My Wonderful Weekend

Last weekend was truly amazing.

Of course, I have no pictures to share, but that's mostly because we didn't have any BIG experiences. Instead, we got a taste of what OUR life, together, looks like.

When I got in on Thursday, he left work shortly to pick me up. Therefore I had to go back with him so he could finish the day and then bring me home.

I met his COC and saw where he works. I met the soliders in his squad that report to him.

I was there less than 10 minutes when I was recruited for the FRG by his CO (whose wife happens to be the FRG leader.) It was really great to see where he works and meet the guys he works with everyday. Mostly because I figured he was lying about how busy he really is! (Or not!)

After we left post, we hit up Wal-mart and bought new bedding and a few other stuff for around the home. I finally got to see the new place, add some of my own touches and leave some clothes in the closet down there. And for the first time, EVER, I went to bed next to my husband in OUR new bed, with OUR new sheets.

The next morning, I got up with him and had breakfast and coffee before he left for work. I spent the morning getting some homework, blogging, e-mailing, etc...done and then got ready for the day. Al picked me up around 11 to head back to post so I could get entered into DEERS, get my ID card and sign up for Tricare.

I am an official Army wife.

We did some more shopping for the apartment, including hitting the thrift store on post.

I found an awesome wood bench for $8 that I am going to sand and stain and put on the deck.

It will be a perfect little seating area for the one side of the deck we don't have furniture.

We bought Al a grill, using the gift cards we'd received as gifts for our wedding.

On Saturday night, we invited another couple over for dinner: steak, corn on the cob and rolls. I made individual Jello desserts with cool whip. It was so amazing to entertain people in our home; to make dinner with my husband; to have another couple to chat with.

Sunday was my last day and we spent most of it just lounging around. I finally got Al to try sushi for the first time and while it won't be a regular dining experience for us, it sounds like he's willing to have it once-in-a-while. He did find some rolls he likes so I'm sure I'll be able to drag him with me once or twice a month.

This past weekend made me realize just how much I want Al around.

Getting back to my real life and my empty bed has been very hard.

I've been in a total funk this week.

Everything has been "off" and I can't seem to steer myself down the right road.

I've been sulking. I've been going through the motions and giving minimal effort to my life.

And I've been sleeping like crap.

We've managed this long-distance life-style for over 2 years now.

It's had ups and downs, but we've made it work.

And frankly, I'm ready for it to be over.

I want every weekend to be like last weekend.

And we're close. We're so very, very close.

Answers

I owe people some answers to the questions that were asked on Day One of my Blog-a-Versary celebration.

Annoyed asked...

Are you buying yourself a new pair of shoes to celebrate?

Oh, how I wish I could. Alas, Al and I are on a diligent savings plan for the months of April and May since I am moving in May and we need all our extra cash for my travel and to whip the apartment into shape when I get there. I guess I'll just have to wear one of the new pairs in my closet (I have two that I can think of that have never been on my feet!)

Whitney at Everything Happens for a Reason asked...

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Definitely as a mother and wife and definitely working in some legal capacity.

I love my career and I know that I will be a part of it.

Really, those are the only two things that are real "guarantees" at this point in my life.

We still revisit the idea of re-enlistment on a regular basis and we still look at options, even as civilians, of places we would like to live.

We have the important things figured out: we want to be together, we want to have a family and we want to live whatever life we do have to the best of our ability!

Just a Girl asked...

What are you most looking forward to completing on your summer goals list?

Out of all my summer goals, there are TWO that I am really looking forward to (besides the obvious of spending time with my husband!)

1. Taking a boxing class.

I've been wanting to for SO long and while I was down this past weekend, we found an instructor on post that will offer me a two week course.

2. Reading 10 books

Reading...for fun is something I just don't get to do while in law school. I read so much already that I usually pick up a magazine if my brain needs the break. So simply, yet something I miss SO much!

And Samantha at Navy Doll asked...

If you could give advice to your teenage self, what would you say?

I LOVE this question!

If I could give advice to my teenage self, I would say...

Love yourself. Only when you are true to yourself, embrace your character and respect who you are will others do the same. Stop trying to impress the world and just be who you are. That is more than good enough for your family, your friends (the ones who matter) and the man who will be your future husband!

Oh, and don't worry that you haven't gotten boobs yet. You will (and you'll wish they were smaller!)

Winners!

There were so few entries for my giveaways that I changed it up a bit.

That, and I was tired and emotional when I left El Paso the other night and never picked up a chotskie for the 3rd prize.

Instead, I will be giving away a $10 gift code for Amazon.com!

You can use it on anything you'd like.

Winner #1

The winner of the Jenny the Milspouse Comic Book is...

Whitney from Everything Happens for a Reason

Winner #2

The winner of the nautical bracelet is...

Mrs. K. (and her preggo belly!) from Mrs. K. and Captain J

Winner #3

The winner of the Amazon.com gift card is...

Just a Girl

Please e-mail me by Friday with your address so I can send your prizes.

Thank you for celebrating my Blog-a-Versary with me!

Exhaustion

I am trying so very hard to muster the energy to tell you all about my weekend, but I just can't.

Other than the 2-ish hours of sleep I got on the flight and the 2-ish hour nap I got before class, I haven't slept since yesterday morning.

That said, it's time for bed.

Please forgive me.

Airport #2

My return flight was a red-eye, which I had planned thinking it would give me all day Sunday with Al and I could get home early morning and just start my day right then.

Maybe hit the gym and then a coffee shop, get some homework done and head to morning class.

It didn't go quite as planned...

Al dropped me off (and didn't come in - goodbyes just plain suck and we try to make them short and sweet) with plenty of time after what I went through on my flight down there.

My layover went just fine and I had plenty of time to get some grading done and read one of my assignments for the week. We even arrived in Minneapolis 30 minutes earlier then planned.

This is great, I thought. I can head home and maybe even sneak in a nap!

45 minutes later we are still on the plane.

The "gate hallway" that you walk through when you deplane was broken.

(deplane! deplane! - - Name that movie?)

I'm still not sure if they couldn't get it to work, of if there simply wasn't someone there to operate it since we got in early. Either way, we had to stay on the plane until they got it working. At one point, they were going to pull us to another gate and get off there, but by the time they finished getting all the luggage out, they figured out the problem and we were able to get off.

I didn't have luggage on this trip, since I'd left my summer clothes in the new place. So I headed to my car (which my parents were nice enough to drive over there and park for me so I could drive myself home from the airport.) The idea was to save money on a cab and not burden any of my friends/family with getting up that early to come get me. (It was 4:30 AM afterall.)

By the time I got home, got into my house and unloaded my bags, I was spent.

My plan to hit the gym and make the most of my early morning was soured by my bad mood.

I was exhausted, sad and just emotionally drained.

So I went to bed.

I will tell you all about how fabulous my weekend was and I will announce the winners of the giveaways tonight. In the meantime, I've got another 3 hours of class and 3 hours of studying.

Man, the real world really sucks!

Spring Swap

I'm doing this...

...and you should too!

So head on over and link up!

Do it now!

Topsy Turvy Tomatoes

Al left for work early this morning.

I got up with him so we could have coffee together.

It really is the little things that make life special.

Better yet, I haven't gone back to bed.

Instead, I took advantage of the morning to look around the apartment a little more and get some ideas of what will need to be done when I come down in a little over a month.

I have to give Al credit, because the place does look great.

It's not a bachelor pad with beer boxes for a coffee table and neon signs that read "naked ladies inside." He's done an absolutely amazing job of setting up the basics in a clean and organized way. And it looks good to boot!

Of course, there are a few (read: a lot) of things I will need to do, such as decorating and pulling the whole thing together with side tables, plants, lamps, etc...

And, of course, getting rid of some of the guy touches that are there (like the tools in the linen closet and the bottom shelf of the bookcase that he's using as a shoe rack.)

One thing in particular that I just can't get over: he started growing some tomato plants on the deck. One is the regular sized tomatoes and the other is a cherry tomato plant. He started them in a little glass and then roots them into a foam base and hangs them upside, hence the "topsy turvy" name.

Last night, when we were standing out on the deck smoking, his neighbor yelled over and asked him about the tomatoes. Apparently her husband has been admiring them for days. She pointed out two other neighbors that have "copied" his idea and started their own topsy turvy tomato plants on their decks/patios.

Seriously. My masculine soldier-man is growing tomatoes and all the old ladies in our complex have sought him out for advice and inspiration. He's so proud of himself and that makes it even cuter. Really, though, I can't wait for the summer to really turn this into a home!

Airport

Since I had an early flight this morning, I gave myself an hour and a half to check in, get through security and find my gate. That's plenty of time, right?

Apparently not.

Fast forward through having to show three forms of I'D since I booked the flight under my maiden name. Fast forward through the 5 yr old who sat on my foot for 20 minutes while we waited in line for security. Fast forward through the strip, squat, shuffle, oh, AND the full body scan in order to get through the checkpoint. My flight was taking off in 5 minutes and I had to get clear across the terminal.

Apparently God wanted me on the flight too, because as I was half-running, half skipping through the airport, with ny carry on in one hand and my jacket on only half of my body, one of those golf cart shuttles came up and asked if I needed a ride.

"Never more in my life." I squeaked out while catching my breath."Thank you, thank you."

I gave him a $5. That was probably too much, but he literally saved my ass. I can't imagine what I would have done if I had missed my flight. Probably curl into a ball and cry.

The ticket clerk smiled, said "you just made it, take a deep breath" and helped me to my seat. By the time I sat down, we were starting our taxi to the runway. I seriously BARELY caught that plane.

Now I'm sitting here at O'Hare waiting for my connection to El Paso. I'm giddy like a school girl to see my husband. Next time, though, the trip could be just a little less exciting and I'd be OK.

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Blog-a-Versary Celebration: DAY Three

Welcome back to day three of my blog-a-versary celebration!

{Don't forget to go back over the last couple days and enter my giveaways.

So, far entries are limited so you have a good chance of winning something.}

Today, I want to look forward to the next year.

Things I expect will happen; things I hope will happen.

This year...

...I will finish my second year of law school

...I will move in with my husband in El Paso, then back to Minnesota, and then into a home with my husband in Minnesota (whew! That's a lot of moving!)

...I will write my long-paper for graduation

...I will complete my summer goals list

...I will get a job for my return to Minnesota

...I will learn to cook a week's worth of amazing meals

...I will spend 3 whole months in the same state, city AND house as my husband

...and I will love on him every second of every day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I do have a prize for the third day, but I am not going to reveal exactly what it is.

I leave in the morning for El Paso, to visit Al for a long weekend.

{Hence how late this post is. I've literally been scrambling all day to pack, run errands and get various other things taken care of. Oh, and, well, I've just had other things on my mind.}

So, the prize for this week will be El Paso themed. Something kitschy from the airport or a random tourist gift shop. Something so tacky it's awesome, because, that's how much I love my readers!

You don't need to enter for this final prize. Anyone who is entered in the previous two, will automatically be entered for this one. You can NOT enter this giveaway by itself. If you want the El Paso prize, you must enter one of the other 2 giveaways.

Stay tuned Monday when I announce the winners and reveal the third prize.

Have a great weekend (although I definitely think mine will be better!)

Blog-a-Versary Celebration: DAY Two

Welcome back to day two of my blog-a-versary celebration!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway from yesterday, by clicking the link at the top of the page.

Today, I wanted to reflect on this past year and everything I have been through since I started this blog in March of last year.

In the past year...

...I celebrated my 26th birthday at Target Field, keeping the tradition alive

...I paid off my car and my credit cards, eliminating all debt other than my school loans

...I finished my first year of law school (and actually didn't totally and completely hate it) making some great friends along the way

...I celebrated my sister's 21st birthday with her

...I got a new job (and left that job 10 months later to focus on school)

...I moved from one apartment to another, losing a significant friendship

...but gaining a new one

...I welcomed Al home from Iraq

...I started my third semester of law school (which turned out to be the hardest so far!)

...Al proposed while home on post-deployment leave

...then we enjoyed our first Christmas together in 2 years

...married my best friend

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You, my beloved readers, have been through all of these things with me.

I can't begin to thank you enough for your kindness and support during the tougher times and your friendship in sharing in the good times.

Today's giveaway is this cute bracelet I found:

I thought it had a fun nautical feel to it. It could be worn with jeans and a t-shirt or with a dress and cardigan. Either way, it's fun little bracelet.

And it can be yours with one very simple step:

Simply tell me your favorite post from this past year.

Scroll through my archives, or perhaps you have one that stands out.

Just leave me a note in the comments and you're entered!

This contest will end, along with the others, at 23:59 on Sunday night.

Have fun!

Happy Blog-a-Versary!

It's my blog-a-versary!

I have been blogging for ONE YEAR. Such an occasion calls for celebration!

My blog-a-versary celebration is going to last for THREE DAYS!

Each day I will give away a lovely prize to my readers who join the party.

Tomorrow, I am going to look back over my last year and give a highlights reel of where I've been. Wednesday, I will look forward to the next year and what it has in store for me.

Today, however, I want to open the proverbial door of communication and give everyone an opportunity to ask questions they might still be wondering about me. I encourage you to look at the Me, Him and Our Story page above and look through the You Asked page first to get an idea of where to start with your questions.

The give-away part is simple:

You get one entry for every question

{I will not avoid any questions without a reason, and it's unlikely I will even do it then. I would like to avoid as many duplicates as possible, so look through the links above first!}

Now, what do you win?

I have another copy of "Jenny the Milspouse" Comic Book

(like the one I gave away earlier this month)

This contest, along with the other two, will close on Sunday, March 27 at 23:59.

Millie Survey

It's going around. Kind of like the cold I have.

I'm pretty busy today and when I'm not busy any longer, I will be sleeping.

It's been a long week.

So, this is all you get from me for the day. Enjoy!

1. How long have you been a military wife?

45 days!

2. What branch of service is your husband?

Army

3. Active/Reserve?

Active

4. What is his job?

Mortarman - Infantry

5. How many deployments have you gone through?

One - a little over 9 months

6. ACU's or Class A's on your man?

Both are great and as much as I love the Class A's, ACU's just make me smile every time.

7. What do you like about being a military wife?

The fact that I can say it's MY husband who stands up for things bigger then we are. That MY husband fights for our country, no questions asked and doesn't even want a thank you.

8. Do you live on base?

No. He is in Texas, I am in Minnesota. Story of our long-distance life.

9. What is your favorite base so far?

In the Army, I've only known Ft. Bliss. My good friend going up was in the Marines and I spent a short time in the Navy. So out of all the bases/posts I've known I would say I like Naval Station Newport (because of it's proximity to Boston AND the beach!)

10. What is the hardest part of the military life?

Having to ask for permission to do absolutely EVERYTHING. I would love for Al to just take off for the weekend without getting a pass or letting his COC know.

11. Do you go to the grocery store or commissary?

I don't go to either, because I am not on post. Wal-mart pretty much rocks, though!

12. Do you work or stay at home?

Full time student. Work part-time. No kids.

13. Do you have a lot of military wife friends?

Very few. We are close with ONE couple at Bliss and ONE couple in Minnesota he's known since childhood. The rest of my milspouse friends are bloggy-gals!

14. Do you prefer Walmart or the BX/PX/NEX/MCX?

Call me a weirdo, but I am really excited to shop at the PX. The time I was in the Navy, I really like it and since I haven't experienced any "post-life" in the Army, I at least want the experience. I'm sure the excitement will wear off and I will go back to Target and Walmart after a little while.

15. How did your husband propose?

With a ring, on his knee. Ha ha! He proposed after a Jimmy Johns dinner and scrabble date-night, in my bedroom, while we got ready for bed. He was on leave after deployment last fall.

16. Did you marry him after he joined or before?

After. He had 5 years in before we got married.

17. How long have you been together?

I've known him for over 6 years. We've been together for a little over 2.

18. Any kids?

No. We've only been married a month and a half!

19. Any kids yet to come?

Maybe 2 years.

20. Is your husband one of those "I am soldier hear me HOOAH" kind of guys?

No. In fact, he is not Mr. Army at all. He likes his job and does his job well, but he leaves it at the door. I love that he is many things, including, but not exclusively, a soldier.

21. Have you ever done combatives with your husband?

Naw. But I'd totally kick his ass.

22. How many bases have you lived at?

None, with him. One, by myself when I was in OCS in the Navy.

23. If you could change one thing about the military?

Efficiency. It always amazes me how the greatest fighting force in the world can't file paperwork with even the remotest amount of efficiency.

24. Do you like military balls?

No! But I've been promised that I get to attend one this year. I WILL be holding him to that!

25. Where does your family live?

Both my family and his family live here in Minnesota where I am going to school.

26. What do you do for a job?

I am a legal research representative for an online research organization. I have done work in law firms as a clerk, but took time off from that to focus on school until summer hits.

27. Have you ever gotten in a fight with an NCO's wife?

Umm...I am an NCO's wife. And I've never gotten into it with any other wife, of any rank.

28. Name one thing you do when your husband is gone.

I get a little lazy sometimes. I am definitely less motivated to do school work and go to class. He calls me on it all the time, but I get so tired of all the work of long-distance and sometimes I just need the morning off so I don't go postal on someone's ass.

29. Do you think other wives do that too?

I am sure they do. Especially the ones with kids. Sure, kids are such an amazing blessing, but they only add to the difficulty of missing your husband and increase stress levels. On the other hand, I sometimes think I'd rather have a couple kids then law school text books to keep me busy.

Presents

I am leaving for Texas in ONE WEEK, just to visit and finally get entered into DEERS.

I will be an official Army wife when I return.

In preparation for my trip, I am bringing a BIG suitcase of summer clothes that I will leave down there. It will be one less box/bag to pack into my car when I make the drive in May.

And since I will be leaving Minnesota in early-May, it's unlikely the weather will get so warm that I will need much of my summer attire here.

I also figured that since I got rid of so many clothes this winter, I owed it to myself to purchase some new items for the "new life" in Texas. I went on an online shopping spree last week and purchased quite a few tops, a few pairs of shorts, some summer-y accessories and a new bathing suit.

The packages started rolling in this week and I thought I would take a study break to open all my presents and "model" them for ya'll. Tell me what you think!

Athleta two-piece bathing suit

I figured it was about time I spent a little extra money on a "big girl bikini."

Usually I just spend $30 on a cheapy one at Target and then throw them after a season or two. More than just a quality bikini that would last longer, I wanted a supportive bikini top that I can actually run around by the pool without worrying about it. Which led me to an athletic bathing suit from Athleta.

Light pink button down top and hot pink skinny belt

Sure, I probably won't wear this much in the scorching heat, but I figured it was a good transition top for spring weather.

Three flowy, ruffle tops: pink "ribbons," yellow checks, and white peasant top. Pair any of them with a pair of jean shorts and I will have my eternal summer wardrobe.

Two belted tunic tops: blue floral with brown rope belt and yellow tee with natural rope belt.

Dressy navy stripe tunic top

This came with a leather hot pink belt, but that's not really my style.

The other item is a heathered pair of cropped sweats, because, let's be real...I will be spending some time lazy'ing around in Texas.

Suede natural sandals

I can NOT wait to wear these with a cute sun dress or cropped jeans.

Purple & grey oversize envelope clutch, which comes with a chain strap to wear it on your arm. I might give this to my sister for her birthday since I won't be here to celebrate with her and she mentioned an adoration for it.

We'll see. If not, it will be a great new, summer, going-out clutch.

There you have it folks! Time to make room in my closet. Happy Thursday!

Summer Goals

Things have been crazy around here.

In addition to my insane schedule, missing Al tremendously, and battling on-and-off sickness, I am looking toward all the things I have to do this summer for my move to Texas.

Which, by the way, happens in 55 days!

It's amazing to me how fast that's coming up.

Al and I have talked a lot about whether or not I would work this summer.

Originally, I didn't consider any other option. In fact, I would have never expected to not work or attend classes. Since I was 16, I have worked full time usually while going to school also. I've never really NOT worked.

After a lengthy discussion, Al's conclusion was this:

"Honey, you work hard all-the-time. Why not take the summer off? You can spend time working on your other school requirements, all those hobbies you've been wanting to pursue and well, the rest of your time can be spent just being my wife."

It was a pretty easy decision after that.

So, for the first time in my life, I will have "free time."
I'm not entirely sure I know what that is like.

I figure, however, that the first place to start is to come up with a list of things I want to accomplish will all my free time, such as those aforementioned hobbies and school requirements.

And since I'm taking a quick {VERY QUICK} study break, I figured I'd share those goals with the blog-world. It gives me an easy way to store the list and some minor accountability if I start slacking off by the pool this summer.

(Some of these are borrowed from my 101 in 1001 list.)

1. Take a boxing class

2. Work on my long-paper

(Ultimate Goal: complete research and first draft by summer-end to be reviewed by Prof.)

3. Learn how to cook at least a week-worth of meals

4. Get my conceal-and-carry permit

5. Re-take the MPRE (August test date)

6. Visit family in Arizona

7. Revamp my resume and cover letters

8. Read 10 books from my reading list

9. Take at least one weekend getaway with Al

10. Put together list of employment opportunities for my return to MN

11. Volunteer with an on-post organization

12. Get another tattoo

13. Find bike trails in El Paso and start riding a bike

14. Volunteer with a community-based organization (off-post)

15. Renew my CPR and First Aid certifications

16. Strip and paint the bedroom shelves

17. Learn how to make homemade sushi

18. Sew covers for couch pillows

19. Determine a solid work-out routine

(Ultimate goal: lose 20 lbs, tone muscle and re-gain strength & flexibility)

20. Get boudoir photos taken

21. Determine my final-year game-plan

22. Put together Shutterfly wedding album

23. Make new headboard

24. Practice and re-new my German knowledge

25. Take care of my husband in every way possible!

Cyber Garage Sale

So, here's the deal...

I got rid of A LOT of stuff from my closet over the past few months, as you may recall.

Since then, the bags have been sitting in the entry way waiting for my sister and BFF to look through them. Every time I walk into my house, I am reminded that I really need to DO something with them.

Which gave me an idea...

Why don't I pass them along to my fellow blog-loves, by having a cyber-garage-sale?

Before I put together a post with the items and prices, I wanted to get your take on it.

I've seen people do similar things in the past, but I'm not sure how successful they've been.

Instead of just posting my own items, I thought I could make it a link-up and have a mil-spouse cyber-wide garage sale. If you've got clothes, shoes, accessories, or other nice things lying around that you want to get rid of, sell it online!

Would anyone be interested?

Should I just scrap the whole thing and donate the items?

Please let me know your thoughts and if you have any ideas!

Book Report

Does anyone find it weird that I am writing a "book report" for a law school class?

Don't get me wrong, we had a whole list of books to choose from, could pick a book that aligned with our interests, and it's a very lax requirement of what the "report" includes.

In reality, I am required to teach my fellow classmates what the book was about and the "report" is simply my outline on what my discussion with encompass.

On the other hand, I enjoyed the book.

It's one that I already owned, with the intention of reading it someday. For leisure.

But turning the reading into an assignment made it a LOT less fun.

I feel like it's an adolescent assignment.

One that is taking far too much time considering I have so many other class assignments to accomplish. I feel like it's simply "busy work."

Why is it that turning a leisure activity into a required one sucks all the fun out of it?

Oddly Ill

On Saturday night, we had the Law School Blackacre Ball.

We jokingly call it Law School Prom, because everyone gets dressed up fancy and goes dancing. However, this event includes drinking and other debauchery. And a whole lot of fun!

Towards the end of the night, I started feeling sick.

I had been drinking, but not an irresponsible amount. I had eaten a big meal and was spreading out my drinks. It was weird that I got sick, but I equated it to a combination of the drinking and motion sickness (from the "sober bus" that brought us back to campus after the party.)

Sunday I felt OK. Mostly tired and low-energy, but not hungover in any real way.

I ate some healthy meals and stayed in to work on homework.

Last night, around 9PM, I started feeling sick again. This time, mostly headachy and really warm throughout my body. I hit the sack early hoping to kick it before it started.

And here I sit, in bed and running a mild fever.

I am mostly just extremely tired and feverish, switching between the sweats and the shivers.

I am finally shaking it, I think, and I am going to try to make it to my evening class.

Still, I can't help but wonder if this illness was actually a few days in the making.

And since it's not really in line with the flu or a cold or any other recognizable illness, I can only suspect that lots of rest, Vitamin C and fluids will be the cure.

Here's hoping because I have WAY too much to do this week to be laid up past today.

For Anyone Suffering

I was going to post my dress options for the formal law school dinner tomorrow night and get your opinions on what I should wear.

But, that seems so superficial in lieu of the Earthquake/Tsunami in Japan.

Instead, I am praying for anyone suffering through such an awful experience, anyone who has lost someone in the disaster and for a strong community to help with rebuilding the communities that were hit.

And really, there is no more fitting song than this.

Note to God - Rhema Marvanne

Lonely

I miss my husband.

The 1500 miles that separate us is starting to feel like the distance from here to the moon.

I love him. And I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband.

No other man on the planet would say the right thing when it's starting to feel impossible.

No other man will make me laugh when all I want to do is cry.

And no other man would work so hard to make sure we stay connected despite the distance.

I miss him so much.

So very, very much.

Miscellany Monday

I've had such an interesting day that no blog post really fits better than doing a Miscellany Monday link-up.

1. Spillage

I spilled on myself a total of three times today.

The first was a chunk of chocolate from my Luna bar I ate on my way to class this morning.

It fell onto my lap in the car and since I didn't notice, it squished onto my sweater (my white sweater-vest, to be precise.) The second time was at lunch when I spilled spaghetti sauce onto my pants. It was one, small, round little drop.

And finally, I dribbled a little Diet Dr. Pepper onto my top during night class.

Apparently I can't manage to complete a meal without wearing some of it.

2. Outside the Lines

In addition to spilling on myself, I also managed to draw a blue pen line on my pant leg while working on some homework. I'm not really sure I have any explanation for how it happened other then I apparently need an aide to assist me in basic daily functions.

3. Class Act

I teach an hour per day in a local high school and today we were observed and critiqued by our student program advisor. Tomorrow we will be observed by our professor.

I am actually excited out this. Since the school is high-diversity, low-income, we have been challenged with language barriers, behavioral issues, learning disabilities and a whole-multitude of different obstacles. Today, was one of the brightest days and our students were very active, involved and seem to be really "getting it." We are having them do mock oral-arguments tomorrow during class, so I am hoping that gets major points with our professor and teaches the students a lot of new, fun skills!

4. Engagements, Weddings and Babies. Oh my!

Three engagements were announced at school today. (I'm not totally surprised since last week was Spring Break and I'm sure a lot of people went somewhere nice.)

Two classmates announced they were pregnant.

One of them, in particular, is a friend and I am SO happy for her!

Mostly, I am completely underwhelmed by the whole thing.

I know I should be all...

"O.M.G. I'msohappyforyou!" and

"WOW! Whatasuperawesomeblessinginyourlife," but I'm not.

Maybe I don't have the uber-girl gene that makes one go mushy over engagements and babies. When it is someone close to me, that I am genuinely happy for, I do.

Otherwise, I could really care less.

Feel free to judge me now.

5. Those Damn Walls

In addition to being a total klutz with my food and writing utensils today, I also managed to bang my hand on the tile wall in the bathroom today. I was putting on my coat and as I swung my arm around the put it into the arm hole, whacked my knuckles on the wall. Hard.

I am postitive it will be bruised tomorrow but honestly, I was more worried about my diamond then I was for my hand.

So, maybe I have the girl-gene after all!

Thoughts Before Bed

As Sunday is coming to an end and I am hitting my last wave of energy, I wanted to comment on a couple of things from the weekend.

First, after a productive Friday, I went to bed early (like 7-ish early) because I felt like I was coming down with something. I felt a little "blah" overall and was hoping to catch it before it got worse.

And I did.

I slept for 12 hours. And I stayed in bed most of Saturday, you know, for good measure.

This afforded me the opportunity to get quite a bit of homework done.

Today, I spent the day with my mom stuffing 150 marriage announcements into envelopes, which I personally, hand-addressed. Mom helped me with stamps, return address labels and putting them all together. I'm still waiting on about 50 addresses from various friends and family, but I am so glad the majority of them are done.

I think I permanently have "the claw" from hand-writing all of them, but I hope the personal touch is well-received by the beloved recipients.

And what about the season premier of Army Wives?

I was pretty disappointed. I don't like the kid-actor they've cast for TJ. I am bored of the Pamela story-line. And, well, I feel like they're just "creating" drama as if, you know, being an Army wife isn't stressful enough.

I am hopeful that this season will be just as spectacular as the last, but I was a little let down by tonight episode. I am, however, DYING to find out who dies.

My prediction: Jeremy.

It would be tragic, heart-wrenching, but the show could totally go on.

The only other person the show could "lose" is Chase.

Anyone else would be so achingly sad and while the show might survive, I don't know that I would.

Finally, it is snowing. Again.

I have lived in Minnesota my entire life but I am so tired of snow.

And this winter seems especially bad.

I don't need beach and BBQ weather. I'd settle for 45 and a pop of spring sun.

I just CAN NOT handle any more snow, sleet or cold.

The up side is that I only have to be here for 18 more days before I head to Texas for a long weekend, where today it was apparently 80 and sunny.

Here's to another week. Good night, world.

And the winner is...

Kris at Our Crazy Bunch!

Email me soon to collect your prize.

Short-timers vs. Lifers

Go over to Annoyed Army Wife's blog and check out my guest post!

I talk about the military and the differences between short-timers and lifers and the military community that surrounds them.

But you should check out Annoyed and her amazing blog anyway.

Her husband is a doctor in the Army and on his return from deployment.

She has a candid, witty and classy outlook on life in the military and has become a wonderful (blog and hopefully, someday, real-life) friend of mine.

So go check it out.