Shedding...

Since I left Germany I've lost 22 pounds! That's right people. I'm shedding the pounds.

What am I doing to shed all these pounds? I cut carbs, drastically. NO, I did not cut all carbs- I'm Italian. I could never, not have pasta. Plus, I just decided life isn't worth living without all carbs, all the time. Also, my job is very physically demanding in nature-- so that definitely helps.

I'm really wanting to lose another 20-30 pounds. Unfortunately I have started to plateau. Any suggestions?

30 Days

I have had so much going on lately. I've been stressed to the point of concern. But we're starting to see progress; the light at the end of the tunnel if you will. We {finally} have Kevin's orders in-hand. That is a huge relief. The ladies that have been in my shoes know you need them to accomplish everything and anything. We have progress on other fronts also:
{1} Today I completed the application and turned all of my documents in for the No-Fee Passport! Another 4-6 weeks and I should be good to go!
{2} Tomorrow, Kevin will be attending the Transportation Briefing: Hello JPPSO!
*Everyone, please keep your fingers crossed that the JPPSO God's bless us with a packing date for all of our belongings.

Seeing as though I've been unmotivated to blog about anything inspirational lately (remember the stress?) I'm going to follow my friend, Brandi's lead and blog for 30 days about ME! Not about our  move, the house or my stress. I feel that we all know how the Army is and how dealing with the beaurocracy can be. I don't want to bore you all witless or bring you down with my stress. I'm going to blog about Me and my past for 30 days (and of course Cupcakes!!! Can't forget about the new recipe for September being announced in 16 days on the 25th). At the end of the 30 days you'll know me a little better and I'll catch you up on where we are with the move: house, dog, JPPSO, passports, cars ect!

The next 30 days will look a little something like this:
Day 1 {Introduce} 
Day 2 {Your first love} 
Day 3 {Your parents} 
Day 4 {What you ate today} 
Day 5 {Your definition of LoveDay} 
Day 6 {Your day} 
Day 7 {Your best friend} 
Day 8 {A moment} 
Day 9 {Your beliefs} 
Day 10 {What you wore today} 
Day 11 {Your siblings} 
Day 12 {What’s in your bag} 
Day 13 {This week} 
Day 14 {What you wore today} 
Day 15 {Your dreams} 
Day 16 {Your first kiss} 
Day 17 {Your favorite memory} 
Day 18 {Your favorite birthday} 
Day 19 {Something you regret} 
Day 20 {This month} 
Day 21 {Another moment} 
Day 22 {Something that upsets you} 
Day 23 {Something that makes you feel better} 
Day 24 {Something that makes you cry} 
Day 25 {A first} 
Day 26 {Your fears} 
Day 27 {Your favorite place} 
Day 28 {Something that you miss} 
Day 29 {Your aspirations} 
Day 30 {One last moment}

OH MY!

What a weekend!

Sooo much fun was had! So many memories made with the family. I had such a great time making pasta with my Grandmother. Taking Nathan bowling for the first time. Attending the 2nd annual 5k for the Fallen in Fountain with some fellow bloggers (and my hubby). We also went the Balloon Classic. Always an interesting parking situation there, but we got that sorted out and met up with the rest of the family.

We definitely had a jam-packed weekend. Yet, I still managed to squeeze in laundry, a dog walk, a few trips to Wal-Mart/Target, getting the cars cleaned AND some cleaning. I very conveniently "forgot" to clean bathrooms though. It'll get done today though. (in case you were worried about my potties)

Other than that Hubs should have his orders TODAY! woooooo! PROGRESS... thank the lord!
Keep your fingers crossed for more good luck!

Changes???

What's that you see?

To the Left? 

Well... that's just what it looks like: an Eclipse countdown. Yea... on MY blog. 

I'm dorky and possibly overly obsessed with all things RPattz Twilight. 

At least I know I'm not alone. 

So because I know someone is going to do it anyway,

(and not because I did or anything)

this is specifically your invitation to steal the countdown for your very own blog! =)

*~~~*

Moving on to bigger and more important news:

Kev left for 22ish days down at JRTC. 

HOW RUDE!

(gotta love the Full House reference)

Can you believe he just up and left me all by my lonesome?

Boo... 

Ok I'm over it now. Not much he could do about it. Gotta go when and where they tell you to right? 

No sense in getting all bent out of shape about it. 

Plus my mommy taught me, when I was little to choose my battles wisely. 

This isn't one worth waging, in any kind of way, at all. 

So I'll try to make peace with sleeping alone (for the birds- by the way), eating alone (maybe I'll make Nikki eat with me... hmm) and spending more time with my friends. Funny how those husbands can monopolize your time isn't it? 

All the same, here's to MAKIN' THE BEST OF WHAT YOU GOT!

=)

happy tuesday! 

Here we go!!

I've decided that I'm DONE with my post-holiday funk! I'm just over it. I'm sick of being down in the dumps for no good reason... So, screw you post-holiday-funk. See ya. I'm moving on to bigger and better things; brighter days.

Here's what you may have missed/What I failed to report:

Kevin finally unpacked from deployment.

(yeah... only took 5 months, but it's finally happened)

We got a surprise visit from the "New Bed Fairy"

(we've moved up in the world of mattresses. Hello, Ultra-Plush Serta Mattress!)

I've been lending my hand to my very pregnant sisters nesting habits! We've successfully painted baby Caden's room. I'll really need to get some pictures. She made me choose the paint colors and I think it looks fantastic! Just yesterday we put the bedding on/in (whatevs) the crib, hung valance and two pictures. Now the room just needs a few finishing touches.

I am in the running for a NAF position at Schriever AFB.

(I know I know... I'm Army (hooah and all that) and this is AF. But hey, it pays and that's truly what I need out of a job. Lets not forget my Pops was AF for 21 years. So... umm I was expecting to insert an AF alternative to "Hooah". I'm at a loss. Ooops.)

Oh, we also 86'd all of the Christmas decor. That was a sad day. :(

I got over it.

I really crave order so it was a good thing.

Here's what's to come:

Get back to my bloggy!

((it's really missed me))

Get motivated.... in every way.

((weight loss, here I come. chores, reluctantly necessary. job.... ugh -rolling eyes-.))

Visit my best friend in DC! We'll be finding out the sex of her baby (to be named Samantha, because I'm fantastic).

Start a job.

((fingers crossed... I'll do everything I can on my end))

Have carpets steam cleaned.

((oh-so-necessary))

Sell stuff on Craigslist.

((damn recession))

My favorite Brother-in-law returns from A-stan!!

((Wooooo))

My second nephew graces us with his presence in March!

My ONE YEAR blogger-versary!

I am most excited to keep myself in check. We all have emotions and they aren't always fun or pleasant. Sometimes we are down in the dumps. But, I'm done with that for the time being. Please forgive my absence, I don't like to broadcast my pity-parties. As I said I'm in to brighter days. I am going to work on laughing more. General Happiness.

Anyone else notice I now have over 100 followers?

Love. It.

:)

I Want it Wednesday... Part II

I wanted... to get out of the house.

I did.

I should have trusted weather.com when it told me it felt like -15 degrees with windchill and stayed in the MOTHER-LOVIN' house!

For those of you who didn't experience this frigid cold... it gets in your bones and takes route! It sticks with you. Drinking anything cold it out of the question. It only makes it worse. I'll have hot chocolate and/or tea.

PS: Add the Coffee Mate Gingerbread creamer to plain-jane Lipton tea. It's delish!

I wanted... to start my Christmas shopping.

I did.

Guess what? Completing some Christmas shopping required my leaving the house, venturing out into the FRIGID, frigid cold.

Have I mentioned it takes route in your bones?

Hmmm, still cold. But thankfully I did get my mother's gift and few lil' things for my hubbin! Wooop Woop!

PS: Kevin called me and wanted to get my MAC (that I've been wanting for quiet a while now) and a netbook (for transporting to and fro from work) at the PX... He loves his StarCard. I calmly explained to him that more debt is not the answer. And that I'd prefer new slippers.

We'll see if he got the message.

Happy Hump Day, people! :)

Such a busy life i lead

See updates: I finally pried Kev's computer from his hands so that I can blog/edit. :)

First; my laptop is screwed 8 ways from Sunday. Within 1 minute of turning it on I have countless virus warnings informing me that my computer is infected with this Trojan or that virus. It's bad.S o right now I'm updating from my Blackberry.

I've had quite the hectic week: getting situated at the job, acclimating to the schedule, ect. Friday I go into the office and they tell me that the girl who had given notice and was going to quit has changed her mind. Old girl was staying so I was out on my keester. Within minutes of being axed (from a job too far from home anyway, staffed by the oddest bunch of weirdos on the planet) I find out Kevin passed his flight physical and is fit for flight!!!!! Such a bitter sweet day. I'm so happy and proud for Kevin!

After that we hit New Moon at 1030 AM on Saturday morning. Here I was thinking I was smarter than the average bear; "we'll go Saturday AM beause its Saturday, no one will be awake and functioning for the 1st showing of the day and its a way better idea than attenpting to go Friday night" I said. Ppshhhh! Imagine my surprise pulling up to the theater at 930AM (on a Saturday) and found a line of oh, 100 people!!!! Waiting to get into the teather theater lobby then make their way to the correct theater and find a seat. It was craziness. I've never seen such a thing before! It was hilarious. I thought it was overkill that I was there an hour early. Evidently, not early enough! All the same we followed the hoards of tweens into the theater and settled in for New Moon.

I was thoroughly excited to see it but somehow the theater full of over-the-top giggy giddy teen-age girls ruined the experience for me. They were slightly too cheesy for my liking. I mean, really they applauded the movie when the Summit logo appeared on screen. UGH! Gag. The squeeling squealing girls aside I did enjoy the movie. I don't know about you but I'm glad they got rid of the first director and her blue screen. New Moon was much easier to look at! :)

Ok, so far: I got fired, killed my computer, found out Kevin is physically able to fly and joined 100's of horny-tweens to swoon over fictional vampires and werewolves.

Next; pre-thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dinner at my Dads. On Thursday I'll be at Mile High Stadium watching the Giants battle the Broncos with my dad, his GF and the Hubs. Yea, look for me. I'll be the one freezing my sweet-lil ass off in the nose-bleeds! Wooop woop! Sounds like Thanksgiving to me!! I'm excited. T-day is one of the biggest football days of the year and I'll be there with my 2 favorite men!

So, today we had turkey and all the trimmings at my father's. It was yummmy! I'm stoke about open-faced sandwhiches sandwiches as left-overs tomorrow.

Alright, I'm getting the carpol-tunnel from this lil keyboard. I have to rest up to ensure I get everything accomplished this coming (short) week that built up while I was working. Ha! The workin' man's a sucker!" at least that's what they taught me in A Bronx Tale. ;)

Caio Ciao now, brown cow!

~~~

Welcome Fox Family!!! I'll never mind that you stalk me read my blog for hours on end! ;) Seriously, that's why I write my non-sensical ramblings down, for other's to read and giggle at! Email me I'm curious about where you live, what unit your hubs is in, stalking you, ect... :)

LB- You are SOOO right! Tomorrow I have a ton to do but Tuesday I wanna come see Miss Hannah!! :)

Beep, Beep... Back the Truck Up!

As previously stated I've been M.I.A. lately and there's been a TON going on. Such as:

Veteran's Day with my soldier. Kevin and I watched Taking Chance together. He didn't seem overly touched by it on any level but it touched me, deeply. I felt so lucky to have my husband and soldier home safe and unscaved. I know that I am truly blessed to have him return home to me. On the other hand I did very much miss Levi. We do every day.

Happy Veteran's Day to all our Vet's out there.

~***~

Tomorrow I start my new job! Yes, that's right all after a year of being unemployed a great opportunity has come my way! I am so grateful and excited to start this new position. It's a job that I'm familiar with; a skill that I have and if the company likes me it will be a very nice pay raise. So wish me luck! After I attend Traffic court tomorrow morning I will have half-a-day at my new job!! :)

PS: Traffic Court SUCKS!

~***~

Today is the final chapter of my relationship with Qwest. They suck. I'll be moving on. ASAP.

~***~

My sister can feel the baby move on the outside of her belly now. Nathan felt her move last night and was SOOO excited!

~***~

My BFF is PREGNANT! Yup, she's about 8 weeks along now. Due in July! Yes, you guessed it everyone around me is pregnant... but me of course.

~***~

Kevin and I have been talking a lot about what comes next for us. What we want to do next and where we want to be. Kevin and I agreed that we would both love to be stationed in Germany. We think it would be a great adventure for us. But we are still kind of in a holding pattern with Kevin's Warrant Officer application process. He has completed the Flight Physical and we are waiting for word back on that; whether or not he is "fit for flight". Fingers crossed!!!

~***~

Thankfully, I think that's all I had to catch people up on. No no... I do have to mention the release of New Moon next Friday. We are a whopping 8 days away! Yeah, I'm a loser... and I've definitely made peace with that.

;)

Weekend in Review

First, I wanted to point out that my hubby is at PT at 530 (Local/Colorado time); Granny is in New Jersey (NJ) where they are 2 hours ahead= 730 AM! (-;

Okie dokie, I'm not sure how you all spent your weekend or what you did. *wink wink* But mine started off dragging (just about literally) Kevin to the doctor. You see, he's been sick since Tuesday. He went to sick call where the PA didn't deem him sick enough to actually see him. The medic sent him back to regular duty with some useless scripts. Come Saturday morning and he was still coughing up a lung... yes, I MADE him go to the doctor. The Urgent Care place I went to last time. The doc was originally very concerned about Flu. Thankfully, he tested negative for both seasonal and H1N1 flues. So the doc sent us on our way with an antibiotic for either walking pneumonia or bronchitis. She said that it wouldn't be necessary to do the x-ray (in order to confirm pneumonia) because the meds that were prescribed treat both.

So our Halloween plans were canceled and we laid around the house. Kevin had a few hot-totties and we watched some TV. We had no candy but that worked out we didn't have not even one trick or treater! Phew... bullet-dodged!

PS: When I was at wally-world picking up Kevin’s prescriptions there was a MOUSE running around the Pharmacy and waiting area! yuck.

Sunday consisted of the laziest day in a long time. We hung around the house again. That basically sums it up. Hey, no reason I shouldn’t rest because Kevin was sick- right?

~***~

Today is my Daddy's birthday! Tonight I'm having everyone over for dinner. My Dad is one of my favorite people on the planet. I've always been a Daddy's girl.

Love you Pops! HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The Award

Yay, The Undomestic Army Wife and my self are now teaming up to design the button and the forthcoming rules for a new Blog Award! YAY! I am very excited about this...

We are still working out the specifics so you all stay tuned for our new colabo!

(:

I Want it Wednesday...

I'm feeling cranky. Pissy. Bitchy. Argumentative. Miffed.

Anyway...

I want to get over this Bronchitis all ready!

I want the Colorado Unemployment people to stop screwing me around with all of this random mail, and to shit or get off the pot (so to speak). Basically, I want a clear and concise; pass or fail; yes or no on whether or no I'm approved for benefits.

*~~~*

Not sure if any of you have put this little fact together, or not but it's just my sister and I in our family. I'm the youngest. Today my wicked-younger-sister-syndrome started rearing it's ugly head again. I'll be the first to admit that the youngest child is the BEST around (sorry for those of you who are the oldest ;], but the first is the worst and second is the best!). All the same, this afternoon everything my sister did just friggin bugged me! I wanted to pop her head like a pimple!

About 2 months ago I was in JCPenney's and I picked up their lil' baby stuff catalogue. It had the cutest bedding set on the cover. I showed it to Katie, she said she didn't like it and tossed the catalogue aside. So I silently saved this in my memory for any future spawn I may have. Wellll, my fancy-pants (first born) sister pulls the same bedding set up online this afternoon and tells me its her new fav for her fetus. GrrrR!

I POUTED!

Hopefully, I'll wake up feeling less hostile (bc I wasn't born first, ect).

Sickness update: I'm feeling better everyday but I still sound like an 80-year-old man that smoked since the beginning of time. Oh, and have mentioned the cough is still lingering? Yup.

The Tickle

The azithromycin is doing it's job... fixing me right up! :) This is the good news. The bad news: I am now dripping and draining from my nose! :( I look like friggin Rudolph. On top of that, I have this constant tickle in my nose.

Dear Tickle {in my Nose}:

I hate you. I wish you'd go away, sorta like NOW!

Thank you,

Sam

I suppose now that I'm feel much better I'll have to get back my life and responsibilities: cleaning, cooking, laundry... egh. Swell. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Sometimes I hate being a grown up!

Updates

So I've been taking some time off, from all of this blogging business. Truthfully, from everything.

Two weeks of Vacationing is no joke. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. That -ish is exhausting!

All the same, we are home now and we're settling into a daily routine. Which is nice. Although, we're getting used to things,and life; changes are in our future:

1. Kevin is back on the grind; pursuing the WO business. If you all remember about 4 months back I was blogging about Kevin's travels to Balad for his flight physical, putting together his WO packet, ect.. Well, now that he's returned home they have to start the flight physical over, from scratch so that it can be handled (start-to-finish) by the same doc and everything is in order.

So, the possibility of moving is in our future again. We are going to be working together to get his packet submitted by the November deadline!

2. I have an interview, actually a group interview on Monday for World Market. Whoopty-doo! The silver lining: our bills will get paid!

In other news, I've got the sickness! :( Yummy, flemmy-cough, maybe a fever (I don't have a thermometer), headache and generally pretty miserable. Bleh! I'm going to go rest some more.

Update

I know I've been a bad blogger -- BAD Sam, bad!

I have to tell everyone about the Homecoming... Needless to say it was very emotional. I am so happy that Kevin had such a good turn out though. There were 12 of us there just for him! His mother and step-dad came into town to be there, so that was extra special. Well I've seen all the pictures that people took except for my mother-in-law's. So far there isn't a great picture of the two of us!! Bah-hum-bug! Here are a few:

The top one was taken from cell phone and the bottom one is blurry... but I'd rather have these then NOTHING! So, I'm happy!

Well, the Hubs and I are starting to get into some what of a routine so I'll be able to get back into the swing of blogging, reading and commenting on other blogs as well!

~~~~~

We had a great few days with my MIL and FIL. We had dinners, went to Cripple Creek (gambling), tooled around the Broadmoor and Mantiou Springs with them and just hung out. It was really nice, quality time with them!! :)

Kevin and I finally got a new digital camera! Wooo. So I'll be able to take my own pictures and post them too! We've also seen a few movies. We got to the newest (because its not so "new" anymore) Harry Potter but sadly Kevin fell asleep a couple of times... that acclimating takes a few days. We watched "I Love You, Man" last night. Which he didn't find nearly as hilarious as I did, but still thought it was funny and enjoyable! Tonight we're watching Twilight!! Wooo Woo. I've also enjoyed cooking again! Tonight we had pasta- which my hubby has always loved. I'm STUFFED but somehow he's got room for that Chick-pea Salad I highlighted a few posts back. Egh... whatevs.

~~~~~

This past Sunday we participated in the "Run for the Fallen" on Fort Carson. It's pretty self-explanatory. It's a 1-mile walk/run in memory of the fallen soldiers/service members. It was pretty moving. I've never been to something like that before. As Kevin and I left, I felt very grateful. Grateful, not only to have my husband home with me safe and sound but also that with all of the soldiers I know and have met I haven't known any that didn't return home.

That is until today. My sister sent me a link for a local news spot about Sgt. Matthew Ingram. He pasted away last Friday in Afghanistan. Matt was married to an old friend of mine, Holly. I was actually at their wedding. I haven't spoken to her in over a year (maybe more) but I was shocked and floored by this. I don't remember exactly where she lives, I don't have her phone number anymore, I couldn't find her on facebook... I don't have myspace anymore!! I really want to contact her though. :( Her and Matt had a daughter... she's just a baby still. I didn't know she was pregnant, I don't know her name or when she was born but based on the news she can't have been more than 10 months old now.

Sad.

~~~~~

Also!!! With some winnings from Cripple Creek (PS: Craps is WAAAYYY over my head -- thanks for the lesson though, Neal) we were able to change our hotel reservation for Vegas from the crappy Circus Circus to the Excalibur!!! :) I am super excited about this. Also, (:D) we are going to NJ for my Granny's 75th Birthday Shin-Dig!!!!!!!! Wooooo! I am so excited for Kevin to meet my Jersey family. It'll be good times. A short trip but well worth it.

~~~~~

As much I enjoy the blogging I must put the computer down and concentrate on some Twilight! At least you're all caught up on my life!

HUGE Updates

The BIGGEST and BEST and HAPPIEST update of all:

My hubby will be home in just about a week! That's right people in a week (or more, or less- who really truly knows? ) my man will be home with me- right where he belongs! Of course I don't know an exact date yet and if I did I couldn't tell! :-x (;

I am couldn't be more excited. And nervous. And anxious. The list goes on and on and on...

~~~~~

Next I wanted to update everyone my my list (of things to complete before Kevin's return). I will be making the sauce later this week so it's fresh and all yummy-delicious! I was reading "The Travelers Gift" then it started to bore me. Then well, Brody ate it. Yes, that's a true story. I guess I'll never know how it ends. Shucks. I'll probably start on "The Noticer" tonight. Hopefully it isn't as dry as "The Travelers Gift." I've been hitting the gym on a regular basis and eating very well (with the exception of last night's binge on Coffee Ice Cream with Heath bars mixed in.... my mouth is watering. Please excuse me....) so I'm thinking the weight loss goal is right on track. I make not weighing my self on a regular basis a habit. :) The scale=THE DEVIL. Then the backyard started to be another issue. The hubs told me to rent a tiller but after it's tilled it needs to be flattened out ASAP and then the concrete sand needs to be put down ASAP...once the sand is down the pavers have to be down ASAP. Since all of the steps need to be completed within a short period of time and Kevin wants to be apart of picking out the paver stones we decided to address it when he gets back. :( So that project is delayed. I am, however looking forward to the help! :)

The Travelers Gift (x2)

Ok, so I've read some more of this thought-provoking book. Imagine that? We left off after the first two decisions that determine personal success. David started his little journey through time and space with President Harry Truman learning "The Buck Stops Here." Then he ventured over to King Solomon being given the 2nd decision: "I Will Seek Wisdom." Okie dokie... After these encounters David is thrown into the civil war meeting with Colonel Chamberlain; a name which I honestly did not recognize. Before you go getting your panties all in a twist I know full-well what prompted the Civil War, and the outcome. I do not however remember all the military folk, where they fought, why, ect and so on. Back to the point: David is given the 3rd decision of personal success by Col. Chamberlain: "I Will Be A Person of Action". Col. Chamberlain taught him this by leading the Yanks in a full on Charge against the Rebels. They were greatly out-numbered by their opposition and in the face of all this, Col Chamberland refused to die retreating, instead he gave the order to charge, bayonets at the ready and the "Rebs" retreated.

David learned not to put off for tomorrow what can be done today. Yet another idea I love, and will work better at going forward. (:

Next David finds himself in a musty ol' room not nearly large enough for the 8 people it housed. The only person who saw him (oh- I forgot to mention that while Dave is being transported from place to place the only people who can see and talk with David are the ones he's there to see, King Solomon, Truman, ect) was a young girl. The young girl was none other than Ms. Anne Frank. This brave and amazing little girl teaches David the 4th decision: "I Will Choose To Be Happy."

Anne Frank shows David that your circumstances do not have to dictate your mood and that optimism is never lost unless you allow it to be. She tells David that he must decide to be happy at the start of everyday- and he will be; that he must smile in the face of fear and defeat.

Personally I have been working at being happier across the board for a while now. Honestly when something urks me or I'm just in a pissy mood I tell myself that it doesn't matter and screw it, and that I am happy. My theory is sort of "Fake it, till you make it." I keep telling myself that I'm happy and before I know I am. For years I laughed at people like (who I am now)... people running around telling themselves things don't matter. But I learned that I am responsible for my life, my choices and much like David learned with his first visit (and first decision) that if I am happy I'll make better choices for myself and my happiness will continue.

I am not saying that everything is ALWAYS ok or that I am always happy... hell no. That's just unrealistic. I am also not saying that we should just turn a blind eye to real and potentially stressful situations... but even these situations do not have to bring you down emotionally! (: So, far I'm loving this book. You should all go check it out.

~~~~~

A few days ago I started the backyard. Well, since then it's rained everyday so it was put on hold. Today no rain, back to some nice weather (probably just in time for JLC and her Hubs to head out of town, ha haha) so I ventured out this morning. That was short-lived. I give up! My back hurts! Yes, I'm whining- get over it! I've decided to just rent a Rotor-tiller the beginning of next week. My pops is going to help me pick it up and drop it off and I'll get it done all by my lonesome! (: I'm still proud of myself for getting it done on my own. Just because I'm not doing it by hand doesn't mean ANYTHING!! I am woman hear my roar... or something.

PS:

I wanted to let the people know that my knee feels much better now! I took every one's advice: rested, ice and motrin! :) I forgot that in all of my other dramas.

My hubby said....

Yesterday we were video chatting on AIM, which works a 1000 times better than Yahoo Messenger. Anywho... I was complaining that our internet wasn't working. There is no problem connecting to the router, evidently the router wasn't liking Qwest. So I resorted to stealing Nikki's internet (my AF homie, from across the street that is currently deployed to Baghdad). Once I got a secure connection to Nikki's internet and was speaking with Kevin, complaining about the internet connection he says to me:

"Babe, I am close enough to coming home that I can deal with it when I get home."

I love this! I meant to blog about it when it happened but as I said in my last post I was sort of out of the blog thing for a few days.

So the countdown is on people. I can't start the countdown from when they leave... that just made it feel like it was going by so slow. But now... it's ON!!! T-minus 46 Days and COUNTING!! WOOO :) Well give or take. ha haaa nothing is ever set in stone.

Does it make me uncouth to be blogging and semi-excited about this right now, today of all days, when Levi shipped out??

*sigh* today...

I notice my followers keep increasing. That's flattering, considering I feel as though I've been pretty sluggish with my blogging lately. I just have approximately 100 things going on and when I get five minutes to myself I really just want to sit and do something brain-less, like watch One Tree Hill or General Hospital (it's what I do). Sadly, with the state I have been in lately blogging just has not been the priority it once was. I think we all get that though right...?

All the same.Yesterday I hit the gym, which I was this ~> <~ close to not doing at all so it's a miracle I got off my ass and did it in the first place! =) Of course I felt better afterwards. Also, I complained a few posts ago about being broke, hot, and AC-less. WELLL... (laTEda) we are now proud owners of a Feature Comforts Evaporative Room Cooler! =) This is the cheapest (and I do mean cheapest) way to effectively "cool ones room." True to form I purchase this lil' beauty and our heat wave heads out. So it hasn't actually been that necessary the last two days (since it was purchased). I'm ok with this, thus far, but I am under the assumption that the heat will one day- eventually, return to Colorado Springs. Maybe I don't need it today (thank the Lord for ceiling fans) but I'm sure it will prove necessary; essential once more.

I've been updating everyone on the status of my sister's IVF lately. Well, yesterday they completed the "transfer". The doc implanted two of the BEST of the BEST embryos yesterday. Now my sister is on bed rest-ish for the next 5 days. This is to give the lil' embryos the best chance to "stick"... eeek! hopefully my sister doesn't freak because I said "stick" but I'll be damned if I don't know what the actually terminology is. I'll tell you one thing about this IVF (my sister, not me) is going through, I sure have learned more about my reproductive system than I ever felt necessary. Boy O' Boy!! So we'll find out July 11th (via an old fashioned blood test) if she's pregnant. Then it'll be a few weeks after that to find out how many babies/fetus' there are. YES- that's right I said "how many." IVF, evidently increases the chance of multiples exponentially. It's funny. We've been joking with Levi (my bro-in-law) about the fact that he got his wife 'knocked up' RIGHT before he deploys but didn't have ANY fun doing it! ha ahaaHA Well, that's the other news people, Levi took off this morning on his 4th (yes you read that correctly) FOURTH deployment.

Levi is the kind of guy who doesn't like to make a big show of things. He likes to down play just about everything. His step-mother is in town with her two kids to help Katie (while she's bed resting) for a few days. This is something completely new for him. Usually it's just been my family to see him off. So I think with his lil' sisters being around, Nathan being older (being able to grasp that he isn't there), and the IVF this departure is hitting him pretty hard. It's awful but this appears to only get more and more difficult ladies. It would stand to logic that it would get easier in some way, "been there done that" and all. Well I was wrong. My logic is horribly flawed. It gets worse. Thankfully (the light at the end of the tunnel), he will be home in January/February. Levi PCS'd to Ft. Carson last summer and was owed dwell time from his last tour/unit. So he didn't ship out with everyone else in February. Well this being their 4th, they are pros! They can 'do' 9 months on their heads with one hand behind their backs! Too easy. However, they will be standing up-right with all hands on deck. Too much happening right now and the next few months. Thankfully, this will help time FLY. I have found that setting goals (more or less) in time, that it seems to help the time go by faster. For instance: Mid-August Kevin will be home(wooop whoop). 29 September is Nathan's birthday. That will be here all too soon. October, Halloween. November, Thanksgiving and Dad's birthday. December, (the obvious) Christmas. January, New Years and possible Homecoming. See and JUST LIKE THAT he's home. I love this. This is what has help immensely over the course of my first deployment with Kevin. Something that I tried to get Katie to do throughout their deployments. It has helped me alot.

*~~~~~*

When I was 18, and graduating High School I was creating a scrapbook of that final year. The first page was "A Letter to Myself", dated 17 May 2003. Here is just a small portion of that:

"Then my sister who always invents new ways to impress me with her unwavering support, bravery, attitude, and independence. I've also gained a brother, who I can't say enough good things about. He's an amazing soldier, with whom I have the utmost respect for. You're in my thoughts and prayers!"

Funny how reflection can force you to truly take stock of your life, who's in it, who's stayed with you, and who you've gained. Also, how much truly stays the same. My sister is still all of those things and more. Just as is my brother. Still a brave and amazing soldier. I'll see you all too soon "Ugly"!

O.M.G.

So Michael Jackson died today. So did Farrah Fawcett. What a sad, sad day for the entertainment world. On the other hand Pete Wentz really let Perez Hilton have it via Twitter today! Basically he Pete called Perez out for mourning MJ when he makes a living off of bad-mouthing celebrities. You gotta love Twitter and celebrity drama. =)

I've been M.I.A. for a few days. You see the adapter for my laptop took a dirt nap and getting another one was quite the hassle. All is well now, though. I have a new operable adapter. So I'm back people. Much to my dismay my life has been uneventful while my computer has been down. So I don't have much to report, other than the fact that I've been cranky! booo =( We all have our moods so I'm sure it'll turn around soon.

My sister has been going through IVF and tomorrow has her egg-retrieval procedure tomorrow morning. So I'll be on Kiddo (Nathan) duty while she's at the doc with Levi. After the procedure the doc gets all the essential parts together... we wait to see how the embryos grow for 3-5 days. Then the implantation will hopefully happen before Levi deploys. (fingers crossed) !!!! Levi takes off Tuesday for Afghanistan. This is his 4th deployment and 2nd to Afghanistan. So my brother-in-law and sister are ol' pros at this Army life. Deployments are no big thang for them. haha haaa So keep all you happy thoughts coming and offer up your support here.

I want some ice cream, anyone feel like picking it up and bringing it by here? PLEASE and THANK YOU!