Family

I've said here on this blog many times how much I love and appreciate my family; my blood, the family that I was born into. But, the family I've chosen throughout my life is also so important to me. My friends (the good ones, the close ones) are some of my favorite people on the planet. I've learned that you're born into a family, but you also build a family throughout your life.

Lately I've heard how good of a friend that I am. How much members of that family I've spent some time building appreciates my being in their lives and all that I do with them. I don't do things for people out of obligation or because I'm looking to be appreciated. I do things for the people in my life because I can't expect people to be there for me and help me out when I'm in a bind unless I'm as giving with myself and my time. Don't get me wrong I don't just run around like a super hero handing out acts of kindness to strangers on the street.

My point is that I love my friends and I'd do anything for them. I have high expectations for the people in my life but I feel like that's okay because I hold myself to a high standard. Treat others... and all that.

Someone made the observation to me the other day that this "Army Family" is not all it's cracked up to be. I gotta say I agree. I don't know that I've been in a position to really need my Army family members. But really when I've seen people in need of that support, miles from home and their blood family I've seen people be forgotten, left behind and forced to "suck it up"-- as we often are over here in the Army life.

Family is what you make of it. Appreciate what you have and that they will always be there for you no matter what, and looking forward to building your own family- choose wisely.

The New Years that could have been

I had this idea of what New Years in our new house, with our new friends could have been like. The vision in my head included delicious food, Wii Mario Kart tourney's, other games and delicious drinks:

Exhibit A:

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Strawberry Champagne Sparkler Cupcakes, courtesy of DC Cupcakes. I saw these on Oprah (obvious, by the picture) and thought they were freaking awesome. Click here for the How-to Video and here for the recipe. 

Exhibit B:

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Pomegranate Martini... What's not to like? Seriously? Find recipe here.

Alas, my New Years Eve looked a lot more like this:

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I can lie to myself and you all and say it was just "low-key" but really we didn't do a.damn.thing. I was asleep by 1030 and watched the ball drop (via AFN) at 8AM (Midnight MST). All I can do is keep my rocking' awesome ideas handy for next year and know that everything will be different 364 days from now. 

Hope you all had a great 2010 and had a blast bringing in 2011--- here's to a great year! 

I Want it Wednesday...

This addition of I Want it Wednesday will be special. You will see why!

I Want it to be FALL! I love Fall. PS: Who calls it Autumn? Just wondering if people still use that word at all. Here in Colorado I think we've turned the corner from Summer to Fall. Temps have cooled off, highs are now (only) in the LOW 80's, which it doesn't reach until around 3-5. This makes for beautiful days. Comfortable. I think it's time to put away the Portable AC unit!
I love all the colors that fall brings.

I love the fall holidays.

Fall will also bring our move to Germany.

This glorious Wednesday has bred an amazing idea. I want... (really it just is a necessity- and Hollywood should read my blog and heed my needs) my boyfriend, Kellan Lutz

(he's pretty)

and Channing Tatum (you know him, if you're without a pulse you can salivate over him here) to do a movie together. I can't see how that would not make some studio a crap-ton of money. I'd see it multiple times, a day at least once.  

Happy Hump day ladies. 

Happy Girl

I'm a happy girl, folks!

There's a soft rain falling outside, my husband is out of my hair upstairs, the house is clean and I can just relax the  rest of the weekend away! :)

I woke up this morning feeling rather unmotivated to breathe or move or think or do anything really. I'm not sure if it was he thought of having to wake up tomorrow and head back out to work or the fact that Aunt Flo came a few days early- I hate when she just pops in.... She's evil. All the same, after the hubs and I had breakfast outside on the back porch he asked what else I had to get done today. "Bathrooms." I told him. Boooo! Since I was so unmotivated he said he would clean the bathroom. For my husband, this is a big deal. In the last five years my husband has never cleaned a bathroom.

You guys know how I've been wanting/needing new pots and pans? I decided today was the day! Went to one discount place bu they didn't have all the pieces as a matter of fact they only had 3 of 12 pieces. So my husband (who has a habit of loosening he purse strings a little way too easily) suggests we try Bed Bath and Beyond. Of course we found something there! A Stainless Steel, Non-Stick Calphalon set. Only $500.

I soon stumbled across a great stainless steel set at Kohls for $140. The Calphalon's are going back tomorrow. I know it's a great brand but $140 is more my budget.

Also, can anyone explain to me why this broad I saw at the UFC fight last nigh waltzes' in alone with her jeans painted on her ass and her "MMA" jersey tied up revealing her mid-drift with her Coach Bag, Coach case for her Blackberry, Coach bracelet and Gucci classes?? Questionable.

NEWSS!!!

Ok, so I have some news. When I said this to my mother she thought I was going to tell her I was pregnant with a baby girl! But well, that's not the news. The news is that Kevin has temporary/conditional orders!!! To where, you ask? GERMANY!!!! 

I am thrilled with this prospect and couldn't be more hopeful. 

The orders are conditional on Kevin's chain of command all signing off on lifting his fence. We can't figure out why he's fenced into his current unit... No one can figure it out. All the same we're waiting for about another two weeks for the final answer! Keep your fingers crossed people. If all works out we'd PCS in November. Wowzas!

So you all know I started a job 3 weeks ago, right? Evidently I found a job with the only company in town with no military affiliated people! I swear this is the least military-savy group of people I have ever met. The other day one of my co-workers was shocked when I told them that my husband is up and out of the house by 430 everyday. "WHY?!" he asks. "PT" I said. "What's that?" He says. "Seriously?" I say. 

It only gets worse from there. 

I explain to my *ignorant co-worker that there's a war going on and they have practice their running so that they're conditioned if they should have to run to and fro to ensure their personal safety. 

Duh. 

Just saying. 

Have you heard about what Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran's of America (IAVA) is doing with Miller High Life? 

They're teaming up for the sole purpose of giving back to Vets. Head over to their website and take a look in the Rucksack to search for events in your area. They're giving away tickets to events such as MLB games, NFL games and Nascar events. Head over to the website for more details on how to participate.

I know I'm really cramming a lot into this one post but I HAVE to share with everyone that my Best Friend, Amanda had her first baby last Friday the 25th!! I can't believe it but she's really somebody's mother! It's intense and I'm happy for her and her family.
Baby Matthew Alan was born at 836 PM EST. Weighing in at 7.36 LBS and 18" long.
I love you Manda... and my new Godson Matthew!
Go check out my guest blogging the day Matthew was born.

1 more day of work before a week off for vacation. (less than) 2 days until ECLIPSE! Yes I'm mother-effing excited about that. And 3 days until our vacation to SAN DIEGO!
woooooo
I'm one excited girl.
but I'm headed to bed.
G'night!

The Randoms

I had my interview this AM. All in all I think it went really well. I really enjoyed that this wasn't a traditional interview with the "what are you strengths and weaknesses" type questions! Phew.. Those are the worst! I came prepared with a spare resume and some other information about myself and qualifications for the interviewer(s) and all informed about the company as well! 

They said I should hear something by the end of the week or early next week at the very latest! They are currently hiring for two positions, so there are more interviews to conduct.

After my interview I headed over to the school to do some printing. I can read the required text online but something about that feels... unfinished. Like if I don't hold it in my hand I haven't completed my task. I guess I'm old school like that. At least I know I can recycle the paper at the school once this class is overwith. Speaking of this class I'm quick upset that I couldn't take it online... a friend of mine has taken it and said it was ridiculously easy online. But thanks to the powers-at-be I have to do a 10-12 minute power point presentation at the end of the 5 weeks! Booooo!! :( 

Funny thing happened as I was leaving the Student Resource Center (SRC). This girl had an iPad. I stopped her and said "IS THAT AN iPAD?" like some crazed-"star-struck"-looney-tune! She said "yes." I said "wow- do you like it?" she preceeded to tell me allllll about it and how she loves it and how great it is.... ect and so forth. Well this only made me want Apple Inc. to holler and send me 1 of everything they got for free! (hahhaaaa)

Other than that I know I forgot to remind everyone to submit their questions for my "306th" blog anniversary! So far I've received less than 5 questions. Well, I'd say that's pretty crappy considering I have over 140 followers. DE-LURK people... come out and join the discussion! Say hello and ask any ol' thing you're heart desires! And do it quick.. you never know what'll be in store next. ;)

Two news items I wanna share with everyone: 

1st:

Mr. Hugh Hefner saved the Hollywood sign! 

good for him.

2nd:

Today is Mr. Channing Tatum's 30th Birthday! 

(feast your eyes)

(from his modeling days--- note the lack of hair)

(that's for YOU sis!)

FOR MY ARMY GIRLS!:

Love the rain... hate the wet dog smell!

**So the first time I posted the link to Eclipse it was to the first/old trailer. I fixed it for all of you! ENJOY.**

I've been down in the dumps lately. 

You know sometimes life is just kinda hard. Well... today I decided that instead of getting up and turning on the TV I was gonna read. 

Here's what I read: 

Rev Run's Words of Wisdom.

Have you read it? I love it. 

(just occurred to me I should use it as a giveaway but I've marked it all up with pen... oops shoulda thought ahead)

Rev Run helped me start my day off in a positive way with a positive attitude and corny as it may be positivity came back to me!! Things have been coming to head in a lot of areas lately: job, unemployment benefits running out, money, weight loss... you name it the list goes on and on. So today I spent a few hours with my friend "LB", had a grilled cheese sandwhich  and tomato soup for lunch. Oh and I can't forget my quality time with precious baby Hannah!
Anywho, I come home and watch some Oprah. Which just made my friggin month with the new Twilight: Eclipse Trailer! Check it out here Twihards!
(yes I just said "Twihards". Move on.)
And it just got better from there!
I received a phone call about 15 minutes ago and I have an INTERVIEW on Monday!!
BOOP BOOP!

Start your day off right people; it sets the tone for what follows! 

The V-Day

Are you guys into Valentines? If yes, why? If no, why?

Well you guessed it. I'm not such a Valentine’s Day fan. And you probably know why... well partially.

When I was younger no one wanted me to be their Valentine- well except for my BESTEST Valentine EVER: MY DADDY!

This bummed me out. Made me feel sad... :(

Then as years went by and I did have someone on Valentine’s Day I felt like it was just a silly-overly-cheesy "holiday". As someone in a relationship I thought it was kind of silly/ridiculous to have a "holiday" invented for the sole purpose of reminding us to show our love and appreciation for our significant other.

We should do this every day.

Should being the operative word.

All that being said, I haven't celebrated Valentine's Day since I've known my husband; haven't forced him to get all dolled up, take me someplace fancy where we may or may not even enjoy the meal. This year I was feeling like I wanted my hubby to plan something special/unique for us to do together. I was talking to a girlfriend about it and we decided after some conversation that I needed to tell Kevin about this; that he wouldn't just assume this year were different and take the initiative on his own.

Guess what I did?

I told Kevin I wanted to go out this year and that I wanted him to plan it!

He started his planning...

AND (of course) I changed my mind!

HaHA (joke's on me)

So whether you choose to celebrate your love on the 14th of February or not remember to express your love and affection towards your special someone then and everyday!!

LOVEloveLoVe

Things I love

First: It's extra cold today!

Second: I miss my husband. Usually I'm not so mushy... I'm not sure what it is this week but I'm missing him like MAD! I'm just 3 days away from my journey to DC. I think that's what's really getting to me this time. I'm the one leaving. Initially Kevin was going to be here, but yesterday they told Kevin he had to go out to the field early this morning until Thursday afternoon. And I leave Thursday morning. So I won't see him until Sunday evening. Keep your fingers crossed. The weather man says it's supposed to snow in DC Friday-Sunday. Hopefully I don't get stuck! :( I miss him already!

Third: RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE AS EXCITED AS I AM FOR LOST!!!?

WOOOT WOOT!

Fourth: Does it bother anyone else when you're merging and there is ONE car for miles and they insist on staying in the right lane versus moving over to left-hand lane so that you can merge??

(this is something I "love" sarcastically)

Fifth: I have to finally confess my LOVE for General Hospital...Anyone else watch this soap? I love it! The drama is at an all time high! Wooo!

Sixth: Grey's Anatomy! ummm...

Dear Ellen Pompeo: I heard that you were planning to leave Grey's when your contract is up. This saddens me deeply. How can the "title character" just opt to leave. :( WTF? What will happen to my favorite show if you do in fact leave?

Say it ain't so! :(

Sincerely,

Samantha

Ok I'm done sharing random facts about myself for today.

Hope everyone is having a great week!