The weekend in pictures (with some words)

Thanksgiving Photos

Boy the table look REALLy small then.


Yes, I really did keep the kitchen that clean while cooking Thanksgiving dinner;-) My husband thinks I suffer from over obsessiveness.


My perfectly cooked turkey (I overcooked the pumpkin pies though ROFL. Stuck them in the oven shortly before eating, and then forgot they were there, for 2 hours!!!!!!!!!! They came out edible though;-D )

The long weekend was for the most part uneventful.
Friday morning, I was in NO mood to be awake at 5 in the morning for the "great" sales. I preferred to avoid the madness and mayhem and enjoy my very warm bed, which I did, alone. Daniel had a momentary lapse in sanity and decided to go to Best Buy, where he discovered just about everything gone. He returned home bearing breakfast from the whataburger, which I attempted to eat before my head hit the table. I went back to sleep, sleeping in until later, and then I decided that we should venture out and see what was about. The mall was still insanely packed, so we left there shortly and headed off to Target, where I picked up a few more tops for work. Later that evening, Daniel and I joined a friend of his from work, and his wife and went to an after Thansgiving party. As I knew NO ONE, I held back a bit, but soon was enjoying myself hanging around with his buddy's wife. After leaving we returned to Best Buy, where we discovered a very good deal on a microwave, making me very happy. I now am only missing but one item to make my kitchen complete: A Kitchen Aid!!!!! I have a slight obsession with these machines, but come now, they can do EVERYTHING, but cook the food, with the right attachments of course. Mummy had one growing up, and I got very accustomed to it.
Saturday was pretty lazy, but Sunday we got the wild idea to take a trip to Tombstone for the afternoon. It was freezing there, with the wind, but it was also empty of too many tourists and whatnot, so we spent a peaceful afternoon taking in the sights and window shopping.
These last two days I have been settling into my job rather comfortably, and taking on as many tasks as I possibly can. One can only answer the phone so many times and not wish to tear ones hair out unless there is something to occupy the mind with as well.




This is one of the more famous graves in Boothill Cemetary, for obvious reasons.


This is my personal favorite:)



The most famous of the famous in Tombstone



The view was incredible, to say the least



One of the many gunfights, this one amongst the more amusing

Happy Thanksgiving

The Turkey is in the oven, we are getting ready to sit down and enjoy watching the OLD tv series War of the Worlds in our wonderful little apartment, and new jobs. What else could you ask for? Be Thankful this year. For all that has happened that is bad, find the good in your life and be thankful.

I start tomorrow!

Yay me, I have a job, I have meaning and purpose in my life:-D Ok, I work for a real estate company, starting out as a receptionist and moving on up further should I show true value. (yeah, like that's going to be that hard:-D Anyhooo, I am cooking up meatloaf and mashed taters for dinner tonight to celebrate:) Meatloaf was on the menu anyway, but whos to say it can't be special? Especially if a fabulous cook, such as myself, cooks it:-D
I know, I am a little cooky tonight hehehehehe

More Saturday adventures

So last night I made reservations at the Laff's Comedy Club, for dinner and a show, and Daniel and I went out there to enjoy. Oh lordy was it funny. At one point I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes:-D
Today we mostly hit sales up in the hill country, which for me, sucked! I am so out of shape it isn't funny. Not to mention that my knee kinda hates hills. But it was fun, although nothing of cosequence came of it.
After yardsaleing along(not sure that is a word lol), we went to go see Harry Potter 4!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I love Harry Potter. The movie was great but I won't spoil it, just to say that the special effects are wicked and you NEED to go see it.
I failed to mention this, but the Sunday I spent with my sister in TN, we had gone to the mall and she had gotten me to get my ear pierced, up in the cartlidge area. Now I had always kinda wanted to do this, so what the hey, I could now, I am out. Unfortunatly I reacted to it and so had to yank it out a few days later. BUT tonight, hubby was having his done (again, same sort of situation) so once again, what the hey, why not. The guy assured me that it was all stainless steel, so no reaction this time. And since he used a needle, no trauma to the ear. So far, so good, I have a small hoop in my ear and Hubby another hehehehe. The couple that pierces together, stays together? hehehehe. His account is over at his blog, also has an interesting rundown of the last 2 months, so go read:-D Oh yeah, It's the very top link, Mace's madness.

And so we go on

I have my resume in with a temp agency here in Tucson, and have been going on interviews through them for a while. I discovered that this was a good way to go as the person assisting me is able to find only the best jobs and the ones most likely to hire me, although that has not happened just yet. The sting of rejection is starting to suck. I was offered one job, however chose not to take it as I did not think it a good fit for me personally. And so we go on.
However this morning was interesting, as one of the agency's clients had a sudden need for a receptionist, and as my person knew, I was around LOL. So she called me up and asked if I could do this for her. Right now, just about anything to get me out of this apartment is good. I rapidly prepared and drove north to the firm. I then spent the next 3 hours either answering phones, or twiddling my thumbs. I did have a chance to stuff a few envelopes though. It was an interesting place though, and the people who worked there very nice. The phone system fascinated me, as it was computer based. Very fun, and entertaining when more then one call came in one right after the other.
This evening, Daniel and I have reservations at the Laff's comedy club here in town. We discovered it last night while browsing the paper and decided to check it out. Neither one of us is very fond of clubs, with the loud music and crowded places, so a comedy club sounded perfect. We got to the bar attached to the place around 9:30 or so and the bartender greeted us. When he found out that we were new and had missed the show, he gave us a coupon for free admission, so I look forward to tonights hilarity. The bar itself was very nice, even after the show let out it had a very relaxed atmosphere, not very noisy at all. All in all a good place to sit down, grab a beer, and actually have a conversation.

photos

Daniel and I took a field trip up Sentinal Peak (I usually called it "A" mountain, in fact had forgotten its real name) last night to see the sights, and of course I had my camera with me.

The plaque reads:
" Below this 2900 - foot peak, the Santa Cruz valley was farmed by the Hohokam Indians as early as 800 AD. When the Spainards arrived in the 17th century, the Hohokam had vanished and settlements of Piman people dotted the valley. One called "Schuk-schon" meaning "At the foot of the Black mountain" was pronouned Tucson by the Spainards. The hill was a lookout for these early Indian and Spanish settlers who lived in fear of hostile raiders. The white washed stone "A" was constructed by University of Arizona students in 1915."

Adventures in.......................Yardsales!

We put probably 100+ miles on my car Saturday traveling throughout the city looking for people who no longer wanted some of their things. As we got a later start, we did strike out a good bit, but we did come away with a bread machine, so my dreams are fulfilled. No, seriously here, I have been dying for a bread machine since I don't know when. I LOVE fresh bread. We also found a beautiful refinished drop leaf dresser for a very reasonable price. Getting that, into my tiny car was FUNNY! We ended up securing it in the trunk, with multiple ropes crisscrossing it, and then driving VERY slowly home, hoping it wouldn't fall out.
Later that day we went for an adventure in the Foothills trying to find a few more yard sales we had seen signs for. In one case, we went looking for a moving sale, only to end up coming back to the same place three times, and still not finding it.
Did you know trying to find a bean bag chair is nigh to impossible. Most major stores did have them for back to school, but now no longer! We did finally find some disc chairs at Target, so we do have some place to sit and use our TV trays for dinner.
Can you tell we need furniture still?

I love my little city

Settling into the apartment is fun, although I really need a job. I could never be a stay at home wife ROFL. Not enough mind stimulation. I spent this afternoon refinishing a little patio set I purchased today. It was originally white and somewhat rusted, so I sanded it, and primed it, and now it is a beautiful hunter green. And so are my hands, my feet, and areas in my hair ROFL!!!!!!!!! I can't do much without making a mess of myself.
We went grocery shopping yesterday at the local Fry's and lord a mercy! We left with a car load, but now we don't have to go for a few weeks. It is starting to feel more like home, and I love the fact that I can read through my cookbooks, and when I see a recipe I like, not have to automatically decide whether or not I can make it in the microwave. I can make anything I want and can make now! I LOVE cooking.
Right now I am sitting here at Bookmans on Grant and Campbell. I remember this place from when I was younger, cause I love to read and cheap books are the best!

Driving

I NEVER want to drive that far again!!!!!!!!!!!! I left NC on Sunday, spent 5 hours in Chattanooga with my sister, and then made it as far as Tallulah, MS before having to stop for the night. Then on Monday, I drove straight through the day and all night and made it to Tucson around 0700 on Tuesday morning. I then had an interview at 4pm LOL. I was dragging by that night!!!!!!!!!! But all is going well, I love being back in Tucson. For as many horribly bad memories of this place that I have, the few good ones far outweigh them in my love of this city. It is gloriously beautiful.
for a good laugh, I got this from the person whom I am hoping to replace in her job (she is moving on). I really hope for this job, because it looks way cool!
You Know you have been in Iraq too Long "When "

When mortars land near your compound and you roll over in bed and think "still way off, I got another 5 minutes"

* When you start humming with the Arabic song playing on the radio on the shuttle bus

* Every woman that reports to your unit starts looking attractive

* Every guy that reports to your unit starts looking attractive

* You walk an extra 6 blocks to eat at the KBR (contractor run) dining facility to have the exact same food they are serving in your dining facility because you think it tastes better

* You actually volunteer for convoy security duty because you still haven't seen the country yet

* You start picturing your wife in traditional Arab dress

* The contractors have more fire power than the military combat units. (This is true)

* You take the time to add your lines to this list

* You've spent $200 dollars at Haji mart on DVDs buying Basic Instinct, 9 and ½ weeks, and Body of Evidence just for the sex scenes

* You drink the water from the tap because you want to drop 20 pounds in two weeks

* Driving around in SUVs with weapons pointed out the windows and forcing cars off the road seems very normal to you

* You can put your body armor and helmet on in the dark in under 5 seconds

* When the organization you work for has changed its name more than 3 times

* When you can actually talk to people in the United States on a cell phone, yet you can't get people on their cell phone a block away

* When you actually spend more time writing e-mail about the dog in the compound versus how to conduct the fight in Najaf

* Your idea of a fun Thursday night is to go to the Palace pool to watch the State Department folks get drunk, naked and try to pick each other up

* When you actually get excited to get a package that contains 3 pair of socks, 12 bars of soap and a Victoria Secret Catalog

* When you start to enjoy the rocking of the trailer every time the MEDEVAC choppers fly over

* You memorized every episode from the 4th Season of Sex in the City

* You enjoy the audience commentary while watching a movie bought at Haji mart

* You see celebratory fire going over the compound at night and think, "wow the colors are so pretty" and want to fire back

* Your thinking of buying real estate in the green zone

* Your idea of sex is 20 minutes of Instant Messaging with your wife on the computer, OK, 10 minutes, who are you kidding?

* You wake up and think Baghdad, I am still in friggin Baghdad

* You make the new guy show you his count down timer just to make you feel better about your time you have left in country

* You're in the Army and you start saying Ooorah

* You're in the Marines and you start saying Hooah

* You're in the Navy and you realize you are in the middle of the desert, the exact opposite of being in the middle of the ocean, where one might normally find the Navy.

* You're in the Air Force, and you're on the plane home because an Air Force tour is too short to have been a long Iraq tour. Ignore this list, zoomie, you won't get it.

* You only notice the stench of Haji funk when its not there

* You plan on removing all trees and grass in your yard when you get home so it will look more natural

* You forget there are other colors than brown that can be found in places other than power point slides

* The temp drops down to 102 degrees and you shiver while reaching for your Gortex jacket

* You have noticed a change of season, from long, hot and dry to short, cold and wet.

* When you call home and your kids ask "Who is this?"

* You call home and your wife says hello Bill (your name is Sam)

* When you go on R&R, you duct tape your child to the roof of your car, hand him a pellet rifle, and assign him a sector of fire for the ride to "The Olive Garden."

* When you can comfortably shave and brush your teeth using bottled water, but don't mind showering in the "non-potable" local water.

* While on R&R, you look out the window and find Nature, which leads you to wonder who stole your sandbags.

* When some of the contractors wear their DCUs (Desert pattern camouflage uniform) more properly than some of your soldiers.

* When 12 hours is a short work day

* When, During the BUA, "DIV asked MNSTC-I for the FRAGO that MNC-I was supposed to publish, but couldn't because MNF-I hadn't weighed in, since they were too inundated with MOD and MOI war-gaming the JCCs
within the ISF to square us away!" is a valid comment and generates no questions.

* When you start using words like G'day mate, Cheers, and Bloody hell as part of your normal vocabulary

* When you have your opinions printed in the STARS and STRIPES more than 3 times

* When the palace catches fire and instead of helping to put it out you grab a bag of marshmallows and start roasting

* When you step into any office and there are 6 colonels, 12 lieutenant colonels, 15 majors, and 8 captains supervising the work of 1 sergeant

* When you end every phone conversation with "Out"

* When you're ordered to get an air mission together on short notice because it's a "Hot priority" only to have the Major call back once he is in the air to ask "Does anyone know where I am going?"

* When the weapon buyback program has become so successful that you have issued the same AK-47 to the Iraqi army 3 times

* When you can actually tell the difference between the sound of an exploding car and an exploding mortar

* When on R & R you tell your wife that your weapon status is Red and your looking for the clearing barrel

* When on R&R you go to Church and wonder why no one is wearing body armor or carrying an automatic weapon to the service

* You see an indirect fire attack take out a generator and get angry at the enemy for not hitting the one that powers your computer

* You see an indirect fire attack take out an air conditioner and your vigor to fight is renewed

* You yell at the FNG for shouting incoming when the rounds don't impact close enough to hit your tent with dirt

* You know that you need to run inside immediately after any win of an Iraqi sports team to keep from being hit by celebratory fire

* You decide for that for poops and grins - lets take a run around Lost Lake at Camp Victory to see if we can get shot at by the sniper

* You never worry about oversleeping because if the morning call to prayers doesn't wake you, the daily 0430 mortar attack will (most mornings)

* The highlight of your shopping experience at the PX is to see that they got in a new shipment of Schick Tracer razor blades

* When you send out your laundry and your whites become grayer, your blacks become grayer and your DCU's become grayer - makes it easier to sort loads...

* You get offended by people wearing clean, pressed DCU's

* You decide that it is a better course of action to pull your blankets over your head than put on your body armor during a mortar attack - the woobee will save you and at least you are comfortable

* You make a contest out of seeing who can wear their uniform for more days before becoming entirely disgusted with themselves

* You wonder if the fish served at dinner really was carp caught out of the Tigris or Camp Victory's lake

* You find it completely acceptable to pick your nose while talking to a complete stranger or member of the opposite sex

* A rocket or a mortar really isn't a big deal until the crater it leaves is big enough to trip over in the dark on the way to the latrine

* You go to a social gathering and intermittent gun fire or explosions don't even cause a pause in the conversation

Go Army

So, new things to go see, and to give up a bit of your hard earned money in support of the troops. Come on now, you know you want to.

In other news, I am in NC currently spending the day with my family before taking off tomorrow to head to TN, and then on to AZ. I do not look forward to the drive! Something about napping at rest stops is unnerving, not to mention that I literally have no room in my car. I PACKED that thing out this last week. I have just enough space in the rear view mirror to see out, and that is about it.
I did have one rather BAD day yesterday, I stayed over at my best friends place, as we went out Wednesday night to eat, and I ended up a little over the top tipsy (Jager, tequila, and later vodka. Thank goodness for the good sense to drink a lot of water)
Anyways, her daughter and cousin managed to get a hold of my bag, and my meds. Her sister and I were in the next room, and when it went dead quiet, we knew someting was up, we just weren't prepared to discover 2 3 y/o's chowing down on my Ambien and Zoloft!!!!!!!!! So I called 911, and we spent the afternoon at the emergency room. I don't think the kids will be messing around with any bottles any time soon. Oh and if you are wondering, no, the child saftey caps weren't on because it makes it very hard for me to open. Yes, I feel rather badly and guilty right now. But the kids are fine, and were acting normally (that is to say tearing around the hospital) by that evening.

If things go any more strange..................

My car got TOWED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last thursday I went to the registration office and tried to get my car registration renewed. They wouldn't do it, as my insurance has already been switched over. They told me to wait until I got to my final destination and register it there. I thought no problem until coming onto post last night after a couple of errands and they pulled me over for an inspection (routine). What was not so cool was when they told me to wait in the parking lot for a few minutes, and then 30 minutes later a tow truck pulls up, they ticketed me, and my car was towed. So now I am out quite a bit of money needed to go cross country, and I STILL don't have my car as I can't pay for it just yet, so it is still in storage off post where the guy towed it. I was lucky in that one of my friend allowed me to borrow his truck so I was able to go to church this morning. Still I am a bit moody cause I DON'T like being without my car.

Goodies

I got my birthday present in the mail today, a new XM Roady 2:-D Now addicted! I love the fact that I can hear songs that I don't hear on the radio!
I am sitting here, on a Friday night, watching That 70's show:-D major weakness in me.
I am so close to being gone it is rather unnerving. I have no idea what I am going to do with myself when I don't have to be up at 6 every morning to go stand in the freezing cold. This weekend I am packing my car, and then Tuesday the movers come to pick up the rest of my stuff.

I forgot, sorta

It's the day of the year, and the year in which I can now rent a car, and not pay extra! hehehe. I seriously haven't thought about it though, not that big. But my Grandma wrote, my in-laws called, my best friend, and of course Hubby.
I did treat myself though, I slept in until 11 after returning from morning accountability formation.

Before, During, and After

This is me, about a few months before deploying.


This is me 4 days after being blown:-D

And during the fixing process.........



And this is me now. Damn I look good don't I:-D
Alright, enough with the vanity, I just thought it would be fun to show the progression. And yes, I went and dyed my normally blonde hair red. I like it:-D

And just for good measure, a shot of my normally camera shy brother, hamming it up just for me.

misc.

Ok men, here's a clue: you want to hit on a girl, check her finger! hehehe.
In other news, it's sweater weather here, and I am freezing my little tushie. Lounging here watching CBS, I am bundled in a sweater, thick socks, and drinking a frozen margarita. ROFL :-D
Margaritas are good.
I went to the hair salon today to have a haircut, and do something totally different. I didn't cut it all off, and it is still long, but it is wicked cute:-D I LOVE it.
about one more week before I take off across this great wide country towards Tucson. I dislike long drives, particularily done alone. But LOT'S of music will keep me company.
My thoughts want to ramble tonight, making no sense at all.

embarrassing moments

Reading a couple of favorite blogs today got me to thinking about these. To be honest, most of mine involved men. What is it about them that causes us women to act like fools? To be sure, I think I have grown out of that stage. However, I do recall one really funny incident, after sneaking home one morning at 9, and being greeted at the door by my mother AND grandmother. Of course I had my little excuse all ready, but my grandmother, the wonderful wise woman that she is, just said "come on now Lizzie, we were your age too once" Yup, that was a little face reddening.
What was your most embarrasing incident. Email it to me at sgtlizzie@gmail.com , and I will put together one great blog of all the best:-D

Accomplishments

I actually got quite a bit done these last two days:-D My car is gleaming, my tires blacker than black, my dashboard and vinyl protected. My room is clean, my laundry done, and I have even weeded out my closet of all clothes I do not need currently and packed them away.
Tomorrow I need to go find boxes to start packing the thousands of books I have aquired over the years (ok thousands may be a slight exageration, but boy do I wish). Don't you just hate packing and moving? I don't mind leaving Fort Gordon so much as I mind all of the work I am going to have to put in. I have gotten to be such a lazy little girl he he he he he. I also do NOT look forward to the almost 2000 mile drive across the country. Do you know that it is impossible to find a hotel ANYWHERE along I20, I55, I12, AND I10? Not really a surprise though, I have to admit. I am thinking of just driving straight through to Texas, where I can stay overnight, and then doing it all over again to Tucson. Ah I can't wait to see the beautiful Mount Lemmon again. I have many fond memories of camping in up on the Mount. Mummy was definatly a brave one to take the 6 and then later 7 up there with all of the dangers. She always told me that she was afraid to take us to see the Grand Canyon because of she dreaded seeing one of us fly over the edge. Don't blame her, it is a wonder none of us ever got severely injured on our outings as adventurous as we kids were. hehehe. Well, save for the time my little brother bent over and accidently backed into a cactus. Oh that was a funny funny time. And of course there was the time camping under the stars, and I had a skunk walk right past my head in the dark and go straight to where our food was. Oh we were so afraid of having to take tomato baths when we got home. Actually forget the tomato baths, the drive home would have been hellacious ROFL. It was a long drive from the top of Mount Lemmon to the base, where we lived.

Cold?

What the hey? I got up this morning, showered, and dressed in a sleeveless shirt and shorts. After all, that is what I have been wearing these last two weeks. I walked outside to go run my errands, and immediatly wanted to run back inside and change. It was COLD! The really sad part, it was probably in the mid 70's. Gotten to used to the tropical Miami heat I guess.
I spent the majority of yesterday running about from one place to the next trying to get things set for me to start the preparations to leave this place. I won't miss Gordon, but there are some people I will miss, I have to admit. Unfortunatly I got pretty much nothing done. Hopefully I get more accomplished today wih cleaning my room, car, and doing my laundry.

Back in Augusta

Ah, yesterday was the last time I burned the roads between here in Miami. My next long drive will be next month to Tucson:) I have a lot to do today, picking up my orders, making appointments, fun fun.
Soon I will spill all the details (ok NOT all the details) but for now, I leave you with a picture.
This was taken shortly after the ceremony and is my favorite picture.

News

On October 5, 2005, Daniel M. and Elizabeth L. were joined in marriage. The event took place in Fort Lauderdale, FL and the couple will honeymoon in Miami, FL. They plan on residing in Tucson, AZ.

Testing

For some reason no one can get to my page today. Hmm
Get the chance, go see Serenity. It is a GREAT Movie, especially if you are a fan of Joss Whedon.

One day left and Corn on the Cob

Yes, I have an obsession with corn on the cob. I don't kinow what it is, but I love it. Ever since I was a little girl and Grandma taught us how to eat it in neat tidy rows, it has always been my vegatable of choice. But for obvious reasons I couldn't eat it these last few months. So tonight my very darling fiance decided to take me out to eat at Chilis, just so I could have my corn on the cob. YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY. Yeah I'm weird. So what, you don't have to live with me hehehehe.
I leave tomorrow after work for Miami for what will be the last time tomorrow, as when I return he will be taking off for Texas ahead of me to set up a place there. So yes, that means I will be out of the loop for awhile, but I shall return.

Interesting conversations

I am sitting here on duty today, bored off my arse.
I was having an interesting conversation with someone, concerning the pacisfism that seems to have spread across the United States. I had to point out to him that in the last century, we have had 7 major conflicts, and who knows how many other minor conflicts. It is understandable. We were also discussing the world we live in here in the military. In my point of view, we live in a gray world. Things aren't so black and white, in our world we walk a fine line between the two.

Just call me the goddess of Loooooooove

Over lunch today I decided to hook up my best friend with a new guy in our company, who is pretty cool to hang out with and nice. She thought he was hot, he thought she was cute, voila, a friendship made in heaven. Mind you, friendship always comes first.
In the world of stupid things NOT to do in front of your boss: I was getting ready to clean off the computer screen in my office, as dirty screens are a pet peeve of mine (anything dirty is actually) I had the paper towel ready in one hand, and the glass cleaner in the other. I then proceeded to press down hard on the button and got a face full of cleaner! Fortunatly I closed my eyes quick enough, but not my mouth (EW). As I sat there wiping my face off with the towel, I heard someone come in and stated that I would be right with them. As I finished wiping my face, I looked up to see my CPT looking down at me, asking if I needed step by step instructions for the bottle ROFL (maybe not in those words, but close) How embaressing!!!!!!!!!

Permanent Teeth

Well, after this afternoons appointment, I will be finished with all major dental work!!!!! WOOHOOO! Permanent teeth, and CORN ON THE COB at Chilis. Don't ask me why, but I have this thing for the chicken crispers there, and I haven't had corn on the cob in almost a year. ROFL:) I will have pictures, just as soon as SOMEONE (hint hint) sends it back to me.
In other news, the countdown has begun to the last day of work, next week, prior to me taking off on leave. Kinda wondering just how I am going to survive more then 2 days outside of my office :-D Something about being a workaholic, I don't know.
This Saturday is my final for History 101, but I have started the process for my GI bill to minimize the break in between classes.
Time for a random photo:

YES, my hair was red as hell. This was taken March 2001.


Edited note: It's almost 5 here, just got home from work. I spoke too soon with the permanent bridge thing. After 2 hours of being in the chair this afternoon, it was decided that the permanent bridge really didn't look so nice (it didn't), and so I am back again with a temporary smile (oddly enough looks WAY better then the permanent did), so corn on the cob will have to wait a wee bit longer. Ah well, I will survive without it as I have these last 10 months.
This afternoon, I managed to screw up my knee again, getting smoked with the company as they had screwed up this morning. Today's lesson: Minor things COUNT. We don't want to be sending you home in a body bag:-D

The Salsa

Last night a couple of friends and I decided to get all dressed up and go out to a couple of the snobbiest clubs here in Augusta. I got to wear my prettiest cocktail dress, and wear the spikiest heels I own and go flouncing around downtown with two good looking guys in suits. My whole purpose last night: to introduce these two guys to some good looking girls, as they are both new in town. Unfortunatlyw I failed in that mission, BUT, it was sals night out at one of the clubs, and that was just the best thing I have ever seen!!!!!!! I just sat in awe of the dancers on the floor, twirling moving, just fascinating! They also had a couple of performances from a dance studio in town and a belly dancer! I love to dance, though salsa was a bit out of my range. My friend and I went out there and just made fools of ourselves having a grand old time dancing around:-D I now have blisters and a sore knee to show, but I LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shopping

I headed out to the mall today with a friend who needed to buy shoes, and while there, realized one very important thing: very shortly, I have to dress myself every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!v EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. For the last few years, my wardrobe consists of jeans, t-shirts, the occasional dressy dress, and the appropriate club attire for those nights that I need it. Now I need suits, skirts and other office appropriate wear. Now, for most women I can imagine this would bring on feelings of excitement "ooooo shopping" not me. I am thinking "oooo too much money, too much time" yeah not so much. just thoughts though. so far I have gotten a couple of replies to my resume submissions, though right now it isn't in the "oh damn I need a job now" category. I find it interesting to think about going to work every day, doing what I do now, outside the military in a whole new world. It's a big new world, and I have been spoiled the last 5 years.

babysitting duty

As my best friend is in the field today and tomorrow, I am babysitting her 2 y/o daughter. This is fun actually, but reminds me as to why I don't have children yet. Not ready right now, but later definitly.
It has been a very boring week actually, not much has happened. I really need to sit down and start my history paper ROFL:-D I have done the research, but now I just need to write it all down and sort it out.

fun filled days

Currently I am sitting here in the library in Fletcher, right down the street from Mummy's house. I have a 2 y/o in my lap, trying his best to distract me:-D He is such a doll.
Ok, big news. Thursday, after months of torture, I had my braces taken off:-D Yay!!!!!!! Of course this left me with a gaping hole in my mouth, but that was repaired with a 3 hour adventure in the chair Friday morning. They filed the teeth on either side down to little pegs, and then put in a temporary bridge, while the permanent one is being made. So now I look halfway normal again:-D (Not that I ever looked normal to start with;)
This weekend I am visiting Mummy, so I will have pictures to show upon my return to GA.

19 hours and counting

In the last 19 + hours that I have been sitting here, I have done 4 loads of laundry (including my bedding, ALL of it), studied and then taken my history test for the week (94 out of 100), done a good majority of my research for my research paper (naval history in the civil war), and cleaned up the place. So all in all a very productive day for me personally. I still would much rather be sleeping right now. I will be doing a lot of that here in a few hours after leaving duty, but boy does it screw with one's schedule. And have you ever noticed just how incredibly boring middle of the night television is? Currently I have it tuned into CMT and videos, so not so bad, but still. Trying to stay awake here people, need something to stimulate the brain. Not too intellectual though, brain does NOT work that well after many hours of sleep deprivation.

Random Picture for the evening:
(FYI, NO I really wasn't fat, I was wearing about 5 layers of clothing as I was on a windjammer cruise in Maine in October 03. Ah one of the best times on vacation I ever had)

Tuesday has turned into a really bad Monday

Since waking up this morning, if it could go any weirder, it has. I show up for accountibility formation where I am informed that I am responsible for conducting training that morning. I would like to take this moment to point out that I am physically incapable of doing physical training. Ooook so after that little surprise was sprung on me, I dealt with it and carried on. Then upon leaving PT one of the sgt's from another company informed me that I was on duty that day! 24 hour duty no less. So here I sit, blah:) Plenty of time to study for my history test this week and write many inanities here for you to read:-D
Oh, and yes, like I said that is what you think it is, the man did get down on his knees and ask that all important question and natureally I said the only thing I could, yes. But sorry, no smaltzy romancy story here:-D That is for me to know and you to imagine:-D Ah life is good

Yes, that is what it looks like!

this is the actual ring.



this is a top view and a side view. Getting up close and personal was kinda hard. Mine was actually specially made so the profile wouldn't be so high off of my finger:-D

Off to Miami (Again)

Thank goodness for good gas mileage, cause otherwise I would NOT be making this trip. But to see my honey after not having seen him for 2 months, it's WORTH it:-D But I have strictly budgeted the gas so I will be fine:)
Really not much going on here, I have set my leave dates to use up the last of my leave, and so my last day of work will be on the 29th of September. Mind you, that is just leave, I will still have to come back and clear out of the Army. So this month will be a busy one for me, as I am training my replacements. (That's right, plural:-D You just can't replace me with one person.)

Katrina

Well, unless you have been living in a hole, you know what is going on. Here is one interesting way to donate, and also the Red Cross and other organizations. I have a few friends who's families have lost everything and are going to have to restart.


In other news, don't always trust your caller id. I got a phone call from my best friend, so when I answered my cell phone I answered "yes dear?" SGT L, this is SSG W. OOOOOOOOOPS! hehehe, I was quite embarressed by that. He had been borrowing her cell phone:)
Gas prices havel just hit insane here, up to $2.88 in places. Here on post they have left it down at $2.34 but they are out of Regular unleaded. SCARY. My drive to Miami tomorrow is going to be interesting to say the least.

Fine and dandy

I wrote what I wrote last night in a fit of rage and for those I worried, I am very sorry. I am fine now though, if not a little HOT and sweaty! I have spent much of the day in the motor pool, ICK. I am so looking forward to going home tonight and just soaking in a shower for a very long time.
In other news..................................well, actually there really isn't any. I go to work, I come home, I talk to darling dearest, I go to sleep, I do it all again the next day. Sounds kinda boring right? WRONG, wouldn't trade it for the world. Simple, uncomplicated, and relaxing:-D

Things in life never make sense

Really not much to this post, just that. You try so hard to make life easy for a person and they go and stab you in the back or worse. What gives?! I spend much of my life being a doormat, so I really have to blame this partly on me, but still, you give and you give of yourself until you have nothing left. I guess hurt and angry describe things right now, but what else can I do? Pick up, carry on, and make life a little easy for those you can and if they appreciate it, fine, if not, well, Such is life.

Long days

Yesterday I was out at the range all day, HOT as all get out. Thankfully my only job consisted of being on hand in case of injury, and as I am just that darned good, I did nothing but sit around all day long reading my history and writing my story:-D I was never so glad to get home though cause I was HOT, sweaty and stinky. That shower felt SOOOOO good.
Today was very very full, busy most of the morning catching up, then I got a call this afternoon from the medical board section, it came back from San Antonio. I won't go into specifics, but I am officially unfit for duty, and will be out within two-three months. A very intense feeling right now. Everything I am, my identity has been so wrapped around being in the Army, being SGT L. that I am uncertain now. I have been looking online, and have done my resume, but it is still a very unsettling thing to think about. Thankfully I have the support of my family and my wonderful sweetheart, I know that this will come out ok. I do enjoy challenges, so this is a new one to face. Life on the outside, here I come, better watch out!

Ok, I got an 11, beat me:-D

There are 25 questions about things we see every day
or have known about all our lives. How many can you
get right? These little simple questions are harder
than you think It just shows how little we pay
attention to the commonplace things of life.

RULES: Put your thinking caps on. No cheating! No
looking around! No getting out of your chair! No using anything on or in your desk or computer!

Can you beat 20?? (The average is 7) Write down your
answers and check answers (on the bottom) AFTER
completing all the questions. REMEMBER-NO CHEATING!!!

It doesn't matter if you cheat, actually, because if

you have to cheat, then you don't know the answer, thus,you've already missed the question. BE HONEST!!! That means no looking at your phone or anything on your desk...

Then, before you pass this on to your friends, change
the number on the subject line to show how many you
got correct. Forward to your friends and also back to the one who sent it to you.


LET'S JUST SEE HOW OBSERVANT YOU REALLY ARE. - If
not, just have fun!

Here we go!


1. On a standard traffic light,is the green on the
top or bottom?

2. How many states are there in the USA? (Don't
laugh, some people don't know.)

3. In which hand is the Statue of Liberty's torch?

4. What six colors are on the classic Campbell's soup
label?

5. What two numbers on the telephone dial don't have
letters by them?

6. When you walk does your left arm swing with your
right or left leg? (Don't you dare get up to see!)

7. How many matches are in a standard pack?

8. On the United States flag is the top stripe red or
white?

9. What is the lowest number on the FM dial? (Don't
look at that dial!)

10. Which way does water go down the drain, counter or
clockwise? (Get out of the bathroom!)

11. Which way does a "no smoking" sign's slash run?

12. How many channels on a VHF TV dial?

13. On which side of a women's blouse are the buttons?

14. Which way do fans rotate?
15 Ho w many sides does a stop sign have?

16. Do books have even-numbered pages on the right
or left side?

17 How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?

18. How many sides are there on a standard pencil?

19. Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who's
missing?

20. How many hot dog buns are in a standard package?

21. On which playing card is the card maker's
trademark?

22. On which side of a Venetian blind is the cord
that adjusts the opening between the slats?

23. There are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. What
2 symbols bear no digits?

24. How many curves are there in the standard paper
clip?

25. Does a merry-go-round turn counter or clockwise?









Keep Going for the answers










ANSWERS
1. Bottom
2. 50
3. Right
4. Blue, red, white, yellow, black & gold
5. 1, 0
6. Right
7. 20
8. Red
9. 87.7
10. Clockwise (north of the equator)
11. From lower right to upper left
12. 12 (there is no #1)
13. Left
14. Clockwise as you look at it from the front.
15. 8
16. Left
17. 5
18. 6
19. Bashful
20. 8
21. Ace of spades
22. Left
23. * and #
24. 3
25. Counter

is that camera STILL pointed at me.

My two year old brother is actually a bit camera shy around me, maybe because he is one of my favorite subjects LOL. But he is such a cutie I can't help it:-D

Picture post cause I am too lazy to write tonight.

Washing sticky face:-D

It is a lazy Saturday evening at home for me. I spent the day cleaning and now I am sitting back, relaxing, and talking to the same person I talk to everynight:-D

This is what happens when you put four unruly teenagers together:-D










"Lizzie, look at my tonsils!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looooooooooooooooong weeks

I am so looking forward to this weekend. We have had an exercise ongoing, and while I am not a direct part, it has kept me very busy. 7 new guys in this week, one person to help them, and I am up and down the stairs constantly. Not so good for pain, but I deal:-D

I had a most intersting conversation with my Grandmother tongiht about tolerance of others. In her words, The thing she is most intolerant of, is intolerance., and I agree with her completely. God says to love all, and his answer for all is love. But intolerance completely violates that in my opinion. We should resepct others, regardless of their beliefs and their ways. I am not saying you can not discuss with others, what you believe, BUT don't be disrespectful. That is not showing love for your fellow man. Anyway enough of that soapbox.

Next week is the range, then shortly therafter I get to see my dearest, hopefully. I need a miracle, but don't we all:-D

I don't like Mondays

My soldiers are going to be the death of me I swear. Anyone who knows me well, knows that my first priority in anything is always going to be them. I piss people off frequently for working way too hard for others and ignoring myself. Anyway, majority of my company is in the field this week, so I am left at the office pretty much alone, and we just have 4 new guys show up on my doorstep with only one other person to help take care of them, and he just got here last week himself! So this morning has been entertaining trying to make sure that they get where the need to go, and are taken care of, as we also have 2 married guys who need to get places to live. Hotel living is just not fun. Being new they have tons of questions of course, and I am more than happy to answer them, but lordy, I have questions coming at me from all different angles ROFL:-D
I didn't actually go camping last Saturday, no one else apparently planned on it, so I loaded my stuff up after being at the company picnic an appropriate amount of time and headed home to talk to my sweetheart. I'd rather talk to him than be bored any day. I was kinda dissapointed I didn't get to go camping though, as I really do enjoy "roughing" it:-D

Concerts

Montgomery Gentry is in concert tonight, less then half a mile from my room. I love their music! Why am I not there you ask? Something about extremely LOUD noise, and LOTS of people:) I can hear it from here though.
Seen on a big truck: Hunting is like Sex: You need the right equipment, size, and talent. Oooooooooooooooook:-D
Tonight is movie night: National Treasure, Romancing the Stone, and Monk, season 2, volumes 1+2. Got my cobbler, check, ice cream, check, remotes, CHECK! See ya later.

WOWSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies and gentleman, My little corner of the blogoshpere has recieved Over 50,000 visitors as of yesterday, over half of them visiting yesterday! Thank YOU for the continued support of myself and all troops out there, and for all those who like to spread negativity, please remember that we stand in front of you, so that you may continue to have the right to spread your negativity and your beliefs. As for me, I will continue to soldier on until the day I leave this great Army. HOOOOAH! Nuff said.
In other news, I went out last night for the first time in ages, and as it was 80's night dressed appropriatly:


The cigarette is a prop!
Today we have a company picnic out by the lake and those of us who so choose plan on staying the night. I am dragging my (army issue) Pup tent, air mattress (not THAT hardcore), and my sleeping bag, and I plan on having a blast.
Someone made the request (Street) yesterday for me to relate a REALLY bad story about myself that occured about 4 years ago while I was on an exercise in Camp Casey, Korea. So it goes something along these lines: We had been up in Camp Casey for an exercise, out of Camp Humphreys, so all of us females were staying in one tent together. There was a couple of other girls from another unit, and one of them had her tongue pierced. I was very fascinated by this, and asked her about it. She told me that she could actually do it, having done it before, so long as she was able to get the necessary equipment. Me being the impetuous 21 y/o I was at the time, decided what the hell, why not? A few days later, we had everything together, needle soaking in listerine, and me with a paper towel under my tongue. "This won't really hurt" she said as she stuck the needle through and I proceeded to wince in dire pain while giving her the look of "you will die evil being". I was good and done and I had a metal post running through the rear of my tongue. Of course, just about everyone in the unit found out in rapid time, and I was subject to a bit of ribbing and warnings (this is not allowed in the Army after all). A couple of days passed by, I didn't eat much and had exceedingly fresh breath from all of the listerine I was swishing about. I was on night shift and about the second night, my tongue began to swell to the point where the bottom ball dissapeared INTO the tongue. BAD THINGS! So I had to fess up to my Master sergeant, as I needed to go to the hospital soon. He, after a bit of laughter, loaded me up and off we went to the emergency room where we spent two hours. The first hour the docs were trying to contain their laughter and figure out just what to do with me. They finally ended up shooting my mouth with lidocaine, relaxing me with Valium, and then prying this post out. Almost immediatly my tongue began to ease. They then gave me Tylenol with codiene and sent me packing. By the time we returned, I was high as a kite and there were thankfully only a few hours before time to go home. I spent the rest of the night blissfully high, and as we left, the girls tried very hard to get me to bed. ("see the pretty purple elephants............") I don't remember exactly when it was, but my BC (Battalion Commander) came up to me, and mentioned that he had heard about the little incident. His only remark was "did you learn your lesson?" YES SIR!!!! and I was left alone, subject only to the endless torment from my peers. (No, I didn't learn my lesson I did it again 8 months later, this time by a professional. It ended up getting pulled about a month later under threat of punishment. NO we will NOT being doing this again (maybe) :-)

On Being compared to Ernie Pyle

The New Ernie Pyles I was quite pleased with this comparison, as I have read every Ernie Pyle book out there and loved them. I do have to make one correction here (Sorry Mr. Finer:) I was born in Haverhill, Massachussetts, but was raised as an AF brat, so my roots run where I plant them:-D But it is a wicked cool article, and has caused some amusement around my company this morning from those I have shown it to:-D
In other news, I am preparing to head out to the field next week for a company exercise. A chance to lay out the cot, roll out the sleeping bag, and play like I was camping LOL.
Actually, I am supposed to really go camping this weekend, though that may be postponed due to weather. My company is going to have a get together this weekend, and the original plan was to meet out at the park, cook out, throw a ball around so on and so forth, and then those who wished to were going to stay out there overnight. I was going to throw up my army issue pup tent and everything. I love camping, don't do it nearly often enough, but I do NOT go by myself. I am a little chicken when it comes to being out in the woods alone at night. Something about big bad scary animals. I am just hoping there aren't a lot of daddy long legs out there. We had that problem during PLDC a few years ago, and I woke up to find at least 10 of them crawling around my tent. NO I did not run outside screaming (as the boys apparently expected any female to do when encountering these creatures). I learned a long time ago that they can't hurt me. Now a black widow...........that's another story. Anyways, I am starting to ramble on and I really should be working.
PS was thinking about what I am going to retitle this blog when I leave the Army. The web address will remain the same, but I was thinking something along the lines of "this girls life after the army" Who knows and we shall see.

Ooooo Lala

Now this guy is not a cute little boy. I think he is the most gorgeous, good looking, and sexiest guy around, and really wish he were a hell of a lot closer to me:-D (Sorry girls, he's mine!!!!!!!!!!!!)

cute little boys

Isn't he just the cutest.............. This is my new background on my phone.:)
(ps, That's my littlest brother, just in case you were wondering)

Keywords

According to Blog Patrol, the last 20 Keywords that sent people here were:

05/08/2005 13:25:17
women being deployed (Google) (Not me, not anymore)

05/08/2005 12:48:56
sgt lizzie (Google)

05/08/2005 11:42:51
Armor Gedden Blog (Google)

05/08/2005 10:54:32
www. Lizzie com (MSN) (No, I don't have my own domain. I am a little too cheap for that)

05/08/2005 10:44:39
picture of girl in army (Yahoo) (Very generic)

05/08/2005 10:10:32
life in this girls army (Google) (Taking suggestions for a new tagline)

05/08/2005 08:32:34
boyfriends in the army shirts (Yahoo) (Shirts?)

05/08/2005 03:35:06
big booms (Google) (Big Bada Boom)

05/08/2005 02:55:35
I AM IN ARMY NOW photos (Yahoo)

05/08/2005 02:53:05
girls getting there arses stuffed (Google) (SAY WHAT??????)

05/08/2005 00:46:36
painting splatters (Google) (Interesting)

tucson junior strings (Google) (Huh. Surprising link)

04/08/2005 22:44:59
life not going anywhere (Google)

04/08/2005 22:36:40
army life jokes (Google) (And I do love those jokes)

04/08/2005 21:46:57
Army AWOL (Google) (Never been Awol, this one is strange)

04/08/2005 20:51:35
tragic happenings (Google) (Oh yeah, my life is REALLY tragic. Oh please)

04/08/2005 19:35:53
Female army blog (Yahoo) (Certainly fits me)

04/08/2005 18:03:25
vbied (Google)

04/08/2005 14:44:04
blood boiling point (Google) (Another one of those Huh? ones)

04/08/2005 14:04:11
sgtlizzie.blogspot.com (Google)
(Strangely enough, I know a few people who do this and I could almost guarantee I can name names.)

You know, I usually never see cops on US 25 on the stretch between Augusta and I16. Now I've seen 3 in the last 20 minutes! Straaange. Go

Back to the beginning

As I am gone the next couple of days (Hellaciously lot of driving over the next 5 days: 1600+ miles just so my 18 y/o can see the rest of the family) I wanted to post the very first posts to this blog a year ago. Back when life was just a little more innocent for me, and way before finding out what big bombs could do to a girl:-D

August 3, 2004

Swimming, eating, and getting hit on
Being a female in Iraq is not really that fun, but occasionally there are funny points to it. Example: Myself and 2 other girls were sitting at dinner tonight, when we were engaged in conversation by 3 Brits sitting next to us. Forgive me, it was 2 Brits and a Scotsman. Either way, the conversation devolved rapidly, and soo we were all laughing at such things as why the US has the World Series (Baseball for those dorks out there), yet we are the only ones who play, or why we have Iced tea. To them, that is babaric. It simply isn't done. As we left, one of my compatriots and I were discussing the gentlemen. (I said "Goodnight Gentlemen" to which one responded "oh I am not that", so I asked him if he was an "arsehole" instead!) Anyway, she seemed rather insistent that they were hitting on me specifically, to which I pointed out that while they were doing considerable flirting, it was directed at us as a whole. It did make for an enjoyable dinner though, much different than my usual meals alone with my food and my bood.Back to the first subject in my title. I went swimming today for the first time in a long time. The pool is a small one that sits by one of the lakes on post, and is 6ft deep, all the way across. Me being 5'4", this was a slight issue. I treaded (I have no idea what word to use here) water for quite sometime, dunking people right and left, and when my back was turned, being dunked myself. Of course, now I am going to hell, as one of the persons dunked was the Chaplain. Hey, he started it by threatening to pull me in:-D While hanging out on the side looking around, I talked to one of the ISG civilians that was also there about the camp. There was an old Baath party building across the lake from where we were, and according to tale, there are still dead bodies in the theatre that was bombed last year during the war. The camp is an interesting mish mash of interesting architecture. While some of the buildings are very plain, and functional, such as the buildings I work and live in, others are beautiful. I think I am off to bed now. I am going to AG in the morning to provide administration support. Yay. (Yes, that was sarcasm:-)
posted by SGT Lizzie at 12:20 0 comments

Killing time
Somedays I have to wonder about people around here. I say things, I email things, but yet they don't listen. I am under the wire from above, and can't do anything because I haven't the information that I need! Then, from below, I have to deal with people who somehow think that I am 3, not 23. And of course as a result of that assumption, they then feel the need to question every move I make. The last time I checked, I had earned the rank on my collar by being competant at what I do. Granted, this is not what I was trained to do, but I work hard and learn what I can. If I do not know something, I ask. It's as easy as that, I am not about to jump off of a cliff without first making sure that there is something to slow my fall.
posted by SGT Lizzie at 06:35 0 comments

The Beginning
Since this will actually be read by other people than myself, I am not sure how to proceed. Mummy kept my diary online, and I think I will do the same, save for certain parts of course. You guys can't know everything about me:-DIt is August 3rd and I am sitting in my new offices in Camp Deutsch, located in Camp Slayer, near BIAP in Iraq. Confusing enough? I know. This place isn't that awful, at least we don't have to wear gear walking all over the place, and I now have a bike to ride to chow and such. We even have a swimming pool on post that we can go to. Not that I will frequent it, it is still quite sunny out and I have no intention of burning. The building I work in smells of cat pee unfortunatly, but it has become the running joke, and to be quite honest, most of us who work here become accustomed to it during the day. The place where I live is quite crowded and infested with ants, but so long as we are careful with food we don't have a problem. As we have no showers nearby, we have to ride about 3/4 of a mile away to shower trailers. Hopefully soon we will have our own. This place gets more and more frustrating though. I quit smoking finally, and I am thinking I should have waited! I have around 4 more months left here, and I am still steadily going insane.

One would have thought I'd at least score over 90%

What'd I do wrong?

You Are 87% American

You're as American as red meat and shooting ranges. Tough and independent, you think big. You love everything about the US, wrong or right. And anyone who criticizes your home better not do it in front of you!

How American Are You?

Nit picky people drive me crazy

I got back, for the FIFTH time (I think), the paperwork for someone's back pay! Why did I get it back? I had written a date in pen, not typed. Oh, and the time before that, they sent it back because it didn't have a VOCO date (don't ask me, I don't know). But believe you me, it was STUPID! Hello, persons PAY here? Money? Anyway, enough ranting.
I had an appointment this morning with a resume professional, and she was GREAT. I got lots of great ideas to start my first one, and I will see her again next week after I have written up my first one.
It is very hard to write one's resume and babysit, but I did accomplish that this evening. I now have a problem though, my resume is 3 1/2 pages. From all that I have read, this isn't exactly a good thing. I just don't know where to pare down. Ah well, I will fix it next week with the resume professional.

Finally Friday

SLEEPING IN TOMORROW, DON'T CALL ME. Ok not that you would because very few of you out there have my number:-D
Anyways, it has been a pretty busy week for me, the last 3 days I was in a workshop designed to help me in my transition from SGT L to Miss L. The best part? I got to run around wearing civilian clothes. It also made me realize something when I opened my closet to find appropriate attire. I have a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear. I have been in the Army for over 5 years now. The most I have ever needed were jeans, t-shirts, party attire, and the occasional formal gown. I didn't wear suits, although I do love them dearly. I went window shopping online and found some great stuff, so now I need to save LOL.
Back to topic though, they went over such things as Resume writing, interview tips, and tips on finding jobs. Incredibly helpful, suprisingly, and I enjoyed myself immensely.
My plans for the weekend: Tomorrow I babysit from 0600-1800 as my best friend has duty, then on Sunday, have a manic heart attack because I have a 10 page term paper due and I SUCK! No, I haven't left this to the last minute, I have been doing research, reasearch and more research. I have also written down what apparently equals a page and a half when typed into Word. Oh well, I will be fine I suppose. Next week I start History and I know I am going to LOVE that subject.
Well, I am still at work, though I really want to be going home now.

Who knew that getting out of the Army than coming in. Sitting here in a resume class wondering if I can even do this though I know damned

Ooo new toy:-D I can blog from my cell phone! Now I can update any time I like, no matter where I am. So cool!

One entertaining day (and it's nowhere near done)

I am currently on staff duty, otherwise known as 24 hours of hell and boredom. I started out this morning at 0530, getting up for PT formation, then heading home to change for duty. I got here at 0730 and since then it has been going pretty interesting. Earlier this morning my former CSM called me personally after he had called for someone else earlier to talk to me. ME! That was a surprise. Then an old friend of mine who is still in Iraq called for connection to the home phone number which was very pleasant:-D At first I wasn't sure he remembered who I am, to which he said who could forget my face. Yes, my very at the time bruised face I cracked. Then he said I had a "cute" voice over the phone. Actually a number of people told me that after hearing me answer the phone multiple times. It hasn't stopped ringing yet with deployed people needing to be patched through to their loved ones here.
And I don't think I have lost THAT much weight. Someone I worked for made that comment earlier.
Fortunatly for me, I have an interesting Private on duty with me as my runner, and the yuks are non stop.
Oh, Go see Mace's Madness (link in sidebar) for funny movie reviews.

Mondays anyone?

yeah it's been funny today. Starting this morning, if it could get weird, it did. Heading to PT I got out a little late, and was unable to cross the road for about 5 minutes, making me VERY close to being late. Oops number one. Then, up on time for work, dressed, showered and out the door, where I made it to work early. Almost to the door when asked the question "where is your headgear?" Yep, at home sitting in its usual spot. Oops number two. There and back to work, where my temporary tooth managed to snap off of its wires, and fall out of my mouth. oops number three. The rest of the morning passed reasonably uneventful, and I headed home for a quick lunch where I managed to screw up microwave Mac and Cheese. Oops number four. Back to work to get some paperwork done before I needed to leave at 1330 for my appointment at 1400. Come about 1430, buried deep in my work, I realize I am not supposed to be there. Oops number five. (you keeping up here?) Earlier in the day I had made an emergency appointment with my orthodontist to have my teeth repaired, and very nearly forgot it. Almost oops number six. However, I made it there and back, teeth fixed, and back up to work I went. Later on that afternoon, I look out the window to see storm clouds gathering. Sunroof was open in my car. So run down the stairs did I, just in time. As I hobbled back into my office, the heavens opened and down came the down pour. He heheh. I tried to wait it out buuuuut no could do. By the time I got home, the streets were flooded, and I was soaked. Here I sit, finally dry:-D

Free Will

If you are in Asheville, NC, or have a vacation there anytime soon, find your way to Montford park. They have a wonderful production of Shakespeares "Comedy of Errors" in an outdoor amphitheatre that is absolutly free. So pack a picnic, grab your chairs and blankets, and head on down. It was wonderful, and so much fun. Mum and I packed up the children, and some really good chicken wraps, and along with my 14 y/o sisters boyfriend, down we went, and I laughed and laughed. Oh, and watching one's child in the back seat making out with a boy is very disturbing. (ok so she wasn't really making out but still!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Other then that, the weekend was a pretty normal weekend at home with my family, I also got my NC drivers license (g-d awful photo). Despite the three hour drive it is always worth it. Heck, Even my baby brother likes me now:-D

The road less traveled

I decided on a whim this Saturday to pay a surprise visit to Mummy. Ok, it had more to do with the fact that I was baby-sitting my best friends 2 year old baby girl and I didn't want to subject her to the boredom that is my room. So, I loaded up my stuff rapidly, loaded Chrissy, and off we went. For those of you who have ever traveled with a young one, you know that it can be quite tortuous. Not for me this time. I swear I have never had a quieter ride:) We got up there, and as I pulled in, mother was sitting outside on her chair. She got up, and I could see the confusion, worry, and other things going through her mind, as I was not due up until this Thursday. I got out, and announced that I had company with me. She rolled her eyes and asked me who it was, then laughed as I pulled Chrissy out of the back seat. I took her inside, and introduced her to my siblings. While it took her a while to get accustomed to the madness that is my family, by the time the family went out for Mummy's birthday dinner, the babies were playing together quite nicely, and Tavy had taken on the role of miss bossy pants.
Going to dinner was quite an adventure, as Mum had no idea where she wanted to g, so we drove and drove and drove til we ended up at a very nice TGI Fridays. Our waitress's name was Sarah and a very sweet girl. Anyone who can put up with my raucous crowd is great:-D And surprise, at the end of the evening, I was able to find my way home, although getting directions from my beloved mother is NOT the easiest thing in the world.
The next morning we headed out to church, which went very well, and after church, Chrissy and I took off again for home, though this didn't go quite as expected. Going along the road, I decided to see if I could take a short cut on a road I was not familiar with. Rule number 1: DON'T take shortcuts that you don't know. This one took me about a hour to navigate (thank goodness for my map) but it was one of the prettiest roads I have ever been on. The road was windy and curvy, so green and full of wonderful foliage, and defiantly one I want to travel again.

So home I am now, and it has been an interesting week. Monday was manically busy, then this morning, I decided that morning formation at 0630 wasn't that important and slept right through it. Ok, I really just forgot to set my clocks properly and woke up way late. But boy did I feel good all day hehehehe.

More random photos

OK, so not really random, these were all taken on Saturday the 2nd, at our family picnic out at the lake.

I love kitties. This one owned the small garden in the woods we explored.

He was such a cute puppy:)



Mummy was VERY wet ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!


The family watching fireworks Saturday night. My sisters are all grown up:( They had boyfriends present! Eeeeeeee:-D Very adorable young men though.

Mummy managed to overturn the canoe that she and Justin were rowing about:-D It was FUNNY!!!!!!!!

Bad ideas

Include going to the mall on the 4th of July to get your hair cut. Bad Bad Idea. No, the mall wasn't crowded, nor insanely busy. The stores just had REALLY great sales. Must......not.........buy.............really..............cute...............shoes. "charge please" For the record, they were $7. I also purchased the most beautiful shirts for Mummy at one of her favorite stores, April Cornell, and I hit the ever wonderful sale at Bath and Body Works. All in all I didn't hurt my bank account that badly, at least I will not be eating ramen until next payday;)
So, what happens when you mix 2 teenaged couples? Mayday mayday mayday, please someone HELP!!! My 2 teenaged sisters now have boyfriends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone, please tell me when these children grew up on me? But, it was a lot of fun watching the 2 of them interacting with them, albeit a little freaky. The next time I go up, I have been tapped to play both chauffeur and chaperone for the young couples so that they may go watch a movie. Oh please let them pick a good one! My sisters do have very good taste in young men, at least from what I observed this last weekend. They were very good with the youngest 2 sisters, the 4 and 12 y/o's. Pictures soon to come.
I also spent the weekend with my beloved, who drove up here and went with me to go see my family. Poor boy, stuck in a house with 6 white people. (his words, not mine;) Especially with my family and as insane as we are:-D
All in all, my weekend has been great!
This coming week is going to be busy, appointments and catching up on paperwork. I love it:-D

In the Meantime

Just got back from a busy weekend in NC. But I will tell you all about it later. In the meantime, here is my persuasive essay. Once again, warning, this is a 3 page essay.

Home schooling is an oft argued topic, and parents may hesitate for many reasons such as educational (parents not educated enough, children will fall behind their peers) or social (afraid children will not develop social skills). However, home schooling is better then public schooling because parents have better control over style and type of education, more time spent one on one with the child, and it allows the child to learn at his or her own pace. As a child, I learned to read rapidly, but my younger brother took longer. Had he been placed in public school, he would have been held back several grades, and would perhaps have been diagnosed with a learning disability. But because my mother home schooled us, he was able to learn at a pace that best suited him, and today he is a college graduate working in a very successful computer career.
In today’s society, parents are choosing home schooling in ever increasing numbers though. In a survey conducted in 1999, there were an estimated 850,000 home schooled children in the United States, in 2003; those numbers had increased to an estimated 1.1 Million. Home schooling allows the parent more control over their children’s curriculum. With many different types of curriculum available, parents are able to choose precisely the lessons the children learn. Public schools typically have only one curriculum, and parents have no say in choosing what their child does or does not learn.
Over 60% of parents who have chosen to home school give either their concern for the environment of schools, or to provide moral or religious instruction as reason. With children staying at home, they are better protected from peer pressure.
Socialization, or lack thereof, is often cited as a reason not to home school, and why public school is better. However, this myth has been studied in a number of studies and been proven that home schooling is just as good, or better, concerning the socialization of children. In his 1992 study, Larry Shyers of the University of Florida found that children taught at home showed fewer behavioral problems then did those children schooled at conventional schools. Many people have the view that home schooled children are sheltered, secluded, naïve to the ways of the world, when many times it is entirely opposite. There are many opportunities for children to socialize with their peers, such as home school groups, recreation classes, and little league, among many others. From my own experience with home schooling, when I was younger, my mother always had myself and my siblings enrolled in classes through the public parks and recreation, orchestra, ballet classes. We also had a group of home schooled friends, as well as our friends from church.
There have been many studies conducted on the social and educational benefits of home schooling, far too many to cite here. Home schooled children are often better educated and more socially adaptable then their conventionally schooled peers. In a scholarly analysis, Professor A. Bruce Arai stated that individuals who are or were home schooled “are keen to integrate into the wider society”. Home schooling is a personal choice, but one that is the best choice.
Works Cited

Lines, Patricia M. “Homeschooling comes of age”. The Public Interest, 140 (Summer 2000): 74-85

Lyman, Isabel. “Answers to Home School questions”. The New American. May 6, 2002. 18.9: 31-33

National Center for Education Statistics. “1.1 Million Home Schooled Students in the United States in 2003”. Issue Brief. July 2004: 1

National Center for Education Statistics. “1.1 Million Home Schooled Students in the United States in 2003”. Issue Brief. July 2004: 2, Figure 2

United States. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. “Statistical Analysis Report: Home Schooling in the United States: 1999” NCES 2001-03: 9

Oh for a long relaxing weekend.

It will be nice to have the next few days off to relax. This last week I have had midterms in both my classes, and that was a bit hard. Sociology in particular, as I took all three hours alotted for the exm. But I finished, and do think I got a good score.
Here in a few hours I will be heading up to NC yet again, as Daniel drove in late last night from Miami, and we are visiting my family. Currently he is knocked out though, poor boy. Miami to here is one hellacious drive, but oh so worth it:-D

This is me on any given night.

Too tired to do a damned thing:-D Just made 8 out of 10 on one of my midterm exams though, not so bad, though I still can't punctuate properly:)

I have a Mission!

Ok, EVERYONE who reads this blog MUST visit TC Override. Things just went boom for him, and I want you all to go visit, leave a comment, and do the same thing for him you all did for me, cause I know that I appreciated it more then I can ever express!

Donations Now Being Accepted (JUST KIDDING!:-D)

Ladies and Gents, due to unfortunate neccessities created the last few weeks, I have had to give up my beloved Honda Accord, Leilu. However, I have replaced her with Miss AllieCat:


:-D

The Sunroof. 

Yeah, I RULE! ( Again)

Yep, scored perfect on my essay, again! And this one was rather tough, due to the amount of research materials I compiled. But, I did it:-D

New thing

Since I really couldn't say it better myself, I am going to let the story do the talking. In addition, I am going to permanently link both sites on my sidebar. My thanks to Stephanie Holbrook for sending me this information and allowing me to share it with you.

Army’s 230th birthday inspires Lycos.com and Tripod.com to Salutes Troops
By Sarah RyanJune 14, 2005WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 14, 2004) -- In addition to the traditional wreath-laying and cake-cutting ceremonies to mark the Army’s 230th birthday, the week-long celebration includes an unlikely character – a dog named Lycos. Technology company Lycos, Inc., has undertaken several initiatives to salute Soldiers. The corporate mascot — Lycos the Dog — has dressed up for the occasion and will appear on the Lycos Web site in Army-issued camouflage at www.lycos.com.

n addition, Lycos has launched “Tripod for Troops,” a new program on Tripod.com designed to help Soldiers feel one step closer to home and serve as a destination where Soldiers returning from war can continue to tell their stories. With this tool, military families can create online journals and post photos from digital cameras and camera phones. Families can even invite friends and other members of their communities to contribute and update content on a regular basis.

“It’s very common for Soldiers stationed thousands of miles away to feel out of touch with what’s happening at home. Often times, it can be the little things that matter most — like a picture of a child’s birthday party or even a short story about an everyday event,” said Eric Wanta, senior director of marketing for Lycos, Inc. “Likewise, it’s just as important for Soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan to receive a hero’s welcome. Our online tools at Tripod.com make it easier to do both.”

“We’re excited that Lycos chose to take this initiative on the Army’s birthday,” said Col. Richard Breen, director of Operation Tribute to Freedom, the Army’s outreach program that honors returning Soldiers and gives them opportunities to thank the American people for their support. “We recognize that every Soldier has a story to tell, and online communities and recognition events are a great way for Soldiers and family members to share their stories of both sacrifice and heroism.”

Eyes hurt

To prepare my persuasive essay properly, I need to provide at least one opposing view to my topic, Home Schooling is better. You would not believe just how hard it is to find reliable sources, online, quoting their opposition. I have plenty of blogs, and biased news articles quoting from the reliable source, but to use the biased source is not what I am looking for. I want the actual organization to be able to quote directly from their materials. As the title of my blog suggests, my eyes hurt now LOL.
In the meantime, I thought you all might enjoy reading my first ever college essay (warning, this was a 2 1/2 page report, and I scored perfectly):

Goals in life and education have always been clear for me since I was young. I don’t believe that any of my goals are out of reach, using the proper tools that are at my disposal. I want to be as knowledgeable as I can be about history, as that is my first love. I also want to become a prosecutor, to help society as a whole, and to help individuals.

I have been an avid reader from the time I could read, and have loved history in particular. Because of that, I wanted to be a history teacher. Sharing my passion with others made sense to me. As I grew older I also discovered a passion for the law, and decided then that I wanted to be a prosecutor someday. Not only would my love of history be applicable, but I would also be helping society. I decided then to be a history major, and minor in pre-law to make that happen.

My education and desired career go hand in hand. I will not be able to become a prosecutor without a specific degree. To get the degree, I need to start classes. Motivation for starting classes is for me a recent change. While I have always wanted to attend college, prior to registration, my primary focus had been on my military career. Recent events changed how I had planned life, and there fore required a change in plans.

While what I have done in the military and what I desire to do in the future have nothing to do with each other, my military life has prepared me in ways that I don’t feel I would have learned had I gone straight to college from high school. The military has taught me how to prepare thoroughly and to plan ahead for all eventualities. This will help me both in schoolwork and in my career later on.

Weaknesses are a hard thing to admit to, but a person needs to evaluate just what those weaknesses are to be successful people. Starting out in classes is a very new experience for me and my fears are a weakness. I am afraid that I will not be able to keep up with both my work and studies, and that I will be overwhelmed.

My fears were the reason I chose to start small, and focus on getting an associate of arts (AA) degree first. Planning for success, I wanted to start my stepping stones small, and work my way up. After I earn my AA, my next stone will be a Bachelor of Arts, possibly through American Military University, or elsewhere. Then it is on to law school, though just where, I don’t know yet.

But I count among my strengths the ability to face up to my fears, and focus on my goals, and where conquering my fears can lead me. I love to learn, and it is this love for learning that keeps me pushing forward in my education.

I consider myself to be very fortunate in having the full support of my entire family. They have always pushed me to start classes, and to reach for my full potential. No matter what I am learning, I know that they will be there for me to lean on as support when I need it.

Living in the barracks on post as I do presented some problems when it came to establishing a specific area that was solely for studying. However, I came to a compromise, and have my time set aside for having the television on, and doing what I like. Then I keep a schedule for times when I need to sit down, and complete my assignments for the week.

College is a challenge to be overcome. I enjoy new challenges, although they may scare me, and I enjoy the chance to prove myself in this new challenge.

Still here

I just returned last night from another trip to NC to visit family:-D Upon my return I then had to sit down and catch up on my schoolwork. I love my job, and I love my school, but both together? Sheeesh am I one busy little girl:) It has been wonderful though, even though I know I haven't written. But I will start posting more entries from the early days in Iraq, and I do have a few more stories on tap (if I can ever sit down and finish them ROFL) .
You know that feeling you get, when you get off a hard day's work, and you just want to go home and cuddle with your loved one? But then you can't because they are far away? THAT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait for all this mess to be complete, and for me to get control of my life back. ( I am a control freak in case you couldn't tell:-D )
Well, I need to get back to work. 1SG likes to keep me busy:-D I do love my job.
Oh and on that sort of side note, I took a look at Monster.com and discovered that I really needn't be so anxious about finding a job in the outside world. Most of the jobs I looked at that I was interested in, I was perfectly qualified for with my years of experience in the Administrative/operational field. Made me feel a bit better.