MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #63

I have had the worst week.  Hopefully this weekend will be better.  But, for now, I leave you with Wife of a Sailor's...

1.  The best part of October was finishing up my first Master's class, and getting an A in it!

2.  The worst part of October was Joel being TDY so much.  Makes me think of the upcoming deployment.

3.  For Halloween, I’ll be Marilyn Monroe a la Diamonds Are a Girls' Best Friend.

4.  I hope that in November will finally bring me a job!

5.  Wifey has posted MilSpouse Secret Santa. I will hopefully be participating.

Friday Fill-In!

I am so glad that it is Friday!  Joel was TDY (on temporary duty) until last Sunday, so I am glad to get a full weekend with him.  Hopefully we will be able to knock at least one thing off of our 101 in St. Louis list.  I wish one of those would be heading to the World Series, but $350 for standing room only isn't too enticing.  Oh well, go Cards!

And now on to Wife of a Sailor's delightful...

1. I want to finally be able to obtain meaningful deployment.  The government hiring freeze is due to life in Mid-November, so I am keeping my finger's crossed that it actually does.

2. I have the most wonderful husband.  No really, I do.  We still aren't really syncing the way we normally do, and even though I am stubborn most times sometimes, he really does make the extra effort to show he is thinking about me.

3. I wish that Joel's upcoming deployment would be cancelled.  I am not ready for him to go, and while I never want him to, I wish he could just skip this one.

4. I hope that another GOP candidate would emerge that I could really get behind.  I am not a fan of Obama's, and I really wish that there could be a candidate that excited me again.  One can only hope, right?

5. I wonder how different my life would be right now if I would have stayed in Germany.  We sorta had the opportunity, and as much as I am loving the St. Louis area, I dream about being back overseas.

Friday Fill-In!

Yes!  I am so glad to be back in a routine to finally do these again!  Psst, Air Force, can we keep the moving to a minimum please?  No?  Oh...

Nevermind, it is on to Wife of a Sailor's...

1.  My plans for Labor Day included taking it easy with some of Joel's old friends from Chicago, but what really happened was it was too hot to do anything too productive, and I got sick!

2.  Call me crazy, but sometimes I just need to sit on the front porch by myself and read a good book.  That is what I call good "me" time.

3.  One of the funniest things I’ve seen lately is my pugs acting like fools when they are excited I get home.

4.  It’s strange, but teenagers drives me crazy while my husband acting like a teenager is perfectly fine with me!

5.  One, two, buckle my shoe… three, four what are you waiting for?  It's football season!  Go Dolphins!

Friday Fill In!

Hey everybody, and Happy Friday!  I hope everybody in the Midwest is staying cool in this heat wave.  Here is Southwest Illinois, I am practically melting!  I have been staying in the house as much as possible, only leaving to run errands or to get in the pool.  The pups have a different plan, and love playing outside.  The poor pugs like the heat better than I do!  I have to practically drag them inside.

So, since it is Friday, here is my installment of Wife of a Sailor's...

1.  Do you eat raw cookie dough?
I would, because it is way delicious, but try to resist such things these days.  I am nearing 30 (gasp!) in a few years, and my metabolism isn't what it used to be.

2.  When you get online for the first time of the day… what site do you immediately head to?
Boring, but Facebook.

3.  What was your favorite pet as a child and why?
There was an old sheep dog mutt that we literally saved from being torn apart by other dogs.  My mom named him Niko (sp?) because she loved Steven Segal.  I loved that dog so much.  I sat through him and "mothered" him through his whole recovery, and we became inseparable after that.  I was really sad when he passed, but I believe that having him has been the reason why I volunteer with animal rescue.

4. If you had a snail that could magically grant wishes, what would you name it?
I have absolutely no idea! A magical snail? Hmm... Probably wishy washy, because he grants wishes? I don't know. My mom forgot to pass on the creative gene, ha!

5.  How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
One, two, ah three.  Three :)

Reconnected! And a Friday Fill-In

Hey everyone!  Thanks for sticking with me.  I am finally reconnected with the Internet, and although we don't have all of our furniture yet, we are getting fairly settled in (finally!).  I am really loving the area so far, as well as our place, and have lots of news to share.  This time, though, I am just going to participate in Wife of a Sailor's Friday Fill-In, and will update you guys soon.  Here we go!

1.  If you could have a private concert with any singer, who would it be?  submitted by An Air Force Wife’s Blog

That one is easy.  Josh Groban!  I think he is ultra talented, and cute in a quirky, guy next door kind of way, and I know he could give one hell of a show without any of the theatrics that most musicians have to rely on.

2.  Is there anything that you do to supplement your family's income? submitted by Our Life, One Adventure at a Time

Well, up until we moved here to Germany, I worked full time for the Department of the Army.  I hope to continue my career here, but since we are at an Air Force Base, it is proving to be rather difficult.  I am applying for jobs like crazy, though, so fingers crossed!

3.  During your pregnancy (whether past, present, or future) what did you nickname your unborn baby before you knew the sex? submitted by Explosions of Love
Well, I don't have any kids, and am not currently pregnant, so I have no idea.

4.  Have you ever won a blog giveaway?  If so, what did you win?  submitted by Mrs. O’s Life

Nope.  I have the worst luck winning things!

5.  If I looked into your refrigerator right now, what would I find?  submitted by Married to the Army

Since we just recently moved, you'd pretty much just find the basics.  We have some meals that we have bought, hamburger meat, fish, etc., but nothing too exciting or specific.  You would always find a bottle of my favorite wine, though!

Mil Spouse Friday Fill-in!

It's finally Friday! That means that I officially have less than two weeks before I am back in the states. I know, crazy, right? I will miss Germany so much! But, we hope to keep on traveling and I pray that one day we will be stationed back overseas. Stay tuned!

Thanks always to the awesome Wife of a Sailor for hosting my favorite Friday Fill-in. Well, here goes!

1. When you vacation what type of vacation do you like to take (beach, historic, adventurous, food oriented, etc.)? submitted by Megan Dub-Yuh

Umm...all of the above! My favorite trips include the Maldives for our honeymoon (totally a tropical paradise), my Tudor touring of Kent, England (for the history geek in me), Ireland (to hike in the Killarney mountains and go puffin watching), and Italy (with the best food I have ever eaten). I am an equal opportunist traveler, and other than extreme kind of sports things (skydiving...yikes!) I am up for anything!

2. What is your best memory associated with a song (you know we all have tons!)? submitted by Ramblings of a Marine Wife

God Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts. Kind of cheesy, but it is Joel and I's song. Just reminds me that even though life can get tough, it straightens out when you least expect it.

3. If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with your time? submitted by Married to the Army

Travel, travel, and more travel. I love it, and would go to the Baltic states, the Galapagos Islands, to see the fall foliage in the Northeast, viist Hawaii and Alaska, go to New Zealand and Australia...the list goes on and on.

4. What is one thing about you that people do NOT typically notice at first that you wish they would? submitted by Our Motto is Patience

Wow, this is a hard one! Umm...I guess it is the fact that I am not just an Air Force wife. We meet a lot of military folks, and no one ever asks what I do for a living or what I studied in school, just my husband. I just wish that they would understand that I am me, too, and not just a reflection of my husband.

5. It’s a summer of sequels, and if you had to live in one of each of the following “worlds” (there are three total) which would you choose and why? …. submitted by The Three Turners

–X-Men: Be a Mutant, what would your power be? Maybe Mirage. She was capable of casting mental illusions, communicating with animals, and sensing upcoming death.

–Harry Potter: Be a Witch or Muggle? Never seen it, so I have no idea.

–Twilight: Be a Vampire or Werewolf? This is so hard! As a vampire, it would be awesome to stay young and beautiful forever, but the whole drinking blood thing is a huge no-no. Maybe if they merged with True Blood and I could drink synthetic blood. But if not, I would have to pick werewolf, so I would always be warm and able to be out and about during the day.

Friday Fill-in!

Yay for Friday!  And this is a HUGE Friday for me, too!  Today is my official last day of work, due to our upcoming PCS.  We have a lot of travelling coming up, the first trip being a week long adventure to England (yes, during the Royal Wedding!) and the second is a last blast, 14 day cruise to the Mediterranean, where we will visit Greece, Croatia, Crete, and Turkey!  I can't wait to experience these trips and, of course, blog all about them.

But, for today, we have Wife of a Sailor's ...

1.  How many pets do you have? And what type? submitted by Life and Times of a Displaced Jersey Girl
Well, for now, we have one dog, a pug appropriately named Pugsley, and one Persian cat, Jaegar.  More than likely when we move back we will be adding another little puggy to our family via a rescue organization, just like I did Pugsley seven years ago.

2.  What are your favorite projects to do while hubby is away? submitted by my-inspired-nest
I like to reorganize!  I am not very crafty, but I do enjoy changing up the house so that it always feels cozy and welcoming.  I tend to do this a lot when he is gone.  Also, and I know this isn't a project per se, but I like to catch up on any reading that I have been slacking on.  I love to read, but find other things to do when the hubs is home.

3.  What are the must-haves in your deployment care packages?  submitted by Christine’s Little Blog
I would always make sure to put in a card.  Joel really likes to give out (and receive) cards for nearly every occasion, and so I know he would really appreciate it.  Also, treats are always a welcome sight, and I would make sure to put in something for entertainment value, like cards or some sort of game.

4.  If you could star in any TV show, which would it be? submitted by Just a Girl
How I Met Your Mother.  They seem like the coolest group of people, and I would love to have them as friends.  Plus, they live in NYC!

5.  What was the biggest hurdle that you faced during your/your significant other’s first deployment? submitted by The Pavlik Perspective
We haven't experienced a deployment together, yet.  He has two under his belt.  I've dealt with one 15 month deployment with an ex of mine, and I dealt with his infidelity downrange.  It was awful and heart wrenching, but I knew that I had to let him go after that.  I found out at month ten.

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!

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!!!