tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42399470469358454112024-02-01T19:06:13.562-08:00Tiara's & ACU's A Princess, Her Soldier & their DivaShanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.comBlogger303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-77981607839405253872012-04-30T12:07:00.000-07:002012-04-30T12:07:24.155-07:00San Diego Event to Benefit Families of the Fallen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrY0y9LCk16vYBV3OycHKj1ZB5hS-kTCRsoK60coEF4Q6OQg1yWaNfLbHtARmnb_4-oPY2A9r0DCILc5m_ljkVfxZ2F2LrZWsp9zVEY10H95Lg6LRJeL1AyWYog5H7wEdcJbWGTvWp89r/s1600/M&M+invite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrY0y9LCk16vYBV3OycHKj1ZB5hS-kTCRsoK60coEF4Q6OQg1yWaNfLbHtARmnb_4-oPY2A9r0DCILc5m_ljkVfxZ2F2LrZWsp9zVEY10H95Lg6LRJeL1AyWYog5H7wEdcJbWGTvWp89r/s320/M&M+invite.JPG" width="247px" /></a></div>
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Forth Annual Martinis and Makeovers is being held on Thursday, May 3 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at the Cuvier Club in La Jolla. You are invited. Your friends are invited. The more the merrier! This is a wonderful evening to relax, have fun and honor the surviving spouses of many of our fallen heroes. The night will be filled with pampering, appetizers provided by<a href="http://www.crispevents.com/" rel="nofollow"> Crisp! Catering</a>, music, a silent auction, wine provided by <a href="http://www.barefootwine.com/" rel="nofollow">Bare</a><a href="http://www.barefootwine.com/" rel="nofollow">foot Wine</a>, and of course some special signature Martinis sponsored by <a href="http://ultimatvodka.com/" rel="nofollow">Patrons Ultimat Vodka</a>.<span id="more-17036"></span></div>
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About Got Your Back Network</h2>
<a href="http://gotyourbacknetwork.org/" target="_blank">Got Your Back Network</a>, founded by Dr. Andy Baldwin (Navy doctor and former star of The Bachelor), provides support to widows and children of fallen heroes through special events (like Martinis and Makeovers) and qualified organizations. They organize mentorship activities for kids. The ultimate goal is to meet the specific dreams of each child that has sacrificed a parent for our country.<br />
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How You Can Help</h2>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Spread the word about this important event. Twitter and Facebook mentions are appreciated! </li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/327408683981284/" target="_blank">Attend</a>, if you can. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/donate.html" target="_blank">Donate</a> to Got Your Back Network.</li>
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Please RSVP to <a href="mailto:Shana@GotYourBackNetwork.org">Shana@GotYourBackNetwork.org</a> - If you are a surviving spouse please indicate in email.Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-50735385266608302152012-02-15T20:43:00.000-08:002012-02-15T20:43:53.054-08:00Scrapbooking Giveaway!Today I was contacted to host my first giveaway!! I am so excited to share this all with you over the next day or so.... Please be patient but be as excited as I am!! <br />
I need to come up with a good idea and way to do it so check back tomorrow for all of the information.... YEAH!!!Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-68448738391055015262012-02-14T11:48:00.000-08:002012-02-14T11:48:09.463-08:005 Years- Happy Hallmart Holiday!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Hallmark Holiday although today is a day of celebration for us - 5 years ago the hubby got down on one knee, told me that I was amazing, unbelievably hot and sexy... one of a kind.... the type of woman he could only dream would ever be his wife and then asked me to be his wife (or something along those lines as I was too in shock to really listen.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day was a Wednesday (I think accounting for a leap year), I went to work my normal bah humbug HATING V-Day self knowing that the Hubby and I were going out to dinner that night and leaving the Diva with Grammie (yep, out little 2 year old!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent the day thinking about our upcoming trip to Sedona (seeing my family and having a bit of romance) and hoping that he would propose there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got off dinner, threw on this pretty black lace dress and off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After dinner he called his mom and told her we weren’t even sat yet so we would be late (thought it was odd, hoped we were headed to the beach), then a quick stop by the house and off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked me if I wouldn’t mind stopping and taking pictures at the restaurant we shared our first date at... weird and slightly annoyed (it was cold!) I said ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few moments of talking and a few self shot pictures... a quick hug and I love you (my code for LETS GO!) he dropped to one knee and asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was SHOCKED – for months I had been saying how LAME a V-Day proposal was he chose THAT night because I wouldn’t expect it or even anticipate it BOY was he right.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here we are 5 years later and I still feel pretty VDay bah humbug- I woke up this morning... TUESDAY, took a shower and got ready for work, ensuring that Diva was ready as well... then headed to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just a day, sorry but I am not the biggest Valentine’s Day proponent... I don’t get gaga over flowers and chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope, not bitter or anything like that just honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love taking care of those I love all year, buying/sending random gifts.... same thing with Diva and the Hubby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t need a holiday created by Hallmark for the purpose of selling cards just to show them both how much I love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that being said – Diva came up to me this morning with huge Alligator tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her what was wrong and she was so upset that daddy hadn’t taken her to get mommy a Valentine’s Day gift... broke my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained to her that my Valentines was complete because I have them both... hugs and kisses from my loves is what matters to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NOTHING matters more to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That seemed to make her happy... especially when she got down stairs and saw that Daddy got her a card and chocolate (thank goodness because I haven’t had the time- picking up his card this afternoon).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyhow... whether your Hubby is home or away or if it’s just your Singles Awareness Day enjoy it how YOU see fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This momma is having dinner at home with her family... it’s a school night after all!</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-15629993617060514422012-02-13T20:09:00.000-08:002012-02-13T20:09:03.939-08:00Missed...As I sit here tonight in the quiet and am able to think I decided to look back at the past year. I have been reading old posts about deployment, posts about our life.... post about the realities of our life while he was gone. So much of it makes me cry. Makes me sit and think about how much he missed and how much they missed of eachother - how much he and I missed together... how hard it has been to get it all back together. <br />
Over the weekend I sat and thought, talked and thought some more. I realize that I don't ever finish anything. I have so many balls in the air, I start so many AMAZING things with great ideas and intentions.... but I am far to scared to finish them. What if I fail, what if I get laughed at.... yes the same fears as my year old Diva... the same exact fears. I wish I could get her to see that<br />
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I am scared that I will fail, I have failed at so many things in life (yes in my eyes) already. What if I finish my book and it's horrible, or I finish my fundraising idea ad it doesn't make any money.... or .... yes, the list is long and often rediculous. This year my vow is to finish at least 2 things that I have started... finish them PUBLISH and all.<br />
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Do you ever feel that you have to much going on that you can't finish?Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-15329984060420500502012-02-08T13:57:00.001-08:002012-02-08T13:57:54.857-08:00The paper... ahh the punishment paper<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She did it... Diva wrote her paper about WHY LYING IS BAD – twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep, twice... her first draft just repeated that lying is bad because you’ll get in trouble and you “will get grounded for like 1 day!” YEP that was on there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her printing was FABULOUS, her thought process was correct... LIE and you WILL get in TROUBLE however she missed the whole WHY you don’t lie part. So we sat her down to actually follow directions and write what she was supposed to. Well - she added to the above, you will hurt peoples feelings, it isn't nice and mommy and daddy will get mad. Again... all true! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully that will make her think twice before she makes that decision again – next time may be resorted to a basic training type punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmm... who knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you punish your children?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While she was writing so was I, trying to get caught up on work that I don’t get ‘paid’ for monetarily. Someday I hope, so if you know any publishers let me know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then I love writing all that I can – I spent 3 or 4 hours last night researching information about a topic that floored me then I wrote an article about it, recognized by a great assisting organization... hopefully that goes somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that point Hubby was home, making dinner.... then he was off to buy some RANDOM thing for our TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love that man but I swear some days I just don’t get it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things are getting better with regards to post deployment... at least I think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days are better than others, some days I still feel like a stranger and others like we were never apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure where or why the switch is there, if only I could figure that out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 day at a time...</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-63580321490813264542012-02-07T12:40:00.001-08:002012-02-07T12:40:54.741-08:00The missing 7th box!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WOW- 2 days in a row.... maybe I am on to something here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been super busy writing as the <a href="http://www.examiner.com/military-family-in-los-angeles">LA/OC Military Family Examiner</a> and I recently <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">volunteered on a trip</a> with families of the fallen to Miss America in Las Vegas so I have been busy and not simply ignoring my beloved blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear LIFE happens and the world gets away for me for just 1 day... and it turns into LOTS of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">AS I have said before, I am a Girl Scout mom... Diva is a Brownie this year and I am a co-leader AND the cookie mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have officially started selling Girl Scout cookies, truthfully my LEAST favorite part of Girl Scouts, and Diva sold some at school to her teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I sent 7 boxes to school, with the list of teachers names/boxes and the amount each owed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, so questionable parent moment BUT you have to start teaching them responsibility some time, right and at WORST this would be a $30 mistake and best case... my little Diva would show me that she has learned about responsibility and come home with $28 and no cookies and allow me a little bit of gloating at how AMAZING my daughter is.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NO SUCH LUCK!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came home with $13, 2 full boxes of cookies... and one almost totally eaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UMM>>>> WTH happened!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the reasoning afforded by my beautiful baby – </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diva- Well mom, Mr. Janitor wasn’t there today so I couldn’t give him his 4 boxes of cookies, then I threw the list away... and the one box is a Thanks A Lot so I opened it and gave it to the teachers to thank them... then the other three the teachers that ordered got... well except one because I think that the name was wrong and well... I don’t remember.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me- What happened to the 7<sup>th</sup> box?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave you 7 and you gave me money for 3.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diva- Umm, ooh.. yeah I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forgot.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 hours of this – then she finally admitted that they opened the other box and ate it at lunch, sharing with her friends OF COURSE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now for the punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I punish my child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lack of responsibility – I now have a guinea pig and a fish as my responsibility until she can PROVE that she can handle this magnitude of keeping another breathing thing alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, this has never been an issue and she loves and cares for both Jack and Purple 2 better than most adults care for their children.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LYING about the location of the 7<sup>th</sup> box – a FULL paper front and back about WHY lying is bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much different than Soldier hubby mentality, his offerings initially were: Running, flutter kicks, push ups... basically anything you can do to a soldier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then HE came up with the essay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hope it works.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 forward... 2 back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-51719119583260844872012-02-06T13:02:00.003-08:002012-02-06T13:02:43.346-08:00... and I'm back recharged and ready<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">After taking almost an entire month off of my blog, I am back!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">I needed time to find direction, time to sort out the new normal of home (husband) and work (his) balance... and well just breathe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been a stressful few months of work for Hubby, changes and direction as always, and a few big changes for me at work increased responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is back to his monthly drill which was quite a change for Diva – she FREAKED out that he was headed back to Iraq or that he would be gone for weeks versus days... so all 3 of us packed up and headed to drill together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gave me a chance to see my Deployment Battle Buddy (and her amazing sons!), Diva a chance to hang out with her future husband (Battle Buddy’s son) and it was her opportunity to understand that daddy is just back to the one weekend a month routine... one she hardly remembers at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">Then as we prepare for our 2<sup>nd</sup> drill, Valentine’s Day AND a work trip for Hubby... Diva is starting to comment on him being gone a lot again, even though this is NOTHING compared to the past I have to remember that she is only 7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 7 children should not understand a parent leaving often... but so goes life I suppose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my job to make it as easy for her as possible, as much of a non event as I can regardless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not always easy but it’s always a responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">So we do our family best to make memories and spend time together doing random things we have never done before... this past weekend we went to The Grove in LA to let her pick out her Santa gift, an American Girl Doll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went for the experience and met up with some friends... what an awesome time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She picked out her doll, that looks just like her, then we went to lunch and just enjoyed family time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE days and evenings like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t imagine a better day with the two of them... I really really couldn’t.</span></div><div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">Sorry... for the randomness but I am back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Random musings and all!</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-79680223033263989692012-01-09T08:43:00.000-08:002012-01-09T08:43:47.813-08:00OC Military Family Examiner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2nrgTYthZE9PepgYkgu8K-9jUX-5_0-b-z3xj6dhNhyphenhyphenJGYBsRJOSQscbxklw4V6Uh55qE0tU1n8MtUKPvMOhdgy8rokuwumJARo9xrpfoElQF38HQE6IxhFIdlb0lxCDzkYTsC2T-DJZ/s1600/300ErniePyleTypewriter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2nrgTYthZE9PepgYkgu8K-9jUX-5_0-b-z3xj6dhNhyphenhyphenJGYBsRJOSQscbxklw4V6Uh55qE0tU1n8MtUKPvMOhdgy8rokuwumJARo9xrpfoElQF38HQE6IxhFIdlb0lxCDzkYTsC2T-DJZ/s200/300ErniePyleTypewriter.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was honored recently to start writing for the Examiner.com as their Orange County Military Family Examiner!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE to write and this is such an amazing outlet for me to promote military families and all that is important to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please take a moment to subscribe to my articles and let me know what you want to hear about!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wrestled with writing as it’s been tough some days to keep up with my blog BUT I thought about all the fun free offers I see for military, the organizations that help families out that many of us don’t know about, homecomings that (sometimes bitter sweet) we love to see and thought, WHY NOT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not help out other families that may or may not know all that is out there for us, good bad or indifferent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that when Hubby was gone it would have been nice to be able to know about some things that Diva and I could do that was free or less expensive because of his service or read articles on the changes that Tricare CONSTANTLY makes without telling us (dealing with that fun right<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>now!). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My first 2 articles have been about families of our fallen and an organization that I am part of – we are taking 9 families to Miss America this week for a Princess filled weekend in Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be writing daily during the trip thanking sponsors and just chronicling the trip, next week I will be talking Tricare and any current event that comes up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want this to be about us all... MilSpouses and MilFamilies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><a href="http://tinyurl.com/OCMilitaryExaminer">OC Military Families Examiner</a>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-68857848326065923882012-01-05T06:32:00.000-08:002012-01-04T15:32:58.319-08:00Jack... JUST JackEverytime I say his name I have my jazz hands out and reminisc of Will and Grace.... <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diva’s little buddy Jack... ahh the Guinea Pig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Let me tell you that h</span>e is sweet and cute but a warranted purchase as she made an agreement with her daddy that IF she could keep the beta alive his ENTIRE deployment we would talk hamster upon homecoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well – that stupid fish lived until 2 weeks AFTER he came home, so she earned her hamster. Although I will admit that a few drops of bleach were thought of throughout the year to avoid this discussion. I NEVER thought that a hamster was a good idea because mommy realized that hamster + cat = a MESS! We currently have a dog and a cat... and a fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we talked, debated and talked... then consulted her and the Petco people and decided on the guinea pig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a GREAT and responsible guinea pig mommy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loves that thing to death... I am glad because I am NOT cleaning it’s nasty cage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Its a great thing to teach her responsibility and its all about growing up - she is almost 8 years old. By this point I had an 8 year old Collie that I walked, brushed and took care of.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday it needed a new water bottle (the one that came with his cage is a piece of crap- sad but true) and he needed vitamin C to keep him healthy, yes really!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So at this point we have spent far more than I planned on for this little love of hers BUT she kept her end so I guess it’s our turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So far for Jack we have had to purchase...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2XM9lU3v4M/TwTgvVn1A1I/AAAAAAAACQo/60jXuGG0KZI/s1600/1st+home.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2XM9lU3v4M/TwTgvVn1A1I/AAAAAAAACQo/60jXuGG0KZI/s200/1st+home.bmp" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His first home...</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yum7FA1fz8Q/TwTgwEcgqYI/AAAAAAAACQw/xF1q_EaFo1A/s1600/2-x-dumbell-chew-toys-for-rabbit-guinea-pig-ferret-rat_2739_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yum7FA1fz8Q/TwTgwEcgqYI/AAAAAAAACQw/xF1q_EaFo1A/s200/2-x-dumbell-chew-toys-for-rabbit-guinea-pig-ferret-rat_2739_300.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy's first toy for Jack</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4YUgkcvpdk/TwTgxpXz_LI/AAAAAAAACQ4/ANjmeg1ybhg/s1600/5-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4YUgkcvpdk/TwTgxpXz_LI/AAAAAAAACQ4/ANjmeg1ybhg/s200/5-1-1.jpg" width="160px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">must have good bedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OoQkkgeD7s0/TwTgzflQk8I/AAAAAAAACRA/II4p6Cel44s/s1600/51aBaqkzHkL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OoQkkgeD7s0/TwTgzflQk8I/AAAAAAAACRA/II4p6Cel44s/s200/51aBaqkzHkL.jpg" width="186px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and hay... need to the fiber</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8s6Uf2BZIc/TwTg15_FD6I/AAAAAAAACRI/-Pd6bxmkSyg/s1600/vitamin-c-supplements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8s6Uf2BZIc/TwTg15_FD6I/AAAAAAAACRI/-Pd6bxmkSyg/s200/vitamin-c-supplements.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">don't forget his vitamins</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QCUyQkOsCrQ/TwTg3qLZ10I/AAAAAAAACRQ/JR71X2hs3do/s1600/water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QCUyQkOsCrQ/TwTg3qLZ10I/AAAAAAAACRQ/JR71X2hs3do/s200/water.jpg" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a worthwhile water bottle that SHE can change on her own</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDF-TdE-oHg/TwThMG7RgLI/AAAAAAAACRY/c32Wur0mMw8/s1600/Jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDF-TdE-oHg/TwThMG7RgLI/AAAAAAAACRY/c32Wur0mMw8/s320/Jack.jpg" width="238px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But to see this every night... it's totally worth every penny.</td></tr>
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</div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-91056714884731034722012-01-04T12:39:00.000-08:002012-01-04T12:39:57.483-08:00Aww... it's 2012<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I woke up this morning realizing that I have been to my special blog in quite a few days... sorry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its just been crazy lately... family, work... NEW GUINEA PIG for Diva... school, trip coming up to Vegas with my <a href="http://gotyourbacknetwork.org/">FAVORITE charity</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yeah, it’s been a little nuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh and Diva and I get to go to the Miss <a href="http://misscausa.com/">Ca USA pageant</a> this weekend with some GREAT friends to support my sister titleholders from last year (Miss Greater Long Beach and Miss Mission Viejo!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so excited...sharing my 2<sup>nd</sup> favorite pastime (HOCKEY is my first) with my Diva.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have spent so much time lately thinking about 2011 and all that came with it – new friends, loss of friends, deployments, homecoming, trips to new cities, sickness and new babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a year it was, I must admit that I am glad it’s behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thankful to each person in each memory last year, you have taught me much more than you can ever imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know where I would be in my life if it wasn’t for the memories I have been able to create each year with some of the most remarkable people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be the old lady in a rocking chair talking to her grandkids about “the olden days” and all the fun we had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember how many NYE I spent being thankful for my HT friends, for my job... for my own place, for my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then my first year of being thankful for my daughter (that would be the year that I passed out on the couch with a migraine watching Anastasia with her in my arms while Hubby was on the computer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching Diva and how much she has grown in the past year is just amazing to me- she continues to be the light of my life (hence the tailless rat AKA guinea pig).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year she was passed out in my lap while I watched Dick Clark commenting on how blessed we truly were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last year on NYE I got an email from Hubby, just starting his day in Iraq – this year I got a kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year I was praying for the new year to be over as quickly as it began – this year I pray it slows down so I can enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a difference a year makes – this year the plans are to just BE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be Princess, Be family, Be relaxed... BE US!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh and I will be having a date night this weekend with Hubby that will include a FABULOUS RomCom and a date night bundle from my amazing secret santa – so no I haven’t forgotten to write it (the amazing glowing wonderous write up is saved and will be published very shortly!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wish each reader, friend (new, old, current or lost), loved one and person I have come across in the last year a very Happy New Year, blessings of a wonderful 2012!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To all of my friends/readers that are expecting this year, blessings to your new baby... kisses and hugs as the day is long.</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-60749503982783324022011-12-30T05:21:00.000-08:002011-12-30T06:49:47.368-08:0011 in '11<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://misskindergartenlove.blogspot.com/2011/12/11-in-11-linky-party.html"><img border="0" height="197px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0ckN_w0n9mYo8sBPw3wkX_K0MCJnyUbNSjR7hI80d-WkJqKe3t35P53jFHw2hBxyo4IyUVeHHBqer_mhaT6jE8DQhyphenhyphenRopJSjfGpcBqyq1KVgztaFza_a2L1q3l4-92iToVUKq4ZAqhzo/s320/Publication1.png" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><em>I saw this linky party over on Flip Flops and Combat Boots - Thought it would be fun to recap the year in just a few questions. 2011 has brought so many ups/downs and changes in my life, my world... and my family. I am blessed and thrilled to be starting 2012 with new friends, new adventures and a new direction. </em></strong></span><br />
<br />
Well, 2011 is almost over! Wow! That went <i>fast!</i> As a fun way to commemorate {is that even an appropriate word?! I don't know, it sounded good} 2011, <a href="http://ateenytinyteacher.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Miss</span></a> Kindergarten is throwing a part-ay! All you have to do is think back at your favorites in 2011 and add a few pictures. What a fun way to remember the year, huh!? You can use these prompts if you'd like, or just type up your 11 favorite things! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">11. Favorite movie you watched: </div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">10. Favorite TV series:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">9. Favorite restaurant:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">8. Favorite new thing you tried:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">7. Favorite gift you got:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">6. Favorite thing you pinned:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">5. Favorite blog post:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">4. Best accomplishment:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">3. Favorite picture:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">2. Favorite memory:</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">1. Goal for 2012</div></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 9pt;"><strong><em>11: Favorite Movie You Watched</em></strong><br />
<a href="http://www.rio-themovie.com/">Rio</a> – it was a cute movie BUT it was the first movie we watched after Hubby got home from Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The memory of sitting there on the chair eating popcorn as a family is priceless.<br />
10: Favorite TV Series<br />
<br />
Toss up – <a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/army-wives">Army Wives</a> and <a href="http://www.nbc.com/law-and-order-special-victims-unit/">SVU</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are permanently imprinted on our DVR.<br />
<br />
9: Favorite Restaurant<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.redrobin.com/">Red Robin...</a> sad but true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOVE that all three of us can eat there AND mommy can have an adult beverage if the mood calls for it and Diva is NONE the wiser<br />
<br />
8: Favorite New Thing You Tried<br />
<br />
I suck but I haven’t tried anything new this year... I have been surviving, so I guess that’s new.<br />
<br />
7: Favorite Gift You Got<br />
<br />
Diva made me a coffee mug for my birthday... by far my favorite gift ever.</span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
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6: Favorite Thing You Pinned<br />
<br />
I’ve never pinned anything... and truthfully am dying for an invitation to Pinterest! <strong><em><u>HINT</u></em></strong><br />
<br />
5: Favorite Blog Post<br />
<br />
<a href="http://tiarasandacus.blogspot.com/2011/06/homecoming.html">Homecoming</a>... I loved the pictures, I loved the memories and the moments... I LOVED HOMECOMING<br />
<br />
4: Best Accomplishment<br />
<br />
We<a href="http://tiarasandacus.blogspot.com/2011/07/hello-540-dreamland.html"> bought our first home in July</a>... pretty proud of us.<br />
<br />
3: Favorite Picture<br />
<br />
HOMECOMING! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyKSLR2ntyuld7OY2Hj7pZ5vSbC3_5992kTLVuSDKFQwjrlQ9ExVIRXP3Db4ToRAI88Q2pwKfHwrxQEuu4fqes6J0dYarZWhj8Ijyhd_6PxH6iKJdfs434jKLEiHMg4s276woei2WdcND/s1600/IMG01508-20110625-1051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyKSLR2ntyuld7OY2Hj7pZ5vSbC3_5992kTLVuSDKFQwjrlQ9ExVIRXP3Db4ToRAI88Q2pwKfHwrxQEuu4fqes6J0dYarZWhj8Ijyhd_6PxH6iKJdfs434jKLEiHMg4s276woei2WdcND/s320/IMG01508-20110625-1051.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNsZ3nBi6osXcT0GMPk47trhWzrrlKX2hdyxD1elZIvFZLPGJ1KKVLH2k5PmaJPe7hHYwARoscpn43f-KdVAXS5x1aqm4vXcZ_J7enPW_u-0zosdH65CcgSwhPZ1RVChLCVnD_gyFETmS/s1600/264904_2162072567339_1112315055_2608205_7735380_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNsZ3nBi6osXcT0GMPk47trhWzrrlKX2hdyxD1elZIvFZLPGJ1KKVLH2k5PmaJPe7hHYwARoscpn43f-KdVAXS5x1aqm4vXcZ_J7enPW_u-0zosdH65CcgSwhPZ1RVChLCVnD_gyFETmS/s320/264904_2162072567339_1112315055_2608205_7735380_n.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
<br />
2: Favorite Memory<br />
<br />
Diva’s birthday at Disneyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was on R&R and our first family outing this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVED that day... all but the stupid skort (gave me diaper butt!) that I had to buy due to the dress code at Club 33.<br />
<br />
1: Goal for 2012<br />
<br />
Lost my 10lbs, finish the nightmare that is reintegration, get back to school</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-24889122509021927322011-12-29T11:18:00.000-08:002011-12-29T11:18:22.180-08:00Christmas Recap...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been seriously sucking at my blog lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Christmas and family in town I have totally run out of time for basically everything... including personal hygiene (ok, not really but that’s how I feel!)!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday brought the Hubby home... late in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early Friday my in-laws got into town – Father in law, his wife (from Nevada and stayed with us) and my brother in law and his wife (all the way from Florida!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also FAMILY BAKING NIGHT... with baking socks! We really look forward to this every year - my mother in law and the girls spend a day baking, this year all the girls AND the boys participated and we had so much fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diva got a tummy ache from sneaking so much cookie dough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday was just a family day all the way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas Eve is my mother in laws night – she bakes a full dinner and we all get to spend the time together eating and hanging out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Grandma joins us every year as well, she is my only family left in the Sunshine State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are super close and I LOVE spending holidays with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even got to open gifts because of the fact that my brother in law and his wife were spending Christmas with her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to be together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diva just LOVES having family and just loves her Uncle CJS.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Santa was up WAY late Christmas EVE... like 0230 Christmas morning... just getting everything together and wrapped perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear... as kids we got up at 0230 to check to see if Santa had been there, not Diva!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She slept in until 6:15!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up and atom bright and early... then LOTS of opening and smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mommy got a coffee mug, says “My Favorite People call me Mommy!”, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an iPod touch (my old iPod died!) and a beautiful ring that is Divas birthstone PLUS her favorite color. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hubby got his roof rack for his bike...and clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there is my angel... I LOVE seeing Christmas through her eyes... especially when her eyes are LOST and she can’t figure out her gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 2 favorite LOST Diva moments: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me</i></b>- Oh wow, do you know what this is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Diva</i></b>- NOPE <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Me</i></b>- UMMM it’s a TV for your wall sweetheart<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Diva</i></b>- But I have a TV, why another one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">AHH</i></b> my baby- Her current TV was the Hubbys from HIGH SCHOOL!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diva opens a box and in it is a letter from Santa, A Gift Card and a Catalog for... A NEW AMERICAN GIRL DOLL!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later she comes up to me and asks why Santa gave her a catalogue and not the doll.... the Letter said that it was so Diva, her mommy and daddy could go to the LA store and she could pick out the PERFECT doll because Santa’s sled was low on space after her BIKE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she is carrying around her catalogue... poor baby.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With all these great gifts... she is attached to a $10 microphone and a $15 video camera!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, next year it will be all gifts under $20!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday... Monday was a lovely mildly relaxing day that allowed for some cleanup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tuesday everyone left and Diva and I stayed snuggled at home most of the day just enjoying each other and the quiet of the day... and a bit of laundry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say it all the time but that kid has an IMMENSE amount of laundry/clothes!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back at work for the week and loving some time away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also started back to the gym yesterday to lose those last pesky 10lbs that I hate and seem to be totally centralized on my tummy and booty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to get into swimsuit shape for any trips we may take this summer... must look as good or close to the 6-pack man I am married to.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HAPPY THURSDAY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-33603035518502684722011-12-22T11:47:00.000-08:002011-12-22T11:47:09.894-08:00Secret Santa AND Prayer to Santa<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday ... a LONG day... I got home to the most WONDERFUL thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Secret Santa gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just made me smile, a little tear... and giggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Thank you Thank you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will do a WHOLE post about how wonderfully amazing and thoughtful and perfectly perfect this gift was today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime... here is a picture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THANK YOU!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLlPhfPnaOt9chxZ_AZVSOrPA3V3EAv7DQdkb1925OUxNo0s-9N7NY0qyK5Si7JlM-OkDDphGFHwWQ6ZkP_pvhnHAIROUqnAopsd4E_h7i3jLeXqn2UZTKaIcDgg709ZahU157RPR6nd6/s1600/SS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLlPhfPnaOt9chxZ_AZVSOrPA3V3EAv7DQdkb1925OUxNo0s-9N7NY0qyK5Si7JlM-OkDDphGFHwWQ6ZkP_pvhnHAIROUqnAopsd4E_h7i3jLeXqn2UZTKaIcDgg709ZahU157RPR6nd6/s320/SS.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh and here is the current weather where the Hubby is... he is supposed to fly out today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shall see! Santa... please bring my husband home for Christmas!.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-LUcFbIs8w/TvOJAwk0NKI/AAAAAAAACOM/2qtlqfpwWco/s1600/GCS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-LUcFbIs8w/TvOJAwk0NKI/AAAAAAAACOM/2qtlqfpwWco/s320/GCS.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-82387658675982699282011-12-21T11:04:00.000-08:002011-12-21T11:04:04.357-08:00Almost there.... I hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ITS TOMORROW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, our countdown better be done tomorrow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The husband, then the in-laws... and then CHRISTMAS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diva is getting excited about it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hasn’t seen her Aunt and Uncle in 6 months, the same with my Father in Law and his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She just LOVES having the family together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is doubly excited because my parents sent a gift to be opened BEFORE the 23<sup>rd</sup> – she can’t wait, and reminds me DAILY that it MUST be opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The you add the fact that this year she is all about Santa but, sadly, has not remembered the being good part – been grounded all week for hiding clean clothes in the back of the closet and UNDER the dresser!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight is the rest of the cleaning because my LAZY/OVERWHELMED self didn’t get it done last night... instead I got sick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have ZERO choice to get it done tonight because I will head to work in the morning and come home WITH hubby... must be done by then.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All I want for Christmas is.... my husband home, beyond that... I got NOTHIN</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-47926168441676951032011-12-20T15:41:00.000-08:002011-12-20T15:41:42.560-08:00Finger tapping...Do you ever catch yourself checking Facebook and Twitter like an addict... then roaming ALL your daily read blogs repeatedly? OMG - I am dying for Christmas. Have I mentioned that I LOVE Christmas! Our house is decorated, mostly cleaned (finishing our room and the office tonight because I got TOTALLY sidetracked by Real Housewives last night) and we are READY for Christmas. Every day I have been checking my Secret Santa r<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ecipients </span>blog... I am DYING to see if she likes what she got. I really really hope so... Her family and blog is so cute... I have been stalking her since I got her information. haha. <br />
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Last night I sat with Diva... we talked about life, prayed for our friends bunny and discussed family and CHRISTMAS! She asked for 3 things AND finished with a BABY BROTHER.... yeah, kid Santa won't have that in his sleigh. Maybe next year. I am counting down for Hubby to be home, for this week of work to be done... AND for everyone to open their gifts. I diligenty bought gifts this year, I always want to have the perfect gift for each person. <br />
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Random thoughts...Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-48047589921709942912011-12-19T10:37:00.001-08:002011-12-19T10:37:51.695-08:00Countdowns, Christmas and a grounded child....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have said for months... a military wife’s life is according to countdowns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are about 4 days away from a home daddy AGAIN – YAY!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I LOVE Secret Santa... LOVE LOVE LOVE them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Saturday I got a VERY sweet card from mine – Thank you so much!! I also hope that my Secret Santa gift was received... I love that she sounds so much like me and enjoys it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This weekend was full of baking, final Christmas shopping, and laundry... and cleaning and decorating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby’s father and wife are coming in on Friday for the weekend, yippee!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all that was done it was a perfect weekend... well ALMOST perfect, missing the Hubby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stinks when 10 days turns into 14... hopefully the weather will cooperate and he will be home on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hubby and I have been Facetiming lately, thank you iPhone for this WONDERFUL option, and it’s given Diva some daddy time while he is gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She commented the other night how much BETTER it is than Skype.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OBVIOUSLY!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really needs this connection time with him, explaining to her that this is a short IN COUNTRY trip not a deployment has been convoluted and a little frustrating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their time, just like old Skype days, gives me a few minutes to get things done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let them chat, usually I leave and do something else but last night I just laid in bed next to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BACKSTORY - Yesterday she was grounded for hiding clothes in the closet instead of putting them away.- So last night while they were chatting(not wanting to tell daddy that she got in trouble) she told him that she spent all day cleaning her room and bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HAHA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They started talking about when he would be home, I noticed something UNDER the dresser... as I pulled out what I thought was an errant sweater I found a FULL LOAD of clothes shoved under there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all... had to laugh because both Hubby and I did that as kids, then I was full of amazement that she fit THAT much under there... finally she is grounded until Thursday for it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got to give the kid credit though... and now I realize why it seems that I am ALWAYS doing laundry, little booger is hiding it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 more week until I get to put everything away, reorganize our house and get my NON HOLIDAY life back... I am sadly looking forward to normalcy. Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then trying to plan our next big trip... family trip to DC is my plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have places to stay for free, just need airfare and food.... YES, I got this!</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-72416338757710583622011-12-12T12:40:00.000-08:002011-12-12T15:07:54.039-08:00Ahh Monday... the dreaded MondayMIGRAINE DAY 5! Please let it go away!!!!<br />
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I have said this a million times BUT I am honest, I am raw and I write what I am thinking - good, bad or indifferent. If you don't like ME personally then why read what I write?<br />
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After my blog post Friday - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was texted about stating an opinion, then was accused of stirring a pot and talking sh*t... last time I checked this is an ANONYMOUS blog, I do not use anyone’s names for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t email this to anyone and ask them to read it, I don’t promote it anywhere but Twitter (@MrsSoCalUS if you want) so I cannot possibly be stirring ANY pot. To the woman who contacted me - I appreciate it and hope that we are at a better place now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the person who started it all - You are the original mean girl, you have been nothing but rude and judgmental, you like to cause problems for reasons that I will never understand because I have never done anything mean or nasty to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I deleted you from my facebook account for a reason please STOP being that interested in my life that you need to read and repeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enough Said!<br />
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After all was said and done I spoke to an old friend of mine – wise beyond words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has always been a good friend of mine and is a writer- an honest and open writer, for this I admire her greatly. We talked about my predicament and why it caused me to update and rework Friday’s post. Her advice was priceless... "be YOU and don't change!" Not everyone is going to like my posts or even read them... BUT know that I am honest, I will not apologize for it. Don't think that will change – I write to vent, I write to help... I write because I am me and it’s the MAIN outlet I have had since I was old enough to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This blog won’t change... honest to a fault!<br />
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<strong><em>ON TO THE Happier stuff!!</em></strong><br />
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Friday night the moms and I got to surprise Diva and her Daisy Troop from last year with a visit - she LOVED it as did they. It was so nice to see them all playing and reminiscing with the moms about life last year and the changes since Hubby was again missing. Crazy how that works - he is gone a few weeks and mentally I revert back to deployment. I wonder why that is so much easier. It’s sad that the separations become easier - we talked about it last night. When he used to leave I was all annoyed and frustrated but now... it's just business as usual! I miss him and love him with all my heart... my best friend gone SUCKS but it is easier now. The deployment made us stronger and made us better people with a greater appreciation for life - no matter how frustrating reintegration is, there is no doubt of our love and commitment to our family. <br />
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The rest of the weekend was all about the garage... cleaning and organizing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate cardboard boxes so they are ALL gone and everything is in Rubbermaid totes and I WILL park both cars in there before he gets home – this is my Christmas gift to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of gifts – he asked me what I wanted and to make a list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the problem – I don’t want anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have him and Diva both here for Christmas, we have our new home (ok I do want my custom closet)... but that’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have more than most and am thankful for it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I tell him??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lame list: gym clothes, a necklace hanger for the bathroom... ummm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, that’s all I got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha.<br />
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What do you tell your husband when he asks for a list? HELP?!Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-51325201339567088892011-12-09T08:53:00.000-08:002011-12-09T15:20:04.155-08:00And he leaves... again! UPDATED<strong><em>UPDATE: So my frustration this morning was taken WAY out of context by someone - I am not insinuating that anyones husband doens't like them nor that they have an unhappy marriage. I was just venting - which is not always rational or sugarcoated. Especially not on a few hours of sleep, a migraine, a 7 year old who has been upset since daddy left yesterday (who I am consistently reminding that daddy is still in the US) AND still having to go to work and be productive - Yes, I am NOT perfect! I have to realize that few people understand what it's like to be without your spouse for 15 months, don't know what it's like to listen to all the things people say about you (yes, people are two faced in this world) and forget that we each have off days. I apologize that anyone was insulted by my rant because it wasn't meant to be hurtful towards anyone. I am human and should not have taken my own migraine/lonely frustration out on the public - so for that I am sorry. I have since removed the questionable wording on this post - moreso to not create any additional issues. </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>I keep my blog annonyomous so that I can be frank, a little off color and allow myself to vent without publicly insulting anyone or hurting anyone.... I am not HIDING behind it because if you want to know who I am... email me and ask. But after 15 months alone, figuring out reintegration... and everything else in my life it's nice to have an outlet. </em></strong><br />
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<strong><em>**Back to your regularly scheduled read!**</em></strong><br />
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Hubby left for a work trip yesterday – I have spent the last week mentally preparing for him to be gone AGAIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched him pack and it just reminded me of watching his duffel get packed several times over the last 2 years – seems like we go through this a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the trip to the airport and a crying Diva - He has been home less than 4 months and now he is in Colorado for 2 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days I am just over watching him leave, watching my daughter hurt... and sleeping alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I am the one that told him he should reenlist in the Reserves – thus putting us at the risk of another deployment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure what my deal is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe if he were Active OR had a civilian job that allowed him to be home more it would make this all easier?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No clue but today it’s hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even woke up this morning forgetting where he was and had a moment thinking he was deployed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WEIRD!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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It’s time for the MilSpouse Friday Fill-In again - thanks to <a href="http://wifeofasailor.com/" jquery161048330076155949414="2" target="_blank">Wife of A Sailor</a> for being in charge again!<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>My favorite song of the season is<u> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jingle Bell Rock!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diva and I LOVE to dance to this song... she is also stealing all things Glee Christmas from me this year as well.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></u></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><u>Diva </u></em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is someone who inspires me because <em><u>no matter what happens she tries to be the strong one, she loves everyone and knows NO strangers.</u></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></em></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had $100,000 to give to a charity, I’d give it to <em><u>the Got Your Back Network (<a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/"><span style="font-style: normal;">www.gotyourbacknetwork.org</span></a>) because they assist families of the fallen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been on the board and involved with them for a few years and simply LOVE what they do.</u></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></em></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>. If I had a theme party, I’d make it <em><u>Christmas in New York – maybe because I love NYC and I love Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although our holiday decorations this year are closer to Christmas in Hawaii.</u></em><br />
5. If I had one wish for my kids/future kids/some young person I care about, it would be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>follow their dreams and their heart!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want her/them <em>to live the life by enjoying it, doing things that matter the most, and remembering how precious every single day is</em></u></i>.</div>This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.<br />
– Author UnknownShanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-36597587040519971912011-12-06T02:08:00.000-08:002011-12-06T02:08:00.160-08:00Secret Santa... LOVE!I have been shopping for my Secret Santa Gift and finding it HORRIBLY hard to stay within the allotted amount... $20 doesn't get very far these days, haha. Especially when I have something in mind that I just HAVE to get her but it's SLIGHTLY outside of the allotment. Hmmm decisions, decisions. Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-25689810956481814612011-12-05T09:43:00.000-08:002011-12-05T09:43:05.000-08:00A new direction...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love Glee and when I was starting this post and listening to Glee Christmas – the New Directions spoke to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically seems that I need to stop, and send my energy and light in a new direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also realized that I can’t sing and often can’t tell the boys and girls voices apart (Kurt Hummel!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I spent Friday night writing and editing my book... only to realize that it’s not the book I want it to be and am essentially starting over -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book started out very raw and honest and got lost somewhere in a ball of fluff and that is NOT what I will publish! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to look back at my book and say YEP, that is EXACTLY what I planned it to be.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight is also the premier of the Candy Queen – and our show will be airing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TLC came in and filmed our homecoming party for this pilot show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so nervous and excited to see this moment between my husband and our friends and this great surprise!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond that- life has been good, odd but good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been, ok I will keep it about me and say that I have been struggling with life post deployment and where I fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most days I don’t really feel that I fit anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have given up so many things since Hubby has been home in order to just be all about family time... however it’s far from reciprocated and I need to learn to be ok with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t think I can – all the things that I came to LOVE about him while he was gone are things that I thought would stay when he got home... you know the little things like stopping and surprising me with freeway off ramp flowers just because OR maybe getting up with Diva JUST ONCE and letting me sleep beyond 7am on any given day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JUST SAYIN.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are also talking about the next addition to our family and there is a HUGE conflict inside- part of me WANTS to try ONE more cycle IUI before we move forward with the adoption but I am 95% sure it won’t work (this is based on the fact that I have a 5% chance of ACTUALY doing it.) and really don’t want to waste any more time or money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both hope to have another little one in our home by NEXT Christmas, we shall see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Monday!</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-6982832960311948472011-12-02T23:07:00.000-08:002011-12-02T23:07:22.580-08:00WritingI have been writing my book since the day Hubby left... I was totally done, just editing OR SO I THOUGHT. In editing I have decided to take it in a whole different direction. Here I go again.... <br />
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This is whats been keeping me super busy the last few weeks. Hubby has been a bit rough lately, he is going through a lot and making some difficult career decisions so I am just being a SUPER supportive wife. AHHH, the life of an Army wife.Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-44469093735903089742011-11-29T09:20:00.001-08:002011-11-29T09:20:53.605-08:00Thought formulations...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WOW- taken me all this time just to formulate a coherent thought after the holiday weekend.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had a blast hosting our first Thanksgiving (EVER and in our new home), I even got to use my Great Grandmothers China... very cool to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to spend some good family time as well – My parents, my nieces, my Grandma, my Mother in Law, the Hubby and the Diva... PERFECTION!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that its back to work, life and planning for Christmas – with 80 degree So Cal weather its SO hard to get into the Christmas Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even avoided shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday when last year I was COMPLETELY done shopping on Black Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only real purchases I made were Christmas decorations to hopefully put me in the mood to shop AND a Canvas print of Champagne Flutes from our wedding for our kitchen/dining room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This next month will be filled with perfecting our home, FINALLY hanging up our curtains before my inlaws arrive for Christmas, potentially deciding on a photo theme for our office and MAYBE picking colors for our room... downfall being that Hubby will be leaving for 2 weeks for his civilian job thus leaving much on my plate... sadly the deployment prepared me more for this than his coworkers could imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their wives whine when they are home late from work or have to miss a party night out... if they only understood what its like to walk in the shoes of a MilSpouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would LOVE to have those concerns and irritations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since this time last year my concerns have gone from keeping Diva happy during the holidays to mitigate the feelings of loss and lonliness with daddy being gone, worrying sick about Hubby yet keeping his spirits up through the holidays to somedays walking on egg shells because I feel that mostly I don’t do much right where he is concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how I speak, it’s often greeting with “stop being snappy” or something along those lines... its like just my voice annoys him yet I don’t feel that I am doing anything wrong or different than I did before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to act like the last year (15 months) didn’t happen... sorry but that’s not an option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YUCK.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh well... back to positivity.... work.... ehh, I tried!</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-89961278169151838682011-11-23T12:45:00.000-08:002011-11-23T12:45:40.604-08:00Holiday Orders!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Do you have a Santa Swap or want to give the kids in your life a unique gift? How about the NEW MilSpouse you know - maybe she wants to represent?!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Taking orders this weekend for the Holiday Rush!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you are interested in designing a custom Tank, T-Shirt or Hoodie OR if you like something you see and simply want it made please email me: <a href="mailto:militarywifeapparel@yahoo.com">militarywifeapparel@yahoo.com</a> with your desired item, size (indicate child or adult) and I will invoice you.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There is a 7-10 day shipping time.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhay-aBflpJuVcaMMmhjSCm65Qzo1BxNuU3i0eugA1XwNiLZhyphenhyphenD4ffzwvB35oRMlwJkNRL4No2kuJW3mI229Xg2HE1FJle9ydoAzJnxmHC8XFHW0UR1oCM5trJsJDdFIPpMKHvwcDU9UYKQ/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhay-aBflpJuVcaMMmhjSCm65Qzo1BxNuU3i0eugA1XwNiLZhyphenhyphenD4ffzwvB35oRMlwJkNRL4No2kuJW3mI229Xg2HE1FJle9ydoAzJnxmHC8XFHW0UR1oCM5trJsJDdFIPpMKHvwcDU9UYKQ/s400/photo3.JPG" width="298px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YXyK3ylLhgmTYsVy4uh4qaG3ZRy49AK9pzWhHsLYX3kF7W5JLBn5l65YeWKHmH1SUeEBjYkh2X-yF3TFSVdIu5i0W6POXzQPmQIbb02f5k4JkswRN83EfaxLu1UTMP9OK1ZELf_r5cuB/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YXyK3ylLhgmTYsVy4uh4qaG3ZRy49AK9pzWhHsLYX3kF7W5JLBn5l65YeWKHmH1SUeEBjYkh2X-yF3TFSVdIu5i0W6POXzQPmQIbb02f5k4JkswRN83EfaxLu1UTMP9OK1ZELf_r5cuB/s400/photo1.JPG" width="298px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMfyyefY3JECkPmNExhh0andi_oChsER7pOPFqBC5Qf9VDuzx_FhWlhCNs9ZgWUjBg8dhbE2G2PvJH2T8ejjg3t3DQ73LBLNFfEGW21IlLydcyVImqZXD4m9Qn0GZlOlOqKnrPfgJJpRk/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMfyyefY3JECkPmNExhh0andi_oChsER7pOPFqBC5Qf9VDuzx_FhWlhCNs9ZgWUjBg8dhbE2G2PvJH2T8ejjg3t3DQ73LBLNFfEGW21IlLydcyVImqZXD4m9Qn0GZlOlOqKnrPfgJJpRk/s400/photo4.JPG" width="298px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX32JC7HNMXeHCKja3fLOrp0EszOo19oV1UZ6cyC1Tzq0v9XHnrkjEBt_NEmM3a67Iwjt_ztiIjcKghYE9Y-QDqf9oJY91k1d4kltjW5krGiWBD1z-7D26g4kSgV4wftt2pNcbRapY61s/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX32JC7HNMXeHCKja3fLOrp0EszOo19oV1UZ6cyC1Tzq0v9XHnrkjEBt_NEmM3a67Iwjt_ztiIjcKghYE9Y-QDqf9oJY91k1d4kltjW5krGiWBD1z-7D26g4kSgV4wftt2pNcbRapY61s/s400/photo2.JPG" width="298px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-25720943585612907062011-11-23T07:07:00.001-08:002011-11-23T07:07:59.501-08:00A house full<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The family will be here late tonight... I am pretty stinking excited about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t seen my nieces in 8 months, my brother in 7 and my parents... well I saw my mom in April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They haven’t seen our new home, or the Hubby since he’s been home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This also marks the FIRST time I have ever hosted a holiday before... I AM TERRIFIED!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am thankful for so many things this year – the safety of Hubby is high on my list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Thanksgiving take a moment to remember all those that won’t make it to the table this year – Those still deployed, those rehabilitating in a hospital somewhere and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I volunteer with an organization, <a href="http://www.thegotyourbacknetwork.org/">The Got Your Back Network</a>, that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>works with families of the fallen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are preparing for our 3<sup>rd</sup> Project Gratitude event – taking 25 widows and daughters to Miss America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you would like to donate items for their gift bags or financially towards something for the program please let me know.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Thanksgiving!!!</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4239947046935845411.post-48375021218951153442011-11-22T10:54:00.001-08:002011-11-22T10:54:22.238-08:00Inopportune Time... of course<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course this week is Thanksgiving... then Christmas and holiday junk so all crap food for the next 45 days!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well... NOT FOR ME!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying so hard to support Suki and her goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started my morning off with a protein shake (Went to Target and bought a personal blender for $15!). Pure Protein Chocolate with a banana, not too bad actually and a total of 330 Cal, 34.7b Protein and 40.9g Carbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that the protein amount should be above my carb intake but the banana killed me (27g).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course now I feel this HUGE lump of protein shake in my stomach, ahh that’s enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downfall is that I am already craving SWEETS....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going to try to overload with water and green see if that works –</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did download an App for my phone to help me track what I eat and drink – maybe the added accountability will help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good gracious, this is a lot of work and I am not a huge fan of calorie counting BUT it’s necessary to make sure I am eating the RIGHT food.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are also talking about child number 2 – no BIG decisions made yet but Diva is ready, I am ready (I think), so now it’s just up to Hubby and his readiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a copy of our last home study in hopes that will help the process along once we take the step – I am aiming for a decision to move forward by January BUT I also know that you can’t rush these decisions... if so we would have 4 kids by now!</span></div>Shanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11860334794974749201noreply@blogger.com0