My Shining Stateside Moment.

Ok, people.  I was in Germany a long time.  A LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME.  While I loved my time over there exponentially (and am secretly planning on retiring there...shh...), there were a lot of things I missed about America.  Or so I thought.

About 90 days or so after my patriotic return, I decided that I truly missed everything about living in Germany.  Well, almost.  Want to know what I (sadly) missed the most?  Having a Starbucks on nearly every street corner.  Yes, I know it's crazy expensive, and yes, I know I could just make some of my favorite drinks at home.  But I loves me some starbizzle.  (Yes, that's what Joel calls Starbucks.  Just go with it.)  So having the closest one 45-60 minutes away was a bit of a downer in Deutschland.  And not having pumpkin spiced lattes (which Euro Starbucks don't) made fall a little less spectacular.

While I was away in Germany, I missed out on a super awesome program called the Starbucks Gold Card.  Folks, I feel like I missed out on what I would consider a right of passage for me.  You see, in Indianapolis (holla!) where I grew up, there was a Starbucks less than a five minute drive from my home and apartment, exactly one black down from where I worked, and I think I passed thirty or so on my way to campus.  I would have had a gold card ten times over!  But, alas, I never even had a chance.

Well, guys.  It happened.  I have only been in the states for 13 months, and I have obtained that elusive status.  Free shots of flavoring?  Yes, please.  Upgrades on extras for zero dollars and a free drink after every 15 purchases?  Oh, baby.  Starbucks...you have read my mind.  I think I will stop in on my way home from work.  Thankyouverymuch.

And sadly, no.  I am not being paid for this.  I am just this much of a Starbucks junkie.

I suck!

When Joel was deployed, I rocked in the accomplishment department.  I lost a ton of weight, ate healthier, got in better shape, stayed on top of my school assignments, hung out with friends, and even found time to volunteer and be a good doggy momma.  Wanna know what I have accomplished since Joel has returned?

Nothing.

That's right.  I am totally behind on school stuff, have gained back almost half of the weight I lost, and have virtually sucked at running and eating better.  I have neglected my house, the pups (well, not completely, but they have been missing the lovins that they are used to), and any semblance of progress that I made.  Why is this?  How can I totally rock it on my own, but slide completely back downhill once my husband returned.  Am I not taking care of myself because I am putting his needs before my own, or have I just become lazy?  My guess is the latter.  I need to get back to taking care of myself, and finding the motivation to do so.  I guess what I really need to do is find some balance.

The Dog Days of summer Are Over...

Although fall doesn’t officially start until next weekend, let’s face it:  summer is over.  I turned my air conditioner off (although it is still staying fairly warm in the afternoons), and a sweater made its first non work appearance.  I’m excited, though, because fall is my favorite season.  I love wearing (and getting) my fall boots for the season, hot tea in the evenings, and the ever eventful return of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Oh, be still my heart!

So we wrapped up “our” summer over Labor Day weekend with a fun day that is sure to be a new tradition.  One of the local towns had a dog swim at the public pool on the last day of the season.  They close it to human swimmers at 5pm, and then lets the pet families have at it.  Pugsley, aka the old man, loves to swim.  His body isn’t proportionally great for swimming (he takes after his mommy with a few extra pounds around the middle), and without assistance he would sink like an anchor.  Luckily, PetSmart came to the rescue a few years ago with their doggie life jackets.  The perfect thing for our little puggies! 

We had both the boys suited up (so to speak) and ready to go.  And…they loved it!  There were about 30 or so pets there with their families, and very few little guys like ours.  Pugsley ran around like he was a young pup again, and Gomez made a ton of new pool friends.  They had a blast!  Do any of your areas do this?  I don’t remember Indianapolis ever doing this when I was living there, but I hope it’s a trend that will follow us from base to base.

Here’s a picture of the boys swimming together.  Can’t wait for next year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

No, not Christmas…football season!  For those of you that don’t know, I am a HUGE football fan.  And ‘tis the season for useless weekends now that college ball has officially started and, of course, the NFL season starts in a mere one day.  Who are my teams, you ask?
Well, for starters…

I am an Indy girl born and bred, and even went to college at IU in Indianapolis (better known as IUPUI to the locals).  I know, I know…  It’s been tough on my Hoosiers, but I bleed crimson and cream, so I am going to be rooting for them every year regardless.  And hey, we started with a win this season.  Maybe things are starting to look up?!

 

I know, I know…(de ja vu?)  How can I claim to be a diehard Hoosier fan and not be head over heels in love with the Colts?  I’ll tell you in two short words: Dan Marino.  Yes, I know that he is old enough to be my father.  But when I was just a young girl of 3 or 4, you couldn’t convince my heart that I would not someday be Mrs. Dan Marino.  And although I grew up and it is obviously not going to happen, I grew up loving the team and through good times and bad (Psst, Jeff Ireland…please tell me there are going to be good times again), I will be a Phins Phan until the end.  Go Dolphins!!!