Just a bunch of pictures

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE planes:) And I REALLY LOOOOOVED the airshow this weekend. (My arms are a tribute to that. I forgot sunscreen and was out long enough that they are still crispy red)


I'm bored Mom!
See me flop:-D

"did you do something with your hair?"

Ok, to set the record completely straight, I am, by birth, a true blonde. By that I mean I grew up with platinum blonde hair that was my own. Now granted, as I have aged it has darkened to where I am what my friend calls a dishwater blonde. Either way, I am a natural blonde. So, when I come prancing into work this morning with a head of extremely dark brunette hair, you'd think people would notice the hair. Nope, instead, I get questions such as the above ROFL. Mind you I am not digging for compliments, but when people have noticed there is something different you would think they'd notice the DARK hair ROFL ROFL:) I just think its funny as all hell.
and for the record, I did not start this weekend intending on becoming a brunette, I planned on becoming a Redhead. That didn't happen, and after a couple of attempts at correction after the red went screwy, I purchased a bottle of light brown, and brunette I became. It is my personally held belief that a bottle of brown will fix all hair sins:)
Anyway, I HATE Mondays, but back to work with me.

yeah yeah yeah

I'm weighing in now on the whole VA debate, considering I do have some personal experience. But all I have to say is, whats with the major delay in the media with these stories: Example, I knew about the stupidity at Abu Ghraib almost from the time we landed there. It was via Rumint (Rumor Intelligence) of course, but Rumint is pretty accurate at times. When did the story really crack? April, I'd already been there 4 months.
Now again with the VA but I tell you this, things have been this way for YEARS!! Glad to have the publicity, now lets fix it shall we!!!!!!!!! Anyway, enough ranting from me.
Life is good, but quiet here. I volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and have a Little Sister I do things with a couple of times a month. Its great and a lot of fun. We were going skiing this weekend but it got warm here and thus no snow on Mount Lemmon (Be quiet Mum I know you're glad for that). I enjoy it and it is fulfilling.
Outside of those activities I live quietly at home, watching and lately doing a lot of reading again.

yeah yeah yeah

I'm weighing in now on the whole VA debate, considering I do have some personal experience. But all I have to say is, whats with the major delay in the media with these stories: Example, I knew about the stupidity at Abu Ghraib almost from the time we landed there. It was via Rumint (Rumor Intelligence) of course, but Rumint is pretty accurate at times. When did the story really crack? April, I'd already been there 4 months.
Now again with the VA but I tell you this, things have been this way for YEARS!! Glad to have the publicity, now lets fix it shall we!!!!!!!!! Anyway, enough ranting from me.
Life is good, but quiet here. I volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and have a Little Sister I do things with a couple of times a month. Its great and a lot of fun. We were going skiing this weekend but it got warm here and thus no snow on Mount Lemmon (Be quiet Mum I know you're glad for that). I enjoy it and it is fulfilling.
Outside of those activities I live quietly at home, watching and lately doing a lot of reading again.

straaaange people I work with

Yesterday I recieved the task of making a list of all personnel working in one of our areas and making name plates for them. My boss specified that they could have their names typed as they wanted, ie no last name, nickname so on and so forth. One of the gentlemen requested that his name be put on the plate as Pissant. No, I'm not kidding, and yes, I did do it. This led to a discussion later on as to the spelling of the word, whether it should have been Pissaunt, or as I spelled it. Naturally, we googled it and this is what we found. (Full Definitions found here)

A person who existentially resembles a speck of dry shit hanging from an ass hair of a gorilla. esp. when said person realizes this fact and sharply hones it's "skill" (i.e. propensity) in the execution of self-serving, smarmy, meaningless, petty vendettas for short term gain, which all results in a net tally of gains which equals to zero. Not even gaining an ego boost, when you consider that their devolved impersonation of an ego is not of enough value to apply. Their biggest asset, if not their only one, tends to be their "skill" (i.e. propensity) to cheat. They are metaphorically refered to as ants due to their common abundance, and refered to as being urinated on ("piss-") due to their general insignificance and lack of impact.

Yeah, I had it right the first time. I love working with these people, its so much fun:-D
BTW, Happy Valentines day

I've been Tagged:-D

Counsel, I was grouchy yesterday, my wrist always hurts, I just ignore it:) After 2+ years, I am used to it. But I am always game for fun, so here goes:)

"Here are the "Official Rules""
Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

ONLY 6? ooooo which ones to pick.

1. I am accused of being anal-retentive and Obsessive Complusive. Sue me, I like my M+M's sorted by color and having everything dress right dress including the sugar packets on the tables at restaurants.

2. I almost always insist on being the one to drive. Very few exceptions to this rule. Otherwise, I go neurotic.

3. I carry a Blackberry and a Palm plus many memory sticks and cards, for no reason. I don't use them for my job and since I am highly organized to start with, they are kinda redundant.

4. I LIKE cramming 60 hours worth of work into 40 hours a week and working for the most disorganized person in Raytheon. (I may hate myself being disorganized, but I have no problem with others who are)

5. I have 2 cats with whom I have regular conversations.

6. I will read ANYTHING. If I am really that bored, I will read the back of a cereal box, a 2 year old newspaper, anything so long as it has words.

Now the rule goes that I have to tag 6 other people. However having looked at the format of my blog, I just realized that I have lost my list of people I used to read regularily when I had time and now I don't have the links and the only person to which I do have a link, well, I would be very hard pressed to come up with anything weird about this woman: http://septuagenarian-sarah.blogspot.com/
so, consider yourselves ALL tagged, and come leave your websites so I can rebuild?

Is this what we Veterans deserve?

I have already told you about the phone call I recieved cancelling my surgery and pre-op due to the doctor leaving town. Yesterday I went in for another appointment to ask them to consider sending me out to a private surgeon to get this chip removed finally. The answer I got was this: 1. They are not sending anyone out.
2. They are not placing anyone on any waiting lists.
3. They really have no idea when they will have a new surgeon in, and
4. When they do get a doctor in, the process will have to start ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!!!
What that means for me basically, is that I have to see the doctor in the clinic, be set up with a new appointment for pre-op and surgery, and as there is no priority list based on those who had their appointments cancelled soonest, the likelyhood of having to wait yet ANOTHER 9 months to have this wrist fixed, is HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't just go to a civilian doctor through my private insurance and get this done because my insurance won't cover me: Prior existing conditions require a 6-12 month wait, and my current insurance sucks anyway because I am out of state for them.
I am going to end this blog now, my wrist hurts and I can't type any more.

Fun times out of the city

Oh it's been a busy two weeks here for me. As of late I have been pulling dual duty as the admin for 2 individuals, one of whom is a daily challenge (I love it), so I have been cramming about 60 hours worth of work into 40 hours a week. But, I am good, so I can do it:-D
I was scheduled to have surgery on my wrist February 14th, with a preop last week. NIGHT before my preop, I get a message after leaving work: "We are sorry for the inconvienance but Dr. so and so is leaving town shortly and we have not identified a replacement for him. Your preop tomorrow is canceled and your surgery postponed indefinatly." (obviously paraphrased). WHAT???!!!! oh was I ever in a righteous tiff about that one. I immediatly got on the phone with patient advocacy, and got a voice mail! Ugh. I had a follow-up ojn my knee that Thursday, and determined that I would say my piece and whine, bitch, and otherwise make a ruckus until the situation was resolved to my satisfaction. As it turns out, I did none of the above, yet I still have an appointment for evaluation of my wrist for the possibility of outsourcing my surgery (how bad does that sound LOL) next Tuesday:-D So, we shall see if I need do more complaining. Oh and btw, patient advocacy did return my call, FRIDAY, after I had already dealt with the issue.

Shooting the little 22LR we own:-D I love shooting it, you don't feel a kick and it is just fun to plink with.



NEW TOYS!!!!! We finally traded in Daniel's cranky Cougar for this dream of a truck! It is a 2003 and had only 30,000 miles on it. Preeeeeeeetttttttyy:-D We need to install running boards, simply so I can get up into it without actually having to do a pull up hehehehehe, but it is a load of fun to drive.

NO, this does not belong to us. This belonged to a gentleman who was also out at the range that day. It was LOUD and a lot of fun to watch him fire it.

Snow?

What the freakin a is going on in this city? I awoke this morning to a car covered in an inch of ice, and once I got on the road and farther south, there was snow on the ground!! Having lived in Tucson before I know full well that this is not a phenomenon seen in this city that often. Naturally, schools are closed, and people are staying home because driving with a half inch of snow on the ground is just too much for those who are more accustomed to driving during monsoons. ROFL:-D it is awful pretty out.

Las Vegas

As you can probably tell from the pictures below, Las Vegas was a grand adventure. To my surprise I discovered I liked playing Roulette and was rather good at it. Mind you, I did NOT win substantial amounts of moneys, I left that to Daniel who did clean up at one game.
The city is grand, well, at least the strip is, as that was pretty much the only place we stayed:) We did visit the Atomic Testing Museum which was fascinating, but other then that excursion, we stayed to the strip. We saw a number of good shows, foremost being the Blue Man Group show at the Ventian which set the tone for the entire trip. It was singly the most fun entertaining show I have ever been to.
There was only one down moment on the trip, when my wallet was most likely picked from my pocket, but I only had about 20 dollars in it and everything else was easily cancelled and replaced. Astonishingly, getting on the flight home without ID was easy. I had to go through some special screening and they did search my carry on luggage, but other then that it was a breeze.
Back at home now, and glad to be, for like anything else that is rich, Las Vegas is good in moderation only :)

More LV Pictures

Even the McD's Sparkles
A WHOLE LOT OF PAPER! From the Blue Man Group Show (All recycled)
Just on of the many beautiful fountains.
All dressed up to go out:)
Arrrgh who goes there!!! At the Sirens of T.I. Show

Las Vegas Pictures 1

The view from our hotel room during the day and at night

This show ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I liked this car alot. It is a 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
Daniel promptly wanted to go and win $70K for this vehicle, a 1970 Mercury Cyclone.

The Auto Collection was simply devine, in fact more then half of the pictures I took this trip came from here! I do love old cars:-D

WOOOHOOOO

Daniel came home last night on the 9:18 flight. His luggage didn't make it but he did! Obviously I am happy as a clam right now. I am currently at work, but tomorrow it is sayonara and Vegas or bust:-D

Resolutions I like

Here at work during my downtime I read MSNBC pretty regularily. Today I ran across this article with resolutions I can live with: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16387963/
:-D

Really REALLY cool

I love classic cars, my favorites being any mid 60's Mustang personally. I found this page stumbling upon it while browsing around various places and had to share. I think the work simply amazing, and if you read the pages chronologically the progression is just COOL.
http://www.starman417.com/chargerrt.htm

And New Bloggers

I like to keep the posts separate just so people can identify the links easier.
This one is written by a very wise woman, who also happens to be my Grandmother:-D
http://septuagenarian-sarah.blogspot.com/

Another year past

No resolutions for me this year. I have never been one to say "this year I will...." I really don't have anything sentimental attached to the turning of the year honestly. There has always been our family celebration, but that was more about the family being together then the celebration of the year change.
While I spent much of the holidays hiding in my house, I did go out New Years Eve as I was invited to a Masquerade Ball at one of the local clubs by a friend of mine. I hesitated to go, clubs, crowds, and really loud music just are not my thing, but on that day I decided what the hey? Might as well be sociable. So I got dressed up in my fancy ball gown I purchased oh so many years ago in Korea, donned my mask, and headed into the night. I met up with my friends at another friends place to link up and head out, but first there was a stop off at the Circle K for cash and cigs for those who needed it. As we left, the friend I had in my car directed me in a different direction to get to the club quicker, and as I pulled left onto the road headed towards the freeway, there suddenly was a set of lights flashing behind me. After establishing that yes, the cop really was after me, I pulled over and immediately began to wonder what I had done. After examining my information and having me step out, the cop then informed me that I had been driving without my lights. Where's my constantly having to remind me husband when I need him LOL;-D Daniel is forever having to tell me to turn my lights on at night when he is in the car. When I am by myself it isn't a problem, really. After all was said and done and I proved my sobriety to the cops content, we headed off and to the club we went. The evening was actually more fun then anticipated, and when we left I felt well satisfied in the evening. Of course, I have another 7 days to wait before I get my new years kiss, but its only 7 days WOOOOHOOOOO. another 9 and VEGAS BABY! Off goes the cells (2, 1 personal, the other work) No computer, NO work bothering me hehehehehe.

Winterhaven

Winterhaven has a festival of lights each year, and I love going, though these days I take a hayride through vs walking:) Obviously pictures are a wee hard to take when one is rattling around in a carriage pulled by horses, but these were the best of the shots I took that night:)

I want

 

Say Cheese

 

See me skate!

 

Rules for traveling

1) Never EVER book a 6am flight. If you do, please ensure your alarm clock is set for 3 AM NOT 3 PM!!!
2) NEVER book a winter flight through Chicago. Monday night, only two runways were open! We kept getting pushed back, and then they rebooked me on a disatrous flight out through Dallas. That plane taxied out and back in TWICE due to technical malfunctions. I ended up on another airline's flight through Vegas! I got to Tucson at 3am in the morning, my luggage didn't. Oh loads of fun
Well, for all the fun I had on the journey, the trip home was alot of fun itself. We watched the parade on Saturday, attended church on Sunday and that afternoon went ice skating at the convention center in Asheville. That was LOADS of fun. Friday I took a day and drove down to Augusta, GA to say hello to friends. Lucky for me, everyone was out of the office on training that day save for the two people who mattered the most, so that was wicked nice.
I am back home and back at work, tonight is my department's Christmas party and as I plan on leaving straight from here am dressed appropriatly. This morning, that included a pair of high heels that threatened to knock me flat, so my boss gave me her sneaks and made me wear them. I look funny now:-D

My own personal day of remembrance

Gone but never forgotton, SGT Cari Ann Gasiewicz, KIA December 4th, 2004, Iraq.

Thanksgiving and really bad haircuts

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Never fret, I didn't spend mine alone, boss lady had me over with some other friends for a big feast of food:-D I ate too much, but isn't that the point? hehehehe.
Long weekends always annoy me as I really have trouble filling the time. Friday I spent much of the day avoiding all things shopping related, save for picking up a pair of pants on sale, and getting my kitties cleaned up. Saturday, I went to the mall to drop off a ring that needed sizing, and while there went to go confirm my hair appointment, only to find that the person who had done my hair last time was no longer there. As it was dead there, I went ahead and had it done that day. I am pretty certain that throughout the conversation I said I had been trying to grow my hair out no less then 6 times. I don't think I could have been any clearer, yet when all was said and done, I had lost about 4 inches worth of growth. I was pissed! So I called and complained to the manager and scheduled a repair for the next day. So now my hair is in a short bob, and for fun I added red lowlights. I think the color is great, just still irritated about my short hair. Oh well, life happens.

Just stupid

I am sitting here reading up on election day news as it has been hectic today and I wanted to catch up. I click to this NYT article and immediatly burst out laughing. Tell me why I laughed: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/07/nyregion/07lamont.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1162947848-qflvIvXysP9Q+YkQvGQ8JA&oref=slogin

Moving Day

I ended up hiring a moving company, as in the end it turned out that there was just way too much to do that it would have taken me and a bunch of friends all day to move it, and that was just too much of a hassle. So being me, I dug around, called around, and found a good mover that would move me for about $250, as I was quoted at a reasonable rate per hour and the guy thought that it wouldn't take to long. Yeah, right!!!!! Come Saturday afternoon, 5 hours and 3 guys later I am moved in, but the total bill came out to more than twice what I was quoted. Talk about a heart attack on the spot. Either way, I am now moved in, and have the fun task of unpacking it all:-D

A kitchen I can move in wohooo!!!!!!!!!!

My Fireplace:) (my sister Rachel painted the painting in the picture. Talented isn't she!)

I am a dork

So, I get ready for work this morning, and after I'm dressed, made up, and look decent I go to grab my keys and get out the door. One slight problem, I wanted to drive the Cougar, and the key wasn't in my purse. Ok major issue here, I can't find it anywhere. 15 minutes of searching the bags, between the car and the apartment, and walking out the door the last time, I realize, I didn't check the pockets of the jeans I was wearing last night. DUH!!! So, I am finally on the road to work, about to make my last turn when I go for my badge. yeah, no badge. It's in the door pocket of the DODGE, about 12 miles and 20 minutes away, and I am already later than I like. Oh what a comedy of errors my morning was:)
I go pick up the keys to my new place tonight:-D I am all set for a move on Saturday, and I am so ready to have those boxes OUT of there. It's getting almost claustrophobic in there. wooo hooo, I can't wait:-D
Update on the knee: No fix for me just yet. The docs can't repair what is already healed up in a bad way, and so the doctor prescribed me Celebrex and told me to wait a few years. Yay. On a slightly weird upside, I have had to quit smoking. Celebrex is in the same category of drugs that Vioxx was and has the potential for causing heart issues. I am not about to sign my own death warrent and keep smoking. Where's my lolly?

Randomness

One of the things that kinda sucked about Daniel being gone over this period of time is that he missed our first wedding anniversary on the 5th. (imagine, I've been married for a year now. Freaky:) The funny part though, I flew out to NC that day, and just about forgot that it was that day LOL.
Since Daniel has been gone, my babies have felt his absence and become quite snuggly. Even Mal, my normally standoffish little rat has hopped up on my lap for lovings. I wake up in the morning with two cats snuggled in close and usually its a game of who can steal more pillow between me and Mal as he has taken to sleeping on my pillow above my head:) I wake up and the fight begins. Usually it ends when I give up and decide that it is time for me to get out of bed.
I came home from my vacation to be greeted by my boss the first day back with "you're moving" No discussion, just "you're moving". While I was gone she had been peeking in on the cats to take care of them and had found out precisely how bad the neighborhood was where I live. So we spent the next couple of days looking around and actually found a FAB apartment the first time we went looking:) It's further up north, behind one of the hospitals and in a much much better location. The apartment is larger with a larger kitchen (I'm in heaven), and the icing on the cake: Personal alarms on each door. Yeah, I'm moving. Now naturally this caused a bit of a fuss with the apartment complex I currently live in, but everything was worked out and after many discussions with darling dearest, I am moving out on the 28th:-D Now of course hiring a mover is out of the question, that is just more money than needs to be spent, so I am in the process of packing everything up and have a reservation for a truck. Before you ask, yes I am getting help loading the truck, heaven knows I couldn't do it on my own LOL:)
This leads me to my next bit of randomness and a bit of an embarrassment for me :) Saturday morning I planned on going on an all out hunt for boxes and accordingly dressed very grungy. After a very unsuccessful search I popped over to the mall to have my nails done before a dinner party that night. While walking back down the mall, I felt a tap on my shoulder and lo and behold it was an old compatriot from my old unit in Fort Gordon. While it was great to see him and see that he was doing well, I was still dressed grungy! LOL. Yes I am mildly vain about my appearance and running into someone whom I haven't seen in a long while looking like crud, not my idea of a good impression ROFL. Ah well, I am quite sure it really didn't matter to anyone else but me heheheeheee:-D
I have an appointment this afternoon with the orthopaedist, after having more x-rays and MRI's done, so, crossing my fingers, lets hope this goes well and I come back happy:-D

Home sweet quiet Home

I went back to NC last weekend for an overdue visit with the family and to meet my brand new niece. As fortune would have it, all 9 of my mother's children were able to be in the city at the same time, these days a rare occurence given that I am the only child to live outside the 150 mile radius everyone else lives in. Anways, I flew out of Tucson last Thursday EARLY in the morning. I had to be so early at the airport (0530) that I did not sleep the night before! And because I can't sleep sitting up on a full plane, I didn't sleep the entire way there. The flights were just fantastic, not much turbulence and reasonably on-time (I was late into Charlotte though). I met Grandma at the airport as she had flown down from MA to meet me, and we went and picked up our rental car. Got a GREAT rate on that, very inexpensive for a minivan for 5 days from Budget, and the van was just sweeet. It even had radio controls on the steering wheel. I thought that was pretty cool. We made the drive to Asheville in about 2 hours, linking up first with Mummy and Rachel at the Carrabas where they work and dropped by the house to say hi to the rest of the rascals before turning in to bed at our very nice hotel (again, great rate. I am queen of researching things to death and getting the best rate possible) I slept SOOO well that night. The next day we took it easy, cruised around Asheville with the younger kids after Mom and Rachel were off to work. Asheville is filled with all sorts of cool little shops that aren't very touristy. That night, Grandma headed off to bed while I took the kids and Timothy (who arrived by bus late in the afternoon) to a weekly event in Asheville, the drum circle. lordy chasing 2 babies around even with help is exhausted. Saturday night we had dinner at Carrabas where Mom, stepdad, and Rachel work. They each had invites for four people including themselves so we were able to all eat free which was REALLY cool. It was a great dinner, although I was rather sick and didn't enjoy the food as much as I could have. Mother theorizes that it is the pain making me ill as I was in pain most of the weekend. SUnday afternoon we spent a quiet afternoon in the hotel room beading. Grandma got some great shots of the babies playing with their wooden beads I got so they wouldn't be left out.
Monday morning we packed up and left out of the hotel to pick everyone else up and go take pictures in downtown Hendersonville. Every year, from about April to November, they have Bearfest, where a lot of artists paint different bears and they are displayed downtown. They are really cool to look at and naturally Grandma wanted pictures, so there we were running around like maniacs as Grandma and I had to be in Charlotte by 3 to drop off the car and get to the planes on time. We did that ok and the flight back was quiet and uneventful. I even arrived in Tucson early. I grabbed my car, headed home and just crashed. I took the next day off to recover, as while it had been a good weekend, it was also exhausting:)

Things I didn't know

When I told Daniel that I was ok with him taking this new job that would take him away for months at a time, I thought it was ok, that I could handle it. After all, it is a fantastic job, doing what he loves, and doing good things. Boy was I wrong, sorta. I am ok, for the most part, the nightly anxiety fits have settled down and I am sleeping better. But its the stupidest little things that get me to tearing up these days, like a couple kissing or hugging on tv, or tonight, driving home after a visit with a friend down south to an empty house. Just silly things. I know in the long run this will all settle down, and this is a good thing, but man, right now, this just SUCKS!

Ok, enough whining, got a funny one for you now. I had a root canal done this morning to hopefully repair things in my mouth so that when I eat sweets I don't start screaming a few seconds later (I'm a sucker for pain, so yeah, I have been eating them) Anyway, the doc is in there this morning poking around when he discovers a small cotton swab that had been left in there. Now, the only reasonable explaination we could come up with is that they intended me to have a full root canal 2 years ago when I returned to the states. But boy, it was funny and the freakiest weird thing that I think I have ever had happen to me. Mind you it didn't cause any harm and is common practice. I have one in there now until next week when I return for a permanent filling.

Otherwise, things are truely ok here, I have started sleeping ok at nights, save for when Lilith (one of my cats) crawls up on the bed with me and decides that my neck makes a great pillow LOL. I really think that they know that Daddy is gone right now, so they have wanted extra attention, especially Lil:) She's a snuggle bug that one is:)
Late here, so I am going to feed said animals, and nod off to merry land. I have Yoga in the morning so must be rested for that.

I'M AN AUNT

My brother and sister-in-law welcomed young miss Lily Elizabeth into the world yesterday. At a little over 8 pounds, she has definitly inherited their height as she is one long baby:-D I haven't seen pictures yet, but I've no doubt she is the most gorgeous baby in the world, after all she has gorgeous parents:-D

In for the long Haul

Well, after a wonderful weekend of having my husband home for 2 additional days (He flew in on Thursday night vs Saturday morning), I dropped him off at the airport this morning and his plane should be taking off right about now to take him to Iraq for three months. I am not doing too good right now, though I am at work to take my mind off the fact that I return home to a semi empty house. The two cats are a comfort but they aren't him. I am sure that in a few weeks I will finally adjust to sleeping alone, but it SUCKS! I'll be ok though, I promise. Aren't I always?
BTW in an update to the previous post, I just recieved my copy of the book, and it is fabulous. Certainly worth a look see. Matthew did a wonderful job compiling all of the blogs and putting in interesting information to go along with. Also in the back is a "where are they now" section that is pretty cool, so you see where they were when they blogged and then where they are now. I liked that:)

NEWS FLASH!!!!

This is a new book coming out that was compiled by a fellow blogger. I was honored in that he chose one of my blogs, one written shortly after my little blow-up for inclusion in the book, but there are many other bloggers in there as well with their own perspectives of the war. A list is currently posted on my sidebar. So without further ado, go buy the book detailed below:-D

( I would have a picture of the cover here, but Blogger hates me currently, I will post later when able to.)



THE BLOG
OF WAR
Front-line Dispatches from
Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan

Military blogs have transformed the way we look at war and the military, says U.S. Army veteran and military blogger (“Blackfive”) Mathew Currier Burden, author of THE BLOG OF WAR: Front-line Dispatches from Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan (Simon and Schuster; September 12, 2006; $15.00). Military blogs—milblogs, for short—give readers an uncensored, intimate, and immediate view of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. “Military blogs”, says Burden, “have been an experiment in putting lives that are on the line online.”
The first milblogs came after the invasion of Afghanistan, when the U.S. military gave soldiers internet access. Blogging became the perfect way for soldiers to stay in touch with and to tell their stories to their comrades-in-arms, their friends and families, and even the public at large. Milblogs were ideal for filling in the gaps that both the media and the military left out of the war. For the first time in the history of warfare, the public had access to an immediate, uncensored bird’s-eye view of what was really happening on the ground.
Unfortunately, the U.S. government is now trying to shut down these blogs and otherwise censor them. THE BLOG OF WAR could very well be one of the last real-time records of the war told by our troops as they risk their lives.
After the death of a friend in Iraq, Burden started his own blog, Blackfive.net, in mid-2003 to support the troops fighting the War on Terror and tell their stories. Blackfive.net quickly became one of the most visited and linked blogs and has won consecutive “Best Military Blog” honors in the Weblog Awards. Now, Matt Burden has collected some of the most riveting and insightful work by other bloggers in THE BLOG OF WAR.

In it you will meet:
The Warriors. Each day they must go into battle “to fight the dragons.” Readers who have never heard a shot fired in anger will come closer to knowing what it’s like to enter a known terrorist safe house or patrol the streets of Baghdad.
The Leaders. Combat leadership can be the toughest and loneliest job in the world. “Seldom is the average American subjected to decisions of right and wrong where consequences result in death,” says one soldier.
The Healers. The medics who staunch the blood and patch the wounds of their fellow soldiers on the wretched expanses of the battlefield, working feverishly between the next bullet and the nearest hospital to keep their buddies alive.
Heroes from the Homefront. Having a loved one in harm’s way is a very stressful and trying experience. Some relatives get help from friends, family, and neighbors. Many others, however, especially those on bases or in neighborhoods where everyone is deployed, can find themselves struggling alone.
The Fallen. Not everyone makes it back home: bloggers pay tribute to those who have fallen in defense of their country – spouses mourn their husbands, soldiers mourn not only their comrades but their Iraqi friends as well, and heartbreaking last letters home are shared.
Homecoming. Soldiers share their poignant accounts of homecoming. Some soldiers have been injured and others have wounds that can’t be seen. Words can’t really describe what it is for them to come back in one piece and be reunited with their loved ones, but THE BLOG OF WAR conveys these emotionally charged moments as few books ever have.

Military bloggers offer the public unfettered access to the War on Terror. The public does not have to wait weeks or months to hear what’s happened, nor settle for the government’s approved messages. In the past, there were only three sources from which the public could learn about a war: Combat correspondents, who sometimes wrote in the midst of action but just as often did not; government reports, which were often a mix of truth, propaganda and even disinformation; and soldiers who gave their own accounts of what they witnessed in letters to friends and family, accounts sometimes censored by the military, and always written and received well after the fighting had subsided.
THE BLOG OF WAR is a remarkable account of men and women as they actually experience the trials and tribulations of war on the battlefield, where our soldiers must daily test their humanity against harrowing episodes of the horror and fear. Readers are certain to have a better understanding and a greater respect for those who risk their lives for their country in these most turbulent times.

About the Author
Matthew Currier Burden enlisted in the military when he was seventeen. He left the military as a major in the U.S. Army Reserve in July 2001. He has a Master of Science degree in computer science from the University of Chicago and works as an IT executive in Chicago.

About the Book
THE BLOG OF WAR
By Matthew Currier Burden
Published by Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: September 12, 2006
Price: $15.00
ISBN: 0-7432-9418-1

Big empty apartment

Now, for the first time in 10 months I find myself alone again, and for the first time in my life, living alone in an apartment. Two words: IT SUCKS!
I dropped Daniel off at the airport early sunday morning for his flight to MD, and returned home and spent the rest of the day manaically cleaning just to have something else to put my mind on. That night I don't think I finally passed out until 1, and I left the hall light on. Yes, I am scared of the dark, and my cats make weird noises at night that make me jumpy. Last night I went to bed earlier, but I still feel sleepy this morning. I have 3 more months of this? Yuck.
It's a good job, doing good things, but still:(
Enough griping from me for now:) I assure you, I will be fine.
Side note: still working the leg issue, things are looking up again.

Yes, still here

Still living a nice peaceful life:-D
There is news however, both of the good sort, the bad sort, and the kind that made me go "huh."
First the bad sort (though it really isn't that bad if you put it into the right light), My beloved better half has taken a new job that will allow him to do what he does best, and enjoy it much. However, it takes him over to Iraq, so yours truely finds herself in a new position, as the one left behind. He will only be gone 3 months at a time though, so I am sure I will survive.
In good news, I have been consulting with doctors once again about my knee, and have been told that at this point what is causing the pain is most likely cartlidge, and that can be repaired. I have to go through some X-rays and another MRI to be sure, but I am confident that finally I will have a solution.
In the sort that made me scratch my head a bit, my other younger (YES you are still younger than me, though you may be bigger) brother has decided to join the Army. Odd, because I have to admit that I never thought him the sort, but his older sister joined, and his younger brother did, so he is flanked by two Army vets, not to mention the long line of them on Mum's side. Anyhows, I am proud of him and his decision, and hope that all works for him and his wife. They are due next month and I will be an Auntie:-D

Interesting articles

This just struck me, one because I used to like Mel Gibson, and two because Yiddish is such a fascinating language. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14121199/
The situation isn't all that funny, but you have to laugh at this one.

New interesting site

You will notice the addition of the little kitty, I found the site for that here : http://manohmanny.spaces.msn.com/
This person blogs of her adventures as a new cat owner and her cat's antics. It had me rolling at work, so it is worth a look see.
In other news, I burst out crying at the doctors office last Tuesday when he expressed his doubt as to whether or not they could actually fix me. He was surprised, but please, I had my hopes all up and he had just dashed them. Am I ever going to be able to walk normally, dance, act like a normal young adult? Who knows.

Back Home Again

After yet another LONG day of driving, we are back from Texas, snug back in our own apartment. It was a fairly mundane vacation, just a week of relaxing at Daniel's parents house and kicking around doing a whole lot of nothing. It did have its interesting highlights though. We had opted to not take our 2 cats as we didn't want to subject them to the 16 hour drive, but that didn't stop me from finding a wee kitten one night while we were out for a drive in the country. After taking it home and cleaning it up, we spent the next morning chasing all over Victoria trying to find a place that would take it in. Cats are apparently not big in SE Texas and we ended up leaving her at an old friend of Daniel's. Unfortunatly she was a bit too young and ended up dying later on. Kinda a big bummer!
Tuesday night we headed out to the ranch to blow things up:) Of course, cause I am a dork and while lighting someone's sparkler had it go off in my hand, thus causing a large blister on the center of my palm. It is small now, but boy did it hurt!!
Tomorrow it is back to the grindstone, ick:( I want to sleep in some more:)

They can FIX me!!!!!!!!!

Oh dear g-d I HOPE SO! I went for a visit with my friendly hand surgeon at the VA today, and while there mentioned my knee issues as I wanted a handicapped placard so my gimpy self wouldn't have to walk so far. His reply, "we can fix that" REALLY? PLEASE? I could walk normally, maybe even dance again. Then maybe even wear my heels without pain:-D Woohooo I'm so happy, so very happy.
Oh yeah, I also go on vacay to TX tomorrow:-D One week of blissful nothingness.

Much better

I spent most of my weekend taking care of car issues, and now, unless you are looking close at my dash and console, you can't tell anything was ever wrong:-D I had the door fixed on Friday, and we spent some time price comparing stereos, and then Sunday afternoon, we took the car in and had a new radio installed, so I won't go totally insane driving back and forth to work:-D Yiipeeeee:-D

I Got robbed!!!!!!!!!!!

I went out yesterday afternoon to do some grocery shopping and run other errands. When I tried to unlock my car, I noticed that there wasn't a keyhole there, it was just a big open hole! Lo and behold I look in the window to discover that my entire console has been ripped off and my radios are gone!!!!!!!!!!! Both my nice Pioneer system and my Roadys (XT and 2, I had just upgraded). Now I discover the insurance company won't replace my Roadys ("portable") and they will only replace the Pioneer with a base model Pioneer as I no longer have the reciepts. I bought this radio well over a year ago now! ICK! ICK! and DOUBLE ICK! I feel so violated. In the mean time I have to pay a $500 deductible to fix the car, as I can't even lock it right now (Nothing is in the car). This BLOWS!
Why my car I'll never know, it's not like I had a super duper system, it was very basic!

Cool things and thunderstorms

Yesterday we had the first big storm of the monsoon season, a month early, but a monsoon none the less. Naturally, everyone here that I work with and then some were out on our covered porch at work watching the storm roll in, because it was truly a thing of beaty to watch. As the wind picked up, we were startled to see a very large hawk get blown under the roof of the porch and land. The poor thing looked hurt, and it took a few minutes for the hawk to regain it's bearings and manage to hop up to the railing and take off again. Naturally we all kept a very safe distance, but it really was the coolest thing ever, and made my day. Then the storm started for real, and after a few minutes watching and listening to the rain, a strike of lightening struck close to us and made a really LOUD clap of thunder, sending myself and my boss scurrying inside, as I really don't do loud, and she doesn't like thunder that close:) One of the guys I work with had fun later teasing me for being a wimp, saying "you're such a girl":-D Yep, last time I checked those were the body parts I still had.
Ah, I love my life:-D So normal, so fun, just peaceful:)

I love weird news

Especially when it comes with interesting mental pictures: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/31/AR2006053101934.html
I drive a Neon, and this one I can just see:-D

Train wrecks

It was awful, cringe inducing, and yet.......I couldn't look away. I was watching: The American Idol finale. There was nothing else on, and somehow my remote wandered towards Fox, and I ended up watching the last 45 minutes. For those of you who don't know, I eschew EVERY reality show out there, on the basis that most of them, are pretty dumb. Well, save for "Beauty and the Geek" THAT was just downright funny.
lordy but that was funny last night. However, I did have to mute during the golden idol for best impersonation, did they really have to let the boy sing? OUCH!

This makes me sad

To think that two parents could not even reasonably get along to bury their son, who died in Iraq.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12932010/
In my mind, both of them needed a good whack upside the head. (NOT that I recommend using violence ever, for a point of reference, watch NCIS)

You know you have a good job

When your co-workers are nagging you to do your schoolwork... AT WORK:-D I love my job.
Oh and FYI, I am doing fine, even making a passing grade in math, a subject I have struggled with all my life.

Just LOW

You know, this was JUST LOW. http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1146882329307730.xml&coll=7&thispage=1
I have known several GREAT recruiters, so please do not think that this is a bash on all recruiters, just these uncaring and unthinking idiots.

Yes, the system works

Just so I can't be accused of passing on misleading information, read the first site explaining the second site. The first is a news article from the Air Force Link
The second is linked from a place called Cellar.org
and this third is just a photo gallery with more pictures from StrategyPage
Now go laugh cause it is REALLY funny:-D (Thanks Paul, that was a good start to my morning)

Oh the life I lead

I swear, I have somehow found myself living a most boring life! Nothing to write about, wouldn't want to bore you with blandness LOL:-D Not, that this is a bad thing mind you. I like my routines, my predictibility.
Other than school (and the impending panic on how to pay for it, discovered that GI Bill isn't helping ALL the way. Not to fear, I have signed up for scholarships and what not galore), there really isn't much happening.
This last weekend Daniel and I took a road trip up Mount Lemmon, and I was horribly dissapointed in what I found upon reaching Summerhaven at the peak. The Summerhaven of my youth was an idyllic site, relativly few houses, a little gift shop, and many, many trees providing shade. What I found was houses upon houses, the trees chopped down and thrown by the wayside. I understand that they had a recent fire and that rebuilding new houses was neccessary, but to this extent? Ick! Other than that it was a great afternoon, seeing the beauty that is Mount Lemmon.
I sent in my 3rd math quiz yesterday and am feeling quite proud, as I got a 78 on it. Compare this to a 48 the first quiz, and a 64 the second. When it comes to math, I SUCK!!!!!! But all other classes are well, I will start writing my research paper this week on King Henry the 8ths politics and life. Fascinating subject that one is.
If you like time killers, and I do, I found this site to be a great one: www.jigzone.com I LOVE putting together the puzzles, and it does pass the time rather quickly.

new sites

While roaming the web as is my wont in times of boredom, I found these two websites. The first, is from a well known personality, the author of the weekly "News of the weird" and is just a brief overlook of weird news: Backstage at Newza da Weird
The next is a couple of college kids who obviously do not have enough of a study load, and like to lip sync. Alot. It's very funny though: Murph's Lip Syncs
Enjoy

Pictures

Just a few pictures of my beloved cat for you all:-D
Things here are great, just rather normal and boring:-D

Patriotism lives on

Daniel and I went out to dinner tonight to celebrate the fact that he was hired on full time to his job from the temp service. We wanted to go somewhere nice, so we settled on the newest Japanese steakhouse in town, Benihana's. Lucky us, we got there at a very good time and were seated promptly with another group. During the course of dinner, in conversation Daniel and I said we had just moved to Tucson a few months ago after leaving the Army. At the end of dinner, when the checks were being handed out, the gentleman across the table for us, told us, "In thanks for your service, I am picking up your check"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW WOW WOW!!! This was just amazing to us, and to the gentleman should he read my blog, THANK YOU again.

Gone Fishing

Or at least that is where I would like to be. This past weekend, I decided that it was time to get out of the house and take a drive. It was to be a beautiful weekend, not a cloud in sight and sunny beyond sunny. We loaded the car up on Saturday with all necessary equipment, and headed south, to Lake Patagonia State Park. We got there early afternoon, and soon had found an ok site to pitch our tent. I wanted to go out on the water to do a little fishing, and so we went to the little store to see about renting a boat (ridiculous prices I might add, I could rent a car for less). Once we had done that we went to the marina. We had taken out a row boat as it was less costly, but once we actually got out there, it was discovered that neither one of us really had the coordination needed to actually make it beyond the buoy, and so back to the pier for us, and fortunatly the store was kind enough to give us a credit for next time that we can put towards a MOTOR boat ROFL:-D After that little fiasco, we ran around the lake a bit trying to locate a good fishing spot that was not overly crowded, which turned out to be a rock formation under a bridge where there was only a few others. After learning how to cast my rod and whatnot, we stayed there for awhile, with no luck, before packing it in and heading to the car. It was still early in the afternoon, the sun was shining, the wind was blowing enough just to cool things down a bit, and we wanted to finish the drive as described in my AZ road guide, so south we went again, towards Nogales. There we discovered the most interesting little winery that allowed you to sample their wines before purchase, and so we left with two bottles of whites. Next door was a bakery with the biggest and softest chocolate cookies, and that is what we munched on the way back. While Daniel set about to get the nights fire going, I headed to the nearest dock to get in some more fishing (again, nothing). As I knew the chances of me catching anything eatable were slim, I had packed up hotdogs, and of course that camping staple, stuff for S'mores! Yummy ooey gooey goodness. Later that night, after the fire had died, and we were tired, off to bed we went, though not to sleep. get your minds out of the gutter now. The location I had set the tent was not only on a slight downslope, it was also on a ton of very hard rocks that were murder on our backs! So, the next morning, after twisting our sleeping bags and clothing about us in a vain attempt to rest, we achingly packed up, and drove home, straight to a very LONG HOT bath. But, I love camping and being out of doors, so I've no doubt that very soon we shall be at it again, mayhap this time on Mount Lemmon, the site of many fond memories from childhood:-D

I'm still here

Long hours, tedious work, constantly busy, tired, stressed, I LOVE this job. Right back in the middle of things right where I belong and I love it. I had overtime last week, I know I will this week, but I am never bored. I work with interesting people, more than a few retired military, though most of them were officers. I sit right out in front so I see everyone who comes into my section and I have taken to posting a quote for the day on my cubicle (So "Dilbert") so everyone who wants to read it has to stop at my desk. Sneaky little me:-D
Unfortunatly we were unable to head up to the ren faire last weekend, as our friend couldn't make it down, but hopefully we will make it once more before the last weekend over April Fools.

New jobs

After a few weeks of boring unemployment I finally started a new job at Raytheon, doing what else: Admin. But I really think I have found a place I like. 2 days in and I feel rather at home:)
In other news, we are gradually moving in a setting up our new place. Last week all of his household goods came in from Miami, and mine are scheduled to come in on Saturday, so we actually have a bit more furniture in the place, and I will have my stuff soon:-D YAY!
There is the possibility of one of Daniels friends coming down to visit soon, and if so, it's off to the fair again:-D hehehehehe. I look forward to sucking it in yet again and pushing my breastesies up to mythical proportions again. "Mythical Proportions" is seemingly my new phrase after I made a comic remark about it at the office, regarding a picture LOL.
School is going alright, save for Math, of course I blow. But I am doing ok keeping up with everything else.

Moving weekend

So we spent our weekend moving things between our old apartment next door and our new, bigger apartment. A nice bonus for me is that I now have a sunny backyard in which to have my many potted plants that I desired. I now have 2 types of tomatos, marigolds, oregano, chives, cilantro, basil, and 3 types of peppers: Habanero, Jalapeno, and Serrano. Plenty of fresh salsa makings for hubby.
Anyway, we spent all day Saturday moving stuff and then Sunday we scrubbed and cleaned. Also on Saturday I had the pleasure of lunching with an old friend I had not seen in some years downtown. That was alot of fun.
Do you know that it is darned impossible to find a small mom and pop mexican restaurant here on the northwest side that serves breakfast? We didn't know this until we spent an hour searching LOL!

I'd rather be................

Out riding a Harley! The sun is shining, the wind is blowing just a wee bit, and the roads are calling. Ah well, supposed for now I will just survive rolling the windows down, the sunroof opened, with the wind mussing my hair.
Eventually I plan on getting my motorcycle license and a bike, but those are expensive propositions LOL.

so much

I really must write more, so much has happened recently.
For a little while DH and I were operating under the assumption that my 19 y/o sister would be joining us out in Tucson to continue in gym and schooling, but she decided to stay with the family back east for now and found a great gym out there. Regardless, DH and I have continued our plans to move next door (literally LOL) into a 2 bedroom apartment, which will give us space for a small office where both of us can do our schooling.
A couple of weeks ago I made the decision to stop pulling my hair out and leave the job I was at, as I was not particularily happy. I again put my resume out there, and almost immediatly had 2 great job offers, one from a nationally known government contractor, and another from a health care center. As the Health care center paid better, I decided to go with that one, and currently am waiting the results of the background check. For now, I am taking the time to catch up on my schoolwork and also filling in temporarily at a local construction company to keep the paychecks flowing. Entertaining work.
Unfortunatly recently we also had to give up one of our beloved cats as it had become very apparent the two were not getting along, and the older was definatly our problem child, so she had to be given back, as we do want more pets in the future.
Well that is that update from me, I will endeavor to write more frequently.

The renaissance festival

Sunday we went north a couple of hours to indulge in loads of fun and merriment:-D I rented a costume, and Daniel bought a simple one and off we went:-D While there I purchased a new bodice that did wonders for my cleavage. I swear I have never been ogled more, had more pictures taken with me, but had way more fun then ever before! (you will see what I mean with the picture of me) We also went to the Pleasure feast and lord that was SOOOOOO much foood and fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The feast jugglers.

DAMN he looked sexy!

"can't breathe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Commercials

Was anyone else sorely dissapointed in the quality of the commercials this year? The Budweiser/Bud Lights delivered, as did the "Don't Judge" ads, but seriously, ABC: sheesh enough with the self promotion!!! TOO many ads for ABC shows in my opinion. Anyway, between the rather lame game (who DIDN'T see that ball NOT go across the line!), and the lame commercials, I gave up at the second half and hubby and I hit the road in favor of somewhere else entirely, Bookmans.
Today, back at work though my usual cohort is out, much sympathies to her and her family right now. I spent a good majority of the morning on hold or talking to machines. Human contact please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hehehehehe. Hopefully the boss man remembers that I am sorta on my own here and I do need to eat eventually. He popped out awhile ago.
Anyways, School starts today, and I have a heavy load and am not looking forward to keeping up, but this is a good start:-D

Super Bowl

So I am sitting here watching the Super Bowl, though not for the game (Patriots fan, remember?). We are watching for the commercials. Early I made the comment that this would be the time to have Tivo:-D Fast forward through the game (he is a 49ers fan, fyi) and just watch the commercials. I did love the beginning, where they did a take on Dr Suess. That was great.
I am not allowed near sharp instruments now after slicing my finger while slicing potatoes. Ouch LOL.

Sick Days

Ah, the ability just to go home when I am unwell, and not have to worry about the fuss of sick call and trying to get quarters and so on and so forth. Yesterday morning I made the mistake of taking my anti inflammatory (I seem to have developed a touch of tendonitis) on an empty stomach and about 30 minutes later was wishing to die as it had made me very nauseated. So when the boss man came back, I simply stated that I was not feeling so hot and so when our part time person came in, I would be leaving. He had me run a couple of the deliveries, and then I took off and went home, where I promptly curled up on the couch with the kitties. Mal does love to snuggle.
I like running some of the deliveries actually. Not only do I get to drive around, but I get face time with the people I talk to regularly on the phone. I am well acquainted with most of our clientele via voice, but occasionally I like to match faces to voices.
Oh, about driving around, I LOVE IT. I roll the front windows down, open the sunroof, turn the radio up as loud as I can tolerate it, and enjoy the 110+ days of sunshine we have had here in Tucson. Man I love this town!

Politics in the workplace is always a NO NO

NO, I didn't bring it up, but yeah, so not going there again. I got one heck of an earful about it.

One advantage of working for a coffee place: all the coffee I can drink, and on mornings like this where I just want to go back home and curl back up into my nice warm bed, I need it LOL.

I start school again next week, this time taking on 4 classes at once, so this will be a challenge, but one I am up for. I really just want to get my classes done and out of the way so I can move on to what I really want to do in life. I like my job don't get me wrong, but this is not what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Moments of frustration

I love my job, I really do. But I do have a stretch point for sheer stupidity still, and right now, we are there. There are so many little silly things, i.e. most of my customers pay a different price for the same thing depending, and mind you only one price is listed in Quickbooks so I have know that particular person gets such and such price and change it manually. It's annoying to say the least.

So I am talking to my best friend last night, catching up on the gossip and what not, when she mentions that my name, and my blog are being used as a bad example, using inaccurate information to do so. I'm gone people, let it go already! Or did you hate me that much? Just stupid is my opinion.

In other news, I just weathered a pregnancy scare. My body apparently likes to play tricks with me, and led to a couple of days of VERY nervous nail biting. I do want to get pregnant, eventually, but NOT NOW. eeeeeeeeek. Too early. I start school again the beginning of February and this quarter I have a full load; math, spanish, history, and science on the agenda. I need to finish school first. DH was rather sweet about it, once I finally fessed up to why I had been so very cranky and unable to sleep. His concern? The cats and what would we have to do with them LOL. His way of thinking: not stress til we know for sure; my way of thinking: Worry about how this changes a number of things, too soon, worry about how I'm going to tell Mum ("I swear it was an accident!" LOL), so on and so forth. At one point we were discussing, and I made the remark "well it's your fault" and he responded with "I sure as hell hope it's my fault" ROFL. It lightened the moment, but now I am relaxed and not so worried. Oh and before you ask, yes I take pills daily!

More is better

I joined Curves yesterday, and had my first workout today. I hurt, but in such good ways right now:-D Hopefully in the next coming weeks I will regain my good health and good shape:-D

On the Purple Heart Stamp

I got this today:
Dear Mrs. Mesa:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for signing the Purple Heart Stamp petition on my Senate website. I am pleased to announce a major victory for supporters of the Purple Heart Stamp with the news that the United States Postal Service will continue to print the stamp despite the recent rate change. The Postal Service made the announcement last Friday.

With the recent increase in postal rates, supporters of the Purple Heart Stamp, including members of Military Order of the Purple Heart, were concerned that the Postal Service might discontinue the stamp which honors the heroes who have received the Purple Heart Medal. In response to those concerns, I launched a petition on my website to urge the Postmaster General to continue issuing the Purple Heart Stamp honoring the heroes who have received this medal. On December 19th, I also wrote to Postmaster General John Potter, delivering a list of hundreds of names of individuals who signed my petition.

This is wonderful news for all recipients of the Purple Heart as well as the supporters of this important and historic stamp. There was clearly a tremendous amount of public support for keeping this stamp in circulation, so I am delighted that it will continue to be issued by the Postal Service. This stamp honors those men and women in uniform who have made tremendous sacrifices in the defense of our nation. I am so pleased that we will continue to see it printed in their honor.
Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Stranger things have happened in this small world

Saturday night we went out to a bar for one of his friend's birthday parties. In the conversation, Iraq came up and we started to compare notes. It didn't take long before one of the girls and I were open mouthed having realized that we were in AG at the same time, and lived not more than 100 feet of each other, but neither one of us could quite place the other. It was just amazing! We even discovered that we had tattoos done by the same person ROFL!!
Life is funny that way!

best friends

Darling, you need to email me your number so I can call you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got a new phone and phone number and I don't have yours anymore. Oh, and not to mention I still need your email addy. And that's ok, my kings english is still bad too :-D

Not a fan

I never really have been too much a fan of Hillary Clinton, for some reason she just didn't sit right with me. BUUUUUT, that having been said; THIS is a good thing. So go sign people, it is for the betterment of all (I think that is a word ROFL)
http://clinton.senate.gov/issues/veterans/index.cfm?topic=purpleheart

Insanity Thy Name is boredom

One of the requirements of my job is to screen callers for the boss men. Obviously they don't wish to be interrupted by telemarketers. So guess who gets to listen to the spiel:-D Sometimes I want to tear my hair out, other times I want to die laughing at the sheer desperation. Ah such is life. But this is what happens when I have slow times, I will inevitably get one of those calls.

Looney Tunes

This was rather amusing.
http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/tests/lunatics/


(editors note 1-20-06: It works now, I promise)

Finally I understand

Daniel and I are sitting here watching the 5th season of 24. I of course had heard much of this show, it was a favorite while camped out in Iraq of the majority of my company, but I just never had any interest in it. I preferred Stargate LOL. Anyhoo, it is just intense!!!!!!!!! Now have to go and rent the first four seasons!

Quizzes

So I have learned that most people think that I met my husband in Miami (understandable), and that my all time favorite show is CSI (it's MASH) :-D Oh yeah, and that my eyes are blue. Nope, unlike most blondes, I have brown eyes. It's been entertaining:-D
This weekend thus far has been decent, Daniel and I headed to a local gun show where I saw plenty of cool guns. Right now my next aquisition is planned to be a Ruger Mark 22LR, for plinking and possibly competition shooting later on. Fun Fun Fun. On our way home we stopped at the coolest little Catina on the east side and then took a trip through the Saguaro National Monument park. When I was younger, I remember taking many a trip out there for picnics and field trips, and I love it. I just love this city. I can't wait until we have all of our belongings here, because then we will have our tent and we can go camping:-D

Counters

I have gotten less and less obsessed with checking my blogpatrol counter in recent months (other things to do), but I logged on today and noticed that in the last year and a half of existance I have now had almost 105,000 visitors. So to all of you, I say thanks, and glad to know you are interested:)

And just because I am bored today, I created a Tickle quiz just to see how well you all know little old moi:-D

1. Have I ever gotten a speeding ticket? * Yes * No. I'm a law-abiding citizen
http://connect.tickle.com/test.html?id=Ispb6Kt3VGRJTxgK&
If you are up for the challenge, be my guest and let me laugh:-D

Busy days

It has been a busy past few weeks for us here in Sunny land. Christmas we spent in Texas, New Years again in Texas, though this time we just drove to El Paso, and of course my settling into my new job has occupied much of my time as I was training to replace someone who was retiring. I enjoy my job greatly, as it puts me right back where I like it, smack dab in the middle of things with non stop activity:) Oh so much fun.
This last weekend we decided on a whim to go roam the city and look at houses. Now that is an adventure. We did find a couple of places that tickled our fancy, but for now we are still just floating the ideas around.

New Years Resolutions

To enjoy life to the fullest
To smile no matter what
To roll the windows down, turn the radio up, and let the wind blow through my hair.
To know when to stand up, and not be walked over
To be supportive
To enjoy every last minute of every last day

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has had a great Christmas and gotten everything they want.
Darling dear and I headed to Texas to enjoy the hiliday with his family. Unfortunatly the day before, he got violently ill and so travelling for him was a misery. Once upon a time I LOVED flying, but then unfortunatly I grew up, and developed severe motion sickness. I fly, me and Dramamine become best friends. Our flights went well, but then when we got there, we discovered that his sisters were sick too, and having been around DD, I was picking it up. So his poor parents had to take care of 4 sick children over Christmas. Over all though we had a blast, mostly just hanging out at the house. Christmas day we had Christmas dinner with a good chunk of his family, turkey, ham, and tamales:)
Since our flights came in aroung 11:30 last night, we didn't get much sleep, and so I spent most of my morning drinking coffee and trying to stay awake. Of course, dearheart had to lose his keys, so this made for much amusement for my boss this morning, as I subsequently had to return home, and promptly picked them up out of my bag on the kitchen table ROFL! He doesn't like me right now LOL. Tonight we went out to Lowes and picked up a small shelf with hooks attached for keys and my purse.

A full week

I started my week by getting fired from my job, which was rather depressing, though I am ending my week with a new job that I LOVE. It puts me back in the middle of things right where I enjoy things. I work for a small company called Cafe La Finca, an importer of fine coffee from Mexico, and some of the best tea I have ever tasted. I am doing the same thing I was prior to leaving the Army, which makes me happier than pie.
So, what is everyone doing for Christmas? And are you finished shopping yet? I finished my yesterday when I picked up my darling's present. I had it all picked out awhile ago, and i would tell you what it is, save for the fact that he is reading over my shoulder;-)
I got to speak to Baby Brat on the phone today, shortly after the girls sent a picture of him reading in the mall while they were all shopping. Ah, typical male:-D

Lazy Saturdays

Slept in this morning, before rolling out of the bed and throwing on my schlub clothes to do laundry. The bad thing about having a laundry facility vs in the apartment is that doing laundry is that much harder, so we only do it once a week. This leads to about 4 loads a week that gets all done at once. Yeeech. I really don't mind doing laundry so much, as I really mind the walk with the heavy basket. Ok I will stop my whining now:-D My husband has done it the last two weeks running so it really was my turn.
Then this afternoon we headed to the range to fire a few rounds through my newest pistol. I was rather dissapointed personally, as it was for me kinda painful to fire with that wicked kick. So I headed out and rented a Rutger 22LR, and shot about 100 rounds through that. I loved it. I was kinda pissed though when it jammed on me twice, though when I was discussing this with the gentleman in charge of the range, he reassured me that it was merely a matter of the pistol being dirty.
This evening we attempted the impossible in bathing both of our cats, no, not at once though. They both fought hard, but eventually we hauled them out of the bathtub and wrapped them in towels. Poor Mal screeched so badly you'd have thought he was dying. But now they have forgiven us, and we are settling down to the 9th season of M*A*S*H:-D

All I want for Christmas

Having a little too much time on my hands this afternoon, I read back through some of my oldest mail in my mailbox. Of course the earliest ones all date to a few days after the accident (thanks to my slightly drugged self accidently deleting a few), and that got me thinking about what it was like a year ago. I thought I'd never heal, never walk normally again, and worst yet, never be able to smile fully again. Yet here I am, smiling, laughing, and enjoying life in the best ways possible. So with that in mind I would like to revisit an old post, somewhat revised here:

This is who have given me gifts all year long:
*My brother, just for being there;
*My sisters, just for being them; and above all else,
*My beloved Mummy, for ALWAYS being the best friend and Mom a girl could ask for.
*My husband, of course. Though we are just starting life together, I know I will never be bored.
*My In-Laws, for being the best in-laws one could ever hope for
*My sisters-in-law, who decided that Daniel and I HAD to be there for Christmas and sprang for flight tickets out there:-D
*The gentleman who, when discovering a mistake on my separation orders, went out of his way to fix them and fax them to me asap. (this was the difference in my getting my taxed money back or not)
*My Orthodontist, for fixing my teeth up just right
*Mike, for making my brand new teeth all pretty, and making them fast as he could
*The Prosthodontist (I so misspelled that I know) for putting them in.

The list isn't in order of importance, it just is. I realize that this is more of a thanksgiving list thingy, but people, I just want to remind you all of a few facts that you all probably know:

1. FAMILY. No matter what, you are stuck with them for life, may as well make the best of it. No, really, they are the most important thing in theworld. Always appreciate them, and always appreciate the fact that they are there, because as many families this season know too well, you never know when they could be taken from you.

2. The Troops overseas. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. If you know someone, email them, write them, send your encouragement and support. Oh yeah, send boxes full of goodies too. (See sidebar for sites)

3. Your life. Always appreciate the finer things in life, whether it be a good bottle of wine, or simply the nature around you. Take a few moments to yourself, and just enjoy being who YOU are, not who everyone else wants you to be.

Narnia

For those of you who are Narnia fans, may I suggest the following article: http://www.slate.com/id/2131908/?nav=navoa
Very intelligently written, and I enjoyed it.

Winterhaven

Winterhaven is a small section of this fair city, that once a year combines forces to put on the most extravagantly beautiful display of Christmas lights ever seen. This year was no different:-D Daniel and I went on a Haywagon (Well a horse drawn trolley really) ride last night through the village. It's a good thing that the ride was nearly empty, as I spent 40 minutes oooing and ahhing and otherwise sounding like an overgrown child, particularily when I saw the display with Winnie the Pooh and Friends including TIGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hehehe.
On a more interesting note, I recieved an email from a friend I had not thought of in sometime as he had left almost a year ago. Quite a pleasant surprise.

Weekend Recap

It was a full interesting weekend this past weekend. We kicked it off Friday night by taking in a show at Laff's comedy club featuring Tommy Chong. Duuuuuuuuuuuuude it was fuuuuuuuny! We were fortunate to have seats reasonably close to the stage, but getting out of the crowd afterwards was insane!
Saturday morning we had planned a trip to Mexico to visit Nogales as I had never been, so we headed down there. I have to say, while it was enjoyable, and I did get quite a bit of Christmas shopping done, I was rather dissapointed. However, I do realize that Nogales IS a border town and as such is very tourist oriented. Daniel and I would like to take a trip later down the Baja California peninsula for a camping trip.
We went to go see the Chronicles of Narnia, and I was very impressed with it. The movie was fantastic and very true to the book.
Sunday afternoon we went to a local gun show, where oddly enough, Daniel came away with nothing, and I was the one who left with a new gun. It's a Polish P-64 9x18, nice and compact for my small hands. Now I just have to have time to go to the range and shoot it:-D
Well, I really should get back to work now, although this day has been rather interesting, as I can't seem to do anything right, and I keep stumbling over my own feet ROFL:-D Is it 5 yet? LOL:-D

Our babies

Well, after a couple of days the cats have settled into their new home relatively well, and have relaxed enough to establish who their preferred person is. Mal is definatly a snuggle bug who loves the fact that I shower him with attention, while Trillian is more reserved and simply loves to look around and prefers Daniel's lap over mine. Of course, Mal is younger by a long shot, as Trillian is almost 6 years old, and Mal is only 7 months. They are both simply adorable though.
Mal in his favorite nap area.

Not sure how she gets up there, as she is a little chubs, but a rare photo of both of them together. They get along fabulously, no fighting, but they certainly have their areas they like.
Trillan, not so big on the posing thing, Mal, oh yeah, Attention hog LOL.

Baby Brat's Coming HOME!!!

Go read his blog for more details, over on the side bar in all caps. I am so happy. Baby Brat needs to write me though (hint hint;)

In other news, Here's a new place to send your hard earned moneys (ok it's been around awhile): Toys For Tots. It's a good thing. AND, if you go shop at KayBee Toys for toys for the program, they will give you 10 % off!!!! You can give a gift of joy AND save all at the same time. Doesn't get much better than that!

Kitchen Aid's, beds, and Kitties

Hehehehhehehehehehe. I am in an extraordinarily good mood today. Grandma sent me a check for me to go out and follow in the family tradition of owning a Kitchen Aid:-D She's the best!
And Sunday we had a REAL bed delivered, a wonderfully comfortable queen. Since we no longer used the air mattress, Daniel decided we could now have a cat. So off we went to the shelter that night to look at the kitties, where we found 2 very beautiful kitties we liked, but since they could not confirm that we were allowed to have cats in our apartment complex, we could not adopt that night. So yesterday, I called up the complex, and had them verify, and we went again last night, only to discover one of the cats adopted. BUT, I found the most lovely kitty with wicked blue eyes, and white fur with black spots, and also a fat little tabby female I had to have. The person working was very nice and gave us both 2 for 1, so I got my 2 kitties:-D We promptly named the female Trillian and the male Mala Kavulla. Trillian is at home settling in right now, and we will pick Mal up later to settle him in. At the shelter they were glad that the two of them went home together, apparently they had been kept together for awhile and got along well.
Last week was my first full week at my new job, and I still like it. Of course there are plenty of times when I get very bored, but it is still interesting enough to find something to learn or do to keep me occupied.

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