Swollen

My hand is swollen today. Yes, that is as in singular hand. Just my left hand. I noticed it after I finished working out today. It was so swollen that it actually hurt and I could not wear my wedding ring.

I mean, my hands have swollen before, but never just one and never that bad. I think I am dehydrated, so I've chugged a liter of water so far and I'm hoping to put my ring on soon.

I just realized I haven't really gave you guys an update on how work has been since I've started. To sum it up, I'll just say I really like my job. There's something new everyday AND on April 30th Toby Keith is coming to post to do a concert and he's also supposed to stop by the USO. Should make for an entertaining day.

In other news, Sean is leaving next week to go get an MRI done in Germany, if I didn't have to work I could go with him and meet some of you ladies up there, but alas I do have to work so meeting you guys will have to wait a bit longer. After his MRI he will be joining the rest of the battalion for training, so in total he'll be gone about 3 to 4 weeks. This is the longest we'll have been apart since we moved to Fort Polk last January. Thank goodness I have a job and Boomer to keep me company. Otherwise I can see myself quickly becoming bored.

I'm getting ready to do a massive Forever 21 order and possibly an order from American Eagle too. I need jeans, pronto. I happened to remember also that we have an H&M in town as well and since I've never had the pleasure of shopping at H&M I can honestly say I'm very excited.

So what do you guys have planned for this weekend? Sean has a four day, but since I'm helping with the post Easter egg hunt on Saturday we aren't going anywhere. Instead we will be doing boring adult things like buying shelving and finishing up our apartment. Living with boxes still in rooms is growing increasingly annoying for both Sean and I. Plus...we both want to get stuff in order before he leaves for a month.

However, next week there is a trip to Florence leaving from post and I'm really hoping this time they have enough people so I can actually see the city this time!

Clothes, Tests and Thanks

Thanks to everyone who commented yesterday. It's good knowing that I have a big support system out there in blog land.

As I mentioned last week, I've started looking into getting my Masters. I took a big step towards that yesterday and checked out the most recent studyguide for the GRE.

Looking at it, I'm a little intimidated. Not so much by the verbal or essay writing sections, but by the analytical section.

I suck at math. Seriously I do. I'm down with the basics, but algebra? geometry? Forget about it. Math was my lowest section on my ACT by far. I just hate it, I don't have a mathematical mind. So, I'm going to have to study A LOT for that portion.

So I saw the funniest thing yesterday. Sean and I had to go home 3 times yesterday morning because he had forgotten things. Don't ask... Anyway, as we are driving through our little town this car pulls out in front of the car in front of us and starts going really slow. The car honks, both cars pull to the side of the road and both men get out and start yelling at each other. I've heard that this happens, but I had never seen it actually happen. It was HILARIOUS!

For starters that would NEVER happen in the U.S. I mean if someone starts honking at you, you don't stop and get out, you just keep going. Well, at least I would.

Now, without further ado...another session of cute clothes to buy at Forever21.



Perfect pink bracelet for summer and spring.



Perfect casual top with some cute jeans and wedges.



An interesting hem for a little office spice.



Perfect for sipping margaritas at a summer party no?

Ciao!

Going Through the Big D

No, I don't mean Dallas...or divorce.

I'm talking about deployments.

See, Sean and I have been pretty lucky in the fact that we've been married for almost two years and we haven't dealt with a deployment.

Trust me, I feel lucky for that everyday.

When we decided to come to Italy we knew there would be deployments. At least one, if not more. That's just how it works.

For the last month I've been hearing different deployment dates, different possible locations, etc.

There was one date/location combo that I was actually somewhat comfortable with. Well, as comfortable as you can be imagining your husband in harm's way.

Today Sean said someone VERY HIGH UP said otherwise and my heart just sank. I know the details will change a million times before we actually hear exactly when and where they are going.

I thought I was prepared to deal with this...but today I started to question that.

I know many of you girls are dealing with deployments or have gone through one or several. I know that's hard and I give big props to you, because you've dealt with something I haven't.

I don't want to go without seeing my husband for a year, I don't want to come home to an empty house every night, I don't want to go travel without him, I don't want to cook dinners for one.

This part of the Army wife life blows.

I'm just scared. Bottom line.

Earthquake

Just wanted to let everyone know that Sean and I are ok.

We weren't affected by the earthquake at all. Supposedly there was one north of Rome and one around Bologna (which is closest to us). We didn't even feel it at all, although we were both awake at the time it happened. However, one of the volunteers at the USO lives in a 6th floor apartment and said he did indeed feel some shaking.

Thanks to everyone who has asked about how we were! My parents sent me some frantic emails this morning, so I didn't want anyone else worrying.

Oh..and if you haven't checked out the Venice pics, you can do so below.

Venice In Pictures!

These are the old wells the Venetians used to use to collect their water.



Follow the signs to the Rialto Bridge



See the directions work!



Typical Italian canal scene



Classico Sandwich...delish!



This scene was peaceful to me



Delish window displays



Looking across the canal



Aren't these masks awesome?



Different angle on a church



Another beautiful Venice view



My Spritz



The Bell Tower

Just a small sampling for you! I'll try to have more up at a later date.

Venice

So, yesterday after an early start, Sean and I decided despite the weather we were going to Venice.

I'm really glad we did, because it only sprinkled on and off while we were there, the rest of the time it was pretty sunny and sometimes actually hot.

Can I just say though that I suck at using the trains? This was our first encounter with the train. We nagivated buying the tickets just fine from the little machine in the lobby, we even made it out to the right platform, but catching the train? That was another story. We'd bought tickets for the fast train, but weren't sure what car we got on and where our seats were. Sean and I plus a group of about 4 Americans completely missed our train.

So...Sean and I just hopped the regional train that came up next.

We made it Venice without any more drama (Thank God)

Venice looked exactly how I thought it would. I mean that in a good way.

Sean and I's mission on this trip was to get a feel for Venice, take some pictures and enjoy the food. We saw most of the major sights, but didn't tour any of them this time around. Some of my family is coming in June and I thought I'd be able to do that with them. Plus Venice is at most an hour away by train, so I'm sure before I leave I'll visit a lot.

Anyway, we had some delish food. Ravioli with speck (a type of ham), classico sandwich, spritz, glasses of Roboso wine. I got pictures of all of it except the delish Nutella crepe that I had.

We got lost a lot, which was ok most of the time. I enjoyed seeing all the little back streets and less crowded spaces. However, Sean and I were more than ready to get back to the train station and somehow it took us like 2 hours to get back. We vowed next time we will buy Vaporetto (water bus) tickets as soon as we get out of the train station to minimize that happening to us.

I have yet to even upload the pictures from my camera onto my computer, but I'll try to do that tonight so you guys can see some pics either late this evening or tomorrow.

Ciao!

Do Men Have PMS?

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have posted Day 2 of the Challenge on my new picture blog. Click here to access it.

I think Sean and I are trying to go to Venice tomorrow, even though the forecast calls for rain. I'm going to brave it anyway, because I really want to see Venice.

Today wasn't the best day, for starters we had to take Boomer to the vet and he didn't want to cooperate at all once he was in the exam room. He was ok during the whole taking of the temperature and his shot, but once it came to clipping his nails he went crazy. He thrashed about so hard he ended up hitting my chin with his head and let me tell you...it hurt.

Sean has been in a craptastic mood today. You'd think having a four day he'd actually not act like he has a bug up his a*s, but whatever. I'm convinced men have PMS similar to women. Tell me you don't think the same thing sometimes!!!

*Edited to add* I'd like to thank Anonymous for your nice comment about me complaining about everything and you bet I'm divorced in five years.

I have a few words for you.

A. Stop reading my blog if it really gets under your skin
B. Why don't you man up and actually post under your real name? Anonymous comments are for cowards.

Thanks!

Anyway, it's late here and to get up early I must head to bed now.

Ciao!