



I'm honestly not sure what this is. Perhaps an old fort of some kind.



This is what I meant about the scenery being tropical. This is not what I expected Croatia to look like.



Laundry was hanging EVERYWHERE. A popular color seemed to be orange, which was similar to the roof tiles on the homes.



One of the many church towers in the town.



Notice something odd? You'd be correct in guessing that it's dried fish hanging from that line.



I've never seen so many stray cats in my life in one town. They were everywhere! This one actually found a decent place to hang out though.

Overall I liked Dubrovnik. I wouldn't go back,just because I don't feel like there is that much to see there, but I would like to see other places in Croatia.

Tuesday Tidbits

Men must have some gene that prevents them from using the hamper. Otherwise, I can't explain it.

Mullets may have been cool in the 90's, but that was long ago. I'm looking at you tank top and mullet sporting man at the gym.

Jalapeno kettle chips/Dr.Pepper/Reeses can make any day better. At least in my world. (Can I just add that I didn't consume all three of those today?)



I wish it were acceptable to yell at the TV when annoying characters come on and for them to hear you. Case in point Mrs. Brown on The Unit. ARGH!

In a perfect world would be one where dishes clean themselves.

What I wouldn't give for some Mexican food right now.

I obviously wasn't thinking when I decided to bring my American car overseas. NEVER AGAIN!

If I was introduced to you after being a fellow wife in your FRG for a year and you have the nerve to say to me, "I've never seen you before in my life" and then you become FRG leader..I will not be attending your stupid potluck dinner on Saturday. Who has FRG meetings on a SATURDAY?! (No offense to anyone who does) :)

Question of the Day

This question might ruffle some feathers, but I'm going to go ahead and ask it anyway.

I see a lot of kids these days who are always glued to some sort of electronic device. IPods, PSP's and other heldheld electronics. I've seen children with them in church, at the table in a restaurant, in the cart while their parent is grocery shopping. Each time I see it, I'm just kind of floored. Now, don't get me wrong, once I have children, I'd let them have electronics, but I like to think that I would limit them to a certain time and place. Like the car ride home, for a limited amount of time at home and other situations, but I can't help but think sometimes it's used as a filler to keep kids quiet and out of their parents' hair.



If you are a parent, what is your policy on your kids and electronics? Are there places you think it's inappropriate to allow them to use the electronics? If you don't have children (like myself) what are your views on this subject? What would be your policy with your future children and electronics?

Mil-Spouse Blogger?

I've been searching around the blogosphere today, reading blogs I've never read and in general, just seeing who is out there and blogging right now.

Blogs have changed a lot since I started blogging here 3 years ago. Not a lot of people had cute layouts, with their own buttons and there weren't as many mil-spouse bloggers. Or perhaps there were and we hadn't all gathered together like we seem to these days. Sara, DAR and The Mrs. and Andrea were some of the first blogs I started reading and I still read them to this day. Sometimes it seems overwhelming how many military blogs there are out there. I want to read all of them, to hear everyones' story, but there are just so many that it's pretty much impossible.

I've been thinking today about who I am as a blogger. I would categorize myself as a Mil-Spouse blogger, but quite frankly, I don't blog a lot about the military. I noticed today that there are some mil-spouses that talk about military life or military subjects every single day. That's fine, but that's not me. I'm an Army wife, a proud one, but once Sean is home from work, the military isn't discussed a lot in our home. It's Sean's job and it affects me, but it doesn't define me and it's not something I care to talk about every single day on my blog. I enjoy clothes and photography and books and asking you guys crazy questions.

Do any of you other Mil-Spouses ever feel this way?

Nove: Home of Ceramics

One of my favorite local places to shop here in Italy is a little town called Nove. They are known for their ceramics and after a few visits there, I am hooked.

They have some famous collections like Tiffany, Ralph Lauren, Lenox and Williams-Sonoma. Generally those collections are small, but I did spy a Tiffany cake stand that I really wanted this past visit.

My main objective this time, besides getting a gift for a friend, was to get some awesome FiestaWare-esque dishes for my own home. I'm obsessed with FiestaWare and the color turquoise, but currently don't want to spend the moolah on it, so I'm working on my knock-off Italian version.

I got everything in the picture below for 20 Euro. Not a bad price in my opinion.



There were about 3 other items in the collection, but I'm doing it a little at at time. Ideally I'd like a place setting for 6 or 8, but we'll see.

Now I just need to get to Poland for some Polish pottery....

Cast Your Vote!

Two posts today, what's gotten into me?

Anyway, I'm still trying to brainstorm names for my Etsy Shop. I'll be selling photographs out of it. Most of them will be travel related, but some will just be flowers, still-life, etc.

I've come up with a few names and a few have been suggested. The names on the poll do not mean that I will definetly make that my shop name, but I would like some feedback on the names.

Thanks in advance!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

Join in over at Wife of a Sailor!



1.What is something you wished you’d learned to do earlier in life?
To be responsible and think of the bigger picture. I didn't do well in college because I somehow couldn't grasp that.

2.What is your biggest pet peeve with the military?
Things being changed around a hundred million times. I hate not being able to make plans!

3.What tourist attraction near you have you never seen?
Um....I've tried to see most of Italy since we've been here. I've never been to Paris or seen the Eiffel Tower though.

4.What are you avoiding doing right now?
Cleaning. Specifcially doing dishes. I'll probably wait to do them tomorrow.

5.Wine, beer or liquor?
Wine. I used to hate wine before we came to Italy. Currently I'm building up my stash so when we leave here I can have good wine in the States.

My Beef With Jodi Picoult

Lately I've been reading Jodi Picoult books. I find them to be easy reads and they keep my attention for the most part.



I do have a beef with them though. It seems as if the stories all very similiar. Child with some sort of disease or condition, parents and family go through crisis, lawyer assists family and child.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy them and Jodi Picoult, but I want it to be mixed up a bit. Don't follow the same formula for every book. That's one of the main reasons why I got tired of reading Danielle Steel books because every book seemed to be almost the same, just with different people.

Your thoughts?

Game On!

How many of you have ever played Apples to Apples?



I recently played it at a friends and I LOVED it. If you've never played it basically the idea is that you always have seven cards and one designated player lays down a card with a word on it. You pick one of your seven cards that you think compliments the original card and lay it down. The person who laid down the card then chooses which card they like best. The person that put down the card that the person picks wins that card. Sometimes the match is right on and sometimes it's really, really strange. It provides a lot of laughs though.

Of course I'm trying to convince my friends that it would make an excellent drinking game.

What games do you love to play?

A Little Motivation

I'm sure some of my longtime readers will remember in past posts where I've said I'm not a runner. I'm not. At all.

I've worked on the Couch to 5K program off and on for the past 2 years and have yet to complete it. Something always comes up, a trip, an illness, a move and so I never finish, but last week I started again and this time I will finish it.

My motivation? This:



I'm going to be registering for it as soon as it opens. Hopefully in the next seven weeks I can train to run 3 miles.

Is it sad that I'm most excited about the free t-shirt?