Memorial Day

I just wanted to take time to remember all our men and women who serve and have served our country.

I'm thinking of all you ladies today with deployed significant others!

Today Is The Day

I hope you all are enjoying your Memorial Day and of course remember why we have Memorial Day.

In my family we don't have many veterans. My great-grandfather was in World War I, but both my grandfathers were too young to be a part of WWII and my Dad was too young to be in Vietnam. So...I am celebrating the day with my favorite military person: my husband.

I unexpectedly got the day off today. I was getting ready for work and my boss called and told me I could have the day off (paid) so I jumped at the chance to spend some extra time with Sean and Boomer.

It's basically been a lazy day for us and quite honestly it's too hot to really do anything. I'm praying we get our A/C soon. Call me a big pansy, but I'm dying without any A/C. If it were cooler I wouldn't have a problem, but 90 degree days are killing me.

In honor of today I would like to suggest a book for you to read.

It's called Soldier From The War Returning by Thomas Childers. Basically it dispels the myths that WWII Veterans didn't experience any sort of re-adjustment or negative affects from fighting in WWII. He shows documented cases of PTSD, which in those days was called pyschoneurotic disorder.

I highly recommend it.



(Photo courtsey of SecondCareer on Flickr)

Like A Heat Wave

Spring is alive and kicking here in Italy and in all honesty I have mixed feelings about it.

Don't get me wrong, I love spring, but in Italy it's very common to NOT have air-conditioning. We asked for it to be put in our apartment, but it has yet to be installed. The USO (where I work) has A/C, but the post policy is until it reaches a certain temp for a certain amount of days, that they won't turn it on.

Let me tell you ladies....it is SWELTERING in the USO on a daily basis. Imagine a building where breezes don't blow in, combined with the fact that at any given time there are 10-40 guys in the building. I literally come home everyday covered in sweat. I am not pleased about that. My boss told me last year they didn't turn the A/C on until July. Quite honestly I'm not sure I can handle that. I may have to start coming to work in my bikini!

Speaking of my bikini, I went ahead and ordered that green bikini from Old Navy. I tried it on as soon as I got home and I was very pleased with it. My only issue. Where in the heck have my boobs gone? I used to fill out a bikini decently. Now I look like a 12- year- old girl. If you think I'm joking I assure you I'm not! I guess that's the price you pay for losing weight? If only I could direct my body to get rid of extra fat in my thighs and leave my boobs alone!

Can you all believe that Memorial Day is this weekend? This year is going by super-fast. Sean and I are still not sure what we are going to be doing. We originally thought Rome, but have pushed that back. Sean really wants to go up to Innsbruck since he's been through there twice on his way to Germany. I have to admit that going up to Austria does sound like a fun time. Anybody been to Innsbruck? Any suggestions?

One last thing, I'd like to say hello to my new followers that have started reading me in the last few weeks. I really do appreciate all of you that read my blog. Don't be afraid to say hello!

Memorial Day Plans and Massages

This upcoming weekend is Memorial Day. Usually my parents host a pool party and BBQ, but I doubt they are doing either since they will be leaving in just a few weeks for vacation. I wouldn't be able to attend anyway since I'm 9 hours away and gas is $3.61 a gallon.

Instead I think we might be having a small cookout on Saturday. One of Sean's friends and his wife are PCSing within the next two weeks to Alaska. So, it will be a good time to see them before they leave. Sean loves grilling and any excuse for him to do that is just fine with him.

I'm thinking about going to get a massage this weekend. Supposdly there is a really great place here in town and Sean keeps insisiting I go get one. I've never had one so I think it will be a very fun and relaxing time. I just need to remember to call and see if they can get me in. How much does one tip a massusse? (sp?) Let me know about that because I would hate to under-tip.

Work these next couple of days should be good. For starters the rest of the week is casual-wear and I was told we would get off work early on Friday. Of course we have Monday off, so needless to say I'm excited about this weekend.

I'm not sure what they are having in the way of honoring people for this holiday. Back home they had ceremonies at the local cemeteries, but I'm not sure about here. If there is anything going on around post then I'm sure I'll read about it in the paper Friday.

When I went shopping yesterday for some groceries I bought some Butoni pesto. I've been eyeing it for about the last 5 months, but I know how I get when I buy pesto so I've left it alone...until now.



I have an addiction to it....and I'm not afraid to admit it. It's so delish to mix in pasta, which I did last night to our chicken spaghetti or just to eat plain on a piece of bread. I'm even guilty of eating it by the forkful out of the container. I told you I had an addiction!

I can't believe that it's almost June! Soon it will be Sean's birthday (July 4th) our anniversary (July 5th) and my birthday (July 13th). My how time is flying by this year. Before I know it, it will be crunch time on PCSing out of here and I'll be on my way to Italy. I'm so excited about it, but I keep reminding myself that I will miss some things. Like my favorite restaurants, normal voltage plug-in's, closets....but it's all worth it to me of course. Just another exciting chapter in this crazy life we call the military!

Anyone have any plans for the weekend? Care to share?