Military Wife Proudly

Update

2012-02-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

So, today is February 3rd. The long-awaited day for Blair and I. Has it been eventful, no. At least not in the way we were expecting. See, today, or sometime before today, I was expecting to be holding my sweet baby in my arms. That or yelling at Blair in the midst of labor. But alas, that is not to be...at least not today. So, we are waiting. As most of you know, I don't wait well. I mean, I feel like I've done fairly well playing the waiting game up till now. But as someone told me today, it won't be more than 10 days (that's when my doctor will induce). So, I'll mark my calendar for the "new due date" and wait for that. Should she decide to come before then, HALLELUIAH!

But as promised, I will now show you her room, with her newly arrived furniture. Most of you have seen it, but for those of you that have not...enjoy!!

Belle at 37 weeks

2012-01-21T10:13:00.000-08:00

Well, much to the disappointment of my dear sister, I have not been taking daily or even weekly pictures of my stomach growth. This is because I feel that there is not enough change to be seen in photos so close together. That being said, the last picture I posted was around 32 weeks. Since then, I feel like Miss Belle has "dropped." The doctor confirmed that she is indeed in the vertex, or head down, position. In Greece, she was breech, so all the walking must have jarred her into the new position! I have been to the doctor twice in as many weeks, due to my gestation. On both occasions she's checked me and so far, no dilation has occurred. Meaning, no Belle for a little while at least!

But as much as I can't wait to meet my new little one, I could use a little more time to prepare! Not long after getting back from Greece, we got all of our household goods. Thanks to some friends, we made major headway into the unpacking the first day; they pretty much unpacked my entire kitchen for me and a lot of the rest of the house!! So my time has been taken up with finding place for everything in a house that is about half the size of the one we came from. We are finding that much of our decorative items will need to remain packed, unfortunately. Slowly, our house is becoming a home to use. Also, since we only came to Turkey with a crib for Belle, we ordered some custom furniture for Belle. No pictures as yet, because it's not been delivered. However, I'm hopeful that it will be in place in her room by the end of next week! Along with the furniture and getting all our stuff, I have been busy getting all Miss Priss' clothes washed up for her, which to be honest is a challenge with no where to put them when they're clean! But laundry baskets work for now, I guess! Oh, and yesterday, I went off base with a friend to a leather shop that's within walking distance and got Belle a new, big diaper bag. It's a knock-off Coach, but I love it!! And they gave me a deal since it was for my baby! How nice was that?! For now I will leave you with a picture of Belle's room as it is now, for the most part.

Her Daddy getting the room painted in preparation for her arrival!! He did a great job!

Daddy putting together the crib. It looks great with the colors!

Here is Miss Belle at 37 weeks! She's definitely dropped, huh?

Not much change..

2012-01-21T09:52:00.000-08:00

I apologize for being away for so long. Our lives for about 3 weeks after my last post were quite hectic. From December 18-23, Blair and I went on a Biblical Tour of GREECE!! And it was as amazing as it sounds! Hop over to my Facebook page for a taste of the trip. It was awe-inspiring to be able to walk in the same places that such Godly people walked 2k years ago! We followed Paul around a lot; we went to Corinth, Thessaloniki, Athens, Delphi, and Phillipi to name a few. We also got to tour a couple Greek Orthodox churches. They were so amazing with all the detail and intricate woodwork that went into the building of the churches. One day we got to tour a monastery and a nunnery. The location of the two was the most amazing part, I think. They were high in the mountains of Greece and had some seriously beautiful vantage outlooks. Everywhere you looked in Greece was another gorgeous place to take a picture.

In case your wondering, Belle and I did pretty well, I feel, on the trip. My only hang up was that my feet and ankles got massively swollen. Thank God for a friend that let me borrow some of her boots. I wore my tennis shoes for the first day and had I been forced to where those the entire trip, I would have been miserable! But God is good and He knows our needs before we do, and took care of it for me!

Ok, ok, you convinced me, I'll post some pics from our trip. I hope you enjoy!

Lovin' Technology!

2011-12-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

I am soo excited! I just downloaded the Bible to my iPod! This is exciting for other than obvious reasons. Why you ask? Because on Sunday, yep, this Sunday, Blair and I will be making our first international trip since being in Turkey! We're going to Greece, folks! On a Biblical tour! Hence, the need for a Bible. You may be wondering why I wanted it on my iPod...well, the answer to that, my friends is because we are only allowed 20 kgs (approximately 45 lbs) and this girl wants to be smart with the packing! (That and I stupidly let my Bible be packed in our household goods, thus I don't have one technically!) Anywho, I just thought I would share about how stupendously excited I am to have technology that allows me to carry God's word around at all times while weighing less than a pound! You rock, technology!

Aaaannnddd, here is a totally random picture of some guy that asked me to take his picture when I was in Old Adana with some friends. After I snapped it, he nodded his head and walked away! So funny!

Isabelle at 32 weeks (which is 8 months!)

2011-12-09T10:08:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you can tell a difference, but I feel like I can! Miss Priss is getting so big! She's active a lot of the time, which I like, because it makes me know she's okay in there! Even though I can't wait to hold her in my arms, I am enjoying being pregnant. Except when the heartburn hits. But at my 32 week appointment today, the doctor prescribed me some Zantac so even that should go away!!

Isabelle at 32 weeks gestation

Isabelle at 27 weeks gestation

Turkey's Different, Go Figure!

2011-12-09T09:31:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to write this post for a long time; however, life as gotten in the way. But I'm here now and that's what counts right?!

I just wanted to share a few of the things that I have noticed since living here in Turkey that are different, besides the obvious, whole foreign country thing...

For one, the toilets are different. Now, when your out and about, you kinda have to search sometimes for a "European" toilet (sometimes called a "modern" toilet), which is the ones that we red-blooded Americans are used to. Thankfully, most places have at least one...sometimes...if it's working. Sadly, I don't have a picture of it, but the traditional Turkish toilet is what we over here fondly (and sometimes not so fondly) call the "squatty potty." Imagine if you will walking into the bathroom to find, not what you want to see as an American needing to use the facilities, but rather a porcelain hole, if you will. Now, in order to use this particular facility, one must do exactly as our nickname suggests, squat. If you know me, and most of you do, you know that I've never been one to be able (or want to) pee in the woods. It has to do with the fear of turning my socks yellow and having to walk around explaining that one all day. Especially being pregnant and in my last trimester I was worried that should I ever need to utilize one of the "traditional Turkish toilets" that it would not go well. However, sometimes, I surprise even myself! On a trip to a sorta nearby town, Gaziantep, we ate at a restaurant that had two stalls, one with the "squatty potty" and one with the door locked, so I really can't say what was behind Door Number 2. For those of you who have been pregnant, you know that when you gotta go, you gotta go. None of this, "Oh, well, I can hold it" mess. It's now or never baby. So I stepped out of my comfort zone, or should I say, squatted into it, and tried the infamous "squatty potty." And what do you know? I came out sans yellow socks! I was so proud. I made sure to tell everyone I was with so they could congratulate me too. Yes, I really did. I was proud, what can I say? Now, you may ask, "Are you going to use the 'squatty potty' from now on, since you know you can?" My answer would be a resounding, NO. If they have a European toilet, this prego will be utilizing it, thank you very much!

Moving along in my story, even the European toilets are slightly different that what most of us are used to. Now, the most important thing is that, yes there is a place to rest your weary bum. The difference comes to play in how to flush when your done. To date, I've seen three different kinds of 'flushing apparatus.' The one I have most easy access to show you is the one in my house, because lets face it, when I'm using the bathroom in public, I don't generally take my camera with me. Shown here is the most common type I've seen. Do you see the little silver knob on top of the tank? Yes? Well, when done doing your duty (or doody, haha) lift and hold that little gem and away we go! The second most popular is basically the same, except for lifting the knob, you press and hold a button. Same result. The third type I've seen, and seen really only off base is two buttons on the wall behind the toilet, one being quite a bit larger than the other. Now, when I saw this the first time it caused me a tish bit of trepidation. I was wondering, "If I push the wrong one is it going to send what I just did right back at me?" Ugh, imagine trying to explain why you had wet hair to a tour group after a routine pit stop. Thankfully, though, you can push either one with relative safety. The big button is for a 'full' flush and the small one is for a 'half' flush. I guess Turkey is trying to "go green."

The second thing I wanted to show you is the differences in outlets. For those of you that have traveled outside the good 'ol US of A may have seen these before. For me, despite having been to Mexico, these are a novelty...and an occasional nuisance. Obviously I can't just plug my flat iron straight into one of these babies. First, I'd have to get a transformer/converter that has a regular 110 (what we use in the states) on the front and a 220 plug coming out the back...However, thank the good Lord, there is an American plug in our bathroom. Granted, there's only one, so Blair and I have to go back and forth as to who's stuff is plugged in, but there is one. So, yay!

Pretty much the first thing I learned about Turkish culture when we got here is that they love them some tea (they call it cay, pronounced ch-I). Now, being a good Southern girl, I figured I'd give it a go, even though it's hot tea, not iced like I prefer. Much to my surprise, it's not bad. When your out in town, almost every shop you stop at asks you if you want some tea. (Really, we need to introduce that kind of service at home!) You'll be walking down the street and you'll see a man run by with platter of maybe 6-8 tea cups filled to the brim; don't worry, he's on a delivery run. I'm not kidding you when I say, they LOVE tea!

Ok, so something happened with my blogger and I can't write where I want to about the above picture. So we'll do it here. This is what you think it is. A plastic cup of water. No biggie right? WRONG! Here in Turkey, they don't routinely filter their water (yuck!) like the base does. So when you go off base and need a little something to wet you whistle, sometimes this is what you get. I've gotten this size at a dessert place and on a tour I took. I'm assuming it's because they're cheap. When you go to a full fledged restaurant and ask for water, they give you a tepid bottle and glass, whoopie. But at least it's parasite free!

Now we'll talk about the picture below. It's not really anything too exciting; I just thought they were cute. The top one is honey (see you didn't know that did you because it's in TURKISH!!) and the bottom one is butter. I got both of these when we went with some friends to a town about an hour away called Kizkalsei and had brunch by the Mediterranean Sea. And yes, it was as wonderful as it sounds.

The picture below may be slightly misleading. From what I can glean from the picture and the itsy, bitsy amount of Turkish that I know and recognize, this is advertising corn and sunflower oil. But neither one of those are in that deceiving little package. What is it you ask? It's a wet nap to clean your hands! A lot of restaurants will provide these for your cleaning pleasure. I have noticed though that they don't all do it at the same time. Some hand them out before your meal, some after. I guess when I've gotten them before the meal I had grubby hands and didn't know it!

The last thing I wanted to share with you is the differences in the sinks over here. Below is my kitchen sink. Notice anything "off?" Yeah, you got it, there's only one side. I haven't been into a native Turkish persons home so I don't know if this is something the base did to save money, or if they all have sinks like this. I will tell you that when I went to the mall's version of Home Depot, the sink display had about 10 sinks that look like mine and about 3 that were similar to American sinks. As in they had two sides, but one side was half the width and depth of the other side. All I have to say about this sink is, thank you Jesus, I have a dishwasher! Can you imagine washing a full load of dishes in this?!

I hope you enjoyed my ramblings of the things I have found to be different here in Turkey. I'm sure the longer I live here the more I'll notice. I will attempt to capture everything and share with you. However, I may be to busy picking my chin up off the floor to be able to react appropriately! But if something stays still long enough for me to snap a candid, be sure I will!

27 down, only 13 to go!

2011-11-08T08:47:00.000-08:00

As of today, 8 November 2011, I am 27 weeks and 4 days along!! I can't believe how fast it's flown by! I am so blessed to have this little wonder growing inside me! I tell Blair all the time that I can't wait to meet her, but that I want her to gestate as long as she needs! Here are some pics of the "baby bump." I finally feel as though I look pregnant instead of just fat!! Haha!

Stylin' and Profilin'

2011-11-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

So, Belle isn't even here yet and she already has some stylish clothes, picked out mainly by her Daddy, who has pretty good taste himself!!

The only thing I picked out in this picture is the sunglasses! I think the leopard print vest is for a 4 year old, but Daddy just had to have it for his Belle!!

Here are the three outfits Blair ordered for Belle not long after he found out we were expecting a girl. The one on the left back is hardcore cold weather gear. I think Blair forgot that we were moving to Turkey for a minute! The dark brown outfit Blair bought because it has ears, so that Belle can be his "mini-Bear!!"

I love these little outfits! Especially the one with the huge monkey on the bottom!!

As of yesterday, I entered my third trimester!! Looking back, I can't believe how quickly time has flown by! It feels like just yesterday I was living with near constant stomach aches and nausea. Now, I mainly deal with heartburn! (This little one had best be born with a head full of hair, I tell you what!) Only three more months and we'll get to meet our little bundle of joy! And I can't wait!!

So, so much news

2011-11-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

So it's been officially a year since I last wrote on this blog...so much has happened since then!! Let me see if I can give you a quick update on our lives...

|In January, I took a couple of Master's courses in hopes of pursuing a degree in Family Nurse Practitioner. Unfortunately, I did not get accepted to the program. However, God works in mysterious ways. After switching to the Adult ICU from the Neonatal ICU, Blair came home and told me we had orders to move...to Turkey!! While coming to terms with the idea of uprooting our lives and moving around the world, we found out that we are going to have a baby in February! So, a lot of things have gone on in a short time.

At the moment, Blair and I are in route to our new adventure. We left our lives in North Dakota on Sunday night at about 11:30 p.m. to drive to Minneapolis, MN to drop off Blair's vehicle to be shipped to my parents in Louisiana. After about a 5 hour nap, we left Minneapolis to drive down to St. Louis, MO to leave my car to be shipped to Turkey. When we finally got all that settled, we went back to the hotel and crashed!! We arrived into Baltimore, MD today around 3 p.m. and without anything pressing on our agenda, finally, we have been relaxing in the very nice hotel that the military set us up in.

Now, I'm sure your all curious about the baby news! Don't worry I didn't forget! Currently I am 26 weeks and 5 days along. So far, everything looks great. No complications or concerns at the moment; which I am so thankful for seeing as how I will have to deliver in Turkey!! At 21 weeks, we had our gender ultrasound and found out that we will have a little baby GIRL!! We are so excited and can't wait to meet her! We have the stuff ready for her room, now we just need the room! I am so excited to set up her room in preparation for her arrival!

So that is our lives in a nutshell. What's going on in your life? Any news I should know about?

Been A While...

2010-10-31T17:27:00.000-07:00

I have been informed that it's been too long since I updated my blog. So I am here to rectify that...The thing is that not a whole lot happens in my life worth mentioning to anyone until I save up for a few months!! I am that boring person, but I love my life.

Last time I posted I believe I put lots of pictures on and I'll do the same this time, don't worry. I will however, fill you all in on everything going on around me...Blair is doing well, pretty much just working and working out. They have been doing a lot of major exercises at work (basically a show of power to the "other" guys, if you know what I mean...) so Blair has been on 12 hour shifts, poor thing. It's hard to do the manual labor at work and still go to the gym, but my honey does it. He is ded-i-cat-ed!!! I wish I had his fortitude!

I have also just been working for the most part, but in August & September I had a ton of photo shoots (well, a ton for me at least). I worked super hard and diligent and got them all finished in a timely manner and for anyone who knows me knows I am a MAJOR procrastinator, so this is an amazing feat!! But I figured, these people are paying me, so I really, really need to be professional and get them their photos. Everyone seemed to like them, which was my goal, so I was happy. (I will post a couple from each shoot, don't worry!!) Other than taking pictures, I have been also going to the gym...I have decided to become a runner. Now don't get too excited, I'm not running great distances or anything, but I can go farther than I ever thought possible!! Haha!! It's like 3 miles! Like I said, don't get excited! I can, however, tell slight differences in my body; how I feel and how I look, so I suppose it's worth it. So, when I am not working out or taking pictures (or bein' a bum at home), I am usually found at the hospital. I decreased my hours from 80 in 2 weeks to 72 in 2 weeks. Now, I know that this doesn't sound like a big difference, but let me tell you it is! Before I felt like I was at work alllllllllll the time, but now I actually have stretches of days off and it's great! I might have to work 6 nights in a row, but I get 7 off so it's totally worth it! I am getting a little restless with my job, don't get me wrong, I love what I do and LOVE the babies, but I keep feeling like there is something more. I also am getting tired of starting my "day" when everyone is going to sleep. Oh, the joys of the night shift. So I am opening myself to what options are out there. I don't know where I'll end up, or if I'll make a move, but I am thinking over the possibilites.

So anyway, that is our life in a nutshell. On to more interesting things...PICTURES!! I hope you enjoy!

More Picture Fun!!

2010-07-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

So many of you know, Blair and I went back to Mexico this June with some friends we have here in North Dakota. One of the couples we went with are engaged so I took their engagement pictures on the beach! It was so much fun! They felt dumb doing some of the stuff I wanted them to, but in the end, the pictures all turned out rather nicely I believe. Here are a few of my favorites showing off the happy couple!

New Pics

2010-06-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post some of my recent pictures. They are of a co-workers kids and her nephews, and of course, Miss Abby has to make an appearance!!

State of Our Union, Part III

2010-06-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

So, this is a little late, but I just wanted to give an update. June 2, 2010 marked Blair and mine's 3rd wedding anniversary! I can't believe how time flies! I feel so very blessed to have that man in my life. He is my bulwark in a crazy life. He stabilizes my senses when they are overloaded. He is my calm in the midst of a storm.

In the past year, we have had a lot go on. We went on a trip to see my family in Louisiana. We went to Mexico, just the two of us, and had a BLAST! We've made it through yet another TDY. We've held each other when we lost a military friend. We made it past drama at my work. We never know what is going to happen, but I feel assured that whatever comes along, we can turn to each other. And I love the security in knowing that.

As to our future, I can't wait to see what it holds. Our lives are prone to change and sometimes I don't like that. However, Blair tends to roll with the flow and takes me along with him! And like we said when we moved here to North Dakota and had no idea what we were getting into..."As long as we're together, we'll be happy."

Summer...FINALLY

2010-05-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

So here in the great state of North Dakota, we are catching up with the rest of the country in terms of weather. We have finally, finally made it to 70 degree weather! Yipee for summer!! Now, the locals say don't get too excited cause they have had blizzards (yes, you've read that correctly!) in May! Can you imagine? I'm seriously hoping that it does not become a reality for us!

Blair and I have been super busy since I last posted. On the home front, Blair is doing well at work. He's able to sew on his Seven Level badges (I hope you military folks "get" what I'm talking about cause I barely do)! Blair had an upsetting past couple of weeks...a co-worker passed away and it hit the squadron hard. About 20 of the Airmen and women flew down to the funeral in Florida. I was sad to see Blair go, even if it was only for a week, but knew that he needed that time with his friends and the family of the person who died. After coming back from FL, he took a week of leave to put up our backyard fence. We had our first get together of the summer this weekend and it went smashingly well! I always enjoy hanging out with our friends and if a new fence is an excuse to do it, so be it!!

I've been doing well, working what seems like nonstop...taking photos of co-workers and friends and totally loving it! So far in my repertoire I have a prom shoot, numerous baby shoots (thanks to Miss Abby at Holly's blog!) and a couple pregnancy shoots. I have a few more shoots coming up that should be interesting. A co-worker wants me to get photos of her two kids and her three nephews. Also, a friend of ours is getting married and wants me to be their photographer. So with that I'm going to do engagements, bridals, the wedding and possibly save the dates and invitations! I am so in love with photography and would definitely love to make this a bigger part of my life! I can't leave you without examples so get ready and I hope you enjoy the view!

HE'S HOME!!

2010-03-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to update everyone...Blair is home!! His flight arrived on-time (actually even a little early!) yesterday at about 4 p.m. I am so excited to have my hubby back! It almost feels like he never left!

Hope everyone is having as good a day as I am!!

This was taken about a month before he left at a friends going away party.

Away too long!

2010-03-03T22:05:00.000-08:00

Holy cow, y'all! It's been forever and three days since I last posted anything! I apologize for that and really hope there is someone out there that still feels the need to read my blog (Jennifer, if you're still reading this, thanks)! There has been a lot going on in the North Pohl household since my last post.

First of all, we made it all the way to Christmas (literally, December 25th) before we had our first blizzard of the year. For anyone who doesn't know, last year's winter here in North Dakota was, according to the locals, one of the worst in at least 10 years! Lucky us that we got here just in time to experience it! This year however, I didn't even need to break out the parka until December! I was super excited!

When January rolled around, Blair got news that he was up for a TDY to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was scheduled to leave for the two month TDY two days after my birthday, January 11. However, this being the TDY from hell (with explanation as to why to follow), it got indefinitely canceled. Two weeks passed with no word as to whether or not he was being rescheduled. Oh, let me not forget to mention that the length of stay was undetermined, but we were told at least 30 days, but it would end up being more like 60-90 days. Now, when he first told me about it, I was bummed of course, but I was essentially ok with the fact that he was leaving. I mean, heck, we made it through a 4 month TDY only 4 months after we got married. 30, or even 60 days, would be a breeze right? Well, some particulars that I'm not privy to got worked out and Blair got rescheduled to fly out about a week after we got the news. Ok, I thought, I can do this. Then, it got canceled again! To make a long story short, he got canceled one other time before he got the word that he was for real leaving. So as you read this, we are in our third week of separation. It's not been fun, but it's been ok. I definitely hate being away from my wonderful hubby, but I have to remind myself of the women that are dealing with husbands being deployed overseas, like one of the bloggers I follow, The Navy Wife. She is mucho grande strong! I will be so glad when Blair gets home. As of now, we don't have a firm "coming home" date, but that's the military for you. They definitely teach you patience and you kind of have to learn to roll with the flow.

Since Blair has been gone, I've tried to stay busy. The first weekend he was gone I had a purse party (at which I bought 3 purses!) on Friday night, went to lunch and shopping with a friend on Saturday, and had a "Lonely Valentine's Date" with some friends who's hubby/boyfriend's were away from them too (and a guy that doesn't have a gf! Yeah, he felt like the third wheel on a bicycle!). After that weekend I worked, and got in 16 hours of overtime. Can't wait for that check! This week has been a bit slower, but with still enough to do that I'm not constantly thinking about Blair being gone.

Since he's been gone, I've really been thinking about the future. A little background, a friend of mine up here just had a beautiful little girl. They are also military and her schedule is crazy like mine; working 12 hours here, 8 hours there, days, nights, always changing. Well, she's been pondering what she'll do when her maternity leave is up, which in turn made me wonder what I'd do in her situation, or rather when I'm in her situation. Also in this time, I've been doing some photography stuff. It feels like everyone is into photography, but I don't know if it's because I'm surrounding myself with it or it's becoming so popular that loads of people are delving into it. Either way, I've taken pictures of the new baby and been offered two "jobs." Since last March when Blair "forced" me to get my Nikon D90, I've been thinking about getting into the business of photography, not just dabbling in it. So far, the dream is just that, a dream. The ultimate would be to work part time at the hospital, just to keep my skills, and to be a photographer "full-time." Hopefully, that would allow more flexibility. Anyway, the point of my telling this is to request y'all keep me in your prayers that things will work out how they are supposed to.

Well, I have to admit when I sat down to write this it totally felt like more had gone on, but apparently I lead a very staid life, and I wouldn't change a thing about it! Again, thank you to anyone who still has interest in reading what paltry words I have to say! Hope this finds you well and safe and happy!

Pictures I've taken...

2009-12-10T18:26:00.001-08:00

~~Hope you enjoyed 'em!~~

I Just Knew It!

2009-11-29T21:32:00.000-08:00

You have all been waiting with bated breath for the update on my vacations haven't you? Oh, you haven't? Well, here it is anyway!! Haha!

First our trip to Louisiana. The trip down was fraught will delays, layovers, hunger, and crabbiness. But in the end, we got to the Shreveport airport and were eagerly awaiting parents. I can still remember seeing Mama's face as she peeked around the people between us to catch her first glimpse of Blair and me!

I'll give you a basic run-down of the stuff we did while we were there.

The first night, after being picked up at the airport, we met Ash and Nathan and Lacy, William, and sweet Riley at fabulous Outback. (Let me say this once for all the places we ate...YUM!) We had a wonderful time visiting and I got to hold my 'niece' for the longest time! Turns out I wasn't even hungry because I had that sweet girl in my arms! By the way, she is the cutest, most calm, lovable little thing! Anyway, I thought for sure after the trip down that we'd had, I'd sleep forever on Friday, but lo' and behold, my eyeballs popped open at 7 a.m. and I was rarin' to go. So I went and woke my parents up and we called the sis and went for a family breakfast at Southfield Grill. We dropped Mama and Ash at Ashlie's and Daddy and I returned home. I was tired again by this point and wanted a nap. However, after only an hour, I was thinking of all the stuff I could be doing and got up. The day was spent mainly visiting and being visited by old friends and neighbors. (Thanks Jen and Mrs. Linda for stopping by!) For dinner we went to Cane's!! So, so good.

Saturday arrived and Blair and I went to South Bossier to drive by our old house and remincse about when we lived there. We ate at El Mariachi and then went to WalMart for the goodies we were to being for the ribfest and fish fry that was to go on at Ashlie and Nathan's that night. While the boys cooked, Ash and I strolled around on the boardwalk. I missed that place. You can find such great deals! The dinner that night was superb. (Once again, Nathan, you have ruined me on anyones fish but yours, my brother! I love it!) Good food, good company, what else does one need?

Sunday we went to church and got to see lots of folks! Good times. That night Blair and I got to see my "other" family, the Rosiers. It was so good to spend time with them. Monday was a girls' day and Ashlie, Lay and I went and got a massage! It was so nice to be pampered! After the massage, we went to visit Martha and her new baby in the hospital. I hated that I didn't get to spend much time with my friend but her family comes first! Tuesday I had lunch with an old work friend and we went shoppin' for fabric. It was so good to visit with her. Wednesday Blair and I went to walk through our house we have rented out down there. I thought it would be hard to see someone elses stuff in my house, but our renter appears to take pride in what they have. They seemed very grateful and were very nice too! Wednesday night the family got together again and we played dominos until way into the night!

Thursday, Blair and I got up early (after about 3 hours of sleep) and headed to the airport. Thankfully all our flights were on time and we got to Minot without difficulty. It was a wonderful visit and we both had such a great time. I can't wait till next time!

So Much...

2009-11-15T00:28:00.000-08:00

...to update y'all on!

Blair and I have been to Louisiana for a week, home for a week, then to Mexico for a week...

Yeah, it's been busy.

But we had a BLAST!!

I can't wait to tell you all about it (and of course show pictures)!

But it'll have to wait till later, cause I gots to bring home some bacon (aka, work) till Tuesday!

Till then...

He's home, he's home, he's home!!!!

2009-09-12T23:39:00.000-07:00

Ok well to be honest, he's been home for about a week...yeah, I'm slow at updates!

On Friday, September 4th, he text me around 11 a.m. and said that the computers were acting up and he was waiting to take his last test. Then around 4 p.m., he text me and said that he was going to have to stay an extra day so that the computer tech guys could fix the computer in order for him to take the final test.

Let's just say, folks, I was not a happy camper! To say the least, I was ready for him to come home! Being alone is ok, in it's doses...not on and on and on! To my credit, though, I did keep busy while Blair was gone. Every night I wasn't at work, I had something to do...a Stampin' Up! party at a co-workers house, an interior design party at another co-workers house, dinner with a friend, and a house party. I was a busy bee!

However, all that served to do was keep me from thinkin' day and night about how much I wish Blair was with me. It definitely helped that I was able to talk to him on the phone everyday at least once and we text'd quite frequently. (What would I do without text messaging? Hello! I love it!!)

But now the wait is over and Blair and I are totally back in the groove of daily livin'. (He's made dinner twice this weekend so far because I've been working...how good is that? What a great man!)

Married life, it's a wonderful thing, good folks, I tell you what.

Not for anything would I give this man up. I love being married and can't wait to see what the next, oh, fifty years brings our way!

One down, two to go...

2009-08-24T01:53:00.000-07:00

Well, week one has come and gone since Blair has been gone. Working and hanging out with friends has kept me sufficiently busy enough not to think every second of every day about him being gone. Mostly I sleep, work, go to the gym, sleep, and do it all over again.

We get to talk on the phone and let me tell you, that is what is keeping me sane! I think about these women who don't hear from their husbands for weeks or months (or in the old days, waited for letters!) and I feel very grateful that my husband is in no danger and that we're able to talk at least once a day. Sometimes twice.

So we've only got two weeks then he'll be home. Thank God. I can't wait to see him. Hold him in my arms. Kiss him. Just be with him.

Soon. Two weeks. I can do it. I know I can!

Unexpected and unprepared...

2009-08-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

...for Blair to leave so quickly! We've known for a while now that he'd have to go to "Seven Level School" in Wichita Falls, TX sometime in August. Then about a month ago, we learned he'd need to be down there by the 19th. I was figuring in two days of travel, but when I called him at work before I left for work on Tuesday, he told me he is leaving on SATURDAY!!!! Yes, folks, this Saturday.

I am so bummed! I thought we'd have the weekend together before he left so I wasn't worried about my work schedule this week; which coinsidentally, it's worked out that I have not seen hide nor hair of my husband since Sunday. You heard right. Sunday.

Am I happy?

No. I. Am. Not.

I get this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon, along with Friday, and that's it. He'll be leaving early Saturday morning.

I am really trying not to complain though. Women I know personally, and other bloggers, have husbands gone for way longer to dangerous places for months and months at a time. I know Blair will be okay...it's just I'll really miss him! He and I are so content just to be with each other that I'll miss just being in his presence.

So, readers, when you crawl into bed with your love, snuggle up and think about how lucky you are to have them in your arms.

I will, on the other hand, be holding Blair's pillow; which I'll have liberally sprayed with his cologne.

Thoughts and a Question

2009-07-24T01:15:00.000-07:00

Ok folks, I have a question for y'all. First, a little background...

Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I am a picture and photography fanatic. I have tons and tons and tons (you get the picture...pun intended!) of pictures printed and loads waiting for the privilege of making it to the print shop.

Now, for mine and Blair's anniversary, he let me get a nice, new Digital SLR camera. His one stipulation on buying this piece of equipment was simply that I had to learn to use it. I am slowly but surely learning my way around and playing with the settings and features as I go.

Now, I stumbled across a class (actually a co-worker told me about the site, jessicasprague.com) that teaches techniques in Photoshop that allow you to edit pictures. I hastily signed up for the class thinking that if that one went well, I'd do another and go from there. Turns out, I LOVED IT! I could (and have) sit for hours upon hours just playing with my pictures.

Now what tends to happen with me is that I get all gung-ho for a while and then the enthusiasm tends to peter out. However, I have had an idea in the back of my mind for quite a while, just kicking it around, thinking about it, turning it this way and that, trying to see all the pros and cons of my idea.

So, my fellow readers, I will pose my question to you. Sort of like market research.

Now, my idea is for you (by you, I mean my potential customers) to email me pictures that they have taken, then allow me to edit the picture (not altering the original picture data). I have the ability to put text on pictures. I can make a picture have a vintage feel. I can do black and white with a punch of color on a specified spot (i.e. a flower, eyes, a ball, or whatever). I can do collages with up to nine pictures (more may look too squished). Storyboards would also be available.

I have also tossed around making invitations. Probably not too in depth in the beginning, but if someone would like wedding invites, birthday or shower invites, I believe it would be totally do-able.

I have a lot of ideas and would like to bring them all to fruition. So my question is this...would any of you like to take advantage of this? My prices would be reasonable (I realize the economy isn't the best). I would love to have a business doing something that I love to do. I would like to eventually expand this to do the actual taking of the pictures I edit. For the people locally, that would be an option.

Now, I'm sure no of you would think to be mean, but I'm going to say it for those who might...but I am really putting myself out there right now by bringing this to you, and if you have anything other than positive comments, keep them to yourself please!!

***I will post more examples of my work at a later time, but for one example, look at the very bottom of this page at the sepia toned building I edited.***

Who can resist cute shoes?!

2009-06-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

Apparently not I. I went shopping a while back with my neighbor and we stopped by our local friendly Payless Shoe Store and look what I found! Pink suede mocasin-like slippers. Not only are they too cute, they are comfy too! See?!

Oh, and since Payless is awesome they had a buy one, get one half off sale. So I did! And aren't they darling!?

These cuties I wore for Blair's ALS graduation. You got to see the dress in a previous post, however, the shoes did not get any spotlight time...so now they do! Time to shine ladies!

These sweet babies flew me all the way to the grand state of Michigan for a wedding. They are super cute and surprisingly super comfy!!! Score!

***Whoops! I said these shoes "flew me"? I really meant flew with me. I wore comfortable, practical shoes to traverse the harried airports in!

These cutie pies are the first shoes I bought in North Dakota. They do the occasion proud!

Well, folks, whatcha think? If you've got cute accessories, shoes, or whatever, show 'em off!

Thanks for taking a quick tour of my closet with me! Hope y'all are havin' a wonderful day!

On the road...again!

2009-06-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

Well, folks, it seems that since winter has finally loosened it's dreadful grip of the weather around these parts. Thank goodness. Along with warmer weather and sunny, puffy-clouded days, brings us good road conditions. Not long ago (Memorial Day weekend, to be exact), Blair and I took a trip to Fargo to get his latest tattoo finished (he needed the color filled in). Well, the entire way there, I had a bad feeling about the appointment. {Not} to my surprise, when we reached the shop (after leaving at 6 a.m. and traveling for four hours) one of the artists told us the guy who was supposed to be doing Blair's tattoo was sick and wouldn't be in that day! ARGH!! Talk about frustration! Luckily, Blair had wanted to spend the night in Fargo and I'd already booked that room, so at least the trip wasn't wasted. We ended up having a really good time in Fargo and enjoyed spending time away together. Oh, oh, and we got to eat at IHOP before coming home. I know, I know, who cares about IHOP right? Well, non-North Dakota residents, I do!!! At home, IHOP was on the bottom of the 'let's go eat somewhere good list' because there were so many other really, really good places to go. Not here. IHOP is a treat. And let me just tell you, I gorged. It was wonderful.

Since the trip to Fargo was a bust as far as the purpose, Blair did research and found another shop to go to to get his tattoo finished. Luckily for us it's only an hour and a half away in Bismarck. While we were there, I also got some new ink. {Pictures to come.} We very much enjoyed only having to drive a short distance to reach our destination. It was such a beautiful day, we kinda hated to be cooped up in a car, but we had a really good time. Usually we get in the car to go on trips and whoever is not driving passes out asleep. However, Blair stayed awake the entire time and we talked the whole way there and back! These days it seems our lives are so busy that we just talk in random snatches, especially since my schedule at work is so crazy. It was nice to be able to have such a long time devoted to just us and conversation.

When we got to Bismarck, we were a bit early so we went to see a movie at this awesome theater they have there in town. It's decorated like an old-timey play house with movie memorabilia all over the place. Next time we go that way, hopefully we can go back to that theater!

Well, I know your probably anxious for pictures so here they are! Enjoy...

Here I am with the stencil on and ready to go...

The artist, Ellie, was super sweet and really good too. It was over in 25 minutes!

This is mine, finished. It says MMVII, Roman numerals for the year Blair and I got married.

Blair looks so stoic...he's watching the poker tour on T.V.!

Blair's was finished quickly too, only about 30 minutes!

The finished product. Neat huh?

Fantabulously Frugal

2009-06-09T23:49:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all! I don't normally get into the giveaway thing, but I ran across this one and it looks to good to pass up! Check it out @ http://www.fantabulouslyfrugal.com/search/label/Giveaways to sign up and enter if you wish! If you decide to enter, mention me and we'll both get an extra entry!

State of Our Union, Part II

2009-06-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

Two years (and five days ago), I married the man of my dreams. In a twenty minute ceremony, with friends and family present, we pledged our lives together. Never once have I regretted that vow. My husband is the most kind, funny, loving man I know. He makes me laugh when I don't feel like it. He is my commonsense adviser when I can't see past my nose. He is my friend, always. I love him with all that I am.

We have had lots of fun and adventure in our short two year marriage.

We've been through a TDY (this is Blair getting ready to go to the airport).

We've moved across country (from way south to waaaayyyy north)!

Here is my family and two best friends waiting for the trailer to leave B.C. A bittersweet moment.

Visited family.

Visited more family!

Gone on random roadtrips.

Made it through a harsh North Dakota winter. (The worst in 10 years according to locals!)

Blair graduated ALS (I'm so proud)!

We've done a lot in our short two years of being married. I am so proud to call myself wife to such a wonderful man.

I love you baby.

Dad-burned excerise

2009-05-20T02:16:00.000-07:00

So, along with about probably 90% of America, I thought I'd start out the new year by getting into shape.

Let me just tell you, it's not easy! Going to the gym in sub-zero weather is not fun. It's gotten way better since it's been so hot (and I use that term way loosely as it's been mainly in the 40s-50s!). Tonight I had to stay up so I can sleep for work tomorrow and I decided to go to the gym.

Of course I procrastinated so long that I only gave myself about 45 minutes to do anything (which I did last night too...yeah, I know...). Tonight I decided I would do the weight machines since there are sidewalks I can use for cardio. I was all excited because I got my weight stuff done and then I was going to run a mile in our neighborhood. I even drove my route to make sure it was a mile.

Yeah, what I didn't take into account was the blasted wind that is always blowing in North Dakota (it didn't help we had a rainstorm moving in)!! If it's to your back, you've got it made. Any other way and it's like fighting an uphill battle.

So I set out, all gung-ho. Readers, not a quarter of a mile into it I feel like my legs are frozen and I'm breathing like a Kentucky Derby winner who just gave it their all. It was not a pretty sight by any means.

I just want to know, why is it I can run for a solid 15 minutes on a treadmill with an uphill grade of 2 but I can't run into the wind?! UGH.

This 'healthy' stuff is way overrated!!

Congratulations Blair

2009-05-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

For the past five weeks Blair has been ALS (Airman Leadership School). It's a school for Airmen to learn, well, how to be leaders. It's something they have to do so they can make rank also. This allows Airmen to become NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers). Last May, Blair tested for his Staff Sergeant and this class is kind of like a prerequisite to putting that extra stripe on.

Anyway, Blair and I have never been to a "formal" Air Force event, so I was a bit nervous. We got there super early, of course. Because of that, I had about thirty minutes to stew and fret as to who of Blair's bosses would be there and are they nice? What if I screw something up and embarass Blair? Argh! However, I was very, very pleasantly surprised. We had in support of Blair Chief Jones, Major Vattioni, and Lt. Colonel Mongeon (who just happened to be a woman, thank God!). They were all super nice! I definitely breathed a huge sigh of relief. Major Vattioni was the one seated closest to me and he asked me at the very beginning if I'd ever been to 'one of these things.' To which, I said no. He promptly told me not to worry, he'd let me know what to do, which ended up not being too much, thankfully.

We had a very nice dinner and pleasant conversation. Shortly after dinner, they called out the nominees for the Leadership Award. Blair was one of these nominees. However, sadly, he did not get the award. I think, though that its an honor to be nominated! (The guy that actually got the award is someone I like so it's ok.) Next came the guest speaker. He was a retired Chief who graduated from a high school in Columbus, GA (where my dad is from). When he got done, the graduates did their 'walk.' The people that handed Blair his 'diploma' were really great about family and pictures. They are the commanders of the base and were super nice. If they thought the family member didn't get a good picture, they made the graduate stop, come back, and let the person take a good picture. It was hilarious. But it let me get a couple good pictures, so thanks, guys!! Haha.

*Oh, I forgot to tell you about 'roll call.' The emcee called out all the shops in attendance. Major Vattioni shouted out MUNS and Blair, the Chief, the Lt. Col., and I yelled FIREPOWER! It was pretty cool.*

After the graduates walked, it was pretty much over. All the graduates got together for pictures and I got a good one of Blair with his class.

All in all it was a really good night. And not just because I got to buy a new dress and pair of shoes for the event!!

I have now been initiated into an Air Force formal. Go me.

Here are a few pictures of the night...

This is the emcee and the Legacy (something the class leaves behind) that Blair designed.

Blair with the base commanders

Blair saluting the base commander.

Lt. Col. Mongeon, Blair, Chief Jones, Maj. Vattioni

Blair with his graduating class.

Blair and me

**Congratulations Blair! I love you!

Going Green

2009-05-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

Finally, we are getting a little color around this place! Don't get to excited, it's just a little. First, the snow ran away. Then, the ground appeared. Next, color started to show up. In the beginning, it was just a small amount of green then...an explosion! All the yards are green and the trees have decided to wake up from their winter nap. NO. MORE. BROWN. Finally!!

I don't know that everyone appreciates the eccentricity of North Dakota weather. For example. Blair mowed the yard for the first time of the season last Saturday. Yep, but it was snowing when he was mowing! Can you believe it?! It's MAY, y'all! I can't believe that it's May and it's cold enough to snow! This is retarded! This morning it was 33 degrees and by Tuesday it's supposed to be in the 90s! Lord a-Mercy guys, it's crazy.

Here's a little glimpse of the beginnings of the green in motion.

We went from this...

And this...

TO THIS!!

Green with Envy

2009-04-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

I hate to even be admitting to this, but yes, folks, I have been envious. Namely of my sis and Martha. Why? you ask? Well, they had a toy I wanted. Most of you know that I love to take pictures. Not just any pictures but pictures of very random things (i.e. the mold that grew on our forgotten leftovers, if you'll remember!). Now, when my good friend Martha got a nice new camera and lenses I didn't really think much except, "Good for you." However, when Ash started ranting and raving about how cool it was and how she wanted one...I started thinking...do I want one too? Well, I didn't dwell on it...until Ash got one for CHRISTMAS!!!! Then I started seeing all these sights on the way to and from work that would be such great pictures...if I had a camera like theirs. Now, I knew better than to mention to Blair that I wanted this camera because he likes to spoil me and he'd either buy it for me or force (haha) me into getting it. Well, one day it came out that I wanted it and low and behold, he did exactly what I thought he would (do I know my man or what?)...he told me to 'Just buy it, Laura.' No matter that it is over a grand, just get it. Ha! Anyone that knows me at all, knows that I'm a tightwad with money. Well, he finally convinced me to get it and I did get a really good deal on ebay (thank you God, for the internet!) but it still took me ten minutes (literally) to click the buy button. I kept thinking of all the stuff we could get with a thousand dollars! But in the end, my greed won out and I bought it. And haven't looked back since!! I love, love, love this camera. I ended up not getting the exact same one as Ash and Martha, but its the same concept. (They got a Cannon 50D and I got a Nikon D90, just FYI.) I have been taking random pictures with it around the house but have been itching to go out into the wild blue yonder and take some photos. Finally the opportunity presented itself. A girl at work has the same "addiction" with picture taking as I do and we were going to meet up and take pictures around her little town (bout an hour away called, oddly enough, Towner). However, we didn't get the chance because her little girl got sick and she's more important than me and pictures. But, since I was in photo mode, I decided to go it on my own. (I know, how brave of me right?) Well, I just started driving and here is what I found. Let me know what you think...but only if its good thoughts!! ;)

This is a cute little church that I can just see the steeple on the way to work. I finally got to find it and take its picture!!

I don't know why, but I love run-down buildings. Here is exhibit A.

Here is the town of Minot from a lookout point by the airport.

Exhibit B of rundown buildings! Cool, huh?

I love trains, so imagine my glee when this beauty whizzed past!

Just trying to make a grain elevator glamorous.

** Correction--this is a grain bin, not an elevator. My bad.

This little house was actually really far away...but I have a big zoom!!

I didn't really mean to get the sign, but it looks cool anyway, I thought!

This is one of my favorite "picture opportunities." It looks so pretty with the sun behind it.

This was the huge drift that was in our backyard until about two weeks ago. Crazy weather!

More braggin'...

2009-04-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, so y'all probably get tired of hearing about how great my husband is, but, well, your about to hear more. This past weekend I worked 12 hour shifts. (I have just gotten off of a seven day stretch of working, not all 12 hours shifts, though, thank goodness!) Anyway, I always have a n on-going grocery list (because if I don't write it down when I think of it, I'll forget!). Blair occasionally will write down some 'special' request and I'll get it when I go to the commissary. This is what I saw when I came downstairs on Friday...

(**It's like Where's Waldo. Can you find the hidden message?)

Ok, so the point I made earlier about my busy weekend was to say that Blair was great this weekend. When I got up on Friday, he 'cooked' dinner (aka, got pizza). That way neither one of us had to stress what to make and just got to be together. On Saturday, he took the list above and went to the commissary and bx for me! And he for real cooked and made an awesome dinner for us to enjoy! Not only did he do that, he did laundry!! Yes, he did! And I didn't even have to ask!!! Then on Sunday, it was all folded! *GASP!!* Oh, my gosh! (Now, don't think anything of it being a day later, cause sometimes I leave laundry for days!!) I came downstairs and it was all folded neatly in the basket. I was so proud of him! He is the best hubby ever!! Thank you, God, for the man You've blessed me with.

Trip Pictures

2009-04-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

~~Here is the picture update that I promised forever long ago...Enjoy!

A picture from the plane on my way to Ft. Wayne, IN!

The bride and groom at the start of the wedding.

The beautiful ceiling of the church! Even the speakers were painted to match!

Katie and Paul saying their vows. You could feel their happiness!

The new Mr. & Mrs. Kuch!

Apparently the wedding took place in Michigan's state capital, Lansing. So between the wedding and reception, we went to see the capital building!

The bride and groom in front of their 'party' table.

My wonderful in-laws!

My sweet bro-in-law and his wonderful girlfriend!

The cool Italian dance. They're moving so fast, everyone is blurry!

The gang (Dennis, Kate, Ben, me, and Teri).

I took a picture with the beautiful people...

On the flight home (we couldn't take off until daylight b/c a strobe light was broken, it did not inspire confidence!).

~~Hope you enjoyed a quick look into my weekend!

Leavin' on a jet plane...

2009-03-29T01:06:00.000-07:00

Oh, my, word! Flying is awesome! What have I been doing the past 25 years of my life!?! Torturing myself with agonizingly long, monotonous trips that take upward of 8 hours! No more my friends! I have decided flying is the way to go! Of course, that is only when the funds are available! Why do I mention this you ask? Because last weekend I had my first experience flying. Yes, first. At 25. This puppy ain't too old to learn new tricks! The occasion was Blair's cousin was getting married. So Friday afternoon I set out on my adventure, by myself. Yes, I do feel super brave and like I can take anything now. Well, maybe not anything...but definitely flying alone! I was nervous of course, but if I wasn't I would've probably been sick. One of my 'worries' was navigating the Minneapolis airport, but, y'all, that was a cinch! Oh my goodness, they had the concourses clearly marked and signs everywhere. They also had these awesome little conveyor belts that you walk on...so cool. I would step on them and walk and felt like I was walking outside. My hair was blowing like I was in a wind tunnel! Neat-o!

I arrived into Ft. Wayne, IN around 10:30 p.m. I was so excited to see my in-laws when I got off the plane! Everyone probably thought my MIL (mother-in-law) and I were crazy...when we saw each other, we squealed, ran to each other and jumped up and down hugging! Oh, good times. After our squeal fest (which would have totally embarassed my husband) we set out for the in-laws house (45 minutes away). We talked non-stop the entire way home. Then, when we got there, I changed into comfortable clothes and went back for more! We finally went to bed around 1:30 a.m., I think, and only then because we had to get up early to get ready for the wedding!

On Saturday, I got up at around 8 a.m. I decided to get partially ready before going out to start the day. By the time I'd done this, my MIL had coffee made for us! Yippee! We share a passion for coffee (I tell you sometimes it's scary how much we're alike!). We visited in the living room for a while, until we got hungry. Then my FIL (father-in-law) made us breakfast. It was a Mexican breakfast with eggs, toasted tortillas, cheese, and sausage. I am about to butcher the name of it here, but it's something along the line of Meegas (that's how it sounds, at least!). Anyway, after I scarfed down two helpings ( I know, I know, my diet is ruined!) I went to get ready. Shortly thereafter, we headed out on our two hour drive to Lansing, MI. Again, we talked the entire way there. It was so great to catch up with my in-laws. I say all the time, I am one of the few people that was blessed enough to love my in-laws!

The wedding itself was absolutely beautiful. The church, the attendants, the bride. Katie, you were remarkable! I got to see almost all of Blair's side of the family, and it was awesome! I especially enjoyed seeing Blair's youngest brother, Ben and his girlfriend, Kate. Ben is so much like Blair and Kate and I get along really well! It's a treat anytime we get to be together. We even talked about them coming to visit us this summer! Hopefully it will work out!

The reception was super fun! We had food, cake and talking! What more could a Southern girl want!? It was such fun! The grooms' family is as big as Blair's and the combination made for a fun-filled time! They are Italian and did the traditional Italian dance...where the bride, groom, and their parents get encircled by family and friends and dance around. Think My Big Fat Greek (but really Italian, in this case) Wedding. It was so neat. I think I stood there with my mouth agape for a bit! This is stuff that I've only seen on TV!! Then, the grooms family has a tradition...The bride stood behind the groom and used her hands for a blindfold. A few guys from his side came in carrying an ark-like container. I was not in position to see what they were doing till it was done, but they had a massive ball and chain and they attatched it to the grooms leg! Oh, my! It was great! Then, the DJ played a song and the bride danced around the groom with the key and the groom kept trying to get the key. To get the key the crowd (aka, us) started chanting sing! sing! So he sang! It was so funny! Thats a good tradition!

We had to leave before all the good dances started (aka, the line dances) since we had a two hour drive home and my flight was at 7:15 the next morning! After getting home, we talked for a bit and decided to hit the sack. Boy, I was whipped. After what felt like 30 minutes of sleep, I got up and got ready for my return trip. Again, my FIL made me breakfast. This time it was an egg & bacon bagel! Yum yum! He's a great cook! (Oh, that reminds me! I told them that I'd been craving the strawberry shortcake they made for us when we were there in July, and he made it for me after we got home from the wedding! How sweet!)

The return home was mostly uneventful, except that right before we were about to land the pilot had to abort the landing. Supposedly, the day before, Minot had a lot of fog and no planes could land and had to be taken back to Minneapolis. I was scared that we would be rerouted back to Minneapolis, but we got to land on the second try! Thank God! I did not want to sent back to Minneapolis! I was so excited to see Blair again! We went to eat lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings as soon as we left the airport. On the way home, we noticed the fog had rolled in once again and we both remarked on how great it was that I got home when I did! Any later and I would've been back to Minneapolis in a flash! Thank God for small blessings!

**I don't have pictures right now, as I'm at work posting this. I will return to post pictures of my fun-filled weekend!! Love to you all!!

Catching up

2009-03-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so, I've been horrible lately about keeping up with my blog. Life here in the North has been super busy. Work is going well, but the scheduling here is a bit schizophrenic. I don't know from one week to the next what days/nights I'll be working. It's a bit tiring, to be completely honest. In LA, I could tell you a year out what weekend I'd be working and be able to plan accordingly. Not here! Oh, well, you do what you gotta do, right?!

So, like I said, I've not kept all you good people up-to-date on my life. We'll go back to January for uno momento, por favor. What's the big deal about January you ask? Well, it was my birthday! I only mention it because I want to brag on my wonderful hubby. For those of you that don't know, he is much more fashionable and trendy than me. He has wonderful taste and naturally chooses beautiful things, almost as an after thought. That being said his gifts are equally great. I don't know how he does it, but every holiday/birthday/anniversary he gets me something I didn't know I wanted and had to have until its in my hot little hands! This birthday was no different...Let's just say, "Girls, he went to Jareds!"

These are cultured black pearls. I never knew I liked pearls until Blair bought them for me!

They are considered black pearls, but they have a green tint to them. They're beautiful!

As most of you know, in LA we didn't have a dining/kitchen table. Which was completely fine for a couple of reasons. 1.) We didn't have room for it. 2.) We probably wouldn't have eaten at it anyway, preferring instead the couch in front of the TV! However, when you move and acquire more space than what you had, the natural inclination is to fill that space, right ladies? As you know from previous posts, the entire bottom floor of our house is pretty much one big open room. We have it "sectioned" off into the living room, computer room and "blank spot." That was, however, before we got our new dining room table!! Yes, people, we finally did it! We got a table. Why am I so excited you ask? I have no idea. Except for the fact that it's new and it's mine, and it looks awesome in our "blank spot!" Perhaps one reason I am excited is now I finally have a place to showcase the beautiful place mats and napkins Lisa O. got us as a wedding gift. I had to move 2K miles away to use them, but what the hey, they're out now!! And lookin' good! Back to how great of a designer my husband is, he went to the BX and got a table runner for it and as you'll see in just a bit, it looks marvelous! I love it. He is so funny, no, ladies, I did not have to ask him to go get a table runner, he went of his own accord. Amazing, huh? Raise your hand if your jealous...Just kidding!!!

The 'naked' table. It's first night in our house.

Trying to show a little of the details.

All dressed up and ready for dinner.

The centerpiece. Oh, look, pewter. Wonder where I got that?!

Oh, my another fleur de lis. Hmm, no one would know I love them!

Not only did he buy a table runner for the dining table, but also one for the 'behind the couch' table. Did it look good you ask? Um, yes. Better, in fact, than had I picked them out. It's just a bit daunting to have a husband that's as good/ better at decorating than you are. But, a lot of times, it makes my life easier, because as you know, I don't make decisions well. If you give me too many choices, I'll sit and debate with myself (and you if your unlucky enough to be at hand) for hours. With Blair, I can ask which one he likes better and the decision is done!

The 'behind the couch' table Blair decorated.

Ok, let see, what else has happened to the 'transplant' northerners (I will for ever be a southerner at heart!! Never fear my friends, I'll always say "y'all!")? Ah, yes, painting. If you'll remember, I mentioned that I work both days and nights now. Blair, bless his heart, is on the 11p to 7a shift. Thus sleeps during the day. We have two windows in our room. One of which is huge. We put the curtains I had made for the house in LA up here but the dimensions were off and light showed through. Unacceptable. So I made myself a project of making new curtains. I wanted them to be "black out" curtains. So off to JoAnn's I went. Lucky me, I caught a sale and most of the fabric I bought was 1/2 off! Oh, yeah! Score! Surprisingly, I finished the curtains sooner rather than later. They helped a lot to block the light, but not all of it was "blacked out" as I had wanted it to be. I got to thinking it might have been because our walls are glaringly white and the light comes in and seems to be magnified as it bounces off the ceiling and walls. So, what do I do? I get the bright idea to paint. Forgetting since moving in, only seven months ago, how very, very, very much I hate to paint. But all of a sudden, I'm gung-ho to paint this blasted room in the color Emerald Pool (it's a turquoise-y blue/green, can you see it?). Strike that, I'd decided to paint only two walls (I suppose I hadn't forgotten that much!). So, after hog-tieing Blair into helping me, and letting him choose what he wanted to do, we got started. Since Blair had chosen to do the roller-ing, I did the trim and taped. Well, I got all the taping done and he still wasn't ready to come roller paint so, I got the bright idea to start on the trim. Note to self, stupid idea!!! For future reference, the trim should be blended into the wall, not vise versa. Ugh! If I'd only thought. However, I didn't, and the result was a fiasco. I had gotten most of the trim done by the time Blair came to help and by that time, my stomach was in knots (I internalize when I worry). I had painted the trim to cover, meaning, I had painted about two coats already, when Blair came to roller. Due to my un-smartness, we ended up having to put three (yes, count it, three) coats of paint on these walls. I quickly remembered that I hate to paint and why, because of this!! I was so worried that the walls and the trim would never blend, but I guess if you match the number of coats, eventually it will. After all this, I told Blair, if I ever want to paint another room...smack me! Ugh. I've already got a painter lined up to paint it back for me when we move!! (No, we aren't moving anytime soon, I'm just preparing for the future!!) All that being said, the room is still not the 'cave' I want for us to sleep in. So our next project is to get the do-it-yourself window tint (like I used on my front door in LA) to put on our windows. I'm trying not to think about the possibility that the window tint would have been a better option from the beginning than painting, because, well, that would make me sick. Oh, well, you live and learn right?

The infamous room. Not too shabby, eh?

Happy Birthday, My Love

2009-02-21T20:45:00.000-08:00

February 22, 1982
This is the day the man I love was born. And thank God for it! He was moved here and yon with the Marines as a kid, and ended up at Barksdale with the Air Force. And I am ever so grateful. He is the man of my dreams. He makes me laugh, makes me plain happy. I can tell him anything. I can be dorky, lazy, a bum, a go-getter, I can be anything and I know he loves me. The day we got married I told him I couldn't wait to start the adventure of our life together. A year and a half later, we've already been through a TDY and a PCS! That's a lot for so short a time. But I wouldn't change anything. I don't want to be anywhere but where he is. Where he goes, I will follow. The old adage is true, "Home is where the heart is." Well, my heart is with my husband, so my home is where he takes me. I love him more than words can express and thank God each and everyday for bringing him into my life. (And Dennis and Teri, if you read this, thank you for your influence in making him the wonderful man he is today!)

I am so proud of him and the job that he does with unflagging committment. He puts on his uniform everyday and serves his country without complaint. He does his job to the best of his ability and is recognized by his peers for it. It gives me pride to say that his a United States Airman. He is my own personal hero. (And he looks spectacular in uniform!) Thank you Baby, for what you do for your country, for all of us. I love you and always will. Happy Birthday!

Oh, my...

2009-02-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

Well, folks. It's still winter. And if the locals here are to be believed (which they are), winter won't be over till July, maybe June, if we're lucky. I can't believe this weather!! I never, in my whole life, thought I would live in a place so dang cold. And let me tell you, it's not the "Ooo, it's a bit chilly, but I can make it from the house to the car and car to the building if I run" cold. It's "Holy cow, the wind's taking my breath away, and do I see four foot drifts over there?!" Today, Blair and I went to town (which let me tell you is an excursion for us! It's fifteen miles away and feels useless to go unless we've got tons of stuff to do!) and it was actually a really pretty day. It was around 7 degrees above (which is rather warm by ND standards!), but the wind!! Oh, my, that's what get's ya! Holy man! It was just "breezy" as the locals would say, blowing at about 10-15 mph!! You step out of a building and that first gust just steals your breath, your hair goes flying (not just back but up, down, around, everywhere!!), and you have to take a huge gulp of air and telll yourself, breathe in, breathe out. Whew. Thankfully we've not gotten a ton of snow this month. The Farmers Almanac says we're supposed to get 40" (yes, inches!) this month, but I'm in denial and don't see that happening, especially since we've only got about a week left in the month!! However, people 'round these parts have been gleefully telling me that it's not uncommon to get snow in March and April, sometimes May. I think they just like to see the crestfallen look on my face, somehow it's funny to them...ok, it'd probably be funny to me too. Anyway, everyone up here has said that this has been the worst winter in ten years. What luck I've got being here for it. In all actuality, it's not been that bad. Yes, it's freezing, yes, it snows and yes, it's annoying not being able to even go into the garage (with the door closed) without putting on snow boots and your parka. But, if you don't like the cold, don't go outside, I say! Right?! So, I don't! Hmmm, now theres a thought! Blair and I have become professional "stay-at-homers." We were homebodys before, but let me tell ya, even more so now!

Ok, ok, I'm off my soap box of the cold. Thank you for letting me vent to y'all. Sometimes it just needs to come out, ya know? I'm good now.

Dreams and Hugs

2009-01-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

Ok, so. You know how when you dream, sometimes you don't really remember all of what the dream was about? (I hate that, personally, unless it was a bad dream, of course!) Well, the other night I had the best/worst dream ever. I was dreaming that I was at some sort of shower or get together. I walk in and start seeing all these people I knew. It was really kind of cool, because even though I saw them in my unconsciousness it still feels like I saw them, ya know? Anyway, every time I saw someone new that I loved, we would have this great big Martha-hug (anyone that's been hugged by Martha knows that she loves to give firm hugs, they're the best!) and start crying. As stated earlier, it was a good/bad dream. It was good because, like I said, it made me feel like I'd see all the people that I love so much. It was bad because I woke up and realized that it was truly just a dream. However, when I woke up, it still felt like I was being hugged and I had tears clogging my throat, just like now. That feeling of being hugged was the absolute best. It made me feel like God knew just what I needed after that heart-wrenching dream, and He gave it to me.

I want to take this time to tell you all, my loved ones, how very much I miss you. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't mind living in fro-zone land where it gets to -30 and I love the adventure that my wonderful husband and I are having living somewhere so different from anything I've ever known. I honestly love the people here and my job is great. But, if only you all were here with me, it would make everything perfect. But we don't live in a perfect world, says the AllState commercials, so I suppose I'll make do with my dreamt of hugs. But know that if I could I would love to give you all a great big squeeze right now. So go out and find someone to do it for me (preferably someone you know!!) and think of me.

Picture Update

2009-01-07T17:20:00.000-08:00

Our front porch. At this moment, it's about a foot higher up the post!!

Our Christmas Tree

My favorite ornament

The beginnings of our "Mexican" Christmas dinner: the Bean Dip.

Blair being helpful!

In the process of making our dinner... and eating it!!

Tacos and taquitoes

Trying to get a good picture, but Blair was being silly!

Again, no go on the picture. Silly boy!!

My new bedside table!!

My old beside table!

My new robe...it's so comfy!!

Blair kills me!

Blair opening his 'surprise' gift...a new bow.

I couldn't hide the big bow and case so I wrapped a picture of it! He said, "What is this?!"

Our cool fuzzy, flap hats from my wonderful in-laws!

My beautiful pearl necklace from my wonderful husband!

I hope everyone 'made out' like a bandit like I did!!

Happy Holidays!!

2008-12-29T23:17:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not trying to be PC, I'm just trying to include the New Year wishes along with my belated Merry Christmas. "Happy Holidays" seems to encompass it all!!

So this year, Blair and I were together for Christmas, sort of...we'll just say that we were together when we did our "Christmas." Which, by the way was five days early. On Saturday before Christmas, Blair and I were both off. Now, he'd been begging me for two weeks to let him open his presents. I don't know how I put him off for so long, but come that Saturday, I couldn't hold him back anymore!! I wanted to wait till Christmas Eve to open gifts and do dinner, but since I had to work at 11 p.m. Christmas Eve, Blair didn't want to be rushed. So December 20th was our Christmas. I had wanted to make a turkey, green bean casserole and the works, but Blair didn't want that either, since we'd just had that for Thanksgiving. When I asked him what he wanted, he got this 'pondering' look on his face, then brightly exclaimed, "Tacos!" I said, "Huh?!" He wanted a Mexican-themed Christmas dinner. So that's what we did!! I made tacos, guacamole, layered bean dip (I didn't have 7 layers, so it's just 'the layered bean dip!'), and taquitos. It actually was very good. We really enjoyed it all. It was especially nice because that Blair was in the kitchen with me, helping. He was wonderful.

My sweet hubby, he's just like a little kid. I thought we'd compromise on the whole gift opening thing by saving one gift back for Christmas Eve. However, when I hid one of each of ours, he noticed immediately and started to bug me to put it back!! The whole day worked out really well. Ash had told me previously to expect her package on Christmas Eve, but it showed up on Saturday before we even ate! Then, after we'd eaten and opened gifts, Blair's parents package arrived! Can we say perfect timing?! We loved all of our gifts from our family and friends! (I'll post pictures of everything later.)

Well, folks, I know it's not a long post and it has no pictures, but, well, it's the best I can do at work!! I promise I'll post pictures soon of our fun night of opening gifts. You'll all get to see some of Blair and mine's more zany moments. Should be interesting...

Love to you all!
Hope you have Happy Holidays! ;)

HAPPY (BELATED) THANKSGIVING!

2008-11-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

Of course everything that I do has to have the (belated) with it...I'm never on time!

So, everyone, how was your Thanksgiving? Mine was good. Blair and I are on two different sleep schedules so I woke up about four hours before him. (He only got up then because I couldn't stand it any more and woke him up....can you hear the maniacal laugh in the background?)

So, while I was fixin' our 'Very First Thanksgiving Dinner' he put up our Christmas tree (in front of the chic FALL swag my lovely sis sent me). God love him, it took him the entire time I was cooking to put up a spindly, 'can definitely see through the branches' tree. BUT the end result is lovely. Of course, he didn't appreciate the 'odds-n-ends' decorations I had from last year, so the tree only has white lights to adorn it at the moment. He would rather a mono-chromatic theme, whereas I prefer the "rainbow belch." But you know, this is his tree too, so whatever, he's doing the work!!!

Anyway, back to our meal. Yeah, it was good, but it didn't taste like Mama's. I called her in advance for the recipes and what does she tell me?! "Well, I don't measure anything so you just have to taste it."

Ok, so those of you that know me know that I have my moments of anal-ness. Moments where I want things to be just so, like our first Thanksgiving (remember Blair was TDY up here to Minot last year this time) and I don't want him to take a bit, curl his lip and say 'good job, baby' while pushing food around on his plate to make it look like he'd eaten. Granted, he's never done that, but theres a first time for everything right? And I definitely didn't want to be that day.

So what you ask went incorrect (not wrong, right Ash?) with our meal? To be honest, and not trying to pat myself on the back (ok, maybe a little) but the cornbread and the dressing were the main things with the sweet potato souffle bringing up the rear. I'm not telling you that the only other thing I made was green bean casserole (besides the turkey), and I couldn't screw that up since the recipe was right there on the can of French Fried Onions!

Let me just give you a run down. First of all, I thought I'd be smart and make the cornbread the night before and be all prepared (what an ugly word). I should have known better than to be prepared. I did make the cornbread, chopped the onions and celery Mama said just had to be in there, but what I didn't do is taste the corn bread.

Bad decision number uno. The first problem with the corn bread was, well, you could have used it for an ocean liners anchor. Who needs a few little itty bitty teeny teaspoons of baking soda. I didn't have any (the only thing on the back of the corn meal bag recipe I didn't have) so I figured I didn't need it. Um, yes, yes, I did. I looked it up on the 'all-knowing internet' and it's what makes the bread rise apparently. Ahh, I think to myself, that's why its an inch tall and dense as a rock! DUH!So to be frank, mistake number two (don't know how to spell it in Spanish...), was not running frantically to the nearest grocery store with a wide-eyed look that tells the clerk, back off this lady, she's desperate, to buy baking soda. UGH!!

*Note to self, get baking soda.

So since the corn bread was screwed up...the dressing was a bit 'off.' However, not by as much as you'd think. I sauteed the onions and celery, chopped the apples (yes people, Mama uses apples, yum), and made it 'soupy' like she said. Then I put it in the oven to cook. Actually the only complaint Blair had about the entire meal is that the dressing was a bit bland. (Oh, but, he didn't eat the cornbread I made extra...wonder why?) But if that's the only complaint, I can definitely live with that.

Now, onto the sweet potato souffle. This, my dear friends, was just poor planning. I mixed up one large can of sweet potatoes (yes, I used canned potatoes, don't hate), but it just didn't seem like enough. So I went to get the other large can of sweet potatoes and proceed to make it like Mama, to taste. Bad decision number tres, not using a large enough baking pan...You got it, folks. The butter I used in excess (since Thanksgiving calories don't count) bubbled over and dripped all on the bottom of my stove. On which I had not yet put the God-blessed tin foil, so it got everywhere. Another ugh. However, once I seperated the 'too much for one pan' souffle, it baked well and turned out delicious.

And the turkey. The whole point of Turkey Day. One word. Yum. I am huge fan of crock pots. Since I didn't stay up late enough to put it into the crock pot, I left specific instructions for Blair. To his credit, he followed them to the letter. He put it in at 4 a.m. and it cooked on warm for a long time (until I realized it & turned it on low...). Point being, after cooking for 12+ hours in a crock pot, it was so tender it practically fell off the bone. And moist! Whoo boy, it was melt in your mouth moist. Score one for me!!

Anyway, all of this is to say, in the process of cooking I thought our Very First Thanksgiving Dinner was going to be a world-class flop. To my surprise, it turned out really well. Thank the Lord Jesus!

Maybe my attempt at Christmas dinner will be better...

Update

2008-11-26T12:27:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Just wanted to update you on the house situation. Two days ago, the rental agency lady called and said there was a woman who wanted to put a contract on our house!! She's single so that's a plus. The only downside is that she has a dog. That's not something we were crazy about having in our house, but at this point we didn't care! So we told the rental agency to go ahead with the lease signing!! Yay! We are so excited to finally have someone in our house! God is so good! Thank you all for wracking your brains to try and help me out!

I need HELP!!!

2008-11-19T02:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, y'all. I need your help. Most of you know that we decided to put our house up for rent when we left LA. I don't know if it's common knowledge, but it has still not rented!! If anyone, I mean anyone, knows someone who would like to rent a house, please let me know! The specs on the house are:

1,114 sq. ft.

3 bedroom

2 bath

ceramic in entryways, bathrooms and kitchen

carpet in the rest

garden tub in master bath

rent (at the moment) $1100

to see pictures go to dowlingproperties.net

I know that it is a small house, but it's perfect for a family/couple just starting out or a single person. We have already lowered the rent twice. We are using Coldwell Banker as the rental agency, so if there are any problems with the property someone will promptly attend to it. Please, everyone, rack your brain to think of anyone who might be interested. Thank you sooo very much!

My Favorite Movie...

2008-11-16T23:44:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I just got done watching P.S. I Love You. I absolutely LOVE that movie. It has just the right amount of humor mixed with tear-jerk-i-ness. (I know that's not a word but I have to express myself somehow...) I first watched this movie with friends from work and felt like a big dork bawling my eyes out and sniffing every three seconds. But y'all, I could watch that movie back to back for an entire day and still love it (well, to be honest I might get sick of it after a day, but you get the euphemism, right?). Let me tell you a little about it for those of you that don't know. It stars Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler (the guy from 300 if anyone is into Spartans...). They are married, living in New York City. The husband, Gerry (oddly enough played by a man named Gerard), gets a brain tumor and passes away. But in an effort to console his widow, he writes letters before his death to be sent or given to his wife in many various ways. The whole story is about her healing from his death. It is a wonderful love story that just touches my heart. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for love stories! And this is the best to date! I totally plan to read the book, which was written by Cecelia Ahern, an Irish writer. So, I suggest the next time you girls get together and want to have a girls night in, bring along this movie. And maybe it'll feel like I'm there with you, kind of......

November 6th, 2008

2008-11-11T19:34:00.000-08:00

Well, folks, for those of us in North Dakota, winter is officially here. On November 6th we got our first snow of the season. It was crazy! I went to bed at five a.m. on Thursday the 6th, and when I woke up this is what I saw!

It's so weird, in the summer, when the weather is beautiful and wonderful for being outside, everyone is in their houses (myself included!), but for the first snow of the season, everyone comes out! Probably out of necessity since driveways and sidewalks have to be shoveled. It was fun talking to my neighbors and mutually freezing!

I love the snow...except when I have to get out and drive in it!! It's kind of funny watching me drive, because I go about twenty miles under the speed limit! Everyone passes me!! I don't care though, as long as I'm safe!! Well, I'll quit blabbing and show you the money...or pictures...

Blair and the neighbor-men shoveling snow!

This was after it melted a bit.

My fall wreath got layered with snow!

Folks, I drive in this!!

Isn't this gorgeous!

The drive home...

A beautiful North Dakota sunset.

On the Road Again!

2008-10-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Blair and I went to Fargo, ND. Blair, as you all know, has ink (the 'new' lingo for tattooing) and has been thinking for a while about getting another one. Well, finally he settled on what he wanted, where he wanted it, and where he wanted to go to get it. So off we went to Fargo. After our trek to Bismarck we were a bit skeptical about what we were going to get. However, we were very pleasantly surprised with the city of Fargo. I reminded us a lot of home. Anyway, back to Blair's ink. He found a shop he liked and made an appointment to get the tattoo on Friday at 3 p.m. The only problem was that we both had to work on Thursday night...all night!! So Blair started the drive, I drove in the middle and then he brought us in. All in all, it was about a four to five hour drive. When we got to the shop, we didn't have to wait for long before Blair got placed in the chair. For those of you who don't know, getting a tattoo takes a while. So while Blair was busy, I decided to go check us into our hotel and check out the town. I found some really cool shops in the downtown area by our hotel. I was walking around and would have gone farther, but I saw some unsavory characters lingering on the sidewalk and hightailed it back to my car!! Blair didn't seem too happy when I told him about the drunk man walking in front of me on the sidewalk! In the time I was gone the artist made a lot of headway. The tattoo looks amazing. However, it's not done. It's rather big and part of it is right on his elbow. The artist finally said that he felt he should stop because the skin was swollen and no longer accepting the ink. It was disappointing, but we needed to stop so the healing process wouldn't be impaired.

After leaving the tattoo shop, we went on the hunt for something to eat. Blair and I were in a hurry to get to the appointment so we didn't stop for food. We were told about an Italian restaurant and decided to check it out. We were so glad that we did because it was yummy!! After we had filled our bellies to over their limits, we headed back to the hotel. By this time, Blair and I had been up for over 24 hours! We were swamped.

Saturday morning when we woke up, we were hungry so we decided to hunt up breakfast. I've seen commercials for IHOP but we don't have one in Minot (oh, the loss). And of course, when you see commercials for something you don't have, it just makes you want it worse! So we waited for about twenty minutes to get a table and boy, was it worth it! I got the Chicken Sante Fe Omelet and substituted my pancakes for a Strawberry Crepe. Y'all, it was SOOO good! Wow, I can't wait to go back to Fargo just for the food!

After eating some scrumptious vittles, we headed to the mall. It was a good day to go because they had all of these auxiliary groups set up in the middle. I got a cool crocheted hat for this winter. I also got some new shoes for work. Blair got an outfit from Buckle. After dropping more money than anticipated, we got some coffee and headed home. I took the first stretch of driving and at one point, we went through about a mile of snow dusted road. You heard me right, SNOW!! In October!! I couldn't believe it. Blair got really nervous and told me two or three times to be careful! He's so sweet!!

Speaking of snow, when we woke up this morning, it had snowed just enough to cover the grass. It made everything look beautiful! Let me share my pictures of the weekend's adventure!

Blair and I heading out for Fargo! (He hates pictures!)

We're in Fargo!

This is where we stayed!!

Blair had to lay on his stomach for three hours!

Is he asleep?!

This guy is good!

It's coming together!

Not completely done, but still looks good!

Our encounter with snow!

Our first snow of the season in Minot.

Fall is in the air!

2008-10-07T20:25:00.001-07:00

Fall is in the air!! Oh my gosh! Some mornings it's positively freezing! I let the girls at work know I think it's cold, and...they laugh at me! Then they tell me that it's only going to get worse!! Oh I can't wait to have winter set in! Yahoo, Negative degree weather, here I come!! (Do you hear the sarcasm?!) However, at the moment, the weather up here is BEE-U-TI-FUL!! The wind is brisk, the sun is shiny, and the air cool (minus humidity!!) and it is wonderful. I actually enjoy rolling down my windows. That is something I never used to do, huh, Lay? The trees here (what few there are!) are already changing and the colors are so pretty. Even though I am a thousand miles from my family and friends, I still enjoy living up here, much to my surprise!
Here are some of the trees in their new outfits...

Ok, so off the weather...Blair and I have this real problem with left overs. We don't really eat them. When we first got up here, Blair made chili, put the left overs in a bowl, put it in the fridge, and we promptly forgot about it! The other day, I pulled it out and this is what I found! How gross right?! Blair saw me taking this picture and he was horrified! He told me I should not post this, but I find it to crazy not to post! I couldn't believe this would actually grow on food in the fridge. So let this be a lesson to all! Gross stuff can grow on food in the refrigerators! Power to the home-made penicillin!

And on to the next picture...I love my husband and all of his idiosyncrasies, and the following is one of them...He makes sandwiches on the counter top and this is what is left over...Until he eats this off the counter...Bless his heart. At least it's not the floor, right!?
Well that's all for now folks! Hope all are well and happy!! Fill me in on your lives!! I miss you!

My Braggin' Box

2008-09-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all! I just wanted to enter this post as a braggin' corner on my wonderful, loving husband! He is so awesome! Here's a little background...My wedding gift from Blair was a Vera Bradley purse, wallet and checkbook cover. Now, back in the day when he gave all these wonderful items to me, I switched purses like underwear...well, not quite that often but you get my meaning! Anyway, my hubby told me that I "have to use that purse for a whole year!" At that point, a year felt like a millennium! Low and behold, the year flew by and before I knew it, the year was come and gone. And so, I got a hankerin' for a new purse. On the recent life-changing move, I mentioned this new desire to my love. He told me "Just go get a new one." Now, what wife doesn't like to hear that when they tell their hubby's they want something?! Well, I looked, albeit half-heartedly, for a new purse, but Blair had spoiled me when he bought me the accessories to match the purse. I mentioned this new bit of info to him and his reply was "Well, just get all of it." Yes, folks, you read correctly! Since most of this transpired during our move, I didn't feel that I should spend that much money on something I just wanted (not needed, ya know?). After we got settled in, Blair kept asking me when I was going to order a new purse and I kept putting him off saying I would wait till I got my first paycheck. Well, I guess Blair got impatient for me because he ordered me a purse...with a wallet, checkbook cover and eyeglasses case!! How sweet is he?! He got me my hearts desire (at the moment!) out of the blue! Ah, I love him! Take a look at my present!!

Okay, so to do a bit more braggin' on my super-duper hubby...I just want to congratulate him on the Accommodation Award that he recently received. He got a medal, new ribbon (for his blue's, I believe), and a certificate. Once I read the certificate I was doubly impressed by this award. It tells of all Blair did while at Barksdale AFB. It's amazing to see how he was so greatly appreciated by his superiors. Now, for those of you that know Blair, you know he's good at most everything he does. I am proud that his "higher-ups" realize it too! He was presented the award by his commander here, so now they know how wonderful he is! Congratulations Baby, I am so proud of you!!

P.S. Just to let you know, Blair told me that one of his co-workers mentioned to him that it's unusual for an airman of Blair's rank and age to get this award. Usually it's someone that's been in for a looonnnnggg time. Cool, huh?

Our Day Trip

2008-09-08T12:03:00.000-07:00

**Well, guys, I am so glad to hear that everyone made it through the hurricane. At least Gustave. I really hope Ike doesn't do any damage!!**

This weekend, Blair and I decided to take a day trip. We wanted to go to Bismarck, ND, about an hour and a half away. Blair has class on Saturdays from 10am to 12pm so as soon as he got home, we loaded up and headed out, after a stop at Starbucks for a Grande Carmel Macchiato! It was really cool to see some of our new state. It was an absolutely beautiful day. The sun was out, the clouds were huge and fluffy and I could see for miles! Blair does the same thing I do on trips, that is, sleeps! He missed most of the trip, looking at the backside of his eyelids! That's okay though, sometimes it's nice to just be quiet and appreciate God's handy work!

Although we weren't to greatly impressed with Bismarck, since Minot has virtually everything they do, we still had a good time. I think the best part for me was the trip there and back. On the way home we saw a really pretty view of the sun shining through the clouds. We did decide though that next time we'd try Grand Forks (about 3.5 hours away) and Fargo (about 5 hours away) for our next road trip.

Here are the few pictures I did take!

This site was common due to all the farms in North Dakota.

It's too small to see good, but those are horses! There was a whole herd of them!

The sign says "Bismarck 56 miles." I took this about an hour into our trip.

North Dakota is big on the windmill energy. These are so neat to see, and HUGE!

Just wanted to prove that in August, somewhere in America, it can be in the 60's!

This is the beautiful storm we could see on our way home. I have no idea how far away it was, but we didn't get any rain from it!

A little bit of everything...

2008-08-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all! Long time no talk, I know and I apologize!! I just wanted to update you all on what has been going on with Blair and I for the past couple of weeks...

First, a couple of weekends ago, the couple that lives in the duplex with us asked us to go on a picnic with them on a local lake. Blair and I decided that it sounded like it would be fun and we could explore a bit of our new state, so we went. The other couple, the Dorrells, wanted to fish so we had to find a place that sold fishing licenses. We ended up driving about 20 miles out of our way, but we just took it as an adventure. We had passed one area that looked promising before we went to hunt down the fishing licenses, but on the way back we decided to look for another spot. It was our adventurous sides coming out, I suppose. Well, the spot we found turned out to be a bust. It had about 5 feet of "beach" but it was really just stinky dirt. It wasn't pleasant for a number of reasons, i.g. it stunk, the wind was blowing about 30 mph with nothing to break it, the water was gross and they couldn't fish. We stayed there for a little while then went back to the first place we found. It was so much better. It was a little alcove with trees, picnic tables, grills, a pier with fishing rod holders, a walking trail, a parking lot, and more. It was so relaxing to sit in the sun/shade, with wind blowing slightly, and just look at God's beautiful world. I would love to go back any time!! Here are some pictures from our adventure:

Above is the "bust" site and below is the "perfect" spot.

Blair decided that he wanted a project to do. For mine and Ashlie's wedding, my best friend's dad built short wooden stands. I acquired them, thankfully, when all was said and done. Blair has mentioned wanting to put something on top of them and he finally was able to do it. We went to a local home improvement store, Menard's, and bought some tile and all the stuff to put it on with. I am a bad blogger and didn't take a picture of the "during" process, just the end result! Sorry! I'll try better next time!! Here they are:

One night, Blair and I got a hankering for some stir-fry. Now, I've done stir-fry before and it didn't turn out too hot. I thought, "Maybe I can do it better this time." And boy was it! Martha gave me some insights a while back on how it's done and the end result was soooo much better this time around. Now again, I didn't do the 'during,' just the after, but here it is:

Yum!

Blair wanted a project and so did I...I hadn't sewn anything since leaving LA, and I was hard up for a fix! I have been wanting an apron, so I thought, I'll just make one! I looked through my scraps and had enough coordinating fabric to make just what I wanted. I thought long and hard about how I wanted it to be customized for me and this is what I came up with:
1. I wanted ruffles
2. I wanted a pocket for my phone, scissors, anything that I needed it for...
3. I sewed a button on it, then made button holes in wash clothes that matched so I could wipe my hands on that instead of my pants
4. I put a loop on one end and made a button hole to pull it through so I could hang it up easily and it wouldn't drag on the ground
When all was said and done, I got just what I wanted. And to my surprised pleasure, it turned out better than I imagined! Take a look:

Here it is hanging from it's little hook!

Now, everyone seems to think that North Dakota is nothing but cold weather and snow. I am here to prove the opposite, at least in the summer. The other morning I was driving to work and captured a beautiful sunrise. Let me share:

(~side note: Later this same day, it was raining, the wind was blowing about 35 mph, and it was 53 degrees...yeah, it's still August. I don't want to know how December'll be!)

Now, I've saved the best for last. Back in May, Blair took his test to become a Staff Sergeant. We didn't know how long it would take for the results to come back so we (by "we" I really mean me!) have been patiently trying to wait to know if Blair passed or not. Not long ago, he told me he would find out on the 15th of August. Well the 15th came and went and we still didn't know. Then one day last week, I came home from work and walked in the door from the garage (you can see straight to the fridge) and saw this:

Blair had passed!! For those of you that don't know, you can't immediately be promoted, you have to wait for your number. Blair said that his is a high number so he'll have to wait a while to "sew" (literally and figuratively) it on. I am so proud of him! He always does well at anything he tries! Congratulations, my love!!

Well, folks, that's all I've got for now! I hope all of you are healthy and happy! Till next time...

North Dakota Weather...

2008-08-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

...is crazy!! It has been really nice the whole time we've been up here, except for three rain storms. This morning I jumped out of bed at 7 a.m. and woke Blair because it was HAILING!!! My brand new car was outside on the driveway and I wanted to get it in the garage! So we hurried down to the garage and shifted boxes around and Blair pulled my car in for me! (Isn't he sweet?!) At the moment, it's not raining, but about 20 minutes ago the "Commander's People" came over the loud speaker and issued a lightning warning!! Every time it storms they do that. This morning around 10 a.m. our street was covered in water! It receeded quickly though.

Let me show you the hail we had.

This is looking down the street towards the storm. It's so dark!!

Our Big Mystery

2008-08-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

Blair and I had a bit of a mysterious happening occur on Thursday. I was at the library trying to get on the internet when Blair called and asked me to come to his work parking lot and to bring the camera. My first thought was, "Oh no, he had an accident." That, however, was not the case. Blair went into work Thursday morning about 6:45 a.m. (early, I know!!). When he came back out to the vehicle at around 11:30 a.m. the back driver's side window was busted out. Now the really weird thing is that there was glass outside and inside the car and, thank God, nothing was stolen. So, anyway, I get there and while he's looking up the number for the base cops, I took pictures. (Don't worry, I'll share!) When the cops got there they told us they didn't have their camera because it was being used for an "incident" off base, whatever that was. When I told them that we had taken pictures and we'd share, they were glad. I ended up having to follow a cop (which was totally nerve racking- trying to make sure I came to a complete stop, used my signal, drove EXACTLY the speed limit!!) to the Security Forces building to let them upload the pictures. It turned out to be a wasted trip however, seeing as how their computer wouldn't take my camera card. So I had to return to the library and spend 45 minutes there emailing the pictures to the cops. When I was at the SF building they kept apologizing to me for having to take pictures. One guy even said, "Here, let me get you the forms and you can do our job for us!" It was a little humor injected in a not so funny situation.

Let me back up a bit...when we were waiting on the cops, I called my insurance to see if they would pay for it. However, I was thinking the government would pay for it, seeing that we were on a military base when it happened. Blair didn't think so, so I called USAA. Well, later, Blair had a meeting and was talking to a few of the people there telling them about his day so far and one of the guys said that one time he'd gotten hail damage while on base and the legal department paid for it. So Blair talked to the legal dept. the next day and we've got to go online and fill out some paperwork and hopefully be reimbursed for the nearly $200 window. Say a prayer for us that they'll pay for it!!

Let me show you the pictures...

(We go Monday to get the window fixed.)

The "After"

2008-08-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hey, y'all! Here is an update on the house and our progress!

So, our stuff arrived on Tuesday evening around 6:30 p.m. We had the entire truck unloaded in the house or garage by 10 p.m.! We have really moved fast in the unpacking area. We were able to unpack all but about 5-6 boxes, which are still in the garage. And those boxes have things like winter clothes and hangers in them. I am so excited to have our stuff surrounding us again. It brings comfort and lots of good memories.

Tuesday night was a good one since Blair put up the bed and we were able to sleep in our own bed for the first time in almost a month! It was so wonderful! I laid down and didn't move until the next morning!

Let me share some pictures now of how the house looks with some of "us" injected into it!

This is the living room.

This is a living room shot standing in the foyer.

Here is Blair's computer desk.

This is the kitchen (looking in from the coat room).

And here is our kitchen a little closer up.

Pictures of Our New Home

2008-07-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, guys, here are some pictures of our new house. It's the "blank slate" look, seeing as how we've not painted anything in these and there is no furniture. As soon as I'm able, I'll post pictures of the "after" look.

This is the entrance to our new base. It's our "free" security system! ;)

This is the outside of our new house. Notice the lack of grass...yeah, once again, no yard!

This is the view from the back of the living/dining room looking towards the front of the house. Like I said, "blank slate!"

Here is the kitchen. It came with (as you can see) a gas stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Small but serviceable!

This is the storage under the stairs. We're going to put shelves in this and make it a pantry/storage area.

This is our bedroom. It has a really nice walk-in closet that you can't see.

Here is our garage. It's a two car garage but they built it extra large so we can add shelving and have loads of storage space.

So, that is our home at a glance. Like I said, I'll definitely update the pictures ASAP. We're getting our furniture today, so hopefully I can post them soon. Love to all!

Pictures Galore!!

2008-07-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures!

A huge tree house we visited in Tennessee.

This is why they are called the Great Smoky Mountains!

Kate, Ben and I at Cedar Point. It was hot!!
Aunt Joyce, Grandma, Blair, Me, and Grandpa Pohl.
The family picture at the picnic!
Teri and Kate holding Kate's beloved kittens!

The boys playing pool! They are so focused!!

Me shooting a long bow...
The bruise I got from forgetting how to hold my arm when I shot the long bow. :(

A Chicago sky line! Beautiful, huh?

Beautiful Wisconsin. I just loved this state!!

More pictures to come of the house. But sadly, the battery is almost dead on the laptop. Until next time! Love y'all!

Our Journey, Part 2

2008-07-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all! Sorry it's taken me so long to update this! I will give you a quick run down of what our week in Indiana was like and then share pictures!!

First of all, we had a blast in Indiana! It was so great to see Blair's (and now mine too) family! We arrived on Tuesday around 2 p.m. It was Blair's brother's birthday so we had a wonderful birthday dinner of steak, chicken, and shrimp kabobs with rice, beans, and yummy strawberry shortcake for dessert! Wednesday was super fun. Blair, Ben (Blair's bro), Kate (Ben's girlfriend), and I all went to an amusement park in Sandusky,Ohio called Cedar Point. It was so fun! They had really fun rides and wonderful eats! When we were leaving we got an elephant ear...I don't really know how to describe it except it's really good! Thursday during the day we didn't do a whole lot. But Thursday night, my mother in law (Teri), father in law (Dennis), Blair and I went to Cold Water, Michigan to eat dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Pohl and Aunt Joyce. Friday, my wonderful mother in law (now how many people can say they love their mother in law?!) and I went shopping. We had a great time visiting and looking at all the pretty stuff! On Saturday, she and I went grocery shopping for the picnic that was to be on Sunday. Not long after we got home from the store, her sister, Kathy, and four of her six kids plus an exchange student came to visit! It was so neat to meet all of Blair's cousins! They are a very special family!! Sunday Teri, Kathy, the kids and I all went to church. It was really good to be able to worship God in a new yet familiar surrounding. After church, we went to the house to prepare for the picnic. It was wild and crazy and loads of good times! Monday was, for the most part, spent being lazy. Blair, Ben, Kate and I went to lunch at Olive Garden and that, as always, is yummy! When we got home, Blair and his mom went to town to spend a little 1-on-1 time together. That night after a spaghetti dinner, Teri and I got to visit for a long time and I cherish that! It was so great. She is such a strong, loving, wonderful person and I am so thankful to God that she is in my life! Tuesday morning we left, albeit reluctantly.

We drove and drove and drove and drove and drove....did I mention we drove? It took us about 19-20 hours but we pushed through and made it to Minot in less than one day. We arrived at 1:30 a.m. to find out that we couldn't check into our hotel until 2 p.m. that day. So we had to find a hotel in the middle of the night. Unfortunately for us, most of them were booked due to the State Fair being in town. However, we were finally able to find one and were in bed asleep by 3 a.m.

We woke up around 9:30 a.m. or so and Blair called the housing office on base to see if we'd be able to get a house that day. They said come now and yes, so we ran to the office! We accepted the house after I looked through it (don't worry pictures are coming!). We couldn't get the keys to stay there that night until we went to a warranty briefing (our house is so new everything is under warranty still! Isn't God great!). We went to the briefing on Thursday and were able to stay there that night thanks to our air bed! Friday morning I went to my new hospital to check out the unit I'll be working in. It's nice, but much smaller than what I'm used to. I'm just going to need time to adjust to the environment and their routine.

Oh, oh, I forgot to mention...I got a new car!! It's a silver Honda Civic Hybrid four door, with blue interior, a navigational system, cd player and voice command! It's really cute! I wasn't too excited about being back in a car from an SUV but after having it and driving it, I love it!!! I don't have a picture yet, but I'll get one!

So now is the time I want to brag on God a bit. I really feel that, even though Blair and I didn't necessarily want to leave LA, God has really had His hand in this move. Every little point seems like it's been taken care of seamlessly! Our trip was wonderful with no car troubles. We were able to get a house immediately, all you military wives know that's not the norm. We were able to purchase a really nice car...and it's all because of God and the prayers that our loved ones have sent up on our behalf. So thank you for your prayers and your love and support. We miss each and everyone of you and wish you all the best!! Love to everyone!!!

Some pictures

2008-07-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to update my update with pictures! Enjoy!

This is on the bridge crossing the Mississippi River looking into East Memphis.

Here is the Sanderson's, minus Mr. Richard, with Blair and me. We had the best time at their house. We hated to leave.This is my cousin, Landon, and Blair shooting their pellet guns.

This is my uncles land that we took pictures of. Yes, those are his cows too! Isn't it beautiful?!

This is my uncle, Hughie, petting his horse, Bud. Bud looks grey but he's really a red roan. Neat huh?Do you notice the mountain in the background where the line of the mountain and the trees meet? I hiked down that slope when I was 1o or 11. Yes, it is as steep as it looks!! But it was fun!!

Our Journey, Part 1

2008-07-10T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I have been informed that I am to keep blogging, so here is an update of our journey so far...

On Monday, July 7th, Blair and I left Louisiana. My mom, dad, sis, and two best friends came to see us off. Amid many tears, hugs and "I love yous" we headed out of town. It was extremely sad for me and Blair. I think my eyes "watered" for quite a while. I took the first shift of driving, which was probably not the best thing since my eyes were not up for the strain of staying open after crying. My poor husband got stuck with driving the rest of the trip! After we left Bossier City, we went to Jackson, TN for the night. We visited with friends that I have known for about forever, whose kids are almost as close to me as my sister. It was a very nice visit, seeing as how I'd not seen them in a year. We didn't want to leave and wished the good times could continue, but we had to head out.

Since Blair drove most of the way to Jackson, I got the driving duty to our next stop, which was Crossville, TN about four hours away. Now, I was quite proud of myself for driving that far since I usually tend to drift to sleep about an hour into my shift of driving. I did, however, call my mom, my dad and my sister to be able to stay awake that long! But we finally arrived in Crossville to visit with my grandmother, Granna, who is my mom's mom. Not long after we left, Blair and I went into town (about 15 minutes away) and signed up for a week at a gym in town, then worked out for an hour. By the time we got home we had our first visitors! We visited for a little while before they headed home. By then, we were all pretty tired and went to bed shortly after. The next day, after the gym, my aunt and cousin came to visit. We hung out for a while and then went to eat at Cracker Barrel. We parted ways after lunch and went home to rest off out full bellies. Today, we woke up and went to a Mennonite settlement that's about 30 minutes away called Muddy Pond. My grandmother was able to come with us and we had a really good time. We went into their "Country Store" and I got homemade Peach ice cream that was amazing! Then we went to the "General Store" and hit the mother lode! We got a bread knife, four paring knives, cheese, candy, bread, sweet potato butter (I haven't tried that one yet), dried fruit, and lots more that I can't think of! After the Mennonites, we went back home. Blair took a nap since I made him sick on the curvy roads! Then about 5 p.m. we headed out once again to visit my aunt, uncle and cousin. We ate dinner and Blair and my cousin, Landon, played with their BB and pellet guns. Meanwhile, my uncle and I took their 4wheeler around the mountain they live on to take pictures of their cows and land. (I don't have my laptop hooked up to the internet to post the pictures, but I will post some as soon as I can!)

So their y'all have it! That is my life thus far! I miss everyone so much! It still feels like I am just on vacation, instead of moving 22 hours away! I'm sure it will hit me when we get to Minot and get settled in.

I hope that this finds everyone doing well. Keep me updated on your lives!

To My Fellow PEP-sters

2008-07-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to tell you thank you! I meant so much to me that you all were willing to reschedule the last PEP so I could attend! That in and of its self would have been enough, but y'all went above and beyond. Thank you so much for the gifts! I loved each and every item!! You all know me and my fleur de lis!! (Haha, that rhymed!!)

These past months that I have been apart of your group have been so special to me. I will forever remember all the fun times we had getting together to pray, eat, play, or just talk! I sincerely hope that I can find a group of women who are as wonderful and special as each one of you are, but I don't think any one can top y'all!!

Please keep blogging (as I will try to do) so that we can stay a part of each others lives!! I love y'all!!

A Sad Goodbye

2008-06-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well, folks, last night was my last night to work at Willis Knighton South NICU. It was sad, but the girls made it happy for me. Even though we were slammed with over 40 babies, they still took the time to let me know they'd miss me. One of our doctors even cooked dinner for all of us, and made us smoothies!! I am so blessed to have worked with such wonderful people. I can't even describe the feelings rolling around inside right now.

If any of my coworkers read this, Thank you!! I will miss you so much!!

State of Our Union

2008-06-03T14:12:00.001-07:00

As of today, Blair and I have been married 366 days, (ok,well, when I started this post that was true, I procrastinated, as usual)! The last weekend I was off we celebrated by going to Dallas/Ft.Worth for a cousins wedding and spending time with family.

Friday started off great because I was offered a job in Minot!! My tentative start date is August 15th. If, when we get up there, I see I can start sooner, my new boss told me I can! I am so excited to start this new chapter of our lives. When she offered me the position, I wanted to start right then! I'm also excited because she said I will get to wear whatever kind of scrubs I'd like!! Finally, no more teal!!!

But back to our trip...On Friday, we left around 11:30 or so. That morning I worked off and had not been to sleep yet so as soon as we got in the car and on our way I was out like a light!! Blair woke me up about an hour out of Dallas to keep him company. We arrived at the hotel around 3:30. As soon as we started unloading, one of Blair's uncle's and family pulled up. Blair's parents flew down with Blair's youngest brother and his girlfriend (who I had not met and was anxious to do so). When his parents got in to the hotel, we all met up and went to dinner at this wonderful Italian restaurant, Bravo's. When we got done eating, or shall I say, gorging ourselves, we all went to the parents of the cousin getting marrieds house. By the time we arrived, all of the cousins and aunts and uncles were there! I think I said, "How are you? I'm good." about twenty times! It was so good to see everyone and catch up. Blair and I had not seen everyone since last July when the sister got married. The get together was an "ice cream social" so we got to eat yummy ice cream. Everyone was exhausted from traveling all day so we didn't stay for too long.

Saturday morning Blair and I got up and met his immediate family to go sight seeing. Oh, by the way, I love Blair's brothers girlfriend. (Ben is his brother and Kate is his girlfriend.) We immediately clicked and got along great. She is a great girl and treats Ben good so I like her even more for that! Anyway, Kate wanted to see where Kennedy was assassinated so we loaded up and headed off. After we had some fun in downtown Dallas on the X that marks the spot of the assassination, we set off to find a place to eat. We found a street that had a bunch of restaurants and all a sudden this man came running across the street and said "Come eat at RJ's and we'll give you a free appetizer! And two free deserts!" We all looked at each other and shrugged and went to RJ's! It was really good so we were glad we went. After gorging ourselves again, we had to walk about three hundred miles (it was really about five blocks, but on a full stomach...) back to our vehicles. We decided to go shopping at a really nice shopping center close to our hotel. We stayed there for a couple hours then went back to the hotel to get ready for the wedding.

The wedding was really beautiful. It wasn't at a church, but at a place called Mediterranean Villa. It was decorated in neutral colors and fleur de lis!! So it was right up my ally! I loved it!! The reception was on site at the dining/banquet hall. It was also beautiful! Christi, the bride, was gorgeous in her wedding gown and glowing with love for Danny, the groom. The reception was amazing! The girl cousins got out on the dance floor and had a great time!

Sunday we visited with the family for the last time before everyone headed home. It was a really good time and I am so in love with all of Blair's family. They have accepted me right into their fold! When we left the family gathering we went to Six Flags!! We had so much fun! All the rides were exciting (until I almost blacked out on the Titan)!! After Six Flags, we went to the hotel to get spruced up and went to eat at Saltgrass for our anniversary then went to see Indiana Jones!! We had a great time talking about the wedding and our weekend so far.

Monday we were going to go to Hurricane Harbor but when we got there the sign said "Open only on the weekends!" But we weren't too bummed, we just went shopping instead! Blair got some really nice clothes from Van Heusen and I got three pair of non-teal scrubs!When we got home, we decided to go eat again for our anniversary. So we went to Imperial Cathay and had a blast. Then we went to see the new Narnia movie, which was awesome!

So after celebrating our one year anniversary for days, we decided to sleep off all the fun! I am so thankful to have a wonderful husband that is so willing to make me happy. He is kind, considerate, loving, playful, serious,...he is every thing I could want or need in a mate. I am so thankful to call him MINE!!!

You'll all be proud!

2008-05-20T06:56:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to update everyone on all I've gotten done over the past four days for our move. Okay and toot my own horn for just a bit! Friday on the way to good ol' Georgia I called USAA to get a Landlord's policy for our house (which by the way if anyone knows someone who'd like to rent a 3 bedroom/2 bath home in South Bossier, call me) and called the Head Nurse of the NICU in Minot, ND in the hospital I'd like to work in. That call gave me a lot of hope. She and I talked for about 15 minutes! She gave me the application number to fill out and said that once she got my application she'd do a "formal" phone interview and if I felt comfortable with it, hire me over the phone. (I was thinking "If I feel comfortable!!") I couldn't fill out the application immediately like I'd wanted to because I had no internet service. But I did it as soon as I could, which ended up being Monday! I also sent off a form on Friday to the LA State Board of Nursing to verify my license. Then this morning I filled out the application for licensure on the ND Board of Nursing website and requested transcripts be sent to them from my university. I feel like a ton has been lifted off! Blair has pretty much taken care of the moving part. We decided to to a DITY (Do-It-Yourself) move. We'll get reimbursed for the fees we pay and paid per pound that we move!! Yipee! We may actually make money off this adventure (which I'm all for)! Well, that's all for now folks! If you think of some helpful advice, send it my way!!
Love to all and hope you're having a blessed day!!

Georgia On My Mind...

2008-05-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

I had a very busy weekend! Blair and I, along with my dad, made a quick trip to Georgia to pick up my mom. Let me give you a little history. Back in April my grandmother that lives in GA started having back trouble. She went to the doctor for it and they decided she needed surgery. Since it was easiest for my mom to go over there and help her (my mom doesn't work and my aunt would've had to pay a lot of mullah to get to GA from New Jersey on short notice). The thing about the going over is not that she needed help post-op, but she didn't tell the family she was having surgery until Monday and the surgery was on a Wednesday. So, anyway, the point of this weekends trip was to go collect my mother...at least it started out that way. You see, my grandma has a sister in the hospital and very ill, Aunt Hilda, and we all thought she was doing better. (She'd had a stroke a couple of months ago that put her in a nursing home.) About a week before we left we found out that she had had multiple small strokes, that she was in the hospital, and the doctors said to 'call in the family.' So that was our second reason for traversing to the land of peaches.

All in all it was a very good trip, even if it was quick. Friday morning Blair and I left our house a 5 a.m. For most of you that know me, that's WAY early for me! But we did it and it wasn't too bad. On the way to my dad's house, we stopped at Southern Maid donuts and got all of us donuts. We were officially on the road by 6 a.m. Yes, Ashlie, be proud! I was really tired so I climbed in the very back seat of my dad's van and promptly fell asleep. The next time I was awake I was a little fuzzy headed so I decided I needed to lay back down...and did! I think I slept for about four hours! When I finally woke up for good, I decided I would drive to help my dad out (he always did the driving when we were little). I ended up really enjoying this time. Daddy sat in the front with me and Blair took up my vacated spot in the very back and slept. Daddy and I don't get to see each other much and definitely don't get to do nothing but talk. The whole time I drove (about 3 hours) we had a very good conversation, just talking about everything that came to mind. It was great. (I love my Daddy so much! I will miss him a lot when I move to ND.) It just so happened that while I was driving, we were passing Montgomery National Guard Air Base (I believe that's the name of it) and Daddy wanted a picture of an F-4 that flew in Vietnam. (He was in the Air Force for 4 years during Vietnam.) So, not thinking anything of it, I pulled over on the side of the road by the plane he wants a picture of and he gets out and starts to snap pics with my camera. Now, we are probably a hundred yards or less from the main gate of the air base. I look up and the MP at the gate is waving at Daddy motioning him to come speak to him while talking into a walkie talkie! All I could think was, "Oh, no! My dad is about to get arrested for taking pictures! And my camera is going to get confiscated!!" So Daddy goes over and talks to the MP and another man walks up...then another man drives up in a huge F150 quad cab. I'm thinking, "That's the truck they're going to take him away in!" Well, finally, the man in the truck leaves and the second man walks away. The first man and my dad are talking and I'm left in the van by myself (Blair is still asleep at this point) to wonder if the other men left to get reinforcements or what and is my dad bout to get taken up by the po-po! Finally, he comes back to the van and said they just wanted to know what he was taking pictures of exactly because behind the infamous F4 is the operational base that is not allowed to be pictured. However, Daddy showed them the only thing seen in the picture is the plane. All I could do was say, "Whew!" After that adventure the rest of the trip into GA was uneventful.

We got into my grandma's town, Columbus, GA, about 4 p.m. their time. She owns a floral shop so we went there first to see her and get the key to her house so we could freshen up before we went to dinner. After dinner, we all went to bed fairly early so we could get up on Saturday and make the two hour trip to see my aunt in the hospital in Macon, GA.
Saturday morning rolled around way too early for me, but we all got out of the house without a hitch. We stopped by Dunkin' Donuts for early morning fortification. I got powdered donut holes, mmmm! The trip into Macon was okay, I dozed for the last half. When we got to the hospital we found the room and all my dad's cousins were there! It was really good to see them again (hadn't seen them since my granddaddy died in 2003) and introduce them all to Blair. It was really hard on my grandmother to see her sister laying in the hospital bed with all of the wires and tubes hooked up to her. (Aunt Hilda is her baby sister and when she passes only my grandma and one more sibling of the seven will be left.) My grandmother would sit and hold her hand while she slept, which she did a lot of while we were there in the morning. It was so sweet to see their bond. It made me think how much I love my sister and how if I was in that position I would be balling my eyes out. Then I started to think how much I'm going to miss my dear, sweet sis when I'm in ND. Then I had to stop thinking about it (like now) because I was about to break out crying. Anyway, we stayed at the hospital all day and finally left to get something to eat. After dinner we left and went back to the hospital for my grandma to see her sis one last time (we don't know if it's the last time she'll see here alive or not). When we got there Aunt Hilda was very alert and talkative. She recognized her sister and my mom and I. And said that Blair was "very good-looking!" I am so thankful that my grandma's last memory of her sister is not one with her lying in the bed sleeping but of her talking and responding. I am also comforted by the fact that Aunt Hilda is a wonderful Christian woman and I know right where she'll be when she passes.

When we got home from Macon, we all went straight to bed again because we had to leave Sunday! (Told ya it was a quick trip!) We kinda overslept Sunday, but were still able to make it out by 10 a.m. our time. I really hated to leave my grandma this time. She looked so frail and fragile, and it broke my heart to know that it might be my last time to see her alive. She is old and very set in her ways, but I love her. I pray God will keep her safe while she is there alone.

Our return trip, thankfully, was much less interesting than the trip over. No worries about being arrested!! I praise God also that we made that quick trip safely with no car troubles!

I hope everyone else had as good a weekend as I did!!

Busy, busy!

2008-04-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I have less than three months left with the life as I've known it for the past 20 years. So much will be changing in such a short time. To be perfectly honest, I'm a little scared. I'm excited, but still hesitant. It takes a lot to shove me out of my comfort zone and moving a thousand miles away is just about enough to send me over the edge of it! I know that as long as Blair and I are together, we'll be fine.
I have also realized that I have a TON of stuff to do! I have to put the house up for rent, find a job, map out our drive to Minot (plus stops in Georgia, Tennessee, and Indiana), apply for a nurses license in North Dakota, find somewhere to live in Minot till we get base housing, schedule the packers to come, decide what I want put into storage until we get a house on base, figure out if we have to meet the movers up there or just leave everything in storage, quit the job I love here...this is all stuff off the top of my head. I know that there are a lot of things I'm not thinking of right now that I have to do. I don't know if y'all realize, but I'm a list maker. Seeing all of this written out seems overwhelming. Yet, oddly, it makes me feel better. I like lists because then I don't forget anything. And anyone who knows me knows I have a horrible memory!!
If anyone has suggestions on how to make my stressed-out-ness go away, please feel free to tell me. All of you military wives (or those who've moved around a lot) are welcome to tell me any little "inside" perspective from your previous moves. I would appreciate it greatly! I feel at a total loss here. I don't know where to start and that is the most daunting.
I guess what I'm trying to say is "HELP!"

Please Take Note

2008-03-20T15:35:00.000-07:00

I got this email and thought all you readers out there with kids need to know about this! I even went to the website at the bottom and the info looks pretty legit. Hope this helps someone!

All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled.
STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain )
among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA recommended that everyone (even children ) seek alternative
medicine.

The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine :

Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine (Cherry or Orange )
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C - Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold & amp; Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough

I just found out and called the 800 # on the container for Triaminic and they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children :

Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold & Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant

They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on the box so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with small children,
PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!

DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed.
They can then pass it along to their families.

To confirm these findings please take time to check the following:
http://www.. fda.gov/cder/ drug/infopage/ ppa/

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR CHILDREN IN CASE THEY GIVE
IT TO THEIR CHILDREN OR TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE CHILDREN
AND GRANDCHILDREN.

My newest time consumer

2008-03-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, so many of you know that I have a love of sewing. Well, a girl at work introduced me to knitting. Yes, I said knitting. However, it is not the traditional knitting one thinks of. I don't look like a grandma with her glasses on her nose, hair in a bun, with needles clacking while rocking in a rocking chair. I am doing what I like to call FAUX knitting. I use a loom and hook instead of knitting needles. At first, it looks super hard, but in reality, it's super easy! I love it! It keeps my hands busy and I need that sometimes! Let me show you what I'm working with...

Now let me show you what half of the blanket looks like...

I have been working on this for what feels like forever. (In reality, it was about a week's worth of work.) I finally finished it yesterday. Here is the finished product.

I can't wait to start my next one! I already know what colors it will be!!

Whirlwind weekend!

2008-03-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

Wow, this weekend was a blast!! Our old youth minister and his family came to town for a long overdue reunion. Friday night 16 of us gathered together at Saltgrass for dinner (yummy!). It was so awesome to see everyone together, just like old times! We laughed and talked like the years apart had never happened.

Aren't they such a cute couples?!

This is most of us that were able to make it. (Jenny Bamburg and Martha's hubby's couldn't make it for the photo shoot!! I bet they just hated to miss it!!)

After we all stuffed ourselves silly eating the wonderfully scrumptious food at Saltgrass, a few of us still had a corner left to fill, so we headed to Coldstone Creamery. (Sorry, no pics from there, I was to worried about getting my ice cream!)

Dinner and desert was not enough for all of us revelers, so Lay and Willie opened up their home for us to play games at. We all had so much fun (thanks, Lay!) and took another round of pictures. The guys loved Blair's Guitar Hero III (to be honest, so did Mrs. Sharron!) and I was able to catch a few candids!!

After Guitar Hero and Mad Gab (which the girl's won, by the way!) everyone headed out. Except for Blair, Lay, Mrs. Sharron and I. We all played Nerts, well, Blair didn't. He played Guitar Hero till he was so tired he passed out on the couch!

We couldn't resist taking an all girl picture! The one on the left has those of us in Bro. A and Mrs. Sharron's youth group. The right picture shows all of us including those who "married into" the group!! Welcome additions!

Saturday during the day there was another gathering for those who were in the "old" youth group, I wasn't able to go since I had to work...tear, tear...

However, when I got off work Sunday morning, I went to church. I was able to see Bro. Aaron and Mrs. Sharron and the girls, one last time. I didn't get any pictures with the girls, but I did get pictures from the trip to Starbucks that Mrs. Sharron, Martha, and I took. Friday night was fun, but this was awesome because we got to spend one-on-one talking to one of the best, most wonderful, Godly, sweet, beautiful women ever. And I got pictures...

There is Martha concentrating intently on what Mrs. Sharron is saying! So sweet!

I got TAGGED!!!

2008-02-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

Hey this is so cool!!

I got tagged by Candy, so here goes:

List 7 random things that people may not know about you. The rules are to link the person who sent this to you and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours. Post the rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1.) I moved around a lot as a kid. We moved from Georgia when I was two to Memphis, TN. When I was four we moved to Wylie, TX. When I was six we moved to good ol' Haughton, LA. We've been here for almost 19 years, now it's my "hometown!"

2.) I have always, ALWAYS loved a man in uniform. I am so lucky I got to marry one!!

3.) I am a fleur-de-lis fanatic. I love them!! They are all over my house. I guess you could say they are my whole "motif." They have a good meaning, too. A brief synopsis, it means purity, came from France, translates to 'flower of the lily,' was on tons of royal crests and coats of arms, and finally, the three petals represent faith, wisdom, and chivalry. (My three fave things!!)

4.) Harking back to number two, I have always wanted to be a military wife. I loved the "romance" of sending your man off to be brave (can we say Pearl Harbor?). Little did I know that it is the wife who has to be brave in most cases!! However, even though I have been in the coveted 'clan' for only a short while, thus far, I love it!!

5.) I love action movies. I like romantic comedies, but my absolute, give me the choice, are gun-slingin', car chasin', blow 'em up, shootin' movies. I love the suspense of 'are they gonna make it?!' Romance is all fine and dandy, but I usually end up crying with the characters, and I don't like that (think, The Notebook!!).

6.) I HATE to garden or do any form of yard work. I read Jen's post about buying shrubs and it made me shudder! UGH!! I think that comes from my mom making me get out in the yard in 100+ degree weather with 100% humidity at noon in Louisiana to do yard work, so that one day I'll "know how." As I write this my shrubs need to be pruned, but they can keep on needing it cause I ain't doin' it!!

7.) I love to sew. I like to create things with fabric and a machine (no hand stitching for me!!) that no one else has. Right now I'm making a massive diaper/duffel bag for a friend that a Lab could fit in!!

I think everyone has already been tagged, so you're off the hook!! Plus, I can't figure out how to do links!

My Best Friends Wedding

2008-02-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

I know that this is a month+ late but I wanted to share pics from my best friend Lacy's wedding. She is the sweetest, funniest, most loyal friend a girl could have and I love her very much. Thank you Lay for all the times you've been there when I needed you! I love you!

My Wonderfrul Husband

2008-02-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

First of all, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! I just wanted to tell everyone how wonderful my husband is. He is so great, he's caring, he makes me laugh, I love his hugs (and kisses!), he knows just what to do to put me out of a foul mood...I just love him!! He is always doing sweet things for me. It doesn't have to big things that mean a lot, the little things are what melt my heart. Here's a for instance...at Ashlie's PEP, we all made chalkboards that were titled "Thank you God for...", well on mine, I had written three things, 1)Blair, 2)family, 3)our health. The other day, I was in the kitchen with him (he was making dinner, which I will expound on in a bit), and I glanced over and the chalkboard had been changed!!! He had erased what I had written an put in it's place that he was thankful for, and I quote, "a wonderful wife!" Now, I know all you women are saying, "Aww!" I know, because that's exactly what I did!!!! Now about dinner. I know most of you know, but for those who don't, I work at night. So it's difficult sometimes for me to get up and make dinner before I go. Blair has been so good about that. He takes it upon himself to make dinner, and then cleans up (most of the time!). And to top that, he's a wonderful cook! So those are two of the "little/big" things he does.

Let me now tell you about something truly romantic that he did on Tuesday. Tuesday was a day I had to work, so I was kind of bummed I wouldn't be at home with him. It was a normal, work day, I got up, we had dinner, and I left for work. Now, at work, we have this routine, get there, put your stuff down, clock in, scrub in, then go get your assignment in the work room up front. Since I am a creature of habit, this was the same routine I'd performed many times and I didn't break it on Tuesday. One thing that was different, however, is when I went to the work room, I saw a dozen roses with two balloon floating above them (2 hearts, one red, one pink), and I thought, "Aww, one of the day shift girl's husband sent them flowers, how sweet." All of a sudden though, the unit clerk swings around in her chair and almost yells at me "They're for you!" (I think she'd been waiting a while to tell me!) Needless to say, I was shocked!! I immediately called Blair and told him how thankful I was and how beautiful they were/are, and told him how I loved him so much. Does everyone agree that I am married to a truly wonderful man?!!

Hmm, posting...

2008-02-14T08:38:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I've been in the mood to post a blog, especially since I read Ashlie's, Martha's, Laura's, Destiny's...pretty much everyone's that I know! However, the thing is, I don't know what to post about...I don't have any huge breaking news at the moment so my canundrum is, What to post about?! I could post about the daily goings on of my life, but that would bore everyone to tears. I could post about my job, but again, tears would be in the immediate forecast (seeing as how we had a baby that didn't make it through three days of life recently). I could talk about the weather here in good ol' LA but, honestly, who cares (even if it snowed for the first time in ages)! So, now that I have talked all about my lack of something to post about, I guess I have, in all actuality, written a post!! Funny how things work out, huh?

Ah, love....

2008-01-22T09:44:00.000-08:00

I apologize that I have not updated everyone since Blair has been home. We have settled back into our lives together with great ease. Someone told me once that it was hard to get used to having them back, but it is not so!! We have so enjoyed spending time together. We were both off for a week when he came home. We didn't have huge plans, just "be" together. It was, and still is, wonderful. I love him so much.

Some other news on our home front...we've gotten orders to move to Minot, North Dakota. We will be leaving Louisiana in July sometime. I would like to request prayer that our move goes smoothly and we follow God's will in every decision. Also, that I'll survive the subzero cold up there!!! The southern girl is gonna freeze!!!

Hope this post finds everyone healthy and happy! I love you all!

...Tomorrow is only a day away!!

2007-12-30T15:30:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update everyone. Blair is slotted to come home tomorrow, Dec. 31st!! Yay!! I am so excited!! This has been VERY long awaited!! Please keep him in your prayers while he travels (I've also been praying for the pilots and the maintenance crews!!!). Thank you all for your support during this time; it's meant the world to me!

Bad News at a Bad Time

2007-12-20T06:31:00.000-08:00

December 19th was just a plain ol' fashioned bad day. It started out ok, sis and I went to eat breakfast with our dad for his birthday after work; I got stocking hangers at Hobby Lobby; went home and went to bed for work...same ol', same ol' stuff. Then at 12:21 p.m. Blair called and the first words out of his mouth were "Baby, I have bad news." That's when my stomach dropped. I tried to prepare myself for the worst, and the worst is what came. As you all know by now, he was due home December 21st, tomorrow. What he called to tell me was that his stay has been extended. He will not be home for Christmas...our first together as a married couple. He may even miss our first New Year's together. I am so disappointed, to say the least!! I was to the point of counting down the hours instead of months, weeks, or even days!! Now to start all over it seems. I was, and still am, so ready to hold him in my arms and now I have to wait two more weeks! I feel like I'm breaking. I can't think about it for long or I will sob, like I am now...I think this is harder than when he left the first time.
Yet, as always, there is the proverbial "but" to everything. This could possibly be a blessing in disguise. The people at the base Blair is TDY didn't pass their inspection, so they are sending more troops from our base. If Blair were to come home for the holidays, he might possibly have to turn right back around and return to the north for another three months. I would definitely rather be seperated only two weeks, rather than three months! I am so incredibly disappointed that he won't be with me for our first Christmas, but I keep reminding myself that this is his job and he's good at it. This is what he loves. This is how he is making our world better. This is how he protecting our country and farther down the line, you and me. It doesn't make it easy but it makes it bearable. I miss him and love him and support him 100%. I will just start my countdown again. Starting with today, I have 15 days until I reunite with the love of my life. Until then...

A Different Christmas Poem

2007-12-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,
This poem has an especially new and significant meaning to me this Christmas. Please read it and think of anyone you know who is serving this country, then say a prayer for them, no matter where they are...

~This came to me in an email from a soldier in Iraq.

A Different Christmas Poem
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Excitement is in the air!!

2007-12-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

Today has been a day filled with excitement. First of all, it's only ONE week, as in seven short little ol' days, till my HUSBAND comes home!! I have been so stoked the entire day. I can't wait to have him home with me!! It has been so long since I saw the love of my life! I can't wait until this time next week when he'll be in my arms! I have had the biggest grin on my face for the entire day! Our reunion has been long awaited!!

Another reason I am so excited is that Lily Sue Osbon was born today at 0837 this morning!! We have known for weeks that she has a spinal defect known as spina bifida. What we didn't know is if she'd be able to move her legs after birth (spina bifida causes paralyses in some). I am happy to report, however, that she is a fighter and a kicker!! Yes, she can move her legs!!! I am so grateful! I was so excited that my job provided me the ability to be with Lily to "watch over" her first few hours of life. I was able to be there for mom and dad before the birth, I was at the delivery, I was there for the transport to the NICU, I was able to assist Lily's nurses, and I gladly kept the family informed of Lily's progress in the midst of everything! This is definitely one of the times I loved my job!! I was so blessed to be able to be a part of Lisa and Chad's huge day!
Lily is not through with her journey yet however, and still needs everyone's prayers!! She will be having surgery today at 2 p.m. to hopefully restore the spinal defect she was born with. Then tomorrow, she'll be having surgery to fix the blockage in her small little intestines. She needs our prayers and Lisa and Chad need our support in this time! God has given this earth another angel and her name is Lily! Please remember her when you talk to God...he hears us! I have so much I could say, but I will leave you with this, you can touch someone's life without ever being a part of it, all you have to do is pray!!

My Lonesome

2007-11-14T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! I haven't posted anything in a while and I thought I would post an update on how everything is going. Hubby has been gone now for 45 days...and it bites!! I have just now gotten to where I don't expect him to walk through the door at any minute! I'm getting used to seeing our bed empty, laying on my side, wishing he were there to hold me. I miss touching his face, holding his hand, seeing him walk around the house...I plain ol' miss him!! I'm still trying to keep busy, but these past few days I've been off of work and all I want to do is sit at home. I feel closer to him when I'm at home. I see our stuff and can picture him with me. I have pictures everywhere, in almost every room, so I can see him where ever I go. We're on the downhill slide now (I hope) for him to come home. He's got a tenative date, and I hope it sticks!! Oh, for the day he comes home!!! I can't wait! I think so far I've done fairly well in the coping department. I've only had three or four breakdowns and as long as I don't watch sad movies, I'm okay. I think it helps that we get to talk everyday, sometimes more than once a day. I like to hear his voice...it calms me...Well, that's the update in a nutshell...I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!! Love to all!

The Perfect Tote Has Arrived!!

2007-11-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

I am sew excited!! As most of you know from previous blogs, the sister and I took a "perfect tote" class on Monday. I was really excited about it, especially after I got my fabric. The demo they had at the store was with fabrics I would term, well, a bit "old" for me. However, the fabric I got was right up my alley and some of my favorite colors to boot, brown and blue!! We were supposed to choose 6 different designs and thankfully there were just enough in my colors! I got my fabric early so it made the waiting even harder!! But finally the day arrived. It passed quickly because I'd worked the night before and so I slept most of the day!! I actually overslept a bit, go figure huh? (Like I'm ever on time!!)

When we got there, the sis and I set up and got to work. The construction is rather easy, there are just a lot of steps. However, the end product is sew worth it!! We weren't able to finish the bag at the class because it was getting to late. I had to finish it at home, but that's ok, it got done! It gives me such a feeling of accomplishment to be able to construct something like this. I was so happy with the results! The bag it's self is HUGE!! But you know how the sis and I are about big bags...we relish them! Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment!!

Feelings of Relief!!

2007-10-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

I HAVE FINISHED THE PETTICOATS!!! And on time, too, I might add! I was stressing pretty bad about getting them done, as I mentioned in my last post, but thankfully they are finished. I took some of it to work to work on in my "down" time between babies, so that helped a lot. A friend at work helped me cut the tulle and that was fabulous!!

This is what the finished product looked like. Don't let the picture fool you, that thing is poofy!!

The first petticoat was my "learning experience." They got progressively better. (Which is a good thing since Lay wants one for Ally's flower girl dress!!) By the time I made the third one, it was a cinch! I put way too much stress into the fact I had procrastinated, but they were actually not too hard to make. I made a bit more work for myself because I wanted the petticoat to be comfy for the girls. So, I made the satin as long as the tulle so it wouldn't scratch their legs. When I gave the lady at work the first one to try on her granddaughter, she came back and told me that the granddaughter loved it!! The second little girl wore it home from "the fitting." It made me feel good that they liked them so much!! They will look so cute skating around with their very poofy poodle skirts. The party was today, so I can't wait to go to work and ask my co-worker how it went and how the girls looked! She said she'd take pictures of how they all turned out.

~Just an update, the sis and I are going to our "perfect tote" class on Monday!! We can't wait!~

It was a sew, sew day...

2007-10-22T06:27:00.001-07:00

Ok, so by now, everyone has read about the wrap me and the sister made. I was so stoked to go to this class, I kept giving people at work the countdown to the day we went!! Everyone was like "Just do it already, and bring it up here when you've finished it!!" I do believe sewing is my new favorite past time. Next week, the sister and I are going to make "the perfect tote." She didn't want to go, but then she saw the cute fabric I chose for my tote and decided she wanted to take the class after all. I have a confession, though, it was a premeditated fabric-ing. I knew as soon as she saw my fabric she'd want to make one for herself...and it worked!!! We'll let you know how it goes!!

(Pardon the bleary eyes in this picture, I had just come off four days of working and had been up for 24 hours!)

Another cool thing I got on our "minky dot wrap day" was a sewing machine tote!!! It's so cute... and PINK!! We got a dust cover with the machine when we bought it, but this tote is just that, a tote!! It's got handles and a shoulder strap and everything!! Did I mention it's pink?? Sis and I had gone to Hancock's to look for fabric and I found this instead.

I just wanted to share a sampling of what I have been sewing on my new favorite toy!! I have discovered the art of pillowcases!! I love to make them. I have made three to date. This one is the cutest so far. The other two were for Blair so the "cute level" had to be toned way down.

My newest project is petticoats. A lady at work's granddaughter is going to a sock-hop themed skating party. The little hostess wants all of her friends to wear poodle skirts. The lady from work decided the skirts aren't "poofy" enough and wanted me to make three petticoats. Yes, I said three. Now, I undertook this project because it sounded fun and I thought I had way more time than reality is allowing. I know sis has talked about her procrastination problem and just to inform those who don't already know, that problem is GENETIC!! Meaning, I have three days till these petticoats are to be finished and I just started!!! And the tulle isn't even here yet!!! It's ordered though, so that's a bonus!!

Well, that's all for now, I suppose. I'll keep everyone updated on the petticoats. I will be sure to take pictures to share with everyone!!! Take care and God bless!!

My Thoughts

2007-10-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, so by now I'm sure everyone thinks that I have the saddest life ever. Well, last night when I was at work, I had a thought...I am very blessed!! Yes, I know, my husband is gone and I am extremely saddened by that fact, but the other facts are as follows:

I have a wonderful and loving husband
I have a great and supportive family (thanks for the other night sis!)
I made it through nursing school (by the prayers of my family and the grace of God!)
I am a Registered Nurse in the NICU (which I LOVE!!)
I have an adorable home that I love
I have super friends that I enjoy
And most of all, I have God on my side through the tough times (like now, for instance!)

Sometimes as a whole, the world gets sucked into all the bad things going on everywhere. This includes me. For the past week, five days, and four hours, all I could think about was "poor me, my husband is gone." But there are people out there that aren't blessed with loving husbands like I have been. There is always someone out there that has it worse, no matter how narcissistic we are in thinking its "all about me." I am going to really try hard to remember how extremely blessed I am, even when things are tough.

Now this is not to say that I won't miss Blair, because I WILL!! Anyone who really knows me knows how much I love him! This is just to say that even through my sadness I will remember that he's only going to be gone for a while, I can still talk to him, he's not in any more danger than I am, and that he loves me and wants to come home as badly as I want him home. So next time I'm sad (which by the way, don't watch 'We are Marshall' when you've already a really poopy night) I will work really hard to remember all the good instead of dwelling on the bad.

One week down...

2007-10-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

So Blair has been gone for five days now. This week has not been as bad as I thought it would be. (I guess prepare for the worst and hope for the best, huh?) I kept super busy on Monday, fairly busy on Tuesday and Wednesday I slept all day. Wednesday was ok until I was fixing my dinner for work and as I was putting the lid on the container I saw our last name. For some reason that made me really sad and I shed a few tears. Thank God for my sister, though. She must have known that I was sitting there watching Sweet Home Alabama and crying, because she called and invited me over. It was just what the doctor ordered!! My sister has been great through this, very supportive, willing to help me keep my off of things.
It also helps that Blair and I get to talk on the phone frequently. He's not been as busy this week as I thought he would be so he's not been to tired to talk. I really love to hear his voice and it helps me to imagine that he's still close. I'm hoping that the days will pass by quickly. This week has, thank goodness.

A Hard Day

2007-10-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today, Blair left for Minot, ND. I was ok getting ready to go and on the way to the airport. And standing in the line to buy his ticket I was only a little weepy. But boy, did the dam of tears break loose when it was time to say goodbye. I had been trying to be strong; let him see that I'm tough and have the grit it takes to be a military wife, but I couldn't hold back any more when its time for the last hug, last kiss for two, maybe three months. As I stood there sobbing on his shoulder, he just held me. It was just what I needed. His last words before leaving were "I love you, I'll see you in a couple weeks." Oh, if only it were a couple weeks. So I left him grudgingly at the airport to cry myself home and to sleep.
But I can do this, I can make it through this...This is what I tell myself. I keep a litany of my pros running through my head. I have family, friends, and work, lots of work. Today I kept busy. I hung out with a friend, Anna, went to a great get together at Laura's house, and it was ok. But now, as I sit here in our bed, alone, I really miss him. I miss his snore, yes, I said snore. I miss the way his chest feels under my hand. I miss the cute little gleam in his eye he gets just before pounces to tickle me. I just miss my Blair. He is my rock. He is my love, my soul mate.
But I can do this, I can make it through this. I knew when I married him that this day would come, I'd just hoped a little later than sooner. I tell myself to be strong and brave and not to make this harder for him, he's the one leaving. But it's hard being left behind.
In all of this, in all my sadness that my husband of four months tomorrow is thousands of miles away, I am still grateful. Grateful that he's not being sent to Iraq. Grateful that he won't be in imminent danger. Grateful that he's only states away, instead of countries. Grateful that we'll be able to talk everyday. Grateful I will be able to go see him. Grateful that I have family and friends near. Grateful because I know God will bring us through this and we'll be stronger for it. Grateful Blair is able to serve to his fullest capacity. Grateful he is my husband, a man who won't shirk his duty when called on. I am grateful for Blair.
But I can do this, I will make it though this, to the end, and I will rejoice when the end of our seperation is here. The journey to the end; however, will be difficult.
I know I am not alone. I have God on my side. Also, there are many wives who don't know where their husbands are, if they are alive, if they are eating more than once a day, if they will come home at the end of their deployment walking or with a flag over their left shoulder. I take courage from all the military wives before me who are strong for their men, who hold everything together and make life easy for him while he serves our country and it's people proudly. Though I am sad he's gone, I am proud of him. When asked, "Who will go?" my husband replied, "Here am I, I will go," just as we are all supposed to do. He displayed a willingness to give of himself not oft seen. He is my hero. I will miss him every day, every hour, minute, second he is gone.
But I can do this, I can make it through this, I have to, for him...