Welcome to Sweetie Pie's

So, does anyone watch Oprah's new network?  I never have (not for lack of caring but for lack of spare time), but a friend of mine mentioned that there was a reality show airing on OWN that featured a restaurant in our fare city of St. Louis.  Say, what?  How did I not know this?  What rock have I been under?  So, of course I had to see if the hype was worth it.  We set out to experience the place for ourselves.  (You can read all about it here)

We arrived on a Saturday morning at about 11:15.  We walked in, and almost walked right back out after we saw the line.  It wrapped around inside of the restaurant a few times.  The price of fame, I suppose.  They were filming that day, and we couldn't back out after we made the trek there.  So, we stuck it out.  Sweetie Pie's is a southern homestyle cooking restaurant, but rather than a traditional sitdown dinner like I expected, it was served cafeteria style.  So, the line didn't take too long.  It was so hard to decide what to eat, so my friend and I just decided to go with a bunch of sides in order to get the most out of our trip.

The place only has certain items available on select days, but I went ahead with the mac and cheese, corn, and mashed potatoes.  Oh, and a side of corn bread.  Sodas and tea and such were all canned, so unfortunately I didn't get the homemade sweet tea that I was craving.  But, I got a strawberry soda, which was pretty yummy.

So, the review:  The mashed potatoes wee pretty good.  Buttery and creamy as expected.  The cornbread and corn were a disappointment, but maybe others would like them.  I am a sweet corn kind of girl, and expected a spoon bread concoction and sweet as sin corn.  The corn was some sort of southwest corn with onions and peppers (not my kind of flavor) and the cornbread was, well...kind of dry and lacking flavor, to be honest.  But the mac and cheese?  Best that I have ever had in my life!  I don't know exactly how to describe it.  It was cheesy and creamy, with the right amount of breading on it (like a mac and cheese casserole).  Oh my gosh, if the place wasn't so darned busy, I would have gone back for seconds!  So amazing and totally worth the caloric intake.  Can't say enough about the deliciousness there.

The staff were all super friendly, and I loved everyone calling me "sweety" or "baby" like my mamaw used to do.  All in all, a pretty neat experience, but to me, not worth the hype food wise.  But would I recommend it to other?  Absolutely.  You can't leave this world without trying their mac and cheese.

A pic of our meals, from my friend's point of view.

The Military gods

The military gods aren't like regular "gods."  While they are mythical, and you do pray for them to do their magic, you don't really pray to them.  You pray to your God for them to work their magic, and sometimes do a little rain-esque dance in hopes that things will go your way.  Those spouses that have been around the proverbial military block know what I mean when I say they rarely, if ever, bring good news into your life.

Well, the military gods are smiling down on me right now.  I thought my beloved husband would be back at the earliest in the middle of August, but more likely the end o fit.  However, unless the gods change their minds (which they can be known to do), my dear, amazing husband will be back home with me in less than three weeks!  I am ecstatic!  I dare not tick off the military gods that be, and if you could all do a little wiggle dance to the gods for me, I would be eternally grateful.

Less than three weeks!  Can you believe it?!  I can't believe this deployment is thisclose to being over.

Changes

So, I’ve gone through a lot of changes lately.  They’re not all tangible, and some are wanted more than others.  Some have caused indecision, some unhappiness, and some peace.  I’ll explain as much as I can.

This deployment has challenged me.  It’s not even over yet, but I feel like I have grown as a person so much more because of it.  In the time Joel has been gone, I have had two minor surgeries, refinished my kitchen countertops, needed a new roof put on because of a crazy hail storm, dealt with two different infestations of ants (gross!), gone from working fulltime to substitute teaching and interning back to working fulltime, completed 6 more classes towards my Master’s degree, had indecision about what to do with my life (in the middle of all the work/school change stuff), gained new friends with whose relationship I hope will continue to grow, have had to back away from other friendships that were poisonous, and dealt with a lot of loneliness and disappointment, but also have had my faith redeemed in humanity.  I know, a lot of contradiction, huh?

I have always tried to figure out where I “fit,” and am starting to be comfortable with the idea that maybe I don’t fit in a tiny little box that defines me.  It makes me sad sometimes, because if I don’t fit anywhere, then who am I?  But I am working through that.  I don’t feel like I “fit” as a military wife.  I hate moving, I have way too many control issues, and I have too many plans of my own that I know may possible never be.  But, I love Joel with all of my being, so I make it work.  I just feel like I work too hard to fit in a community that I feel uncomfortable around as a spouse.

I have always been career oriented, but have been struggling with what that looks like and if I can really accomplish the professional satisfaction that I crave.  I am meant to work.  I am meant to make a way for myself.  But, I struggle with making those gains and then losing them with a move or not having similar or challenging opportunities at the next base.

I struggle with the fact that I am 28 and have no desire to have biological children of my own.  Will this ever change?  Maybe.  But, in my current position I am constantly made to feel like there is something wrong with me or that I have misplaced values.  Would I love to adopt?  Absolutely, but Joel isn’t there yet.  Do I love kids?  Mostly, lol.  I have had a heart for every student in every classroom that I have been in, and hold my goddaughter in a precious place in my heart.  I just don’t have the urge to bear children of my own.  That is my decision, and I wish that others (some that I barely even know) would cease to have an opinion of that.

If you got this far, thanks for listening to my rambling.  It’s been so long since I have really REALLY blogged, and while I have the desire, I sometimes refrain for fear of what others might say.  But, this is my blog and my personal space, so I hope that you all don’t disown me for my crazy rambles that I throw out there every now and then.

The Fourth of July

So, I am going to be Debbie Downer for a second.  Wanna know what my least favorite holiday is?  The Fourth of July.  I believe that it has lost all significant meaning to most of America.  I posted something on my FB to this extent and then quickly deleted it because I have many other fellow military spouses and service members on my page, and usually the military at least recognizes the day for what it is.  This day marks the day of our country’s independence.  We fought for freedom, and won.  We were on mark to become one of the greatest nations that the world had ever seen, and many men, women, and families gave up everything they had in pursuit of that freedom.  So to all past, present, and future persons that truly believe and fought for that concept, thank you.

Has anyone watched “Newsroom” yet on HBO?  If not, and you can, do.  It is one of the most intelligent shows I have seen in quite some time.  And they said it perfectly.  When the main character was asked why America was the greatest country in the world he said:  “it’s not, but it could be.”  Truer words were never spoken.

It’s not about fireworks.  And even though fireworks were banned in my town this year because of the extreme heat/dryness that could lead to potential disaster (and home did catch on fire because people refused to listen), drunken neighbors thought that the day would be incomplete if they didn’t shoot them off until midnight.  Those that had to work today (like myself) and parents of little ones, I am sure, didn’t appreciate that.  And people, don’t complain because it falls on a Wednesday and you’re not going to get a long weekend.  That’s not the point.  And don’t settle for complacency in your everyday life.  Strive to make America great again, and if you do, God Bless you and your families.  We are America, and honestly, I believe our forefathers would be disappointed in the state we allowed our country to be in.  But, I believe in the concept, and still have hope that we will one day become the greatest nation on earth.

End rant and rambling.

My Saturday in pictures. My first 5K! Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.



Sweatin' My Djibouti Off

By Kristen's Husband: I know it's been a while since my last entry on here (I only have one other one), but I wanted to send an update of what I've been up to Africa. I'm currently deployed to Africa supporting humanitarian construction operations throughout the Horn of Africa. My job is more of a "desk job" compared to other people in my office; I am not a 'country engineer', but I do support engineering operations in my deployed location and I augment the country engineers when necessary. I recently returned from Uganda where I provided engineering expertise during a preconstruction meeting for replacing a deteriorated ceiling in a pediatric wing of a clinic. I have also performed construction inspections for various schools and clinics in Djibouti. All very good and rewarding work. While in Djibouti and Uganda, I am/was able to travel and enjoy (or try to enjoy in Djibouti's case) the surrounding areas. Here are some of the pictures from my experiences:

This is a clinic we funded in Djibouti. We typically don't construct a lot of building using military labor, this is so the local population gains employment (unemployment is beyond terrible here) and experience in different construction methods.

This is part of a medical school in Djibouti where we are increasing their classroom capability.

This is another section of the school, I really enjoy their ladder they built. Who says you need more than one nail on each side of the ladder steps? Probably the same person who says the gaps should be equal distance and everything should be parallel.

This is the beginning phases of a clinic for a nomad group of Djiboutians. This one has interesting stories with the local "government" expecting hand-outs to work on "their" land. Don't you think a free clinic is pretty good hand-out?

In Uganda, we are repairing a ceiling in a hospital complex, it's actually fairly large for the given population. I really enjoyed these pictures of how to be sanitary. It's amazing to learn that cholera still exists in the world. One of our translators actually contracted it when I first arrived in Africa from city water. Scary!

Behind me is the "Djiboutian Grand Canyon" with Abdi (one of my Djiboutian translators), the landscape of Djibouti is not exciting unfortunately, just imagine what you see behind me, but flat, and that's practically the rest of the country.

Luckily, the one thing Djibouti does have going for it is vibrant coral and water ocean water.

A good shot at some of the fish and coral.

While I was in Uganda we had a half day to go on a game drive. It's amazing all the animals are free to roam where ever they want.

I don't know what's cooler, the giraffes (my favorite animal) or the smiling warthog in the lower left.

Now this is what I call a road block. It probably took us 15 min to get passed the elephant. More like it took 15 minutes before he let us pass. He eventually moved to the side, but as we passed he charged at us. That was pretty frightening. Luckily I had a good driver.

This is a great shot of a very dirty water buffalo. Most of them had birds that just rested on them. It's like something out of the Jungle Book or Lion King.

Here's my driver, wearing a FC Kaiserslautern shirt. How random is that!? My driver played soccer for the Uganda national team and has a friend that plays for FCK.

Here is a great touristy shot while I was at the equator. Unfortunately no water swirling demonstrations were happening while I was there.

This is me and the country engineer Bong at the "source" of the Nile River at Lake Victoria. There's a spring that comes up through the lake (you can actually see it) which we are standing next to near the sign.

I'm almost half way done with my deployment and I should be fairly busy for a good remaining portion of the time I have left. As far as deployments go, this one is very cush, but time away from my beautiful wife Kristen is never easy. I miss and love her very much and I miss everyone else back home as well. At least I can say I'm making a difference here and it's certainly a visible one. I hope the rest of my deployment continues to go by quickly so I can get back home to Kristen and the pets.

Quick Updates

- Finals this week.  1,2,3...ready, set, go!

- After subbing the past few weeks here and there, I have a new profound admiration for elementary school teachers.

- I hit the ten pound lost mark.  I know my clothes are fitting looser, but I don't see the difference.  I wonder if I will always feel like the fat girl?!

- Celebrating your anniversary while your husband is deployed blows.  Period.  But, cookies help.  Just a little.

- Making friends is harder as you grow older.  At least for me it is.  Doing a lot of self discovery lately.

- Officially 1/3 done with this deployment.  Yay!  The more time that passes, though, the more I miss him.  Wonder if/when that goes away...  And how numb will it feel if it does?

- I am still trying to figure out where I "fit" in this world.  I am getting to a whole other level of spirituality and think that I need to have more talks with God.  Maybe he can help.

- I really have the traveling bug right now, but no one to travel with.  I wonder if I could muster up the courage to go somewhere alone???

The Big 2-8!

Ok, I hate my birthday.  Loathe it, actually.  You know what's worse for me than getting another year closer to 30?  Doing it with my husband deployed.  But, thank God for small miracles.  My dear friend and her husband took pity on me and took me out for my Birthday.  We had dinner and went to a fun chocolate bar in Saint Louis for birthday martinis.  It was a blast!

Me in all of my birthday glory.

So, 28 is here...and it's ok, I suppose.  I miss Joel like crazy, but I am staying busy.  I think that's the key to surviving a deployment.  Always stay busy.  Between work and my grad school classes, there's enough to keep me busy, but not overwhelmed.  And of course, the pugs.  They're awesome little guys, well, most of the time...

Anywho, that's about all from  my end.  I may have some exciting and scary news to share soon, but that is TBD.  Right now I am just trying to enjoy life and all that it has to offer right now.  And missing my husband...almost 1/3 of the way done with this stupid deployment!

What a "Suite" Life

So, there's a lot of perks that come with my new gig at the foundation.  First and foremost is that I love what I do every day, and even basic tasks give me a sense of accomplishment, because I know every little piece is a part of something great.

An unexpected perk came on last Tuesday.  We apparently host the occasional "suite night" where we have various people involved with the foundation out to a Cardinals game in the owner's suite.  Well, I was actually asked to go!  I felt like such a VIP.  They had a buffet set up and a dessert cart (more on that yumminess later!).  And best of all?  The 'birds pulled off a win against the reds!  Can I say awesome?  Well, I hope so, because I just did.

 Our special VIP entrance.

 Inside the suite.

 Look at this table!  I totally want one.  And the bats came from another one of my favorite 'Lous!

 See!  Proof that I was there!

 The best dessert cart in the world!  Yummers!

 Have I said lately how much I love the Lou?  Cause I totally do.

I'm Published, Ya'll!

Hey!  Sorry I've been scarce.  Those of you that have gone to college can understand the stress of the end of a semester.  I have nearly the entire month of May off, though, and I can't wait.  Grad school is a lot of writing!

Speaking of writing, I am happy to say that I have been published!  It's for the new gig, but I would appreciator you guys checking me and the awesome organization I work for out.

My article!