Five on Friday

1.  Happy Friday, everyone!  I know that most of us had a short week, but this week was crazy at work.  One of my co-workers took another job.  I am stoked for her, but I've been voluntold to take over her work until there's a replacement found.  As "honored" as they told me I should feel, I'm not very happy about the situation.  I'm totally a team player, but it's totally going to screw my section up, and I'm going to lose my cush hours in the process.

2.  On the other hand...I, too, have a job interview next week!  It would be a huge promotion, but that puts me in a sticky situation, because it means that I would be stuck here while Joel goes to Korea.  Not ideal, but it's a great career move for me.  Lots of wives stay behind sometimes, but I never saw myself being one of them.  I've sacrificed my career enough for his, though, so if I happen to land the promotion, I may have to be selfish for a while.  And I'll have to look for an apartment, because...

3.  We sold our house!  It was only on the market for three weeks, so it went much faster than expected.  Our realtor said that the process has normally been taking about three months, so we should feel pretty good about things.  I might be living in a hotel for a few months, though, because we close much sooner than we thought.  Eek!

4.  I'm really starting to get worried about Pugsley, and it's breaking my heart.  He's 16 now, and even though he's in pretty good physical condition, we think his mind is deteriorating.  We've had him on Xanax for about 6 months now, because he was barking and crying at things that weren't there, and he seemed pretty restless.  The pills had been working, but the past 2 out of 3 nights, he's been crying for hours in the middle of the night, not needing to potty, though, and just walking around the bed.  He's also randomly "pug screaming" for no reason, which isn't like him.  The poor boy just looks anxious all the time.  I feel so lost...I have no idea what to do...

5.  On a better note, next week is my girls' weekend in Seattle!  I am so stoked.  I'll miss Joel, of course, but I need this time.  I have never been, so we have some sightseeing planned, as well as a wine tour, which is pretty amazing.  I've had wanderlust all year, and while these trips have been stateside, they have at least scratched the itch.

Hump Day Confessions

You know, I had a fabulous, stress free weekend (which I will share shortly).  I got some great news, and then all was right in the world.  Until Tuesday hit...  So, I thought it was a perfect week to link up for Hump Day confessions with Vodka and Soda.  Won't you play along?

I confess that even though I didn't want to move to Korea in the first place, I am just ready to move, already.  I hate the "hurry up and wait" game that the military likes to play with us.  Report in May?  No problem!  Just kidding...report in July?!  We have a slight problem.

I confess that I think it's ridiculous that screaming babies (I know it's not their fault, but still) can take a plane anywhere in the world, but my dogs are forbidden to fly from 15 May to 15 September.  See why a July report date is a problem?  Even private pet transporters abide by that airline rule.  I know it is for their safety, but why can't I get a seat for my little guys, or at least a temperature controlled part of the aircraft.

I confess that I am tired of getting a ton of extra duties at work, and being told I should be thankful because it means I'm good at my job.  No, I'd be thankful for some kind of monetary or time-off bonus for doing other people's work for them.  That is what I would appreciate.  I don't mind being a team player, but don't piss in my water and tell me it's lemonade, you know?

I confess that I have been a really negative person lately, and I hate that.  I don't want to be a Debby Downer all the time.  Someone at work said I should try to be a "Polly Positive" instead.  Sounds nice, but I sort of wanted to punch her.  Guess I'm still a Nancy...

I confess that this link-up has actually been really refreshing.  Maybe I'll make it a regular thing from now on.

Out and About

Happy before Memorial Day weekend!  This weekend has been on my radar for quite some time, and I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and get on that plane to the Eats Coast.  I'm not excited for the weather (60s and rain), but I am excited for the fabulous food, entertainment, and history.  Can you guess where I'm going?  It's two different cities, actually.  Here are your hints.

You're smart cookies.  I'm sure you'll figure it out pretty quickly, if I haven't talked about it on here before.  :)

Travel Tuesday

I've been thinking about my honeymoon a lot lately.  We honeymooned seven months after our wedding, and it was the most fabulous trip in the world.  Because we were living in Germany, we didn't go the traditional route of Jamaica of Mexico.  We went big, and went to the Maldives.

Here are some pictures of that fabulous trip.  I want to return so badly.  It was so beautiful and relaxing, unlike anything I've experienced.

Weekend Update

Happy Monday!  Well, maybe it's a happy Monday.  I haven't decided yet.  Gomez, who has been fully crate trained since he was 5 months old (so for almost three years), has decided that sleeping in the crate isn't what he wants to do anymore.  So, for the past three weeks, he has decided it would be fun to bark from about midnight until we let him out of his crate.  We tried the "cry it out" method (didn't work) and the "we'll let him sleep in bed just tonight" method (also failed).  I don't know what to do.  He doesn't have to go to the bathroom, he didn't miss dinner, and the vet said there's nothing physically wrong with him.  But there will be, if I don't get some sleep soon...  Any advice?

Anyway, moving on.  Friday night, Joel and I went to go see Sheryl Crow and Rascal Flatts in concert.  It was at an outdoor theater, and since a cold spell decided to hit the Midwest, we had quite the chilly night.  It was a great show, although s little short for RF.  Their last concert was at least an hour longer.

Gloves, scarf, and jacket...check!  And also a blanket.

Sheryl Crow.  Crappy phone pic, but we had great seats!

Rewind tour!

Saturday we went to the Belleville Art Show which, believe it or not, is actually rated #2 in the country.  It was still kind of cool out, but it was a really beautiful, sunny day.  We had such a blast.  I'm not really one for art museums, but I love me some art fairs.

Sunday, we had a house showing, which means taking the dogs to the dog park for an hour.  The people that toured the house really liked it, but they found a newer home that they wanted, more.  The realtor did say if the other house fell through they were interested, so fingers crossed that something works out.  It makes me sad that we've had so many showings, and no real interest yet.  I love our house, and we put a lot of sweat equity into it.

Anyways, the boys had a blast at the park.  I think our foster appreciates it the most.  He's such an easygoing boy.

Life is a Funny Thing

Remember when I posted about some decisions I had to make?

God works in mysterious ways.  Seriously...

I had a mini panic attack this week.  I had basically decided that I would move to Korea on my own.

Just me, the dogs (and cat, of course), and a suitcase (or two).  And then, one of the Facebook groups I was one stopped me dead in my tracks.  An AF guy posted a letter he got from housing, saying that they were halting Overseas Housing Allowances (i.e. military rent for living overseas) for spouses that aren't sponsored (like me who was just going there on my own) until they can figure out some legal issue.  Losing my job, paying for me and the pups to fly there, and now having to pay for Korean housing all on my own?  Not sounding so appealing.

So, I had my mild panic attack, and told Joel that I probably wouldn't go with him, unless by some miracle my command sponsorship went through.  I cried, I stressed, I went to sleep feeling lost.

The next morning?  Got a call that my paperwork was approved.  We were pretty much told that was an impossible mission, yet it got approved.  W.T.F.  All that stress?  Pretty much for nothing.  So, it looks like I'm going.  The decision was pretty much made for me.  It will be the two years, but I still have my application in for a few jobs, so fingers crossed that something works out on that end for me.

To summarize...I'm moving to Korea.  Holy Cow!  Third I will have lived a third of my live overseas.  Three different countries.  Heck, three different continents.  Holy new adventures, Batman!

Yes, it's true.  I am back to the blogland!  The past week I've been busy hosting Joel's family, so today's Friday Five will be mostly comprised of time spent with the in-laws.

1.  Well...I did it!  I officially graduated with my master's degree.  I have been hooded and everything.  I am so thankful to be down with that journey, and can hopefully actually use this degree someday, vice my B.S., which was fun and rewarding to get, but has been basically worthless so far.

2.  We basically took the in-laws on an "our favorite food tour" of St. Louis.  Pretty sure I gained a pound or two.  Wasn't I trying to lose weight this spring???

Bogart's BBQ (3rd rated in the country!)

Budweiser Brewery

Fitz's

Mango Peruvian Cuisine

3.  We also started a birthday cake tour!  St. Louis recently celebrated their 250th birthday, so they placed 250 "cakes" around town to celebrate.  Here are a few examples.  Can you guess where they are from?

4.  We went to our first Cardinals game of the year.  For some reason, Joel and I have only seen them play the Cubs together.  Funny coincidence, huh?  This time they won though, and despite the crappy, cold weather...we had some great seats!

5.  Non family related...tonight is the Rascal Flatts concert, and since it's an outdoor theater, we may have to take a blanket.  It's supposed to be in the forties tonight.  What's up with that, May?  Get your act together, stat!

Decisions, Decisions...

I don't know about you, but I am a planner.  I would have my whole life planned out by now if it weren't for the Air Force constantly changing things on me.  For someone who has control issues (ahem...me), it makes for a difficult existence every two to three years.

Korea?  Wasn't even on the radar.  Colorado, Germany, staying here...those were the places and decisions I was comfortable with and felt like I had a mini plan for.  But, Korea?  That's a whole new ballgame.

We've been lucky that Joel's job came with command sponsorship for me.  For all the non military folks, that basically means that I'd get to go with.  For a lot of people, Korea is a "remote" assignment, meaning the service member goes alone for a year.  With family, at least for the AF, it's two years.

I have never not worked.  Ever.  I landed my first job at the right old age of 14, and have worked ever since.  Looking at working at Osan, it appears that I'll be mostly limited to food service or child care, neither of which I'd particularly enjoy.  I went to college for seven years precisely to have more opportunities than that.  I've applied for a few jobs at the Army post an hour away, and am still waiting to hear anything back.

So, I've come to a fork.  Joel going by himself?  Not an option for me, if I can avoid it.  We have spent far too much time apart already due to deployments and TDYs.  To choose to stay apart for a year?  Out of the question.

But, I discovered something interesting, lately.  There's a whole network of spouses that just move to Korea on their own.  They have fewer resources from the base, but at the same time, are still allowed a free Visa to live there, get to live off base, and can still use most base facilities.  And, the service member only has to serve one year, vice the two.

I'd get to live in Korea (versus on base), I'd only be out of a job only one year, and I'd get to be with my husband?  Sounds like a viable option, but the problem is, I don't know which is better?  Which should I choose?  I've never been to Korea, so it's hard to plan for a "this or that" scenario.

Why must the military stress me out so much?  Any advice?  I wish I had a crystal ball to tell me what to do, but in the meantime, I think I am going to just pray about it.  Let go, and let God...

Weekend Update

A weekend update actually on a Monday?  I'm just as shocked as you are, really.  I've been slacking on the blog front, but it's one of my May goals to start posting more regularly.  You all trust me on that, right?

Anyway, this weekend was pretty busy.  Busy in mostly a good way, fortunately.  Can I first give a shout-out to my Indiana Pacers for advancing to the next round of the Playoffs?  Holla!

This weekend, my cat was in rare form.  He was super clingy (which happens often to Joel, but not me) and was laying in all sorts of contorted positions.  Case in point?  How in the world can he be comfortable?!  I can't even make out what body part is where here!!

We had our first showing of our house, and our first rejection.  Nothing we could change (they said the bedrooms were too small), but still a let down.  The weekend was gorgeous, though, so we took advantage of the free time and took the dogs to our local dog park.  Can you tell someone was excited??  I mean, look at that tongue!

Sunday was Joel and I's fourth wedding anniversary.  Normally I'd get pretty sappy, and I was pretty nostalgic yesterday, but it was pretty low-key, so it didn't really seem like a big deal.  I am so in love with Joel, and he was so sweet, but I don't think we'll go all out unless it's a big anniversary.  And, surprisingly, I'm kind of ok with that.

We always do the traditional/modern gifts for each year, and this year was no exception.  Sometimes we're pretty creative, but I think with how busy we've been, we both went easy.  Joel got fruit, I got flowers, and Joel also got a waffle maker (appliance) that he's been talking about.

Yes, those are cinnamon rolls in the waffle maker.  And, yes...they are as delicious as they look/sounds.  And, if you hadn't realized yet, Joel and I got married on the nerdiest day of the year.  Make the connection yet?  Joel swears he didn't know, but I'm calling shenanigans on that one.

For dinner, we had a Groupon for a steakhouse called The Tenderloin Room, which is a beautiful little place in the Chase Park Plaza hotel.  The hotel itself is pretty swanky, and is in the Central West End, my favorite part of town.  The also have a cute little movie theater in the hotel, so we caught the move The Other Woman.  It was good.  Predictable, but very funny.

It was such a beautiful day, we decided to stop and have a drink on the sidewalk before dinner.  We stopped at the Drunken Fish, where I had a martini and Joel had the house Saki.  It was lovely, and I really wish that we had picked to eat outside somewhere, too.  The weather was just perfect.

Once at the Steakhouse, we ordered wine and an entree, which came with the Groupon.  We also got a salad, which we thought came with the entree, and were unpleasantly surprised to find out that they didn't.  No Caesar Salad is worth $11, I'm sorry.  I ordered the Riesling, which was pretty unexpectedly citrus-y.  I am not a fan om lemon-y wines, and was pretty disappointed.  I ordered the filet, which was cooked to perfection on the inside, but had an almost burnt taste on the outside.  Joel liked his steak that way, but I didn't.  I ordered it medium for a reason.  I was glad we tried the place on a Groupon, because I would definitely not be back.

We were in too good of a mood to let our sub-par dining experience get us down, and were acting like newlyweds on the drive home.  We ended the night with some Boston Cream Pie we got at our local grocery store, and an episode of Game of Thrones.  Low key and fabulous.