I have decided that in order to better survive Manny's impending deployment, I should have a list of things to accomplish. Of course, I survived the last one, but if you read this post, you remember that I didn't do it particularly well. So, of course, lists to the rescue!
Things I'm planning while he's gone (read: yet another list of goals :) )
1. Train for a 1/2 marathon
At some point, I decided that I wanted to run some sort of road race. I thought of doing a 5K but figured that I wouldn't really train for that seeing as how it's only 3.3 miles long. I began researching races in my area only to find that, duh, the Air Force Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, and 10K will be run here in September. Why did I skip right from 5K to 1/2 Marathon? No idea. But I figured the prospect of running 13.1 miles would be scary enough to force me to train (read: get my lazy ass to work out).
2. Run said 1/2 marathon
See above. If I don't throw up on race day it will be a miracle.
3. Finish planning my wedding (details of that list to follow)
I have about one million things left to do before my wedding. Thankfully, it's not until December. There are a few more things I would like to get done before Manny leaves, but the bulk of the detail planning will be done while he's gone. I can't decide if this will be a fun distraction, or if I'll be sad that he's not here to plan with me. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
4. hang out with friends at least 2x per week
I have a really bad habit of shutting myself in when I'm not in a good mood. I like to be alone with my books/computer. But I'm sure it would really really make me feel better to actually get out of the house and hang out with other people.
5. learn how to make fancy cakes
During the holiday season, we baked tons and tons of cookies. We used our new stand mixer more than I ever though we would. During all of this cookie fun, I thought that it might be fun to learn how to decorate cakes as well. You can actually take classes at local craft store so I may even do that. I don't know who's going to eat all these cakes, but I really want to learn. :)
6. Continue making progress on my 2011 Goals
Another thing that tends to happen when I get sad is that my goals go by the wayside. It's going to be a challenge, but that's the point of all the goals and lists. :)
I'm sure this list will grow as I think of other things I want to accomplish. If you've seen my 2011 Goals more than once I'm sure you realize that it's ever changing. I know I tend to make more lists than the average person, but I just love checking things off those lists and I find it helps me stay motivated.
What do you do while your spouse/significant other is deployed? Do you have any tried and true coping mechanisms? I'm sure it's a bit different for everyone but I'd love to know what other people do too!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Wait. There are women in the military?
Today my guest blogger is Jessica over at Misadventures of an Army Wife. I think she's a real hoot, so head over to her blog and check her out.
I know that there are women in the military. In fact, I know some. Shoot, even some of our fellow bloggers are female service members. For some reason, however, there was a disconnect in my mind between there actually being women in the Army and my husband, C, serving in a unit with women. It was almost like women in the Army were some sort of mythical creature - something I'd heard about but not anything I had personally experienced.
C has spent the past four years in an all-male unit. And when I say all male, I'm talkin' A-L-L male. 100% testosterone. No females for miles. Not even in support positions. So, it was strange to me when he came home last week and started to say, "Yeah, this girl in my class said..." Wait. Hold up. Girl? Like a female? Like, estrogen? Why is there a girl in your class? Oh....wait a minute...you're in the Finance Branch now, right? Of course there's going to be girls. Girls are in the Finance Branch. Okay, continue with your story.
Now, don't get me wrong. I have no jealousy issues with my husband serving with females. What I'm getting at is that it was strange to me to even think of there being a female in his unit because for four years there hadn't been a female in his unit.
This made me wonder what other sorts of things were going to be different now that he's in a unit with women? I've already realized that I can no longer say "wives" when I'm really referring to "spouses". I got into that habit with our last unit because "wives" was just as correct as saying "spouses", but I know this is no longer the case.
So, that is my question to you. Is an all male unit different from a mixed unit? If so, how? Do husbands actually participate in unit events? Do they come to coffees? I'm interested in any and all perspectives. The last thing I want to do is to exclude or offend anyone because I wasn't aware.
I know that there are women in the military. In fact, I know some. Shoot, even some of our fellow bloggers are female service members. For some reason, however, there was a disconnect in my mind between there actually being women in the Army and my husband, C, serving in a unit with women. It was almost like women in the Army were some sort of mythical creature - something I'd heard about but not anything I had personally experienced.
C has spent the past four years in an all-male unit. And when I say all male, I'm talkin' A-L-L male. 100% testosterone. No females for miles. Not even in support positions. So, it was strange to me when he came home last week and started to say, "Yeah, this girl in my class said..." Wait. Hold up. Girl? Like a female? Like, estrogen? Why is there a girl in your class? Oh....wait a minute...you're in the Finance Branch now, right? Of course there's going to be girls. Girls are in the Finance Branch. Okay, continue with your story.
Now, don't get me wrong. I have no jealousy issues with my husband serving with females. What I'm getting at is that it was strange to me to even think of there being a female in his unit because for four years there hadn't been a female in his unit.
This made me wonder what other sorts of things were going to be different now that he's in a unit with women? I've already realized that I can no longer say "wives" when I'm really referring to "spouses". I got into that habit with our last unit because "wives" was just as correct as saying "spouses", but I know this is no longer the case.
So, that is my question to you. Is an all male unit different from a mixed unit? If so, how? Do husbands actually participate in unit events? Do they come to coffees? I'm interested in any and all perspectives. The last thing I want to do is to exclude or offend anyone because I wasn't aware.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Adrienne and her Great Grandmother Holton's CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!
Hey all of the fabulous lovely readers of New Girl on Post! :) I bet Miss New Girl is having a FABULOUS vacation, I know I totally cannot wait to see the pictures she brings back with her! Isn't she a fantastic photographer??
You're probably wondering who is typing this... Ha! Let me introduce myself!
 |
| Dorky Pic of me, CHECK. BTW, totally wearing my favorite shirt! |
HELLO HELLO! I'm Adrienne from Right Here, Right Now! If you haven't visited my blog ever, let me tell you a little bit about me!
I am 23 years old. Just got married to my hubbers (Sept. 2010), and then a month later I moved here, to South Korea! It is AMAZING being in a new country! I definitely recommend visiting ANY country that you get a chance to!
Yes, it is definitely hard being away from what I know, friends and family. But the good ones are ALWAYS going to be there when I get back. They're still going to love me, and they're (the good ones, remember) still going to want to hang out with me. My life is STILL moving forward, their lives are STILL moving forward, as well (you cannot forget that!). As Miss New Girl knows, being a Military Wife can be awesome and lame at the same time. But, it brings great opportunities. :) Husband and I are heading to Germany next!
Anyway, I'll stop preaching! Ha! :) I am also interested in photography (and totally drool over Miss New Girls photos!). Right now I am doing Project365 over at my blog! I also do a Project365 link up (blog hop) once a week, usually on Saturday or Sunday. I love photography it is SO much fun, are you into it?
ANYWAY... I could ramble on about myself for ages... ;)
Are you Ready to to have your world rocked with my Great Grandma Holton's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe?! There will be lots of fun photos!!
*Achem, Drum roll please!*
Adrienne's Great Grandma Holton's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe! :)
- 3/4 Cup Oil
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 2 Teaspoon Cream of Tarter
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 3 1/2 Cup Flour
- 2/3 Package Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- I like to use Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips!
Or if you have a retarded Korean oven... Try to get it as close to 350 degrees F as you can...
Now add your Baking Soda, Cream of Tarter, and Salt! And then again, beat until smooth!
Why? Well... Because I have a cheap ass piece of junk beater (it was only $9.99 at the PX... don't judge). And if you add too much at one time, your beater might just brake... Add 1/2 cup, then beat, another, then beat, another then beat... Until your beater starts smoking... Or... Just until it seems exhausted! (3.5 cups of flower = 7, 1/2 cups)
Once your beater has had enough...
If he doesn't comply, promise him nom-nom-able cookies, and smooches!
Have him mix until all flour (a total of 3.5 cups) is mixed in, and OH!!
Now that your oven is all preheated and awesome...
Add dough to your cookie sheet (I like to use two spoons or a scooper (one of those small melon ballers) to get a nice size). Make sure there is about 2 inches in between each dough ball.
Stick 'em in the oven and:
This recipe makes approximately 3-4 dozen cookies, depending on how big the cookie! :) Slightly less if you eat the dough, like I do!
Be sure to let me know over at Right Here, Right Now! If you try out the recipe! :) Let me know how you like it! :)
Thanks to Miss New Girl for letting me be a guest blogger on her lovely blog!
-Adrienne
Thursday, February 3, 2011
A Tale of Two Lovers
Hello to all of you lovely chickadees! I'm Annie from Blonde Glambition. I currently live in the Land of Aloha, otherwise known as Hawaii. I'm a Army wife, Air Force brat, college student, and cuppycake enthusiast...well, more like food enthusiast! Thanks to Melissa for this opportunity to share my story, and to all you for reading it!
Love is in the air. Valentine's Day is upon us, and needless to say my mind drifts to that of my lover, aka my hubby. We've been married for nearly 9 years now, and it's quite rare that we get the chance to spend significant days and/or holidays together. That is life in the Army for you…haha. You won't hear me complain though as him and I both love our chosen lifestyle.
When I look back on the past nine years of our relationship, I'm amazed by the simple fact that our bond is stronger than either one of us could have ever imagined. As we're now on on our fourth combat deployment, we've had to both put forth that extra bit of effort to remain connected. It's not an easy feat to continue growing/evolving as individuals and as a couple simultaneously in the midst of geographical separations, but it's also not impossible.
I remember our first Valentine's Day together. We had only been dating for 3 1/2 months, and little did either one of us know that we would be married a month later. It was that day that I realized just how thoughtful my lover was, and that his feelings for me were the kind that love stories described. He bought this book for me called, "All About Us." Many of you have probably seen it, as it's still sold in stores. Inside it has a slew of questions and fill in the blank sections so that you can personalize the book's contents so that it tells the story of your love. My lover's answers and comments in the book gave me the chance to see myself and our relationship through his eyes. I was completely smitten. Well, to be completely honest, I was smitten from the very beginning. After our third date, I told my closest friend at the time that he was "the one." His openness, honesty, and vulnerability that Valentine's Day only solidified our relationship further, and I still have the book to this day.
In the nine years that we've been together, we have spent over half of that time apart due to military duty. It's a sacrifice that we willingly make and greatly credit for our strong bond. Our extended physical absences from one another have pushed us to be more active and creative in the manner in which we stay connected. Our idea of romance is not necessarily that of others, but it's worked for us so far. Our biggest thing is effort, albeit sometimes challenging when we get caught up in everyday life. Any amount of effort, small or big, is better than nothing though. Pair that with our brutal honesty towards one another (we don't beat around the bush when it comes to the ups and downs in our relationship), and I'd say we found a pretty good recipe to help us stay connected.
When he is away, we have dance sessions on Skype (he loves to pass the funk my way), we send each other silly pics and drawings, I cover his care packages with love notes (I even used to paint his boxes back before flat rate boxes existed), and he calls me just to tell me he misses me when I least expect it.
When he's home, I make him spicy meals from scratch (he loves spicy food) and leave little notes for him to find by his uniform in the mornings. I also love to bake, however my kitchen usually ends up covered in pans, bowls, utensils, and icing by the nights end. My lover, without hesitation, comes to the kitchen when I'm done and tells me to go relax while he cleans everything up for me. Now for me that, along with the foot rub he bestows upon me when he's done, is the ultimate in romantic gestures. Goodness…does that make us sound like an old married couple or what? Haha! Even if it does, I don't care because I married a man that not only encourages me to be who I am, but he supports all of my endeavors, is always up for any idea I have (no matter how crazy it may sound), plus he has this magical ability to make me smile and giggle when I get too up tight about things no matter how far away he may be.
I didn't know it was possible to love this deeply until I met my lover. Who would've known that getting married at 18 would be the best decision I ever made?!?! Life's not always easy, especially in the military, but I'm thankful for all of the challenges, deployments, training cycles, and long work days because it has taught us to make the most of every moment that we have together. Our love and our life together is a fabulous gift; a wild adventure that I wouldn't trade for the world.
Love is in the air. Valentine's Day is upon us, and needless to say my mind drifts to that of my lover, aka my hubby. We've been married for nearly 9 years now, and it's quite rare that we get the chance to spend significant days and/or holidays together. That is life in the Army for you…haha. You won't hear me complain though as him and I both love our chosen lifestyle.
When I look back on the past nine years of our relationship, I'm amazed by the simple fact that our bond is stronger than either one of us could have ever imagined. As we're now on on our fourth combat deployment, we've had to both put forth that extra bit of effort to remain connected. It's not an easy feat to continue growing/evolving as individuals and as a couple simultaneously in the midst of geographical separations, but it's also not impossible.
I remember our first Valentine's Day together. We had only been dating for 3 1/2 months, and little did either one of us know that we would be married a month later. It was that day that I realized just how thoughtful my lover was, and that his feelings for me were the kind that love stories described. He bought this book for me called, "All About Us." Many of you have probably seen it, as it's still sold in stores. Inside it has a slew of questions and fill in the blank sections so that you can personalize the book's contents so that it tells the story of your love. My lover's answers and comments in the book gave me the chance to see myself and our relationship through his eyes. I was completely smitten. Well, to be completely honest, I was smitten from the very beginning. After our third date, I told my closest friend at the time that he was "the one." His openness, honesty, and vulnerability that Valentine's Day only solidified our relationship further, and I still have the book to this day.
In the nine years that we've been together, we have spent over half of that time apart due to military duty. It's a sacrifice that we willingly make and greatly credit for our strong bond. Our extended physical absences from one another have pushed us to be more active and creative in the manner in which we stay connected. Our idea of romance is not necessarily that of others, but it's worked for us so far. Our biggest thing is effort, albeit sometimes challenging when we get caught up in everyday life. Any amount of effort, small or big, is better than nothing though. Pair that with our brutal honesty towards one another (we don't beat around the bush when it comes to the ups and downs in our relationship), and I'd say we found a pretty good recipe to help us stay connected.
When he is away, we have dance sessions on Skype (he loves to pass the funk my way), we send each other silly pics and drawings, I cover his care packages with love notes (I even used to paint his boxes back before flat rate boxes existed), and he calls me just to tell me he misses me when I least expect it.
When he's home, I make him spicy meals from scratch (he loves spicy food) and leave little notes for him to find by his uniform in the mornings. I also love to bake, however my kitchen usually ends up covered in pans, bowls, utensils, and icing by the nights end. My lover, without hesitation, comes to the kitchen when I'm done and tells me to go relax while he cleans everything up for me. Now for me that, along with the foot rub he bestows upon me when he's done, is the ultimate in romantic gestures. Goodness…does that make us sound like an old married couple or what? Haha! Even if it does, I don't care because I married a man that not only encourages me to be who I am, but he supports all of my endeavors, is always up for any idea I have (no matter how crazy it may sound), plus he has this magical ability to make me smile and giggle when I get too up tight about things no matter how far away he may be.
I didn't know it was possible to love this deeply until I met my lover. Who would've known that getting married at 18 would be the best decision I ever made?!?! Life's not always easy, especially in the military, but I'm thankful for all of the challenges, deployments, training cycles, and long work days because it has taught us to make the most of every moment that we have together. Our love and our life together is a fabulous gift; a wild adventure that I wouldn't trade for the world.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Belong Where You Are
Ciao, everybody! I’m thrilled to be guest blogging for the very talented New Girl, fab photographer and object of my logistical-oriented jealousy. In other words, I’m pesto-green with envy that she is living la vida loca (okay, fine – that’s Spanish) in my ancestral homeland of Italy. Fortunately, I can experience the Old Country vicariously through her blog adventures.
My name is Sarah and I live over at Mowenackie where I am staying insane through reintegration, pets and other craziness. That used to read “deployment” in place of “reintegration” but my husband, T, recently returned home from his year-long tour in Afghanistan, so we’re now navigating the choppy waters of Living Together Again.
T is Army National Guard. This was his second deployment – the first was to Iraq – and while I’m very proud of him, I certainly wouldn’t complain if he never had to be in a war zone again.
I’m just funny that way.
I’m also a tree-hugger, an animal lover, a food enthusiast and a fourth generation Italian living in…
Maine.
Maine can be an interesting place to grow up for a person who calls red marinara sauce “gravy”; who thinks nothing of having ravioli as a Thanksgiving Day appetizer; and whose family hugs and kisses whoever walks in the door, rather than shaking their hand. Though I certainly never felt the culture shock that New Girl did when she first arrived in Italy, it wasn’t easy to feel bella where blonde was the standard of beauty and hairy arms were, well, not.
This was particularly true for me as a Gen X-er. Growing up in the 80’s, I wanted more than anything to have feathered bangs. Does anyone remember feather bangs? Does anyone remember the 80’s? If not, never fear – they are back and badder than ever, as is evidenced by the trashcan lid-sized sunglasses and hot pink leg warmers that are currently flying off shelves everywhere.
And for that I am very sorry.
If you don’t remember feathered bangs, check out Lacey’s hair in Kyle and Lacey’s DWTS Season 11 foxtrot. This ‘do must be distinctly understood, otherwise nothing wonderful can come of this story that I am about to relate. You must also understand that I have curly hair. Not Taylor Swift curly – I’m talking Little Orphan Annie meets bicycle-pump-on-steroids curly.
So.
It’s 1985. I’m ten years old. All the neighborhood kids have hair that is whisper-light, fanning back from their faces with the simple flick of a comb. I beg my mother to cut me feathered bangs. She refuses, explaining that this particular fashion will not work on my type of hair. It just won’t stay in place.
I don’t care. I beg harder. Eventually, I win.
I’m Italian. I learned how to argue early.
My mother gives in and cuts my hair in innumerable layers. She blows it dry. It looks…it looks like the other kids’ hair! I was right! My mom was wrong! This is SO radical.
I run outside to show my friends.
My bangs lift in the breeze. The humidity of August rushes in, eager to restore my head to its natural chaos. My hair explodes off of my head, screaming, “I’m free! I’m free!”
I wound up with a short puff of hair billowing over my forehead like a cloud – a cloud that would follow me for the next five or six or seven (or ten) years as I wended my way through adolescence, raining on my occasional parade, but more or less just being a nuisance.
Eventually – once I learned to accept and even be proud of my heritage in all of its swarthy glory – the sun did come out. I discovered that, much like me, my hair does better when you don’t try to make it into something it’s not. If you let it just do its thing…it actually comes out kind of cool.
Different.
But cool.
My name is Sarah and I live over at Mowenackie where I am staying insane through reintegration, pets and other craziness. That used to read “deployment” in place of “reintegration” but my husband, T, recently returned home from his year-long tour in Afghanistan, so we’re now navigating the choppy waters of Living Together Again.
T is Army National Guard. This was his second deployment – the first was to Iraq – and while I’m very proud of him, I certainly wouldn’t complain if he never had to be in a war zone again.
I’m just funny that way.
I’m also a tree-hugger, an animal lover, a food enthusiast and a fourth generation Italian living in…
Maine.
Maine can be an interesting place to grow up for a person who calls red marinara sauce “gravy”; who thinks nothing of having ravioli as a Thanksgiving Day appetizer; and whose family hugs and kisses whoever walks in the door, rather than shaking their hand. Though I certainly never felt the culture shock that New Girl did when she first arrived in Italy, it wasn’t easy to feel bella where blonde was the standard of beauty and hairy arms were, well, not.
This was particularly true for me as a Gen X-er. Growing up in the 80’s, I wanted more than anything to have feathered bangs. Does anyone remember feather bangs? Does anyone remember the 80’s? If not, never fear – they are back and badder than ever, as is evidenced by the trashcan lid-sized sunglasses and hot pink leg warmers that are currently flying off shelves everywhere.
And for that I am very sorry.
If you don’t remember feathered bangs, check out Lacey’s hair in Kyle and Lacey’s DWTS Season 11 foxtrot. This ‘do must be distinctly understood, otherwise nothing wonderful can come of this story that I am about to relate. You must also understand that I have curly hair. Not Taylor Swift curly – I’m talking Little Orphan Annie meets bicycle-pump-on-steroids curly.
So.
It’s 1985. I’m ten years old. All the neighborhood kids have hair that is whisper-light, fanning back from their faces with the simple flick of a comb. I beg my mother to cut me feathered bangs. She refuses, explaining that this particular fashion will not work on my type of hair. It just won’t stay in place.
I don’t care. I beg harder. Eventually, I win.
I’m Italian. I learned how to argue early.
My mother gives in and cuts my hair in innumerable layers. She blows it dry. It looks…it looks like the other kids’ hair! I was right! My mom was wrong! This is SO radical.
I run outside to show my friends.
My bangs lift in the breeze. The humidity of August rushes in, eager to restore my head to its natural chaos. My hair explodes off of my head, screaming, “I’m free! I’m free!”
I wound up with a short puff of hair billowing over my forehead like a cloud – a cloud that would follow me for the next five or six or seven (or ten) years as I wended my way through adolescence, raining on my occasional parade, but more or less just being a nuisance.
Eventually – once I learned to accept and even be proud of my heritage in all of its swarthy glory – the sun did come out. I discovered that, much like me, my hair does better when you don’t try to make it into something it’s not. If you let it just do its thing…it actually comes out kind of cool.
Different.
But cool.
Monday, January 31, 2011
So Long, Farewell...
Tomorrow we're embarking on our 16 day tour of Europe and although I'm excited, I always get nervous before big trips, especially when we fly. I am NOT a fan of flying.
Today I'm tying up all the loose ends and doing last minute errands. I'm also dropping Boomer off to the faboulous people who watch him when I take trips. I must admit though, I always get sad dropping him off. It seems so lonely at home when there's not a little dog around. I know he's going to have a fun time while I'm gone though, so I'm not worried.
While I'm gone, I've enlisted the help of 9 faboulus bloggers to keep you entertained while I'm gone. I've read through all of their guest blogs and I know you're going to enjoy reading what they have to say. So make sure you leave lots of nice comments for them!
Also, there was someone who emailed me about guest blogging and I just happened upon your e-mail the other day, for some reason it had gone to my junk mail and it was gone when I went back to answer it. So if you e-mailed me about guest blogging and I didn't respond, please e-mail me again. I'll be taking a trip this summer too and will need guest bloggers again.
I'll see you guys in a few weeks and hopefully I'll have lots of awesome pictures to share with you!
Today I'm tying up all the loose ends and doing last minute errands. I'm also dropping Boomer off to the faboulous people who watch him when I take trips. I must admit though, I always get sad dropping him off. It seems so lonely at home when there's not a little dog around. I know he's going to have a fun time while I'm gone though, so I'm not worried.
While I'm gone, I've enlisted the help of 9 faboulus bloggers to keep you entertained while I'm gone. I've read through all of their guest blogs and I know you're going to enjoy reading what they have to say. So make sure you leave lots of nice comments for them!
Also, there was someone who emailed me about guest blogging and I just happened upon your e-mail the other day, for some reason it had gone to my junk mail and it was gone when I went back to answer it. So if you e-mailed me about guest blogging and I didn't respond, please e-mail me again. I'll be taking a trip this summer too and will need guest bloggers again.
I'll see you guys in a few weeks and hopefully I'll have lots of awesome pictures to share with you!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday Wayback Flashback
I love when other bloggers post pictures of them from days past, so I thought I'd post a few of myself.
This is my cousin and I. I think I was around 5. Note that I was quite sassy, even back in the day.
This is one of my senior pics. I'm not sure why I ever sported bangs now that I look at this picture. I did love this dress though. I still have it around somewhere and it still fits!
This is on bid day back in college when I was briefly in a sorority. The girl next to me is my best friend (we've been friends since 8th grade) I hope she doesn't mind that I posted this! :)
And who is this you ask? A young Ron Howard as Opie? Nope! It's Sean! Wasn't he the cutest?
This is my cousin and I. I think I was around 5. Note that I was quite sassy, even back in the day.
This is one of my senior pics. I'm not sure why I ever sported bangs now that I look at this picture. I did love this dress though. I still have it around somewhere and it still fits!
This is on bid day back in college when I was briefly in a sorority. The girl next to me is my best friend (we've been friends since 8th grade) I hope she doesn't mind that I posted this! :)
And who is this you ask? A young Ron Howard as Opie? Nope! It's Sean! Wasn't he the cutest?
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