Excited for America!

I am getting super excited to head back to America!  I know that sounds silly because, hey, I live in Europe, but it has been so long since I have lived in the states that I am going to have to figure out how to be American again!

Anywho, one of my favorite things about living overseas is the ability to travel so easily.  As I am discovering, I have been to more countries that states now!  Wow!  Below is a map of where I have visited.  Any advice on where to hit up next?  Obviously my travels have been limited to one part of the states.  Can you guess which part?  Ha!

(States I have been to!)

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #35

It's Friday Friday Friday.  Ok, does anyone else have Rebecca Black's song stuck in their head?  I am so glad that today it is, in fact, Friday!  I am feeling less sickie, I get to see the hubster today, and it looks to be a beautiful weekend here in Germany.  So, without further ado, here is Wife of a Sailor's...

1.  What is your must have gadget? submitted by Flying High With My Flyboy
Gosh, I don't think I have a gadget!  Although when we move back stateside, and I get a smart phone, I can see that become an extension of my hand.  I love my husband's iTouch, and just know me and a smart phone would be besties.

2. How does your adulthood compare to what you imagined it would be like when you were a little kid? submitted by L to the Third
Well, I am married, but the similarities stop there.  I thought I would have my Law Degree, own a house down in Louisville, and have a million babies.  Don't get me wrong, I am super happy with my life.  I love in Europe, married my Prince Charming, and am happy being a Civil Service employee.  I never knew anything about military life, so I certainly never imagined marrying a service member.  But, I wouldn't trade it in.  I love my life, as crazy and unpredictable as it sometimes is!

3. What is your favorite chocolate recipe?  submitted by Our First Deployment
Well, it isn't my recipe, but Joel makes me a homemade Boston Creme Pie for my birthday every year that is to die for!

4. How do you deal with military life when it gets to be to much or to hard? submitted by Combat Boots And Pointe Shoes
This is a very hard question.  I wish I could say I ignore it and keep moving, but when it gets really overwhelming, I kind of shut myself up in my house.  Sure, I go to work and feed and bathe myself, but I kind of seclude myself until I can work things out.  Thankfully, this feeling has never lasted too long and I have had some great friends along the way to pull me out of my funk.

5. What piece of advice would you give a new Military spouse facing their first deployment?  submitted by The Albrecht Squad
Stay busy!  The busier you are, the faster time will pass and the less you will notice an absence.  Filling the loneliness with fun, activities, and friends is the best way to cure the deployment blues.  Get a new hobby, or a new pet, or join in on a new class.  Just DO something!

Sick

Murphy's law is back this week.  The day after Joel leaves for his TDY (temporary duty) I get sick.  Fever, sore throat, headaches...the whole nine yards.  And anyone who knows me also knows what a baby I am when I am truly sick.  So, sorry for the lack of posting this week, but as soon as I get any energy back I am going to need to focus that on the schoolwork that I have neglected since I became infected with the plague (ok, maybe that is a little dramatic, but still).  So, hopefully with the return of my husband will be the return of my health and productivity!  Hopefully I will have a good post on here soon.

Feeling Old

So, as I am sure most of you are aware, St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner.  Normally, I would put on some green, go to a local Irish pub, and drink a few shots of Baileys.  But, this year, I feel like I am too old for this.  I don't know if this has to do with the fact that I am turning 27 this year (eek!) or if it is because I am married this time around, but I am totally questioning if I should go about the same game plan this year.  My husband, who is four years older than me but doesn't look it, insists that we are not too old for such an adventure.  So what say the blogger world?  I am not talking about getting drunker than a skunk here.  Just a few drinks out with friends and a no later than 0200 curfew.  Gosh, I might as well get fitted for my walker now!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #33

1.  During military separations (whether short or long) how do you keep yourself positive and motivated? submitted by Married/Single Parent
I keep myself busy!  I take an extra gym class or go see new movies with girlfriends.  I love food, so trying new restaurants is always fun.  And living in Germany, travel is a must!  I have went through periods when I didn't have too many people to lean on, due to military moves, etc., but then I would take a new art class or go on walks with my dog.  If I just sit at home by myself, the time will drag on and I will drive myself crazy!

2.  What is your favorite concert you have ever been to? submitted by Young but Not (Completely) Dumb
Ok, don't laugh.  Back in like, 2002, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera did a joint concert.  Meaning, for the price of one ticket, I got two concerts.  And they were both phenomenal!  Man, that girl can sing!  (When she's not butchering the National Anthem...I felt so bad for her!)  And JT, well, he is just a great artist.  very talented, and very worth my money.

3.  What do you miss most about your “hometown”?  submitted by A Florida Girl and Her Soldier
There are a few things I miss.  Good ol' sweet tea, the warm summer nights, and the friendly people.  The Midwest is just filled with good souls, and it was nice knowing my neighbors' names and feeling like I fit in.

4.  If you could run in any race, which charity would you choose to support? submitted by Wookie & Co.
I would support a down syndrome foundation or any kind of no-kill shelters.  I am a huge animal lover, and I always volunteer with Special Olympics, so those two would be my priorities.

5.  You find out Willy Wonka is your father, what 3 course meal do you INSIST he create in that stick of gum?  submitted by A{muse}ing Mommy on a Pink Park Bench
Sweet tea and potato skins, BBQ Chicken, corn on the cob, homemade macaroni and cheese, and apple cobbler.  Mmmm!!!

I'm moving on...

So, after seven years in Germany (yes, you read that right, seven years!) I am finally moving back to the good ole U.S. of A. this summer.  This is a bittersweet move for me, because I absolutely love living in Germany, but I know it is time for a change.  I really want to start on my Masters Degree, and I can't do that while I am here, and I am kind of stagnant at work, since how I am too "invaluable" to actually get any additional training.  So, while I am sad to go, and will be boo-hooing all the way to America, I am looking forward to this new adventure in my life.  So yes, now that I have teased you long enough, I will spill where I am going...

Scott Air Force Base!  It is in Southwest Illinois, about 45 minutes east of St. Louis.  I get to go back to the Midwest!  My honey definitely made some sacrifices for me with this one, because he is a West Coaster born and bred, but I really miss my roots back home.  I grew up a Hoosier, and miss the land of BBQ, Southern (or Midwestern) hospitality, and sweet tea!  He placed Scott as his number one assignment because he knew that I needed it to feel like home, even for just a little bit.  But, after the Scott assignment is done, we plan to go right back overseas.  We are thinking Japan this time.  Joel was in Okinawa before, but he would love to go back to mainland Japan.  We'll see!  Life is always up in the air when it comes to the military.  Now, fingers crossed that this assignment will stick!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #32

It is Friday!  Yay!  Is anyone else as excited as I am?  I am down to my countdown: only 52 days left at work!  More on that later, which will also include some more info on our next assignment!  But for now, it is time for the awesome Wife of a Sailor's...

1. Do you or your {spouse} ever wish your {spouse} was in a different branch of the military? submitted by The Turner Family
I am happy most of the time that he is in the Air Force, but I know so much more about the army side of the house, and wish that we had that common bond.  However, I know that, generally speaking, I have it easy with our separations and work schedules, not to mention the Air Force seems to be more concerned about the family, so I will just have to make the effort to be more AF savvy!

2. What duty station(s) are on your “No Way, Hell No, Not Going, Have Fun Unaccompanied” list and why? submitted by Every Branch
Gosh, there are a lot of places that I don't want to go, but to not go with him?  That would have to be a pretty bad place.  I don't really have any desire to go to one of the Dakotas or Alaska, but he is my husband, so I feel like I would go and at least try to make it work.  Every situation depends on what you make of it, right?

3. If you could be one age forever, what age would you choose and why? submitted by Three Krakens
Probably 24.  I am old enough to be taken at least a little seriously, but young enough to not feel old.  I know that people want to kick me for this, but I felt "old" when I turned 25.  I know realistically that I am not old, but man, that was a tough age to turn.  And now that I am turning 27 in a few months, it is really starting to get to me.

4. If you were a breakfast cereal, which one would you be? submitted by the C.W.
Captain Crunch.  Don't ask me why, but it seems like it would be a fun cereal.

5. What is your morning beverage of choice and why?  submitted by NH Girl Displaced
Water or milk.  Milk on the weekends and water at work.  My work breakfast doesn't consist of very much, but I tend to have more substance on the weekends.  And I love me some milk!

Show Me Your...

Get your head out of the gutter!  I randomly saw an opportunity to link up at Mrs. Yellow Ribbon to show our wedding rings.  Seeing as my one year anniversary is coming up in a few months, I am starting to get nostalgic about my wedding day, so this is a perfect opportunity reminisce.  So, here goes!

Did you look at rings together?
Joel bought my engagement ring all on his own.  Once he proposed, we went together to pick out his ring, and bought it in person.  Then Joel ordered my wedding ring, after I picked it out.

Do you like your ring? Did you from the beginning?...and be honest!
I absolutely, 100%, without a doubt loved my ring.  It is beautiful!  Was it the one I would have picked out?  Probably not.  But, I love it none the less.

How often do you wear your rings?
All the time.  I never take them off.

Do you clean your rings?
I don't clean them every often.  I will clean them more when I can buy nicer cleaner for them.  Living overseas has its downfalls sometimes.  Plus, I can't wait to have the jewelry store steam clean them!

What went through your mind the very first time you saw your ring?
OMG, is this really happening?!  Look at how freaking big this rock is!  Ooh...shiny!  I love this man.  YES!!!

Friends

(Me and my bestie at my wedding)

As we get older, does anyone find it more difficult to make friends?  I am finding myself in this predicament.  I know part of that is that I moved all of the way to Germany, but I didn't encounter this sort of problem until recently.  Not that I need a large group of friends, but always the token few that I can turn to if I am really in need.  I feel like I am so caught up at work and school that I don't get out and randomly socialize anymore.  I don't get out to volunteer as much, and ever since the Pugmeister (my dog) has been in the states with my mom, I don't meet people out on walks anymore.  I know its cliche to say that my husband is my best friend but, well, he is.  And I am very thankful for that.  Not only because its nice to find that quality in a partner, but also because we just don't know that many people over here anymore.  People move often, which is half of the battle, and sometimes they even deploy and their family moves back to the states.  And sure, I still have some buddies here which I am über thankful for, but I miss the days of Monday Margherita night and getting together to watch Amazing Race and trading off dinners.  I miss game night and bolwing night being a weekly event.  Anyone else find that making friends when they get older is tough?  How do you go about being more of a social butterfly?

My other issue with friends right now I have to be vague about, but here goes.  I have a friend who I recently discovered did a very bad thing.  Deplorable, actually.  And I don't know what to do about it.  It really changes how I think about them.  My husband knows, as I tell him everything, and even he feels akward being around them.  But, I am not one for confrontation and, well, they were a very close friend of mine.  I am so conflicted.  Do I say anything?  Because, the kicker is, they don't even know that I know.  Ugh...