Friday, October 29, 2010

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in

Another week gone by!  Another week of Wifey's Friday Fill-In.  I love that it finally feels like Fall around here.  Enjoy you weekend everyone :) 

1.What’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you? 
Hmm.  I honestly have no clue.  I guess that seems a little harsh because I know people have done great things for me, but strangers?  I have absolutely no idea!

2. If you are having a hard time going to sleep, what do you do to help yourself? 
Um, take a sleeping pill?  Well, honestly I do.  I take Melatonin as a sleep aid because it's suppose to be non-addictive.  It's about the only thing that works.  Counting sheep just confuses me.

3. Name something that makes you wish you were a kid again. 
Christmas, hands down.  Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year, but as I've gotten older, some of the magic has gone.  And now that we don't live by family, I can understand the stress that people always associate with the holidays.  I wish I could be a kid where believing in Santa Claus was still cool and the biggest thing you had to worry about during the holidays was how much food you could stuff in your belly.  I miss those days.

4. What is something you never believed until you experienced it? 
How incredible being a parent is.  It sounds so cliche to say that, but cliches are often true I've come to realize.  I've always loved kids and couldn't wait to have my own, but the experience is nothing compared to what I thought.  No matter how frustrated I am or how little patience I seem to possess, it doesn't matter when I look at my daughter's smiling face.  Really, nothing in the world could be more magical than that smile.

5. What can’t you say “no” to?
Chocolate! Oh, and ice cream!  Food is pretty much what I can't say no to.  Or a good book.  If I'm presented a book that I haven't read and it seems mildly interesting, it taunts me until I read it.  I told you, I'm an addict. 

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Teenage Angst

This has been the worst blog month I've had in a long while.  It's not that I haven't felt creative or had things to say.  Because if you know me, you know I always have something to say.  I've just been shunning technology in general lately.  I use my computer once a day to check all the important stuff and catch up on blogs, and that's it. 

It's sort of refreshing.

I was going through my office the other day--going through all the junk that was thrown in there when we moved in--and came across a binder filled with poetry I created back in my teenage angst years.  You know the ones.  No one understands me; the world is against me.  Yeah, those years.

Most of the poetry in the binder is stuff I came across that I liked enough to print off or copy down.  But some of it is of my own creation.  I haven't written poetry since high school, and I don't even read the stuff anymore.  A lot of it is kind of painful to read because how naive was I back then? Some of it makes me a giggle a little, but some of it does make me a little sad for the scared, emotional, sometimes very lonely person I was all those years ago.

But I find myself feeling a little nostalgic about those years when I could write about things I didn't really understand yet.  I thought I'd share one:

When I knowingly gaze into the mirror
I no longer see my reflection
but that of a child.
A little girl
trapped in this body of a woman
unhappily stares back at me.

Her round eyes are mourning
yet praying to be set free
to break away
from my inner agony.
My dark emotions haunt her
taunt her
this little girl feels so much pain.

I continue gazing at this child
and then I realize
she is not the cast away stranger
as I had believed.
She is me.

She is the child I once was.
My agony is her agony.
My emotions are also hers.
This child hidden deep inside me
hurts so much.

Now when I look into my mirror
I still see this sorrowful girl 
but I also see the reflection
of the young woman she's become.

Okay, I feel a little naked after sharing that.  Oh the wonderful days of teenage angst.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

Preppy.  Snug as a bug in a rug.  A too heavy pumpkin.  The coolest pumpkins on the block.  And the cutest Halloween Fairy you'll ever meet.  All this week at my house.






Friday, October 22, 2010

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in

Another week gone by.  Another week of MilSpouse Friday Fill-In hosted by Wifey.  I love Fridays!

1. Are you a night owl or an early bird?
I've always said that I'm not really either.  I don't like to stay up late into the night--the latest I'll stay up willingly is midnight.  Unless I'm into a good book and just can't put it down.  But I hate waking up early too!  I think I'm just a huge fan of sleep and think you should get as many hours as possible.  Alas, that's not quite possible with a two year old!

2. What makes you jealous?
Right now, I'm jealous of everyone that gets to visit abroad.  There is almost nothing in this world that I want more than getting stationed in the United Kingdom, and not knowing when it will happen or if it will ever happen is killing me a little.  I just wish I could snap my fingers and the powers-that-be would decide RAF Mildenhall is where Michael's needed most, and that he's needed now.  Unfortunately, I don't think my finger snap is that powerful.

3. Have you started Christmas/holiday shopping yet? When will you finish? (There’s only 63 days left!)
Yes!  I've never started this early because I love Christmas shopping when the stores are all decorated and everyone's playing Christmas music.  But with Evie's birthday only three weeks after Christmas and her actually understanding things this year, I have lots of shopping to do.  I've gotten a few gifts for her and someone else checked off the list so I've still got a ways to go though.  I probably won't finish until just before Christmas...it always happens that way.

4. What would you have a personal chef make you tonight?
Hmm...I don't think I'd be picky.  I'd just be glad someone else was making dinner for a change.  But some kind of pasta would be nice.  I love pasta.  With a good glass of wine and some chocolate for dessert, I'd be set.

5. Where was your first kiss?
Oh my gosh, I don't even know if I want to think about this.  My first kiss was when I was thirteen in a friend's front yard.  It involved tongue and everything, and I was thoroughly grossed out.  Let's just say, the guy had about zero skills.  My first kiss with Michael two years later was in the backseat of a friend's car while it was moving.  Classy, I know. :)

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

A little bit silly, Kansas Badlands Mud racing and a sneak preview at one of Evie's Halloween costumes!





Monday, October 18, 2010

The Infestation

Do you know what this is?


Yeah, that's a cricket.

If you just screamed at the top of your lungs like I do every time I go into my basement, I'm sorry.  But crickets are unfortunately on my mind, and now if I'm not mistaken, they are on yours.  Sorry, again.  Truly.

Okay, so I hate bugs.  There's nothing crazy about that.  I hate spiders and cockroaches and slugs and basically any other insect that looks like it wants to kill me.  Er, I mean scare me.  But this hatred I have for crickets tops them all.

I really, really, really hate them.

See when I was a young lass, the neighbor girls and I decided it would be fun to collect live crickets in a fish aquarium.  I have absolutely no clue why we did this, but we collected quite a few.  It was kind of an obsession of ours.  I'd say that aquarium was pretty much full of them by the time we stopped.

And stop we did.  Because when you start having dreams about crickets creeping into your bed and peeking out of every corner, you know you've gone too far.

I wish I could go back in time and tell my little former self to find a different hobby that summer.  Because to this day, I hate crickets.  And wouldn't you know it?  Karma's a bitch.

My house is infested with crickets.

At first, I thought we had some scary big spiders in the basement.  One day I went down to do the laundry and saw like six of them in front of the washing machine.  I screamed, went upstairs, and told my big, bad Airman to please kill them for me.  I'm not ashamed.

Turns out they are crickets.  Scary grasshopper-cricket hybrid looking things.  Kansas breeds them extra terrifying I guess. 

And now I'm finding them in other areas of the house.  Yesterday one was in Evie's bedroom!  Today, one sat next to my foot the entire time I cut up pork for the slow cooker.  I about peed my pants when I saw it.

I guess the lesson here folks is that if you see your innocent, naive little children start to collect bugs, tell them to back away slowly and make a run for it.  Because if they don't, it will haunt them until the end of their days.

I'm living proof.

Friday, October 15, 2010

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in

This is the worst blog week I've had in awhile.  I feel so neglectful!  Hopefully next week I have enough creative juices to do it all. 

1.  What are some things on your bucket list? (from New Girl on Post) 
I wrote a post about this awhile ago and also made it into a page here on my blog.  At the top of my bucket list is publishing a novel and traveling around Europe.

2. How long have you been a MilSpouse and where have you been stationed so far? (from Raising Roscoe) 
Michael enlisted back in January so I've been a MilSpouse for nine months now.  We're currently at our first duty station--McConnell AFB, Kansas.
 
3. What is a list of songs that sums up your life so far? (from Confessions of a Sailor’s Wife) 
Hmm, this is a hard one.  I'd say "Dancing Queen" by Abba; "American Honey" by Lady Antebellum;  "How Sweet it is" by James Taylor.   I can't think of anymore!

4. What is your favorite kind of pizza? 
I love a fully-loaded pizza (minus sausage).  Hawaiian pizza is a close second.  Basically, I just love pizza. 

5.  What are three good things in your life right now?
This is a great question!  The first would be and will always be my daughter, Evie.  She is the absolute best thing in my life.  Every single day she amazes me and humbles me and inspires me.  I'm not one of those mom's afraid of their children growing up--I can't wait to watch her grow into the wonderful woman I know she'll be.  

The second would be friends & family.  Even though we're now ten hours away from everyone, I know I can count on them no matter where we live.  And here on base, I have some pretty amazing friends.  I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to military life than with these people to help guide me along the way.

Lastly, I would have to say the sense of security I have from Michael being in the military.  It is a relief to know that he has a job right now when so many in our country don't.  And it's a pretty guaranteed job so I don't have to worry about layoffs or anything like that.  That sense of security means a lot to me and takes a big weight off my shoulders.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

It's been a busy week (finally working on my novel again!) so I've been awfully neglectful of my blog and the blog world in general.  Here's some (not so) Wordless Wednesday to get you through the week! :)



Friday, October 8, 2010

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

This week I wrote about some of my favorite things.  But really, I barely scratched the surface.  And unless I want to dedicate an entire blog to the idea, I can't write a blog post about all of them.  So the final post this week is the grand finale:  a hodgepodge of my favorite things.

************

Pink though purple is fighting to come out ahead
Mexican and Italian cuisine
Paranormal novels
These are a few of my favorite things

Sunshine and fluffy clouds
Lists and post-it notes
Bold patterns and clean lines
These are a few of my favorite things

Exotic places
Social issues and debates
Audrey Hepburn and Adam Sandler
These are a few of my favorite things

Words
Molasses cookies and pumpkin pie
Summer and Fall
These are a few of my favorite things

Feminism and my daughter
Christmas
Charlaine Harris and Jane Austen
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: Music

Music is a big part of my life.  Like movies and novels, songs usually tell a story.  Words intrigue me and music allows words to flow in a very catchy way.

Some of those stories are worth telling and others aren't.  Milkshake by Kelis, for example, would be one of the stories I could have lived without hearing.  But one of my favorite songs is definitely a story that should be told every single day.

Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson is one of my favorite things. 

Man in the Mirror makes me want to get out there and change the world.  Whenever I hear this song, I get a little stir crazy and wish I was using my degree to make a difference instead of letting it sit idly on the back burner. 

It makes me wish these words were true: "I'm gonna make a change/For once in my life/It's gonna feel real good/Gonna make a difference/Gonna make it right."  Not to say that I'm not making a difference in small ways in my little corner of the world, but when I pursued my degree, I did it because I wanted to make a change in a lot of people's lives.  

When I listen to the different verses in the song--really truly listen--it always makes me stop and think about how lucky I am.  And how unfair it is that other people aren't as lucky.  It's a random act of fate--or if you're religious, an act of God or some other deity--what family we are born into.  When you are born into a family that is poor or prejudiced against or faces some other misfortune, it's no fault of your own.  But in our society, we blame you for it. 

My heart bleeds for the people in this world who don't have enough food to eat or a warm place to sleep or people who love them.  It makes me wish we lived in a world where people never had to worry about those things.  But as I said yesterday, I realize that the price for that may be a higher one than most people would be willing to pay.

It doesn't stop me from wishing though.

I love songs that make you think.  That talk about more than just easy surface stuff.  Not that every song needs to be soul-changing, but I always appreciate those that are.

I'll leave you with this last little bit of lyrical perfection.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror/I'm asking him to change his ways, yeah/No message could have been any clearer/If you wanna make the world a better place/Take a look at yourself and then make the change/You gotta get it right, while you got the time/'Cause when you close your heart/Then you close your mind

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: Book

Today the 'favorite thing' that I'll talk about is one of my favorite books.  As an aspiring novelist and an admitted book addict, it's pretty impossible for me to have one favorite book.  I have quite a few.  But this book has been one of my favorites since my freshman year of high school.  It's influenced me in so many ways.

The book I'm talking about is The Giver by Lois Lowry. 

The Giver always makes me think about why we are the way we are.  What makes us like the things we like?  Why do some people like certain things while other people like other things?  What makes us excel at the things we excel at?

I often think about everything I like and am interested in and wonder how I got to this point.  At what point did I decide that societies interested me and that the social sciences would be a great field to pursue?  Why have words always fascinated me?  Was I meant to be a sociologist or a novelist or a mixer of both?  

Of course, The Giver also makes me think about societies as a whole.  And to be glad that we live in a country where we have freedom of choice.  Where we have freedom at all.   It would be great to never feel pain and for everyone to be taken care of, but I do understand that we would lose so much of our individuality and of course, our freedom.

The Giver makes the reader think about all of these things though it goes about it in a subtle way without being too scholastic or preachy.  It's a novel about a twelve year old boy who pretty much has to take the weight of the world on his shoulders.  And he has to decide what he's going to do about it. 

I wish I could be as brave as Jonas.

Monday, October 4, 2010

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: Movies

I'm trying something new this week.  Every day I am going to write about one of my favorite things.  For example, today I'll be writing about my favorite movie(s).  Later in the week, I'll write about one of my favorite songs, books, and cities.  And then I'll wrap it all up with a grand finale of my favorite things.  Feel free to join along in this fun theme!

Without further ado, today marks the first day of "These Are a Few of my Favorite Things"...

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I'm a huge movie lover.  I think it's because I'm really a lover of all stories--whether it is portrayed through a movie, a book or even a song.  I'm a sucker for a good story.

Most of my favorite movies fall into the action or suspense genres.  There's nothing like a good fight scene to get the blood racing.  But my absolute favorites are definitely more girlie.  They are movies that I can watch over and over and over again without tiring of them.  Whenever I need to feel comfort, I pop in one of these movies and my day is instantly better.

1.  Gone With the Wind
This movie has been one of my favorites for as long as I can remember.  It's my mom's favorite movie so I watched it a bunch growing up.  I know there's a lot of controversy surrounding this movie (and the book it derived from) because many feel that it glorifies slavery and romanticizes the Civil War, but honestly?  I just like it for the pretty dresses and the overly-dramatic Scarlet O'Hara. 

2. Sweet Home Alabama
My favorite "modern" movie of all time!  There's obviously something about the Southern lifestyle that I find intriguing, and this movie doesn't disappoint in giving me what I crave.  The characters seem so real to me.  And really, a love triangle involving Josh Lucas and McDreamy?  Count me in!

3.  Pride & Prejudice
One of the best love stories of all times, Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' is portrayed beautifully in this movie.  The relationship that evolves between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy never fails to bring a smile to my face.  It isn't an easy courtship, and I love the story all the more for it.  Life is never easy, and love isn't any different.  I love the clothing worn in this time period (though I'm not in the love with the male hairstyles).  And really, every girl loves her some Mr. Darcy.

Friday, October 1, 2010

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in

Love me some Military Spouse Friday Fill-In.  I love reading the responses of all the other military spouses and "meeting" them all through the blogsphere. 

1. What is the silliest get-up you have ever worn outside of a Halloween party? (from To The Nth)
Hmm, anything from middle school?  Ha.  It's sorta true.  Do you remember Jnco jeans?  Totally sported some of those baggy monstrosities my sixth grade year.  The horrors.

2. What is something that you gave up in order to live the military lifestyle? (from Pennies from Heaven)
Well obviously, living near family.  I have a very, very large extended family, and it's going to be a miracle if I manage to see many of them for as long as Michael's in the military.  We get the whole clan together for a Holiday party about a week or two before Christmas every year, and besides weddings or graduations, that's about it.  I doubt we'll be able to go home for those things so I'm pretty sad about that.

3. If money wasn’t a factor and you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? And why? (from Life and Times of a Displaced Jersey Girl)
This is probably the hardest question ever because I want to go everywhere! The sociologist in me is so intrigued by other cultures and societies that I want to experience them all for myself.  But if I had to choose just one place, it would be Italy.  The country has great food and great places to explore.  Plus, right now we don't have the option to get based there with Michael's current job like some of the other places I really want to visit (ENGLAND!). 

4. If you were going to join the military, what branch would you join? Or which MOS/rating would you choose? (from And You Never Did Think)
Air Force of course!  Michael and I weighed the pros and cons of each branch together before he enlisted so I would come to the same conclusion for myself.  I have no clue what I would do, though.  My degree is in Sociology, and I don't think there's really anything related to that in the military. 

5.  What is your favorite thing to make for dinner? (from Armendinger Party of 4)
Homemade chili.  I love chopping everything up that goes in it, and knowing that I made it completely from scratch.  It is so yummy!