Our Christmas story

The parties began on the 19th. My dad turned 50 on the 20th and my parents had a party at their house. We all had a great time, especially my dad. He drinks old mil beer (gag) and received 5 or 6 30 packs and a couple 18 packs. That should keep him stocked up for awhile.

Dad's Old Mil cake

Opening his presents

My husband and seester at Dad's party

Christmas Eve we went to Matt's parents house and ate dinner and exchanged gifts. We both got gift cards to our favorite stores. We got Matt's mom a digital camera as she has been toting around a disposable camera since I have known her.

Christmas day we went to my parent's house and opened gifts there. I got a pink snuggie, some decorative serving plates, a pink can opener, and a crap load of gift cards.

Ozzy got a snuggie from his grandma. Here he is pretending he is shy.

And a new toy and collar from his mommy and daddy.

We left my mom's and went to Matt's dad's side of the family Christmas. Matt wanted to see his grandpa. We got there finally (flooded roads everywhere) and found out one of Matt's uncle had taken grandpa somewhere else. Grandpa showed up about the time we were planning on leaving. I told Matt to go out there Monday and visit with his grandpa and he was ok with that. (That's what I told him to do in the first place, because I knew there would be a crap load of people there but do you think he listened the first time around?)

We left there and went to my dad's side of the family's drunkfest. Once again the P. Christmas did not disappoint. The early afternoon is filled with eating and beer drinking. The afternoon brings on an intense bingo game. Uncle Wealthy's wife buys all kinds of prizes for bingo winners. I'm talking at least a hundred prizes. This year they were wrapped. My dad picked some polka dotted lingerie. I won some socks and boxers.

Us during drunken bingo

After bingo everyone tends to be feeling pretty good and the karaoke begins. Myself and all my cousins that were there sang "Family Tradition." It was hilarious. By the time I was singing karaoke, I knew it was time to go. A couple of the older cousins, along with Matt and I and my seester went to the bar. It was a long night.

Saturday, I was hungover as hell didn't feel too good but the parties continued. We went to my mom's side of the family. It was a good time. They are all nuts so it can be very entertaining.

Sunday, we went to Matt's mom's side of the family's party. By this point, I was just about partied out. The food was once again awesome. We played some cards there and got a beautiful ornament.

Sunday evening Matt, Ozzy, and I all layed around on the couch, Ozzy and I in our snuggies.

Thursday night Matt and I are having a New Year's Eve party. Nothing too fancy. I am making cheese dip, beer cheese soup, and meatballs. I ordered a special bottle of booze that should be in tomorrow.

Hope everyone had a great time during Christmas!

8 more hours...

until I'm out of here for 4 days. I don't know if or how much I'll be blogging this weekend but I'll make sure to take lots of pictures.

We have so much going on in the next four days. Tomorrow night we are going to Matt's parents. Friday, we are going to my parents in the morning, then to his dad's side of the family, and then to my dad's side of the family's drunkfest.

Saturday we have my mom's side of the family and Sunday we have his mom's side of the family. Not to mention, we have already been to his work party and the Army xmas party.

New Year's Eve we are having a small party at our house. That I am looking forward to.

It's hit me yesterday that I would rather just do more relaxing during the holidays. So if you don't hear from me every again, it's probably because I've had a nervous breakdown. I'll have my mom leave you all the address to the mental ward. Feel free to send cards.

Oh and the first person to ask if or when I'm going to be pregnant is probably going to get told to shut the hell up. It happens every time we go to family stuff. Or should I say, "Actually we've been trying for 6 months and it's not happening but thanks for bringing it up."

Christmas List

I was tagged by (army)wife at A Yummy Mummy On a Pink Park Bench to fill out this lovely Christmas survey.

Want to play along?

Copy and paste the questions into your blog,

•Then tag 5 or more of your favorite blogs, and leave them a comment telling them they’ve been tagged.



1. Have you started your Christmas shopping?
Yes I have and I am done. I'm usually the kinda gal that waits until around the 20th to start but this year I did a lot of online shopping and then that motivated me just to get it done.

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.
I always go to Mom and Dad's on Christmas morning to open presents with the family. This is the hubs and my first Christmas together that we have our own house and that he doesn't have to leave two days later. So I'm looking forward to starting our own traditions.

3. When do you put up your Tree?
This would be one of the traditions we started. We put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Matt hung the lights outside the next day. I posted pictures of our tree and house here.

4. Are you a Black Friday shopper?
No stinking way. I'd rather walk across broken glass.

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?
All of our Christmas festivities are within 15 mile of our house. But I don't think we will be at our actually home very much on Christmas.

6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?
Its hard to say. My dad's brother that is loaded always has Christmas and he has more booze than imaginable. I've gotten pretty tipsy there. Also, one year on my mom's side, my uncle that is "that guy," you know the idiot of the family, was drunk and dumped his plate of food on the floor. That was pretty awesome.

7. What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Hands Down. I also like the Santa Claus with Tim Allen.

8. Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?
Uhhhhhh not so much. This year I'm in charge of bring corn to above mentioned drunkfest '09.

9. Fake or Real Tree?
We have a fake one. I think a real one would be too much work. We are all about taking the easy way out.

10. What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
Hasn't happened this year. I will probably be having a fit about all the running around we have to do though.

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Not this year but yeah usually.

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
Above mentioned drunkfest at Uncle Wealthy's mansion.

13. What Christmas craft do you like the best?
Craft... hmmm... can't think of any.

14. Christmas music? Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?
That's a big negative. I like singing them all stupid like to annoy Matt but that's about it.

15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
I'm done.

I've already read similar variations of this on some of the blogs I follow so I'm tagging everyone. If you haven't done this then go for it.

Happy Holidays!!!

Done with finals

I'm officially done with school for a month. Monday night I had my Comp II class. I got my 12 page research paper back that I wrote about Ruby Ridge. I got a 100%. This is the same teacher I had for Comp I last fall. And she has said more than once that she doesn't give 100's. I wrote about her here once.

I think my heart stopped beating a little bit when I saw my grade. I thought I would get an A but had no idea that I would get a 100. Anyway, Monday night I had to turn in a paper for my final. Prior to that I had not missed one point in that class. I'm sure I'll get an A.

Last night I had my Sociology final. Going into the class last night, I had a 102% in the class. The teacher said she would have the grade online later that night. Before I went to bed, I checked and I got a 92 on the final, which is the worst I did on anything in the class. But I ended up with a 99% in the class.

I feel good about this past semester and the one coming up. But I'm very happy to have a little break even though I have two essays to write for two different scholarships I'm applying for.

Army Xmas Party

Yesterday we had Matt's Army Christmas party. I've been an Army wife for over a year and finally made my big debut. I must admit we clean up pretty nice.

Here we are outside freezing our arses off, just as I anticipated.

When we walked in we got a ticket. Later on they drew for door prizes. My number was the second one called. There were all kinds of door prizes ranging from manicures to Cardinals tickets to an Army stepping stone. I let the hubs go pick something out. In true Matt fashion, this was his choice:

And no there is no money in it. Lunch was good. We pretty much just enjoyed each others company because Matt knew like three people there. His squad leader is a chick and she is really nice.

They were asking for people to help with FRG for the unit. About 15 people from the unit are moving to a different town, closer to our house, in hopefully a couple months. I told his squad leader that I would help with FRG when they move. Matt will not deploy again and its hard to say if anyone else in his unit will deploy before he is done.

In true Army fashion at then end he had to "hurry up" and sign out. Then being the guy he is he helped put chairs away and what not, so I got to "wait."

Here is me during the hurry up and wait.

Happy Monday!!!

Drill Weekend

Matt's at his second drill this weekend. He's only texted me a couple times this morning so maybe they are keeping him busy and he will enjoy it more. I slept in until 9 this morning which is quite an accomplishment for me these days.

Tomorrow is the Christmas dinner formal for Matt's new unit. He drills 2 hours away. Tomorrow morning I'm getting my hair done at 7:30 A.M. and then driving up there. I'm supposed to be there by 11. I guess I'm a little excited. This will technically be my big debut as an Army Wife. I never did the Army ball or anything like that (distance was an issue).

I'm hoping that I will fit in better than at his work Christmas party. It's hard to explain but I feel at the Army party at least most everyone will have respect for each other and what they have been through. I have a issue with people not respecting my husband, us, and what we have been through. He doesn't. Just me. It's not like I think we are better than anyone or anything like that. I just think some people have no respect for our soldiers or their family.

Today I need have to write my paper for my Comp final. We read "The Birthmark" and have to write about man's quest for perfection. We have several topics we could relate it to and I chose cosmetic surgery. I've wrote the first paragraph, which for me is always the hardest. And now I'm finding myself blogging. Any comments?

I also need to go to Wal-Mart today to get some fleece fabric. I'm making a fleece blanket for Matt's battle buddy. They were roommates in Iraq and we both wanted to send him a gift for Christmas. He is from Oregon so I need to get it in the mail before too long.

I'm also hoping to have the house spotless for when Matt comes home.

Happy 101 Award!

Katie at The Adventures of Katie and Josh passed along this award to me. Yay! I love Katie's blog. She's is very positive and creative. Thanks Katie!

The rules are simple.

1. List 10 things that make me happy.

2. Tag 10 bloggers that brighten my day.


So, first 10 things that make me happy.

1. My husband, of course
2. My family
3. My dog
4. Doing good in school
5. Silence
6. Naps
7. Diamonds
8. Driving with the music cranked
9. Having a clean house
10. Seeing others happy

Now, to tagging 10 blogs that make me happy to read. First of all, if I didn't like/love your blog, I wouldn't follow you. All the blogs I follow make me happy. But for the sake of following rules, here are my ten.

Bridget @ Always An Adventure

Short Mama @ A Family of Shorts

Christina@ Sugar Sweet Thoughts

Dawn @ Must Love Tots

Marsie @ Quite Contrary

Jessie @ What You Wish For

Katie @ Sometimes Life is Messy

Random Musings of My Life

Tattoos and Teething Rings

Jessica @ Learning as We Go

Happy Friday!!!

Not complaining too much, just sharing

We usually keep it fairly cool in our house. The thermostat is usually set at around 63 while we are home and 60 while we are at work. I don't mind it. If I'm doing stuff I don't notice and if I'm at my base of operations (couch) I just use a cover.

Yesterday when we got home from work it was 57 degrees in our house. The thermostat was set on 62. Matt turned it to off and then back to heat. It kicked on for about 2 minutes but never blew hot air.

So I called my daddy. You see, my daddy can fix pretty much anything. (Except for furnaces) He's a jack of all trades. He came over and used his wire tester and drank a beer while he and my husband stared at the furnace scratching their butts. (I was at school but, I'm pretty sure that's how it went down.)

Needless to say, they didn't get it fixed. I don't mind the cold when I'm sleeping but, when I was getting ready this morning, it was 55 in our house. The toilet seat was rather chilly. I called someone to come and look at it this afternoon so hopefully it gets fixed today.

***

Last night while I was at school, I received an email that the order I had placed for my brother's present was canceled. No explanation. Just canceled. I found something similar to it and ordered that.

***

This morning I get to work and I received an email that another gift I ordered was canceled. Out of stock. I found a place that has the same thing and I called to make sure they definitely had it in stock. They did so I ordered it from them.

I placed these two orders over a week ago. Uggghhh Why are they just now deciding to tell me?

***

I can't spell definitely. Every time I type it I spell it like this - definately. I noticed this a couple weeks ago. Maybe I'll stop using that word and use absolutely, I can spell that right every time.

I don't mesh well with people

This weekend we had Matt's work Christmas party. He was nominated for an award and received $100 for his nomination. They gave us a really nice cutting board and a outdoor blanket. It folds up into a bag and is waterproof.

I think I have social anxiety or something. I always feel as if I don't fit in. I don't know why but I don't do well with large crowds of people that I don't know. Most of the people at this party were older so we pretty much hung out with the younger crowd. (Under 30) Even the younger people kinda freak me out. I feel like I never have anything in common with people. So I just drank. By the time we left, I was feeling pretty good.

We went to the bar after the party and proceeded to drink even more. By the end of the night I fit in. This is probably not healthy. I felt like crap yesterday. I swore off drinking.

I just want to start our own family and own traditions. And not have to worry about anything outside of that.

Which brings me to the next thought I've been having. Christmas is totally blow out of proportion. Isn't it supposed to be about spending time with family and loved ones? Why does it have to be all about gifts. I mean, everyone shells out a bunch of money and swaps presents. A lot of times, it's stuff you don't even need or want. And for what?

I can understand if you have kids you would want to spoil them a little. But I'm an adult. I don't need anything. We have spoiled ourselves enough this year. I would like to boycott gift giving/receiving next year but that would probably never work.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I know I have been a real good girl this year so I thought I would take the liberty of giving you my Christmas list this year. I really don't need or want much so anything you get me will be appreciated.

Chocolate Touch - Now Santa, you know my phone is junk. I have had a chocolate before so I'm sure this one will last me until at least next Christmas.
Pink - I'll take the body spray or the perfume. If you wish to have my husband get this for me, he could probably find it at the mall in Springfield when he does his drill next weekend. Or he could probably order it online.
A pink snuggie. Santa, you know I like to lay around on the couch and that's what keeps me on the "good list." We are also fairly frugal with the heat in our house. So, it gets a little on the chilly side.
I like these pens Santa. You can find them at Wal-Mart. Good luck though. They are usually out.
Thanks Santa. I will leave a Bud Light and some chips for you.

Steph

New Jeans

About two weeks ago I bought a new pair of jeans. I told my husband I was going to get some. I got a size bigger than I normally wear because let's face it people, I'm not getting any smaller. And I'm alright with that.

Yesterday when we met for lunch the conversation went like this:

Hubby: Where did you get those jeans?

Me: They are the new ones I bought.

Hubby: I don't like them.

Me: Why?

Hubby: They are too baggy and your butt doesn't look that good in them.

Me: Don't worry, I'll grow into them.

Hubby: *Silence*

Invite Only!

Short version babe short version.... That's what Matt always tells me when I'm trying to tell a story.

Last weekend we were supposed to go to Matt's mom's side of the family Thanksgiving. Well, you see, Matt didn't feel too well because he played too hard the night before. He said he didn't want to go and I didn't argue. His parents weren't going to be there anyway because his mom was marching in some abortion march or something. Who knows. We skipped out.

This Saturday was his dad's side of the family Thanksgiving. We never go to that side of the family anything. Not sure why we just don't.

Well his mom called his phone Saturday and he didn't answer. He didn't even listen to the voicemail till she called both of our phones on Sunday. They wanted us to come over to their house about the time we got the message to eat lunch.

We were in the process of getting my washer and dryer from my mom and dad's. We had plans to have my parents come over and hook them up. Then later, my brother and sister and Matt's buddy from the army that lives about a half an hour away were all coming over. I planned on making homemade pizza and we were going to watch football.

On our way back to our house, washer and dryer in tow, I told him he needed to call his mom. He called and talked to his dad and his dad asked if we were going to be home that afternoon/evening. Matt told them we would. They said they would come over about 3.

I was a little irritated because we already had plans to do the pizza/football thing. They came over and were there about 2 or 3 hours. His dad got a phone call from someone wanting to go hunting with him and his mom told him that they were going to go to a restaurant in town and get some pasta and eat it at our house. Like I'm unable to cook.

This is when I piped up. I told her that we already had plans to have people come over for supper. She got all pissy and said told Matt's dad that they weren't allowed to stay. She put her shoes on right away and then sat and pouted (Matt's word not mine) for another half an hour.

At some point, she asked Matt what he wanted for Christmas. He said he didn't know. So when they left she snatched up her pie she brought over and said, "Well let us know when we can stay longer."

Excuse me, I'll let you know when we don't have plans and you are invited over.

She also said that they probably wouldn't have Christmas since Matt doesn't know what he wants.

This may all seem like I'm a royal bitch but the situation is hard to explain. I don't normally write about how nuts she is or how much she drives me crazy or how if we let her she would try to run our lives for us.

After they left my stomach was in knots because I know she thinks that I'm the reason Matt doesn't want to talk to her. Which, by the way, is her own fault and I'm not going to go there.

I try hard to be nice to her. I really do. But damn it. Sometimes enough is enough and I have to stand up to her.

Christmas Decorating

We haven't done a lot this weekend but we did manage to decorate for Christmas. Here is the tree. I like blue lights.
Matt's favorite ornament.

My favorite ornament. My brother's girlfriend gave us this last Christmas.

I like this one too.

Ozzy's favorite.

Matt hung the lights outside Saturday. They look really nice. Not too much but just enough.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I am ready to go back to work.

Entertaining the in-laws right now. They invited themselves over. It's great.

Thankful

We all know that Thanksgiving is just a few days away so I thought I would do a post about what I am thankful for.

First and foremost, I'm thankful to have my husband HOME and safe for a holiday. Last Thanksgiving we spent in a hotel together in Tacoma, WA. I microwaved our Thanksgiving dinner.

I'm also thankful for my family. Yeah they are nuts but no one has had to be committed to the loony ward yet. My mom, dad, brother, seester, and even the dogs are all nuts but they mean a lot to me.

I'm thankful that he weather has been beautiful here for the last week or so. Its been in the 50s and 60s.

I'm thankful that the semester is almost over. I'll get about a month off of school for Christmas. It will be nice not to have to worry about school for awhile.

I'm thankful that Matt and I are finally getting to enjoy the rewards of having worked so hard for so long.

I'm thankful that Matt and I both have jobs and are able to work.

I'm thankful for our house. Its cute. Its cost efficient. And its ours.

I'm thankful for Tri-Care. I don't think some people in the military know what life is like without it.

I'm thankful for having a four day weekend. :)

Last but not least, I'm thankful that Matt and I will be starting a tradition of decorating for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. (No black Friday for this gal.)

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Yay!!!

First of all, thank you all so much for telling me how smoking hot I will look in the dress I got. I really do appreciate all your kind words.

I got the call today that I had been waiting on for almost three weeks. My ring was done and I could come pick it up whenever I wanted to.

Click here to read about my ring drama.

Before

After

So excited to have it back. I love the way it looks. Thanks again honey for letting me get my bling fixed.

Hope everyone has a good weekend! I'll be busy writing a paper.

Shopping

This weekend my sister and I went shopping. I got the dress. I must have tried on 30 dresses and guess which one I got? The very first one. Grrr.

This is the dress I got. Its a bright teal. And loose. And comfortable. And on clearance. Which, was not the reasoning for getting it but that makes it even better.

Kind of a crappy picture but you get the point.

Then I got this number to wear over the top of it.

I also got some heels. Please pray that I don't break my neck.

This may be TMI but my sister was with me when I tried on wedding dresses too and you know how you need help getting some of those numbers on and off. Well, I do anyway. Well both times she has been my personal assistant I have been wearing a thong. Not even thinking about it. She told me if we ever go dress shopping again and I wear a thong she is kicking my ass butt.

We may or may not have stopped at the Coach store on the way home. Ok we did. I got a new purse for when I wear the dress. (Or at least that's what I'm telling my husband.) I really need to stay away from that place.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

School, leaves, and dresses

Last night I took a quiz online for my sociology class. I answered all the questions and I know I got them all right because I can use my book. But being the spaz I am, I forgot to hit save before I submitted my answers. So I got a 0 out of 10. I emailed my teacher and told her what happened but I have yet to hear from her. I guess worse comes to worse, I won't have a 100% in the class anymore.

Today I attempted to work on my 8-12 page research paper. I guess I had writers block or something. If I could just write it without have to cite everything I write, I would be done three times by now. I have such a big stack of crap I have read about my topic and when I go to look where I found what I am writing it takes forever. I have about 3 pages done.

Matt dealt with all the leaves that were over taking the yard today while I worked on my paper. He bought himself a leaf blower this morning. He says it blows 150 miles an hour. I'll take his word for it.

Tomorrow my seester and I are going to try to find me a dress for this Army dinner thing. Its not like the Army ball so I'm thinking I can probably wear a short dress. See the thing is, its almost winter and in a month it pretty much will be winter. I want a dress that I can wear and not freeze my ass tail off. I have seen a few shorter dresses with some sleeve action going on.

I think I may get one of those sweater dress deals also. I have a few dress type deals that I wear in the summer with tights under so maybe I could wear a sweater one to Christmas. I dunno.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

Award Time

Tuesday I was awarded this award by Katie at The Adventures of Katie and Josh. Check out her blog if you haven't already. She is very sweet, has great taste, and write hilarious blogs.

As per this award's regulations, I am to post it on my blog, write 10 interesting things about myself, and pass it along to 10 other blogs.

1. I always thought that I didn't like shopping. I recently came to the conclusion that 90% of the reason I don't care for shopping is the crap music they play in stores. The distinctly remember hearing that umbrella.. ella song in a clothing store for the first time and wanting to gouge my eyes out.

2. I can not stand wire hangers. I refuse to use them. Matt drags them home from work and I don't even like seeing them.

3. People at work call me "Steffi" (that's how they spell it too). I don't really care but I'm not sure why they do it either.

4. About this dress thing, its giving me anxiety. In the last ten years, I have worn a dress twice. One time was my wedding.

5. When I was 22, I was the General Manager of Denny's. It was a lot of responsibility and a lot of hours. I did that for about 2 years and realized I was too young to waste my life doing that.

6. My cousin's last band would let me play a couple songs with them whenever they had gigs. That was cool.

7. My mom and dad have been married 30 years.

8. Until a couple years ago, I hated pink. Now it is one of my favorite colors.

9. Also, until recently I couldn't stand country music. Now I will listen to country, but only Texas Country.

10. I love plants. I have a ton of them in my house since its getting too cold for them outside. I have only killed one since we bought our house.

Now on to passing it along....

Bridget from Always an Adventure

Short Mama from Family of Shorts

Christina from Sugar Sweet Thoughts

Dawn from Must Love Tots

Jennifer from Crazy Shenanigans

Tattoos and Teething Rings

Marsie at Quite Contrary

Random Musings of my Life

Tonja at Smile, You've Got French's

Lola at Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

The hubs and my hair

Matt and I are going out tonight. I'm taking my husband out to eat at a new restaurant that he's been wanting to go to. I told him that I would cook whatever he wanted or take him wherever he wanted to go for Veteran's Day.

I just want to show and remind him how much he means to me. It may seem cheesy, but he really is my hero. And so is anyone else who has ever served.

In other news.................

I got my hair cut yesterday. I've been wanting to cut it since before our wedding, which was over a year ago. Don't get me wrong, I loved having long hair but I hated it falling everywhere, clogging up the drain, and ending up in my food.

I had been growing out my hair since around 2002. It was to a point were it wasn't getting any longer or healthier.

I got around 8 inches cut off. I wanted to donate it but it wasn't long enough and their were too many layers.

Matt loves it. I'm still getting used to the new do but I think I like it.

Before....

After....

(Notice how happy I am to be at work today.)

Our weekend

Matt was gone this weekend doing his drill for the Reserves. His unit consists of 12 or 13 people right now and they can't even drill where they are supposed to because they don't have any equipment. I mean nothing. No Humvees. No helicopters. (My husband re-fuels helicopters.) No helmets. Nothing.

He got to fill out paperwork this weekend. And he got a flu shot. He already sounds like crap so I'm sure he will get sick. (I'm kinda anti-flu shot.) In December, he has some kind of Christmas party on the Sunday of his drill. He told them that I would go. Which is fine, I will go. I never got to do any of the go-to-formal-functions-while-your-husband-wears-his-class-A's things.

Problem is: I don't wear dresses. The last time I wore a dress was our wedding and before that was probably my high school graduation. I'm too short for long dresses and my legs are too chubby for short dresses. Do I care... NO. I just don't wear dresses. What's a chubby legged girl to do?

Anyway... I was all by my lonesome self this weekend. I wrote a 4 page paper, which is pretty good. I started my other paper. I studied for my test tomorrow. I cleaned our house, floors and all. I became addicted to Farmville. I napped on the couch with Ozzy, both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. I went shopping. I applied for scholarships. I caught up on my DVR. It was nice.

Happy Monday!

Little of this and a little of that

This weekend Matt has his first drill for the Reserves. His drill is over two hours away from where we live so he will be staying there in a hotel. He leaves tonight and won't be back until sometime Sunday. I'm not going to booh whoo about how much I'm going to miss him because after 14.5 months in Iraq, two days is nothing.

Yes, it will suck when I need something off the top shelf and I won't have him to get it for me. But I guess that's why we have a step stool. Sometimes when we are home together all weekend, I try to find things for him to do like outside or away from the house so maybe one weekend apart a month will be a good thing.

I don't want this to seem like I want him to go but I know he has to. And I'm going to have to get used to it.

He is taking the car to drill so I will have his new truck all weekend. I might go to the redneck bar and rev the truck up, you know cause then I'd be cool. Its more likely though that I'll just be driving it to Wal-Mart to buy toiletries. When did I become so lame?

With him gone, I'm going to take full advantage of cleaning our house and doing some homework. I have two papers that need to be finished in 2 weeks. I also have a test Tuesday night.

Speaking of school, FYI, I still have 100% in both of my classes. This is not due to lack of assignments, test, and whatnot. I can register for classes for next semester this coming Tuesday and I'm going to try to take 3 classes next semester. This is my first semester taking 2 so that could be interesting.

I also want to play my guitars this weekend. I've been so busy with taking care of our house, my husband, and my dog and going to school that I have not had time to play either of my guitars in months. I love playing because when I do its like nothing else matters and I can't think of anything else.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

My wedding ring

I wrote about a week ago about "The Story of Us." You can read it if you haven't already. I mentioned that when we got married everything was kind of rushed and nowhere had a wedding band that matched my engagement ring.

My wedding band needed to be curved because my ring has so much going on, on the sides of it. I got a band that was curved and had round diamonds and baguettes. The diamonds on the band I bought don't go down as far on the sides as on my engagement ring. Also, the diamonds on the side of my engagement ring are channel set. The band I purchased is not channel set.


I know this picture isn't the best and its kinda hard to see exactly what's going on.

Matt cannot tell that it does not match but I can. I sent it off for an estimate at the store I bought both of my rings at about 6 months ago and nearly fell on the floor when they told me the price. I took it to another jeweler around then and they said that they could do it for almost half of what I was quoted. But my diamond protection plan and whatnot is not there so I was a little apprehensive about getting it done there.

So I went and talked to the boss lady at the place where Matt has bought all my diamonds about two weeks ago. She sent it off last week to a different custom jewelry maker. His price was less than both of the other estimates I have received.

Matt agreed to let me get it made. So my ring is in the shop. I'll have my matching custom band in about two weeks. When I get it back I will post before and after pictures. I have better pictures of the before on my computer at home.

Thanks honey. I love you. And I'm not going to look at or need any more diamonds for a long time.

My husband has a new love

We bought a truck this weekend! Matt's been wanting a truck since we've been married and I finally gave in. We both work about 15 miles away from where we live so it will be nice for the winter time when its snowing and stuff. He also needs a truck to haul his toys around on.

Their are conditions he agreed to before we agreed on getting the truck. No more looking at trucks online. Not even a little bit. He says he will only shop online if it is for me. Hey I can't argue with that. And no talking about jacking it up for at least a year.

Santa may be bring him some step thingers for the side so I can get my short self in and out of it better.

So without further ado, here is my husband's new love.

She is a dark blue and has leather, heated seats, a sunroof, and all the other good stuff he wanted his truck to have.

No need for words

Bingo

Last night we went to our first bingo outing of the season. (That's right bingo has a season). The season is during the winter when there is nothing going on. I talked here about possibly becoming obsessed with bingo. I'm afraid that is probably going to happen.

The group of people we go with get t-shirts made every year. This year they are red with yellow letters (not my choice of colors but oh well). Oh the front they say I 22 and on the back they say O 69 and whatever bingo nickname you want. I found a bingo nickname generator by googling bingo names. (I maybe be obsessed with google too but that's a different story). My bingo nickname is Sparkplug. Matt choose to have Johnny Popper put on his shirt. One girl in the group has "B-4-What" on hers. I like that.

So when the caller who's name is Dwayne calls I 22, the people we go with obnoxiously say "Dwayne wears a 22." And if O 69 is called they say 69. Its kinda like in a low monotone voice.

When we got there several people said they liked the new shirts and said they were wondering when the group would be back. The first time they called O 69 and we all said it the old folks were clapping. I think they like the excitement the group brings to the table.

Matt and I didn't win anything. One of the girls with us won $25 during a lightening round. We had a great time. This bingo is at the KC Hall and there is a bar there so you can go to the bar and get a bucket o' beer and bring it into bingo. I drank just enough to have the giggles without having a headache today.

I'm hoping to hit the jackpot at some point. And if when I do, I will be calling into work on Friday.

Dear Eclipse

Dear Eclipse,

I wanted you since before I ever got my license. I like to think I took good care of you. Well you know, except for that time I drove you into a bridge. And the time the cops took you away cause I was drunk. (Sorry bout that.)

I'm going to miss driving you fast and zipping through the gears like a mad woman. I'm going to miss taking the curves on the way to work like I'm a Nascar driver. I'm going to miss letting you haul ass when the light turns green at a stop light to beat the car next to us. I know how much you liked that. I also know you hated the snow and ice and I can't blame you for that.

I don't really feel like continually getting whacked in the head when your hatchback self decides to close while I'm loading groceries. Also, we will be becoming parents someday (hopefully) and let's face it, you just are not a kid hauler. I know, I know, I would be the coolest mom on the block if I kept you but I'm afraid that just isn't going to happen.

I'm sorry we have to get rid of you. If we were loaded I would keep you just to drive when I was feeling a little crazy. Matt wants a truck real bad and since you suck terribly in the snow we are going to have to get one.

Thank you for being such a reliable sexy machine. Play nice for the next person. And don't forget you were my favorite.

Your mama

The story of us

Matt and I met when we were around 16. (12 years ago) Wow I didn’t realize that I have known him almost half of my life! We were friends with the same group of people. I don’t really remember where we first met. He went to a different high school than me but mostly hung out in the town I live in. He dated a girl in my class for years. She wasn’t really friends with my group of friends and she really didn’t care for hanging out with us. So, a lot of times if Matt was hanging out with us it was because he had broke up with her so that he could.

He and I worked at the same factory the summer after our senior year of high school along with a couple of our other friends. So a lot of us would party together after work. Then after that I was working 3 rd shift waiting tables at Denny’s (best money I’ve ever made, by the way). He was still working at the factory that we had worked at together. He would come over to my house about one a week, usually right after I had fallen asleep at 2 in the afternoon and want me to go boozing with him. About 9 times out of 10 I would tell him no because I had to work that night.

After this, I had a few longerish relationships and wouldn’t see him for months at a time. But I always considered him a good friend even when we wouldn’t see or talk to each other for a period of time. Then I heard that he went to the Army. I didn’t get to say good-bye.

Fast forward about 2 years (3 years ago). It was actually probably about October too. I got a friend request on MySpace from Matt. He gave me his phone number and I immediately called him. He was stationed out at Ft. Lewis, WA. We texted and talked until he came home for Christmas that year. That Christmas we feel in love. I knew before he ever came home that I loved him. I loved the fact that we had known each other for so long and he knew so much about me.

(Real drunk here but only pic I could find)

Matt left to go back to Ft. Lewis and I made a trip out there around Valentine’s Day. He came home again in April. Around the end of May I went out there and stayed with him for 6 weeks before he left for Iraq in June.

While he was in Iraq, I worked two jobs. I missed that boy more than words can express. I sent him packages all the time and whoever went through his mail said he got the best packages out of his whole unit. I made him blankets and sent to him. I sent him cards every holiday. I wore his dog tags the whole time he was gone.

He came home for R & R in December and we got engaged. No real romantic story to tell here. He asked me to marry him before he went to Iraq but I didn’t want to be “that girl” that got married because her man was going to war. I don’t look down on anyone that does this; it just wasn’t for me. He asked me to marry him again on the phone from Iraq and told me to pick out a ring. When he got home for R & R, we got my ring and got our engagement pictures taken.

We had planned on going to Cancun and getting married on the beach during the summer of 2009. About 6 weeks before he came home we decided to get married as soon as he came home. This mean I had 6 weeks to plan a wedding. I bought our wedding bands. My engagement ring didn’t have a band that matched it so I picked out the one that matched it the best (more on this later this week).

Matt came back from Iraq on August 22, 2008 (14 and a half months) and we got married on 9/5/08 at a little wedding chapel around here by a hippie preacher and had our reception at a bar here also. After all was said and done, we spent around 2 grand on our wedding. I don’t regret for a minute not having a big fancy wedding.

Matt thought he was getting out of the Army in April. So, I stayed at home and waited for him. He ended up not getting out until the end of July because his contract said 4 years and 22 weeks. I took on the responsibility of finding a house and was able to mail him all of the paperwork he needed to sign. I made numerous trips out to see him between the time we were married and the time he got to come home.

I made my last trip out there on 7/28/09 and we were able to drive his car home together. Matt enlisted in the Army Reserves to cut his IRR time in half and we are finally living the life that we have been waiting on for three years.

What's on my iPod? and an Award!

Another band that is on my iPod is Alice in Chains. I recently downloaded the new Alice in Chains album, "Black Gives Way to Blue." That's right, a new album. I was a little surprised too considering the lead singer from the band, Layne Staley, died from an overdose in 2002.

The new album is definitely no "Jar of Flies" but it is good. Alice in Chains is a grunge band that became famous around the same time as Nirvana and Soundgarden. Alice in Chains always reminds me of being 16-19 and around a campfire or road tripping.

A few of my favorite Alice in Chains songs are Would, No Excuses, Don't Follow, and Nutshell.

Now, on to the award. I was awarded The Dragon's Loyalty award by Katie at The Adventures of Katie and Josh. Katie is very creative, has great taste, and I love reading her blog.

This award is to recognize loyal followers. All my followers are awesome and here a few of the most loyal followers:

Lola at Not All Those who Wander are Lost

Random Musings Of My Life

Los at Plethora

Jennifer at CrazyShenanigans

(army)Wife at More Than an (army)Wife

For a good cause

I'm posting this for my blogger buddy Lola.

She is trying to raise $2500 for the education of SSG Jackson's four children. SSG Jackson gave the greatest sacrifice of all in Iraq in 2006 when he was killed by an IED.

Click here to go to the website to go to donate.

Every little bit counts and I would not be posting this if I didn't think it was a worthwhile cause.

Fabulous? Me?

I was given an award yesterday by Jessica at Learning as We Go!!! I love her blog. She is so honest. Her blog is one of my absolute favorite blogs to read. I feel like if I knew her in real life we would be good friends. I can see a lot of myself in her.

The rules for this one are simple; just share 5 things you are obsessed with, and then pass the award on to five of the most fabulous blogs you read!

So here are five things I am obsessed with:

1. Reality TV... there I admitted it. Matt hates it. My favorites right now are Survivor, America's Next Top Model, The Real World/Road Rules Challenge, Pawn Stars, and any kind of cop reality show.

2. Making Lists... I am also obsessed with making lists. I always have a list on the fridge of grocery items we need. I have a list for school stuff I need to do. I have a list for stuff that needs done around our house. I make lists at work. I have a little post-it note gadget on the desktop of my laptop and I make lists on it. And I probably even make lists in my sleep.

3. School... I'm probably obsessed with school. More specifically right now I am obsessed with figuring out which classes to take next semester. I think this is because when I got out of high school, I went to a four year college (used to be in the top ten of party schools in the US) and failed miserably. I failed because I spent more time at the bars and house parties than on campus. Oh well... you live and you learn. I just want to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do it.

4. Texas Country music... Before around three years ago, I despised country music. I still don't like a lot of it. But I love love love Texas Country. Its more like southern rock. My favorites are Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly, Whiskey Myers, and Back Porch Mary.

5. Bingo... Well not yet but I have a feeling I'm about to be. Matt and I went to bingo once with his friends when he was home on R & R about 2 years ago. His friends get t-shirts made. I can't remember exactly what they say but I know they say O 69 on the back. We were invited to join their crew this fall/winter. I have to decide on a Bingo Nickname by tomorrow. Bingo is at the KC Hall and they serve adult beverages their so it can get pretty interesting.

Now to passing this along. I didn't pass this along to anyone who has already received this award. I wanted to pass it along to bloggers that "do the award thing" and haven't received this one.

So in no particular order, I am passing this along to:

Marsie at Quite Contrary I just started following her blog but she seems super sweet.

Rachael at A Soldier and a Sweetheart

Bridget at Always an Adventure

Katie at The Adventures of Katie and Josh

Christina at Sugar Sweet Thoughts

Well lets see...

I haven't posted in awhile so I figured I better. I don't have any good stories to share or earth shattering news.

I stayed home all weekend and did homework, as I said I would. I got all kinds of shit stuff done. I'm actually ahead on my homework. And we don't have any plans this weekend so I plan on staying on top of it this weekend too.

I made stuffed peppers on Saturday. That was a first for me. They were awesome and so easy. I love my crock pot. I usually make something in the crock pot on Saturday and then we pretty much eat it all weekend. I need to figure out something to make in it this weekend. Any suggestions? I have made potato soup & chili recently.

I finally started a facebook. Matt and I have a myspace together and it is totally lame. No one ever leaves us a message or comment or anything. Some of our friends haven't even logged on in months. So I started a facebook. One thing I am noticing is that people I barely know want to be my friend. On our myspace it was more like people that we are actually friends with are our friends. If you wanna follow let me know and I will give you my email address. I figure, anyone who reads this probably knows more about me than some of my real life friends.

Matt got his Reserves unit drama figured out. He is actually supposed to be where his orders say. But no one is there full-time. Its kinda like you have to make an appointment with the lady, I guess. He's on his own with that one. He goes on Friday to report. He does know that their will be 13 people in his unit there. Sounds like to me that he may be fighting freedom one game of solitaire at a time. I mean they don't even have any equipment there. Who knows? I'll make sure to fill you in when he has his first drill.

Trying to get ahead

Remember when I wrote a blog about always having something to do on the weekend.

Well this weekend I am not going anywhere. I'm going to stay home and try to get ahead on my homework. Not just caught up, but ahead. I have a lot going on right, as far as school work goes. And I would love to be ahead of the game.

I have a research paper to write for both of my classes by the end of the semester. I would like to get a rough draft of my paper for Sociology done this weekend. I'm writing about how hoarding is both a personal problem and a societal issue. It has to be three to four pages and I have to have at least 3 sources.

My other paper, on the other hand, has to be 8 to 12 pages. I had to have 30 sources for my bibliography/paper proposal (I got 100% on that). I have to have 20 note cards done by Monday. And I'm writing this paper about the misuse of government power at Ruby Ridge.

Not to mention, I have to read a chapter for Sociology and take a quiz. And I have a presentation to do in that class in a couple weeks. But, I think know I will get a lot done this weekend.

Also, the class schedule for next semester came out online today. Very excited about that. I'm not too sure if I will just take a couple classes that I'm not overly excited about and get them out of the way (Science, Humanities, and Fine Art) or if I will take one of these classes and one that actually pertains to my major. What do you think?

The winner of the comforter set was #2 by one vote which I guess since Matt got to vote for Ozzy that means Ozzy was the deciding factor. I like this one anyway. It comes with the sheets and everything. Well I'm off to order our new comforter. *** #2 is out of stock.... #5 is the new winner!

Need help again please

I have decided that I'm one of the most indecisive people I know. We want to purchase a new comforter set. I can't decide. Since you are all so smart and have such good taste, I'm leaving it up to you.

Our bedroom has tan carpet and tan-ish walls. I have a few little plaque thingers on the wall that have a light blue, kinda teal with yellow and purple. And some flowers from our wedding that are purple.

Here are a few I like, in no particular order.

Click here to see #1

#2

#3

#4

#5
#6

Please let me know by noon Friday the 16th. (Central Time).

Thanks in advance.