Military Wife Complaints

zSo, do you guys know the military spouse that complains about EVERYTHING: TriCare, MyCAA, employment opportunities, housing, MP, neighbors, uniforms, deployments, Military OneSource.... the list can go on and on and on; it's never ending. I don't know about you guys but I have found far to many martyrs in our ranks. (I'm sure this will be another of my unpopular opinions, so be it). I'm kind of over it. I get it's tough. I get some have it tougher than others. Honestly, I don't want to hear "woe is me" all the time. I am a firm believer is none of us our victims of our choices; we chose to be where we are, therefore you should embrace it. All of it. The good with the bad. Furthermore, I don't feel TriCare is the devil. I was raised a military brat; with doctors on base, in uniform passing out 800 milligrams of Motrin (aka Vitamin M) like it's candy. However, there are downfalls to all insurance companies ::cough cough:: premiums ::cough cough::

I have just come to the conclusion that some people will never be satisfied. Some people will always concentrate on the negative verses the positive. Some people will bitch and whine regardless of all their blessings.

My favorite complaint is how the military moves our active spouse around all the time making it impossible for the milspouse to maintain a career. As valid as this may be... I say "So what?" I was raised by a working-milspouse-mother and an active duty service member. I know many other career oriented, working military spouses. It's do-able. However, you do have to choose a practical (to the lifestyle) career. I always hear "But then you throw kids in the mix.." following the "I can't find or maintain a career" argument. I kind of feel like these constantly complaining milspouses won't be satisfied until they are provided salaries as there active counterparts are. It bugs me.

I feel as an Army wife I support my husband, I maintain the household, pay the bills, I miss and I worry for my husband while he's deployed. I fight for my marriage when he's home and we battle through reintegration. HOWEVER, I will never sacrifice or serve the way my husband does. He earns the paycheck- I do not. There is a huge leap from the soldier to the spouse.

Again this is my opinion based off complaints of milspouses that I know.

This is my life because I chose it knowingly. I complain to. This is not holier than thou vice woe is me. I get that nothing is perfect. My point is simply that this life verses any other is no better or worse. All lifestyles have problems and ups and downs, positives versus negatives. This is life.

Count your blessings. That is all.

Teen Mom

Lets have it out... I'm so confused. I get being sucked into the trashiness because you just can't help but watch- I <3 Jersey Shore not like that's too many steps above Teen Mom right? Well my problem is for the other teens out there having sex (with or without protection) thinking that pregnancy, having babies and raising babies is glamourous. I've gathered from my few experiences actually watching this filthy show that it's all about the drama (the couples)but very little attention* is paid to the responsibility that comes with being a parent, who pays for the birth, the babies food and diapers, clothes, crib, car seat, hell who pays for the car the baby will be carted around in?

From what I've seen sex is carefree and fun for the teens (not that it shows that part), babies are a (hopefully) cute accessory to daily life on mom's hip, collar popped and hair spiked. It's sick. Not every teen mom gets paid by MTV; on the contrary I have a nagging feeling that our tax dollars support most of these kids in one or more ways: WIC, Medicaid... This pisses me off. Anyone else? I have a feeling that the trend will only continue because teens are given epidurals so birth doesn't cause discomfort or pain and well, the entire process and new life are free because someone else pays for pre-natal care, birth and hospital stay and formula.

Obviously teen pregnancies were on the rise before MTV dipped their toes in the pool, so don't get me wrong I'm not holding MTV (or show participants) solely responsible for the trend... I'm just saying it's a drain on our already weak economy. Also, I know many military families that partake in government assistance as it pertains to their children, I've even had civilians in my family throw this fact in my face and to that I say: we sacrifice for our country and the fact that these sacrifices warrant so low pay that our service members even qualify for these programs is asinine, nevermind a CHILD who probably hasn't even paid anything into the tax system they're taking full advantage of, by birthing spawn because it's cool it's even more asinine and again a drain on the economy. I'm just saying- it pisses me off!

*with the exception of the one couple who gave up their baby for adoption, seemed to realize what a child costs and would (selfishly) cost them in life experience.

ps: I just don't think all teen or young mothers suck at life or take advantage of our government...

Living Situation..

When we first got our orders to Baumholder I knew that it was all apartment style living and that E6 and below HAD to (unless we had a valid reason for requesting an exception to policy) live on post. So we knew we'd been reverting back to an apartment. Which is a downgrade for us. We gave up a lot in our journey to Germany: our dog, about 500 square feet of living space, a car and other things. We took our lumps and carried on. The past 6 months have had their ups and downs but we're finally settled in here:

Smith Housing Area, Baumholder, GE

Not the best picture but you get the idea. The architecture (and I use that word loosely) reminds me of the projects, minus graffiti. They're just stale looking and all the same. On the upside the unit accommodates our furniture nicely (with the exception of our dining room table, anyone want to buy it?!) and the Master Bedroom is actually bigger than our last one.
But lets get real, the major issue with apartment style living is the other people. Us human folk need interaction from others... we crave it. While this is true I'm not always such a fan of people. There are 4 stories to each building. I live on the 3rd floor of the first stairwell. The only problem (outside of something rotting in the stairwell on the 1st floor) we have is with the people above us. They have a small child (not a problem, in and of itself) who doesn't appear to have any regular bedtime and likes very much to run and jump and scream (and be screamed at) when he or she is awake. Kids will be kids, I understand- truly I do and I know none of us chose this apartment-style living arrangement but since we're all in it I think we should go the extra mile as to not cause the people above, below, and beside us any undue discomfort. Seriously, I'm just looking for a little consideration: Don't blare your music so that I can not only hear the thud-thud of the base but can also clearly make out the words (I don't care if you're into country, rap, r&b or currently really loving Justin Bieber), Don't allow your small child to cause a huge ruckus at 1030 at night during the week (we're married to soldiers for goodness sake- they're up EARLY).
Ok, so I'm the first to admit, I'm no one's mother so I have no idea first hand the stress that comes with being with a child 24-7; dealing with all their wants and needs has to be daunting and extremely stressful. But here's what I do know. If and when I have my babies and they are pushing their Terrible Two's and I'm forced into an apartment style living situation I'm going to do my damnedest not to allow my child to put my business out in the street. Here's what I mean: when your kid throws an un-Godly fit for 20 mins+, daily that reflects on what's going on in the household, especially when the mother screams "SHUT UP!" about 5 minutes into the thing which only prompts Junior to scream louder. (parenting at it's finest)

It's just annoying. Especially (which I think I've said that word like 18 times in this post) when the hubs is coming off CQ. Things may get ugly today... eeeek. Hopefully Junior (upstairs) catches on soon. I know that we try to be considerate of the people around us. When we're watching a movie with the surround sound on we constantly adjust the sound, when there's shooting or explosions and a lot of action we turn it down a few notches, when there's more dialogue we turn it up so we actually have a clue as to what's going on. We TRY, I wish others would too!

I REALLY Want it Wednesday...

Truly... tell me because I want to know. Help me understand... as an American. I need and I deserve to know!

Case and point. Yes, lets repeal the healthcare bill... Please. Because doing nothing with the old system sounds like a much better idea. At least it's not "change". People are scared of Change. Naturally. Will it work? What will it cost, ect and so forth... At least people can go back to bitching about the health care system not working and it being too expensive-- that is at least a gripe they're used to.

Yes, please, lets "reduce the size of government and continue our fight for a smaller, less costly, more accountable government." (Boehner) OH, The glory days of President Bush. Less costly: hmmm, that's not true to the record. Lets be real when President Clinton left office he left the national budget with a SURPLUS people. After two Bush terms we were left with (how many billions of dollars borrowed from China?) and a huge deficit. So the Republicans being less costly is laughable.

Also, for those who want to "reduce the size of government and continue our fight for a smaller, less costly, more accountable government." as Boehner said have you heard him mention how he'll accomplish it? Talk is cheap.

What I heard during the press conference was "We're going to do exactly what you want." But they failed to mention how. We the people (evidently) want a repeal on the Health Care Bill. But when asked about it he said he'd address it in the coming months and see what happens in January. That's not proof of anything.

Honestly I doubt anything will come from this Republican controlled House/Senate Combo. Only because President Obama has publicly asked Republicans for their ideas and contributions (specifically in regards to Health Care) multiple times; during one State of the Union and he hosted a Summit on Health Care February 7th, where party leaders (including John McCain) spent the unprecedented time with the President name-calling and boasting about their favorite colors... well this is obviously a distortion of the truth... they spent the day discussion nothing. When they could have actually pitched their on brilliant thoughts and ideas on the subject. They did nothing.

Lastly: All Politicians Lie. Change Takes Time. If your excited for the change that Republicans promise... brace yourself it's not likely to come in less than 18 months... Shocking.

On a personal note. As an American, I'm PISSED. My mail-in Ballot is M.I.A! My right, afforded to me by the 19th Amendment was not extended to me. Pissed, I say, PISSED!

I am genuinely curious about the outcome if you can help me to understand and still, as always remain respectful I am so willing to hear you out. Because what I know tells me this makes no sense... none at all.

More...

I have more questions. Why do people insist on being so damn fake on Facebook? Seriously... are we all so self-absorbed to think that we have to put on a huge show for other people; that they care so much about what we're up to we have to make it a 1000 times better than it actually is? Why to some people put on such a show for others? Just be yourself, and if people can't except you for who and what you are then forget them; they don't matter anyway.

I'm just wondering.... because basically I don't like fake people who are all showy. It rubs me wrong.

Family

I am a person, who believes very strongly in family! I believe you should never openly (more specifically on social networking sites) put your family down. Busting your husband, sister, brother, mother, cousin, nephew ect,out on Facebook isn't cool. It's simply unnecessary and immature. What bugs me even more are the passive aggressive Status updates/Tweets. Just come out with it... hell if you insist on airing your dirty laundry at least do it in a way that everyone reading can actually understand.
I digress.
I can't control other people or what they choose to put out into the universe.

All that I know is that family is precious. I have learned that people, even sometimes the BEST and greatest of friends let you down or dump you.* I know it, you know it, we've all experienced it. The way I was raised, family is forever. Whether you like them or not, or even love them today or not, simply does not matter. You always have their backs and know that no matter what they will be there for you.

It saddens me when I see things on Facebook from members of my family that diminish their relationships within the family. I will never understand this? If you really have that little respect for your ______ (whatever: husband, sister, brother, mother, cousin, nephew ect) you should (in my humble little opinion) figure out what is broken within your situation and fix it. I am a reasonable person, people. I know that life is not this black and white. I know that all things cannot just be fixed, just-like-that.

I am also a person that believes very strongly in respect. If you no longer love or respect your _____ (whatever) than respect and honor what you once loved and respected about that person. What was once good about it.

Sorry for being "preachy" today. I had to get this off my chest though!

*this post is not meat to, in anyway diminish the GREATEST and BEST of friendships, so don't take it that way.

TGIF!

Something else I MUST add, since I'm bitching about social networking sites is WHY, WHY do people Tag themselves in YOUR pictures? Does this bother anyone else BUT me? C'mon... seriously, I know it can't be just me. Now in the big scheme of things, is this a big deal? Absolutely not, but it does aggravate me! 

Gotta Say.... I'm pretty pissed

Prepare yourselves people.

(just a friendly, heads-up)

Anyone else follow Leftface?

Well, obviously now you know I do. The last few days the ladies over there have been pretty fired up. I definitely don't blame them. You see, back on the 4th LAW authored a post about the reprehensible conduct that took place on a US Airways flight leaving Washington's Reagan Int'l Airport (back in March). The readers digest version of what took place goes like this: 6 members of a fallen Marine's family were in Dover welcoming their Marine's body back to the US. They traveled from Dover to DC in order to fly with the remains back to their home. The reprehensible part: The airline asked for volunteers to get off the flight. 3 people volunteered. It wasn't until 30 mins and a tearful plea from a crew member that 3 other individuals were motivated to give up their seat. Let's think on that for a moment. 30 minutes.... seriously? What is wrong with people? If you would like to read the entire story (it's a good read... but, sad obviously) you can find it on the Washington Times.

Anyway, the ladies from LeftFace are up-in-arms today (and the last few days) due to some of the comments they've received since the 4 June story. I'm sure these won't come as any surprise, all of these shitty comments are things we've all heard before; "Suck it up." "There are those who “have greatest disdain” for the “special attention” being paid to anyone in the current military, especially the National Guard." and my personal fav "Quit Whining, you chose to be where you are." Like I said, I think we've all heard these things before (or something similar).

I really think in regards to the Washington Times story about Lance Cpl. Justin Wilson's family, this isn't about entitlement, special attention or receiving a free ride. It's about human decency. It's about this young (24 years old) Marine who gave his life for this country. It's about the 99% of Americans that don't serve and their concern (or lack thereof), respect (or lack thereof) and appreciation (or lack thereof) for our service members, their sacrifices and their families. Not to say that everyone without military affiliation just doesn't get it (or doesn't respect the military)... after all 3 people did jump up and offer their seats on the US Airways flight... and the 3 stragglers that eventually followed suit. I'm right there with you LAW it's reprehensible! It's unacceptable! I can only speak for myself but I would have JUMPED out of my seat and gladly (without hesitation) given it up for this, or any other of the 5517 according to icasualties.org families that have endured the same loss.

I think its time for the 99% to stop bitchin' about our bitchin'. I'm pretty sure EVERYONE chose to be where they are in their lives (in one way or the other), and I'm pretty sure that EVERYONE chooses to bitch about their lives at some point also. Traffic sucks. It's hot. It's cold. It's raining. I hate my job. I don't get paid enough. I want free health care. I can't afford my health care premiums/co-pays. My kids are rotten. My husband/wife/boy-/girlfriend and I are having problems. We have too much debt. Times are tough.

I have to quote Tucker (from LeftFace) "Of course, we volunteered for this, yes, we chose this life. BUT. That is the point. We did what no one wanted to do. We stood up and said, WE will bear this burden for you. We said its okay for you to stay home in your safe and cozy subdivision with your picket fence and American Dream, we’ll do annual deployments, sustain a marriage over the phone, run a household alone, miss holidays, miss births, cram in weddings on R&R, all while living in fear of a dark sedan, a knock on the door and a future as a Gold Star family." Our choice makes us different than you. I wish people would acknowledge the actually choice. The choice I made and more so the choice my husband made. Making the choice is the most honorable and selfless part in all of this. Have the courage and intestinal fortitude to choose this life and the risks is deserving, and warranted of everyone else' respect. Even silently. I (personally) don't need the "thank you for your service" 's. It's nice but really doesn't go that far when I'm sure at some point a stranger said the same thing to LCpl. Wilson's wife widow... but when she needed the support the yellow ribbon magnet on your car indicates you have it took too long for you to stand and offer it. Is too long semantics? Not at all. Not under these conditions.

I feel I have to expand on the fact that we (the spouse and the service member) chose to be where we are; doing what we do. There are some military and milspouses alike, that say they absolutely didn't chose this. There's a possibility for those who signed up prior to 2001 didn't know rucking up, kicking down doors, standing guard in a middle-eastern desert would be their reality. It's entirely possible, even probable they joined for the GI Bill. All the same. It's been 9 years people. Our military began Operation Enduring Freedom 7 Oct 2001, and Operation Iraqi Freedom began 20 Mar 2003. I'd say the standard enlistment lasts 4 years but we all know they own you for 8. Do the math. Anyone still in the military NOW has chosen to be there since these wars began. Which means, the service member, and spouse alike knew what they were getting themselves into. Deployments, training, reintegration, PTSD, et cetera and so forth. None of us are victims of a war we may or may not agree with.

It's simply apart of our reality. Everyday.

It's one of those aspects that speaks to the honor and bravery of the choice we made and continue to make.

You know, that choice that keeps 99% safe and sound at night, comfortable in their beds.

I prefer you count your blessings and quit bitching about my God given right to bitch about my life. I don't impose on your bitching.

Just my take.

Weigh in.

I Want it Wednesday...

I want....
someone to tell me why I can't manage to lose weight.
(along the same lines)
I want...
to be treated like weight loss matters when I go to the doctor.
(along the same lines)
I want...
everyone who is seen on base/post by any kind of medical professional to know that they don't give two shits about your weight loss issues and struggles; and you'll be treated like a sub-standard human being.


I want... 
tomorrow to be a better day.

Why?

I'm curious WHY no one read and/or commented on my PSA post? Maybe it looked longer than my usual updates but there is good information to be found there people. Traumatic Brain Injuries are serious and we should all as MilSpouses know more about them and the warning signs. Please take a minute and read it. Towards the end there is a link for a giveaway courtesy of Jim Beam. 

Check it out.

Have you ever wondered WHY bicyclists are entitled to the road, just the same as motorists are? 

I think about this a lot. 

Usually when they should... have the room to move closer to the curb but don't move over. 

Usually at this point I remember my parents telling me not to play in the street because people don't pay attention and they WILL hit you. The car is BIGGER than you... so stay out of the road.

I don't know something about being on a tiny-lil' bike with 100's of multiple ton cars zooming by- or at least attempting to, doesn't sound like a good time to me. 

I just wonder WHY they don't move out of the way (when available) and then get mad that drivers of cars passing by curse and scream at them while they dodge on-coming traffic in order to pass them.

I was talking with my Dad about this- he's a genius, and he made a great point. Motorists pay taxes that go toward the upkeep of their local roadways... the bikers don't. WHY are they just as entitled to the road as motorists??!

But on the other hand where are the bikers supposed to ride if the "sidewalk" is for "walking"??

Such a confusing issue.

Although it's pretty simple to me- Cars=bigger than bikes/people... get the hell out of their way. 

Easy for me though... I'm not a biker. 

Welcome

Welcome to Spring/Summer on the plains. 

Ugh..

Really it kind of sucks-- and is more or less miserable, with random splatterings of beautiful days mixed in.

I say "Spring/Summer" because, well, Spring doesn't really hang out too long around these parts. The two (spring and summer) get sort of distorted and jumbled together. It's rather annoying actually. 

One of the things I HATE most about living here is the WIND! It sucks in the Winter. You know when it snows it's too busy being windy for the snow to land gracefully on the ground- where it belongs. It sucks in the Spring because it makes an otherwise mild and/or warm day, COLD (because you know a hurricane force gust breeze is always cold- like wind is incapable of being another than cold). 

Moral of the story: Wind is annoying and SUCKS... ruins everything. 

ALSO... another joy of living on the plains is TORNADOES. Wooot woot. Once we really get into the swing of spring you can watch he clouds roll into anywhere from 1-3pm everyday over the mountains. To the average person this may sound breath-taking.... well, let me tell you "Mr-Average-Person" it scares the crap out of me. You see when you mix rain/cold front with WARM/HOT temps you often get this:

Yeah... NO FRIGGIN' THANK YOU! 

Maybe I'm completely off my rocker but the idea of some spiraling gateway to OZ (you know, the Wicked Witch of the West, flying Monkies, clacking red heels....) really doesn't do anything good for me. 

Not really into things coming from the sky with the sole purpose of DESTRUCTION.

Nope!

Not for me. 

Yeah... I'm totally siked for Spring time, then Summer to follow. Ugh huh...

Riiiight.

this and that...

I have THE sickness people! I'm not at all happy about it. My entire head is clogged and my throat is sore... only thing I'm missing is the cough. Swell. So my throat hurts just because of all the drainage. BOO!

Other than that does it bother anyone else how Chinese food menu's don't include descriptions/explanations?? Seriously I don't understand why it is so much trouble to let us know how the beef with snow peas is prepared, what veggie's they add to the dish, etcetera and so forth. Really every other restaurant on the planet does this... why does the Chinese have to be extra difficult?

Etiquette

 Etiquette; noun-

1. conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.

2. a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.

For now I'd like to share a lesson in Etiquette with my readers. For those of you who often enjoy going to your local cinema every now and again to watch the newest flick here's a tip:

If the movie you are seeing has less than 10 people in the theater and you show up 5 minutes prior to show-time please do not sit right in front of someone (me) who has their feet on the chair in front of them. If you wanted to sit directly in the center of the theater you should have arrived earlier.

Has this happened to you? Does it tweak your melon (as Hilary says)? Because I can tell you it sure does  tweak my melon! Don't get me wrong I enjoy sitting in the center of the theater as much as the next girl, and I obviously enjoy resting my tootsies on the seat-back of the chair in front of me, as many other movie-goers do. But when I have, in the past walked into a theater with all of 8 people in it the one place I didn't sit was directly in front of anyone else. It's just RUDE.

So please do me a favor the next time you hit up the local cinema:

A) don't sit in front of me.

B) and refrain from sitting in front of others when there are SOOOO many other options.

C) and as ALWAYS keep your mouth shut. I have no desire to listen to your ridiculous ramblings throughout my movie- that I've actually paid to see. I realize this is probably the second or third movie you've seen today and you're more than likely uninterested in the movie's premise but I am. So hush it! Again, it's just RUDE.

Just as a side note: I think unclassy people should not reproduce. I think it shows a lack of concern for others when unclassy people choose to reproduce. Hate me for saying it, if you must but at the end of the day it's how I feel.

'Tis the season huh? 

lol

Dear Qwest:

The battle wages on...

Refer to this post please.

So my internet service is SHOTTY, at best. I stay with Qwest because I'm too lazy to deal with finding another company: canceling Qwest, returning equipment, getting new equipment, scheduling installs, paying for installs... you get the picture. It's all just too damn much for me.

About two months ago I called and added long distance/local phone services to my Qwest account. How dare I, right? You'd think I committed some hanis crime! The bill following my account change was $5- and some change. This was obviously too good to be true, but as we were about to embark on our post-deployment vaca's I took this "gift" from God, paid my $5 bill and moved on with my day. BIG mistake! Today I get a bill and it says "Disconnection notice" and that I owe them $193-someodd dollars! Huh, who you think you are?

I'm totally taken aback by this! I paid every and all bills I received. So what they totalled $5. Not my fault. BUT! Let's pretend just for the sake of argument that I hadn't paid last month's internet bill of $40. That would mean my total bill for this month is $125 (plus taxes and fees). PS: Taxes and fee's are 20/month now. Because after an hour on the phone I received approximately $48 in credits and now owe somewhere in the neighborhood of $145.

The best part you ask? All this is due BEFORE payday. Swell.

Somehow through all of this nonsense I have been assured that going forward my bill will only be $39.99 + Taxes and fees.

Interesting, don't you think that this month I owe $150 (give or take, from $200) but next month will only be $50... Doesn't make much sense to me. Maybe I'm just not that bright!

Dear Qwest:

I've about had ENOUGH of you.

E.N.O.U.G.H!

~~~

To top that off, my Nephew hurled on me this afternoon.

:(

Hope he gets to feelin' better soon!

Me

Basically I am a NO-Nonsense kinda gal. Often times I come off as mean or blunt or completely insensitive. I also think that we all (me included) need a healthy dose of perspective a lot of the time. With that being said it kind of gets on my nerves when people pitch fits about how tough their lives are. Or how tough their life is about to me. Seriously? I don't want to pretend that "mine is somehow bigger than yours" (if you know what I mean) but here's the benefit of simple acceptance: Acceptance that no matter how dark and dreary you think things are or how scared you are of what's just around the corner, things can always get worse! We all choose to be where we are in our lives (or whats coming next)... so I don't feel bad for you.

I really struggle with people who complain about their circumstances constantly. Personally, I accept full responsibility for my choices and my life. I'm not a victim. I am the wife of a United States Soldier. While this isn't always easy, it is what a chose... bitching, whining and complaining will not change my circumstance.

I've met many new military wives who bitch, whine and complain about how their spouse/significant other is deploying, in the field or {god forbid} working late. huh? Again... I ask "Are you serious?" WHY? Deployments aren't fun... they aren't easy... and I do believe you have to be a special kind of woman to make it through. But I'll say it again:

None of us are victims!

The best milspouse survival tip I have is that when it gets tough... it will get tougher... but (as cliche as it is) when the times get tough the tough get tougher! At some point you have to just dig down deep and suck it the hell up! Some may ask "How?" There really isn't an answer for that. You just do it! People have done it before you-- so it can be done. Therefore, SO CAN YOU! That was meant to be encouragement.

I think we've all seen that forwarded email about the guy who complains about the AC being out "while the soldier fights in Iraq"... about the guy who complains about his co-workers, "while the soldier fights in Iraq"... so on and so forth. The point being that our soldiers have it pretty rough and {the way I see it} others take a little bit more time out of their days to count their/our blessings and to also appreciate the sacrifices made by our military. People have gotten pissy in the past when I've pointed out the differences in military service. Even within the Army there are differences. I am personally very grateful for options and opportunities that Kevin and I have been given throughout the course of this deployment. I know that I have been extremely luck to have talked to Kevin practically everyday while he's been gone. There are a lot of couples (a lot of the blogs that I read included) who aren't as lucky. This is my healthy dose of perspective! My husband and brother-in-law are both mechanics. My b-i-l was "lucky" enough to be assigned to an engineer battalion... my husband has always been in Cav regiments. They support different missions. My husband is currently completing his 3rd deployment to Iraq. While my b-i-l is about half way through his fourth total deployment (2 in Iraq, this is 2nd in Afghanistan). Levi (b-i-l) doesn't have the ability/option to call home nearly as often as Kevin. Perspective is amazing. Extremely humbling.

I wish that others would help themselves to some perspective more often. It's not easy to do... hell I'm not always the best at it, but that's why I surround my self with people stronger than myself. People who I know and love. People who will smack me back down when I am not strong enough to do it for myself.

Sorry if anyone is offended.

Go away...

Anyone else sick of Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana? This girl is EVERYWHERE. Now, thanks to Max Azria we'll see more of her next time we go to Walmart.

Swell.

I am super excited to see The Time Travelers Wife... but I am sick of the commercials. Seriously, it's getting out of hand. Yesterday it was just about every-other commercial that I saw. I'm getting a little burnt out on this movie already and I haven't even seen it yet. Not once. :( this makes me sad because I am truly interested in seeing it!

All the same I wish there were less of Miley Cyrus and previews for The Time Travelers Wife in my life!

~~~

Time for the gym.

Damn You Target!

I was in the ginormous Target farthest from my house about a month or two ago and saw this lil' beauty:

This is the most perfect organizer for under the bathroom sink; brushes and such up top and hair sprays and other bottles (products) underneath. Yes, it's tall enough for that and both drawers slide in and out. PERFECT! Why didn't I just jump on the damn thing when I had the chance, you ask? Well I was being cheap. I journeyed all the way up to this far-away Target and get this they are on sale! Great, right? NO! They may be on sale but they are out of stock in every location in the greater Colo Springs area!! Of course... booo! I just found it online but it's not on sale on line. :( What else is new... Shopping is the pits sometimes!!

What?? Why??

Okay, so yesterday I sent out a mass text to some of my homies that have known my sister and are intrigued about the happenings of her life as well as mine- to let them know that she was having another baby. While everyone did offer their congratulations to my sister and to me for becoming an "Auntie" again. I also had quite a few people asking when I was going to be making my sister an "Auntie"...?

FIRST: I am the one and only "AUNTIE"... :-p umm currently and I'm not keen on sharing that anytime soon. But, Sis, we can discuss your title whenever I should happen to jump on the bandwagon.

SECOND: Why... I truly do not understand why just because my sister is having her children now that means that I have to have mine now. While I have tossed around the idea of having babies sooner rather than later this is my discussion to make with my husband. Why am I feeling the pressure to procreate from people based on the fact that my sister is? Don't get me wrong I'm not mad at anyone but I just don't understand why people would automatically assume that I am going to have kids now or soon because my sister is.... maybe I'm the one who's screwed it up (in some way). Maybe I'm just supposed to do it because all the cool kids are? ugh... just leave me alone people. Be happy for my sis but that doesn't have anything to do with my timetable for procreating!

THIRD: *a lil' change in subject* Why do some women complete swap out their wedding rings? I understand changing the setting a little bit, but I mean why replace it completely? Doesn't that lose some meaning or at least the sentiment that goes along with the original? I know that we are not always in the position to buy our dream rings when we get married... but THAT ring it's a symbol of more than your budget... Be proud of what you have and appreciate (more than) it's (monetary) value.

(...my ring (:..)

40-some-odd Days Left... maybe? kinda-sorta? give or take

I started the "Homecoming Countdown" a few days ago because Kevin kept giving me the same date over and over again and it was getting closer and closer and closer... (: so I gave into my better judgement and commenced the counting down. Well true to form, right when we get our heart set on a date and start to plan some things the date changes. Thankfully, it didn't change by much just a few days. My hubs should now be home "on or about" 18 August! wooo hoo. give or take a few days, of course. We are, after all dealing with the Army.

I think one more mention of Michael Jackson and I might hurt myself! I went to the gym today and could only manage to stay a whopping 13 minutes then I had to leave... everywhere I looked, on every TV there was coverage of his "funeral" / "viewing" at the Staples Center in LA. I was disgusted by the entire fiasco! It's all so ridiculous. Okay, I give the guy his talent, abilities, and the fact that he did change music in huge ways- mainly the dancing and videos. These are not small accomplishments and should be mentioned. But for goodness sake this full-day coverage is over doing it just a bit, isn't it? The last time we saw something like this was when Reagan died... and then thinking back to Princess Dianna's death it's all very reminiscent. Then to put Michael Jackson in the same category as former President Reagan and Princess Dianna is completely absurd and more than insulting to both of their memories!! He was a musician for Christs sake, and hasn't been a good one at that for 10 years or something? What will we really remember about him? Not what he brought to music and how he managed to change it- well not initially anyway. Rather, he'll be remember for his more than strange behavior; dangling babies, face masks, born black & dying white... he'll be remembered not for being amazing, changing the world, helping others or even being a great leader- Nope, he'll be remembered for being a child molester and complete weirdo. And hell, who better to waste a days full of broadcasting on and forcing me to be completely disappointed and pissed off about missing General Hospital- amongst other things!

42 Days Left...

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY PEOPLE....

Who's attending or hosting BBQ's?? Anyone baking Apple Pie? That's supposed to be a great American past time, right? Well, American Pie said so, so that has to make it true right?

Today I am irritated! GRrr...
1) I haven't slept for shit the last week!!! WHY O WHY??? I think it's time to start bonding with my BFF, Tylenol PM again! I can't take this crap no more! I'm tired as hell but can't seem to fall into that blissful and favorite place of unconsciousness! =( I miss it... awww... NEXT

2) I was trying to talk to Kevin this morning but it was like a sign from God... When he called from the MWR the connection sucked... you know how that goes when you catch every other syllable. BOO, then I get my not-ready-to-be-awake self up, and out of bed downstairs to webchat with him and what happens?? My internet kept cutting out! Qwest is pissing me off! Booo...

3) I am teetering on this lil' teensy tiny line between going to the gym (because I feel like a big fatty-boom-ba-latty today), thanks to the bender I had with Kaitlynn last night!! But on the other hand I can't seem to keep my eyes open. Seriously throughout the course of writing this blog I think I have started and stopped and started again (bc my eyes have just closed themselves) like 6 times!

So basically the lack of sleep is making me ridiculously bitchy... creating an extremely short fuse! I think that decides it then- BACK TO BED! But.... But... I sorta wanna enjoy the beautiful weather. Booo, this sucks.

niNi.

Are you for real Google?

This is the image on Google.com today. Today, the 6th of June 2009... On the 65th Anniversary of D-Day. GOOGLE is not honoring the scrifices made by our military on this infamous day... nope, instead they are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tetris. Classy. While I'll continue to use google as my default search engine and did once-upon-a-time enjoy hours on end of Tetris... this is very disappointing!

6 June 1944: D-Day- The largest single-day amphibious invasion of all time, with 160,000 troops landing on a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.

I find this a bit more deserving of recognition than Tetris.